Indiapost 12 20 2013

Top Stories

V O I C E

O F

I N D I A N S

W O R L D W I D E

India Post www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK • WASHINGTON D.C. • CHICAGO • ATLANTA • CALIFORNIA

'Yoga' lands at Chicago's O'Hare Airport Details on page 17

Move to curb loans to students studying abroad

VOL 19, No. 1005

December 20, 2013

50¢

Periodical Postage

INDIA RETALIATES TO DIPLOMAT ARREST

NEW DELHI: India has retaliated strongly to the arrest of its Deputy Consul General in New York by initiating series of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of privileges including withdrawing all airport passes and stopping import clearances for the embassy.

Asking all Consulate personnel and their families to turn in their ID cards immediately, the government has also sought key information such as salaries paid to all Indian staff employed at the consulates and by Consulate

officers and families including as domestic helps.

"The government has asked for all US Consulate personnel's ID cards and that of their families immediately.

These will now be downgraded on par with what the US provides to our Consulates in US," sources said.

The government has asked the US to provide it with visa information and other details of all teachers at US schools and pay and bank accounts of Indians in these schools.

Details on page 5

Details on page 17

Dr Ami Bera

India, a critical American partner: Bera Details on page 8

US court asks Sonia to respond to lawsuit Details on page 9

Rajya Sabha passes Lokpal Bill Details on page 10

Indians in US observe Patel's anniversary

Bulk of NRI complaints about property

Details on page 9

Details on page 9

Nirbhaya Trust to help rape victims

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 30-31 Classifieds ------------------------- 52 Community Post -------------- 17-25

Details on page 10

Date Book -------------------------- 48 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

INDIA POST SURVEY

HealthScience Post --------- 32-35

survey@indiapost.com

Horoscope ------------------------- 26

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 44-46

Is removing US embassy security barriers wrong?

Life Style ----------------------- 49-51 Philosophy ------------------------- 53

Last week’s result

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 State BJP victories due to Modi?

YES 83%

NO 17%

TIT FOR TAT: Delhi Police removing barricades outside the US Embassy in New Delhi on December 17 as India reacted angrily to the arrest of its Deputy Consul General in New York, Devyani Khobragade (inset). Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has however objected to removal of security barriers near the embassy as "taking things too far". Details on page 7

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Real Estate ------------------------ 47 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 41-43

2

India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post

3

4

India Post

India Post www.indiapost.com The Weekly Newspaper Serving Indians Worldwide

Romesh & Sunita Japra Publishers Rajesh Verma Co-Publisher Vikram Paul President Krishan Sharma Mg Director & Joint Editor Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor Naresh Sodhi General Manager Amit Saini IT Director Ghanshyam Bisht Supervisor Graphics SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY Vijay Thapar CPRO & Advertising Sonia Sidhu Management Analyst Deepak Chhabra Promotions Harish Kalewar Promotions Priya Nayar Bureau Chief Gregg Nuti Sales & Marketing Director Rakesh Kapoor Correspondent Ratika J. Paul Photo Journalist Neeloo Kapoor Photo Journalist Sudesh Kumari Correspondent Rama Mehra Advertising Vidya Sethuraman Correspondent Ritu Maheshwari Correspondent Sujata Singh Correspondent Raaj D. Photo Journalist LOS ANGELES Mrs Shashi Trivedi Bureau Chief J S Bedi PR & Marketing Mrs Prem Kishore Sr Correspondent Greg Heffernan Correspondent Ms Bobby Sharma Correspondent Babeeta Kaur Dhillon Correspondent Pavan Kaur Bhatia Correspondent CHICAGO Ramesh Soparawala Resident Editor A Q Siddiqui Correspondent ST. LOUIS Ashwin Patel Correspondent NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY Pinky Kaur Bureau Chief Srirekha N. Chakravarty Correspondent Nikita Japra Correspondent Sukhvinder Saini Circulation ATLANTA Sanjay Saggere Bureau Chief FLORIDA B K Madnani CANADA Firdaus Ali Correspondent BOSTON Gope Gidwani Bureau Chief

December 20, 2013

IndiaNewsweekly Post Mission Statement To empower the Indian Diaspora and make their voice strong and effective in countries of their adoption. RJ Media conglomerate offers a credible, professional and complete package of news, opinion, entertainment, networking and information.

Publisher’s Diary

T

his is the first time the UPA government in New Delhi has shown some guts but seems to have gone too far in removing even the security barriers around the US embassy in an angry reaction against the arrest of India's Deputy Consul General in New York, Devyani Khobragade.

The incident is unfortunate. The new spine that the UPA has developed can be attributed to the Congress' recent defeat in the Assembly elections and the unprecedented rise of the new Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). It has also quickly passed the Lokpal Bill sensing that the people who defeated it and voted for AAP are in favor of the bill aimed at curbing corruption which has been the hallmark of UPA II. The fast undertaken by Anna Hazare for the bill also contributed to the haste.

The US could have handled the Indian diplomat case with a little more care. Handcuffing a person who is on official assignment from a foreign country, and also a woman, in broad daylight while she was returning from dropping her children to school, is highhanded, to say the least. She was not going to run away. Also keeping her with drug addicts in jail and stripsearching in the police station may not be in keeping with the Vienna convention agreements. It is a clear provocation to the country of her origin.

Even as US officials expressed their hope that the long-standing partnership with India will not be affected by this incident, they also stuck to their guns defending the action against the Indian diplomat as "standard procedure." This doesn't appear like a friendly response. The Indians must indeed be sore as this is not the first incident implying insult for some of their top dignitaries. Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam as also previous Indian Ambassador to US Nirupama Rao were subjected to undignified search. Indians with Muslim names have been routinely harassed at airports.

It is true that US law enforcement treats all offenders equally; a little humane behavior can mend many fences.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

DETROIT Ashok B Jain, M D Bureau Chief Gurminder Singh SAN DIEGO Neelu Bhardwaj Bureau Chief SACRAMENTO Madan Sharma Bureau Chief Janak Sidhra Correspondent Upen Shukla Correspondent CENTRAL VALLEY (CA) Dr Ram Saini Bureau Chief Sheila Rogers Correspondent YUBA CITY (CA) Satnam Tatla Correspondent CAROLINAS Nalini Raja Patel Correspondent INDIA Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor & Bureau Chief NEW DELHI Vijender P Shah Graphics Jitender Singh Rawat Graphics PUNJAB Shiv Japra Bureau Chief Anil Kanwar Senior Correspondent/ Marketing DOABA, PUNJAB Romesh Kaura Correspondent HYDERABAD M Sagar Kumar Bureau Chief MUMBAI Nidhi Soparawala Correspondent Frank Fernandes Correspondent Diana Gabriel Marketing VADODARA, GUJARAT Vaidehi Patel Correspondent India Post (ISSN-1064-3868) is published weekly for $30 for 52 issues yearly by India Post, 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538. Periodicals postage paid at Norwalk, CA and additional mailing office.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the corporate headquarters: 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Copyright © 1994 Indamec, Inc. DISCLAIMER India Post assumes all advertisers to be reliable and responsible for all liability for their claimers

INFO-CENTER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-565-9993, Fax: 510-790-2806; E-mail: info@indiapost.com E-SUBSCRIPTION: Vikram Paul Tel: 510-789-7520 Extn: 208; E-mail: subscribe@indiapost.com Classifieds: Tel: 510-938-8668; E-mail:classifieds@indiapost.com or Tel: 510-565-9993, E-mail: priya@indiapost.com Graphics Inquiry: Tel: 510-936-9490; E-mail: ghanshyam@indiapost.com For Editorial: Priya Nayar Tel: 510-565-9993; E-mail: priya@indiapost.com

For advertisement rates call the office nearest to you: SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-938-8667 e-mail: nareshsodhi@gmail.com Priya Nayar: 510-579-2760 e-mail: priya@indiapost.com

LOS ANGELES

12908 Indian Lane Norwalk, CA 90650 Tel: 562-441-5511, shashi19@yahoo.com

CHICAGO

2543 W Devon Ave Chicago IL 60659 Tel: 773-973-7394; Fax: 773-973-7396; Email: sramesh@aol.com

NEW YORK

Tel: 908-338-3752 (Marketing) Tel: 732-283-4939 (Editorial) E-mail: indiapost2000@yahoo.com

NEW JERSEY

21 Longfellow st., Carteret, NJ 07008 Tel: 732-969-1114; Fax: 732-969-3735 E-mail: indiapost2000@yahoo.com

BOSTON Tel: 617-298-9200; Fax: 617-298-1104 GOPE; E-mail: ggidwani@aol.com

ATLANTA 67 Peach Tree Dr., Ste. 102, Buckhead Atlanta, GA 30309 Tel: 404-425-3021 E-mail: sanjay@eBolo.com FLORIDA 8401 West Sample Road 30, Coral Springs, Florida - 33065 TORONTO, CANADA Tel/Fax: 416-744-8610 DELHI Jin Kushal Suri Complex, 3rd Floor, 230-A, Masjid Moth, (NDSE Part-II) New Delhi - 110049 Tel: 11-26257769 / Fax: 11-46142969 E-mail:delhi@indiapost.com MUMBAI • Fernandes Mansion Tam Taloa, Bassien (W) Mumbai Tel: 09619 330159

• Diana Gabriel Ismail Building, Veer Savarkar Road Fort Mumbai 400 001 Tel: 98200 28348 E-mail: drassociates.singh@gmail.com VADODARA

• Vaidehi Patel E-mail: v_patel83@yahoo.com Tel: 011 91 98797 79976

For editorial, contact: editor@indiapost.com or call 510-797-7799

HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Common sister-in-law Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor have both called his ex-girlfriend Katrina Kaif as their sister-in-law!

Cover Story: Diplomat arrest India has initiated a series of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of several privileges in retaliation

Community: Student loans The US government may limit loans to Medical students in this country studying aboard, many of Indian origin

30 1 17

Immigration: Bill to help illegals Lawmakers have advanced a bill that would help New Jersey residents who are in the U.S. illegally pay for college

Life Style: Holiday headaches Do you wonder why the holiday season brings stress and headaches instead of a glow of excitement?

Techbiz: IKEA investment Swedish furniture retailer IKEA may open cafeterias at its outlets as part of its Rs 10,500 crore investment in India

Travel: Choki Dhani Located about 20km from Jaipur, 'Choki Dhani' takes you back to real village experience along with five star facilities

44 49 12 41

Cover/Top Stories

December 20, 2013

India Post

5

www.indiapost.com

India retaliates to diplomat arrest NEW DELHI: India has retaliated strongly to the arrest of its Deputy Consul General in New York by initiating series of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of privileges including withdrawing all airport passes and stopping import clearances for the embassy.

Asking all Consulate personnel and their families to turn in their ID cards immediately, the government has also sought key information such as salaries paid to all Indian staff employed at the consulates and by Consulate officers and families including as domestic helps.

"The government has asked for all US Consulate personnel's ID cards and that of their families immediately. These will now be downgraded on par with what the US provides to our Consulates in

US," sources said.

The government has asked the US to provide it with visa information and other details of all teachers at US schools and pay

Asking all Consulate personnel and their families to turn in their ID cards immediately, the government has also sought key information such as salaries paid to all Indian staff employed at the consulates and bank accounts of Indians in these schools.

Apart from these measures, Government has stopped all im-

port clearances for the US embassy including for liquor.

Also, the traffic barricades near the US embassy on Nyaya Marg here have been lifted except for the picket.

India has reacted sharply to the arrest of Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade, who was handcuffed in public in New York on visa fraud charges last week.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh summoned US Ambassador Nancy Powell and issued a demarche in this regard.

The displeasure was also evident among leaders and officials of Indian government who cancelled their meetings with visiting US Congressional delegation.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde cancelled his meeting with the US team ostensibly as a mark of protest against the treatment

meted out to Khobragade. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also refused to meet the US Congressional delegation in protest against the arrest.

The government has asked the US to provide it with visa information and other details of all teachers at US schools and pay and bank accounts of Indians in these schools The previous day, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar had cancelled her meeting with a senior US Congressional delegation due

to the same reason.

National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon, who also had a scheduled meeting with the fivemember US team, did not meet them, apparently for the same reason.

The delegation comprised Congressmen George Holding (Republican - North Carolina), Pete Olson (Republican - Texas) David Schweikert (Republican Arizona), Robert Woodall (Republican - Georgia), Madeleine Bordallo (Democrat - Guam).

39-year-old Khobragade, a 1999-batch IFS officer, was taken into custody on visa fraud charges on a street in New York as she was dropping her daughter to school before being released on a USD 250,000 bond after pleading not guilty in court. PTI

India's Dy Consul General arrested for visa fraud PRAKASH M SWAMY

NEW YORK: India's Deputy Consul General in New York was arrested on December 12 on charges of visa fraud pertaining to a domestic help brought from India who she was allegedly underpaying and exploiting.

This is the first time in the history of Indian missions abroad that a serving senior diplomat was arrested on visa related frauds.

She is currently serving as acting Consul General in the absence of Dnyaneshwar Mulay who is in India.

Manhattan US attorney Preet Bharara announced the arrest of Devyani Khobragade, who is

tion for an A-3 visa through the website for the US department of state's consular electronic application center for an Indian national ("Witness-1"), who was to be the personal employee of Khobragade beginning in November 2012.

The visa application stated that witness-1 was to be paid $4,500 per month in US dollars.

Khobragade and witness-1 also signed an employment contract for witness-1 to bring to Witness1's interview at the US embassy in India in connection with the visa application, which witness-1 did at Khobragade's direction.

Manhattan US attorney Preet Bharara said, "Foreign nationals brought to the United States to serve as domestic workers are entitled to the same protections against exploitation as those afforded to United States citizens."

India's deputy consul general for political, economic, commercial and women's affairs at the Consulate General of India in New York, saying, "Foreign nationals brought to the United States to serve as domestic workers are entitled to the same protections against exploitation as those afforded to United States citizens."

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint unsealed in the Manhattan federal court, Khobragade prepared and electronically submitted an applica-

The first employment contract stated, among other things, that Khobragade would pay witness1 the prevailing or minimum wage, whichever is greater, resulting in an hourly salary of $9.75.

The complaint said Khobragade knew that the first employment contract that she caused witness-1 to submit to the US state department in connection with witness-1's visa application contained materially false and fraudulent statements about, among other things, witness-1's

hourly wage and hours worked.

Prior to the signing of the first employment contract, Khobragade and witness-1 had allegedly agreed that she would pay Rs 30,000 per month, which at the time was equivalent to $573.07.

The complaint said at 40 hours per week, with approximately 4.3 weeks in a month, $573.07 equates to a rate of $3.31 per hour. However, Khobragade instructed witness-1 to say that she would be paid $9.75 per hour, and not to say anything about being paid 30,000 rupees per month.

Khobragade also instructed witness-1 to say that witness-1 would work 40 hours per week, and that witness-1's duty hours would be 7am to 12.30pm, and 6.30pm to 8.30pm. She told witness-1 that the first employment contract was a formality to get the visa.

After the first employment contract was submitted to the United States department of state, Khobragade told witness-1, that witness-1 needed to sign another employment contract (second employment contract).

Khobragade and witness-1 signed the second employment contract, which provided that witness-1's maximum salary per month including overtime allowance will not exceed 30,000 rupees per month.

The second employment contract does not contain any provision about the normal number of working hours per week or month.

The complaint said witness-1 worked for Khobragade as a household employee from ap-

proximately November 2012 through approximately June 2013.

Khobragade, 39, was charged with one count of visa fraud and one count of making false statements, which carry maximum sentences of ten years and five years in prison, respectively.

"The false statements and fraud alleged to have occurred here were designed to circumvent those

ers are entitled to the same protections against exploitation as those afforded to United States citizens. The false statements and fraud alleged to have occurred here were designed to circumvent those protections so that a visa would issue for a domestic worker who was promised far less than a fair wage. This type of fraud on the United States and exploitation

Devyani Khobragade

protections so that a visa would issue for a domestic worker who was promised far less than a fair wage. This type of fraud on the United States and exploitation of an individual will not be tolerated," Bharara said in a statement.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: "Foreign nationals brought to the United States to serve as domestic work-

of an individual will not be tolerated."

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Bharara thanked the Department of Justice's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit for playing an integral role in this investigation, and for providing ongoing support in this prosecution. The Office's Organized Crime Unit is handling the case.

6

Top Stories

India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Standard procedures followed in arrest: US WASHINGTON: The US has virtually justified the reported strip search by New York police of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, saying "standard

her daily news conference.

Harf was asked about media reports that 39-year-old Khobragade, the Deputy Consul General at New York, was strip

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf

procedures" have been followed during her arrest.

"Diplomatic Security, which is under the State Department purview, followed standard procedures during her arrest," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters at

searched and confined with drug addicts after her detention.

Media reports also said she was subjected to DNA swabbing.

A 1999-batch IFS officer, Khobragade was arrested as she was dropping her daughter to school and handcuffed in public

on visa fraud charges before being released on a USD 250,000 bond after pleading not guilty in court.

"Our Diplomatic Security folks followed our standard procedures, which I'm assuming are standard for diplomats because that's who our Diplomatic Security deals with," Harf said.

However, she referred the allegations regarding inhuman treatment of Khobragade to the US Marshalls, saying the Indian diplomat was handed over to them by the Diplomatic Security.

Harf said under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Indian Deputy Consul General enjoys immunity from the jurisdiction of US courts only with respect to acts performed in the exercise of consular functions.

"There's different kinds of immunity. This isn't just in the US; it's all around the world. So in this case, she fell under that specific kind of immunity, and would be liable to arrest pending trial pursuant a felony arrest warrant," she said.

India has reacted sharply to Khobragade being arrested and handcuffed in public by summoning US Ambassador Nancy Powell and issuing a demarche in this regard. -PTI

US hopes diplomat's arrest won't affect ties WASHINGTON: The US has hoped that the major diplomatic row over the arrest of the Indian Deputy Consul General in New York will not affect bilateral ties with India.

"We are handling this incident through law enforcement channels. We have a long-standing partnership with India, and we expect that that partnership will continue," US State Department spokesperson told PTI. The State Department, however, refused to comment on the specific case, describing it as a pending matter in court.

Khobragade's arrest, only a day after Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh concluded her highly successful Washington trip, has caused a major diplomatic crisis between India and the US. Lodging a strong protest against the arrest of Deputy Consul General in New York, India has conveyed to the US that such a kind of a treatment to its diplomat is "absolutely unacceptable".

"It was conveyed in no uncertain terms that this kind of treatment to one of our diplomats is absolutely unacceptable," the Indian Embassy said in a statement after the Charge d'Affaires Taranjit Singh Sandhu met senior

We have a longstanding partnership with India, and we expect that that partnership will continue," US State Department spokesperson told PTI officials of the US State Department.

Singh also asked the US officials to resolve the matter at the earliest during the meeting.

In Delhi, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh summoned US Ambassador Nancy Powell to convey India's "shock" over "ab-

solutely unacceptable" treatment meted out to the senior Indian diplomat.

After the arrest, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal discussed the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy.

"It was emphasized that Dr. Devyani Khobragade is a diplomat, who is in the US in pursuance of her duties and hence is entitled to the courtesy due to a diplomat in the country of her work," the embassy statement said.

"She is also a young mother of two small children.

Government of India is shocked and appalled at the manner in which she has been humiliated by the US authorities," it added.

Khobragade's attorneys emphasized that she has diplomatic immunity, whereas the federal law enforcement authorities have argued that her alleged visa fraud is not covered under the Vienna Convention.-PTI

India takes this very seriously: Khurshid NEW DELHI: India says it has taken "very seriously" the treatment meted out to its Deputy Consul General in New York Devyani Khobragade by the US authorities and that it has "put in motion" the process to deal with the issue in an "effective way".

Asserting that the action by the US authorities was "completely unacceptable", External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said India has conveyed deep distress and sense of disquiet to the American government and whatever needs to be done was being done.

"We have put in motion what we believe would be effective way of addressing the issue but also (put) in motion such steps that need to be taken to protect her dignity," he told reporters here.

"We have expressed our deep distress and sense of disquiet, that has been very very strongly felt, in strongest words possible.

We have communicated the sense that we feel (to the US)," he said.

"We feel both in terms of dip-

lomatic responsibilities of relationships between friendly countries but also we feel very extreme level of distress in terms of human element that's involved," Khurshid said.

The External Affairs Minister said there were some "larger issues" involved and the government will deal with them at a later

Salman Khurshid

stage.

"The person of the officer being subjected in that form of indignity for us is completely unacceptable. I can only say this to you that whatever needs to be done is being done. It is already in process," he said.

"I think there are some larger issues involved. We will deal with them in good time," Khurshid said. -PTI

BJP slams US for 'shameful' treatment to diplomat NEW DELHI: The BJP has a clear pattern in the behavior of slammed the US for its "shameful the US as earlier a "former Presiand barbaric" behavior towards dent of India was given a totally Indian Deputy Consul General unacceptable treatment. DemoDevyani Khobragade in New York cratically elected leaders are beand asked the government to take ing denied visa, that is a separate up the matter strongly with the chapter altogether and now this American establishment. behavior with our diplomat."

Talking to reporters outside Prasad said India was a soverParliament, BJP leader eign country and wondered how Ravishankar Prasad also took a dig at the UPA government say- Prasad wondered how would ing treatment given to the US react if India decides the Indian diplomat by to treat American diplomats the US "does not accord with the level of in the same manner friendship that the Indian government claims to have would the US react if India dewith the US". cides to treat American diplomats "The way she was arrested af- in the same manner. ter being handcuffed, kept with "We would urge the Indian drug addicts and strip-searched government, which tries to match in the police station, that is con- each and every step of the US, to demnable, reprehensible and re- take serious action in this matter grettable and in clear violation of to establish the Indian soverconventions," he said. eignty and prestige of its diploThe BJP leader said there was matic community," he said.-PTI

Top Stories

December 20, 2013

India Post

7

www.indiapost.com

Devyani's father meets Shinde; seeks justice NEW DELHI: Father of IFS officer Devyani Khobragade, whose arrest and subsequent ill-treatment in the US has sparked a major diplomatic dust-up, met Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde who said the needful will be done to provide justice to her.

"Yes, he met me. He told me everything about the incident. Immediately, I have spoken to the concerned people for action. She will get justice," Shinde told reporters here.

The Home Minister was speaking after Uttam Khobragade, father of India's Deputy Consul General in New York Devyani Khobragade, met him seeking his help for justice to her.

Shinde is a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Uttam Khobragade is a retired official of

the Maharashtra government.

Later, Khobragade said the Home Minister assured him government's full support to Devyani, a 1999 batch IFS officer.

He said the Home Minister told him that the government was with the family and Devyani has not done anything to be treated like that.

"What was done was absolutely atrocious and she was discharging government duty," Khobragade said. He said when Devyani was arrested, she should have been treated with proper dignity.

Earlier in Mumbai, he had claimed that it was a clear case of "conspiracy" to harass his daughter and damage the reputation of the Indian government. "It is nothing but a racial bias. It is simple

Modi refuses to meet US Congressional team AHMEDABAD: Narendra Modi decided not to meet the visiting US Congressional delegation in protest against the treatment

Narendra Modi

meted out to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade by New York police.

The US delegation comprising senior Congressmen was scheduled to meet the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in Gandhinagar.

"Refused to meet the visiting USA delegation in solidarity with our nation, protesting ill treatment meted to our lady diplomat in USA," he tweeted.

"Gujarat chief minister has refused to meet the US delegation visiting India," a statement issued by his office later said.

"India has in one voice protested the treatment meted out to our Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade. Modi has refused to meet the delegation to show solidarity with the stand taken by the country," the statement said.

In March 2005, the US government had revoked visa to Modi, citing his record of governance during the 2002 riots.-PTI

Omar objects to security barriers removal NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has supported the Center's move to withdraw privileges "bestowed" on US diplomats, but cautioned that removal of security barriers near the US embassy was "taking things too far".

Reacting to the Center's move to withdraw all special facilities being provided to the US diplo-

mats, Omar tweeted "by all means withdraw all the special privileges bestowed on the US Embassy in Delhi. Security has to be above political or diplomatic scraps.

"I am all for reciprocity but removal of US Embassy security barriers is taking things too far.

These barriers weren't a privilege were they?" he asked.-PTI

Diplomat Devyani Khobragade’s father Uttam Khobragade comes out after meeting External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid at South Block in New Delhi on December 17

and clear racial bias to harass the Indians," he said.

The row intensified following reports that the diplomat was reportedly strip searched, confined with drug addicts after her detention and also subjected to DNA swabbing. However, when State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf was queried on it she said that the Diplomatic Security "followed standard procedures during her arrest".

According to Khobragade, the Home Minister said that Devyani had diplomatic immunity and the government will ensure that no harm is done and she is safe and there is no restriction on her movement.

Minister of State for Home R P N Singh said there is a code of conduct with regard to diplomats and all countries should follow it.PTI

8

India Post

Top Stories

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India, a critical American partner: Bera WASHINGTON: India is a critical partner in Asia and the US needs to strengthen its ties regardless of who becomes the Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy, the only Indian-American Congressman Dr Ami Bera has said.

The India-US relationship "should not be tied to" one administration or government in either of the country, 48-year-old Bera, who represents seventh Congressional district in California, told PTI. "It is not just economic partnership; it is also a geo- political relationship. It is a critical partnership and touches on the complexities of South Asia. India increasingly

is becoming the foundation for South Asia," he said.

A first-generation American born and raised in California, Bera is only the third ever Indian-American to be elected to the US House of Representatives. The previous two being Dalip Singh Saund (195763) and Bobby Jindal (2005-08).

"As we look for stability in South Asia more broadly in Asia India is a critical partner. So that's not hindered on who wins the Indian elections coming up and who is the president there. That should be a partnership which should be sustainable," said Bera, whose parents immigrated to the US

"I could look up in the gallery and my father was out there. He could see in one generation his son gets sworn into the highest levels. That's pretty remarkable," he said, hoping to travel to India next year along with his parents

from Rajkot in Gujarat.

He, however, refrained from giving answers to any question on the visa issue of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, except for noting that it is for the US Government to decide.

"I can't predict outcome of Indian elections. But whoever is elected as Prime Minister that person will be a leader in a country that is close to United States. So we are going to or at least I am going to respect the decision of the Indian people," said Bera, who visited India this summer.

"I think this is an exciting time for US Indian relationship. I am grateful that as the only Indian-American Congressman I can represent Indian-American Diaspora but also the reception that I received in India suggests that how important it is for the people in India to see that they representation in United States Congress," he added.

"My hope is that we grow this relationship both economically and geopolitically and see India as an important ally as we go into 21st century and beyond," Bera said in response to a question.

He said his proudest moment was on January 3 this year when he was sworn in to the House of Representatives.

"I could look up in the gallery and my father was out there. He could see in one generation his son gets sworn into the highest levels. That's pretty remarkable," he said, hoping to travel to India next year along with his parents to their home town of Rajkot.

Being the only serving Indian-American in the US Congress, Bera in the last one year has emerged as a source of inspiration for a large number of young IndianAmericans to contest for public offices in the US. Ready to mentor any of them who come to him for advice, Bera hoped he soon would have company in the Congress.

While being focused on the development of his constituency in California, Bera said he has a vision to organize the Indian Diaspora in the US. "I do have an obligation to help inspire that next generation and to encourage the next generation to get involved in service whether that's running for office or running for Congress or coming and working here in Capital Hill," he said.

"It is intentional that my Chief of Staff is an Indian American. She is the only Indian American Chief of Staff at the Capitol Hill. I think that's important. She can be a role model to younger Indian American staffers," he added.

India, he said, is the anchor of stability in South Asia.

Being the most vibrant economy of the region, India is starting to make transition from a donor recipient country to becoming a donor nation, he added.

"You see India making investments in Africa and help. So that's the transition from developing economy to developed economy. We can help that. That strengthens our relationship.

Because more the partners United States has around the world, as we are trying to move the world forward, the better off we all are," he said. -PTI

December 20, 2013

Top Stories

India Post

9

www.indiapost.com

Indian-Americans marks Sardar Patel's anniversary WASHINGTON: Indian-Americans paid tribute to veteran leader and freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 63rd death anniversary as they braved freezing winds here to mark the occasion.

A "Run for Unity" was also organized recalling the legacy of India's 'Iron Man'.

Comparing Sardar Patel with Abraham Lincoln, scientist Anju Preet from the event's organizer, "Hum Vatan, Bringing Indians Closer", said that both the leaders were instrumental in uniting their country.

"Sardar Patel brought together more than 500 different entities to create modern India, and this effort was long overdue," she said at the event.

Underlining the need for people from different parts of India to unite in the effort to memorialize the contribution of Sardar Patel, Utsav Chakravarti commended Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for this ambitious project to build a gigantic iron statue of the leader.

"Sardar Patel's memorial will remind the

US court asks Sonia to respond to lawsuit NEW YORK: A US federal court here has given Congress President Sonia Gandhi time till January 2 to respond to charges of "shielding, protecting and rewarding" the perpetrators of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The court's direction came after rights group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) filed an amended class action complaint early this month against Gandhi, with specific instances of impunity and promotions for Congress leaders and police officials who were allegedly involved in attacks on the Sikh community in November 1984 follow-

ing the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

SFJ claimed that it served a summons issued by the court on staff of New York's SloanKettering Hospital where Gandhi reportedly underwent a checkup in September.

The hospital and Gandhi have denied receiving the summons.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ, said the lawsuit against Gandhi under the Alien Tort Claims Act and Torture Victim Protection Act of 1992 is aimed at seeking justice for the riot victims. -PTI

A group of Indian Americans participate in the Run for Unity event organized on the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel at the National Monument in Washington

nation of a billion its place in the world and what the ideals are that the future generations need to aspire for," Chakravarti said.

-PTI

Bulk of NRI complaints relate to property disputes CHANDIGARH: Around 60 per cent of complaints received by the Punjab Police from NRIs this year were related to property disputes, a senior police official said.

Inspector General of Police Gurpreet Kaur Deo said this year 3,200 complaints regarding NRI issues have been received, out of which 60 per cent are related to property disputes, 30 per cent pertain to matrimonial disputes while the rest are disputes of various other types.

She said out of the total number of complaints, 65 per cent have been disposed off.

Deo said that 270 FIRs have been registered related to NRI issues, out of which 160 have been registered at the NRI Police Stations.

Punjab Police have received complaints from 30 countries, out of which most of the complaints are from Canada, US, UK and Australia, she informed.

Presiding over a meeting at Mohali at the head Office of the NRI Police Wing to review the progress of all the 11 NRI Police Stations in the State, she directed that all complaints related to NRIs should be sent to the NRI Police Wing so that they could be disposed at the earliest.

Punjab Government has established independent NRI Police Wing for the speedy and transparent disposal of complaints from the NRIs, she said.-PTI

Top Stories

10 India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Rajya Sabha passes Lokpal Bill NEW DELHI: After abortive attempts for about 40 years, an across-the-board consensus saw the landmark Lokpal Bill being pushed through successfully in the Rajya Sabha, marking a step forward in the creation of an anticorruption ombudsman.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, which has been pending in the House for the last two years, was approved by voice vote after a five-hour debate, almost a year after it was stuck when about to be passed in the House.

The government push to the Bill, which got support from the main opposition BJP, came close on the heels of the Congress drubbing in the assembly elections, rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the ongoing fast by Anna

Hazare, who has been campaigning for a strong Lokpal.

Samajwadi Party, a strong opponent to the creation of Lokpal, boycotted the House proceedings after staging a walkout soon after it took up the bill's consideration.

The Bill, aimed at tackling the menace of corruption, brings under its purview the Prime Minister with certain safeguards, Ministers and MPs besides government servants.

Law Minister Kapil Sibal, who moved the bill and later piloted it, said it was a "historic" day and hoped that all states would pass similar legislations to set up Lokayuktas modeled on this bill.

Asking parties to rise above political considerations, he said never before such a bill had been

debated in public so long like the present measure.

Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, while supporting the Bill, said he was happy that the government had accepted all the

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, which has been pending in the House for the last two years, was approved by voice vote after a five-hour debate, almost a year after it was stuck when about to be passed in the House changes in "this changed environment", a taunt at the Congress drubbing in the assembly elections.

The Bill, which was already passed by the Lok Sabha in De-

Trust to help rape victims: Nirbhaya's mother NEW DELHI: The mother of the 23-year-old Delhi December 16 gangrape victim has announced that her family will set up of a trust to help rape victims.

"We would form a trust for rape victims which would provide all types of help to them," the mother said while trying to hold back her tears at a prayer meeting organized here to mark one year of the horrific incident at the Constitution Club which saw several politicians and other dignitaries in attendance.

Participating at the prayer meeting, the leaders, cutting across political affiliations, resolved to redouble their efforts to improve the security of women.

"Even Parliament took cognizance of the anger. The (rape) law was made stricter. The definition of rape was extended. Provision for death sentence for rape accused was done in the law and because of that provision, the convicts were provided death penalty after the trial," said BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.

She, however, expressed disappointment that the juvenile who was convicted for his involvement in the crime by the Juvenile Justice Board got just three years term in a special remand home.

"It has been a regret that the biggest offender in the case was given the benefit of age and he got just three years as punishment and was sent to a juvenile home," she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who was seen hugging

and consoling the mother of the victim at the event, said Delhi's society and the various authorities will come together to build something in her memory. "...whatever you will want in her memory, we will try to fulfill.

And we will try with a conviction that such an incident is not re-

cember 2011, will go back to the lower house as it has undergone a number of changes with official amendments.

The government said the accused official should be given a

peated with anybody else in the future," she said.

The prayer meeting was also attended by Minister of state for Home R P N Singh, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, Chairperson of National Commission for Women Mamta Sharma and film actress Shabana Azmi. -PTI

chance to be heard before initiation of formal investigation but the "suspense" element would be maintained in case of search and seizure.

CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury

had moved an amendment to bring public-private-partnership (PPP) projects but it was defeated overwhelmingly by 151 against 19 votes.

The passage of the Bill had become a mere formality as almost all parties, except SP, were in support.

The urgency of pushing the Bill is seen in the context of the drubbing Congress faced in the just-held Delhi assembly polls at the hands of Aam Aadmi Party whose main plank was the enactment of Lokpal.

Sibal sought to allay any apprehension over the new measure, saying there will be no element of government interference in investigation that would be carried out against corruption under the Lokpal.-PTI

Anna, Rahul exchange letters on Lokpal NEW DELHI/ RALEGAN SIDDHI: Appearing to soften his stand against the Congress on the Lokpal issue, Anna Hazare has written to Rahul Gandhi praising his "commitment" to the antigraft bill and the Congress leader responded by saying he was "very grateful" for the Gandhian's support and respected his role on the issue.

The letters by Hazare and

cided with consensus by all political parties who were part of the select committee," added Hazare.

Hazare also said if Parliament makes an effort to give more teeth to this law by incorporating from more effective things other than the recommendations of the select committee, it will be in the interest of the people.

"People of the country are waiting for a competent Lokpal,"

Mobiles to have SoS button for women's safety NEW DELHI: Mobile handset makers will have to introduce SoS alert button to ensure that women in distress can be reached by the police in the minimum possible time, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said while unveiling the proposal for utilization of Rs 1,000 crore Nirbhaya Fund.

He said the fund will be utilized to introduce SoS alert systems in trains and installing Global Position System (GPS) and CCTVs in public transport vehicles.

On the first death anniversary of Nirbhaya, the 23 year old Delhi gangrape victim, Chidambaram told reporters that the ministries of Home Affairs, Railways and Road Transport and Highways will bring in separate Cabinet notes to pursue a set of proposals.

"The Cabinet notes are under preparation...," he said.

Chidambaram had announced in the Budget 2013-14 the Nirbhaya Fund with a cor-

pus of Rs 1,000 crore as a tribute to the gangrape victim.

Nirbhaya (fearless) was the pseudonym given to the victim to hide her actual identity.

As the proposal mooted by the MHA, in consultation with the IT Ministry, police administration will be integrated with the mobile phone network to trace and respond to distress calls with minimum response time.

"The scheme will be launched in 157 cities in two phases (55 in phase I and 102 in phase II). The expected outlay is Rs 1,000 crore," an official statement said.

The Road Transport Ministry, he said, has proposed a scheme, 'security of women in road transport in the country', which will cover 32 towns - each with a population of over one million - to be implemented over two years. The expected outlay is about Rs 1,700 crore..-PTI

Social activist Anna Hazare during his indefinite hunger strike for Jan Lokpal Bill at his village in Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district on December 17

Gandhi were released by the AICC. In his letter to Gandhi, Hazare, who has been critical of the way the Congress and the Centre has handled the Lokpal Bill, said, "I welcome your commitment towards passing the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill in Parliament. My request is that the points which have been endorsed and recommended by the select committee on the bill are included in it.

"These points have been de-

Hazare said in the letter, copies of which have also been marked to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy and the Chairman of the select committee of Rajya Sabha which went in to the Lokpal issue.

Rahul replied to Hazare thanking him for his letter.

Addressing the Gandhian as "dear" Anna Hazare, Rahul said the letter has given him "great encouragement." -PTI

Horoscope

December 20, 2013

India Post

11

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

DECEMBER 20 TH - DECEMBER 26 TH , 2013 (March 21 to April 20)

(August 23 to September 22)

D

o not take a chance with changing weather. Some one will bring or send some nice and valuable gifts. You will enjoy an evening with some colleagues from work. Kids will be excited about an upcoming short trip. You may also dispose off money making stocks and wait. useful tips coming from an old friend.

D

o not bring outside irritations inside the house. Some of you may get fed up with the working conditions and start applying outside for a change. You will enjoy an evening with close family and friends this week. Children may plan a short trip to a new and exciting destination and start necessary preparations.

(April 21 to May 20)

A

nd it's going to be a very expensive week but the good thing is that money will go on entertaining yourself and some nice purchases. People in business will see a sudden surge in sales. family will start making necessary preparation for the vacation to a place never visited before. Avoid driving after the party.

(September 23 to October 22)

S

tick to your guns and you will lay your hands on what you deserved for long time. You will be completely focused and start paying more attention to spouse. There will be change in destination but the trip will get finalized. You may also buy some expensive electronic gadget for children and your self.

(May 21 to June 20)

T

here will be some change in earlier plan but trip will stay. Prompt actions will save unnecessary stress. It will be better to stick to original strategy. Do not share too much information with friends at the party. Health will improve and you will shed off few pounds just by controlling the amount of food.

(June 21 to July 22)

Y

ou will be working on a great plan and may seek expert advice on how to implement it. This time you will be looking for long term gains. You may plan a trip to neighboring state with family. Bank balance will rise sharply this week. You will become very health conscious and cut down on sugar completely.

(July 23 to August 22)

P

roperty deal will be more rewarding than earlier expected. You will be buying some expensive gadgets for children. Loan application will get the approval. Keep an eye on changing weather. All decisions will reflect confidence and you may take few important decisions without consulting even spouse this week.

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

510-886-4370

www.parashar.com

(October 23 to November 22)

Y

ou will have too many things on your plate. Work on one thing at a time and its going to be easy. kids will extend an helping hand.

Some of you may even take off from work to enjoy with family this week.

You may also find something important misplaced for few weeks.

Progress in ongoing project will slow down. You may buy some nice gadgets for your self.

(November 23 to December 22)

Y

ou will enjoy life with family and guests. Mind will stay cheerful as you will just dump everything aside for the time being. Stocks will get you the extra money. It will be better to seek expert opinion before you sign the contract and increase liability. Just drive carefully and park your vehicle at properly lit place.

(December 22 to January 19)

I

t's going to a very entertaining week. This time you will be looking for the opportunity close to home. You may draft a nice document and send to many places and patiently wait for reply. Chance of winning some money through lottery or speculation very strong. Keep an eye on your belongings.

(January 20 to February 18)

Y

ou will meet and immediately gain friendship of few very influential people when you attend a big party this week. Short vacation will bring energy back. You will continue working on an important project even from home.

You have a pleasant surprise coming via mail. Some of you may replace an old vehicle with latest model this week.

(February 19 to March 20)

Y

ou will lay your hands on some easy money this week. You will make some changes inside home and may even buy some furniture or electronic gadgets. You will get to meet several old friends at the party and one of them will share some useful information. No harm in keeping an eye on subordinates.

Tech News Guidebook for family managed biz NEW DELHI: Religare Finvest has launched a guidebook on family managed businesses in association with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI).

"Religare Finvest (RFL) has launched - Mantras to W.I.N - a guidebook on Family Managed Businesses - in association with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI)," it said in a release.

Religare Finvest is a non-banking finance company of Religare Enterprises Limited with SME-focused lending.

The book has been curated as part of Religare's thought leadership initiative and outreach program for SMEs which are mainly Family Managed Businesses (FMBs), the release said.

The book has been launched as a tool to provide FMBs with insights into managing and further building their business.

"It aims at catalyzing their thought process and enabling them to take their next leap of growth," it said.-PTI

Commercial version of Aakash 2 launched in UK

LONDON: A commercial version of India's low-cost Aakash 2 tablet computer has been launched in Britain at a cost of 30 pounds.

The UbiSlate 7Ci, made by UKbased company Datawind, is based on Aakash 2, which is mainly used by students in India and was designed to provide cheap internet access to help improve education.

Analysts said British customers buying the tablet and comparing it with others on the market may be disappointed.

The 7 inch Android tablet has wi-fi connectivity, 512MB of RAM, a microUSB connection and 4GB of storage, BBC reported.

When the Aakash was launched in India in 2011 it was dubbed the "world's cheapest touch-screen tablet" and was aimed at schools and colleges. The first version was not well received by critics, but an upgraded version, the Aakash 2, fared better. -PTI

TechBiz 12 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

(L to R) Canon India CEO and President Kazutada Kobayashi, Canon Singapore CEO and President Kensaku Konishi, Canon Inc senior General Manager Takao Hada and Canon India Executive Vice President Alok Bharadwaj at the launch of DreamLabo 5000, an Inkjet photo printer in Bengaluru on December 17

IKEA stores in India closer to reality, Walmart still a far cry NEW DELHI: In a country where haggling is the name of the game when it comes to trade, it is only apt that the highlight of 2013 for the Indian retail story is the hard bargains by multinationals with the government over foreign investment norms in the sector.

Be it Swedish furniture retailer IKEA's push to let it open cafeterias at its outlets as part of its Rs 10,500 crore investment in India or Walmart's quibble over sourcing requirements for foreign multibrand retailers, there was no end to pushing the envelope.

Ironically, however, when the government agreed to dilute the sourcing criteria Walmart decided to part ways with its Indian cash and carry partner Bharti ending their six-year-old partnership.

In a year marked by economic downturn, the estimated USD 500 billion retail sector in India saw growth slowing down to 10-11 per cent from high double digits growth earlier, according to Boston Consulting Group, Asia Pacific Leader (Consumer and Retail Practice) Abheek Singhi.

The silver lining, however, was that many companies moved closer to profitability during the year and more urban consumers migrated from traditional stores to modern format, he added.

When it came to FDI inflows in India's multi-brand segment, the year had nothing to show but the single brand had plenty to cheer.

After a series of presentations by its officials, the government approved IKEA's Rs 10,500 crore proposal in May paving way for it to set up home furnishing stores along with cafeterias in the country. Earlier, as per the government policy the company was not allowed to open cafes and restaurants at its stores.

Besides IKEA, the single brand segment also saw the likes of French sports goods retailer Decathlon, fashion brand Promod, crockery maker Le Creuset, Fossil Inc and Hennes & Mauritz bringing in FDI worth about Rs 1,470 crore.

IKEA had proposed setting up 10 furnishing and homeware stores

as well as allied infrastructure in over 10 years in India. Subsequently, it planned to open 15 more stores. It has already identified Haryana, Andhra Pradesh,

50 per cent of first tranche of foreign investment in back-end infrastructure.

Walmart had, in fact, told the government that it could not meet

Maharashtra and Karnataka as possible states to set up its stores.

So far, IKEA's has been the largest investment in single-brand segment ever since the government allowed 100 per cent foreign investment in this sector last year.

The multi-brand segment, however, had no such story. Both foreign and domestic retail firms, including Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour, Bharti, Aditya Birla Group, Tatas, Reliance and Pantaloon wanted government to change FDI norms.

the sourcing norm in the multibrand segment that requires 30 per cent procurement from small industries, stating it can procure only about 20 per cent.

Heeding to the request of retailers, government eased norms for FDI in multi-brand segment, diluting the contentious sourcing clause and allowed global multibrand retailers to source 30 per cent of their products from small and medium enterprises only at the time of start of business.

The foreign chains were also

Looking back, Singhi said: "The policies were inconsistent. The government could have done better and if the aim was to promote local manufacturing, it could have simply raised the requirement to 50-60 per cent without restricting it to small and medium enterprises."

The various firms wanted sourcing rules similar to that of single brand retailers, who are allowed to "preferably" source from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and also allow to put only

given the green signal to set up stores in cities with less than ten lakh population to accommodate demands of the likes Walmart and Tesco.

The investment requirement on

back-end infrastructure by a foreign retailer was also kept at 50 per cent of the first tranche of investment only. The mandatory requirement is that foreign retailers have to bring in a minimum of USD 100 million capital for setting up shops in the country.

The move came under fire from opposition BJP that accused the UPA government of surrendering before global retailers.

Looking back, Singhi said: "The policies were inconsistent. The government could have done better and if the aim was to promote local manufacturing, it could have simply raised the requirement to 50-60 per cent without restricting it to small and medium enterprises."

Contrary to expectations, instead of going ahead and announcing its multi-brand segment plans for India post the relaxation of FDI norms, Walmart said it was parting ways with its Indian partner Bharti Enterprises.

The US retail major announced that it would buy out its Indian partner in their 50:50 cash-andcarry joint venture Bharti Walmart, which runs 20 wholesale stores under the Best Price Modern Wholesale brand in India, for an undisclosed sum.

Bharti will in turn acquire USD 100 million of Compulsory Convertible Debentures (CCDs) held

by Walmart in Cedar Support Services, a company owned and controlled by the Indian firm.

Stating that FDI norms in India played a part in its break-up with Bharti Enterprises, the company said it was studying the feasibility of the policy in multi-brand retail before finalizing plans to enter the segment.

For Walmart, it was also a case of setting its house in order before going for expansion in India's multi-brand segment. It could heave a sigh of relief when the Enforcement Directorate, which probed alleged contravention of foreign exchange laws regarding the company's investments in Cedar Support Services, found no violation of FDI guidelines. -PTI

TechBiz Post

December 20, 2013

India Post

13

www.indiapost.com

SpiceJet, Tigerair sign interline agreement HYDERABAD: SpiceJet Ltd and Tigerair, Singapore's largest budget airline, have said they have signed a three-year interline agreement to pave the way for greater connectivity between flights operated by both carriers.

SpiceJet is the first Indian low fare airline to establish such an arrangement with a foreign airline.

This partnership will result in a major boost for tourism and business travel between the two countries, according to a press release issued by India's no-frill airlines.

Starting from January 6, 2014, customers traveling on SpiceJet's domestic network from 14 Indian cities can have seamless connection through Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport onto Tigerair's Singapore-bound flights.

Similarly starting from January 12, 2014, Tigerair customers from Singapore will also enjoy easy access to SpiceJet's wide domestic network, making their holiday and business travel more seamless, it said.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer of SpiceJet Ltd said, "We are glad to announce the interline partnership that brings two leading low fare Asian carriers to-

Hyderabad's RGIA, run by GMR Group will be the first Indian airport to facilitate the connecting flights between SpiceJet and Tigerair.

The airport will provide a free porter service to facilitate the collection and transfer of checked-in baggage for passengers traveling on connecting flights between the two airlines, the statement further said.

SGK Kishore, CEO, GHIAL said, the airport is delighted to be the catalyst in bringing together SpiceJet and Tigerair to create, for the first time in India, an interline product which will have immense benefits travelers, the two airlines, and to the Hyderabad Airport. -PTI S G K Kishore (C) of GMR with Laster Ledema (R) of Tigerair and Sanjiv Kapoor (L) Chief Operating officer of SpiceJet at a media conference to announce their tie-up, in Hyderabad on December 16

gether.

This is a historic moment for SpiceJet and Tigerair.

This partnership will hugely benefit travelers from India and Singapore, and represents one of the building blocks of the emerging new SpiceJet. Group Chief Commercial Officer

of Tigerair Alexander Knigge said, "India is one of our key markets and we are excited to expand our footprint there through this interline partnership with SpiceJet. We look forward to build a win-win partnership and delivering even more travel options to our customers."

Walmart gets CCI nod to buy Bharti's stake NEW DELHI: Global retail giant Walmart has got fair trade regulator CCI's green signal for purchase of Bharti group's almost 50 per cent stake in their Indian joint venture for wholesale stores business.

The JV, Bharti Wal-Mart Private Ltd, was set up to operate wholesale stores under the Best Price Modern Wholesale brand and it presently owns 19 such wholesale cash and carry stores across India. It was not catering directly to retail consumers in the country.

In an order, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the proposed buyout of Bharti group's stake in the JV by Walmart "is not likely to have appreciable adverse effect on competition in India and therefore, the Commission hereby

approves the proposed" deal.

After deciding to part ways in October, Bharti group and Walmart approached the CCI last month seeking approval for the deal wherein the US-based global retail giant would acquire the stake

held by the Sunil Mittal-led business conglomerate in the venture.

Earlier this month, the CCI had asked Walmart and Bharti Ventures Limited (BVL) to "remove certain defects and provide" certain additional details for the approval.

The split between the two

groups involves two inter-connected and inter-dependent transactions with respect to their businesses. The first is the acquisition of 50 per cent minus 515 equity shares of Bharti Wal-Mart Private from BVL and Cedar Support Services Ltd. The remaining shares are already held by Walmart and the purchase of additional shares would take its total holding in Bharti Wal-Mart Private to 100 per cent.

The second transaction involves the acquisition of 45.58 crore compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs) of Cedar by BVL from Wal-Mart Mauritius Holdings.

BVL presently holds 100 per cent of Cedar's equity and after the transaction, the Bharti group would own a 100 per cent stake in Cedar without any CCD holding by Walmart.

After looking into various aspects of the deal, the CCI said, "Presently, the parties to the proposed combination are not competing with each other in the markets for wholesale, retail or real estate services." -PTI

14

TechBiz Post

India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Hitachi to make India base for building equipment NEW DELHI: Japan's engineering and electronics major Hitachi would expand its construction machinery and power electronics products business in Africa, Middle East and South East Asia by making India a base for these segments.

The group, which plans to invest 70 billion Yen (Rs 4,700 crore) by the financial year 2015-16, would bolster the businesses supported by production for consumption in India by increasing localization component, said Hitachi Executive Vice President and Executive Officer Junzo Nakajima.

"We would strengthen the partnership with the local India partners and as a part of that, human resource pool of the India would be utilized for that," said Nakajima.

Hitachi is expanding its Ahmedabad based Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronic Ltd, which produces industrial power electronics.

Moreover, the company is starting a new factory for power metallurgy and friction materials by

Hitachi Chemical at Neemrana in Rajasthan. In Neemrana, Hitachi is also setting up its first solar power generation unit in India.

"We would have new R&D centre in Bangalore for construc-

"Keeping these bases in India, we would like to expand our business in Africa, Middle East and South East Asia," Nakajima said here during a press meet at Hitachi Social Innovation Forum.

Prizm Payment Service. The company is looking to expand its footprint in the Indian IT sector through acquisitions.

"We would like to do more acquisitions like we have done in case

tion machinery," he said, adding that Hitachi would also open an automotive device manufacturing facility in Chennai and the construction for this has been started.

Hitachi has so far invested approximately 35 billion Yen (Rs 2,300 crore) in India.

The group has recently acquired ATM services provider

of Prism. If you look at IT-related other acquisitions, in 2011 also we had acquired Hyderabad based Sierra Atlantic," he said adding that the group would continue to look

at more such opportunities.

Moreover, Hitachi India Managing Director Ichiro Iino said the company would in January 2014 bid for the railway signaling systems of the Delhi-Mumbai section of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project.

He further informed that Hitachi was seriously looking at an opportunity to supply nuclear power plants in India. It has a JV with US-based GE for its nuclear power business called as GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

On Hitachi's growth in India this financial year, Iino said: "We expect the Hitachi India's revenue for financial year 2013 to grow in double digits."

In FY 2012-13, Hitachi's 59 per cent revenues came from Japan and 41 per cent from overseas.

India's contribution was around 1 per cent. Hitachi is now aiming at least 50 per cent revenue to come from overseas by FY 2015-16 and to increase, India's share up to 3 per cent. -PTI

India housing prices fell 1.7 pc Nokia expands devices range in April-June NEW DELHI: Housing prices in India fell 1.7 per cent during the April-June quarter due to poor demand amid subdued economic conditions and there are no signs of recovery, real estate consultancy Knight Frank said.

Housing prices in India fell 0.1 per cent in the January- June pe-

riod, while they rose 5.9 per cent during the 12 months ended June, according to the Knight Frank Global House Price Index, which tracks mainstream residential prices in 53 nations, including Dubai and Hong Kong.

The index reflects the weakening condition of the Indian residential market, Knight Frank India

Chief Economist & Director-Research Samantak Das said.

"While disguised price discounts in the form of 80:20, rent back, waivers on floor rise, stamp duty and registration were the flavor for almost four-six quarters, with a decline of 1.7 per cent in the latest reported quarter, price de-

celeration is becoming more profound. We are yet to see any green shoots of recovery in the residential market," Das said.

Das attributed the fall in housing prices to buyers postponing purchases because of subdued economic conditions and low confidence in the market.

Over 69 per cent of the coun-

tries tracked by the index recorded positive price growth in the year to September. All but three of the 17 countries where house prices fell in the year to September were in Europe.

"Dubai, China and Hong Kong recorded the largest annual rise in mainstream prices, increasing by 28.5 per cent, 21.6 per cent and 16.1 per cent, respectively," it added.

India ranks 19th, as per the latest country data.

The Knight Frank Global House Price Index rose by 4.6 per cent over the 12 months ended September. The index now stands 4 per cent above its previous peak in Q2 of 2008.

"Due to the dissipation of risks related to the global worries coming down, markets in the US, UK, Middle East, Dubai, China and Hong Kong have started rising.

"Comparatively, India is still affected by local factors of political and economic uncertainty.

Only after these become clearer post-2014 will we see a resurgence in the Indian property market relative to the various other markets in the world," said Mudassir Zaidi, National Director - Residential Agency, Knight Frank India. -PTI

NEW DELHI: Nokia has launched its first six-inch phablet - Lumia 1520 - for Rs 46,999 in India, which is among the top three markets for the Finnish handset giant's Lumia range of smartphones.

The Windows Phone 8-powered device features a 2.2 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 800 processor, 1080p Full HD screen, a 20 megapixel P u r e Vi e w camera and 32 GB internal user memory (micro SD card support up to 64GB).

With Microsoft Office built in, the Nokia Lumia 1520 will allow users to view and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on the move, while keeping the original formatting.

"India is among the top three markets for Lumia globally.

With the Nokia Lumia 1520, the first 6-inch Lumia smartphone, we're significantly expanding our Lumia portfolio," Nokia India Managing Director P Balaji told reporters here.

The device features our latest imaging innovations and the best from Microsoft brought to a new

form factor, he added.

Launched two years ago, Lumia is Nokia's series of smartphones. The company sold 8.8 million Lumia devices in Q3 2013, a 19 per cent growth over the previous quarter. Since launch, Nokia has sold 36 million units of Lumia phones.

Nokia has launched 10 phones

under the Lumia series in the last eight months in India, Balaji added.

The flagship device will come preloaded with apps and games like InNote and CamScanner, digital magazine Zinio and Flipkart eBooks, Rail Rush, Adidas miCoach, Camera 360, Your Movies, Big Flix and Vimeo.

"Large screens are increasingly becoming popular among smartphone users and imaging is one of the key factors that define a good smartphone.� -PTI

TechBiz Post

December 20, 2013

India Post

15

www.indiapost.com

Smart toys to send your messages to kids WASHINGTON: Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have developed smart talking toys that receive audio messages sent from parents' smartphone and play them out to the kids.

The toys enable a two-way conversation, allowing children also to record their reply.

Gauri Nanda, a designer, entrepreneur and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab Alum has developed 'Mailmen' - a new breed of smart toys that c o n n e c t wirelessly with the home WIFI network to receive voice messages from anywhere in the world.

"First our team created the Mailmen, the toys that deliver your Toymail. Then we developed an

app where you connect to kids you know, record them a message, and send it right from your phone to their toys," Nanda said.

Children can reply to their Toymail directly from the Mailmen and the Toymail app will store it so that it can be played back from a smartphone.

The app applies filters to make your voice sound funny.

Nanda, the designer and entrepreneur behind Clocky, the alarm clock that runs away, founded the Toymail Company along with her friend Audry Hill.

"Part of what drove us in creating the Mailmen was this desire to be able to say whatever might be our minds to the kids we love when we aren't around to say it in person," said Nanda.

"And the reality is that most parents are away from their kids more often than they would like, sometimes all day, sometimes days at a time. Toymail is for them," she said.

Also, the smart toys never run out of things to say. A message is sent to everyone's Mailmen each morning. The Mailmen will greet children by name and then sing a song, say a little known fact, or read an inspiring quote. -PTI

New smartphone-controlled device lifts heavy objects WASHINGTON: A new smartphone-controlled device that can lift heavy items - weighing up to 23 kg - with just the push of a button has been developed in the US. The myLifter device is controlled via an app on your smartphone and can lift heavy objects despite its small size.

Each myLifter unit is slightly larger than an adult fist and weighs around 1 kg, making it easy for one person to handle and install.

The device, developed by a team of researchers in Provo, Utah, is ideal for lifting and storing objects like bicycles, kayaks, and cargo boxes, according to the product description on Kickstarter website.

Additionally, users can install multiple myLifters together to raise larger items like a storage platform or Jeep hardtop. They can be synchronized within the app and controlled with a single button press.

Those who do not have compatible smartphones and tablets to support the app can use a remote control instead.

This remote will let users pair with dozens of myLifters, name them, and control them.

Each device has a feature built in called "smartLIFT." It allows

you to program a preset high and low point for each item to lift and lower to.

Once you set your high and low points, pressing the smart lift and smart lower buttons will automatically send your item to the preset places. -PTI

16 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

Desi News Top dignitaries attend Shiv Durga Temple Anniversary VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA: An excellent First Anniversary of Shiv Durga Temple at 3550 Flora Vista Avenue, Santa Clara was celebrated on Sunday 1 December by Acharya Pandit Krishna Pandey, Founder and President of the temple, with the support of his team at the temple. The occasion received overwhelming response from the community, community leaders and prominent personalities alongwith around 700 devotees.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Details on page 25

17 India Post

Sikh Gurudwaras feed needy in London THAKAR BASAATI

I

t is lunchtime at the Karamsar Gurdwara, where worshippers are tucking into the free food. But Sikhs are not the only ones enjoying the temple meals. Religious leaders report that an increasing number of non-believers are visiting their place of worship to eat, treating them as food banks as the effects of austerity and economic slump bite.

The Sikh Federation UK estimates that around 5,000 meals are now served to non-Sikhs by Britain's 250 gurudwaras each week. They say the meals have been a lifeline for homeless people and overseas students swamped in debt.

Details on page 19

Senior Pariwar pays tribute to Mandela SURESH SHAH

DES PLAINES: Though it was nasty and rain mixed snowy weather, more than 110 members of United Senior Pariwar Chicago (USP) attended a monthly meeting on Sunday December 8 in Niles, a northwest suburb of Chicago, to pay tribute to late Nelson Mandela, a freedom fighter and a former President of South Africa.

The meeting started with a lamp lighting ceremony which was performed by older members of senior association Dahyabhai Patel, Mrs. Shantaben Patel, Harjivandas Patel, Jivrambhai Patel, Ramanlal A. Patel President, Hasmukhbhai Soni Treasurer and others. Kanubhai H. Patel also accompanied them.

Details on page 22

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

Move to curb loans to students studying medicine abroad RAMESH SOPARAWALA

Details on page 24

Giving gift of education to deprived kids

India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Medical students in this country studying aboard, many of Indian origin, are unnerved at the prospect of the US government seeking to limit their accessibility to the student loans.

US Senator Dick Durbin has announced plans to introduce a bill that would change federal loan rules for foreign medical schools.

Under the bill, US students at foreign medical schools would only be eligible to participate in the federal loan program if at least 60 percent of the student body at their schools is made up of non-US citizens, and secondly, the school maintains a 75 percent pass rate on the US Medical Licensing Examination.

The students opt to go abroad for a variety of reasons but mainly because of the fact that medical slots at the US universities are relatively limited and that a good number of students find it hard to get admission. Universities abroad offer a great opportunity to them

to fulfill their dream without compromising the quality of education.

A number these schools offering this option are located in Caribbean countries, Europe and even

before getting residency in US hospitals. And admittedly many have done this successfully The standards for the students who study here and those who

and Europe choose to study medicine at medical schools in Australia, Caribbean, Ireland, Eastern Europe and India.

Some schools in countries like

Studying medicine abroad

in India. They have tuned themselves to meet the educational standards set here for the local universities. Besides, many have established links with the hospitals here for rotations and practical training.

The students graduating from these universities have to appear for the USMLE, the board certifying exam that US University students are also expected to pass

have their education abroad are the same. This goes a long way in ensuring that those who had their medical degree aboard would not turn out to be "inferior" in any way to the students of universities in this country, says Avi Verma, President of North Shore Medical Education and an avid supporter of students going aboard for medical studies.

Students from North America

the Czech Republic and Australia also allow students to enter a four year program without a completed undergraduate degree (as several medical schools in Canada do), allowing some students to finish their medical training earlier than if they had waited to apply in their home country.

Cont’d on page 19

'Yoga' lands at Chicago's O'Hare Airport RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Air travelers rejoice - Chicago's O'Hare International Airport now has a yoga room. Close on the heels of three airports in the country - Dallas/ Fort Worth, San Francisco and Burlington Vermont - O'Hare International airport authority has announced launching of "Yoga Room" at this Chicago Airport The airport yoga room is open on the mezzanine level of the Terminal 3 rotunda at O'Hare. The department also plans to open a yoga room at the city's Midway International Airport in the near future.

A growing number of airports across the US are opening yoga rooms to cater to stressed-out travelers. Aviation commissioner

Rosemarie Andolino calls the yoga room an "oasis for passengers."

The 15-foot by 16-foot room has

rors and exercise mats. One side of the room has frosted windows to let in natural light. There is a

Yoga at US airport

sustainable bamboo wood flooring, a wall of floor-to-ceiling mir-

video monitor to play yoga techniques or nature images and au-

dio plays soothing sounds. The room is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.

The yoga facility at the O'Hare International Airport "provides a space for yoga practice as well as a place to relax or meditate", an announcement said. This free facility features a sustainable bamboo wood floor, floor to ceiling mirror, exercise mats, frosted windows, video monitor displaying yoga exercise techniques, soothing sounds, plants lining outside windows and a clothes changing facility nearby. "Find your inner peace at our Yoga Room", a website tagline says.

It is leant that yet another airport in Chicago Midway - is likely to open a similar facility in the near future.

Cont’d on page 19

18 India Post

Community Across America

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Firm apologizes; to stop selling 'Ganesha' socks SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: A Philadelphia based firm has denigrated Lord Ganesha by marketing a product that places his image on socks. The socks are sold by Philadelphia Urban Outfitters, Inc. Following protests by leading members of the Indian community, the firm has apologized and promised to remove the Ganesha socks "immediately" from its website and stores.

Taking initiative to voice the feeling of the Indian community, Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, had urged Richard A. Hayne and Tedford Marlow; President of Urban Outfitters, Inc., and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Outfitters Group respectively to offer an apology.

Madhu Patel, president of NRI Press Club joined by Nand Kapoor former president of Association of

Rajan Zed, Madhu Patel, Nand Kapoor

Indian in America, had said, "We People, Terrain and BHLDN should not only make our point of brands through stores in USA, view clear to the company chiefs Canada, and Europe; besides garbut also boycott all the products den center, catalogs, websites and marketed by the company." Those wholesale. It boasts of its "estabwho indulge in this type of prac- lished ability to understand our tice seem to have pervert minds, customers and connect with them said Kapoor on an emotional level" and calls In a statement in Nevada, Rajan its brands "both compelling and Zed said that Lord Ganesha is distinct". highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in The Apology temples or home shrines and not It is learnt that the Urban Outto be wrapped around one's foot. fitters company has apologized to Inappropriate usage of Hindu dei- Indians, Hindus in particular, over ties or concepts for commercial or its marketing of socks carrying other agenda was not okay as it image of Lord Ganesha and offered hurts the devotees. to remove it from stores and Hinduism is the oldest and third website immediately. largest religion of the world with In an email to Rajan Zed, Presiabout one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it "We sincerely apologize if should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any we offended the Hindu faith, larger or smaller, should not be mis- community and our handled, Rajan Zed arcustomers. We will remove gued.

Madhu Patel said the Ganesha socks that trivialization of Lord Ganesha was disturbing immediately from our to the Hindus not only in this country but all website and stores." over the world. Artistic expression and freedom of speech would be one thing but dent of Universal Society of Hintranscending the limit by desecrat- duism, Crystal Carroll, Public Reing the images of deities or proph- lations Manager of Urban Outfitets revered by other faiths is some- ters, wrote: "We sincerely apolothing that needs to be deprecated, gize if we offended the Hindu comhe said. munity and our customers. We The object that Hindu devotees appreciate this matter is brought were finding objectionable was a to our attention and for helping crew-length cotton sock topped us understand the cultural and rewith a Lord Ganesha graphic at the ligious sensitivities this product trim, which was being sold at $8 carries. We will remove the on website. Urban Outfitters Ganesha socks immediately from website describes it as "Awe- our website and stores." some" and "UO Exclusive". In The company response came in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is wor- the wake of the huge protest that shipped as god of wisdom and re- members of the Indian and Hindu mover of obstacles and is invoked community made over denigrating before the beginning of any major their deity. "We welcome this deundertaking. velopment" said Madhu Patel, Urban Outfitters, Inc. is a retail president NRI Press Club "and company which offers a variety of hope that this serves as a curtain lifestyle merchandise in Urban raiser for many others who resort Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free to cheap marketing this way."

December 20, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 19

www.indiapost.com

Sikh Gurudwaras feed needy in London THAKAR BASAATI

I

t is lunchtime at the Karamsar Gurdwara, where worshippers are tucking into the free food.

But Sikhs are not the only ones enjoying the temple meals. Religious leaders report that an increasing number of non-believers are visiting their place of worship to eat, treating them as food banks as the effects of austerity and economic slump bite.

The Sikh Federation UK estimates that around 5,000 meals are

man for the Sikhs In England thinktank, said: "It's noticeable: more people coming in and more people coming frequently. Some are working in low-paid jobs, cannot afford lunch and come here to subsidies living costs. They are also women with kids."

He said that Sikhs welcome anyone into the gurudwara as long as they are not drunk, they remove their shoes and cover their head, adding: "It's not a free buffet; it's

dian bread), vegetables, yoghurt and Indian sweets.

Foodbanks fed 346,992 people across Britain in the UK last year, according to the Trussell Trust.

The Sikh temples cannot help that many people, but the service is welcomed.

Among the 6,000 visitors a week lunching at the Karamsar Gurudwara was a group of overseas medical students.

One student from China, who

Another student from India, gurudwaras in Leeds and who is Catholic, said: "For the Glasgow.

"The Birmingham Community last 10 days we have come here regularly. They have a welcom- Support Network has been set up ing attitude. People don't dis- to deal with the increase in decriminate. I was surprised to see mand especially as a result of the a mini Punjab here. The food is welfare reforms.

"We are hearing and seeing an like home-cooked."

Amrick Singh Ubhi of the Nishkam Centre in Birmingham and One student from China, vice-chair of the Counwho wished to remain cil of Sikh Gurudwaras, explained how their lo- anonymous, said: "My friend cal community group brought me here. I found does outreach work for people worried about it very welcoming and visiting a place of worpeaceful ship.

"Nishkam Help is one example of a project to help increase of other nationalities frefeed people in the centre of Bir- quenting gurudwaras specifically mingham which has had to extend for langar. We have to realize that its provision to three nights a while we see our respective places week and we have supported the of worship as a sanctuary, not all initiation of similar programs with people will."

Move to curb loans to students studying medicine abroad Cont’d from page 17 Gurudwara offering lunch to all

now served to non-Sikhs by Britain's 250 gurudwaras each week. They say the meals have been a lifeline for homeless people and overseas students swamped in debt.

Harmander Singh, who worships at the Karamsar Gurudwara in east London and is a spokes-

a way of serving the community."

In the Karamsar Gurudwara's dining area, most people sit on the floor while eating. The food is made round the clock by volunteers and funded by donations.

In Sikhism, only vegetarian food is served in the gurudwara so the cuisine includes lentils, roti (In-

wished to remain anonymous, said: "My friend brought me here.

I found it very welcoming and peaceful. People were very friendly. They are taking care of me. I like the variety of the food. I haven't seen this before I came to England. People seem to be very nice."

'Yoga' lands at Chicago's O'Hare Airport Cont’d from page 17

This step on the part of Airport authorizes underline the fact that practicing Yoga has huge therapeutic and relaxing value and many traveling internationally would benefit by using the yoga facilities at the airport. It would be in the fitness of things if other airport in USA as well in other countries pick up the thread and provide similar facilities within their premises.

Welcoming the gesture of Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Burlington airports for availability of yoga for passengers, Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that although introduced and nourished

by Hinduism, yoga was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all.

Rajan Zed said that traces of yoga, referred to as "a living fos-

sil" went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization. It was a mental and physical discipline handed down from one guru to next, for everybody to share and benefit from.

Burlington International Airport's yoga space invites travelers to "stretch out and relax before or between flights and enjoy a calm, quiet space" According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the

different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

No-charge San Francisco International Airport "Yoga Room" is described as "space devoted to relaxation, self-reflection and practicing yoga". No-charge Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport "Yoga Studio" is fully equipped with yoga mats and urges to "take a minute to relax and stretch between flights". Burlington International Airport's yoga space invites travelers to "stretch out and relax before or between flights and enjoy a calm, quiet space" and it has a "family bathroom with a shower".

According to USA's National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to an estimate, about 21 million Americans, including many celebrities, now practice yoga.

visits and make it harder for Americans to access the care they need.

Shortage forecasters point to two major factors. One is an aging population. The proportion of Americans who are 65 and older will increase to 19 percent in 2030 from 12.9 percent today, according to federal projections.

Second, Obamacare will insure 30 million more Americans by the end of the decade, dramatically increasing demand for physicians.

Extrapolating forward from today's

Avi Verma says that most of the students who had their education in Caribbean countries get residency in US and Canada and ultimately become doctors. The success rate is about 80 to 85% he said. "They become doctors and go higher up the ladder too. So why discriminate against them or potential candidates aspiring to be doctors," he asked.

The proposed bill by Senator Durbin will put the U S students studying medicine abroad at great dis- The proposed bill by Senator advantage vis-a-vis the US students. These stu- Durbin will put the U S dents, says Verma, are students studying medicine already at great a financial and other disadvan- abroad at great tage that is associated disadvantage vis-a-vis with studying in a different country with dif- the US students ferent environment.

Senator Durbin should rather 2.4 physicians per 1,000 Americans be pushing for increasing the medi- would mean we will need at least cal slots in the US universities so 90,000 more physicians by 2020, that many students desirous of or so the reasoning goes. getting medical education would Many do feel that there is a fat not face difficulties getting admis- chance this bill will gain wide supsion here, says a student pursu- port in the Senate or House of Reping education in a Caribbean resentatives, for several reasons. country.

The enactment of such a bill would In just over a decade the United endanger the nation's ability to meet States will need 130,000 more doc- its need for physicians, threaten the tors than medical schools are pro- professional career goals of qualiducing, according to the Asso- fied students and negatively impact ciation of American Medical Col- the health and well-being of thouleges. A doctor shortage looms sands of Americans just as they large on the horizon and this will enter the health care system via the drive up wait times, shorten office Affordable Care Act.

Community Across America

20 India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Temple sponsors program to feed starving kids ARVIND THAKKAR

SEVA volunteers for FMSC project

ITASCA, Illinois: Midwest Swaminarayan Temple has added one more humanitarian service by sponsoring the "Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)" program.

The event at Itasca temple was arranged on December 14. More than 120 volunteers devoted their services in two hour segments.

The goal was to prepare and pack 150,000 meals. With the help of

temple organizers, volunteers and FMSC staff, the goal was achieved.

Each packet contained rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins. Temple allowed the use of the facilities, donated the cost of food items, arranged for volunteers and provided a delicious lunch. As per FMFC staff, this shipment is meant for children in Kenya, Africa.

On this occasion, Itasca Mayor,

Itasca Mayor Jeff Paul with volunteers Vivek Brahmbhatt of the temple and Michelle Henn of FMSC

Jeff Paul, said that he shared the cause, which was extremely honorable and he was proud to have our DuPage County based Itasca temple organizing this massive effort to feed starving children. He participated in the packing of meals while he was excited that other Itasca families participated in this activity as a united community.

FMSC started in 1987 by sup-

plying food packs to needy children in Honduras. FMSC was one of the first major organizations to rush help to the victims of the earthquake. The message spread more and more and today nutritional food packs are donated to more than 70 countries all over the world.

They believe, "Hunger is the world's greatest solvable problem".

More and more institutions can

come forward to share our abundance to help the poor and starving children in other parts of the world, who have dreams same as dreams of our children. Itasca temple has set a precedent by providing health fairs, health clinics, eye clinic, youth programs, language classes and the management is always willing to help more and more humanitarian causes.

Bal Vihar children perform at Art Museum RAY IYER & ASHWIN PATEL

Bal Vihar children performing a cultural item

ST LOUIS, MO: The Saint Louis Art Museum offers family programs every Sunday throughout the year and during the month of December they are highlighting winter celebrations from around the world.

Focus of Family Sunday on Dec 1 at the Museum was on Indian culture. There were tattoo artist demonstrating and applying henna tattoos. Also featured were calligraphy, yoga and Rangoli (traditional decoration using colors and flowers). Sherri Williams, Family Program Coordinator of Saint Louis Art Museum also invited Bal Vihar of St. Louis to participate in exposing Indian culture to the St. Louis community.

In front of over 250 attendees, Bal Vihar team enthusiastically

performed dances and musicals.

The activities included demonstration of Yoga and its importance. Students spoke to the audience about Indian culture while Bal Vihar volunteers were present at each table to enlighten the attendees about Indian culture and history.

Since 1992, Bal Vihar students are actively participating in the St. Louis, MO community. They are involved in the community awareness programs such as visiting local hospital and giving handmade items to patients, collecting and offering food to the needy, conducting activities for senior citizens and participating in the interfaith activities etc. The children participate in debates such as values of various cultures and

Bindiya being applied to a St Louis resident

their significance, their own cultural values in the modern society and living in harmony.

Center for Indian Cultural Education - Bal Vihar of St. Louis is a non-profit organization. Since its inception in 1992 it has been serving the Metro St. Louis Indian community. The primary focus of the organization is to provide Indian cultural education to students age 5-18 and its application and integration with the global multicultural and multifaceted society.

Students are also taught discipline, tolerance and devotion in their daily routine. The ultimate goal is "to throw the light of cultural knowledge on every child, to make every child an outstanding citizen and to spread the song of peace and harmony around the world."

Community Across America

December 20, 2013

India Post 21

www.indiapost.com

Unique and grand celebration of Ram Vivah RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A two-day celebration of Ram Vivah - a unique event conceptualized by Temple priest Pundit Anil Joshi, on Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8 attracted a large number of devotees from far and wide in Chicagoland area. It turned out to be a big success.

The temple makes an effort to bring all Indian communities on one platform by celebrating different religious and cultural events.

In this development, Shri Ram Janaki Vivah was celebrated by both South and North Indian com-

Ram Vivah Baratis welcomed

cial turbans enjoyed Shri Ram Baraat by dancing to tunes of traditional drums, dolls and bells.

Baraat poojan was performed by temple priest and it was welcomed

by Kanya Paksh with beautifully

Sitaji brought to Mandap

munities as Kanya and Var Paksh respectively.

On Saturday evening, there was Mehndi Rasam with temple priest Joshi conducting the poojan of Mangali Patrika and blessing Ram Janaki Mehendi. More than one hundred ladies enjoyed Mehendi with singing of traditional Mehendi songs and bhajans.

There after all devotees relished delicious snacks and tea.

Geetha (Godavari) Patil and Vandana Jhingan had pitched for doing things in a traditional way.

Sangeeta and Shammi Dhall brought Shri Ram Baraat on December 8 by 3 pm at the Vivah Sthal - Hindu Mandir of Lake County with their bandhu, bandhva and parivar. All devotees decked with South and North traditional dresses and men with spe-

decorated Kalashams and exchange of Uttariyas.

Temple priests Pt. Anil Joshi and Pt Ganesh performed this Vivah in the Hindu traditional Vaidic way which comprises Var Poojan, Hastamilap, Jayamala, Kanyadan, Gotrachar, Agni Phera, Mangala Sutra and Sindoor offering. The entire Vivah Utsav was based on directions in Shri Ram Charitra Manas.

Gouri Poojan was carried out by Janakdulari by singing Jai Jai Mahishshura Mardhini Stotra.

Dazzling Shiva Dhanush was broken by young children as one of the attraction of the Vivah Utsav.

Sapta Agni Pradakshan was performed by both side sponsors holding Shri Ram and Janaki one by one.

Blessings and Phere songs

Wedding dance

were sung by Pt. Joshi. Devotional songs, bhajans and Stotras were also sung by Atwal, Ajay Ghai, Vishvanathan and Rita Patel in between the Vivah steps which made the shrine fill with spirituality.

Pt. Anil Joshi explained the importance of Shri Ram Janaki Vivah in the present times. He said that Shri Ram symbolizes 'Gyan' and Ma Janaki signifies 'Bhakti'. Gyan is incomplete unless it merges with Bhakti. Shiva Dhanush denotes

'ego'. Without winning over ego Gyan cannot merge with Bhakti.

That is why Shiva Dhanush was broken by Ram first and then only he could marry Janaki.

He further enlightened the devotees by saying that Lord Ram underwent three ways of marriages such as Gandharv Vivah (love marriage) was performed at Pushpa Vatika of Janakpuri when Shri Ram Janaki saw each other.

Cont’d on page 22

22 India Post

Community Across America

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Senior Pariwar pays tribute to Mandela SURESH SHAH

DES PLAINES: Though it was nasty and rain mixed snowy weather, more than 110 members of United Senior Pariwar Chicago (USP) attended a monthly meeting on Sunday December 8 in Niles, a northwest suburb of Chicago, to pay tribute to late Nelson Mandela, a freedom fighter and a former President of South Africa.

The meeting started with a lamp lighting ceremony which was performed by older members of senior association Dahyabhai Patel, Mrs. Shantaben Patel, Harjivandas Patel, Jivrambhai Patel, Ramanlal A. Patel President, Hasmukhbhai Soni Treasurer and others. Kanubhai H. Patel also accompanied them.

Welcoming members and guests, S.C. Shah, the association Secretary, talked about Mandela' sacrifices and urged members to continue with their activities in coming year. He thanked all for their sustained support.

Ramanlal Patel, President USP,

(L-R) Ramanbhai Patel active member of USP, Hasmulhbhai Soni Treasurer, Ramanlal Patel President of USP, Harjivandas Patel and Jivrambhai Patel, older members USP

tribute to him. All members joined him in prayers.

Hasmukhbhai Soni, Treasurer USP, informed that the accounts

on the table for observation by members in January 2014 as has been done in past. He praised Satishbhai Patel CPA of Chicago

Birthday celebration of members

to pay prescribed yearly fees of $ 35 each. A couple has to fill out a

single form and has to pay $ 70 in all for the year 2014.

Unique and grand celebration of Ram Vivah Cont’d from page 21

Lady members and guests at the meet

outlined the activities being carried out by the association during the whole year and thanked the members for their support. He spoke about the life and work done by late Nelson Mandela and paid

for the year 2013 up to the month of November are ready in all respects and would be presented in the month of January 2014 in detail. Ramanlal Patel President, added all the books will be placed

for his pro bono services.

Birthdays of members for the month of December were celebrated and a birthday card was given by the President to all them on this occasion. A colorful Rasotsav program was organized with all the members and invited guest Mrs Ushaben Kamaria participating for about two hours. A delicious dinner was served at the end of this event and everyone enjoyed it.

The next meeting of the association to celebrate the festival of Christmas on a grand scale will be held on Sunday December 22 at 2 pm at the Kathy Hall, it was announced.

A grand musical program called Sugam Sangeet by the talented artists of SAREGAMA Orchestra Chicago will be held at this event.

It was also announced that Mrs. Ushaben Kamaria as well as Rohitbhai Joshi President of Indian Community of Niles Township will sponsor food for this event. This program is strictly for senior association members as well as invited guests only.

The new members will have to fill out a membership form and have

Vaidic Vivah was done in the presence of Raja Janak and Dashrath with their Kul Gurus, and Vachanadhin (swayamvar) Vivah was executed by breaking Shiva Dhanush without any obstacles.

King Janak kept his word and gave his beautiful daughter's hand in marriage to the Prince from Ayodhya, who was the only one rising to the challenge set by him.

Pt. Joshi also said that Shri Ram

life.

He further said that each and every phase of Shri Ram's life speaks of a lesson in Sanatan Dharma. By celebrating Shri Ram Janaki Vivah or Vivah Panchami Utsav as the marriage anniversary of Lord Rama and Ma Sita we not only remember his principles but also try to follow them in our life.

Archana, Bhoga and Aarti were performed by both priests and finally Janaki Doli Bidai was carried out with heartrending hearts. A

Children break Ram Dhanush

played a significant role of building a cordial bridge between Raja Janak and Raja Dashrath as both were supreme powers but never mingled with each other. When Tamsik powers were expanding that time the union of Satvik powers was necessary. This Vivah became successful in bringing scattered powers together and established a firm foundation of Dharma and also became a model to mankind to follow the principles of Shri Ram and Janaki in every aspect of

touching Bidai song sung by Pt. Anil Joshi made everyone emotional. He also blessed and thanked all the sponsors from Kanya and Var Paksh, food sponsors namely Mousim Bhai, Desi Needs, Gurnee; Guru, Aroma restaurant; Sanjay Bhandari, Peacock restaurant; and Mikky, Spice Bazaar from the City of Vernon Hills for their kind contribution to the temple community, and dedicated volunteers for helping out to make this Vivah Utsav a grand success.

Community Across America

December 20, 2013

India Post 23

www.indiapost.com

New VHPA office bearers take charge ASHOK JAIN

Detroit: The World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) elected its new executive teams during its three days meet in Detroit in the second week of December.

Abhaya Asthana from the Boston Chapter (and the current General Secretary) was elected the President, and Sanjay Mehta, from Pittsburgh, the current Joint General Secretary, was elected the New General Secretary. The new office members of the Governing Council were: Bibek Das, Parag More, Naresh Chand, Anit Gupta, Basant Tariyal, Kamlesh Patel, Ajay Jain, Kaushik Mitra, Ravindra Shukla, Ravi Tetambe, Prem Gargand Anju Preet.

The event organized by the Detroit chapter of VHPA team led

by Arjun Soorya, was kicked off with a welcome address by the local VHPA leaders Yash Lakra and Arjun Soorya followed by Ekatmata Mantra and Bhavgeet.

The delegates analyzed activities of the past year, and charted out their strategic and operational initiatives for the coming years. It was resolved to continue its efforts to advocate the cause of Hindus in the United States and around the world and promote the Hindu ethos.

The evening ended with a lively panel discussion focusing on the biases in perception and communication that the Hindu community

VHP gathering in Detroit

faces. The morning's program covered sessions on different topics, important to the three million strong Hindu community in the US. Among them were presentation on the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference (HMEC), a unique project of VHPA that brings together more than 700 Hindu temples and organizations across America and the HAVAN project, a unique effort at care giving and community support for and by the elderly community. The "relations and outreach" team detailed out the

need for public awareness and outreach work in support of the Hindu community around the world. Specifically, the continued suppression of the Hindus in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia found mention in the discussions.

Several sessions focused on VHPA's community service

(SEVA) projects. Support a child (SAC), Sevapedia, and the relief efforts to support the Bhutanese Hindu community which has been exiled from their native country due

A family evening with Sufi Balbir on Dec 28 SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: KK Pamma and Thakar S Basati are hosting a family evening with Sufi Balbir on Saturday, December 28 at 6 pm at Holiday Inn 200 in Mt. Prospect, a northwest Chicago suburb.

The evening will consist of Sufi

People complained about it and few singers listened," Basati said.

Gurdas Maan, Satinder Sartaaj and now Kanwar Grewal and Sufi Balbir are enjoying sold out shows.

Sufi is already in US. His CD "Vanzara" is very well liked. Songs

Balbir Sufi

writings, songs composed by him.

"For almost two decades, Punjabi singing has gone towards pop, focusing more on youth who are not really into Punjabi culture.

like, "Kehnda e Vanzara, Sauda Sasta Ae, Na kar yaara Gallan." His new song "Chaardiwari" reminds all NRIs of their connection back home and is ready to be released.

He has been to many countries like Canada, US, most of Europe and Some Arab countries. A family man himself, Sufi strongly believes in promoting values of Punjabi culture. Yes he does sing fast dancing songs but even they have a meaning. Basati said, "I have heard people perform many times Ghum Charkhrha Sayian Da by Shah Husaain. The way Sufi performed at Chandigarh Kala Gram, everybody was moving with it."

"Sufi" is a clear, pure essence that has filtered and settled slowly, deep within. It goes beyond the state of mounam (silence), even beyond the station of the mouna guru (the silent guru within us). It is that state of stillness when the resplendence of the pure clarity of wisdom has sunk down and settled completely within its ultimate completeness and perfection. "Sufi" reveals the nature of the final state of that Perfection, when it has settled down slowly to its ultimate Stillness."

to continuing religious persecution found specific mention. The evening saw an enthralling display of Odishi, a thousand year old dance form that originated in Hindu temples of Odisha (India), followed by a community dinner with the Hindu community of Detroit.

At the end of the event, the Council passed the following resolutions 1. VHPA condemns the terror attack in Nairobi, Kenya by Islamic radicals 2) VHPA condemns the relentless religious persecution of

Hindus in Bangladesh. 3) It took a strong stand against communal violence (PCTV - Prevention of Communal Violence Bill) being brought in India by the current UPA government, 4). VHPA applauds the fact that Diwali being celebrated as a mainstream festival in USA and congratulates the White House for celebrating it this year.

The Governing Council decided to Increase outreach efforts through television and print media, promote Seva initiatives like the Sevanet (Sevapedia), Support a Child (SAC) and Havan Projects and work on the Bhutanese refugee center. It decided to promote resources and support for the Hindu minority communities around the world and support the World Hindu Congress to be held Nov 2014 in India.

VHPA is of one of the oldest umbrella Hindu organizations in North America. The annual governing Council meeting is a window into the growing role of the Hindu community in the United States as a harbinger of sustainable social and economic change.

As the barriers of ethnicity and knowledge break down, organizations like VHPA find an increasing role in framing the discourse on thought-leadership and the narrative of 'universal brotherhood' in the United States.

Palatine Sikhs to celebrate Holidays with POC SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Sikhs from village have extra land. of Palatine, Illinois, will celebrate Bhai Thakar S Basati and Bhai Holidays with Palatine Opportu- Mohinderjit Singh Saini were on nity Center (POC) in Palatine, a the committee VIP (Vision in north side suburb of Chicago, Progress) which was established December 30 from 11 am to 1pm. by former Mayor Rita Mullins to The Center provides many es- see what will be needed in next 10 sential services to lower income years in the city of Palatine. After families. It has free medical clinic, many meetings and brain stormoffers English tutoring, free basic ing this center came into existence. computer classes, immigration and citizenship classes and help, has li- It has free medical clinic, brary, Park District room offers English tutoring, free for various Park district activities, and free nurs- basic computer classes, ery for babies. Sometime immigration and citizenship people also drop off food or other stuff like socks classes and help or other warm clothing, blankets etc. for needy families.

Thakar Basati is on the current POC came into existence from board of the Center. The Center is an anonymous donor from local in the process of expansion. Many community. The Center also has Sikhs have benefited from its exan organic garden where volun- istence. "We have done this with teers grow vegetables and distrib- other organizations in the area ute to needy families in summer, a where we take goody bags, food concept that should be followed or gifts or cash to help commuby all religious organizations that nity," he said.

24 India Post

Community Across America

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Top dignitaries attend Shiv Durga Temple Anniversary VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA: An excellent First Anniversary of Shiv Durga Temple at 3550 Flora Vista Avenue, Santa Clara was celebrated on Sunday 1 December by Acharya Pandit Krishna Pandey, Founder and President of the temple, with the support of his team at the temple. The occasion received overwhelming response from the community, community leaders and prominent personalities alongwith around 700 devotees.

Among those present were Ash Kalra, Milpitas Mayor, San Jose Council Member, Mr David, Ex Mayor and current Council Member of the city of Sunnyvale, Narendra Pathak, Commissioner of City of Sunnyvale , Vilas Thuse, Praveen Suggala CEO of Radio Zindagi, Yogi Mahendra Lohmor, Ajay Jain Bhutoria, Ramesh Aanand Mishra, Ranna Patel Unthank, Shail Jain, Manohar Bijor, Dr Raameshwar Singh and Dr Shiv Singh.

The program started with Atma Suddhi Pranayam Yoga

by Mahendra Yogi and then Ganpati Abhishekam, Sarva Devata and Devi Pujan and Havan. There was Satsang by Acharya Ji, Bhajan and Keertan by Vikash Ji, Vinesh Ji, Vishek Ji and Mahima Shukla. Bharat Natyam was performed by Anitha Addagade Ji. After Maha Mangal Aarti, Preeti Bhoj was served which was sponsored by Jagender Ji, Aruna Ji and Patrick Ji. Mr Jose S Esteves, Mayor of City of Milpitas, has presented a recognition certificate to the temple for spiritual and religious services to the community.

Prominent personalities addressed the devotees and Ajay Jain Bhutoria asked the community to come forward for support to the temple. It is a unique temple of Shiva Durga which is dedicated to the world famous Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir State in India where Acharya Ji served the temple during his 18 years Indian Army service. Concluding, Acharya Ji, Sunil Khanna, Rajesh Goyal and Pradeep Parmar thanked the devotees.

Acharya Ji's vision is to provide all kind of religious and spiritual service to the community and maintain the valuable Indian tradition of involving the coming generation and getting support from community for senior citizens to enjoy their life.

December 20, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 25

www.indiapost.com

Giving gift of education to deprived kids India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: The team of Yours Humanly, a California based non-profit organization, has taken the challenge upon itself to give the gift of education to millions of underprivileged children around the world. By bridging the gap,

between the fortunate and the notso-fortunate, and giving the underprivileged a chance to color their futures through education, it is determined to instill in these children a sense of pride, confidence and freedom. For the 2014 school year, the organization is focusing its efforts in parts of India, Nepal, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

Yours Humanly sponsors education for the underprivileged chil-

dren starting from kindergarten all the way through high school and also contributes towards their books and uniforms. "Our vision is to work towards creating a world where all children, regardless of their age, gender, race, color, ethnicity, caste, religion, national origin, and physical, mental or financial ability, will have a fair chance at getting an education at a credible educational institution," said Sunny Singh, the founder and executive director of the organization.

To give every child an opportunity to learn English and computers is also high on the priority list of the Yours Humanly team. According to them a good command over the English language and being computer literate is a must in order to succeed in today's fast paced world.

"In Asian countries, a large majority of the schools in rural areas do not offer English and Computer Science as a part of their curriculum. This puts the students from those schools at a big competitive disadvantage once they graduate. We are working towards

placing English and Computer teachers, and the necessary computer equipment, in public schools that have somewhat of an infrastructure to support them. For children whose schools do not have a proper infrastructure to support such a program, we plan

mences. It also wants to raise over $250,000 next year, as it plans to expand its program into three additional countries by the year 2015.

"I believe that if each one of us, who are blessed and privileged, supported one child by giving him/her the education he/she

meal is going to come from, do not understand the concept of sending their child to school. They do not realize that when you send a child to school you not only change the life of that one child but also the lives of his future generations," said Vipin Kumar, direc-

to invest in opening stand alone Yours Humanly centers. These centers will offer free English and Computer classes during evening hours and on weekends," said Singh.

Yours Humanly raises funds through individual donations, fund raisers, corporate pledges, and government and foundation grants. Its goal is to raise around $50,000 between now and March 2014 before the school year com-

deserves, the world would be a far better place," said Santosh Khatri, director of operations Cambodia.

Yours Humanly believes that many underprivileged families go through a constant struggle between whether to make the children work (or beg) for food, or to send them to school.

"Motivating the families of these children is a big challenge we face every day. Parents, when they are not sure where their next

tor of operations India.

Through its team of motivators who talk to these families, Yours Humanly hopes to convince a large number of parents to send their children to school.

To support Yours Humanly in their efforts and to help them reach their goal of raising $50,000 before March 2014, please donate generously. They are a 501(c) (3) charitable organization and your donations may be tax deductible.

Spandana Spelling Bee completion in February India Post News Service

SAN RAMON, CA: Spandana Foundation has announced its 3rd Annual Spandana Spelling Bee completion 2014. It will be held on Sunday, 2nd February 2014 at Windmere Ranch Middle School, San Ramon, CA. Spandana Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of poor and the needy in the fields of education and health. Spandana Foundation mission is "is to help and aid the poor and the deprived people in the field of Basic Living, Education and health by actively encouraging and engaging youth in service activities". Spandana Foundation can be contacted at Spandana.org .

GiriLankepalle, Director and Founding member said "We improved our process a lot from our last two years learning to make it more smooth and flawless event. ". He also mentioned to parents that "Every participant fee from this event is spent to support one year of high-school education back in India". He requested all parents to remind their kids that their participation is not only for winning spelling bee but also to

Intermediate Winners

support a underprivileged student in India.

Top three students in each category were presented with trophies. "To encourage kids to feel the success of their preparation

for Spelling Bee, Spandana Foundation recognized top three students in each grade. This is unique in Spandana Spelling Bee competition" said HariMoola another event coordinator.

Volunteers

Senior Winners

Chandrasekhar Azad, Spandana Foundation's event coordnator for Spelling Bee said, "Spandana Spelling Bee is set out to find talented and bright young minds among elementary and middle school children of Northern California with a hope of opening up their minds to the path of "Charity and Doing Good".

Last year more than 300 students from 1st grade to 8th grade from over 18 cities in Bay area competed for honors in 3 catego-

ries!"

This year Spandana is expecting to see more than 500 students in its 3rd Annual Spelling Bee competition.

Categories: Junior -1st, 2nd& 3rd grades Intermediate - 4th& 5th grades Senior - 6th, 7th& 8th grades There will be 3 winners in each category and winners in each grade.

Spandana Foundation received excellent support and encouragement in the past from all the local school PTAs in the past and is requesting their support once again.

School PTAs will receive 10% of the registration fee paid by their school students.

26 India Post

Community Across America

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

NCCA holds colorful awards ceremony VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Correspondent

NEWARK, CA: Northern California Cricket Association rounded off their successful 2012/ 2013 season by holding a colorful Awards Ceremony at Chandini Restaurant, Newark on December 6, which was well attended by all stake holders of NCCA, from players, supporters, match officials, media and not forgetting the sponsors, Matrix Insurance, Cal Coast Financial Corp and Intero real estate services.

Every year the Northern California Cricket Association organizes an awards ceremony for honoring the championship and runner-up teams as well as significant individual performances from the previous season. Established in

1892 NCCA is a prestigious cricket league based out of Bay Area in Northern California, US with over 600 members forming its core base and many of NCCA cricketers were and are part of US National Cricket Team.

Sunil Kumar, Kumaran President, NCCA delivered the welcome address and the President's note. Sunil congratulated NCCA players on their victory.

Sunil laid out the vision of NCCA including the Youth Cricket Development Program - a Bay area wide program that will bring cricket to the

younger generation. He congratulated the NCCA Women's team who have actively involved themselves in cricket. He spoke about the transition to colored clothing, usage of white ball, tournament with International players as the biggest achievement of NCCA in 2013.

Sunny Sethi of Matrix Insurance Agency and Roger Bakshi of Cal Coast Financial corp gave away the awards to all the winners.

Special Awards were given to recognize the contribution of individuals to the development of the game and to the best performers of the tournament. They appreciated the efforts of NCCA in taking cricket to the grass root level and

spreading the awareness amongst all in the community through its Youth & Women's Cricket Development Program.

The evening was a fun filed event with dance and singing performances by Kriya Academy and Nitya Bhayya. Nalli Silks fashion

show was the highlight of the grand show.

Players were awarded in following categories: NCCA T20 Summer League, Bank of India & Price Cup, Women's Team Recognition Award, Special Recognition Awards, NCCA Winter 2012.

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 27

28 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 29

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Dhoom Machale Dhoom: Dhoom 3 2 Ram Chahe Leela: Ram-Leela 3 Gandi Baat: R..Rajkumar 4 Nagada Sang Dhol: Ram-Leela 5 Tattad Tattad: Ram-Leela 30 India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

6 Tamnche Pe Disco: Bullet Raja 7 Part All Night: Boss 8 Too : Gori Tere Pyaar Mein 9 Raghupti Raghav: Krrish 3 10 Main Rang Sharbato Ka: Phata Poster Nikhla Hero

K

areena Kapoor raised eyebrows after her comment on 'Koffee With Karan' calling cousin Ranbir Kapoor's rumored girlfriend Katrina Kaif as her sister-in-law. While Kareena pulled Ranbir's leg on the show, at another event superstar Salman Khan also called ex-girlfriend Katrina his sister-in-law!

At the trailer launch of his upcoming film ' Jai Ho' where the media was present, Salman called former lady love Katrina Kaif as his sister-in-law. Unlike Kareena's statement, this comment was however not made in jest.

When a TV journalist asked Salman to give his reaction on Kareena's 'sister-in-law' comment, Sallu bhai lost his infamous temper. He reportedly said, Agar woh Kareena ki sister-in-law hai toh meri bhi sister-in-law ho gayi yaar.

Apparently, soon after making this statement, Salman lost his cool and took pot-shots at the reporter.

K

atrina Kaif. who has finally opened up to media, makes light of Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor's conversation in 'Koffee with Karan', saying they said it as a joke.

Asked to react to Kareena's comment on 'Koffee with Karan' where she said she will dance on Katrina's hit songs at Ranbir's wedding, Katrina said, "Kareena and Ranbir are cousins so they pull each other's legs. There is no such thing like that. They said it as a joke. I don't think they were serious."

Further asked in which dance would she perform at Ranbir's wedding, she said, "If for some reason, I have to dance on a song at Ranbir's wedding, I would dance on the 'Besharam' song."

Reacting to Ranbir's statement which says Katrina is a special person in his life and he would like to give his life for her, she said, "I would like to give my life to anyone who needs and who is a dear friend.�

Bollywood

December 20, 2013

India Post 31

www.indiapost.com

D

uring Calcutta's most unsettled times, the inseparable Bikram and Bala, grew from being small time, inconsequential wagon breakers and coal thieves, to becoming the biggest and most powerful black marketing mafia-men. As the infamy of these two renegades spread far and wide... the people of this sprawling city started calling these two happy-go-lucky rebels...

Gunday.

While recreating the authenticity of Calcutta of the 70s, director and writer of Gunday, Ali Abbas Zafar, also introduces us to the then prevalent world of cabaret dancing. Priyanka Chopra, who plays the role of Nandita the gorgeous cabaret dancer in the film, does it to perfection.

Produced by Aditya Chopra, the film stars Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, as Bikram and Bala, along with Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan, in lead roles.

S

PRIYANKA CHOPRA, WHO PLAYS THE ROLE OF NANDITA THE GORGEOUS CABARET DANCER IN THE FILM, DOES IT TO PERFECTION

I

hah Rukh Khan says that the best time for anyone to get him to agree to something is in the morning. It is only at this time that he is not aware enough to think rationally.

"Best time to meet me is morning...I pay a lot of compliments then. My eyes take a while to adjust to the reality through the haze," Shah Rukh posted on Twitter.

The star is busy shooting for Farah Khan's "Happy New Year", which also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood and Deepika Padukone.

ndo-Canadian porn star turned Bollywood actress Sunny Leone wants to have a body double for a daring bold, revealing scene for her upcoming scene in 'Ragini MMS 2'. The scene requires a man to unzip Sunny's top and reveal her cleavage.

When the scene was narrated to Sunny Leone, she directly refused to do it and insisted the maker use a body double. Not only this, when she was asked to wear a skin colored costume, she refused and wore a black or golden colored costume.

'Ragini MMS 2' is a sequel to 'Ragini MMS' produced by Ekta Kapoor.

Sunny's film 'Jackpot' opposite Sachiin Joshi has received 'A' certificate due to its bold content and the censor board also asked the makers to chop down the steamy scene between Sachiin and Sunny.

“MY EYES TAKE A WHILE TO ADJUST TO THE REALITY THROUGH THE HAZE�

„ Health

Line

Andhra to have medical college in every district VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Health K Murali has said the AP government plans to establish one medical college in every district.

The government has allocated Rs 6,500 crore during the ongoing financial year for health services and already Rs 300 crore has been spent to purchase medicines for government hospitals, he told reporters while inspecting a municipal women's hospital here.

About 70 lakh families have benefited under the 'Arogyasri' scheme, which provides free medical services to the poor in corporate hospitals, he said.

He said the AP government has decided to provide health cards for all state government employees for free health services and it also would be extended to advocates and other sections very soon.

A super specialty hospital at a cost of Rs 290 crore would be set up in the city on 100 acres of land, he said. -PTI

„ Indian-origin gynecologist suspended in UK LONDON: An Indian-origin gynecologist, accused of groping a patient's breasts three years ago, has been found guilty of misconduct by a British panel and suspended from practicing medicine for a year.

Angamathu Arunkalaivanan was also found guilty of failing to offer a chaperone or make a record of the breast check in the patient's notes.

"The panel accepted that this is an isolated case and that the breast examination was clinically indicated. However, the manner in which you conducted the breast examination on Patient A was clearly sexually motivated," Sandra Sturdy, chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel in Manchester, said.

"Your conduct in undertaking a breast examination...was a serious breach of trust between patient and doctor and amounted to serious misconduct... The panel has found that your actions have brought the medical profession into disrepute, and that you have breached fundamental tenets of the profession."

Sturdy said the panel had determined that "the need to uphold proper professional standards and public confidence in the profession would be undermined if a finding of impairment was not made". -PTI

Health Science

Mobile phones pose no threat, says WHO official Details on Page 34

32 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

Kids don't run as far or as fast as their parents did DOTHAN, Ala.: Missy and Marvin Sexton recognized the signs.

Their sons Walker, 12, and Greg, 9, were spending more time with computers and electronics and less time playing outside.

The parents took action in January, setting up a system where the boys had to earn their electronics privileges through exercise. ``We decided it was getting too much,'' Marvin said. ``To stay physically healthy, I think you have to set a foundation for the kids going forward, to teach them that exercise is important and to stress it, to get them outside doing things.''

If the boys don't earn the required exercise points, they don't get to play computers. ``And they've never failed, every single month,'' Missy said.

The system isn't complicated.

At the end of each day, Missy figures out what the kids have done and totals up the points. She also monitors the amount and kinds of food they consume.

The fitness and diet regimen isn't just for the kids. The parents work to set a good example, and use activities with their sons as family bonding time. ``We jump on our bikes together and have adventures,'' Missy said. ``Remember that 12mile adventure down at Panama City?''

They pedaled through creeks and racked up memories. ``This past summer we went up to Chattanooga and all we did was hike every day,'' she said. Climb-

parents. ``They didn't see their parents exercise so they don't understand,'' she said.

Pulmonary (lung) fitness is tied to cardiovascular fitness - the abil-

Missy Sexton and her sons Greg, 9, and Walker, 12, jog on a trail in Dothan, Ala.

ing over boulders, talking and playing helps them make a healthy lifestyle both workable and fun.

As a pulmonologist, Marvin sees the problems when kids don't develop good habits on diet and exercise. ``Kids that have never gone outside and played and exercised in a structured fashion, they'll never get that,'' Marvin said. ``I see that all the time in my practice, people 20 years old who weigh 500 pounds, and it's solely through lifestyle issues.''

Missy said kids pick up cues about food and fitness from their

ity to exercise vigorously for a long time, such as running laps on a track. Increases in fat mass usually are mirrored by declines in running performance.

Research presented last month at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013 concluded that children's cardiovascular fitness worldwide has declined 5 percent per decade since 1975 for children ages 9 to 17.

Kids don't run as far or as fast as their parents did, and that may indicate worse health in adulthood.

The findings are no surprise to Dr. Ted Williams and other doctors at Southeastern Pediatric Associates. ``This is something we've seen coming in pediatrics for the last three decades,'' Williams said. ``We've become a fast-food generation. There's no family dinner table. We have no portion control. We're eating a diet that predisposes itself to obesity, and we know a significant number of children are obese.''

Williams sees multiple factors at work. ``Our diet has drastically worsened over the last 30 years,'' he said. Kids are getting much less exercise than they used to and are spending more time in front of television and computer screens. ``Those kids who are less fit now have significant health issues as they go along,'' Williams said. ``Twenty to 30 years ago, we never heard of type 2 diabetes in children. That's diabetes caused by insulin resistance, and now that's a leading cause of diabetes in children.''

He said it's directly related to obesity, which is directly related to lack of exercise and improper diet. ``So we have a generation of children that are going to be more at risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and diabetes, and almost all of this is preventable,'' he said.

Cont'd on Page 35

Bike that purifies the air while you ride NEW YORK: Researchers have designed an eco-friendly bicycle that cleans polluted air while cruising down the street.

The air-purifier bike designed

by Bangkok's Lightfog Creative & Design Company currently exists only in concept.

In theory, its aluminum frame would run on a "photosynthesis system" that generates oxygen through a reaction between water and electric power from a lithium-ion battery.

"We want to design products

which can reduce the air pollution

in the city. So we decided to de-

The air-purifier bike designed by Bangkok's Lightfog Creative & Design Company currently exists only in concept.

sign a bike because we thought that bicycles are environmentally friendly vehicles for transportation," creative director Silawat Virakul told FastCoExist.

"Riding a bicycle can reduce traffic jams in a city.

Moreover, we wanted to add more value to a bicycle by adding its ability to reduce the pollution," Virakul said.

No prototype of the bike has been developed so far and how the air purifier bike would work is yet to be determined. -PTI

December 20, 2013

Health Science Post

India Post 33

www.indiapost.com

Drug fee relief plan may benefit Indian companies WASHINGTON: American health regulator FDA could consider bringing some relief in payment of fees to small generic drug makers, including those from India, if a newly proposed legislation is enacted.

With the US Food and Drug Administration proposing to hike the fees for generic drug-makers for next fiscal, concerns had

ing field for generic drug user fees so that smaller manufacturers would be expected to pay fees that reflect the relative size of their firms compared to giants.

The Small Manufacturer Protection Act of 2013 would add new provisions allowing for waivers and refunds of user fees.

"The expectation that all manufacturers

view generic drug submissions, failure to pay up results often results in stiff penalties.

For instance, failure to timely submit the annual facility payment means that FDA would not be able to receive new Abbreviated New Drug Applications or Prior Approval Supplements referencing these facilities until outstanding fees are paid.

The FDA is tight-lipped on the effect

porter to the US. Indian drug-makers mostly specialize in manufacturing of generic versions of innovative drugs at a fraction of cost after their patent expiry and are estimated to command 10 per cent share in the US generic drug market.

"The bill does not discriminate between domestic and foreign companies.

Thus, small Indian companies could benefit if the bill is enacted," Kurt Karst, Di-

Indian drug-makers mostly specialize in manufacturing of generic versions of innovative drugs at a fraction of cost after their patent expiry and are estimated to command 10 per cent share in the US generic drug market. "The bill does not discriminate between domestic and foreign companies. Thus, small Indian companies could benefit if the bill is enacted"

been raised on the financial burden that the one-size-fits-all fee structure creates issues for the smaller units, which typically face cash crunch problems.

Congressman Robert Hurt introduced legislation along with Congressman Phil Roe this month that seeks to level the play-

pay the same fees, regardless of their size, is unrealistic and should be adjusted to accommodate these smaller companies so they can continue to innovate, produce and compete," Hurt said in a statement.

While the fees collected by FDA garner the funding required for the agency to re-

of the legislation.

"The Administration does not have a position on this legislation," Sandy Walsh, an FDA spokeswoman, said in an e-mailed reply to queries in this regard.

India is the second largest drug ex-

rector at top US law firm Hyman, Phelps & McNamara told PTI. The US regulations require companies to pay user fees to supplement the costs of reviewing generic drug applications and inspecting facilities. -PTI

34 India Post

Health Science Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Health law seen as eroding China bans shellfish imports coverage: Poll from US West Coast WASHINGTON: Americans who already have health insurance are blaming President Barack Obama's health care overhaul for raising the costs of their policies while making them pay a larger share of their medical bills out of pocket, and overall 3 in 4 say the rollout of coverage for the unin-

sured has gone poorly.

An Associated Press-GfK poll finds that health care remains politically charged going into next year's elections when control of both houses of Congress will be at stake.

Keeping the refurbished HealthCare.gov website running smoothly is just one of Obama's challenges, maybe not the biggest.

The poll found a striking level of unease

about the law among people who have already have health insurance and aren't looking to take advantage of the new law. Those are the 85 per cent of Americans who the White House says don't have to be worried about the president's historic push to expand coverage for the uninsured.

Most Americans get their health insurance coverage through plans offered through their employer, or from government programs covering the elderly, poor, disabled, and active duty military and veterans. The US has been the only leading industrial country without universal health care coverage.

Obama's Affordable Care Act is intended to provide coverage for millions of uninsured Americans by raising income levels to qualify for Medicaid the government program that covers the poor and creating state and national exchanges through websites that offer the uninsured an opportunity to obtain lower-cost coverage at group rates with many qualifying for government subsidies to make their rates more affordable. -AP

SEATTLE: China has suspended imUS officials think the contaminated clams ports of shellfish from the US West Coast, came from Washington or Alaska but are cutting off one of the biggest export mar- waiting for more details from China to help kets for Northwest companies and prompt- identify the exact source. ing fears of a months-long shutdown.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric The Chinese government imposed the Administration will negotiate with the Chiban after discovering that recent shipments of geoduck clams from Northwest waters had high levels of arsenic and a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, KUOW public radio reported.

The Chinese government says the ban will continue indefinitely. Clams, oysters and all other twoFive-year-old Elona Bowyer of Gig Harbor, Wash., holds a large shelled bivalves hargeoduck that was dug up at Kopachuck State Park near Gig Harbor vested off Washingduring low tide ton, Oregon, Alaska and Northern California are affected. nese government on an agreement to re``They've never done anything like that, open the shellfish trade. where they would not allow shellfish from The U.S. exported $68 million worth of this entire area based on potentially two geoduck clams last year - most of which areas or maybe just one area. We don't re- came from Washington state's Puget ally know yet,'' Jerry Borchert of the Wash- Sound. Nearly 90 percent of those geoduck ington Department of Health told KUOW. exports went to China.-AP

Health Science Post

December 20, 2013

India Post 35

www.indiapost.com

New device clicks selfie to monitor cholesterol WASHINGTON: Scientists have developed a new device which enables your smartphone's camera to read your cholesterol level instantly - by clicking a selfie.

The gadget eliminates the need for clumsy, complicated, home cholesterol-testing devices.

Cornell University engineers claim the Smartphone Cholesterol Application for Rapid Diagnostics, or "smartCARD," could save lives - by reading out cholesterol level in about a minute.

"Smartphones have the potential to address health issues by eliminating the need for specialized equipment," said David Erickson, associate professor of mechanical engineering and senior author of the study.

Thanks to advanced, sophisticated camera technology, Erickson and his colleagues created the smartphone accessory that optically detects bio-markers in a drop of blood, sweat or saliva.

A newly developed application then discerns the results using

color analysis, they said.

When a user puts a drop of blood on the cholesterol test strip, it processes the blood through separation steps and chemical reactions.

The strip is then ready for colo-

Its built-in flash provides uniform, diffused light to illuminate the test strip that fits into the smartCARD reader.

The application in the phone calibrates the hue saturation to the image's color values on the cholesterol test strip, and the results appear on your phone.

Currently, the test measures total cholesterol. The Erickson lab is working to break out those numbers in LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol) and triglycerScientists have developed a new device which ide measurements. enables your smartphone's camera to read your The lab is also cholesterol level instantly - by clicking a selfie. working on detectrimetric analysis by the ing vitamin D levels, and has presmartphone application. viously demonstrated The smartCARD accessory - smartphone tests for periodontiwhich looks somewhat like a tis and sweat electrolyte levels. smartphone credit card reader The study was published in clamps over the phone's camera. the journal Lab on a Chip. -PTI

Kids don't run as far or as fast as their parents did Cont'd from Page 32

``We call it in pediatrics the new morbidity,'' he said. ``We used to be concerned about measles, chickenpox, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, all these diseases.

Well, we have vaccines now for those diseases, and so now parents aren't faced so much with those challenges as they are with the challenges of diet, exercise

provide leadership on health and nutrition. ``I talk about this every day in my office because we see so many kids who are significantly overweight who don't necessarily want to be that way, but they have to eat what's put on the table, they can't go out and get their own diet,'' Williams said. ``So I try to approach the parents, saying let's make our diet as nutritious as we

Starting in January, 32 Northview High School students who are 4-H club members in the Health Education Leadership Program will be visiting elementary schools to teach third to fifth-grade students how to eat properly and increase their physical activity. and how you manage this electronic age.''

Williams said computers and other technological advancements are a great aid to education and parents, but like food must be taken in moderation. ``I see a lot of children eat the right foods, they just eat twice as much as they need,'' he said.

Williams said parents need to

can and let's lead by example. If they see you out there walking or riding a bicycle, then they're more likely to do that.''

Doctors and parents can provide guidance to lead children toward a healthier lifestyle, but there are other kinds of help available.

Rosalind James, a regional Extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System,

said ACES is partnering with Dothan City Schools to hold a Teen Health Fair on March 7 at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds.

Starting in January, 32 Northview High School students who are 4-H club members in the Health Education Leadership Program will be visiting elementary schools to teach third to fifthgrade students how to eat properly and increase their physical activity.

James said the national 4-H council believes the program will be effective because young students are likely to listen to older students who have gone through the same problems. ``You have one body and you've got to take care of that one body,'' James said. ``When you don't feed the body the right foods (like fresh fruits and vegetables) and you're not exercising, you're going to be subjected to all these chronic diseases.''

Becky Tew, a physical education teacher at Honeysuckle Middle School, said she has seen a decline in cardiovascular fitness among students during the nearly 30 years she has been teaching.-AP

Coffee and cigarettes may ward off liver disease LONDON: People who drink coffee and smoke cigarettes may be at a lower risk of developing a rare liver disease, a new study has claimed.

Both coffee consumption and cigarette smoking are shown to potentially protect against primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), researchers said.

PSC is a chronic liver disease caused by chronic inflammation of the bile ducts, they said.

The cross-sectional study, conducted by researchers at the Norwegian PSC Research Center based at Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, used a questionnaire about environmental exposures, and included 240 PSC patients and 245 controls.

The study showed that the PSC patients had lower coffee consumption both currently and in the early adulthood, suggesting that coffee consumption could protect against the development of the disease.

PSC patients who drank coffee, however, had lower levels of liver enzymes in the blood, thus suggesting a beneficial effect in the liver.

Regarding cigarette smoking,

only 20 per cent of the patients reported ever daily cigarette smoking, compared with 43 per cent of the healthy controls.

In addition, cigarette smokers acquired the disease on average 10 years later than non-smokers.

Taken together, these observations confirm and strengthen previous observations of smoking as a possible protective factor in PSC. While PSC is not a common

disease, it is a severe condition affecting mostly young adults (30-40 years), and with a high risk of associated cancer of the bile ducts. -PTI

Oklahoma County to lose almost 60 psychiatric beds OKLAHOMA CITY: Plans to for hospitals, and we all must close an Oklahoma County medi- carefully consider how we apply cal facility that provides almost 60 our resources,'' Hibbs said in a inpatient adult psychiatric beds statement. will put new pressure on the The Oklahoman reports menregion's medical care system for tal health and law enforcement ofthose with severe mental illness, ficials worry the closure will furexperts said. ther tax Oklahoma's mental health Deaconess Hospital's Bethany facility provides ``a small percentage of the over- Bethany CEO Cathryn all inpatient psychiatric services available in the commu- Hibbs said the nity,'' according to the hospital. On average, the facility decision to close has 25 patients at any time Deaconess at Bethany who are receiving short-term behavioral health services. in February was The campus has 57 beds avail- difficult. ``These are able, according to the hospichallenging times for tal.

The closure will affect hospitals," he said. about 70 employees, according to a letter from the hospital CEO to the facility's board and staff. system.

Bethany CEO Cathryn Hibbs Terri White, the state's mental said the decision to close Dea- health commissioner, said having coness at Bethany in February fewer options for psychiatric care was difficult. can mean greater problems for ``These are challenging times patients and the community. -AP

36 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

India Post 37

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

New York (Hicksville)

AIRWING TRAVELS INC.

Tel: (516) 931 4600

SEEMA WORLD TRAVEL, INC. One of the Oldest Travel Agencies in St. Louis

Competitive Rates & Confirmed Seats for All Major Airlines 10635 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132

Tel: (314) 423-9990 or (800) 55 SEEMA

Est. 1991 Toll Free: (866) 532 3413

New Jersey (Iselin)

Tel: (732) 658 5450

Lowest Fares / Confirmed Seats to INDIA & Other Destinations Worldwide Save upto 40% on First and Business Class OPEN 7 DAYS - Call or Email : AIRWINGTRAVELS@GMAIL.COM

NEWS on your desktop

Fax: (314) 423-0391 www.indiapost.com

Realty Tidbits

Fresh survey of govt land in Gujarat GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government has recently ordered all collectors, district development officers (DDO), Settlement Commissioner and the Director of Land Records to conduct a field survey and check all records of government land in all the districts.

A senior government officer close to the development said that at present there is no information available on various types of government land such as pastoral and other grazing land, waste land, cultivable waste land, agriculture land and forest land among others.

Gujarat Socio-Economic Review 2012-13, the only authentic public source of information on land, says that in 1980-81, total permanent pastoral and other grazing land was 8,48,300 hectares.

Govt allows Limitless to exit JV with DLF NEW DELHI: The government has allowed Dubai-based Limitless to exit its joint venture with realty major DLF and repatriate capital of about Rs 200 crore as the partners were not able to acquire land to develop a project in Karnataka.

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has approved the proposal of DLF Limitless Developers Pvt Ltd, the 50:50 joint venture between DLF and Limitless, an official statement said.

The proposal was related to exit of foreign investors and the repatriation of capital as the construction sector project could not even acquire land, it added.

Sources said Limitless, a part of Dubai World, had invested around Rs 200 crore in the joint venture.

Country's largest realty firm DLF and Limitless had formed the JV in 2007 to develop a township spread over 9,178 acre at Bidadi in Karnataka, but the project did not take off as the state government could not initiate land acquisition.

-PTI

Real Estate 38

India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

Real estate sector needs encouragement:Vyas NEW DELHI: Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Girija Vyas has said the real estate sector, which is grappling with problems like manpower shortage, should be encouraged to boost the economic growth of the country.

Speaking at an event organized by CREDAI, Vyas said the urban population has registered a decadal growth of approximately 32 percent.-PTI

6 things real estate agents wish you knew DANA DRATCH

R

eal estate agents see it all.

From the unmade beds to the overstuffed garages to the "What were they thinking?" decor.

Over the years, they learn a thing or two: Why some houses sell, while others linger on the market. Why some promising buyers never make it to the closing table. How to get a better deal on the mortgage. Even just how much the other agents stand to make on your home.

And the good news is, they want to share.

Whether you're a buyer, seller or both, here are six things real estate agents wish you already knew.

Want to sell quickly? Price it just under the market In today's market, sellers are again optimistic on the value and price of their homes -- "but buyers aren't," says Ron Phipps, principal with Warwick, R.I.-based Phipps Realty and past president of the National Association of Realtors.

"Your challenge as a seller is to price the house so that it is compelling," he says.

What that means in dollar signs: "Set a price slightly below market value," he says. Just "a fraction."

For example: If similar homes in your neighborhood are clustered around $210,000, you might price yours at $200,000 or $198,000, he says.

What the agent wishes you knew: "The longer a house is on the market, the less likely you are to get fair value," Phipps says. "So you really want to position yourself to be the one that sells, not

the one that languishes."

And that old adage of not wanting to leave any money on the table? Still valid.

If you're turning around and buying a home, and you already have cash in hand, thanks to a fast sale, "that puts you in a very powerful position," Phipps says.

The preapproval letter is just the beginning For many potential buyers, fru-

things for their home-to-be.

But that preapproval letter is just one of the first refreshment stations of the homebuying marathon, not the finish line.

Just before closing, a lender will re-examine a prospective buyer's financial situation -- complete with a recent copy of the credit history and other updated information.

If those numbers have changed for the worse (salary decrease, higher card balances, new lines of

gality ends the minute they get preapproved for a mortgage, Phipps says. That's when they start running up the cards and opening new lines of credit to buy

credit), then the applicant could get clocked with a higher interest rate or even lose the loan. "The number of buyers who get denied is significant," Phipps says.

What the agent wishes you knew: Never get new loans or start using credit cards more heavily until after you've actually closed on the home.

Even better, retain your frugality until you've been in the home for a few months and have a good sense of how homeownership affects your finances, Phipps says.

Selling a house probably takes longer than you think If you're selling a home, it's important to understand the timeline, says Jeffry Wiren, principal broker with Re/Max Equity Group and past president of the Portland, Ore. Metropolitan Association of Realtors.

"And that's something most people don't understand," he says.

Underestimating the time it takes - and building a schedule around those unrealistic expectations - adds stress, Wiren says.

Instead, realize how long the process takes in the real world (not just your head) and plan accordingly. Another important factor: Different markets (and prices) move at different speeds, he says.

Wiren's sales schedule breakdown: Cont’d on page 39

Tata Value Homes sells over 50 homes online NEW DELHI: Tata Value Homes, a subsidiary of Tata Housing Development, has said it sold over 50 flats registering sale of over Rs 25 crore during the four-day Great Online Shopping Festival (GOSF) organized by Google.

The second edition of GSOF took place from December 11-14.

"The company concluded India's first-ever online home booking with sales totaling more than Rs 25 crore. Tata Value homes sold more than 50 apartments in four days with payments via debit and credit cards during GSOF by Google," Tata Housing said in a release.

Out of the over 50 apartments that were sold, around 40 per cent

were bought by people from tier II cities and NRIs contributed a little over 30 per cent to the overall sale, it added.

The sale offer attracted buyers

from places like the UK, the US, Kenya, Malaysia, Dubai, Muscat

globally and cities like Jodhpur, Ajmer, Baroda, Surat, Kanpur, Mangalore, Chikmangluru, etc, it said.

Tata Value Homes (TVHL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Tata Housing, was the only real estate player to feature in the online sale.

"We have been thinking about integrating an online payment mechanism for quite some time but, finally decided to go ahead with it when Google offered us an opportunity to be a part of GOSF," Tata Housing CEO and Managing Director Brotin Banerjee said. -PTI

December 20, 2013

Real Estate Post

India Post 39

www.indiapost.com

Six things real estate agents wish you knew asked, "Does it really matter if we have the carpets cleaned or take the family photos Getting your home in shape: two weeks off the wall?"

Average time on the market (varies widely "The answer is yes," Wiren says. "A with location and price): 2 1/2 to three buyer needs to walk in and have it look months good, feel good and smell good."

Negotiating after an offer: one week PreSellers should put themselves in the paring to close (assuming a traditional trans- shoes of prospective buyers - and try to action): 30 to 45 days see the house for the first time, he says.

What the agent wishes you knew: A smart The home should be kept showroomseller allows a minimum of four to six months ready. to sell, Wiren says. And that's if you have a "It's a regular occurrence that I walk into home that's priced right in a good market a home with a buyer" and find "beds unwith one solid offer that makes it to the clos- made and underwear on the floor," Wiren ing table. says. In spite of an appointment, "I don't see a home that's ready."

Not all 'buyers' are able to buy What the agent wishes you knew: A mess To prove their worthiness, sometimes leaves an impression that's "hard for a buyer prospective buyers will show a to overcome," Wiren says. prequalification letter, Wiren says. "And His checklist for a showing: Home: Clean. (And smelling good.)

Temperature: Heated "It's a regular occurrence that I walk (or cooled) for comfort. into a home with a buyer" and find Lights: Left on to wel"beds unmade and underwear on the come guests.

Snacks or soft drinks: A floor," Wiren says. In spite of an nice touch.

The impression you appointment, "I don't see a home want: "Warm, inviting and that's ready." comfortable," Wiren says.

Cont’d from page 38

that means nothing."

We don't make as much as you think That's because in a prequalification, lendChances are the agent you hire to sell ers usually don't verify buyers' information. your house -- or find a new one -- isn't getA preapproval, on the other hand, involves ting as big a cut of the deal as you might third-party verification. think, says Graham Stiles, senior vice presi"'Prequalified,' that means they've talked dent with Alexander Chandler Realty and with a lender and said, 'I have good credit HighRises.com. and I make X number of dollars a year,'" "Six percent isn't anywhere near what Wiren says. we're taking home," he says. In fact, it's more Based on that, the lender responds that like "1 percent to 1 1/2 percent," on averthe buyer can reasonably expect to borrow age, he adds. a certain amount -- if those self-supplied While the two sides will split that comfacts are accurate and there aren't any negatives, he Unless your agent is handling both says. Most lenders don't research those details until sides of the transaction, figure he or the buyer applies for a loan, she is getting roughly one-quarter of he adds.

What the agent wishes the commission, Stiles says. And that you knew: Serious (and 6 percent commission is by no smart) buyers are "preapproved."

That means a given in this day and age means they've already applied for the loan, the bank has verified their mission, those agents, in turn, each split financial information and (if the numbers their share with their broker, Stiles says. remain the same until closing) it promises What the agent wishes you knew: Unto loan a specific amount at a specific inter- less your agent is handling both sides of est rate. the transaction, figure he or she is getting Still, after an offer, smart agents will call roughly one-quarter of the commission, the lender and verify that the prospective Stiles says. buyer is preapproved for the necessary And that 6 percent commission is by no amount, Wiren says. At the same time, that means a given in this day and age, Phipps agent will verify that the lender would have says. "There's always a range of fees in the no problem closing in the expected time pe- marketplace. Each broker sets his or her own riod -- usually 30 to 45 days. fees independently."

"I spend a lot of time on the topic of comYes, it really does have to smell good missions," Stiles says. And still, the idea Sellers sometimes drag their feet on little that agents are getting all or even half the details that make a big difference, Wiren commission, he says, "is still one of the bigsays. gest misconceptions."

He can't count the number of clients who -Courtesy Bankrate.com

Realty market muted on lack of new projects MUMBAI: Property prices in Mumbai and Delhi NCR, among India's top realty markets, marginally rose in the third quarter of 2013 mainly due to lack of new launches and cautious sentiment in the sector, a survey said.

Mumbai's property rates grew 3 per cent in Q3 2013 compared to the April-June period. On the other hand prices in Delhi NCR remained largely stagnant at the Q2 2013 levels, according to a survey by property portal 99acres.

However, on year-on-year basis, Mumbai and Delhi NCR saw an improvement of 13 per cent and 8 per respectively, compared to Q3 2012 rates, it said.

"Mumbai continues to remain a slow market. Due to the perennial issues like lack of new launches and no price correction on the horizon, the market sentiment remains bleak.

"The NCR market is facing a decline due to interplay of multiple factors like cautious financial market sentiments and steep decline in fresh inventories," 99acres.com Business Head Vineet Singh said.

The situation can only be ameliorated if there is a wave of new projects at attractive

rates which will excite the buyers to move from their current wait and watch policy, he said.

"No new projects were launched in Noida and Gurgaon (both in NCR). In fact, they

were impacted by slower deliveries from the previous quarters which have exacerbated the overall scenario. All this has cumulatively led to a non-steady pricing of existing projects in the region."

The survey, which analyzed property trends in seven top metros - NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata - pointed out there was no change in capital appreciation in the southern region markets. -PTI

40 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

41 India Post

KRISHAN SHARMA India Post News Service

T

here aren't many places like 'Choki Dhani' in India. Located about 20km from Jaipur, it takes you back to real village experience along with five star facilities, if one chose to stay.

True Rajasthani hospitality greets you with traditional welcome of tilak and some cold or hot beverage at your arrival. More than anything else, the poise and elegance of true Indian culture awaits you once you

www.indiapost.com

enter the village. Food is amazing.

Sitting down on the ground, you get authentic Rajasthani food served on plates made of leaves.

Prior booking is required for people wanting to stay in the village. All rooms are hand painted by rural artisans and are of different shapes and sizes. No two rooms are alike. The courtyards give a sense of being in a fantasy world. Pool and gymnasium facilities are excellent with a complete spa, offering traditional and aromatic

December 20, 2013

treatment.

Adjoining the hotel complex, one can experience true village life with local games, palmists, puppet shows and local dancers

and singers performing through late night.

Once you are finished with watching and walking thru the village, you can relax in the bar situated in the central courtyard.

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post 42

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Hospitality firms parting ways with global brands MUMBAI: To consolidate their businesses in the challenging economic environment, domestic hospitality firms that had tied up with global brands are now parting ways to chart their own growth, a recent survey said.

tate consultancy firm has CBRE said.

As a part of their business growth strategy, firms are looking at rebranding and renegotiating their commercial terms, to correctly reflect the changing times,

Leela Kempinski

India's home-grown hospitality brands are increasingly deciding to part ways with popular global brands or more upscale brands to pave their own growth, real es-

CBRE India Head - Consulting and Valuation - Rami Kaushal said.

In the last 6-7 quarters, many Indian hospitality brands parted ways with global brands, of which

prominent were Leela Hotels, culminating its 25 year-old partnership with Geneva-based Kempinski, and Hong Kongbased Shangri-La International Hotel Management firm ending its relationship with Pallazzio Hotels and Leisure, a subsidiary of the Phoenix Mills, the report said.

The contract for the ShangriLa Hotel, Mumbai, was apparently inked for 20 years, but was cancelled only after nine months of operation.

Besides, Zurich-based hospitality chain Swissotel Hotels & Resorts broke up with Bangalore's Convention, pulling out of its five-star resort at Goa's Calangute within six months of the property launch, the report said.

"With bottom lines continuing to turn unfavorable for certain hotel owners, most firms are taking a closer look at the commercial terms with their existing hotel operators, unlike the scenario a decade ago. And the desire to remain profitable has been the major reason behind this hotel rebranding trend," Kaushal said. -PTI

Delhi Tourism bags two awards NEW DELHI: Rated as one of the best tourist friendly destinations, the national capital has been honored with two most presti-

the Favorite Indian City awarded by the Conde Nast Traveler India Magazine at another event.

Delhi Tourism Chief Manager (PR) Sudhir Sobti received it from secretary (Tourism), Government of India Parwez Dewan.

"Delhi has received number of awards in the past one year and it will be a morale booster for the industry," he said.

The WTTCII-HVS Tourism for Tomorrow Awards India recognizes the state's policy initiatives, which play an important role to facilitate tourism. -PTI

gious awards, a Delhi Tourism official has said.

"Delhi Tourism received the prestigious, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, India announced by World Travel & Tourism Council India Initiative (WTTCII) for Best Destination Leadership Award 2013," he said, adding that, Delhi Tourism chairman Manish Chatrath had received the award on behalf of the state government.

The city also bagged Delhi Tourism chairman Manish Chatrath the runner's up trophy for

December 20, 2013

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

43

www.indiapost.com

Need to market fair, festivals to attract tourists NEW DELHI: In order to attract more domestic and foreign tourists, tour operators need to market fairs and festivals of different parts of the country in their packages, Union minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said.

"Tour operators need to weave not only major fairs and festivals but also fairs and festivals of different parts of India in their tour packages to attract both Indian and foreign tourists," said Katoch, Minister of Culture.

She was speaking at a seminar on 'Fairs and Festivals of India' organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry here, which saw participation of tour operators not only from India, but also from countries like Singapore, Thailand, UK, Turkey.

The Minister noted that the greatness of India's fairs and festivals deserves more importance, as they are celebrated throughout the year and this also reflects country's diversity.

Citing an example of Kumbh Mela, Sujit Banerjee, Secretary General, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), said that the event generated Rs 12,000 crore of revenue and more than six lakh jobs.

"Thus Indian festivals and fairs

have a huge potential for generating revenue and creating jobs. But they need to be marketed in a systematic and well thought out way by preparing a yearly calendar of events which are very Indian in nature," Banerjee said. -PTI

5.50 lakh saplings planted on Vaishnodevi hills JAMMU: Trikuta Hills, housing the cave shrine of Mata Vaidhnodevi, has been planted with over 5.50 lakh saplings in the past four years for making the belt greener.

As a result of the directions issued by Chairman of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board N N Vohra, Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDB) has planted over 5.50 lakh saplings, including forest, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal and ornamental species of plants during the last 4 years, a spokesman of SMVD said.

The initiative is aimed at conserving the environment and ecology and greening the Trikuta Hills and the tracks leading to the shrine.

In addition, 1.50 lakh saplings of different species of plants were planted during the monsoon plantation season of 2013,

produce more than 2 lakh seedlings per year is being set up at Kunkuniyallan village, near Panthal by the Board.

In addition to the afforestation efforts, several measures aimed at preventing forest fires have been undertaken by the Forestry Wing of the Shrine Board, he said.

These include creation of fire lines particularly adjoining Adhkuwari, Hathimatha, Bhawan and Bhairon areas, and ensuring vigil on the ground during forest fire-prone season.

The chairman has also approved an eco-restoration plan for the area.

The plan, which is being executed in the current year, includes greening activities, watershed management and forest fire management.

The Shrine Board has also taken up the work of landscap-

spokesman said, adding that as many as 1.50 lakh plants are being planted during the present winter plantation season, which will raise the number of plants put in the ground to 7 lakh.

CEO of SMVD Mandeep

ing and developing of public park at Banganga. Under this project, view points and pathways are being constructed, besides creating a waterfall. The bathing ghat near Geeta Mandir at Banganga is also being reno-

Union minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch

Russian Information Center to open for tourists in Goa PANAJI: The Russian tourists visiting Goa will now get roundthe-clock online assistance with the opening of a Russian Information Centre here.

Russian Information Centre in Goa, pioneered by Tara Leisure

Consul General of Russian Federation in Goa, Victor Albuquerque was also present at the function.

"The information centre will be located at Candolim in North Goa and Benaulim in South Goa," Ekaterina Belyakova, managing partner of Tara Travel said.

The information centre is set up to help Russian tourists hand pick right type of accommodation, travel and transfer options, tour guides and other handy services like dry cleaning or kids-friendly restaurants in Goa, she said.

According to According to official figures, 2,50,000 Russian tourists official figures, visited Goa last year, surpassing the traditional UK 2,50,000 Russian travellers who top the list of visitors to the coastal tourists visited Goa state. last year, surpassing the traditional Travel Pvt Ltd, one of the largest UK travelers who top the list of tourism operators in Goa catering visitors to the coastal state. to Russian tourists, was inaugu"It a well-known fact that Rusrated here in the presence of sian tourists often face difficulties Alexey M Mzareulov, Deputy in finding comprehensive informaConsul General of the Russian tion about Goa, its tourist infraFederation in Mumbai. structure, sightseeing options and

many other facilities that make stay in Goa really enjoyable, most of the time because of the language barrier," Belyakova said.

The offices at Candolim and Benaulim and a round-the-clock call centre with Russian-speaking operators will be of great help to them, she said.

The idea to create a place where any Russian can come with his or her problem was in the pipeline for many years, and not only among Russians living and working here but among Indian business community and even tourism sector authorities.

The project was supported by Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai and the Consulate in Goa. It was also appreciated by Goa Department of Tourism, she said.

Another mission of Russian Information Centre in Goa is to promote Russia, its culture and traditions, language and tourism opportunities among Indians living and visiting there.

"We will be providing essential information about Russia for those Indians interested in our country and thus promoting Russia's multifarious opportunities and culture," she added. -PTI

To generate in-house production of indigenous species of plants compatible to the local climatic conditions in the Trikuta Hills area, a multi-purpose nursery with a capacity to produce more than 2 lakh seedlings per year is being set up at Kunkuniyallan village, near Panthal by the Board.

Bhandari said to generate inhouse production of indigenous species of plants compatible to the local climatic conditions in the Trikuta Hills area, a multi-purpose nursery with a capacity to

vated.

Another major initiative taken by the Shrine Board is training nullahs in the Trikuta Hills to check soil erosion in the area. PTI

In Brief Britain considers 75,000 EU immigration cap LONDON: Britain is considering capping the number of EU migrants entering the country at 75,000 people a year, a media report said, citing a leaked government report.

The interior ministry paper suggested net migration from the European Union could be cut by 30,000 from the current 106,000 a year figure, according to The Sunday Times newspaper.

Prime Minister David Cameron wants to get overall net migration below 100,000 a year, and shake up Britain's relations with Brussels, first renegotiating powers then staging an in-or-out referendum in 2017 based on the new settlement.

The Home Office document on the EU's fundamental free movement of people principle suggests high-skilled migrants from countries like Germany and the Netherlands could only move to Britain with a firm job offer.

Low-skilled workers could only move to Britain if they have jobs on a national shortage job list, The Sunday Times said.

The report has emerged just weeks before restrictions on the movement of Bulgarian and Romanian citizens are lifted at the end of the month.

Cameron said that tougher controls on freedom of movement within the EU would be needed in the future and suggested a restriction based on gross domestic product. -AFP

„ Joe Biden calls for immigration fix NEW YORK: Vice President Joe Biden says Congress has a moral and economic imperative to offer a pathway to citizenship for 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally.

Many of them, he says, ``are already Americans,'' whether they're here legally or not. He says immigrants simply want a decent life for themselves and their children, just as his great grandparents did.

Biden's comments came in a speech to Pennsylvania political leaders gathered in New York.

It was the second time in a week that Biden addressed immigration publicly. In a recent online chat, he called out House Speaker John Boehner for blocking a vote on a Senate package that includes a pathway to citizenship.

Biden says that majority of Americans in both parties support such a pathway. -AP

Immigration 44 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013

Ex-Vt. couple ousted by utility tower gets $1M Details on page 46

NJ Assembly panel OKs immigrant tuition bill TRENTON, N.J.: Lawmakers have advanced a bill that would help New Jersey residents who are in the U.S. illegally pay for college, setting up a potential showdown with the Governor, who has said he would not sign the current proposal.

The bill would extend the cheaper in-state tuition rate to students brought to the U.S. illegally as children who graduated from a New Jersey high school and are accepted to a state college or university. Currently, this group of New Jersey residents pays the more expensive out-of-state tuition rate.

An Assembly committee sent the bill advanced to the full chamber for a floor vote. It already has passed the Senate and could reach Gov. Chris Christie's desk before the end of the year.

At least a dozen other states have similar laws, including Texas and California, two states with the largest foreign-born population.

New Jersey ranks third in the percentage of foreign-born residents.

Christie has expressed support for the concept of extending instate tuition to qualifying students who are in the country ille-

gally. But after winning 50 percent of the Hispanic vote in his re-election, he balked at some provisions in the bill and last month said he would not sign it unless changes

grant in-state tuition to students in the country illegally if they graduate from a private boarding school in New Jersey but live in another state.

Gov. Christie has said he supports tuition equality but opposes the bill making its way through the Legislature.

were made.

Christie, considered a strong contender for a presidential run in 2016, objects to a portion of the bill giving this group of students access to financial aid if they qualify. He also opposes what he says is a loophole that would

Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Christie would get the bill as is. Sweeney and some Hispanic leaders blamed Christie for flip-flopping on the bill. They said he raised no objections while courting the Hispanic vote during his re-election campaign.

Hispanic voters support the bill by a wide margin. Conservative voters, like the ones Christie would need to appeal to if he seeks the Republican nomination for president, strongly oppose it.

Advocates for the bill said it is long overdue and would extend the same educational opportunities to students in this country as those who have legal standing.

Opponents said it is too costly a benefit to extend to those who are in the U.S. without legal permission.

Children brought to the U.S. illegally are required by federal law to receive the same K-12 education as citizens. This bill extends education benefits to college.

The original Assembly bill didn't have the financial aid component. Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, a Republican of Monmouth County, tried unsuccessfully to get Democrats to move that bill, saying it was a reasonable compromise.

The Democrats who lead the panel noted that Republicans didn't support that bill either.

The measure advanced on a party-line 8-4 vote. -AP

Activists end hunger strike for US immigration WASHINGTON: Twenty immigration reform activists ended a fourth week of fasting just steps from the US Capitol building as they received support from top Democratic lawmakers.

About 200 people who participated in different stages of the hunger strike since November 12 ended it and the last 20 remained in tents pitched on the Mall, the grassy esplanade in the heart of the US capital city.

On a sunny, but chilly afternoon, several hundred activists marched and chanted from the Capitol, the seat of the US Congress, to pay tribute to the strikers sitting in a tent several yards away.

"What do we want? #ImmigrationReform. When do we

want it? Now! #timeisnow" tweeted the Justice and Witness Ministries, which supported the effort.

The Alliance for Citizenship, a national coalition of pro-reform groups, urged supporters to call

Rudy Lopez, 43, was among activists who fasted for 22 days, according to strike supporters Faith in Public Life.

Organizers said the strike would continue in different states.

Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid tweeted that he met with activists to "express my commitment to keep fighting until immigration reform reaches the finish line." The strikers even got a visit from President Barack Obama Republican House Speaker John Boehner and House Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor to demand reform of the country's beleaguered immigration system.

The hunger striker's efforts were recognized early on by leading Democratic members of the House of Representatives, where immigration has stalled in the face

of opposition from the Republican majority after passage by the Democratically-held Senate.

"We thank you for your sacrifice," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said.

"We are forever in your debt."

And Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid tweeted that he met with activists to "express my commitment to keep fighting until immigration reform reaches the finish line."

The strikers even got a visit from President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle last month.

From the steps of the Capitol, Democratic leaders made a final call for Boehner to put the HR15 immigration bill to a vote on the House floor. -AFP

Immigration Post

December 20, 2013

India Post 45

www.indiapost.com

When abandoning green card affects child too CYRUS D. MEHTA

T

here are a number of unfor tunate cases where the par ent abandons lawful permanent resident (LPR) status by staying outside the United States resulting in the child's LPR status also being abandoned. Should the child's LPR status be deemed abandoned even if the child had no intention to abandon that status?

The answer, unfortunately, is "Yes," but there might still be

Therefore, when an LPR is unable to establish that the trip abroad was temporary under the formula established in Singh v. Reno, and thus deemed to have abandoned that status, it would be imputed to the child. I question whether it is good policy as there may be a number of situations where a child may possess a separate intention from that of the parent.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Ap-

Under the principle set forth in Zamora, the parents' length of stay abroad, along with a lack of continuous intent to return to the US, could result in a finding that they had abandoned status, but it would be unreasonable to impute the parents' abandonment to the child who never left the US. grounds for putting up a fight.

There is a precedent decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals, Matter of Zamora, 17 I&N Dec. 395 (BIA 198), which holds that if the parent abandons his or her LPR status while the child is in the custody and control of the parent, then the parental abandonment may be imputed to the child. The reasoning in Matter of Zamora is based on the premise that a minor child cannot legally possess intent to remain in the United States distinct from his or her parent's intent. Even the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual acknowledges that a child under the age of 16 years is not considered to possess a will or intent separate from that of the parent with regard to a protracted stay abroad. 9 FAM 42.22 N5.

Essentially, an LPR must be returning from a temporary visit abroad under INA ยง 101(a) (27) in order to avoid a charge of abandonment. The term "temporary visit abroad" has been subject to much interpretation by the Circuit Courts. The Ninth Circuit's interpretation in Singh v. Reno, 113 F.3d 1512 (9th Cir. 1997) is generally followed: A trip is a 'temporary visit abroad' if (a) it is for a relatively short period, fixed by some early event; or (b) the trip will terminate upon the occurrence of an event that has a reasonable possibility of occurring within a relatively short period of time." If as in (b) "the length of the visit is contingent upon the occurrence of an event and is not fixed in time and if the event does not occur within a relatively short period of time, the visit will be considered a "temporary visit abroad" only if the alien has a continuous, uninterrupted intention to return to the United States during the visit.

peals in Khoshfahm v. Holder, 656 F.3d 1147 (9th Cir. 2011), while affirming Zamora, raised this possibility by citing the example of LPR parents who leave the country, but leave their child in the US to attend school or live with a relative.

Under the principle set forth in Zamora, the parents' length of stay abroad, along with a lack of continuous intent to return to the US, could result in a finding that they had abandoned status, but it would be unreasonable to impute the parents' abandonment to the child who never left the US. There are other situations too, where say an abusive parent who is an LPR takes the child abroad and does not allow the child to return back to the US. This would result in an unfair outcome, and is inconsistent with prevailing immigration policy. The Violence Against Women Act ensures that battered spouses, children and other relatives do not need to depend on the abuser's status to apply for immigration benefits by enacting INA sections 204(a) (1) (A) and (1) (B), which allow battered spouses of US citizens and permanent residents to self-petition for permanent residency even when the abusive spouse either refuses to sponsor or has withdrawn support on a previously filed I-130 petition.

The intent of an abusive parent can also be considered as analogous to the fraudulent conduct of a parent, which is not imputed to the innocent child. See Singh v. Gonzales, 451 F.3d 400, 409-410 (6th Cir. 2006).

The argument to not attribute any abandonment by the parent on the child is further bolstered when the parent legally ceases to be a custodial parent, possibly due to the abusive relationship, and this is supported by the State De-

partment guidance at 9 FAM 42.22 N5(c), which provides: In the case of LPR children who you believe spend more than one year outside the United States as a result of abduction by a noncustodian parent, please contact Overseas Citizen's Services, Office of Children's Issues (CA/OCS/CI) and the Post Liaison Division (CA/VO/F/P) to determine the proper course of action. While a returning resident visa is the preferred way for the child to return to the United States and be admitted in the proper status, a non-custodial parent may not be willing to cooperate in order to complete the returning resident visa process.

CA/OCS/CI, CA/VO/F/P, and CA/ VO/L/A can advise you on options in coordination with DHS to allow the child to travel back to the United States.

The Ninth Circuit in Khoshfahm also held that a child can have his or her own intent upon reaching 18th, which is like the State Department's policy, although the State Department cuts off the age at 16. Thus, a child should be able to establish his or her own intent independent o the parent's intent after 16 or at least by 18.

It was thus heartening to find an unpublished decision (http:// www.scribd.com/doc/183276263/ Sara-Jasmin-Ashtaryeh-A075444-016-BIA-Oct-31-2013) by Immigration Judge Philip J. Montante, Jr. on AILA InfoNet at

The reasoning in Matter of Zamora is based on the premise that a minor child cannot legally possess intent to remain in the United States distinct from his or her parent's intent.

Doc. No. 13112247 (posted 11/22/ 13), which held that the abandonment of LPR status by a divorced parent could not be imputed to the child who was under the age of 18 where the divorce decree specifically required the child to travel to the US to visit her father resided in order to maintain her US residency. The child was also able to demonstrate that she visited her father in the US several times. Hats off to attorney Eric Schulz in Buffalo, NY, who was the attorney for the child respondent!

When an LPR child finds himself or herself in such a situation and has been outside the US for

more than a year without a valid reentry permit, the child may be eligible to apply for an SB-1 visa as a returning legal permanent resident at a US consular post. Alternatively, the child can also arrive at a port of entry in the US and be prepared to submit a Form I-193 waiver under INA section 211(b) as a returning legal permanent resident who has a valid Form I-551 (green card) but has been outside

an Immigration Judge, where an alien has a colorable claim to returning resident status, the government bears the burden of proving abandonment of lawful status "by clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence." See e.g.

Matadin v. Mukasey, 546 F.3d 85 (2d Cir. 2008).

Attorneys representing LPR children who have been deemed to have abandoned their LPR sta-

Although the child will be subject to a removal hearing before an Immigration Judge, where an alien has a colorable claim to returning resident status, the government bears the burden of proving abandonment of lawful status "by clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence." the United States for more than one year.

This is risky, however, because If the child is not waived into the US, then the child will be issued a Notice to Appear, alleging that he or she is an immigrant not in possession of a valid unexpired immigrant visa, reentry permit, border crossing card, or other valid entry document required by the INA. The NTA will most likely charge the child as being subject to removal pursuant to INA section 212(a) (7) (A) (i) (I).

Although the child will be subject to a removal hearing before

tus through imputation should, where the facts warrant, be prepared to chip away at the principle set forth in Zamora. It is no longer fair to reflexively impute the abandonment of a parent's LPR status onto a child, especially in situations where the child has expressed intent contrary to the parent.

(This article is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as a substitute for legal advice). * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

India will take up Modi visa issue if needed WASHINGTON: The United States has not blacklisted or banned Narendra Modi and the Indian Government would strongly take up his case with the Administration if his visa application is denied next time.

Authoritative Indian sources said Modi has neither sought a US visa after he was denied one in 2005, nor he has asked for the help of the Indian Government in this regard.

"I think, if any (Indian) Chief Minister wanted to go (to US) and applies for his visa and asks us (Indian Government) to take it up (with the US), we will take it up," sources said.

"To my understanding he (Modi) has not been banned.

So there is really no need to take it up" the sources said.

In 2005 after Modi was denied

a US visa on the issue of postGodhra riots. Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, had said that the Indian Government is ready to help, if Modi wants.

"To my knowledge, he has not

Narendra Modi

sought (help of Indian Government)," the sources said requesting anonymity. -PTI

Immigration Post

46 India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Ex-Vt. couple ousted by utility tower gets $1M MONTPELIER, Vt.: A Russian immigrant couple who said they were forced from their Vermont home because of the construction of a utility communications tower was awarded $1 million by a jury.

Olga Julinska and Felix Kniasev said they were forced to abandon their $425,000 home atop Northeast Mountain in Wells by a communications tower built on their property by the Vermont Electric

The two said they moved in part because they worried about the health effects on them and their four young children of living so close to the antenna. They said their property was disturbed by a new power line to the project and VELCO had the right to put other communications companies' antennas on the tower. ``We're really pleased,'' Julinska said after the verdict was an-

The two said they moved in part because they worried about the health effects on them and their four young children of living so close to the antenna. They said their property was disturbed by a new power line to the project Power Corp., known as VELCO. Vermont's Public Service Board, which regulates utilities, awarded the couple less than $26,000, nearly 40 times less than the Rutland County jury said their claim was worth. The board said the value of the couple's property was only partially diminished by the project.

nounced at the close of a five-day trial. ``We're happy it's over because it's been three and a half years since we started'' the litigation.

The couple, who are professional artists, had divided their time between their home in Vermont and one in the Boston area, but they have abandoned the Ver-

mont property, Julinska said. ``We definitely will not live there anymore,'' she said. ``We moved out over a year ago. What we're going to do with the property we have no idea. We don't have a plan.''

VELCO Vice President Kerrick Johnson said the company was ``extremely disappointed'' and is considering an appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court.

Johnson said the new tower was part of a network constructed

by VELCO to allow for communications between utility crews responding to storms and other emergencies. He said the JulinskaKniasev property was considered preferable to alternative sites because their mountaintop property had contained the antenna of a local radio station since the 1980s.

Because of the design of the communications network, ``we would have had to develop two mountaintops,'' rather than just building on the Wells peak if that had not been allowed, Johnson said.

He added, ``It's electric customers who will pay for all of this.'' AP

Better consular services with South America planned NEW DELHI: India has said there is a need to improve consular services and faster issuance of visas with Latin American countries to boost economic engagement between the regions.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that the Latin American countries (LAC) are important investment destinations for the Indian business community.

"We need, and I take note of this, to improve on our consular services and faster issuance of visas and I think that remains the pre-requisite that we must ad-

dress," External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said here at a CII conclave on India-LAC and Caribbean Conclave.

He said that the LAC region accounts for a combined GDP of USD 6.9 trillion, a trade turnover of USD 2.1 trillion and a population of 600 million people.

Khurshid said that the region is endowed with natural resources such as fresh water, minerals and hydrocarbons.

"This region includes five of the world's most bio-diverse countries - Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. India

wishes to build a long lasting, enduring relationship with LAC," he added.

He said that although the two way trade between India and LAC has increased to USD 46 billion in 2012 from USD 2 billion in 2000, "the figure is not reflective of the true potential of our economic engagement".

The Minister said that Indians can share technology in e-governance, tele-education and telemedicine and can also offer weather forecasting and mapping of mineral resources in the LAC region. -PTI

Indian embassy in Riyadh launches online visa RIYADH: In an effort to ensure important trading partner with a hassle-free travel of Saudi nation- bilateral trade of more than USD als, India has launched online visa 43 billion in 2012-13. services for those intending to In the first six months of 2013visit the country for tourist, busi- 14 (April-Sept), bilateral trade has ness and other purposes. already reached USD 25 billion.

Visas will be normally issued on the third working day except in cases which require detailed procedural formalities and clearances, the Indian embassy here said in a statement.

The services can be accessed from the embassy website.

India and Saudi Arabia share a strategic partnership Visas will be normally issued on the third working day except in cases which focusing on political, ecorequire detailed procedural formalities and nomic, security and defense clearances. areas.

Saudi Arabia is one of India's Saudi Arabia is also a major source major sources of energy and an of remittances to India. -PTI

PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law

Former Assistant StateÂ’s Attorney

Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc.

1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1

http://www.proy-singh.com

2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659

India Post 47

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

SKY WORLD TRAVEL 1-888-695-0005

If You are looking For the BEST & the MOST AUTHENTIC VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT IN TOWNCome to One and Only One Place

CONSOLIDATORS (INTL. & DOMESTIC) : 3HWHUVRQ 6WH &KLFDJR ,/

SPECIAL LOW FARES TO BOMBAY, DELHI, MADRAS, CALCUTTA, DHAKA, KARACHI, LAHORE etc.

Tel: 773-728-9071 773-315-8597

E-mail us at: skyworldtravels@hotmail.com

Publicly Acclaimed Top Vegetarian Restaurant Serving NORTH INDIAN • SOUTH INDIAN • GUJARATI • JAIN DISHES

TASTE OUR 30 PLUSE MOUTH WATERING DISHES ONCE YOU COME TO US YOU WILL NOT ELSEWHERE THAT IS OUR GUARANTEE

2508 W. Devon Ave.Chicago, IL 60659

Tel:(773) 274-5800 Fax: (773) 262-4465 E-mail: aryabhavan@aol.com www.aryabhavan.com CATERING IS OUR SPECIALITY

FOR ALL YOUR

MATCHLESS EXPRESS TOURS 2600 W. Peterson Ave., Suite 105 Chicago IL 60659 Experienced Travel Consultants Pasport and Visa Services available * Confirmed seats (Even in High season) * Low Airfares * Courteous Service

Call and Contact

Tel. (773) 338 6260

TRAVEL NEEDS INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC AIR INDIA AND ALL OTHER MAJOR AIRLINES. PACKAGE DEAL TAJ TOUR-SOTC

CALL:

Sita Ram Patel @ 847-568-0535

Datebook

48 India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Tue, Dec 31 • Nirvana NYE 2014 Bollywood Extravaganza !

• J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month

Fri, Dec 20 • Clothe and Feed teh homeless Venue: Clothe and Feed teh homeless Time: 1:00 pm Contact: 973 402 4655

Tue, Dec 31 • Fire N Ice - Bollywood New Years Party Venue: Executive Suites, 30 Minue St, Carteret, NJ 07008 Time: 6:00 pm

Tue, Dec 31 • Bollywood New Years Eve Party Venue: Hotel Executive Suites, 30 Minue St, Carteret, NJ 07008 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: (732) 541-2005

Sat, Dec 21 • CRY New York Holiday Lunch Venue: Mint Restaurant, 150 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022 Time: 12:00 pm

Tue, Dec 31 • ARIZ Presents SKYBALL 2014 Venue: Vermilion, 480 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10035 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 201-696-7222

Tue, Dec 31 • New Years Eve Bollywood Night 2013 Venue: VFW Post 399, 465 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880 Time : 8:30 pm Contact : 207-391-3420

Sat, Dec 21 • Badass Badtameez Holiday Party Venue: Bombay Palace, 8690 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 310-698-9223

Venue: Nirvana Beverly Hills, 8689 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Time: 9:30 pm Contact: 310-698-9223

Sat, Dec 21 • 54% off, chocolate festival 2013 Venue: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Time: 8:00 am Contact: 877-827-5017

Tue, Dec 31 • Desi Nye 2014 - Fantasy Ball 8 Venue: Westin Hotel, 5400 W Century

Badass Badtameez Holiday Party Venue: Nirvana Beverly Hills, 8689 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Time: 9:00 pm Contact: 310-698-9223

Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Time: 9:00 pm Contact: 323-205-5594

Sat, Dec 21 • Kickass Desis Presents:

Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda

ATLANTA Upcoming Sat, Dec 31 • Taste of India New Year Venue: Taste of India, 3070 Windward Plaza, Alpharetta, GA 30005

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund

Time: 8:00 pm

Tue, Dec 31 • Desi Dhamaal 4 - New Year Venue: Crowne Plaza, 12021 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 951-217-3604

Tue, Dec 31 • Nirvana Red Carpet NYE

Every third Tuesday Fri, Dec 31 • Friends Of Atlanta Presents New Years Venue: TLanier Tech Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Cumming, GA 30041 Time: 8:00 pm

2014 Venue: Nirvana Beverly Hills, 8689 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Time: 9:30 am Contact: 310-698-9223

Tue, Dec 31 • Pujari Atlanta New Year Eve Venue: Ashiana banquet hall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 8:00 pm

• Hindi Kavi Manch Organized by Hindi Lovers Club Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago Lemont Il...0915 Lemont Road IL Time: 6:00 to 8:30 pm

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

www.indiapost.com

49 India Post

D

December 20, 2013

SATYA KALRA

oes your stomach tighten when you think about the holidays?

Stressed out? Worried about getting into arguments, not meeting others' expectations, not picking the right gifts? The American Psychological As-

sociation says anxiety goes up during the holidays. Though holidays should be a fun time, they bring lots of stress and sometimes dishearten us, weakening our relationships.

Wonder why this season brings stress and headaches instead of a glow of excitement?

Think about how most of us prepare.

We overspend energy and money on gifts and meals, argue over misunderstandings, and pack "fun" events into every minute, every day, every night. No wonder it's not fun anymore!

Peek inside the word "holiday." It means "holy day," but holy days should be about building stronger relationships, sharing and loving. So many times, they end up just being a hassle.

All those flashy ads: best gifts, best prices, best deals! They're about body and mind, not the soul to soul connec-

Designers with Midas touch KRISHAN SHARMA India Post News Service

A

t a recent Dastkar Bazaar (Winter Weaves) held at Andheria Mor in Delhi, most fashion conscious women flocked to one particular booth which had amazing designer wear made from special wool from Leh. You cannot miss two young designers Padma Seldon and Aastha Vashishth - busy explaining to their customers about the fabric and wool. All of their products were sold out in just few days.

The two young designers are 2011 batch NIFT Bengaluru graduates. After working with few lead-

ing design firms they decided to launch their own brand. Padma being from Ladakh found her inspiration in what she grew up with. They knew there were many traditional designs and fabrics available in the market but everybody was doing that. They wanted to experiment with something new. They embarked on several experiments of contemporary designs with wool from lamb and sheep. Their combined efforts finally resulted in some amazing design elements - keeping traditional patterns integrated with cotton fabrics.

Armed with this success they are now looking for a place in the heart of Delhi for a retail show room of their own.

tions we need most now." The hype and commercialism of the season causes increased stress," says a recent psychological report. Holy days should be about strengthening relationships, sharing and loving.

Sure, there are hassles: the cousin who hosts everybody, then fumes because nobody invites her back. The friends who share nasty gossip. The relative who drinks too much and picks a fight, leaving everyone wondering whether they should bother coming next year.

Why bother?

If that's how you feel, just adjust your own outlook. Make this season different so you can finally enjoy and even have fun!

Enjoy it like a kid again, with all the blessings of family and love.

Make the holidays a time of soul-to-soul connection. Meet others without expectations ("I chose him a great present and all he got me was this cheesy gift card!") and the holidays will surpass your dreams. Open your heart and exchange the gifts of love, sharing and caring, with these nine easy tips to renew your holiday spirit today!

Cont'd on Page 51

50 India Post

December 20, 2013 www.indiapost.com

Israeli artist uses Braille to aid visually impaired

W

hen Turkish blind painter Esref Armagan first started to paint, absence of visual acuity was never a hindrance. There were times

when he painted the sea and thought he'd need a life-jacket to save him from drowning. Cut to contemporary Israeli artist Roy Nachum, who believes vision is only one such barrier which obstructs the perception of art.

In his most recent art works, Roy Nachum based in New York, has incorporated Braille into paintings to expand on the Possibility of making art accessible to

the visually impaired. He also uses Braille as a metaphor for those who take visual experiences for granted and will lead audiences to explore their existential apprehensions.

Roy first experimented with the visually-impaired as his muse in the series of artwork titled 'Fire'.

"I collaborated with a group of individuals who are visually impaired to create a series of interactive painting.

Each solid canvas, textured with Braille, has a frame that I burned until the wood formed a charcoal-like surface," Roy told PTI in an email interview from New York.

As his collaborators ran their fingers from burned frame to painted Braille, they left their fingerprints as an evidence of an actual physical contact with the paintings. Till date, this series of works remain unfinished but keep evolving with physical contact.

To understand blindness better, Roy even blindfolded himself and lived without a sense of sight for seven days. "It was a difficult and an intense experience but I learned a lot myself and it affected my art. In life, we all tend to lose sight of what is important from time to time. It takes us extraordinary circumstances to remind us what's important but we eventually tend to revert," he says.

Perception continues to remain an underlying theme of all his works which tend to explore vision both literally and metaphorically. His paintings further oscillate between the ideas of "vision" and "lack of vision". Thus, the subjects in Roy's paintings are not blind but their vision is "obscured".

In one of his works titled "Tears of Laughter", a boy is seen in multiple poses indicating movement and a variety of perceptions. A part of the 'Blind' series which incorporates tactile Braille, this painting aims to create an emotional upsurge in those who can see, simultaneously evoke a parallel sensation through Braille for the visually impaired.

While many other contemporary artists remain contented with an accompanying prose or poetry with their painting, Roy goes a

step further as he incorporates Braille. "I wanted to create art that can be experienced in more than one way. My art is about perception, how we see things, what we see and what do not see. The poems, text do not describe what the work looks like, they express feelings. The Braille relief is intended to evoke sensations in the blind "viewer" akin to those felt experiencing a painting through sight," he says.

Roy, who has always attempted to shed the barriers of language, culture or physical differences to approach art, considers Braille as an agent to keep human interaction alive. By incorporating Braille, he is able to communicate with a newer audience.

Not only does his work give way to a plethora of sensations for the visually impaired, Roy believes this works as a reverse psychology trick.

"The Braille allows a way into the work for people who would otherwise never experience a painting. The hands-on experience is meant to be inclusive, meaningful and sensorial,"

he says.

A graduate from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and The Cooper Union School of Art in New York, Roy is also associated with the Lighthouse International, a non-profit organization dedi-

Esref Armagan

cated to fighting vision loss. Over the last couple of years, he has also donated several large-scale paintings to the organization. -PTI

'Indian Idol 2' winner dies at 29 Arjun clarifies on HrithikNEW DELHI: Singer Sandeep Acharya died at a young age of 29 at the Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. He was suffering from jaundice.

"Yes, Sandeep passed away at the Medanta Hospital. He was suffering from jaundice. We brought him here on Dec 10," Akshay Acharya, Sandeep's cousin, said.

"Before that he was admitted to a hospital in Bikaner (Rajasthan). He was there for three days after which we brought him to Delhi," he added.

Soon after winning the second season of singing reality show "Indian Idol" in 2006, Sandeep Acharya released his first album "Mere Saath Saara Jahaan".

"He was supposed to release his new album 'O Sanam Tere Bina' mid-December," said Akshay.

Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan, who judged the reality show's second season with music composer Anu Malik and Sonu Nigam, tweeted: "It's too sad to hear of Sandeep Acharya, winner of 'Indian Idol 2' and my favorite, passing away. Such a gentle boy he was. Not his time to go."

Sonu also felt sad after reading about Sandeep's demise. "Jaundice? Gosh...very sad. The boy was just 29...This year, oh god, is only about deaths I feel. God give his parents some strength," read Sonu's tweet.

Sandeep Acharya

Anchor-actress Mini Mathur, who hosted "Indian Idol 2", was taken aback with the news. She tweeted: "What a sad, premature goodbye to a talented, ambitious, happy boy. RIP Sandeep Acharya."

Even Sony Entertainment Television expressed their sadness over Sandeep's passing.

"A big loss for all of us with the shocking demise of 'Indian Idol 2' winner Sandeep Acharya. May his soul rest in peace and may God give strength to his family in this extremely difficult time," the channel posted on their Facebook page.

Singer Shreya Ghoshal wished the news about his demise to be untrue.

"Just heard about 'Indian Idol' Sandeep Acharya...Shocked. Too young, and a wonderful guy...I still hope this news is untrue," Shreya tweeted.-PTI

Sussanne separation

A

rjun Rampal, who has been in the eye of the storm ever since his friends Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan announced their decision to separate a few days ago, sent out a statement to the media.

He said, "It's very sad when friends close to you take a decision to separate.

These are the hardest times for them and we must be sensitive towards this decision, rather than creating speculation and rumors. I read in the news at the same time as you all about my involvement in this marriage. It saddens me deeply that rumors become inevitable when celebrities go

through such times. Mehr and I wish them only peace and love through these times and support them as friends should and we wish them and their families well always."

Arjun Rampal

December 20, 2013

India Post 51 www.indiapost.com

Fiji Crab Curry Recipe by Shish Billon, serves 5-6 people Ingredients 4 medium Dungeness crab.

(With scissors make tiny incisions on claw and leg parts to allow juice to marinate) 4 garlic cloves crushed 1 tablespoon crushed ginger I medium onion, puree or minced in blender/ food processor 4 medium tomatoes, puree in blender or food processor 2 serrano chile (mirch) 2 tspn haldi (turmeric) 2 tblspn garam masala (coriander, cumin, fennel, star anise, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, fenugreek, black peppercorn) 1

tspn jeera (cumin) 2-3 tblspn olive oil 7-8 pieces curry leaves 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 cup chopped green onion 5 cup water salt to taste, coconut milk optional Instructions: Over medium heat in large pot, cook olive oil, jeera and curry leaves. When jeera begins to "pop", add the onions. Stir and cook for about 10 minutes.

Add tomato puree. Stir and cook for 20 minutes. Add salt to taste, stir in garlic, ginger, haldi and masala, mirch. Gently stir for few

minutes. Add 1 cup water, stir and reduce to low heat. Add crab, stir and cook for about 15 minutes with covered lid. Add 4 cups of water and let it cook for another 10 minutes. Stir in ½-1 cup coconut milk for additional flavor. Optional Garnish with cilantro and green onion.

Enjoy!

Pics : Harvindar Singh

Tips to renew your holiday spirit Cont'd from Page 49

1.Find out who needs help. If you are comfortable and well-fed, visit seniors, visit hospitals or give out socks to homeless folks. Don't forget your cousin in the army, or that neighbor down the street who lost his wife last year!

2. Reconnect with friends.

Think of someone you haven't seen in a while and have tea together. If you live too far away, look them up on Skype and say hello.

3. Avoid hot button topics. Try not to bring up sensitive issues… keep it light and fun.

4. Remember the kids. Many organizations arrange Santa visits, plays or concerts to make Christmas in the hospital a happier time for kids.

5. Plan a field trip. Buy treats your own children can give out in a seniors' residence or to adults with disabilities. Tell them people who seem different deserve a

wonderful holiday, too.

6. Discover your own style. Just because your sister-in-law hosts a slick New Year's buffet brunch doesn't mean that's your thing. No mimicking what works for others!

Your style may be a potluck lunch

you're up to it. Sit quietly and relax, without distractions: put away your phone, mp3 player, remote control, notepad…

8. Make that call. There's one person out there you feel you can't call. Maybe you lost touch because her husband was sick.

There's one person out there you feel you can't call. Maybe you lost touch because her husband was sick. Maybe he's fighting with a friend of yours and you didn't want to take sides. Mend those fences, and you'll heal yourself, too. instead. Just make it your own!

7. Take care of you and Relax.

Your body won't thank you for rich, indulgent party food. Too rushed to cook and eat properly?

Find simple foods to prepare easily and truly nourish your spirit.

Go for a walk, practice yoga if

Maybe he's fighting with a friend of yours and you didn't want to take sides. Mend those fences, and you'll heal yourself, too.

9. Do your best, then let go.

Despite your best intentions, life will throw you a curveball. Unexpected health surprise? Cash crisis? Don't let them undermine all

Dilip Kumar turns 91 L

egendary actor Dilip Kumar has turned 91. He had a quiet birthday celebration with family, friends and team of doctors. In September this year, the thespian was admitted to hospital for 10 days following cardiac arrest. The superstar is healthy now.

"I only want to thank Allah for whatever he has given us. We will have a great celebration with family members and around 30 to 40 doctors who looked after him. They are like family to us," informed Saira Banu, who has been married to Dilip Kumar for 47 years.

Birthday wishes poured in.

"His day has been wonderful...wishes started pouring in since last night. He is now tired a bit as he has been busy since morning. He is taking some rest right now," she said.

This year his birthday was extra special, thanks to the date 11/ 12/13.

"It's all the more a special day as it is 11/12/13 today. I exactly wished him at 8 hours 9-minutes

and 10 seconds ...so it's 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13."

Talking about Dilip Kumar's health, Saira said he has become little weak but he is healthy.

"He was in the hospital some time back as you all know so he is a little weak, but by god's grace he is healthy," she said.

When asked what she gifted Dilip Kumar on his birthday, she said: "Dilip sahab is not fond of

the work you've done. Take a deep breath, refocus, and keep trying.

Finally, a word about forgiveness. Hearts are soft at this time of year; we are ready, willing and able to forgive. Forgive yourself first, and let go of grudges. Ask others for forgiveness. What an amazing gift: "I think I hurt your feelings; I'm sorry." Only a grinch would say no to a chance to reconnect on a soul-to-soul

level.

Always thank God for blessings before you, release your burdens, and offer the world the gift of your renewed spirit, with love and laughter and lightness to last through 2014 and beyond. Let us pray together for this coming holiday season: Satya Kalra is a former CEO from Biotech Industry and founder of Path to Anandam (Path to Blissful life).

Dilip Kumar

many things. He only believes in humanity, so I gifted him lots of love and each year the love is only getting bigger and bigger."

52

India Post

Classifieds

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

For Classifieds Ads Call NORTHERN CA (Sonia) Tel: 510-938-8668 sonia@indiapost.com (Priya) Tel. 510-275-4467 priya@indiapost.com SOUTHERN CA (Shashi Trivedi) Tel: 562-441-5511/ Fax: 562-947-0632 shashi19@yahoo.com

SUBSCRIBE TO INDIA POST E-PAPER Mail to: subscribe@indiapost.com or login to http://www.indiapost.com/subscribe/

CHICAGO (Ramesh Soparawala) Tel: 773-973-7394 / Fax: 773-973-7396 sramesh@aol.com NEW YORK (Pinky) Tel: 908 338 3752 pinky@indiapost.com

Philosophy

December 20, 2013

India Post 53

www.indiapost.com VIMALA THAKAR

T

raditionally, there have been two separate approaches. One approach takes us toward the social, the economic, the political problems, and says, "Look here, unless the economic and political problems are solved, there will be no happiness and no peace, there will be no end to suffering. It is the responsibility of every individual to engage in solving these problems according to some ideology."

Inner life, the imbalances and impurities of the inner life, that is not so important, that can be taken care of later on, for it is a self-centered, egoistic activity.

But the responsibility is toward the society, toward the human race, so keep aside all those problems of meditation and silence, inner sophistication, transformation for inner revolution - keep all that aside. First turn toward this."

And the other approach says, "The political and economic problems cannot be solved unless the individual is transformed totally. Be concerned with your psychological mutation, the inner, radical revolution. The political, the economic, the social problems can wait."

People have generally followed one or the other of these two conventional approaches: religious groups concerned with inner growth and inner revolution, and social activist groups concerned with social service. Traditionally we have created boundaries, and JOHN CHAMBERS

K

rishna Prem asked Dilip Kumar Roy, a composer and singer renowned across India, to sing Brindabaner Lila, one of his best-loved airs. Roy tells us that he sang this lengthy song - the English title is Krishna, the Evergreen -"with an overwhelming emotion such as I had never felt before. Time seemed almost to stand on tip-toe."

When he had finished the song, silence reigned.

They had all thought that Ma, not well that day, was in her room.

But suddenly one of the devotees - Alec, an English doctor who had come to Mirtola to work and worship with Prem - exclaimed: "You know, Krishna Prem, Ma was listening, standing in the verandah with folded hands!"

Dilip Kumar Roy describes what happened next: Krishna Prem gave a start.

"Ma! Good heavens! How dare she walk along the other way all by herself. She might have collapsed!"

"I noticed it too late," Alec sighed. "Just when she had turned back, at the end of Dilip's song."

They trooped around to Ma's room. Dilip Kumar Roy entered: She was sitting on her bed with

exploration beyond our home territories has been only superficial.

The social activists have staked out their territory, the outer life the socioeconomic, political structures - and the spiritual people have staked out theirs - the inner world of higher dimensions of consciousness, transcendental experiences, and meditation.

The two groups, throughout history, have been contemptuous of each other. The social activists

Page Sponsored by Sahanis exploitation or the cruelties surrounding him. He would say, "That's not my responsibility. It's God's responsibility. God has created the world. He or She will take care of it."

There have been superficial blendings, as spiritual groups take up social service work and social activists join religious organizations, but a real integration of social action and spirituality at a deep, innovative level has not yet

much more significant than the misery of the starving millions.

A new challenge awaits us: to go beyond fragmentation, to go beyond the incompatible sets of values held even by seriousminded people, to mature beyond the self-righteousness of one's accepted approaches and be open to total living and total revolution.

In this era, to become a spiritual inquirer without social consciousness is a luxury that we can

A new challenge awaits us: to go beyond fragmentation

Vimala Thakar

Indifference to the needs of the poor has had shocking acceptance among generations of spiritual people who considered higher states of consciousness much more significant than the misery of the starving millions.

consider the spiritual inquirers to be self-indulgent, and the inquirers consider the activists to be caught in a race of activity, denying the essence of living.

Traditional spiritual leaders have divided life into worldly and spiritual, and have insisted that the world is illusion. They said, "This world is Maya, is an illusion. So whatever action you take should be in relation to the absolute truth and not in relation to Maya."

Thus a religious person sitting in meditation for ten hours a day need not mind the tyranny or the

happened to any significant degree. It has the sanction of society.

Each fragment of society has its own set of values. Among many social activists, anger, hatred, violence, bitterness, and cynicism are accepted norms, even though the effectiveness of these motivations for peaceful living has been seriously put in doubt.

And indifference to the needs of the poor has had shocking acceptance among generations of spiritual people who considered higher states of consciousness

ill afford, and to be a social activist without a scientific understanding of the inner workings of the mind is the worst folly. Neither approach in isolation has had any significant success.

There is no question now that an inquirer will have to make an effort to be socially conscious or that an activist will have to be persuaded of the moral crisis in the human psyche, the significance of being attentive to the inner life.

Excerpted from Spirituality and Social Action: A Holistic Approach

folded hands, as though petrified; just two streaks of tears glistened on her cheeks in the candle-light.

Krishna Prem said reproachfully: "Ma! - how could you possibly?"

"Sh-h!: Motirani sushed.

"Don't you see she's in bhavsamadhi (partial trance)?"

So we waited in silence, watching breathlessly. After a few minutes she opened her eyes, now swimming in tears, and gave a be-

"Thakur!" she said simply. "He had come, and was standing beside you!"

A shiver passed through my spine.

"You mean Krishna?" I gasped.

She smiled. "Whom else could I mean, Baba? When…" She spoke now in staccato, through her tears…" You were improvising on the last verse. He came first and stood for a second in my

standing … beside you… in person… looking so…so tenderly... at you!...And…I…I appealed to him: 'O Thakur, give him the blessed boon of vision…so…so he may see that you… you yourself have come down to hear his son…blessed, blessed, boy!"

I bowed down and kissed her feet -and wept.

And then she opened herself to me and went on telling me, very

vine beings must be loved to be known.

- Blaise Pascal Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.

- Chanakya Jesus wept; Voltaire smiled. From that divine tear and from that human smile is derived the grace of present civilization.

- Victor Hugo Of all acts of man repentance is the most divine.

The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none.

-Thomas Carlyle

a shadow of the divine perfection.

"You didn't see anything, Baba? She asked, tenderly. I caught my breath. "See? No! What should I have seen?" "Thakur!" she said simply.

"He had come, and was standing beside you!" room and then…then stepped across the threshold…I…could not follow Him that way. So I took the…other way…till I got to the veranda…and saw Him…standing beside you, listeni n g … Yes, Baba…I…I did see Him, with open eyes…as I often do...You didn't see?"

"No, Ma. But I did feel-" But she went on as though she had not heard: "And he was

known to be loved; but Di-

The true work of art is but

When Krishna came to listen to Dilip Roy's bhajan

atific smile. Then she asked me to draw near and sit close to her.

I complied hesitantly, as so far I had never sat on her bed; the others sat on the floor on the mat.

Ma placed a loving hand on my shoulder.

"You didn't see anything, Baba?

She asked, tenderly.

I caught my breath.

"See? No! What should I have seen?"

Human beings must be

-Michelangelo No one was ever great without some portion of Sri Yashoda Ma

simply, her varied spiritual experiences. I had never yet-except once-heard her speak of her supraphysical visions, nor the incredible miracles of Grace to which she had borne witness. But on this memorable night it was as thought a sluice had been suddenly opened and her words came down in a ceaseless torrent."

Excerpted from The Secret Life of Genius

divine inspiration.

-Marcus Tullius Cicero We are Divine enough to ask and we are important enough to receive.

-Wayne Dyer

You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

54

Edit Page

India Post

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Why would Iran want to go nuclear?

India Post

RAJEEV AGARWAL

T

he interim nuclear deal signed with Iran and the final resolutions are likely to focus on the core issue of Iran and the possibility of it developing nuclear weapons. Two critical questions must be answered: would Iran have waited until now if it wanted a nuclear bomb? Does the bomb help Iran in securing its security and strategic interests?

The Iranian nuclear program owes its origins to the Atoms for Peace program launched by the United States in the 1950s. It was shelved after the Iranian revolution in 1979 but acquired relevance again during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980s which led to the revival of the program.

However, it assumed significance only after the sensational disclosure of the existence of undeclared nuclear facilities at Natanz and Arak by an exiled dissident Iranian group in 2002. The issue has thereafter witnessed a roller coaster ride in the past decade oscillating between possible resolutions and increasing international economic sanctions. In the midst of all this, however, Iran has continued to enrich uranium to higher levels and in increased quantities.

Security and Strategic Interests With the exception of Israel, which keeps calling for military strikes on Iran to destroy its nuclear weapons program, there is little threat to Iran in the region.

Iraq is well and truly under the Iranian sphere of influence after the second Gulf War. Afghanistan and Pakistan have too many of their own internal problems. Syria and Lebanon (under the influence of Iran-sponsored Hezbollah) have long been Iranian allies. Iran has enjoyed improved relations with Turkey despite the current Syrian crisis being a temporary dampener.

The Saudi Arabia-led GCC has been Iran's rivals but never demonstrated the capability or intention of taking any unilateral offensive action against Iran.

The only potent military threat to Iran emanates from the US which too has been calling for dialogue with Iran instead of military strikes for the past few years. Thus Iran, in present circumstances, does not seem to be unduly threatened by any external military threat except possibly Israel.

Geographically, of all the coun-

tries in the West Asian region, Iran is the only country which has a direct interface with the regions of Central Asia, West Asia and South Asia. Iran's centrality, its suitability as an energy hub for oil and gas pipelines from the Central Asian Republics towards Turkey and Europe in the West and the Persian Gulf in the South, and its strategic location in the Strait of Hormuz, makes it a fulcrum of the region.

This position gives Iran a chance to carve out a bigger

Possession of nuclear weapons could further alienate it as also force nations neutral about Iran to look at Iran with fear and suspicion. Also, the international community including the US and Israel could seek the legitimate right to bomb Iran. With very few friends and possible lack of retaliatory capability, Iran could face a major challenge.

It would thus seem that Iran does not require nuclear weapons to increase its regional influence or ensure continued regime stabil-

Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (R) attend a meeting of the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany during the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York

sphere of influence in the region.

Developments in the region in the past decade too have helped Iran. Withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and its alignment with Iran helped to extend Iran's sphere of direct influence up to Syria; effectively bringing Iran to the borders of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, extending borders with Turkey, and placing it in close proximity to its major adversary in the region; Israel.

It would thus seem that Iran has expanded its sphere of influence without any major use of coercion.

The choice of acquiring nuclear weapons for regional influence would thus seem unfounded.

On the contrary, Iran, gains very little from possessing nuclear weapons. In case Iran gets nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and possibly Egypt could be forced to do the same, thus dramatically altering the regional security calculus. In a region infested by terrorism, the chances of a rogue group getting hold of a nuclear weapon could endanger existing regimes including Iran.

Being a theological state, Iran has very few friends.

ity domestically. In fact, as mentioned, acquiring nuclear weapons alters the equations dramatically against Iran.

Also, the empirical history of nuclear weapons clearly proves two facts; firstly, no nation has yet been prevented from becoming a nuclear weapons state if it sets its sights on it, whether it was India, Pakistan, North Korea or Israel.

Secondly, there has yet been no case of a nuclear weapon power using its nuclear weapons in a conflict.

Iran has conducted itself with restraint and is yet to be directly involved in any military conflict (after the war with Iraq in 1980s) in a conflict-ridden region. It would therefore not be in Iran's interests to declare a nuclear weapons program unilaterally even if it has the capability. Maintaining a state of 'nuclear latency' would be the best option which would leave the window open for a 'quick breakout' to assemble a bomb if and when it is either attacked or is threatened militarily.

The writer is Research Fellow, Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi.

T

AAP effect

he success of the anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi elections has sent a shiver down the spine of established political parties who are now trying to show themselves as paragons of virtue. Normally if they are short of majority in an election, the concerned political party will simply buy MLAs or MPs (the going rate in Delhi is said to be Rs 10 crore per MLA) or dispatch lawmakers to some hiding place in another state so that they cannot be lured by the rival buying party. Instead leader of the largest party, BJP's Harshvardhan looked very smug and relaxed saying his party would sit in the opposition because it did not have majority. And it missed the mark by just four MLAs who could easily have been bought in normal times.

Imagine Rahul Gandhi coming out of hiding, holding a rare press conference and declaring that the process to create a powerful Lokpal is nearly complete. He was at pains to deny that this new energy was an effect of the Congress defeat in the recent elections, the emergence of AAP and Anna Hazare's renewed agitation for Lokpal.

Predictions are that as a result of the AAP wave, the Congress, which has all seven Lok Sabha seats in its bag, will not be able to win a single seat in the coming Parliament elections. No wonder Chandni Chowk MP and a minister in the union cabinet, Kapil Sibal, was seen on a mass contact program in his constituency. Other Congress MPs are likely to follow suit.

In fact the AAP effect has captured the imagination of the entire country. Spontaneous rallies are being held in different cities with teachers, IT professionals, engineers, government servants and even business men taking part calling for an end to the widespread corruption.

In Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Hooda is looking concerned as many volunteers of AAP belonging to the state who had been campaigning in adjoining Delhi are now returning home hoping to replicate their success in their home state. Earlier people were not so sure that this party would be able to do something. Now they are taking courage to make themselves heard. Earlier they would say it is the job of politicians to tackle problems. Now they are saying 'We will get it done.'

It may however be too early to proclaim that the time-honored rules of Indian politics are changing. The BJP and Congress are already busy laying traps for the fledgling party. The eight MLA Congress in Delhi has written to the Lt Governor offering unconditional support to the AAP. By supporting the honest party, the Congress wants to imbibe some of its sheen. The BJP, although the largest party, wants to see the crown of thorns on Kejriwal's head so that his hoped for failure to fulfill his tall promises would bring the AAP applecart down. The two established parties are in this game together.

The AAP has sent some 18 questions to the BJP and Congress to elicit their response to AAP's agenda, asking if they would support its program. Some commentators are arguing that coalition building requires compromise and cannot be on the basis of the demand for full acceptance of one's unilateral wishes. Also, it is being said that there are many demands in the list that an AAP government can go ahead and implement through administrative action without seeking legislative support.

The AAP must be in great dilemma now. It is being asked to prove its governance capabilities. It has been a successful movement but can it transform into ability to get the work done about civic facilities? Would it like to go the Parliamentary elections without being tested in governance? Being a new face, it has won so far on negative campaigning, highlighting the failures of the present government and politicians. Placed in position of power, how would it fare, that is the question

December 20, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 55

56 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 20, 2013