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Friday, December 17, 2010

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STOCKS • FINANCE • SOUTH ASIAN MARKETS • TECHNOLOGY

For Better Returns, Raj Checks Out All the Investment Angles

By Jawahar Malhotra HOUSTON: At first glance, he doesn’t look the part of the wealth management expert who delivers great returns for his clients. With his shoulder-length long black, wavy hair, boyish smile and impish eyes, David Raj comes across like some jetsetter who just happened to chance into the solid, no-nonsense offices of Ameriprise Financial Services to check his portfolio but would rather be off playing his guitar.

That’s where David Raj’s alter ego steps in, the one that loves to perform onstage, playing lead guitar with his band of four musicians at local events and fundraisers, like the Indo American Charity Foundation (of which Raj is a Board Director) Gala David Raj in his office on the West Belt and Richmond alongside his many awards for Top Producer for the past 5 years. He gets to work last October and the Udavum Karan- at 4am and stays till 10pm to check out all the sources worldwide that might help him with managing his $60 million portfolio of accounts.

Contact David Raj: 713-260-1385, E-mail: davidraj.x@ampf.com. Visit www.ampf.com for more information.

Photos: Jawahar Malhotra gal Fundraiser in November.

But he doesn’t stop at playing with and beaches in Galveston , which is who have also coached me,” Raj the band. Raj’s Westside townhome how he decided to settle in Houston said. “My band performs for free at is full of all the equipment that one years later. mostly desi functions, but we also would need to hold a rock solid perAfter his MBA, however, he re- perform at the annual Ameriprise formance: drums, amplifiers, stage turned to India and worked at the Client Appreciation Night for 300 lights, yards of acoustic cables and Indian Overseas Bank in New Delhi people.” then some. Even though he dabbled and was transferred to Hong Kong If anything, Raj is generous to in guitars in college, it wasn’t till he in 1987, quitting after two years to a fault. He routinely will donate to came to the US in 2003 that he really work as the General Manager for a the causes that he believes in and took it up seriously.

Sindhi import-export company for picks up the entire cost for his own In his sixth floor office with a six years, dealing with China, South performances. The band practices clear view of the West Belt, Raj America, Australia and Europe. at his townhome once every two focuses on helping others manage When he saw an opportunity, he weeks, much to the chagrin of his their money and the results show went into business for himself, ship- neighbor, “so I go over and give judging by the awards on the sideping breakable cargo of granite from them a couple of bottles of wine for board next to his conference table.

India to China and Hong Kong . putting up with us!” he giggles. His Top Producer since 2004, a year Years earlier, in 1987, his brother favorites are tunes from Pink Floyd, after he joined Ameriprise, Raj now in New York had filed for his Green Santana and The Beatles. has 512 clients and manages $60 Card and when it came through in But everyday, Raj is at his office, million in assets through compre2001, Raj decided to come to New just a short distance from his house, hensive financial planning method York and try his hand there. But the even on weekends when he catches for which he charges 1.2% per year lure of Houston brought him here six up on paperwork. His typical day of the annual balance as wrap fees months later and he took his Series starts at 4 am when he checks on the for investments.

7, 66 and Group 1 exams to join markets overseas, calls his contacts “My clients are happy with the David Raj playing the lead guitar in one of his performances at the the financial field and worked with across the globe to assess trends service,” he said with an easy smile, Indo American Charity Foundation Gala last October.

AXA Insurance for three months. and then follows up when the US “because I have a personal interest in Photo: Krishna Giri proudly. “I got my organizational He then joined American Express, markets open. After a break in the their well being and are satisfied with funds. skills from her and my artistic apti- which spun him off with the new afternoon, he’ll work again till 10 Raj’s road to financial planning tude from my Dad.” the rate of returns.” He attributes Ameriprise Financial Services in pm and see how his client’s portfothe reason to his success to his abil- has been a circuitous one. He was In Chennai, Raj studied at the 2003. lios have fared. ity to move funds in anticipation of born in Chennai, where his father Christian College High School, then Far from his family (his daughter Judging from his awards and the market fluctuations, take the profits Gmanamirthraj was the General got a BA in English Literature from Hera lives in Sydney ), Raj turned to depth of his clients, many of them and move them into annuities and a Secretary of the YMCA and his Loyola College followed by a MA music for some solace and practiced from the wealthier part of the desi simple principle: a dollar saved is a mother Stella Soundarraj was a Pro- in English from Presley College. He regularly on the lead guitar. By 2004, community, they follow his instincts dollar earned. Before he takes on a fessor at Queen Mary’s College. came to the Braniff School of Man- he did his first performance with his and their portfolios continue to out new client, he makes sure that they “She was the first Indian woman to agement at the University of Dallas band, David & Friends. “I am really perform the markets, even in the take a risk tolerance test to assess go to England to get a Master’s in in Irving to get his MBA in 1976 and self taught, but have some accom- current down cycle, which is music how he should proceed with their Home Science in 1948,” Raj said fell in love with the warm Gulf water plished friends like Danny Vargas of a different sort to Raj’s ears.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, December 17 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment, Challenges India on Green Development

NEW DELHI (Zee): India’s environment minister has blocked the construction of mines, power plants and dams. He’s held up a new airport and describes diesel cars as criminal. He’s even taken Harry Potter to task for promoting threatened owls as pets.

Just a year and a half into the job, Jairam Ramesh has turned a oncemarginal Environment Ministry into a powerful gatekeeper on India’s road to prosperity. He’s been called an eco-crusader, a “Dr. No” of development and even a buffoon, angering so many investors and politicians that there are constant rumors of his impending dismissal.

But his tenacity has fuelled an environmental debate that many say is long overdue.

After two decades of unbridled development, India risks becoming

a victim of its own success. It is now the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, with rivers the World Bank has described as fetid sewers and cities listed among the world’s most polluted.

“Many people in India, particularly the elitist classes, still think ‘Grow now, clean later.’We cannot repeat the mistakes of other countries,” Ramesh said. “I’m no eco-evangelist, but are we serious about implementing our environmental laws or not?”

The U.S.-educated technocratturned-politician insisted his job, adversarial by nature, is to help correct India’s development course by enforcing long-ignored environmental laws. He takes Mohandas Gandhi, the Indian independence leader and advocate of sustainable living, as his touchstone.

“A country whose father of the nation is Mahatma Gandhi cannot but be an exemplar to the world on environmental matters. I find it

Jairam Ramesh takes the flak for a thankless job guarding India’s environment hypocritical for us to chant and pay

obeisance to him like we do and forget the essence of what he stood for,” the 56-year-old minister said.

His readiness to upset investors may reflect a wider shift in government priorities that would explain how he is tolerated under a prime minister who prizes development.

In a speech last month, Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the ruling Congress Party, quoted her late husband, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi: “Whenever the environment is damaged, a bit of India dies.”

When Ramesh was appointed environment minister in May 2009, India was seen as petulant and stubborn in global climate change negotiations. He has since promoted India as a mediator during U.N. climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, and

was credited with helping to break a U.S.-China deadlock over how emissions cuts might be measured and verified.

Ramesh suggested this week that India might commit to cutting emissions, saying all developing countries should consider doing so.

The comment, like so many by Ramesh, triggered a media storm in India, with the opposition accusing him of unilaterally changing India’s policy of refusing to limit growth while digging out of poverty.

In a country where success is defined by bald numbers — nearly 9 percent economic growth, $274.7 billion in reserves and an income per capita that has risen to $3,200 last year — many consider Ramesh anathema to

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Indo American News • Friday, December 17, 2010

Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment, Challenges India on Green Development continued from page

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progress. While economic growth has lifted millions out of poverty, hundreds of millions remain mired in the poorest conditions.

“Growth to fight poverty is perhaps the highest priority,” said Amit Mitra, secretary-general Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Industry. Business analysts say it looks bad, even chaotic, that Ramesh has overturned Environment Ministry permits allotted before he took charge.

“There has been a little bit of excess zeal that is not warranted,” said Surit Bhalla, managing director of Oxus Research and Investments. “It’s good news that we are discussing the environment like never before.

Despite his education at Carnegie Mellon and the Massachusetts Insitute of Technology, he blasted the American lifestyle last month as the world’s most unsustainable.

Already there is nervous speculation about whether he will decide this month to revoke clearance for a $12 billion steel plant by South Korea’s Posco — India’s biggest-ever foreign investment project.

But Ramesh, a former minister of power and commerce and adviser to the finance and industry ministries, dismisses the idea that his tactics are scaring away investors.

“If anything, I think investor sentiment will be driven by an idea

that laws are being implemented. The genuine long-term investors should welcome a law-oriented society,” he says, noting that most projects do get approval, and those that don’t just need an eco-friendly redesign. For example, his objections to a second airport in Mumbai were lifted last month after the site was shifted away from a stand of mangrove trees.

Ramesh and his bosses in the Congress Party are keenly aware of the political currency to be won by protecting forests, coastlines and fresh water sources.

Some 250 million people live off India’s forests covering 270,000 square miles (700,000 square kilometers) — an area larger than Texas or France. Another 7 million coastal families subsist on fishing, while a full 70 percent of the country survives on agriculture.

In October, the Environment Ministry blocked London-based Vedanta Resources’ plan to expand an aluminum refinery and power plant in the eastern state of Orissa after finding construction had started without environmental clearance.

The next day, Sonia Gandhi’s son, Rahul, was on the ground in Orissa, shaking hands and taking credit for securing the land.

In another case, Ramesh halted construction of a dam in the Himalayan region of Sikkim after a local tribal group complained it

would submerge an ancient Buddhist site. “Should I ignore them because they’re just a few thousand people?” he said. “Should I be party to the destruction of a holy site for the sake of 100 megawatts?”

Ramesh has also launched an environmental tribunal to spring some 5,000 green cases from the country’s backlogged court system, and secured payment from Pepsi Co. for coastal fishermen in exchange for harvesting seaweed.

“There’s no question it’s partly about getting votes, but that’s not entirely a bad thing,” said Mahesh Rangarajan, an environmental historian at the University of Delhi who has advised the ministry on forest and elephant preservation.

“Enforcing India’s forest laws has helped the under class to have some defense against what was a very arbitrary bureaucracy.”

Ramesh said his critics are overreacting and missing the key message — that eco-friendly solutions are possible, even preferable.

“What pains me most is the attempt being made to paint me as an obstructionist,” he said, adding that he was among the first politicians to argue for the economic liberalization that unleashed India’s economic growth in the 1990s.

“To be honest, this is a thankless job,” he said.

As he said it, he was laughing.

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South Asia News of the Diaspora

WikiLeaks’ Pakistan Revelations: Munne badnaam Hue

By Mariana BaaBar

ISLAMABAD (Outlook): From the time WikiLeaks began to out the diplomatic cables, watching TV news has become akin to viewing Bollywood political satires. The anchor’s announcement of every WikiLeaks cable pertaining to Pakistan is accompanied by old footage of former US ambassador Anne Patterson meeting President Asif Ali Zardari or Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani or army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani or ISI boss Shuja Pasha or Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif. In the background plays the raunchy number from Dabaangg, Munni badnaam hui, darling tere liye.

The splicing of the song with the WikiLeaks cables provides a subtext every Pakistani has grasped—Patterson may be blamed for reporting to Washington her private conversations with Pakistani leaders, but she wouldn’t have cabled headquarters had they not whispered to her their secret desires and deep fears, unmindful of shaming their country, at times even guilty of compromising state secrets. Indeed, Pakistan’s who’s who, courtesy WikiLeaks, come across as petty, hungry for power, and contemptuous of their people.

Perhaps nobody’s reputation has been harmed more than that of Gen Kayani, who had concertedly tried to portray himself as an apolitical general. Earlier this year, in a special briefing for military analysts, this correspondent asked Gen Kayani whether he’d emulate other generals in throwing out a civilian government and grabbing power. “General, it’s in your DNA,” I said. Prompt was his reply, “I’ve no (political) DNA.” He said his lack of political ambition could be testified by former directorgeneral of ISI Gen (retd) Asad Dur Durrani, who was Kayani’s instructor in the army and was also present at the briefing.

WikiLeaks has belied Kayani’s protestations. One cable reveals that Kayani was prepared to replace Zardari with Awami National Party’s Asfandyar Khan as president. Since the new arrangement would have required the support of Sharif’s party, Kayani dropped the idea because he distrusted and disliked Sharif even more than Zardari. In the cable, Patterson says Kayani thought even Zardari’s sister, Faryal Talpur, would make for a better president than him.

Kayani’s political ambition has lowered the respect people had of him, says Gen Durrani. “Of course, there were also suspicions earlier but I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Why did he seek a three-year extension? Why did he share his thoughts

approval, to prove their loyalty to Uncle Sam. And the lady, who’s now known as Munni, comes across as quite amused. To Sharif’s effusive praise to the US for scripting the appointment of Kayani as army chief, Munni wrote back to Washington, “The fact that a former prime minister believes the US could control the appointment of Pakistan’s army staff speaks volumes about the myth of American influence here.”

But US influence in Pakistan isn’t the stuff of myth, nor is Munni’s penchant for playing tough games.

The WikiLeaks cables shows Kayani told Pervez Musharraf in ’08 that he

should resign as president since his likely successor, Zardari, had promised to grant him immunity from prosecution. Once Zardari stepped into the President’s House, he didn’t seem as enthusiastic about the word given to Kayani. Patterson acerbically noted in a cable, “Zardari is walking tall these days, hopefully not too tall to forget his promise to Kayani and to us on an immunity deal (for Musharraf).”

Pity, Patterson is not around to see the controversy her cables have stoked. Munni, your darlings are missing you!!

Front Desk Associate • Immediate Need with Patterson? During the days in the army, he spoke little, but when he did, he spoke words of substance,” Durrani told Outlook. Power, as we all know, warps most personalities.

As journalist George Fulton commented in The Express Tribune, “I thought the decision (to appoint the president) fell to the Pakistani people at the ballot box, not a man who wears spaghetti on his shoulders. The reason they are a client state to the US is because the army is the largest mercenary force in the world.”

WikiLeaks also brings to the fore Kayani’s doublespeak on the country’s vital security interests. Contrary to the military’s repeated public disclaimers, the leaked cables show that Kayani allowed US drones to maintain bases in Pakistan and American special forces to operate secretly inside the tribal areas; that he was willing to permit the US to remove nuclear material from a nuclear research reactor, but only pulled back fearing a media backlash.

Quite sacrilegiously, according to a Wikileaks cable, dated October 7, ’09, the ISI boss, Gen Pasha, had been in direct touch with Israel on possible terror threats against Israeli targets in India. Says senior analyst Dr Shireen Mazari, “What message are we conveying to the Palestinians as the army looks up to Patterson as a glorified agony aunt for a solution to all their problems?”

There’s already a clamour for prosecuting former national security advisor Gen Mahmud Durrani, who, one WikiLeaks cable reveals, handed over the draft of an in-camera briefing

by Gen Pasha to parliamentarians on military operations against militants.

Says former ISI chief Gen (retd) Hamid Gul, “Without waiting for more revelations, Durrani must be immediately prosecuted as he violated the Official Secret Act.” As the WikiLeaks tsunami continues to hit Pakistan inexorably, newspapers are having a field day

frontpaging the leaks that lay bare the hypocrisy of the country’s leaders.

There’s such a lavish spread of sensational items to choose from—the Sharifs tipping off Jamaat-ud-Dawa leaderHafizSaeedabouttheimminent UN sanctions against him; Zardari promising to a visiting Congressional team that he wouldn’t make political moves without consulting the US; and Nawaz Sharif blithely assuring Patterson that he’s pro-US despite his public stance to the contrary.

But one WikiLeaks cable did cheer Islamabad, for it says the United Arab Emir Emirates informed the US last December that India was funding the Pakistani Taliban and Pashtoon separatists.

The leaked cable notes, “The State Department cable on the conversation confirmed the lingering suspicion about India’s covert ties with the Taliban, especially after New Delhi’s enhanced presence in Afghanistan.

The UAE’s General Department of state security noted that besides India, Iran is also supporting the Taliban in Pakistan.”

The WikiLeaks cables indeed testify to a stark competition among Pakistani leaders to win Patterson’s

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Indo American News • Friday, December 17, 2010

SRK Gives bangladesh a Taste of bollywood DHAKA (Gulf News): Khan led a team of Bollywood actors, including Rani Mukherjee and Arjun Rampal, and singers along with Bangladeshi artists to put on a show.

Shah Rukh Khan enthralled a packed show in Dhaka, dancing to his hit numbers and speaking Bengali.

At the show, titled King Khan Live in Dhaka, the over 25,000strong audience comprising mostly youngsters chanted “Shah Rukh”, “Shah Rukh”.

Khan led a team of Bollywood actors, including Rani Mukherjee and Arjun Rampal, and singers along with Bangladeshi artists to put on a show that was “memorable for its wonderful performances”, New Age newspaper said.

Despite a claim by the organizers

and Bangladesh Tourism Board, the superstar did not campaign to make the Sundarbans mangrove one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Reaching out to the audience, the Indian superstar said in Bengali: “Ami Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujibur

Rahman deshey Bharatbarsho thekey onek onek bhalobasha aar shubhechcha boye enechhi. [I bring India’s good wishes to the nation of Shaikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader].”

“I’ve heard of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Jasimuddin. I love Runajee’s [Runa Laila] music. That’s why I’m in Dhaka,” The Daily Star quoted Khan as saying.

Bengali belle Mukherjee danced to a medley of hit songs from her films, including Saathiya, Hum Tum and Shava Shava.

Dazzling the audience with her smile and girl-next-door charm, Mukherjee said: “You folks have been supporting me since the beginning of my career.

I want your love and support more in the days ahead, so that I deliver better performances.”

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Honda Targets Higher Sales in India’s Emerging Car Markets NEW DELHI (Economic Times): Honda Motor Co expects to raise its annual global automobile sales by 80 percent over the next decade and plans to aggressively sell low-priced automobiles in emerging markets , the Nikkei business daily reported.

The company, which focuses on Japan, the United States and Europe, has a 3-5 percent share in the emerging countries automobile markets and it will spearhead the new initiative with the launch a new model for about 900,000 yen ($10,760) in India next year, the business daily said.

Honda plans to increase its automobile sales to 6.6 million in 2020 from 3.6 million units this year, Nikkei said.

The company will face tough competition due to the razor-thin margin for such vehicles and intends to secure profits through economies of scale, Nikkei said.

Honda is planning a new model for India next year as low as $11,000 for the middle class segment of the population

Honda hopes to apply motorcycle segment strategy to its automobile segment. The operating profit margins in motorcycle segment is higher despite a decline in pervehicle margin due to expansion in emerging markets, the daily reported.

The motorcycle segment has a global sales estimate of 17.4 million units for 2010, more than triple the figure from 10 years ago, Nikkei said.

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Comcast Launches 24-7 Neo Cricket Channel in Houston Market

NEO Cricket, the World’s First 24-7 Cricket Channel Brings Live Cricket Matches and Top Cricket-related Content to Comcast Customers in Houston

PHILADELPHIA: Comcast Cor Corporation, one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services, announced the launch of the world’s first 24-7 cricket channel, NEO Cricket in Houston market today. NEO Cricket will bring Comcast customers in Houston live cover coverage of all international and domestic cricket matches played in India, as well as, other premium events like the Asia Cup and a number of awardwinning original productions.

“Comcast is the first cable provider to bring a 24-7 cricket offering to U.S. cricket fans,” said David Jensen, Vice President of Content Acquisition, Comcast. “Comcast is committed to working with diverse and independent program providers, like

NEO Cricket, to deliver multicultural offerings that reflect the wide-ranging interests of our customers.”

“NEO Cricket is the world’s first cricket-only channel and through its dedication to cricket and high quality programming has redefined what it means to be a cricket television channel.

We are bringing NEO Cricket to cricket fans around the world and this agreement marks the first step in our efforts to reach the U.S. market,” stated Prasana Krishnan, Director, NEO Broadcast America, Inc. Over the next few months, NEO Cricket will showcase more India international and domestic cricket, including India vs. Australia series; the India vs. New Zealand series; the Challenger Series; Irani Trophy; Ranji Trophy Premier Cup for Vijay Hazare Trophy and All Star Series for

the Deodhar Trophy.

NEO Cricket will also feature an impressive lineup of custom produced programming including the number one sports show in India Dial C for Cricket, a Cricket daily interactive call-in show; the number one sports update show Sportzone; along with must-watch shows like Baat and Bowl, Jaye He, Ballebaaz, Tour Diary, Run and Chase, Cricket Tarka Maarke, Encounter and Once More.

About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services.

With 22.9 million video custom-

ers, 16.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 8.4 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, 11 regional sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast’s Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, which owns two professional sports teams, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA

basketball team and the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, and a large, multipurpose arena in Philadelphia, the Wells Fargo Center, and, through Global Spectrum, manages other facilities for sporting events, concerts and other events.

About NEO Broadcast America, Inc. NEO Broadcast America, Inc owns and operates the NEO Cricket channel in the USA. NEO Cricket is the world’s first cricket centric TV channel and showcases the BCCI Indian cricket rights comprising all Indian bilateral international cricket matches played in India (including ODI’s, T20 and Test matches), the Indian domestic cricket season, the Asia Cup and a host of other cricket centric programming shows.

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No. 1 vs. No. 2: India vs. South Africa Test Series

By Sidharth Monga

CENTURION (Cricinfo): MS Dhoni is not known to pay history too much heed.

Nor does he like to call any win the best ever. When India won at P Sara Oval earlier this year with none of the frontline bowlers around, after having lost the toss in Sri Lanka, he wasn’t drawn into a discussion on whether coming back to draw the series had been the biggest challenge of his captaincy career. The next Test that India played, in Mohali, swung this way and that until VVS Laxman pulled off a heist only he could. It was a day to get carried away, to sing praises, to celebrate Test cricket, but Dhoni called it merely one of the best games he had played in. Here, in South Africa for an all-important tour, Dhoni is insisting his team should not pay the future too much heed.

“It [mental state of the side] looks good,” Dhoni said in his first press conference on the MS Dhoni is confident his bowlers will enjoy the helpful conditions tour. “Most of us look very in South Africa. calm, very relaxed, thinking mantra of staying in the present bearing on that. In a team sport, at about the process and not getting caught up with other things. moment. “This is what we have times it is not possible to compare Which means we are quite neutral got right now. So we are trying to the performance with the kind of when it comes to frame of mind, make the most of what we have talent you have got. Because at which is very important for doing got rather than thinking about times, you have the best players what would have been better. So who are injured or not part of the well.

“It’s not always about history. whatever days we have got, we are side, and that might have a bearing on the result.”

What you have achieved in the trying to make the best of it.”

The “team sport” stayed the foDhoni and his team have been past. It’s not always about the stats. It’s important to stay in the proud of the No. 1 ranking, but cal point of what Dhoni said, as he present moment, and how well we have mostly spoken about the pro- did not speak about any individual cesses that have got them there. who might be a threat in the South adapt.”

To adapt well, India have arrived However, this series is the most African side. He did speak about early in South Africa, with most of anticipated for this team, one that a mini group, though, who he said their stars missing the home ODI is supposed to show just how good were anticipating helpful condiseries against New Zealand. Dhoni the side really is. The extra time tions.

“Our bowling attack has done said the preparation has been satis- spent in preparation shows how factory. “Last few days have been important India think this series really well. Whatever the situagood. We were in Cape Town, is. Dhoni, though, refused to call tions or conditions be. Whether we most of us. We were practising it a defining series, a yardstick to are playing abroad or in the subcontinent. They have done well at Gary’s [Kirsten, India’s coach] judge the team by.

“Not really. It’s not about one on wickets that haven’t supported academy, the facilities were good, we had some decent time to our- series. If you talk about rankings, them at all, with reverse swing. selves. Batsmen worked on a few it is the process that takes you to a They adapt really well, and they of the things. It was quite relaxed. place. If you talk about our rank- adapt quickly. That is one of the No hassles. Till now the prepara- ing, we started from September main reasons for them being suctions have been good, we still have 2008, and where we are right now cessful. This will be a good opporis because of all our performances tunity for them to bowl at a place three days to go to the Test.”

A tour game would have been since September 2008. It’s a con- that will be helpful for them.”

Sidharth Monga is an assistant good for adapting to the condi- stant process, and one-odd series editor at Cricinfo or two-odd series don’t have a tions, but Dhoni persisted with his

ONLINE EDITION: www.indoamerican-news.com

England Seeks Early Christmas PERTH (Cricinfo): All both teams want for Christmas is a win, but Australia would settle for a draw as a way of stopping the damage from an opponent showing few weaknesses. England lead the five-match contest 1-0 and will retain the Ashes with a victory, which is the most likely result on the form of the opening two encounters. England have never secured the urn before Christmas in their 133-year history of visits Down Under, and they may never have a better chance.

The series is only 10 days old but already it has taken a toll on both sides. Stuart Broad has been ruled out with a stomach tear and will spend his week in the Test Match Special commentary box instead of the dressing room. Simon Katich’s heel problem has forced him out of the side and Australia have called for the type of wholesale changes England teams were mocked for making between 1989 and 200203. It’s young talent time for the hosts, with Steven Smith (21), Phillip Hughes (22) and Michael Beer (26) coming in, and Mitchell Johnson in favour again after a week spent in the WACA nets.

Apart from which fast bowler to pick to replace Broad, England’s main worry is their recent history of giving away hard-won series leads. They allowed Australia to level the 2009 Ashes after four games - but recovered to take the trophy - and also drew in South Africa after earning an early advantage. Australia are praying for more generosity this time.

Watch out for...

Mitchell Johnson is back. That would have been a scary line once, but over the past two years he has become a man of mystery.

Dropped for the first time in his Test career after going wicket-less in Brisbane, Johnson has trained his way back after an intense week working with Troy Cooley, the bowling coach. The WACA is a great venue for Johnson, who has 21 wickets in three Tests, including a career-best match haul of 11 for 159. Australia need that version of Johnson in this fixture, not the ineffective model that appeared at the Gabba.

The new dad James Anderson has been to Lancashire and back over the past week to be at the

birth of his second child. Over the next five days he will have to battle jet-lag and an Australia batting line-up that is determined not to be overwhelmed by England’s remodelled attack. Anderson’s control and swing will be vital, especially when he’s running into the breeze of the Fremantle Doctor. He was dropped for the Perth Test on the previous tour, but is such a better bowler..

Team news Australia’s big question surrounds whether to play Peter Siddle, the bowler who started the series with six wickets on the opening day in Brisbane. Siddle hasn’t claimed a victim in Australia’s past two innings and Ryan Harris jumped ahead of him in Adelaide. If both Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, the in-to-the-wind man, come back in, then Siddle will probably miss out. He may get a reprieve if Beer is left out, but that will depend on the wicket on Thursday morning. Ponting is delaying naming the side until he takes one final look at the surface.

Australia (probable) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Steven Smith, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Michael Beer, 10 Ryan Harris, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.

Broad’s replacement has come down to a two-man race between Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan.

Tremlett offers extra bounce with his height while the powerful Bresnan provides greater nous on flat pitches.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 James Anderson, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 Steven Finn.

Pitch and conditions Perth is always talked up as a fast man’s favourite but over the past decade it has disappointed.

Every year there is excited chatter from the locals that this time it will recapture its past glories. Maybe it will really happen this time. The pitch is expected to start with a tinge of green, but the cracking late in the match is expected to be a far greater concern to the batsmen than early seam movement. Sunny conditions are forecast throughout the game.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMbER 17, 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

Literature

Indo American News • Friday, December 17 , 2010

Turning 30? 30 Books Everyone Should Read Before Their 30th Birthday

By Marc The 30 books listed here are of unparalleled prose, packed with wisdom capable of igniting a new understanding of the world.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse – A powerful story about the importance of life experiences as they relate to approaching an understanding of reality and attaining enlightenment.

1984 by George Orwell – holds chief significance 60 years after it was written in 1949. It is widely acclaimed for its haunting vision of an all-knowing government which uses pervasive, 24/7 surveillance tactics to manipulate all citizens of the populace.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – The story surveys the controversial issues of race and economic class in the 1930’s Deep South via a court case of a black man charged with the rape and abuse of a young white girl. It’s a moving tale about fighting for justice and against prejudice.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess – A nightmarish vision of insane youth culture that depicts heart wrenching insight into the life of a disturbed adolescent.

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway – A short, powerful contemplation on death, ideology and the incredible brutality of war.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – This masterpiece is so enormous even Tolstoy said it couldn’t be described as a standard novel.

The storyline takes place in Russian society during the Napoleonic Era, following the characters of Andrei, Pierre and Natasha… and the tragic and unanticipated way in which their lives interconnect.

The Rights of Man by Tom Paine – Written during the era of the French Revolution, one of the first to introduce the concept of human rights from the standpoint of democracy.

The Social Contract by JeanJacques Rousseau – A famous quote from the book states that “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” speaks on the importance of individual human

rights within society.

One Hundred Years of Solitude

by Gabriel García Márquez – portrays a clear message on remembering our cultural history.

The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin – views the natural world and the genesis of humankind.

The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton – to live simply and purely, dedicated to a greater power than ourselves.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell – Gladwell looks at how a small idea can spread like a virus and spark global sociological changes.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham – Arguably one of the best children’s books ever written The Art of War by Sun Tzu – One of the oldest books on military strategy in the world, on the mechanics of general strategy and business tactics.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien – One of the greatest fictional stories ever told in 20thcentury literature.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens – on the topic of attaining and maintaining a disciplined heart as it relates to one’s emotional and moral life.

Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot – Probably the wisest poetic prose of modern times written during World War II. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller – This book coined the self-titled term “catch-22” that is widely used in modern-day dialogue.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Set in the Jazz Age of the roaring 20’s, this book unravels a cautionary tale of the American dream.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – This novel firmly stands as an icon for accurately representing the ups and downs of teen angst, defiance and rebellion.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky – A smoothflowing, captivating novel of a young man living in poverty who criminally succumbs to the desire for money, and the hefty phychological impact this has on him and

the people closest to him.

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli – describes situations of power and statesmanship. From political and corporate power struggles to attaining advancement, influence and authority over others, Machiavelli’s observations apply.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau – Thoreau spent two years, two months and two days writing this book in a secluded cabin near the banks of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. This is a story about being free from the pressures of society.

The Republic by Plato – A gripping and enduring work of philosophy on how life should be lived, justice should be served, and leaders should lead.

Lolita – This is the kind of book that blows your mind wide open to conflicting feelings of life, love and corruption Getting Things Done by David Allen – The quintessential guide to organizing your life and getting things done.

How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – This is the granddaddy of all self-improvement books. An easy to read guide for winning people over to your way of thinking in both business and personal relationships.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding – A powerful and alarming look at the possibilities for savagery in a lawless environment, where compassionate human reasoning is replaced by anarchistic, animal instinct.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck’s deeply touching tale about the survival of displaced families desperately searching for work in a nation stuck by depression will never cease to be relevant.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov – This anticommunist masterpiece is a multifaceted novel about the clash between good and evil.

It dives head first into the topics of greed, corruption and deception as they relate to human nature. Email us how many you’ve read.

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Indo American News • Friday, December 17 , 2010

online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, December 17, 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM