E newspaper03282014

Friday, March 28 2014 | Vol. 33, No. 13

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Indo American erican News

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COMMUNITY

March 28, 2014

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Chai Pe Charcha for NaMo Energizes BJP Supporters in Houston

Volunteers after the event on March 20m Chai per charcha at India House Houston.

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT HOUSTON: Little did the Congress party realize its greatest mistake when it hurled the ‘tea-seller’ jibe at its rival BJP’s prime ministerial candidate that catalyzed the launch of one of the largest and most successful campaign in Indian electoral history. This unique techno-driven grass root election campaign stems from the remark made by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on 17 January where he mocked Modi and said that he could not become Prime Minister but could certainly serve tea at the AICC Session.

Soon the think-tank technocrats behind Modi’s campaign launched ‘Chai Pe Charcha with NaMo’ (a discussion with Modi over tea) on 12 February. It is an interactive session with people across India and Modi over video conference via a combination of multiple communication technologies.

Chai Pe Charcha with NaMo (as Modi is fondly called by his fan base) is a unique initiative to create a platform for Modi and the general public to interact directly, through video conferencing facilities across 1000 locations in 300+ cities. These locations are common tea stalls, not only to highlight Modi’s humble origins as a tea vendor, but also because tea stalls in India are a hub of conversations where India’s most grass-

roots level issues emerge.

Buoyed by the success of its first phase and hoping to connect with maximum people in the second phase of CPC, BJP decided to broaden its scale and made it international by adding 30 locations in 15 countries where NaMo brigades got together to connect with Modi and interact with him over a sip of tea.

It is heartening to refer here the launch of Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV.org) platform created by a group of NRIs who keep India very close to their heart. With greatest desire of having a strong, prosperous and developed India championed under the dynamic, honest, visionary and decisive leadership of Modi, they started the “reference calling” campaign in support of NaMo, with close to 1200 volunteers all over USA and with 600+ amongst them being our lovable Houstonian brothers and sisters of Indian diasporas.

Houstonian NRIs are surely getting hooked up to the ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ big time with 2 to 3 CPC events getting organized every week since January 2014 across Houston, Woodlands, Pearland, Sugarland and Katy not to mention over 100+ CPCs that would occur simultaneously across many USA cities on 29 -30 March. The excitement reached its zenith when Houston was selected as interna-

Audience at 7:00 am at India House Houston.

Audience with NaMo at India House Houston.

tional CPC location with ‘Farmers and Agrarian Crisis’ being the topic of interaction. Braving early Thursday morning commute at 7:00 am on a working day, it was heartening to see NaMo lovers of Desi Houstonians pour in such large numbers to take active part in CPC with Modi live from Dabhadi village of Yavatmal district, Maharashtra where the recent untimely rains and hailstorm have damaged crops. While sipping tea and munching snacks, 125+ enthusiastic Houstonian NRIs, GIBV volunteers and media personnel connected directly with the heart and soul of India and its villagers with Modi at the helm conducting his live Chai Pe Charcha which can be mentioned as synonymous to ‘footpath parliament’.

Following the above grand success, on Sunday 22 March, the Houston air waves were buzzing with NaMo NaMo as “Music Masala”, one of the most popular Indian music radio channels in Houston, detoured from its normal Bollywood beats and invited GIBV national coordinator Gitesh Desai and one of the leading community activists Vijay Pallod to discuss about the upcoming elections in India and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. This special segment on the radio channel hit the chord with its listeners and the radio host Sunil Thakkar extended the hour long special segment to 90 minutes.

Many avid listeners shared their personal positive experiences with

Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister.

GIBV.org further intends to maximize the fervor of Houstonian NRI volunteers by facilitating them on 29 March again at India House between 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. This grand program synonymous to being the biggest CPC event in Houston would be leveraged with a 4-point agenda; enhance reference calling effort, capitalize calling effort in focused constituencies to maximize the gains for BJP, recognize volunteers traveling to India with sole intention to galvanize the voters in favor of NaMo, and last but not the least, felicitate the hard work of its core group members working hard for this cause since January, 2014.

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COMMUNITY

March 28, 2014

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A Magical Experience of Colors at Radha Madhav Dham

Attendees having fun during the Holi celebrations.

AUSTIN: It was a beautiful day at Radha Madhav Dham, on March 15, where over 4000 people gathered to celebrate the Indian festival of Holi despite weather forecasts of thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Although the day started with showers in the morning, it stopped by 2 PM when the actual festivities began. The festival of Holi marks the onset of spring, and is celebrated in unique ‘Braj’ style at Radha Madhav Dham every year.

People assembled on the grounds of the Ashram, and enjoyed the tastes, sights and sounds of India as they were greeted by peacocks, deer and singing birds. Throngs of people

flocked around the food booths eager to taste the delectable Indian dishes like freshly made dosas, paav bhaji, chhole bhature, chaat, samose mango lassi and hot jalebis, not to mention delicately spiced hot chai for a cold

Face Painting

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rainy day.

Inside the prayer hall, the deities of Radha and Krishn looked stunning in special Holi Shringar (adornments) that included charming hues of holi powder on their cheeks, beautifully decorated pichkaris placed at their feet, painting a colorful depiction of the festival of Holi that originated in the land of Braj (Vrindavan) in India, 5000 years ago. .

Programs throughout the day included Swami Nikhilanand ji’s explanation of the spiritual significance of “Braj Style” Holi, spectacular enactment of the legendary story of young Prahalad’s victory over Holika and Hiryanakashipu and a cultural program showcasing children’s performances of folk and classical Indian dances.

Around 6 PM, people started gathering at the Maharas Mandal to play with colors. Loud cries of “Ho Ho Ho Ho Holi Hai” were heard from the grounds. The atmosphere quickly turned exuberant and joyful colors of spring could be seen flying everywhere creating clouds of pink, purple,

Food Booths

blue and red hues in the air. A live band played the saxophone and guitar on ancient Braj tunes and got everyone dancing in excitement and merriment. People from all walks of life, young and old, Indian and Western opened their hearts in sharing the joy and celebrating the human values of compassion, forgiveness and love, that underlies the spirit of Holi.

In the words of a visitor, Holi at Radha Madhav Dham was a magical experience that will be remem-

bered for a long time to come.

“Thank you for allowing Gabriel and me to be a part of Holi. It was a very magical experience for both of us. Gabriel is still talking about it”- Facebook message by Lynn Peach For further information on this Holi event, check out their facebook page for event photos at www.facebook.com/RadhaMadhavDham.

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COMMUNITY

March 28, 2014

Daya’s 2014 Gala Fundraiser: Dine & Disco for Daya HOUSTON: Daya’s 2014 annual fundraiser will be held on Sunday, April 27.

Daya, founded in 1996 promotes healthy family relationships by providing services to empower women and children affected by family violence and sexual assault. Daya served over 300 clients in 2013 alone. The organization also mobilizes Houston’s south Asian community to change and positively evolve its attitude towards family violence.

Daya’s annual fundraiser - “Dine and Disco for Daya” will be held on Sunday, April 27, 5.00pm to 8.30pm at The Rice Hotel, 909 Texas Ave, Houston. Tickets include dinner and complimentary valet parking.

TICKETS $300/- per Couple $150/- per Individual $75/- per Young Professionals (ages 25 and below)

OTHER DONATION $300 - $1499 - 2 tickets EVENT UNDERWRITERS $10,000 - (includes 10 tickets) $5,000 - (includes 8 tickets) $2,500 - (includes 6 tickets) $1,500 - (includes 4 tickets) To be an Event Underwriter, please call Abhilasha at 832.446.8321 or email Abhilasha@dayahouston.org For further information & tickets, visit Registration: http://www.dayahouston. org/DayaGala2014.php Website: www.dayahouston.org E-mail: contact@dayahouston.org Phone: 713-981-7645

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COMMUNITY Houston, We Have Holi!

BY MALAY VYAS HOUSTON: Spring is in the air and after the grey and cold winter that we have had, Houstonians are ready for warmth, color and fun. Sunil and Sandhya Thakkar and the Masala Crew are ready and welcome you to celebrate one of the most anticipated events on the Houston festivities calendar – AAPKA COLORS Houston Holi – A Festival of Colors – brought to you by Masala Radio along with Tara Energy. This year features an exciting concert with Pop Star RAGHAV. Originally scheduled for March 23, the event was moved to the official rain date of SUNDAY MARCH 30 due to weather.

The word ‘Holi’ is derived from the word ‘Holika’, the evil sister of King Hiranyakashyapu, the demon king. Mythological stories narrate how the King’s son Prahlad disagreed with the King and remained devoted to Lord Vishnu. In doing so, he incurred his father’s wrath and was subject to severe punishment but Prahlad remained safe.

Eventually his Aunt Holika tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her. Holika had a cloak to protect her from the fire but Prahlad did

not. As the pyre was engulfed in flames, the cloak flew from Holika to Prahlad and Prahlad was saved.

Vishnu appeared in the form of Narsimha (half lion haf man) and killed Hiranyakashipu. The fire on the day of Holi represents this story from the Hindu scriptures.

In Northern India, Holi is also observed to celebrate the love of Radha and Krishna. The timing of the festival also coincides with arrival of Spring. The day after Holi is ‘Dhulendi’ or ‘Dhuleti’ – the day of color.

On Sunday March 30, Houston will celebrate both Holi and Dhulendi on the same day. Traditionally, the colors used are organic “gulaal” (red powder) and “abir” (white powder) along with water.

Rosenberg’s Seabourne Creek Park has seen record breaking attendance numbers over the last three years and this event in 2014 promises to be even bigger with forecasted 0% Rain and Full Day of Sunshine! There will be something for everyone, including Holi Pragtya, Keemat Kids Rides, SKAI Rath Yatra, New York Life Matki-Phod and of course, the popular Aling’s Rain Dance.

Houston, we have Holi… infact

we have the biggest Holi in North America. Come celebrate life in true Masala Colors at Seabourne Creek Park in Rosenberg on March 30 from 12-5PM. Full Event Details, Map, Parking, Layouts and Enterainment Schedule on HoustonHoli.com or facebook/Houston Holi.

March 28, 2014

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COMMUNITY

March 28, 2014

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HMM Celebrates Holi

RAVI OZARKER HOUSTON: Holi/Rangapanchami is a spring festival also known as the festival of colors and the festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular in many parts of the world, as well as people of other communities.

On 16 March, the Houston Maharashtra Mandal (HMM) celebrated Holi/Rangapanchmi for the first time. Almost 200 people attended this event at Bear Creek Park in Houston.Organizers greeted guests by applying dry colors on their faces and wishing them

“Happy Holi�. Despite the cold weather, adults and kids enjoyed the Holi event using dry colors and water. Attendees participated in exciting games and dances. Attendees danced on popular Bollywood songs while children were busy playing with water and pichkaris.

Puran Poli was offered to all attendees along with tasty thali. ‘Puran Poli or Puran Puri or Bobbattu or Holige or Obbattu or poli is a traditional type of sweet flatbread made in India in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Goa.

Overall the event was very successful. Some attendees commented that this was their first time playing Holi after several years. They said that it just felt like playing Holi in India.

For further information about HMM, visit www. hmmhouston.org

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COMMUNITY

IACAN Cancer Survivors Learn to Look Good, Feel Better

CALL: 713-789-6397

with skin type, color and tone. Each member had a make over where they played with primers, foundations, eye shadows, lipsticks and the works!! One doting husband also accompanied his wife to the meeting. And as the only male present was very happy to give his critical appreciation with much humor.

The session was lead by a beauty professional, Lynn Hill from Mary Kay who volunteered her time graciously through a practical, hands-on experience. Each participant got a free makeup kit to use during the session.

through the Look Good Feel Better toll-free number, 1-800-395-LOOK (1-800-3955665). Or visit the Look Good Feel Better website at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.

IACAN is a cancer resource network that educates and supports Indian American community.

Contact IACAN for further information @ iacannetwork@gmail.com or by calling 713-370-3489.

Visit their website at www.iacannetwork. org

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HOUSTON: IACAN recently held a program to help women cancer patients and survivors improve their appearance and self-image, by teaching them hands on beauty techniques to manage side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments on their appearance.

On March 12, The Survivors Group of IACAN came together for a Make up class by Lynn Hill of Mary Kay Cosmetics.

There was lively discussion on different types of moisturizers, toners, cleansers, foundations and cosmetics. Participants learned how to match various cosmetics

There is so much to learn about makeup, skin care, nail care, and ways to deal with hair loss such as with wigs, turbans, and scarves that one session is never enough!

The American Cancer Society also has these programs on an ongoing basis.

For patients or survivors and families who are unable to go to a group workshop, a free, one-time individual salon consultation with a volunteer cosmetologist might be available in their area. Trained beauty experts help each patient manage her skin, nail, and hair needs and also help her find ways to feel better about how she looks during treatment.

Survivors are our strength. One of our goals at IACAN is to enhance their quality of life and build a strong network of cancer survivors from the Indian subcontinent so that they may connect with other survivors of the same cultural origin, discover new resources, draw strength from each other, cope better and support one another.

Studies show that attending support groups make a huge impact on reducing stress, strengthening coping and improving quality of life. We will strive to expand the IACAN Survivor Group and work together to reach out, strengthen and support as many Indian American/ South Asian people touched by cancer.

We encourage every cancer survivor from the Indian subcontinent to join the IACAN Survivor Group and take the lead on some initiatives to make this a uniquely supportive program for patients and families from South Asia.

Self-help resources: Free self-help materials can be ordered

Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir of Houston Inc. 6640 Harwin Dr, Houston, TX 77036

A Hearty Invitation to all Hindu Devotees on the occasion of the celebration of

Chaitri Navaratri Mataji’s Pooja & Havan

Chaitri Navaratri Ashtami Pooja & Havan of Mataji Shree Durga & Bahucharaji

Monday, April 7, 2014 Pooja Starts at 1.00 PM. Havan Starts at 4.00 PM, Purnahuti at 5.30 PM (Nariyel Oěering) Arti at 7.00 PM ** Garba from 8 to 10 p.m.

Mahaprasad will be served after Aarti Devotees willing to sit in Havan & Pooja may give their names to our Priest Shri Hardik Raval Tel: 361-243-6539 or 713-278-9099

Sanatan Shiv Shakthi Mandir is located at 6640 Harwin Dr. Please Note we do not have any other Temple at 5645 Hillcroft Ste: 701

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March 28, 2014

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COMMUNITY

Houston Grand Opera’s River of Light Premieres at Sri Meenakshi Temple

Houston Grand Opera’s Chamber ensemble.

PEARLAND: The red and purple color scheme present in every prop on the stage, transformed the auspicious Kalyana Mandapam (KM) at Sri Meenakshi Temple into the scene for the afternoon’s premier event. It was 3pm on Saturday March 23, and around 600 people gathered at Sri Meenakshi Temple KM auditorium for the world premiere of River of Light, a Houston Grand Opera production. Over the course of 45 minutes, the audience sat rapped at the edge of their seats, listening to a blend of East and West – literally through the chamber ensemble’s composition of a tabla, sitar, violin, cello, and piano instruments – and figuratively in the story’s plot. The music composer Jack Perla’s often dramatic scores provided an ideal canvass, weaving the backdrop to the

contemporary story of yearning for an old culture, as the main protagonist integrates into the new. Intermingled into the music scores were the popular and soulful compositions such as Raghupathy Ragava and Shri Ramacandra kripalu bhaju mana that added an air of mystic and far away culture.

River of Light is Houston Grand Opera’s final presentation of the 8 East + West series and the first of HGO’s fusion full-length opera having an Indian theme. The libretto (text) was written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, a Houston-based Indian-American author and poet whose 2 prior novels (The Mistress of Spices and Sister of My Heart) have been adapted into films. The opera traced the dilemma faced by a newlywed and successful executive Meera (played

The cast of HGO with Pearland Mayor Tom Reid; MTS chair Dr. Vaduganathan providing vote of Thanks.

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An appreciate audience of 600 gathered at Sri Meenakshi Temple Kalyana Mandapam applauded the conclusion of the HGO’s premiere of River of Lights.

by Maya Kherani) in passing on the Indian culture and heritage to her daughter. The celebration of victory of good over evil, as signified by the Indian Light festival of Diwali brought the final scene of the Opera to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Felicitating the HGO cast and crew, Pearland Mayor Tom Reid remarked on Houston’s journey to be a preeminent US city for cultural and artistic diversity, through performances such as the HGO’s River of Light; adding that his own city of Pearland gets the first credit as the site of the host the-

ater in Meenakshi temple! As the HGO Programs Director Brittany Duncan remarked in thanking Sri MTS, it would hardly have been possible to find a better and more celebratory way to welcome this new opera into the world than at Sri Meenakshi temple.

Following the captivating Opera, an excellent cultural program celebrating the spring festival Holi was presented on stage to an engaging audience.

For further information on cultural events please contact www.Meenakshi.org

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March 28, 2014

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COMMUNITY

Sri Gaura Purnima Festival at the Gaudiya Matha Temple

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HOUSTON: Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha celebrated Gaura Purnima over the last two weekends to honor the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu – who appeared 500 years ago in Bengal. The Supreme Lord Krishna incarnates in every yuga to annihilate the demoniac and deliver the devout. However, in His special form as Sri Caitanya, Krishna came to annihilate the ‘demoniac tendencies’ in everyone’s heart by teaching them how to love God by chanting His Holy Names. It is described in Sri Caitanya Caritamrita: “Sri Krishna’s desire to appear was born from two principal causes. He wanted to taste the sweet essence of the liquid mel-

lows of divine love (prema-rasa), and He wanted to propagate bhakti in the world on the platform of spontaneous attraction (raga-marga).Thus He is known as rasikashekhara, the topmost relisher of transcendental mellows, and as parama-karuna, the most merciful of all.”

Sri Caitanya has been hailed as the most merciful incarnation because He freely distributed the love of God to everyone without any consideration of caste, community, social or religious status of the person. Sri Caitanya and His closest associates travelled all over India spreading the message of pure love and devotion. Many scholars of the Hindu renaissance and its renewal of Vedic culture trace it to

the presence of Sri Caitanya half a millennium ago. He predicted that one day the Holy Names of Krishna will be chanted in every town and village of the world. And today that prophecy has come true as many great spiritual teachers in His line have spread His message all over the world.

One of them is our founder, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, who travelled to over 50 countries introducing the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to thousands and thousands of people.

(Several of his lectures are available on www.purebhakti.com) The devotees spent an entire week cleaning and decorating the temple for this special festival.

The program started with singing of beautiful bhajans and kirtan glorifying Sri Caitanya. The highlight of the program was the presentations by the Bhakti Gurukula (Sunday School) children who have been learning about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in this semester.

This included sloka recitations, power point presentation and narration of Mahaprabhu’s pastimes.

Vishnu prabhu explained the reasons of Mahaprabhu’s appearance and also invited different children to speak. It was wonderful to see such poised, confident and articulate youth. Abhishekam of the Lord was performed while the conch-shell was blown accompanied with melodious kirtan. Mahaaarti was performed at sunset followed by a truly sumptuous feast.

Over three hundred devotees attended the programs on March 16 and March 23. The program was broadcast live on radio.

The presiding Deities at the temple are: Sri Radha Govindaji; Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sita Rama Laksmana Hanuman. There are six regular aarati and darshan every day. Visitors are warmly welcomed and are especially encouraged to attend our Sunday services. You will find traditional Vedic teachings, worship and values in an American setting.

Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha temple is located between the Katy Freeway (I-10), the Northwest Freeway (290), and Highway 6. Every Sunday we have: bhajans and kirtan at 5 PM; Hari kathaa (English) at 5:45; sandhyaa aarati at 7:00 PM; and delicious healthy prasadam afterwards. Gurukula for children in grades K-12 is at 5:45. Hindi classes are at 4 PM. For further information, visit www.sggm.org or call (832) 464-4686

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March 28, 2014

Tuesday, 8th

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18 March 28, 2014 USP for BJP Political parties have been reluctant to openly accept that India’s best period has been when the economy has boomed once stifling controls were eased. Between 2005 and 2012 - years of high growth - rate of decline in poverty ratio was three times that of the preceding 11 years. The correlation between economic growth and improved standard of living across society is obvious, but most politicians fight shy of being forthright about it. As such forthrightness is unlikely from both Congress and AAP, it’s an opportunity that Narendra Modi can exploit.

As the last phase of campaigning picks up steam, Modi should clearly advocate economic growth and the positive impact it has on all Indians. The difference between the two UPA governments was not that UPA-II was less welfare-oriented. If anything, it spent more on welfare, but lost the plot on economic reforms. Modi’s track record suggests that he is focussed on creating the right framework to propel growth. According to a recent study, Gujarat topped in terms of economic freedom among states in 2013.

Modi says that he ranks quality of governance above extent of state intervention. He should push his party into going farther down this road when it presents its manifesto. BJP should improve on over two decades of half-hearted attempts to reform the economy. Most of the low-hanging fruits of a timid approach to reforms have been plucked. Unless there are fundamental changes, the economy runs the risk of being stuck in a range of 5% to 6% growth.

Three overarching goals should influence economic policy: enhanced competition, greater transparency and smart intervention by government. The goals are interlinked. The economy is plagued by high entry barriers which protect inefficient operations. The barriers continue on account of opaque rules and considerable discretionary powers with government, which allow crony capitalism to flourish. There is no point wishing for corruption to go away without attacking its systemic roots. A strong argument in BJP’s arsenal can be that AAP’s stepping down from governing Delhi after 49 days exemplifies its lack of will to govern, despite all its political rhetoric. Modi can differentiate BJP from other parties - and earn brownie points for leadership and candour - by moving away from statism and telling Indians they need to be competitive in a competitive world, while outlining practical ways of doing so.

Times of India

EDITORIAL

Skilling India’s Youth

BY S. RAMADORAI Heard of “Velu the Welder”?

This simple “welding simulator” is transforming the welding landscape in India, which today faces a scarcity of two lakh skilled welders. By training at 30 per cent less cost and in a considerably safer way, it is preparing thousands of youths to take up lucrative welding jobs that pay anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 1 lakh a month.

“Velu the Welder” is a small part of a skilling transformation that India is undergoing today.

India’s working-age population will rise by 12.5 crore over the coming decade, and by a further 10.3 crore over the following decade. It is almost a cliché to say India is sitting on a demographic dividend. That is, with its growing young workforce, it can look forward to decades of high productivity, economic growth and upward social mobility. What is often ignored is that this tale assumes two things — first, there will be availability of productive jobs and second, there will be skilled workers to take on the jobs being created. While the first is often talked about, the second, skilling and reskilling “young India” to become “job ready”, is equally important, and often treated as secondary.

Skilling is an appropriate area for government intervention as it is an example of what economists call a “market failure” — employers on their own will not invest enough on skilling employees (what stops employees from being poached once they are trained at the company’s expense?), and employees have limited ability and willingness to pay for skilling. They are often unaware of the full “return on investment” and are also often credit-constrained, with little recourse to collateral free credit. Left to its own, the market would therefore create far fewer job-ready workers than the economy needs.

Faced with this reality, the government has given a major impetus to skilling over the last few years.

To begin with, a clear national goal has been established — to skill and re-skill 500 million In-

India’s working-age population will rise by 12.5 crore over the coming decade,

dians by 2022. A National Skills Development Agency has been set up to coordinate various piecemeal training efforts of different ministries, state governments and industry.

First, industry has been centrally engaged in designing the training curriculum and certification of trainees, so that trainees are taught the things they need for getting a job (a major weakness of previous government training efforts was a weak linkage to job-market needs).

Second, incentives for youth to get trained and certified are being put in place. The Standard Training Assessment and Reward (STAR) Scheme has been launched, under which each trainee gets approximately Rs 10,000 upon completion and certification of training. More than 2,30,000 young people have been enrolled under the STAR incentive programme already.

Third, technology is beginning to be deployed to transform the training landscape. Various innovative models have emerged. As the example of “Velu the Welder” (and similar simulators, such as for driving) has shown, technology is being leveraged to make training safer, more cost-effective and more scalable. With highspeed broadband connectivity to every panchayat likely to become a reality in the next two years, technology-based skilling models will only become more valuable in scale and impact.

Fourth, existing government programmes are being adapted to make the youth job-ready. The National Service Scheme has been adapted to prepare youth for entrepreneurship opportunities by enhancing their IT literacy, financial literacy, English communication and other soft skills. This is already being implemented across 40 colleges. Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are being upgraded, many through public-private partnerships. For example, a worldclass skilling centre has been established by the Delhi government in partnership with the Singapore government, adapting from the successful traiFifth, new statespecific programmes that address unique challenges — like Udaan (for unemployed graduates) and Himayat (for entry-level servicejobs) in Jammu and Kashmir — are being scaled up. An end-toend value chain — for identifying youth, training, placement and post-placement counselling and support — has been created. More than 20,000 young people have already been trained and placed in the state through these two programmes, and the target is 1.5 lakh over the next five years.

Of course, a lot more needs to be done and is on the cards. The single biggest reform in the works is the amendment to the archaic Apprenticeship Act, to make it easier for companies to hire and train apprentices.

Apprenticeship has been a successful model of skilling youth in countries like Germany and Japan.

This reform alone can increase the number of apprenticeships in India from the current 2.4 lakh to 30 lakh a year. Two hundred community colleges are being set up within existing colleges and polytechnics to enable youth pursuing higher education to become more employable. India has made a tryst with its demographic destiny. Skilling its youth is giving it a chance to redeem this pledge. IE Ramadorai is chairman, National Skill Development Agency. Pande is officer on special duty, Union ministry of rural development

Indo American News FOUNDER: DR. K.L. SINDWANI PUBLISHER: JAWAHAR MALHOTRA EDITOR: PRAMOD KULKARNI BUSINESS & PRODUCTION MANAGER: VANSHIKA VIPIN GRAPHIC DESIGN: AMITHA DEVIKRUPA CORRESPONDENTS

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March 28, 2014

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Delhi Reinvents Itself Again -- But Just Can’t Clean Up its Act

The dirty streets on west Delhi from a rickshaw

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA NEW DELHI, India: A few days ago, on March 12, a huge Indian tricolor on a 207 foot tall pole was raised in the heart of Delhi’s commercial district by the Flag Foundation of India, with hopes that it would send a message of pride, national identity and raise the spirits of people. The flagpole is located at Connaught Place, the center of Sir Edwin Lutyens’ master planned city, just outside the Gate 7 entrance to the Delhi Metro at the junction of Baba Karak Singh Marg, the road that leads to the Hanuman Mandir, all the State Emporiums and the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara.

The 60x90 foot flag is the largest

in India and the flagpole is the highest in Delhi, claims Flag Foundation of India President and Member of Parliament Naveen Jindal who was instrumental in getting it installed. Placed within a grassy patch surrounded by flowers; by night, the fluttering flag is illuminated by floodlights mounted at the top of the pole, and ripples run through it as the breeze catches the polyester fabric.

The group has installed 12 similar flagpoles, and 33 one hundred foottall ones, in 15 states.

Day and night, the flag rises above most of the buildings, the jumble of billboards and the chaotic traffic that goes around Connaught Place. It pro-

vides a focal point of undulating color against a blue sky that is hard to miss from all the twelve radial roads that emanate from the central plaza, once the home of Palika Bazar, but now better known as Rajiv Chowk, the central underground crossing point for the Blue and the Yellow Lines of the Metro system, mostly elevated except in the central areas.

“Delhi is known as the City of Seven Cities”, explained tour guide Atul Pandey of Delhi Tourism as he led a group in a small tour bus out towards Agra for a day-long visit to the Taj and other monuments there, and then explained the seven times these plains had been invaded, ransacked and the city center rebuilt over the past 2,600 years, culminating in the New Delhi of today, the core of the 1,484 sq. km. (614 sq. m) National Capital Territory. Driving through the wide, tree-lined boulevards that line the single-story flat-roofed bungalows given to the Ministers, military brass and government elite; past the high-visibility parcels in Chanakyapuri dedicated to the Embassies of other countries; past the monuments, Parliament, Ministries, Presidential Estate and the five-star hotels (of which there are over a score), it is easy to get the impression that this is a clean, opulent, organized, functioning city that would be charming to visit and live in.

But further afield, past the 2,800 hectare area where Lutyen, in the

The Indian flag hoisted on the new flagpole in Connaught Place

1920s and 30s, had designed traffic circles connected to each other with spokes of roads; on all sides, the city starts to fall apart with all the decades

of neglect in plain sight. Closer to and past the Ring Road - to the south by Dhaula Kuan, the east by the banks of the heavily polluted and sometime CONTINUED ON PAGE

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COMMUNITY

KTRU Explores ‘Hamdelan’ a Houston Based Fusion Group

BY HELIA FOROUZAN HOUSTON: Ktru’s Navrang show hosted a live interview on Saturday March 15, with two talented members of a Houston based fusion group called Hamdelan. The Navrang Show director Varsha Vakil has gained accolades for introducing Houstonians to diverse music and musicians not only from Houston but from around the world.

The fusion group Hamdelan means “Unified Souls” in the Farsi language.

Hamdelan are a group of eight talented musicians from diverse backgrounds playing instruments from diverse regions. The name represents who they are; as they play in harmony they transcend any language barrier or background. The two members interviewed on ktru were Justin Lasiewicz and Ali Tarkesh.

Justin’s precocious talents in percussion instruments drew him to the Indian Tabla. He learned that Indian music cycles and that improvisation is most important in picking up in a cycle. For Justin, playing the tabla is a meditative practice as a metaphor of life’s cycles.

Ali shared with ktru listeners that he is an Iranian native and started playing instruments at the age of four.

He has been a Houston resident since 2011. Since then Ali had been searching for like-minded musicians adept in Iranian music but that were willing to create a fusion between Eastern and Western classical tunes.

Varsha’s cheerful persona gave ease to her guests as they experienced being on the radio for the first time on

From left: Justin Lasiewicz, Ktru’s Varsha Vakil and Ali Tarkesh.

behalf of the group.

The interview concluded with live performances by both Ali and Justin. Ali’s par excellence in playing the Daf had ktru listeners moved and yearning for resuscitation. Justin

resorted to the Tabla because of its euphonic lighter sounds and exemplified it during the live sample. Varsha urged Houstonians to experience this unique fusion music by attending Hamdelan’s live performance.

Samskriti Presents DASHAVATAR A Spectacular Dance Theater Production

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HOUSTON: Inspired by the timeless tale of ‘Good triumphing over Evil’, Rathna Kumar, FounderDirector of the Anjali Center for Performing Arts and Artistic Director, Samskriti, has embarked on the ambitious journey of bringing to the stage the stories of Dashavatar, in a grand and spectacular production that will have its world premiere on Sunday, April 6, at the prestigious Wortham Center (Downtown Theater District).

An ensemble of 40 dancers will weave together the awe-inspiring stories of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The production has an original musical score by Rajkumar Bharathi, recorded by Sai Shravanam of “Life of Pi” fame, and further enhanced by a team of extraordinary musicians.

Jayadeva, the 13th century poet, extolled the glory of Lord Vishnu as the Preserver in the first song of his “Gita Govindam”, based on the ancient stories of the Dashavatar.

Amazingly enough, these stories are relevant even in the 21st century.

The universality of this theme and its significance in today’s world are the

Photo: Krishna Giri

factors that have given Rathna Kumar the impetus to take on the challenging task of creating a full length theatrical dance presentation from a song.

The Artistic Consultant for this production is Seetha Ratnakar, former Assistant Station Director, Chennai Doordarshan; Lighting Design is by Krishna Giri, and Anil Kumar is the Production Manager.

Dashavatar will be presented un-

der the aegis of Samskriti on Sunday, April 6, at the Wortham Center, Downtown Theater District. This program is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

For information and tickets: www. sulekha.com, www.explorehouston. org/ticketing, www.samskritihouston.org, or call 832 487 7041, 832

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March 28, 2014

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Delhi Reinvents Itself Again -- But Just Can’t Clean Up its Act

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barely a trickle Yamuna River, to the north by the Old City of Shah Jahan and the west by Rama Krishna Ashram and New Delhi Railway City, the city of my birth is anything but “New” in the sense of modern.

Beyond this circumference, Delhi is a city that is choking on itself from a burgeoning population of people and cars and a total indifference by the city government.

Years ago, as a young boy, I remember being fascinated and fearful by the broken down persistent beggars, the crumbling and uneven sidewalks, bulgingly crowded public double decker buses, mold stained plaster, antiquated construction and road cleaning methods, rustic cottages for Government employees, still called Government Servants, and the tropical, flat roofed private homes in distant suburbs. Other than the cottages and homes becoming three and four stories and taller apartment buildings dotting the suburban horizon, that picture has not changed much. New Delhi has morphed into a larger, more spread out version of its chaotic self, much like the inflation that has eroded purchasing power and made the paisa obsolete and the once sky blue rupee note with Mahatma Gandhi’s picture on it into a forgettable one inch round steel plated coin.

I have visited and come to appreciate this city many times as an adult, and through long sojourns every year for the past ten years and save for a time when preparations were being made for the Commonwealth Games, the city has continued to surround itself with mounds of trash, uneven roads and sidewalks that are a tripping hazard, unsafe and open electrical transformers and wiring, open, smelly sewers and water supply that still stops at any time of the day. There are still cluttered roads that serve four times their capacity, non-existent traffic lanes, disregard for traffic signals, horrendous traffic jams, no detours or safety barricades for road construction and a quaint notion that a series of “flyovers” or overpasses can eventually lead to a freeway in the city.

One morning, by the muddy, chuckhole infested, dirt filled construction of the flyover that has taken four years to remain unbuilt at the Dabri Mor on the westside, it was like a battle for conquest of the Khyber Pass as an phalanx of scooters, auto rickshaws, battery rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, buses, cars, motorbikes, trucks and pedestrians jostled for every inch, including the non-existent sidewalk where hawkers ply their wares; against another equally determined phalanx of vehicles from the right and they did the Dance of the Wheel to get to the still to not built U-turn; with not a traffic sign, construction barricade, detour, signal light or cop in sight.

The scene was repeated at Mahipalpur near the Indira Gandhi Airport as traffic moved by fits and starts, the motorized phalanx sounding their horns like buzzing angry bees look-

A trash collection area in Rajouri Garden in west Delhi

The road on the westside that has been unrepaired for the past 20 years

ing to sting as it took four lights to get through an intersection and the four blocks to the Vasant Intercontinnental Hotel. On the way to the Qutab Minar, the entire stretch of road through Malviya Nagar was gridlocked in both directions. By Greater Kailash and towards the Lotus Temple through Nehru Place, traffic refused to move as the jostling continued to unfold.

This was the refrain that my dear father would sing every time he found an audience, either through print media (he used to write for Indo American News) or in person, for the last 25 years of his life while he lived in this city after retirement from the Indian foreign service. “Indians have no sense of discipline”, I can almost hear him saying, “no civic pride and they’ll throw garbage out on the road, as long as it’s not on their property or in their view”. During his lifetime, Delhi only seemed to get from bad to worse, and my father never ceased to admonish people to clean up their act. This year the slide has continued and Delhi seems to have completely thrown in the towel on cleaning up its act. In the 65 years since Independence, sanitary and infrastructure decay has gone on shamefully while other developing cities, like Kuala Lumpur and Manila have conquered these basic necessities.

Nothing has changed since then, it seems, and some neighborhoods have continued to endure the same

unsanitary conditions unabated. An open sewer channel on the west side was simply closed in with culvert construction with periodic vents in the median for sewer gases to escape and smell up the surrounding area where a urban village of tiny two story brick homes has evolved from the slums that were there before. There is a stretch of road in Rajouri Garden on the west side that has continued to be unpaved, potholed and uncleaned for the past twenty years. Whole segments near Pitampura and Shalimar Bagh on the northside, near the TV Tower are mounds of garbage. Segments of Gurgaon and Noida are still the unkempt, overpopulated, rural village it once was, even in the shadow of the sleek 28-story skyscrapers.

There is a whole four acre lot near my apartment complex in Dwarka on the southwest side that has continued to fill with refuse for the past four years and there is a mound of dirt in the same location for six years.

The Delhi NCT is part of the National Capital Region which includes the neighboring cities of Meerut, Alwar, Baghpat, Gurgaon, Sonepat, Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida and holds over 110 million people. With over 23.5 million, the Delhi NCT is one of the world’s most populous cities at 39,000 people per sq mi. By contrast, Mumbai has one-third the area and about half the population in the city but a density of

60,000 people per sq mi and about the same population for the Metropolitan region while Houston, Texas has a land mass of about 600 sq mi and a population of 2.1 million in the city, with a density of 3,500 people per sq mi, and 6 million for the Metroplex.

But there is another equally impressive yet disruptive statistic that has changed the lives of every Delhiite, the cityscape and society as a whole.

Since 1990, the number of vehicles on the roads has grown almost 9 fold from 1.8 million to an estimated 16 million, or 68 vehicles for every 100 persons in the NCT, all vying for the ever shrinking road space. And since everyone is in such a rush, and in many places roads are tiny and parking spaces not available, the whole traffic problem is beyond the control of the local city government. The response was to build over the past 10 years a mostly elevated rail Metro system which now encompasses six lines for a total of 190 km (118 mi) and carries an estimated 2.5 million people every day. The Metro is the twenty-first century pride and crowning achievement of Delhi, and has been quickly copied by other cities in the nation. Most times, it is twice as fast to travel by Metro as by surface transport.

Only four years ago, New Delhi was rushing to complete all the venues and train links for the XIX Commonwealth Games held over 12 days in October, and the mood was jubilant. The economic liberalization and free-market policies of the previous decade had gradually turned the country around from an insular, fortress marketplace to one in which consumerism and materialism rose steadily as more and better products became freely available, resulting in rising incomes for the middle class and creating enormous wealth for those at the top. There was a feeling among the populace that India had come of age and could achieve anything it set its mind to.

Delhi was caught in the forefront of that euphoria and vast projects were announced to coincide with the Commonwealth Games, the smooth operation – visibly plagued by graft and ineptness - of which was to be considered modern India’s shining moment. Fresh coats of paint were applied everywhere, some areas cleaned, new metro buses were put on the roads, and newly designed bus shelters, new projects built, including sporting event venues, a new international airport and the finest airport Spanish subway that industrialist Anil Ambani could acquire in the rush of Public Private Partnerships that flourished then.

Since then, the airport subway does not operate at the envisioned speeds and its rates have gone up 300 percent, reducing its usage to a trickle; the Metro is showing signs of extreme wear and tear, the bus shelters are rundown as are the buses and the city continues to deteriorate even as the elected city Gov. Kejriwal resigned two months after winning, to run for a higher seat in the upcoming general elections. It seems that the city runs on inertia. Over the past six decades, a multitude of local governments have been unable to clean up this city, mostly through a lack of administrative and organizational skills, though they may lament a lack of money.

Creative as Indians are in financing, the excuse of a shortage of money is simply a ruse to avoid their responsibilities to the city that frames most visitors’ first impression of the India they will experience. I took a visiting overseas friend on a scooter rickshaw ride the other day and as she was overcome with the decay, dirt, din and noise of the cultural phenomenon that is Delhi, she covered her nose and mouth with her shawl. I wondered if she liked Delhi, but she just shook her head saying, “It’s not what I expected … it’s just way too much”.

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22 March 28, 2014 LEARN TO DRIVE TODAY!

INDIA

India’s Teen Deviyan may Get a Casting Vote

Is Modi Riding on Crest of a Political Wave?

Yes and No!

BY RAJ KANWAR IAN INDIA CORRESPONDENT

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Is there a wave in favour of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the ongoing elections to the 16th Lok Sabha or is it just plain media hype? A wave is generally understood to be an all pervasive phenomenon that would sweep every opponent that stands in its way.

In the first few general elections beginning with 1952, Congress used to secure comfortable majorities under the undisputed leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, and those were the waves in the real sense of the term. Thereafter, there were at least four other distinct waves in 1971, 1977, 1980 and 1985. In 1971, Indira Gandhi had won a resounding victory securing 43% of the votes and 352 seats. However, Ms Gandhi was on the receiving end of the popular anger in the subsequent elections that were held in 1977 in the wake of the dreaded Emergency. In that election, a conglomerate of various heterogeneous opposition parties fighting unitedly under the banner of then just born Janata Party had secured 298 seats with 43% votes while Indira Gandhi’s Congress barely managed 153 seats largely from the southern states. In the North, the Congress had suffered a crushing blow when both Indira herself and son Sanjay too lost their respective seats.

However, the tables were again turned in 1980 when Indira Gandhi won a landslide victory over the Janata Party following the latter’s dismal performance; she had then secured 351 seats in the Lok Sabha, wresting as many as 271 parliamentary constituencies from the opposition. But the elections that were held after her assassination on 31st October 1984 produced one of the most one-sided results in the annals of India’s parliamentary history. Rajiv Gandhi, who had succeeded her mother, rode on an unprecedented tsunami sweeping away every bit of opposition. In that election, the Congress had secured 50.70% of the votes and won 414 seats in the Lok Sabha. It was indeed a record performance in India’s fragmented political collage.

In the context of the foregoing paragraphs, will it then be fair to postulate that there is a Modi wave in the country? There have been opinion polls galore and there is unanimity of sorts that this election will see the worst ever performance by the Congress. Though, the polls favour BJP and its fire-spouting prime ministerial candidate, not a single one gives BJP /NDA even a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. Undoubtedly, Modi has captured the imagination of a large number of people but whether all those will eventually vote for BJP is problematic.

NDTV-Hansa opinion polls give NDA 229 seats NDTV, India’s leading news chan-

nel, has come out with, what it claims to be, the biggest opinion poll ever conducted in India. It gives BJP only 195 seats and its partners in the NDA a bare 34. Thus at the very best, the NDA will have a total strength of 229 – a long, long way from simple, leave alone, a comfortable majority. The Congress that has been condemned by one and all as a comatose case surprisingly emerges with 106 and its partners in the UPA winning 23 seats – a total of 129 seats – a difference of just about 100 seats between the two principal rivals. NDA’s voting percentage is 30.01 while that of the UPA is 26 – a difference of just 4%, not a very comforting position indeed for a party that is supposed to be creating waves; a shift of 2% of votes could create a dicey situation for the front runner.

The NDTV-Hansa opinion poll gives a total number of 185 seats to the assorted regional parties. Of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the opinion poll gives BJP 40, BSP 15, SP 13 and UPA only 12. Of the 21 seats in Odisha, the poll gives 17 to Biju Janata Dal, three to Congress and just one to BJP. In West Bengal that has 42 seats, Mamata’s party is slated to win 32, the Left Front nine and Congress barely one. BJP is likely to draw a blank in West Bengal. In Tamil Nadu, the 39 Lok Sabha seats will be shared between the two Dravidian parties with Jayalalithaa’s AIDMK set to win 27 of them, leaving DMK with only 10.

Nitish, a major loser in Bihar In a strange twist to the Bihar tale, Nitish Kumar’s JDU will be a major loser, and BJP a big gainer, winning 23 of the 40 seats together with LJP, its alliance partner. Congress with Lalu Yadav is likely to win 11 seats while JDU will have to remain content with only five. BJP is also expected to win 24 of the 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh.

Interestingly, BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is also tipped to win 33 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. In Gujarat too, BJP will win hands down. Surprisingly however, BJP in Karnataka is in a comfortable position. It is likely to stage a comeback after its disastrous performance in the Assembly polls; it will win 20 of the 28 seats as per the prediction. Ditto in Rajasthan where BJP is expected to secure victory in 19 of the 25 seats. Likewise in Chhattisgarh too, BJP will win bulk of the constituencies. In Haryana too, BJP is expected to do much better winning a majority of the Lok Sabha seats. In Jharkhand, BJP is given six of the 14 seats and UPA just four.

The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Seemandhra seems to have cost Congress dearly,

and it seems to have met the fate of one who rode on two horses. Even its Telangana gamble boomeranged with TRS emerging as the principal gainer, thanks to ineptitude of its leaders. It is the YSR Congress of Jagan Reddy that has become as a major beneficiary in Seemandhra and is likely to win 15 seats. BJP too has gained by combining with TDP and the two are likely to win about nine seats. It now appears that the best laid plans of Congress had gone awry like those of mice and men.

Silver lining in Punjab for Congress There is, however, a silver lining for Congress, surprisingly in the border state of Punjab where the AkaliBJP alliance is the ruling party. The opinion polls give Congress eight of the 13 seats, leaving the alliance partners to share the remaining five.

On the face of it, this prediction looks optimistic but nevertheless should gladden hearts of the Congress supporters in this otherwise gloomy atmosphere. Assam too brings happy tidings for the Congress-All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) alliance giving it 13 of the 14 seats.

Likewise, Congress is also slated to win in all the northeastern states. It is Delhi however, that is bucking the trend. Here the Aam Admi Party is likely to hold its sway by winning four of the seven seats. The survey gives BJP two and Congress a lone seat. Incidentally, the opinion poll is not very kind to AAP and does not give it much of a chance except in Delhi. The new party headed by a maverick of sorts in Arvind Kejriwal is capable of springing quite a few surprises.

These are still early days. As in cricket where a match is not won or lost until the last ball is bowled, in elections too, much can happen over the coming four weeks. Should Congress happen to win a dozen or more seats over and above the predicted number, it could easily become a counterpoise for anti-BJP forces that are certainly in significant numbers. Much will also depend on the stands that Jayalalithaa, Mamata and Mayawati would take post the results. The three grand ladies of the Indian politics are expected to do very well in their respective states.

Unfortunately, the NDTV opinion poll has not given any forecast for Uttarakhand. However, with the entry ofAAP’s candidates Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya and Anoop Nautiyal from Haridwar and Tehri constituencies respectively, a strong third party will be in the fray. Incidentally, both these candidates have better credentials with clean public record and are capable of springing a surprise or two.

Raj Kanwar is a Dehra Dun-based author and freelance journalist.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

March 28, 2014

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ENTERTAINMENT

March 28, 2014

Movie Review: Ragini MMS 2

BY MADHUREETA MUKHERJEE Review: Hold onto your pants as Erotica meets Eerie in a sequel that traces Ragini’s haunted past.

Rewind: Uday and Ragini’s dirty, horny weekend in an isolated house turned into a horrifying threesome - when a ghost interrupted their sexcapade. Uday disappeared and Ragini landed up in a mental asylum.

Now the sequel begins. Sleazy, over-zealous filmmaker Rocks (Parvin) is so ‘turned on’by the story that he wants to adopt it for celluloid.

He casts seductress Sunny Leone (played by Sunny Leone) in the lead because he’s impressed with her ‘body’ of work (perv!). He chooses the actual location of the ‘Ragini’

incident for the film and moves his crew into the haunted haveli. There, in between ‘knicks’ (undies) and ‘knocks’ (uh huh!), smooches, sizzling showers and dirty games - the ghost turns up.

Patel’s ‘Ragini MMS 2’, pitched as a ‘horrex’ (horror+sex) film, offers screams, sighs and moans (read: erotic!), delivering more sexual delights than horrifying drama. Picture this: Sunny fakes an orgasm (really now?), talks dirty talk in bed and liplocks with a woman (want more?).

Well, there’s humour too with telly actor Maddy’s (Karan) lusty longings and Monali’s (Sandhya) ‘verny’ angrezi which goes - ‘shits ya’ and ‘so worst ya’. The film provides the usual creepy cliches - creak-

ing windows, ghostly shadows and bedraggled bhoots. There are a few spooky moments, but fewer leap-outof-your-seat scenes.

Sunny looks deathly desirable and plays the sexed-up baby doll with abandon. While her ‘act’ is good, her ‘performance’ doesn’t really climax.

Yet, she gives us a ‘drool-worthy’ adult-horror film - one of its kind for Bollywood. Parvin and Karan are entertaining, Saahil is average, Divya (as a psychiatrist) stays trapped in an unconvincing role.

For horror-buffs this might not be ‘spookilicious’ enough, but those looking for a ‘sun-sunny’ weekend, go lap it up!

-Times Of India

Salman Khan to Play Double Role in ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ MUMBAI: Superstar Salman Khan will be seen in a double role in Sooraj Barjatya’s film ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.

The actor, who will be teaming with Sooraj Barjatya after almost 15 years, will be seen playing the characters of Prem and Vijay in the film.

In his earlier three films with Barjatya – ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’, ‘Hum SaathSaath Hain’ – Salman’s on-screen name was ‘Prem’.

“Salman will be playing double role in the film. We have had Dilip Kumar play double role in ‘Ram Aur Shyam’, Salman in ‘Judwa’, both the characters were positive. There will be difference between the two characters but none of them is negative,

both the roles are positive. He will be playing entertaining characters,” a source told PTI, without divulging any details.

The film will have Sonam Kapoor opposite Salman. The two are coming together again after ‘Saawariya’.

“Neil Nitin Mukesh will be playing Salman’s brother, Swara Bhaskar his sister and Deepak Dobriyal will be his friend. Sanjay Mishra and Anupam Kher too will be seen in the film in interesting roles,” the source said.

The film’s music will be composed

by Himesh Reshammiya. The shooting will start from June this year and the film is set for Diwali 2015 release.

-Indian Express

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STOCKS • FINANCE • SOUTH ASIAN MARKETS • TECHNOLOGY

Indian Pharma Sector Still Attractive for Foreign Investors

Multinational drug makers may complain that India is an inhospitable market to do business in but that hasn’t stopped FDI flood into the pharma industry. Photo: Bloomberg

BY C.H. UNNIKRISHNAN MUMBAI: Multinational drug makers may complain that India is an inhospitable market to do business in, but that hasn’t stopped a flood of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country’s pharma industry since the start of the century.

The pharma sector attracted Rs.55,986 crore in FDI in the 13 years through December 2013—half of it in the past three years, according to data compiled by the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP). This made the sector the fifth biggest recipient of FDI since 2000, behind financial services, construction, telecom and information technology.

UK drug maker GlaxoSmithKline

Plc’s (GSK) investment between February and March 2014 to raise its stake in its Indian unit from 50.7% to 75% will add another Rs.6,400 crore to FDI in the sector.

Foreign drug makers have alleged that India’s trade, investment and intellectual property policies are a deterrent to their business interests, prompting a probe by the US International Trade Commission (USITC) into India’s trade and investment practices.

The DIPP data is being used by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), a lobby group for Indian drug firms, to counter such claims. “Our submission before USITC was that the facts do not support this perception in general and in the pharmaceu-

tical sector in particular,” said Dilip G. Shah, secretary general of IPA. Citing large FDI deals that were struck after India introduced a new intellectual property law in 2005, Shah testified before USITC in the first week of March that “the obvious corollary is that these investments have been made because global pharmaceutical companies and others believe that the business environment in India is positive overall”.

Of particular concern to foreign drug makers has been India’s intellectual property rights regime that Linda Dempsey, vice-president of the US National Association of Manufacturers, has described as weak and unstable.

“As a result our manufacturing and other business activities, including fresh investments, have been negatively impacted in India,” she said.

Such concerns have been fuelled by developments such as a March 2012 decision by the Indian patent office to grant Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma Ltd a compulsory licence to manufacture and sell a generic version of Bayer AG’s patented cancer treatment Nexavar. Last year, Swiss drug maker Novartis AG’s sevenyear battle to win an Indian patent for its anti-cancer drug Glivec ended with the Supreme Court dismissing the company’s appeal.

IPA contends that global drug makers have continued to invest in India despite the concerns raised by them.

Important investments by foreign drug makers in India in recent times, apart from GSK’s share buy-back, include US-based Mylan Inc.’s $1.75 billion acquisition of Strides Arcolab Ltd’s formulation export business (2013) and French drug maker Sanofi SA’s nearly $100 million purchase of Universal Medicare Ltd (2011).

Mylan spent Rs.160 crore to acquire Unichem Laboratories Ltd’s formulation plant in Madhya Pradesh in 2013.

Abbott Laboratories of the US purchased Piramal Healthcare Ltd’s core formulations business for $3.8 billion in 2010. Sanofi invested $722 million for acquiring and upgrading Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics Ltd (2009-2012). Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd spent some $4.6 billion to buy a controlling stake in Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd (2008).

Mylan, according to the IPA testimony to USITC, has invested $3 billion in India in the last six years and operates some 14 facilities with about 12,000 people in the country.

Mylan president Rajiv Malik said in an earlier interview that his firm not only viewed India as a global manufacturing hub, but was also aggressively pursuing growth in the local market.

US drug makers Merck and Co. Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. who had exited India earlier re-en-

tered the market in 2005 with fresh investments. They have also made joint ventures and forged strategic alliances with local firms.

Section 3(d) of India’s patent law that denies patent protection for modified forms of already known drugs, unless they are proved to result in higher therapeutic benefits, has irked many foreign drug makers. Some restrictions on FDI in existing Indian pharmaceutical units and uncertainties in securing regulatory approvals for clinical trials have also been concerns.

“India, with its large population and high consumer potential is an attractive market,” said an industry adviser with a foreign consulting firm, who didn’t want to be identified. “But since it is a developing market and a large percentage of the population is still poor, the government would naturally be cautious while introducing policies which have an impact on the local economy.”

“Some of the provisions in the country’s patent law, and regulatory issues raised in the past on FDI in pharma and the indecision on clinical trial approvals, etc., have created concerns among the foreign business community and US companies in particular. I am not sure this has had any severe impact on the FDI flow to this country so far,” he added.

- Livemint.com

Indian Rupee Hits 8-month Closing High Due to Continued Foreign Inflows MUMBAI: The rupee ended on Monday at its highest closing level against the dollar in nearly eight months as continued foreign inflows sent shares to record highs, although further gains in the currency were capped by strong demand from oil firms.

Domestic shares jumped nearly 1.5 per cent on Monday to an all-time high, surpassing their previous record

hit just last week, as lenders including ICICI Bank extended a recent rally.

Foreign funds have bought shares worth $2.3 billion so far in March, taking total inflows in 2014 to $2.6 billion.

“Custodian banks were offering dollars but good bids came in from state-run banks, pulling the rupee off highs,” said Hari Chandramgethen, head of foreign exchange trading at

The rupee ended at its highest closing level against the dollar in nearly eight months.

South Indian Bank.

“There is good support for the dollar/rupee at 60.50-60 levels. I expect a range of 60.30 to 61.10 for the pair in the rest of the week.”

The partially convertible rupee closed at 60.77/78 per dollar compared with 60.8950/9050 on Friday, marking its strongest close against the dollar since August 1. The unit rose as high as 60.6450 intra-day, its

strongest since March 11.

Traders said gains in other Asian units also underpinned sentiment for the rupee after the yuan rebounded from its 13-month low.

In the offshore non-deliverable forwards, the one-month contract was at 61.13, while the three-month was at 61.81.

-Times Of India

127

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

28 March 28, 2014

SPORTS

The Yuvraj Conundrum

India Women’s WT20: Latika, Sravanthi Called

Yuvraj Singh is making his third comeback since recovering from cancer, but with the breakneck and pressure-filled T20 being the only format he has to make a case for a permanent place, he has looked woefully short of confidence

CHITTAGONG: South Africa 170 for 6 (Duminy 86*, Amla 41, Anderson 2-28, Southee 2-46) beat New Zealand 168 for 8 (Taylor 62, Williamson 51, Steyn 4-17) by 2 runs No team had successfully chased 170-plus against South Africa and Dale Steyn single-handedly ensured it stayed that way.

The pace spearhead led the defence of 29 off the last three overs and seven off the final one to keep South Africa in the hunt for a semifinal spot.

After Steyn conceded just five runs in his first two overs, the third and 14th of the innings, Faf du Plessis held him back for the final squeeze and it proved a master move. With 18 balls of New Zealand’s innings left, Steyn stepped up and exorcised the ghosts of Dhaka 2011 by putting the choke on new Zealand.

Corey Anderson scored six runs off the first two balls but could have been out off the second - a top-edge that Quinton de Kock got his fingers to. Anderson tried to hit the third delivery over long-on but did not have enough power behind it and found the fielder.

Steyn sniffed an opening and went back to his default ball for the next two. They were short, curled away and beat Ross Taylor as he fished outside the off stump. Taylor got bat on ball to end the over with a couple but New Zealand still needed 21 runs.

Dale Steyn’s figures of 4 for 17 were his best in World T20s. He has taken 26 wickets at 15.84 with an economy of 6.24 in the tournament.

Steyn bowled 16 dot balls in this match, equalling the secondhighest number of dots most he has bowled in a T20I. He bowled 18 against Zimbabwe in the 2012 World T20.

Charl Langeveldt’s 19 dot-balls against Afghanistan in the 2010 World T20 are the most by a South African.

JP Duminy’s unbeaten 86 is his second-highest score in T20Is and also the second-highest by a No. 5 batsman. Joe Root’s unbeaten 90 against Australia in 2013 is the highest.

BY ABHISHEK PUROHIT As Suresh Raina hit the winning run off Marlon Samuels, the Indian dug-out hugged and high-fived their successive win in the World T20.

There was celebratory joy, but there was also a hint of relief, for India had taken a simple chase to the final over. As MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli clasped hands, Yuvraj Singh walked out. He had just taken off his gear but still wore a part disenchanted, part blank look; his eyes distant, and in sharp contrast to the jubilation around him.

Yuvraj had walked in with 23 needed off 32, consumed 19 of those for his 10 runs and had fallen dabbing a turner straight to slip. One ball later Raina ended the match.

Against Pakistan, he missed a full delivery and was bowled second ball. In both matches, he put down what could have been costly misses - Chris Gayle and Mohammad Hafeez - but India created and converted more chances soon after. His solitary over in the tournament so far went for 13.

Cricket is a game that lends Yuvraj Singh’s search for form in itself easily to analysis, and continues. unfortunately, to over-analysis as well. India are only two And for all his deeds with the games into their campaign in a ball in the past, Yuvraj is and has format where often, any analysis always been a part-time bowler, can be over-analysis. It is read- and it was only one over anyway. ily possible to argue in Yuvraj’s It is the sum of all these infavour: Anyone can miss a full stances, though, that invites conand straight one early in his in- cern. This is already Yuvraj’s third nings, especially in the T20 for- comeback (of sorts) since recovermat which requires heavy hitting. ing from cancer. The first time he Yuvraj might only have wanted was rushed into the 2012 World some time in the middle, know- T20 having played very little coming that India had plenty of de- petitive cricket and seemed lackliveries left to put West Indies ing in match fitness. The second away, and aware that such an op- comeback also started in the shortportunity rarely comes in T20s. est format, with a much leaner YuAlready, many other players have vraj carving a match-winning, unspilled high catches in Mirpur, beaten 77 off 35 against Australia and there could be a larger rea- in Rajkot in October last year, beson for it. The height and posi- fore struggling in the one-dayers. tioning of the floodlights is being The third comeback is not strict talked about as a possible factor. in definition, for India didn’t

With bat, ball, on the field, even in the nets, Yuvraj has just not looked comfortable. The confidence does not seem to be there.

It shows in the way he has looked forlorn on the boundary after those drops instead of showing some anger or disappointment.

He knows, and the world knows, there is so much riding for him on this World T20. Maybe it is the pressure of that knowledge, that this is all he has left for now, at the international stage at least, that is shackling him down.

As any captain would, MS Dhoni backed his senior player after the West Indies match. “Yuvraj is the best player in T20s.

Right now he is not in that good a rhythm you can say. It is a bit tough, he has been dropped from ODIs and is coming back in T20s, there is a bit of pressure on the individual. You can say it is a short format and you can go in and express yourself, but when an individual comes into the team, there is some pressure on him.

“It takes one-two matches but we are only hoping if he gets a good flow, a good game, we all know the kind of match-winner he is and he can really turn the game every department of the game around on his own,” Dhoni said.

“I am glad he got a bit of time because it will only settle his nerves. played any T20s between the We all know how dangerous he Rajkot one and the World T20. can be once he gets going, he will In both the previous phases, Yu- give many more victories. If Yuvi vraj has lost his place in one format comes back, if he bats really well, each. He hasn’t played a Test since he is a good asset to have a No 4.”

December 2012, and an ODI since India can arguably afford to give December 2013, missing the tour Yuvraj one more match in the tourof New Zealand and the Asia Cup. nament. It should ideally help that The confidence does not seem their next one is against Bangladesh to be there. It shows in the way he and not Australia. They will be rehas looked forlorn on the boundary lieved if Yuvraj comes good in that. after those drops instead of show- If not, they will be in a quandary ing some anger or disappointment. against Australia. They look good At the moment, T20 is the only to make the semi-final, and would format he has to make his case and not want to go in with a short-onit can be misleading for watchers to confidence Yuvraj or a short-ontake cues from. It can also be ruth- match-practice Ajinkya Rahane. less on the player, with everything Abhishek Purohit is a sub-editor happening so fast, leaving little time at ESPNcricinfo to gather your thoughts. Even more so, considering it is a world event.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

March 28, 2014

29

Notice of Public Hearing Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO)

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) will hold a public hearing on Friday, April 4, 2014, at 12 noon to receive public comment about proposed June 2014 service changes. The proposed service changes include: Implementation of new midday service on the 402 and schedule changes to the 25, 32, 46, 82, 85, 170, 214, 216, 217, 219, 221, 246 and 298 bus routes.

The public hearing will be held in the METRO Board Room on the 2nd floor at 1900 Main Street in Houston, TX (served by METRO routes 3, 9, 11, 30, 44, 52, 56, 60, 66, 77, 78, 88, 102, 108, 249 and METRORail). The meeting will also be streamed live on RideMETRO.org.

Copies of proposed timetables will be available Monday, March 24, 2014, for public review at the following locations: • Online - RideMETRO.org • METRO Administration Building - 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 from 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays, and at our two METRO Outreach Offices located at: – Las Palmas Shopping Center at 6215 Harrisburg (served by route 50) – Palm Center at 5330 Griggs, Suite A104 (served by routes 5, 77)

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HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES For individuals with disabilities, assistive services or copies of public documents in an alternate format can be provided. Please call (713) 750-4271 or (713) 6356993 (for persons with a hearing impairment) a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the public hearing.

LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION Any person who requires language interpretation or special communication accommodations is encouraged to contact METRO Community Outreach at 713-739-4018, or via email at tm10@ridemetro.org. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

1. This Public Hearing conforms to requirements described in the Federal Transit Administration’s Circular 9030.1D, published May 1, 2010, page IV-13.

2. METRO does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or in treatment or employment in, its services, programs, and activities.

3. METRO is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

CALL: 713-789-6397

HOW TO COMMENT ABOUT THE SERVICE CHANGE • Attend the public hearing on April 4, 2014 • Write us at METRO, ATTN: June 2014 Service Change, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 • Fax comments with a subject line referencing “June 2014 Service Change” to (713) 652-7956 • Call METRO’s Customer Care Line at (713) 635-4000 • Submit comments at METRO’s website - RideMETRO.org

Comments should be received by METRO no later than the date and time of the Public Hearing.

First Ever

24 Hour

Telugu Radio in Houston

Online at www.radiohungama.net & Every Sunday 12 PM to 3 PM CST On

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281-217-9736

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Award Winning Customer Service & Best Rates in Town Proudly Serving For Best Rates to: India, Europe, Cruises & Vacation Packages South Asian Community Toll Free: 1-866-956-0758 - Tel:713-339-2222 for Past 3939 Hillcroft Ave, Suite# 110, Houston, TX 77057 30 Years

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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

March 28, 2014

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PUNJABI SOCIETY OF HOUSTON PRESENTS PRESENTS

VaiSakHi 2014 SARBJIT SINGH

FREQUENCY Car and Audio

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are coming from all over USA Contact:

Enjoy the evening with Gidha, Punjabi Folk Dances, Fashion show for all three generations and much much MORE....

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Jasmeeta Singh (713) 858-8229 Akash Singh (832) 259-8879 Manveer Singh

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To Sponsor:

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Surjit Singh/Sandeep Singh • • Gurminder Singh Padda & Rai Family COLLISION Lalit Jalan • Bombay Sweets, Mukhtar Singh • PLUS I I

Gurvinder Singh, NEW YORK LIFE • Dr. Dhesi • Harjit Galhotra Galson Auto • Aman Sidhu • Dr. Ranjit Singh Grewal HigHness ColleCtion Fatima Mohammad • A-1 Travel • Pritam Singh Toor • Balbir Singh Winnrs Pizza • Dr. Balbir Singh Chahal

April 19th @ 7:30 PM

154 CULLEN PERFORMANCE HALL • UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, TX 77204 T E E R OTEL P ngat

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