E newspaper06202014

Friday, June 20 2014 | Vol. 33, No. 25

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Indo American erican News

Interview with Saif Ali Khan

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June 20, 2014

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June 20, 2014 COMMUNITY IACAN Seminar: Cancer of the Cervix

From left: Dr. Sanjay Sethi, Dr. Terri Pustilnik, Dr. Sewa S. Legha (Vice President of IACAN), and Dr. Rachna Bhala. Photos: Bijay Dixit

BY RADHA DIXIT HOUSTON: On Sunday June 15, the Indian American Cancer Network held a very informative educational outreach event entitled “CANCER OF THE CERVIX: A common disease in South Asian women”. The event, free to the public, was held at India House from 3 to 5 pm on Father’s Day weekend. Kanchan Kabad, president of IACAN began the session by laying out the objectives of the organization which included education, cancer survivor activities, assistance with patient navigation, and spirituality projects in hospitals. Dr. Sewa S. Legha, medical oncologist and vice president of IACAN introduced the panel of medical specialists.

The first speaker was Dr. Sanjay Sethi, medical oncologist from Texas Oncology. Dr. Sethi explained the epidemiology of cancer of the cervix. According to Dr. Sethi, cancer of the cervix is the tenth most common cancer in the United States, the incidence being almost 12,000 new cases per year in this country. However, in developing nations such as India, it is the second most common type of cancer. There are ten times more cases reported from India, almost

120,000 new cases per year Dr. Rachna Bhala, Sugar Landbased gynecologist, explained the screening and preventative measures regarding cancer of the cervix. Screening methods include the pap smear, a test which collects cells from the surface of the cervix and detects abnormalities. These abnormal cells can be treated before they become cancerous. It is recommended that women begin having regular pap smears three years after onset of sexual intercourse. Besides the Pap test, which is recommended to be done once every year in younger women (less often in later years), there is a new DNA test for the Human Papilloma Virus which is more sensitive and detects presence or absence of HPV infection. The high risk HPV types are Type 16 and 18 (together they cause over 70% of cervical cancers). Two different types of vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) are now available as preventative measures for both boys and girls.

There is a set of 3 injections to be given over 6 months to fully immunize a person. The vaccine is less effective if used after the onset of sexual activity. Dr. Bhala encouraged parents to ask their pediatrician about the HPV vaccine

IACAN President, Kanchan Kabad

which is now advised to be used universally during the adolescent years. The vaccine is safe and has no serious side effects.

Dr. Terri Pustilnik, gynecologiconcologist from Texas Oncology, discussed diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Pustilnik emphasized that cervical cancer is the leading cancer in South Asian women and the second most common cancer

worldwide. She mentioned that annual well women exams are important when it comes to early detection because oftentimes there are no symptoms of cervical cancer. In other cases, abnormal bleeding, leg or pelvic pain, and weight loss may be symptoms for an underlying condition. Dr. Pustilnik explained the different stages of cervical can-

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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cer and the level of treatment required for each one, ranging from surgery to a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. The audience was able to see a video example of a Davinci Robotic surgery, an illustration of the technology available to patients today. Cervical cancer when detected early, is highly curable (70-85%) in Stage 1 and 2. Late diagnosis (Stages 3 and 4) have low cure rates (<30%) and cause immense misery and pain. All women should be aware that this is a preventable cancer in most cases. Others can be cured when diagnosed early and treated with simple treatments like a short course of Radiotherapy which is highly effective for Stages 1 and 2. Chemotherapy is required to adequately treat Stages 3 or 4.

The panel concluded their educational program with a question and answer session. A vote of thanks was given by VK Dorai, treasurer of IACAN, and refreshments were served after the event. IACAN continues to hold informative educational outreach events free to the public in their ongoing mission to cope, care, and connect with community members and survivors.

For further information on IACAN, contact iacannetwork@ gmail.com or call 713-370-3489.

Or visit the official website at www.iacannetwork.org.

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June 20, 2014

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COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

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Unique Tools for Purposeful, Happy, Harmonious and Rich Inner Living

From left: Holistic Inner Science practitioners Dr. Shailesh Mehta, Deepakanandji Mistry, and Dr. Saroj Bahl.

HOUSTON: A third seminar on ‘Holistic Science and Integral Living’:- Unique Tools for Purposeful, Happy, Harmonious and Rich Inner Living, was organized by the South Central Chapter of ‘Holistic Science Charitable Research Foundation’ on Sunday, June 15, which was very well attended by a cross section of many different professions. Experienced, selfrealized, Holistic Inner Science practitioners Dr. Shailesh Mehta and Deepakanandji Mistry along with Dr. Saroj Bahl, associate professor at the University of Texas, were the speakers.

Seminar included sessions like ‘Introduction of Holistic Inner Science, self-evaluation ques-

tioner, Holistic Inner Science and Integral Living, Sharing of experiences through application of Holistic Science tools for purposeful, happy and harmonious life, Discovering the world within for a rich inner living, Happiness- a choice lifestyle or our destiny?’

Practical Sessions on meditation and Application of Holistic Science Tools were also conducted.

Salient features and message of the seminar are discussed below.

Different aspects of happiness, quotes by famous people and happiness from Holistic Inner Science were presented including effect of intake of food were discussed for happiness.

Some basic questions were posed

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and answered like, ‘Am I having a balanced, holistic living or happy, harmonious, rich, meaningful inner living? Am I clear about purpose of my life? What keeps me bugging? Do I have mental baggage?

How can I resolve or manage my inner self in various situations- like clashes, dis-adjustments, some untoward or sad event, and illness?

Am I living mechanically in a rut or with correct understanding and awareness?

Holistic Inner science is the science of our own life and living, science of ‘I’ with mind, body, speech and surroundings with natural regulatory system, ‘Relative’ and ‘Real self’, Purush and Prakruti or Pure conscious and matter. It provides understanding of Fate-Free will, Charge- Discharge of Karmic bonds, and Cause – Effect. It throws light on everything from ‘art and Science of daily living to absolute pure knowledge-the ultimate’. Relative inner self having mind, reflective conscious, intellect and ego, role of belief, Opin-

Deepakanandji Mistry

ions, Understanding – correct/ incorrect, Mindfulness and Awareness all were discussed.

Normally, our inner self consisting of mind, reflective consciousness, intellect, and ego, drives the outer self, which is influenced by our opinions, beliefs or vision. Our inner weakness of anger, greed, and pride also plays a vital role. If our goals and aims are positive, outcome would be good.

Upon having correct understanding and awareness, one would have awakened living. One who has known “Who Am I” would progress from awareness to exactness. To conceive an idea of ultimate or permanent happiness is ‘to be’ who we are. Today, under the potent influence of self-ignorance, one believes ‘Name’ as ‘I

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am’. It is called egoism. And with this ‘wrong belief’, also called as the biggest blunder of our life, one starts believing that everything that belongs to the ‘Name’ is ‘mine’. One starts experiencing lasting happiness because unhappiness never seems to bothersome once self-realized.

The seminar had free interactions between speakers and attendees. Life issue questions were answered in detail and to the satisfaction of all. Unique tools for purposeful, happy, harmonious & rich inner living were discussed.

Practical experiments were conducted to get rid of problems bothering individuals with unique type of meditation. The seminar was lively and successful. For futher details visit www.hscrf.org

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COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

Airline Ticket Scam Leaves Travelers Stranded and Furious

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: The old adage “If its too good to be true, it probably is” came back to haunt many travelers from the Houston area as they bought airline tickets from an outof-town travel agency which had advertised in this and another community newspaper

over several months.

According to reports received from two people who had bought their tickets from Patel Travel Inc. over the 718/ 877 numbers it had listed in their ad, the booking turned up to be non-existent, once the travelers had reached the airport to board their flights.

The travelers identities are being kept confidential as federal authorities are currently investigating the situation, but it was reported that between them, and the others they referred, over $20,000 of tickets were purchased from Sunny Chowdhury of Patel Travel Inc., only to learn later that these were all worthless.

According to one traveler, he paid for the tickets weeks in advance, and when he tried to get his boarding pass at Bush Intercontinental Airport, he was told that the tickets were denied as they were paid for with a worthless credit card. With the prospect of the family’s vacation plans ruined and in panic, when the man repeatedly tried to call Chowdhury and Patel Travel, he could not get through to the 718/ 877 numbers nor did he receive any replies to text messages or emails.

Patel Travel Inc. has advertised in IndoAmerican News for a few months and these are the first reports that the paper has received about travelers having being duped out of their money by the company.

A cursory log in at press time found that the company maintains a professional looking and enticing website home page

but all the other pages elicited an error message that “The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.”

Indo-American News does not routinely perform a background check on its advertisers nor does it guarantee or take responsibility for the advertisers’ goods or services. There have been few, rare cases of unscrupulous advertisers in the paper’s history, and those have mostly been in the travel business. IndoAmerican News has stopped running the Patel Travel Inc. ad and will cooperate with any ongoing investigations into this case .

Few reports of such unscrupulous behavior have been filed against local travel agents who advertise regularly and are well connected within the community, although, in the past three decades that this paper has served the community, there have been some who have pulled the same scam. While it is hard to accept that such criminal activity preys on the Indo American community. The best advise to avoid becoming a victim is to check out the travel agent thoroughly and better still, deal with one who has been referred and is local.

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COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

Graduation Ceremony at Chinmaya Mission Houston

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BY SHALINI KONDE HOUSTON: June 8, a beautiful morning of joy, hope and goodwill, heralded the 2014 graduation day of Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar. The 27 children from class of 2014 congregated early in Smrti Hall with their families and friends and the day began with photo sessions for the graduating class arrayed in bright colors.

The graduation ceremony commenced in an auspicious manner in Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya with the priest Sri Ganeshji conducting a puja for the well-being of the youngsters ready to make the big transition in their lives from High school to diverse paths of higher education. As the children led by the Acharyas, returned from the temple, the Smrti Hall echoed with the beautiful melody of “Bhumi Mangalam” sung

by Smt. Jamuna Murali and Sri Chirantan Vaidya. This song is an invocation for peace in earth, water, fire, and air, the sun, moon, and planet, in all living beings, in body, mind and heart. The assembled gathering prayed for harmony and peace in everyone and everywhere. The Chinmaya Orchestra continued the beautiful strains with Guru bhajanas.

On entering the Chinmaya Smrti foyer, the students placed flowers at the lotus feet of Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda, before entering the Smrti Hall. Many parents in the assembled audience watched mistyeyed as the students took their place in the Hall and the Pujya Acharyas were seated.

This was the big day to honor the culmination of hard work and dedication that point to bright future prospects. But above all, for the Bala Vihar class of 2014, this was a day of deep gratitude and recognition of the strong spiritual education received in Bala Vihar. For over 13 years this was made possible with the blessings of Pujya Gurudev, the love and guidance of Acharyas at the

Mission and the commitment of Bala Vihar teachers.

In the words of Pujya Gurudev – “Success or achievement is not the final goal. It is the ‘spirit’ in which you act that puts the seal of beauty upon your life.” To encourage the children with words of wisdom from the ancient vedic scriptures, Pujya Acharya Sri Gaurang Nanavaty gave a befitting discourse based on Taittiriya Upanisad wherein the preceptor gives clear instructions to the aspirants on character building and imparts to them rules of right conduct and right living.

The students were then treated to a message from a Chinmaya Bala Vihar alumnus Tarak Makecha. His words of encouragement and advice were well received by parents and students alike.

Following this, the Acharyas of the Mission ascended the stage for the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The next section of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of the graduates. Siblings of graduating class did the honors of introducing the class of 2014 and each graduate offered a lamp to Pujya Gurudev and received an award of recognition from the Acharyas Smt Darshana Nanavaty and Sri Gaurang Nanavaty.

Signifying the completion of Bala Vihar education and as a mark of their deep gratitude for spiritual education received, the students offered Guru Daksina to the Acharyas. As the students lined up in their array of resplendent traditional clothing in front of the audience, the beautiful ceremony drew to a close in Smrti Hall with the resonance of ‘Abhinandanam’ – hearty congratulations to the aspirants.

For further information on Chinmaya Mission Houston and its activities visit www.chinmayahouston.org or call Jay Deshmukh at 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria at 281-933-0233

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COMMUNITY

Austin and works with Flour in Sugar Land.

Priya Thakker, 24, is finishing her degree in Mass Communications with emphasis on Public Relations and Advertising at the University of Houston, Main Campus.

She also works as a Makeup Artist for MAC Cosmetics in the Galleria. Priya is the daughter of Kirit Thakker who works in Shiv Om Consultants, a tax consultancy firm specializing in the oil and gas industry and started by his brother J.C. Thakker, a well-known person in the Indian community in Houston. Her mother Varsha works at a bank and Priya’s sister Priyanka is in her second year at the University of North Texas where she is studying biology. Kirit and Varsha moved to Houston from Baroda

around 1988.

Priya and Gautam were married on June 7, 2014 at the Signature Manor on the westside of Houston with many friends and family.

“Our family is small,” said Neeta of the Sanes’ sole child Gautam, “but the Thakkers have been here for more than 25 years and have about 70 family members here.”

The grah shanti and mehndi ceremonies were held at the bride’s parent’s house in Spring, Texas the day before.

The newlyweds will leave for a European cruise honeymoon in a couple of weeks and then make their home in Richmond, about 12 miles southwest of Houston, where they have already bought a house.

The bride Priya Thakker and the groom Gautam Sane with the groom’s parents Neeta and Deepak Sane.

Photo: Jason Henry

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: They met at a friend’s Christmas party in December 2012 and Gautam took the chance of asking her out through Facebook. Much to his delight, Priya accepted and that was the start of a yearlong courtship until he popped the question to her during a vacation with other friends last summer in Las Vegas. She said yes and the preparations for the wedding started for both families, which are based in the Houston area.

Gautam, 25, is the son of a wellknown Houstonian, Neeta Sane

who is a Trustee of the Houston Community College System and after she won re-election this year has become Chair of the Board of Trustees. Since 1999, she has run her own company – Positronics Systems, an IT and Management Consulting firm – and just started another one, Sane Partners, last year. Gautam’s father Deepak is an IT Group Manager at Mphasis Corporation. The Sanes hail from Bombay and came to Houston in 1994 but Gautam was born in Australia. Gautam received his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas-

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Beware of These Three Widespread Fraudulent Phone Scams

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: It is not uncommon to receive marketing phone calls on your home phone during the day, but of late there have been a rash of phonecalls that try to scam people by instilling a fear of losing possessions, reprisals or a deal thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just too good to be true.

Since phones are an extension of our personal space, scammers prey on the human psyche to get to what they want the most: your money.

No doubt you have heard of the call from someone claiming to be your brother or sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend and asking that you wire transfer some money to help them get out of jail.

Or the call from a person claiming to be your business acquaintance or friend who is stuck in a foreign country as his passport and other valuables have been stolen and he needs some cash to get him back home.

These criminals are experts in psychological manipulation and once they have you on the line, find all sorts of catchy phrases to keep you talking to them on the phone. These days there are three very common fraudulent calls making the rounds, according to Office Muzzafar Siddiqi, Senior Police Officer with the Houston Police Department, who advises people not to stay on the phone with these callers and not to try to call them back on the numbers they may leave on their answering machines.

To reassure the public not to fall for the most common phony calls that are making the rounds these days, Officer Siddiqi, who is a veteran of HPD and a well-known person in the community, provided the typical dialogue and style of each call. It came as no surprise to me as a reporter, that I have received call number 1 or a slight

variation at least six times in the past two months, but since I monitor my calls, they left me messages on my answering machine.

Call #1: The IRS Pay Demand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am calling from IRS my ID number is (he will give you a fake ID number) my phone number is (It will be a working number but not the IRS or maybe when you call back you will hear a recoding saying you have reached the US Department of Treasury - Internal Revenue Services - still this is a fake number). You have unpaid taxes for (he will tell the year or several years) years. A warrant has been issued and a police team from the Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office in on their way to arrest you. This is your last chance to clear you dues. You must pay now and protest later if you do not owe these taxes to avoid your arrest. I can accept your payment online and will inform Sheriff Department that you have paid the dues.â&#x20AC;? Siddiqi says the caller will use all possible threatening words to make your panic but DO NOT GET PANIC AS THIS IS A FAKE CALL.

OfďŹ cer Muzaffar Siddiqi

Call #2: The Dish Network Super Deal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am calling from Dish Network. You are one of our valued customer and we thank you being with dish network since several years. Dish network wants offer you a special promotional package. To get this benefit you will have to register today pay today and for six months or one year you will not get any bill. You keep watching your channels free for six months or one year. If you are interested, I need some information. (Caller will take all your information, he will be very nice, he will ask a couple of personal questions, like which State you are in, how long have you been in the US, and may even start talking to you in your mother tongue). During the discussion he get your credit card information.â&#x20AC;? Siddiqi says THIS IS AGAIN A FAKE CALL. DO NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION

Call #3: The Virus Call from Microsoft. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am calling for Microsoft. Your computer has been diagnosed with a special virus and you may lose all you data because of it. We are informing you so that you may have this virus removed. If you are next to the computer, I can help you to remove this virus if you follow the directions the caller will give.

If you do, he will access all the information in your computer and this may result in a financial loss to you and you may also lose all your data.â&#x20AC;? Siddiqi says, once again THIS IS A FAKE CALL. So the best advice that Siddiqi can give to all who receive these calls or any variant that seeks to get something from you through manipulation is to beware and not be gullible and trusting when a stranger comes a calling for it may cost you a money and peace of mind later.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS â&#x20AC;˘ FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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COMMUNITY

An Evening with Professor Anil Kumar

Distinguished Faculty, Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning inwards and it will lead to Self-Realization!

The technique to achieve this higher state is by transitioning from concentration to true meditation; Meditation is the state of thoughtlessness and formlessness, which is opposite to the “market state of mind”, where the thoughts are dominated by vari-

understood word. True surrender is achieved when we give up the ‘I’-ness. Just like water and sugar are two different entities before being mixed together; and once mixed, sugar dissolves and disappears. In the same way, when the idea of the lower “Self” (the ego) is gone, then the Supreme State is achieved;

ous worldly forces The profoundly inspirational speech was followed by a very lively and informal Q&A session. Among the questions asked was, “How do we strive to achieve more in material life and at the same time be content?” Prof. Anil Kumar responded by asking, “What is Success? Is it earning dollars and becoming a CEO?” He explained that “Success is not a materialistic financial transaction. If you are peaceful during most of the troubles, then you are successful! If you don’t yield to temptations, then you are successful.” Upon being asked “What is surrender to God and how can we achieve it?” He replied, “Surrender is the most mis-

that is True Surrender.”

After the Q&A session the President of the Sathya Sai Center of South Houston thanked Prof. Anil Kumar for the enlightening discourse. He shared the sentiment of members of the audience that the two hours interaction had left them wanting for more. He requested him to revisit Houston for another such profound discourse. The program concluded with an interaction and dinner.

Professor Anil Kumar

HOUSTON: The Sathya Sai Centers of Greater Houston, from Sathya Sai Region 10 organized a special talk by Professor Anil Kumar, an ardent devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, and an author of over 30 books on May 31 at India House. Prof. Anil Kumar has been very closely associated with the Sathya Sai Organization for over 40 years.

He served at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning as the Principal of the Brindavan Campus in Bengaluru. Until recently he served as a distinguished faculty in the Department of Biosciences at the Prashanthi Nilayam Campus. He is best known for being Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s voice in the English language for the last 23 years. Over 300 people attended the two hour talk at India House, which was followed by a question and answer session.

The program opened with an introduction of Prof. Anil Kumar by Sanjay Gupta,

the President of the Sathya Sai Center of North Houston. He told the audience that Prof. Anil Kumar enjoyed the relationship of a Sakha- a Close Friend with Sathya Sai Baba. Prof. Anil Kumar is highly loved and respected by his students all over the world, since through his care, in an atmosphere of loving discipline, he put them at ease and made them feel at home.

Prof. Anil Kumar took the audience on an unforgettable two hour spiritual journey. He asked them to live a content life and remain happy even in the most adverse circumstances – an essential principle of spiritual equanimity taught by Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

In very simple terms Prof. Anil Kumar explained that that the ultimate goal of human life is ‘Self Realization’ and he outlined how to achieve it. He said that we have turned our mirror (our mind) towards the worldly distractions. We need to turn it

For further information about the Sathya Sai Centers of Houston, visit www.sairegion10.org

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COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

HSS Organizes Annual Hindu Sangathan Divas (Unity Day) Conference

Keynote address delivered by Vijay Simha.

BY SANCHALI BASU HOUSTON: The Houston chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) held its ninth annual Hindu Sangathan Divas conference on Saturday, June 14, at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land. Representatives of over 40 Hindu organizations from the Houston area attended the conference.

Hindu Sangathan Divas offered representatives of Houston area Hindu organizations

the challenges facing it. Attendees agreed that well formulated action plans, focusing on more cohesive, smaller groups and appropriate execution would be the key to reaching out to more people.

The second group concurred that one should put service above self and more community involvement with sewa related activities could increase awareness. Also, if different organizations collaborated and coordinated sewa related activities, it would have a greater impact. They also discussed sewa activities to address the needs and challenges of Hindu senior citizens, the Hindu Bhutanese refugee community, and Hindu families as well as how to engage and motivate volunteers.

The third group comprising mainly of young individuals considered several issues including the need for second-generation leadership and the challenges that they are facing. As a threshold matter, second-generation Hindus have to self-identify as Hindu.

For second-generation Hindus to serve a leaders in Hindu organizations, the present leaders must engage and mentor them. Organizations should also consider sponsoring different programming tailored for different age groups to keep second-generation Hindu involved.

Following the breakout sessions, attendees heard the keynote address delivered by Vijay Simha, National Assistant Executive Director for HSS. Simha emphasized that Hindu organizations should seek to promote the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – viewing the world as one family – by com-

Photos: Shrinivas

the opportunity to network with each other with the goal of synergizing the work of different Hindu organizations. Because these organizations serve the Hindu and mainstream community with a common purpose, they could exchange ideas, share material and resources, and learn from each other’s experiences and mistakes, while at the same time maintaining their autonomy.

After an introduction session, representatives attended one of three parallel breakout sessions, covering “Increasing American Hindu Identity and Awareness,” “Synergizing Sewa Activities in Houston Hindu Organizations,” and “Creating Second Generation Hindu Youth Leadership.” Each breakout session included a presentation from an experienced panel followed by discussion.

The first group developed the general consensus that organizing the Hindu Sangathan Divas conference itself took a large, positive step toward bringing the Houston area Hindu community together. The panelists raised the need for a Hindu-American identity and

ing together with shraddha and vishwas. He notes that if conference attendees maintain a healthy dialogue among Hindu organizations, without ego and self-interest, they will serve the interests of not only the larger Hindu community but also the rest of the world – “Hindu jage to Vishwa jagega.”

The hall was filled to capacity with very excited, enthusiastic members from all participating organizations, youth volunteers, priests of the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, and all left fulfilled with big smiles on their faces enjoying the day’s activities. The conference provided an excellent platform for the organizations to network, get to know and learn from each other.

HSS conducts a structured values education program through its 150 chapters nationwide to develop strong character and teamwork and leadership skills and to organize a dynamic and flourishing HinduAmerican community.

For further information, visit www.hssus. org.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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14 June 20, 2014

COMMUNITY

Triggers Colts Cricket League in Houston

Tournament, the club intends to build on this enthusiastic beginning with exciting plans for consolidation and expansion. Their vision is to identify and groom talented youngsters toward more competitive forms of the game including National Level participation, while simultaneously introducing the game to children at the entry level. Formal training will be available for all children by dedicated coaches, and advanced training will be include coaches with international experience such as Rajeshwari Antani (former player of the Indian Women’s International Cricket team) and Sushil Nadkarni (Current player in the US International Cricket team).

TCCL intends to work in collaboration with the children’s parents who will coordinate these efforts and be actively involved in their children’s progress. The TCCL will also have a dedicated website to keep everyone informed, motivated and connected. The exciting Wild Cats

HOUSTON: With its ever increasing global fan base, playing and enjoying cricket is enjoyed by many, but the game is seemingly out of reach for many of its en-

thusiastic little fans – children in America! While many children in cricket playing nations are able to learn and play the game easily, such opportunities are very limited for

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youngsters in America. To address this huge unmet need in Houston, the Triggers Cricket Club (TCC) a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization has initiated plans to develop a Triggers Colts Cricket League (TCCL) in Houston, aimed at giving young children an opportunity to formally learn and play Cricket in a fun-loving environment of camaraderie, respect and sportsmanship. To achieve this goal, the TCC has organized the inaugural 8-12 age group TCC Colts Summer Tournament held over 10 weeks from May to July, 2014.

The TCCL had planned active weekly training sessions where dedicated coaches would teach participating children the art of batting, bowling and fielding to prepare them quickly to participate in competitive matches. There was an overwhelming response to the invitation to join the TCCL, with 70 children coming forward

to learn the game, and leading to the formation of five teams named the Cubs, WildCats, Knight Riders (Katy), Super Kings (Katy) and New Territory (Sugarland).

The children participate in weekly practice sessions which also include mock games together with their team-mates. In this ongoing tournament, it has been exciting to see youngsters quickly grasp all aspects of the game and develop a strong team spirit, tremendous enthusiasm, and a driving desire to win. The Grand Finale to crown the TCC Colts Summer Champions of 2014 of this inaugural season concludes on July 19, at Matzke Park and is intended to be a not-to-be-missed spectacle celebrating the arrival of a TCC Colts Cricket League in Houston over an evening of fun conducted in the format of a huge family picnic.

While these finals signal an end to TCCL’s inaugural Summer

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

news is that TCCL is now planning to continue this momentum with a Winter 2014 TCCL Tournament to be hosted September – November with 5 teams, and expand to two tournaments in 2015 with 8 participating teams playing in 4 grounds. An effort of this magnitude requires support, and Nanda Kumar (President TCC) and Surya Saladi (Program Director, TCCL) thank Wells Fargo and KPIT for their generous support for the inaugural TCCL tournament, and invite additional sponsors to come forward and support children’s cricket in Houston.

Junior Cricket has arrived in Houston - let the games begin!

For further details visit www.facebook.com/TCCcolts or http://www.triggerscricket. com/colts/

COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

15

A Summertime Musical Magnificence Evening at Upma’s

From left: Organizers Mukulesh and Upma Shah, Nadeem Asharafi from heartbeat group, Singer Dr. Veena Watve and her son Rohil and Nitish Kulkarni.

BY HEMANT GAJARAWALA SUGAR LAND: Although it was Father’s Day on Sunday, June 15, almost sixty people gathered at 3:30 in the afternoon at the home of Mukulesh and Upma Shah for a special musical treat. The program was “Ek Sham, Asha ke Nam”, a glowing tribute to the playback legend Asha Bhosle who has rocked Bollywood for over 45 years with bhajans, pop songs, night club music, mujara and other teasers.

The beautiful voice of Asha was rendered by a dedicated singer, Dr. Veena Watve who could have made a career singing the over 11,000 songs of Asha Bhosle. Instead, she has dedicated her career to becoming an Endocrinologist practicing in the North Cypress part of Houston! How she balances her professional career with

Job Posting:

her passion for music and excels so well is a mystery. She is a rare combination of grace, beauty and intelligence.

She was accompanied by Nadeem Asharafi, the pride of Houston’s Heartbeat Group on keyboard, and one of the youngest and accomplished tabla player, Nitish Kulkarni. All the three had one thing in common – they all started learning music at a ripe young age of five!

Viju Bhadkamkar, who has known the Mangeshkar family for decades, and who has personally known Asha Bhosle for decades, was the emcee. She sprinkled the program with many tidbits that most people in audience did not know. It contributed to the success of the evening. And last but not least, Meenaben Kapasi sang and recited the Jain Sutras, including

Navkar Mahamantra and Shantipath.

Upma Shah’s strict guidelines about the conduct of the audience during the program encouraged a sense of discipline but she emotionally melted away when she introduced her sister, Kumkum and her husband Prakash Doshi who were visiting the Shahs from Mumbai.

The evening ended with an excellent dinner and other socializing. One of the silent heroes was Mukulesh, who worked very hard to take care of all the guests in the VIPs although he could have relaxed on Father’s Day. Once again, the undying passion of Upma and Mukulesh Shah in helping promote local talent and turn this Father’s Day evening into a memorable experience.

News Photographer/Multi Media Journalist

KTRK-TV, the ABC O&O located in Houston, TX, has an opening for a News Photographer/Multi Media Journalist. Candidates must have 3 to 5 years of television photography; with a college degree in journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additionally, must demonstrate experience in shooting, writing, non-linear editing, experience supporting web and mobile platforms as well as have the ability to work under pressure in a fast paced and deadline driven environment including on-air and online. Must be web savvy and can be used as a news gathering asset when called upon by management. Applicant must be proficient in working alone or with a crew and meeting multiple deadlines.

The ideal candidate must be able to operate a microwave live truck and must be able to lift and carry 30 lbs. of equipment. Must have a valid driver’s license and be flexible to any working shift assigned.

All interested applicants must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file, cover letter and list of references. Interested applicants should also send samples of your news related work to: Human Resources, KTRK-TV, 3310 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77005. Please Reference Job ID: 192407BR on all materials submitted.

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SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

KTRK-TV, an ABC-TV Owned Television Station located in Houston, Texas is seeking to fill a Sales Account Executive position. Candidate must be able to develop new business and increase station revenue/share on existing accounts. The ability to successfully sell advertising on KTRK, ABC13.com, WATCH and other mobile platforms is paramount. Candidate must be a self-motivated team player with the ability to grow their business. Applicant must have a thorough knowledge of the daily television business including Traffic, Promotion, News and Marketing. A proven track record and prior broadcasting sales experience is required.

Candidates must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file.

Reference Job ID: 193534BR No Telephone Calls

KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

16 June 20, 2014

COMMUNITY

ASIE Annual Picnic with Family and Friends

Attendees enjoying the food catered from BAPS Shayona restaurant and Mayuri Indian Restaurant

lighted event to watch.

ASIE President, Sekhar Ambadapudi thanked all the picnic attendees and informed about the HOUSTON: American Society of Indian Engineers (ASIE) hosted Annual Picnic on June 14, at the George Bush park, Pavilion 1 in Houston with a record setting attendance of 100 members and their families.

Picnic has become the signature fun outing event for the group and their families and has become our way of bringing in the Summer festivities. ASIE had food catered from BAPS Shayona restaurant and Mayuri Indian Restaurant.

ASIE Board members Mahendra Korivi and Rajesh Tolikonda took initiative and organized a Barbe-

cue grill and it was appreciated by all members and their families.

Delicious food was organized by Harshad Patel and his team which included appetizers and desserts.

Ramesh Gunda organized ‘Piniata’ for kids and it turned out to be a hit. Bingo game was moderated by Raj Basavaraju and Divya helped him spinning the wheel and all members enjoyed this game which was organized under the shade. Two rounds of Bingo game was organized and gift cards and chocolates were given to Bingo winners. ASIE members also participated in cricket and it was a de-

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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

upcoming events, an Oil and Gas Seminar in July, ASIE 20TH Year GALA in September, Annual Diwali Event in October and so on.

COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

Xoom’s Technology Expands its Instant Deposit Network to One of the Largest Banks in India

SAN FRANCISCO: This breakthrough service allows Xoom customers to instantly deposit money directly into their recipients’ Punjab National Bank accounts in India in less than a minute. Instant deposit is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, except during a maintenance window from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. IST on Sundays.

“Xoom is tirelessly working towards providing a fast service for our customers and we are thrilled to announce this expansion of our instant deposit bank network in India,” said Julian King, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development for Xoom. “This is great news for people who send money to Punjab National Bank accounts, who otherwise typically have to wait five days or more to access their funds. Through our expanded instant service, NRIs can send money anytime, anywhere from their computer, mobile phone or tablet and their bank deposits reach their recipients’ Punjab National Bank accounts in less than a minute.”

“This revolutionary service marks another milestone in our deep and long standing partnership with Xoom and its subsidiary buyindiaonline,” said Mr. K. Thyagarajan, General Manager, International Banking, Punjab National Bank. He further added, “We are pleased to offer instant deposit to Punjab National Bank accounts for customers who send money from the U.S. to India and look forward to bringing a

whole new world of convenience and flexibility to our account holders.”

Xoom provides great locked-in exchange rates for money transfers to India, and there is no fee when customers send more than $1,000 and pay with their U.S.-based bank account. Plus, Xoom continues to provide fast bank deposits within four hours to all other banks in India, including to NRE and NRO accounts, when sent during bank processing hours in India.

Customers can also download the Xoom App for Android and iOS mobile devices for free.

Visit“https://www.xoom.com/india” https:// www.xoom.com/india for more information.

About Xoom Xoom is a leading digital money transfer provider that enables consumers to send money to 31 countries in a secure, fast and cost-effective way, using their mobile phone, tablet or computer. During the 12 months ended March 31, 2014, Xoom’s more than 1.1 million active customers sent more than $6.1 billion to family and friends.

The company is headquartered in San Francisco About Punjab National Bank About Punjab National Bank Punjab National Bank is a leading Public Sector Bank in India headquartered in New Delhi with over 6,200 branches and 7,000 ATMs spread across the country. It serves over 80 million customers. The Bank has developed an advanced computerized module for speedy payments of remittances received.

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17

18 June 20, 2014 Encourage Indic Computing

One of the most neglected areas of India’s IT industry has been Indic Computing or computing in Indian languages. It is a strange anomaly: While India’s software industry has enabled IT for the world, it has done little to empower Indians to use IT. In contrast to the healthy state of the country’s software exports, the state of Indian languages online is a picture of malnourishment. Hindi is the fourth-largest spoken language in the world (360 million speakers) but on Wikipedia it has a mere 101,297 articles and ranks below even Nynorsk, one of the two official languages in Norway, a tiny country with a population that barely crosses five million.

The average Indian language IT user has to traverse such a vast range of hurdles that it is a miracle that there is any content in Indian languages at all. The most basic starting point for computing in Indian languages, the keyboard, was not easily available until the advent of smartphones. In many parts of the world, if you buy a computing device, it comes bundled with a keyboard for the national language. Not so in India. If this situation is allowed to fester, Indian languages could die a slow death in the digital age.

The significant bulk of users want their devices to work and these users are not going to fiddle with installing fonts, keyboards and other paraphernalia. To entice them, Indic users have to be given parity with the English world, and devices should work in Indian languages with the same ease and efficiency that they do in English.

Thankfully, the BJP’s manifesto has recognised the importance of Indic Computing. The manifesto says that the BJP will ‘promote e-Bhasha — National Mission for the promotion of IT in Indian languages’. This goal is challenging but not impossible because the government and private sector have created many of the building blocks. However, these efforts need to be synchronised in such a way that users find Indic Computing as easy as computing in English. If we have to usher in the next 300 million users into the IT revolution, we will have to bring parity and make Indic computing as easy as English computing. This requires a major ecosystem push that includes hardware vendors, software developers, Internet technology companies and the government. Such a push will also have a significant social impact by democratising access to knowledge in Indian languages. Venkatesh Hariharan is a technology and policy analyst HT

EDITORIAL

Seize the Day in Kashmir

BY SYED ATA HASNAIN As the euphoria of a fantastic electoral victory dies down, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will start looking at various issues of governance and security. This must include a serious look at Kashmir, where a lack of understanding and of coordination between the Centre and the state, combined with wayward policies, has shaped the situation to the advantage of the separatists.

There will be efforts to internationalise the Kashmir problem, with the notion that fresh initiatives are a must and that the goodwill brought in by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit must be seized.

The external dimension is highly dynamic, contingent on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, besides the peripheral areas. The attempts to ideologically establish radical roots in the region should concern us most. That is what drives radicals in Pakistan to continue targeting Jammu and Kashmir. It is important to remain engaged with Pakistan’s moderates and ensure that radical ideology is not allowed to dominate the future narrative —that is the common ground the two prime ministers have for the time being.

The Pakistan army, struggling with internal security challenges at present, needs J&K as a diversion. The ISI has its own agenda and considers itself the guardian of Pakistan’s strategic interests.

The radicals, led by Hafiz Saeed, have this establishment’s support to keep alive the J&K narrative in the minds of citizens and pursue violent activism. The authorized establishment can give no assurances — those given are face savers, at best. Yet the initiative of inviting Nawaz Sharif and his acceptance of the invitation were both bold and welcome, because doors have to be kept open and opportunities seized.

What are the issues that need to be flagged?

First, it is essential to maintain stability in the streets in the run up to the assembly elections. That

Strengthening the state’s administrative capability, channelling the best human resources from the rest of India, could help replicate the Gujarat model in J&K. This could find wide acceptance among people, especially the youth. J&K longs for the Modi touch, a fact even his detractors will admit. means contentious issues must only be discussed for options and dialogue must be opened with diverse sections of people, including the youth. No triggers must be set off. Article 370 is a trigger and must not be allowed to hijack the agenda even before the government settles in. It is essential for Modi to set up an advisory body under his direct control and with sufficient access to him, because there is a dearth of understanding about these issues at the Centre. A public information and perception management system, on the lines of the one followed by the army, albeit at a tactical level, must be set up to facilitate the flow of information and outreach, spreading the prime minister’s intent of goodwill and reforms to bring better administration to the state. J&K lacks an information link to rest of India because of the absence of national print media. This needs to be addressed.

Second, it is well known that Central funds have never been insufficient for J&K but there has been little accountability for them.

Perhaps, a ministry to look after J&K, modelled on the ministry for the development of the Northeast, is in order, or at least a separate de-

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

HOUSTON: MALAY VYAS CHICAGO: NAND KAPOOR, INDIA: RAJ KANWAR ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036.

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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

partment under the PMO. Strengthening the state’s administrative capability, channelling the best human resources from the rest of India, could help replicate the Gujarat model in J&K. This could find wide acceptance among people, especially the youth. J&K longs for the Modi touch, a fact even his detractors will admit.

Third, the PM must demand to be informed what our actual relationship with the Hurriyat is. The nation has been kept in the dark for too long on this count. Fourth, the release of detainees from various agitations should be subject to assurances of good behaviour. Law and order is a state subject, no doubt, but when the situation becomes a problem of public order, the Centre will have to step in.

Fifth, conceptually, there is a need to reach out with a change of stance. The army must be seen to be reaching out and acting as a harbinger of peace. Its large-scale presence gives it the scope to do so. It should not be hamstrung by criticism of its involvement in the civilian domain, because there is no agency that can carry the new message forward as passionately as the army. Last, an entirely new package must be developed for the youth of the state, in consultation with them. Previous special allocations need to be accounted and the balance outlay merged for fresh initiatives.

Handling the Line of Control remains the army’s responsibility. No hiccups must be accepted, or mistakes condoned. Let’s not get carried away at this stage with the undoable. Converting the LoC into an international border and creating soft borders are steps to be taken once we are confident we can handle J&K emotionally.

Strengthening the institutions that deal with India’s oldest security problem, at the Centre and in the state, is essential to finding peaceful solutions to the issue. Indian Express The writer is a recently-retired lieutenant general and former general officer commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps

COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

Morton Lodge Presents Fifty Year Service Award to Raj Bhalla

Samba Reddy to Receive ATA Science Award

HOUSTON: Samba Reddy, a Professor of Medicine at Texas A&M University, has been selected to receive the 2014 ATA Science Excellence Award. ATA is proud and humbled to recognize him for his Right Worshipful Charles Cupples, District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District 108 (left) presents the award to Raj Bhalla while Secretary Jim Starks looks on.

HOUSTON: At the stated meeting of May 13, Raj Bhalla was awarded his fifty year service award. Raj was initiated on January 6, 1964, passed on May 7, 1964, and raised on June 4, 1964, all in Northern Star Lodge No. 21 in Ferozepore Cantonment in the Punjab of India. He came to the US in 1976 and affiliated with Paumanok-Port Washington No. 855

19

in New York where he served as its Worshipful Master. He moved to Texas and affiliated with Morton Lodge No. 72 in 1998.

Following the presentation by Wor. Jim Talbot and RW Charles Cupples, Raj shared his thoughts about his Masonic career. Morton Lodge is blessed to count his kind and gentle man as a friend and brother.

“contributions and accomplishments in medical and pharmaceutical research,” according to the award letter from Awards Chair Dr. Meher Medavaram and ATA President Karunakar Madhavaram.

ATA, the American Telugu Association, is a non-profit organization promoting education, culture, and community service in USA. ATArecognizes and honors outstanding individuals for significant achievement in their profession and contributions to fields of science, medicine, fine arts, and community or humanitarian causes.

Reddy will receive the award at the 13th ATA Conference and Youth Convention Banquet on July 3, 2014 in the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, USA. Reddy earned this honor for his outstanding research work, designing

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novel treatments to brain disorders such as epilepsy, status epilepticus, brain injury and chemical neurotoxicity. This work has made a profound impact on millions of patients worldwide. In addition to over 110 international publications, he has written several books, presented over 100 seminars, and made over 150 scientific exhibits.

Like in cricket where a ‘hat trick’ happens when a player takes 3 wickets or hits 3 sixes in a row, a hat trick is extremely rare in science. Reddy made a unique hat trick by winning three coveted science awards in a row – NATA 2012, TANA 2013, and ATA 2014. He has become a role model and has inspired thousands of young science or medical aspirants.

Kudos to his dedication towards excellence!

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

20 June 20, 2014 LEARN TO DRIVE TODAY!

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COMMUNITY

ICC CL Sr Citizens Honor High School Grads CLEAR LAKE CITY: As an annual traditional event led by the late Sanjiva Rao Allam in 1998, and later led by Radha Golikeri, this year under the leadership of B.G. Harchandani, Senior citizens of India Center Clear Lake recently honored the high school graduates of Indian origin of the Clear Lake area. Since its inception, 675 students have been honored.

This year ICC had 36 students out of which 20 attended. The attendees included this year’s valedictorian, Ruchika Bengani.

Radha Golikeri introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Syamal Poddar, and welcomed the students, parents and event sponsors for the occasion. This was followed by a short speech by Anand Marfatia,

current President of India Center Clearlake.

Dr. Syamal Poddar, a longtime resident and volunteer, past president of ICC Clear Lake chapter and a past member of the Board of Trustees and Chief Trustee, in his motivational speech, highlighted a few fundamental points to success.

Syamal advised students to choose their individual careers under the guidance of their parents, cultivate a sense of respect for all, practice politeness and be driven by a purpose. He advised them not to run after money but to get ready to positively impact society through their thoughtful and responsible actions. He also told

the graduates to cultivate effective communication skills by being good listeners. Finally, he stressed the importance of time management and the importance of being humble as we make progress in our journey of life, by quoting a stanza from “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray, (written in 1750): “The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth, e’er gave, Awaits alike the inevitable hour, The paths of glory but lead to the grave.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks followed by a sumptuous lunch buffet at Mogul restaurant.

Contact Babulbhai: 832-891-1421 13180 West Park Dr. @ Synott Houston, TX 77082

Graduating high school students of Indian origin (front row) stand with ICC Clear Lake senior citizesn, including Dr. Syamal Poddar (center, rear), who gave the keynote address.

Guru Peyarchi Homam at Sri Meenakshi Temple

Guru Peyarchi Pooja at Sri Meenakshi Temple with Sri Manicka sundara Bhattar (right) and Sri Kalyana Sundaram

PEARLAND: Planet Jupiter is also known as Guru or Brihaspathi.

“Guru” is a Sanskrit word, and it literally means the remover of darkness and one who brings the light of knowledge. In Indian Vedic Astrology Guru is considered to be a benefic planet. Guru is attributed to Good luck, favor and fortune. Performing

special puja on Jupiter transition day – Guru Peyarchi is considerd very auspicious, as invoking Brihaspathi’s blessings can give good effects. The famous Navagraha Sthalam of Guru (Jupiter) in South India is the Apatsahayesvarar Temple at Alangudi in the Papanasam Taluk of Thanjavur

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

district, Tamilnadu, a divine place where one could propitiate Jupiter.

Lord Shiva is manifested here in the form of Lord Guru. Sri Dakshinamurthy is worshipped, as Guru Bhagwan here.

At Sri Meenakshi Temple Pearland, Guru Peyarchi Puja was conducted in an authentic ceremony over two days – the calendar Guru Peyarchi day on Friday June 13, with a Navagraha Abhishekam followed by Archana.

On Sunday June 15, a more elaborate Homam was conducted, and followed with the Abhsishekam and Archana in the Navagraha sannadhi.

Over 100 devotees joined the two occasions to pray for good luck and fortune to the families and friends. Sri Mannicka Sundara Bhattar expertly conducted the pujas with assistance from Sri Doraiswamy Bhattar and Sri Kalyana Sundaram. Devotees participate enthusiastically in the puja, as it not only benefits the participants, but also it is believed to bring positive outcome to the whole community.

The RAC deserves to be commended for its effort to sustain and conduct such community event.

COMMUNITY

June 20, 2014

21

Nicole Alam - Daniel Sullivan Engagement who will be tying the knot in a month and then moving to Denver, Nicki and Daniel celebrated their engagement with family and friends who spanned all over the world.

Sohail is originally from Karachi, Pakistan and his college friends from University of Houston days were at hand with their families. His twin sister and her family also came for the occasion. Polly is of Mexican

heritage and her uncles, aunts and six other siblings all came for the engagement. A few others guests were from India. “This is what the American melting pot is all about,” laughed Polly. “To top it off, the Sullivans come from a German-Polish-Irish lineage and the family name used to be O’Sullivan. And coincidentally, Patrick also has a twin brother!”

The newly engaged couple Nicole Alam and Daniel Sullivan with their families. To the left of Nicole, the Alam family, Ryan, Polly and Sohail. To the right of Daniel, his parents Eleanor and Patrick Sullivan.

Photo: Jawahar Malhotra

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: The huge backyard, with the tennis court on one side, of the Meyerland home of Sohail and Polly Alam was transformed into a garden party setting with white tables and chairs under a white tent and a buffet line clustered around the ash tree in the middle, white Chinese lanterns strew above. Guests and family nestled together in the early evening, as the heat subsided and the waning light played patterns with the shadows.

It was the house that their eldest child Nicole, known to most as Nicki, had left several years ago to go to Washington, DC where she has worked at the Brookings Institute

for the past four years. Nicki, 31, received her undergraduate degree in Corporate Communications and later a Masters in Government and Public Affairs, both from the University of Texas-Austin. Her younger brother Ryan works in finance in Los Angeles. Polly is a Vice President at Amegy Bank where she has worked for 8 years and Sohail – also known as Sam by his close friends – is the CEO of Drisonline, a website patient care company with headquarters in Houston.

Three years ago Nicki met Daniel Sullivan at a professional networking event in Washington and the two of them hit it off and have been inseparable. They plan to have their wedding

on September 13 in Washington, DC where they have many friends and the Sullivans have family. After a honeymoon in Hawaii, they will make their home in the DC area.

Daniel, 34, who is much taller than Nicki (“opposites attract!” she chuckled) works in the NGO United to End Genocide, focusing on African genocide issues. He has an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a Masters in Public Policy from Columbia University. His father Patrick is a retired engineer who worked in the pulp and paper industry and his mother Eleanor is a nurse who still loves to work. They both live in Maine but their grown children live elsewhere in the north east. They have a daughter

Nirbhaya of Assam ASSAM: The cold-blooded murder of a doctor-student at the North East’s oldest medical college has shocked the entire nation of India.

The Assam hospitals came to a sudden standstill following the murder of Dr Sarita Toshniwal, a post graduate medical student, in the ICU on May 9, while performing her duty.

She was found lying dead on the bed, her face covered and with a surgical knife stabbed in her neck.

Early on Hospital admin was not accepting this as murder case and were dismissing this as conveying as suicide. The medical students, doctors had gone on strike in Assam.

Amidst intense sorrow, grief and anguish the last rites were performed in Sivsagar on May 10. People collected in thousands to bid adieu to their most lovable person whom they knew for last 2 decades. A ward boy Kiru Mech was arrested as single person involved in murder. Arun Mundra NRI representative of ABMM ORG. talked to the family in Assam and assured them of help and then talked to some lawmakers, politicians in the

community like Kiran Maheshwari (National BJP VP). Further there was arrest of one Dr. Deep Mani Saikia.

As per the ward boy Dr. Deep Mani was the master mind in the murder.

According to Kiru Mech both he and Dr. Deep Moni were present at the scene and the murder was committed by both of them. Motive behind this crime is not clear. Victims family is afraid that there may be an attempt to tamper with the evidences.

Family even suspect some other malicious rackets of the institute or some higher authority involved in the murder of such a brilliant doctor like Dr. Sarita Toshniwal.

Family and organizations are demanding for the below written points: •CBI enquiry into the matter and trial in fast track court.

•Dismissal of Administration of Hospital, indirectly involved in this heinous crime.

•Found guilty person is to be hanged publically.

•Improve security system so that no other girl faces this shameful incident

ever again.

Arun Mundra, NRI representative of ABMM (Akhil Bhartiya Maheshwari Mahasabha), VP – MMNA SW and Parag Bajaj President, MMNA (Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America) have asked the Assam CM Tarun Gogoi a fair inquiry in this and supported the family demand of CBI Inquiry in fast track course. Arun Mundra conveyed to the society to stand unitedly against this crime as this is not just concern for one family but the society at large as this is a concern for many groups like Ladies, Students, Educational Institutes, North East States in India, Govt.

Employees, Working Professionals, Hospitals, Doctors and Youth.

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Mama’s Punjabi Recipes Letti Halwa (Thin Wheat Flour Pudding) If a true Punjabi was served halwa – especially suji halwa (semolina halwa) or atte da halwa (wheat flour halwa), his first reaction would be “Kyon, ki manande peye han?” or “What are we celebrating?” because halwa, in Punjabi society, is usually made to commemorate a special occasion, glad tidings or a stroke of good luck. And almost always, it is distributed among friends. I always make suji halwa on the birthdays of my family members and ask them to first get it blessed at our home temple before anyone takes the first bite.

Apart from these two, there are two other types of atte da halwa that are made in the Punjab for special occasions – panjeeri (dry wheat flour halwa) which is passed out as blessed food in temples and letti (thin wheat flour halwa) which is usually given to sick people or those with head colds as a tonic to give them strength, especially during the cold winter months. In a way, letti is to gaining strength what khiciddi is to helping with indigestion.

And in the same way, letti is a really thin version of the regular atte da halwa and is made with a lot of water. In some other parts of India is also called sheera. It is a tasty oldfashioned home remedy from the Punjab villages that seems to work and is really fast and easy to make.

Some people add crushed dry fruits like almonds, walnuts and pistachios to give more nourishment.

Ingredients: • ½ cup kanak (gehon) ka atta (wheat flour) or besan (chickpea flour)

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• ½ cup ghee (clarified butter) • ½ cup chinni (sugar) • 2 cups warm pani (water)

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Directions: 1. In a saucepan warm up the ghee over medium heat.

2. Throw in the flour and brown while stirrings continuously. Be careful it does not burn.

3. Stir in the warm water and let the mixture come to a boil.

4. Now add the sugar and let the mixture boil for five minutes.

5.

The

Turn off the heat. letti is ready to eat.

Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, India before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947. People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her mid-eighties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share some of her delectable Punjabi recipes.

MAMA’S TIP OF THE WEEK CLEAN A HOT TAVA WITH SOME ATTA DOUGH

After a while of making roti or paranthas, the tava (flatplate) often gets coated with a small amount of the residue left over from the cooking atta (flour). This can get stuck onto the next batch of rotis or paranthas that you will make and leaves black spots on them. You can scrape them residue off but them you may leave scratches on the tava.

Since tavas are not usually washed on a daily basis but kept clean by the heat, there is an easier way to keep them clean. Simply use a small pinch of freshly cooked atta dough to dab the residue off a warm tava.

The flakes will come right off and you can throw the dough ball away.

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Can an Outsider Vishal Sikka Change the DNA of Troubled Infosys?

Sikka smiles during a press conference at the company’s headquarters in Bangalore. (AP Photo)

BANGALORE: “If there are no challenges, what is the point?”

CEO and MD of Infosys Vishal Vishal Sikka, said this on Thursday

after being named the next CEO of troubled Infosys. That attitude

could come in handy as he takes the reins from executive chairman NR Narayana Murthy and incumbent CEO SD Shibulal in August.

Infosys, once a stock market darling, is battling criticism on all fronts including growth momentum, talent retention, corporate governance and client confidence. Sikka, a former executive board member of Germany’s SAP and the first Infosys CEO who is not a founder, must first look for generals to fight his battles.

“Sikka’s biggest challenge is to build a core team as most of the leadership team left Infosys in the last two years,” said V Balakrishnan, former chief financial officer and board member who was a CEO-probable until he quit Infosys six months ago.

“With founders leaving, it is Sikka’s mission to build an emotional connect with employees,” he said.

Another former board member, TV Mohandas Pai, said Sikka needs to build client relationships and dismantle a command culture.

“Sikka will have to change the highly centralised decision-making

culture at Infosys by empowering senior people,” he said.

Sikka, a Ph D who loves innovation, might have a more fulfilling task in transforming the company closer to its long-term aim, called Infosys 3.0, of growing intellectual property on the side of products, platforms and solutions, away from its traditional services.

Jaideep Mehta, vice-president at industry research firm IDC, said Sikka would have to strike a balance between traditional outsourcing business and the 3.0 work.

“I expect he will bring his own set of people. He will have to connect with the top executives, many of whom are waiting to see the turn of events in the next three to six months,” said Mehta.

Sikka had easily cracked a mathematical puzzle that Infosys founder Narayana Murthy challenged him with when they first met.

He now has a greater puzzle. This one is about employees, clients and markets.

-Hindustan Times

PM Narendra Modi’s Gift: No Income Tax Likely up to Rs. 3 Lakh

NEW DELHI: Finance minister Arun Jaitley may have some good news for the salaried class in the budget for 2014-15.

The government is learnt to be gearing up for an overhaul of India’s tax

regime by considering a restructuring of tax slabs and increasing the income tax exemption limit from the existing Rs. 200,000 to more than Rs. 300,000 —a move that would leave more money in the hands of people.

A rejig in income tax slabs is also on the cards, the details of which are being currently examined.

At present, there are three tax slabs.

Those with an income of less than Rs. 2 lakh a year are exempt from paying taxes. Those earning between R2 lakh and R5 lakh annually are taxed at 10%, those between R5 lakh and R10 lakh at 20% while anybody earning more than R10 lakh pays a tax of 30%.

In addition, in last year’s budget ( 2013-14) the then finance minister P Chidambaram, for the first time, introduced an additional surcharge of 10% on “Relatively prosperous” persons with a taxable income of

more than R1 crore — and there were supposedly only 42,800 of them in India A rejig in tax slabs along with a hike in exemption limits will enhance people’s disposable income, which, in turn will boost consumption spending as well as savings.

The government is negotiating through a maze of thorny issues ahead of this year’s budget amid faltering demand and rising prices that have hit growth in the broader economy.

The government is examining whether some of the proposals of the draft Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill 2013 including a tax on “super-rich” can be introduced in this year’s bud-

127

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

get, likely to presented in the second week of July, sources said.

The draft DTC Bill had proposed a higher 35% tax for the super-rich for those who earn more than Rs. 10 crore a year, and a wealth tax on host of assets such as expensive paintings.

The draft had also proposed to reduce the age for tax exemption for senior citizens to 60 years from 65 years.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance that had examined the DTC Bill of 2010 had recommended raising the income tax exemption limit to Rs. 3 lakh.

-Hindustan Times

24 June 20, 2014 With Binny’s 6 for 4, India Defends 105 Runs vs. B’desh

BY SIDDARTH RAVINDRAN MIRPUR (ESPN Cricinfo): India 105 (Taskin 5-28) beat Bangladesh 58 (Binny 6-4, Mohit 4-22) by 47 runs Who would be interested in a hastily-organised, meaningless bilateral ODI series taking place in the shadow of the football World Cup, that too with several of the game’s biggest stars being rested. Judging from the vast swathes of empty stands in the usually packed Mirpur stadium, and the struggles to get a television broadcaster in India, not many.

Those who did tune in today though caught one of those gobsmacking, prediction-defying results that make sport captivating to watch.

Two days ago, Bangladesh posted 272 in Mirpur and their captain had felt that had not been sufficient. Today, at the same ground, India were knocked over for 105, but that not only proved sufficient, it was 47 too many for Bangladesh. Pacy teenage debutant Taskin Ahmed was the star of the first half of the game, with a five-for that kept India to their lowest total against Bangladesh, but that faded into insignificance as Stuart Binny conjured figures of 6 for 4 to extend the home side’s losing streak to nine.

On a track with plenty of juice, spiced up further by a rain burst that interrupted play for twoand-a-half hours, the quicks thoroughly enjoyed themselves. This is not a stadium which is usually favourable to them, but today the pitch was as helpful as an earlysummer Headingley surface, with spiteful deliveries being served up with alarming regularity.

The batsmen found how testing the conditions would be on the first two balls of the game itself as Mashrafe Mortaza nearly had both India openers lbw, though the appeal against Robin Uthappa was turned down. It didn’t get any easier over the course of the game, and no batsman looked comfortable in the middle, though hardly any of them showed the necessary

Stuart Binny’s 6 for 4 were the best ODI figures for India. resolve to grind through their way through tough patches.

After Taskin’s burst, Bangladesh seemed set for victory as they survived some nervy moments to get to 39 for 2. Enter Binny, whose gentle medium-pace - which was granted only one over by MS Dhoni on Binny’s debut - turned into vicious, unplayable swing. He had Mithun Ali beaten twice in his first over, before the torrent of wickets began that transformed the day into the highlight of his career.

Mushfiqur Rahim edged to the keeper down the leg side in his second over, and the other settled batsman, Ali, flicked a catch to square leg in his third. One ball later, Mahmudullah tried an expansive drive away from his body to be caught at gully. At 50 for 5 in

the 14th over, Bangladesh nerves began to jangle.

At the other end, Mohit Sharma struck twice in the 15th, first with a ripsnorter that reared and swerved away to send back Bangladesh’s best batsman Shakib Al Hasan, and later when Ziaur Rahman’s attempted slog only reached as far as the fielder at square leg. The four wickets in eight balls had virtually killed off the chase. It took Binny a couple more overs to finish off the game, and upgrade his figures to the best by an Indian in ODIs. Briefly, Taskin had a chance of getting the best bowling by a Bangladeshi in ODIs. He had to settle for third on that list, but the performance justified the hype that heralded his arrival to the one-day stage. He showed off his confi-

dence by banging in a bouncer on his first ball in ODI cricket. Another short ball got rid of the in-form Uthappa, who top-edged a pull to midoff for 14, and he had Ambati Rayudu lbw in his next over.

A delighted Taskin chestbumped Mashrafe in celebration as India wobbled at 28 for 3.

Both bowlers were getting the ball to swerve around dramatically, but neither were tempted to experiment too much by the juice in the surface as they served up plenty of spiteful deliveries. If India could have chosen two men to counter the situation, they would have backed the technically correct Cheteshwar Pujara and the vastly experienced Suresh Raina. Pujara was watchful, surviving some nervy moments early, while Raina was more aggressive as Bangladesh’s quicks dropped it too short against him.

Just when Pujara seemed to be settling down, Taskin got one to jag past Pujara’s defence to get him lbw. Wriddhiman Saha then joined the list of batsmen today to be lbw attempting to play the ball in the region of midwicket. Raina had been the most impressive of India’s batsmen, but he was run out after a uncharacteristically lacklustre attempt at a second. That dismissal came on Stuart Binny’s first ball and left India at 66 for 6 in the 17th over.

There were still 24 overs to go, but India’s lower-order didn’t show the cricketing nous to stick around, especially with the rain clouds hovering. India lost their two allrounders cheaply: Akshar Patel was bowled after hitting two of his five deliveries for boundaries and Binny nicked a wide one to the keeper. The tailenders swung their bat around and managed to get India to triple digits, before Binny produced the performance that this low-profile series is likely to be remembered by.

Siddarth Ravindran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

SPORTS SL Clings for Draw

LORD’S: Sri Lanka 453 (Sangakkara 147, Mathews 102 and 210 for 9 (Sangakkara 61, Anderson 4-25) drew with England 575 for 9 dec. (Root 200*, Pradeep 4-123) and 267 for 8 dec. (Ballance 104*, Herath 4-95) There have been few finishes to a Lord’s Test, perhaps any Test, as dramatic as this, few climaxes that boiled up from such an unpromising position. After the penultimate ball of the match, and Stuart Broad in full flow, England’s fielders converged in jubilation, convinced they had completed a footslogging victory with seconds to spare.

But in their excitement they had overlooked one thing: Sri Lanka’s last man, Nuwan Pradeep, might be a batting novice, but he knows how to signal for a DRS review.

Broad heard only the thwack of a fullish ball on pad. But rarely has the top of a bat been patted so defiantly.

Broad summoned himself for one last effort and found Pradeep’s edge again, this the outside of the bat; it scuttled inches short of second slip. Their sighs were audible. England’s hard slog was unrewarded; Sri Lanka could escape to Headingley for the second Test with the series still 0-0. And if the BCCI can watch such a finish and even now, still insist, hand on heart, that their series against England will be better for no DRS then they will have defied the ultimate argument in its favour.

As for the 17 overs lost in the match because of slow overrates and faults lay on both sides - it is England who will rue that now.

Nuwan Pradeep survived Stuart Broad’s final over,

INDIA

June 20, 2014

25

Defense Ministry Smears VK Singh’s Reputation To Resign or Not to Resign is Now Minister Singh’s Dilemma

BY RAJ KANWAR IAN INDIA CORRESPONDENT I wonder what you would call a man who contests for the first time a parliamentary election in India, wins it with a massive majority and made a minister of state, and yet remains a malcontent. You will perhaps call him a perennial whiner, but for me he is no other than VK Singh, one time India’s Chief of the Army Staff.

He has had the best of opportunities and the very best of Army’s life. Yet, when he eventually retired, he must have been the worst moaner among the retirees. In the last year of his service, he had perpetually remained in the news, for all wrong reasons. He had made an issue of his ‘date of birth’ and even went to the extent of taking an otherwise petty a matter right up to the high portals of the Supreme Court.

For Vijay Kumar Singh, the issue of his ‘date of birth’ had become an allconsuming obsession. At stake was one year of additional tenure as the Army chief. And was that objective laudable or covetous and mean? He had called it “as a matter of his integrity and honor”. You be the judge.

Tut-tut, General, that was very unbecoming All of those who pass out from the sacred portals of the Indian Military Academy remember by heart the famous Chetwode credo enjoining upon one and all that “The safety, honor and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.

The honor, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.

Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

However, by rushing to the Supreme Court to, what he says, vindicate his honor and dignity on a trifle issue, the General completely forgot that his own honor comes last, always and every time. On the date of birth issue, you blatantly disowned the sacred Chetwode credo by putting your own personal ‘honor’ ahead of that of the country. Tut-tut, General, that was very unbecoming, of an Army officer, leave alone an Army chief, to say the least.

Modi keeps Singh away from South Block Keeping the retired General VK Singh at arm’s length from the South

Block was an astute move on the part of Prime Minister Modi. Had Modi not been so careful, Singh could have probably caused an all round embarrassment, what with his penchant for fishing in troubled waters. The June 9 sworn affidavit by the ministry of Defense described in no uncertain terms the disciplinary ban imposed on Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag’s original promotion as an Army commander as “illegal”, “extraneous” and “premeditated”. It needs to be underscored that the “disciplinary ban” had then been imposed on Gen Suhag by none other than Gen VK Singh, the then Chief of the Army Staff and currently a minister of state in the Modi government. The necessity for such an affidavit came about to oppose a petition by one Lt Gen Ravi Dastane alleging favoritism in the selection of Suhag as an Army commander in 2012, thereby putting him next in the line of succession to Gen Bikram Singh. Incidentally, Gen Suhag is now the designated Chief of the Army Staff, notwithstanding a spiteful campaigning by Gen Singh during his electioneering. Had the UPA II government not named Gen Suhag as the Army Chief-designate before it demitted office, the simple matter of the selecting the new CoAS would have got mired in ugly controversies, with Singh playing a villainous role to wreck an old vengeance and promote at the same time the ‘case’ of his own samdhi for the top post.

Ministry’s affidavit censurers VK Singh What had actually transpired in April-May 2012 is clearly narrated in the affidavit of the Defense ministry? It states that the disciplinary proceedings against Suhag between April and May 2012 by the then Chief of the Army Staff VK Singh was “without any basis or material on record”. Suhag was then placed under a Disciplinary and Vigilance (DV) ban by VK Singh for alleged “failure of command and control” in an operation carried out by an intelligence unit working directly under Suhag, the Dimapur-based 3 Corps commander. However, the DV ban on Suhag was revoked by Gen Bikram Singh a fortnight after VK Singh retired. It was this delayed promotion

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VK Singh

that was challenged by Gen Dastane on the ground that there was a hiatus of 15 days during which he (the plaintiff) was eligible for promotion as an Army commander. Controverting Dastane’s plea, the ministry in return “censured the manner” in which VK Singh had placed Suhag under the DV ban.

Here the affidavit uses a strong language against VK Singh and adds that “the alleged lapses observed by the then CoAS, as reflected in the show cause notice, were premeditated and issued in utter disregard to the legal provisions governing the court of inquiry, principles of natural justice… the lapses were vague, based on presumptions and legally and factually not maintainable”. The affidavit further says, “evidently the entire exercise to issue show cause notice was premeditated and as per records, the directions issued in this regard, including imposition of the DV ban and issue of show cause notice were found to be illegal.” In fact, Suhag was appointed “in acting rank” with effect from the date he had become eligible, not because of any favor to him but as a matter of policy.

Modi-Jaitley duo deserves plaudits By way of countering Dastane’s challenge to the process of selection, the affidavit clearly points out that

CoAS and the ministry independently examined the cases of as many as seven officers, including Dastane, for promotion to the Army commander’s office. It was after such scrutiny that the names of Suhag and Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra were recommended for appointment (Chachra has since retired). The ministry also claimed that there was nothing irregular in keeping the appointment on hold for some days. It was on 6 June 2012 that the ministry was told of the closure of the DV ban against Suhag. “Once the imposition of the DV ban itself was found to be illegal, then the same would be non est ab initio (nullity from the inception) and it cannot in any manner come in the way of either the consideration or appointment of Suhag,” the ministry said.

However, the disciplinary ban on Suhag had been revoked by Gen Bikram Singh within two weeks of his becoming the Army chief. Gen Suhag is the new Chief of the Army Staff-designate. Former army chief Gen VK Singh, however, had opposed tooth and nail the announcement about designating Gen Suhag as the next Army chief. He had in his election campaign argued that heavens won’t fall if the choice of the army chief was deferred by a few days to enable the ‘new government’ to take a call on that. And by the ‘new gov-

ernment’, he perhaps meant himself.

Modi and Defense minister Arun Jaitley were possibly aware of the Gen Singh’s intentions and deliberately kept him a long distance away from the South Block. And Modi-Jaitley duo deserves plaudits for their sagacity and farsightedness.

Colorful invectives The ministry’s affidavit is replete with many a colorful invective while describing the various acts of commission or omission of Gen VK Singh. Sample some: the alleged lapses…. “were premeditated and issued in utter disregard to the legal provisions governing a court of inquiry…”, “the lapses were vague, based on presumptions, legally and factually not maintainable...”, “….the imposition of DV ban and issue of show cause notice were found to be illegal….”

What should a ‘respectable and honorable’ retired General, so very sensitive to the issues affecting his honour and dignity do now? The strictures passed against him in the Defense ministry affidavit are very damaging, describing him though not in these words, “a scheming and vengeful individual, many of whose acts were premeditated”. The invectives in the preceding paragraph have sullied his reputation or whatever was left of it. In all fairness, he should promptly tender his resignation from the Council of Ministers, if for nothing else, at least to vindicate his much vaunted “honor and dignity”. He has no other option as a “Rajput and retired General”.

Now, it is also for Prime Minister Modi to see how he could retain a two-faced man who has failed to live up to his oath as a minister and whose reputation has been badly sullied by the ministry of Defense in its affidavit. It is presumed that the affidavit must have had the concurrence of both the Prime Minister and the minister of Defense.

Raj Kanwar is a Dehra Dunbased writer and political analyst.

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The horror genre in Bollywood suffers because of its inability to reinvent itself over the years.

Linda Blair played the girl possessed in William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. Forty years later the very talented Swara Bhaskar gives the devilish avatar a try. She works hard on getting the twisted and contorted face and body language right. But Swara, bless her possessed soul, is let down by a tacky script and the director’s inability to take the spooky genre where it hasn’t been before.

It’s all familiar, and not done in any way that can be considered even reasonably original. The supernatural murders attempt to be so gruesome that they end up being unintentionally funny. A maid (more made-up than her maalkin) is pierced in her eyes with a hanging on the wall.

Later the hanging reappears on the wall, the blood and gore all washed away. Admittedly Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai has some genuinely scary moments. There is a sequence where his wife serving him fish for din-

ner surprises Swara’s screen-spouse.

Until his eyes fall on the fish tank and he sees their pet fish missing from the tank...

Then towards the end there is a twist in the tale, which is bound to send a chill up your spine, regardless of whether you believe in ghosts or not.

The payoff comes too infrequently, and too late.

Most of the plot is covered in what appears to be an occasion to give idle housewives and aspiring actors a chance to play out their acting fantasies. The dialogues are delivered in unnecessarily loud voices and the sequences pile up one on top of the other without creating any coherent scheme of storytelling. The narrative follows the weather-beaten track of raising scares through shadows and sound effects.

These are punctuated by bouts of.... err, comic relief that leave you hankering for relief from the comic relief. As stated earlier the last halfhour when the ghosts go amok as well as the preamble when the exorcist (Deepraj Rana) chases the devil across a dangerous terrain is mildly engaging.

If you enjoy watching films about ghostly possessions in normal households then Machhli Jal Ki... might be of some interest to you. But the horror genre in Bollywood needs a revamp.

-Hindustan Times

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Q: What kind of comedy should fans prepare themselves to see from you in HUMSHAKALS? A: I do not have an issue potentially making an ass of myself. It does not worry me. I have found that the basic level of comedy comes easy to me and a great comedy is something else and Sajid Khan’s comedy is also something else. This film is different from anything that I have done so far.

You need to have knowledge of commercial cinema to imitate actors like Rajendra Kumar, my father-in-law (Randhir Kapoor) and others.

Q: How did you enjoy working with comedy king Sajid Khan?

A: Humshakals is a crazy Sajid Khan comedy kind of film. He has worked extra hard on this because he felt that he has a point to prove

to the world. I wanted to work with Sajid and we should all come out of our comfort zone. Sajid works hard to entertain people. Humshakals is his kind of comedy and that’s the idea - you have to make a film which is wider and Sajid is one of the top names in the film industry.

Q: Of your many avatars in this film, you get to dress up as a woman and do a Bollywood number with Riteish. How was that?

A: It was very interesting. It was hot, I was wearing a swimming costume, I was looking at Riteish. I was wondering if this was the right co-star to take my career forward! (smiles) But it was great working with him.

He is very attractive!

Q: How did Kareena Kapoor react to you mimicking her father Randhir

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

Kapoor in HUMSHAKALS? A: Imitation is the highest form of flattery and Sajid is great friends with my father-in-law. So it comes with great respect and a sense of humor.

Kareena reacted by saying ‘Oh God, Saif, I think Sajid is making too much fun of my family, but I am sure it’s really funny.’ And then she showed me how she imitates her father. I also made her say the line from the movie.

It’s all harmless.

Q: What did Kareena think of your scenes when you were dressed as a very glamorous woman?

A: She was amazingly sporting.

She laughed and thought it was funny and if I had been in her place I think I would have filed for divorce! (smiles) She found my chest too large. But I liked it!

June 20, 2014

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM