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Friday, February 10 2012 | Vol. 31, No. 6
Indo American erican News
Happy Valentine’s Day
www.indoamerican-news.com Published weekly from Houston, TX
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Charity Begins at Home
Photo: Krishna Giri Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) presented 28 checks for a total donation of over $120,000 to local mainstream and Indo-American organizations. Shown above are Indo-American Cancer Network’s Kanchan Kabad (left) and Alpa Shah (far right) receive a donation check from IACF President David Raj (2nd from laft) and board members Sangeeta and Arun Pasrija.
Record Turnout in State Assembly Elections in UP, Punjab, Uttarkhand
LUCKNOW: Millions of voters went to the polls in India’on Wednesday, the first phase of an election that tests support for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s troubled government ahead of a nationwide vote in two years. The election in Uttar Pradesh, a state that would be the world’s fifth most populous nation if independent, could have a bearing on who next governs India. It is a closely fought four-way race pitting the scion of the elite Gandhi dynasty against a powerful low caste leader and two other parties. Rahul Gandhi of the central government’s Congress party has staked his political reputation on reviving the party in a state it has not ruled for 22 years.
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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Photos: Krishna Giri
IACF Presents Over $120,000 to Benefit Area Organizations
BY KALYANI GIRI HOUSTON: The philanthropic organization Indo American Charity Foundation (IACF) hand delivered over $120,000 to representatives of twenty-eight diverse organisations at an event held at India House on February 3. The evening supper event, co-hosted by incumbent President of IACF David Raj and his Board of Directors, was a promising start to his yearlong tenure, and ably set the tone towards his goal of nurturing the organization into a nationally recognized entity. Raj, a Vice President and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch, took over the stewardship of IACF from Anu Bala. Beneficiaries of IACF’s largesse included the hungry and underprivileged, family/women/ children, education, health, and animal welfare; Houston Food Bank, SEARCH, Star of Hope, Casa de Esperanza, Daya, Houston Area Women’s Center, Indian Senior Citizens Association (ISCA), UNICEF, Breakthrough of Houston – Summerbridge, City
Above: From left, Lalit Chinoy (ISCA), Bobby Singh (past IACF President), Nitaben Mehta (ISCA), David Raj (IACF President) and Preeti Singh Bottom left: IACF founder members Sushma Mahajan and Biki Mohindra with an IACF check. Bottom right: David Raj with Preanka Desai (IPAWS Secretary) Suma Mudan (IPAWS President)
of Houston Scholarships, Literary Advance of Houston, Teach for America, Friends Helping Friends, Indian American Cancer Network (IACAN), Indian Doctor’s Clinic, Lighthouse of Houston, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the newest kid on the block, Indo-
American Pet and Animal Welfare Society of Greater Houston (IPAWS) were some of the recipients of IACF-raised funds. Donors included Savita and Sanjay Rao, Nasir and Farida Walji, Swatantara and Bimla Jain, Nat and Leela Murthy, Sangeeta and Arun Pasrija, and Sushma Bhan, to name a few, who came up to the stage and presented the checks. In his keynote address, Raj recognized two founder members of IACF, Sushma Mahajan and Biki Mohindra, whom he lauded as visionaries. He introduced his board of directors and also noted the presence of several past presidents of IACF. He acknowledged the representatives of the recipient organizations. “You are the reason for our existence,” said Raj. “You will find as you look back on your life, that
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the moments that stand out are those when you’ve done things for others. With the help of my committed and dynamic board, we are in the process of building and expanding on what our predecessors have bequeathed us,” he added. Plans for the year include The
Help America Program, a math and science pilot study named for India’s great mathematicians C.V. Raman and C.P. Ramanujam; the program is already in practice with engineers and college students offering voluntary tutelage of these subjects at area after-school classes. IACF is also forming a Council of Past Presidents to help with ideas on how to draw more funds and spread community outreach, with the goal for IACF to go national. IACF will identify area managers to oversee various programs such as education, health, women and child welfare. IACF was founded in 1988 by a group of Houstonians of Indian origin compelled by an altruistic desire to give back to their local community. Their mission to help the underprivileged originated with the effort to fight hunger, has now developed into a multi-faceted philanthropic endeavor to help those in need of health, education and human services in the Greater Houston Area. For more information, visit www.iacfhouston.com.
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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February 10, 2012
toor dal masoor, chana dal
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
Aisha’s Salon & Spa Inaugurates 12th Beauty Establishment in Katy
Aisha (in blue) with her team, from left, Kashifa, Sumaira, Humaira, Varda and Sabin Photos: Syed Abbas
BY KALYANI GIRI HOUSTON: She’s come a long way from that first beauty establishment that she started as a lark for her friends on Wilcrest and West Bellfort in 1994. Since then, savvy businesswoman and beauty maven Aisha Khalid has built a veritable empire over the years, with Aisha’s Salon and Spa establishments popping up in various locales all over the city. This past weekend, on February 4, her 12th and newest salon, opened on South Mason Road in Cinco Ranch, Katy, to rave reviews. A steady stream of women came in for eyebrow threading offered free of cost only for the grand opening day; other skin-
care and hair services were at 50% off only for the day. Despite the dull weather, the Music Masala Radio crew entertained gatherees as they snacked on finger foods and sipped soft drinks provided for them in celebration of the salon’s opening. The business is one of several Indo Pakistani owned and operated establishments at the strip mall. Aisha’s offers premium skincare, haircuts, make-ups, make-overs, threading, waxing, and facial services. For more information, call 281-578-0400, or visit Aisha’s Salon and Spa at 5205 South Mason Road, Cinco Ranch, Katy.
February 10, 2012
Arya Samaj Welcomes Its New Acharya HOUSTON: With Spring in the offing as the seasons turn and 2012 gets underway, there is a new spring in the steps of Arya Samaj community of Greater Houston. We extend a warm and hearty welcome to our new Acharya ji, Dr. Suryanarayan Nanda who arrived in Houston, from New Delhi, on February 6. Acharya ji is an eminent scholar of Vedas and Upanishads, a lifelong student of Vedic philosophy, poetry and Indian classic literature. With a Ph.D. in Sanskrit from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar and a Masters from Delhi University, Acharya ji brings with him an expertise and working knowledge of Sanskrit which is one of, if not the most, scientific of classic languages. His reputation as a scholar and great orator preceded him to Houston, and we are thrilled that we will be able to listen to his moving and motivating pravachans. Prior to agreeing to move to Houston to become the resident pracharak at Arya Samaj, Acharya Suryanarayan Nanda ji was an Associate Professor of Sanskrit at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and since 2001 he has been a TV & Radio broadcaster of news in Sanskrit, serving at both iconic institutions - the All India Radio and Door Darshan in Delhi. We feel fortunate that we are getting such eminent scholar and spiritual guide with a deep knowledge of Vedas, and someone with great integrity, humility and dedication to promotion of Vedic philosophy and teachings of Arya Samaj. Acharya ji has been delivering Vedic pravachans at various Arya Samajs in the greater Delhi area for over 15 years and he was a teacher of Vedas and Vedic philosophy to graduate and
Indo American News (ISSN 887-5936) is published weekly every Friday (for a subscription of $30 per year) by IndoAmerican News Inc., 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036, tel: 713-789-6397, fax:713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Indo American News, 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036
Dr. Suryanarayan Nanda
postgraduate students at Gurukul in Gautam Nagar, New Delhi until 2009. He has also taught short courses in spoken Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy in Jakarta & Surabaya in Indonesia. With several publications in Sanskrit to his name, including a collection of short plays, and a poet, he brings together a rare combination of academic rigor and Vedic knowledge that is hard to find in someone his age. Acharya ji’s family will also be joining him shortly, as soon as the school year in India is over. He has two sons over the ages of 8 and 2. His arrival could not come at a more opportune moment – just as Arya Samaj community is getting ready to undertake a major expansion of ASGH facilities – expanding the DAV Montessori School building, dedicated space for DAV Sanskriti School, addition to the parking lot and dining hall. Ground-breaking is scheduled for February 26, 2012 at 10am.
WRITERS ... TAKE NOTICE Writers are requested to limit their words to 500. The deadline for advertising and articles is 5 pm on Tuesday of each week. For more information, Call 713-789- NEWS (6397) or email us at: indoamericannews@yahoo.com
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February 10, 2012
COMMUNITY
How Anger can Become Love
One day will come when even if you are put into the most extreme situation, your energies will remain very calm BY SADHGURU JAGGI VASUDEV It doesn’t matter how much people preach ‘don’t get angry’, when certain situations arise you will get angry. I want you to understand this. It does not matter what kind of human being you become, even if you become a super human being, you will never have absolute control over the external world. Whether it is your institution or your family or the world, you will never have total control over the external situation. But you can have total control over the internal situation. Emotional states you call as anger what you call as hate, as lust or as compassion and love – from the lowest to the highest - are certain types of expression of the same energy. Now, why you are asking if without anger you cannot exist is probably because your anger is the most intense situation you have experienced in your life. Unfortunately for most people, their fear, their anger, their hatred are the most intense situations in their lives. Their love is never so intense, their peace is never so intense, their joy is never so intense, but their negativities are intense. So they experience power in negative situations. But if you transform your energy in a certain way, it naturally be-
comes compassion and love – then nobody needs to teach you morality. And slowly as this process goes further, you reach the pinnacle of self-awareness and experience a unity with all life. Suppose you start experiencing yourself as part of people around you; after that no one need teach you to be good, don’t harm, don’t kill. Once you experientially are a part of everything then nobody needs to teach you morality. Then you can do something for the situation, but without anger. What you have to do, you do. But when you do it with anger and hatred it is of no value – whatever you do. The whole process of yoga is based on this. A day will come when even if you are put into the most extreme situation, your energies will remain very calm. How you respond will depend on the situation you are in, who you are, what your capabilities are, and what means you have. When you act out of unity with all life, you act without identity. Only then can you function out of your intelligence. Yoga means to cultivate your energy in such a way that gradually it breaks the physical limitations and elevates you to the highest level of awareness, the flowering of human potential. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is a yogi, profound mystic of our times,
and visionary humanitarian. His presence creates an extraordinary opportunity to break through limitations into one’s natural state of freedom, love and joy. Named one of “India’s 50 Most Powerful People” by India Today magazine, Sadhguru has touched the lives of
millions of people worldwide, contributing to his vision of raising human consciousness. Learn Isha Kriya, a simple and powerful guided meditation designed by Sadhguru. Find a free session near you by calling (832)-
408-0663 or access free online on our website. Also, Sadhguru will be conducting a 3-day Inner Engineering Program in Houston, Texas on May 4th-6th, 2012. To learn more, watch Sadhguru’s videos, or access the free meditation, visit www.BeBreatheBlossom.com
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Tyson Anand May 29, 2005 - January 30, 2012 Courtesy Indo American Pet & Animal Welfare Society of Greater Houston http://www.ipawshouston.org http://www.facebook.com/ipawshouston Email:ipawshouston@gmail.com
Rainbow Bridge
This side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When a pet close to someone dies, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. For all such special friends, there are meadows and hills here where they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends stay warm and comfortable. Animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those that were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone bye. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intense; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...
Grieving Family: Ramesh, Zarina, Tarush and Vineet Anand
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February 10, 2012
Two Indian American Science Students Meet President Obama at White House Science Fair
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U.S. President Barack Obama greets 17-year-old Shree Bose of Fort Worth, Texas during a science fair event in the East Room at the White House on February 7 in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the White House Science Fair that had winners from a range of science, technology, engineering and math competitions. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (SI): Two Indian Ameri- 15 Finalist in the 2011 Google Science Fair. “Anand used data recorded via electroencans were among 30 students who were invited by the White House to brief US Presi- cephalography (EEG) from his brain and, dent Barack Obama on their breakthrough after coupling it with the custom software research in science, technology, engineer- that he wrote, used it to control a home-built robotic arm,” the White House said. ing and math. The White House said Obama will also Shree Bose, winner of the Google Global Science Fair for the year 2011, and Anand announce key steps that his Administration Srinivasan were invited by the White House and its partners are taking to help more stualong with winners of other national level dents excel in math and science, and earn degrees in these subjects. science competitions. Shree, a 17year old senior at Fort Worth Country Day School in Fort Worth, Texas, took top honors at the 2011 Google Science Fair for her discovery of a way to improve ovarian cancer treatment for patients when they have built up a resistance to certain chemotherapy drugs. Anand, a sophomore from Roswell High President Barack Obama talks with Anand Srinivasan, 15, in the Blue School in Ro- Room during the second annual White House Science Fair celebrating swell, Georgia, student winners of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competitions from across the country. (Official White House Photo by qualified as a top Pete Souza)
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February 10, 2012
Teacher Accused of having Sex with Student
HOUSTON (KTRK): A Houston teacher is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student, and now he’s facing felony charges because of it. Ajay Kumar Mangal, 24, is charged with improper relationship with a student and sex assault of a child. Mangal, who is a teacher at YES Prep East End High School, reportedly befriended a 16-yearold student in September 2011 after noticing the girl dancing at a teacher’s going away party. The girl told police that she and Mangal began talking and texting and went out to eat together. According to court documents, she
Ajay Kumar Mangal, 24, is charged with improper relationship with a student and sex assault of a child Photo: PPD / HC
says they discussed the consequences of her being underage and him being a teacher, but decided
to meet on September 16. The pair reportedly had sex at Mangal’s apartment. The girl’s mother became suspicious and investigated her daughter’s cell phone, where she reportedly discovered emails from Mangal. The girl then confessed to her mother about the sexual relationship. Cell phone records show approximately 900 calls and texts between Mangal’s phone and the girl’s phone during a nine-day period in September. Mangal, who has been employed by YES Prep East End High School since June 2010 is in custody in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Hindu Doctors Gunned Down in Pakistan
KARACHI (HT): Four Hindu doctors have been gunned down in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province sparking fears and panic among the minority community. The doctors were gunned down on Monday at their clinic in Chak town. Dr Ramesh Kumar a former member of provincial assembly and chief patron of Pakistan Hindu Council confirmed that Dr Ashok, Dr Naresh, Dr Ajeet
and Dr Satia Paul were killed by armed assailants while working in their clinic. “This is not the first time such an incident has taken place where members of our community have been targeted. What is of concern is that the law enforcement agencies tend to support the criminals involved in such acts,” Dr Kumar told PTI. “There is a strong population of around 50,000 Hindus in Chak. Government must take no-
tice of it and provide protection to the minorities.” Police said they had arrested two of the people involved in the killings and were searching for the other culprits. A police official confirmed that the killings could have been the result of a dispute between some Hindus and the local Bhaya Baradari that took place two weeks back over a Hindu girl.
9
Sword of Honor for Utpala Dubey
HOUSTON: Houston based Project Management Professional, Utpala Dubey, received the Sword of Honor during the 31st International Congress of NRI’s held in New Delhi on January 24. Sword of honour is the highest recognition from the Non Resident Indian’s Welfare society of India and is awarded annually on the eve of India’s Republic Day to a highly selective group of NRIs for their contributions, services and achievements in their areas of expertise and keeping the flag of India high. This award was presented by Kapil Sibal, Indian Minister of Human Resource Develop-
ment. The other distinguished guests included Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, Former Governor and Union minister, Justice Markandey Katju Chairman, Press Council of India and former Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Shri S.Z. Ansari, Member, National Commission for Backward Classes, Tom Vadakkan, AICC Secretary. “I am extremely honored to be part of this prestigious group, humbled and very excited to receive such recognition,” said Dubey. She dedicated the award to her parents and family for all their support and encouragement. Dubey has over 15 years of experience in Project Management and Controls of large scale projects in the energy sector and currently is the Business Lead for India for BP’s 7.2 Bn USD investment geared towards exploring and promoting natural gas play opportunities in India with Reliance. This Sword of Honour is another feather in her cap having received many other awards including the Hind Rattan and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Samman a year ago.
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COMMUNITY
10 February 10, 2012
Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar Kicks Off Annual Fundraiser in Heart-Shaped Style Proceeds from Boston’s Cares to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and several local charities
DALLAS: Dallas-based Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Boston’s) launched its annual Boston’s Cares fundraising campaign. Boston’s is partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to support its efforts in pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other deadly diseases. In addition, several Boston’s locations have selected local charities to support during the 2012 Boston’s Cares campaign. “Giving back to charitable organizations is a long-standing tradition of Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar,” said Boston’s Chief Operating Officer Mike Best. “We are passionate about the communities where our local franchisees operate and are pleased to have donated more than $550,000 to support local charities over the past 13 years.” The annual Boston’s Cares promotion began January 9 in all Boston’s U.S. locations and runs through February 26. Special menu dessert options include red velvet cheesecake, and, for the first time, Boston’s is introducing a gluten-free dessert – brownie a la mode. To continue with tradition, heart-shaped pizzas will be available Valentine’s Day weekend, February 11 to 14. Boston’s will donate $1 from each of the specialty menu desserts and heart-
County; Faribault Food Shelf; GuardianAngelsforSoldiersPet. org; Humane Society; Joel’s Place; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Kidd’s Kids; Mid-Ohio Food Bank; and Mike’s Guardian Eagle Foundation. About Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar mirrors its sister company, Boston Pizza, the No. 1 casual dining brand in Canada. Introduced in the U.S. in 1998, Boston’s Restaurant & A family shops for their baby girl with the help of Boston’s volunteer, David Wallace at Boston’s & Kids Matter International : Around the Block” event in December 2010.
shaped pizzas sold and will sell customizable paper heart valentines for $1. Since opening its doors 50 years ago, St. Jude has made great discoveries in how to treat deadly childhood diseases like cancer, saving the lives of kids around the world. Families never pay St. Jude for treatment and St. Jude covers the cost of travel, lodging and food for each patient and a family member. During the past five years, 81 cents of every dollar received has supported the research and treatment at St. Jude. “We are truly thankful to be partnering with Boston’s Restaurant &
Sports Bar this year,” said Chris Boysen, vice president of field operations at ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude. “It costs $1.7 million a day to operate the hospital and more than 75 percent of that funding comes from the public through programs like Boston’s Cares.” Local charities also be benefiting from the Boston’s Cares 2012 fundraiser include: American Heart Association; Alliance for a Violence-Free Anoka County; Children’s Miracle Network; CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital; Diabetes, Inc.; Education Foundation of Collier
Sports Bar is franchised by Boston Pizza Restaurants, L.P. Boston’s offers a contemporary, sit-down family dining atmosphere with a separate sports bar customized with local team memorabilia. The result is a fun, high-energy setting for families and sports enthusiasts alike. While Boston’s specializes in gourmet pizza and pasta, its menu features nearly 100 items including salads, sandwiches, and a variety of sports bar favorites such as burgers, wings and ribs. For more information, visit www.bostons.com.
Sugar Land Resident Receives Microsoft MVP Tech Award SUGAR LAND: Santhosh Sivarajan, a Sugar Land resident, has received the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award this year for his exceptional contributions to the technical community. The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) is the highest award given by Microsoft to those it considers the best and brightest from technology communities around the world who actively share their technical expertise with the community and with Microsoft. Santhosh Sivarajan Santhosh is a Technical Architect currently residing in Sugar Land. He has been working with Microsoft technologies for the past 10 years and is actively involved in technical forums, publishing articles, developing Microsoft questions etc. For more information about Santhosh, visit www.sivarajan.com
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
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February 10, 2012
TNF Idol 2012 Kicks Off with Junior Idol
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Houston will be competing against the finalists from Austin, San Antonio and Dallas for the TNF Junior Idol title. In addition to the Junior Idol competition, an Adult Idol will also be conducted. Houston Adult TNF Idol audition is scheduled for February 26. The finals for both Junior and Adult will be judged by acclaimed music director, Bharadwaj in May 2012. The winners of the Idol will be crowned during the convention that starts on May 25.
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HOUSTON: The first event for the Tamilnadu National Foundation’s Annual convention scheduled to be conducted in May 2012 in Houston got off to a great start on February 4 with the Junior Idol audition. The audition was held at First Colony Community Center, Sugar Land with over 30 of Houston aspiring singers participating and over 150 people in attendance. The concept was modeled after popular singing reality shows. The team consists of Rajan Radhakrishnan, TNF 2012 cultural committee Chair; Raj Thiagarajan, cultural events co-ordinator; Jonathan Janarthanan and Karthika Mahadev, TNF IDOL co-ordinators with able support from Vijaya Rajan and Revathi Thiagarajan. The event was kicked off with introductory remarks by Raj Thiagarajan and was emceed by Rajan Radhakrishnan. The show was very lively and
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BY MUKUL KELKAR Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been rapidly moving the cutoff date forward for the second employment-based preference (“EB-2”) for petitioners from India. The second employmentbased preference is reserved for members of professions holding advanced degrees, persons of exceptional ability, and people who are eligible for a national interest waiver. Before this rapid forward movement, EB-2 petitioners from India experienced significant waiting time between the approval of their petition and the actual date on which they can receive their visa. However, this waiting time has now been reduced to two years. Now, for Indian EB-2 petitioners, an approval of their petition today means that they can get their visas within two years from the time of filing. USCIS has been rapidly moving the cut-off date forward as a response to the extremely low rate of new filings for adjustment of status in recent months. USCIS hopes to generate demand and maximize the number of visas issued annually. However, once the amount of new filings increases significantly, USCIS will slow down or stop the movement of the cut-off date. As a result, the waiting time between approval of the petition and the availability of a visa will again increase significantly. Due to this effect, it is extremely important to file the EB-2 PERM Labor Certifications or NIW (I-140) petitions as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this short waiting period. In order to file an NIW petition, the candidate must have an “advanced degree” or “exceptional ability.” The requirements for an NIW make it a very suitable option for academic scholars, researchers, Ph.D. students, post doctoral research fellows, and other advanced degree holders. Advanced degrees include a Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.D., M.E., or their equivalent. The candidate must also be able to demonstrate: (1) that he or she is seeking employment in a field of substantial importance to the
United States; (2) the benefit from the candidate’s proposed activity or employment will be national in scope; and (3) the requirement of a Labor Certification will have an adverse effect on the U.S. national interest. Whether or not a candidate can meet these conditions requires the analysis of an experienced attorney who is familiar with this sort of case. The biggest advantage of applying for an NIW is that there is no requirement of a job offer from an employer in order to apply. Candidates can petition on behalf of themselves. Since job offers are hard to come by in the current economic climate, applying for an NIW is an attractive way for petitioners to apply for a U.S. visa, especially those who do not currently have job offers from U.S. employers. Nevertheless, U.S. employers may also file an NIW petition on behalf of their employee as well. Another advantage is that labor certification is not required. Because the labor certification process can be very long and difficult, skipping this process will increase the chances of approval. Furthermore, an NIW applicant can also attempt to file other immigration petitions, like an EB1(a) Extraordinary Ability petition, while the NIW petition is pending. The various alternative options available provide flexibility to an
Mukul Kelkar worked as a Fort Bend County Assistant District Attorney and now has joined Nguyen & Chen, LLP
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
14 February 10, 2012
Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya MAHASIVARATRI
Come celebrate and receive Lord Siva’s grace and blessings Sunday, February 19, 2012 8:35 am - 10:15 am 11:15 am - 01:00 pm
Maha Mrtyunjaya Homa - Session 1 Maha Mrtyunjaya Homa - Session 2
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Pradosa - Rudrabhiseka in the Temple
Sivoham Come and enjoy a captivating dance drama on Lord Siva's glorious attributions and different facets. The theme skillfully depicts the Lord’s mysticism as conceived and presented by renowned: Dr. Rathna Kumar and Anjali Center of Performing Arts 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Stafford Civic Center Tickets: $10, $20 and VIP (1415 Constitution Avenue Stafford, TX 77477) For Tickets and information, Contact: Rina Merchant 281- 265 - 3529
Monday, February 20, 2012 9:00 am 7:30 pm 7:00 pm 10:00 pm 10:30 pm
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Chinmaya Mission Houston 10353 Synott Road Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-568-1690
www.saumyakasi.org Contact: Jay Deshmukh 832-541-0059 Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
February 10, 2012
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15
16 February 10, 2012 BY RAJ KANWAR IAN INDIA CORRESPONDENT It was a lackluster Republic Day this year too. Barring the much celebrated parade by troops from the various regiments of Indian military, Navy and Air Force that included tableaux from various Indian states, there was nothing else to showcase the 63rd Indian Republic Day. The parade held on the well laid out two-mile long Central Vista in New Delhi was undoubtedly an impressive one but lacked the spontaneity of a public jubilation. All the top VVIPs headed by the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister with hundreds of other VIPs were present on both sides of the Vista with hoi polloi pushed far away at the rear of the so-called glitterati. Over the years, particularly since Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, the security arrangements at the Republic Day parade in Delhi have become more and more exclusive, with politicians, officers of the armed forces and bureaucrats kept confined beyond a three-layer security cordon. This has certainly lost the spontaneous fervor that once was its principal characteristic and USP; thousands of common people with their family from all across Delhi would those days trudge from their homes on the cold wintry mornings just to be able to find a seat from where they
INDIA
For most Indians, it is a holiday
Republic Day in India Now Sans Public Gaiety could view the parade without let or hindrance. Now all of those common people are conspicuously absent from the R-Day parade. Thankfully, now most citizens have color TVs at their homes and can comfortably watch the parade in the warmth and convenience of their homes. In Delhi, barring a few enterprising associations of traders,
hardly any retail outlet or even eating places fly national tri-color outside their premises. The householders all over the capital city too do not care to hang the national flag outside their homes. In the capital of the Indian states, only a parade by the local police or/ and units of para-military forces or even army units, wherever available, do a ceremonial march past, with the state governor unfurling the national flag. In smaller cities and towns, an apology of Republic Day parade is held on a miniature scale with the local district magistrate performing the role of a chief guest. Here too the invited guests are generally bureaucrats of dif-
ferent hues and their minions and the common man is safely kept at bay. For most Indians, the Republic Day doesn’t mean anything more than a holiday. There is so much obsession with the term ‘holiday’ that if 26th January, 15th August or Gandhi’s birthday on 2nd October, God forbids, fall on a Sunday or any other weekly off, there is a universal curse, ‘how sad, we have lost a holiday’. It is in the schools and the school children who try their best to enjoy the spirit of the Republic Day by holding special functions at their respective premises where programs of entertainment are presented by the students. It is a much touching feeling to hear children sing in unison the National Anthem, ‘jana gana mana’ or ‘Iqbal’s, ‘sare jahan se achcha, Hindustan hamara’. Generally, the school principal makes a small speech exhorting children to shun one vice or another, or cultivate some good habits. At Ann Mary, one of the best schools in Dehra Dun where this writer was the chief guest, the principal Dr. Deepak Arora lamented the fact that the ‘Indian’ was becoming an endangered species. How correct was he. Today, one will find a Maharashtrain, a Telgu or a Tamilian or even a Punjabi or Bihari or a Hindu or Mus-
lim but very few of us will claim to be Indians – first and last. In a very vivid contrast, our American friends irrespective of caste, religion or country of origin joyously celebrate the 4th of July. I have myself seen Americans fly the Stars & Stripes on the porticos of their houses or the balconies of their apartments. All cities and towns hold special parties and fireworks where the town folks gather in full strength in evenings; some bring sandwiches, coffee or even beer cans. The fireworks are simply breath-taking. Friends and relatives get together and hold beer and barbeque parties which sometime continue late into the night if the following day was to be holiday. One of the most awe inspiring celebrations that I took part nearly three decades ago was in Austin, Texas. Even though, it was a hot summer evening but the Austinites did not worry about the temperature and took part with gay abandon in the 4th of July in a series of day-long festivity. Children jumped in and out of swimming pools, their parents and other partaking of barbequed meat and vegetables; the copious amount of Shiner Bock, Austin’s native dark beer; funnily, feeling of patriotism for the time being takes a back seat so long the celebrations with friends and family last.
The people of Austin had started gatherings around 4 in the afternoon. When the sun started to set, Austinites headed to the “official” and largest 4th of July event at Auditorium Shores; it was a beautiful tree-lined park that borders Lake Austin. Here, more than 100,000 people from all walks of life had gathered to see the Austin Symphony perform patriotic music, followed by an amazing fireworks display. I was spellbound by listening to the little kids “oohing” and “aaahing” as each firework display got louder and louder, finally culminating in an amazing spectacle of light, sound and patriotism. Today, the Indians in the USA celebrate the Indian Republic Day much more enthusiastically and joyously than their brethren back home. I often wonder why the Indian, who is lazy, insolent and lack civic sense in India, becomes totally the opposite when they are in the USA. During a recent visit to the Punjab, I found piles of garbage all over the city of Jallundar even in so-called upscale localities and neighborhoods. There was no traffic sense with families riding on motorbikes through city’s narrow lanes, in utter disregard of any possible hazard. The same very people undergo a makeover when they become non-resident Indians. Why so!
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
INDIA
Protestors in San Francisco Demand Release of ‘Prisoners of Conscience’
BY SUNITA SOHRABJI SAN FRANCISCO (TOI): As scores of well-dressed people entered the Palace of Fine Arts on January 26 to attend Republic Day celebrations, a small group of protestors gathered outside the entrance to demand the release of two “prisoners of conscience.” School teacher Soni Sori, 35, and her nephew, journalist Linga Kodopi, 25, have been held by Chhattisgarh police since October 2011 for their alleged collusion with Maoist rebels in the region. Sori and Kodopi are accused of transferring $300,000 from the Essar mining company to Maoist rebels. Amnesty International has declared Sori and Kodopi to be “prisoners of conscience” and has petitioned the Indian government to immediately and unconditionally release the pair. While in prison, Sori was allegedly brutally tortured by Chhattisgarh police. A medical examination revealed severe spinal cord damage and stones pushed into her genitals. Protests to release Sori and Kodopi were simultaneously held in London Jan. 26 and in Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Austin, Texas; Boston, Mass.; and San Jose, Calif., last weekend. Demonstrations will be held this weekend in Columbus, Ohio and Dallas, Texas. “We want to put a stop to torture,” Balaji Narasimhan, one of the organizers of the San Francisco protest, told India-West. “As Indian Americans, we find injustices like this to be a huge blemish on our India, a country we are all otherwise justifiably very
Soni Suri Photo: Garima Jain
proud of,” he added. “Republic Day is a day to celebrate the Indian Constitution. We use the occasion to remind ourselves and others of the fundamental rights it guarantees - rights like the right to life, personal liberty and the due process of law - to all people, especially the most vulnerable of the people of India,” said Narasimhan. The small group initially gathered at the entrance to the Palace of Fine Arts, but was asked to move from the public space by consular officials, according to Narasimhan. The group then moved about 150 feet away from the entrance and handed out flyers and gathered signatures on a petition as people walked over to the Republic Day celebrations inside. Asti Bhatt, another organizer of the San Francisco protest, told India-
West that at least one attendee felt the demonstration made India “look bad.” “According to him, the instances of human rights violations in India are not institutionalized or systemic in India but are one-off instances,” she said. Human Rights Watch, a non-profit organization tracking human rights violations throughout the globe, issued its “World Report” Jan. 24, citing several instances of police torture and custodial killings in Jammu and Kashmir and in Maoist stronghold regions. “India has yet to repeal laws or change policies that allow impunity from human rights violations, and has failed to prosecute even known perpetrators of serious abuses,” noted the report. Human rights activists in Maoist regions seeking accountability for arbitrary arrests, torture and killings have themselves come under threat from both Naxalite forces and the police, noted the report. Naxalite forces have killed 250 civilians and have targeted schools and hospitals for bombings, according to the report, which added that government forces have killed at least 180 Naxalites in the past year. Inadequate government oversight in Chhattisgarh has led to international mining companies haphazardly destroying farmlands, polluting vital water supplies and creating serious health and environmental hazards, stated Human Rights Watch in its annual report.
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Two Indian-origin Men among 10 ‘Heroes’ in South Africa JOHANNESBURG (HT): Two Indian-origin men, including a journalist, are among South Africa’s 10 heroes who contributed to the public life in 2011. Journalist Yusuf Abramjee and philanthropist Dr Imtiaz Sooliman joined the list, compiled by a newspaper, which was topped by South African Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. Published by the daily ‘The Star’, the heroes list cited Abramjee for not succumbing to temptation and going public about a multi-million rand bribe offered to him by an el-
derly church leader who was illegally claiming millions of rands from the state for school subsidies while his schools were inoperative. Abramjee initiated the Lead SA campaign in which radio and print media jointly encourage members of the public to expose corruption and do things in the public interest, no matter how small. “In the process of turning down a Rs1.2 million bribe, Abramjee exposed a multi-million rand corruption scam in the Gauteng education system,” the daily said.
17
Sooliman, who gave up a medical career to start the relief aid organisation Gift of the Givers, has in the past decade received international fame for running a huge organisation which reacts to natural disasters and in war-torn countries more rapidly than international and governmental aid agencies. “When disaster strikes, Sooliman will be there,” the daily said of the man who runs his agency from donations on a voluntary basis and is well-connected across the globe but retains his humility.
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
18 February 10, 2012 Sub-Seven Slowdown The sub-7 per cent GDP growth rate for 2011-12 does not come as a surprise to India watchers abroad and pragmatic analysts at home. A freeze in government decision-making and the central bank’s tight monetary stance killed corporate India’s appetite for investment. But until as late as last week, the government could not imagine the GDP growth rate to slip so low, its lowest in three years. In fact, addressing a conference of state chief secretaries less than a week ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said growth in the current financial year will be “between 7 and 7.5 per cent”. He blamed the lower growth rate largely to “the continuing uncertainty in the global economic environment”. Three months ago at the G-20 summit in Cannes, he said India would grow between 7.6 per cent and 8 per cent. True, the global economy is in doldrums. But in such times, it is incumbent upon government to be more proactive in inducing domestic investment. But from disinvestment to the land acquisition law, key issues are gathering dust for more than a year. To top it, partisan politics and pressures of coalition parties have stalled big-ticket policy moves. Instead of acknowledging this and strategising the way forward, the prime minister expressed disappointment at negative comments by corporate leaders.And his finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee, went a step further to say industry must not keep whining. Even today, Mukherjee said he anticipates the GDPgrowth numbers to see an upward revision when the full data for 2011-12 is available. Going by the past trend, it is most likely the numbers will be revised up. Certainly, it will not be anywhere close to his 9 per cent +/- 0.25 per cent estimate made last February. The finance minister is better served looking up the components that have fared miserably. Mining and quarrying has decelerated 2.2 per cent compared with 5 per cent growth in 2010-11. Former environment minister Jairam Ramesh’s “go, no-go” definition of coal blocks has done irreparable damage to growth. The Prime Minister’s Office is focusing on undoing this damage. There are signs of increased activity at the PMO. The only antidote to a slowdown when there is little inspiration from the rest of the world is quicker decisions and fast-tracking of reforms. Times of India
Jokes from Khushwant Singh A bunch of American researchers produced the thinnest wire the world had ever seen. They decided to go round the world to show off their invention. First they went to the Japanese, who promptly bore a hole through the wire. Determined to avenge this Asian humiliation, they went to India. Where a Sardar working in his backyard wrote in microscopic letters on it ``Made in India’’.
EDITORIAL
Maya of Inclusion
BY SAGARIKA GHOSE to Brahmins, who promptly Between the circling helicopter sub-contract it to the Dalits and the massive crowds, there is but pocket the salary. Jatavs almost a telepathic connection. have cornered the benefits of Seconds before the chopper apSC reservations, leading to pears, a sparse crowd blooms disenchantment among the into a sudden multitude. Silence Balmikis and Pasis. Backward and murmurings mutate into groups such as the Mallas and chants and shouts. Scores of Kahars now want to be classiblue elephant-shaped balloons fied as STs, the SC category dance into the air. Mayawati’s crowded out by competition. helicopter hovers. On the ground, Having created the social buntings, flags, streamers and Supporters wave towards a chopper carrying coalition of all castes, managwaving hands reach upward. BSP supremo and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh ing it and giving it a political The helicopter descends into a Mayawati after an election rally in Gorakhpur on identity has been Mayawati’s mammoth flash fiesta where only Monday. downfall, making many agseconds before there were just a grieved upper caste groups changed 50% of her sitting MLAs, as well as backward communities want few thin lines of dozing cadres. Waiting journalists (your columnist sacked over 20 ministers, including her to “teach her a lesson” for first raising among them) blink in disbelief: But the faithful associate of 27 years, Babu Singh their expectations and then failing to rally ground was almost empty just now, Kushwaha, and trusts nobody except a meet them. The early Congress joined small coterie of bureaucrats. where did the crowd come from? the Dalits and Brahmins under a larger Yet Mayawati has brought back un- vision of nation-building. Mayawati has Crowds and helicopter embody the Mayawati paradox. The face of the Dalit precedented law and order to UP. She’s failed to create a larger vision for her revolution who now brazenly flaunts state smashed the mafias. The big dons from Dalit-Brahmin alliance and give it a sense power. Ruling in the name of the poorest Atique Ahmad to Raja Bhaiya to Munna of a common mission. of the poor and herself - one of Indian Bajrangi are either in jail or they have Travelling from Saharanpur to Lucdemocracy’s proudest achievements - yet been chased out of UP. Notorious dacoits know, down to Bundel-khand, the social surrounded by commandos, armoured Thokia and Dadua have been gunned revolution across UP’s villages is unmiscars and a security apparatus that rivals down in encounters. For the resident of takable though. Dalits can now enter pothe American president, complete with UP, the lawless days of Mulayam Singh lice stations and address the local thanedar jammer vans and police trucks. Maya- Yadav’s regime are a distant memory. or even look a Thakur in the eye. In Yadav wati’s vote share is set to decline in this Mayawati’s development record may not villages, dabang musclemen touch the election, yet from Sitapur to Gorakhpur to be as impressive as other chief ministers feet of Dalit pradhans. Housing schemes Barabanki, the crowds at her rallies have in their first terms, but driving through have provided the Dalit with a dignity he so far been jaw-droppingly stupendous. sugar cane country towards Saharanpur, never had previously. But the social revoAmid swelling crowds, she remains an residents say that western UP has far less lution is equally truncated, stunted and island, totally inaccessible to voters and electricity problems than it did in the past. left incomplete. Where Mayawati could to the media - a symbol of mass aspira- The Mahamaya cash transfer schemes, have created the Dalit pantheon of Shahu, tion as well as of brute power and official two big schools for girls and boys and Phule and Ambedkar, she has chosen to hierarchy. AK 47s and Ambedkar define a super speciality hospital in Noida are reinstate herself and her own family as the Mayawati persona; she built the BSP talked proudly as showpieces for UP. statues. She has rewritten her own history movement by organising the poor, now Between 2003-2011, UP grew at 7.1%. instead of a new Dalit history. Today the Dalit is in a dilemma. Does she’s built an iron curtain around her. Destiny often tests a people’s messiah. She’s accused of massive corruption. he remain loyal to Mayawati, the symbol Are you listening to your voter? Too many Her so-called ‘house’ (the BSP calls it of the revolution or is his participation in AK 47s, helicopters, rule by bureaucrats a museum) in Badalpur in her ancestral the revolution being increasingly taken and taking voters for granted could lead village in western UP is a grand man- for granted? Mayawati has transformed to the squandering of the Dalit legacy. sion, reportedly equipped with a helipad, the BSP into a party of the ‘sarvajan sa- Yes, Mayawati does represent a social set amid sprawling lawns. The Rs 5,000 maj’, from a party of Dalits into a party of miracle, but the Dalit miracle now needs crore National Rural Health Mission all castes. The ‘Brahmin jodo’strategy led to be taken to the next stage by giving (NRHM) scam has already resulted in the her to a spectacular victory in 2007. Yet the ‘sarvajan samaj’ true political meandeath of four UP officials. Mayawati and her alliance with upper castes has led to ing. Aggressive displays of State power her family are accused of owning huge both economic and political displacement cannot be a substitute for bridge building properties across UP and the national of the Dalits. Election tickets previously with all communities on equal terms, given only to SCs are now being given if one truly wants to lead UP towards a capital. The BSP cadres are full of fear, smart- to Brahmins and other castes. In jobs, the caste-free renaissaissance. HT ing from her stern measures, nursing post of a safai karamchari, once reserved Sagarika Ghose is Deputy Editor of its wounds from her whiplashes. She’s for lower castes, is now even allotted CNN-IBN.
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EDITOR: PRAMOD KULKARNI BUSINESS MANAGER: JAWAHAR MALHOTRA MANAGING PARTNER: KRISHNA GIRI COMMUNITY REPORTER: KALYANI GIRI COMMUNITY EDITOR: MANASI GOKHALE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER: VANSHIKA VIPIN BUSINESS & RECREATION: JACOB DAVID GRAPHIC DESIGN: SAQIB RANA CORRESPONDENTS CHICAGO: NAND KAPOOR, UK: ASEEM KULKARNI NEW DELHI: 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 5 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. Tel: 713-789-NEWS or 6397 Fax: 713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: indoamerican-news.com
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February 10, 2012
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BY PRAKASH IYER (Careers 360) IT happened some years ago but I can recall the evening like it happened just last week. I was in an audience listening to a motivational guru. The speaker whipped out his wallet and pulled out a five hundred rupee note. Holding it up, he asked, “Who wants this five hundred rupee note?” Lots of hands went up. Including mine. A slow chorus began to build as people began to shout “Me!” “Me!”I began to wonder who the lucky one would be who the speaker would choose. And I also secretly wondered – and I am sure others did too - why he would simply give away five hundred rupees. Even as the shouts of “I want it” grew louder, I noticed a young woman running down the aisle. She ran up onto the stage, went up to the speaker, and grabbed the five hundred rupee note from his hand. “Well done, young lady,” said the speaker into the microphone. “Most of us just wait for good things to happen. That’s of no use. You’ve got to make things happen.” The speaker’s words have stayed with me ever since. Our lives are like that. We all see opportunities around us. We all want the good things. But the problem is we don’t take action. We all want the five hundred rupee notes on offer. But we don’t make the move. We look at it longingly and wonder who will be the lucky one – instead of making our own luck. To be fair, some of us do think of running onto the stage and grabbing it. But we quickly hold ourselves back, because we worry about what people might think. Has it ever happened to you that you see a successful new product or a flourishing new business - and remind yourself of how you had thought of that very idea many years ago? Well, that’s not worth much. You may have had the idea first, but someone else did something about it – so he’ll reap the rewards. Next time you have an
“There will be times when we feel crushed, beaten. But never let your self-worth diminish” idea – remember that simply thinking about doing something is of no use. Do something. Next time you see an opportunity – think of the lady and the five hundred rupee note. Remember, just wanting it is of little use. Get up, and do something about it. Don’t worry about what other people might think. Take action. Several years later, it was another day, another time. And another motivational guru. As I watched him pull out a five hundred rupee note and hold it up for all to see, I thought I knew what he was going to do next. But he just asked a simple question. “How much is this worth?” “Five Hundred rupees!” the crowd yelled in unison. “Right,” said the speaker. He then took the note and crumpled it into a ball and asked “How much is it worth now?” “Five Hundred rupees!” screamed
the audience. He then threw the note on the ground, stamped all over it and picked up the note and asked one more time: “And how much is it worth now?” “Five Hundred rupees!” was the response. “I want you to remember this,” said the speaker. “Just because someone crumples it, or stamps on it, the value of the note does not diminish. We should all be like the five hundred rupee note. In our lives, there will be times when we feel crushed, stamped over, beaten. But never let your self-worth diminish. Just because someone chooses to crush you – that doesn’t change your worth one bit! Don’t allow your self-worth to diminish because someone says something nasty – or does something dirty - to you.” Good lessons to remember as you embark into a Leap year. May the New Year bring you joy, happiness – and all the five hundred rupee notes you always wanted! 2012 promises to be your best year ever. Now just take action to make it that way! Prakash Iyer is MD, KimberlyClark Lever and Executive Coach. For more inspiring life lessons, read Iyer’s new book The Habit of Winning.
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INDIA
February 10, 2012
Ongoing elections in five states
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Long Electoral Process Raises Delicate Issues of Propriety BY RAJ KANWAR IAN INDIA CORRESPONDENT The Chief Election Commissioner’s decision to fix March 6 as the date for the counting of votes in the five states raises some ticklish constitutional questions. Of the five states, elections have already been completed in Manipur, the Punjab and Uttarakhand. Manipur was the first to go to the polls on January 28 while the voting took place in Uttarakhand and the Punjab on January 30. Only the voting process in Goa and Uttar Pradesh assemblies is still to begin. The voting in the large and unwieldy state of UP is a painstakingly long process and is spread over seven phases. The first phase will start on February 8, even before this issue reaches you and will end on March 3. The polling in Goa will take place on March 3. The chief election commissioner in his wisdom has fixed March 6 for the counting of votes in all the five states. Here, it needs to be pointed out that the contestants both in the Punjab and Uttarakhand will have to spend 35 restless and anxious days and sleepless nights before they would know of their respective fates. It is not only the candidates in the electoral fray, but also thousands of their supporters who too would be anxiously twiddling their thumbs, wondering what lay in store for them. The weak-hearted among the potential winners could even suffer from hyper tension, and some could even get a heart attack. I am not very much concerned with political class and its health, yet I clearly foresee some sensitive ‘constitutional’, ‘administrative’ and issues of propriety if the current governments in Uttarakhand and the Punjab continued to rule their respective states. The electoral battles both in Uttarakhand and the Punjab were between the two traditional rivals. The ruling Akali Dal-BJP alliance was pitted against the Congress in the Punjab while in Uttarakhand BJP faced a rejuvenated Congress. Political analysts believe that both the current ruling parties are lagging behind their Congress rivals and in all probability the Congress party could come to power in the two states. Judging by the tradition, no ruling party has returned to power either in the Punjab and Uttarakhand. In the former, over all these years it has always been that Congress and Akali Dal both alternately shared power. Even in the younger state of Uttarakhand, the fight is fiercely being fought between chief minister Khanduri and Congress which has projected Harish Rawat as its chief ministerial candidate, the two parties have replaced each other since its birth. If the opinion of the analysts is to be believed then the continuance of the Akali Dal-BJP combine in the Punjab and the BJP government in Uttarakhand could become a cause for much embarrassment. It would mean that governments that, in fact, have seemingly lost the confidence of the people of the state would continue to hold the reins of power in these states which could be considered a constitutional anomaly and embarrassment.
Most candidates in the five election-bound states in India are uncertain of their fate since the counting of votes will take place only on March 6. Till then they are just hoping and praying, and singing Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be The future’s not ours, to see Que Sera, Sera What will be, will be.
Harish Rawat
The governments both in the Indian states and at the Centre are not known for their financial prudence; on the contrary these governments relish profligacy and their satraps would enjoy spending public funds on their favorite projects and making money with both hands as if there is no tomorrow. Coincidentally, the end of the financial year is very close and it will be tempting for some of these bureaucrats to undertake expenses of all sorts even if these be wasteful. It is a normal practice in all the states to splurge large budgetary allocations towards the fag end of the fiscal year just in order to utilize the given budget. There have been instances where government departments have made payment to their pet suppliers and contractors even before receiving the material ordered or the contracted job completed simply to meet the deadline of March 31. The politician is the most ‘optimistic’ of the human species; almost all the candidates who were in the fray in these two states have already started counting their chickens before even they are hatched. Particular in the Punjab, both the chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Congress rival Capt. Amarinder Singh have even begun ruminating over the choice of the ministers whom they will include in the new ministries. Badal has even told his supporters that he would ensure that the unfinished projects undertaken by him were completed. Many ministerial hopefuls have even started making the rounds of the houses of the powerful satraps in the two major political outfits to plead and promote their respective cause. This inordinately large gap between the polling and the declaration
undue advantage of being in power and posting their favorite officers in some of the sensitive districts. Even despite the moral code of conduct being in force, there are many ways of enticing or even bribing some of the electorate. In our neighboring country of Bangladesh, a neutral government is installed during the period when the elections are being conducted. This
has worked rather well. If the suggestion of the President’s Rule does not find general acceptance then the only other way for the Chief Election Commissioner is to condense its election processes to the minimal. Such long and dreary elections are frankly a bad reflection on the otherwise praiseworthy Indian parliamentary democracy.
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of the results undoubtedly causes an uneasy and delicate situation. Just consider the probability if the incumbent governments in the two states lose the elections. It would mean that the governments have enjoyed the power to rule even after losing the confidence of the people. Though the moral code of conduct is still in force in Uttar Pradesh, the same cannot be said of the Punjab and Uttarakhand where the entire election process barring the counting of votes has been completed. The constitution, particularly Article 356, provides promulgation of President Rule in a state if the incumbent government loses confidence of the majority of the members of the Vidhan Sabha or there is a constitutional failure of sorts. However, the peculiar situation under discussion does not attract this Article. Thus permitting a government to continue to remain in power in a state even if it might have lost the elections may be permissible in the letter of the constitutional provisions but it certainly is contrary to its spirit. What then is the solution? First, the Chief Election Commissioner must avoid stretching the electoral process to such a long period. India perhaps is the only country with the parliamentary democracy where the elections and their results take weeks and weeks to be concluded. In contrast, the Presidential and other elections in the USA are conducted and completed in a single day. There cannot be any constitutional justification whatsoever of spreading over to seven phases the elections in Uttar Pradesh. The threat of violence and booth capturing in the earlier days is now thing of the past. Even if there is a slight apprehension of violence, the police and the para-military forces could certainly ensure throughout the state peaceful voting on a single day. It is only a question of proper logistic planning which the Chief Election Commissioner in consultation with the Central and the state governments could easily put in place. Yet, another suggestion is to put all the election-bound states under the President’s Rule for the duration of the elections till after the results are declared and a party or a group of parties are in a position to form a government. Such a suggestion may cause discomfiture of sorts among the political parties who invariably take
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22 February 10, 2012
Sari Cancer Poses Threat to Women
BY KAMINI MATHAI CHENNAI (TOI): The next time you drape a sari, you might want to re-tie that petticoat knot. According to an article in the November issue of the Journal of the Indian Medical Association, doctors at Grant Medical College in Mumbai have reported cases of what they are referring to as sari cancer. “We have treated three women for waist or sari cancer in the last couple of years,” says author of the article Dr G D Bakhshi, who is an associate professor of surgery at Grant. He authored the piece with colleagues Dr Ashok D Borisa and Dr Mukund B Tayade. While two of the patients diagnosed a couple of years ago are mentioned in the article, the third was detected just three months ago.All the women were above the age of 40. “The sari petticoat, if tied in the same place day after day, can cause chronic irritation along the waistline,” says the report. “The constant irritation can result in scaling or pigmentation. But most sari-wearers don’t notice it until it gets chronic,” says Dr Bakhshi. He adds that women need to be cautious because waist dermatoses can turn malignant as it did in the case of the three women treated at GMC. Dr Bakhshi advises sariwearers to tie their petticoats looser or switch from the usual rope-like belt to broader ones that reduce pressure on the area. He also suggests that they keep changing the level at which they tie saris. “This kind of cancer does not
really affect those wearing pants or belts because the pressure is spread over a larger area, unlike in the case of a petticoat nada or string,” he says. Treatment depends on the stage at
which the cancer has been diagnosed. “If detected early, it can be treated with reconstructive surgery. But if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes then we need to remove the malignancy,” says Dr Bakhshi. He adds that if detected early the cancer is curable. Chennai-based dermatologist Dr Maya Vedamurthy says that around
3% of sari-wearers who come to her have waist dermatoses but she has not seen any cases where it has turned malignant. “The moment I notice it, I tell the patient to start wearing the nada a little looser or switch to a broader string,” she says. Like sari cancer, there are several lifestyle-related cancers that are increasingly being seen in India, such as breast, ovarian and tobacco-related cancers. “There are many types of tobacco-related cancers from lung and stomach to bladder and pancreatic. The cancer is also lifestylerelated, caused by smoking as well as increased levels of pollution in the environment,” says Dr T Rajkumar, professor and head of molecular oncology, Cancer Institute, Adyar. He says breast and ovarian cancer have similar lifestylerelated causes such as late childbirth, lack of exercise, and breastfeeding on the decline. “Working women tend to postpone the age at which they have their first child and going beyond 30 is risky. With ovarian cancer, risk factors include early menarche and late menopause,” he says. Dr Rajkumar adds that colonic cancer, which is related to a low-fibre diet, is also on the rise world over.
HEALTH
Reform of Laws on HIV Sought
CHENNAI (The Hindu): Every time Priya goes to the airport, she hopes the security guy at the gate does not know to read Tamil. With a voter ID card that says male in Tamil and female in English, she, as a transgender, faces the problem of having multiple identities, and she is certainly not alone. People belonging to the transgender community like Priya were among the participants at a regional consultation organised by the V-Community Action Network and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law and UNAIDS Technical Support Facility for South Asia that took place here on Tuesday. Over 60 persons, including commercial sex workers, transgenders, people living with HIV and Men having Sex with Men (MSM) participated. “Tamil Nadu may have been the frontrunner in improving the lives of the transgender community, but the focus has been more on the welfare, not on legal policies. Proper implementation of policies is what we want,” said S. Noori, president of the South India Positive Network. Members of the community highlighted their concerns, including the need for social protection and scientific sex change operations. “The Transgender Welfare Board started in 2008 is almost dysfunctional now. There is no way our grievance can be heard,” said Ms. Noori. The participants discussed the need to reform laws related to HIV/AIDS, particularly ones that reinforce bias against persons with HIV. Since same-sex marriages are illegal, such couples cannot adopt or even buy a life insurance policy, among other things. “Many police station and officials, to ensure they have a certain number of cases at the end of the year, arrest sex workers and make sure they get summoned and later arrested. Some even don’t know that paid sex is not punishable in India, only soliciting is,” said Tito Thomas, director, Centre for Social Research and Development. Organisations need to stand up in defence of the community, besides providing intervention during crisis, said E. Manohar, a social activist from Karnataka. Mr. Manohar said that adult women, who were victims of trafficking, were often kept in government homes, worse than jails, and given an upkeep amount of not more than Rs.13 a day. The recent changes in laws in many countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and others to criminalise clients show that international communities too fail to understand how that would add to the insecurities of the sex workers, he said. Karnataka, he said, recently became the first State to allow all forms of transgenders to avail the benefits that backward classes do. HIV is not a medical issue alone, and it is necessary to understand it in the context of social, economical and psychological scenarios, said Indhu Sivakumar, from TSU- TANSACS. “The community needs to be empowered too, even with the knowledge of legal procedures,” she added. Ayesha Mago, project coordinator, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law, underscored the need to table and pass the HIV Bill soon to ensure there was access to healthcare and education.
Satyam Shivam Sundaram Celebrate the
MAHA SHIVRATRI With Somnath Mahadev
The First Jyotir Linga - a Replica of GOD Somnath & maa Shri Ambaji has arrived in Houston.
Please Come with your family and friends and pray at the Temple
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5645 Hillcroft. Ste. 701 Houston, Texas 77036 Hillcroft Office Park. Tel: 713-278-9099 We are behind 22 Karat Jewlers & Sarisapne
Sunday, February 19, 2012 as per American Central Standard Time, Mahapuja at 6:15 PM. AArati at 7:30 PM. Four Prahar Puja will continue till next day 6:00 AM. List Your Name For Pooja with the Priest. According to USA, Maha Shivratri falls on Sunday, February 19, 2012.
Thandai and Farali Prasad will be served after Abhishek & Aarti. Mrutyunjaya japa Yagna will continue for the whole day. For Maha Puja, Donation of $101.00 is Appreciated. Abhishek During the Day Time. Donation of $21.00 is Appreciated. Milk for Abhishek & Prasad is welcome. Jay Somnath-Temple Committee INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
February 10, 2012
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24 February 10, 2012 BANGALORE (SI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released a new list of India’s most wanted criminals. While few of these terrorist have rewards on their heads from Rs 2 lakh to to Rs 10 lakh, other few have Interpol’s Red Corner Notices issued against them. Hafiz Muhammad Saeed: Hafiz, the founder of proscribed Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT), clearly would be one among the most wanted criminals. He is wanted in many cases of attacks inside India, including the 2008 Mumbai attack, and the 2006 Mumbai train bombings. As per Indian Intelligence sources, Hafiz also masterminded and headed the Indian Parliament attack in 2001. He has a Red Corner Notice issued against him. Z a k i - u rRehman Lakhvi: Zaki-ur-Rehman also has a Red Corner Notice issued against him. He was the man behind many attacks inside India, including the 2008 Mumbai attack, and the 2006 Mumbai train bombings.
INDIA
India’s Most Wanted Criminals IllyasKashmiri: Head of alQaeda’s operational arm, Illyas is also one among the most wanted. He played a role in a number of terror strikes in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He also has a Red Corner Notice issued against him. Though reports suggest he was killed in 2011, his death is not yet confirmed. However, Kashmiri is still listed in the Most Wanted list. Shakir Hussain Sheikh: He is wanted for the September 2011 Delhi high court blast. NIAhas announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to his arrest. Junaid Akram Malik: The NIA has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to Junaid’s arrest. He also has a Red Corner Notice issued against him. He was one among the involved in the Delhi High Court blast.
Ramchandra Kalsangra: He is wanted in connection with investigation into the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast. NIA has announced a reward of 10 lakh for any information leading to his arrest and LOC against him has been issued by Bureau of immigration. Amir Ali Kamal: Amir also known as Akram, is yet another on the Most Wanted list. He is wanted for the September 2011 Delhi high court blast. The NIA has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to his arrest. Sandeep Dange: Sandeep is wanted in connection with investigation into the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast. NIA has announced a cash reward of 10 Lakh for any information leading to his arrest. He has been announced as a Proclaimed Offender. An LOC against him has been issued by Bureau of immigration.
Suresh Nair: Suresh is wanted in connection with the 2007 Ajmer Dargah Sharif bomb blast. NIA has also announced reward of Rs 2 lakh for any information leading to his arrest. Amit: Also known as Ashok/Prince is wanted in connection with investigation into the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast. NIA has announced a cash reward of 2 Lakhs on any information leading to his arrest. He also has an LOC issued against by the Bureau of immigration. The other names in the Most Wanted list include Bhavesh Patel, Jauyanti Bhai Gohil, Mehul and Mohan who have a cash reward of 2 lakh on their head. Abdur Rehman Hashim, Major Sameer Ali, Major Iqbal and Sajid Majid are among the ones issued with a Red Corner Notice. Brahamchari Mayum Angobi Sharma, Brahamchari Mayum Gopal Krishna Sharma, Jay Prakash, Khungdong Tomba, Mohammed Ashar, Praveen Limkar, Y. Nabinchand, P.P. Yoosaf and Rudra Patil are among the ones who are accused of being Proclaimed Offenders. Shoukat Ali is also one among them with a reward of 25 thousand on his head.
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HOROSCOPE
(Sun Sign)
www.GaneshaSpeaks.com Visit us Online www.indoamerican-news.com ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20: Last week’s mental equilibrium. You may positivity will continue this week. Singles may have to juggle between work find a suitable match, and get and home, which becomes engaged while married Rams taxing. Expectations from may welcome a new family your family as well as bosses member! Professionals/ busimay make you feel agitated. nessmen shall reap rich ben- But, control your temper watch your words, or efits for the efforts put in at you may hurt someone unintentionally. Relawork. Same applies to the students. Financially, tionships are fragile, and come with an unwritten you are stable. Pay attention to matters related rule: handle with care. Practise caution in legal to property and assets. Your family and friends and other important matters. shall demand your time. Enjoy an outing with SCORPIO Oct 24 - Nov 22: You will be them. busy like a bee, throughout the week. At work, you will be tied up with meetTAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Expect exciteings, interviews, and conferment and thrill this week. Your life may sudences. Socialising with famdenly pick up pace, and lift ily and friends, relatives, and up your spirits. At work, you renovation may keep you on may receive recognition and your toes. You enjoy being rewards for your hard work. in the limelight. Don’t overFinancially too, things shall exert yourself, it may take a toll on your health. be quite placid and secure. Singles will be ready to commit in a relation- Despite a tight schedule, you will make time for ship, while the married ones will enjoy intimate shopping. However, don’t be extravagant, you may have to regret spending on trivial items. moments. Romantic possibilities are galore, Recharge yourself, get ready for a new week. and you will be at your amorous best. Make SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 22: The week the most of this benevolent period to prosper helps recreate a sizzling chemistry with your personally and professionally. partner. You will feel the posiGEMINI May 22 - Jun 21: This week, tivity around, and it’s the best you will let your work speak volumes about time to indulge in romance you. New projects and asafter all its Valentine’s Week. signments may pour in for To seek the pleasures of love which you may require proper and romance, you will prefer analysis, planning, communito travel to a secluded destination with your cation and new contacts. You will achieve social recogni- beloved. Serene hill-stations or pristine beaches tion, courtesy: Your power and position in the are ideal for you. Besides passionate moments, professional sector. Your success shall have a you will also enjoy sumptuous meals and shoppositive impact on your personal life too. You ping sprees. Your family and colleagues may will enjoy a harmonious family life. Your fam- be waiting for you to return from the amorous ily is a constant source of motivation for you. outing you may have been on. Enjoy and bask You value their support. You want to provide in the glory of love! them with a comfortable life, and don’t mind CAPRICORN Dec 23 - Jan 20: Good working hard. times are likely to continue this week too. This CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 23: Things don’t being the Valentine’s week, seem very charming for your zodiac sign this you will be at your romantic week. There may be some conbest. It’s time to surprise your fusions, let-downs and plenty beloved with flowers, cards of hard work. Work will have and gifts. Go out of your way its pressures and pulls, but you to express your love for him/ will be fine. Don’t let work-reher, and the rewards shall lated troubles or criticism from please you mightily. Your near and dear ones bosses rock your boat, these are short-term and too will receive immense affection, thanks to good times shall be back soon. Stay optimistic. your generous mood. You receive tremendous Take the down time to appreciate the love and approval at your work and it is the real reason support of your family members. Lie low and behind your happiness and excellent frame of calmly wait for the storm to pass. Mediate, don’t mind. You may be promoted or get bonuses. forget to thank God, even in adversity. Financially, the week looks promising. LEO July 24 - Aug 23: The week will be AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19: This week, a mixed bag of highs and lows you need to be a flawless communicator, you for you. Your unfulfilled prommeet people from different ises and negligence towards walks of life. You will also your family members may ire broaden your horizon. Exthem. Spend time with them. penses are on the cards, but it Keep a close watch on kids. If will not affect your financial need be, give them them a lesson on discipline. status. Valentine’s day is just Your domestic life may be stressful. However, around the corner, and love is in the air! At the developments on the work front may trigger personal front, you will be busy forming new happiness. You will show your competence by relationships, and that too, romantic ones. Your striking important deals that will please your su- may be infatuated by the people of opposite sex, periors. Strong chances of new relationships! and may have a string of affairs. But be cautious. VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23: Your routine, You may end up hurting someone. regular life may be slow. All your interest and PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20: You’ll love the time shall be dominated by a pace and rhythm at which your life shall be new relationship. It may be moving. Dynamic and ready of any kind, but there’s a high to face challenges, you will likelihood of it being based be able to conquer anything on mutual love and affection. with your foresight. MeetYou will want to nurture this ings, conferences, interviews, relationship. If in love, you may keep finding travelling to other countries, excuses to be with your beloved. Be practical developing new contacts will in this regard, as only love cannot fulfil all your keep you on your toes this week. Bonding with needs. Try to divert your mind and focus on work. Travel for work is also on the cards. You friends and relatives will help you unwind from will be successful and strike lucrative deals in the stress and pressure of life. The weeks ahead seem to be action packed. Keep your fitness business. LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23: True to your and health levels up. Mediate, seek solace and nature, you will try your best to maintain your rest in spiritualism and Yoga, and recharge your batteries.
February 10, 2012
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26 February 10, 2012 Indian Performing Arts amskriti
Samarpanam
A non-prot organization for promotion of Indian arts and culture
Jointly present Renowned Bharatanatyam Dancer, Choreographer and Guru
Nadanamamani
A. LAKSHAMANASWAMY (Chennai, India) With live orchestra
on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
Kaplan Theater, Jewish Community Center 5601 S. Braeswood, Houston TX, 77096
Tickets: VIP, $50 & $25 (reserved seating), $15 (general seating) For tickets or information contact: Rathna Kumar (Samskriti) - 832-275-9658 Padmini Chari (Samarpanam) – 281-537-1044 Lavanya Rajagopalan (Silambam) - 409-771-6501 This program is partially funded by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2012 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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Israel Approves Important Rail Link of ‘Key Interest’ to India
JERUSALEM (The Hindu): Israel has approved the construction of the first rail link between its Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, offering a new Asia-Europe trade route to compete with the Suez Canal, a project in which India is also said to have evinced interest. The so called proposal for RedMed train link was unanimously approved by the Israeli cabinet and its construction is likely to take about five years from the time of start at a cost of approximately $ 2.3 billion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiating the discussion on the subject more than a week ago, said that the project had “strategic, national and international importance.” In an apparent reference to India and China, Netanyahu on Saturday
and from there to told his ministers that Europe. in the “coming decade “Israel must new powers will arise become a continental [with whom] Israel must land crossing route create vital interests from and create great a national strategy pointpower interest,” the of-view.” Israeli Premier said. Netanyahu has stated In addition to the that both the Asian giants strategic aspects of have expressed a great this rail link, he said deal of interest in the it would also shorten project. travel time from He also asserted that Eilat to Tel Aviv to Israel had an interest in creating an alternative The Red Med railway is set to take five years to two hours, “and will route between Asia complete at a cost of $2.3 Bn. Israel’s Prime Minister change the face of and Europe to the Suez Netanyahu is set to include India and China in the country”. “For 63 years, Canal, and that this could helping establish this railway line, the two nations serve as an “insurance he refered to as new powers on the global scene. there has been talk about linking the policy”. Such a link has the potential to go through the Suez Canal, since periphery to the centre, but nothing serve as a means of transporting cargo unloaded in Eilat would has been done,” he added. Currently, the drive from Tel Aviv goods to Europe without having to then be sent by rail to Israeli ports,
to Eilat takes about 5 hours. According to decision, a team chaired by PMO director-general Harel Locker will consider three options to finance the project - an inter-governmental agreement with another government with which there are economic and strategic interests; public funding; or construction through a private franchisee, a press statement said. Constructing of the new rail link would necessitate both upgrading existing tracks, and laying new ones, the transportation ministry said. The Red-Med railway will include 63 bridges, which altogether will span some 4.5 kilometres, and 5 tunnels, which together will extend for some 9.5 kilometres, it said. Visit online for community news www.indoamerican-news.com
with state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited for about three years. In October 2010, Iran said it would soon sign a $5 billion contract with a foreign company to develop its offshore Farzad-B gas field, without naming the company. ONGC has exclusive exploration rights for the offshore Farsi block, of which the Farzad-B gas field is a part. The EU’s ban on Iranian oil came after US President Barack Obama signed new sanctions into law on New Year’s Eve that would block any institution dealing with Iran’s central bank from the US financial system. The measures are aimed at shutting off the second-biggest OPEC oil exporters’ sales of crude. However, India which relies on Iran for about 12 percent of its oil
needs or around 350,000-400,000 barrels per day (bpd), said it would not cut its oil imports from Iran. If fully implemented, the measures will make it impossible for countries to buy Iranian oil. Iran sits on the world’s secondlargest natural gas reserves, but the development of its energy sector has been slowed by the international sanctions. Many foreign companies have been forced to pull out of the Islamic state’s energy sector due to the fear of sanctions. Iran has previously excluded some foreign oil and gas companies, accusing them of dragging their feet over its projects.
Iran Issues Ultimatum to India Consortium over Gas Field Exploration
TEHRAN (TOI): Iran has given a one-month ultimatum to an Indian consortium over the development of a gas field whose delay by India has been attributed to western pressure, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday. Tension between Iran and the West rose last month when Washington and the European Union imposed the toughest sanctions yet on Iran in a bid to curb its nuclear program. “Iran has given a one-month ultimatum to India over its decision on participating in the development of Farzad-B gas field,” Fars quoted an unnamed oil official as saying. “Possibly foreign pressures played a role in influencing Indian’s delays to develop the field,” he said. Iran said the field’s in-place gas reserves have been estimated at 21.7 trillion cubic feet (tcf), of which 12.5 tcf are recoverable. The report said Iran was in talks
India is caught in the middle of tensions between Iran and the West, as Europe and US have imposed tough sanctions to curb its nuclear program. In turn, Iran has tightened its cap on India’s decision to join on participating in developing of the Farzad-B gas field. India wants to wait and watch on international sanction developments. Iraq is losing patience and has given one month for India to decide.
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Google, Facebook Censor Web Pages Offensive to Indians after Court Decree BY ALEX FITZPATRICK Google India and Facebook have removed web pages considered offensive to India’s political and religious leadership to satisfy a court order in a censorship case. Indian prosecutors are suing a host of Internet companies on behalf of a Muslim religious leader who has accused them of hosting content that insults Islam. Google India did not reveal which sites were removed, but the company has stated it will take down anything which violates Indian law. Reuters reports Facebook also removed content from some “Indian domain websites” and that the company would make a statement later. According to Indian media and the Associated Press, a New Delhi court Monday issued Google, Facebook, YouTube, Blogspot and other Internet companies a twoweek ultimatum for delivering plans to actively supervise their networks. The Indian government has been aggressively lobbying 22 online companies to scrub content deemed “anti-religious” or “anti-social.” Indian officials consider American Internet standards unacceptable for the country’s 100-plus million online citizens. The Indian government’s efforts to censor the web have alarmed proponents of online free speech around the world. But Indian government officials dismissed those fears, citing a goal of national unity in a country with over 2,000 ethnic groups and subscribers to every major religion.
“There is no question of any censorship,” said Indian communications minister Sachin Pilot. “They all have to operate within the laws of the country.” Pilot claimed to have enough evidence to accuse 21 sites for “promoting enmity between classes and causing prejudice to national integration,” and he believes that anyone “hurt” by online content should have a legal recourse to action. The move is the latest chapter of India’s struggle to maintain control over its growing online community, which is the third largest of any country. (But with 1.17 billion people, Internet penetration per capita remains low.) Last April, the Indian government passed regulations that required websites to remove any material considered “grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous,” “ethnically objectionable,” “disparaging” or that impersonates someone else. And in December of last year, India’s government called for Internet companies to screen content before users posted it, a task considered impossible by many. According to Google’s Transparency Report, the Indian government asked the company to remove content 68 times between January and June of last year, and 51% of those requests were at least partially complied with. Earlier, Facebook India gave a compliance report to the court Monday while also saying that no public complaints have been lodged against the company. India, with more than 43 million Facebook users (second highest in the world) is Facebook’s third-fastest growing market. - Mashable.com
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Porn Scandal Rocks Karnataka BJP Govt, Forcing Ministers to Resign BENGALURU: Three BJP ministers in Karnataka, who were caught on camera watching porn on mobile phone during assembly proceedings, resigned o n We d n e s d a y following orders from an embarrassed party leadership. Going into a swift damage control mode, the party K a r n a t a k a B asked minister for m i n i s t e r s c cooperation the trio and told them to put in their Laxman Savadi and minister for women and child papers at a meeting attended by development C C Patil, to quit, top leaders including Sadananda while minister for ports, science Gowda, state BJP President K and technology, Krishna Palemar S Eswarappa and former chief was axed for allegedly providing minister B S Yeddyurappa. As the episode came into national the blue film to his colleagues to limelight, BJP President Nitin watch. Gadkari spoke to Gowda and “We don’t want the party and the government to face further Eswarappa and directed them to embarrassment. All of us have initiate action against the three decided to resign. We have handed ministers, party sources said. Training its guns on the BJP, over our resignation letters to Chief Minister with a request to accept Congress demanded that the three it,” Savadi, Patil and Palemar told ministers should be arrested while asking the assembly Speaker to reporters. Savadi said they would request suspend them. “They should be arrested,” Union the assembly speaker K G Bopiah to institute an inquiry into the minister Veerappa Moily said, incident, asserting that they had adding, “they have desecrated the sanctity of the Assembly”. done no wrong. BJP said it has set an example of Immediately after receiving the resignations of the tainted ministers, high moral standards and probity in Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda public life by asking the ministers announced he has forwarded them to resign. “The BJP high command took to Governor H R Bhardwaj, who this decision of asking the three accepted them. As the episode, unprecedented ministers, against whom the in nature in the state’s legislative allegations were made, to submit history became a full blown their resignation,” Dhananjay controversy, the opposition parties Kumar told reporters. Gowda said the three ministers demanded the resignation of the resigned to ensure that the three ministers and parts of the state opposition did not use the incident also witnessed protests. The direction to the ministers to as a political weapon against BJP quit came after the BJP summoned and to cause further embarrassment
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to the government. He said the three ministers had also sought a probe into the issue as they maintain that they only watched a clipping that was sent to their mobile and were confident of proving their innocence. Savadi and Patil blamed the media for blowing the incident J P “out of proportions”. After meeting the a u g h t party leaders, they described themselves as “loyal soldiers of the party” and said, “We do not want to further embarrass the government and the party...
entertainment. Sometimes it is entertainment of other sorts”. In another development, Palemar denied that it he gave the porno video clippings to Savadi. “I don’t have the habit of watching such things. Let there be a probe into it. I decided to resign on my own. There was no pressure from the party,” he told reporters. Savadi had said yesterday that the video clipping he watched inside the state assembly had been sent to him by Palemar on a rave party. Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said some inquiry should be conducted by the speaker as early as possible so that the truth can come out. With the exit of three more ministers, the list of BJP ministers
But we have not committed any crime”. In Delhi, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said, “The ministers have come under cloud, now they have submitted their resignation and they have submitted themselves to be investigated by any competent authority. Congress had to explain on Raj Bhavan being misused on such shameless acts. The allegation will be investigated, if it has happened, it is worrying.” Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, “Nowadays it appears that some of the BJP people are having all kinds of
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in the first-ever BJP government in the South who quit under cloud in the last four years has grown to seven. The lokayukta report on illegal mining had claimed the scalp of Yeddyurappa, who was also forced to demit office following his indictment in its findings. Former minister S N Krishnaiah Setty had to resign from the Yeddyurappa ministry after he faced charges of land scam, followed by Katta Subramanya Naidu on similar allegations. Allegations of rape forced H Halappa to quit as minister. The present row has brought down the strength of the Gowda ministry to 24, leaving ministerial ten vacancies. - Hindustan Times
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Indian Footprint Growing in Art Dubai, International Platform for South Asian Art
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She was at the recent India Art Fair to ‘’identify young talent and new works for the future - and generate awareness about the emerging power of Middle Eastern and South Asian art’’. Carver, an arts writer and administrator who has been in Dubai for the last eight years, said ‘’the visitors’’ profile of the fair has changed in the last few years with more and more participation of non-resident Indian collectors - even from London and New York’’. One of the important NRI entries to the fair is young Dubai-born Indian artist, Ubik, who will engage viewers in a dialogue about ‘’art fairs’’ through an interactive installation. “He will make a small intervention (project) at the fair using fortune cookies that will contain imprints of his bank statements inside them instead of the usual one-line messages. The installation will comment on the nature of art fairs and the changing finances of artists,’’ Carver said. “Every visitor will be given one fortune cookie,’’ she said. The brief is to create new installation works that analyse the fair as a model, the director said. The director of Art Dubai said “the fair will display art works by nearly 600 artists’’. “It will exhibit more than 1,000 sculptures and lots of video,’’ Carver said. The fair will host around 75 galleries.
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NEW DELHI (IF): Art Dubai, one of the biggest art showcases in the Gulf, is seeking to position itself as a crucial international platform for Middle Eastern and South Asianart,withastrong Indian presence at its annual display-cumtrade exposition next month. ‘’It is an easy hop One of the art pieces on display at for the local NRI famArt Dubai ilies in the region - to and fro,’’ Antonia Carver, director of the world,’’ Carver said. “But they want to keep their conthe fair that will be held from March nection with India,’’ she said. 21 to 24, said. Four leading Indian galleries, inPointing to an emerging trend in the buying pattern among Indian cluding Chemould Presscott Road expatriates in the Gulf, Carver a single classic since Sholay. And said that (Mumbai), Experimenter (Kolkata), ‘’the was infirst-time 1975. galleries like Seven Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke Arts and Galerie Mirchandani were (Mumbai) and Seven Art Limited trying to give the Indian communities (New Delhi), will present a medley of overseas something new...something old and new Indian art at Art Dubai. “The fair is well-supported by mafresh’’. The generation gap has a lot to do jor Indian business families in the with the diverse selection of art work United Arab Emirates,’’ Carver said. “We have art connoisseur Smita from India, Carver explained. ‘’While the older parents in big Prabhakar, and collector Lekha Podfamilies are highly supportive of In- dar on our advisory board while dian modernists, the children look Mumbai gallerist Shireen Gandhy is for contemporary artists. The new a member of the selection commitgeneration of potential Indian buyers tee. South Asian art historian Savita who have grown up in Dubai has one Apte is the co-director of the fair,’’ foot in India, one in Dubai and one in Carver said.
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February 10, 2012
Indian Court Cancels Contentious Wireless Licenses
BY SHRUTI GOTTPATI & VIKAS BAJAJ MUMBAI (NYT): The Supreme Court of India issued a rebuke to the government Thursday by canceling 122 telecommunications licenses that were sold at below-market prices in 2008 amid a corruption scandal. The action comes after several years of litigation in what has become known in India as the “2G scam.” The controversy involved wireless phone licenses awarded at a price set in 2001 in a process that favored certain companies. It became the rallying cry for a large anticorruption movement that dominated public debate in the country last year. The scandal also implicated senior leaders for either supporting the tainted licensing or doing nothing to stop it. One government auditor estimated in 2010 that the government had lost as much as 1.8 trillion rupees, or $35 billion at current exchange rates, by not using an auction to sell the licenses. Senior policy makers have struggled to explain their decisions on the licenses. At times, they have justified the sale at old prices by saying it was intended to help keep the costs of phone calls low. At other times they have blamed previous governments for setting the precedent of a fixedprice regime. The minister overseeing telecommunications at the time
of the sale, Andimuthu Raja, is in jail awaiting trial on charges of corruption. Several corporate executives and other government officials are also awaiting trial, though many of them are free on bail. Raja and the others accused have denied any wrongdoing. Analysts expect the court’s ruling to send ripples across corporate India and through foreign investors that do business in the country. The ruling could also wipe out investments in the Indian telecommunications industry that are worth billions of dollars. Banks and private equity investors who lent to those companies, or who invested in them, also stand to lose a lot of money. The Supreme Court, calling the award of permits “arbitrary, capricious and contrary to public interest,” said Thursday that the licenses — some of which are held by joint ventures involving foreign companies like Telenor of Norway and Etisalat of the United Arab Emirates — were “declared illegal and are quashed.” It ordered a new auction for the wireless spectrum within four months and fined the companies that had benefited from the permits 5 million rupees ($100,006). “This judgment sends a strong signal to the entire country and in particular to the corporate world,” said Prashant Bhushan, a lawyer who was a petitioner in the case
against the government. The canceled licenses will affect about 5 percent of India’s nearly 900 million mobile subscribers. Many of the companies that received the
impact on future foreign investment because it sends a signal that a license issued by the government of India has no meaning and could be considered null and void because of
Uninor, one of the many telecommunications companies will not be seeing more of investors after a courts ruling where contentious licenses secured have been canceled licenses never started operations, as the industry was already very competitive, government officials said. Subscribers to services from companies whose licenses had been canceled could switch to other providers, the officials added. Rishi Sahai, a director at the consulting firm Cogence Advisors in New Delhi, estimated that $25 billion to $30 billion in investments had been made in companies affected by the Supreme Court decision, and he said that the ruling would have repercussions beyond the telecommunications industry. T:10” “This will have a hugely negative
a judgment two or three years down the line,” he said. Still, he added, the decision would help the industry in the longer run by establishing clear legal precedents. Shares in companies with links to the permits awarded in 2008 fell sharply on the Mumbai exchange Thursday. Shares of the real estate company Unitech, one of the winners in the auction and Telenor’s Indian partner, closed down 7 percent. “We have been unfairly treated as we simply followed the government process we were asked to,” Uninor, the joint venture between Telenor
and Unitech, said in a statement. The company said it had 36 million subscribers and 17,500 employees in India. Shares of telecommunications companies not involved in the 2008 sale rose sharply on expectations that they would benefit from having fewer competitors. Bharti Airtel, the largest wireless phone company in India, closed up 6.9 percent. The Supreme Court also ruled Thursday that a lower court would consider whether the conduct of another senior government official, Palaniappan Chidambaram, the finance minister at the time of the license sale and now the minister who oversees domestic security, should be investigated. Chidambaram is a senior leader in the Congress Party and has previously been considered a potential prime minister. At a news conference on Thursday, the telecom minister, Kapil Sibal, who was appointed after Mr. Raja stepped down in 2010, tried to deflect blame from his government and accused a previous government for drafting a “first come, first served” licensing policy. “Their policy was discriminatory,” Sibal said.
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OPINION BUSINESS
February 10, 2012
United States Catching Up to Global Markets, Other Nations Worried
NEW YORK (ET): The United States is coming to be seen as a global worry, acting unilaterally with aggressive new market rules that critics say will hurt US firms, foreign banks, and international markets in one swoop. The new buzzword in the financial world is “extraterritoriality”, or ET. The idea that a government can exercise its authority beyond its borders. The fear is that after the 20072009 financial crisis that roiled global markets, some countries will engage in an arms race of tough financial reforms in order to be seen as the safest capital markets. Despite its talk of a global level playing field, the United States is being portrayed as a rogue country, with its unmatched Volcker rule to curtail banks’ risky trades and its accelerated timetable to put in place new derivatives reforms. The backlash has gained force in recent weeks. International finance ministers are taking up their concerns with the US finance bosses, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. “At this time of financial market stress, I want to ensure this regulatory dialogue supports cooperation aimed at minimizing any unintended consequences of regulatory reforms on either side of the Atlantic,” UK Finance Minister George Osborne wrote to Bernanke
late last month. Japan and Canada also fear that unless non-US firms are exempted from the Volcker rule, trading in their own government bonds would be crimped. EU financial services chief Michel Barnier is expected to raise the Volcker rule issue with Geithner this month. To be sure, the EU has its own unmatched aggressive reforms. They include harsh proposals for credit raters, hedge funds, and its MiFID law that would only let non-EU firms do business in the bloc on condition that their home rules are equivalent to EU rules and that they offer reciprocal market access rights. “Extraterritorial stuff is causing trouble, slowing things down. Many are now aware of the Volcker rule but it would need Congress to change legislation,” said an international regulatory official. David Lawton, acting director of markets at the UK Financial Services Authority, said that it would take “years and years and years of analysis” for regulators to determine if regimes are equivalent. US firms are also chafing at what they see as overly tough domestic derivatives proposals that do not have enough extraterritorial reach to ensure their foreign rivals don’t get the upper hand. “I would call it a competitive nightmare,” said one attorney at a Wall Street bank who was not
authorized to speak on the record. “In Europe, the U.S. banks are going to be on the Dodd-Frank playing field, and European banks are going to be on a very different playing field, which is much less tilted against them.” Efforts by the Group of 20 leading
Timothy Geithner, US Treasury Secretary economies to shine a light on a $700 trillion derivatives market that magnified problems at collapsed bank Lehman Brothers and AIG, the US insurer that had to be rescued, are also stoking concerns about regulatory overreach despite strenuous efforts by EU and US regulators to avoid this.
The United States is roughly a year ahead of Europe on its new derivatives framework, with Asia significantly lagging behind with its own reforms. The European Union is annoyed its central banks won’t be exempt from derivatives clearing requirements in the United States. The outcome is that the Fed is unlikely to be exempt from the bloc’s derivatives requirements in a similar fashion. And while the EU and United States are engaged in hand-tohand combat, Asia is left watching from the sidelines, causing both confusion and a risk of capital flight. “Multinational banks out in Asia are entitled in some ways to feel like ducks in a shooting range,” said Alan Ewins, a partner at Allen & Overy lawfirm in Hong Kong. But the emerging uneven regulatory framework already has banks thinking about setting up vehicles to book business in Asia to avoid EU and US rules, said Chris Bates, head of financial services at Clifford Chance law firm in London. Last week, Geithner held a press conference and acknowledged the extraterritoriality tensions. He warned other nations not to adopt rules that are softer in order to poach business from US markets, while also saying regulators need to figure out a sensible way to apply disjointed rules. “And because in some areas US
42% Polling till Late Afternoon LUCKNOW (HT): After a slow start due to rain, polling for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections picked up rapidly with almost 42% of the over 1.70 crore electorate exercising their franchise till late afternoon. As the weather cleared up, people started coming out in large number to exercise their franchise. “By 3 pm, 41.96% polling was registered in 55 assembly seats spread over 10 districts,” Chief electoral officer Umesh Sinha told PTI. He said the last few hours of polling were crucial and with weather improving, people were coming out in large number to cast their vote. “The biggest problem was that of rain, but now good response from the electorate is coming. Turnout should be good,” Sinha said. Amdist complaints of EVM malfunctioning, 31% polling was recorded in Bahraich district. Sitapur, where people boycotted polling in Gularia village in Misrikh assembly seat to protest lack of development, registered 46.88% polling by 3 PM. Similarly in Gonda, which recorded 42% polling till 3 pm, nearly 800 voters boycotted poll process at booth number 34 in Mehnaun assembly seat to protest shifting of polling station three kilometres away from the village. Polling also picked up in in Faizabad where 50% electorate exercised their franchise till 3 pm as compared to 30% in the first four hours. Maximum 50% polling till 3 PM was recorded in Ayodhya, where a long queue of voters was witnessed at polling stations. Lowest poll percentage 35.38 % was recorded in Balrampur district followed by 40.5% in Siddharth Nagar district. Initially, heavy rain in most of the assembly seats for which polling is being held played, spoilsport. In Basni assembly seat in Siddharth Nagar, not a single vote was cast in the first two hours of polling due to heavy rains, officials said. Polling is being held in 10 districts -- Sitapur, Barabanki, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Basti amidst tight security arrangements.
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reforms are tougher, we need to figure out a sensible way to apply those rules to the foreign operations of US firms and the US operations of foreign firms,” Geithner said. The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the US Securities and Exchange Commission released a report saying that there may be kinks to work out with international derivatives reforms. The 153page report said, “It is still too early to determine where there is alignment internationally and inconsistencies.” International market players welcomed Geithner’s remarks and the CFTC-SEC report as an encouraging sign that the United States is officially recognizing that something must be done about the dangers of inconsistent reforms. “The CFTC paper shows that people are waking up to the issues of extraterritoriality, and throwing the burden back to the Financial Stability Board to create common standards,” said Alex McDonald, chief executive of the Wholesale Markets Brokers’ Association based in London. The FSB is the G20 regulatory task force charged with implementing pledges to reform banks and markets after the financial crisis. “It’s a way of recognizing each other’s rules and it’s the first time I’ve seen this recognized formally,” McDonald said.
SPORTS
February 10, 2012
All-Round Ashwin Stars in Hard-Fought Win
BY NITIN SUNDAR PERTH (Espncricinfo): India’s feted openers did not cause significant damage and the inexperienced middle order succumbed to old failings, but their bowling allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin showed admirable poise to steer a wobbly chase home. Virat Kohli’s authoritative 77 set the agenda, but India began to falter when he had cramps around the midpoint of the innings. His exit, run out while attempting a hopeless single, left India’s lower order 53 tricky runs to get. Ashwin and Jadeja did the rest, braving the Lasith Malinga threat and the epidemic of nerves that had blighted
R Ashwin enjoyed his best day in what’s been a long, hard tour of Australia Photo: Getty Images
the middle order. For some reason Sri Lanka did not go hard enough at India after Kohli’s fall. Malinga, who yorked the stumps with a slingshot throw from mid-on to catch a diving Kohli short in the 36th over, had four overs left. Mahela Jayawardene brought his trump card on quickly, but didn’t provide him with the attacking fields the situation demanded. Malinga was off after two quick overs that were handled well, and by the time he returned for the 45th over, India needed only 17 more. It was too late - Ashwin and Jadeja had played themselves in, and ticked the runs away with composure. The only moment of indiscretion came when India needed one to win. Ashwin tried to loft Angelo Mathews down the ground and hit it straight up in the air. Three men converged, and mid-off, who should have taken it easily, backed off following some miscommunication, as India scrambled through for the win. The fielder at mid-off was Malinga.
The batting effort capped Ashwin’s best day on tour, when he reduced his pace, tossed the ball up, and extracted a lot more spin than is the norm in Perth. He came into the attack at an ideal moment, soon after Zaheer Khan had dismissed Kumar Sangakkara in the 17th over with an away seamer. That was Zaheer’s second moment of excellence against a left-hand batsman, after he took just 10 balls in his opening spell to work over Upul Tharanga. Thereafter, Ashwin suffocated Sri Lanka’s momentum in partnership with Zaheer. Between them, they reaped combined returns of 20-2-76-5. That included 14 of the 20 Powerplay overs, which yielded 4 for 42. Tillakaratne Dilshan fought through Zaheer’s opening burst, and was primed to take off after beavering to 48, but gifted his wicket away. The carom ball was scarcely used, as Ashwin focused on loop, drift and traditional turn to good effect. He first induced Jayawardene to top-edge a sweep to fine leg in the batting Powerplay. He then dented hopes of a quick recovery by weaving a sharp offbreak past Thisara Perera, before dismissing Chandimal in the 44th over. That put paid to Sri Lanka’s prospects of a flying finish, though Mathews slogged hard and ran harder to provide some late succour. Sri Lanka’s all-seam attack, in contrast to their opponents earlier in the day, attempted to use pace and bounce to unsettle India. Virender Sehwag perished attempting his patent upper cut, which did not carry beyond third man. Sachin Tendulkar’s fans enjoyed 48 runs of sublime batting, before he once again succumbed without completing the most eagerly anticipated century in cricket history. Until he played on to Mathews, attempting a cheeky dab to third man, Tendulkar lined up a bunch of pleasing shots, with head stationary and feet moving well. Kohli imperiously flicked his second ball through square leg for four. The extra pace on the pitch seemed to play into Kohli’s hands, as he pranced into position early to play attacking shots on either side of the pitch. His control was epitomised by the ease with which he pulled a pacy Dhammika Prasad bumper through square leg. India were coasting when Rohit played a loose cut to be caught at point. Suresh Raina kept the flag aflutter with a couple of pleasing cover drives, but the threat of the short ball was imminently around the corner. With Kohli cramping, Raina took it upon himself to go for the boundaries, and holed out while trying to pull Mathews. MS Dhoni too returned without making a dent, late on a pull that spiralled to mid-on. When Kohli ran himself out, India had lost three big wickets for 24 in 3.5 overs. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, that was the last time Malinga hit the stumps.
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Yuvraj Singh in U.S. for Chemoherapy
NEW DELHI (TOI): India’s World Cup hero and man of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh, has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy in the United States, his physiotherapist revealed. Yuvraj had earlier been detected with a tumour between his left lung and heart, which has since been termed malignant. “He is suffering from cancer and this is the first stage. It’s curable and he will be fit to play in May. He will be back on the field very soon,” said his physiotherapist Jatin Chaudhary. BCCI officials, however, said the lay-off could be longer and that chemotherapy was scheduled to continue for nine weeks. Family sources said Yuvi, who has made many comebacks into the Indian team, is determined to overcome the disease. They said the chemo sessions had begun and he had lost weight. “He is showing common after-effects of the treatment - loss of appetite and nausea. He is anxious but also keen to fight the ailment,” a family source said. “He appears to have lung seminoma, a condition in which there is cancerous growth of the size of a golf ball in the organs. It occurs due to genetic predisposition developed during the fetal development phase and is relatively rare,” said Dr Anshuman Kumar, surgical oncologist at Dharmshila Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
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