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Honda Plans to Launch Diesel Cars in India
HSCI’s first state-of-the-art manufacturing unit was set up at Greater Noida, U.P in 1997. The green-field project is spread across 150 acres of land (over 6,00,000 sq. m.). The annual capacity of this facility is 100,000 units. The Honda Siel will bring out a 5 gear diesel car with 134 hp and will be a car to watch out as it can help boost sales
CHENNAI: Japanese auto major Honda plans to launch diesel cars in India because of increase in demand for such vehicles against the backdrop of high petrol prices, a top company official said on Monday. The company is engaged in developing diesel engines back in Japan, Honda Siel Cars India senior vice-president (Sales and Marketing), Jnaneswar Sen, said. “The Research and Development team in Japan is developing diesel engines. It is premature to say that the products will be rolled out on diesel (platform),” he told reporters here. Declining to reveal when diesel
variants would be rolled out in India, he said the proposed diesel engine was being developed for a specific market like India as most of the markets worldwide prefer petrol cars. On the “Brio” that was formally launched today, he said “Honda is targeting first time buyers and those who already own a Honda vehicle”. “So far we are present in top 20 per cent (of the market). Now (with launch of Brio) we are reaching out to many first time buyers. Besides, in our current range, we have excellent repurchase (among owners who already own
a Honda)”, he said. While the Brio costs Rs 3.95 lakh (ex-showroom) in Delhi where the VAT (Value Added Tax) is 12.5 per cent, it costs Rs 4.04 lakh (exshowroom) in Tamil Nadu where the VAT is 14.5 per cent, he said adding there was a price difference of around Rs 9,000. Brio is available in four variants. The entry level is priced at Rs 4.04 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai), while the top end model is Rs 5.20 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai). Besides Brio, Honda retails hatchback Jazz, premium sedan City, luxury sedan Civic and premium SUV CR-V in India.
Cairn India Strikes Natural Gas in Sri Lanka’s Offshore Mannar Basin
NEW DELHI (TOI): Cairn India has discovered natural gas reserves in the very first well it has drilled in the offshore Mannar Basin of Sri Lanka. Cairn had spud the well in early August and natural gas was struck last week, the company said. The Mannar basin in Sri Lanka is a frontier petroleum province that is yet to be explored. The Block, SL 2007-01-001, was awarded to Cairn in the 2008 Sri Lanka bid round. Cairn Lanka (Private) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn India and holds a 100 per cent participating interest in the Mannar block. Cairn Lanka acquired 1,750 square kilometres of 3D seismic data in the Mannar Basin of Sri Lanka between December, 2009, and January, 2010. Based on the 3D seismic interpretation, several prospects and leads have been identified. Cairn will drill a total of three wells in the block using drillship ‘Chikyu’. The drilling campaign will cost USD 110 million. It has been reported that measures have been taken to declare Mannar Basin, where it is said that explorations for oil have
commenced, a prohibited zone. The Director General of Merchant Shipping Shantha Weerakoon says steps have been taken to completely halt naval activities in the area and around it. He said authorities of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development too have been informed to halt any fishing activity in the area. 8 areas in Manna Basin had been identified as containing oil reserves and block No.2 has been handed over to Cairn Sri Lanka (Pvt) Ltd a subsidiary of Cairn India (Pvt. Ltd). The agreement was signed on 7th July, 2008 and the company agreed to drill 10 oil wells within three years. However, during the relevant
three years the company has not drilled a single oil well. Exactly three years after signing the agreement the President, in a cabinet paper, took steps to amend the agreement. With this amendment all taxes the company has to pay the government were annulled and Sri Lanka would get only 10% of the earnings from oil, which is the ‘royalty’ for exploration in Sri Lanka’s waters. Analysts ask whether this recourse could be called a resource that is profitable to the country when fishing is halted in the Mannar Sea which is considered a rich fishing ground. They point out that the Indian company, throughout the past three years, had done nothing regarding oil exploration and express their doubts whether the company would explore for oil this time as well.
Honda Siel cars India Factory (HSCI) in Uttar Pradesh
NRI Deposits in Indian Banks Grow by $1.2 Billion
M U M B A I ( TO I ) : Deposits of non-resident Indians with banks in India grew by $1.2 billion during April-June 2011 tenure, in comparison to the $1.1 billion rise in the corresponding period last year With the US markets giving lower deposit rates as compared to the interest rates offered by the Indian banks, the non-resident Indian community has reposed their faith in the Indian bansk. Apart from it, workers’ remittances were growing at a
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healthy rate at $6.784 billion in the reporting period, as against $6.414 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.
28 October 07, 2011
India Records Highest Growth in Domestic Air Traffic
NEW DELHI (TOI): India witnessed the highest growth in domestic air passenger traffic in August registering almost a 20% rate, even though the growth in international traffic slowed down worldwide. India, which recorded a demand
growth of 19.7% in August, was described as “the top performer among domestic markets”, latest figures analyzed by the global airlines body, International Air
Transport Association (IATA), showed. India and Brazil, which followed in the domestic growth, together represented three% of worldwide air travel, it said. In the international segment, passenger demand was up 4.5% over
August 2010, but this represented a significant slowing from the six% recorded in July. Noting that the rate of decline in freight markets accelerated, the
IATA said the 3.8% contraction in freight markets in August was “more than double the pace of July’s 1.8% decline.” Comparison of August to July data clearly indicated the slowdown, showing that the total passenger market fell by 1.6% in August compared to July. International markets declined by 1.8%, while already weak domestic markets shrank by one%. “The industry has shifted gears downward. The pace of growth in passenger markets has dipped and the freight business is now shrinking at a faster pace. With business and consumer confidence continuing to slump globally, there is not a lot of optimism for improved conditions any time soon,” IATA Director General and CEO Tony Tyler said. Asia-Pacific carriers reported 5.3% demand growth which was slightly better than the year-to-date growth of 4.4%, it said. Photo © Siddarth Bhandary ‘10
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Nissan Motor India September Sales Up 73 Pc to 2,176 Units
Japanese auto major Nissan launched its most-awaited premium hatchback model Nissan Micra in the Indian market back on 14th July, 2010. Nissan has recently set-up its manufacturing plant at Chennai under a joint venture with Renault with an investment of Rs 4,500 crore ($97.82 billion). This new manufacturing plant has been set up with a capacity to produce 4 lac units of car per year but Nissan will initially produce only two lacs unit of cars.
NEW DELHI (TOI): Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd (NMIPL) on Sunday said it clocked a 73 per cent jump in sales to 2,176 units in September this year, buoyed by the success of its Micra compact car. In the same month last year, the company had sold 1,256 units, NMIPL said in a statement. The company sold 1,475 units of the Micra compact hatchback in September, 2011, up by 25 per cent from 1,183 units in the same period last year, it added.
The remaining sales were contributed by the Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Teana and its 3702 sports car, the release said. The company also mentioned that the sales figure for September, 2011, included the initial few days of registered sales of its newly launched Sunny mid-size sedan. The Sunny was launched in Mumbai on September 20 and so far, a total of 659 units have been booked and the cars will be delivered later this week, it added.
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October 07, 2011
Montek Meets Jairam, ‘Resolves’ Poverty Definition Issue
NEW DELHI (TOI): Amid controversy over the definition of poverty, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today claimed that they have resolved the issue. “Jairam and I had a very good meeting. I think we have resolved a number of important issues... actually all the important issues. I think we are in complete agreement,” Ahluwalia told reporters after the meeting. Ahluwalia and Ramesh will also be addressing a joint press conference later in the day to outline the strategy to counter widespread criticism of Rs 32 per capita per day urban poverty line definition. “There is broad consensus on the linkage between poverty line and rural development,” Ramesh said after the meeting, which among others was attended by Plan panel members Abhijit Sen, Mihir Shah, Syeda Hameed and Narendra Jadhav. Ahluwalia, who returned from his 10-day-long foreign visit on Saturday, had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue yesterday.
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia (R) meets Jairam Ramesh, Rural Development Minister to resolve the poverty definition with monthly poverty line limits being fixed at Rs 3905 monthly ($84.89)
He had discussed with Singh the fallout of the controversy relating to the affidavit in the Supreme Court, which said that persons consuming items worth more than Rs 32 per day in urban areas (Rs 26 in rural areas) are not poor. As per the affidavit, a family of five spending less than Rs 4,824 per month (at June, 2011, prices) in urban areas will fall in the BPL
( Below Poverty Line) category. The expenditure limit for a family in rural areas has been fixed at Rs 3,905. The number of poor entitled to BPL benefits, as per the affidavit, has been estimated at 40.74 crore, as against 37.2 crore estimated at the time of accepting the Tendulkar Committee report.
India Knows Where Dawood Lives in Pakistan
NEW DELHI (TOI): Home minister P Chidambaram said India knew where underworld don Dawood Ibrahim was but no one would allow to point out his house even as Pakistan consistently denied his presence in the country. The home minister also said India was not surprised that the US had discovered Pakistani intelligence agency ISI’s links with terror outfits, like the Haqqani network. Asked about Dawood’s presence in Karachi as claimed by the don’s brother Anis Ibrahim in telephonic conversations with the media, Chidambaram said, “This is not new either. I think we know more than what Dawood Ibrahim’s brother told you.
He said “Pakistan is in flat denial. They deny that Dawood Ibrahim is in Pakistan. We are going to prove them otherwise,” the home minister said. After escaping from India following the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, Dawood has been hiding in Pakistan under the ISI’s protection. The US had in 2003 declared him a “global terrorist” due to his close links with the al-Qaida. Asked about the latest American assessment that the ISI had links with Haqqani network in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, Chidambaram said, “We are not surprised that US lately discovered the ISI’s link with a number of other terrorist groups. We always knew
that the ISI has links with terrorist groups.” Relations between US and Pakistan have come under strain after the US military and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) said the Haqqani network has sometimes acted as an agent of the ISI. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, publicly accused the ISI of colluding with the Haqqani network in the September 13 attack on the American embassy in Kabul.
29
Biotech Bill Against the Spirit of Gandhi: M S Swaminathan
CHENNAI (TOI): On the 142nd Authority in Chennai on Sunday, birth anniversary of Mahatma Swaminathan said Gandhi is Gandhi, noted agricultural scientist unexpectedly gaining relevance in M S Swaminathan told The today’s society “Gandhi believed Times of India that the proposed that ‘poorna swaraj’ can be achieved Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (Brai) bill is against the spirit of Gandhi and decentralized governance. “The bill has a singlewindow clearance for the release of genetically modified crops. Unlike the National Biodiversity Act, the Brai bill does M S Swaminathan, agricultural scientist is not not consult with for genetically modified crops people at the panchayat level,” only with ‘gram swaraj,’” he said. “We have 1.5 lakh varieties said Swaminathan who proposed in 2003 the idea of an autonomous of rice and this is because of and professionally led body for the knowledge that our farmers, assessing the safety of genetically tribals and adivasis have. We need to protect them. We should see modified crops. “There is also a case of conflict of ourselves as trustees of nature, the interest. The regulator of genetically wealth we are born with,” he said. And this, according to modified food cannot be under Brai. For example, the atomic Balakrishnan Pisupati, the chairman energy regulatory board cannot of National Biodiversity Authority, function under the department is the essence of the Biological of atomic energy,” he added. Diversity Act. “The act is about The Biotechnology Regulatory managing resources at the panchayat Authority of India bill that is to be level making it sustainable and tabled at the winter session of the also securing rural lives,” he said. Parliament this year will approve Pisupati said that preparations research and commercial release of for next year’s Conference of Parties to the Convention on Bio genetically modified crops. The body will be a regulatory Diversity in Hyderabad is in full regime for modern technology in swing. Following the conference the field of agriculture, environment in Nagoya, Japan last year, 193 and pharmaceuticals. Though based countries, representatives from originally on M S Swaminathan’s various UN agencies, NGOs and idea, the bill was reworked in 2008. environmentalists will attend the Speaking at a meeting organised conference to be held between by the National Biodiversity October 1 and 19, 2012.
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PAKISTAN
30 October 07, 2011
Tele-Medicine Mobile Clinic Launched for Rain-Hit People
Babulbhai
KARACHI : The National relief work. will also be available for them to aid Another milestone of NDMA in the diagnose of the diseases. Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has launched a pilot innovation in Telehealth is The technology is being used for project to introduce ‘Tele-medicine the launch of Pakistan’s first the first time in the country. The Mobile Clinic’ for flood victims in Telemedicine Mobile Unit (TMU), effectiveness of the first Telecare these mobile units are sponsored initiative of NDMA in Badin, various parts of the province. “The project is being initiated by AMAN Foundation, which are led Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza fully equipped vehicles along with with 2-ambulances in collaboration with an NGO – AMAN Foundation and Dow University of Health Sciences,” said NDMA chairman Zafar Qadir while addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Friday. He said NDMA has been instrumental in seeking new ways for providing healthcare services through innovative technologies, therefore, for the first A displaced pregnant Pakistani woman waits in a field hospital in a relief time in Pakistan, NDMA camp set by the Pakistani army in Kaloi, in Pakistan’s Sindh province. has used Mobile Health The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has launched a and Telecare platforms project of telemedicine in the flood hit areas to provide timely and proper medical care in all areas, state of the art biometric devices, Gillani to direct NDMA to establish especially at the remotest hard hit and data from these devices will be such facilities in all provinces that transferred from affected locations are affected by any calamity in areas. The Telecare project of NDMA through wireless broadband or Pakistan, the NDMA chairman is linked with specialist facility at EDGE based mobile internet to the added. Dow University of Health Sciences specialist facility, he added. At present, these two mobile The NDMA chairman said that telemedicine units will be based at and will also be operated through TMUs will be transmitting live Hyderabad and Thatta locations, the NGO, he added. He said Dr. Masood Hameed, the video /Audio of patient through and the specialists from more than Vice Chancellor of Dow University broadband link to the specialist in 12 fields at Dow University of has collaborated in providing Karachi, who will be looking at Health Sciences, will be looking at physical resources, and the expertise patients Eyes, Ears, Nose and throat those patients through video and of different faculties of medicine, through high definition magnified data linkage, he added. as gesture of participation in the live video as well as the vital data
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October 4, 1535 - 1st full English translation of the Bible printed in Switzerland. October 4, 1537 - The first complete English-language Bible (the Matthew Bible) is printed, with translations by William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale. October 5, 1864 - Most of Calcutta destroyed by cyclone (approx 60,000 die) October 5, 1945 - Hollywood Black Friday: A six month strike by Hollywood set decorators turns into a bloody riot at the gates of Warner Brothers’ studios. October 5, 1947 - 1st Presidential address televised from White House-HS Truman. October 5, 1961 - China & Nepal sign treaty. October 5, 1970 - PBS became a television network. October 6, 1889 - Thomas Edison shows his 1st motion picture. October 6, 1893 - Nabisco Foods invents Cream of Wheat. October 6, 1939 - Adolf Hitler denies he intends to go to war against France & Britain. October 6, 1939 - Hitler announces plans to regulate Jewish problem. October 6, 1990 - Spacecraft Ulysses launched towards pole of Sun October 6, 1991 - Elizabeth Taylor weds for 8th time (Larry Fortensky) October 6, 2007 - Jason Lewis completes the first human-powered circumnavigation of the globe. October 7, 1826 - Granite Railway (1st chartered railway in US) begins operations
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3 Idiots’ Antics Bowl Over Chinese Youth is very popular and the music is fantastic. Many of my friends in the university have watched it. I have heard it’s a big hit in India.” The songs of Raj Kumar Hirani’s blockbuster also struck a big chord with the Chinese.
Ruth, another junior student at Shanxi University doing her major in English. Though San Ge Sha Gua is popular, many of the students can’t recall the movie’s Hindi name. “I can’t recall the name. There are three young college students. One of them is extremely brilliant and the second one is a photographer,” Cheng Xing Xing, a student of German language at Zhengzhou University, said. It’s not just this movie that’s popular among students, Chinese youth are also a big fan of Mahatma Gandhi. Han Zhiqiang alias Alex, who is working with a research organization, said he had heard a lot about Gandhiji’s role in Over 130,000 Chinese students have watched the movie 3 Idiots in the Mandarin India’s Independence version, they love everything about the movie. The Chinese students are also movement. big fans of Gandhiji whose themes resonate in the movie as well Chinese youth also want to come to India to pursue Estimates suggest that over 1.3 career in software technology. Khan’s 3 Idiots (San Ge Sha Gua) lakh Chinese have watched the “One of my friends has gone to has. Lidlee, a first year student of film since its Mandarin version Bangalore for higher studies. India English language at Shanxi Normal was released here earlier this year. is a software giant. With many of University, cannot recall Phunsukh “I also watched the movie with us studying English, the GenNext real name. But, the film has left a my friends. It has everything - can establish a greater relationship big impression on her. “I got huge great music, motivating storyline with our Indian counterparts,” said inspiration from the movie. I saw and the actors are too good. The Yeqiujun, a university student. it a couple of times. The movie movie’s theme is touching,” said
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XI’AN (CHINA) (TOI): Chandni Chowk to China may have the Bollywood’s Sino connect in the title, but the Akshay Kumar-starrer didn’t quite catch the Chinese students’ imagination as Aamir Khan’s Phunsukh Wangdu in Aamir
31
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BollywoodSho EXPLOSION 200ws4U Brings 9 to Houston HOUSTON: Sonu dhi Chauhan and Nigam, SuniHard to make a stunning Kaur are set the Explosions eventappearance in Bollywood Shows organized by 4 by Moid Khan. The U conducted event be held at the Reliant is set to Arena on August 7, 2009.
ers to Houston thus
making Houstonia ns dreams organizing “Explosio come true, by n 2009” Concert. “Explosion 2009 will Houston residents be giving a night non-stop session long of rocking Bollywood melodies, promising one of the most memorable musical treats like never witnessed before. For tickets log on to www.bollywoodshows4u.com or call 281-2354711.
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that Houston residents have been waiting for a long time to see the live performance of Sonu Nigam. Bollywoodshows4u is bringing the performHouston. The Foundatio n could not have chosen a to raise awarenes better topic s among IndoB P Americans in Houston K about its HOUSTON: If there’s one recent Indian studies programs. movie that has polarized opinions the discussion of the Prior to film, Parul about India, it Fernande is lionaire. The movieSlumdog Mil- explaineds and Krishna Vavilala ements of entertainmhas all the el- is currentlythat the Foundation ent designed conducting Hindi to glue you to Level I and your awe, amuseme seat – shock, well as Level II courses as nt, love and inspiratio disgust, true Jainism classes on Hinduism, and the Anthropo have seen movie n. Some people India. logy of The each time moved several times, received Foundation has also to There are a few tears and joy. governme support from Indian others, however, nt’s Ministry of who could not get past the slum seas Indians to fund a OverChair for kid’s jump into Indian studies the blinding of a child. cesspool or the An 11-minutat UH. e clip of Slumdog More than 120 people with prob- Millionaire, edited by Anil Kuably 200 opinions about the movie mar, was screened to stimulate assembled at a the discussion. The town clip included held at India House hall meeting scenes depicting negative last Sunday afternoon. aspects of India such as religious disharThe town hall meeting was or- mony, child prostitution, ganized by the and Foundation for lice brutality. These scenes poIndia Studies at were the University of followed by uplifting scenes in
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NRI nvestors LoseChilled Money IACCGH to Mayta smelonto WaterHelps Prope rties in Soup Hire India Page 26Page 5
NRI Investors Lose Money to Maytas Properties in India Page 21 Indo-American
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32 October 07, 2011
‘IAF Expanding Wings Beyond Pakistan and China’
NEW DELHI (TOI): India is gradually building powerful military capabilities in tune with its expanding geopolitical interests, which are no longer limited to the swathe stretching from the Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait, even as the eastern and western fronts are being strengthened to deter the twin Pakistan-China threat. After the over Rs 3,00,000 crore plan to build a potent threedimensional Indian Navy for the future, it was IAF’s turn to assert it was on the path to transform into a true aerospace power to rapidly deploy and operate around the globe. “No other air force has attempted to modernize at such a fast pace in such a short span of 15 years,” said Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, indicating a doctrinal shift in the run-up to IAF’s 79th anniversary on October 8. But he was quick to emphasize this did not mean “an expeditionary force” on the lines of the US Air Force. “We are not going to fight other people’s wars. But yes, IAF must have the wherewithal to meet the requirements wherever India’s strategic interests lie,” he said. As for the two-front challenge, apart from progressively basing Sukhoi-30MKI fighters and missile squadrons in the two theatres, the plan also includes upgrading the
Nyoma advanced landing ground in eastern Ladakh, located 23km from the LAC with China at an altitude of 13,300 feet.
Browne. Similarly, learning lessons from the 1999 conflict with Pakistan, the Kargil airstrip will be extended to
sector. Armed with perspective plans till 2027, IAF is looking at a combat fleet of 250-300 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, 1 2 6 - 2 0 0 medium multirole fighter aircraft and 270 Sukhoi30MKI fighters, as also over 100 upgraded MiG-29s and Mirage-2000s. The estimated price tag for just these jets comes to over $70 billion. “Our fighter squadrons will go up to 42 (from the existing 34) by end of the A Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet preparing to take off, India is doing all it can to advance 13th Plan or its airforce fleet with the best fighter jets and has even upgraded the MiG-29s and 2022...We will Mirage 2000s. India now has gained respect with its neighbors having done so be comfortable t h e n , ’’ s a i d “We want a 12,000-feet runway ensure strategic airlift aircraft like ACM Browne. capable of handling fighters as well C-17 Globemaster-III and C-130J Then, there are also different as transport aircraft at Nyoma. It ‘Super Hercules’ as well as fighters types of transport aircraft and will give us both defensive and can operate from there. Moreover, helicopters, radars and missile offensive options. After being the next six C-130Js, after the first systems, drones and mid-air cleared by the defence ministry, six procured for the Hindon airbase refuellers in the pipeline to ensure it’s now going to the Cabinet for $1.2 billion, will be based at modernization plans dovetail with Committee on Security,” said Charbatia (Orissa) for the eastern long-term strategic interests.
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INDIA
Fight Corruption Through Democratic Means: Rahul In a veiled attack on Anna Hazare, Rahul Gandhi today said the battle against corruption could be fought “only through political system”. “People talk of corruption. If you want to fight corruption then this can only be done through the political system, through democratic means,” he said while addressing Youth Congress activists at a meeting here.
But Gandhi did not not name anyone but his remarks came on a day when Hazare declared that he would campaign against Congress in Assembly elections in five states if the Lokpal bill was not not passed by Parliament during the winter session. The Congress General Secretary pitched for making organisations more democratic and involving ordinary youth, who find politics inaccessible. “The biggest problem is that politics is out of reach of the ordinary youth of the country,” the Congress general secretary said.
October 07, 2011
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Due to the popularity of our Extra Low Prices Every Day, we reserve the right to limit quantities. Limit Rights Reserved. We Accept The Lone Star Card, WIC And Manufacturers’ Coupons. ©2011 HEB, 11-2004
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
34 October 07, 2011
Pakistan Shocked at Tiger Pataudi’s Death
KARACHI (Dawn): Pakistanis on Friday paid tribute to former Indian captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, saying the death of the charismatic player left a void in the
television and he looked great, but the sudden news of his death is a shock to me,” said Mohammad, nicknamed “Little Master”for his batting in 1950s and 60s.
“Pataudi was a great ambassador of Indian cricket and was a very genuine cricket lover, his death will leave a great void for the family and for the cricket world,” said Khan. P a t a u d i became India’s youngest captain at the age of 21 during a tour of the West Indies in 1962 when the then skipper Nari Contractor was injured after being hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. He led India in 40 of his 46 Tests, winning Saif Ali Khan, son of the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi takes part in the funeral nine and securing procession of former Indian captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Pakistan is shocked the country’s first series win abroad at his demise on the 1967-68 cricket world. Mohammad said he didn’t play tour of New Zealand. Pataudi, nicknamed “The Tiger” against Pataudi as India-Pakistan Former PCB chief executive Arif for his superb fielding, who died ties were stalled during that period Abbasi remembered Pataudi as a Thursday aged 70, was equally but they were team-mates in a “great friend.” popular across the border for his World XI. “I have lost a great and a very grace and charismatic character. “When Pataudi started his career, close friend,” said Abbasi. “He He played 46 Tests between 1961 we didn’t have Indo-Pak ties but had a great vision of the game and 1975, scoring 2,793 runs at an we got a chance to play in a World and his demise is not only a great average of 34.91 with six centuries XI and I found him a great human loss for Indian cricket but also for despite losing his right eye in a car being, a charismatic character and a international cricket as well.” accident in England. genuine cricket buff,” Mohammad Pataudi is survived by his actress Former Pakistan captain and a reminisced. wife Sharmila Tagore, whom he contemporary of Pataudi, Hanif Former Pakistan Cricket Board married in 1969, two daughters Mohammad said the news came (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan, and a son, Saif Ali Khan, who is a as a shock. a cousin of Pataudi, said his death popular Bollywood actor. “I recently watched him on was a great loss for the game.
Pakistan Cricketers Face ‘Spot-Fixing’ Trial
LONDON (Dawn): Three Pakistan Test players go on trial in London tomorrow charged with spot-fixing during a match against England last year, allegations which rocked the world of cricket. Former captain Salman Butt, prodigal talent Mohammad Aamer and star bowler Mohammad Asif are due to appear at Southwark Crown Court charged with conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments, and conspiracy to cheat. The players’ agent Mazhar Majeed will go on trial alongside them charged with the same offences, which carry maximum sentences of seven years and two
Salman Butt was given a ten year ban with a five year suspension, while Amir has been banned for a flat five year ban charged with corrupt payments and cheating
years in prison respectively. The charges relate to allegations of deliberately bowling no-balls during England’s fourth Test against Pakistan at Lord’s in London in August 2010.
The allegations were made by the Rupert Murdoch-owned News of the World tabloid, which was closed down in July this year when it became engulfed in the phone hacking scandal.
SPORTS
Force India F1 Team Co-Owner Brain Behind 13,750 mph Space Jet!
LONDON: A spaceship that can quoted Mol as saying. cover 10,500 miles in just one hour “You need 10 minutes to get into and 45 minutes is the brainchild space and maybe half an hour to of a Dutchman who co-owns the Force India F1 team. Michiel Mol, a 42-yearold computer tycoon, is working with Dutch airline KLM and has already sold 35 tickets for the early flights from the Caribbean island of Curacao. T h e f i r s t Michiel Mol, who works for the Dutch Airline KLM as s c h e d u l e d a computer wizard, owns the India F1 team flights could take place within 20 years. And an decelerate and land again -- and the early 2,200mph version of the Lynx rest of the time you are flying at up craft will begin taking tourists to the to 13,750mph. edge of space for 60,000 pounds by “Flying from London to Barcelona early 2014. would still take an hour or so while “Where you are going doesn’’t London to Tokyo would be about an make much difference,” the Sun hour and 30 minutes,” he added. Indo American News carries Local Sports - if you’d like your team to be covered in the NEWS, please e-mail us indoamericannews@yahoo.com Subject: Sports Press Release or call us 713-789-NEWS
Harbhajan Didn’t Deserve the Axe: Wasim
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s pace legend Wasim Akram is surprised that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been left out of the Indian team for the ODIs against England as he feels the veteran tweaker does not deserve to be dropped despite being out of form. “It is definitely a surprise for me that he is not in the team. He was expected to be fresh and eager to do well. I am all for youngsters but Harbhajan is only 31. He does not deserve this after just two or three bad series,” Wasim said in an interview. The off-spinner, who is currently
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011• WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
leading the Mumbai Indians in Champions League Twenty20, missed a major part of the England tour due to an abdominal injury. The feisty bowler has taken just 17 wickets in 17 ODIs this year at a less than impressive average of 41.29. But Wasim feels that Harbhajan has a lot more to offer. “Experience matters a lot. He has been a good servant to the Indian team for 15 years. He bowled really well in the World Cup. His batting too is an asset I just hope this axing is a wake-up call for him.”
TECHNOLOGY
October 07, 2011
Traveling Tellers, With Electronic Gear, Take Banking to Rural India
BY VIKAS BAJAJ KOLAD, INDIA (NYT): Time was, banks employed armies of human tellers. Later, they replaced many of them with automated teller machines. Now, India is using a hybrid of the two — the human A.T.M. — to expand banking to its vast rural population. Swati Yashwant, a 29-year-old mother of one, is part of a growing legion of roving tellers intent on providing bank accounts to the nearly 50 percent of India’s 300 million households that do not have them. Using a laptop computer, wireless modem and fingerprint scanner, Yashwant opens accounts, takes deposits and processes money transfers for farmers and migrant workers in this small town 70 miles south of Mumbai, India’s financial capital. To reduce the risk of robbery or theft, no transaction by law may exceed 10,000 rupees (about $212). And in practice, many amount to no more than a dollar or two. But with the bulk of India’s population living in villages that have never had a bank branch, Ms. Yashwant, with her electronic devices, is a missionary of financial modernity. Many Indians “don’t know anything about banking,” she said in her small office here, which is decorated with a garlanded picture of Ganesh, the Hindu god believed to remove obstacles. “I want to open their accounts and help them understand banking.” Economists and policy makers say mobile agents like Yashwant — who also are employed in countries like Brazil, Mexico and Kenya — represent one of the most promising ways to help the rural poor save and protect their money. Many people in India who do not have bank accounts, for instance, buy gold necklaces or simply keep cash in their unlocked homes. “This is something that could be powerful,” said Abhijit V. Banerjee, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who wrote “Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty” with Esther Duflo. The banking agents enable the poor to easily save money they otherwise might be tempted to spend, Banerjee
A State Bank of India correspondent, Swati Yashwant, takes digital fingerprints of a first-time banking customer, Rajashri Nakati, in the village of Kolad, India. Photo: Kainaz Amaria
said. And when times are lean, people could withdraw money they had saved, instead of borrowing cash at high rates of interest. The accounts earn currently earn 4 percent annual interest, which is standard for savings accounts in India. There are no maintenance fees or charges for deposits or withdrawals. “It’s true that this will not make them rich,” Banerjee said, “but it will make them less likely to face starva-
tion someday.” Yashwant is one of an estimated 60,000 of what Indian bankers call “business correspondents,” who are not bank employees but earn commissions that the banks pay them for each transaction. The Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank, began the push for banking correspondents about five years ago. After slow initial growth, the central bank predicts the ranks of correspondents will more than double, to 126,000, by March. The Reserve Bank has ordered commercial banks to set up correspondents in every village with more than 2,000 people and has assigned each of those villages to one bank or another. For India’s banks, it is a relatively inexpensive way to recruit customers. While about 70 percent of India’s population is dispersed among more than 600,000 villages, the entire country has only 33,500 bank branch-
es. Correspondents like Yashwant have set up 74 million bank accounts in India. “If you used the traditional highcost banking system, you will never reach these people,” said Jayant Sinha, who is managing director of the India office of Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm set up by Pierre M. Omidyar, the founder of eBay. Yashwant has been a correspondent in Kolad for four months, for State Bank, India’s biggest bank. The $200 or so she earns in an average month is a good wage in rural India, where the average monthly income is only about $65. Traveling by bus or rickshaw to villages around her town to recruit customers, Yashwant meets a variety of challenges. In some remote villages her wireless Internet connection fades in and out. Frequent blackouts disrupt the work. And the fingerprint scanner can struggle to read the calloused fingers of farm laborers. On a recent rain-soaked afternoon, in her Kolad office, she patiently persevered to take a print from Rajashri Nakati, a 35-year-old farmhand. “I want to save my money,” said Ms. Nakati, a mother of five. “If I leave it at home, it will get spent.” Yashwant dragged Nakati’s rough fingers over her scanner several times, sighing as her laptop beeped when the scan did not render an acceptable imprint. She repeated the exercise with six fingers, three on each hand, as a gaggle of women, friends and relatives of Ms. Nakati, dressed in brightly colored saris watched through a window. Finally, Yashwant captured a print. That scan, with a simple one-page application and a passport-size photo
of Ms. Nakati, would next go to the bank’s back office. It would take two days before the account was ready for Nakati’s first deposit of 100 rupees (about $2). Such banking represents the kind of “frugal innovation” that India has become known for in recent years — finding inexpensive solutions to its development challenges. State Bank is also buying hundreds of solar-powered A.T.M.’s that have fingerprint scanners and do not need air-conditioning at temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) from an Indian company called Vortex Engineering. The machines are being placed in small towns, and, for now, are meant for customers who open regular bank accounts, not the no-frills accounts set up by the roving correspondents, which do not come with A.T.M. cards. Because of the small sums involved, State Bank says it loses money on most of the accounts opened by correspondents. The balances in those accounts total 1.1 billion rupees ($21.8 million), not even a rounding error relative to State Bank’s total deposits of about $200 billion. Still, officials said that while the average account balance was only 160 rupees ($3.30) at the end of August, it has increased steadily. As recently as March, the average balance was just 100 rupees. Over time, State Bank officials say, they expect the accounts to be large enough to be worth the bank’s investment. “Right now, it’s more of a social obligation,” Krishna Kumar, a managing director at State Bank, said in his wood-paneled 18th-floor office in Mumbai. “But in a few years, it will be significant.”
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35
PAKISTAN
36 October 07, 2011
Pakistanis at Risk Over World Inaction on Floods: WFP
ISLAMABAD (Dawn): The United Nations warned on Monday that the international community
to address similar needs of humanitarian situations across the world,” he added.
they had pledged for flood victims and said relief activities so far had barely scratched the surface. In a statement, Oxfam said the gains made and the lives saved through relief activities were in jeopardy because critical emergencyresponse supplies ran low. Two weeks into the UN flash appeal, the rapid response plan
continued support is needed to help people get back on their feet. Oxfam fears the long-term impact of the flooding will be exceptionally hard on farmers,” said Neva Khan, Oxfam`s country director in Pakistan. Unicef has announced that more than one million women and children will be reached in six flood-affected districts with a package of assistance this week in collaboration with the Sindh health department and WHO and UNFPA. The assistance is expected to significantly reduce the threats of communicable diseases and complications of pregnancies. Unicef and its partners are now
Southern Pakistan has seen the worst flooding ever to date in history. Over 357 million dollars have been appealed for as emergency funding to help and provide relief to the many homeless in Pakistan by the United Nations. Over 8 million people have been displaced this year alone, after 2010’s 21 million people who suffered last year. Charges that rampant corruption exists and terrorist groups may get a hold of the relief money has been major reasons why the money has not reached to provide relief so far
had failed to respond to the latest flooding crisis in Pakistan, leaving three million people in urgent need of food handouts. The nuclear-armed Muslim state has suffered two consecutive years of floods but has been at increasing risk of international isolation since US troops found and killed Osama bin Laden near the capital in May. “Somehow the present flooding and the humanitarian impact of the present flooding has not yet picked the interest, the focus of the world,” said Ramiro Lopes da Silva, deputy executive director of the World Food Program (WFP). “If we have no resources, we have no response,” he told a news conference in Islamabad after visiting the flood-hit southern province of Sindh. On September 18, the United Nations led an appeal for dollar 357 million in emergency funding to shore up rescue and relief efforts for millions of people suffering after floods swept away homes and farm land in southern Pakistan. “The funding is not coming as swiftly and as fast at the levels it came to the response of the floods of last year,” said Lopes da Silva. “Donors are being challenged by the level of resources required
Last month, the United Nations said only the Japanese government had pledged dollar 10 million in response to the appeal. The Pakistani government says more than 350 people have been killed and over eight million people affected this year by floods, following the 21 million hit last year in the nation’s worst ever disaster. The WFP official said three million Pakistanis were in urgent need of food security and said the UN agency would help “2.4 million of those severely affected by food insecurity”. Pakistan has been forced to fend off charges of mishandling the crisis by failing to invest in adequate measures to mitigate against seasonal rains, after last year’s floods caused losses of dollar 10 billion. The country has faced increasingly trenchant criticism in the West for its alleged double dealings with Islamist militants opposed to Indian rule in Kashmir and fighting American troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Amin Ahmed adds: Meanwhile, international aid agency Oxfam called upon the donor community to provide urgently needed funds
has received only six per cent of funds. The UN and other humanitarian agencies will run out of resources in a few weeks unless donors immediately step up their response. Oxfam said that continuous humanitarian aid was needed for at least six months to support the people affected by floods in Sindh and Balochistan. Immediate medical care is needed for 2.96 people and at least 1.75 million people require emergency s h e l t e r. “Immense and
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011• WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
reaching hundreds of thousands of families with life-saving assistance. Almost 210,000 people are now receiving clean water daily, while supplies such as buckets, soap, water purification tablets and tarpaulins are being distributed to more than 100,000 people. Unicef said it was facing a major funding shortfall as it scaled up humanitarian assistance to meet the key needs of hundreds of thousands of children and women displaced by the floods. Under the flash appeal, Unicef is appealing to the international community for $50.3 million to cover the immediate needs of children and women for six months.
October 07, 2011
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38 October 07, 2011
INDIA
India, Switzerland Ink Deal to Exchange Tax-Related Info BERNE (IE): A Memorandum of Understanding on Financial Dialogue was signed on Monday between India and Switzerland paving the way for exchange of information on financial issues and tax-related information between the two countries. The MoU was signed by India’s ambassador to Switzerland Chitra Narayanan and Deputy Secretary, Department of Finance, Switzerland, Michael Ambuhl. The agreement will come into effect on October 6 along with the Amending Protocol to the existing bilateral Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, signed in August 2010. The exchange of information under the MoU between finance and tax departments of both countries may
India’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Chitra Narayanan, facilitated the deal
Mail completed and signed nomination to:Koshy Thomas Member, Election Committee 6200 Hwy 6 S., Suite #225 Houston, Texas 77083 Email: koshyvoa@aol.com - Fax: 281-564-5143
Deputy Secretary, Department of Finance, Switzerland, Michael Ambuhl has signed an accord with India for exchange of information on financial information and tax related issues between the two nations
finally help the Indian government to tax money illegally stashed away by Indians in Swiss banks. In a statement to the media after discussions between the two delegations, President Pratibha Patil said: “In our discussions, we touched on economic, financial and fiscal cooperation between India and Switzerland. We noted that the Amending Protocol to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement would provide a framework for exchange of tax-related information of importance to either side, when it enters into force. An MoU on Financial Dialogue was also signed, which would provide a useful forum for exchange of views on financial and macro-economic issues.’’
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011• WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
ing t rming lilt heart wa f o g in azals! n , and Gh nting eve sion, folk An encha u f , s in ! s u rformers olonial Co one year young pe g movies, C in z a ran over m A h ic h w show TV reality Udavum n!! d famous rl o Kalira w Harihara in Fina stsngal of USA & mashree” d a “P d n Mege prowuit to now!!! 10th An h pMreussic L adras Pavilion dly nual ent om 1960’s
ENTERTAINMENT
October 07, 2011
Shunya: The Prophet and the Poet
39
fr Pavilion Udavum Karangal ofevUSA ent to b & Madras en ing tunes music... ScinteilfitlaUtdavum karan s through
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language HOUSTON: On the weekend Udavum Karangal of USA & Madras Pavilion ssing all o r C proudly present of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, and 10th Annual event toUdavum benefit karangal 10th Annual event to benefit karangal Udavum B and HU N in the year of the 150th anniverAn enc (Hariyu hanting dan Na Band HUN e ve ning of sary of Rabindranath Tagore’s an) movies, h e art warm Colonia Naan) (Hariyudan l Coutions ing liltin Dona sins, /Tick birth, Shunya Theatre opened g tunes fusion,ets from In folk, a dian A$100 Finalist $25,$50, mazing & Abovend Ghazals their United States premiere s in wor Band HUN ! young pe ld famou rforme rs s n ! T Dinne V r Inclu o e ded re . t of Vijay Padaki’s play “The v al it s m y w A it sh h Music Hariharan ow whic ou 0p . $15 [ individual] Balco h ran ov gend ing tion nyLeSeat N “Pad[maDinner NOT(Hariyudan er on Prophet and the Poet.” TheIn H h 7.3 includ e year Scinfrom ed] Scintillating tunes to now!!! shree” titu s tillat1960’s Hariha n t in o g t C u r 7:30 n a -Dinn e n Crossing all C language boundaries through music... er s !! playwright himself was presentOct 14 5 from 1 rossing 960’s tof heart warming An enchanting evening all lang 141 7 Houston y o now!!! ua-Prog 8:15 ge boram for the first show andFshared ter— s 7747 In on 7.30p.m. undarie rida n e s throu C 14th oust Oct a H Friday Ticke . ts In m c throu x gh m movies, ghColonial Cousins, fusion, www.tickets2ev e some of his thoughts with Cthe vi 7.30p. ents.com Ave usic... folk, a 14th tution tution Ave , TStaff nstiConsti 15 Oct Cente d i fordOld r—14 ord 15 Co Fr sidCiayCivic er—14 opening night audience. 7 a ffor He f l 47 c Cent l vi a 77 a D 77477 as a t d Texas onat or Stafford, Amazing young per Tex S St ions $25 $15 IOnldDStaff tSta1ff6ortd,hInInDalDallas /Tic las .m. particularly noted ,$5 Old the remark824 [ ind kets 0,$ p 4 c 3 ividu 100 ct 16th O O 6 . D , m r p. ay in 2 al] ner in& A Finalists world famous TV reality sh untde Sn able level of discourse the two nday, bove Cente Oct Balc Inclu y, 6anr i32646 226 4824 Arts 4am16th ony CGraeSunda ded nville 6Cente Sea 0 ori Raj 3p.m. n r ting great men maintained through- Su ratt2s1atGranv 961 Arts 5 ille Director / Automated Control Room 7 a -428-447 2 : 3 A 30[ Din Tick eRamya 4R2ajam or Rajamani 646 226 4824 Dinn with Alpa: 832 “Padmashr l ner Music 1 l 6 8:1 Legend ets i 8 e -7 r v N 6 5 out their lives, with Gandhi, theranRamya 214 thro -Pro -65OT inc r232 5961 ugh gram: 832 lud wRajan 61 oChec at G 9 advocate for Hindi as the Indian 29-2040 ww.tickets rangal.orged] -8 5 13 7 i ks 2 a in payable 2 m ek m d Scintillating tunes from v a vu 3 e P a to n : d Udavum ts.c 2 ntact O&O located www.u national language and Tagore, Karang the om it Houston, CoABC The KTRK-TV, TX is seeking an al A 14 of USA al. Visin 2 al of US ng Contact avum Karang ra N Ka a et m proceed y davu experienced the great Bengali apoet, s w eDirector ini our automated control room. nefit U:dPadmfor R m debat- ks payable to U all language boundari eds will bill benefit Udavum K 713-829-2040 RajCrossing ing sophisticated philosophicalChec an : 83 arangal. Net proce 2-656-7 Visit ww 861 Alp w.udavum points in perfect English. karangal 32-428 Responsibilities of the position include coding the.orgIgnitea: 8rundown -4470 for a Among the opening weekend very fast paced newscast and weekend sports shows, robotic camera audience was Zach Martin, the control, and assist in other roles as part of the station’s on 2011 Tagore Scholar at the Houst Donatio . n UniI m overall production team. Prior experience developing Ignite codes and . ns/Tick 30p versity of Houston, who said e . v ets 7 A $ 2 n 5 h o , i t $ t working with INews is preferred. 5 4 u 0 1 , t $ i “The play is an enlightening 100 & t t s c n O o Above C y da $15 [ in Dinner Frirelationship look into the be-er—1415 dividual] Include t n e d Balcony and tween two of the C 77477 must be creative … possess strong computer, leadership ivic Cminds s Candidate Seating d greatest xacommunication r e o f T f [ , Dinner a of the twentieth century. It reskills, have the ability to work well under pressure and be d St 7:30-D afforboth Oldveals in n e s the ways S intwhich r a team player. Candidate having previous experience in a traditional a ll 8:1 -P In Da directorth/ technical director role is a plus. Must beTic rogram Tagore and Gandhi are, in some kets thto work 5flexible willing 16 r t o c u g h www. O . sense, partly responsibledfor , m y . tickets hours including weekends and holidays. p a un year 2events Sthis 824 ter 3 n 4 sharpening the other’s genius, and as many people as possible should see it, especially e . 6 C 2 s 2 rt 6 A 4 6 e during the sesquicentennial of Tagore’s birth.” l i l i n v a n m a Candidates must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com aja The last three shows of Prophet and the Poet are October 7-9, Friday and Saturday at Grat 8 pm and 1 or R by uploading a resume file. Please Reference Job ID: 6044BR 6 9 5 Sunday at 3 pm. 232 An enchanting evening of heart warming lilting tunes from Indian movies, Colonial Cousins, fusion, folk, and Ghazals! Amazing young performers!
Finalists in world famous TV reality show which ran over one year with Music Legend “Padmashree”
!!
Donatio ns/Tick ets $25,$5 0,$100 & Abov e Dinner Include d Balcony Seating [ Dinner 7:30-D NOT inc inner luded] 8:15-P Tickets rogram through www.tic kets2eve nts.com
$15 [ ind ividual]
Job Posting:
Checks payable to Udavum Karangal of USA
Contact : Padmini 713-829-2040 Rajan : 832-656-7861 Alpa: 832-428-4470
Net proceeds will benefit Udavum Karangal. Visit www.udavumkarangal.org
214 amya R For more information about location and tickets, visit ShunyaTheatre.org
on all materials submitted. No phone calls please.
Checks payable to Udavum Karangal of USA
Contact : Padmini 713-829-2040 Rajan : 832-656-7861 A Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.
Net proceeds will benefit Udavum Karangal. Visit www.udavumkarangal.org
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2819705400 INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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40 October 07, 2011
ENTERTAINMENT
Enriching the Houston Film Culture
BY SOWMYA NANDAKUMAR HOUSTON: It’s well known that LA and NY are the film hubs within the American film community. The Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH), organized by Sutapa Ghosh for the third year in a row, is perhaps paving the way towards changing that! The festival took place from September 20-24, 2011 at the Studio Movie Grill, apt for its charming ambience, aesthetic mood and setting, befitting the “film festival” aura. Talking about some challenges Sutapa Ghosh said, “Although Houston with its art and culture is ready for a film festival of this kind and I was right about that, Houstonians still have to acclimatize themselves to the concept of a film festival (with its organizational logistics) as an event that takes place over weekdays, and not something that is one big weekend show.” Sutapa Ghosh has produced two Bengali feature films; Utsav and Titili (starring Konkana Sen Sharma) directed by the renowned Rituparno Ghosh. Having founded the Indian Film Festival of Los Angles (IFFLA), she started the culture of the Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) in 2009. This year IFFH was invited to the Cannes Film Festival to showcase itself, which will further promote its international stature. In 2011 the IFFH, a competitive festival, with specific submission criteria, received 82 films of which nine were selected for screening. Attended by eminent film personalities including popular Hindi film villain, Gulshan Grover, (whose films I am Kalam and Desperate Endeavours were screened), the festival reminded one of the various possibilities within the gamut of Indian film making which many a time go unnoticed, yielding to commercial
From left: Gulshan Grover, Prashant Nair and Salim Khassa being interviewed by Indo American News’s Sowmya Nandakumar Photo: Krishna Giri
blockbusters with their stereotypical formulas. In Gulshan Grover’s words “I am most definitely a product of commercial Indian Cinema which has given me fame and success. I would not refuse a role in commercial films but I have invested a lot of time, and finance to be a part of parallel cinema which has opened my avenues for fresher roles and narratives”. Far removed from commercial blockbuster themes, these festival films have been branded, in cinematic parlance, as parallel or alternative cinema for viewing by a diaspora. Although this means that the target audience is a niche group, one must remember that even the great French Film maker Jean-Luc Godard, and his critically acclaimed Breathless had fairly humble beginnings but today it is a film studied and analyzed
by film students and critics alike. Prashant Nair, a French director of Indian origin made his debut feature, Delhi in a Day, about a family in upper class Delhi. Nair says, about his experience of screening the film in Houston, “The Q&A session went great! The audience was extremely animated and interactive. I got some great feedback on the film”. He plans a commercial release of Delhi in a Day in India within the next six months. This festival certainly is a fantastic launching pad for new directors! An Algerian born, Salim Khassa, who lived in Marseilles, France, got a film education in San Francisco, California, and has nothing to do with the Indian subcontinent, made Desperate Endeavors - a film about an Indian immigrant
from Mumbai, overcoming hurdles in NY City. It is serendipity that stories about foreign and immigrant Indian perspectives on India were screened in addition to films made by Indian directors – a judicious mix indeed! Widening the spectrum of this festival’s international essence opens up some novel possibilities. Although Sutapa Ghosh says that it might be too early to talk about that, she definitely has a vision for 2013, the 100th year of the Indian Feature Film Industry (since the release of its first full length feature Raja Harishchandra by DadaSaheb Phalke in 1913), which happily coincides with the 5th year of the IFFH. She sees 2013 as the year to further enhance the international flavor by selecting a film from one other country, France, Italy, etc. for screening. Being a film enthusiast, I believe that this film festival is a forum with great scope for short films, experimental films made by debut directors, new scripts and fresh ideas, stimulating the growth of the Houston film community. Just like Indian dance and music have their specific forums and channels, Houston might have one such active avenue for films and film lovers as well. Gulshan Grover appropriately points out, “As an outsider, when I visit Houston, I do not think of it as being a film or art hub like NY. But I think such festivals might lead for Houston to be perceived differently in future.” The IFFH might prove to be a trend setter that will put Houston on the film map in its own right, along with NY and LA!! Sowmya Nandakumar has a Masters in Mass Communications from the University of Houston, a product of Stella Maris and Asian College of Journalism, Chennai.
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011• WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
October 07, 2011
Bathukamma Festival Celebrated at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple
BY RAJENDER APARASU HOUSTON: Bathukamma Sambaralu “festival” 2011 was celebrated with all pomp and pageantry to celebrate life and Goddess Gauri at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple on October 1. Bathuka in Telugu means life and amma means mother. Bathukamma Sambaralu was organized in association with several local and national organizations to promote Telugu culture and heritage. It is the most “flowerful” festival that is celebrated with family and friends in several southern regions of India. It is a nine day event that starts with Aswayuja paddyami (September 27) with culmination on maha navami involving nimajanam/ visrajan of Bathukamma (October 4) in India. The event at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple was designed to commemorate the festivities of all nine days including Bathukamma preparation, singing, dancing, and festive dinner. The evening started with families bringing Bathukamma to the temple. Bathukamma is a large flower arrangement that is in the shape of a cone involving several concentric and colorful layers of seasonal flowers on a solid base. Over 30 bathukammas were made for the occasion by the participating families. The flower arrangements were dazzling in creativity and color combination. Some were small and cute and others were large and impressive. These Bathukammas becomes the center of the festivities that followed the
evening. The event started at 6:30 pm with Gauri puja by Sriman Hanuman swami, resident priest of the Sri Ashtalakshmi temple, by invoking Goddess Gauri, the life giver, for societal prosperity and good wishes. The music and dance festivities started with Bathukamma song by Uma Medi. All women and girls in colorful and festive sarees and dresses danced as a group around Bathukamma. The synchronized group dances expanded as the evening progressed. Over 250 ladies participated in the synchronize dancing with hand claps. Occasionally men also formed their small dancing groups and participated in the festivities. These dances are similar to Garba that are performed during Navarathri festival but have typical southern flavor and style. Melodious
and energetic Bathukamma group songs were sung by Anitha Reddy and Pavani Solupuram. The songs had lively tempo to keep women dancing around Bathukamma. The songs praised Goddess Gauri¸ patron Goddess of womanhood. Some described stories of common woman, their dreams and aspirations. The DJs and MCs of the evening Sridhar Dadi and Prasad Margani kept the music alive and energized the participants and audience with pre-recorded songs and lively commentary. The presentation ceremony started at 8:30 pm with opening remarks by Bangar Reddy Aaloori, founding member of Bathukamma Sambaralu. Bangar Reddy praised the community organizations and volunteers for coming forward and celebrating the festival together and setting a
trend for others to follow in Greater Houston. The Chair and Co-chair of the event Karunakar Chowdavarpu and Kranthi Nednur thanked the organizing committee members, volunteers, and individual contributors. They also thanked the participants and dedicated volunteers that contributed to the grand success of the event. Acknowledgements were made for the sponsors of the event, Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, American Telugu Association, and North American Telugu Association. Media partners, Voice of Asia, Indo-American news, India Herald, Andhra Mirchi Radio and Radio Hungama, were also recognized. The top three prizes for Bathukamma were given to Sharath Yempati & Team (first), Northwest Team (second), Lavanya and Prasad Kalva (Third) and Rama Medi (Third). Five
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special prizes were given for creativity and originality and children were given prizes for their art contribution. All Bathukamma participants also received a token of appreciation. Finally, nimajanam/visrajan of Bathukamma was done at a specially arranged pool at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple. The evening ended with delicious home-made dinner for over 750 people. All participants contributed to this dinner by preparing special dishes like tamarind rice, lemon rice, curd rice, upma, pongali and kesari. Although the customs and rituals vary by region, Bathukamma festival at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple provided an opportunity for the community to come together for common good and to share, enjoy, and celebrate life. For more details about the event please visit www.bathukammasambaralu.org.
Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary Celebrated in Dallas Dallas, TX: The Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) and India Association of North Texas (IANT) arranged a luncheon meeting to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi Birthday celebrations in honor of. Usha Gokani, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2 FunAsiA, Richardson, TX. Prasad Thotakura, IAFC TX State Coordinator welcomed Gokani and stated Gandhi’s philosophy of peace and non-violence is ever lasting and in every place. It is time to remind ourselves that everything can be possible through patience and persistence. Usha Gokani expressed her pleasure in visiting and meeting with the Indian American community leaders. She shared her memorable experiences with her grandfather Mahatma Gandhi. She commended the local leaders for planning to install Mahatma Gandhi statue in Dallas in the very near future.
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCT 07, 2011• WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
October 7, 2011
Extended by Popular Demand
Sugar Land Madras Pavilion 9th Anniversary Celebrations
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM