The South Asian Times

Op Ed 20

Lifestyle 24

Humor 28

Spiritual Awareness 30

NEW YORK EDITION Vol.2 No.40 January 30-February 5, 2010 60 Cents Dr Poonam Alaigh appointed New Jersey health chief Tristate Community, page 7

Ganesh temple, Flushing, to celebrate Republic Day on Sunday Tristate Community, page 7

Padma awardees from NY honored by Consulate on R-Day New York (SATimes): The Consulate General of India, New York hosted a reception January 26 at New India House to celebrate the 61st Republic Day of India. On the occasion, the Consul General felicitated community leader and philanthropist Dr Sudhir Parikh, and (From left) Prof. Ponisseril Somasundaran noted professors (Padma Shri), Consul General Prabhu Dayal, P o n i s s e r i l NJ Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, and Dr Somasundaran and Sudhir Parikh (Padma Shri) at the Republic Day event at the Indian Consulate.Photo: Sheldon Pollock for Gunjesh Desai/masalajunction.com being awarded Padma Shri by India and Upendra the event, notably New Jersey Chivukula for the Pravasi Bharatiya Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. OliverSamman, 2010. The celebrations -who also felicitated the Padma began with the reading of the awardees-- NJ Assembly Deputy President of India’s address to the Speaker Upendra J. Chivukula, Nation by the Deputy Consul Virendra Gupta, Director General Contd. on page 4...

General. Over 300 guests attended of ICCR and

Dance Pe Chance: FIA presents high-octane show Culture, page 16

Shah Rukh Khan has a moon crater named after him Ultimate Bollywood, page 19

Parade of military might and cultural diversity

India celebrated its 61st Republic Day on January 26 peacefully undaunted by terrorist threats and separatists’ boycotts or even the morning fog that blanketed New Delhi where thousands congregated for the grand parade of military might and cultural diversity, presided over by President Mrs Pratibha Patil.

Krishna hits back at Qureshi, demands action against 26/11 masterminds New Delhi (HT Media): Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Friday demanded 'positive and visible' Pakistani action against those responsible for the 26/11 terrorist outrage after his counterpart S.M. Qureshi made the claim that New Delhi spoke in two voices on Pakistan. “I don't want to react harshly to what my esteemed friend Mr Qureshi is reported to have said.

India, I would like to reiter-

TheSouthAsianTimes.com

ate, wants friendly, normal relations with Pakistan and the road blocks which I have pointed out to Mr Qureshi for restoring the relationship have to be cleared,” Krishna said.

“I hope Pakistan will take positive visible steps to investigate fully the attacks on Mumbai and bring those responsible to justice. This is the only response we expect from Pakistan, which we feel is yet to be done,” he said.

Contd. on page 4...

Dance India Dance 2: Big B Special!

Dallas, Texas (SATimes): cial appearance.

The No 1 channel in the Sharing some special memSouth Asian entertainment ories with Mithun, Big B will watch some mesmerizing perspace, Zee TV USA, brings to formances by the contestants, its audiences the long awaited reunion of two of the biggest choreographed by the three Bollywood stars on the No 1 mentors Geeta, Terence and dance reality show “Dance Remo to evergreen songs India Dance” this weekend. Big B and Mithun Da on from his films. Amitabh will The ‘angry young man’ ‘Dance India Dance’ show also give his blessings to the on Zee TV Amitabh Bachchan reunites contestants on the show while with the ‘dancing superstar ’ Mithun also promoting his upcoming films.

Contd. on page 4...

Chakraborty after 20 years to make a spe-

2

India’s Republic Day

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

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United colors of India unfurl on R-Day New Delhi (HT Media): From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, from Gujarat to Assam, Indians celebrated a peaceful 61st Republic Day on January 26, undaunted by terror threats, Maoist shutdowns, separatist boycotts or even the morning fog that blanketed New Delhi where thousands congregated for the grand parade of military might and cultural diversity.

Security was tight in the wake of threats but the enthusiasm was intact. In state capitals, towns and villages, in offices, housing complexes and schools, people gathered to hoist the tricolor and sing the national anthem. A holiday for some, but for others a chance to remember the day India became a republic 60 years ago.

It was the annual gooseflesh moment even for those who chose to stay at home and watch the colors of India unfold on their television screens in direct telecasts of the parade from New Delhi.

Held against the backdrop of presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan, the parade that goes down the Rajpath Boulevard and culminates at Red Fort eight kilometers away, was as always the cynosure of national and global attention.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh started the proceedings by paying tribute to the unknown soldier at India Gate before reaching the saluting dais to greet President Pratibha Patil and chief guest for the occasion, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

It was a solemn start to the spectacle of color that was to follow with Patil, India's first woman president, first giving away three Ashok Chakras, the country's highest award for gallantry. Two of these were posthumous.

Then the extravaganza, including a flypast, began. The cold and foggy morning had failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands of spectators who turned out to witness India proudly displaying its military might and cultural mĂŠlange.

The 110-minute parade also rein-

The Border Security Force (BSF) camel marching contingent passes through the Raj Path during the 61st Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi on January 26. forced a trend that has been evident for the past few years in that where it was once a display of India's arms imports, the military hardware developed in the country is increasingly on display. Thus it was Tuesday, with the Arjun main battle tank, the Agni-III intermediate range ballistic missile and the Shaurya hypersonic missile to name just a few, taking center-stage and vying for attention with the marching contingents drawn from the armed forces, the paramilitary forces and the National Cadet Corps. There was also the contingent of the 61st Cavalry, one of the very few active horse-mounted regiments in the world, and a unique camel mounted squad and band of the Border Security Force.

The tableaux from the states highlighted vignettes from lives in the states and the country. The Maharashtra tableau, for instance, showcased the daily life of Mumbai's "dabbawalas" who ferry food across the city and this immediately caught President Patil's attention and she was seen explain-

The tableau of Manipur passes through the Raj Path during the Republic Day Parade.

President Pratibha Patil, chief guest President of Republic of Korea Lee Myung Bak, Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries watching the Republic Day Parade pass by. ing the concept to her South Korean counterpart. Chief ministers and governors presided over functions in their states, as did district collec-

tors and Indian ambassadors and high commissioners in their respective countries. In Orissa, where thousands defied a Maoist boycott

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laying wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, in New Delhi on January 26.

call to participate in the function, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hoisted the tricolor at Cuttack despite a threat e-mail that he would be killed if he went to the town.

There was similar defiance in other Maoist stronghold states like Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand.

In the northeastern states of Assam, Tripura and Manipur, a 17-hour shutdown called by separatist rebels was not enough to keep people away. The run-up to the Republic Day was peaceful compared to previous years, with an estimated 50,000 security personnel deployed in the three northeastern states to foil any terror attacks.

Jammu and Kashmir was also incident free with Governor N.N. Vohra doing the honours in Jammu and the function in Srinagar being presided over by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather.

Tristate Community Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info TheSouthAsianTimes.com

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January 30 - Feb 5, 2010 November 7-13, 2009

7 Padma awardees from the US here were seven Padma Awardees from the US in the list announced by the Indian government on the eve of the Republic Day. Four were named for Padma Bhushan (the third highest Indian civilian award after Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan), and three would receive the Padma Shri, the next category, from President Pratibha Patil at a ceremony in New Delhi in March. Five of the seven are of Indian descent.

T

Fareed Zakaria (Padma Bhushan) is the Editor of Newsweek International, and oversees all its editions abroad.

He hosts Fareed Zakaria – GPS for CNN Worldwide, focused on international topics, also contributing regularly to CNN Worldwide’s other programs. His latest bestselling book is called ‘Post American World.’

Sant Chatwal (Padma Bhushan) is the President and CEO of Hampshire Hotels & Resorts in New York.

The company owns hotels in the US, the UK, and Thailand, with over 2,500 rooms in Manhattan.

Considered close to Hillary and Bill Clinton, Chatwal is a trustee of the prestigious Clinton Foundation, focusing on global issues of health security, economic empowerment, HIV/AIDS Initiative, etc.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) disapproved of bestowing the award on Chatwal, alleging financial wrongdoing in the past by him. The Indian Government defended its decision arguing the cases against him were dismissed and there was nothing adverse on record against him. Chatwal himself charged BJP with playing politics.

Tan Chung (Padma Bhushan) is of Chinese descent born in Malaya, having lived, first in China for 23 years, and then in India. He contributed to the building up of the Chinese studies programs in Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from 1964 up till 1994. He has been

a Consultant with the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) from 1989 onwards to help develop its East Asian Program. He now lives in Chicago with his son.

Prof. Arogyaswami Joseph Paulraj (Padma Bhushan) is a professor (research) of electrical engineering at Stanford University in California.

Last month he was chosen a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his outstanding contributions to the theory and practice of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication.

Prof. Ponisseril Somasundaran (Padma Shri) is the La von Duddleson Krumb Professor and Director Langmuir Center for Colloids and Interface at Columbia University. He currently serves on the Piermont Board of Appeals and previously served in the Planning Board.

Sheldon Pollock (Padma Shri) is The William B. Ransford Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Studies.

His areas of specialization are Sanskrit philology and Indian intellectual and literary history. Prof.

Pollock currently directs the international collaborative research project Sanskrit Knowledge Systems on the Eve of Colonialism. He has translated many Sanskrit volumes including the Uttararamacarita of Bhavabhuti, and the Rasamanjari of Bhanudatta.

“I feel both honored and humbled by the award” Dr Sudhir Parikh (Padma Shri) is a tireless advocate for both the Indian American community’s interests as well as India’s global interests. He has provided needed support, guidance, and funding to countless worthy causes and organizations and continues to do so.

Speaking to the South Asian Times, Sudhir M. Parikh, M.D., said he felt both honored and humbled by the Padma Shri awarded to him. He added that to deserve the award he will now work with greater responsibility for the community, and will like to leave a legacy for the second generation.

He ascribed his selection for the award to his over two decades’ history as a leading advocate for India with the U.S. Congress and government. Some of the causes he took up included the sale of F16s by the US to Pakistan.

Most recently, he contributed to the fruition of the U.S.India nuclear deal and fostering a strategic relationship between the two nations.

He also recalled his work of political empowerment to the second generation of Indian Americans through leadership and support of organizations like the Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE) and recently Washington Leadership Program (WLP).

Parikh is a patron of several philanthropic organizations, including the American India Foundation, and so far has contributed over $2 million to select causes in India and the US, including to the rehabilitation of the victims of Gujarat earthquake and Tamil Nadu tsunami.

He is also closely involved with the Share and Care Foundation, a nonprofit helping the poorest of the poor in India.

By profession an allergist, who runs a chain of asthma and allergy clinics in the Tristate area, Dr Parikh has also entered media business.

Dr Parikh is a proud recipient last year of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, meant for NRIs, and Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2005, the highest civilian honor given to an immigrant in the US for commitment to community and social service.

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Community

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

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Rotary dist governor from India pays a visit to Bhooplapur

By Parveen Chopra Hicksville (SATimes): Mahesh Raikar, Rotary Governor Elect 2010-11 of District 3170 in south India, was visiting his long time friend and fellow Rotarian Ravi Bhooplapur, New York District 7050 Governor, when the SATimes caught up with the two in the latter’s office in Westbury.

When asked what brought the resident of Hubli, in Karnataka, to the US, Mahesh Raikar replied: “I was in San Diego for a week to attend Rotary’s training program for District Governors. I used the trip to meet my good old friend, Ravi Bhooplapur, who also hails from my home town. And, I thought, it will be nice to discuss things with a sitting District Governor, to ask him how best I can serve my community.”

Rotary’s district 3170 encompasses parts of north Karnataka, south Maharashtra and entire Goa. Raikar, 57, takes over as its Governor on July 1 for a one year term.

Talking about his priorities when he takes over as Governor of a district with underdeveloped areas, Raikar mentioned the basics, “Safe drinking water, clean toilet facilities, benches for schools.

My community, with many downtrodden, needs help and I look up to Rotary which gives matching grants.”

His focus will also be developing leadership qualities among the youth, he said.

He clarified, “We take and we give also. India is now No 3 in terms of money raised for Rotary. My district 3170 gave half a million dollars in a year. My dream is to give $1 M during my term as Governor to Rotary Foundation.”

Raikar said he has been involved with Rotary’s exemplary Polio Plus program for almost a decade, and that in 1995-96 there were 82 cases in Hubli, but after the immunization drive under his stewardship, since ’98 not a single case has been reported.

While in New York, Raikar attended the Republic day celebration at the Indian Consulate and was met by the same spirit of India. He was all praise for so many Indian Americans who have made a name for themselves in an alien land.

Talking about his friendship with Bhooplapur that goes back almost three decades, Raikar said, Rotary is a good platform to meet friends and develop brotherhood. He hailed Bhooplapur’s success but said he may be living here in the US, but he does lot of philanthropic work in India.

Raikar is a medical microbiologist who has set up his own business in Hubli. His wife Namrata is a medical biochemist, and they

Padma awardees continued from page 1...

Mr. Vijay Nambiar, Chief of Staff to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

Ambassador Prabhu Dayal welcomed the guests and congratulated all Indian Americans, Americans and friends of India on the country’s Republic Day. He noted that the Indian American community has achieved outstanding success in the areas of medicine, engineering, academics, culture, literature, journalism, IT, politics, banking and finance. While becoming patriotic US citizens, Indian Americans have retained India in their hearts, thus serving as a great bridge of understanding between the two great nations.

See page 3 for an exclusive intrerview with Dr Sudhir Parikh and brief profiles of the other 6 Padma awardees from the US.

Krishna continued from page 1...

Mahesh Raikar (right), Rotary Governor of District 3170, with long time friend and fellow Rotarian Ravi Bhooplapur, New York District 7050 Governor have 3 daughters.

Bhooplapur states that Raikar “works hard, with focus and dedication. He is a team player and leads by example.” He said he used Raikar’s expertise as a microbiologist when setting up a blood bank. Now, “We will work with him on the Gift of Life program.”

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Krishna spoke after Qureshi told Indian journalists at an international conference on Afghanistan in London Thursday that the 'Indian polity', particularly the external affairs ministry (MEA), was 'confused' and hypocritical over Pakistan.

Adopting surprisingly undiplomatic language, Qureshi accused Krishna of 'having nothing to offer', adding that 'the public stance adopted by the Indian Foreign Office is somewhat different from the private stance', where Indians apparently acknowledged post-26/11 Pakistani cooperation as 'unprecedented'.

Krishna rejected the claim, saying: "I don't know what makes him say that the MEA speaks in two voices. I think there is total unity of thinking in the ministry and unity of approach on Pakistan."

Dance India Dance continued from page 1...

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Tristate Community

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

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US reaches out to South Asian, Arab communities Washington (HT Media): In a bid to reach out to South Asian and Arab communities, the US will increase engagement, dialogue, coordination and enhance information sharing with faith-and community-based groups.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Thursday met with leaders from Muslim, Sikh, South Asian and Arab communities, described as "key partners in homeland security that contribute to many different parts of American life and exemplify the diversity that is a hallmark of our counHomeland Security Secretary try." "In times of crisis, leadJanet Napolitano ers of faith-based communiDuring the meeting, Napolitano ties and other grassroots organizations often play a critical role in the and the leaders examined existing broad and timely dissemination of information sharing capabilities accurate information," said Napoli- such as the Secure Community tano, according to a Department re- Network (SCN) and discussed ways to expand and enhance curlease.

"Strengthening our partnerships rent initiatives and partnerships.

SCN is a model for information with faith- and community-based groups will allow improved infor- sharing with faith- and communitymation sharing and better coordi- based communities designed to nation in preparing for, assessing quickly improve overall security awareness in a crisis situation. and responding to threats."

Jackson Heights Rotary being formed: Bhooplapur New York (SATimes): Rotary District 7250 spread its wings to the heart of Queens Jan 18 when the District Governor Ravi Bhooplapur and Secretary Jeff Jardin, arrived at Delhi Restaurant to address a group of leading businessmen and professions in Jackson Heights and adjoining areas. The meeting owes to the efforts of Shiv Dass, a former President of Jackson Heights Merchants’ Rotary Governor New York District 7250 Ravi Bhooplapur addresses members of Association (JHMA). He the proposed Rotary Club of Jackson Heights at Delhi Restaurant on January 18, was assisted by, to name even as (from left) Amarjit Singh, a guest, Jeff Jardin, a few, Ashok Kumar, forProf. I.S. Saluja and Shiv Dass listen on. mer adviser to the JHMA, and Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja, won all top three awards that Rotary Varinder Kumar and Raj Kumar, chief editor of The Indian Panorama. International has instituted. One of lobbyist Harjinder S. Duggal, Shiv Dass said that the Indian the most successful District Gover- Harinder Harry, Gurnam Singh and American business community in nors, Bhooplapur has added new Ahmed Shakir. Later, Shiv Dass inJackson Heights was the most cohe- chapters to Rotary District 7250, and formally told some mediapersons the sive group and was always ready to soon Jackson Heights would be one proposed board of the new Rotary render community service. The more. Bhooplapur said he would Club: President 2010-Shiv Dass; ideals of Rotary International ap- look into the application for forma- President Elect 1011-Nitin Vohra; pealed to them and they proceeded tion of Jackson Heights club and Vice Presidents-Ashok Kumar, to form a Rotary Club. He appreciat- send it to the International for its ap- Sharad Aggarwal, Ajit Modi; ed Prof. Inderjit Singh Saluja giving proval. Present at the meeting was Seargeat-Kamal Kumar. Subhash the nascent chapter of Rotary a kick- some prominent Indian Americans: Kapadia, Jagtar Singh, Suresh Gandstart by organizing the meeting with Ajit Modi, Charanjit Singh Channi, hi, Raj Gandhi, Charanjit Singh Nitin Vohra & Suhash Kapadia, Channi, Gurmit Singh of Apna PunBhooplapur.

Prof. Saluja introduced Bhoopla- Amarjit Singh, Ashok Kumar of jab paper, Mukesh Patel and Rene pur, a committed Rotarian who has JMD, Gurbachan Singh and Rahul, Lobo are the Directors.

Indian to develop South Asian languages course in US Washington (IANS): An Indian linguist, who is a native of Bihar, has been awarded a $25,000 grant

by South Asian Language Resource Centre (SALRC) to develop a South Asian languages curriculum in the US. A gold medalist from Aligarh Muslim University and a West Bengal Urdu Academy award holder, M.J. Warsi teaches linguistics in the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures at Washington University in St. Louis.

SALRC, which primarily focuses on the needs concerning South Asian language pedagogy in American universities, is funded by a grant from US Education Department’s International Education and Graduate Programs.

An Indo-Aryan language and linguistics professor in the South Asian Studies at the department for last several years, Warsi has also authored many books helping understand the efficacy of the common contact in languages and culture.

Hailing from Darbhanga district of Bihar, Warsi was recently named an “unsung hero” and a role model to his peers, colleagues and students by the students of University of California, Berkeley for his “extraordinary contribution” in academic and personal matters.

Warsi has also been selected for the prestigious ‘Glory of India’ award for 2007 by the India International Friendship Society (IIFS).

Nassau County Executive Hon Ed Mangano (back row, third from right) honored several people at a ceremony at Carlyle on the Green on Jan 22. Mohinder Singh Taneja (middle, holding citation), a South Asian community Leader, received the Diversity Ambassador award. Other honorees included Nassau Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey, Suffolk Police Commissioner Richard Dormer, FBI Long Island Supervisor Michael Ferrandino, US Secret Service, Long Island Agent in-charge Michael Seremetis and Lawrence Levy of Hofstra Varsity. Seen in the picture (from left) are Paramjit Singh Bedi, Jessica Taneja, Mohan Singh, Gunit Sabharwal, Dr. Harsimran Singh, Rich Kruse, Ed Mangano and Ina Katz of Hofstra.

Nassau County Police Deputy Commissioner and Chaplain Angel Rios carries a young boy into an emergency room in Haiti who was injured in the devastating earthquake over two weeks ago and suffered burns.

Looking on is the boy’s crestfallen father (right). Under direction of Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, the Nassau County Police Department sent a team of officers to the stricken land, Haiti, to aid in the relief effort, providing food, water and rescue assistance. Many of the officers who volunteered were of Haitian decent and fluent in Creole, the local language there.

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

It was great to have Harrison Ford interested in my book: Geeta Anand New Delhi (HT Media): When Geeta Anand write the book chapter by chapter and send it started writing the extraordinary story of an to Jacob, who is a wonderful man," Anand, American father's fight against the system to who is now based in Mumbai, said. save his children, she had no idea that it will Ford, 67, also the executive producer of the interest Harrison Ford and become the subject movie, initially wanted to play the main charof a major Hollywood film. Anand, who was acter but later decided to do the role of Dr part of the Pulitzer Prize winning team of The Robert Stonehill. Brendon Frazor of the Wall Street Journal, first wrote an article in Mummy has played Crawley in the movie.

2003 about John Crowley and his struggle to Anand's book has already released in the US find a cure for his children suffering with in December and it is coming out in India in Pompe's disease, a rare muscle disorder.

March.

She decided to develop the article into a Asked about the controversy over the credbook 'The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 its in 3 Idiots and she comes out in defence of Hollywood movie Million — And Bucked the Medical Estab- 'Extraordinary Measures' is author Chetan Bhagat. lishment — In a Quest to Save His Children', based on Geeta Anand's book. "I can see how easy it is for a writer not to which has inspired Ford's latest film Extraorbe credited properly in a movie. We are not dinary Measures, to be released by Sony Pictures Entertain- used to spending our money on lawyers who can scrutinize ment in India on March 19. the contract. I sympathize totally with Chetan," Anand said.

"It is very exciting that the book has been made into a film.

She did not face any problems in this regard with the proHarrison Ford got the rights of the book in 2004 even before ducers but is "disappointed" with certain aspects of the conI wrote the book. It was great to see him interested in the sto- tract. "I am properly credited in the beginning of the film but ry," Anand told HT Media in an interview. at the same time I am disappointed as well. I was assuming Ford and Michael Shamberg, who has produced films like that we could use the movie poster on the book but the CBS Erin Brockovich and World Trade Center, wanted to make a films would not let us do that which was extremely disapmedical drama. When they read the story of John Crawley, pointing. There is always some heartbreak along the way," who helped fund the research to cure a rare disease in a bid to Anand said. save his own children, they decided to make a movie on it.

She is now planning another book, which will chronicle her "My agent sent the book proposal to a movie agent who father's struggle during India's partition. "I was always fasciknew that Ford and the producers wanted to make a medical nated by my dad's big Punjabi family. I wanted to write about drama. Ford read the proposal and he was very much inter- my dad's life in the context of his family. The family moving ested and wanted to make a movie very quickly," Anand said. from the Pakistan and coming to Mumbai, sending him to the "Ford roped in Robert Nelson Jacob, the Oscar-nominated US where he met my American mom and married her," screenwriter of Chocolat to write the screenplay. I would Anand said.

Republic Day event at Ganesh Temple on Sunday

Dr Uma Mysorekar

Flushing, NY (SATimes): The Hindu Temple Society of North America has organized the annual flag hoisting ceremony to mark the Republic Day of India at the Ganesh temple in Flushing Jan 31.

The event which is scheduled to begin at 4 pm at the temple auditorium will have Consul General of India in New York, Prabhu Dayal as the chief guest and Councilman Peter Koo as the guest of honor. The flag hoisting will be followed by performances of Indian cultural dances and patriotic songs.

Speaking to the SATimes, Dr Uma Mysorekar, President of the Hindu Temple Society, said the event aims to generate a patriotic feeling among young people.

“Champakbhai Parikh does flag hoisting in a very patriotic, moving way marching to Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana ,” she said.

Yoga teacher’s training course in Long Island Bethpage, NY (SATimes): The Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust has organized a Yog teacher’s training workshop in New York. The Foundation Course (Level 1) will be held from March 12-14 at Bethpage Community Center, near Patel Brothers grocery store in Hicksville, Long Island.

Swami Ramdevji Maharaj- founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth has been spreading the knowledge of Yog and importance of the YOG in our life throughout the world. Under the directions of Swami Ramdev, the training will be conducted by Shekhar Agrawal, Yog Teachers Training Coordinator for USA and

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Dr. Dilip Sarkar, MD FACS & Ayurvedic Practitioner.

The course will focus on Health and Safety, Pranayam, Asanas, Mudras and Bandhas, Relaxation Techniques, Mantras, Acupressure, Ayurveda, Yog Philosophy and Anatomy.

The three day training for a fee of $201 will also include Patanjali Yogpeeth General Membership and seven Yoga and Ayurveda books. To register call Radha Vardhan on 5167465684 or email rvardhan2003@yahoo.com.

For more information on the course, visit: www.pyptusa.org

Indian American doctor is New Jersey health chief Trenton, NJ (SATimes): New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has nominated as his health commissioner the head of the largest health insurance company in the state. Dr. Poonam Alaigh, executive director of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is also the former medical director at drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline.

The 45-year-old Somerset County physician also has served as president of the American Heart Association for the Dr Poonam Alaigh with North Jersey region. She Governor Chris Christie is an internist specializing in vascular diseases.

"She is someone who has worked in just about every aspect of providing health care to people, both as a physician herself and as someone who has had to manage large organizations like the Department of Health," Christie said.

Former Health Commissioner Heather Howard, who stepped down this month as Gov. Jon S. Corzine left office, called Alaigh a terrific pick.

"She really understands the issues facing New Jersey, and she'll bring a variety of experience to the state," Howard said.

"The budget challenges are tremendous, but she's a great choice to come in and tackle those issues." If confirmed by the Senate, she would be only the second Indian American to become a New Jersey Cabinet member.

Hempstead Town hosts 7th Republic Day ceremony Pavit Kaur Malhotra (left) and Prof Rakesh Gupta were honored and Renee Lobo given a citation by Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray at the R-Day event.

Hicksville (SATimes): Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and the town board hosted Long Island’s only commemoration of India’s Republic Day on Jan 27. The seventh annual event at the Hempstead Town Hall, cosponsored by the Indian American Forum, also offered patriotic Indian songs and classical dances.

On the occasion, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray honored Prof Rakesh Gupta, Dean of Adelphi University’s School of Business, and community advocate Pavit Kaur Malhotra for all they do for community.

Prof Gupta has been nominated by students to “Who’s Who among America’s Teachers’.

He has developed affiliations with universities in India, China, France, Egypt and Czech Republic to provide international opportunities for students. He serves on the World Trade Council of the Long Island Association.

Pavit Kaur has worked to bring together people of diverse cultural and ethnic back-

grounds. She has helped her husband start a telecom company that now has over 70 locations. A mother of three, she still always found time to help others in need—senior citizens, disabled children and poor families.

Renee Lobo, TV personality and Human Rights Commissioner for the City of New York, gave the keynote address at the event, lauding Indian culture and values. The Town Supervisor gave her a citation.

Kate Murray said India and the US share the same values of democracy and freedom. She then praised Indian Americans as a “vital part of the fabric of our nation, greatly enriching us with their gifts of art, culture, cuisine, intellect, values and abiding warmth”. She noted that Hempstead Town has a growing number of Indian American families.

Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson of Indian American Forum, and Dr Parveen Chopra, Past Chairperson of the Forum, also spoke at the event.

8

Tristate Community

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Census Bureau hiring 1.2 M part timer workers New York (SATimes): As the government gears up for its once-a-decade census some 1.2 million part-time positions are waiting to be filled with most of those openings for enumerators. Given the unemployment rate of 10 %, the number of applicants have been “phenomenally high” according to Census director Robert Groves.

Enumerators are people who go door to door to collect information from the roughly 35 million households that won't return their Census forms by mail. The Census Bureau isn't allowed to use statistical estimates in its gauge of the population, so if a household

doesn't return the 10-question form that's due to arrive in the mail in March, an enumerator will show up in May, June or July to try to get the information in person.

Across the country, local Census offices are taking applications. There's a 28-question test involved in nabbing one of the temporary positions, which pay between $10 and $25 per hour depending on where you live and entail plenty of evening and weekend shifts, since that's when people tend to be at home.

Four days of training teach everything from interviewing and personal safety to the

history and importance of the Census — it's not only about determining seats in Congress but also about how to allocate some $400 billion in federal funding.

This time the Census will run advertisements only in areas where it anticipates having trouble filling positions, such as inner cities, extremely rural areas and neighborhoods with large percentages of non-English-speaking residents.

That targeted recruitment strategy is important, because the Census aims to put enumerators to work in the communities where they live. Part of the rationale is saving on

transportation costs but the bigger reason is to increase the chances that people will be willingly counted. "If people recognize you, they're more apt to open up and deal with you than if you're someone from the outside," says Maxwell Biggs, who manages Census recruiting in Florence, S.C. One of Biggs' challenges: hiring enumerators for two of the state's Native American tribes.

If you're interested in applying for a Census job, the best place to start is online at http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/.

There you can download the application and find your local Census office to take the test.

CT works with Nestlé Waters SABANY elects to keep HQ, save 475 jobs new office bearers Connecticut (SATimes): Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the state will help Nestlé Waters North America Inc. keep its North American headquarters in Fairfield County, preserving 475 jobs at its corporate offices and creating 25 more over the next three years.

“This award-winning company moved to Connecticut from New York City in 1979 with one product and fewer than 100 employees,” Governor Rell said. “In the last 30 years Nestlé Waters has grown into the top bottled water company in the country with 15 well-known brands. This innovative, creative company is dedicated to our state – and dedicated to job growth and business expansion. Those commitments are music to my ears. They are exactly the sort of approaches that will help our economy weather this current downturn and emerge all the stronger when business picks up again.

“Not only will the company be staying in Connecticut, keeping and growing jobs in our state, it will also be investing $27.8 million in improving its new location at 900 Long Ridge Road in Stamford,” the Governor noted. “That means additional economic benefit across the spectrum of businesses. This is a

Gov M Jodi Rell significant victory for our state.”

More than a year ago, Nestlé Waters began considering alternative locations for its current headquarters, located in Greenwich. The company wanted the new location to be within commuting distance of its current location and said it preferred to stay in Fairfield County, although it also considered locations in Westchester County, N.Y. Nestlé Waters also has two branch delivery locations in the towns of North Haven and Bozrah. Governor Rell directed the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to work closely with the company in identifying a

suitable Connecticut location.

DECD is providing a $4 million, low-interest loan to Nestlé Waters to equip the building at their new location. In addition, the company could be eligible for up to $5 million in Urban and Industrial Sites Reinvestment Tax Credits. The Connecticut Development Authority Board of Directors has approved up to a $1 million Sales and Use Tax Exemption for the project.

“Nestlé Waters has a 30-year history as a Connecticut-based company and we’re very happy that Connecticut recognizes us as a valuable corporate citizen,” said Kim E. Jeffery, President and CEO of Nestlé Waters North America. “The Stamford location had the best combination of positives, including an attractive and functional physical property, reasonable operating costs and a convenient location for our employees. In addition, the financial assistance provided was key in our decision to retain our corporate headquarters in Connecticut.”

Gov Rell is the first-ever woman Republican Governor of Connecticut. Her bold approach to state government has gone a long way in protecting Connecticut families and businesses.

New York (SATimes): The South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) announced the recent election of its 2010 Board of Directors and Officers. While Kruti Dharia is the new President, Rahul Agarwal is new President-elect.

Nadia Seeratan was elected Secretary and Anand Swaminathan as Treasurer.

SABANY, an organization of

South Asian attorneys practicing in the New York Metropolitan region is dedicated to ensuring the civil liberties of the South Asian community in New York, by acting as a conduit between the South Asian community and legal services and educational programs in the area.

For additional information on events and how to get involved, visit www.sabany.org

Other elected members: 4VP of Membership and Events: Neha Dewan 4VP of Public Relations: Arvind Purohit 4VP of Sponsorship: Sachin Bansal 4VP of Public Interest Fellowship and Law Student Relations: Moh Sharma 4VP of Public Interest: Nisha Agarwal 4VP of Private Sector and In-house Attorneys: Paresh Trivedi 4Director: Anil Kalhan 4Director: Devjani Mishra 4Director: Ushir Pandit 4Director: Swati Parikh 4Director: Ameerdeep Singh 4Director: Hamel Vyas 4NASABA Liaison: Sanjay Rao

Action Sports Medicine & Pain Management announces new location in Plainview

Mata Ki Chowki: Guru Datt (sitting second from right), who runs a mobile phones business, organized a Mata Ki Chowki last week at his Hicksville residence. The devotional evening was anchored by Sandeep Sehgal (sitting left), a garments businessman from Syosset, who has recently formed a volunteer group named "Vaishno Seva Samiti" devoted to Mother Goddess.

Plainview, NY (SATimes): Action Sports Medicine & Pain Management opened its new location in Plainview, NY on January 7. The new location is at 524 Old Country Road and is open on Thursdays from 10am-2pm. The Plainview office will offer consultations, sports medicine as well as EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies.

In addition to Plainview, Action

Sports Medicine & Pain Management has three other locations, Rockville Centre, Mineola, and Fresh Meadows, Queens.

Supervised by Sunil Butani, M.D., all medical staff are Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Management. Dr. Butani focuses on restoring physical function to his patients and specializes in treating those with sports injuries, neck &

back pain, car accident injuries and job related injuries (workers' compensation), with an emphasis on pain management. Dr. Butani is affiliated with Winthrop University Hospital and New York Hospital Queens. He holds a diplomate in anesthesiology from Grant Medical College in Bombay and has completed his orthopedic surgery residency in Bombay, India.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

Obama hails partnership as Indians in US celebrate R-Day

Washington Desis angry as gold thieves go scot free Washington (HT Media): Dismissal of charges against three picky burglars accused of stealing only gold from the homes of South Asian families in two Washington suburbs has left the area families livid.

The arrest of four more New Yorkers last week in connection with a burglary ring that targeted homes in Fairfax and Loudoun counties just two days after the dismissal of charges against three who were arrested in Centreville in November has not soothed their anger much.

The burglaries had stopped after three suspects were arrested for stealing millions of dollars worth of jewellery from homes in Fairfax County. But now, several families say they’re worried about the burglaries starting again.

These families say the burglaries weren’t just scary, they were downright terrifying. They say for months on end, burglars targeted

them, one after the next, hitting the homes of at least two dozen South Asians and taking precious gold from all of them.

“We’ve had good night’s sleep since then,” Raman Kumar, an IT professional, said one of the early victims who had mobilized the Indian-American community over the issue.

But then came last week’s preliminary hearing when Fairfax General District Court Judge Ian M. O’Flaherty dismissed 10 counts of burglary and grand larceny against Dagoberto SotoRamirez, his wife, Melinda M. Soto, and Francisco Gray.

Prosecutors showed the judge the suspects’ police scanner, an actual list they had of the streets they’d targeted and even a lotion and a touchstone used to determine the purity of gold but the judge threw out the case.

“The judge, he rejected all the evidence and dismissed the case,”

Kumar said “How much more evidence did the judge need?” he asked.

“I assure you the officers who worked so hard on these cases are just as disheartened as you are,” Sophia Grinnan, Crime Prevention Officer at Fairfax County Police Department said in an e-mail to the residents.

“Unfortunately, our legal system is set up so the very laws that protect us are subject to interpretation by judges,” she said. “The downfall of Wednesday’s preliminary hearing was not due to loopholes in the written law or attorney experience but in evidentiary interpretation.” Fairfax police said they also obtained warrants for conspiracy to commit grand larceny against Jonathan A. Brunett, 25; Nubiela Gaviria, 50; and Consuelo M. Rojas, 59, all of Queens, N.Y., and Karen Echevarria, 28, from the Bronx. All four are in custody in New York.

Washington (HT Media): President Barack Obama has in a message of greetings on India’s 61st Republic day Tuesday hailed the growing partnership between the US and India and the friendship between the two peoples.

“And as our peoples continue to build upon that friendship, let our governments continue to work together to advance peace, prosperity, and stability around the globe,” he said in a message issued by the White House.

“I send my warmest wishes on behalf of the American people to the people of India and to those here in America and around the world who are celebrating Republic Day,” Obama said.

The Indian American community across the US celebrated the Republic Day with enthusiasm, Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar in Washington unfurling the national flag at a colorful function at the Indian embassy.

President Pratibha Patil’s message was read out to the assembled members of the Indian community.

The function concluded with

Barack Obama children from Gandharva USA, a local music school, singing “Vande Mataram” (I pay homage to the mother) in Sanskrit and patriotic songs in Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese, Khasi and Urdu.

About 200 members of the community joined the celebrations.

Similar flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at the Indian consulates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston.

FBI searches Indian-American doctor’s weight-loss clinics

K-2 Mechanical

Chicago (HT Media): Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents executed search warrants at five Illinois clinics associated with an Indian American weight-loss specialist, Dr. Gautum Gupta, including one in Chicago and two in its suburbs.

Federal agents executed the warrants and searched for evidence Thursday at five clinics, including Chicago, northwest suburban Arlington Heights and west suburban Naperville, according to an FBI spokesman.

No arrests were made and no criminal charges had been filed as of late Friday afternoon, he said. He could not immediately provide further information regarding the investigation or what investigators were looking for.

Dr. Gupta is a weight loss specialist who uses “innovative” FDA-approved medications, along with a weight-loss program, according to his website.

A woman who answered the phone at Gupta’s main office in Rockford declined to comment on the warrants, according to Chicago Tribune. “We are open for business,” she said.

“We are seeing patients. That’s all you need to know.”

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Indian-American named advisor to Virginia governor-elect Washington (HT Media): Virginia’s Republican Governor-elect Bob McDonnell has appointed his close friend and long-time fundraiser Dr Kamlesh Dave to his transition team for economic development.

Dave, a cardiologist practicing in Chester, Virginia, a suburb of the state capital of Richmond, is the first Indian American to be inducted into the governor-elect’s inner circle of advisers. Born and raised in Ahmedabad Dave is a leading community and social activist. He was recently unanimously elected president of the new Republican Indian Committee, a political action committee. Dave migrated to the US in 1980 and did his internship and residency at Cornell University in New York and lived and worked in Manhat-

9

tan and parts of New Jersey for several years.

After moving to Richmond, he has served as chief of medicine and chief of staff at South Side Regional Medical Centre. He now serves as a board member of the State Health Research Board (HRB) of Virginia.

Until last year, he was the HRB’s vice chairman. He has also served as a board member of the Workmen Compensation Medical Board of Virginia. Dave was an elected delegate from the fourth Congressional District to the Republican National Convention in 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dave is also a director on the board of a local bank, First Capital Bank, Virginia, which is traded on NASDAQ and has served as a board member of the America Land Fund.

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10

National Community

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Good Morning Premium Tea launches new campaign Mumbai (SATimes): The Brand Good Morning Premium Tea introduced its much awaited “Try Something New!” campaign along with the consumer promotion scheme at the Saas Bahu Sajish party.

The campaign was unveiled in the presence of who’s who of small screen, Ronit Roy, Ali Asgar, Smita Bansal & Neha Marda (Balika Vadhu), Natasha Sharma & Meghana Malika (Naa Aana Iss Des Laddo), Tina Dutta, Nandish Sandhu, Rashmi Desai (Uttaran), Sarah Khan (Bidaai) Harshad Chopra & Additi Gupta (Kis Desh Mein Hain Mera Dil) to name a few.

Good Morning Premium tea belongs to world’s renowned quality tea Group, WaghBakri, which towers national and international busi-

Good Morning Tea, a premium brand from Wagh Bakri Tea group, launched designer 2010 Mugs free gift scheme at “Saas Bahu & Sazish” party in Mumbai attended by many TV stars including Vikrant Massey (right) of Balika Vadhu fame.

Indian American doctor ordered to pay 16 mn dollars tax default Washington (SATimes): An Indian American cardiologist has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison and ordered to pay back to the state the 16 million dollars he failed to pay in income taxes.

Pradeep Srivastava, the 50-year-old cardiologist who had offices in Oxon Hill and Greenbelt, Maryland, evaded the income tax in his 1998 and 1999 filings and filed a false return in 2000, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

US District Judge Roger W. Titus Wednesday sentenced Srivastava, who was convicted by a federal jury on Oct 8, to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to evidence presented at the six day trial, Srivastava conducted a huge volume of trading in stocks and stock options.

During the "bull market" of the late 1990s, the evidence showed that he earned more than USD 40 million in short-term capital gains, much of them from trading in stock options involving high-technology stocks such as

America Online, Dell Computer, Yahoo, Qualcomm and Inktomi.

In preparation for filing his tax returns for 1998 and 1999, Srivastava provided his accountant with information about those trades that generated capital losses, but omitted providing information relating to the vast majority of his short-term capital gains, prosecutors said.

Srivastava then filed tax returns which omitted those capital gains and, according to trial testimony, understated his tax due by USD 164,756 in 1998 and USD 16,179,567 in 1999.

The evidence proved that in 2000, the value of Srivastava's portfolio collapsed and he incurred massive capital losses.

Disclosure of the full extent of those losses, however, would have potentially alerted the Internal Revenue Service to his massive, undisclosed short-term capital gains for 1998 and 1999, therefore, trial testimony showed that Srivastava filed a false tax return which understated his capital losses for 2000.

Indian American runs for Ohio House seat Ohio (SATimes): Surya Yalamanchili, an Indian American marketing professional announced that he will seek the Democratic endorsement for the Ohio 2nd District US House seat. He entered this race as an Independent but along the way realized that he could do the most good from within the Democratic party. “ By fighting for pragmatic solutions to our significant policy challenges, I am confident that I can be the leader the 2nd district deserves,” he said. “Our campaign will continue to eschew special interests and refrain from petty, divisive attacks.

We will stay focused on the dialogue of what it will take to enhance and rebuild the core of what makes our nation great. I look forward to spending the coming months with the people of the 2nd district, talking about the substantive issues that will define America's future,” he added. The 2nd District comprises the eastern

part of Cincinnati and extends eastward to Portsmouth, Ohio. The district is fairly conservative, preferring John McCain over Barack Obama in last year’s presidential election. Yalamanchili is the third Democrat to challenge incumbent Republican Congresswoman Jean Schmidt. David Krikorian, who was an independent candidate in the 2008 election, and Jim Parker are also running. Other Democrats may enter the race before the Feb. 18 filing deadline.

Yalamanchili was born in Pennsylvania and his parents are originally from AP. When he attended Rutgers, he spent a summer working at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati. After working as a start-up in Silicon Valley and graduating from Rutgers, he rejoined Proctor & Gamble full time in 2001. In May 2003, when he was 24, Yalamanchili became one of the youngest brand managers in the company’s history.

ness scenario as the third largest privately held tea company.

The sizzling and starry night was organized to complement the stars of the small screen for their contribution to the Indian television industry and making this show successfully running since last five years. The party was attended by all TV actors across all the channels, from the star cast of Balika Vadhu to Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma, Biddai, Naa Aana Iss Desh Lado, Krishna, Antara, Kis Desh Main Hain Mera Dil to Miley Jab Hum Tum and many more. The night was filled with joyous glitter and glamour with the presence of all stars of small screen under one roof irrespective of the channels and their number games. Good Morning Pre-

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Committed to transcend the journey, these 2010 mugs come with the meaningful messages to make 2010, a better year, and the motherland, a better place, to live and sustain for generations to come and enjoy.

US varsity to exhibit M.F. Husain’s early masterpieces Washington (HT Media): and beauty,” said Michael Brown University, a memSteinberg, director of the ber of the prestigious Ivy Cogut Centre for the HumanLeague, will hold an exhibiities. tion of early masterpieces of “This union of visual art Maqbool Fida Husain, from and humanistic inquiry Feb 5 through March 26. makes for an ideal collaboraThe exhibit, part of Provitive project between the dence, Rhode Island based Cogut Centre and the Bell Brown’s Year of India initiaGallery, as well as a perfect tive, will be hosted by the celebration of the Year of InCogut Centre for the Hudia.” Focusing on Husain’s manities, in collaboration early works, the exhibition Painter M F Husain with the David Winton Bell features 12 paintings created Gallery. “Early Masterpieces, 1950s-70s” is between 1954 and 1971, providing a view drawn from the collection of Amrita into the artist’s first manifestations of his Jhaveri, a 1991 Brown graduate, and a spe- many favorite subjects: life on the streets, cialist in 20th-century Indian art and the au- woman and horse (together and apart), and thor of “A Guide to 101 Modern and Con- mythological and religious personages. Hutemporary Indian Artists”. sain’s interest in mythology is represented “Husain’s paintings are unique for their in the exhibition by Draupadi, which porprofundity and their playfulness, for their trays the heroine of the epic Mahabharata. ability to explore themes of cultural history The painting is one of 29 that were created and legacy in a context of explosive color for the São Paulo Biennale in 1971.

Anand Ahuja now represents US celebs New York (SATimes): Indian born in India. He is admitted in American lawyer Anand Ahuthe states of New York, Conja is representing high profile necticut, Virginia, U.S. District celebrities such as Michael Court; Southern District of Lohan, father of Lindsey LoNY, U.S. District Court; Easthan and ex-girl friend of realern District of NY, and India. ity show “Jon & Kate plus 8” Ahuja received his education star Jon Gosselin. and experience both in India Lohan has retained him as and the United States. He one of his attorneys to repreholds an LL.M. (International sent him against his ex-girlBusiness Law); an LL.M. in friend Erin Muller.

Labor Laws; LL.B. (JD); Ahuja was quoted by various M.B.A. [Personnel ManageAttorney Anand Ahuja US media while defending his ment & Labor Welfare]; client Hailey Glassman, Gosselin’s former M.B.A. [Business Management]; a Diploma live-in girlfriend, who claimed that she was in German language; a Postgraduate Diplobeing framed for trashing the reality tv star’s ma in Gandhian Philosophy, besides his upper west side apartment as a part of a M.A. (Major: International Relations) and “huge publicity stunt” Ahuja is a U.S. citizen B.A. (Honors) degrees.

12

Op Ed

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India@60, and soaring

By Amulya Ganguli, HT Media oon after the Indian National Congress, at the forefront of the country's independence movement, adopted the 'purna swaraj' or complete independence resolution at its Lahore convention on New Year's Day in 1930, Mahatma Gandhi called for a day of celebration on Jan 26, which till 1947 came to be observed as Independence Day. A public pledge, drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru, who became India's first prime minister after independence on Aug 15, 1947 - used to be taken on Jan 26 to assert the "inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom". To achieve this end, "India must sever the British connection" since "we hold it to be a crime against man and God to submit any longer to a rule that has caused disaster to our country".

In 1950, the day was chosen to declare India as a republic and announce the adoption of the constitution, which has been described as the country's new 'dharmashastra' (value system) by Granville Austin, an expert on the Indian Constitution. When it came into force, the constitution marked the beginning of "perhaps the greatest political

S

venture that originated in Philadelphia in 1787", to quote Austin again.

As Anthony Eden also said at the time, the "Indian political venture is not a pale imitation of our practice at home, but a magnified and multiplied reproduction on a scale we have never dreamt of. If it succeeds, its influence on Asia is incalculable for good".

None of these accolades have proved wrong. The Indian republic has proved to be a great success story, in all senses of the term. Not only has it stood the test of time by defying the doomsayers, it has built on its durability to act as an example of a thriving multi-religious, multicultural democracy, especially to those countries which attained freedom in the late 1940s and early 1950s. If the republic had seemed fragile and vulnerable when it came into being six decades ago, the reason was that few believed at the time that democracy would work in a country as poor and diverse as India. While poverty was expected to strengthen the Communists within the country with surreptitious help from Moscow and Beijing, the plurality of language, religion and culture was seen as a fillip to fissiparous tendencies.

Such negative perceptions might have been the result of the fact that

Although poverty remains the only major blot on the Indian scene, there are expectations that the consistently high growth rates will gradually eradicate this problem. experiments in democracy had not succeeded in India's neighborhood.

While Pakistan went under a military dictatorship along with Burma (now Myanmar); China passed from the right-wing autocracy of Chiang Kai-shek to one-party Communist rule.

Although Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) maintained a formal democracy, the insistence of its rulers on imposing the Sinhalese language and Buddhism on the Tamil-speaking, Hindu minorities from India laid the roots of a civil strife which has subsided only recently.

India, on the other hand, over-

came its problems of internal rifts by adopting accommodative policies, which can still provide guidelines to others grappling with divisive trends. One of the policies was to assure the non-Hindi-speaking people of the south, mainly the Tamils, that Hindi would never be the sole official language without their consent and that English would continue as the link language as long as they wanted.

The young Indian republic was fortunate, of course, in having at its helm a leader like Nehru, with his faith in democracy and secularism, and the glorious heritage of Gand-

hi. It was a legacy of which no other country in the region could boast.

Although poverty remains the only major blot on the Indian scene, there are expectations that the consistently high growth rates, which have followed the liberalization of the economy from 1991, will gradually eradicate this problem. Except for this blemish, Indians can be proud of their achievements against what seemed insuperable odds at one time.

The pride is reflected in the impressive military parade and cultural pageantry that is held in the national capital - and on a smaller scale in the provincial capitals every year on Jan 26.

It is not only the display of military might, including supersonic aircraft flying overheard, that is the highlight of the show, but also the presentations on a moving stage of the distinctive features of life and progress of every state of the Indian union.

A thousand years ago, the Persian scholar, Al-beruni, said, "Hindus believe that there is no country like theirs, no nation like theirs, no kings like theirs, no religion like theirs, no science like theirs". If the boastful trait has survived through the vicissitudes of history, there is justification for it.

All chip, no shoulder

By Palash Krishna Mehrotra, HT Media ast year, I became involved with a white woman. Friends of mine, from Bandra to Defence Colony, began congratulating me on my “achievement.” “Well done yaar,” they said, “How did you pull it off?”

It was pathetic. I wondered if the whites were congratulating my girlfriend about landing a brown man.

Silly as the whole affair was, it revealed to me the deep sense of inferiority that runs through our middle class.

Indians have a precarious sense of self. That, coupled with the fact that 80 per cent of our population has amoebic cysts in their brains, renders us the most humorless people to inhabit this planet.

We are a nation of cranks, constantly running scared of ourselves.

Anything from lingerie to a painting can get our goat. We whine, we sulk, we vandalize. We feel persecuted all the time. We are permanently upset. We are all chip and no shoulder. Is it any wonder, then, that we have never learnt to laugh at

L

We are a nation of cranks, constantly running scared of ourselves. Anything from lingerie to a painting can get our goat. We whine, we sulk, we vandalize. We feel persecuted all the time. We are permanently upset. We are all chip and no shoulder. Is it any wonder, then, that we have never learnt to laugh at ourselves? ourselves? We turn humans into idols, install them in temples, erect barbwire fences; if you attempt to scale the wall you will only end up hurting yourself on a jagged piece of glass. Which is why no one dares scale the wall. Our stand-up comedy, for instance, is hideously obsequious. Instead of pulling an icon’s

pants down, the Indian stand-up seeks his blessings. Raju Srivastava regularly touches Amitji’s feet on national TV, “Sir, aap ki nakal karte karte main yahaan tak pahunch gaya. Sab aap hi ki kripa hai.”

Elsewhere, it is the job of the stand-up to walk around with a stack of pins and burst as many bal-

loons as she can find. Every balloon is equal. No one is spared. Here, stand-up comedy is reduced to mere mimicry, imitating the mannerisms of a famous personality or spouting a well-known Bollywood dialogue. There are no gags. You never pull the rug from under anyone’s feet.

Contrast this with America in the 1950s. In a famous piece called ‘Frank Sinatra has a Cold’, Gay Talese writes about Sinatra and his cronies going to see a stand-up comic called Don Rickles. Rickles goes for him the moment he spots him, calling Sinatra a washed-up singer. He then picks on one of his sidekicks, Jilly: “How’s it feel to be Frank’s tractor? Yeah, Jilly keeps walking in front of Frank clearing the way.” Later, when Sinatra gets up to leave, Rickles flies at him again, “Shaddup and sit down. I’ve had to listen to you sing…” Sinatra loves it. Dean Martin, also in the audience, loves it so much he pours a bottle of whisky on his own head, and begins pounding the table like a madman. Humor of this kind is unimaginable in 21st century India.

Which is odd because we have had a long tradition of questioning our

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.

beliefs and sending up our holy cows, from the Carvaka philosophers onwards down to Kabir.

Sanjay Rajoura, a rookie stand-up comic from Delhi, also belongs to this new breed of audacious young Indians who are willing to rip apart everything from Americans to themselves. Rajoura’s favorite gag is about Jats, “I am a Jat. Let me tell you something about Jats. Onethird of my community is in the police, one-third are DTC bus conductors and the rest are criminals.”

I saw Rajoura at the Habitat Centre. The kids in the audience loved him but he managed to offend the fuddy-duddies, one of who stood up and boomed, “Let me tell you, young man, that the maximum number of gallantry awards every year go to Jats.”

The old man might have missed the point completely. But the young man is certainly onto something.

He has learnt to make fun of himself. And in that gap between generations lies an inkling of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, we will learn to laugh again.

(The writer is the author of Eunuch Park and the editor of Recess: The Penguin Book of Schooldays.)

India Newswire TheSouthAsianTimes.info

13

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

Alkazi, Sehwag, Apollo group’s Reddy in Padma list

Theater personalities Ebrahim Alkazi and Zohra Segal, crickter Virender Sehwag and Apollo Hospital group chairman Prathap C. Reddy.

New Delhi: Nobel Laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Apollo Hospital group chairman Prathap C. Reddy, and theater personalities Ebrahim Alkazi and Zohra Segal are among the six people awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award, in the Republic Day honors.

Dashing Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag, Olympic bronze-medal winning boxer Vijender Singh and world-ranked badminton star Saina Nehwal were among the six sportspersons named for the Padma Shri award.

Hockey player Ignace Tirkey, reputed cricket coach Ramakant Vithal Achrekar and India's first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan were the other three in the list.

For the second successive year, the Bharat

Ratna, the country's highest civilian honor, has not been awarded. It was last given in 2008 to classical singer Bhimsen Joshi.

Of the Padma Vibhushan awardees, Reddy set up India's first corporate hospital with the Apollo in Chennai in 1983. Today, the group has over 22 centers in major metropolises in India with a combined turnover of over $100 million.

Alkazi is the founding head of the India's premier theater training institute, the National School of Drama; Segal, 97, is the doyenne of theater and has appeared in numerous Bollywood and Hollywood movies.

Seventeen of the Padma awardees are women while 13 are foreigners, NRIs or people of Indian origin (PIOs). Of the 130 awardees, the bulk - 37 - are from the world

of art, 24 from the sphere of literature and education, 16 from medicine, 14 from trade and industry, 10 from science and engineering and six from the world of sports.

Others who have been honored are 11 social workers, five for public affairs, four for civil service and one each for public service, journalism and environment protection.

President Pratibha Patil will give away the awards at an investiture ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan in March/April.

Among the others honored with the Padma Vibhushan are percussionist Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman and former Reserve Bank of India governor Y.V Reddy.

The Padma Bhushan awardees include Ramakant M. Panda who had conducted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's heart surgery

Out of the box thinking necessary: Patil New Delhi: With food inflation at a Delving at length on the issue of high of over 17 percent, and potatoes, farmers, Patil -- who first spoke in pulses and sugar costing twice as Hindi and then in English -- said posmuch as they did last year, President sibilities of partnerships between inPratibha Patil said time had come to dustry and agriculture should be exthink "out of the box" to bring down plored. prices with focus on farm productivi"For example, the food processing ty through a second Green Revoluindustry when located close to agrition. cultural areas can transform India's "The world over, as also in our rural landscape. Currently food procountry, there is a rising demand for cessing is as low as 10 percent of profood-grains," the president said in her duction compared to 65-85 percent President Pratibha Patil addressing address to the nation on the eve of the generally seen in developed counthe nation on the eve of the 61st country's 61st Republic Day. tries," she said.

Republic Day. "This foretells the need for an inCalling the beginning of 2010 "the tense focus on increasing agriculture productivity to en- deciding decade, the decade of reckoning", Patil said sure food availability, particularly of agricultural pro- policies to promote growth to the bottom of the pyraduces that are in short supply to avoid spiraling food mid and to those currently outside its purview must be prices," the president said. pursued. Patil laid emphasis on eradication of social "I call for urgent steps toward a second Green Revo- malpractices, especially those related to discrimination lution. There should be use of new technologies, better against women. seeds, improved farming practices, effective water The president also warned that "weak implementation management, as well as more intense framework for and corruption in the system" were obstacles due to connecting the farmer with the scientific community which policies were not having their desired results. with lending institutions and with markets."

"A bottleneck and an impediment in bringing about The president said "out of the box thinking" was nec- the desired results, for which policies and schemes have essary, as higher agriculture income would improve the been formulated and huge allocation of funds made, is living standards of the over 145 million rural house- weak implementation and corruption in the system," holds, in the over 600,000 villages of the country. she said.

"With higher income levels, the rural economy will "The causes of the chronic ailment of tardy implegenerate demand and provide impetus for growth in mentation have to be treated. There should be accountother sectors," she said adding a more proactive farm ability for lack of implementation of projects, programs sector in the growth process will enhance production and schemes. This is critical for bringing about positive and as generator of demand for products and services. change,” she added.

last year. Others honoured include dancer Mallika Sarabhai, Bipin Chandra (literature and education), former minister of state at the center Eknath Rao alias Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (social work), hotelier C.P. Krishnan Nair, industrialist S.P. Oswal and realtor K.P. Singh.

Odissi exponent Mayadhar Raut, Oscarwinning sound enginer Resul Pokutty, former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief D.R. Karthikeyan, Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and industrialist Kapil Mohan are among those named for the Padma Shri.

Three foreigners, Indologist Hermann Kulke of Germany, Sanskrit scholar Sheldon Pollock of the US and Spaniard Rafael Iruzubieta Fernandez (public affairs) have also been awarded the Padma Shri.

Haldiram owner sentenced to life for murder conspiracy Kolkata (HT Media): A fast track court here Friday awarded life sentences to Prabhu Shankar Agarwal, owner of the Rs.500 crore Haldiram food chain, and four others for conspiring to kill a tea stall owner in Kolkata in 2005. Tapan Sen, judge of the fourth fast track court at the City Sessions Court, handed the punishment to Agarwal, his aide Arun Khandelwal as well as contract killer Gopal Tiwari and his two henchmen. They had been convicted Wednesday for the murder conspiracy against tea stall owner Pramod Sharma. Agarwal’s lawyer said: “We are not happy with the verdict.

We will appeal to a higher court.

There is no direct evidence against him.” Agarwal, with the connivance of Khandelwal, had hired Tiwari to dispose of Sharma who had refused to remove his stall, which was blocking the entrance to a shop that the businessman was about to open in the Burrabazar area of Kolkata.

Tiwari, Sonkar and Thakur shot at and injured Sharma March 30, 2005.

Tiwari was arrested from Hyderabad. Agarwal was arrested from the airport in New Delhi June 7, the same year on his return from Britain, where he had gone to open a branch of his food chain.

Amar should quit Rajya Sabha: Samajwadi Party New Delhi: Hours after taking charge as the Samajwadi Party's new general secretary and spokesperson, Mohan Singh has demanded that Amar Singh should resign from the Rajya Sabha too. "Rajya Sabha membership is given by the party and, therefore, he should resign from the Rajya Sabha also," said Mohan Singh, who was Wednesday appointed the party general secretary and spokesperson in place of Amar Singh who resigned from the post recently. He said that since Amar Singh has quit as the party's general secretary, member of the parliamentary board and as spokesperson, he should quit the Rajya Sabha post too. "Amar Singh is now part of history. In political parties, people keep coming and going. It is an ongoing process," he told reporters here. He added that it was because of people like Amar Singh that the party got the image that it is with the "rich and mighty only". "People felt that the SP has become a party of corporates. We too are responsible for being mute spectators on the issue," he told reporters here.

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India Newswire

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Court martial Lt. Gen. Prakash: Army chief New Delhi: Acting on the “advice� of Defense Minister A.K. Antony, Indian Army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor on January 29 ordered a court martial of his chief aide Lt. Gen. Avadesh Prakash for his involvement in a land scam in West Bengal's Sukhna cantonment, a defense official said on January 29.

The army chief's decision has come two days after the defense minister advised a court martial of the military secretary on the issue.

Prakash was due to retire on January 31.

Two days ago, Antony had advised the Army Chief to initiate disciplinary action against his top aide Lt General Avadesh Prakash in connection with the land deal.

The Defense minister had overturned the Army Chief's earlier decision to initiate only 'administrative' action against his top aide Prakash, especially since the in-

Panag calls Army chief spineless

Indian Army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor. dicted officer has been accused of being the kingpin in the entire conspiracy to aid the transfer of a 71acre tea estate adjacent to Sukhna military station to his family friend and real estate developer Dilip Agarwal.

Tight security at Maha Kumbh

An estimated 500,000 pilgrims were expected to take a dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Magh Purnima on January 30.

Haridwar: With an estimated 500,000 pilgrims expected to take a dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Magh Purnima on January 30, a tight security cover was thrown around the Maha Kumbh Mela area here, officials said. Devout Hindus believe that on Magh Purnima, bathing in the Ganga washes away people's sins. Magh Purnima is the full moon in the Hindu month of Magha. "About 9,000 security per-

sonnel have been deployed around the Mela area spread across 130 sq km spanning Haridwar, Dehradun, Pauri and Tehri Garhwal districts," deputy inspector general of police (DIG, Mela) Alok Sharma twas quoted as saying. The religious gathering that began on January 14 will end on April 28 after the Baisakhi Shahi Snan - one of the most important bathing dates on April 14.

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Gul Panag has lashed out at Army Chief Deepak Kapoor, who had a wrangle with her father Lt Gen (retd) H.S. Panag, accusing the Army chief of being "spineless".

Both Gul and her father welcomed Defense Minister A K Antony's intervention in land scam to ensure a strict action against Military Scretary Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash.

Gul's father was conducting an inquiry in 2008 into alleged irregularities in the purchase of tents that were made under General Kapoor's tenure, but he was removed within weeks of that.

India issues second travel advisory against Oz New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a second advisory cautioning Indian students about studying in Australia in the backdrop of fresh racist attacks on Indians, including the latest attacks on four Indians in Brisbane.

Coming hard on Australia, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said, "We are discouraging Indian students to go to Australia."

The move is expected to hurt Australia's lucrative foreign student market gravely as Indian students comprise the second largest group of international students coming to Australia after Chinese.

Meanwhile, the body of Ranjodh Singh, who was killed in Australia late last month, has reached Delhi International Airport today.

The Ministry of External Affairs had facilitated the transportation of

Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur. the body which has been released after completion of all legal formalities in New South Wales where Ranjodh was found charred to death on December 29, 2009.

Ranjot, who had gone to Australia over a year ago, was into farming in Griffith near Melbourne. His wife was on a student visa.

Sena attacks SRK for IPL comments Mumbai: The Shiv Sena hit out at actor and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan on January 29 for his comments on Pakistani cricketers with one leader saying he should play his matches in Lahore and another declaring that the star's films would not be allowed to be screened in Thane.

Attacking Shah Rukh for espousing the cause of Pakistani players who were ignored in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said if the actor was so interested in them "he could go play his matches in Lahore, not in India".

"Pakistan has been blatantly indulging in terror activities and killing our innocent people. Sena is firm in our policy of not allowing Pakistani players on our soil," Raut told reporters.

He also reiterated Shiv Sena's "ban" on Australian players - announced last week by party chief Bal Thackeray - for the ongoing attacks on Indians in Australia.

Taking the issue further, Thane

ing an environment where IPL franchisees could recruit Pakistani players with ease.

Sena chief attacks Mukesh Ambani

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde announced that no film of Shah Rukh's would be screened in the district.

"Since Shah Rukh Khan has hurt the sentiments of the people by his utterances, we have decided that his films will not exhibited in any cinema or multiplex in entire Thane district," said Eknath Shinde.

Shah Rukh had said in Ahmedabad that there was need for creat-

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has attacked industrialist Mukesh Ambani over his recent statement that Mumbai belongs to all Indians.

"Marathi people have as much right over Mumbai as Mukesh Ambani has over Reliance companies," Thackeray said in an article published in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna.'

"Mumbai is Maharashtra's capital and will remain its capital.

Don't meddle in the path of Mumbai and Marathi manoos ," he said.

Thackeray said, "when 'Pandit Mukesh Ambani' says Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi belong to all Indians, why has he left out cities likes Ahmedabad, Jamnagar and Rajkot".

Science Scie ence of Spirituality Spirittuality Presents Presen entts

COMMUNITY HEALTH DAY for a more stress-free, peaceful and healthy life

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS Stress Reduction for a Healthy Mind, Body and Soul Facilitator: Indra Taneja, M.D. Meditation: the Secret to Lasting Peace and Tranquility Facilitator: Jim Rose, M.Ed. Vegetarian Quick Start Presenter: Susan Rose Hatha Yoga for Beginners Presenter: Liz O'Shaughnessy Three Stages of Spiritual Recovery Raymond Holmes HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE DURING THE EVENT.

All programs are free and open to all. To register and for information:

NYinfo@sos.org; 631.822.7979

Saturday – March 20 – 9:30am to 3pm SCIENCE OF SPIRITUALITY MEDITATION CENTER 79 COUNTY LINE ROAD, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701

www.sos.org SCIENCE OF SPIRITUALITY IS A MULTI-FAITH SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SANT RAJINDER SINGH JI MAHARAJ, DEDICATED TO LOVE, UNITY AND PEACE.

16

Culture

Culture

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

17

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

Dance Pe Chance: FIA’s hi-octane, entertaining show

By Parveen Chopra New Jersey (SATimes): “Dance Pe Chance”, the first public event of the Federation of Indian Associations NYNJCT (FIA) under the new President Nirav Mehta, was a high octane affair of a high standard, in keeping with his promise to bring in youthful energy and more professionalism to the organization.

Held at the auditorium of Watchung Hills Re-

gional High School, Warren, NJ, on January 23, the dance competition marked India’s 61st Republic Day with a rhythmic celebration of India’s rich past and abundant future. The annual dance competition is a 28-year-old legacy of FIA that is an integral part of the its core philosophy: preservation and promotion of Indian culture and arts in the US. But this year, Dance Pe Chance’s distinctly colorful and energetic format was different.

Based on the theme of ‘Emotions’, it was strong influenced by Bollywood, which has so aptly captured the popular imagination of the world, particularly with its song-and-dance sequences.

The event saw participants recreate the magic of their favorite movie stars, epitomizing the vivacity, passion, glitz and glamour synonymous with Bollywood. Eighteen dance groups from New Jersey, New York and Connecticut

competed for prizes, in Minor, Junior and Senior categories. Participating groups included the popular all-male fusion dance team Broad Street Baadshahz, Gujarati Samaj of New York and Studio Mudra, among others.

The People’s Choice Award, with votes being cast via sms from among the 1000-strong audience, was a first for any Indian dance competition held in the US. The show that lasted for almost 5 hours, served as a grand platform

Broad Street Baadshahz bagged not only the top dance prize in Seniors category, but also the coveted “Best of Best” prize that came with $1,000 in cash.

for Indian American dancers and choreographers, who showcased their awe-inspiring talent and connect between modern techniques and traditional forms. For the Minor category, the first prize was bagged by Gujarati Samaj of New York. From Juniors, India Performing Arts Center won the top prize.

In the Senior category, Broad Street Baadshahz bagged not only the top dance prize, but also the coveted “Best of Best” prize, which carried a prize money of $1000.

Kamlesh Mehta, publisher of The South Asian Times, announced a cash prize for the Arya Dance Academy group, to encourage perhaps the youngest children to participate in the competition.

For the audience it was feast for the eyes and ears – the costumes, the choreography, the choice of songs and the backdrop all was of the highest order.

The judges for the event included Parijat Desai, artistic director of a Brooklyn-based acclaimed dance company; media veteran and news journalist Gulshan Singh; Tapan Patel, actor and entrepreneur; Nimmi Mehta, veteran folk dancer and critic; Swathi Gundapuneedi, Kuchipudi stalwart.

Before the dance program, the executive members of the FIA 2010 team take oath, in the presence of Upendra Chivukula, New Jersey Assemblyman and winner of the 2010 Pravasi Bharatiya Award. Nirav Mehta’s team include Bipin Patel, executive vice president; Nimesh Dave, vice president; Haresh Hemrajani, secretary; Haresh Shah, joint secretary; and

Ahmed Shakir, treasurer.

Several dignitaries from politics, business and media from the US and India graced the occasion. Dance Pe Chance served as a fitting start to 2010, which will mark the FIA’s 40th anniversary with the launch and kickstart of the campaign “Salute India” – Celebrating The Spirit Of India. Special events to celebrate the association’s four decades of pioneering success have been planned, including the much feted India Day Parade on August 15, in Manhattan, which promises to be the biggest-ever yet.

FIA of the Tri-state area is one of the largest umbrella organizations of the Indian community in the US.

Some past presidents of FIA joined in at the traditional lamp lighting ceremony before starting the show.

Nirav Mehta addressed the audience after taking over as FIA’s President 2010.

The costumes, dancing and choregraphy was top class.

All photos: Gunjesh Desai/Masalajunction.com

New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula swearing in FIA’s 2010 team: (from left) Dipak Patel, Ahmed Shakir (treasurer), Nirav Mehta (president), Nimesh Dave (vice President); and Haresh Hemrajani, secretary.

India Performing Arts Center (choreographer: Smita Miki Patel) won the top prize in the Juniors category

In the Minors category, the first prize was bagged by Gujarati Samaj of New York (Choreographer: Bharti Desai).

The South Asian Times announced a cash prize for the Arya Dance Academy group in the Minors category, to encourage perhaps the youngest children in the competition.

Nirav Mehta with outgoing President Dipak Patel and his wife

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Ultimate Bollywood

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Rahman, Aamir, Rekha, Saif get Padma awards

From left, A.R. Rahman, Aamir Khan, Rekha and Saif Ali Khan. ollywood star Aamir Khan and celebrated Tamil composers A.R. Rahman and Ilayaraja were named for Padma Bhushan, the nation's third highest civilian award, While actors Rekha, Saif Ali Khan, Arundhati Nag and sound engineer Resul Pokutty got Padma Shri.

Aamir, 44, who struck gold at the box office with his latest outing "3 Idiots" that grossed over Rs.375 crore worldwide, is already a recipient of the Padma Shri.

Allah Rakha Rahman, who shone at the Oscars last year with his double golden statuette win, seems to be on an award winning spree post the success of "Slumdog

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Millionaire".

In 2008, Rahman scored the music of Danny Boyle's rags-to-riches drama "Slumdog Millionaire" for which he won a Golden Globe. He also bagged two Oscars for the film, becoming the first Indian citizen to do so.

Apart from the Oscars, Rahman has also been awarded with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award, four National Film Awards and 13 Filmfare awards. Tamil composer Ilayaraja has been a prominent name in the southern film industry since 1976. He debuted with "Annakkili" and is known for integrating

Zinta jumps off toilet wall! ollywood actor Preity Zinta pulled off a stunt by jumping off the wall of a toilet at the Delhi airport after she got stuck inside for more than 10 minutes.

"Spent 10 minutes stuck in the toilet at the airport...Finally had to climb the wall and jump over... People were calling out my name," Preity posted on her Twitter page.

The 34-year-old says she felt she would die in there, but managed to escape. "Thought I was going to die as I am claustrophobic. Pulled a muscle in my arm...," she added.

She says her tomboy attitude helped her come out of the toilet.

"Being a tomboy when I was younger definitely helped. Trying

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Tamil folk lyric with Western music. He won the Indian National Film Award thrice for the movies - "Sindhu Bhairavi", "Rudraveena" and "Saagara Sangamam."

And now, Ilayaraja gets the Padma Bhushan.

Bollywood diva Rekha, 55, has been selected for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest honor, after four decades in the Indian film industry. The daughter of the late southern star Gemini Ganesan, Rekha bagged overnight success with her debut film and went on to become India's sex symbol. After being awarded with the 2008 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, now Arundhati Nag, a well-known name in the

theater world, wins Padma Shri. She was recently seen in "Paa" as Amitabh Bachchan's grandmother.

Saif Ali Khan, one of the top notch actors in Hindi film industry, has been honored with the Padma Shri. He became a sought after name after the success of "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001). After that there has been no looking back for the actor who also bagged the National Film Awards for his performance in "Hum Tum".

Sound engineer Resul Pokutty, who won Oscar last year for his work in "Slumdog Millionaire", is honored with the fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri.

Rakhi Sawant throws new tantrum akhi Sawant feels that the censor board was being unjust in banning her song "Kameeni tera bhoot chad gaya re". She has sent a legal notice giving it a week to explain its decision.

Otherwise, she will go on hunger strike, says the item girl.

"I'll wait for a week and then I go on a 'bhookh hartaal' in front of the censor office," Rakhi said.

The always-in-the-news actress said: "Fearlessly I've sent a legal notice to the censor board. This is the first time something like this has happened. Others do chamchagiri of the censor board. Not me. I'm Rakhi Sawant. Main ishwar ki beti hoon (I'm god's daughter).

"The censor board has done me injustice by deleting the word 'kameeni' from my song. I won't take it lying down. Dharmendra has been saying the word 'kameeney' for years. Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Kaminey' came, were the censors asleep?

"There're heroines doing love-making scenes with their bare backs showing. Bharadwaj's films invariably have characters mouthing 'maa-bahen galis'. If Rakhi Sawant sings 'Kameeni tera bhoot chad gaya re', the censor board gets stung. The song has been produced by my company Faith Inc and I'm being damaged."

"Rakhi Sawant uses the word 'kameeni' and it becomes a dirty word. In serials, we have men dragging their wives by their hair muttering 'Kameeni main tujhe chodunga nahin'. No one pays any attention. Why point a finger at me?�

"Stop all the malpractice on television and I too will shut up. We live in a corrupt and hypocritical democracy where the institutions appointed to monitor morality are bribed. Producers go with bulging

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Preity Zinta. to climb a wall is never easy.

Phew! Happy to go home now," she said.

Rakhi Sawant. suitcases and get their films passed. Aisa nahin chalega (It won't work)."

Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info

19

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

Watch 'Ishqiya' for its rustic appeal teamy visuals, colorful expletives, Gulzar's lyrics, impressive star cast "Ishqiya" promises all this and much more. Coming from Vishal Bhardwaj' stable, the film, which released on January 29, was set to give a rustic feel to the audiences just like "Omkara" did.

Distributed in India by Boney and Sridevi Kapoor's film and television entertainment company BSK Network and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, it has been co-produced by Shemaroo Entertainment and Bharadwaj.

The directorial debut of Abhishek Chaubey, the movie has actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi. It has already become an awaited venture courtesy its songs and promos.

"The film is a blend of romance and suspense. It deals with various aspects of love, lust, complete submission and false love. It is not just about the three central characters; other characters in the film are also connected to it," Chaubey said.

"I have borrowed my backdrop and settings from reality and I used them to tell the story. It's basically about the emotional journey of these three people," he added. The

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Naseeruddin Shah and Vidya Balan in Ishqiya. story involves two thieves - Khalujan (Naseer) and Babban (Arshad) - who are on

SRK on moon now!

Shah Rukh Khan. ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has transcended his popularity on earth and is literally over the moon with a lunar crater named after him by the International Lunar Geographic Society.

According to the official website of the Society, the decision to rename the crater, earlier known as Arago B, after the famed actor came following overwhelming petitions from his passionate fans in India and around the world.

The crater is located on the Moon's Mare Tranquillitatis ("Sea

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of Tranquility) district and was given the designation as the Crater S.R. Khan on Shah Rukh's 44th birthday, November 2 last year. It is located at 3.4' North (latitude) and 20.8' East (longitude) on the so-called Earthside of the Moon and measures approximately seven kilometers in diameter. The official designation of a Lunar crater is a singular honor bestowed upon only a select few luminaries like Leonardo da Vinci, Christopher Columbus, Sir Isaac Newton, Julius Caesar and Jules Verne.

the run from their boss. They seek refuge with an old friend and instead meet his

widow Krishna. As they plan their escape, their time spent together draws the duo to her.

Khalu with his tinted vision of old-fashioned love and Babban with his lustful eye both are attracted to her. The threat of imminent death forces them on a path of violence and betrayal. Set in a rural landscape, "Ishqiya" explores basic human emotions influenced by desire, greed and revenge.

Vidya had to mouth expletives for the movie, which made her apprehensive.

"I was very apprehensive while using those slangs. I have never used them in my real life but I had to because the script demanded. The movie belongs to a certain terrain where slangs are part of their lingo," Vidya said.

"Abhishek Choubey had to constantly keep giving me a pep talk. Quite often I was stuck because of the language and content," she added.

With only four songs on the soundtrack, the music of the film has already become a favourite among listeners. Because of its content, the movie has been passed without any cuts with an 'A' certificate.

'Rann' ready to expose media fter scanning the underworld, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma now shifts the focus on the modus operandi of the Indian media in "Rann", which released on January 29.

"Rann" (war) is primarily about the conflict between business and conscience in the electronic media these days. It features megastar Amitabh Bachchan along with Riteish Deshmukh, Gul Panag and Paresh Rawal.

Amitabh clarifies that "Rann" a not a media bashing film as perceived by many.

"The film shows that in the media there is often a conflict between business sensibilities and a person's conscience. Now does a person compromise on his conscience for the survival of his business or vice-versa is what has been highlighted in the movie," Amitabh had said.

Added Varma: "It is not about media bashing at all. I've always said that the media exposes, and now I am exposing media. Now it is not necessarily about the bad things - I may be talking about the media's vulnerabilities, their compulsions and their greed - after all

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Riteish Deshmukh in Ram Gopal Varma's Rann. every human being is susceptible to situations and pressures and his own emotions."

The story revolves around making news which is not easy. So the next best thing media people obviously do is make anything and everything appear as news. "Rann" shows that news has become so entertaining that people are addicted to it now.

Varma's film shows that the media had been invented as a truth telling machinery serving the pur-

pose of the common people so that they know they are in good hands, but it has lost its purpose.

The movie not only hogged the limelight for its theme, but also for the tampered version of the national anthem titled "Jana gana mana rann hai", which was banned by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Though Varma had to change the song to "Vande mataram", he said the original did not portray the national anthem in a bad light.

Aamir as Munna Bhai? website has reporetd that Rajkumar Hirani has decided to embrace the biggest challenge of his career. Reportedly, the director of Munnabhai Mbbs, Lage Raho Munnabhai and 3 Idiots has decided to cast Aamir Khan as Munna and Sharman Joshi as Circuit, in place of Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, respectively, for his new film Munnabhai Chale

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Amreeka. The news was received with shock and astonishment by the loyal fans of the Munnabhai franchise, states the site.

There's a clarification given though. Aamir Khan clarified on the issue, before leaving for the U.S. "I am shocked. I wish to clarify that there's not an iota of truth to it. Yes, I would love to work with Rajkumar Hirani again and again, since I enjoyed working with him in ‘3 Idiots’, but the truth is we haven't discussed any new project yet," quotes the website.

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Op Ed

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Obama drama on Wall Street

By Meghna Pant

year after being elected President, Barack Obama has declared two public enemies for America – terrorism and Wall Street.

Time and again, in a tone that caters to populist sentiment, President Obama has blamed the recession and all of its fallouts on the greediness of the traders on Wall Street.

And it looks like he is going to continue with that offensive into the second year of his term as well.

Last week the president unveiled a sweeping $90 billion bank tax that would be levied against the 50 biggest banks in the U.S. market. At the same time, five bank CEOs were being questioned about practices that led to the financial crisis before a new panel, the Financial Inquiry Commission, which is modeled after the board that brought sweeping reforms to Wall Street in the Great Depression.

There is also huge concern that the Obama administration will prevent commercial banks from proprietary trading.

This is being done based on the one sentiment that President Obama in his own words has repeated ad nauseam: "Bankers and executives on Wall Street need to realize that enriching themselves on the taxpayer's dime is inexcusable, that the days of outsize rewards and reckless speculation that puts us all at risk have to be over."

All a government curve ball given the public outrage over the $1.2 trillion in support the government has given banks and the markets in the last year.

Many analysts are blaming this recent bank move as a cover-up in the wake of the Republican's game-changing victory in the Massachusetts senate race. The Democrats’

The $90 billion bank tax being levied against the 50 biggest banks in the US market is being blamed by many analysts to the Democrats’ humbling in the Massachusetts Senate race and President Obama’s lowering ratings.

A

win in a super majority had been assumed and the surprise loss has put a moot point on Democratic healthcare, financial reform and economic policy. It will be some time before the full impact of the election result is understood, but for now it seems clear that the dynamic in Washington has changed. And many are saying the administration’s policies are going to continue to inject volatility into the market.

Some point fingers that the Obama administration is trying to cover up their healthcare debacle by this bank levy.

The problem with Obama’s lack of confidence in his policies is not good for investors who love certainty.

That may explain why the Dow had its biggest plunge of the year during last week’s trading session and markets fell almost 4%.

The dramatic market decline was especially jarring since it crossed up many investors

Voice of a nation don't know what it is. I can't put a finger on it. But I feel the force. I feel the power. I feel the emotion. In the world of marketing, this would be a brilliant campaign. In the world of patriotism, it is phenomenal campaign. Its ROI may not be tangible but its essence is there for everyone to experience.

In case you’re still wondering, I just saw the newly created and majorly overhauled "Phir Mile Sur..." song released on the Republic Day eve by Amitabh Bachchan. It's been over 2 decades since the original one, which was an instant hit and had quite an impact with its ‘Unity in Diversity’ message.

This one is the latest 16 minute run to hit the tube where the glitterati take you across several locales of historical significance within the country with a very special message delivered in an eye-catching and foot-tapping manner. Several known faces from various walks of life, be it superstars, be it musicians, be it sportsmen--all singing the same tune calling upon the nation to unite using extraordinary yet simple poetry.

What I loved about this one was the breathtaking visuals shot with new age techniques, several new variations of the first two lines of the songs and the undertone which

who had expected the market to rally.

Traders cited China's apparent notice to banks to reduce lending activities and the failure of our own banks to exceed earnings expectations as prime motivators for the selloff, but the biggest factor is still being aimed at President Obama.

President Obama was a big winner one short year ago and while he has been ubiquitous on the small screen in recent years, his star power has undeniably diminished and it remains to be seen if he can maintain a firm grip on his own fractious party. I'm not suggesting that the President will soon be dog meat, but his aura of invulnerability has been broken and that will have a profound effect on the terms of the national debate.

The Democrats have been positioning themselves for a populist-inspired run against the monied interests of Wall Street, yet the loss of "Ted Kennedy's seat’ is sure to

send many elected officials scurrying back to the centrist positions that most Americans identify as their own. Financial stocks may benefit from a diminished likelihood of aggressive regulatory reform and health care appears to be up for grabs. Alternatively, the party may conclude that its best chance for victory may lie in an aggressive prosecution of the so-called "villains" of the crisis. It remains to be seen if the Republicans can do more than nip at the heels of what remains a strong Democratic majority, but it seems likely to me that the Democrats will have to rein in the most ambitious potions of their agenda.

Economic indicators have been improving of late and good reports could get the market back to its winning ways. Of all the data coming in, traders will continue to devote most of their attention to jobs.

With the unfolding of these political events, after the next three years Obama may well focus on the prospects of his own continued employment.

Meghna Pant works on Wall Street as a financial news correspondent for BloombergUTV and writes for some other publications.

That’s just me

I

By Pari

The new version of “Mile Sur Mera…” song has the glitterati take you across several locales of historical significance within the country with the “Unity in Diversity” message in an eye-catching and foot-tapping manner.

subtly points to a new, young India. Like Anushka Shankar's manicured fingers on sitar instead of Ravi Shankar's, like Shreya Ghoshal singing in an open bus while letting the wind blow her hair instead of Lata Mangeshkar in front of a dated microphone in a studio and Shahid Kapur pulling off a rock star act as opposed to a more understat-

ed Amitabh-Jitendra-Mithun trio displaying the bonds of brotherhood.

The seamless contrast between tabla/santoor/sitar and guitar/fingerboard/piano is striking. And of course I loved the goosebumps it gave me. Some things never change though; like Amitabh's aura, Sallu bhaiya's MIA shirt and Aishwarya's acting (yes she

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.

did emote!).

All the next door faces in the original version have been replaced by popular ones though making it a tad too Bollywoodish, but going by how crowded Bollywood has become lately, a lot of them are indeed next door faces. Which also means it feels like a mini movie, going by the length of it but who’s complaining?

Whether you’re chilling or slogging away with no time to breathe or on Prozac or just not in the mood for anything, go watch this.

It’ll perk up your spirits. And you won’t feel left out when everyone on Facebook and Twitter is chatting about it.

Subcontinent & Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info

21

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

Landslide win for Rajapaksa, Fonseka claims rigging Colombo: Mahinda Rajapaksa, who defied the odds to vanquish the Tamil Tigers last year, has been re-elected Sri Lankan president with a thumping majority as the opposition cried foul and main challenger Gen Sarath Fonseka found himself under siege with his hotel surrounded by the army.

Rajapaksa defeated the former army chief by a handsome margin. Rajapaksa won 5.5 million votes, or 57.81 percent of the total vote, while Fonseka got 40.21 percent, according to a tally of the results announced so far.

"The president's victory has been secured," said an official from the Presidential Secretariat.

A statement purportedly issued by Fonseka's office alleged that the election had been systematically rigged.

"All the election results released so far have been manipulated. Do not trust the results being presented to you as election results. These are not official results," the statement said.

As the vote count was on in the first presidential election since the Tamil Tigers were crushed after 26 years of bloody war, heavily armed soldiers took up positions at the Cin-

Mahinda Rajapaksa won 5.5 million votes, or 57.81 percent of the total vote, while Gen Sarath Fonseka got 40.21 percent. namon Lakeside hotel where their former chief Fonseka was staying.

"We can see about 200 army personnel outside the hotel, but they have not come into the hotel so far," a witness at the scene told DPA.

The hotel is one of the five-star hotels in Colombo adjoining the air force headquarters.

Responding to intense speculation, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakakra

Five Mujib killers hanged, finally Dhaka: Nearly 35 years after Bangladesh's foundes were quoted as saying. ing father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassiAt 12:35 a.m., two other killers - A.K.M. Mohinated, five army officers who were among those uddin and Bazlul Huda - were brought to the gallows. They were also executed. Then it was the convicted for the killing were hanged at Dhaka Central Jail on January 28, bringing to an end a turn of Mohiuddin Ahmed. He was brought to the long manhunt and the quest for justice of Mujib's gallows at 1.05 a.m. daughter, current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - known as BangaThe five condemned prisoners - Lieutenant bandhu - his wife, three sons and two daughtersColonels Syed Farook Rahman, Shahriar Rashid in-law were killed in a bloody putsch led by servKhan, Mohiuddin Ahmed, A.K.M. Mohiuddin and ing and former army officers August 15, 1975.

Two of the officers - Syed Farooq Rahman and Major Bazlul Huda - were walked to the gallows shortly after midnight.

Shahriar Rashid Khan - were arrested in August Two hangmen put nooses around their necks. At 1996. A four-member bench of the Appellate DiSheikh Mujibur 12.05 a.m. Dhaka Jail Superintendent Touhidul Isvision headed by Chief Justice Mohammed TafazRahman. zul Islam Wednesday dismissed their review petilam dropped a handkerchief to signal the hangmen who then pulled the levers. Sultan Shahriar and Farooq were tions against the verdict confirming their death sentence, clearkept hanging for half an hour to confirm their deaths, witness- ing the way for their executions.

said that there were no attempts to arrest Fonseka.

"We have information that there are as many as 400 former army soldiers," said Nanayakakra. "We want to check about their presence and whether they want to create any problems."

Fonseka, who commanded the army to crush the rebels, told NewsX channel: "...Their (Sri Lankan government) plan is to deploy troops around my house, my office, the broadcasting corporation, the national television station and if he (President Rajapaksa) loses, the instruction he gave to army commanders and the security council, is to take me into custody, and he will not hand over the power."

"Yeah... they have already surrounded ... this is part of that operation — that's why we left our house, residence and office and came here — all the opposition leaders; they are threatening my security peoples and they have tried to enter the hotel, we managed to push them back."

Commenting on his fear of assassination, he said: "I am not afraid, but I know that is their plan— we will fight back."

India monitoring Pak after border tunnel reports New Delhi: India was closely monitoring Pakistan's activities in the wake of media reports suggesting it was digging tunnels along its border in Sargodha district and would analyze its "implications", External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said.

"We are closely monitoring whatever has been happening in Pakistan and both our defense ministry as well as our ministry will certainly work together to analyse what it means by way of implications to India," Krishna said. He was reacting to media reports about Pakistan building tunnels in the Sargodha district of Pakistani Punjab, not far from the border with India.

"An attempt is being made to establish the purpose of digging up such tunnels which are really big in size," the report quoted an intelligence official as saying.

Diaspora

Attackers of Indians were Australian teens Sydney: The Australian government has released a police dossier that shows that nearly half of those arrested since March last year for vicious assaults were less than 18 years old.

The dossier, prepared by Victoria Police, was handed over after Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith telephoned Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. to express his condolences over the January 2 murder of Indian student Nitin Garg in Melbourne.

It reveals that nearly half of those arrested between March 2009 and Jan 5 were juveniles, or under 18 years of age, The Age said quoting a report from The Hindu newspaper in India. The dossier shows that among the 18 high-profile cases, two cases of attack reported in May and June last year remained unsolved. "The Australian government initially resisted giving more information to Indians as it deemed racial appearance to be a limited indicator of ethnicity because it was only based on a subjective police assessment," The Age quoted unnamed sources as saying. It claimed

The spate of attacks on Indians in Australia has caused an outcry in India. Two of the vicious attacks proved fatal. people described as Indians could have originated from countries such as Mauritius and Fiji. The dossier goes on to tell that of the 18 cases, two people were run over by a train and there was no foul play. In the remaining cases, 33 people have been arrested. The spate of attacks on Indians in Australia has caused an outcry in India. Two of the vicious attacks proved fatal. The assaults have strained relations between Canberra and New Delhi.

Indian-origin woman wins Trinidad party poll Port-of-Spain: Kamla Persad-Bissessar has become the first woman in Trinidad and Tobago to become the top leader of any political party in the country.

She emerged victorious in the battle for the top post of opposition United National Congress.

The national elections for the leadership of the Opposition United National Congress saw Kamla Persad-Bissessar, one of the party's deputy leaders, win a landslide victory in Sunday's vote.

It was a keenly contested election which saw inKamla Persad-Bissessar. cumbent leader, Basdeo Panday who held the leadership of the party percent out of since its formation in 1989, lose. people.

Kamla's group won the 18 posts they contested.

The party's top post is that of 'political leader'. It is the first time in the political history of Trinidad and Tobago that a woman has been elected to the leadership of any political party.

Kamla, 57, served as acting prime minister, attorney general, minister of education in the Panday-led government during 1995 and 2001.

Kamla's forefathers were among over 145,000 East Indians who came here between 1845 and 1917 to work on the sugar plantations.

The Indian diaspora is 44 a population of 1.3 million

22

International & Business

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

'US needs to gear up, India's not waiting' Washington: Asserting that he would not accept second-place for the United States, President Barack Obama has given a call to fix "the problems that are hampering our growth" lest nations like India, China and Germany overtake it.

"From the day I took office, I have been told that addressing our larger challenges is too ambitious - that such efforts would be too contentious, that our political system is too gridlocked, and that we should just put things on hold for awhile," he said in his first State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on January 27.

"For those who make these claims, I have one simple question: How long should we wait? How long should America put its future on hold?" Obama added.

"You see, Washington has been

US President Barack Obama delivering his first first State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on January 27. telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse,

he said. "Meanwhile, China's not waiting to revamp its economy.

Germany's not waiting. India's not waiting."

"These nations aren't standing still. These nations aren't playing for second place. They're putting more emphasis on math and science.

They're rebuilding their infrastructure. They are making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs."

"Well I do not accept secondplace for the United States of America, Obama said. "As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it's time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth."

"One place to start is serious financial reform," he said calling for building a "strong, healthy financial market" while guarding "against the same recklessness that nearly

brought down our entire economy."

Outlining his vision of a world without nuclear weapons, Obama said April's Nuclear Security Summit, that would have India participating, would help ensure vulnerable nuclear materials never fall into the hands of terrorists.

Describing the threat of nuclear weapons as "perhaps the greatest danger to the American people", he said that he had embraced the vision of John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan through a strategy that reverses the spread of these weapons and seeks a world without them.

"To reduce our stockpiles and launchers, while ensuring our deterrent, the United States and Russia are completing negotiations on the farthest-reaching arms control treaty in nearly two decades" Obama said.

Mumbai terror suspect Headley pleads not guilty Chicago: Pakistani-American terror suspect David Headley pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including scouting targets for the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks that killed 166 people.

Son of a Pakistani father and an American mother, Headley, who changed his given name of Daood Sayed Gilani in 2006 to hide his Pakistani origin before traveling to India, entered his plea before US Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys in Chicago federal court.

Headley also denied that he provided material support to the Pak-

David Headley. istani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba

(LeT), blamed for the Nov 26,

2008 Mumbai attacks and for a plot to attack a Danish newspaper. Prosecutors and his lawyer have both said Headley is cooperating with the government.

"He knows the seriousness and the gravity of the charges against him," Headley's defence lawyer John Theis told reporters after the hearing.

Theis said he may report on progress toward "an ultimate disposition" of the case at a hearing set for Feb 23 before US District Judge Harry Leinenweber.

Headley, who was arrested by US

authorities on October 3, entered a plea of not guilty to the same charges last month.

The US Justice Department Jan 14 announced the unsealing of a fresh indictment against Headley and three other men.

Also named in the indictment were Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana, retired Pakistani military officer Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed and Ilyas Kashmiri, who prosecutors called "an allegedly influential terrorist organization leader" in Pakistan with ties to Al Qaeda.

Business

Sarkozy warns against abrupt stimulus exit DAVOS, Switzerland: French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned central banks on against withdrawing monetary stimulus measures too abruptly, saying it could prompt a collapse of the world economy.

In a keynote address to the World Economic Forum of business leaders and policymakers in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, Sarkozy made an impassioned plea for global cooperation to regulate the financial system. "Either we are capable of responding to the demand for protection, justice and fairness through cooperation, regulation and governance, or we will have isolation and protectionism," he said.

The French leader said tentative signs of economic recovery should make governments bolder, not more timid, in regulatory and structural reforms. "We must manage prudently the adoption of measures to support (economic) activity and the withdrawal of liquidities injected during the crisis," he said. "We must take care to prevent too abrupt a tightening that would result in a global collapse." Sarkozy, a forceful

French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressing the gathering at the World Economic Summit in Davos on January 27. advocate of stronger regulation and state industrial policy called for a refoundation and moralization of capitalism, and curbs on the business bonus culture. He endorsed U.S. President Barack Obama's proposals to stop commercial banks from engaging in speculative proprietary trading and from owning hedge funds and private equity funds. But he said the G20 grouping of major economies was the right forum to reach a consensus on appropriate financial regulation. Sarkozy also said global imbalances needed to be corrected to prevent a repeat of the financial crisis, with surplus countries consuming more and deficit countries cutting back their spending.

India to grow 7.7 percent in 2010: IMF Washington: With the global recovery off to a stronger start, Indian economy is projected to grow at 7.7 percent in 2010, 1.3 percentage points higher than forecast earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said India, that recorded a growth rate of 7.3 percent in 2008, dipping down to an estimated 5.9 percent in 2009, is projected to grow at a still marginally higher 7.8 percent in 2011, up 0.5 percentage points from last year's forecast, the IMF said in an update of World Economic Outlook (WEO).

Noting that the recovery is proceeding at different speeds in the various regions, IMF said world output is expected to rise by 4 percent in 2010, representing an upward revision of .75 percentage point from the October 2009 WEO. Following the deepest global downturn in recent history, economic growth solidified and broadened to advanced economies in the second half of 2009, it said.

In most advanced economies, the recovery is expected to remain slug-

gish by past standards, whereas in many emerging and developing economies, activity is expected to be relatively vigorous, largely driven by buoyant internal demand, the WEO said.

IMF suggested that policies need to foster a rebalancing of global demand, remaining supportive where recoveries are not yet well sustained.

Real activity is rebounding, supported by extraordinary policy stimulus Global production and trade bounced back in the second half of 2009, the WEO said noting, "Confidence rebounded strongly on both the financial and real fronts, as extraordinary policy support forestalled another Great Depression."

In advanced economies, the beginning of a turn in the inventory cycle and the unexpected strength in US consumption contributed to positive developments. Final domestic demand was very strong in key emerging and developing economies, although the turn in the inventory cycle and the normalization of global trade also played an important role.

Driving the global rebound was the extraordinary amount of policy stimulus. Monetary policy has been highly expansionary, with interest rates down to record lows in most advanced and in many emerging economies, while central bank balance sheets expanded to unprecedented levels in key advanced economies, the WEO said. Output in the advanced economies is now expected to expand by 2 percent in 2010, following a sharp decline in output in 2009. The new forecast reflects an upward revision of 0.75 percentage point. In 2011, growth is projected to edge up further to 2.5 percent. In spite of the revision, the recovery in advanced economies is still expected to be weak by historical standards, with real output remaining below its pre-crisis level until late 2011. Moreover, high unemployment rates and public debt, as well as not-fully-healed financial systems, and in some countries, weak household balance sheets are presenting further challenges to the recovery in these economies.

Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info

23

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

Injured Dravid, Yuvraj out from Test squad Mumbai: Injured Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh have been ruled out while Karnataka's new pace sensation Abhimanyu Mithun and Bengal wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha have been inducted in the India squad for the first Test against South Africa, beginning February 6 in Nagpur.

Dravid, whose jaw was fractured by a lethal Shahadat Hossain bouncer in the second Test against Bangladesh, has been advised three-week rest. Yuvraj, who tore a ligament in his left wrist in Dhaka Test, has also been rested.

Tamil Nadu batsmen Subramaniam Badrinath has been recalled while Murali Vijay, who played in the Dhaka Test, retains his place in the 15-member squad announced by national selectors here Thursday.

Also, fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who flew back home from Bangladesh after sustaining a hamstring injury in the first Test, has been left out.

Chief selector Krisnamachari Srikkanth

Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh have been ruled out from Test series against South Africa. said they have chosen the best possible squad under the circumstances. "We have selected the best possible team considering the injury list.

"The team is just for the first Test. We will take a call for the second Test in Kolkata after getting the fitness reports of the players," Srikkanth said.

Srikkanth said they would go by medical opinion on Dravid's injury after the first Test.

"Dravid was very keen to play but the doctors have advised him rest as a precautionary measure," Srikkanth said.

Karnataka pacer Mithun, who made a sensational first class debut this season with a hat-trick and a match haul of 11 wickets against Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy, has been drafted in the squad.

Mithun continued with his stellar form to finish with 47 wickets (23.23 avg) in nine Ranji Trophy matches, and together with another fast bowler R.Vinay Kumar (46 wickets, avg 19.69) was instrumental in taking Karnataka to the finals where they lost to Mumbai.

"He has done extremely well in the domestic season. We needed a fast bowler for the

Test squad Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain and wicket-keeper), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, S. Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Sudeep Tyagi, Pragyan Ojha, Abhimanyu Mithun, Wridhiman Saha.

Tests so we have included him," Srikkanth said.

Bengal wicket-keeper Saha, who was signed up by Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural edition, was a surprise inclusion.

He was preferred over Karthik, who played in the first Test against Bangladesh as skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had to sit out with an injury.

Deccan Chargers World Cup: Chance for India to revive hockey fortunes deny signing Razzak New Delhi: When India last hosted the World Cup 28 years ago in Mumbai, it was among the top hockey-playing nations of the world. After winning the World Cup in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, India were expected to do much better than they did -- a fifth-position finish at the last international event to be played on grass.

Another World Cup will be held here (February 28-March 13), this time at the newly renovated Major Dhyanchand National stadium, encompassing 36 acres in the heart of New Delhi. A coincidence, the 1982 World Cup was played 10 months before the New Delhi Asian Games and the 2010 Cup comes seven months before the Commonwealth Games.

The Indians got the bashing of their life in the Asian Games playing on the newly laid synthetic turf, losing to Pakistan 1-7, triggering their downslide in world hockey. Pakistan had already won the World Cup in Mumbai -- their third win in four outings. But even Pakistan started on a downslide immediately after the Asian Games. In the next World Cup at London, India came last, losing to Pakistan in the classification match for the last two positions.

Pakistan bucked the trend again by playing in the 1990 final in their backyard Lahore and winning the Cup four years later in Sydney, beating the Dutch in the tie-breaker.

India, too, had their best showing at a World Cup after 1975, finishing fifth. In 1998, Pakistan slid to fifth but India went hurtling to ninth. In the last two Cups, India were 10th and 11th while Pakistan were fifth and

Interestingly, India are placed alongside Pakistan in the same group in World Cup. sixth as Germany won the cup, both at Kuala Lumpur and at home at M端nchen-Gladbach. As the world's 12 top nations get ready to converge in the Indian capital next month, the question asked is: Will the artistry of the game triumph over the crude monkeyshines of the Indian hockey officialdom? Will the Indians be able to produce their best at home? Hockey aficionados have no doubt that the fare will be excellent what with Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Spain and (South) Korea in the fray, but they feel the Indians may struggle to catch up with the best in business, notwithstanding the home advantage.

The Indians seem to have lost the skills to synthetic turf and are struggling to adjust to the skills of speed hockey, invariably not being able to last out 70 minutes.

Germany, who are also the Beijing Olympic gold medal winners, will be aiming to become the first team to make it a hat-

trick of World Cups. Champions Trophy winners Australia, who lost to Germany in the last two Cup finals, will be out to stop them. Beijing Olympics silver medalists Spain have a cent percent winning record in qualifying for the championships. Korea have taken rapid strides in the last few years, having made the debut only in 1994. And you can never write off four times World Champions Pakistan.

Interestingly, India are placed alongside Pakistan in the same group and the two fiercest rivals will turn back the clock when they meet on the very first day of the tournament under floodlights.

Indian coach Jose Brasa will also have his fingers crossed as his methods of training for the last one year will be on test.

"There is no doubt that the players are talented. And more importantly they are a fighting bunch prepared to give everything for the country," Brasa vouched for his boys.

New Delh/Kolkata: Deccan Chargers has denied signing Pakistan's Abdul Razzak for the third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying there was no slot available for an overseas player in their squad. But the spotlight shifted to Kolkata with Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly asserting that his side was interested in roping in the allrounder. Razzak, however, insisted that both the teams have shown interest in him. Deccan Chargers team owner Venkatram Reddy denied reports that Razzak has been signed by his franchisee. "We have not signed Abdul Razzak. We don't have any slots available," he said.

Razzak, who severed his ties with rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) last year, was reportedly signed by the Chargers as a replacement for injured West

Pakistan player Abdul Razzak.

Indian pacer Fidel Edwards. IPL chief executive officer Sundar Raman said that the Chargers are not left with any money to buy a player. "Deccan Chargers cannot buy any player because they don't have enough money left in their purse. If they are seeking a replacement, we are yet to hear about it," Sundar Raman said. Pakistani players were left out by the IPL franchisees in the auction in Mumbai, leading to an uproar over the issue.

Sania calls off engagement due to incompatibility Hyderabad: Tennis star Sania Mirza has called off her engagement to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza due to incompatibility. Six months after the engagement took place here amid much fanfare, the couple decided to part ways as they felt incompatible. Sania's father Imran Mirza confirmed that the engagement had been called off saying it was a mutual decision but has nothing to do with her tennis career. "Sania has already said there was incompatibility between Sania Mirza with Sohrab. the two and they both came to us.

It was mutually agreed that it might be in the best interest of everyone concerned that it should be called off," he told reporters.

Imran clarified that the decision had nothing to do with Sania's tennis career and said she would continue to play tennis.

24

Lifestyle

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Missing out on family time?

By Seema Goswami, HT Media New Delhi: Here’s an idea. Tomorrow morning when you get to work, take a quick poll among your mates. Ask them just one simple question: What do they do once they get home every evening? Do they get into the kitchen to cook a simple yet nutritious meal for the family? Do they sit with their kids and help them with their homework? Or do they simply fix themselves a plate of whatever can be warmed up in the microwave and plop down on the sofa to watch TV? I’m guessing that most people will fess up to the last option (if they are being truthful, that is, which is never a guarantee in these kinds of random, completely unscientific polls). Unless, of course, they are on the right side of thirty, in which case you will probably have to substitute computer in place of television.

Certainly, that’s how it is in my experience. Most evenings find me hunkered down in front of the TV, watching endless repeats of Friends or making my way through the box sets of such shows as Shark, Damages, Private Practice, Brothers & Sisters and the like. Or else, I’m glued to my laptop, cruising through news sites, gossip e-zines, media blogs and the like. Sometimes, when I feel like a bit of multi-tasking, I even watch television with a laptop on my, well, lap, turning my attention from one to the other with the kind of mental dexterity that only

How things would turn out if we switched off the TV and turned off the computer? Would our evenings be better or worse as a consequence? women seem to manage.

Most of my friends end up doing much the same thing most evenings. Dinner may still be a shared meal in the sense that it is consumed in the same room by the family. But generally the parents are eating it while surfing the channels while their kids are on social media sites or instant messaging their friends on their computers and Blackberries. Conversation is at a bare minimum, conducted at the level of, “Pass the daal, will you?” or “No, I don’t want another chapatti” or even

“Must we have bhindi every day?”

I am old enough to remember a time when evenings spent at home would be very different. When there wasn’t any television, and once it finally arrived, programming only lasted a couple of hours. A time when the highlight of everyone’s week was Chitrahaar (a program in which film songs were played for an hour or so – for the benefit of those who grew up after the glory days of Krishi Darshan). A time when computers were something that you saw only in sci-fi movies where

they were treated almost as alien life forms.

I wonder now, how did we survive those evenings? Did we actually sit around and talk to one another? Did we listen to what other people were saying? Were we better connected with friends and family as a result? Did we have to make a greater effort to keep ourselves entertained? Did that help increase our powers of imagination? Did that mean that we had better inner resources to keep ourselves occupied? Or were we just bored out of our skulls and didn’t

know it?

We always tend to look back on our childhood with rose-tinted spectacles. So maybe it’s just nostalgia that makes me feel that those pre-TV days were better for family life. And perhaps I’m just turning into an old fogey who thinks that the past was a nicer place. But I can’t help but wonder how things would turn out if we switched off the TV and turned off the computer. Would our evenings be better or worse as a consequence?

Would you care to find out?

Make space for the little one Mumbai: When doing up your home make sure that first thing you do is set up your kid’s room, else his/her belongings will be what you will find all over the house.

Here are a few tips one can follow, and make decorating one’s kids’ room an exciting experience.

Decide a color theme for the room, as lots of colors will give a claustrophobic look to the room. If at all you want to put in lots of colors to brighten up the room, you can choose to color one wall with different colors or make graffiti.

Make a collage of paintings or cards done by your kid on the wall. Pictures of family and friends will add to the comfort of the room.

Make them help you decorate the room.

Have a playing area at one corner of the room. Play areas for younger children may include an arts and crafts corner.

Place large decorative baskets for toys, books, etc. Seethrough storage containers is a good option. Closets should contain plenty of shelves and racks for clothing and shoes. Make sure that children’s clothing are within their reach.

Good lighting is essential in children’s room. A reading lamp is a must for the reading area and the bedside table. Keep changing cushion and pillow covers of your kid’s room as it will give him/her a feeling of newness and won’t make him bored of the environment.

Good lighting is essential in children’s room.

Lifestyle TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

Marriage makes women fatter: study

On an average, every woman gained nearly 2 kgs of excess weight after her marriage.

New Delhi: It's official, marriage makes women fatter - as scientists have claimed that marital bliss or peace of mind for a woman comes at a price - an expanding waistline.

Researchers at the Queensland University, in Australia, who studied about 6,000 women aged between 18 and 23 over a period of 10 years, found after moving in with a partner, a woman tend to put on at least 2 kgs over a decade, and about 4 kgs more if she has a baby.

During this period, the researchers found

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that every 10th woman in the study gained 20 pounds (over 9 kgs) if she had a partner and baby, 15 pounds (nearly 7kgs) if she had a partner and no baby, and 11 pounds (nearly 5 kgs) if she was childless with no partner, the Daily Mail reported.

On an average, every woman gained nearly 2 kgs of excess weight after her marriage and more than 4 kgs after having a baby in the study period of 10 years, found the research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

10 surefire steps to weight loss Sydney: Forget the food fads and 'Take 10' small steps to weight loss success - that's the message from dietitians to the thousands who will make weight loss their goal this year. Clare Collins, associate professor of dietics, said: "A range of approaches can help you lose weight in the short term, but making small, permanent changes that fit with your lifestyle will give you the best chance of keeping weight off in the long term."

Collins' 'Take 10' tips for achieving or maintaining a healthy weight are:

Prosperity in a frying pan New Delhi: The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house and is associated with the nourishment and health of the family. If the kitchen is located in an inappropriate position then illness and loss of livelihood can effect the occupants. The kitchen is also associated with fire, which is an activating force for abundance.

The kitchen is also the place where the two opposing elements water To balance water and fire in the kitchen, do not position the gas and fire interacts, and stove, microwaves, and ovens directly opposite feng shui and vaastu in the sink or refrigerator. the kitchen involves the To balance water and fire in the kitchen, do correct balancing of these two elements. What is good or bad interaction is determined by the not position the gas stove, microwaves, and position of the gas stove in relation to the po- ovens directly opposite the sink or refrigerator. sition of the sink.

The fridge should not open facing the The best placement for the kitchen is in the kitchen door. Fridge is Yin and clashes with southeastern sector of the home.

To cook food properly we need abundance people walking in because people are Yang. If of Fire element, which is found primarily in the kitchen is the first room to be seen from the southeast which is an ideal kitchen loca- the entrance, it is not good as the first imprestion, northwest could be an alternative site. sion becomes food, which could promote overeating & overweight.

Avoid kitchen in the southwest.

Rahul Mahajan’s Swayamwar on NDTV Imagine from Feb 1 Mumbai (SATimes): The much anticipated show Swayamvar Season 2 – Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega -- is premiering on February 1 when millions of viewers all over the world will witness India’s first Swayamvar of a groom-to-be, Rahul Mahajan.

Rahul will make one of the biggest decisions of his life at the magnificent Fatehgarh Palace in Udaipur. Standing by him will be the affable Host Ram Kapoor.

Wooing the charming Rahul Mahajan will be 15 gorgeous girls. At their very first rendezvous all of them will express their feelings for him in their own special way.

Rahul, meanwhile, is looking forward to present his first ‘Symbol of Love’ called ‘Pyaar Ka Nazrana’ to the girl who takes his breath away.

Swayamvar 2 aims to repeat the mega

1. Eat breakfast 2. Include vegetables or salad with lunch and dinner 3. Choose fruit as a snack 4. Replace full-fat food and drinks with reduced-fat alternatives 5. Choose wholegrain foods instead of more refined foods 6. Eat smaller serving sizes by using smaller plates and cups 7. Eat slowly and stop when you are satisfied, not stuffed full 8. Eat when you genuinely feel hungry, rather than for emotional or other reasons 9. Swap sweetened drinks such as cordial, soft drink and juice with water 10. Eat your evening meals at a dinner table with the TV turned off.

success of “Rakhi Ka Swayamvar” (with Rakhi Sawant as the bride-to-be) on NDTV Imagine last year.

Spearheaded by Sameer Nair, NDTV Imagine has made strategic forays into key businesses in the media and entertainment space since it first launched in January 2008.

SOS Children’s Villages receives PHD Chamber Award Delhi (SATimes): SOS Children's Villages of India, a charity dedicated to orphaned and abandoned children received the prestigious PHD Chamber Award for Excellence 2009, for its outstanding contribution to social welfare from Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Rakesh Jinsi, National Director, SOS Children's Villages of India, said, "This award emphasizes and restates the strong belief and faith of Founder Fr Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, who successfully began the SOS movement 60 years ago. The award brings along with it a

greater responsibility and promise to excel in our stream." Since its inception in 1964, SOS Children’s Village has been working tirelessly to help children and has established 500 Children’s Villages across 132 countries. India has the largest network with 40 children’s villages and 122 programs that benefit the community.

The PHD Chamber Award presented by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry honors Indian companies, enterprises and individuals to acknowledge their work in various sectors of economy, social and education - related issues.

26

Food & Health

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Food for thought

Food Corner: Low Fat Cooking

By Nikki Rattan odern society prefers to eat healthy and remain fit, avoiding a diet with excessive fat on a daily basis. Even children as early as in mid school get to know of different food forms as a part of their education so they tend to avoid carbohydrates (pasta, potatoes etc).

With busy schedules and fast lifestyles, not all of us choose salads, soups, low fat meals over spicy, fried, creamy, maybe delicious but the unhealthy way of living.

Low fat food cannot function in a vacuum.

Daily meals can be easily prepared equally deliciously and provide sufficient nutrients sans the extra calories. Chicken emits natural oils essential for growth. Hence it is not difficult to cook Chicken without using extra oil. Baking instead of deep frying whenever possible is a good tip to remember for every female in the kitchen who takes responsibility for her family's well being by supervising the daily home menu. When deep fried cannot be avoided, it is beneficial to keep food in oil absorbing paper so excessive fats are drained.

Make low fat diet a part of your beautiful living equation:

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Rice Pulav (Serves 4)

41/2 cup peas 41/2 cup chopped carrots

Tandoori Chicken/ Roasted Chicken (Serves 4)

en. Then half of the coriander leaves, salt and pepper. Sprinkle fenugreek seed powder.

Add 1 cup water and cover. Cook 10 minutes on medium heat. Open and add the remaining lime, coriander leaves and cream. Cook till done. The dish should not be too watery like soup. There should be viscous spicy lemon aromatic gravy in a small amount when chicken is done. Serve in combination with main meal, as an appetizer or as a standalone dish.

Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup

4750 grams Chicken 4Marinade 42 cups yogurt 41 tsp ginger Paste 41 tsp garlic Paste 41/2 cup coriander leaves 41/2 tsp red chilli powder 41 tsp coriander powder 41 tsp tandoori barbeque mix powder or garam masala 41 tsp cumin powder 42 tsp salt 4Baste 43 tbsp yoghurt well beaten 41/2 tsp black pepper 41/2 tsp powdered mint

41/2 cup yellow Lentil 41 small onion finely sliced 41/2 large potato chopped - optional 41 medium tomato chopped 41 tsp salt 41/2 tsp black pepper 43 tsp coriander leaves Soak Lentils in water for 15 minutes.

Strain and keep aside. In a non-stick pan, fry onions till pale. Add Lentils and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Add potatoes, tomatoes, coriander leaves and spices. Cook for 2 minutes and pour 4 cups water. Cover with lid and cook on medium hear till done (about 15 minutes).

Chicken Salad Platter Lemon Chicken

Soak rice in 1cup water for 10 minutes if you cook in a non-stick pan, in 2 cups water in case of pressure cooker. Heat oil and add cumin seeds. Stir and add onions. Fry till brown. Mix in tomatoes. Fry well. Stir in the strained rice, salt and red chilly powder. Mix rigorously. Add water. Stir. Cover the pan/close the pressure cooker. Cooking time is 10 minutes for cooker and 15 minutes for pan. Let it remain covered for 5 minutes after removing from fire. Serve warm with almost any curry, vegetable or meat dish.

Also delicious with yogurt and mint sauce.

Optional - Boil the below vegetables in some water, salt and black pepper and add on cooked rice.

41 cup cauliflower chopped 41/2 cup boiled potatoes

(Serves 2-4)

(Serves 4)

Blend the marinade in a food processor. In a large bowl add chicken (pricked with fork) and the marinade. Cover and keep aside for at least 4 hours. Grill at medium heat for 2030 minutes or till done. Check and rotate at least once, baste with sauce if too dry. Best served with pickled onions, mint sauce and lime wedges. Best served as appetizer.

41 cup Basmati Rice 41 tbsp cumin seeds 41 onion sliced neatly (thin and long) 41 tomato chopped 41 tsp salt 42 tsp oil 41 tsp red chilly powder

41 tsp balsamic vinegar Marinate chicken in yoghurt, salt, pepper, ginger, curry powder and honey for 30 minutes. Grill chicken at 250 degree C on both sides in an oven till done (15- 20 minutes).

Mix lettuce, corn and tomatoes in a large bowl. Add all the ingredients of the dressing and stir. Lay salad, then chicken fillets on top of the salad, garnish with salsa sauce and serve.

(Serves 6)

(Serves 4)

4200 g Chicken Drumsticks 4200 g Chicken Wings 41/2 cup lemon juice 41 tsp salt 41 tsp black pepper 41/2 tsp dried fenugreek seeds powdered 41/2 cup coriander leaves 42 tbsp fresh cream Put all of the Chicken in a pan or pressure cooker. Mix the lime-juice, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add half of the liquid in the chick-

41 kg Chicken fillet cut in bite size pieces 41 cup sweet corn 42 tomatoes sliced 4Salsa sauce - optional 4Marinade: 41 cup yogurt 4Salt and pepper to taste 4½ tsp curry powder or garam masala 4½ tsp honey 41 tsp ginger grated Dressing 4½ tsp mustard sauce 4½ tsp soy sauce 4¼ tsp honey 4Salt and pepper to taste

41 can coconut milk (250ml) 41 carrot chopped 4Few green beans chopped 41 yellow bell pepper chopped 41 green bell pepper chopped 42 tsp yogurt 4200 g boneless chicken chopped in bite size pieces 41 tsp red thai curry paste 4½ tsp salt Garnish 4 red chilly 4Coriander In a baking dish add all the vegetables mixed with yogurt, salt and red chilly paste.

Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees C for 5 to 10 minutes.

Pour coconut milk. Cook another 6 minutes. Turn off the oven and let it remain covered for 5 minutes. Serve with rice.

Nikki Rattan is the author of the new book, "Indian Recipes and More - Specialities from the Kitchen".

She has travelled extensively across the globe since a very young age, and having lived in the US also, she has created a cookbook that is adaptable to the international kitchen while maintaining its ethnicity.

She is a Masters in English and has completed Management Studies.

To buy the book, go to: http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Recipes- More-specialitieskitchen/dp/144959056X/

Leisure TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 30-February 4, 2010

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Numbers ‘R’ Us

By Kris Pahuja

Sudoku is a single digit puzzle originated in Japan. Most people freak out when they see numbers and they associate it with Mathematics, which is NOT true. There is no math at all in these puzzles, it is purely logical thinking. Kris Pahuja of Hicksville, NY, has created a double digit puzzle to make it more interesting or harder, whichever way you look at it. The South Asian Times is publishing these puzzles from him weekly. For answer, look at left bottom.

11 14 17 15 15 11 17 14 19 12 16 16 19 14 14 13 11 14 12 17 11 18 17 16 14 18

18 19 16 17 13 15 18 17 15 12

28

Humor

January 30 - Feb 5, 2009

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Opening our hearts to Haiti he devastating earthquake in Haiti turned into an opportunity for people around the world to show that they care -- and so far millions have opened their hearts in all sorts

By Melvin of ways. They've empDurai tied their wallets, swiped their credit cards, and even withdrawn large amounts of cash from under their mattresses.

They've organized fundraising dinners -pizza, spaghetti, barbecue -- drawing large crowds who just can't resist the signs and posters that say "Pig out for Haiti" and "Stuff yourself for a good cause."

Some schools held "Hats for Haiti" days, allowing students to wear hats in their classrooms if they donate at least $1.

Other schools organized "Pajamas for Haiti" days, "Chew gum for Haiti" days, and the very popular "Kiss a Cheerleader for Haiti" days.

A Catholic school in Canada raised $4,000 by having a "dress-down day," a very successful fundraiser, even if some boys were disappointed that not a single girl let her dress down. At a Pennsylvania university, a group of students organized a coin drive, urging fellow students to search their dorm rooms for any money lying around.

One international student managed to find millions of dollars. Unfortunately they were Zimbabwean dollars.

A 7-year-old London boy raised 55,000 pounds through a "Help a Haitian Child" cycle ride. Not to be outdone, a group of Venice Beach, Calif., bodybuilders raised 60,000 pounds in a single day -- and with-

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President Obama asked former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to lead private fundraising efforts in the US. Both were eager to help -- and Bush didn't even ask where Haiti is. He had already asked Laura. out taking any extra steroids.

Many cellphone users gave money by texting the word "Haiti' to a special number, allowing their phone company to bill them for the donation. This proved to be a very efficient method of collecting donations.

The American Red Cross managed to collect $3 million from people who texted "Haiti" to 90999 and another $5 million from people who texted "Hey tea."

President Obama asked former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to lead private fundraising efforts in America. Both were eager to help -- and Bush didn't even

ask where Haiti is. He had already asked Laura.

The former presidents were willing to set aside political differences for a good cause.

They created a special fund for Haiti and didn't even argue whether to call it the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (CBHF) or the Bush Clinton Haiti

Fund (BCHF). Bush suggested they go in alphabetical order, Clinton agreed, and so it was called the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio donated $1 million to CBHF, joining George Clooney, Sandra Bullock and others who pledged $1 million for Haiti relief.

You've got to give them credit. While DiCaprio's donation was "Titanic," Clooney's was "Out of Sight" and Bullock's was done with "Speed."

About 200 celebrities participated in the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, broadcast across the globe. Some, like Alicia Keys and Taylor Swift, performed "Songs for Haiti," while others, like Jack Nicholson and Julia Roberts, took calls from viewers pledging money. Nicholson was his usual gentlemanly self, speaking to callers with grace and charm, even the ones who said, "Would you mind handing the phone to Julia?"

Perhaps the biggest hearts belong to all the people who took steps to adopt orphans from Haiti, the ones eager to commit to years of feeding a child, clothing a child and saying to a child, "No, you can't organize a 'Help a Haitian Child Buy a Sony PlayStation' cycle ride."

Melvin Durai is a Manitoba-based writer and humorist. Anative of India, he grew up in Zambia and has lived in North America since the early 1980s. Read his humor blog at http://www.Nshima.com.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Mahendra Shah

About 200 celebrities participated in the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, broadcast across the globe, pulling in over $50 million

Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Astrology TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874; Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899; psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

Stars Foretell: January 30-Feb 5, 2010.

Aries: This week travel would promote new romantic connections. Important people around you would appreciate your ideas. Relationship with the opposite sex would be highly cordial and pleasant.

Spend some exciting time with family members and relatives. Your ability to converse intelligently would help you seek favors. You can easily double your financial gains if you play your cards well.

Taurus: This is an excellent period to show your knowledge and skills. You should go ahead with new plans and finalize important deals. Children would give you happiness and comfort. This is also the perfect time for romance, pilgrimage and even seeking favors. Financial gains from past investments would roll in, but not at the rate you might expect.

Gemini: Travel and learning should be on your agenda this week. For some, a change in residence would prove highly lucky. Your income would rise and you would spend lavishly on family members and friends. Be cautious while handling sophisticated equipment or entering a new alliance. Your ideas would bring you rewards.

Cancer: This week you are likely to be asked to handle additional responsibilities. Your outgoing nature would work to your advantage as you gain favors from others. Business trip might prove unproductive. Exercise caution while dealing with colleagues and important clients. Not a favorable period for romantic alliance. Speculation will prove highly beneficial. Spiritual gains for some.

Leo: This week your partner expects a lot from you, which seems to add pressure on your mind. Do not sign any legal documents or any other papers pertaining to property. You need to take some time off and go for little recreation towards the weekend.

This period is also not very good for romance or those seeking a matrimonial alliance. A close friend will try to do the unexpected.

Virgo: Discuss your objectives with experienced people to benefit this week. Your intellectual charms would win heart and bring you opportunities that you least expected. Visiting a place of worship would bring peace of mind. Businessmen and those starting a new venture stand to gain.

Residential moves would prove to be highly hectic and expensive.

Libra: This week money matters would take high priority and new ventures would be highly alluring. Students need to concentrate on their career and plan for the

Before you consult... i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, Time and Place of birth is accurate. ii) Careful: Did you check background of the astrologer before disclosing your secrets. iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, don’t feel shy. It’s his business. iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the outcome is not as desired, never give up. v) Consult: Take second opinion before spending thousands on cure/remedies.

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Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

year ahead. Be at your best behavior and precise in your communication when meeting influential and important people. Take firm decisions regarding office matters. Be careful not to say anything that will offend others.

Scorpio: Colleagues would appreciate you because of your skills and talents. Good period for materializing real estate and financial transactions. Unexpected gains on the money front are quite likely. A long journey concerning work is on the cards for some of you. Renovation or purchases made for your home would pay off in the long run. Be careful while driving.

Sagittarius: This week support from friends and family members would generate new confidence into you. Pending correspondence should be completed immediately, but be precise and honest when writing to the one you love. Personal needs and requirements would increase but gains from unexpected sources would take care of the financial obligations. Close relatives might try to force their opinion on you.

Capricorn: Do not trust others with important information. Matters related to property, partnerships and new ventures would work to your advantage. Maintain a positive approach to reap maximum benefits during this period. Children and youngsters would demand attention. A new romantic affair is likely for some of you. Go out with friend, as you need to relax towards the weekend.

Aquarius: Concentrate on your efforts and rewards will follow by themselves. A stable period of growth and prosperity. This is also the right time for establishing new contacts, participating in charity and social work. Affairs of the heart would be pleasant and highly enjoyable. Work with people who are creative and enterprising.

Friends will understand your problems and your needs.

Pisces: This is going to be a highly rewarding period for women. An unexpected achievement or news would bring in happiness for you and the entire family. Also prepare yourself for favorable changes at your work front.

Children would look forward to some of your time. Some situation might be blown out of proportion, which might bring tensions at home.

January 30: Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you are bold, ambitious, dignified, courageous and intelligent person. You are hard working and always appreciated for your commitment and efforts, but you need to control your tendency to behave erratic, stubborn and lazy at times. Financially this promises to be a highly lucrative year. New contract or partnership will take shape, lifting your moral and confidence. Investment in stocks and real estate recommended.

Businessmen dealing in trading and export will benefit. Students will find this period highly exciting, adventurous and full of good opportunities. Religious feeling will arise making you go for a pilgrimage later in the year. Nuptial knots for few lovebirds. Chronic patients need to take preventive medication. Drive carefully, especially during the night. The months of June, August and January seem to be important and significant.

January 31: Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus.

You are energetic, practical, enthusiastic, authoritative and trustworthy person. You are intelligent and can do wonders with your ability to put in your maximum, but you need to control your tendencies to behave reckless, stubborn and impatient at times. This is a period of recognition and rewards. Efforts put in the past will yield returns this year. Your investments will multiply and yield good profits. Unexpected gains from speculation or real estate may not be ruled out.

Children may cause some dissatisfaction and spouse will need more of your attention. New romance most likely for some. Health definitely would need more attention. Regular exercise and meditation would immensely help you this year.

The months of January, June & November will prove to be significant and result oriented.

February 01: Governed by number 1 and the Sun. You are active, assertive, original, authoritative, brilliant and a talented person. You always welcome new ideas and thoughts, but you need to check your tendency to behave extravagant, stubborn and vindictive at times. This year lady luck is definitely on your side. Pending assignments and jobs will be completed. Investors who speculate in the stock market will benefit financially. Important decisions that you will take during this phase will enhance your prosperity and security in years to come. Sportsmen need to take extra care of their health. Those involved in art and other creative profession will receive recognition and monetary gains. Your spouse in a loving and caring mood will provide immense support.

Children will demand more attention. Pilgrimage or journey will be high on your cards. The months of February, July and October will prove to be highly significant.

February 02: Ruled by number 2 and the Moon. You are simple, friendly, cooperative and love peace and harmony. You are full of new and innovative ideas

Be Aware Astrology, Numerology, Tarot are highly complicated ancient sciences, impossible to understand them completely. Over 99% astrologers are inaccurate in over 80% of their predictions & forecasts. Many of them are con artists taking advantage of blind faith & situation of God fearing people. Now-a-days many of them use all the state of the art, latest tools of marketing & excessive use of media to attract more & more people. Be careful before putting complete faith in the hands of un-known person who could be possibly a fraud.

Please check the back ground & testimonials of the Astrologer/Pandit /Swami/Guru/Muni/ Rishi before consulting them. Don’t get influenced by their outfit, busy schedule and photographs with celebrities & high profiled personalities. More they spend on their self promotions & advertisements, more the chances of getting robbed by them.

Everyone have situations with family, finance, health or love but fearful middle age women are their soft target. Remember, no one can change any-one’s future & fortune. Be careful before spending thousands of dollars on remedies.

Tantra, Man-tra & Yantra, Havan, Pooja, Tabeez, Prayers should not cost thousands of dollars.

The South Asian Times is proud to present Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma, the trustworthy, renowned & expert astrologer who com-bines scientific calculations of your birth chart with planets in transit before mak-ing predictions. He will never suggest any remedy which is very high in cost and not tested for prescribed effects & results.

If you have any experience to share with our readers, please write to editor@thesouthasiantimes.com.

and simply a perfectionist in whatever work you decide to do, but you need to control your tendency to be moody, jealous and fickle-minded at times. New opportunities come your way this year. Financial position stabilizes as past investment starts bringing in profits. Journeys undertaken for work purpose will be beneficial and highly rewarding. Investment in a house and selected stocks recommended. Legal matters will get complicated and expensive, as a visit to a lawyer to seek professional advice seems likely.

Children will win laurels in their respective fields and will be supportive and understanding towards you. Wedding bells for those eligible and others will find romance to get them going.

The months of April, August and November will bring in prosperity.

February 03: Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you are confident, ambitious, philosophical, dignified, generous and an optimistic person. You are loyal to your friends and enjoy immense respect among your peers, but you need to control over your tendency to behave extravagant, dominating and fickle-minded at times. You need to plan out things well in advance to reap benefits this year. Your new year should improve your financial position as you pick up new jobs and assignments. Increase in your expenses will make it difficult for you to save, therefore stick to your budget to avoid getting into a financial crunch.

Only selective investment will be rewarding and you should avoid speculation on all fronts. Middle of the year you should expect plenty of guests and relatives, some of whom would bring you gifts in cash and kind. Romance would be pleasant and would add a spice to your life. The months of April, September, December and January would be significant.

February 04: Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus, you are energetic, methodical, friendly, systematic and possess a strong memory. You are highly religious and philosophical, but you need to check your tendency to behave jealous, stubborn and self centered at times. Long-cherished dreams will be fulfilled this year. New partnerships and ventures will start on a positive note.

Your earnings will improve and you would spend more on luxuries and other comforts. This is also a good period to undertake foreign ventures and build up foreign alliances. The sudden influence of an influential person will give a new twist to your life. Later in the year a pilgrimage or travel to a distant place cannot be ruled out. New romance will be tricky and short-lived. You will find immense love and affection through your spouse. The months of May, July, October and December will be highly important.

February 05: Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury, you are practical, trustworthy, accommodating and possess a strong intuition. You are a no-nonsense, hardworking individual to whom discipline and honesty is of immense importance. But you need to control your tendency to behave spendthrift and nervous at times. The year ahead promises to be a blend of both the good and the bad. New sources of income will come your way.

You would be highly dedicated and more confident in your work. Frequent and fruitful journeys are likely to take place bringing excellent opportunities for developing new ties and relationships. Home front will not be that pleasant as frequent arguments and confrontations will always bring discomfort and dismay. You are likely to be more inclined towards religious as well as spiritual activities. The months of June, September and January will be highly eventful.

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30

Spiritual Awareness

January 30 - Feb 5, 2010

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Being with like-minded people This article has been selected and reprinted from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s book, Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened Living (Radiance Publishers), an inspirational collection of stories from the world’s great wisdom traditions.

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj he company we keep is important for our spiritual growth. It is said, “A person is known by the company he or she keeps.” If we spend time with rich people, we will think about money all the time. If we spend time with drunkards, we will be enticed to drink. If we hang around with gamblers, we will be easily influenced to gamble. If we stay around people who fight, we

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will tend to be argumentative ourselves.

The following account from the life of the great Chinese scholar, Mencius, illustrates this point.

Mencius’s mother was a wise woman, as mothers generally are.

During her lifetime, she moved her residence on three occasions for the sake of her son, Mencius.

At first they lived near a graveyard. One day, she discovered that her son was pretending to be a mourner. The lad would watch the mourners at the cemetery as they attended funerals. Since children are impressionable, he would frequently imitate the behavior of the mourners. The mother was alarmed, so she decided to move.

Next, she moved to an area with markets and bazaars. After a while, she noticed her son, Mencius, had started to play the role of shopkeeper. He would spread out their possessions, pretending he owned a shop. He started arguing with other people just as he had seen shopkeepers arguing with customers and other

shopkeepers. The mother was upset about the influence this company had on her son, so she decided to move again.

This time, the mother selected a house near a school. Soon, she found Mencius imitating the scholars, researching subjects and learning about them. She was happy that this was the right influence on her son. He grew up to be one of the noted Chinese scholars.

This story illustrates the wisdom and sacrifice of a mother for her child to give him or her the best. It also illustrates the power of the company we keep.

If we wish to be an artist, we should spend time with artists. If we wish to be a doctor, we should spend time with people involved in the medical profession. If we wish to develop positive virtues, we should stay around people who exhibit goodness. If we wish to be spiritual, we should spend time in the company of spiritually minded people.

Our lives are precious. We come here with a fixed number of

Our lives are precious. We come here with a fixed number of breaths. Within that time, we need to fulfill the purpose of our life. We can develop spiritually and be of service to others. Spending time with like-minded people who have the same goals can help hasten our footsteps toward attaining the purpose. breaths. Within that time, we need to fulfill the purpose of our life.

We can develop spiritually and be of service to others. Spending time with people who drag us down and pull our attention away from these goals is a waste of our life’s breaths.

We should take a decision as to what we want in life. Once having taken that decision, we should work toward that goal. Spending time with like-minded people who

have the same goals can help hasten our footsteps toward fulfilling the purpose of our life.

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an international spiritual leader and Master of meditation who affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions, emphasizing prayer and meditation as building blocks for achieving peace.

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Choose between the dark or the golden age

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj n ancient India, one of the rulers was Yudhishthira. He lived in a time when spiritual values prevailed and people were filled with virtues. It was a period when spirituality was considered to be more important than material wealth.

In the last ten years of Yudhishthira’s rule he started noticing a change in the people. People began answering the call of their lower self and they stopped listening to their conscience. He knew that the Kali Yuga, or the Dark Age, was on the horizon.

As Yudhishthira was sitting in his kingdom, two men came to have an audience with him. They had a grievance they wanted to settle, so they came to him for advice.

One man said, “I have bought a plot of land from this man, and after he sold it to me, I discovered there was a treasure buried there.

Since I had only purchased the land from him, I want to return the treasure to him because I did not buy it from him and he is the rightful owner.”

Yudhishthira was pleased at the honesty of the man who bought the land since he told the other man about the found treasure and even

Every day we have a choice whether to succumb to the greed or temptations of the Dark Age, or choose to live according to the spiritual values of the Golden Age.

I

wanted to return it.

The man who sold the land said, “It is true that the treasure was mine, but when I sold him the land, he became the owner of the land and whatever is in it. Therefore, I would like him to keep the treasure.”

The man who bought the land said, “Please take your treasure back. I do not want to carry the sin on my head of taking what is not rightfully mine.”

The seller said, “Look, I have sold you the land along with whatever is in it. I cannot accept the treasure that now belongs to you.

Please do not tempt me and lead me into greed.”

Yudhishthira was highly pleased with the noble behavior of both these men.

The men said, “We cannot agree on what to do since we both want to give the treasure to the other. We have been arguing over this for days and we would like you to settle the case.”

Yudhishthira thought over the situation and said to himself, “These two people are behaving nobly and ethically. I can see that the Kali Yuga, or the Dark Age, has not yet come. Let me wait and see what happens.”

Yudhishthira said to them, “I want you both to come back to me in a week with this case.” So the

men left.

A week later, they both returned.

Something had drastically changed.

This time the case they presented to the king was different. Now they were both arguing to keep the treasure themselves.

The seller said, “I decided the treasure belonged to me. I sold him the land, but not the treasure.”

The buyer said, “That is not right.

Since I bought the land, everything in the land belongs to me.”

Yudhishthira saw that greed had now taken over their ethical sense.

Yudhishthira realized that this was a sign that the Kali Yuga, or Dark Age, had come.

Yudhishthira ultimately settled the case by arranging the marriage of the son of one of them to the daughter of the other to keep the

treasure in the family. But he knew that the age of spirituality and ethical living had come to an end.

Whether we are living in one age or the other, each human being has the choice to select how he or she wishes to live. It is a choice each can make in everyday life. Every day we have a choice whether to succumb to the greed or temptations of the Dark Age, or choose to live according to the spiritual values of the Golden Age. Living a spiritual life means putting in time for meditation so that we can reunite our soul with God. It means behaving in an ethical manner. It means choosing good over bad, nonviolence over violence, love over hatred, selfless service over greed, and truth over falsehood.

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