Saathee Magazine January 2012 Charlotte by Shukla Entertainment

Jaswant Thada Memorial, Jodhpur

January 2012

In this issue: Rice,Tiny Grain, Giant Footprint 529 College Savings Plans Explained

Hello Readers! We have a series of articles on rice, the tiny grain with a giant footprint, beginning with a story on the genetically modified Golden rice on pg. 8 and continuning the series of rice articles beginning on pg. 78. Can an army of ethical computer hackers assist India with its impending cyber wars? Go to pg. 14 to find out. Are India and China in the midst of a “cold peace?” Read the development on pg. 32. January hails “makar sankranti” and an effort by a local group to get Americans doing Surya Namaskar on a daily basis. Go to our yoga column on pg. 50 for details. See how you can save money for college and get a tax benefit while contributing funds to 529 College savings plans in our Tax Matters section on pg. 66. Ever wanted to climb the shining peaks of the Himalayas? Read the climbing adventure of a North Carolinian who scaled one of the majestic peaks in the column on pg. 76. Festivals and holidays are listed on pg. 118. Catch up on all the local and regional community organizations and events on pg. 90 and get up to the minute updates at our regularly updated website: saathee.com.

A features magazine for the South Asian Community of the Carolinas

Quote: “If it's a mistake of the head and not of the heart, don't worry about it. That's the way we learn.” - Earl Warren

January 2012 – Issue # 165 Editor: Samir Shukla (saatheemag@hotmail.com) Publisher: Divakar Shukla (rakavid@aol.com) Community News Editor: Rajesh Ganatra Ad Design / Layout: Nate “Nageshwar” Andrews Consultant: Himanshu Desai Executive Assistant: Suzie Tanis Contributors: Pradip Bulsara, Kirit Shukla, Rajesh Ganatra, Judith L. Bergman, Chandan Sen, Gail Z. Martin, Smitha Prasad, Roshan Attrey, Dr. Maha Gingrich, Amanda Sodhi, Krutika Chheda, Anjana Agarwal, Naveen Vedula, Anita Kulkarni, Jay Cohen, Sumeet P. Shah, and Jalendu Vaidya.

In This Issue

All contents © 2012 Shukla Entertainment, Inc. Golden Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 08 Turning Farms into Factories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 12 Army of Ethical Hackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 14 Saathee Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 18 Film Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 22 Sangeet and Evergreen Film Lyrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 24 Indian Classical Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 28 Dances of India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 30 India China Cold Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 32 Tending to a Bruised Knee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 36 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 40 Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 42 Children’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 44 Mastering Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 46 Astride three Continents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 48 Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 50 Healthwise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 52 Stock Tickers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 56 Immigration Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 60 Marketing Turnaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 62 Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 66 Cricket Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 72 Recipes of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 74 The Chai Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 76 Rice, tiny grain, giant footprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 78 Community Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 84 Community Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 90 Pop’s Puzzles and Jokes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 116 Festivals and Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 118 AstroScope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 120 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 122 Puzzle Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 124 Index of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 124

Saathee.com

Opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily of the publisher or editor. Please contact us prior to submitting articles or photographs. Saathee is published monthly. Deadlines for advertisement, submissions and events information is 20th of the previous month. Mission: Our goal is to be a valuable source of information for the South Asian community and to be a vital advertising tool for businesses.

- Founded 1998 Saathee Magazine P.O. Box 11468 Charlotte, NC 28220 Phone: (704) 527-7570 Fax: (704) 527-7590 E-mail: saatheemag@hotmail.com

www.saathee.com Cover: Jaswant Thada Memorial

The Jaswant Thada is an architectural landmark located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is a white marble memorial built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharja Jaswant Singh II. The Jaswant Thada is a traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur rulers. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Saathee Magazine, USPS 021-116, is a free subscription magazine published monthly by Shukla Entertainment Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to Saathee, P.O. Box 11468, Charlotte, NC 28220-1468. Postage paid at Charlotte, NC. (ISSN: 1543-8147) January 2012

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especially vicious among pregnant women and newborn children. “The latest WHO figures [from 2005] have shown that between 23 and 34 percent of child mortality could be prevented by having a universal source of vitamin A,” Dubock said. “Similarly, with mothers about 40 percent of maternal mortality could be prevented.” Proponents of technological solutions to the world’s food and nutrition problems believe golden rice could be the answer. After some tweaks to the original strain, the latest generation of the genetic modification — known as the r event — promises to provide as much as 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A for poor people who consume as little as 40 grams of golden rice a day. At least one study of a theoretical plan to give the modified rice to poor farmers claims that it would be 50 percent more efficient than the current efforts to provide dietary supplements. And the technology’s inventors compelled the owners of the patent, a biotechnology company called Syngenta, to allow poor farmers around the world free access to the new variety as long as they earn less than $10,000 a year — ostensibly eliminating fears about industrialized agriculture that have plagued other GMO crops like Monsanto’s Bt Cotton. “All the normal arguments don’t apply here,” said Dubock. “This is a gift from the inventors.” Here in India, however, farmer advocates and environmental activists view that gift as a Trojan Horse. “They are using the humanitarian window to actually push for GM acceptance. This is a PR exercise, nothing beyond that,” said Sharma. “Once you accept golden rice, you’re accepting all kinds of GM crops. That’s their agenda.” How paranoid that sounds depends on your faith in the world’s multinational corporations and multilateral aid agencies. According to a Golden Rice Project backgrounder, “If golden rice is successfully introduced, it will additionally facilitate similar projects in the future.” Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, research is already underway on genetically modified bananas, cassava and sorghum — as well as another version of golden rice that incorporates iron, zinc, protein and Vitamin E. And Bayer, Mogen, Monsanto, Novartis and Zeneca all waived patents to allow golden rice to be given away free to poor farmers. That was not the case for Bt Brinjal or Bt Cotton.

Genetically modified golden rice could save millions of lives, but in India it may never get into the ground. By Jason Overdorf - GlobalPost.com Editor’s note: Of the world’s 50,000 edible plant species, only a few hundred find their way to menus around the globe. Of those, just three — rice, wheat and maize — make up two-thirds of the human food supply. And only rice is responsible for feeding half the world, or more than 3.5 billion people. In other words, rice is important. So important, in fact, that a tweak to the way rice is grown, sold or eaten can send ripples through the world economy. Earlier this year, government subsidies for rice in Thailand, where 30 percent of the world’s crop originates, did just that. Prices everywhere shot up, though it looks like any looming instability has been offset by other exporters, namely India, steadying the market. Still, the point is rice in one place affects millions. Tainted crops in China mean two-thirds of the country’s people ingest toxins every day. In Japan, global warming changed rice and an entire culture. Rice is a tiny grain with a giant footprint.

When Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer unveiled genetically modified golden rice a decade ago, they promised to save millions of lives across India and other developing countries by providing the poor and malnourished a ready source of betacarotene. But in India, opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMO) may well kill the initiative before it takes off. “I have no hesitation in saying that we will make all efforts to stop it,” said Devinder Sharma, an agricultural researcher and farmers’ advocate based in the Punjab. In many respects, golden rice represents the fantastic potential of GM foods. But because of the method used to create it — piggybacking genes from maize on a kind of bacteria found in the soil to induce the plant to produce betacarotene in the rice kernel — opposition remains fierce. Environmentalists fear the new variety might spread and overwhelm other native crops. Anti-globalization activists fear that the new technology represents the thin end of the wedge for multinational corporations seeking to make slaves of the small farmer. And advocates of organic farming fear that “tampering with nature” may result in unknown health costs. “Sensible people should be aware that this [opposition] is not scientifically justified at all,” said Adrian Dubock, executive secretary of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board and the architect of the project designed to distribute golden rice to the world’s poor. Researchers in the Philippines are optimistic that they will “The reasons for objections are complicated. Sometimes they’re religious. Sometimes they’re related to fears about submit all the necessary safety information to the government as early as 2013 and many believe that the introduction of globalization.” And those fears could be costly, according to Dubock. While golden rice as a staple crop will follow in short order. the vision problems associated with Vitamin A deficiency are better known, it also causes immune system problems that are continued on page 38 Saathee.com

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solve some of the worst problems of existing Indian cities by providing green energy, clean water and affordable housing. That is, if it materializes. “The challenge is that since India has been a very reluctant urbanizer, how can we use good technology to make a quantum jump?” Kant said. That’s putting it mildly. The real trouble is that India is great at making plans, and terrible at executing them. To anybody who has seen the situation on the ground, the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) Master Plan 2021 reads like science fiction. And if the DDA’s track record on its the master plans of 1962 and 2001 is any indicator, it’s not likely to deliver on its new vision unless Mars attacks. Other Indian city planners have proven just as impotent. So what gives Kant hope for this project, which is even bigger, and will depend on the goodwill of no less than seven different states? Partly, it’s blind faith. But there’s method to Kant’s madness, too. Today, almost 65 percent of India’s freight moves by truck, trundling down potholed, two-lane highways. It can take 12 to 14 days for a shipment from Delhi to reach Mumbai, which makes the cost of logistics ridiculously high. In contrast, his high-capacity train will put goods from the DMIC into India’s ports within 24 hours. At the same time, through the DMIC Development Corporation that Kant heads, the central government will fund and build what he calls the trunk infrastructure of the 24 manufacturing hubs along the railway. “When that happens, you open up new areas on either side [of the tracks] which can be developed for manufacturing and feed this dedicated freight corridor,” he said. That means Kant’s team will lay out and build the roadways, drainage and sewers for the new cities, setting the framework before real-estate developers can lumber in and convert everything into residential high rises, as happened with many of India’s ballyhooed Special Economic Zones.

Turning India’s Farms into Factories The Futurists: Super-bureaucrat Amitabh Kant aims to reverse 60 years of history with the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor. By Jason Overdorf - GlobalPost.com Don’t bother looking for a bigger dream. Nobody has tried anything this crazy in India since George Everest set out to measure the British colony with trigonometry and a very, very long chain back in 1830. Over the next 20 years, India will spend $90 billion to lay the foundations for 24 new cities, creating an industrial corridor stretching across the country from Delhi to Mumbai. And, for practically the first time since the 1950s, these new urban centers won’t mushroom haphazardly, with roadways and drainage systems crammed in as an afterthought. Their development will be carefully orchestrated by superbureaucrat Amitabh Kant — an Indian every bit as ambitious as the Brit who surveyed the height of the world’s tallest mountain. “This in many ways marks a paradigm shift in India’s thinking on infrastructure,” Kant said in an interview with GlobalPost. “It marks a paradigm shift in India’s thinking on manufacturing. It marks a paradigm shift in India’s thinking on urbanization.” Since Mohandas Gandhi first said that India lives in its villages, this country has shunned big manufacturing and resisted urbanization, pushing farmer cooperatives and cottage industries as an alternative model for development. As a result, cities have never been planned — at least not anyplace but on paper. Slums have mushroomed as migrants streamed in. And metropolises have morphed into megalopolises. But if Kant’s paradigm shift takes, that’s about to change. India needs 30 years or so of near-10 percent economic growth if it is to bring its massive population out of poverty. Industrialization and urbanization is the only way to do it. According to Mckinsey & Co., 70 percent of GDP will come from cities by 2030. And Kant — a suave, erudite bureaucrat best known for developing the tourism ministry’s “Incredible India” ad campaign — is in the driver’s seat. The lynchpin is a high-capacity railway dedicated to freight transport. Connecting Delhi to Mumbai, the 1500-kilometer, high-speed rail network would convert the cheap labor centers of India’s hinterland into viable manufacturing hubs, by slashing the time needed to move goods to India’s ports and major metros. In the process, the so-called Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) would curb the disastrous, unplanned sprawl of India’s two largest cities. It would check the daily migration of hundreds of thousands of destitute farm workers by transforming India from the world’s back office into the world’s manufacturing hub and creating millions of jobs. And it would Saathee.com

It also means that the toughest pieces of the puzzle — lowcost housing, for instance — will be bought, paid for, and built by the central government before the industrial boom begins. To make it happen, India has partnered with Japan to build the freight line, tapped the expertise of some of the world’s biggest infrastructure, technology and architecture companies to plan the cities and sought funding and advice from international agencies. “The important thing is to bring in a big vision, in terms of taking detailed designing and engineering to another level, and continued on page 70 12

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were detected at a power generation facility in Gujarat and a communications satellite providing the feed to state-owned Doordarshan television and several DTH broadcasters. And researchers from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto claimed in 2010 that Chinese hackers had cracked Indian government computers to dig out sensitive information related to defence, foreign affairs and the Dalai Lama, according to another report. But can a team of rogue operators compete with state-sponsored cyber espionage? When Stuxnet hit Iran, experts immediately fingered Mossad and the CIA because the man-hours needed to create the complex worm more or less guaranteed it was a state-sponsored project. And one of the biggest failures of India’s intelligence agencies is that they rarely listen to each other — much less to outsiders who literally speak in code.

For the coming cyber war, an army of geeks offers India its services. By Jason Overdorf - GlobalPost.com

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To paraphrase an old saw: It takes a geek to catch a geek. That’s the logic behind a new Indian response to the growing threat of cyber war, anyway. Indian authorities were stunned by the impact of the Stuxnet virus on Iran’s nuclear facility at Natanz last year. Now, in the wake of repeated assaults on Indian company and government web sites, an organization of self-professed “white hat” hackers is recruiting its own army. “If you see the statistics, less than 15 percent of Indians use the internet, but we are already No. 1 when it comes to virus infections and we are No. 2 in cyber crimes,” said Rajshekhar Murthy, an Indian hacker and entrepreneur. Last month, at Malcon — the malware conference Murthy founded in 2010 — the security expert’s nonprofit Information Security and Analysis Center (ISAC) unveiled plans to create a national registry of hackers with the training to protect the country’s critical electronic infrastructure. Called the National Security Database (NSD), the body will accredit and train hackers who pass an exam that will cost about $500 a whack. “The NSD is a project to address the broader need, not just to identify the best security professionals in India,” said Murthy. The idea is to identify “where these professionals can assist the country not only in solving cyber crimes but in addressing policy issues and assisting in reforms to create better governance of IT security across critical infrastructure projects.” Not a moment too soon, either. “As the government is trying to spread its reach through financial inclusion and e-governance projects, it’s crucial that we are able to handle cyber crime,” said Murthy. At a curtain raiser for next year’s Global Cyber Security Summit in New Delhi, Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal called for just such a community of ethical hackers last week. And for good reason. Already, a drive to eliminate corruption and increase efficiency through e-governance had made many government services vulnerable to attack, and Sibal aims to introduce a bill in parliament this session mandating that all government services be automated. “To combat cyber crimes and make the cyberspace secure, there is a need for greater government-to-government collaboration on sharing of information, global vision to deal with hackers, legal framework that addresses the requirements at the global, and wider public-private collaboration,” Sibal told reporters last month. Last year, state-owned ONGC found some of its oil rigs had been infected by Stuxnet — and only narrowly escaped catastrophe because they operate on ABB, not Siemens, systems, according to a recent report in India’s Tehelka magazine. Similar virus problems Saathee.com

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Top Five Movies - Jan 2012

(Bollywood films slated to be released in the next 4-6 weeks) 1. Don 2 Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani, Om Puri, Kunal Kapoor, and Nawab Shah

Players (Dir: Burmawalla Bros.) Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Bipasha Basu, Neil Nitin Mukesh, and Omi Vaidya

2. The Dirty Picture Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar Kapoor, and Imran Hasnee

It’s My Life (Director: Anees Bazmee) Cast: Harman Baweja, Nana Patekar, Genelia Dsouza, Asrani, and Sham Mashalkar

3. Jo Hum Chahein Sunny Gilland Simran Kaur Mundi

Chaalis Chauraasi (Director: Hriday Shetty) Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni, Kay Kay Menon, Ravi Kissen, Shweta Bhardwad, and Rajesh Sharma

4. Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma & Aditi Sharma

Sadda Adda (Director: Muazzam Beg) Cast: Karanvir Sharma, Rohin Robert, Bhaumik Sampat, Kunal Pant, Rohit Arora, and Shaurya Chauhan

5. Desi Boyz Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitragda Singh, and Omi Vaidya

Ghost (Dir: Puja Jatinder Bedi) Cast: Shiney Ahuja, Tej Sapru, Sayali Bhagat, Deepraj Rana, and Gulshan Rana

Top Five Songs - Jan 2012 1. Players “Dil Ye Bekarar Kyun Hai” Music: Pritam Chakraborty Singers: Mohit Chauhan & Shreya Ghoshal

Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai (Director: Rumi Jaffery) Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Shriya Saran, Mugdha Godse, Annu Kapoor & Satish Kaushik

2. Ghost “Dil Ke Liye” Music: Sharib Sabri & Toshi Sabri Singer: Javed Ali

Ek Deewana Tha (Director: Gautham Menon) Prateik Babbar, Amy Jackson, Manu Rishi, and Sachin Khedekar

3. Pappu Can’t Dance Saala “Zingagi” Music: Malhar Patekar Singers: Mohit Chauhan & Akruti Kakkar

Chaar Din Ki Chandni (Dir: Samir Karnik) Cast: Tusshar Kapoor, Kulraj Randhawa, Anupam Kher, Om Puri, and Mukul Dev

4. Don 2 “Hai Ye Maya” Music: Shankar Ehsaan Loy Singer: Usha Uthup

3 Bachelors (Dir: Ajai Sinha) Cast: Sharman Joshi, Raima Sen, Riya Sen, Manoj Pahwa, and Himani Shivpuri

5. The Dirty Picture “Ishq Sufiyana” Music: Vishal Shekhar Singer:Kamal Khan

Staying Alive (Director: Anant Mahadevan) Cast: Anant Mahadevan, Saurabh Shukla, Chandan Sanyal, Sanjay Swaraj, and Navni Parihar

(Note: This top five is based on the following non-scientific research: your feedback, video rental, box office from India and United states, internet opinions & our opinion) Saathee.com

January 2012

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tentatively titled 26/11. It will be based on the Mumbai terror attacks. Varma told Bollywood Hungama, “26/11 is a date no Indian will ever forget. The three-day live telecast of the terrorist carnage had people’s eyes glued to the television sets across world. Everyone more or less has seen or heard of what happened during that time. But my attempt now would be not only to capture the physical aspect but also behind the scenes aspects of what exactly happened from the time Kasab and rest of the team landed on Amar Singh Solanki’s trawler in the high seas, till Kasab’s heroic capture by the late Tukaram Ombale at Girgaum Chowpatty. This will be inter-cut with what the various gallant police officers did in their attempt to get the situation under control. The film will have completely new cast to create a heightened sense of reality.” Varma is being assisted by Rommel Rodrigues, author of “Kasab, The Face Of 26/11,” who has an extensive knowledge of the event, but the film will not be based on the book.

Film Clips Players Opens in January

The action thriller Players, a Bollywood take on the film the Italian Job, stars Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Sonam Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Omi Vaidya. The film is directed by Abbas-Mustan. The film’s actors performed live stunts at an event to launch the music of the film. Bachchan smashed a glass frame and took a 360 degree turn before two explosions. “I thank one and all for the love and support for the film. We hope you all like it,” he told attendees. The film’s directors and music director Pritam were also present at the occasion. The film opens in theaters on January 9, 2012

Hashmi to play lead role in UTV’s Ghanchakkar After delivering two hits in a row with Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai and The Dirty Picture, Emraan Hashmi has signed with UTV for the upcoming Ghanchakkar. In this film Hashmi’s character is a suave thief who likes the finer things in life. He decides to pull off one last heist which leads to unexpected confusion and chaos. The film’s director Rajkumar Gupta told Bollywood Hungama, “Ghanchakkar is a quasi-realistic urban comedy/thriller highlighting the absurdity of certain real human situations.”

Dutt Signs on For Munnabhai 3 Sanjay Dutt, along with Arshad Warsi, has signed on for the third installation of the hit Munnabhai series. Vidhu Vinod Chopra will produce the film. Dutt will reprise his role as the beloved goon Munnabhai and Warsi will play his buddy and sidekick Circuit. The film changed the title to Munnabhai Ki Aatma Katha (it was previously titled Munnabhai Chale America). The film’s producers are currently developing the script and the movie will begin shooting in 2012.

Diamond Merchant Inspired Character in Blood Money Director Mahesh Bhatt’s upcoming film Blood Money apparently has a character inspired by notable film financer and diamond merchant Bharat Shah, who was accused of being involved with gangster Chota Shakeel and sentenced to a year imprisonment. Blood Money, directed by newcomer Vishal Mahadkar, is the story of a student who goes overseas with his wife and gets involved in the entire diamond marketing outfit and the underworld. At first, Mahesh Bhatt denied that his film has any direct connections with Bharat Shah but then he admitted that there is a character of a big film financier who is involved in the diamond trade and is accused of having connections with the underworld by the government. Bhatt however maintained that there are no direct references to Bharat Shah and his film is a work of fiction. Blood Money stars Kunal Khemu and Amrita Puri in lead roles and will release in March, 2012. – Courtesy of Indian Express

Vidhu Vinod Chopra Asks Govt. to Reopen Cinemas Kashmir Making a strong pitch for reopening of movie halls in Kashmir, which have been closed for 22 years, noted producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra has urged the government to take the step to give the youth in the Valley “a window into the world.” Chopra, a successful producer of Hindi films like Lage Raho Munnabhai and 3 Idiots, was born and raised in Kashmir, where his dream of making it big in filmdom also started. The 55-year-old wants the Kashmiri youth to be given the same opportunity. “Cinema is not the answer to a problem as fraught as Kashmir. But it can and will provide a catharsis of emotions for people who have lived in hell for two decades now going to a cinema is about more than just seeing a movie. “... maybe some Kashmiris like me, through that cinema, will find their own destiny. Which is why we must build theatres in Kashmir,” Chopra said in an open letter. – Courtesy of Indian Express

Mohit Chauhan Paying Tribute to Nasir Hussain Singer Mohit Chauhan, who sang for Ranbir Kapoor in Rockstar, is planning on recording a non-film album that will be a tribute to legendary filmmaker Nasir Hussain. Chauhan told IndiaFM, “The music in Nasir Hussain Saab’s cinema was phenomenal. Right from Dil Deke Dekho to Teesri Manzil to Yaadon Ki Baaraat the impact of Nasir Saab’s music is encyclopedic. So yes, I am doing a tribute to his music.” Reportedly many of the songs will be picked from Hussain’s films featuring Shammi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. Some of the tracks would also be re-mixed. The recording will be released in early to mid 2012.

Ram Gopal Varma’s Next Project Based on 26/11 Terror Attacks Known for making films on current and topical issues, Ram Gopal Varma is reportedly ready to start his next movie, Saathee.com

January 2012

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By Kirit Shukla

Song: Alabelā sajan āyo ri... Film: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Year: 1999 Music: Ismial Durbār Singers: Sultān Khān, Kavitā Krishnamurty, Shankar Mahādevan Lyric: Mehboob Based on Indian Classical Rāgā: Mixed Ahir Bhairav Tāl/Rhythm: Teen Tāl Starring: Salmān Khān, Aishwarya Rai, Helen, Ajay Devgan

Tribute to Hindustani Classical Singers and Instrumental Players Ustad Sultan Khan (1940-2011) The renowned Sarangi player and Hindustani classical singer of India, Ustad Sultan Khan was born in 1940. The Sarangi is a bowed, stringed instrument whose name means “a hundred colors” and it is an exceedingly difficult instrument to master. The instrument, nearextinction not so long ago, has a mellow sound and the fretless construction lends itself to highly ornamented and expressively inflected melodies. It is a natural accompaniment to the singing voice. In India, Khan earned the most respect for reviving this dying art. He learned to play the Sarangi from his father Gulab Khan. Sultan Khan gave his first performance at the All-India Conference at the age of 11. He played with Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and George Harrison in 1974. He had given his voice on the album “Piyā Basanti.” Some of his other albums include Pukaar: The Echo, Raag Marwa, and Sanity & Gravity. He won Sangeet Nātak Academy award for instrumental music played on Sarangi in 1992. It is the highest award of Indian recognition given to performing artists by India’s National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. This award consists (since 2003) of Rs. 50,000, a Shawl and a “Tāmrapatra” (a brass plaque). He won other awards like: Gold Medalist Award of Maharashtra, American Academy of Artists in 1998 and Padma Bhushan in 2010. He played at Symphony in New York with the tabla players Zakir Hussain and Alla Rakha along with Sarod player Ken Zuckerman in 1992. He sang and played music of Indore Gharana. Ustad Sultan Khan’s Bollywood success sprang from his finesse in singing and playing the light classical and folk-based styles. Like many prominent musicians from Muslim families, he sometimes performed music with Hindu roots, such as the Rajasthani folk song for the joyful holiday of Holi, recorded live in 1992 with Zakir Hussain on tabla. He had many notable students such as producer Ram Gopal Verma, and his own son Sabir Khan, also a sarangi player. Listen to his songs “Lejā lejā re…” and other songs from the 2006 pop album Ustād & The Divas. Ustad Sultan Khan passed away on his way to a hospital on November 27, 2011. We may never have a sarangi maestro like him again.

Alabelā sajan āyo ri... Lyrics in English:Alabelā sajana āyo ri, alabelā sajana ...Mora hara mana sukha pāyo ri, alabelā sajana ...Alabelā alabelā alabelā alabelā alabelā alabelā, Alabelā sajana ...Dhira nā nā , dhira nā, chauki purāo mangala gāvo,Chauki purāo mangala gāvo, mana ranga nisa pāyo ri, Alabelā sajana ... Meaning (Summary): Unique lover has come. He made me happy by winning my mind. Decorate the front yard and sing the auspicious songs. My mind/heart always gets colorful pleasure; unique lover has come.

See this song on Nazar Television in January. Visit saathee.com for Nazar Television local listings.

His hit Hindi song’s lyrics: “Alabelā sajan āyo ri...” is given in the column on the right.

Kirit shukla Contact him at kiritsshukla@hotmail.com

(Note: The contents for this article are compiled from the books, internet and my knowledge & love for Indian music.)

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January 2012

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The signiﬁcance of a Guru (teacher) By Anita Kulkarni

Evolution of Carnatic music - a series By Smitha K. Prasad Dear readers, here is wishing you all a very happy, prosperous and musical 2012! We have indeed travelled a long road as we analyzed the evolution of Carnatic music and how it has responded to changes in the socio-political environment as a function of time. Well over a year ago, we started with the Sama Veda being the most likely source of Carnatic music; since then, we have travelled through the centuries tracing the way that Carnatic music despite being a traditional art has a nature dynamic enough to respond and reflect the state of the environment that it is a part of. Last month, I described the role that Carnatic music and musicians played in India’s quest for independence. No talk of Indian independence is complete without bringing in the “Father of the Nation” - Mahatma Gandhi. This month, we will take a look at Gandhiji’s influence on Carnatic music, a subject that unfailingly elicits raised eyebrows as people wonder how Gandhiji could have influenced Carnatic music! A number of Carnatic musicians echoed Gandhi’s call for a pacifist movement using the medium of Carnatic music. Prominent among them was Smt. D. K. Pattammal, whose signature song “Shanti Nilava Vendum” calling for world peace reiterated Gandhiji’s message of non-violence and world peace. Another composition rendered by the famous musician Smt. M.L. Vasanthakumari is “Ellorum Gandhi.” This composition, a movie track, called for people of all faiths to live as one, echoing Gandhi’s famous quotation- “I am a Muslim and a Hindu and a Christian and a Jew and so are all of you.” A number of Gandhiji’s favorite bhajans such as “Vaishnava Jana To” and the Meera bhajan “Hari Tum Haro” are also very popular among Carnatic musicians- they are frequently rendered as tukkadas (lighter pieces) in a concert. There is an interesting anecdote behind the composition “Hari Tum Haro” – when the legendary musician M.S. Subbulakshmi was initially invited to sing this bhajan for Gandhiji’s birthday, she refused saying that she did not know the composition. Gandhiji is said to have remarked that he would rather hear M.S. “say” the composition than have anyone else sing it! M.S. later had the composition tuned and recorded it for Gandhiji’s birthday. This same recording was played on the radio following the announcement that Gandhiji had been assassinated. Carnatic concerts which are held on Gandhi Jayanthi (Oct. 2nd each year to mark Gandhi’s birthday) will invariably include some of Gandhiji’s favorite bhajans. Till we meet next time, do listen to the bhajan “Hari Tum Haro” rendered by Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi. You can easily find recordings by M.S. on the internet – the devotion in her voice is unparalleled!

Guru is one who is regarded as having a great musical background knowledge, talent, wisdom, is authorized, is a master in the music field, and uses it to guide others (as the teacher). He or she uses various techniques for teaching, as well as his or her own intellect, and applies disciplinary rules for the disciple. Devotion, dedication, and determination together serve the purpose while teaching or learning this art. Music is nothing but concentration of mind. Music is God, it is better to surrender him whole-heartedly. One should know the main purpose if one wants to become a true Guru (teacher) or true Shishya (disciple). In this relationship, subtle and advanced knowledge is conveyed and received through the student’s respect, commitment, devotion, and obedience. The student eventually masters the knowledge that the guru embodies. Guru should know and be able to understand and correct the weakness of his disciple; in addition, the Guru should give his best skill, take hard effort, and improve the talent level of his disciple. In olden days, the disciple had to live with and serve Guru for many years, and by Guru’s permission, he was trained and eligible for the classical knowledge. It was a difficult task to dedicate everything (family) and devote life only for music. Today it is very hard to find a true Guru. Everyone wants to get this knowledge easily without much effort. The picture is changing according to contemporary lifestyles. The disciple is far from the highest pick of the art. Hindustani Classical music is a devotional and spiritual art. One should know the importance and enjoy teaching and learning. It is everyone’s duty to know whether both are on the right musical path. Today’s disciple is tomorrow’s Guru.

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Main Characters in Dances As we all know, Indian dances always tell us stories of Indian epics, literature, social life, and human emotions. Of course, all our stories also depict God in human situations and they become the hero and the heroine, which is Nayaka and Nayaki. For example, Radha, the heroine is the lover of Lord Krishna the hero. The literary texts, including the Natya Shastra, recognize eight basic types of Nayaka, the hero and eight types of Nayaki, depending on the nature of the story. The types of Nayaki are more popular than Nayaka in some dance forms. However, when Lord Shiva or Krishna is depicted, Nayakaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s characteristics become more prevalent. There are two subdivisions in these eight types. One is the type of Nayaka based on nature. They are: Dhirodatta: of noble nature, a King, a minister or a general; Dhiralalita: affectionate, royal; Dhiroddhatta: arrogant, godly, Indra; and Dhiraprasanta: calm, Brahmin. The four types of Nayaka based on their behavior in love are: Anukula: the devoted, faithful husband like Lord Shiva; Daksina: courteous, treats equally all women; Dhrsta: bold, shameless, indifferent when caught red-handed with other women; Satha: rogue, loves more than one woman but pretends otherwise like Lord Krishna. In Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi and Kathak dances like Varnams, Javalis and Tumris speak of such characteristics in men the heroine loves. Likewise, the eight Nayakis or heroines are: Abhisarika: yearning for her lover, goes out to meet him, For Example, Radha; Kalahantarita: separated due to a quarrel, like Satya Bhama; Khandita: broken hearted; Prositapriya: whose lover or husband lives abroad; Svadhinabhartrka: whose husband is charmed of her and stays with her; Vassakasajja: dressed up for union, used a lot in Kathak; Vipralabda: the deceived; Virohitkhantita: distressed by separation. And the sakhi or friend helps to unite them. Generally she is an associate of the Nayaki, although she can also side with the Nayaka. Her role is confined to being a liaison or a person to bridge the gap of communication between hero and the heroine. I know all these names and their characteristics are hard to memorize. However, it is good to understand the importance of these roles and the pre-defined regulations of Natya Shastra when we choreograph dances. Accordingly, we can actually try to live the character we play and feel the emotions and the pain and the joy of the characters we depict.

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January 2012

China’s growing power], and perhaps getting Australia, the Chinese dream of becoming No. 1 in the world [has been] shaken,” said Brajesh Mishra, who was national security advisor to India’s prime minister from 1998 to 2004. As a result, he said, “the relationship between India and China becomes very strained.” China’s claim to parts of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh — which Beijing likes to call “South Tibet” — have fueled the longrunning border dispute between the two countries. But the cancellation of the high-level diplomatic talks had as much to do with the East Asia Summit as it did with border issues or the Dalai Lama. “Many people in China — policymakers and analysts — are indeed concerned about Indian involvement in the South China Sea,” said Li Mingjiang, a professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. “Some Chinese analysts believe that ... India wants to play the South China Sea card against China in order to complicate China’s strategic environment in East Asia and gain some leverage in India-China relations.” By demanding that India muzzle the Dalai Lama, Beijing established that it aims to continue to worry and provoke New Delhi under the guise of protecting itself from meddling in its internal affairs. Beijing believes a good offense is the best defense, Indian foreign policy experts say. And such protestations against purported wrongs keep India too busy parrying to make its own thrusts on issues like the reported massing of Chinese soldiers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and alleged incursions across the disputed borders in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. At the same time, India’s once-conciliatory Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has shown a new willingness to push back. “The Indians finally discovered that they have a spine,” said Indiana University professor Sumit Ganguly. “Supineness before the PRC had not really paid off. The demands simply escalated.” So far, statements from both sides have been carefully calibrated. Though New Delhi refused to interfere with the international Buddhist conference — which hosted some 800 Buddhist spiritual leaders Nov. 27 to 30 — India’s president and prime minister avoided the event in deference to Chinese concerns. However, when China subsequently sought to compel the governor and chief minister of West Bengal to steer clear of a public appearance by the Dalai Lama in Kolkata during the same time, the two officials refused to allow Beijing to dictate their itineraries. Moreover, New Delhi reportedly plans to register a protest with Beijing over its breach of protocol in writing directly to officials in West Bengal instead of going through the central government. Similarly, even as Beijing blasted the Dalai Lama as a separatist and insisted it would not tolerate any nation providing a platform for his “anti-China” activities, a foreign ministry spokesman told a gathering of Indian reporters that work was already underway to reschedule the postponed border talks. Yet, only a day or two later, Chinese officials wrote to the chief secretary of West Bengal saying that any official presence at the Dalai Lama’s speech implied an endorsement of those self-same “anti-China” activities.

& Commence “cold peace”

China says muzzle the Dalai Lama. India says no. China calls off talks. By Jason Overdorf - GlobalPost.com The deal George W. Bush offered the world at the beginning of the Iraq war sounded tough. But the choice Beijing has offered New Delhi is even tougher: You’re either against us or ... you’re against us. Beijing called off talks with Delhi last month that were meant to address their long-running border dispute. The decision followed a spat over the Dalai Lama’s planned speaking engagement at a meeting of Buddhist leaders in the Indian capital. Despite US President Barack Obama’s emphatic statements about America retaining preeminence in Asia — most recently in the form of an address at a gathering in Indonesia of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — New Delhi has held out hope that it can remain non-aligned amid China and the US’ struggle for dominance. But, according to analysts, Beijing’s decision to pull out of talks with Delhi may wind up pushing India closer to Washington after all, ratcheting up tensions between Asia’s largest military powers. “The soap opera [of IndiaChina relations] just got a “The Indians finally little interesting,” said Jabin discovered that they have Jacob, assistant director at the New Delhi-based Institute of a spine,” said Indiana Chinese Studies. “It’s not University professor really a cold war, but sort of Sumit Ganguly a cold peace.” According to Indian media, China was unhappy that the border talks were to coincide with the conclave of Buddhist leaders, where the Dalai Lama was set to deliver the valedictory address. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a figure intent on undermining China’s power and pushing for Tibetan independence, although the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader has repeatedly said he wishes for autonomy for Tibetan people rather than independence. Beijing pressured New Delhi to cancel the conference or bar the Dalai Lama from speaking. When India refused, it cancelled special representative Dai Bingguo’s planned meeting with Indian national security advisor Shivshankar Menon. According to India’s former national security advisor, America’s responses to China’s growing economic and military might have only made Beijing more anxious about perceived attempts at containment. “Now that there is talk of Japan, US and India sitting down and talking about [how to react to Saathee.com

continued on page 70

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By Samir Shukla An old wooden deck in mid summer Taking a break from staring at the computer screen for hours, I sat on a wooden deck across from the parking lot at work, nestled up against a row of trees. It was midsummer, but the day was pleasant and the heat was subdued by the previous day’s rains. I was startled as the metal brakes shrieked. They were grinding against metal as the train slowed while approaching a turn. The beats of wheels of rail cars trudging across the tracks filled the surroundings with a momentary cacophony of an iron and steel orchestra. The tracks were visible behind the trees on the other side of a fence, especially on the bend where I was sitting on a wooden deck. Since the passing locomotive was a freight train, the medley of metallic noises was even more amplified. The empty rail cars had a different resonance than the compartments that were filled with various goods. The train was moving faster than it should have been while traveling through city limits. The engine was hitched with what must have been more than a hundred cars and the noise took a while to fade after the caboose disappeared from sight. Now the birds took back their rudely interrupted socializing amongst the lush greenery. They darted back and forth, from tree to fence to tree to rooftops. It was now breezy and peaceful as if the passing locomotive was just a sub-conscious daydream. The wooden planks on the old deck showed their age but have remained resilient through years of use and the inevitable damage caused by natural forces and the weather. Just about an hour earlier a group of youngsters were milling about on the deck, conversing, laughing and planning out details of their upcoming lives. An impromptu dance formed to liven up the chatter as one of the teenagers pulled out a small drum from his backpack. Apparently more than one youngster from the gathered group had lugged along an instrument as another pulled an acoustic guitar out of a case and played along with the drummer. The percussion, along with the fast-strummed guitar, seemed to imitate the train that would later pass, but their collective playing was of course more harmonious. Their playing imitated the spontaneous impulses of a carefree mid-summer day. The first half of that year had been very wet. Streams and rivers up and down the East Coast took detours from their usually sedate routes to explore surrounding farms, fields and homes. It had been a spring and early summer marked with floods in many parts of the country. The rainstorm of the previous night had been loud and windy, and had drenched the area. The roads and streets were muddied and strewn with tree branches and foliage scattered about. It was as if the wind had partnered with the rain to wreak havoc. Cracks in the aging parking lot were just waiting to expand into bigger cracks and eventually potholes. The rain assisted in that bidding. Saathee.com

Somehow this old wooden deck sitting at the end of a parking lot still remained useable and continued to serve its purpose, even though no one made an effort to maintain it. A few denizens from the nearby blocks of office and warehouse buildings, which were mostly vacant, still used the deck. Surprisingly the creek running nearby the tracks didn’t overflow and flood the area in either last night’s deluge or in the past six months of above average rainfall. It was now midsummer but the dog days hadn’t quite arrived yet. But it was just a matter of time that the cool breezes of the abundant rainfall would give way to heat and brutal humidity that would further loosen the cracks in the paved lot around the old wooden deck. Summer just isn’t summer without at least one wave of stifling heat. But for now the rains had kept the summer comfortable. A light breeze stirred just enough lethargy to make an occupant want to stay planted on the benches of the old deck. It was now close to twilight and I was sitting on the deck whittling away time while a stack of work waited across the parking lot. But this was summer and if time isn’t whittled and wasted away on an occasional breezy, bright summer day, then life is just too busy. A breather and time spent in solitary reflection, conversing with one’s own thoughts, helps smooth the rough edges of daily hassles. As I gathered my notes and stuffed them in my bag along with writing utensils and a clipboard, a young couple sauntered onto the deck on the opposite side. They were obviously trying to coax conversation from each other while sitting silently side by side. There was just enough space in between them to indicate a waning quarrel. As the sky began to change from blue to colors of twilight, the couple finally warmed their fingertips with caresses and moved closer, where they wound up snuggling while locking hands. It was a silent and personal truce, obviously initiated by the changing palate of colors across the sky and the chorus of eternally happy birds socializing amongst the trees. I quietly left the couple to their moment on the deck, stepped off the elevated stage and strolled across the lot back to the office. The simple and aged wooden deck across from a parking lot next to the tracks provided the final nudge of confidence the couple needed and a return to focus, albeit temporary, that I needed. The old deck still provides a modest haven from the workday and the beaten industrial complex looming across it. It’s not in the best of shape and weeds manage to poke out between the planks. But it is surrounded by a grassy, tree-lined area that gives a visual break from the dull, concrete blocks of nearby office parks. The deck must have been built as an afterthought when the office complex was completed. Now it occasionally serves to accompany solitary thinkers while the creaking boards beckon folks to gather on it, if only for a while. The deck hasn’t been refurbished in years, but it hangs on. The deck’s longevity lies in simple pursuits, to document stories of summer afternoons. samir shukla is the editor of Saathee magazine. contact - saatheemag@hotmail.com

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Golden Rice

continued from page 8

But in India — where the problem of Vitamin A deficiency is much larger in scale — it promises to take much longer. India has already introduced the golden rice gene into locally grown varieties in isolated greenhouses, as mandated by law. But before it can be distributed to farmers, researchers must conduct additional trials in real-world conditions in isolated fields and satisfy additional safety regulations. Assuming that goes well, then planners must work out a strategy for introducing the crop without damaging India’s lucrative export trade in Basmati rice — since contamination of a single shipment with a few grains of GMO rice could scare off importers in the European Union, where consumer anxiety over GM food is high. “Currently we can say we are in the product development phase,” said S.R. Rao, who in his former role as director of India’s Department of Biotechnology first pushed for introducing golden rice in India. “The future of golden rice will depend on how we address regulatory concerns, how we communicate to the public and how we generate public acceptance. That is the challenge.” In India, opposition to GMOs has never been stronger. Despite three years of research that cleared a GM variety of eggplant as safe for cultivation and consumption, last year activists succeeded in blocking the introduction of Bt Brinjal — a pesticide-resistant strain developed by Monsanto and Maharastra-based Mahyco. Opposition to Bt Cotton — which now accounts for more than 40 percent of the cotton grown in India — has also gathered steam as activists link corporate control over seeds to debt-related farmer suicides that have killed upwards of 5,000 farmers in the cotton-growing region of Maharashtra since 2005, though researchers have attributed the problem to various other causes as well. As New York Times columnist David Rieff argued recently, advocates of organic farming are gaining sway over the technology-friendly agriculturalists bred by the green revolution with the ascendency of India’s right to food movement. “Because of the Bt Brinjal fiasco, there is a lot of demoralization in the scientific community,” said Rao. “While the regulatory system is working to an extent and the guidelines are getting slowly, slowly built up, at the end of the tunnel there is no light.” For golden rice, that leaves a complex web of opposition that goes beyond health and safety concerns that GMO proponents argue have no foundation in science. For example, initially Indian opponents of GMOs used some cocktail-napkin math to claim poor women would have to eat seven to nine kilograms of rice per day to get the benefits that golden rice advocates promised. When researchers created new varieties to deliver more betacarotene, their opponents moved the goalposts, introducing the problem of too much Vitamin A — which can reach toxic levels through supplements, but not from the body’s conversion of betacarotene. Simultaneously, critics question whether the poor people targeted by the program have the reserves of body fat needed to absorb and process a micronutrient like betacarotene into Vitamin A. Moreover, they argue that pushing a “monoculture” that would reduce the biodiversity of rice might put India at risk of an ecological disaster like the Irish potato famine — in which a potato blight killed around a million people dependent on a single staple crop for food. Saathee.com

“We are faced with what happened during the potato famine at any time,” said Sharma, in a characteristic example of the activist reaction to technology-based solutions. “It can happen in the case of rice. The narrower the genetic base, the greater the problems you are facing.” That’s an alarmist view. Despite decades of industrialized agriculture around the world, there has been no event similar to the potato famine since the 19th century. However, some farmers and health workers in India and other countries have noted detrimental effects from the socalled monocultures brought about by the introduction of highyield hybrids — particularly during India’s green revolution. In the Garwhal region of the Himalayas, for instance, activists from Beej Bachao Andolan (Seed Savers) re-introduced indigenous strains of rice after a drought decimated the green revolution’s high-yield hybrids. And in the breadbasket region of Haryana and Punjab, environmental groups allege that high rates of certain cancers are the result of the massive doses of chemical fertilizers and pesticides required for green revolution crops. That means that, at least in India, golden rice could face a long wait. “It’s still in the advanced research stage,” said Rao. “We want to determine by the end of the year whether we are ready to enter the regulatory approval phase, through field trials. So we are scheduled for a major review in the next month.”

Read a series of stories on rice and its global impact beginning on pg. 78

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By Swapna Krishna Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal Author: Conor Grennan (William Morrow) When he was 29, Conor Grennan decided that he wanted to take a trip around the world for one year. But when he realized that sounded incredibly self-indulgent, he amended his plan: he would start off the trip in Nepal, helping orphan children for three months. After all, what sounds more selfless than working at orphanage? But when Grennan arrives in Nepal, he immediately realizes he is in over his head. What he is unaware of, though, is how much those three months and the twenty boys at Little Princes orphanage will change him. I know a decent amount about South Asia. I’ve read a lot of books about the region, and have been lucky enough to visit there. One country in the area I don’t know a lot about, though, is Nepal. While I knew there had been a civil war in the country, I didn’t know who was fighting, nor was I aware of what they were fighting for. Therefore, I was very curious about “Little Princes” when I first heard about it. A moving story set against the backdrop of a war-torn country sounded like a valuable learning experience. What I wasn’t prepared for, though, is how incredibly funny “Little Princes” was. Conor Grennan has an incredibly selfdeprecating and warm sense of humor. He’s not afraid to make fun of himself, his ignorance, and his utter stupidity in thinking that a good reason for volunteering at an orphanage was to impress people. I absolutely loved his observations about Nepal. He manages to inject a sense of humor into even the hardest facets of life, yet he never makes fun of anyone but himself. It is clear he is incredibly respectful of Nepalis, their culture, and the Little Princes orphanage. While he might find humor in what is occurring around him, his laughter is never mean spirited. Conor Grennan is also incredibly honest in this book. He does this monumental thing, giving so much of himself to those who have so little, yet he isn’t some otherworldly person of goodness. He has doubts and fears, frustrations that the people of Nepal leave it to foreigners to care for their children (because they have so little to give, but still a legitimate concern), a desire to return home to the conveniences of the United States. I loved how much of himself he shared with the reader, as I felt like I really understood his feelings and motivations. Grennan also is prepared for the fact that readers will likely know next-to-nothing about Nepal, and includes the relevant history in order to educate them. I’ll admit I was shocked to discover that many Americans get Nepal and Tibet confused it just shows how little a small country like Nepal might make the news in the US, even if they had a decade-long civil war. It was incredible to learn about the rich history of Nepal, as well as the heartbreaking results of the civil war. The war was still going on when Grennan traveled there, so the reader is really Saathee.com

able to get a feel for the claustrophobic and paranoid nature of living in a war zone. As much as I loved the history, culture, and the humor of Little Princes, it was the children that captured my heart. Grennan’s love for these kids knows no bounds; they climb all over him, beat him at games, and steal his laptop to watch bootleg Hindi movies. He remarks often on how resilient they are; though they have been taken from their parents, they are always smiling and laughing, eager for a joke or to play a game. They have experienced horrors no one should have to, yet they are still happy children. I absolutely loved learning about each one of them; Conor’s sincere brotherly love for them shines through every page of the book. It’s what happens after Conor’s three month stint in Nepal that is remarkable, though. In the end, he feels a personal responsibility for the children. He easily could have left for a comfortable life in the US, but he couldn’t abandon Nepal. Not only does he return to the Little Princes orphanage, he begins his own project to travel into the most war-torn regions of Nepal and find the families of all the children, to reunite mothers and sons. I can’t describe how moving Conor’s journey is, how many times I teared up. Conor’s generosity moved me and also shamed me. It was an incredible thing he did, and continues to do with his organization, Next Generation Nepal. I listened to Little Princes on audio, which was an excellent choice. The narrator is actually the author, Conor Grennan, which can often be a red flag with audios. Some authors just aren’t the best choice to narrate their work, but Grennan was incredible. His inflections delivered the humor of the book perfectly and his voice was warm and welcoming. The audio version is unabridged and runs almost 10 hours. I cannot put into words how much I absolutely loved “Little Princes” and I feel like this review doesn’t even come close to doing justice to this book. It made me laugh out loud and moved me to tears. It made me want to help, at the same time I really felt like I was learning a lot about a country I don’t know much about. This is one of those books that you absolutely have to pick up and try, even if you’re not the biggest fan of nonfiction. It is an amazing journey, and I am so glad to have been along for the ride. Untold Story Author: Monica Ali (Scribner) In this “what if” novel, Ali tackles the question of Princess Diana of Wales, and specifically, what would have happened if she had faked her death? It’s now 10 years later, and “Lydia” has settled comfortably into her new life. She has friends and is a volunteer at the local animal shelter, and though she has some regrets, such as leaving her boys behind, she enjoys her quiet life in the American Midwest. But when a royal photographer happens to be continued on page 88 swapna Krishna Read more book reviews on her blog at www.skrishnasbooks.com

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vocals by Sourish. It’s a peppy song, alright, and one that you should check out for sure to put a smile back on your face. “Yadein Yadein” (5.02) is one of the weaker compositions in 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore. Although Rustam Fateh Ali Khan is a talented singer, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan would have probably provided more soulful vocals. Furthermore, the electric guitar is really clashing with the vocals, once again. Yes, the song is about memories and pathos and angst, but the instrument arrangements should be so loud you can barely hear the singer. “Kya Jadu Hai Yeh” (4.34) brings back Victor as the singer along with Suzane. It’s another song full of attitude. The percussion arrangements are awesome, the melody is intact throughout, and the composition explores the magic of being in love. Not an earth-shattering song at all, but it makes for good, light, temporary listening. “Zindagi Kahun” (4.21) falls into more stereotypical Sufi rock music territory and has a very dated feel. Hasan Amin’s vocals are raw but the manner in which he is trying to express emotions is a bit overdone. People, give this soundtrack a listen and do not let it slip through your radar! It’s totally worth it for “O Sone Ke Kangna” and “Kya Wajah Thi Tere Jaane Ki.” And, on this musical note, here’s hoping 2012 has lots of more rocking soundtracks in store!

By Amanda Sodhi 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore Original Soundtrack Every now and then soundtracks by lesser known names release and go unnoticed—usually those are the soundtracks filled with gem-like compositions. The same holds true for composer-singer Leonard Victor’s soundtrack of 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore, a film directed by Faisal Saif which stars Meera, Abhishek Kumar, Shahwar Ali, Rashid Khan, Kavita Radheshyam, Ranjeet and Nassar Abdulla. The soundtrack features nine compositions and lyrics by a lot of artists—Faisal Saif, Rustam Fateh Ali Khan, Devshri Khanduri, Tony Kakkar, Saajan Aggarwal, Hari Shankar, and Hasan Amin. Here’s a rundown of all nine compositions. “Kya Wajah Thi Tere Jaane Ki” (4.51) features the melodious Javed Ali along with some supporting vocals by well-known Assamese singer Bandana Sharma. Javed Ali’s humming at beginning, the guitar and strings’ arrangements…it’s all very captivating and establishes a mood of pathos and intensity. The lyrics pose the question of why did one’s beloved abandon them and walk away—“Kya wajaah thi tere jaane ki, phir laut ke naa aane ki?” After a minute, the tabla enters into the composition. Sharma is a talented singer, no doubt, but her vocals sound too chirpy and emotionless in this song. Nonetheless, Ali works wonders—1.46 into the composition his classical rendition of the word “saiyaan” is so beautiful it pierces your heart. “Kya Wajah Thi Tere Jaane Ki” is a song all about heartbreak, distance and longing. “Itnaa bhi naa socha tum ne baad tumhare jaane ke hum kaise jeeyengey, jaan-ejaana. Nahn jeenaa, marr jaayengey.” Tissues, please. Rustam Fateh Ali Khan puts his classical sangeet training to use in “Aaye Nahi Chain Kate Nahin” (4.27). He has good control over his vocals, and at the end of the composition he displays great gaayaki with his alaaps. But, the percussion arrangement and the use of the electric guitar 2.25 into the song is extremely out of place and clashes with Khan’s soft vocals. “O Sone Ke Kangna-Female” (3.05) is the strongest and most memorable song from this soundtrack. Shibani Kashyap’s vocals are deep and stand out even if the Punjabi flavor doesn’t come across perfectly—her vocals definitely leave an impact regardless. The strings and piano are prominent and maintain a serious tone that keeps you hooked the entire time. Even after you’re done hearing the song you can’t get the melody out of your mind! The lyrics are cute and revolve around giving up your heart and mutual affection and all the good things that come with two-way love! “Dil denaa dil lehenaa, hai sauda ek jaisaa.” Leonard Victor’s “O Sone Ke Kangna-Male” version is also gorgeous. “Kamsin” (3.29) is a seductive song with lust-filled lyrics and husky vocals by Manjira. Everything about this song is oozing attitude and naughtiness. “Mashah Allah Kya Kehna” (3.25) has interesting, youthful Saathee.com

Amanda sodhi is a Bollywood journalist, lyricist, screenwriter, and PR/marketing practitioner based in Los Angeles.

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January 2012

These are there when touched but not when glanced sideways. What are these? Ears What is dark but made by light? Shadow

Word World

What goes up and never comes down? Your age

By Kirit Shukla

D F

O E

The silver thread is broken. Nobody ties it. Lightning

A tailless bird travelled a hundred miles. Letter

Neither the mat could be rolled up Nor could the chips be counted. The sky and the stars

Make words using 4 or more letters. The central letter must be used in each word. Use all letters for the subject word. 23 + words = Excellent; 16 to 23 words = Good; 15 or less needs to improve. (Solution at bottom of page)

The doors that constantly slam, but do not make a sound. Eyelids The tiny fellow had dresses innumerable. An onion

Dadaji’s Story # 9

The sticks that extend between the earth and the sky. The rain

Ram and Shyam were friends. Once they went for a walk in the forest to enjoy the beauty of nature. The jungle was beautiful with the trees, creeks, flowers and birds chirping about. When they went a little deeper into the jungle, they saw a bear coming at them. Both were frightened. Ram knew how to climb the tree while Shyam did not know that. Ram ran to a tree and climbed up quickly. He did not think of Shyam. Since Shyam did not know how to climb a tree, he quickly thought for a moment as to what to do now. He remembered some old man had told that animals do not prefer dead bodies. So, he fell to the ground, held his breath and stayed still. He pretended to be dead. The bear came to him and started sniffing his face, ears and thought that the boy was dead. So, the bear went away without injuring him. Later, Ram came down the tree and asked Shyam: “What did the bear whisper in your ears?” Shyam replied: “The bear told me to keep away from friends like you,” and the bear went on his way. Question: Why did the bear tell him to stay away from a friend like Ram? Moral: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Word World (Solution): DEFROST, DOES, DORE, DORSET, DOSE, DOST, DOTS, EROS, FOES, FORD, FORE, FORT, FROST, FROSTED, RODE, ROSE, ROTE, SOFT, SORE, SORT, STORE, TOES, TORE, TROD

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Riddles It has wings, it can fly, but it is not a bird or insect. What is it? A plane

Caribbean

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15. I knew I would have time on my hands in between flights, so I brought some reading material.___ 16. I understand your argument. At the same time, I can’t agree with you. ___ 17. It’s about time you got here! ___ 18. Time was when we felt safe letting our children run around outside without supervision. ___

Mastering Meaning By Judith L. Bergman M.A. CCC One breezy day in June 2010, I stood on the bank of the Thames in London with a small group of Elderhostel travelers and our guide (a historian and archeologist). We were visiting a park that was not on our tour agenda, but our guide wanted us to see the London Royal Observatory in the hills across the river. We were standing on the exact spot where the civilized world officially starts “counting time,” the location of Greenwich Mean Time. In reality, clock-time is an illusion. In the age of jet travel, we can pass through several times zones in a matter of hours, outrunning the earth as it turns, but there we were, standing on the starting point of all of these time zones. Our experience of time is so central to our awareness of our mortality and is also so changeable. Time “flies” when we are enjoying ourselves and time “drags” when we are bored. Some people resist the passage of time, brain-washed by the youth culture, and keep plastic surgeons wealthy. Others “ride the waves” joyfully, continuing to learn and grow, staying vital and fully alive, wiser and happier and, often, looking much younger than their chronological age. I hope I’m in that latter group. Will Rogers a wise and clever humorist wrote, “Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.” Maria Edgeworth says, “If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” 1 The English language has at least 15 slightly different meanings for time as a noun.2 Most advanced speakers of English as a second (or third) language are probably very familiar with many of these. However, time is also a key element in at least 18 idioms, that is, non-literal expressions, some with multiple meanings.3 Match the idioms in the sentences below with the correct definitions.

a. Temporarily b. The appropriate or urgent time c. Eventually d. In a reasonable length of time e. A wonderful experience f. We were not too late g.With a quickly approaching time limit. h. An interval with nothing to do i. Out of date, old-fashioned j. There was once a time k. Simultaneously l. Punctually, on schedule m. Almost instantly, immediately n. In installments o. On occasion, sometimes p. To the beat or tempo of q. However r. Indicating that you are late. Suggested strategies to increase your word power this month: Pick one article each week from different sections of your newspaper. Underline all the uses of time, see how many were used in idioms and define each one. References: 1 http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/time/31.html 2,3 http://www.idioms.thefreedictionary.com/

Answers: 1-g, 2-k, 3-o, 4-i, 5-b, g-a, 7-m, 8-c, 9-d, 10-n, 11-l, 12-e, 13-p, 14f, 15-h, 16-q, 17-r, 18-j.

1. We worked against time to meet the deadline. ___ 2. On “Black Friday” all the shoppers tried to get into the store at one time. __ 3. At times our baby gets very fussy and we get very little sleep. ___ 4. His teaching style was interesting but his use of technology was behind the times. ___ 5. “It’s high time that you settle down and do your homework.” ___ 6. For the time being we’ll take a different route to work. ___ 7. I’ll have the report finished in no time. ___ 8. In time most of us learn that the only person we can change is ourselves! ___ 9. You’ll improve your public speaking skills in good time. ___ 10. We plan to pay for the home improvement on time. ___ 11. Usually, the trains were arriving on time. ___ 12. The children had the time of their life at Disney World. ___ 13. In preschool, the children liked to march in time to music. ___ 14. In spite of the heavy traffic, we arrived at the theatre in time for the play. ___ Saathee.com

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January 2012

By Chanden Sen My Friendship with Business People My natural love for books led me to Manik’s bookshop, Kabya Katha, at Ganguly Bagan in Kolkata. He didn’t mind me hanging out with him at his shop, especially as I occasionally bought books and stationery from him, and helped him while away the long hours when business was slow. Other shop owners also were very friendly. Sanjay sold cosmetics and Nidhu Babu sold groceries. They were always ready for a chat. I enjoyed chit-chatting with them from the favorable position of “customer,” but honestly I never did find out what they disliked, if anything. Here in the triangle area, I’ve befriended convenience-store owner Anuj, and several people in another store whose name I’m not at liberty to disclose. Suffice it to say that Manisha, Hemendra, Pankaj, Shyamalini and Ami do a very good job of selling their products, and I’m proud to be their customer. Their shop is open long hours, every day of the week, and I’m rarely disappointed at not finding what I want. On a general note, businesspeople serve a very useful role in every society. They save us the hassle of having to shop in faraway places, from “first principles” so to say. Anuj regularly supplies me with coupons for a haircut in the saloon at the same shopping center, while Manisha’s place is a convenient spot to pick up an extra copy of Saathee magazine. Running a shop in these difficult economic times is not easy. After paying the $3500 monthly rent, Anuj is hard pressed to make a decent profit. Besides, there are shop-lifters and the much more serious threat from criminals who hold up and rob shop owners. My friend, Manik, in Kolkata used to burn a small piece of paper after closing his shop for the night, as an invocation to the powers that be to protect and safeguard his shop. Here in Raleigh, of course, shop owners use security systems such as cameras as deterrents. Shop owners not only make good friends, they are also often ready to sell you merchandise on credit. Indeed, it’s not unusual for a shop-keeper friend to lend you money if the need arose. So next time you shop at an Indian store, spare a kind thought for all the people who work long hours there. Help them to keep the business going by buying from them, flashing them a smile, and saying “Thank you!”

Broadening the Landscape of Business

With the fall of worldwide communism, and the victory of sorts, of capitalism, the free market society has been vindicated no doubt, yet wide scale disparities exist even in developed nations, such as the USA, where a small percentage of the population owns a disproportionately large percentage of the total wealth. According to Professor Yunus, pure capitalism, which seeks to maximize profits, sees human beings as one-dimensional entities, whereas humans are in reality multidimensional and their needs have to be addressed through a variation of PMBs, which he calls social businesses. Entrepreneurs, according to Professor Yunus, will set up social businesses not to achieve limited personal gain but to pursue specific social goals. To free-market fundamentalists, this might seem blasphemous. The idea of a business with goals other than profit-making seem far-fetched but we need businesses totally dedicated to solving social and environmental problems. In its organizational structure, this new business is basically the same as the existing PMB. But it differs in its objectives. Like other businesses, it employs workers, creates goods or services, and provides these to customers for a price consistent with its objectives. But its underlying objective—-and the criterion by which it should be evaluated—- is to create social benefits for those whose lives it touches. The company itself may earn a profit, but the investors who support it do not take any profits out of the company except recouping an amount equivalent to their original investment over a period of time. A social business is a company that is cause-driven rather than profit-driven, with the potential to act as a change-agent for the world. A social business is not a charity. It is a business in every sense. It has to recover its full costs while achieving its social objectives. When you are running a business, you think differently and work differently than when you are running a charity. And this makes all the difference in defining social business and its impact on society. There are many organizations in the world today that concentrate on creating social benefits. Most do not recover their social costs. Non-profit organizations and NGOs, or nongovernmental organizations, rely on charitable donations, foundations grants, or governmental support to implement their programs. Most of their leaders are dedicated people doing commendable work. But since they do not recover their costs from their operations, they are forced to devote part of their time and energy, sometimes a significant part, to raising money. A social business is different. Operated in accordance with management principles just like a traditional PMB, a social business aims for full cost recovery, or more, even as it concentrates on creating products and services that provide a social benefit. It pursues this goal by charging a price or fee for the products or services it creates. For example, a social business that manufactures and sells high-quality, nutritious food products at very low prices to a

For many years now, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, of Bangladesh, has been running Grameen Bank, which offers low-interest micro-loans to poor people to help them do business and become self-sufficient. Professor Yunus has been advocating a new type of business model, called social business, which is radically different from both PMB, or profit-maximizing business, on the one hand, and outright charities on the other. Saathee.com

continued on page 118

Chandan sen Contact: chandansen33@hotmail.com

January 2012

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Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA, a non-profit organization has been organizing Surya Namaskar Yagna (SNY) since 2007 to promote the awareness of Surya Namaskar. More and more people all over the US have been participating in SNY over the years. With a humble beginning in 2007 with only 994 participants and a little over 140,000 Surya Namaskars, SNY attracted more than 10,000 participants and more than 988,000 Surya Namaskars in 2011 across USA. In North Carolina, Town of Morrisville recognized January 15-30, 2011 as a Surya Namaskar Awareness Period by a proclamation. Be Active North Carolina made Surya Namaskar a part of its activities in 2011. Participants statewide conducted over 12,700 Surya Namaskars in 2011.

Surya Namskar: A Yagna to Make America Healthy Our daily fast-paced lifestyles are having a toll on the quality of life world over. As per the American Medical Association, stress is a factor in more than 75 percent of sickness in USA. More than 58 million Americans are over-weight, and 40 million are obese. People are suffering from all these health problems despite huge advances in science and medicine. Yoga has become increasingly popular all over the world as it perfectly suited for today’s lifestyles. The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is one of the best forms of Yoga for overall stretching of the body. Surya Namaskar is an ancient Hindu innovation for stretching and oxygenating almost all organs of the body for deep relaxation with minimum effort and time. Recent scientific studies support its positive effects on the cardiovascular system, muscle strength, and endurance. As per Dr. Pavan Kohli, you can lose as much calories by doing 25 minutes of SN (108) as by running 25 minutes (5 kilometers)! It is easy to learn, can be done quickly and still gives back tons of benefits.

The goal of SNY is to encourage the community to make a routine of daily practice of Surya Namaskar for healthful and happy living. The HSS is organizing the SNY again in 2012 from January 14th to January 29th. All you need to do is to learn and practice SN daily. Your total count of Surya Namaskars in Yagna period is your offering to the Yagna. Hina Patel, a local volunteer with HSS said, “We are excited to announce Surya Namaskar Yagna in our community. We hope that maximum number of people can benefit from this campaign. The goal is to offer one million Surya Namaskars USA wide during this 2week period.” The selfless effort of HSS to promote healthful living by making Surya Namaskar part of daily routine is laudable. HSS has resources and videos about the Yagna and to learn Surya Namaskar at their website: www.hssus.org/sny.

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Makar Sankranti has special significance to Surya Namaskar and it is the perfect time for the resolution to practice it for healthy life. Each year Hindus worldwide celebrate January 14 as Makar Sankranti – a day that marks the change of season as the sun enters the sign of Capricorn or Makar. Makar Sankranti ushers in longer days; hence, the festivity symbolizes sunshine in life. Saathee.com

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beverages in the evening. Follow a routine to go to bed at certain time. If you have problem sleeping, discuss this with your doctor. A warm glass of warm milk before bedtime also helps. Interact On Regular Basis: Don’t allow yourself to become socially isolated. Volunteer at temple or church, at libraries, hospitals and at your grandchildren’s schools.

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Use Tools To Compensate Decline: Develop skills that aid memory – write things down, make lists, take paper and pen to the doctor’s office, take notes, use cane walker and many other tools that are available to help in your daily routine to make you independent.

Successful Aging Surveys suggest that about 90 percent of older adults want to live independently and in their own residence for as long as possible. The key to successful aging are disease prevention, maintaining healthy weight, management of any existing medical condition, and maintaining good cognitive and physical functions.

Get Help: Be realistic about how age-related changes can affect you, do not hesitate to ask or accept help. You want to stay independent, but you also need to acknowledge when support is needed. There are many resources available: family, friends, neighbors and other options are being developed to help older adults in maintaining their independence. Teach your children and grandchildren to respect and help parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors.

Diet: Eating a Mediterranean or vegetarian diet low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium is associated with lower incidence of dementia. A healthy diet should include plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lentils and legumes. Get healthy fats from olive oil, canola oil, safflower oil, nuts and avocado. Limit the intake of sugar-sweetened foods, beverages and fried foods. If you drink alcohol, consume it in moderation.

For individual nutrition counseling consult a registered dietitian. Many insurance companies now pay for the consults.

Physical Activity: Maintain healthy weight. Shed pounds successfully eating healthy, using portion control and getting help from a registered dietitian to plan your meals. Physical activity is an important part of healthy aging, it maintains or increases muscle mass and strength, protects against heart disease, improves medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Perhaps most important, regular activity helps you maintain mobility; limited mobility makes it much more challenging to live independently. To preserve mobility walking for 30 minutes several times a week is the best exercise. It will also help to do some resistance exercises with stretch bands or light weights (consult your physician before embarking on a physical exercise regimen). If you’re interested in exercise classes, check with your local YMCA, fitness center or consult a physical therapist who can guide you to the right exercise routine to fit your needs. Being underweight can also be harmful; add healthy fats, nuts and dairy foods to your diet. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies can decrease your ability to fight disease processes and infections.

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Our Full Range of Services Include WEDDING PLANNING FLOWER DECOR MANDAPS & STAGES SANGEET & MEHNDI FRESH FLOWER GARLANDS Call 704-806-7862 for a Complimentary Consultation Email aaevents22@yahoo.com Please visit our website for more details and see an extensive gallery of our work.

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January 2012

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IPO News: Zynga (NASDAQ-ZNGA), which develops many different social-networking online games, came public on 12/16/2011 in a 100 million share IPO priced at $10 per share, which makes it a $1 billion IPO, the largest tech offering since Google (NASDAQ-GOOG) came to market in 2004. ZNGA opened up its maiden day of trading above $11 per share (in excess of 10 percent above the offering price) but the “gap up” did not hold and the stock quickly did an about-face, settling at $9.50 per share at the close, a drop of 5 percent below the offering price - indeed an ominous development for a brand new issue! There are concerns in the marketplace that ZNGA is too reliant on Facebook and also that the company will have a difficult time sustaining its current growth rate.

By Rajesh T. Ganatra We’ve come to end of another year. Here are some recaps in the world of stocks in 2011. Mumbai Sensex -- CY2011 performance The Sensex started CY2011 at 20,509.09 and has had an extremely difficult year, falling nearly 20 percent to the mid15,000s and it was one of the worst performing markets in Asia during CY2011. Financial stocks have been especially hard hit due to concerns about rising bad debts. Since March 2010, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised interest rates 13 times to counter severely high inflation and inflation has been extremely difficult to contain. Meanwhile, the series of rate hikes has taken a severe toll on economic growth. Industrial growth has been slipping and capital goods output has declined substantially as well. The Indian Rupee has been under substantial pressure as well —- it hit a historical low of 54.30 to the US$ on 12/15/2011 before RBI intervention assisted the currency somewhat.

The Federal Reserve’s 2012 meetings are scheduled for: January 24-25, March 13, April 24-25, June 19-20, July 31, September 12, October 23-24, and December 11. It appears that interest rates will be held at the current historical low levels for some time to come, most likely until mid-2013 due to the continued challenging economic conditions. Special Note: This article contains the ideas and thoughts of its author and it does not necessarily imply the viewpoints of “Saathee” magazine or its principals. rajesh T. Ganatra Contact him at rajeshtganatra@rocketmail.com

Karachi KSE-100 -- CY2011 performance The Karachi KSE-100 has had a volatile year —- it began CY2011 at the 12,000 level and on 1/17/2011, the index advanced to 12,681.94 and subsequently plunged to the 11,200s by the following month. The KSE-100 regrouped and rallied back to the 12,500s by July 2011 but another selloff quickly ensued and the index breached 11,000 in late August 2011. The KSE-100 tried to reclaim 12,000 a couple of times but quickly fell back and the index stood at 11,139.52 on 12/15/2011, which represented a 7.5 percent loss for CY2011. The US $ bought approximately 85.75 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) at the beginning of CY2011 and as the year drew to a close the rate was approaching 90 PKR to the greenback.

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Dow Jones Industrial Average -- CY2011 performance The Dow started CY2011 at 11,577.51 and a spring rally took the index to 12,806.60 during early May. The index traded as low as 10,362.26 on 10/4/2011 and there was a subsequent rally to make the index mildly positive (approximately +2 percent) for the year.

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Nasdaq Composite -- CY2011 performance The NASDAQ Composite started CY2011 at 2,652.87 and attained its best levels of the year during early July. Many technology issues got caught up in the October swoon and although the index came off its lowest point of the year (2298.99 reached on 10/3/2011), the index still is showing a loss for the year (approximately -4 percent)

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S&P500 -- CY2011 performance The S&P500 index started CY2011 at 1,257.64 and had a sharp rally to 1,370 in early May. The index reached its nadir for the year on 10/3/2011, touching 1,074 before rallying sharply to get back into the 1,200s. The index is down approximately 3.5 percent for the year.

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January 2012

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trademark of ACT, Inc. The College Entrance Examination Board and ACT, Inc. were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this program. Independently owned and operated. ©2011 Huntington Mark, LLC. SAT and PSAT are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination Board. ACT is a reg MSA/AdvancEd trademark of ACT, Inc. The College Entrance Examination Board and ACT, Inc. were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this program. Independently owned and operated. ©2011 Huntington Mark, LLC. SAT and PSAT are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination Board. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. The College Entrance Examination Board and ACT, Inc. were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this program.

provide other disclosures that the state may require to register the franchise. Once the registration packet has been submitted and approved by the state, a franchisor can offer their franchise in that state. Once registered, an annual renewal registration of the franchise will have to be completed. If there is a material modification to the franchise agreement then this change will also have to be registered and disclosed. There are also financial aspects to the franchising process. One of the disclosure requirements is to have audited financial statements of the franchisor by an independent certified public account of the past two or three fiscal years. These statements include balance sheet and income statements. Another disclosure that may be included is financial projections of the prospective franchise. The franchisor may also want to consider if they are going to create another company for the new franchise, or use the existing business entity to carry out the franchising. Utilizing an experienced accountant to help in preparing your financial statements and devising your business structure is highly recommended. Before you can begin the franchising process, the business system will have to be developed and thoroughly documented. This includes the product and services to be provided and all the materials, products, and merchandise to be used to conduct the business. Other parts of the business system include any intellectual property such as a trademark or copyright that may need to be developed. A detailed training plan and operating manual that will help the franchisee understand the business and the operations is also necessary. A marketing plan that will help a franchisee get the business off and running and a sales plan for the franchisor to appeal to potential franchisees are also integral components of the business system. The help of a skilled attorney in franchise law is essential when navigating the course of franchise creation. Creating a disclosure that complies with federal and state laws as well as a franchise agreement that protects the franchisor’s intellectual property including such proprietary information as training and an operations manual is extremely important to a franchisor’s competitive advantage. If you are a business owner and have a great concept and are looking to expand your business, think about franchising your business.

Expanding Your Business through Franchising By Sumeet P. Shah You have a great business concept and are evaluating ways to expand your brand and your operations. Have you thought about franchising your business? Franchising is a method of distributing products or services. This business model involves a Franchisor who lends his intellectual property and business concept and a Franchisee who pays a royalty and an initial fee for the right to do business under the franchisor’s name and system. Once this contractual agreement is reached by the two parties, a Franchise is created. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, franchises make up more than 10.5 percent of employer businesses. In 2010, President Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act that permanently increased Small Business Administration (SBA) loan limits from $2 million to $5 million. The Act also temporarily extends the 90 percent loan guarantee rate and reduces borrower fees in the SBA program. The law permanently increased microloan limits from $35,000 to $50,000 helping more entrepreneurs with start-up costs. This change in law has increased the access to capital for individuals looking to open a small business which in turn is helping franchisors expand their business through franchisees. You may be asking what kinds of businesses lend themselves to franchising. Virtually every type of business you can imagine can be a franchise. The International Franchise Association now lists more than 75 different categories to describe its members. Typically, you would think of fast food and restaurants first when thinking of franchising, but franchising covers a wide spectrum from advertising/direct mail to construction to dating services to home inspection to security systems to video sales and rentals. Other examples of successfully applying franchising to established industries are: printing and copying services, maid services, computer services, cleaners, lawn care services, real estate, hotels and motels, and travel agencies.

sumeet P. shah is Principal Attorney at Shah Legal Group, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. His areas of practice include franchise, corporate, real estate, and estate planning and business litigation. He can be reached at sumeet.shah@shahlegalgroup.com or (678) 274-9335.

What is needed to offer a franchise? There are many legal aspects when beginning the process of franchising. Federal and State law govern franchising and the first legal requirement will be to prepare a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). This document, called the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) or the FDD is required of all companies by the Federal Trade Commission if they want to offer franchises for sale anywhere in the United States. The disclosure document “discloses” in plain English certain provisions of the franchise agreement and other pertinent information of the franchisor. The disclosure document includes such items as initial fees, royalty fees, estimated initial investment, financial statements and litigation history. The disclosure has to be provided to a potential franchisee 14 days prior to any contractual franchise agreement between the franchisor and franchisee. Additionally, a number of states have their own registration requirements that must be met before offering a franchise in those states. The franchisor has to pay a registration fee and Saathee.com

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By Gail Z. Martin

Effective PR and Marketing in the Age of Google The Internet has changed everything for Marketing and PR. While traditional media outlets (newspapers, magazines, TV and radio) remain prominent online media venues grow daily in importance. Over the last few years, many well-established newspapers and magazines have either ceased publication or gone to online-only editions. This is a reflection of many trends, including a slump in advertiser spending, a shift to online media consumption, and the realities surrounding the cost of creating and distributing traditional print media. The Do-It-Yourself Consumer We live in a do-it-yourself society. We pump our own gas, scan and bag our own groceries, and serve ourselves at cafeterias. So it should come as no surprise that today’s consumers have begun to take a do-it-yourself to media. Today’s consumer isn’t limited by the choices presented by local radio stations. He or she can listen to hundreds of highly targeted satellite channels, play a CD or plug in a customized playlist on an iPod. TV watchers can choose from over a thousand cable channels, pop in a DVD, TiVo a show from a few days ago or download video from Netflix. Print consumers can read news online without waiting for the 6 p.m. broadcast or the next morning’s paper. Consumers have become accustomed to getting what they want when they want it. Google (and the other search engines) changed the world by enabling anyone with a computer to search the Internet in the blink of an eye. Consumers today often start with an Internet search for what they want, and look to more traditional media for validation. So a consumer in the market for a product may start with searches on EBay or Amazon to see what’s available, and then look at a ratings magazine, ratings Web site or user blog to check reliability and satisfaction. This do-it-yourself approach has created a world where content is highly customized and personalized. No one else has your iPod playlist. You may create a “portal” page for yourself with links to all of your favorite blogs and Web sites, creating a customized stream of news, entertainment and information. Each of the thousands of cable and satellite TV channels reaches an increasingly targeted consumer, far different from in the days when all of America watched one of three broadcast channels. Satellite radio can focus on a single artist or entertainer as well as a segmented style of music, news or comedy. It has become essential for anyone trying to reach consumers to speak with the same pinpoint segmentation.

information, but they also increasingly feel the pressure of information overload. This shift has caused online media and offline media to rethink their relationship beyond being competitors. In reality, they often form a continuum that permits the consumerresearcher to go as deeply into a topic as he or she desires. The Internet has also created a 24/7 market for information of all kinds, fueling a need for a vast amount of content, some of which comes in the form of press releases. At the same time, overwhelmed consumers still value trusted blogs, online magazines and other “branded” outlets to deliver information that has been verified to some degree and to weed out the junk. The need for news never ends. In order to stay fresh, blogs, Web sites and online publications (as well as video sites and Internet radio) must continually release new content. The capacity to consume that content far outstrips what any individual or news team can produce alone. Web sites, blogs and online/traditional radio and TV could not possibly fill all their space or hours of programming without press releasegenerated news and lifestyle information. Reporters, bloggers, TV and radio hosts use press releases to find story ideas, discover interesting people to interview and find new products and events to feature. An increasing number of sites, including CNN, encourage readers to upload their own video. Sites like BlogTalkRadio.com enable anyone to become an Internet radio host and develop programming with a narrowly targeted audience. This creates an unprecedented opportunity for companies that are adept at positioning their information to inform and entertain highly targeted audiences. The other big shift is that the Internet and the search engines have put the “public” back in Public Relations. Traditional PR could only reach the public through media gatekeepers. Today’s companies can take their message straight to consumers via the Internet, and as we’ll see in the next chapter, that requires changes to the traditional format of the press release, PR’s workhorse tool. By reaching the public directly, a company can create demand for a product when consumers request it from retailers. Companies can share more product details than magazines or blogs are likely to cover. When coupled with social media and the interactive tools available online, companies have an unprecedented opportunity to get user feedback and satisfy complaints, potentially increasing satisfaction and strengthening their reputation. It takes a deft touch (and a detailed understanding of your target audience) to create PR campaigns that satisfy both consumers and the media, but it is worth the effort. The Internet blurs the line between reporter and citizen-journalist. Many individual bloggers have huge followings that “traditional” newspapers and magazines can only envy. Most consumers read and listen to a blend of “professional” news and citizenjournalist offerings, gathering what they need from both. Companies who ignore online PR opportunities presented by blogs, forums, Web sites, Web video and Internet radio do so at their peril. Huge numbers of consumers make the Internet their

Going Around the Gatekeepers The Internet has given consumers a huge amount of new information, mostly by going around the traditional gatekeepers. The good and bad news about the Internet is that anyone can post information, and the search engines will find it. Unless the person posting is breaking a law, there is no one to keep them from making their information available. Search engines select results based on relevancy, but say nothing about legitimacy. Consumers have access to a wealth of Saathee.com

continued on page 70

Gail Z. Martin owns DreamSpinner Communications. Contact her at dreamspinnercommunications@earthlink.net

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Upcoming Hindu Center Events: January 14th Saturday: Pongal / Makar Sankranti. January 29th Sunday: Republic day February 20th Monday: Maha Shivratri. March 7th Wednesday: Holi March 11th Sunday: Dhuleti

HINDU CENTER OF CHARLOTTE 7400 City View Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212 Ph. 704.535.3440 Fax. 704.535.6923 email: administrator@hcclt.org

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on Sat Jan 14th 2012 at 5:00 PM. Abhishek/Pooja with Bhajan/Sloka's, Kari/Bhogi Pallu, followed by light entertainment and Maha Prasad. ( Kari/Bhogi Pallu: Mothers/Grand Mothers will be Blessing & Showering their kids with sweets, candies, coins, cranberries , etc., supplied by Hindu center. Please bring kids and don't miss this unique event. Adults and Kids come dressed up for this New Year grand program.)

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REPUBLIC DAy CELEBRATIONS: Sunday: January 29th at 12 Noon Gandhi Bhavan @ Hindu Center. Flag hoisting, National Anthem, Cultural Show & Lunch For more information contact: Anu Shenoy, Sheela Sangavi, Nimish Bhatt or Hemant Amin.

MAHASHIVRATRI February 20, 2012 This year Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated by performing Pooja all night long including Rudhrabhishekham. Time: Feb 20th; 6:30 pm to 4:30 am Feb 21th

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needs services. Distribution for a purpose other than qualified education is taxed to the one receiving the distribution. In addition, a 10% penalty must be imposed on the taxable portion of the distribution.

By Krutika Chheda Save for your Future Expenses while Saving on Taxes Winter has set in and along with the heavy coats and jackets, the burden of pulling all the paperwork for the tax return will soon be upon all of us. And like every tax season there will be a hope for a bigger tax refund. With the cost of education and the risk of retiring with fewer savings rising each year, tax payers often wonder how they can keep more of their hard earned money for themselves and their family. Higher education in the US is not only very competitive, but also very expensive. Based several reports, the average cost for undergraduate college tuition, fee and boarding has been rising each year at an astonishing 8 percent. It was on average about $15,300 per year for 4-year public in-state college and $35,700 per year for 4-year private college a few years ago. Not all of the money needs to come from the parents or students. Many full time students manage to get financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships. Some reports indicate that students on average secure financial aid up to $14,400 per year in a private college and $5,400 per year in a public college. In addition to that there is potential for tax breaks and tax savings for parents. Saving for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education requires a long term plan. And like saving for retirement, the earlier one begins to plan the better! Use this calculator on K&M Accounting and Tax Services website to help develop and fine tune your education savings plan: http://kmtaxservices.com/calc-section.php

State Income Tax Benefits Several states including North Carolina offer tax deductions for 529 contributions. North Carolina residents who contribute to a North Carolina 529 Plan receive a state income tax deduction of up to $2,500 per contributor if filing single and $5,000 if married filing jointly. Considering that the top income tax rate in North Carolina is 7.75 percent, a full $5000 contribution can save a taxpayer up to $387.5 at tax time. Given the current low deposit rates offered by banks, a 7.75 percent upfront return in the very first year is pretty good! Add to it the federal tax benefit on the future gains in the account and you may have as much as 15 percent or more in tax savings depending on your individual tax situation. Over a period of time this can add up to a substantially large sum of money. A little tax planning can take your savings much further. In case of South Carolina, the absolute tax benefits can be even greater. The state offers unlimited state tax deductions for 529 contributions by South Carolina State residents into a South Carolina qualified plan. So South Carolina Taxpayers can deduct any amount they contribute to a South Carolina 529 Plan, so long as there is income to deduct.

Gift and Estate Tax Benefits Friends and family members can also help contribute to your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education by way of gifts. They can contribute up to $13,000 annually to be excluded from gift tax. 529 programs can also be an attractive estate planning move for wealthy grandparents planning to pass on their wealth to grandchildren. There are no income limits, and the account 529 College Savings Plan One of the most popular vehicles for college savings is the owner giving up to $65,000 avoids gift tax and estate tax by 529 Plan. Most states have a 529 program allowing parents to living 5 years after the gift. save for future higher education with tax benefits. Gift and Estate tax is a complex subject and requires extensive Parents can make regular contributions to the 529 account. Each state has different rules on the nature of the account and tax planning. For grandparents that invest the time in the beneficiaries, however in general the account owner planning process, this is a great way to leave behind a legacy (contributor to the fund) controls the funds and the beneficiary of higher education for the next generation while saving on the (student) gets to use the funds for qualified higher education. heavy burden of taxes. Here is a link for more details on the States also vary in the limits to the extent of the annual estate tax planning: http://kmtaxservices.com/estateplan.php contributions and tax deductions allowed on the state income tax return. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a site that provides a list of different state Keep in mind this column and the articles published here are only rules: http://www.collegesavings.org meant to provide you with high level information about tax and business matters and in no way should you consider this as tax advice. Tax Benefits of a 529 College Savings Plan There are multiple ways one can derive tax benefits from the Consult your tax and legal advisors regarding your individual tax 529 college savings plan. Although contributions made by the and business situation. This Article provides only an overview to the account owner are not deductible for federal income tax complex Tax Laws. It is not exhaustive nor a substitute for purposes, earnings on contributions grow tax-free in the Independent Tax Advice provided by a Tax Accountant or a Tax program. For example if your initial investment of $5000 in the Attorney familiar with your case. 529 plan grows over time to $20,000, you will not have to pay any federal income tax on the $15,000 in gains when you withdraw the money to pay for qualified higher education. This is a great benefit as compared to the capital gains tax or Krutika Chheda marginal individual tax rate you would have to pay on the K&M Accounting and Tax Services $15,000 in gains. www.kmaccountant.com Distributions from the 529 college fund are tax-free to the You can Contact her at kmchheda@kmaccountant.com extent used for qualified higher education expenses such as (704) 502 3960 college tuition fees, books, supplies, equipment, and special Saathee.com

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Marketing Turnaround

Farms into Factories

continued from page 62

continued from page 12

then ensuring that the project is implemented according to that detailed design,” said Kant. Consider the first phase. By 2018, the freight line will be in place and the first seven manufacturing cities will be developed. Today, they don’t even have names. They’re still known as mouthfuls like Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad and Pithampur-DharMhow, reflecting how they will merge smaller existing cities into large industrial metropolises. But the plans already detail early-bird projects for items like a 1,000-acre integrated logistics hub in Greater Noida, outside New Delhi, an exhibition and convention center near Manesar, in Haryana, and an “aerotropolis” comprising a cargo terminal, warehouses and other facilities near Neemrana, in Rajasthan. Map overlays depict a “Knowledge City” reminiscent of North Carolina’s Research Triangle in the midst of farmland along the Delhi-Jaipur highway and skill development centers to provide technical training in places like provincial Madhya Pradesh. Aquifer recharge systems and desalination plants, gas-fired power plants and solar-energy farms are slated for the deserts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. And so-called “smart communities” — utilizing urban planning and green technology to reduce the environmental impact of cities — have been drawn up for key locations along the corridor. Science fiction? Maybe. Or maybe it’s India’s version of “If you build it, they will come.”

India and China Commence Cold Peace continued from page 32

The postponement of the border talks itself may come at a cost to India-China relations, said Shrikanth Kondapalli, a professor of Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Though progress on the border dispute was unlikely, Dai’s discussions with Menon were meant to lay the groundwork for a subsequent visit by Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping, whom observers expect will succeed Hu Jintao as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012 and as China’s president in 2013. “Xi Jinping’s visit could have been useful and crucial,” Kondapalli said. “[And] if Dai Bingguo doesn’t make it over the next one month or so, it would be difficult for Xi Jinping to visit.” Meanwhile, China and India continue to jockey for influence in multilateral regional bodies like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two nations are edging ever closer to becoming direct economic competitors. Mutual distrust has mounted as both sides shore up their defenses. Each interprets the other’s maneuvers as an offensive threat. In recent months, India has declared it will raise 100,000 troops for stationing along its border with China, including a regiment equipped with cruise missiles. “All this has led to a very uneasy situation between the two countries,” said Mishra, former national security advisor. And there’s no sign yet of an early thaw. Saathee.com

first stop for information, making it essential for companies to learn how to be part of the flow, or risk being left behind. Budgeting Time and Money Pre-Internet, a PR budget was mainly for paper, envelopes, postage and fancy fliers. Today, most press releases are sent via email, and extra information is posted on a Web site and sent via a hyperlink. PR budgets require a mix of time and money. Time is required to gather the demographic and psychographic information about your customer, as well as to track online and offline media consumption patterns. You’ll also need to budget enough time to research the appropriate traditional and new media you want to target—the blogs, Web sites, online/offline newspapers and magazines, TV, Web video and Internet/broadcast radio outlets best suited to reaching your consumer. Time is also required to put together well-written press releases and to distribute them in a way that reporters will read. (I’ll cover more on the details of how to do that in future chapters). You’ll also need to know the media’s deadlines, which can range from nearly instantaneous to six months (or more) in advance. Online and offline promotional tools also take time to create, but add significant value in terms of exposure and engagement. Today’s promotional tools may include traditional standards like posters, signage, brochures and flyers. Modern companies also recognize that Web sites, Web banners, Facebook ads, online contests and give-aways, free downloadable samples and specialized social media pages are a vital part of PR that reaches the wired consumer. The good news is that effective online and traditional PR can be done with more elbow grease than cash. Sites like Vistaprint.com enable you to print materials very inexpensively, while email newsletter providers like Constant Contact make it possible to create your own online direct mail campaign. If you have the internal resources (or are comfortable doing it yourself), it’s possible to create your own Web sites, downloads and social media. If that’s outside of your comfort zone or beyond your time budget, you’ll need to consider budgeting money for assistance, or bartering for skills. One of the best things about online PR and marketing is the ability to trace visits, clicks, impressions, page openings and forwards in real time. You’re no longer dependent on an expensive clipping service. Instead, free programs like Google Alerts make it possible for you to find every time your name, keyword, product or event is mentioned anywhere on the Internet. This makes it very easy to see which media venues are receptive to your information, and where you may need to rethink your approach. (Excerpted from the brand new book 30 Days to Online PR and Marketing Success: The 30 Day Results Guide to Making the Most of Twitter, Facebook, Linked In and Blogging to Grab Headlines and Get Clients by Gail Z. Martin)

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By Rajesh T. Ganatra

India visit Australia Mon Dec 26 - Fri Dec 30 - 1st Test - Melbourne Cricket Ground Tue Jan 3 - Sat Jan 7 - 2nd Test - Sydney Cricket Ground Fri Jan 13 - Tue Jan 17 - 3rd Test - Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth Tue Jan 24 - Sat Jan 28 - 4th Test - Adelaide Oval Wed Feb 1 - 1st T20I - Stadium Australia, Sydney Fri Feb 3 - 2nd T20I - Melbourne Cricket Ground

Hello cricket fans. Here’s what’s happening in the world of cricket. Check the current and upcoming action and a couple Pakistan vs. England (at United Arab Emirates) 1st Test - January 17-21, 2012 @ Dubai of interesting charts. 2nd Test - January 25-29, 2012 @ Abu Dhabi 3rd Test - February 3-7, 2012 @ Dubai Sri Lanka visits South Africa 1st ODI - February 13, 2012 @ Abu Dhabi 1st Test: at Centurion - Dec 15-19, 2011 2nd ODI - February 15, 2012 @ Abu Dhabi Result: South Africa won by an Innings & 81 runs 3rd ODI - February 18, 2012 @ Dubai 1st Inn - SL 180/all out, 47.4 overs 4th ODI - February 21, 2012 @ Dubai 1st Inn - SA 411/all out, 122.0 overs 1st 20-over - February 23, 2012 @ Dubai 2nd Inn - SL 150/all out, 39.1 overs 2nd 20-over - February 25, 2012 @ Dubai 3rd 20-over - February 27, 2012 @ Abu Dhabi 2nd Test: at Durban - Dec 26-30, 2011 3rd Test: at Cape Town - Jan 3-7, 2012 Let's check out the highest run totals [combined eﬀort of both teams] in ODI 1st ODI: at Paarl - Jan 11, 2012 play that was witnessed during CY2011 - Chart below 2nd ODI: at East London - Jan 14, 2012 3rd ODI: at Bloemfontein - Jan 17, 2012 4th ODI: at Kimberley - Jan 20, 2012 5th ODI: at Johannesburg - Jan 22, 2012 Let's check out some of the highest run totals in ODI play during CY2011 (individual teams) - Chart below:

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Saathee.com

January 2012

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Method: In a pot cook garlic and onions in two of butter (about five min). Stir in carrots and celery. Cook and stir about five minutes or until just tender. Stir in potato, squash, broth, honey and thyme. Bring mix to boil, then reduce and simmer covered 30-45 minutes until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Put in blender, food processor or use a hand blender As we begin another year and hunker down for a few months of and process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper, cold weather, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gathered some belly-warming soup recipes then reheat. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and chopped fresh chives or fresh thyme. Serves six. that we have run in the past. Roasted Red Pepper Soup Ingredients: 5 red bell peppers 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups vegetarian broth 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper 1 teaspoons dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce 3 ounces cream cheese, softened

Italian Cabbage Soup Ingredients: 1 carton vegetable broth 1 can Italian style stewed tomatoes 1/4 head cabbage, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch 1 small onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 can cannelloni beans drained and rinsed, optional

Method: Line a baking sheet with foil, spray with non-stick cooking spray and turn oven on to broil. Cut peppers in half and remove seeds and membranes, lay skin side up on foil and broil until charred. Remove to a plastic bag and twist to seal. Let steam for 15 minutes, then peel and chop. Meanwhile in large pot heat oil, onion and garlic over medium heat. In a blender puree peppers, onion mixture and broth in two batches. Return to pot. Heat on medium until starting to bubble and then add remaining ingredients and heat through until cream cheese is melted. To serve ladle into warmed bowls. Serves six

Method: Add broth and stewed tomatoes to a large pot. Add onions, garlic, carrot, cabbage, salt, pepper and beans. Simmer 1 1/2 hours on low heat. Serves four. Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup Ingredients: 2 lbs. firm, ripe, red tomatoes 3 tablespoon olive oil 1 large red onion, peeled & finely diced 3 large cloves garlic, minced 2 small zucchini, diced 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded & diced 1 10-ounce pkg. frozen whole kernel corn, thawed 1 teaspoon finely minced jalapeno pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried 3 cups veggie stock Salt and freshly ground pepper 1 cup yogurt Garnish: 1 large firm, ripe, red tomato, seeded and diced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Salt & freshly ground pepper

Hot and Sour Soup Ingredients: One liter water and vegetable stock 4 tbsp light soy sauce 1/2 box mushrooms, chopped or thinly sliced 1 tsp hot sauce 1 pkg Ramen noodles 2 tbsp white vinegar 2 tsp cornstarch, mixed with water to thicken soup 1 egg, whisked 4 spring or green onions, chopped Handful bean sprouts 1 cup cubed tofu Method: In a five quart pot with water add soy sauce, mushrooms, hot sauce, vinegar, Ramen noodles and bean sprouts, and then bring it to a boil. Add tofu and the cornstarch mixture. Add the egg when soup is boiling, mixing in slowly, but do not whisk. Remove from heat and add spring onions. Serve hot with fried noodles. Serves about six.

Method: Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise. Put tomatoes in a foil lined pan and brush 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over the tomato halves. Place under the broiler and roast them, turning with tongs as the skin begins to blacken. This will take about 15 minutes. Remove most of the blackened skin. Pass the roasted tomatoes through a food mill into a small bowl. Set aside. In a 3quart saucepan warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and 1 clove of the garlic, sautĂŠ until soft. Add zucchini and bell pepper, and cook 2 to 3 minutes without browning. Add corn, jalapeno pepper, paprika, thyme, oregano, and the roasted tomato mixture, and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer partially covered for 45 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the remaining garlic and yogurt. Set aside. For garnish, combine the tomato, olive oil, and vinegar in a bowl. Salt & pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot; swirl in the yogurt mixture and top with the tomato garnish. Serve with warm bread. Serves 6.

Butternut Squash Soup Ingredients: 1 potato peeled & chopped 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded & chopped 3 carrots chopped & peeled 2 celery stalks chopped 1 onion chopped 2 tbsp. butter 2 garlic cloves minced 3 cans (14.5 oz each) veggie broth 3 tbs. honey 3/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves / Salt & pepper to taste Saathee.com

January 2012

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After several days of climbing, we reached glacier camp at 17,200 feet amidst a lot of crevasses. Everything went well, except for the one incident. A porter from the expedition ahead of us died due to altitude-sickness the previous day. He was carried down to 14,000 ft. where the helicopters could come in to transport the body. The incident affected everyone’s mood. The next day, we started early for high-camp (19,300 feet), with each climber roped in to each other so if one slips, the others could arrest his fall. By the time we reached high-camp it was around 3 pm. The high-camp was a rocky ledge covered with snow and ice and the last stop before summit attempt. There was hardly any room to pitch a tent there and there were steep drops all over the place. One side of the tent was right alongside the edge, so I had to put some heavy equipment on the opposite side to be extra careful. We talked to a few climbers who were waiting and didn’t submit due to avalanches that resulted from fresh snow the previous day. Some climbers had aborted the climb because of frost-bite, or altitude sickness, and were being rescued by helicopters. We estimated that roughly 4 out every 10 made it to the summit. I felt pretty good that evening for the altitude although I was very tired. No sign of altitude sickness and my pulse was around 80. On day 20 we made the summit attempt for 21,500 feet. We began in the dark at 3am with four layers of clothing and our headlamps on. The climb was extremely difficult with some very steep sections and cold at -20 Celsius. The last 250 feet of the summit was almost vertical. We really pushed ourselves for the next 4-5 hrs. The climbing was slow. The cold made it difficult to get a proper foothold even with the crampons, or get an adequate grip on the rope. Finally, with the ice-axe in my left hand, and Jumars clipped to the rope in my right, I reached the peak! Once on top, I anchored myself using my safety carabiners since there wasn’t much room to walk around and there were steep drops all over the place. I could see Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and Choyou clearly; they represent five of the six highest peaks in the world. I spent roughly 10 minutes on the peak, gathered my equipment and started my descent. I knew I had to be very careful since most accidents happen on the descent. I started abseiling down. It took me five hours to come down to 14,000 feet. We had been climbing or descending for 12 hrs. It was bitterly cold and the weather was getting bad. It began to snow. Now, 23 days after the start of my expedition, I was finally down and back in Kathmandu at a small but famous Tibetan hotel called Utse. I took a much needed shower and shaved. I finally slept well that night knowing that I had accomplished what I had wanted to do.

Saathee Readers Forum Himalayan Climbing Expedition By Naveen Vedula (Raleigh, NC) In 2011, I planned to climb a couple of peaks in the Himalayas in the Khumbu/Baruntse region around 21,500 feet with a technical high-pass in between at 19,000 feet. I had trained hard from an endurance standpoint all year with swimming, running, and cardio. Physically, I felt pretty good.

I flew into Kathmandu, Nepal in mid-Oct, and met my teammates: a police officer from Gibraltar, an acrobat pilot from Lithuania, and one from South Korea, all led by a climbing guide and five Sherpas to carry camping equipment, gear, and food. We started chatting soon, and people started discussing their previous experiences. Most had done either Mt. Elbrus (highest in Europe), Mt. Aconcagua (highest in Americas), or Mont Blanc in France. We started the following day and flew to the base at Lukla (9,400 feet) from where our expedition would begin. Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary airport was something. The runway was only 1500 feet, and is inclined at 10%. The take-offs and landings are always interesting here. We began the climb the following day with roughly 25 lbs on each of our packs. Our climbing routine was 7-8 hours of climbing. We’d usually stop after 4pm and the rest of the time would be spent in setting up tents, re-arranging equipment, taking off the crampons, etc. It was very cold in the tents (around -10C), but I managed to get roughly four hours of sleep. On the fourth day we were to climb the first high pass at 15,200 feet, and then climb down for the night. Climbers go by the maxim – climb high, sleep low – meaning the sleeping elevation shouldn’t increase by more than 1000 feet per day roughly, although you could climb higher during the day. This is to acclimatize effectively. We began at 8am the following day and by mid-day we were at the top of the pass; however, we had to come back down to 12,000 ft for the night. At this stage, due to the low oxygen levels, we had also begun taking Diamox (Acetazolamide) to prevent AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Saathee.com

We welcome submissions from readers. If you have an interesting remembrance, essay, experience, travel story, or other short writings you would like to share with Saathee readers, send us an email with potential topics and samples. We will review the article get back to you if we can use anything - Send query to saatheemag@hotmail.com 76

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January 2012

a tiny grain with a giant footprint. Is rice the enemy? Indonesia, which once needed to be coaxed to grow rice, struggles to diversify. By Kate Lamb - GlobalPost.com Editor’s note: Of the world’s 50,000 edible plant species, only a few hundred find their way to menus around the globe. Of those, just three — rice, wheat and maize — make up two-thirds of the human food supply. And only rice is responsible for feeding half the world, or more than 3.5 billion people. In other words, rice is important. So important, in fact, that a tweak to the way rice is grown, sold or eaten can send ripples through the world economy. Earlier this year, government subsidies for rice in Thailand, where 30 percent of the world’s crop originates, did just that. Prices everywhere shot up, though it looks like any looming instability has been offset by other exporters, namely India, steadying the market. Still, the point is rice in one place affects millions. Tainted crops in China mean two-thirds of the country’s people ingest toxins everyday. In Japan, global warming changed rice and an entire culture. JAKARTA, Indonesia — Once the plat du jour in Indonesia’s remote province of West Papua, traditional staples such as sweet potatoes and sago have today been replaced with Asia’s favorite carb. But with the nation overly dependent on rice, scientists say it’s high time to re-diversify. “We have so many different types of food now, but Indonesians have to have rice three times a day,” said Indonesian journalist Desi Anwar. For many Indonesians, breakfast, lunch and dinner is just not complete without an obligatory helping of rice. “We have McDonald’s and KFC, but Indonesians still see these as snack foods. They go home and eat rice or nasi padang [traditional rice dish] after,” she said. The irony is that several decades ago many Indonesians relied on staples such as potatoes, corn and sago, until former dictator Suharto forced everyone to eat rice. Once awarded for its self-sufficiency in rice by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, Indonesia is a now a net importer of all of its major staple food commodities, including rice, maize, cassava, soybeans and sugar. Now the third-largest consumer of rice globally, the government imported 1.5 million tons of rice last year and is scrambling to sign more rice deals in the region and encourage the population to have one “rice-free” day a week. The government is trying to encourage its 240-million-large population, which consumes 139 kilograms of rice per capita, to diversify their food production — a diversity that analysts say it is responsible for damaging in the first place. Regions such as Sulawesi, Papua, Eats Nusa Tenggara, Madura and the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra, traditionally relied upon a broad range of staples other than rice. Sprawled across some 17,000 islands covering vast ethnic and linguistic divides, Suharto’s rice policies were part of efforts to unify the Indonesian archipelago. Saathee.com

“The story of Suharto’s regime was the homogenization of Indonesia. From Banda Aceh to Merauke, Papua, all Indonesians had to eat rice to be in line with Suharto’s policy of nation building,” explained Yohanes Supriyono, an anthropologist from the University of Indonesia. The policy, say analysts, has weakened the country’s food security, especially in the desperately poor region of West Papua. “Rice cannot grow up in the moutainous areas of Papua but now people are very dependent on it. The weather and terrain make it difficult to distribute so people are starving,” said conservation scientist Ratna Supriatna. Head of the climate change center at the University of Indonesia, Supriatna says that as rice crops are vulnerable to heavy monsoon rains and extreme weather conditions, rediversifying is key. Papua’s original staples — potatoes, taro and sago — were much more efficient than rice and don’t require expensive fertilizers or complex knowledge about cultivation and irrigation systems, he says. But as rice continues to be heavily subsidized, traditional staples remain more expensive. So, there is little incentive to revert back. “All Papuan children grow up on rice,” said native Papuan Dorus Wakum, “but it is not our culture.” Wakum says that despite the cost, some Papuans are now returning to traditional staples in protest of what they see as Indonesian occupation of their land and culture. While Suharto’s so-called homogenization program has fostered a dependence on rice, critics argue that his rice policy was an attempt to “Indonesianize” the native Melanesian tribes of West Papua. Professor Supriyono spent several years researching the subject in Papua and says the local population was told that only “primitive” peoples ate sweet potatoes and sago. “The message was conveyed by civil servants and teachers from Java. In local dialect they would say that developed people only eat rice,” he said. “In the 1980s parents told their children that if they wanted to be developed like people in Java they had to eat rice.” Today, Few Papuans know how to cultivate rice — most rice fields in the province are owned by Javanese migrants — even though they remain dependent upon it. It’s a policy that Supriyono argues was used to disempower Papuans and take control of the resource-rich province. West Papua is home to one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines — an operation that provides the single largest tax payment to the Indonesian government. Suharto signed the deal on the Freeport-McMoran mine in 1967, just two years before a controversial referendum voted that Papua would become part of Indonesia. Over recent months there has been growing discontent in the region. Workers at the giant mine are into their second month on strike, while Papuan separatists declared their independence from Indonesia at a planned congress in late October. It is debatable how significant Suharto’s rice policies are to the current political and social havoc in Papua, but the 78

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government is under increasing pressure to resolve the issues and secure the nation’s food stocks. The recent heavy flooding in Thailand is likely to affect future rice imports and rising rice prices are likely to hit Indonesia’s poor the hardest. The government has planned a huge food estate in Meruake, West Papua, which is expected to produce almost 2 million tons of rice starting 2014, though it is unclear how much this will benefit local Papuans. For conservation scientist Supriatna, the simple answer is to overcome the stigma associated with traditional staples and to eat less rice. “Today there is a perception that if you are not eating rice you are a very poor guy and government programs for the poor are all about rice,” he said. “But the important thing is to diversify for food security — to bananas, corn, sweet potatoes, cassava and sago… Indonesia needs to go back to its original diversity.” Thai rice subsidies affect markets worldwide How a plan to please several million Thai farmers could hike dinner prices for the world’s poor. By Patrick Winn - GlobalPost.com BANGKOK, Thailand — While campaigning for office in June, Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra slipped into rubber boots, waded into a rice field and hopped aboard a rickety plow. She was flanked by two buffaloes and, of course, a photographer. Though not much of a field hand herself — before taking power, Yingluck was CEO of a family-owned telecom firm — her photo-op sent a message to the 8 million Thai farmers who supply 30 percent of the world’s rice exports. The message: Vote for me and I’ll take care for you. More specifically, vote for me and my government will buy every grain of rice you can harvest for nearly 50 percent above the market rate. Her campaign pledge, which kicked in last month, has consequences far beyond Thailand’s jade-green paddies. It has already jacked up the cost of rice worldwide and price of dinner for many who eat the grain. Elected in July, Thailand’s ruling party has promised to buy up rice at above-market prices: roughly $480 per metric ton of white rice and even more for higher-quality jasmine rice. Depending on who you ask, this is either a compassionate welfare scheme or the end of Thailand’s grip on the global rice industry. Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, has exported more rice than any other nation since 1981. Yingluck has proclaimed that Thai rice farmers — among her core political supporters — will finally be able to make a decent living. Her government has insisted that it can sell most of this rice directly to other governments. But the plan has already hiked up global rice prices, by more than 15 percent, according to the International Rice Research Institute. The scheme forces private rice millers and exporters to compete with the government’s premium rate. The added cost is passed on to the consumer and, because Thailand’s rice price sets the industry benchmark, prices rise across the globe. Though recent floods submerging one-third of Thailand will also drive up prices, the Thai Rice Exporters Association says this new policy is the main driver of price hikes. The group told Bloomberg that Thai rice exports from November-January will drop by half. Saathee.com

The plan’s opponents say the world’s poorest rice eaters may be forced to simply eat less rice or at least switch to noodles. One of the plan’s most vocal critics calls it a “crazy scheme” hinging on a false premise: that Thai rice farmers are destitute. “Farmers have a very good racket going. It’s called ‘Farmers are poor’ ... and they’ve been living off that racket for a long time,” said Ammar Siamwalla, a former Yale University professor and president of the Thailand Research Development Institute. Though harvesting rice is backbreaking and repetitive, most Thais regard farming as noble work that provides the nation with sustenance. As in Chinese, the word for “food” is the the same as the word for “rice.” Laws protect the livelihood by forbidding foreigners from growing rice in Thailand’s fertile paddies. Yingluck’s government contends that they need even more protection given rising costs of pesticides, gas and fertilizer. Some exporters, however, say the scheme could halt Thailand’s rice trade dominance — all over a plan to secure political loyalty from a rural minority. “The government promises they’ll buy every single grain [farmers] produce. So obviously they’re happy,” said Vichai Sriprasert, CEO of leading exporter Riceland International. But the subsidy, he said, is not a sorely needed lifeline for the farming poor. “I wouldn’t consider them poor,” Vichai said. “Nor would I consider them rich.” According to Vichai, a typical Thai rice farming household can expect to pull in $320 per month. He notes that this is a typical salary expectation for a Thai college graduate’s first job. (Thailand’s 2009 per capita GDP, according to the World Bank, is roughly $3,900 or $325 per month.) “They have a comfortable living,” Vichai said. “If they didn’t, they wouldn’t grow rice for us for such a long time.” However, the president of the Thai Rice Mills Association, Chanchai Rakthananon, argues that a farming family getting by on that little per month is plenty poor. “If you don’t call that poor,” he said, “what do you call it?” Poor or not, rice farmers will ultimately suffer from the rice scheme, according to Ammar. “The minute the government takes over the rice business in any country,” he said, “the quality of the rice goes to pot.” “We have to earn a high price by producing things of high value,” Ammar said. “The world market, whether you want it to be or not ... is a free for all.” In recent years, Thailand has faced tougher competition from rice-growing rivals such as Vietnam. Thailand exported 9 million tons of rice last year, according to government figures, with Vietnam’s 6 million tons following not too far behind. But all that competition, while bad for Thailand, could prove to be a blessing to world’s rice-eating poor. Heavier output by competing exporters — such as Vietnam, India, Argentina and Guyana — may be able to stabilize the market if Thailand exports less. A leading economist at the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute, Samarendu Mohanty, predicts that rising exporters will fill the gap and prevent a disastrous price hike. Thailand’s rice scheme, he said, will kick in just as India erases a 2008 ban on rice exports, enacted to prevent its domestic food prices from soaring. “It’s very good that this is coming along when India’s re-entering the market,” Mohanty said. If India decided to export rice more aggressively, he said, “they could bring the market to its knees.” Still, Yingluck, who rose to power by catering to rural voters, contends her rice scheme is a win-win. 80

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The result is a poor-quality grain containing less starch, which fetches lower prices even though, Okada concedes, the difference in taste is imperceptible to most consumers. To counter the effects of climate change, experts have developed new grain varieties that are more resistant to rises in temperature. Several have appeared in Kyushu over the past six years, including one that was planted for the first time this spring. The island’s rice crop, however, is dominated by the traditional, trusted varieties that are bearing the brunt of scorching hot summers. It takes time for new arrivals to be accepted by conservative consumers raised on traditional, less temperature-tolerant varieties such as Hinohikari. Some of the newly developed grains sell for less than their more established counterparts, making them an unattractive prospect for small-time farmers. Even in these times of declining consumption, rice remains a staple of the Japanese diet and the subject of endless discussions about quality. It is usually served separately, unadulterated by soy sauce or other condiments. The Japanese word for meal and cooked rice is the same — gohan. Then there is its ineluctable role in the production of Japan’s best-known alcoholic drink, sake. TV pictures of the current emperor, Akihito, harvesting a token quantity of rice from paddies near the imperial palace is as much a part of early autumn as the turning of the leaves. It is central to rites of the indigenous religion, Shintoism, and is a staple of New Year and other big celebrations. Take a train journey in just about any part of Japan in summer, and you will be treated to the bucolic idyll of paddies brimming with brightgreen plants, heavy with grain. Although demand for rice rose for the first time in three years in the 12 months through to June, government officials attributed the jump to people stocking up after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The long-term trend is one of decline, as many younger Japanese look to other products for their carbohydrate fix. In 2008 per capita rice consumption stood at 59 kg, down by almost half from its peak in 1962. Given those consumer trends, Masayoshi Honma, a professor in the graduate school of agricultural and life sciences at Tokyo University, cautions against panic over climate change-led damage to crops. He believes production will simply shift farther north, as Kyushu and other southern climes warm up. “We are creating new varieties that can be grown farther north, so I am not too worried about global warming,” Honma told Global Post. “In Hokkaido [Japan’s northernmost island], for example, it used to be very difficult to produce good quality rice, but now there are very good varieties available. It’s popular and relatively low in cost.” Farmers in areas that are already feeling the effects of global warming will simply switch to other crops, a trend that is already well under way, Honma says. “Japan is suffering from over-production of rice, because consumption is reducing. So if climate change results in lower production, it won’t really matter.” In the end, the success, or otherwise, of climate changeresistant rice varieties, will rest on the consumers’ eventual verdict. “The price depends on the quality,” Okada said. “If the new rice is of a good enough quality, then its price will rise. And that can only be good for growers.”

Farmers will make a decent wage, she said, and stoke the economy by spending the government’s cash. As recent floods have submerged parts of Thailand, rotting crops and leaving more than 200 dead, Yingluck has again donned her rubber boots to inspect flood zones and reassert her devotion to rural Thailand. But while shoring up appeal in upcountry Thailand, Yingluck may also be winning fans among Vietnamese rice exporters. Her scheme, according to US Department of Agriculture predictions, could cause Thai exports to drop by 20 percent next year — and potentially cede the world’s top exporter crown to Vietnam. Climate changes rice in Japan Forget radiation scares, Japan’s rice industry is up against global warming. By Justin McCurry - GlobalPost.com TOKYO, Japan — It’s impossible to overstate the importance of rice to the Japanese: the country’s origins are rooted in the stuff. The sun goddess Amaterasu, so the mythology goes, gave grains of rice to her grandson, Jimmu, before sending him off to become Japan’s first emperor, 3,000 years ago. As the annual harvest drew to a close this year in October, rice loomed large in the national consciousness for strictly temporal — and unwelcome — reasons. Elevated levels of radiation have been found in rice grown near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and opposition to a Pacific free-trade deal is growing among the country’s heavily subsidized rice farmers. Domestic consumption, meanwhile, is in decline as consumers make more room in their diet for bread and meat. But there is a bigger, more insidious threat to one of the few agricultural products in which Japan is self-sufficient: global warming. Climate change’s negative effects on rice quality have been felt most on the southwest island of Kyushu since the early 1990s, but could spread as warmer climates are felt farther north in the decades to come. Experts at Tsukuba University and the National Institute for Agro-Environmental Studies recently warned that the quality of Japanese rice would continue to decline unless changes are made in the crop’s cultivation and management. The government, they added, must encourage growers to continue developing new rice cultivars that are more resistant to high temperatures. The Tsukuba team’s statistical model predicts rice-quality response to changes in temperature. The prognosis is not good, says Masashi Okada, a graduate student at the university who led the research. “If farmers keep the types of rice currently grown in Kyushu, then the quality will continue to decrease as the temperature rises,” he told Global Post. Japan’s average annual temperature has been higher by between 0.2 degrees Centigrade and 1 degree for the past decade compared with the average base figure for the 30 years up to 2000, according to the meteorological agency. Those rises have coincided with an increase in immature rice grains, identifiable by their milky white appearance, in newly harvested crops. “Chalky grains increase due to high temperature conditions or insufficient solar radiation during the ripening period,” Okada said. Saathee.com

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Community Focus Events of Note:

Community News:

Sankranti Celebration The RTPMM 2012 committee invites all Marathi speaking members residing in the triangle area for a Sankranti celebration. Talented local artists will entertain all with a musical evening in memory of late Shri Srinivas Khale, a famous music composer and director. The event will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 4:30 - 9 pm. This is a free event for all 2012 RTPMM members. Complimentary Tea and Dinner will be served. Memberships can be purchased online or checks sent to: Attn: The Treasurer, 1200 Golden Horseshoe Circle Apt E Morrisville NC 27560. - RTPMM 2012 Committee. For Further Details: maharashtramandal@gmail.com

USCIS “Entrepreneurs in Residence” Initiative The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas joined the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness recently to announce “Entrepreneurs in Residence.” This new innovative initiative will utilize industry expertise to strengthen USCIS policies and practices surrounding immigrant investors, entrepreneurs and workers with specialized skills, knowledge, or abilities. Mayorkas announced the initiative at the Jobs Council’s High Growth Entrepreneurship Listening and Action Session at AlphaLab in Pittsburgh before the Council’s quarterly meeting with President Obama. The agency hopes to fully realize the jobcreating potential of current immigration law. “This initiative creates additional opportunities for USCIS to gain insights in areas critical to economic growth,” said Director Mayorkas. “The introduction of expert views from the private and public sector will help us to ensure that our policies and processes fully realize the immigration law’s potential to create and protect American jobs.” USCIS will launch the “Entrepreneurs in Residence” initiative with a series of informational summits with industry leaders to gather high-level strategic input. Informed by the summits, the agency will stand up a tactical team comprised of entrepreneurs and experts, working with USCIS personnel, to design and implement effective solutions. This initiative will strengthen USCIS’s collaboration with industries, at the policy, training, and officer level, while complying with all current Federal statutes and regulations. The initiative builds upon USCIS’s efforts to promote startup enterprises and spur job creation, including enhancements to the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. Since last August, USCIS is: Conducting a review of the EB-5 process; Working with business analysts to enhance the EB-5 adjudication process; Implementing direct access for EB-5 Regional Center applicants to reach adjudicators quickly; and Launching new specialized training modules for USCIS officers on the EB-2 visa classification and L-1B nonimmigrant intra-company transferees. For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

Holiday Ice Skating Holiday on Ice will continue its tradition bringing Charlotte the coolest surface in the city, an outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of Uptown. It’s a holiday tradition for all. The rink is located at the corner of MLK Blvd and Brevard on The NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza, 400 East Martin Luther King Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28202. The rink will be open through January 8, 2012. For further details call 704.654.4400 or visit www.wbtholidayonice.com. Grab your mittens and scarves and make your way to the heart of the center city for the outdoor skating rink with natural ice. The rink is open through January 31, 2012. For details visit: http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/raleighwinterfest/genera l_info.htm Dhoom Machaale IV Proceeds from Dhoom Machaale IV, a Bollywood Night by IAC Disha, supported a worthy cause. Charlotte’s best Bollywood nite was a success and staying true to its mission of “Fun for a Cause,” IAC-Disha rocked the house down with Dhoom Machaale IV this past summer. Folks jammed to the skills of DJ Rang from Masala Beat Club in the new venue, Dharma lounge. The proceeds from Dhoom Machaale IV went to support Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA), an organized based in Jammu, India. Their goal is to help needy Kashmiri students who were devastated by ethnic cleansing during the 1989 riots in Kashmir to pursue higher education. Many families were forced to flee their homes and moved to Jammu. Most have been living in refugee camps ever since. The hope is that by providing higher education for children of the less fortunate, the students will be able to help lift their families out of the squalid conditions that have trapped them as refugees for all these years. The funds raised from DM IV were able to provide funds for 10 deserving college-bound students! Many were accepted into top Indian schools. For further details on KOA, visit: http://koausa.org/koa/programs/eap/ Dhoom Machaale V is Friday, Janurary 27th at Dharma Lounge in Charlotte.. For further details visit http://disha.iacofcarolinas.org/

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Community Reports: The Gurdwara Sahib Charlotte celebrates Guru Teg Bahadur A Report on Dr. Harbans Lal’s Presentation By Roshan Attrey The Gurdwara Sahib of Charlotte celebrated Guru Teg Bahadur’s shaheedi gurpurab on Sunday, December 4, 2011. The sangat of 200-plus attended the religious service. The service included kirtan and anand sahib and ardas, followed by langar (the community meal). Prior to langar, the congregation also had the opportunity to listen to an excellent presentation

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Still-less-ness of Mann Still- less- ness of the mind has been a subject of research among psychologists and mind researchers for years. It is also a matter of great concern to the seekers of spirituality and the faith leaders like Guru Teg Bahadure. It is because a fickle mind is a great hindrance on the path of spirituality. The goal of spirituality is gravely betrayed when the mind wanders away from the domain of the soul. Guru Teg Bahadur expresses below his concern with the agitation of the mind and our helplessness in controlling it: O people engaged in spiritual endavours to bring your mind under control, this mind is difficult be restrain. Fickle tendencies dwell within it. As a result, it cannot remain unwavering. — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 219.

by Dr. Bhai Harbans Lal on Guru Teg Bahadur. The 9th Guru holds a pivotal position in the Indian history, especially the Sikh history and religion. After a brief introduction to the Ninth Guru’s shabads (hymns), Dr. Harbans Lal focused on the Guru’s religious philosophy of the human mind, stating that a considerable number of his hymns directly addressed the problem of human mind and its impact on human destiny. What follows here is a truncated and bald version of his presentation, pointing out the significance of Guru Teg Bahadur’s shabads dealing with a subject that has deeply interested poets, sages, psychologists, and philosophers in all ages and cultures: A search in the Srigranth.org comes up with one hundred and twenty two citations of Guru Teg Bahadur that contain directly the term mann, a term he used for mind. Further, almost all of the couplets or sloks of Guru Teg Bahadur that were written to conclude the Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, are addressed to mann. The Guru regards mann as undisciplined; hence the reason for his concern. Mann is a vital, though unreliable, instrument to influence human insights and intellectual processes. Its overwhelming allegiance is to animal genes and to human sensory inputs, which carry information of human cultures and environment that engender countless layers of intellectual smog on the nature of consciousness associated with it. Both the genetic slavery and the limitation of sensory information often predispose the human mind and human consciousness to overlook the spiritual realities. This fact alone could become a limiting factor in the progress of human evolution and make seekers feel concerned in their efforts to liberate the human mind. Mann is a substrate of future evolution. In stark contrast to the orientation of Western thinking focused mostly on the external world, Eastern faiths, particularly Sikhism, begin with a premise that the human mind is central to understanding and maneuvering the natural world and its evolution. Mind is a primary source of both joy and misery for humans. Therefore, it is the state and the working of mind that will be instrumental in the future human evolution. Further, the objective of future evolution will not be the human body as much as the human mind. Instead, in the future, the human mind will be the major concern of the human development. The Sikh tradition considers human mind (mann) and human consciousness (surat) as the primary targets of introspective evolution of human beings. While other Sikh gurus, such as Guru Arjan and Guru Nanak, expressed the above concerns when they elaborated all other phenomena necessarily preceding the human mind, the focus of this analysis is Guru Teg Bahadur’s hymns as they relate to the subject. He wrote that one needed to grasp the mind before all other phenomena might be satisfied and comments on his struggle with the mind:

The Guru Granth Sahib is concerned with the commotion of the mind and aftereffects of that commotion. Prominent among these are the wandering mind and the lack of its concentration in the spiritual domain. With the cultural imprisonment continuing, the minds of most people learn to keep wandering, and never have any opportunity to learn how to calm down and be still. Our genes have programmed us to be such, and then our culture has taken over the process from the genes. The culture focuses our attention on the things of the world in such a way that we never gain the capacity either to sit quietly or to ponder on any single thought. Guru Teg Bahadur again warned us about this helplessness as follows: Numerous unfulfilled desires are promoted to reside in the mind of a sinner, so that the sinner’s mind becomes very fickle, and the fickle consciousness constantly wavers; it cannot be brought under control. — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1186. It avails little to have so many approaches. Guru Teg Bahadur shows his concerns with the animalistic tendencies of man. He described how one might ask for help from a variety of places, but he gets no help from any source. Towards his goal of receiving help, he related the outcome of those who traveled to distant places to undertake pilgrimage. These, too, he rejects as an approach to subdue the mental instincts and tendencies. People bathe at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, and adhere to fasts, but they acquire no control over mind. — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 831 Disappointed from pilgrimages, he seeks help from scriptures. He finds that even the wisdom of scriptures is of no avail. He discards them as unsuitable solutions to his mental turbulence. While describing the futility of many approaches and paths that he attempted, he wrote that most of these approaches were not just futile but, to the contrary, further led the mind into the grip of tendencies that diverted the mind away from the original goal. I have tried so many things, but the pride of my mind has not been dispelled. Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1428.

Who should I tell the condition of the mind? Engrossed in greed, running around in the ten directions, you hold to your hopes of wealth. ||1||Pause to contemplate|| For the sake of pleasure, you suffer such great pain, and you have to serve each and every person. ||1|| You lose this human life in vain, and You are not even ashamed when others laugh at you. - Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 411. The Guru continues: Deluded by doubt, I have wasted my whole life; O mann, you have not accepted the Guru’s Teachings. What is the I have not obtained a stable intellect. I remain under the influence of use of shaving your head, and wearing saffron robes? — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 633. corrupting sins, night and day, and I have not renounced wickedness. I listened to the Guru’s Teachings, but spiritual wisdom did not well - Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p.632. up within me; like a beast, I fill my belly. — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 685. Saathee.com

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Besides, religious approaches to please the mann, Guru Teg Bahadur enumerates many worldly pursuits, which also failed to harness the mann. The Guru considered it futile to run after wealth and possession, as they only appease the desire for further conquests: Engrossed in greed, running around in the ten directions, you hold to your hopes of wealth. —Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 411.

the peace of my own inner being. ||2|| That person, unto whom the Merciful ONE shows compassion, sings the Glorious Praises of the Craetor of the Universe. Says Nanak, this wealth is gathered only by the Gurmukh. ||3||3|| — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 219.

Dr. Harbans Lal is a prominent Sikh scholar who has devoted a part of his life to the service of Sikhee (Sikh Dharma) and a part to pharmacology (he is professor/chair emeritus at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Arlington, Texas). He writes about Sikhism and Guru Teg Bahadur finds himself helpless in his efforts to bring speaks about it extensively as he travels in the U.S. and abroad. Contact mann under control. He explicitly states that he made numerous him at harbansl@gmail.com. Contact Roshan Attrey at: efforts to overcome tendencies of mann, before reaching the rattrey@aol.com.

conclusion that he ought to seek the grace of the “Infinite Wisdom.” He prays for saving human beings from the grips of mann.

The following hymn of Guru Teg Bahadur is an illustration: This mind does not follow my advice one tiny bit. I am so tired of giving it instructions - it will not refrain from its evil-mindedness. It has gone insane with the intoxication of Maya; it does not chant the Creator’s Praise. Practicing deception, it tries to cheat the world, and so it fills its belly. Like a dog’s tail, it cannot be straightened; it will not listen to what I tell it. Says Nanak, enumerate forever the Name of the One, and all your affairs shall be adjusted. — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p.536. Guru Teg Bahadure warns that our precious opportunity in life will pass away without fullfilling our desires to reach our goals. Instead we will succumb to the god of death: That of the the mind remains in the mind. He does not meditate on the ONE, nor does he perform service at sacred shrines, and so death seizes him by the hair at the appointed hour. — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p.631. The Yogis have tried everything and failed; the virtuous have grown weary of singing God’s Glories. O servant Nanak, when the Sustainer becomes merciful, then every effort is successful. ||2||4|| — Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 219. In closing, the Sikh theology describes sophisticated and elaborate doctrines on the origin and nature of mann (mind) and its interaction with the faculty of higher consciousness or surat. The mind in terms of mann, and consciousness in terms of surat have been the primary subjects of introspective exploration since the birth of the Sikh tradition. Further, Sikh doctrines formulated active role of these faculties in communicating with divine, the higher wisdom. The Ninth Guru Teg Bahadur made a major contribution in articulating the theology of mann. He examined traditional techniques for probing the mind firsthand. In doing so, he outlined many endeavors to train the attention of the mind so that it could be oriented towards spirituality to experience divinity that we describe as naam simran. Through naam simran we may obtain the quiescence of mann and achieve bliss of ultimate salvation.

Books

continued from page 40

in her small town, Lydia’s perfect life could come crashing down around her all over again. When I first heard about the subject of Monica Ali’s novel “Untold Story,” I didn’t know what to think. After all, the “ripped from the headlines” subject matter seems out of character for her literary writing style. But I was very curious about this book, so I decided to read it, just to see what Ali’s imagination had to say about the princess. “Untold Story” is a quiet novel. Most of the book is about Lydia’s rather mundane life, spending time with her friends, pondering her past and her painful memories. It is intensely character driven. Lydia isn’t the most likeable character - she can be very selfish and almost manic at times - but she has an aura of pain and vulnerability around her that is easy to sympathize with. It’s also clear how much she has grown as a person over the years. While at one point in her life, she needed the constant attention of the press, now she is content with her quiet life working with animals. The drama of the book - the possibility that Lydia’s secret could be exposed to the world - isn’t actually all that dramatic. And that’s because this book really isn’t about the drama. Instead, it’s about the solace Lydia finds in the monotony of her everyday life. Monica Ali’s writing is gorgeous from beginning to end. The grace of her prose really illuminates the beauty in a quiet, well-lived life, especially for someone like Lydia who has had the misfortune to live the opposite. I went into “Untold Story” expecting to dislike it, so I was really surprised that I really did enjoy it. It’s a beautiful piece of literary fiction, though I definitely wouldn’t recommend it to all readers. It’s easy to read; it can be slow at times, but that’s the point of the novel. The pace speeds up as the different storylines culminate, and as a result it would be easy to read this book in one or two sittings.

Finally, Guru Teg Bahadur becomes a realized human being as the following quote indicates: O mother, I have gathered the wealth of the Creator’s Name. My mind has stopped its wanderings, and now, it has come to rest. ||1||Pause to contemplate|| Attachment to Maya has run away from my body, and immaculate spiritual wisdom has welled up within me. Greed and attachment cannot even touch me; I have grasped hold of devotional worship of the Divine. ||1|| The cynicism of countless lifetimes has been eradicated, since I obtained the jewel of the Naam, the Name of the Divine. My mind was rid of all its desires, and I was absorbed in Saathee.com

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Contact for further details Rev. Dr. K.C. Paul (704.771.1414), Rajan Mathew (704.756.4969), Jose Varughese (704.453.6177), Varughese K. Thomas (803.322.9549).

Charlotte Art of Living (Healing with the Breath) Art of Living is dedicated to serving society by strengthening the individual. This is done through self-development programs that recharge the body, mind and spirit and allow people to function at their optimum potential. People from all backgrounds, religions and cultural traditions come together in service and celebration. For Further Details: 704.248.2647 charlotte@us.artofliving.org www.artofliving.org

Charlotte Gita Study Group Beginners and advanced students of the Gita are welcome. The group meets the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 3 - 5 pm. This course is based on the Home Study Course of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA. Each session starts with a meditation followed by a recorded lecture in English, supplemented by discussion among the group. For further details: Rishi and Shikha Bhatnagar, rishi@solveron.com, 513.518.5300 Shridhar and Kruti Dave, skdave@hotmail.com, 704.844.9567 Naras and Beena Eechambadi, narasee@gmail.com www.freewebs.com/gitastudy

Association for India’s Development - Charlotte A volunteer movement committed to promoting sustainable, equitable and just-development. AID Charlotte supports grassroots organizations in India and initiates efforts in various interconnected spheres such as education, livelihoods, natural resources, health, women’s empowerment and social justice. For further details: Kiran Uppalapati 704.307.6450; Venkata Ramana Duddu 662.231.2350.

Charlotte Hindu Center Table Tennis The group meets every Monday and Wednesday from 6.30 - 10 pm. New players come after 7.30 pm for orientation. The TT action takes place at the Vihar Hall of Charlotte’s Hindu Center, 7400 City View Dr., Charlotte, NC 28134. All levels and types of play. Free coaching and lessons. For further details: s_jan@yahoo.com or visit www.ttclt.com.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Regularly scheduled activities include a daily Aarti at 6:30 am and 7 pm. Darshan: Mon-Fri 6:30 am-12:30 pm and 4 - 8:30 pm, Sat/Sun 6:30 am-8:30 pm. Gujarati classes are held every Sunday from 3 - 4 pm and “Satsang Sabha” is held every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The Swaminarayan Temple is located at 4100 Margaret Wallace Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28105. For Further Details: 704.573.0805 704.573.0820 (fax)

Charlotte Indian Christian Fellowship The group meets the third Saturday of every month at 6:30 PM for Bible Study, Prayer and Fellowship. Everyone is welcome to join the fellowship along with family and friends. For Further Details: Hema at 704.841.7060 hadhopper@hotmail.com. Charlotte Kannada Koota The Charlotte Kannada Koota is an organization that promotes understanding of Karnataka culture and provides a medium for people of Karnataka (Kannadigas) to get together. The activities include social get-togethers, music, and drama. For Further Details: 704.526.9990 (Appan Patil), agm_patil@hotmail.com 704.281.8732 (Raj Kulgod), kraj7@yahoo.com

Bethel Christian Fellowship Bethel Christian Fellowship offers services in various Indian languages (i.e. Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, etc.) .Sunday School Time - 11:15 - 11:45 am; Sunday Worship Service time : 11:45 - 1:15 pm. Sunday Service Location: Fort Mill Church of God, Student Life Center Building, 216 Academy Street, Room 102. Fort Mill, South Carolina 29715. Saturday Service Location: Life Builders Church - 730 Oak Dale Rd, Charlotte NC 28216. For further details: 803.792.7223; pastorofbcf@gmail.com (Pastor: Rajan Samuel).

Charlotte Kriya Yoga Group Charlotte Kriya Yoga Group Promotes Kriya Yoga Meditation practices as taught by lineage of realized masters such as Mahaavatar Baba Ji, Lahri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteshwar Giri, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Hariharananda, and also Prajanananada. A sincere seeker who follows the path of Kriya Yoga with love and devotion and a desire for spiritual growth can attain Self-realization- even in one lifetime. Center hosts two annual initiation programs and a weekly Sunday meditation for initiates. For Further Details: Agupta1@Carolina.rr.com www.kriya.org

Carolina Sanskritk Maharashtra Mandal CSMM promotes Maharashtrian culture and language. Maharashtra mandal is committed to serve Carolina Marathi community with various cultural, social and traditional Marathi programs and events. For Further Details: Abhay Khanore, terasahara2000@yahoo.com, 803.554.1234 Manish Khot, manish.khot@gmail.com, 215.380.8722 Sangeeta Korde, sangeet_k@yahoo.com, 704.421.4279 Carolinas Christian Assembly - Charlotte Everyone is cordially invited to join for Sunday worship, Bible class, Sunday school: Sundays from 9 am - 12 pm. English and various Indian languages are used in the sunday services.

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Charlotte Table Tennis Club Charlotte Table Tennis Club is located at 345 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 (Corner of East 7th St. & Hawthorne Lane). There are many regular activities held at the club as well 90

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Gurdwara Sahib - Charlotte The Sikh Heritage Society strives to unite and enrich the lives of the Sikh & Punjabi communities of Charlotte and surrounding areas. “Gurdwara” address: 1760 Stoney Creek Lane, Charlotte, NC 28262. Regular Program: Every Sunday: 10 - 11am, Asa Di War by Bhai Satnam Singh Jee, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Keertan by Children, 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm, Keertan by Bhai Satnam Singh Jee, 1:15 pm - 1:30 pm, Ardaas, followed by Guru Ka Langar. For Further Details: Gurdwara: 704.509.2828 704.541.0350 (Sajjan Dhaliwal), sajjan@carolina.rr.com, 704.948.8091 (Inderjeet Rajpal), irajpal@aol.com

as organized tournaments. Coaching is also available. The club’s hours are Tuesday & Thursday 6-10 pm, Saturday 2-6 pm Sunday 1-5 pm. For Further Details: www.charlottetabletennis.org Charlotte Telangana Association Charlotte Telangana Assoc was formed to promote Telangana cultural activities within greater Charlotte area and also bring together all the Telangana people living in the area to discuss, plan, and take action around the development of Telangana focusing both on rural and urban Telangana areas. “CTA” will also actively engage in educating private, public and non-profit organizations about the great resources that Telangana has for business activities, political climate of Telangana reason. For Further Details: www.charlottetelangana.com

Hindu Center of Charlotte The Hindu Center is located at 7400 City View Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212. Temple Phone: 704.535.3440. The library is stocked with books, CDs, DVDs and other materials on varied genre such as religion, culture, history, philosophy, yoga and health. Library info: 704.554.0765. Children’s Religious Oriented Program (C.R.O.P.) is for children Kindergarten through 12th grade to educate them in culture and understand religious practices. A glimpse on understanding The Bhagvad Gita provides children with an opportunity to learn about the GITA with simplicity, ease and in an inclusive discussion format. Info on CROP 704.547.1676 (Chetna Patel) patel4260@bellsouth.net. The Senior Citizens Group meets on the 1st Sunday of every month at 4 pm and followed by Satyanarayan Katha at 5 pm. Future trips and activities are in the planning stages. Info on the group: 704.334.2462 (Gobind Bhojwani). The sloka class teaches children above the age of five different Hindu hymns, their meaning and significance. The class meets Sundays at 9:30 am. Info on the class: 704.814.9355 (Lakshmi Muthukrishnan). Info on the Social Welfare Committee: 704.372.1265 (Narain Amar) or 704.948.5609 (Dhinakaran Pillai). The Vedic Havan is held at the vedant hall on second Sunday of every month at 10:30 am to 12:00 pm noon followed by Prasadam. Info: 704.825.9223 (Swadesh Sawhney). The Pranayam classes are held on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Info: 704.649.5374 (Kajal Jain), 704.554.0765 (Manisha Naik), or 281.304.5597 (Sanjay Vyas) pranayamclt@aol.com. Yoga classes are held Sundays at 9 am. Info: 704.864.8212 pradip_bulsara@hotmail.com. Free Table Tennis Open Play & Coaching is available for Members and their families (especially children 10 years and over). The hours are from 6.30pm to 10:00pm every Wednesday in the Vihar Hall. No prior registration is necessary. There are five good tables and can add more as necessary. Free coaching is also available from Srinivas Janardhan (SJ) and three other experienced certified coaches from Charlotte Table Tennis Club (CTTC). For further details visit www.TTCLT.com or contact SJ (s_jan@yahoo.com), Hemant Amin (hvamin@hotmail.com) or Chetan Thakker (chetanthakker@yahoo.com). Upcoming Events: Sun Jan 15: Pongal / Makar Sankranti Sun Jan 29: India Republic Day celebrations Mon Feb 20: Maha Shivratri celebrations Wed Mar 7: Holi Sun Mar 11: Dhuleti For Further Details: www.hcclt.org

Charlotte Vipassana Meditation Group Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills. The Charlotte Vipassana Meditation Group holds weekly group sits and monthly all day sits for established students (those who have taken at least one ten day course from S. N. Goenka or one of his assistant teachers). Ten-day courses are also available for all students. There is never a charge for a course. New center now open in Jesup, GA. To apply for a 10 day retreat visit www.patapa.dhamma.org For Further Details: 704.277.5013, rbddesai@gmail.com 704.563.5440, dspranger@gmail.com www.dhamma.org Classical Music Association of Charlotte (CMAC) CMAC sponsors many classical concerts during the year in Charlotte. Membership forms are available at concerts. For Further Details: 704.541.3361 (Rama Rachakonda), 704.814.9355 (Lakshmi Muthukrishnan), lakshmi7778@yahoo.com cmacmusic@yahoo.com www.onlinecmac.com Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India (EVFI) was established to help in the overall development of the remote tribal and rural villages in India. Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA along with EVFI is committed to the cause of eradicating illiteracy from tribal areas. Education is the key to self-esteem, self-sustenance, economic well being and happiness. Ekal Vidyalya (One School One Teacher in one village) plans to establish 100,000 schools in tribal areas by 2012. This will cover all the villages in tribal areas where there are no schools today. The Carolinas Region of the EVFUSA conducts fund raising and awareness programs in North and South Carolina. For Further Details: Ekal Charlotte Chapter: Neena Narumanchi neena.narumanchi@gmail.com Ekal Columbia: Janak Dalal / jaydalalcolumbia@gmail.com Saathee.com

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Kiran KIRAN is a multi-cultural, non-religious, community based, South Asian organization. Promoting the self-reliance and empowerment of South Asian women who are in crisis through outreach, peer support, and referrals in a confidential manner. The group spreads awareness of South Asian women’s issues in the community and we cooperate and collaborate with organizations in the USA and elsewhere with similar objectives. Countries in South Asia include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Though there are differences in language, customs, and religions across these countries, these regions share many basic cultural and historical similarities. KIRAN operates a crisis phone line Monday- Friday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. For help or information regarding domestic violence call an advocate. Services offered are confidential and free of charge: • Information in a culture- and context-sensitive manner • Non-judgmental help and support to women who are experiencing oppressive/crisis situations • Emotional support • Referrals to professional and community services regarding legal issues, health care, short-term child care, psychological counseling, and temporary shelter and housing • KIRAN’s services are completely confidential. Translators and crisis counselors do not disclose any information provided by our clients. For Further Details: Crisis Hotline: 1877- NC-KIRAN or 1-877-625-4726 Kiran@Kiraninc.org http://www.kiraninc.org

IAMC (Indian American Muslim Council) Charlotte Chapter IAMC formerly known as IMC-USA (Indian Muslim Council – USA) is an Independent not for profit, tax exempt organization committed to promoting peace, pluralism and social justice for all through advocacy. The organization is also committed to promote and protect human rights and human dignity in India as they are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace. IAMC-Charlotte, seeks to reach out to Indian Muslims living in and around Charlotte to join our efforts as we are dedicated to promote Peace, Human Rights and Social Justice for all in India, to strive for Inter-Faith, InterCommunity understanding in the United States with particular focus on Indian Diaspora and to build alliances and relationships with individuals and groups who share our basic values. The IAMC-Charlotte chapter is supported by donations from its members. For Further Details: Ashfaq Mehdi 704.904.5778 Afzal Syed 704.770.1103 iamc-charlotte@yahoogroups.com India Association of Charlotte (Festival of India) The organization’s goal is to foster better understanding of the rich diversity of Indian culture, by the larger community in and around Charlotte. A key activity is the annual Festival of India that is held during early September in Uptown Charlotte area. For Further Details: Toni Sawhney 704-604-2133 Lal Vishin 704-545-3727 www.indiafestival.net

Net IP Charlotte NetIP Charlotte is the only official Carolinas chapter of North America’s Largest Network of Indian Professionals. NetIP Charlotte provides a forum for on-going Career Developmental and Professional Networking activities. It arranges various events and maintains deeper ties with Businesses & the community. It provides various effective ways for Carolinas’ Indian Professionals to connect with other successful professionals. For Further Details: www.netIPnc.org

Indian Performing Arts Association of Charlotte (IPAAC) IPAAC (Indian Performing Arts Association of Charlotte) promotes classical Hindustani music by inviting well-known artists from India. Upcoming Events: Sat, Mar 31, 2012 - Vocal Recital by Jayteerth Mevundi Sat, Apr 28, 2012 - Violin Recital by Dr. N. Rajam, Dr. Sangeeta Shankar, Nandini and Ragini Shankar (three generations) For Further Details: Sarla Kumar 704.846.4423 Chaula Jain 704.364.0984 contact@ipaac.org www.ipaac.org

Pratham - Charlotte Area Pratham is India’s largest non-profit organization with grass roots programs in the area of primary education. Pratham has made an impact on the learning levels of several million children through its Read India campaign which reached 31 million children across India. Pratham has developed an accelerated learning technique which helps children to read & write in two months. With nearly half the children in India who attend schools are not learning to read and write at the required level, Pratham is trying to fill an important gap in the area of primary education. For Further Details: Anju Desai (ajdesai66@gmail.com or 980-622-0125) and Shubhra Chakraborty (shubhra.chakraborty1@gmail.com) or 704-9424798). www.prathamusa.org.

Indian Visual Artists Association of Charlotte (IVAAC) IVAAC was founded by artists of Indian origin living in the Charlotte, NC area in their pursuit of a creative outlet, stemming from an urge to express the flow of their innate artistic moods and ideas. The vision is to promote the enigmatic and intriguing Indian culture into meaningful forms of expression that exposes the rich traditions and diversity of one of the most ancient civilizations on earth, in today’s fast blending global culture and to create an organization that provides planning and funding required to ensure and support a vibrant and culturally diverse Indian art community. For Further Details: 704.540.8799 (Amit Shah), 704.688.5387 (Kinshuk Agarwal) www.ivaac.org Saathee.com

Probasi of Charlotte Probasi is the Bengali community based in Charlotte and surrounding areas. The community’s goal is to organize cultural and educational program related to Bengal in the 94

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Greater Charlotte area, to increase Bengali cultural awareness, and to provide community service in the area. For Further Details: www.probasi.org

the Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC. For Further Details: 847.722.9865 (Baseet Ahmed), baseer_11@yahoo.com www.southparkcc.org

Sahaj Marg Meditation- Charlotte Area Sahaj Marg, which means Simple or Natural path, is a Raj Yoga system of spiritual training based on the heart centered meditation. The unique features of this meditation include transmission of divine energy into the heart of the practitioner and cleaning of deep impressions, thereby regulating the mind. Regular practice of this system of meditation integrates the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of human being, while still encouraging people to maintain a normal family and working life. In the Charlotte area, group meditation is held at the Unity of Charlotte on Sundays and Wednesdays. For Further Details: Arun and Promila Sehra 704.844.0147 Srikanth Katakam 704.496.4411 naturalpath.nc@gmail.com www.srcm.org

Srishti of Charlotte Srishti, based in Charlotte, over the past 6+ years has emerged to fulfill the North Carolina community’s need for togetherness and the desire to showcase Bengali culture, heritage, literature, theatre, music and popular arts. Literally, the word Srishti means an act of creation. Though established and coordinated by a group of Bengali families, Srishti welcomes and brings together people of varied cultures, ethnicity, languages, background and nationalities who are interested in East Indian traditions. Members include not only Bengalis but also Indians from other parts of the country and a few foreign nationals too. For Further Details: Samiksha Bose: 704-321-1964 Santanu Sarkar : 704-541-3451 Rituparna Mukherjee: 704-844-9505 Tamil Catholics of Charlotte Tamil Catholics living in the Charlotte-Greensboro area interested in attending monthly mass in Tamil contact pravben@gmail.com.

Sangamithra Foundation Sangamithra Foundation was formed by a group of people who strive to make a difference in society and has taken the path of identifying the needs of underprivileged communities in India and provides support to meet those needs. The foundation is reaching out on a global scale and working collectively towards realizing its vision. For Futher Details: www.sangamithra.org www.facebook.com/SangamithraFoundation; Email: info@sangamithra.org; twitter: @sangamithraUSA.

United Cricket Club Forming a team this March of experienced as well as beginners that love cricket. Team will play in the Atlantic League. Practice is every Sunday at Reedy Creek Park (11 to 4pm). Sunday and Monday evenings for ages 15 and up. Join the fun. For Further Details: 704.905.9127(Captain-Syed) 704.493.7629(Vice Captain-Mohsan)

Shree Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal Vadtal On the 1st Saturday of every month, Shree Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal Vadtal has kirtans and bhajans at the Hindu Center of Charlotte at 5 pm. After the bhajans, there is Aarti and Mahaprasad. In addition, on the 3rd Sunday of every month, an additional Satsang Sabha is held at sponsor’s house at 3 - 5 pm. For Further Details: 704.392.4488 - Ramesh Dhanani admin@issvcharlotte.org

Greensboro

Shri Rang Avadhut Parivar (Parspar Devo Bhav) Soul devotees of Guru Dattatraya Rang Avadhut and Shri Prem Avadhut meet every Thursday evening in Charlotte, NC from 7 - 8 pm. for recital of Datta-Bavani, singing devotional Dattatraya Bhajans and reading Guru-Lilamrut. Detailed information about Charlotte meetings, literature, videos, Nareshwar Ashram and Shri Avadhut’s life is available. For Further Details: Bharat Shah - 704.724.6247 Nagesh Patel - 704.399.7805

Art of Living (Greensboro) The Art of Living Foundation offers programs to uncover the strength, peace, and joy that lie at the core of every human being. Part I courses are offered regularly in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Charlotte and now Greensboro. The Part I course covers breathing techniques to eliminate stress & tension; skills for improving relationships at home & at work; practical wisdom to get the most out of life; insight into the laws that govern the mind & emotions; low-impact yoga and the masterpiece of the Art of Living Course is a powerful breathing-based technique called Sudarshan Kriya, or the healing breath. For Further Details: Nirupama Shankar @ shankar.nirupama@gmail.com Puja Verma @ puja_usa@yahoo.com http://us.artofliving.org/greensboro

SouthPark Cricket Club South Park Cricket Club is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it has been an active member of the Mid Atlantic Cricket Conference since 2002. The club’s home ground is located at

Greensboro Cricket Club (GCC) Good news for cricket lovers! There are several teams that play cricket in Greensboro. The goals of GCC are fun, fitness, and friendship. For info on play and location contact below players.

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April 6 - 8, 2012: Karma Gyan Bhakti Yoga Shibir For Further Details: 336.421.0690 lifemissionusa@gmail.com www.lifemissionusa.com

For Further Details contact the numbers below: 336.501.3566 (9:00 am - 9:00 pm, S&S) Dev, Greensboro Warriors, happy4mehta@yahoo.com; Venky, Triad Tigers, venkyhot@hotmail.com. Gujarati Cultural Association of Piedmont (GCAP) The Gujarati Cultural Association of Piedmont serves the Asian Indian community through sponsored events, cultural, educational and social programs. GCAP, 127 Landmark Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 For Further Details: Narendra Patel: 336.601.1978 (Pres.) Dipak Patel: 919.478.4759 (Vice Pres.) www.gcap.us

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center of Greensboro, NC The Center regularly conducting Sai Bhajans, Study Circle, various service activities and SSE class (for students) in Greensboro, NC all Sundays — 9:45 am - 12:15 pm. For Further Details: Swami Rajendran 908-875-6964 Dr. Varatharajah 336-851-9150 Temple of the Holy Name Prabhupada Village is a rural Hare Krishna community situated in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Every Sunday @ 3 p.m. - chanting, dancing, feasting and philosophy. Temple is located at the address 1283 Prabhupada Rd, Sandy Ridge, NC 27046 For Further Details: 336.593.9888 www.prabhupadavillage.com

India Association of the Triad The objective of the Association is to promote social, cultural and educational interests of its members, develop understanding between members of the Indian community and other residents of the Triad, and make the latter aware of issues of concern to the Indian community. Hindi Language classes are being taught by Mrs. Punjabi. For Further Details: Krishna Balu - 336.292.9462 For Further Details: www.iatnc.org

Triad Hindu Temple The Triad Hindu Temple is located at 2424 Huffine Mill Rd., Greensboro. Its mission is to serve the Hindu Community and promote Hindu Culture through religious, social and educational activities. Regularly scheduled events include Puja, bhajans, children’s programs, celebration of holidays and community service. For Further Details: www.triadhindutemple.org

Indo-US Cultural Association of Winston-Salem The Indo-US Cultural Association’s primary mission is to increase awareness of the cultural heritage of India which is tremendously rich in its diversity and history. The Association seeks to reach out to the thriving Indian-American community within the Piedmont and Triad areas to share the vibrant Indian culture and promote cross-cultural understanding. For Further Details: Manjunath C Shamanna, 336.413.5090 http://indouswinston.org/contact.aspx

Triad Nepalese Community Center (TNCC) TNCC is an association of Nepalese and friends living in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina. The Piedmont Triad region encompasses the cities of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem, and the surrounding areas. TNCC was established with a view to: Bring together Nepalese residents of this region and their friends to work cohesively toward preserving and promoting Nepalese ethnicity, culture and arts; Promote friendship, cooperation and mutual respect among the Nepalese people and the diverse Triad community; Provide direct and supportive services to the community; Empower community members to achieve skills and confidence in order to contribute to the wellbeing of the Triad community; Collaborate closely with local organizations and agencies to fulfill our mission to address any challenges of the community. For further details: info@nctncc.org www.nctncc.org/portal/home.html

Life Bliss Foundation The NC Chapter offers workshops, books, CD’s, and DVD’s on spirituality and enlightenment from living enlightened master Paramahamsa Nithyananda. Many videos are available on YouTube. Satsang in Greensboro is held the first Wednesday of each month. The meeting includes meditation, video discourse, and Q&A. Satsang Location: First Wednesday of the month, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Integrative Therapies, 7-E Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro NC 27407. Meditation workshops are taught on a regular basis. For Further Details: 336.644.1111 www.lifebliss.org Life Mission, USA This ashram has been established to provide helpful benefits for all - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. All these benefits can be achieved through the natural remedies of yoga therapy, Ayurveda, naturopathy and diet. 8136 NC Highway 119 South Mebane, NC 27302. Upcoming Programs: Feb 17 - 20, 2012: Maha Shivratri Saathee.com

Raleigh AANC - Assamese Association of North Carolina AANC is a Socio Cultural organization with the objective of promoting and providing understanding of Assamese Culture and Language. AANC celebrates Assamese festivals and organizes cultural activities like Bihu Dance, music, songs and 98

January 2012

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Rajan Mathew 704-756-4969 99

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social get-togethers with essential touch of Assamese culture. Everyone from Assam as well as anyone with any connection to or interest in Assam or Assamese culture is most welcomed. For Further Details: 919.200.4020 assameseassociation.nc@gmail.com Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (AFICE) Interested in exploring the diverse cultures of the world? Become a host family for a high school exchange student! All the students will come from various countries around the world, and all students speak fluent English. They are of high school age (15-18) and will attend local high school in their respective communities. Each student will live as member of their American host family, sharing household duties and responsibilities. AFICE is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to bringing cultural gaps by allowing foreign students the opportunity to live as part of an American community. For Further Details: lathapamarthi@earthlink.net www.afice.org Art of Living (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) The Art of Living Foundation offers “Art of Living” Course that teaches you practical tools to better handle the stresses of daily life, to unlock their deepest potential and bring fullness to life. In the Art of Living course participants will learn and experience: Breathing techniques that heal and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit, eliminate stress & tension; Skills for handling negative emotions and situations; Practical wisdom for improving work and relationships; Insight into the laws that govern the mind & emotions; Low-impact yoga. The masterpiece of the Art of Living Course is a powerful breathing-based technique called Sudarshan Kriya, or the healing breath. It is immensely powerful and incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to release stress and purify the entire system by releasing toxins at the deepest cellular level. Ongoing research has shown that the rhythmic breathing technique Sudarshan Kriya, and its accompanying practices (SK&P) can lead to improved physical, mental and emotional health. For Further Details: Phone: 919-275-0443 (Priti Manmode) E-Mail: RDUArtofLiving@gmail.com priti.manmode@artofliving.org http://us.artofliving.org Association for India’s Development (AID) Duke University Chapter AID’s mission is effect social change in India, by supporting projects with grassroots non-governmental organization in India in the areas of literacy, health care, rural credit, women’s empowerment etc. For Further Details: http://www.duke.edu/web/aid/ Balagokulam Gokulam is where Lord Krishna’s magical childhood days were spent. It was here that his divine powers came to light. Saathee.com

Every child has that spark of divinity within. Balagokulam is a forum for children (4-15 years age) to discover and manifest that divinity. It will enable Hindu children in the US to appreciate their cultural roots and learn values. This is done through games, yoga, stories, songs, shlokas, arts/crafts, and Seva (selfless service) in the community. Balagokulam sessions are free for all and are held on Saturdays. For Further Details: balagokulam.rtp@gmail.com hss.charlotte@hssus.org (Charlotte region) www.balagokulam.org BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir invites everyone to the regularly scheduled events: Ravi sabha - every Sunday at 4 - 6 pm followed by Aarti and Maha Prasad. Mahapuja – every Purnima at 7 pm. Many classes are conducted. Fresh Indian snacks and sweets available at Shayona. 1020 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560. For Further Details: 919.469.6605 www.swaminarayan.org Bengali Association of North Carolina (BANC) BANC seeks to promote Bengali culture, language, music, arts and social activities by offering varieties of programs for members of INDO-American community within North Carolina and adjacent states. The association is organized exclusively for charitable, cultural, social and educational purposes. For Further Details: 919.461.2386 (Ratan Ray), ratanray@hotmail.com 919.510.7943 (Swaty Sen), swaty_sen@yahoo.com banc_members@googlegroups.com www.banc-online.org Bharatiya Senior Citizens of North Carolina (BSCNC) BSCNC is a nonprofit organization for senior citizens of Indian origin that are age of 60 years and above. The BSCNC members meet on the second Saturday of each month at Cary Senior Center in Bond Park in Cary NC from 10am to 3pm. The next meeting will be on Sat Jan 14, which will be held at the Cary Community Hall. The proposed Constitution Amendments were passed with an excess of 90% saying “yes”. The three Board members who were elected are: Chandubhai Patel 919.467.7282, Kusumben Desai Ph. 919.677.8513 and Jayatibhai Lad 919.463.5180. There is a cruise tour being organized that will depart on March 25, 2012. Members are requested to provide their current/correct address details to a member of the current Officer group to ensure that they receive all of the communiques from the organization. For Further Details: Harish Shah 919.387.1629, Mahendra Patel 919.793.6588, Raojibhai Patel 919.866.4391, Mulchand Patel 252.446.7891 Carolina Rajasthani Association Visit the association’s website for upcoming events. www.carolinarajasthanis.org Sushma Maheshwari - 919-880-8529, sushmaofnc@yahoo.com Shruti Singhi - 919-412-4819, mshruti@yahoo.com 100

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Chinmaya Mission Chinmaya Mission is a worldwide non-profit organization promoting spiritual growth, started by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. The Chinmaya Mission Raleigh Durham (CMRDU) chapter conducts Balavihar classes from 3 year old to youth on Sunday from 10 am to 11:30 am at Reedy Creek Middle School, Cary. The classes are tailored to each age group by special curriculum created by experienced Swamijis and Acharyas exclusively for CM Balavihar. Trained teachers conduct the classes. Curriculum includes learning to chant the Bhagavad-Gita verses, shlokas, singing devotional bhajans, stories from scriptures, family pujas, meditation, and fun activities like overnight lock-ins, picnics, and competitions. Introduction to Hindi and Sanskrit is also included. This year’s theme being Rama - My Brother, the children will learn to incorporate helpful virtues throughout their life. Parents wishing to enroll their children in Balavihar can register through the website. A regular adult study group is conducted for adults on Sunday mornings at Reedy Creek Middle School, as well as other locations in the Triangle. For Further Details: Venkat Mandavilli at 919.387.8434 Srinivas Andhavarapu at 919.439.4444 http://www.chinmaya-rdu.org Dada Bhagwan Satsang Don’t miss on the lifetime event of “Gnan Vidhi” which opens up the path to “Moksha” - everyone is encouraged to procure details of the “Gnan Vidhi” at their nearest location. Meanwhile, download some spiritual books and enrich the spiritual foundation. Subscriptions for monthly spiritual magazine “Dadavani” are also available. When in India, don’t miss opportunity to visit Tri Mandir at Adalaj near Ahmedabad. Visit www.dadabhagwan.org and watch Satsang on Web TV. For children - visit www.kids.dadabhagwan.org Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation RTP Chapter Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India (EVFI) was established to help in the overall development of the remote tribal and rural villages in India. Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA along with EVFI is committed to the cause of eradicating illiteracy from tribal areas. Education is the key to self-esteem, self-sustenance, economic wellbeing and happiness. Ekal Vidyalya (One School One Teacher in one village) plans to establish 100,000 schools in tribal areas by 2012. This will cover all the villages in tribal areas where there are no schools today. The Raleigh Chapter EVFUSA conducts fund raising and awareness programs in the Triangle area. For further details: Ekal/RTP: raginiusa@yahoo.com Geet Bazaar Radio Program Every Sunday morning from 10 am - 12 noon on WKNC 88.1 FM, join hosts Afroz Taj and John Caldwell, for a wide variety of music from India, Pakistan, and other countries and languages of South Asia. Geet Bazaar will also publicize community events free of charge. For Further Details: 919.851.1119 (Dr. Afroj Taj) / taj@unity.ncsu.edu Saathee.com

GEM - Raleigh Church of God Attend worship services, prayer meetings or Sunday School. For Further Details: 919.395.6208 (Pastor Thankachan M.) globalem@gmail.com Hindi Vikas Mandal of NC Hindi Vikas Mandal (HVM), based in the RTP area, promotes study and appreciation of Hindi language and strives to foster Indian culture and traditions through Hindi. HVM has a special focus on the youths for the preservation of Indian Culture and heritage. For Further Details: Saroj Sharma 919.851.0225 V.P. Tiwari 919.423.0365 Hindu Society of North Carolina - Morrisville, NC The Hindu Society of North Carolina, located at 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, N.C. serves the Indian community in the Triangle area and its vicinity. Temple timings are: Mon. - Fri. 8 - 11 am and 5 - 9 pm, Sat. - Sun. 8 am - 7 pm. Daily Aarti and Puja is also conducted by the Priest. Other regular religious and cultural programs: Monthly Vedic Havan, Tuesday Hauman Chalisa recitation, Sri Ramakrishna Study Group, Sri Sai Baba Group, Gita Study Group, Devi Puja, Vaishnav Bhajan Group, Akhand Ramayana Recitation, Weekend Language and Spiritual Knowledge Classes, and Sloka classes for Children. Yoga classes are also offered twice a week (Sun at 8 am and Wed at 6:30 pm) at the Cultural Hall. Priest services are available at a nominal charge. For Further Details: Saroj Sharma at 919.654.5224 or 919.851.1225 Arvind Shah 919.434.8021 hsnc@hsncweb.org www.hsncweb.org Hindu Students Council (HSC) - NC State University HSC-NCSU is a chapter of the national organization Hindu Students Council (HSC). HSC-NCSU is a cultural and religious student organization. It aims to provide opportunities to learn about Hindu philosophy, spirituality and cultural heritage through various activities, events and projects and is dedicated to provide “seva” (service) to the community. For Further Details: 919.676.0298 (Mrinmoyee Sanyal) msanyal@ncsu.edu www.hsc-ncsu.org Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) The HSS conducts weekly activities to develop character and leadership skills in participants, emphasizing values such as self-discipline, self-confidence and a spirit of selfless service (seva) for humanity while maintaining Hindu cultural identity in harmony with the larger society. HSS is inspired by the idea that the whole world is one family. The Research Triangle Park chapter meets every Saturday. Activities are tailored to include yoga, games, lectures and discussions on Hindu dharma. For Further Details: hss.rtp@hssus.org - Triangle area hss.charlotte@hssus.org - Charlotte region. 102

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Hum Sub Hum Sub is dedicated to sharing the social and cultural traditions of India with the residents of the Research Triangle Park and North Carolina. For Further Details: 919.367.0461 (Sonali Luniya) 919.851.5959 (Poonam Gupta) contactus@humsub.net www.humsub.net Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE) IAFPE, known as the FORUM, is the oldest and largest Indian American organization for political education in the country. This is a non-profit organization with numerous chapters throughout the United States. The North Carolina Chapter is in Raleigh and has just established a new committee for a 2year term. IAFPE is excited and motivated to educate the community on political issues and help the community with various services. Support is needed from the community and members to help us grow and provide relevant services and informative events. For Further Details: Nilesh - 919.656.4361 www.forum-nc.org Indian Classical Music & Dance Society (ICMDS) ICMDS is dedicated to the task of promoting Indian classical music and dance in the Triangle area. ICMDS invites the top artists from all over the world to perform in the Triangle area. For Further Details: www.icmds.org Indo-American Friendship Foundation Did you know that about 90 percent of rural orphans are female and most of them are abandoned at birth due to their gender? Not one of them gets the opportunity to become a doctor, engineer, or even receive basic education. Because they cannot live in the orphanage when they turn 18, many of them fall victim to different types of exploitation, including sex trade. IAFF has created an orphanage education fund to help qualified orphans to rise as high as they can climb in the educational/professional ladder. For Further Details: 919.362.7653 (Dr. Subhas C. Mohapatra) www.iaff1.org Indus Foundation Indus Foundation was founded in NC by a group of professionals with the sole purpose of giving back to the community and the country that has helped members achieve success. Every dollar is wisely spent back into the community without any overheads. Current major projects: Indian Cancer Society rehabilitation Center in Mumbai, Mental Healthcare Center for socially rejected Women in Indore, and three Educational Centers in Gurgaon. Adopt an on-going project or launch an new project under specific guidelines. Make a commitment today to build a better tomorrow. For Further Details: 919.461.0001 (Dr. Vinnie Goel, Chairman) 919.467.0598 (Dr. Shri Kulkarni, President) www.indusfoundation.info Saathee.com

International Community Church CC is a worship center for people from India and neighboring countries. The pastor is Joseph B. Jesudason and the church office is located at 1215 Franklin Jones Road, Suite #204, Raleigh, NC 27606. For Further Details: 919.233.2900 www.internationalcommunitychurch.org International Hindi Association International Hindi Association (IHA) promotes Hindi language and literature and has chapters all over the United States. The Raleigh Chapter periodically organizes Kavi Sammelans with local and indigenous talents. Open to those interested in listening to poetry or in reciting poetry. For Further Details: 919.656.5224 (Saroj Sharma) 919.678.9056 (Sudha Om Dhingra) www.hindi.org International Swaminarayan Satsang Organization (ISSO) Primary objective of ISSO is “To advance the Sanatan Dharma in accordance with the principles and teachings of Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya, founded and ordained by Lord Shree Swaminarayan (Shree Sahajanand Swami),” enabling His devotees from both the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi (Ahmedabad) and Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi (Vadtal) to practice their religious duties in harmony. The Raleigh-Durham chapter organizes a “Satsang Sabha” every two weeks, typically on Friday or Saturday evenings, which includes Kirtan bhakti, Katha, Aarti and Mahaprasad. For Further Details: 919.363.2356 (Niraj Joshi) niraj_joshi@yahoo.com www.swaminarayan.info Kiran KIRAN is a multi-cultural, non-religious, community based, South Asian organization. Promoting the self-reliance and empowerment of South Asian women who are in crisis through outreach, peer support, and referrals in a confidential manner. The group spreads awareness of South Asian women’s issues in the community and we cooperate and collaborate with organizations in the USA and elsewhere with similar objectives. Countries in South Asia include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Though there are differences in language, customs, and religions across these countries, these regions share many basic cultural and historical similarities. KIRAN operates a crisis phone line Monday- Friday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. For help or information regarding domestic violence call an advocate. Services offered are confidential and free of charge: • Information in a culture- and context-sensitive manner • Non-judgmental help and support to women who are experiencing oppressive/crisis situations • Emotional support • Referrals to professional and community services regarding legal issues, health care, short-term child care, psychological counseling, and temporary shelter and housing • KIRAN’s services are completely confidential. Translators 104

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and crisis counselors do not disclose any information provided by our clients. For Further Details: Crisis Hotline: 1877- NC-KIRAN or 1-877-625-4726 Kiran@Kiraninc.org www.kiraninc.org

duo sister team, promoting India’s Vedic and modern heritage through the various forms of dance and acting. For Further Details: Varshana at priyadarshini.arts@gmail.com http://www.youtube.com/user/PriyadarshiniArts

Lakulish Yoga and Health Retreat Lakulish Yoga and Health Retreat is a secluded resort in Caswell County, located at 8136 N.C. Highway 119 South, Mebane, NC 27302. It is a place of natural beauty that stimulates a spirit of detachment and inspires and uplifts visitors. This resort is hallowed by a Yogi, a Sannyasi who ensures that the true practice of Dharm and Yoga flourishes here, offering the North Carolina community and visitors an ongoing program of free Yoga Classes. The classes are offered every week on Wednesday from 6 - 8 pm, and each Saturday from 11 am - 1 pm. For Further Details: 336.421.0690 lifemisionusa@gmail.com www.lifemissionusa.org

Professional Indians’ Association [PIA] PIA is a meetup that serves young South Asian professionals in the Triangle Community. The group is made of Indian professionals and grad students interested in cultural events, socializing and meeting/making friends with like-minded people around the Triangle. Monthly events include meeting at bars/restaurants, Bollywood movie nights, potlucks, Indian concerts/performances, outdoor activities, community service and volunteering. This will also be an opportunity for professionals to share their thoughts on respective industries, social causes, the economy and politics. For Further Details: http://www.meetup.com/PIATriangle/

Nuv Yug Nuv Yug is a cultural organization with a mission to promote awareness of Indian cultural arts and heritage. Striving to create synergy among various cultural groups from the South Asian region. For Further Details: www.nuvyug.net Pakistani American Association The Pakistani-American Association (NCPAA) is a nonpolitical, non-sectarian, cultural and social organization that promotes Pakistani culture to all the communities living in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Several events are presented during the year. A family dinner is held on the second Friday of every month. For Further Details: payamber@ncpaa.org http://ncpaa.org Pratham - Triangle Area Founded as a UNICEF initiative, Pratham is a grass-roots organization that works towards universalizing primary education in India. With a goal of reaching 20 million children, Pratham is one of the largest NGOs in field of literacy movement in India. Pratham continues to evolve, grow and works to meet the continually changing needs of the children it educates. Pratham’s North Carolina chapter actively aims to collaborate with individuals, local organizations and community associations and seeks ideas, volunteers and resources to deliver the vision of “Every Child in School and Learning Well.” For details: Gunvant Bhakta, 919-488-8975; Punit Chhabra, 919-380-9569; Sudha Rathie, 919-481-4451; Harshad Shah, 919-341-8894. For Further Details: www.prathamusa.org Priyadarshini Arts Known for their unique dance drama pieces, is a non-profit, Saathee.com

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Raleigh Karaoke Group Raleigh Karaoke Group meets once a month for the South East Asian community of the Triangle area to showcase their talent and lose themselves in nostalgia through song. The January session will be on Friday 13 January 2012 from 7:30 PM till 11:30 PM at Zayka Indian Cuisine in the Brier Creek area of North Raleigh-phone 919.361.5370. Choose from over 15,000 Hindi Film, Non-Film, Ghazals, Gujrati, Punjabi, Kanada, Koli, Konkani, Malayalam, Malayalam Muslim, Marathi, Oriya, and English Songs including holiday favorites. Events are free and open to the entire music loving community for singing or listening to friends. For Further Details: Shafi Parekh at (919) 413-3924, Email at shafi@pdiagnostics.com Raleigh Sai Center Parthi Sai devotees of Triangle area meet every Sunday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Mini-Hall of Hindu Bhavan in Morrisville. There will be Study circle, Bhajan Practice, Veda Chanting etc. during the 4-5 pm slot depending on the week, followed by bhajans from 5:00 - 6:00. The center carries out several service activities as well. The Human Values Education (SSE) classes for the children of different age group will be from 3:30 - 5:00. All are invited to participate in the Satsangh and service activities. For Further Details: Ganesh Kumar, President, Raleigh Sai Center at (919) 413 0579 or (919) 833-7523 E-mail rsc.president@yahoo.com. Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of North Carolina The Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of NC draws inspiration from the timeless, philosophical wisdom of the Vedanta as practiced and preached in the modern day by Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. Perhaps you know a great deal about Practical Vedanta and the message of the harmony of religions and the spiritual oneness of Existence or perhaps you are just curious and want to learn more. Regardless of people’s backgrounds and/or knowledge, the organization welcomes participants and those interested January 2012

inknowing more. For Further Details: www.vedantanc.org RTP Maharashtra Mandal RTP Maharashtra Mandal promotes Maharashtrian culture and language. Maharashtra mandal is committed to serve RTP community with various cultural, social and traditional marathi programs and events. For Further Details: 919.468.8824 (Jayant Yete) 919.757.7300 (Neeraj Shikarkhane) www.rtpmm.org S. V. Temple of North Carolina S.V. Temple of North Carolina is built on over nine acres of centrally connected triangle area. This grand tribute to Lord Venkateswara and his consorts is designed to exacting standards of shilpa shasthra and features the only shrine in North America to incorporate abodes to Lord Viswaksena and Lord Sudarshana/Lord Narasimha as part of Srinivasa Parivaram. The temple rituals are performed in accordance with Pancharathra Agama Shastra. Upcoming Events: For Further Details: 919.468.0040 comm@svtemplenc.org www.svtemplenc.org Sahaj Marg Meditation - Triangle Area Sahaj Marg translates to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Natural Path.â&#x20AC;? It is a natural, simple system of Raja Yoga meditation and spiritual practice that helps one realize the ultimate potential within oneself. Regular spiritual practice under capable guidance enables aspirants to progressively experience the sublime presence of the divine in their daily lives. Sahaj Marg system of meditation is freely offered to seekers worldwide through Shri Ram Chandra Mission. In Triangle area, group meditations are held on Sundays and Wednesdays. For Further Details: (919) 303-7447 (Raj Solanki) (919) 493-6180 (Devi Sekar) raleigh.center@gmail.com> www.srcm.org, www.sahajmarg.org SAMPIGE - Triangle Kannada Association The Triangle Kannada Association is a cultural association for people residing in the Triangle area from Karnataka, India. Sampige organizes Kannada (the language spoken in the Karnataka area) activities in music, dance and drama as well as social activities. For Further Details: sampigeeditor@yahoo.com www.sampige.org Share and Care Foundation Carolina Chapter Share and Care Foundation Carolina Chapter is part of Share and Care Foundation based in New Jersey. It is a charitable organization focused their work in Rural India and their main goal is to empower children and women by providing funding to NGOs for their education, vocational training and microloans. More than 90% of donations reach the empowered Saathee.com

people with the least administration and marketing cost. For further details: 919.237.2816 (Manu Patel), Patelmanu@hotmail.com 919.481.4618 (Piyush Patel) www.shareandcare.org Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina The Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina welcomes visitors of all backgrounds regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender. All peoples, regardless of their origin or orientation, are welcome to attend our services and share in the blessings of God. Religious services are held every Saturday evening and Sunday morning, followed by a community meal (langar). In addition to religious services, we offer educational programs for children and young adults. Adults participate in religious discourse during monthly study circles. Members of the Sangat (congregation) regularly participate in community service projects in the Triangle area. The Sikh Gurdwara at North Carolina is located at 3214 Banner Street in Durham, NC 27704. For Further Details: 919.220.9917 http://www.sgncweb.org South Indian Fine Arts Academy (SIFAA) SIFAA is a non-profit organization that works to arrange and promote concerts and performances in the Triangle and Triad areas, concentrating on Carnatic music for the present. Upcoming Events: For Further Details: 919.773.1580 www.sifaa.org Sri Shirdi SaiBaba Mandir NC SSMNC promotes Sai philosophy and facilitates worship and services similar to Shirdi SaiBaba Temple, located in ShirdiIndia. This Organization is dedicated to sponsor and support religious, spiritual, cultural, educational and charitable activities in the United States and abroad. Mandir Timings: Monday - Friday 9 - 10 am, 12 noon - 1pm, 6 - 9 pm. Sat - Sun 9 am - 9pm. Details at www.shirdisaimandirnc.org or call 919.386.1085. St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Holy Qurbana and Sunday school are held in Malayalam/English, led by Reverend Dr. M. K. Thomas at 225 Bashford Road, Raleigh, NC. For Further Details: 919.461.1773 sec@stgregoriosnc.org www.stgregoriosnc.org Tamil Cultural Association of North Carolina (TCA NC) TCA NC is a non-profit organization formed for the purpose of providing youths with exposure to Tamil culture. Everyone is invited to join TCA and become part of a wonderful organization promoting Tamil culture in the Triangle area. For Further Details: tca_nc@yahoo.com / www.tcanc.org

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Triangle Indian Youth Organization (TIYO) This organization has been created with the purpose of encouraging youths of Indian origin aged between 12-18 years to develop skills for leadership, to organize team-oriented efforts, understand and participate in community services, understand and develop individual potential. There will be activities that will fall into the broad categories of education, arts, cultural, charity, religious and community services. For Further Details: 919.363.7339 (Latha Pamarthi [Director of TIYO]) triangleindianyouth@yahoo.com

Tamil Sangam of Carolina The Tamil Sangam is an organization that promotes understanding of Tamil culture and provides a medium for people of Tamil culture to get together. The activities include music, drama, lectures, Tamil movies, etc. For Further Details: (919)-465-1606 - Ravi Shanmugam (President) http://members.fortunecity.com/tamilsangamofcarolina Telugu Christian Fellowship of NC (TCFNC) The Telugu Christian Fellowship of North Carolina (TCFNC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to reach out to Telugu Christians living in North Carolina, to be united and bonded together as a Telugu Christian family of God and encourage and pray for each other. TCFNC provides a place for Telugu Christians for time of worship, prayer and fellowship. They also provide a forum for kids to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and to equip them to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ. The group organizes, each year, an Annual Telugu Christian Family Conference. For further details: www.tcfnc.org Phone: 919-43-TCFNC (82362)

Triangle Rang Mandal Devotees of Pujya Sri Rang Avdhoot Maharaj meet every Saturday in Cary or Raleigh from 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM to sing devotional Dattatreya Bhajans and Datta-Bavani in a spiritual atmosphere. Special programs organized on Guru Purnima and Rang Jayanti and on the occasion of Pujya Sri Prem Avdhoot Bapji’s annual visit to the US. For Further Details: rangmandal@gmail.com Triangle Vegetarian Society (TVS) The mission of TVS is to build a sense of community between current vegetarians and people who are interested in vegetarianism and have a forum for a discussion of issues. Sun Jan 22 - Talk by Dilip Burman: “Why Vegetarian (and how to get there)” Durham Public Library, 4505 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC 27713 Sat Feb 25 - Potluck and Music Night at Carman Chasteen’s residence. 847 Buck Branch Road, Pittsboro, NC. 919.542.1970. For Further Details: barman@cs.unc.edu www.trianglevegsociety.org

Triangle Area Telugu Association (TATA) The Triangle Area Telugu Association (TATA) is a non-profit organization (started in 1983) committed to building a vibrant Telugu Community and promoting Telugu culture and language in the Triangle area of North Carolina. For Further Details: committee@tataonline.org www.tataonline.org Triangle Bangladesh Society (TBSNC) TBSNC strives to arrange musical programs by artists who have captured the hearts and minds of millions of Bengali-, Urdu- and Hindi-speaking music fans all around the globe. For Further Details: 919.741.9343 (Ishtiaque Mohiuddin) Ishtiaquem@gmail.com www.tbsnc.org Triangle Chapter-India Development & Relief Fund (IDRF) IDRF is a registered, tax-exempt non-profit organization that supports volunteer-based, honest and highly experienced nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in India in serving their populations’ critical needs around education, childcare, healthcare, women empowerment and tribal welfare, as well as relief and rehabilitation in times of natural disasters. For Further Details: www.idrf.org. Triangle Gujarati Association (TGA) TGA’ s mission is to promote and serve Gujarati culture in the Triangle area by organizing various events throughout the year and impart Gujarati culture and language on the youth. Upcoming events: For Further Details: www.nctga.org

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Two Cents of Hope (TCH) Two Cents of Hope was started by a group of Indian students at NC State University with the belief in empowering youth via education. The goal is to uplift the weaker sections of the society through education. The foundation lies in the power of cents giving TCH its name. As J. Carney put it, “Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean, and the pleasant land.” By using coin boxes to collect loose change, the total donations result in a collection that yields considerable amount of money, enough to give education to a poor student - indeed a firm footing for the rest of his or her life. Apart from the coin collection other sources of funding includes fundraising events (Trishna, Crescendo, and Booth in Cary Diwali) and sponsors. In the last three years TCH has funded $21,689, which includes 77 projects benefitting 270 students and two schools in India. To keep a coin box at your place or to know more about Two Cents of Hope, email coordinator@nc.twocentsofhope.com. www.twocentsofhope.com Urdu Majlis Urdu Majlis is a literary organization for the promotion of Urdu language and literature and has no political, national or religious affiliations. The group has regularly scheduled monthly meetings in which enthusiasts and scholars of Urdu literature meet to discuss the life and works of a selected

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Hindu Society of Eastern NC (Greenville, NC) Upcoming Events: Jan 8 & 15 - Geeta Study - 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon For Further Details: B.S. Srivatsa 508.654.0360 Hindutemplenc@gmail.com

literary figure or personality. For Further Details: 919.851.1119 (Dr. Afroz Taj) 919.596.4792 (Ashraf and Seema Faruqi) taj@unity.ncsu.edu Vaishnav Samaj of Triangle Area The Vaishnav Samaj is a group of like-minded devotees who meet for religious worship and understand Pushti Marg Principles at large. Recently, a sub-chapter of Vallabh Youth Organization (VYO) was formed under the leadership of Mrs. Harsha Shah. Regular Bhajan recitations are held 2nd Sunday of the month from 4-6 pm and Seniors are requested to encourage youngsters to participate in the activities. For Further Details: Arvindbhai Shah 919.233.7677 Vithalbhai Shah 919.467.4254 Navinbhai Parikh 919.387.8808

Regional Barsana Dham satsang [Greenville, NC] For Further Details: Madhu Sharma 336.404.7047 madhu0sharma@yahoo.com www.barsanadham.org Cape Fear Cultural Association of India - Wilmington Cape Fear Cultural Association of India is an organization that promotes understanding of Indian culture and promotes a medium for people of Indian culture to get together. For Further Details: Shashin Patel, President. (910.790.9448) Sanjay Batish, Vice-President. (910.371.9860) Anjali Dashputre, Treasurer. (910.395.6633) Sukhbir Dhillon, Cultural Secretary (910.796.1965) Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce The Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (GIACC) develops and promotes trade, business, commercial and professional relationships between India and the United States, especially within the state of Georgia. GIACC was formed recognizing the need for promoting bi-lateral activities among South Asian and mainstream communities in the United States and South Asia. For Further Details: 678.762.7589 AniThirdM@aol.com, ani@giacc.org. 770.840.1925 - susan@giacc.org. www.giacc.org Hindu Bhavan of Fayetteville, NC Hindu Bhavan of Fayetteville, NC is a nonprofit organization. Ceremonies and events take place regularly. Temple Address: 907 Cedar Creek Road, Fayetteville, NC 28302. For further details: 910.485.4626 910.484.8956 hindubhavan@yahoo.com www.hindubhavan.org Saathee.com

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Sri Somesvara Temple Sri Somesvara Temple is located near Asheville, NC. Temple hours are 8 am - 7:30pm. Regularly scheduled pujas: Subrabhath Aarti - 8 am, Rudrabhishek Nityapuja - 9 am - 12 noon, Pradoshakala puja and mangala aarti - 6 pm - 7:30pm. The temple also hosts special events. Contact the temple: 828.476.4073. It is located in the NC mountains at 95 Mount Soma Blvd., Clyde, NC 28721 For details visit: www.srisomesvara.org.

South Carolina American South Asian Cultural Association of Columbia, SC The American South Asian Cultural Association of Columbia’s fundamental goal is to increase cultural awareness and develop cultural understanding among American Southeast Asian Community in Columbia area. A monthly Lunch meeting will be held on the Second Sunday of every month between 1 to 3 pm. There will be $7.00 Per Person charge for Lunch (Kids Ages 6-10 pay half price) at Delhi Palace, 542 Saint Andrew Road, Columbia, 29210. Contact in the evenings: (803) 233-7042 OR (803) 233-3995. Bethel Christian Fellowship Bethel Christian Fellowship offers services in various Indian languages (i.e. Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, etc.) and Sunday Worship services are at 11:30 a.m. Address: Fort Mill Church of God, Student Life Center Building, 216 Academy Street, Room 102. Fort Mill, South Carolina 29715 For Further Details: 803.792.7223 Pastor Rajan Samuel @ pastorofbcf@gmail.com www.bethelchristianfellowship.org Carolina Buddhist Vihara (Greenville, SC) Regular beginner meditation program conducted by a Buddhist Monk. Activities are held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings: 6:30 pm (puja), 7 pm (meditation), and 8 pm (“Dhamma” talk or discussion). A “youth program” is also held once a month. For Further Details: dhammasc@hotmail.com Hindu Society of Greater Spartanburg The daily Aarti is at 7:00 p.m., Balvihar classes are conducted from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on scheduled Sundays, and Satsang is on second Sunday every month from 5 – 7 pm. Temple is located on 1130 Fairview Church Road in Boiling Springs, S.C. 29303. For Further Details: 864.599.7048 January 2012

ekal ViDYalaYa fouNDatioN of uSa Proudly Presents

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309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville NC

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Time: Doors open at 6 PM, concert will start at 7 PM Light snacks will be available for purchase at a nominal price.

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Sunday february 26th, 2012 in columbia tea & Snacks: 4pm-4:30pm, Main event: 4:30pm-onwards, dinner: 8pm @ White Knoll High School Auditorium tickets: $25(general admission), $15(students & children under 12), ViP: $45 Sponsor 1 school and get 1 general admission ticket free. Please buy your tickets online at www.ekal.org by February 24th, 2012 at the above advertised prices. There will be an additional charge of five dollars per head after February 24th at 12pm.

for event/ticket information, Please contact Janak dalal (President) (803) 665-4050

Ekals Mission: To eradicate illiteracy from rural & tribal India with holistic empowerment. Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA is a 501(c)3 charitable organization – Tax ID 77-0554248

Hindu Temple of South Carolina The Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of South Carolina was established with an objective to fill the need for thousands of Hindus in the State of South Carolina to worship and pray together, perform sacraments and rituals, to observe and celebrate festivals, and to perform and engage in humanitarian and educational activities. For Further Details: http://www.hindutemplesc.org/index.php India Assoc. of Greater Charleston (IAGC) The IAGC was founded in Charleston to bring together people who were interested in India and to provide a forum to increase the understanding of the heritage of India in US. For Further Details: 803.884.0859 / iagcfolks@yahoo.com International Fellowship Church of Greenville, SC International Fellowship Church offers Sunday worship services and other weekly activities for people of Indian origin. For Further Details: 864.234.1256 (Pastor Suhas Raiborde) www.internationalfellowshipchurch.org Masjid Noor-UL-Huda The Mosque is located at 517 Winmet Drive, Columbia, S.C. On the first Saturday and third Saturday of every month from 6 PM to 8 PM, Islamic session is held by Hafiz Mohammed Basheer. Quranic Reading classes are conducted daily, and everyone is encouraged to send their children to these sessions. For Further Details: 803.749.0827 (Dr. Shami) 803.740.5127 (Qari Abdul Khader Multani) 803.754.2632 (Mosque main number) Mrudani School of Performing Arts Mrudani School of Performing Arts is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the classical arts of India. Mrudani School offers classes in Bharathanatyam (Kalakshetra style) and Kuchipudi in Columbia, Orangeburg, and Charleston, SC. For Further Details: Monica @ 843.849.7841 Anuradha @ 803.347.3851 classicaldance.india@gmail.com Sirigannada Sirigannada, the Kannada Association of South Carolina, a nonprofit organization was created on July 18, 2004 by the interested Kannada speaking people of South Carolina. It is a voluntary organization primarily run by memberships and donations from Kannadigas of the State of South Carolina. For Further Details: www.sirigannada.org Telugu Association of Greater Greenville, SC Telugu Association of Greater Greenville, SC, serves the Telugu community of the Greenville/Spartanburg area of South Carolina. The group sponsors events throughout the year. For Further Details: www.taggsc.org Saathee.com

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Triad Avatar Meher Baba Group The Meher Center is a spiritual retreat/ashram located on SC Highway 17 immediately North of the Highway 22 connection 8 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC. A small brick house built especially for Him is open for “Darshan” on Fridays and Sunday (11:00 am.) / Meher Center: (843) 272-5777. For Further Details: www.avatarmeherbaba.org 336.299.9683 - runderwood@webtv.net Send updates or events for your club, group, organization, or association, for inclusion in the Community News section by the 15th of the month to: saatheemag@hotmail.com

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Pop’s Puzzles & Jokes Clues Down:

By Kirit Shukla

Note: * denotes abbreviation of the word or phrase Clues Across: 1. The oﬃcial state bird of North Carolina. 8. A disorderly and lawless crowd; Rabble. 10. A level surface or piece of ground. 11. To remove (adsorbed material) by use of a solvent. 13. To tear apart roughly or vigorously. 14. On one’s guard; Vigilant. 15. Saint. (*) 16. Imperfect; Defective. 18. To cease and hold, as after a chase; Capture. 20. Extremely hot. 22. One of the hearing organs in humans and animals. 23. Relative. (*) 25. United Arab Emirates. (*) 26. A city in west Nevada, (Near Lake Tahoe!) 27. The wife of Geraint. (Arthurian legend.) 29. The incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who killed Ravana. 31. The ﬁrst syllable of the tone of the diatonic music scale. 32. Sharp, bitter or stinging to the taste or smell. 34. A northeastern state of India; Capital: Dispur. 36. The largest city in Gujarat, India. (On river Sabarmati) 38. Bulletin. (*) 39. To travel aimlessly; Wander. 40. A territory of NW Canada, east of Alaska. 43. Attempt; Endeavor. 45. French Huguenot leader during 1549-1623. 47. “Uttarayan” the kite festival of Gujarat, on Jan. 14; the day when the sun starts to travel Northwards.

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1. The price of a ride on a subway, bus, etc. 2. Melody in an opera for solo voice along with instrument. 3. January 26th, is the ___ in India. 4. District Attorney. (*) 5. January 1st, is the ___ . 6. American Library Association. (*) 7. To stagger; Sway suddenly forward or one side. 8. Maine. (*) 9. A room with toilet, bath tub, wash stand etc. 12. The refreshing drink like coffee, popular in India. 14. Westernmost island of the Aleutians. 15. Scrutinized; To examine closely. 17. Louisiana. (*) 19. A small , pointed holder on which a golf ball is placed. 21. Ocean. 24. To fill with love or desire; Captivate. 26. A small, fresh water tropical cyprinoids' fish of SE Asia. 28. The basic monetary unit of Armenia. 30. Master of Arts. (*) 33. Intravenous. (*) 35. A “bright” day. 36. Creative things like painting, music, literature, etc. 37. The lower chamber of the parliament in Russia. 41. An important river in the Fars province of Iran. 42. Gynecologist. (*) 44. Utah. (*) 46. Antiaircraft. (*) (Puzzle solutions are on page 124. NO peeking!)

Hee Hee Booddhoo was having trouble with his computer. He called his friend Chiki to solve the problem. She clicked a few buttons and ﬁxed it. Booddhoo was impressed. Booddhoo asked her: “So, what was wrong?” Chiki: “It was your ID 10 T error.” Puzzled Booddhoo asked again: “What’s that error?” No reply! Then he put it together and wrote: “IDIOT.” •••••••••••••• Booddhoo: “What does every one see in a pretty girl? Take away her eyes, lips, and hair, and what have you got?” Mafatlal (sadly): “My mother-in-law.” •••••••••••••• A bus from Mumbai to Amdavad made an unscheduled stop outside Amdavad. After a while, the conductor announced: “There will be a short delay of I don’t know how long.” •••••••••••••• Guide: “These mummies are hundreds of years old.” Booddhoo: “Yeah! But where are daddies?” •••••••••••••• 116

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YOUTH CORNER (Created By Kirit Shukla) (Find & circle the words in the puzzle). (Subject: “Starts and ends with A” )

EZ-BZ ABACA ABBA ACCRA ADA ADENOMA AFRICA AGA AGRA ALASKA ALBA ALGEBRA AMBALA AMERICA ANEMIA ANIMA

ANTARTICA ANTENNA APORIA AQUAREGIA ARGENTINA ASAFETIDA ASIA ATLANTA ATRESIA AUGUSTA AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA AXILLA AYURVEDA

The unused 5 letters spell what means “Goodbye” in Hawaii.

TEST YOUR OWN IQ The common letters are “IS” - Fill in the blanks 1. A Jewish-majority state in the Middle East. IS _ _ _ _ 2. Slightly wet; Damp. _ _ IS _ 3. Of equal intensity of earthquake shock. IS _ _ _ IS _ _ _ 4. That or those belonging to him. _ IS 5. Sharp; Penetrating. _ _ _ IS _ _ _ 6. A small island. IS _ _ 7. A state of the S U.S. Cap: Jackson. _ IS _ IS _ _ _ _ _ 8. Jesus ___. _ _ _ IS _ 9. A girl as related to other children of the parents. _ IS _ _ _ 10. Deﬁnite; Strictly deﬁned. _ _ _ _ IS _ 11. The capital of Pakistan. IS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 12. “ ___ “ land is my land… from California to… _ _ IS 13. To set apart from others. IS _ _ _ _ _ 14. The principal of religious tradition of India. _ _ _ _ _ IS _ 15. To hide or obscure the real nature of. _ IS _ _ IS _ 16. International Standards Organization. (*) IS _ 17. The Muslim neighboring country of India. _ _ _ IS _ _ _ 18. A city in SW Tennessee on the Mississippi. _ _ _ _ _ IS 19. A passageway between the rows of seats. _ IS _ _ 20. To send away; Allow to leave. _ IS _ IS _ 21. A jail. _ _ IS _ _ 22. A long, narrow, deep crack. _ IS _ _ _ _ 23. A supporter of the Islamic rule. IS _ _ _ IS _ 24. A thin, circular plate with ferromagnetic particles, on which computer data can be stored. _ IS _ 25. To bring to an end. _ _ _ IS _

(Puzzle solutions are on page 124. NO peeking!)

Kirit shukla Contact him at kiritsshukla@hotmail.com

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Astride

continued from page 48

targeted market of poor and underfed children. These products can be cheaper because they do not compete in the luxury market and therefore don’t require costly packaging or advertising, and because the company that sells them is not compelled to maximize its profits. Professor Yunus’ first, consciously designed multinational social business involved Grameen Danone, manufacturing healthful foods that improve the diet of rural Bangladeshis—especially the children. The products are sold at a low price, and make a real difference in the lives of millions of people.

January 2012 Jan. 1 - New Years Day. (2012 begins) Jan. 5 - Putradā Ekādasi Jan. 9 - Poshi Purnimā (Full Moon) Jan. 12 - Swāmi Vivekānand Jayanti Jan. 14 - Makarsankrānti/Uttarāyan Jan. 19 - Shatatilā Ekādasi Jan. 23 - Somavati/Darsha Amās (No Moon) Jan. 26 - Republic Day (India) Jan. 28 - Vasant Panchami Jan. 30 - Mahātmā Gāndhi Punyatithi February 2012 Feb. 2 - Groundhog Day Feb. 3 - Jayā Ekādasi Feb. 5 - Eid-e-milād Feb. 5 - Desert Festival Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) Feb. 5 - Vishvakarmā Jayanti Feb. 5 - Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 7 - Māghi Purnimā (Full Moon) Feb. 12 - Lincoln Birthday Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 - Shri Nāthaji Pātotsava Feb. 17 - Vijayā Ekādasi Feb. 19 - Shivāji Jayanti Feb. 20 - Mahāshivarātri Feb. 20 - Presidents Day/Washington Birthday Feb. 21 - Darsha Amās (No Moon) Feb. 21 - Mardi Gras Festival (New Orleans) Feb. 23 - Shri Rāmkrishna Jayanti March 2012 - April 2012 Mar. 7 - Holi Mar. 8 - Dhuleti Mar. 11 - Daylight Saving Time Starts Mar. 12 - Rang Panchami Mar. 17 - St. Patrick’s Day Mar. 23 - Gudi Padwo Mar. 24 - Chetichand Apr. 1 - Rām Navami/ Swāminārāyan Jayanti Apr. 1 - April fool Day Apr. 3 - Kāmadā Ekādasi Apr. 6 - Hanumān Jayanti/Good Friday (Full Moon) Apr. 9 - Easter Apr. 16 - Varuthini Ekādasi Apr. 22 - Earth Day

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Bootstrapping Oneself Up A humorous poor man once told me, “The rich tell us to bootstrap ourselves up, and then they steal the boot!” I for one am never in favor of asking rich people to help the poor, because very few of them are inclined to do so. Instead, for a person, family or nation, I think the correct way would be to identify the basic needs of life and see if they can be satisfied by locally available material. Except for some essentials like medical equipment, which a poor entity cannot make for itself, I don’t think that there are that many goods and services that one needs. That said, we can now be self-reliant as far as food, clothing and shelter are concerned. The poor nations are blessed with an abundance of raw materials – let us use them as wisely as we can without depleting them. The Bengal-Bihar coal and iron ore deposits are one of the richest in the world – let us utilize these resources. The timberlands of Assam, provided we go in for simultaneous reforestation, are a bountiful and seemingly endless source of timber – let us utilize them wisely. The river Ganges, with suitable water-purification plants along its banks, can provide all our fresh water needs. The ponds, streams, rivers and coastal waters off the coast of West Bengal, can provide all our needs for aquatic food, like fish and crabs. If we make sure not to over-harvest our bounty, we can make do with what we have. I am tired of hearing third-world leaders begging the developed nations for more aid, which is never forthcoming. Many developed nations cannot help other nations anymore, simply because they are struggling with their own economies, witness the problems of Greece. Even America, with its 15 trillion dollars national debt, is no longer in a position to help. I think India, with an economy galloping along at 8 percent growth rate, is well poised to solve its own problems of poverty and inequality. The latest figures show a sharp reduction in the percentage of people living below the poverty line. So self-help is the best help and God helps those who help themselves. This is true of a person and a nation. The poor nations of Asia are rising once again – a resurgence that Sri Aurobindo predicted many years ago.

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January 2012

improving soon. Time is favorable for a long distance journey. You may, however, lose the chance to inherit property. Eye- related problems might bother you in the second half. Change in source of income is possible. LIBRA (Sep 23 - Oct 23) Restrictions imposed on you may change your life dramatically during this month. There may be a possibility of corrections or changes, but your family may bring good luck for you through these restrictions. If married, your spouse is going to bring unexpected good results. It is advisable to listen to others to enjoy good luck. You will also want to accept the changes, therefore be brave and welcome the constraints.

General Predictions for January 2012 ARIES (Mar 20- Apr 20) The new year will start off with good news for you. Time is favorable for further study and students may perform excellent in their studies. Financially, the period may prove to be positive. You may be able to resolve problems with your spouse and enjoy a happy married life. Try to avoid any legal dispute. The second half of the month may temporarily block your progress. Misunderstandings between family members are possible during the last week of the month.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 22) Life is going to move at an accelerated speed this month. Circumstances may force you to lie and cheat, and the war between greed and morals may confuse you. Avoid listening to your siblings and keep working hard to achieve success in your career. Work as a team with your family or take help from your family to build a prosperous career. Remember that life is moving fast, therefore making quick decisions is very important.

TAURUS (Apr 20 - May 21) You may have to change your strategy several times this month due to reasons including health-related issues. Forces around you may constantly keep disturbing you. This may lead you towards losing your self-confidence and making mistakes. Try to obtain blessings from spiritual powers. A long distance journey is possible this month, however, it is important to maintain good health and self-confidence.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Destiny is going to direct you in the right direction to earn more. Your main focus is to take advantage of the favorable situation and make extra money. But keep an eye on your health and avoid any legal disputes. Grab the opportunities and move fast but carefully in order to enjoy success. Travel should be avoided during the first half of the month. You may also enjoy high authority and status in society in earlier in the month.

GEMINI (May 21 - Jun 21) So many good things can happen during this month; life should start moving very fast. You may make a few minor mistakes, but the damage will be negligible. Surrender to destiny and go with the flow. Your child may bring good luck for you during the second half of the month. It is very important that you avoid egoistic comments during the last week of the month. Your friends my also bring you good luck.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21 - Jan 20) Now is the time to work sincerely and achieve lifetime success; don’t waste your time and energy for fun and entertainment. You may enjoy full support from your friends and partners. Don’t hesitate to spend money on religious activities or charity. Your spouse may also work as a team with you to earn higher status. Minor health ailment is possible during the second week.

CANCER (Jun 21 - Jul 22) A rise in income due to excellent performance at work may delight you this month. Changes in family relations are possible during the first half; however, avoid involving your mother in your personal matters. Drive carefully or avoid travel. Try to adopt your partner’s policies in performing business functions. Remain fair in relationships in order to avoid misunderstandings. Good health is clearly indicated.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 19) After a very positive and successful start, you will get stuck with problems during the last week of the month. Luckily you may achieve your dream in the middle of the month. Your competitors may envy you and try to wreck you. You should control your emotions and don’t be ashamed of taking help from your friends during this month. You should plan to donate for a good cause and focus on your work and enjoy success.

LEO (Jul 22 - Aug 23) A very busy and hectic month is in store for you, which could lead you towards financial gains as well as longterm health problems. Time is very positive for making new financial moves and taking risks. Someone very close to you may turn into your competitor and create problems for you. Act aggressively to enjoy the victory. An argument with your mother due to a misunderstanding is possible in the second week.

PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 20) A very active and busy month is in store for you; your confidence will be at par. You will enjoy higher status at work and also in society. Your sixth sense will guide you during the first half of the month, so take full advantage of it. Logical risks without any hesitations could bring positive results. Time is also good for investing in land and real estate. New partnership deal should bring good luck for you; making quick decisions will enable you to enjoy success.

VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sep 23) Dispute with your friend in the first week of the month may lead you towards unexpected expenses. Matters may take a quick turn and the relationship may start Saathee.com

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Classifieds BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: Business For Sale: Boost Mobile Phone store in Charlotte, NC. Open 2 years, good business. Call for more information 704-494-9244. Candy Store For Sale: World of Candy in Valleyhills Mall at 1960 Hwy 70SE Hickory, NC 28602 is currently for sale. For more information please email babu27104@yahoo.com or call 336-837-9900.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Help Wanted: Indian Restaurant in Household Help Wanted: Charlotte Area. Charlotte, NC is looking for a waiter. Cooking and light cleaning. Part-time and Please call 704-512-9177 good pay. Please call: 704-992-5775 Part / full time nanny / babysitter for a Looking for live-in help to cook and be 2 yr old boy. light cleaning and cooking. an adult companion for older wife while Should know driving. GREAT PAY. husband is at work. Light housework is Prefer Hindi speaking. Contact 828-292required. We are looking for a woman 9848. Near Hickory, NC. over 55 who is compassionate and Waiter or waitress needed for willing to adapt. Please call 910-737-2521. restaurant in South Charlotte. Part or Hiring Immediately: Young & Energetic full time. Long term. Ideal for college Sales Person. Opportunity for student or young person. Must speak advancement. For part/full time position fluent English and be a hard worker. in men’s clothing store. Must speak fluent 704.724.2005 or 704.724.5555. English and people friendly. Stores Full time nanny who loves children located in Camden, Columbia, & needed in Cary. For 1 & 2 yr olds. light Orangeburg, SC. Good Pay+Commissions. cleaning and cooking. References Contact 803-427-1681. required. Excellent pay / benefits. Long Help Wanted: Energetic male or female term. Please call 919-439-2343 needed for retail clothing stores in South

C-Stores: Leland,NC, $369K+Inv., GR $7.2M; Jonesville, NC, $399K + Inv., Closed; Taylorsville, NC, $349K + Inv., GR $1.4M: Hudson, NC, $309K + Inv., GR $338K; Greensboro, NC, $349K + Inv., GR $3.6M; Office Manager / Book Keeper wanted 704-814-9435 www.countysouth.biz for convenience store distribution, High Volume Gas Station/Conv Store: Charlotte & Greensboro, NC. C-store On very busy intersection in Augusta, GA experience and fluent English a must. for lease. Very populated neighborhood Contact Haresh Patel: 704.472.1572 or with highway traffic. Call Manpreet 864- hitalia@yahoo.com 554-4846. Call between 9am-5pm. Help Needed: Front Desk / Customer Service Business For Sale with Property: 20-30 hours / week. Requirements - telephone Convenience/Gas & Liquor Store. Good skills and excellent customer service. Sales running business, BP Brand, college next experience a plus! M - F 3-8:30 pm and some door, owner moving. Serious inquiries Sat. 9 am-1 pm. E-mail resume & cover letter only. Call Gordon 864-923-4213 to info@charlottemusicschool.com Business HOTEL FOR LEASE in Charlotte. Great potential for Revenue. Threading Practitioners Wanted: Full or Call Mr. Patel (9am-5Pm) 980-355-9874 Part-Time. In Charlotte, Raleigh, & Virginia areas. Experience & good Businesses for sale: Two Hair Salons in English skills needed. Please call 980Cary, $149K, $99K; Coin-operated 322-1110 laundromat / car wash w/RE (Person Co., $650K). Info@entrustassociates.com. Hotel Management Firm Now Hiring: Various positions available for House 919-881-9997 keepers, front desk (must speak fluent Store for lease in Lincolnton NC. Inside English), and General Manager/s of store sales $45K,gas $45K,lotto $25K. franchise hotels. Experience is REQUIRED Please contact for more info 704-578-4470. for all positions. Serious inquiries only. EStore for Lease: Good Neighborhood in mail resumes to abcone@abcinns.com OR York, SC. Inside Sales $50K, Gas Sale call ( 704-649-6833 m-f , 9:00 am- 5:00pm) $75K, Lotto $35K. Call Harry for Gas Station Help Wanted: Looking for a information 864-590-5737. Couple or single. Full-Time for convenience Businesses For Sale: Café, restaurants, store / gas station / restaurant near deli, coin laundry, dry cleaners, and Charlotte, NC. Accommodations Provided! more plus residential listings. Call for 704-701-9975 the best discounts when you buy or sell. Guaranteed Excellent Service! 704-649- Refulgent Technologies Inc.: IT staffing company is currently recruiting Java, .Net, 9095. Broker. SQL Server and QA candidates. We also Gas Station / Conv. Store For Lease: do Training & Placement. Please contact Gas station/conv. store for lease in S.C. Anu: e-mail: recruiter @refulgent-tech.com Rent $2500 p.m. only. Call 678-326-6564 or 704-405-4238 for more details. Threading job in Winston Salem. Hair Threading female position open for Saathee.com

IMMEDIATE HIRE. Full-time or PartTime, for long term. Call 980-622-4386.

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Carolina. Must speak fluent English. CONTACT 706 877 0314 or email resume @ PAMSUM70@gmail.com Motel Help Wanted: Franchise Motel in Raleigh, NC need Couple for Front Desk. Must have Legal Status & have Computer skill. Accommodation will be provided. Please Call: 919-208-3513 Need a Full-Time Nanny: Charlotte, MF from 8am to 6pm, to care for 1-2 children and to provide light housekeeping/cooking services. Prefer Hindi/Urdu-speaking and require English. Call 704-774-9443. Nanny Needed In Charlotte (Ballantyne): Loving and Caring full time Nanny for 5 month old. Help with cooking would be plus. Please call 717-343-4312. Nanny Needed: Seeking a loving and energetic full time nanny for a 5 month old baby. Matthews, NC. Prefer English and Gujarati speaking. Must have transportation. Call 407-488-5334 or email matthewsnanny1@gmail.com. Help Wanted: Indian Restaurant Manager and kitchen helper needed for restaurant in Raleigh. Call 586-419-3566. Household Help needed in University City Area Charlotte. Mon-Fri for 3 hours in evening with cooking, laundry, ironing, and light cleaning. Must have own transportation. Call 704-971-2004. Gas Station Help: Looking for full-time or part-time help for a gas station in Mooresville, NC (Lake Norman Area, Near Charlotte, NC). Experience preferred but not needed. Call 704-2228998 or leave a message. January 2012

Help Wanted: Experienced Sales Person needed immediately for part/full time position in men’s clothing store in Gastonia, NC. Must speak fluent English and be people friendly. call 704-865-6699. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: continued Financial Services Sales Position. Your career will be to develop a client base of business owners, professionals, affluent and upwardly mobile individuals to help achieve their financial objectives through the application of proven financial strategies, techniques, and high quality products. An opportunity to be your own boss with unlimited earning potential. Apply online at www.gcgwm.com Family Friend Nanny Available for WS, High-Point, and Greensboro area. An experienced hindi & english speaking nanny available for very loving & nurturing care. School drop & pickup possible. Please call 336-448-7670. Cashier and Inspection Help: Raleigh area - experience preferred, must be trainable,reliable, good communicator. Email kargo_corp@yahoo.com Garage Bay - available for lease with inspection machine call Kay 919-454-1474 Nanny Needed: Looking for a nanny (live in/live out) in Durham (near Southpoint Mall), NC for a 3 year and a 1 year old. Cooking and light housework expected. Call 919-572-2492 MATRIMONIAL: Seeking A Hindu Indian Female: For a never married Indian male age 32 for marriage. For more information call: 828-781-9828 Seeking A Hindu Indian Female: For a divorced male age 37 for marriage, working in NC on h1b. For info call: 704-957-9005 Hindu Male seeking Hindu Female age 25-30. Must be family friendly. He is IT professional in NC. 31 years old. Love to travel. Caste no bar. e-mail to receive bio-data. rakavid@aol.com. Correspondence Invited for family oriented loving, caring hindu female age 41. Currently residing in Ahmedabad. Please call 828-572-2555 or 828-238-8860 PROPERTY FOR SALE OR RENT: Saathee.com

House for Sale in Durham on 1.76 acre land 3 bedrooms, one and half bath, washer-dryer & dishwasher included. Close to Duke University. Call at 919596-4636. Condo for rent in RTP. Very convenient location to Duke, UNC, 15/501, close to bus line. Fully furnished, W/D included in unit. Call Avani Parekh Bhatt 704.608.2511. Townhome for sale near Park Rd Shopping Center Charlotte. Great Location and Myers Park High School zone. 2 br; 1.5 bath, fireplace. 135k. For details e-mail: rakavid@aol.com SERVICES: My wife and I would like to learn Marathi on Friday evenings or weekends in Charlotte at our place or yours. We have basic knowledge of Hindi. Please call Prem (704) 916-9386. Gujarati Priest: Devendra Dave Independent priest. Ganesh, Randal, Navratri, Diwali’s Laxmi & Sharda Pujas, Satyanarayan Katha, Weddings, Vastu, Baby Showers, Funeral Seva. Call Daveji 704-780-3563. God Blessings to All. Ribald Farms Nursery & Florist: Specializes in Indian wedding reception design and floral arrangements. For more information contact Shawna Turner at 803-328-2266 or www.rockhillflowers.com Great things happen in prayer! Carolina Prayer Tower is a group who desires to see the Holy Spirit's power at work. Send your prayer request e-mail to our prayer warriors at carolinaprayertower@gmail.com; with your name, and concern so we can pray for your need. We pray that you see God's power at work in your life! All your requests confidential. Neeta’s Beauty Parlor: Charlotte area open 7 days a week. Full service. Please call for appointment. 704-968-0270. Pari Beauty In Matthews, NC: Threading, Waxing, Facials, Bleaching & Much More! 20 years of experience with Special Deals & Great Service. For Appointment Call: 704-846-7912 Mehandi (Henna): Award winning artist from Jaipur, India specializing in wedding parties (Bride & attendants). Satisfaction guaranteed regarding design, color & price. Please call: Krishna Priya Dasi 919-824-7734 EMail: krsnapriyad@hotmail.com 123

Astrologer With Gold Medals - Jayanti Lad- Contact for Health, Wealth, Relationship, Child, Enemies, Court Cases, Marriage, Job, Business, Vastu Problems, Preparing & Matching Horoscope. Call 919-463-5180 or 919798-2598 Jayantinlad@yahoo.com Foreign Accent Modification: Your speech is your "vocal resume." Speak English clearly and with confidence. Individual tutorials with certified speech specialists at Triangle Speech Services. www.trianglespeech.com. South Indian Priest: Sastriji is an independent priest Call for Pujas, Gruhapravesh, Weddings, Multi-lingual, Vedic traditional priestly services, etc. Call 704-625-7578 or 704-231-0751. Email: sastrigal2003@yahoo.com Dholi For Hire: Plays the Dhol (drum) for any occasion! Classes Available! Barat, Doli, Graduation, Birthdays, Baby Showers & any other festivity. Affordable rates! Call Arpan Bhandari 704-843-7202 or email: arpandholi@yahoo.com Computer Consulting: Assistance with software installation, set-up, formatting, back-up, troubleshooting and more. Very reasonable rates. 704-619-2358 Priest available for Shri Satyanarayan Katha, Lakshmi Havan, Vastu Puja, wedding, baby shower, engagement and all other types of puja. 704-5002210 (h) & 704.450.6447 (c). Tuition Available: Experienced Math, Physics, Chemistry tutor for middle, high school, IB, AP courses (including AP Statistics). Cary, Raleigh, Durham area. Call 704-497-2639 Software Testing (QA) and Business System Analysis: Training Classes and Placement Assistance in Charlotte. Please Contact 704-806-8907 for details. Wedding event Design & Rental Services: Custom Mandaps, Ceremony and all inclusive reception decor! INCREDIBLE package deals! Unbeatable prices guaranteed! Visit us online at: www.CarolinaWeddingBelle.com

Saathee Classifieds: Business ads are $25 & personal ads are $15 up to 25 words. Ask about upgrades to color and box. Submit classifieds online at saathee.com Deadline is the 20th. We accept credit cards and checks. Ads are posted on saathee.com at no extra charge with paid print listing. Feel free to call us with any questions. January 2012

index of advertisers

MyTripFare (Travel agent) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 Nagpal, Sunil (MetLife Financial Services) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Nationwide Ins. (Maqsood Khan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Nazar Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 Neeta's Beauty Parlor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 Oza, Rishi (Immigration Legal Services) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 Pardasani, Kamlesh (Real Estate - CharlotteArea.com) . . . . .39 Passage To India - Fine Indian Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Patel Brothers (Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Patel, Champa (Real Estate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 Pathak, Atul (Real Estate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Payal Groceries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Poplai, Deepak (White Insurance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 PP Tax & Accounting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Prashant Video Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Raj D Batra (Kamera Art Photo & Video) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Rajbhog Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Rajdeep Mandap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Rajdeep Video & Photography (Ramesh Panjabi) . . . . . . . . . .63 Rajesh Jyotishi (Shalin Financial Services Inc.) . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Ramana Coaching Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 Ravindra Dave Pandit (Religious Services) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Religious Ceremonies (Swaminath Sastrigal) . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 Roop Beauty (Pooja Patel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 S S Photography Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Saathee Subscription Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 Saathee.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Saffron Restaurant and Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Sarvaga Studios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Shah, Anish (Real Estate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 & 35 Shah, Kirti (CPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Shining Star Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Shukla, Kirit (Music Lession & Band) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Shyama Beauty Parlour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Situl Indian Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Skynet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Sleep Inn (Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Soni Family Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 South Charlotte Endocrinology (Kanakasabai Narasimhan, MD)59 Spice South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 State Farm Ins (Matt Woodford) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 Swift Telecom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Thakkar, Beena (Realty) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 The Blue Taj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Transportation (Diamond Cab) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Travel Universe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Travelinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Ttravel Guru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 UroGender Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Usha Decor (Wedding Planning & Decor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Virsa Panjab Da (NCSU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Vyas Travels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Weldone Beauti Parlour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 White Horse Weddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Woodlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Worldwide travels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Yogi Cash & Carry (Indian Food & Spices) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Borrego Springs Bank, N.A. (Ritesh P. Shah) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 A & A Events (Event Planning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 A & V Satellites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 A.S. Art Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 Abacus Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Access Realty & Funding (Chandravadan Shah) . . . . . . . . . .61 Ali & Sons Car Care (Formerly Rapid Car Care) . . . . . . . . . . .26 All Car Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Anjana's Kitchen (Catering) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Apna Travels (Morrisville) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Art Of Living (Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126 Ashwini Kathak Dance Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Asiana Fusion.Sushi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Aura And More... Boutique (Ladies Fashions) . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Baba Ramdev Health Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 BallantyneTech Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Bashyam & Spiro LLP (Immigration Law) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Belladev Hair Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Bethel Christian Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Bharat Bazaar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 Bhindi Jewellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Bipin & Smita Parekh (Real Estate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Blooming Buds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Bollywood Bites (Restaurant) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Bombay Grille Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 British American School of Charlotte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 Brow Bar (henna, hair, make up, threading...) . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Carolina Christian Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 CaroMont Medical Group (Dr. Manu Patel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Cary Photo & Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Chai Pani (Restaurant - Ashville, NC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Challa Law Offices, PLC (Immigration) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Charlotte Music School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Chawpaty Food (Catering) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Chiro-Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Concha, David - Immigration Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 County South Realty & Business Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 Delhi Palace (Columbia, SC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 Dentist (Dr. Prashant Rao - Cedar Walk Dentistry) . . . . . . . .79 Desai Desai Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Desai, Rajarshi (CPA, PLLC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Dhoom Machaale (Disha) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Dish Network (Viren Mehta) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 DJ Hangama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 DJ Kenz (Kenz Desai) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 DJ Desi (Amit Vasi) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 DJ Don (David Pandoria) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 DJ Lalit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 DJ Ravi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Eco-Bidet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 Elegant Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Eshaan Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Fairview Home Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Flavors Of India (Uptown Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Friends Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 Fu Lin Asian Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Gandhi International Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Grover Medical Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 H2 Laser & Skin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Henna Mehendi Artists (Bhavini Patel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Henna's Dulhan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 Hindu Center Charlotte (Events) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 & 65 Huntington Learning Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 iFuturistics Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 India Grocers (Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 India Super Travels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 India Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Indian Grocery (Columbia, SC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Jaipur Indian Restaurant (Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 Jay Swaminarayan Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 K & M Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 K.B. Zaveree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Kaya Designs Boutique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 KD Photographics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 Khandekar, Shobana (Coldwell Banker Realtors) . . . . . . . . . .95 Kumar, Kokila (Real Estate - Allen Tate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Law Office of Rashmi Shah (Immigration) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Legacy Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 Mahabazar.com Travels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Maharani Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 Malani Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover Malaya Kitchen (Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Marriott Executive Park (Charlotte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Mathur, Gitanjali (Allen Tate Realtors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Saathee.com

Puzzle Solutions

124

January 2012

Serving Buyers and Sellers Since 1989 Our experienced and talented agents can speak English, Hindi & Gujarati Let Us Help You Buy or Sell A Business

County South Realty & Business Brokers 1300 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd Matthews, NC 28105

704-814-9435

Offering Motels, Restaurants, Dry Cleaners, Laundromats, Convenience Stores, Land and more c-StoReS:

fax-866-876-9980

Charlotte, NC, $1.5M + Inv., GR $2.4M

www.countysouth.biz

Sanford, NC, $675K + Inv., GR $412K

DRY cleaNeRS:

Greenville, SC, $160K + Inv., Hudson, NC, $150K + Inv.,

coNVeNieNce StoRe WHoleSaleR:

Charlotte, NC, $1.2M + Inv., GR $1.8M Statesville, NC, $775K + Inv., GR $1.6M

NC, $899K + Inv., GR $10M

Motel:

Anderson, SC, $1.8M + Inv., GR $5.5M Rock Hill, SC, $1.1M + Inv., GR $3.8M Gold Hill, NC, $949K + Inv., GR $1.5M

Charlotte, NC, $1.7M + Inv., $462K Room Revenue

Charlotte, NC, $225K + Inv., GR $3M Richfield, NC, $1.5M + Inv., GR $2.5M Charlotte, NC, $199K + Inv., GR $2.9M

Lenoir, Hickory, Morganton, NC, $299K + Inv., GR $1.5M

More listings available at our website:

Saathee.com

125

coffee HouSe/ Waffle SHop:

www.countysouth.biz January 2012

The Art Of Living Course Start the New Year Right Sudarshan Kriya - Breath out stress & Disease. Yoga - Unite the body mind and Spirit Meditation - Relax and Quieten the Mind Weekly Follow-ups - Reinforce Practice Service - Love in Action

A Weekend to Transform Your Life Jan 27th - Jan 29th Feb 17th - Feb 20th (Choose One)

Weekdays 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm / Sat & Sun 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

For Details & Registration: Call: 980-216-8732 E-mail: charlotte@us.artofliving.org Visit: www.artofliving.org/charlotte

There is a great secret in the breath. You have an inbuilt ability to calm the mind, heal the body and energize the whole system in minutes. The secret is in the breath. -His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar- Founder Art of Living Foundation