hi INDiA East Coast Edition 02.21.14 by hi INDiA Weekly

FIA - 2014

‘US to do business with any India

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 IANS, WASHINGTON

page 19 The new FIA office-bearers taking oath in the presence of the Guest of Honor and VIP Guests

‘US Ato do business with any Indian govt’

mid a mixed reaction to U.S. Ambassador Nancy Powell’s meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the United States reiterated its readiness to do business with whatever government emerges from India’s May elections. “I know that there’s a lot of attention being paid to this one, but it really is part of our broader outreach,” State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters on February 13 in a telephonic briefing in snowbound Washington. “And we look forward to working closely with whatever government the Indian people choose in the upcoming elections,” she said

Marie Harf

page 4

LIVE insisting that the Powell-Modi meeting Thursday was just part of a broader outreach to Indian politicians before the elections. Asked “if that includes Mr. Modi himself,” Harf repeated:

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“Whatever g sen.” Analyst A ing with the ter as a clea changing U Modi, whom political paria it revoked hi complicity in But Harf advance of t elections” Po Consul Gene comprehensi India to senio parties, busi and NGOs.” Since last N “Powell has b tening to view relationship” reached out t ship in the engage in a si

India’s opening up has helped US firm MIDWEST EDITION | EAST COAST EDITION | Volume 4 • Issue No.241 FEBRUARY 21, 2014 | THE COMMUNITY FIRST A NEWS WEEKLY | hiINDiALIVE.COM WASHINGTON: Highlighting the exponential growth in the India-United States trade relationship, an Indian industry group has told a United States commission that American and other foreign firms have tremendously benefited from India’s opening up. Thanks to its “pro-business policies, India has been consistently rated among the top investment destinations globally by international bodies”, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) told the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

The bipartisan fact finding body is holding a hearing here on “Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the US Economy” at the behest of two Congressional committees. Presenting CII’s strong and reasoned defense of India’s trade, commercial

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

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EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

US NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

US NEWS

Nancy-Modi meet signals thaw The meeting marks a significant change in US approach but would it benefit BJP in elections? IANS, GANDHINAGAR

n a clear indication that the United States may be changing its stance towards Narendra Modi, whom it was treating as a political pariah, U.S. Ambassador Nancy Powell met the Gujarat chief minister, who is seen as a strong contender for the prime minister’s post after the general elections. The meeting marks a significant change in the US stance as the Bharatiya Janata Party leader was denied a visa in 2005 in the wake of the 2002 Gujarat riots. Commenting on the meeting, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said Modi owes an explanation over the riots, while Janata Dal-United leader Shivanand Tiwari said that Modi will never be able to wash his hands of the violence. During the meeting, Powell “held comprehensive and wide-ranging discussions with Modi covering all

US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell with BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi during the meeting in Gandhinagar on February 13. (Photo: IANS)

‘Modi stated that for strengthening the IndoUS Strategic partnership and realize its full potential, it is important that such irritants should not be allowed to happen’

facets of the Indo-US relationship extradition. The U.S. embassy in New Delhi and cooperation, in the wider global context”, said a Gujarat govern- said in a statement that the meeting “was part of the US Mission’s outment release. Modi raised the issue of the recent reach to senior leaders of India’s diplomatic row over the hand-cuff- major political parties in advance of ing and strip-search of Indian diplo- the upcoming national elections”. The discussions during the hourmat, Devyani Khobragade, and “expressed hope that a permanent long meeting focused on the imporsolution would be found soon”. tance of the US-India relationship, Powell “reassured that the U.S. gov- regional security issues, human ernment was fully committed to rights, and American trade and resolving this issue at the earliest investment in India, the statement said. The U.S. revoked Modi’s visa possible”. “Modi stated that for strengthen- in 2005 under a law barring entry of ing the Indo-U.S. Strategic partner- foreign officials seen as responsible ship and realize its full potential, it is for “severe violations of religious important that such irritants should freedom”. He has not applied for a not be allowed to happen,” the U.S. visa since then. Since Modi’s emergence as a statement said. He also emphasized that the per- national leader, the U.S. business petrators of the 26/11 Mumbai lobby has reached out to him. Three attack must be quickly brought to Republican lawmakers accompajustice. Lashkar-e-Taiba operative nied a U.S. business delegation that and Mumbai terror attack planner met him in Ahmedabad last year. A David Headley is in a Chicago senior U.S. diplomat also attended prison and India has sought his that meeting.

‘US to do business with any Indian govt’ IANS, WASHINGTON

Marie Harf

insisting that the Powell-Modi meeting Thursday was just part of a broader outreach to Indian politicians before the elections. Asked “if that includes Mr. Modi himself,” Harf repeated:

“Whatever government is chosen.” Analysts see Powell’s meeting with the Gujarat chief minister as a clear indication of the changing U.S. stance towards Modi, whom it was treating as a political pariah since 2005 when it revoked his visa for his alleged complicity in 2002 Gujarat riots. But Harf insisted that “in advance of the Indian national elections” Powell and the US Consul General “are engaging in comprehensive outreach across India to senior leaders in political parties, business organizations, and NGOs.” Since last November, she said, “Powell has been sharing and listening to views on the U.S.-India relationship” and had “also reached out to the senior leadership in the Congress Party to engage in a similar discussion.”

India’s opening up has helped US firms: CII WASHINGTON: Highlighting the exponential growth in the India-United States trade relationship, an Indian industry group has told a United States commission that American and other foreign firms have tremendously benefited from India’s opening up. Thanks to its “pro-business policies, India has been consistently rated among the top investment destinations globally by international bodies”, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) told the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

and investment policies, Pallavi Shroff, senior partner at Amarchand Mangaldas, pointed out that from 2005 to 2013, the total India-US merchandise trade grew from $26.72 billion to $63.70 billion. CII also pointed out that in the last decade, there has been a substantial liberalization of the FDI regime in India in several sectors from domestic airlines to retail. — IANS

Obama hosted most lavish state dinner for Manmohan IANS, WASHINGTON

tate dinners don’t come cheap. The White House spent over $1.55 million on the first five dinners on President Barack Obama’s watch with the one for Indian Prime Minister being the most expensive of them all. The tab for the November 24, 2009 state dinner for Manmohan Singh was a whopping $572,187.36, according to records from the State Department Office of Protocol. The State Department released the information in response to a Freedom of Information request from CBS News. The May 19, 2010 State dinner for President Felipe Calderon of Mexico was the second most expensive at $563,479.92. The Jan 19, 2011 State dinner

for President Hu Jintao of China cost $412,329.73 but the one for Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany on June 7, 2011 cost only half as much at $215,883.36. CBS said it has been waiting for over seven months for the State Department’s rundown of the expenses for the sixth state dinner honoring British Prime Minister David Cameron on March 14, 2012. The Congress has been waiting for similar information on State Dinners from the State Department even longer, it said. In a letter to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dated November 1, 2012, Darrell Issa, Republican Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, expressed concern about the costs of state dinners and asked for an accounting.

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INDIA NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

Six-phase battle awaits India, EC on the job The Election Commission is likely to raise the expenditure ceiling for both Lok Sabha and state assembly candidates IANS, NEW DELHI

he Election Commissionmay announce the schedule to Lok Sabha elections and state assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim in the first week of March. The EC is likely to conduct the elctions in six phases in April-May and the whole exercise could last a month. Elections are likely to be completed by May 15, allowing political parties a fortnight to explore options for forming the next government. The term of the current Lok Sabha comes to an end on May 31. Sources in the Home Ministry — which works with the EC on phasing of polls based on the availability of central paramilitary forces — and the Election Commission said the dates may be announced anytime between March 6 and 10. The model code of conduct will come into effect immediately after EC issues the schedule for polls. As many as 120,000 security personnel, including central paramilitary forces and armed wings of various state police, are likely to be deployed for the general election. The country’s electorate now stands at 814 million with 97 million new voters getting added to the rolls since the 2009 polls. Candidates can look forward to a significant raise in the expenditure ceiling, which may be revised to `7

CHAI PE CHARCHA: Narendra Modi interacts with people at 1,000 tea stalls in 300 cities across India via video conferencing from Ahmedabad. (Photo: IANS)

Modi sips tea, rivals envy IANS, AHMEDABAD

P Candidates can e-file nominations RANCHI: Candidates for the Lok Sabha elections would be able to efile their nominations and affidavits, in a move aimed to bring about faster dissemination of information about the candidates, Election Commissioner H.S. Brahma said. The e-filing, a web-based form, would be in addition to filing the nomination in paper form. The EC will soon ask the government to modify the current rules to make e-filing mandatory. The election commissioner also launched a citizen reporting tool — Election Watch Reporter, an android based application.

Rajiv case: 7 convicted to be freed days, the state would release all the CHENNAI: Six men and a woman — seven. both Indians and Sri Lankans — conThe development came a day after victed in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case will be freed, Tamil Nadu the Supreme Court commuted the Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa death sentence awarded to Murugan, announced on February 19. Perarivalan and Santhan citing the Announcing this in the inordinate delay in deciding assembly, Jayalalithaa their mercy petitions. said the government had Jayalalithaa said the decided to release V. SriTADA court had awarded haran alias Murugan, T. death sentence to 26 people Suthendraraja alias Sanin the case. than, Robert Payas and On appeal, the Supreme Jayakumar (Sri Lankans) Court confirmed the death and A.G. Perarivalan sentence to Murugan, Peralias Arivu, Nalini and arivalan, Santhan and Nalini Rajiv Gandhi. but commuted the death Ravichandran (Indians). sentences of Robert Payas, Jayakumar All seven had been in prison since 1991, the year a woman Tamil Tiger and Ravichandran. The remaining 19 suicide bomber blew up former prime were released. minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election While leaders from several parties rally near Chennai. including DMK, BJP and CPI welShe said the cabinet decision to free comed the decision, it did not go down the seven would be sent to the central well with the Congress. Congress vice government. Even if the central govern- president Rahul Gandhi slammed the ment did not respond within three decision to free his father’s asassins.

million from `4 million for a Lok Sabha constituency and to `2.8 million from `1.6 million for an assembly seat in the bigger states. The new limits, based on change in prices, are likely to be notified by the law ministry soon. Though the home ministry has suggested that polling in areas like Naxalite-dominated pockets of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha be conducted in the initial phase, allowing maximum concentration of central forces, the commission may cover these regions only midway through the schedule. Sources said polling in this tribal belt, which has a good concentration of Christians, may be scheduled only after Good Friday (April 18) and Easter (April 20).

eople wondered how Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial nominee, would conduct a discussion across the country over a cup of tea during his ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ campaign Around 7 pm, amidst high security, Modi reached the venue from where he was to address gatherings at 1,000 tea stalls in different parts of India. Soon after, the Gujarat chief minister started sipping tea while recalling his childhood days of serving tea in Ahmedabad. Modi made his opening remarks on the theme of discussion before the question-answer session began. In the first session, Modi replied mostly in Hindi but also used English to field a question from a participant in Thiruvananthapuram. “This unique initiative is meant to connect with voters, particularly young voters who are technology savvy,” a BJP leader

involved in preparing the project said. The BJP workers are asked to bring people to the venues selected by local leaders in their respective cities. During the live event, which is also broadcast on TV channels and internet, participants from a connected venue can ask Modi a question on a range of issues such as good governance, green technology, tackling corruption, how to improve the education system in the country and his achievements as chief minister. In the first session, Modi answered nearly 30 questions posed by participants from Varanasi to Thiruvananthapuram and many other places. However, insiders said the questions are pre-selected and Modi prepares detailed answers well in advance. The first session, covered extensively by the media, drew sharp reactions from critics who described the initiative as “another political gimmick to woo voters”.

AAP aims big league, declares first poll list IANS, NEW DELHI

wo days after its government in Delhi quit, the AAP Sunday turned its focus on the Lok Sabha elections, releasing its first list of candidates which included activists Medha Patkar, Anjali Damania, Yogendra Yadav, Meera Sanyal and Kumar Vishwas from various key constituencies. “Today, we have announced the names of 20 candidates. The selection of all these candidates has been done on the basis of their work for Medha Patkar and (right) Meera Sanyal have been declared AAP candidates. the society,” Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former minister from Nagpur constituency, a strongManish Sisodia said at a press conhold of BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. ‘We have tried to ference here. “While choosing the candidates, prevent people with Social activist Patkar will contest we have tried to prevent corrupt and from Mumbai Northeast, which is criminal charges from people with criminal charges from entering politics’ currently held by the Nationalist entering politics,” said Sisodia. Congress Party, while former banker AAP leader Yogendra Yadav will Sanyal will fight from Mumbai currently by Congress’ Gurudas contest from Gurgaon while Kumar South, currently represented by Kamat, Mayank Gandhi has been Vishwas will be fielded from Uttar Milind Deora of the Congress. fielded, while anti-corruption Pradesh’s Amethi constituency, a From Mumbai Northwest, held activist Anjali Damania will contest Congress stronghold.

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india feature

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

INDIA FEATURE

Modi might be the first low caste

Prime Minister BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Sujanpur, Himachal Pradesh on February 16. (Photo: IANS)

Prime ministership is a different ball game. Should the party win an adequate number of seats, the RSS-BJP leadership’s commitment to social justice will also be on test

Patna respectively in 1989, these sta- work. Lal Bahadur Shastri, Charan prime minister of India. A Kayastha, tions too are firmly with backward Singh, V.P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar, two Rajputs, a Jat, a Vokaligga and a H.D. Deve Gowda and Inder Khatri became prime ministers but hould Narendra Modi actu- caste and Dalit leaders. The Gaddi at Delhi has so far Gujaral together account for about did not last long. Every Brahmin ally be crowned the prime minister in May, the post- been insulated from the winds of four PM completed his term. Mandal social justice politi- change. Of the 66 years since indeThe question of a non-Brahmin The cal platform will finally have pre- pendence, Delhi has been ruled by alternative at the centre never arose vailed at the centre too. Egalitarian- Brahmin prime ministers for 51 for the 38 or so years that the Gaddi at Delhi has so ism will have trumped the years, including spells of six far been insulated from the Nehru-Gandhi family lasted at caste/class stranglehold on Delhi years by BJP’s Atal Bihari Vajthe helm. Dynasty ensured winds of change. Of the 66 Durbar. The “chaiwala” jibe will payee and two-and-a-halfcontinuity. P.V. Narasimha years since independence, reverberate with great irony, but year of Janata Party’s Morarji Rao was the first Congress only if Modi has the numbers to Desai. prime minister who faced the Delhi has been ruled by Manmohan Singh’s 10 years obstruct the concert of regional prospect of Brahmins losing Brahmin prime ministers political power. He himself came must be considered unique leaders. for 51 years A gradual erosion of the caste or because it is unlikely that there will on top under unusual circumfeudal hierarchies has been taking be a Congress president as powerful stances. Had Rajiv Gandhi not been place since independence in the as Sonia Gandhi was in 2004 when years. assassinated half way through the The evidence so far shows that it 1991 general elections, he would south, west and eastern India. After she nominated him the prime minNarayan Dutt Tewari and Jagannath ister. Sonia did have a nebulous, has not been possible to forge a probably have had to sit in the Mishra surrendered their chief min- Brahmin afflation but Manmohan durable consensus on a caste other opposition. A wave of sympathy isterial bungalows in Lucknow and Singh was outside the caste frame- than the Brahmin for the job of after his death gave Narasimha Rao SAEED NAQVI, NEW DELHI

Will Kejriwal’s gamble pay off? AMULYA GANGULI, NEW DELHI

ince theatrics have been an integral feature of Arvind Kejriwal’s politics, his resignation as Delhi’s chief minister can be seen as part of a choreographed performance. Having shaken off the burden of office — a responsibility for which he appeared to be temperamentally unfit Kejriwal can now be expected to assume the role which comes naturally to him, that of a street-level agitator. It goes without saying that as a rabblerouser, he will be far more successful than what he was as a chief minister. Moreover, he will be able to flaunt his inability to continue as the head of a government by presenting himself as the victim of an unscrupulous set of opponents. The Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader is aware that to large sections, especially among the subaltern classes, he is something of a messiah, who is bent on cleansing the Augean stables of politics. As he told the Delhi assembly in his farewell speech, he is willing to lay down his life while fighting

corruption. Following his resignation, he will be able to claim that he was prevented by the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the industrialist Mukesh Ambani to achieve his avowed objective. Since his claim will find considerable resonance — if he is able to keep some of his more enthusiastic

It is not impossible, therefore, that the latest turn of events is the result of the Congress’s decision to fire at the BJP from the AAP’s shoulder. Since the Congress is in no position in its current demoralized

It will not be a wild guess to say that AAP may be able to secure a majority in the next assembly elections in Delhi camp-followers like former law minister Somnath Bharti in check — then it will not be a wild guess to say that the AAP may be able to secure a majority of its own in the next assembly elections in Delhi. In the parliamentary polls, too, the AAP’s tally of seats may go up from the present estimate of 20-odd to 40 or so. Such an outcome will result in furrowed brows among the BJP top brass because the AAP is likely to gain mainly at the BJP’s expense since their vote banks — the Hindu urban middle class — are largely the same.

state to take on the BJP, why not let the more gung-ho AAP do the job for it ? Indeed, the decision to prop up the AAP in the assembly must have been a part of this cynical game plan. And, now, even if Kejriwal acquires the halo of a martyr on the issue of the Jan Lokpal bill, he will be serv-

just the number of seats from the south to be able to hold onto power. He never allowed a rival power centre in the Hindi belt to emerge. Unlike Congress, the BJP has shown greater foresight in opening the option of a social justice route to power. Kalyan Singh and Uma Bharti are some examples. There clearly are in the Sangh Parivar lobbies for and against this trend. Hence the periodical waxing of these stars. But nothing succeeds like success, and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chauhan is an example of the Parivar’s endorsement of the trend. Prime Ministership is a different level of play. Should the party win an adequate number of Lok Sabha seats, the RSS-BJP leadership’s commitment to social justice will also be seriously on test.

ing the Congress’s cause by eroding the BJP’s base. The Congress is probably also aware that it is the BJP which poses a long-term danger, and not the AAP. Even if the AAP comes to power on its own in Delhi, the chances are that its belligerent ways will cut short its stint. As the party’s propensity to adopt a confrontationist posture towards all and sundry showed, its holierthanthou selfimage leaves little room for compromise.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

DIASPORA

Harris hopes to regain seat The California attorney general feels that people will support the work she has done in every sphere over the past four years IANS, WASHINGTON

alifornia’s IndianAmerican Attorney General Kamala Harris, the first woman as well as the first African American and South Asian to hold the

job, has filed her papers for re-election. “So far, so good,” said Harris, who is so far running unopposed, after filing the papers with San Francisco’s Department of Elections last week.”The deadline is March 7, so we’ll see,” she was quoted as saying by local San Francisco Appeal. Harris, 48, daughter of an Indian mother and an African-American father, previously

Kamala Harris previously served two terms as San Francisco’s district attorney before winning her current seat in 2010

Kamala Harris

served two terms as San Francisco’s district attorney before winning her current seat in 2010. As of Jan 31, Harris had reported more than $3.1 million in campaign funds - $2.5

Two years prison for ‘fundraiser’ Nayak IANS, CHICAGO

aghuveer Nayak, an IndianAmerican fundraiser for convicted politicians Jesse Jackson Jr. and Rod Blagojevich, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined $500,000 for health care fraud. Nayak, 58, who allegedly played a role in then House member Jackson’s alleged attempt to buy President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat from then Illinois governor Blagojevich in 2008, was sentenced in an unrelated case of running a decade-long healthcare scam. U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman on February 17 sentenced the 58-year-old multi-millionaire to two years in prison for allegedly paying doctors bribes to refer patients to surgery centers he owned, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Nayak, a pharmacist and surgery center owner from Oak Brook, was “the bribe guy” who offered to pay the bribe to secure the seat for Jackson, prosecutors alleged at Blagoje-

Prosecutors feel that Raghuveer Nayak (C) corrupted the political process.

Nayak was ‘the bribe guy’, who offered to pay bribe to secure seat for Jackson vich’s second trial. Nayak reportedly once picked up a $7,500 unpaid tab for a Blagojevich fundraiser, and more notably, paid to fly a “social

acquaintance” of Jackson across the country at the lawmaker’s request. While Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison, Nayak was never charged in the seat scandal. Prosecutors had wanted Gettleman to consider Nayak’s contribution-for-Senate seat offer to boost his sentence in the fraud case, saying he had “corrupted the political process”.

Doctor sues own defense team IANS, MELBOURNE

n India-born doctor, who faced trial in Australia for causing bodily harm to a patient, has sued a law firm and a junior counsel for A$884,000 for failing to tell him that the lawyer assigned to him was “inexperienced” in conducting criminal trials. Jayant Patel, who returned to the U.S. last year after he was cleared of the charges against him by a Brisbane court, has demanded A$884,000 in damages

from law firm Raniga Lawyers and barrister Michael Woodford, who was appointed by the firm to defend the doctor, media reported. The firm defended him in his 2010 trial for three counts of unlawfully killing patients and causing grievous bodily harm to another in the Australian state of Queensland. In the case, he was convicted and jailed for seven years. The claim in the Queensland Supreme Court in Brisbane alleges that

million of which was raised in 2013, according to the California Secretary of State’s office. Harris said her strong fundraising totals reflect that people support the work she has done over the past four years. She said she hopes to continue work in areas including human trafficking, privacy rights, homeowner foreclosure relief and criminal justice reforms aimed at reducing recidivism among criminal offenders. “I love this job,” she added. She said she could not comment on measures that could appear on the ballot this year that would decriminalize recreational marijuana use because her office is required to write summaries for the ballot initiatives. A career prosecutor, Harris began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases.

Missing student found dead CHICAGO: A missing Indian-American student Pravin Varughese was found dead in a wooded area on February 18, nearly a week after he was last seen, according to a media report. Police found the body of Southern Illinois University student from suburban Morton Grove in Illinois at about 9:45 a.m. the Chicago Tribune . Varughese had last been seen around 11 pm on February 12 leaving a party about three miles from where his body was discovered. The 19-year-old second year student and criminal justice major had walked into the wooded area on the eastern edge of town after getting into a “dispute” with someone at the party, the newspaper said citing authorities. That man was attempting to drive Varughese home when the dispute started, police said. His sister, Priya Varughese, 20, had said phone records showed her brother called a friend in Chicago at 12:30 am on February 13, about 90 minutes after he reportedly left the party. Police said Varughese’s body showed no obvious signs of trauma, and no evidence thus far points to foul

in 2008 Patel retained Raniga Lawyers to defend him on criminal charges for which he was extradited from the U.S. Patel alleges that Raniga Lawyers failed to tell him the lawyer assigned to him was “inexperienced” in conducting criminal trials, the Courier Mail reported. He said Raniga Lawyers should have supervised his defense lawyer Woodford. Patel said he should have been briefed about counsel’s skills by the firm since the charges against him were very serious, and he could have faced life sentence if convicted. He claimed that Raniga Lawyers failed to get full partic-

Pravin Varughese play in his death. Rather, Carbondale Police Chief Jody O’Guinn said cold weather might have played a role. He was wearing jeans and a shirt when he entered the woods, the chief said, and the area’s “difficult terrain and low temperatures are believed to have contributed to Pravin’s difficulty finding his way out of the wooded area.” An autopsy and toxicology report have been ordered, police said. — IANS

ulars of the charges and allegations from the prosecution so it could not properly advise him about available defenses. Patel was charged with killing Gerry Kemps, 77, and James Phillips, 46, and causing bodily harm to Ian Rodney Vowles, 66, in the Bundaberg Base Hospital in Queensland. He was acquitted of a manslaughter charge after a jury failed to reach a verdict. Jayant Patel

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

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INTERNATIONAL

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from ians newswire

Marines row: India, Italy on diplomatic warpath General Michele Valensise told Gupta the case “shows an Indian desire to draw out the affair beyond all limits”, according to ANSA. It also called its Ambassador to India, Daniel Mancini, for consultations on the trial of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen on the day India’s apex court asked the government to clearly state its stand on the issue. Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said in Rome on February 18 that the envoy has been called to Rome for “consultations” after India’s Supreme Court again delayed Italian marines Massimilliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone killed two Indian fishermen, mistaking them for pirates in February 2012. a ruling on the trial of the marines accused, ANSA reported. In New IANS, ROME/NEW DELHI Union foreign policy chief Cather- Delhi, also on February 18, the ine Ashton warned India there Supreme Court asked the central taly on February 18 summoned could be “major consequences” after government to categorically spell the Indian envoy in Rome to the Indian Supreme Court again out its stand about the law under which the marines are to be tried. voice its “dismay” over the delayed a decision on the marines. Latorre and Girone are accused of “unacceptable delay” in the trial Indian Ambassador Basant of two Italian marines accused of Kumar Gupta was summoned by killing fishermen Valentine and killing two Indian fishermen. the Italian foreign ministry to voice Ajesh Binki after mistaking them for The move comes as Italy also “dismay” at the “unacceptable delay” pirates. The marines were serving as called its ambassador to India to in trying Massimilliano Lattore and security personnel on an Italian oil Rome for “consultations” and to Salvatore Girone who have been tanker MT Enrica Lexie crossing the show Rome’s bitterness at the han- held in India since February 2012 Indian Ocean. India claims jurisdicdling of the case of the marines, who when they allegedly shot dead two tion in the case while Italy alleges have not been charged two years Indian fishermen off the coast of the the incident took place in internaafter the incident took place, Italian south Indian state of Kerala, mistak- tional waters and the marines news agency ANSA reported. In ing them for pirates. should be tried in their home Italian Foreign Ministry Secretary country. another development, European

‘Over 700 Indians workers died in Qatar since 2011’ IANS, DUBAI

ore than 700 Indian workers have died in Qatar, which will be hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in the last three years, data released by the Indian embassy in the affluent Gulf nation revealed. The embassy registered 241 deaths in 2013, 237 in 2012, 239 in 2011 and 24 in January 2014. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which works in the field of labor welfare, has also highlighted the grim conditions of foreign workers in the

country, which is going through a construction spree in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup. Meanwhile li bin Sumaikh Al Marri, chairman of Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee, has said that given the large number of Indians who live in Qatar, one cannot say the mortality rate among Indian expatriates in the country during the past two years is alarming. Al Marri said a “vested interest lobby” was behind a sustained media campaign against Qatar , The Peninsula reported on February 19.

South ASiA

Pak Taliban serious about peace talks Court defers Musharraf’s indictment IANS, ISLAMABAD

he Pakistani Taliban has claimed that it is serious about peace talks with the Pakistan government. Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, speaking to journalists over phone from an undisclosed location, said the TTP leadership was in constant touch with all factions on the issue of ceasefire and a decision in this regard would be taken soon, Dawn online reported. The peace process faced a deadlock after the TTP on February 16 killed 23 security personnel, who had been captured in 2010. The TTP claimed that it killed the security personnel as revenge for what it called “extra-judicial killing” of its detained activists. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on February 18 met the government’s committee formed to hold peace talks with the Taliban, during which the committee expressed its inability to carry forward the peace talks. The government committee said the talks could not progress without any concrete steps and also asked the TTP to unconditionally cease all violent activities without any delay. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House, the government committee briefed

Shahidullah Shahid

Nawaz Sharif and told him that, during the 13-day talks, several people were killed in terrorist attacks. The committee said the talks were progressing satisfactorily until the Taliban claimed responsibility for a blast in Karachi onFebruary 13. The blast targeted a police bus near Razzaqabad.The committee has sought an explanation from the TTP but before that could be given, the Taliban killed security personnel whom they had held hostage. The government committee members have unanimously decided that holding the scheduled talks with the Taliban committee was a meaningless effort. According to a media report, Shahid said that all Taliban factions unanimously backed the dialogue process.

ISLAMABAD: A court here that is hearing high treason charges against ex-president Pervez Musharraf on February 18 deferred his indictment and adjourned the hearing till February 21. Musharraf’s defense lawyers said the special court’s jurisdiction should be decided prior to the former president’s indictment, reported Geo News. The court will announce its verdict whether Musharraf should be tried in a military court in the next hearing. The 70-year-old is facing charges of high treason, which can carry the

death sentence, for imposing an emergency and subverting the constitution in 2007. Earlier on the day, Musharraf appeared before the three-member panel, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, for the first time to avoid a possible arrest, after the court strictly ordered him to appear. The former president was brought in high security from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi to the court.The court issued arrest warrant for Musharraf Jan 31 after he did not appear on previous hearings despite several orders.

Nepal gets chairman of Constituent Assembly KATHMANDU: Nepal’s constitution drafting body — Constituent Assembly (CA) — elected CPN-UML candidate Subas Chandra Nembang as its chairman on February 18. He was the sole candidate in the House. The senior-most lawmaker, Surya Bahadur Thapa, who was chairing the CA, announced Nembang as elected for the top post of the

575-member CA, a body mandated to draw up a new constitution within a year, Xinhua reported. Speaking to reporters after being elected as CA chairman, Nembang said he would move ahead in uniting all the parties in the CA for drafting a new constitution within a year. It is the second time that Nembang has been elected as CA chairman.

Myanmar to work on constitutional amendment YANGON: Myanmar’s opposition party, National League for Democracy (NLD), and 88 Generation Peace and Open Society Group, a former students group formed to work for peace and promote civil society in Myanmar, will jointly push for amendments to the country’s 2008 constitution, according to a joint statement of the two organizations on February 17. The two said they would work for an amendment to Section 436 in Chapter 12 of the Constitution, calling for the emergence of a genuine democratic union, Xinhua reported. Section 436 in Chapter 12 of the constitution states that the constitution shall be amended with the prior approval of more than 75 percent of all the representatives of the union parliament, after which a nation-wide referendum only with the votes of more than half of those who are eligible to vote would be held. The statement followed a meeting here between the NLD central executive committee members and 88 Generation leaders. The Myanmar Union Parliament had formed a 31-member Committee for Implementation of the 2008 Constitution Amendment, chaired by U Nanda Kyaw Swa, Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

SPORTS

MATCH DRAWN, HONOR LOST India end NZ tour without a win, lose Test series 1-0 IANS, WELLINGTON

irat Kohli’s century helped India draw the second and final Test but New Zealand clinched the series 1-0 at the Basin Reserve here on February 17. Aided by Brendon McCullum’s triple century, the Black Caps achieved their highest ever total of 680 for eight declared, handing India a target of 435 runs. India were in a spot of bother at 54 for three but Kohli’s (105 not out) sixth ton took India to safety, with the visitors ending Day 5 at 166/3. There was a records galore Tuesday with the hosts posting their highest ever total in Tests, McCullum (302) becoming the first New Zealander to get past the 300-mark. The 32-year-old also became the highest individual scorer for the Kiwis, surpassing legendary Martin Crowe’s 299 against Sri Lanka here in 1991 while New Zealand’s colossal total outscored their previous best of 671/4, also in the same Test.

Sky Sports to broadcast IPL in Europe

BANGALORE: British television channel Sky Sports will broadcast the Indian Premier League (IPL) for three years, beginning 2015, in Europe. British Sky Broadcasting Ltd has been awarded the telecast, internet and mobile rights for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons of the IPL for Britain, Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and European territories, said a statement. “Sky Sports’ cricket coverage has never been stronger, offering something for everyone including the major Test playing nations... We can’t wait,” Sky Sports said. — IANS

Brendon McCullum

Resuming the day at 571 for six, McCullum patiently put on 19 more runs in the morning session to complete his triple century while all-rounder Jimmy Neesham scored a century on debut, remaining unbeaten on 137. The New Zealand skipper’s knock puts him behind only Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad’s 337 in the highest second innings score list. The Kiwi duo continued their good work from Day 4, extending the seventh-wicket partnership to 179 runs before McCullum edged a Zaheer Khan delivery to India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, bringing to an end a match-saving innings. The stadium rose to applaud the batsman’s effort as the Indian fielders walked up to congratulate him. The Dunedin-born raised his bat to acknowledge the greetings of the crowd before walking back into the pavilion. Man of the Match McCullum hit 32 boundaries and four sixes in his epic 559-ball innings. India end their tour of New Zealand without a win as they had also lost the one-day series 0-4.

India retain second place in ICC ratings IANS, DUBAI

ndia retained their second position in the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings following the Wellington Test, which on February 18 ended in a draw to give New Zealand a 1-0 series win.

Australia, who lead 1- 0, need to draw the ongoing three- Test series with South Africa to leapfrog India But the series result has made Australia’s task of finishing ahead of India on the table before the April 1 cut-off date slightly easier. Australia, who lead 1-0, need to draw the ongoing three-Test series with South Africa to leapfrog India. India have slipped from 117 ratings points to 112 ratings points, and are ahead of Australia by just one ratings point. If Australia win the series 1-0,

‘No jurisdiction over international bodies’ IANS, NEW DELHI

he Supreme Court on February 17 said Indian courts’ jurisdiction does not extend to international organizations as it dismissed a plea by Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) seeking to implead International Hockey Federation (FIH) in its plea for recognition by the international body controlling hockey events. “It is the international body that will decide who will be its members,” a bench of Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice S.A. Bobde said holding that the “jurisdiction of the courts of this country does not apply to the international body”. The IHF had challenged the Delhi High Court allowing the FIH’s plea that it should be deleted as a respondent in the IHF’s plea before it. Appearing for the IHF, senior counsel U.U.Lalit told the court that after the ruling of the

‘It is the international body that will decide who will be its members’ single judge that it represented the hockey in India, it could not be unsettled by anyone else. The court was told that FIH sitting in Switzerland could not decide who will represent Indian

they will rise to 115 ratings points, whereas a 2-0 win will put give them 116 on ratings points. In contrast, if South Africa bounce back and win the next two Tests, then they will not only retain their preseries rating of 133 ratings points, but Australia will also remain

hockey in the international arena. “International authority can’t say I will recognize you. I will recognize who will represent hockey sports in the country,” Lalit told the apparently unimpressed court. The court said that “if the quarrel is between the Indian Olympic Association and the Indian Hockey Federation, then they will be bound by the direction of the courts”.

behind India on 110 ratings points. South Africa is already guaranteed the number-one position at the April 1 cut-off date and, as such, will retain the mace and will also collect a cheque of $450,000, while the side that finishes second will pocket $350,000, while $250,000 will go to the third-ranked side. England will collect $150,000 as they will finish fourth at the April 1 cut-off date.

Indian flag raised in Sochi Olympics ROSA KHUTOR: The Indian flag was raised in the Sochi Olympic Games Sunday, five days after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifted a 14-month-old ban on the Asian country. The flag-raising ceremony was attended by newly-elected Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president N. Ramachandran, reports Xinhua. The IOC suspended India in December 2012 after the Indian Olympic body elected two corruption tainted officials as its leaders. India sent three athletes to Sochi. They carried the IOC flag during the opening ceremony . They will now be able to carry the Indian tri-colour in the closing ceremony on February 23.

INTERNATIONAL

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

Deepika not approached for ‘Shuddhi’? MUMBAI: Actress Deepika Padukone has clarified that she has not been approached for Shuddhi, however she would love to star in it if the makers find her fit for the role. If rumors were to be believed, Deepika was going to replace Kareena Kapoor in the Karan Johar production. “I don’t know if even they (makers of Shuddhi) know what is happening on that project. But no, I haven’t been approached for it yet,” Deepika told reporters here at the unveiling of 59th Idea Filmfare Awards issue. Ever since the Shuddhi project with actors Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead was announced, it got delayed for one or the other reason. Initially, it got postponed to Hrithik’s health issues. Later, the actor quit the movie and now Kareena is also rumored to being replaced with another actress. However, Deepika has said that if the makers of the film will approach her, she would love to do it. “I would love to do that film but I don’t think Karan (Johar) would come to me with something that he didn’t think that I would do justice to,” said the Ram-leela actress. “But if he thinks that I would do justice to it then I would love to do that film,” she added.

Why is Virat Kohli furious?

I haven’t achieved anything yet: Alia Bhatt

MUMBAI: According to a report in DNA, the cricketer has not taken kindly to all the flak his alleged girlfriend Anushka Sharma has got due to her changed appearance. Her alleged ‘lip job’ has apparently made her the butt of jokes, and the cricketer feels that it is her private matter and should not be speculated on public platforms. Quoting a source, a DNA report says that Virat feels that whatever Anushka has done with her lips is her private business.

MUMBAI: Alia Bhatt aspires to be a “superstar” after becoming a good actor. But as of now she feels she is “zero”. The 20-year-old, who started her career in filmdom with Student Of The Year, now awaits the release of her film Highway and she will then be seen in 2 States. “I want to be a superstar but first I want to be an actor then I want to be a superstar. At the moment I don’t feel I have achieved anything. I am zero,” Alia told IANS.

Ruslaan caught in work on wedding day MUMBAI: Ruslaan Mumtaz could feel the pressure of the unearthly working hours of the Indian television industry when he had to rush from an overnight shoot of TV show Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara to his own wedding on February 14. Ruslaan had to shoot for his daily soap all night on February 13 until 10 a.m. the next day. Then he had to rush to a court with his long-standing girlfriend Nirali Mehta to make it just in time for their 11 a.m. wedding. “It’s true I was shooting all night for my serial. I then rushed from Film City to the court in Fort in my shooting costume! That was the only way I could make it in time for my court wedding,” he said.Ruslaan didn’t have a day off and he seemed okay with it.

Mahie doesn’t care about numbers MUMBAI: Actress Mahie Gill, known for her bold avatar in films like Dev D, Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster and Not A Love Story, stays unfazed by box office collections of her movies. The actress says that as the films she does are not big budget projects, she is not worried about numbers. “I don’t do such big budget films. The films which I do reap benefits at the box office, they become commercially successful and are critically acclaimed as well. So I don’t worry about the box office numbers,” the actress told reporters.

‘’Queen’ is Kangana’s best till date’

Vidya is not pregnant MUMBAI: Squashing rumors of her pregnancy, actress Vidya Balan has said that “right now” she doesn’t see any possibility of starting a family. At an event to promote her forthcoming film Shaadi Ke Side Effects, when asked when does she plan to start a family, Vidya said: “Inshallah one day I will be able to answer your question, but right now I don’t see any possibility.” Vidya married UTV Studios CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur in December 2012. Rumors of her pregnancy have been rife lately. However, she is currently totally focussed on promoting Shaadi Ke Side Effects.

MUMBAI: Rajkummar Rao, who will next be seen in Queen with Kangana Ranaut, believes that the National Award winning actress has put her best foot forward in the film. “It was great working with Kangana. She is really grounded and she is a really sweet person. In this film, she has done a great job,” Rajkummar said in an interview here on February 13. “I can say that this film is packed with Kangana’s best performance till date,” he added. Set to release March 7, Queen is directed by Vikas Bahl and also stars Lisa Haydon.

cinema news

NEWS

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

No one is a threat, says Parineeti The pretty lass is looking for roles that can take her to ‘another level’ SUBHASH K. JHA, MUMBAI

usy as a bee, Parineeti Chopra has a lot on her plate and says she is enjoying her work and doesn’t feel threatened by her contemporaries. “This is my fourth year in the industry. And I’m doing the work that I am really enjoying,” said the actress who is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha. With seven films to her credit, Parineeti says she is far more alert and anxious. “Initially, I had nothing to lose. But with every passing film there are more expectations to live up to... There is a checklist of directors and actors you want to work with. The dreams expand and so do the anxieties. I want to be known for being versatile. So I’ll search now for the roles that take me to another level.” The spirited scenestealer says she doesn’t see any of her contemporaries as rivals. “I don’t really feel anyone is a threat. There is enough room for

Too much pressure in B’wood now: Juhi UMA RAMASUBRAMANIAN, MUMBAI

n over 25 years that she has dedicated to the Hindi film industry, Juhi Chawla has witnessed several trends. But she believes the current generation of actors has too much pressure to handle as far as competition and visiblity are concerned. “I thank god that I was there (at the peak of my career). I think there’s too much pressure now,” Juhi told IANS during a tete-a-tete here. “There are so many newcomers...Earlier once you made a mark, at least you had a chance of getting ahead. I think today you really have to stand your ground to be able to sustain. “There is so much noise around like size zero, public relations, marketing...I hope these girls are also enjoying themselves,” she

said. During her prime, the entertainer charmed moviegoers with her million- dollar smile, innocence and charm. A former Miss India Universe, she made her cinematic debut with 1986 film Sultanat.

‘Gunday’ earns over `400 million

NEW DELHI: Yash Raj Films’ latest offering Gunday has collected over `40 crore in three days. It is expected

to do well in the next weekend too, says a trade expert. Director Ali Abbas Zafar’s action thriller has minted `43.93 crore, said a statement. The movie starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra “has managed to draw crowd to cinema halls”, says Gautam Dutta, chief operating officer, PVR Cinemas. “It is one of the much-awaited films. The response is very good. The occupancy (over three days) was about 80 percent. The songs, genre and two young actors with Priyanka... everything is well taken up,” said Dutta. “We are positive about next weekend too and hope the film will do well,” said Dutta.

‘Gunday’: Mindless, clueless crime porn

Sunidhi Chauhan to perform at Trinidad and Tobago carnival PORT-OF-SPAIN: Leading Indian playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan will perform at the Trinidad and Tobago carnival on February 22, organizers said. The carnival will be held at Guaracara Park in San Fernando, Randy Glasgow, chief executive officer of Randy Glasgow Productions said, adding that Chauhan will be accompanied by her performing troupe. Top bands Dil-e-Nadan, Karma, BMERZ, Melo Bug, 3 Veni and D Rampersad Indian Art will also perform during the event.

everybody. That’s how I feel right now. Maybe two years down the line, I’ll start peering anxiously over my shoulder. But at the moment I’m happy to be just doing the work that I am,” said the actress who debuted with Ladies Vs Ricky Behl. Parineeti has no regrets about opting out of Shoojit Sircar’s next film Piku, in which she was to play Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter. “The dates clashed with another film. I was so looking forward to it because it gave me a chance to work with two of the finest actors we have — Bachchan saab and Irrfan,” she said and added: “Maybe it was too early for me to work with these stalwarts. I’d have probably forgotten my lines and just stared at them.” As for losing out on the chance of doing a father-daughter film with the Big B, Parineeti said: “I have a very strong father-daughter bonding with Anupam Kher sir in Daawat-e-Ishq. As for Bachchan saab, I’m sure I’ll have other opportunities to work with him.” “I’ve lots on my plate. Till the release of Hasee Toh Phasee, I was shooting two films, dubbing and promoting. There was no time for myself. And I can’t complain. Good scripts are coming my way. Obviously I can’t say yes to every film and endorsement that comes my way.”

Film: “Gunday”; Cast: Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan; Directed; Ali Abbas Zafar; Rating:** 1/2

eriously, this is the funniest Yashraj film in the distinguished banner’s range of existence. Tragically the humor is mostly unintended.... Like the gaffes and boo-boos that litter the decked-up garbage masquerading as a pseudo-historical depiction of Bangladeshi migrants in Kolkata post the 1971 Bangladeshi war of liberation . Two boys, Bikram and Bala, crawl across the border into Kolkata and become some kind of messianic outlaws. Shamelessly, the film glorifies a life of crime to a level of embarrassing exultation until we see the two “heroes” (ha ha) constantly on the run from the “the law” (as represented by the insanely

sane and sensible Irrfan). But Bikram and Bala, who grow up to be two blobs of brainless brawn played by Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, are no ordinary

criminals on the run. They run in slow-motion sometimes shirtless, their biceps and 6-packs glistening in hairless glory. A major portion of the narrative is devoted to

the triangular courtship with Bikram and Bala wooing cabaret dancer (who isn’t what she seems, but shhhhh!). Nandita(Priyanka Chopra) first meets her two sleazy suitors in a loo when they have their dhotis hitched up to their thighs to relieve themselves. Gunday wastes acting talent as though it was available at discount rates. The very talented Victor Bannerjee and Pankaj Tripathi show up in walk-on parts and are hastily packed off to focus on the two studs on steroids in the 70s slithering in slippery motions across the railway tracks stealing koyla from the carriages. How ‘coal’ is that! Irrfan’s voiceover tries to keep the plot together. Brilliant actors have limitations. — Subhash K. Jha

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

COMMUNITY NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

IALI women’s wing celebrates Valentine’s Day

( L to R) Gobind Munjal, Gunjan Rastogi, Ajay Batra, Satnam Parhar, Pinki Jaggi, & Jyoti Gupta

BY A STAFF WRITER

he Women’s Forum of the India Association of Long Island (IALI) celebrated Valentine’s Day with great pomp and show at Mint Restaurant in Long Island on February 7. The highlight of this event was a very wellorganized IALI Ms Valentine 2014 Pageant Contest, which was judged by Dr. Anila Midha, past president of IALI, who has been organizing fashion shows for the last 10 years, Sunita Sadhnani and Suchita Chadha. The event attended by a record crowd of 115

women was organized by 2014 Women Forum Chair Pinky Jaggi and Co-Chair Suman Munjal, with help from committee members. The venue was decorated with colorful table cloths, flowers and the heart-shaped Valentine balloons. Twelve well dressed and talented ladies took part in fashion show like Walk and Parade for the Ms. Valentine Pageant Contest. Out of them, six gave their remarkable performances in the talent show in front of the audience and the judges. Three finalists were picked by the judges and each of them were asked a question. Suman

Mr Parhar, Pinki Jaggi & Suman Munjal with Ms Valentine 2014

Nagpal was picked as a winner of the contest and was crowned IALI Ms Valentine 2014 with a sash and a crown, by IALI president Satnam Parhar, Women Forum Chair Pinky Jaggi and Co-Chair Suman Munjal. She was presented with a bouquet of red roses and almost $400 worth of prizes. Deepa Makkar was picked as runner-up and was also handed a bouquet of roses, and other prizes. The newly crowned Ms Valentine, Suman Nagpal, cut the Valentine Cake and Parhar, Jaggi, Munjal and all the judges, past presidents, executive council members and the contestants joined in.

Indian American guilty of sexually assaulting 5 women BY A STAFF WRITER

EW YORK: An Indian American man in New Jersey has been convicted of sexually assaulting or attempting to assault five women. Hiten Patel, 35, was arrested on August 2, 2012, after investigators linked him to at least 10 sexual assaults. Patel was acquitted on February 12 of sexually assaulting two of the victims, though he was found guilty of pulling an imitation firearm on one and attempting to rob the other. Pr o s e c u t o r s s a i d o n e o f t h e remaining eight victims who could not be located was removed from the trial. Two other cases connected to earlier attacks in 2011 were severed into a separate trial. “This guilty verdict should serve as a reminder and deterrent of the grave consequences in store for individuals who seek to take advantage of vulnerable victims, especially women,” assistant prosecutor John Flammer was quoted as

Hiten Patel

saying in a statement. “Due to the brave women who came forward and faced their attacker, this defendant will now be unable to harm

anyone else,” Flammer said. Seven women testified during the two-week trial and many of them gave similar accounts of how Patel threatened them and sexually assaulted them at gunpoint. Some of the women said Patel choked them during the attacks. After his arrest, the police seized from his van the firearm allegedly used in the crimes but it turned out to be a toy handgun. Patel, who took the stand on February 17, testified that the majority of his victims were prostitutes. He denied sexually assaulting or threatening any women with the toy gun. Patel claimed he had paid the women for consensual sex. He, however, denied having any sexual contact with two of the victims. Prosecutors agreed that some, though not all, of the victims were former prostitutes. “He chose prostitutes because he believed they were unlikely to go to the police,” Flammer said.

Couple fined for smuggling banned food from India

BY A STAFF WRITER

HILADELPHIA -In a rare incident, an American couple has been fined for trying to smuggle into the US about 30 pounds of undeclared and prohibited food products from India. Customs and Border Police (CBP) seized 25 pounds of chickpeas and five pounds of popcorn with green curry leaves from the couple, who tried to sneak in these product unauthorizedly in seven of the eight bags they were bringing from India. The couple was coming from India and lives in Pennsylvania. They have been

slapped with a fine of USD 500. “Rarely do CBP agriculture specialists encounter such a brazen attempt like they did when a West Chester, Pennsylvania, couple attempted to smuggle about 30 pounds of undeclared and prohibited food products from India through Washington Dulles International Airport inside seven of their eight suitcases,” CBP said in a statement. The couple returned from India through Dubai and processed their international arrivals separately at the Global Entry self-help kiosks. Neither traveller declared possessing any food products. when CBP officers referred them to a secondary compliance

inspection, the couple again declared not possessing food products in any of their eight pieces of baggage. On further questioning, they declared possessing only sweets and spices. When a CBP agriculture specialist passed each bag through an x-ray, anomalies were detected in seven bags. Further examination discovered about 25 pounds of chickpeas and five pounds of popcorn with green curry leaves. Chickpeas from India are prohibited due to the possible introduction of harmful plant diseases and insect pests, such as the highly destructive Khapra beetle.

Everybody then danced with Ms Valentine and all the other contestants to the tunes dreamed up by the DJ and had a great time. The Women’s Forum meets regularly on the first Fridays of every month. Every effort is made each month to showcase and implement a new and different program of benefit to women. The next program will be on March 7 in which colorful Holi festival will be celebrated with colors and a lot of fun. It is part of the ongoing programs of the IALI and continues to receive much support under the able leadership of Parhar.

8 held for using fake ID papers to get driver’s license BY A STAFF WRITER

IDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Eight people have been arrested and charged with creating false identity documents to obtain official New Jersey driver’s licenses. According to Middlesex County acting prosecutor Andrew Carey, the investigation by a variety of federal, state, county and local agencies determined that each of the seven men and one woman acted individually to obtain driver’s licenses to get benefits given to US citizens. The seven men were arrested during a series of early morning raids at their homes throughout Middlesex County and in Trenton. “Criminals who obtain false identification documents often have nefarious intentions to use those documents to commit other serious crimes,” the prosecutor said, adding that fraudulent documents threatened the security of all citizens by making it easier for criminals to hide from law enforcement while committing offenses. The wide-ranging investigation began when authorities from the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission obtained information showing the defendants fraudulently obtained driver’s licenses at state MVC offices in East Brunswick, Edison and South Plainfield. The defendants forged fake identity documents, like birth certificates, and then used them to get the licenses, complete with their names and photos. In some cases, they even used false names on the licenses—during the past four years. The defendants are: Mario Crispin, 47, who is being held in the county jail; Manuel Pangol, 40, of Milltown; Nestor Valdes, 54; Freddy Chavarria, 22; Elido Torres, 45; all of New Brunswick; Daniel Henigan, 25, of Trenton; Eduardo Alegria, 36, of the Somerset section of Franklin Township; and Angelica Pinos, 36, of Jamesburg. They are all charged with identity fraud, possession of false government documents and uttering false instruments. They face five to 10 years in prison, if convicted, and will be tried in state Superior Court.

COMMUNITY NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2014 EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21,21, 2014

19 3

DANCERS SHOWCASE INDIAN CULTURE AT FIA’S

DANCE PE

CHANCE

BY A STAFF WRITER

h e Fe d e r a t i o n o f In d i a n Associations (FIA) of the Tristate (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) celebrated India’s 65th Republic Day with its annual traditional show “Dance Pe Chance” (DPC). The FIA, the largest and the oldest nonprofit umbrella organization of the Indian community, held the 34th edition of the show on February 15 at the State Theater in New Brunswick, N.J. Television celebrities like Kamya Panjabi of the “2013 Big Boss” fame, Amir Ali, winner of “Nach Baliye 3” and Nishat Shaukeen of “Choti Bahu” fame, added glamour to the show. The celebrities also promoted Magicbus and also displayed a copy of the FIA Souvenir book. The event featured 27 dance performances portraying a blend of diverse dance forms presented with precision, grandeur, coordination and talent. Every performance presented a unique blend of art and heritage along with the signature dance patterns of their respective choreographers. The spectacular entertainment amazed the sold-out crowd of spectators at the same time promoting their talent and the Indian culture to viewers across America. The event included honoring of the chief guest, Guest of Honor and VIP Guests and the traditional ceremony of oath for the FIA’s incoming executive committee of 2014 – Ankur Vaidya, president; Anand Patel, executive vice president; Srujal Parikh, vice president; Nishol Parikh, general secretary; Alok Kumar, treasurer;

Sanya Amin, immediate past president and Chhavi Singh, joint secretary. The oath was administered by Consul General of India in New York Dnyaneshwar Mulay with New Jersey Assemblyman Chivukula on hand acknowledging and welcoming the new team of the FIA, one of the premium organizations to promote Indian culture in America through their activities and events. No wonder, in his address, Mulay praised FIA’s attempt to maintain and portray the Indian community and the diversified culture at display by means of large community events. He invited prize winners to participate at various events being planned at the consulate, and pledged his support to FIA’s various community events and issues. Dignitaries who attended the event included Ramesh Patel, H R Shah, Anil Bansal, Albert Jasani, Shobhna Patel, Bipin Patel, Andy Bhatia and Yash Paul Soi. Ramesh Patel, chairman of FIA congratulated Sanjay Amin, the outgoing president and welcomed Ankur Vaidya, the new president of FIA. He added, “FIA is a distinctive organization that celebrates India’s Republican Day in a gala entertainment destination and with a unique style. As Americans of Indian origin we are very proud to celebrate Indian Republic day.” He commended both outgoing as well incoming executive committees as well as the DPC 2014 team for working diligently to put together a great show with the best of the dance groups from tri-state performing on stage. Vaidya thanked Andy Bhatia for his direction and guidance in making the Magicbus-FIA partnership a success for the

Celebrities were felicitated at FIA’s DPC event

A great prize for a great team of dancers

betterment of the underprivileged children. Multiple winning contestants took to stage to receive their respective trophies and checks. Prominent dance schools included Deewakar Performing Arts, Aatma Performing Arts, Arya Dance Academy, Aum Dance Studio, Dancing Shiva & Kalanjali School of Dance. Arya Dance Academy highlighted the evening by winning in all

The new FIA office-bearers taking oath in the presence of the Guest of Honor and VIP Guests

categories. Participants were judged by an array of talented personalities including Arti Datta, president of Mudra Foundation; Megha Kalia, dance entrepreneur, Gayathri Higashide, artistic director of the Shiva Tala Institute of Bharatanatyam, Saroosh Gull, founder of Desiclub and Pooja Narang, actress and artistic d i re c t o r o f the BAX Dance Company.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2014 EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 21, 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

TRIBUTES PAID TO LEGENDARY TELUGU ACTOR AKKINENI IN NJ

BY A STAFF WRITER

dison (NJ) -- North East NRIs who are admirers of Natasamrat Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, legendary Telugu film actor, organized an event in Coriander Restaurant, Edison, NJ on February 7 to pay homage to the departed soul and shared their memories of him during his visit to NJ in August, 2012. The doyen of Telugu film industry passed away on January 22 aged 91. Damu Gedala, owner of the restaurant and Telugu community leader, organized the event by inviting leaders of all national and local Telugu organizations to participate and pay their tributes to ANR, as Dr. Akkieni was called by his fans. He thanked Vidyadhar Garapati, CEO, Movers.com, and Dr. Mohan Patalolla, joint treasurer, NATA, as well as others who sponsored the event. Srinivas Ganagoni (NATA, BOD) started with an introductory speech

Muslim woman’s plaint against religious discrimination

BY A STAFF WRITER

ADDLE BROOK (NJ) -- A Muslim woman has filed a complaint claiming she was the victim of religious discrimination when managers at the Saddle Brook factory where she worked told her to take off her headscarf. Naima Ansari, of Elmwood Park, said she was waiting for an assignment on her second day of work at Paradigm Packaging on January 17 when she was ‘singled out’ by a supervisor and told to remove her religious headscarf, called hijab, saying it was a safety issue. Next day, she quit her job at the plastic vitamin bottling company.. “She informed the supervisor that it is a fundamental part of her religion that she wears her headscarf, as she is an observant Muslim,” the complaint said. “The supervisor restated that she remove her headscarf for safety concerns and added that no religious symbol is permitted in the factory.” Ansari went to a floor manager over the issue and was again told she couldn’t wear the hijab. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations filed the complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Anasri’s behalf January 29. In the complaint, a lawyer for the group said the company’s actions violated Anasri’s First Amendment rights as well as state anti-discrimination laws. “As required by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the company cannot require an employee to violate or forgo a sincerely-held religious belief as a term or condition of obtaining or retaining employment,” the group’s civil rights director and lawyer, Khurrum Ali, wrote in the plaint. The company made no efforts to ‘reasonably accommodate’ Ansari, eliminating any claim that the religious accommodations were overly burdensome, the complaint alleged. Ansari, who was placed in the position through a Paterson manufacturing staffing firm, has since found another job through the agency..

Dr Akkineni Nageswara Rao

and invited all the key supporters and community leaders to light the lamp and pay homage before Dr. Akkieni’s portrait by offering flowers and observing a moment of silence. Those present on the solemn occasion were Ravi Kondabolu(Vice Chairman: Dr.Akkineni Foundation USA), Damu Gedala(Owner: Coriander restaurant), Vidyadhar Garapati (CEO, Movers. com), Dr. Mohan Patalolla (Jt. Treasure, NATA), Hari Eppanapally(President, Lead India 2020 Foundation), Nandu Balija( Vice-Chairman, HATCC), Rohini Kumar (TFAS, Advisor), Manju Bhargava(President, TFAS), Krishnasri(past president, TLCA), Ravi Potluru ( President, TAGDV) and Swarna Gedala(Partner: Coriander Restaurant). Ganagoni recalled his memories with Dr. ANR and mentioned that he was fortunate to introduce Dr. Akkineni and shared a dais with him and executed his 89th birthday celebrations in Royal Albert’s Palace in August, 2012 which was

organized on a grand scale, and that event was truly a memorable experience to all the Telugus in the Tri-state area who attended the event. There were 1,500 people who participated and listened to and interacted with him for more than four hours during his visit to NJ in 2012. Gedala recalled Dr. Akkineni’s visit to Coriander Restaurant and his 89th birth day celebrations in NJ in 2012. He also received an outstanding community service award from Dr.Akkieneni Foundation during his visit to the US. During the event, many singers such as Anitha Krishna, Rajeev, Sreekanth, Prasad, Mr.& Mrs.Krishna Rani who all had personal touch with ANR sang many of his film songs during the event and paid tributes to his journey in the Telugu movie industry. About 150 people, including many Telugu organizations and dance school representatives and other community leaders, attended the event.

Indian Teenager commits suicide BY A STAFF WRITER

irl, 15, at private school for the gifted leaps to her death off grandmother’s Manhattan apartment building ‘after vicious cyberbullying’ Jayah Ram Jackson, 15, jumped to her death at 10.40 am on Thursday on Manhattan’s Upper West Side The gifted teenage girl who who jumped off the roof of her grandmother’s 27-floor Upper West Side apartment building on Thursday made references to being bullied online and a ‘petition to have her commit suicide’. The Facebook page of Jayah Ram Jackson, 15, reveals a young girl suffocated by loneliness and depression who openly discussed the possibility of ending her own life and alluding to problems with bullies online. On January 5, she wrote that unidentified others were urging her to commit suicide.

Jayah Ram Jackson

‘At least 8 people have told me they want me to kill myself in the past 2 days,’ she posted. ‘I just hope that when i actually do it, they don’t feel responsible. because they won’t be.’

Businesses told to file recycling report by March 1

BY A STAFF WRITER

OMERSET COUNTY (NJ) – March 1 has been fixed as the deadline for businesses, institutions and commercial establishments to file recycling tonnage reports with their local municipal recycling coordinators for 2013. Last year, the Somerset County Department of Public Works mailed some 10,000 letters to local businesses reminding them of the importance of reporting tonnage so the numbers could be included in the County’s annual totals and they, in turn, could comply with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulations. Not reporting recycling tonnage can put a tremendous burden on a business because NJDEP policy dictates that enforcement action will be taken if a business is not in compliance within 30 days of being notified. The Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires New Jersey

residents, businesses, institutions and commercial establishments to separate recyclable material from regular trash. Businesses are responsible for the separation and proper disposal of mandatory recyclable materials, such as newspapers, magazines, chipboard, glass and aluminum containers, corrugated cardboard, steel and tin cans, plastic bottles, mixed paper, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, electronic and yard waste. Organizations that are just starting to set up a recycling system should contact their solid waste hauler for recycling information and cost estimates and their municipal recycling coordinator for recommendations on setting up a system. Organizations also should establish policies and educate their employees about recycling. The NJDEP requires that the Somerset County Department of Health conduct inspections—throughout the year--at local businesses and institutions to verify compliance with mandatory recycling rules.

Troubled: Jayah Ram-Jackson, 15, allegedly lept to her death from the top of her grandmother’s Upper West Side apartment on Thursday morning Troubled: Jayah Ram-Jackson, 15, allegedly lept to her death from the top of her grandmother’s Upper West Side apartment on Thursday morning In a flurry of messages posted on Tuesday, the teen sounded dispondent about Valentines Day and how she could not bear the thought of being alone. ‘I’m actually just going to wait for someone to make a petition for me to kill myself because it’s inevitable,,, like, we all see it coming,’ Jayah wrote on Tuesday. Police said Jackson, 15, lept to her death at 10.40am on Thursday on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The girl had been at her grandmother’s apartment beforehand and was able to gain access to the roof because it was unlocked, police reported.

Cops warn drug users in Beaver County BY A STAFF WRITER

MBRIDGE- PA — A woman who overdosed last week may be the first in the western Pennsylvania county to die from fentanyl-laced heroin being blamed for at least 22 other deaths in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties. The police in Ambridge, Beaver County, are warning drug users to avoid heroin stamped with the street name ‘Thor’ which was found when the 48-year-old woman died on February 4. Attorney-General Kathleen Kane has blamed heroin laced with the powerful synthetic morphine and labeled ‘Theraflu’ or ‘Bud Ice’ for the other fatalities. But Kane also believes dealers may be re-branding the dangerous drugs with other street names because of negative publicity surrounding the overdoses.

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FRIDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY21, 24,2014 2012

hi INDiA : 2544 W. Devon ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60659

21 51

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

HELP WANTED

HIRING

Looking for assistant GM for Franchised hotel in New Orleans. Wyndham property experience is preferred, H1 Sponsorship offered for appropriate candidate.

Contact: 504-235-9692 or 504-235-9693

HIRING

MOTEL HELP Small Franchise Motel in Western PA, North of Pittsburgh, looking for couple to operate 24 Hrs a day. Salary up to $3200 per month. Must speak fluent English

Call: 724-418-1550

MOTEL HELP

Akash grocery is looking for part time/full time help, minimum graduate education. 1 year experience computer savvy

Couple needed to manage Independent Motel near Chicago. Descent Salary. Accommodation provided. Must be legal to work and should have good English.

RESTAURANT HELP

MOTEL HELP

Call 773- 916- 4100

Wanted Waiters, Cook & Tandoori Chef for Indian Restaurant in Chicago.

Call Sarvan: 773-968-6484

HIRING Home visiting Physician / Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistants / Chief Resident / Fellows Needed, Full Time / Part-Time with benefits. Great opportunity for Retirees. Competitive Salary, Malpractice Insurance, Flexible days and hours and friendly staff. Beautiful high tech office (s) in suburbs. Excellent location, EMR based office, you will be seeing patients at their homes with a medical assistant in company driven car, and 24x7 P.A / Nurses to take all calls and paperwork, you will not take any work back home. Heading : Arialreply Black to 14 this Font email: White color Please

care@primecarephysicians.org or fax resume to 630-701-9010, or Call 630-701-9009.

MOTEL HELP

Motels in Kentucky needs Housekeeping Couple & Laundry couple. Accommodation provided.

Call: 606-344-3248

HIRING

: Arial 12 Font Black Need peopleHeading to work atBlack warehouse in color Schaumburg, IL Should have knowledge in computer.

Contact: 312-375-4782 or 630-814-9245

NANNY WANTED

Full time live in Nanny / housekeeper needed in Cincinnati, OH for help with babysitting, cooking and some household chores for a professional family

Contact: Rasesh or Rima at 513-477-2549 or 513-497-2549.

WAITRESS WANTED

Part time waitress wanted for Indian Restaurant located at 279 N Barrington Rd, Streamwood, IL 60107.

Call: 630-872-0221

Contact: 224 381 5501/ 224 381 5502

Motel in Arkansas needs couple for Housekeeping Heading : Arial Black 14 Font White color & Laundry. Accommodation provided. Call after 7 p.m.

479-981-9256

MOTEL HELP

Hiring for Night Auditor. Must be fluent with English writing/speaking.Motel in South Chicago land area! Accommodation Provided.

Call: 312-513-2015.

MOTEL FOR IMMEDIATE SALE Ex. Hoso 4 storyed interior corridor Heading : Arial Black 12 Font Black color HWY 94, Exit 220 B, Travel Inn Detroit, MI. Good condition 80 + Units. Living Apts . Gross $300,000 since last 14 years. Absentee owner. Price $750,000. Owner financing W/15% down. Make offer. Desprate to sale.

Call: 732-494-9383 or 908-565-0792

MOTEL FOR SALE

inside text : Arial 11 Font Black color

44 room Motel for sale in Indiana formerly super 8. Very good condition. with interior corridor with leaving Apt. Absentee owner 12 year old. Gross $200K, Asking $550000. Owner financing with 100K down

Call: 847-571-7133 or 847-863-8355

C-STORE FOR SALE Convenient Store for sale in Collingdale, PA with Lottery, Food Stamp etc. for more info.

please call: 732-668-7028

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

MOTEL HELP Looking for HOUSE KEEPING Couple for Franchise Motel in IOWA. LEGAL STATUS MUST.

Contact: 319-493-0686

MOTEL HELP Wanted Housekeeping Couple & Motel Manager Couple for Franchise Motel. Experience Preferred. Good salary and accommodations provided Please call 213-926-2727 or 314-497-3292

MOTEL HELP Looking for housekeeping/Front Desk Couple for Motel in Indiana near Chicago

Call: 219-512-2800

MOTEL HELP WANTED

Chicago Metro area franchise motel looking for a hardworking and motivated housekeeping couple. inside text : Arial 11 Font Black color Very good salary and accommodation provided.

Please Call 630-400-5257 or 630-917-4794

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Call: 347-321-3381

FOR QUICK SALE

Gas stations $130K ,C-Store, Liquor, Cigarette $60K + Lotto $5K Comm, ATM $700.00 Comm and Restaurant $3300.00 Rent. Goodwill $200K Plus Inventory or Best Offer. Real Estate Options to Buy.

Serious Buyer Call: 630-776-2574.

RESTAURANT FOR SALE

Well occupied, furnished Indian restaurant for sale in St. Louis. Busy location, very good business. for more information

Contact: 314-409-7874

MOTEL HELP

Franchise motel in Joliet, IL. need energetic individual for front desk. Fluent in English, computer skills require and must be legal to work.

Call Dipak @ 708-369-8555 MOTEL HELP

42 Rooms franchise Motel in South IL need a couple for Manager position with experience. Legal to work and should be fluent in English.

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Call Dean @ 618-262-4800

MOTEL HELP

Motel in North Carolina needs front desk and housekeeper. Accommodation provided

Call Joshi @ 954-235-2338

LIQUOR STORE FOR SALE IN CHICAGO Annual Sales $1.8Million 3,100 sq ft of Commercial Building. Business with Real Estate for $ 725,000 + Inventory. Business Only $ 600,000 + Inventory. Fixed Priced, Seller to Show Proof of Cash availability or Preapproval. Won't Last Long !!

Contact – 847-340-0123

BUSINESS FOR SALE Convenient store for Sale in Chicago IL near Downtown. Asking price $40,000, price negotiable.

Contact: 630 205 5585

MOTEL FOR SALE

Remodeled 16 rooms Motel for sale in Texas with 3 bedroom Apartment. Big truck parking. Owner finance available

Contact Rashmi Shah @ 254-413-3886, 254-413-3887

RESTAURANT FOR SALE/RENT

Well equipped & very nicely furnished Indian Restaurant on Sale & Rent located in the heart of Devon Ave Market. Best location in Chicago. Only serious enquiries please.

Call: 312-479-5506

GAS STATION/C-STORE FOR SALE Gas Station with Convenience Store for sale near Raleigh, NC. Yearly sale $1.7 million.

Call: 252-767-1635

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

HELP WANTED

Wanted full time live-in to take care for my sick father. Duties include light housework and cooking, driving is a must . We will provide car and housing (separate room and bathroom) and meals . Location is Chicago suburbs .

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A Physical Therapy company requires 1 accountant CPA preferred for their account dept. The candidate must be proficient with Quick Books 2013 and have health care experience. We offer excellent benefits.

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HELP WANTED

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WAITRESS WANTED

Part time waitress wanted for Indian Restaurant located at 279 N Barrington Rd, Streamwood, IL 60107.

HIRING

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MEDICAL OFFICE FOR RENT

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MOTEL HELP Small Franchise Motel in Western PA, North of Pittsburgh, looking for couple to operate 24 Hrs a day. Salary up to $3200 per month. Must speak fluent English

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MOTEL HELP

HIRING

42 Rooms franchise Motel in South IL need a couple for Manager position with experience. Legal to work and should be fluent in English.

Home visiting Physician / Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistants / Chief Resident / Fellows Needed, Full Time / Part-Time with benefits. Great opportunity for Retirees. Competitive Salary, Malpractice Insurance, Flexible days and hours and friendly staff. Beautiful high tech office (s) in suburbs. Excellent location, EMR based office, you will be seeing patients at their homes with a medical assistant in company driven car, and 24x7 P.A / Nurses to take all calls and paperwork, you will not take any work back home. Please reply to this email:

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RESTAURANT FOR SALE

Well occupied, furnished Indian restaurant for sale in St. Louis. Busy location, very good business. for more information

Contact: 314-409-7874

PIZZA SHOP FOR SALE

Fully equipped Pizza Shop in Hamilton. 2800 Sq. Ft with the building. $2,25,000 now with the property. Private financing available

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GAS STATION FOR QUICK SALE

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C-STORE FOR SALE Convenient Store for sale in Collingdale, PA with Lottery, Food Stamp etc. for more info.

please call: 732-668-7028

MOTEL FOR SALE

Remodeled 16 rooms Motel for sale in Texas with 3 bedroom Apartment. Big truck parking. Owner finance available

Contact Rashmi Shah @ 254-413-3886, 254-413-3887

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

HOTEL FOR SALE

Prime Upstate,NY Restored Hotel, Full Bar + Restaurant, 2.1 Acres (91,476 Sq.Ft), $649,000

Contact Broker @ 718-781-2024

C-STORE FOR SALE

Convenience Store next to University for Sale with the property wholesale to the public. asking price $235,000 Private financing available.

Call: 609-540-1009

RESTAURANT HELP

Wanted Waiters, Cook & Tandoori Chef for Indian Restaurant in Chicago.

Call Sarvan: 773-968-6484

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Immediate hiring for a threading person, facial , waxing & hanna tatoos. Also looking for massage therapist & hair stylist in NY

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C-STORE/GAS STATION HELP

(1) Immediate hiring couple for C-Store in Long Island, NY (2) Gas Station & C-Store in Philadelphia. With or without experience. Legal Status must

Call : Mr Rao @ 718-213-3831

HIRING EYEBROW THREADERS Immediate Hiring : 4 Eyebrow Threaders for an upscaleHeading Threading Best package + : ArialSalon. Black 12 Font salary Black color Tips + Benefits provided. Minimum 2-4 yrs experience required.

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BUSINESS FOR LEASE/ SALE

BUSINESS FOR SALE

A Convenient Store with Illinois Lottery and ATM Machine in Oak Brook Mall, Oak Brook, IL for Sale. Interested Buyers only.

Contact Raj @ 630- 854 -1054

Contact – 847-340-0123

MOTEL FOR SALE

Located in Frostburg, MD. Rt 40/55. 23 newly renovated rooms with Kitchenette Convenient store attached with beautiful main lobby, furnished private room that seat 50, use as a bar or restaurant. An apartment with 2 bedrooms used by operator. Running business with property for $750,000. Serious buyer will be by Black appointment. inside text : Arialseen 11 Font color

Call: Bill 571-332-5627 www.clarysvillemotel.com

MOTEL HELP Wanted Housekeeping Couple & Motel Manager Couple for Franchise Motel. Experience Preferred. Good salary and accommodations provided Please call 213-926-2727 or 314-497-3292

Convenient Store for Lease/Sale in Warren, Ohio.

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Contact: Mike 330-559-1997 or Raj 330-559-9591

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Call: Rajendra Patel-607-282-0965 For Gas Station: R M Patel- 803-460-3280

Franchise Motel in Western PA, near Ohio border needs couple to operate Motel 24 hours. Must speak fluent English. Attractive salary upto $3200. Also looking housekeeping couple. Accommodation provided.

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MOTEL HELP

Resident Motel manager required for 50 room Motel in South Jersey. Must be legal to work with good communication skill & computer literate. Good salary & living quarter provided.

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GAS STATION FOR SALE A high volume Gas Station is for sale in Cleveland, Ohio. For more details please Contact

Sunny @ 404-964-9911

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

HIRING

Weekend workers needed for Demo marketing (6-8 weekends) in New York, New Jersey and several more cities in USA. Yung women & men Must be personable, well-mannered and able to work on their own. Demonstrate top Indian brands ranging from instant tea to cookies. Excellent 'in-your-face opportunity with customers' to learn and earn. Must have own transport.

Natural " ENJOY FRESH TASTE OF 'NIRAV' PANIPURI PANI WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS ".

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MOTEL HELP

Looking for young energetic, fluent English speaking for Franchise Motel in Northwest Indiana near Chicago for Front Desk position. Must have legal status & computer literate. Free accommodation will be provided.

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GAS STATION FOR SALE

Gas Station with property for sale near Chicago in small town. Inside business $50 K + Lottery. Gas Sale 23+. Asking price $396. Low expanses under $1000 per month.

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Motel in Atlanta, GA needs 2 couple for Housekeeping and Laundry work. Salary and accommodation provided

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Independent Motel in Iowa, 3 hours far from Chicago need Night Desk clark. Single or Couple. We provide accommodation with kitchen.

Call: Dan 224-522-9695 or Mina 319-491-3746

NANNY WANTED

Looking for a reliable and mature live-in Nanny to take care of 1 year old baby based in Augusta, GA. Expected to start immediately

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MOTEL FOR SALE

16 room Motel with 3 BR cottage and 3 BR owners /manager house .Motel is located in the "Hamptons", prestigious resort in Long Island/NY, 70 miles from NY city. Established year round business, lease ends year 2024 .Gross Sale $460,000 per/yr. makes huge net profit of $275,000 per/yr. Quick sale, price $450,000 firm. Seller can do $100,000 financing

Call Owner any time @ 631-496-6786

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

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South Special

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

SOUTH CINEMA

Telangana:

Kiran Reddy resigns, quits Congress

Last hurdle remains in RS UPA government and the opposition could not reach any consensus over amendments in the bill as BJP stuck to amendments in Telangana bill

Telangana will be India’s 29th state

IANS, HYDERABAD

ith the passage of a bill in Lok Sabha, formation of a separate Telangana state has almost become a reality. But there are still some formalities left to complete the entire process. If all goes well, two states — Telangana and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, will come into existence by month-end, say political observers. Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha amid pandemonium, will now go to Rajya Sabha. If any amendments to the bill are passed, it has to go again to Lok Sabha. Analysts say this could be a final hurdle for the government as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans

(Above) MPs rejoice after LS passed Telangana Bill; (top right) celebrations at Osmania University in Hyderabad.

to bring amendments when the bill is taken up for debate in the upper house. The government has only three days left as the session — the last of the current Lok Sabha — is ending on February 21. Once approved by both the houses, the bill will go to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent. After the President gives his assent, the legislation will be noti-

HERE ARE some key facts about Telangana which is on way to become 29th state in the country: l Telangana, meaning “land of Telugus”, was part of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. l Hyderabad State became part of India in 1948 after an operation by the Indian Army. Telangana became a state of Telugu-speaking people and was known as Hyderabad State till 1956 when it was merged with Andhra State, carved out of Madras province, to form Andhra Pradesh. l Number of districts in Telangana: 10 — Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad and Khammam. l Geography: Will border coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema (parts of the

fied in the central gazette. It will come into effect from the date of publication of the gazette or any date by the central government. As the Election Commission is likely to announce election schedule in next few days, all eyes will be on the date in the notification for

Major developments in history of Telangana HYDERABAD: These are the major events in the history of Telangana since 1948: 1948: Indian Army annexes princely state of Hyderabad, which comprised different regions including Telangana. 1952: First elections held in Hyderabad State. Nov 1, 1956: Telangana merged with Andhra Pradesh, a united state for Telugu-speaking people. 1969: ‘Jai Telangana’ movement for separate statehood to Telangana begin. Over 300 people killed in police firing. 1972: ‘Jai Andhra’ movement began in coastal Andhra for separate Andhra State. 1975: Presidential order issued to implement Six Point Formula, providing some safeguards to Telangana. 2001: K. Chandrasekhara Rao floats Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to revive Telangana movement. Sep 2, 2009: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy dies in helicopter crash, triggering political uncertainty. Oct 2009: Chandrasekhara Rao begins

fast-unto-death for Telangana state. Dec 9: Centre announced decision to initiate the process for formation of Telangana state. Dec 23: Following protests in Seemandhra and en mass resignations of MPs and state legislators, Centre put the process on hold.

The Telangana movement was marred by violence and disruptions.

Feb 3, 2010: Srikrishna committee set up look into Telangana issue. Dec 2010: Srikrishna committee submits its report, suggests six options Oct 3, 2013: Union cabinet approves the proposal to divide Andhra Pradesh. A Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted

to prepare the roadmap. Oct 25, 2013: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy raises banner of revolt. Dec 5, 2013: Union cabinet approves draft Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013. Dec 16, 2013: Bill introduced in both houses of state legislature amid clashes between lawmakers. Jan 30, 2014: Amid ruckus, both houses of state legislature pass by a voice vote official resolutions, rejecting the bill and appealing to the President not to send the bill to Parliament. Feb 5, 2014: Chief minister staged sitin in Delhi to oppose bifurcation. Feb 7, 2014: Union cabinet clears the bill and rejectz Seemandhra leaders’ demand to make Hyderabad a union territory. Bill sent to the President for his approval to table it in Parliament. Feb 11, 2013: Congress expelled six MPs from Seemandhra for moving noconfidence motion against government. Feb 13, 2014: Bill introduced in Lok Sabha. MP L. Rajagopal uses pepper spray in the house.

existing Andhra Pradesh), Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. l Area: 1.14 lakh sq. km, which will make it the 12th largest state in the country. l With about 35.28 million population, Telangana will also be the 12th most populous state. l Languages spoken: Telugu and Urdu l Rivers Godavari and Krishna flow through the region but most of the land is arid. l The region sends 119 members to the 294-member Andhra Pradesh assembly; accounts for 17 of 42 Lok Sabha seats from Andhra Pradesh. l Telangana contributes 60 percent of revenues of existing Andhra Pradesh. Majority of revenue comes from IT hub Hyderabad.

giving effect to the formation of two states. The elections to Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly are due along with the Lok Sabha polls. The term of the existing 294member Andhra Pradesh assembly is ending on June 2.

HYDERABAD: The Congress suffered a major jolt on February 19 when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Reddy resigned and also quit the party to protest against the state’s break up. After announcing his decision to the media, Kiran Reddy drove to the Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan. He urged the Governor to make alternate arrangements at the earliest as he would not like to continue as caretaker chief minister.

“I am resigning from the post of the chief minister, as MLA (legislator) and also from the Congress party,” he told reporters in the company of his cabinet colleagues and legislators. He accused the Congress of doing grave injustice to the Telugu speaking people by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. He lashed out at the Congress for violating all constitutional provisions and for pushing through the bill in Parliament in an “undemocratic” manner. Kiran Reddy blamed all political parties for the division. He, however, thanked the Congress for making him the chief minister, a post he held for three years. “My future is not important,” he said when asked if he would be floating a new political party.

Sonia’s push and Congress’ attempt to cut Andhra losses IANS, NEW DELHI

he push for passage of the bill for a separate Telangana state came from Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party sources said on February 18, with party leaders having calculated that ambivalence on the issue would cost it dear in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Congress sources said Gandhi conveyed to party’s floor managers in the beginning of second part of winter session that the party was committed to the passage of the bill. “Once the direction came, then it was our duty (to work for its passage),” a party leader told IANS. The Congress had last week expelled six party MPs from Seemandhra region who were opposing the creation of Telangana in a display of its intent to get the bill passed in the extended winter session. Andhra Pradesh has con-

tributed substantially to the Congress tally in the last two Lok Sabha elections and the party was wary at its dwindling prospects in the state following sharp divisions among its

own leaders on the issue of Telangana. Sources said that YSR Congress had been gaining ground in Seemandhra and if the party had not gone ahead with creation of Telangana, it would have incurred major losses in that region also.

south cinema

SPORTS

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Piaa doesn’t mind waiting

Aish may turn a Kalari fighter for her next film IANS, CHENNAI

for good films S The actress believes more in action than in destiny IANS, CHENNAI

ctress Piaa Bajpai, who waited patiently for over a year to be cast by filmmaker Lakshmy Ramakrishnan in her upcoming yet-untitled Tamil drama, says she will continue to wait patiently for good projects to come her way. “I have decided to take up only good projects going forward even if that means waiting for a while. I finally signed Lakshmy Ramakrishnan’s new project after expressing interest a year back,” Piaa told IANS. “I didn’t actually wait for this project but I wanted to do good projects and eventually this happened. Lakshmi wanted to make this film soon after the Nirbhaya rape incident. I had expressed interest back then, but the film didn’t take off. “I had moved on and a few months later she had called asking me to watch her directorial debut ‘Aarohanam’ at a private screening in Delhi. I watched it and fell in love with her work and decided I have to work with her,” she added. Piaa doesn’t believe it was destiny that landed her Lakshmy’s project. “I don’t believe in destiny. Last year my films didn’t do well, so it was quite natural that I didn’t get any new projects. Moreover, I didn’t want to sign just any film that was offered to me. “In fact, I signed a Hindi film and returned the signing amount two months later because I didn’t feel like doing it. Since I wanted to work with Lakshmy, I kept in touch with her and finally signed her film. I knew working with her will be a great experience,” said Piaa. In Lakshmy’s yet-untitled Tamil drama, Piaa will essay a strong role.

‘Yaan’ team completes Morocco tour CHENNAI: The cast and crew of upcoming Tamil actioner Yaan has successfully completed its three week-schedule in Morocco. The film’s director Ravi K. Chandran says it was the toughest schedule as there was a lot of snow. “The team spent three long weeks in Morocco, braving the unprecedented snow storm of this year and successfully completed the shoot on time,” read a statement from the production house R.S. Infotainment. “The film features action sequences that matches to international standards

Nadia (L) and Meena (R)

outhern filmmaker P. Vasu, known for films such as Chandramukhi and Chinna Thambi, says that he has finalized Aishwarya Rai for his upcoming untitled multilingual, which will feature the former beauty queen as a Kalari fighter. “Aishwarya was really

impressed with the script. She will be seen in a never seen before powerful role. She will essay a Kalari fighter in the film and for the same she will undergo special stunt training,” Vasu said in a statement. Vasu, who has been scripting the film for over two years, says it will be high on visual effects. “Major visual effects companies are being considered.

The film, to be shot simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, will be produced by K Ramesh Animatronics expert from France are being hired for the visual effects in the film, which will be shot in exotic locales of North Indian and some important portions in Cambodia,” he added. The film, to be shot simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, will be produced by K. Ramesh. Two top heroes are being considered for the male lead. The names will be announced soon. Aishwarya was, however, yet to confirm her participation in the Vasu venture. Vasu has directed over 50 titles in two decades. He had directed the Hindi film Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet.

FILM REVIEW | TAMIL

‘Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal’ — fizzles out before it can entertain Film: “Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal”; Cast: Udhayanidhi Stalin, Santhanam, Nayanthara, Chaya Singh, Saranya Ponvannan, Sunder Ramu, Naren and Mayilsamy; Director: S.R. Prabhakaran; Rating: **

and songs that scanned the visual beauty of Morocco,” the statement read further. The film features Jiiva and Thulasi Nair in the lead roles. — IANS

Meena, Nadia join Telugu remake of ‘Drishyam’ CHENNAI: Southern actors Meena and Nadia have been roped in to play important roles in the Telugu remake of recent Malayalam blockbuster Drishyam. The remake, to be helmed by actor-filmmaker Sripriya, will feature Daggubati Venkatesh

as the male lead. It will be produced by D. Suresh Babu. “Meena and Nadia have joined the Telugu version of Drishyam. Sripriya (director) is currently scouting for locations for the film, which will go on floors from March,” the film’s spokesperson told IANS. —IANS

n Ok Ok, which released two years ago, Udhayanidhi and Santhanam upped the bromance bar with their enjoyable onscreen presence. That film was the former’s cinematic debut, but with the help of the latter he pleasantly surprised the audience with his decent performance and they turned out to be the best entertaining male pair in Tamil filmdom. In Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal, also made along the lines of Ok Ok, the same pair fails to live up to the expectations and delivers a product that fizzles out even before it could entertain. Udhayanidhi plays Kathirvelan, a Hanuman devotee who doesn’t look up to women since the age of five for no reason. In an attempt to reconcile a misunderstanding

between his sister and brother-inlaw, Kathir arrives in Coimbatore. He wouldn’t leave the town until he unites his sister with her husband. During his stay there, he reconnects with his long forgotten friend Mayil (Santhanam), whom he had last met in college. Meanwhile, Kathirvelan falls head over heels for Pavitra (Nayantara) about whom his sister had

advised him to stay away from because of a family feud. Since he is incapable of expressing his feelings and he takes the service of Mayil to make Pavitra fall for him. With just a few scenes that genuinely evoke laughter, the film is mostly snail-paced. Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal is a done to death romcom that hardly entertains. — Haricharan Pudipeddi

LIFESTYLE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

LIFESTYLE

Now Romania, Tanzania and Peru beckon

Indian travellers A numbre of countries not on the regular tourist map are wooing Indian travellers with attractive packages IANS, NEW DELHI

ove over Thailand, Malaysia and the Maldives. The wanderlust of Indian travellers has attracted even countries as far apart as Romania, Tanzania and Peru to promote their country as an attractive travel destination. “We get very few Indian tourists,” sighed Razvan Marc, director Britain, Middle East and India, National Authority for Tourism Romania, told IANS. “We want to attract more Indian tourists because they want to explore new destinations and we (Romania) have the best scenic and cultural bonanza for them,” he added. Located between central Europe and southeastern Europe, the country with 19.59 million population has a mix of traditional and cultural rhapsody, with vast areas of true wilderness

and ever-fresh beauty of the make travel easy,” he added, saying one can meet people from Danube delta to discover. And who can forget this: Tran- the Maasai tribe, trek to Mount sylvania in central Romania is Kilimanjaro and soak in the breathtaking scenic beauty. where Dracula originated. Marc and Muunbe were in the Similarly, Justice Muunbe, manager community conserva- capital for the OTM travel trade show, a platform for staketion of Ngorongoro Conholders to meet and servation Area, Tanzainteract. nia, said they want ‘We want to According to people of India to the Indian know that there attract Indian tourism minis more to Africa tourists because istry, 14.92 than Kenya and they want to million IndiSouth Africa. explore places ans travelled “Indian abroad in tourists are not and we have the 2012 against many in Tanzabest scenic and 13.99 million nia, but they travel a lot to cultural bonanza in 2011 and for them’ 12.99 million in Kenya and South 2010. Africa. We don’t offer These figures are, just safaris, but offer a however, much lower than bouquet of wildlife, nature and culture. You can meet local peo- China, which saw 82 million ple, see wild life and do a lot of outbound tourists in 2012, maksightseeing,” Muunbe told IANS. ing them the number one global “As the visa is on arrival, it will travellers.

Manish Malhotra to open LFW Summer-Resort 2014 IANS, MUMBAI

esigner Manish Malhotra will open the summer-resort 2014 edition of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW), starting here on March 11. Bollywood’s fashion has come to enjoy a couture status because of Malhotra’s magic over the past years. His trendsetting creations have always been cherished by the fashion community. There will be a robust line-up of 98 designers who will participate at the LFW summer-resort 2014, said a statement. Some of the established designers who will be a part of

the fashion extravaganza are Neeta Lulla, Tarun Tahiliani, Anju Modi, Shehlaa Khan, Rahul Mishra, Anita Dongre and accessory designer Mawi, who will put together a show titled “Indian Odyssey” with designer Gaurav Gupta. Mawi, a Britain-based accessory designer, will return to her homeland after 12 years of establishing the MAWI brand in London. Born in Manipur, Mawi returns to her Indian roots with a spectacular debut show at LFW sharing the ramp with Gupta. Ministry of Textiles will present designer Krishna Mehta’s show for Indian Textile Day.

Your favorite cookie speaks volumes about you IANS, NEW YORK

rom oatmeal raisin to oreo, there are numerous cookies for everyone and each type reflects your personality. Here’s a glimpse of what your favorite cookie says about you, reports huffingtonpost.com: OATMEAL RAISIN: You are traditional and even a bit old-fashioned. You are not overly adventurous, and like to cozy up with a book in front of the fire for a good time. BISCOTTI: You are a little tough, or at least you seem that way to people who don’t know you well. If they took the time to get to know you, they’d see that you are a big softy when you want to be. MACARON: You are chic and sophisticated and you kind of know it. You look good in everything, no matter the occasion. OREO: If you like this one, you are playful and fun and can hang out with anyone.

PEANUT BUTTER: You are very intelligent, but also very disarming. You work well under pressure and handle crises with patience and composure. RAINBOW COOKIE: You are just misunderstood because you are just trying to have a little fun. CHOCOLATE CHIP: You are as close to perfection as someone can get. You are loved by everyone because you are classic.

health

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

HEALTH

An orange a day may ward off stroke risk IANS, WASHINGTON

had normal levels of vitamin C, 45 percent showed depleted levels of ating foods that contain vita- vitamin C and 14 percent were conmin C may reduce your risk sidered deficient of the vitamin. On of the most common type of average, the people who had a stroke hemorrhagic stroke, says a study. had depleted levels of vitamin C, Vitamin C is found in fruits and while those who had not had a vegetables such as oranges, papaya, stroke had normal levels of the peppers, broccoli and strawberries. vitamin. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common than ischemic stroke, but is more often deadly. The study involved 65 people who had experienced an intra-cerebral hemorrhagic stroke, or a blood vessel rupture inside the brain. They were compared to 65 healthy people. Participants were tested for the levels of vitamin C in their blood. Forty-one percent of cases

The technique uses body’s own stem cells and eliminates the need for cumbersome root canal fillings K.S.JAYARAMAN, BANGALORE

obtained an Australian patent, while an application with the U.S. Patents office is under process. novel ‘regenerative’ techRoot canal treatment demands nique to repair infected rigorous training, clinical skills and teeth — claimed to be several cumbersome sittings with painless and cheaper dentist. It involves thorough cleanthan the traditional root canal ing and shaping followed by filling treatment – has been developed by of the entire root canal with one of doctors at the All India Institute of several sealer cements. Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New The AIIMS technique is claimed Delhi. Termed as ‘SealBio’, the to be the first that dispenses with technique uses body’s own stem the need for root canal filling. cells and eliminates the need for Instead of filling the root canal cumbersome root canal fillings. with artificial materials that may Developed by doctors Naseem pose bio-compatibility problems, it Shah and Ajay Logani at the makes use of regenerative potential Department of Conservative Den- of stem cells and growth factors tistry and Endodontics, it has available at the root of the teeth.

Stem cells act as a repair system for the body capable of replenishing adult tissues. In case of this technique, the stem cells at the root of the decayed teeth are stimulated to induce regeneration and deposition of a natural tissue barrier (seal) to fill up the root canal in just one sitting. In other words, a “biological seal” is achieved at the root canal rather than attempting to seal it with artificial filling materials with all its drawbacks, the doctors say. The root canal is restored to health by gradual build up of tissue by stem cells over a period, extending from a few weeks to some months.

Low testosterone blocks sex drive in new dads! NEW YORK: Has your husband lost interest in you or lacks sex drive after you delivered a baby? Worry not as this has nothing to do with you gaining that extra weight owing to pregnancy. The answer lies somewhere deep. New dads temporarily lose sex drive as their testosterone levels drop by about one-third until the baby reaches 12 months, says a fascinating research. It’s not just mothers who go through pregnancy and birth, and it’s also not just mothers who biologically respond to parenthood. “Male species has evolved maternal instincts which are somewhat unique to us compared with our closest relatives,” explained Lee Gettler, a researcher at Notre Dame University located near South Bend,

Your week ahead... Aries You seem to be all at sea where your secret is concerned – what you have been covering up from other people that was either revealed last year is neither clear, nor controlled. This does get better, you will be pleased to hear.

Taurus You are more than willing to approach your social life or old friendship in a more inventive way. Has anybody else thought of this approach before? Only those who have woken up to find themselves in your unusual position.

Gemini You must be wondering what the point of recent contacts and connections is, at least in terms of your travel, foreign, internet, publishing or academic agenda. It probably feels as if a new story in your life was about to be written.

Cancer You don’t particularly want to pursue anything too normal. Neptune in the visionary sign of Pisces suggest you are seeing your future very differently from the blueprint that others hand out and accept.

Leo The spirit is willing but the numbers and answers aren’t there. That’s basically how it looks with your house, bank account, flat or company at the moment. The reason for this disconnect with information is Mercury Retrograde.

Virgo Between now and March you will spin your wheels with your new partner. This applies to enemies too. You may have no intention of doing this – in fact, your horoscope suggests you want to attempt the so-called impossible.

Indiana. However, these changes does not affect a new dad’s masculinity, Gettler was quoted as saying in media reports. The solution is here. Rather than worry about his seemingly lack of interest in having sex with you, use this period to fix a rocky relationship. — IANS

(February 20-26) Libra If you get away with what you have in mind – at least in terms of your daily workload and lifestyle – jaws will hit the floor. But so what? You’ve lived with particular realities for long enough.

Scorpio The last two months have been epic in terms of your son, daughter, godchild or young relative. Perhaps a relationship that promises to end in pregnancy, adoption or step-parenting has been part of the picture.

Sagittarius You may be kept waiting for final clarification about your house. This is annoying, because of course you want to make a huge decision – one which would allow you to handle life in your own inimitable way.

Capricorn Over the last 2-3 weeks some long-lost financial, property or business options became talking points again – or at least, food for thought. Maybe precious possessions have been on that list too.

Aquarius Your relationship with the money, business, house, charity, precious possessions or flat is moving further away from what most people would call reality. There is nothing particularly concrete about what you have in mind.

Pisces You need a reply about matters affecting your image – and maybe more than that. What you set in motion over the last fortnight could easily stall or trigger the need for more information and further changes —Jessica Adams

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION