E paper Voice of Asia September 4 2015

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FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Government payments for Medicare Advantage plans to rise in 2016 Read more on Page 16 Call 713-771-2900

Vol. 28 No. 36 Friday, September 4, 2015 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Sugar Land Council Member Harish Jajoo announces Mayoral Campaign

S

UGAR LAND, Texas– Today, Sugar Land City Council Member Harish Jajoo announced his candidacy for Mayor of Sugar Land in the May 2016 general election. A fiscal conservative who believes in low taxes and disciplined spending, Harish Jajoo is a strong advocate of public safety and has served on City Council representing District 4 since June 2011.

Alfred Brush Ford to join HGH’s Janmashtami celebrations on Sep. 12, 2015

Judge Sandill wins award from Texas Lawyer

Commemorating 50 years since Swami Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve on City Council and I want to continue serving the residents of Sugar Land as Mayor of our great city,� he said. Current Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, Jajoo added.

Sugar Land City Council Member Harish Jajoo has announced his candidacy for Sugar Land Mayor. The election will be held on May 7, 2016.

During his tenure on City Council, Jajoo has overseen several economic development projects such as Constellation Field, recruitment and retention of major employers such as Texas Instruments,Nalco, the future relocation of the Fluor Corporation, and the transition of UH-Sugar Land to a branch of the University of Houston’s Tier I central campus.

Judge R.K. “Ravi� Sandill

H

OUSTON, Texas Judge R.K. “Ravi� Sandill, of the 127th Civil District Court in Harris County, Texas, has been recognized as a 2015 Extraordinary Minority in Texas Law by Texas Lawyer Magazine.

ensure that Sugar Land maintains a high quality of life, a business friendly environment, and an efficient road and traffic system. Mobility continues to be a major issue, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to get people and traffic moving across our city. “

Jajoo also helped shepherd critical infrastructure projects to completion, such as the surface water plant, expansion of University Boulevard and Dulles Avenue, and the city’s sidewalk and pavement rehabilitation program.

“My experience provides me with a thorough understanding of what it takes to get things done for our community - be it infrastructure, intergovernmental agency coordination, city council considerations, maximizing capital investment dollars, or interacting with citizens to explain how their money is being spent efficiently.�

A registered civil engineer and urban infrastructure professional, he served 29 years as an executive with the City of Houston’s Department of public prior to holding elected office in Sugar Land.

Ambarish Das

by Peter Medley

A

mbarish Das or Alfred Brush Ford, great-grandson of the legendary Henry Ford—founder of the Ford Motor Company—will appear in Houston on September 12 at George Brown Convention Center as part of the twenty-sixth annual Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebration, organized by Hindus of Greater Houston.

Ambarish Ford is an initiated disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly called the Hare Krishna movement. True to his faith, he is a strict vegetarian, avoids intoxication, gambling, illicit sex, and believes in reincarnation.

Proof

Jajoo and his wife, Shashi, and family have called Sugar Land their home for the past thirty years. They have been involved in various civic, community and non-profit organizations.

For further information visit www.JajooForSugarLand.com

“I am running because I know that together we can make Sugar Land an even more prosperous, friendly, and exciting place to live, work, and play,� says Jajoo, “As mayor, I will work to

While this may seem an unlikely change for an heir to the Ford fortune, in an Interview in the San Francisco Examiner in 1928 Henry Ford revealed, “I adopted the theory of reincarnation when I was twenty six.�

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“As the first Indo-American judge ever elected in Texas, I am honored to receive this award,� Sandill said. “I work hard to ensure that all who come before the 127th District Court are treated fairly and with respect. I am grateful to Texas Lawyer for recognizing my work.�

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VOICE OF ASIA 2

Multi-Culturalism in America: An Asset or Liability for Society

VOICE OF ASIA Publisher:

Associate Publisher: Editor-in-Chief:

Austin Correspondent: Print & Media Marketing: Marketing:

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Koshy Thomas Sherly Philip Shobana Muratee Sherine Thomas Jacob David Susan Pothanikat AR Vadlamani Priyan Mathew

Columnists: Legal: Richard M. Alderman Legal: Sharlene Sharmila Richards Research: Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee Health Insurance: Sudhir Mathuria Astrology: Hardik Vyas

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All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the consent of the publisher.

Voice of Asia assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on the information included herein. Published weekly by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713-7745143. Email for editorial submissions: voiceasia@aol.com; Email for advertising inquiries and submissions: ads@ voiceofasiagroup.com

Voice of Asia (USPS 010-215) (ISSN#10705058) is published every Friday (for a subscription rate of $30 per year) by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713774-5143. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas.

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FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Chandra Mittal, , M.S., Ph.D., FCP

by Chandra Mittal

M

yriad of domestic challenges facing the United States today include, high unemployment, economic stagnation, shrinking middle class, growing poverty, increasing welfare state, weak educational system and rapidly shifting demographics along with cultural diversity. Many of these challenges seem to be associated more with certain social groups than in others leading social scholars to conclude that nature of cultural values may dictate societal state and the national economy.

Under such circumstances, the American multiculturalism often comes under attack from various quarters and is becoming a dominant topics of discussion in the American society today. Many Americans including politicians and media persons point to the existing diversity and multi-culturalism as being responsible for the current state of affairs. They are wondering whether the increasing cultural diversity in the US is indeed an asset or a liability for the

country because cultural values ultimately do impact economic outcome in a society.

ter. This is all too obvious from the history of arts, music, dietary habits etc.

Global cultures can be broadly divided into two groups. One that is “pro-economic development” where social values and practices such as education, discipline, and intellectual freedom are emphasized and encouraged because these create a prosperous civil society, and another which consider economic development as “incidental” and do not focus on similar social virtues resulting in illiteracy, poverty, civil chaos in their societies. Many in the latter group also practice primitive social traditions that are regressive and repressive in nature.

Today’s multi-culturalism essentially represents a collection of different monolithic cultures of the past, which manifests as diverse religious beliefs, social traditions, languages, political systems, etc. This has generated positive synergy in most democratic societies by way of “integrated” social, economic and spiritual development, and it needs to be preserved for continued human progress, peace, prosperity and survival of the modern state.

The cultural practices and trends also bear a direct relationship with the governing modalities of human societies.

Whereas the “pro-economy” cultures tend to be more progressive and democratic in nature, societies with primitive cultures and illiterate populations generally suffer from various forms of autocracies, deprivation and human misery.

All global cultures have their roots in the tribal practices and customs of the times and place, which coalesced over time due to human migration for the purposes of progress and economic betterment. As human societies evolved and developed, original cultural identities got diluted and lost their monolithic charac-

However, given the diverse character and composition of a multi-cultural society, it makes it mandatory that there is understanding, accommodation, acceptance and tolerance for pluralism and alternate views.

Deviation from this norm can only lead to societal disintegration and ultimate demise as is being witnessed today in some societies around the globe that are marred by extremism, parochialism, violence and religious intolerance. All such states are characteristically undemocratic and have turned autocratic, theocratic, or dictatorships In today’s world, it is amply clear that most European and Asian societies because of their “pro-economy” cultures they are witnessing social and economic success, whereas most African and Middle-Eastern societies which emphasize and promote

“non-economic” primitive and tribal cultures lack similar outcomes. This latter group is also experiencing political instability and social upheaval primarily due to economic deprivation, mismanagement and violence.

While nobody has the crystal ball to exactly predict the future, human history has witnessed multiculturalism to be both, an asset as well as the liability for a society depending on how they have dealt with these challenges in their times. In modern times, United States stands at the crossroad where it is promoting and championing the cause of multi-culturalism on one hand, but trying to channel the diversity in a constructive way on the other to create prosperity, peace and social harmony.

The ultimate success of American multi-culturalism will depend on the desires and dedication of the followers of each constituent culture, and to what extent they are willing to shed and drop their fanaticism towards “non-productive” cultural values. The only way for success is the adoption of “constructive and progressive” cultural values by all that we proudly call “The American Way”.

Dr. Chandra Mittal is Professor at Houston Community College and Co-Founder of Indo-American Association, Houston. He can be contact on drckmittal@yahoo.com or followed on twitter @drchandramittal.

It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or confirmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints.

Although paid advertisements may appear in Voice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, the Voice of Asia Group does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement.

- The Publisher

STORY OF MAHATMA GANDHI

Gandhi’s arrest creates sensation worldwide Part XVII Newspaper reporters from every corner of the world were there to report the progress of the Gandhi’s satyagraha. The march ended on April 5 at Dandi village. Gandhi and his selected followers went to the sea shore and broke the salt law by picking up salt left on the shore by the sea. Gandhi then gave a signal to all Indians to break the salt law and prepare to resist the police action in a nonviolent manner. Now read on:

A

ll over India people swarmed to the nearest sea coast to break the salt law. Great excitement was created everywhere.

Only a few people knew how to make salt, but the people soon found their own ways of making it. All that mattered was the breaking of the salt law Gandhi and other leaders had made arrangements for the continuation of the agitation if they were arrested.

A chain of leaders had been chosen, so that as each leader was arrested another would be ready to take his place.

The government waited for some time before taking any action, and then at last retaliation began. Gandhi was left at liberty, but many other leaders were taken into custody. Jawaharlal, Mahadev Desai, and Gandhi’s son Devadas were the first to pick up salt to break the law be sent to jail.

In dealing with the breakers of the salt law, the police resorted to their usual brutal methods.

The Indian National Congress was declared illegal.

Some newspapers, threatened with censorship, suspended publication. The people held hartaals (strikes) and demonstrations, and mass arrests were made. Soon the jails were filled to overflowing. The people remained nonviolent, lest Gandhi should call off the movement.

Gandhi then informed the

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Lord Irwin decided to act.

Two English officers, with pistols, accompanied by many Indian policemen armed with rifles, arrived at Gandhi’s camp in the middle of the night. They woke up Gandhi and said, “You are under arrest.” Gandhi was taken to Yeravda Central Jail.

So Gandhi was not there for the raid on the Dharasana salt deposits.

The salt deposits were surrounded by barbed-wire fencing and protected by four hundred Indian policemen armed with steel-toed lathis (canes).

A few British officers were in command of them.

Gandhi’s volunteers halted

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some distance away from the fencing. Then a selected group of them advanced towards the barbed-wire fence. Police officials ordered the volunteers to disperse but they ignored the warning.

worlds.

Suddenly the police rushed at them and rained blow after blow on the defenseless men. Not one of the volunteers even raised an arm to stop the blows.

It embodied compromises made by both sides.

They fell down, some with broken skulls, some with broken shoulders, arms, or legs.

The waiting crowd groaned.

When the entire first batch had been knocked down and carried off on stretchers, another batch advanced to meet the same fate. The campaign went on for hours. Finally, as the heat of the day increased, the volunteers stopped their activities for that day.

Among the volunteers two had died and 320 were injured.

Gandhi’s arrest had created a great sensation in India and abroad.

Representations were sent from all parts of the world to the British Prime Minister asking the government to release Gandhi and make peace with India.

Even those who were cooperating with the British demanded the release of Gandhi.

Gandhi proved to be more dangerous inside the jail than outside. While he sat quietly in Yeravda Jail, countrywide outbreaks of civil disobedience were greatly taxing the British.

The jails were full to overflowing. The government was in distress and finally, in 1931, had to release Gandhi, Nehru, and other leaders.

As soon as Gandhi was out of prison he asked for an interview with the Viceroy, Lord Irwin.

The interview was immediately given. Gandhi and Irwin met, but the two men seemed to have come from two different

Gandhi did not go to seek any favors. He wanted to negotiate on terms of equality. The meeting went on for many days and finally the talks culminated in a treaty, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

Irwin agreed to release all the political prisoners, and Gandhi promised to suspend civil disobedience and send a Congress representative to the Round Table Conference.

For at that time, in London, the British government was holding a Round Table Conference on the future of India.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was a victory for nonviolent resistance. But some of Gandhi’s Congress followers thought that he had not gained much as a result of the pact.

Gandhi was designated as the sole representative of the Congress to the Round Table Conference. In August 1931 he

sailed for London with a small party.

Gandhi went to England with the object of reaching an agreement with the British on a fair Constitution for India and also of winning the hearts of the British people. In his first object he failed, and in the second he met with great success.

Gandhi spent 84 days in England and most of the time he was meeting and talking to people. Prime Minister Winston Churchill refused to see him but Gandhi captivated the hearts of many.

He had tea with the King and Queen. When a reporter asked him if he thought he had been dressed well enough for such an august tea party, Gandhi replied, “The King had on enough for both of us.” At the Round Table Conference nothing was conceded to India towards her goal of Swaraj.

The Conference played up the differences between Hin-

dus and Muslims, and this only served to worsen communal tension in India. Gandhi returned with nothing except warm goodwill for India from the hearts of many English people.

At home, Gandhi found that the government had returned to the policy of repression.

There were widespread arrests and seizure of property and bank accounts of people and organizations who were hostile to British interests.

Early in 1932 Gandhi wanted to meet the new Viceroy, Lord Willlingdon, but the Viceroy made it clear that the days of negotiations were over. Gandhi informed the authorities that he was again starting a civil disobedience movement.

The Viceroy thought it was a threat and had Gandhi arrested and lodged in Yeravada Central Jail. Several other leaders and many followers of Gandhi were also arrested and jailed. — To be continued…

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VOICE OF ASIA 3

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Second Front Page

Friday, September 4, 2015 • www.voiceofasiaonline.com • Page 3 • Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com • Tel: 713-774-5140

Janmashtami celebrations by the Hindus of Greater Houston on Sep 12 theme for this year is “Lord Krishna’s birthday celebration in different parts of India”.

Houstonians will be delighted to have in our midst Alfred Ford, the great grandson of Henry Ford, who will be the keynote speaker at the festival.

He is known by his Hindu name Ambarish Prabhu, well revered for his philanthropy and accomplishing his mentor’s dream of building the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, India.

His presence will be a great inspiration to all, especially the young professionals.

The Garba and Dandiya Raas is the ever-popular traditional folk dance that opens the floor to all to participate. This is an

extremely popular group dance with the young and old alike dancing to the beat of a live band. This will commence after Akhil Chopra Award ceremony for recognition of the unsung heroes and presentation of Lifetime Achievement awards to those for their invaluable contribution and dedication in serving the Hindu community.

in place of traditional powder colors. The organizers are also planning to add aroma to this by adding jasmine flowers! Playing with flowers will positively bring smiles in the face of the visitors and relax them after the fast dancing. The shower of flowers will be another great picture of the evening to make it memorable.

There will also be an art contest and rides for children and popular Matki Phod.

There will be food booths serving mouth-watering Indian vegetarian food. This celebration is brought to you by Hindus of Greater Houston whose mission is to bring Hindus and the whole community together.

The most spectacular special feature of the evening is Vrindavan Style “Phoolon ki Holi” which will be played with more than a million rose petals. These flowers will be specially flown into Houston and will be used

Please visit www.hindusofhouston.org for more information.

“Phoolon ki Holi” is the major attraction of the HGH celebrations. Picture from earlier Janmashtami in Houston . Photo by HGH.

H

OUSTON, TX. Hindus of Greater Houston celebrates Krishna Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna) at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 6pm till midnight. It is the largest community-wide gathering celebrating a Hindu festival in the United States.

our rich Hindu culture. HGH, which strives to bring all area Hindus together, has planned special programs for all ages to make this event a grand success and enjoyable for everyone.

This year also marks the 50 years since Swami Srila Prabhupada, founder of the world -renowned International Society of Krishna ConsciousnessISKCON Foundation. Hindus of Greater Houston will be celebrating this milestone this year.

The event is free and open to all; and presents a perfect opportunity to invite neighbors and colleagues to showcase

A unique eye-catching “Rangoli” – the sacred welcoming designs of art will be displayed at the entrance. The hall will be adorned with specially decorated booths, temples and special exhibition on Swami Srila Prabhupada.

The evening will commence with costume contest for children in which about 70 kids participate every year. This will be followed by a cultural program presented by many different Indian dance schools. The

Ambrish Das Das (Alfred Brush Ford) and wife Svaha Ford with HGH VP Partha Krishnaswamy.

Alfred Brush Ford to join HGH’s Janmashtami .......

Continued from page 1

As soon as the first devotional song (bhajan) began, he says, “It touched something very very deep in my heart… I realized that this was the concept of God I was looking for - Govinda, the most attractive... the protector of cows... the most beautiful... always youthful... eyes like blooming lotus flowers...”

Ambarish told the Times of India that as a youth in the 1960s the tumult of the Vietnam War and the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King caused him to reflect on life and to seek spirituality. He said, “I was looking for a personal connection with God.”

Despite this experience, Ford was still a seeker. After college, he lived in a reclusive cabin in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. But Krishna came to him in the form of a close college friend who had become an initiated disciple in the Krishna consciousness movement. “He brought me Prabhupada’s translation of the Bhagavad Gita, and soon I started to change my lifestyle. I had turned vegetarian in college and I had stopped drinking, and then I started cooking vegetarian food and offering it to Krishna . I started chanting on my japa mala

The Beatles’ George Harrison was a big influence on him. Harrison had gone to India to learn meditation, performed with the musician Ravi Shankar, met Swami Prabhupada and recorded “My Sweet Lord,” which included a chorus of the Hare Krishna mantra.

“Everything Indian was very popular back in those days,” he recalls. “George Harrison, who had become involved in the Krishna consciousness, produced an album for the ‘Radha Krishna temple’, which I bought when I was in college.”

(chanting beads) and studying Prabhupada’s books.”

After Ford met Prabhupada at the Dallas ISKCON temple in 1974, a guru-disciple relationship began to develop between the heir to one of America’s biggest fortunes, and the elderly acharya or spiritual teacher in one of Hinduism’s largest international movements. According to Ambarish, “I bowed to him and as I was coming up, he said to me, ‘So you are Henry Ford’s great grandson.

Where is he now?’ “That question immediately made me realize that life is so temporary.

Krishna Consciousness teaches you that the only eternal relationship and identity you have is with Krishna. I learned when I was growing up that though I belonged to a family which had everything, still, there was unhappiness and frustration.”

Ambarish fondly recalls Prabhupada’s visit to Detroit for a few days in August 1975.

The temple was in an old brick house and the lease was soon running out, so the devotees were looking for a new place.

One of the prospective properties was in a declining neighborhood, but it was a fabulous mansion built for the auto industry millionaire, Lawrence Fisher. When Prabhupada saw it, he felt it would be nice for a temple, and he asked Ford if he could help purchase it. Another of Prabhupada’s disciples in Detroit was Elizabeth Reuther, now Lekhashravanti Dasi, the daughter of the famous labor leader, Walter Reuther. When the price was negotiated down to $300,000 and Lekhashravanti offered to donate $125,000, Ambarish agreed to come up with the balance.

Ambarish explained to Prabhupada that formerly his great grandfather had vigorously opposed the labor movement.

In material dealings, the Fords and Reuthers had been arch-

rivals, yet now two of their descendents were peacefully cooperating in spiritual service. Prabhupada was pleased with the humility of these two disciples although they were from famous families. In 1977 Ambarish served as best man at Lekhashravanti’s wedding at the new Detroit temple in the Fisher Mansion.

One of Srila Prabhupada’s (1896-1977) unfinished goals was to build a massive temple on the banks of the Ganges River at Mayapur, West Bengal, a place sacred to Gaudiya Vaisnavas, because it is the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534), who inspired Krishna devotion all over India and the world.

In recent years Ambarish has donated $25 million dollars for this “Temple of the Vedic Planetarium,” which will be one of the largest religious buildings in the world, and he has been traveling around the

world to promote the project, whose completion is planned for 2022.

Ambarish, who now lives in Alachua, Florida, is married to an Indian lady, Sharmilla Bhattacharya, PhD, from Bengal via Jaipur and Australia and they have two children. Ambarish no longer lives in a cabin, but he has business and family duties as well as responsibilities in iSKCON. “Krishna’s message to Arjuna [in the Bhagavadgita] was not to give up his position as a warrior and go meditate in the woods, but to fulfill his purpose here in the material world. Go ahead and achieve what you have to, be the best of what you can be, but at the same time, don’t neglect your spiritual life,” he says simply.

The Janmasthami celebration at George Brown Convention Center, which is free and open to the public, runs from 6 pm to midnight and features Indian dance, music and food booths.

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FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

YOUR IMMIGRATION LAWYER

The People’s Lawyer

Answers to your Immigration Questions

by Sharlene Sharmila Richards, Immigration Lawyer:email at srichardslaw@aol.com

www.peopleslawyer.net Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

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Tenant does not have to immediately move after foreclosure Q. I rent a small house. I have made all my payments on time; my lease has one more year until it ends. My landlord told me the house was being foreclosed this month and I will have to move.

This doesn’t seem fair. How soon do I have to leave?

A. A foreclosure terminates your relationship with your landlord pursuant to the laws of the state of Texas. This means that your lease is terminated at the time of foreclosure. [The only exception is Section 8 leases, which may remain in force.]

You may not, however, have to move immediately. The federal Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, which became effective May 20, 2009 and expired at the end of 2014, gave tenants the right to stay in the rental home for 90 days after foreclosure. Although this is no longer the law, many parties who foreclose on rental property will still give the tenant 90 days notice.

Texas law also requires that as long as you continue to pay rent, you are entitled to at least 30 days notice.

The bottom line is that there is a good likelihood you will have to move, but before making plans, speak with the new owners and see if they are willing to give some time, continue your lease or give you a new lease.

Q. I read it was illegal for an apartment to discriminate based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If that is true, how is it legal for an apartment to rent to “seniors” and prohibit children? Isn’t this age or family status discrimination?

A. As a general rule, you are correct about what constitutes unlawful discrimination by a landlord. Under the law, it would appear that an apartment may not refuse to rent to a family with children because doing so would be unlawful discrimination. But there is an exception in the law for “seniors only” apartments. If 80% or more of the residents are over age 55, the apartment does not have to allow children.

Q. I am unmarried and have three daughters. I want my one daughter to receive my home after my death. Can I give her a durable power of attorney so that she can simply transfer title into her name after I die? I do not have a will.

A. A power of attorney is not a substitute for a will! A durable power of attorney assigns only the power to do what you are capable of doing yourself. Because the power is “durable” it continues even if you become incapacitated, for example, due to Alzheimer’s disease. Once you die, however, the authority granted by a power of attorney ends. If you do not want to transfer title until after you die, you must do so through a provision in a will. I should point out that in Texas, probating a will is not necessarily a complicated procedure and, depending on the estate, can be very simple and inexpensive. I suggest you speak with an attorney about preparing a will. Without a will, all your children will share your estate.

Q. I remember you wrote about an agency that can help me resolve my problems with a contractor who did some shoddy work on my house. What is its name and how do I contact them?

A. The group you are referring to is the Texas Consumer Complaint Center [CCC] at the University of Houston Law Center. I started the Center to help consumers, and since it began we have helped thousands of consumers save or recover almost $3 million. The CCC is staffed by lawyers and law students who help with any type of consumer problem. Whether is a shoddy contractor, an abusive debt collector, or a landlord who won’t repair the AC, we can help. To file a complaint with the Center, go to www.texasccc.com Do you want to know more about your legal rights? Check out my website, www.peopleslawyer.net

N

ow that you have been granted Permanent Resident status (Green Card Holder) in the United States of America, what does this mean? Knowing what kinds of right and responsibilities come with this status is the first step towards ensuring that you get to live here in the United States and enjoy the benefits and success that come with this privilege.

As a Permanent Resident you have the right to live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit acts that would make you deportable or removable under United States immigration laws. You also have the right to work and the right to have equal pay in any job for which you are qualified to work. The only exceptions may be jobs which are limited to U.S Citizens for national security reasons. You also have the right to be protected by the laws of the United States, your state of residence and your local laws.

As a permanent resident, you also have the right to apply for a Driver License in your state, own property, apply for Immigrant Visas for your spouse and unmarried children to come and live in the United States and apply to become a US Citizen once you become eligible for naturalization.

You may also have access to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Food Stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) but only if you are eligible. Eligibility for these benefits depends on the length of time you have been in the US, your income level and differ from state to state. You will need to check the specific eligibility requirements for these benefits if you need them. As a Permanent Resident, you do not have the right to vote in any kind of Federal, State or local election and cannot serve on the jury as these two rights are only for United States Citizens.

Your responsibilities as a Permanent Resident include

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Permanent residence status may be lost by abandonment.

Abandonment may occur if the permanent resident gives up the status by moving to live in a different country with the intent to live there permanently or by simply remaining outside of the United States for an extended period of time, usually more than one year. It is thus advisable that if you intend to remain outside of the US for an extended period of time exceeding one year, make sure you apply for a re-entry permit prior to your departure from the United States.

Other actions which can lead to an abandonment of permanent residence is failure to file your United States taxes when required while living outside the US and declaring yourself as a nonimmigrant on you US tax returns.

Lastly, if you are a conditional permanent resident based on marriage to a US Citizen or under the EB-5 Investor Visa program, do not forget to apply for the removal of the condition on your residence within 90 days before the expiry of your conditional residence as failure to do that would result in the termination of your conditional residence and the referral of your case to immigration court for removal proceedings!

Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is general in nature and not intended to constitute legal advice for any specific case. Please consult with an immigration lawyer about the specific circumstances of your case.

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obeying the laws of this country and supporting the United States’ form of democratic government.

If you are male and over the age of 18, you must register with the Selective Service. You are also required to maintain your status as a permanent resident, carry proof of your permanent resident status wherever you go and provide the Department of Homeland Security with your change of address within 10 days if you move. You must also file your Federal and State tax returns.

One of the most important things about being a permanent resident is maintaining that status. You are required to maintain your status as a permanent resident until you have either completed the naturalization process to become a US Citizen or have been deemed to have lost or abandoned your status. Generally, a permanent resident becomes eligible for naturalization if he or she has been a permanent resident for 5 years or 3 years, if married to a US Citizen and have met all the other eligibility criteria for naturalization.

A Permanent Resident can lose the status if an immigration judge issues a removal order based on any of the several grounds of removal under the laws of this country. You are removable if you have been convicted of an aggravated felony or any type of crime of violence and sentenced to more than one year in prison or been convicted of any kind of serious offence for example rape, murder or domestic violence type crimes. You are also removable if convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within 5 years after the date of your admission and that crime is one for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed or if convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude at any time after your admission as a Permanent Resident irrespective of the sentence imposed. Theft and assault type crimes, for example, often involve the element of moral turpitude. These seemingly minor offences may land you in immigration court and jeopardize your permanent residence!

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 5

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital welcomes Dr. Ashvin K. Dewan

S

UGAR LAND— (September 1, 2015) — The physicians and staff at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are pleased to announce that Ashvin K. Dewan, MD, is joining the practice and will be available to see patients beginning in October.

Dewan – the 2001 valedictorian at Hightower High School Medical Science Academy in Missouri City – is returning to his hometown in Fort Bend area as an orthopedic surgeon with a focus on sports-related injuries and

A

chronic conditions. In 2005, Dewan graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering.

Following his 2009 graduation from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, he completed his internship and a residency in orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. During his time at Johns Hopkins, Dewan served as chief resident of orthopedic surgery and assistant team physician of MLB’s Baltimore Orioles. In 2014, he earned the school’s Most

Outstanding Resident Research Award for his work in orthopedic surgery.

Dewan most recently completed a sports medicine fellowship, including training in the latest arthroscopic surgical techniques, at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he served as assistant team physician for the NFL’s St. Louis Rams and the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, as well as the university’s athletic teams.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Dewan has chosen to come

home to Fort Bend and begin his practice at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine,” said Timothy Sitter, M.D., knee and shoulder surgeon with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “He already has a tremendous amount of hands-on sports medicine experience in both professional and college athletics and his academic and medical backgrounds are outstanding. He will be a valuable member of the Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine team.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dewan or another Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physician, visit houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics or call 281-690-4678.

To learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, please visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland, and visit our Facebook page at FB.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and infor- Ashvin K. Dewan, MD mation.

Celebration of 50 years of the fastest growing spiritual movement in history!

t 5:30 AM on September 17, 1965, a sixtynine-year-old Swami from India clad in a dhoti, sporting tilak, and carrying a bead bag arrived at the Boston pier aboard a ship. He was not a tourist, nor was he interested in the materialistic culture of the West; instead, the mission and purpose of this exalted Vaishnava came from his Spiritual Master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, who had directed him to preach love of God in the West.

This great personality was A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON: the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

As Srila Prabhupada stood at Boston’s Commonwealth pier watching the skyline of the city he wondered how he was going to convince the people of the West to accept this movement of purity of mind and body and of total surrender unto God. He only had forty rupees in cash with him and some books in his trunk, but he was steadfast in his determination to spread the knowledge of the love of God. Having suffered from severe health problems including two heart attacks on the way from Kolkata aboard the Jaladuta, he needed to be in excellent physical condition in order to endure the exertion that would arise out of the expected constant traveling and preaching. The impetus to persevere came from the direction of his Spiritual Master and from his own strong attachment to spreading the Lord’s holy names.

His faith in Krishna was unquestioning, as can be seen in this verse from a poem he wrote on board the ship that very day: O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance, O Lord, make me dance as You like.

And so, despite facing a few initial setbacks such as health problems, shortage of money, and challenges in finding accommodations, his simple yet unwavering message of chanting God’s names, leading a regulated lifestyle, and performing devotional service began to rapidly attract people that were frustrated and unhappy with their materialistic lives and instead wanted to learn how to live a life of peace, devotion, and service to Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Srila Prabhupada had thus successfully implemented his Spiritual Master’s vision!

Today ISKCON has established over 400 centers in nearly 80 countries all over the world, including temples, farm and rural communities, educational institutions, and restaurants and known to be the fastest growing spiritual movement in the history of mankind.

In order to recognize the 50th anniversary of ISKCON and of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA, the leaders and volunteers of the movement have organized celebrations to be held in 600 cities across 75 countries from August 2015 till December 2016.

The celebrations will start with a commemoration of the departure of the Founder Acharya, Srila Prabhupada on board the Jaladuta from Kolkata to Boston, and continue throughout 2016 to celebrate the actual 50th anniversary of the incorporation of ISKCON on 13th of July, 1966.

The 50th Anniversary Kickoff Festival for North America will be a kirtan and educational festival at ISKCON of Houston on

A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.

A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada with his followers. Photo ISKCON

September 11th, 12th and 13th.

Devotees from across the world plan to be in attendance. As part of the festivities ISKCON and

tion Center, Houston. The keynote speaker will be Ambarish Ford, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and great-grandson of the

the Hindus of Greater Houston are jointly celebrating Janmashtami and ISKCON 50 at the George R. Brown Conven-

legendary Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company.

Please join us in these once in a life-time celebrations and be a

part of history! For further information and registration please visit http://www.iskcon50festival.com

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

IACCGH members get an overview of new website with directory

Siva Yenneti, Director at ITVibes addressing the gathering. Photo credit Bijay Dixit.

by Manu Shah

W

ith an emphasis on driving innovation, IACCGH launched their new website designed to enhance its members’ web presence by allowing them to create, modify and update their business information on the Chamber website.

Siva Yenneti, Director at ITVibes, a Houston Web Design Company responsible for revamping the website, ad-

dressed IACCGH members and guests at their Small Business Outreach Program at the HCC Campus on August 26th and stressed the importance of online branding. He stated that today’s consumers are millennials who believe in learning about a service or a product by “comparing and evaluating the competition online.”

The IACCGH website has been revamped and streamlined to make the information

more accessible and to create “a dynamic interactive experience for visitors.” It also serves as a membership directory and can help IACCGH members and resource partners conduct business with other members.

A huge advantage of listing your business on the Chamber website, he said, is that Chamber websites have a high ranking on Google.

Siva Yenneti walked the gathering through the new

Siva Yenneti addressing the gathering . A view of the audience. Photo credit Bijay Dixit. website explaining the different categories under which one can list their business information. Access is available to everybody but the listing is for members only.

IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia encouraged the members to leverage the resources the Chamber offers its members “as information on a Chamber website is validation for your businesses.”

The gathering had several questions which Siva not only answered but offered to come to members’ offices if they would like a one on one session to help upload their business information on the Chamber website.

IACCGH President Ashok Garg thanked HCC for supporting the event and Rajiv Bhavsar from Wallis State Bank for underwriting the event which allows the Cham-

ber to “educate the community on best business practices.” He also encouraged the gathering to reserve their seats for the IACCGH 16th Annual Gala which would feature the US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma as the Keynote Speaker and is a historic first for the Chamber. The Gala is on September 19th at the Hilton Americas. For more information, visit www.iaccgh. com

AARP Fraud Watch Network brings Frank Abagnale to Houston

S

everal hundred Houstonians braved torrential rain to attend the AARP Fraud Watch Network (FWN) event August 13, 2015. The event, held at the Hess Club, featured Frank Abagnale who is the world’s leading expert on fraud and ID theft. Abagnale recently joined AARP as an FWN Ambassador.

The idea behind the Houston event was to empower the more than 250 people in attendance by teaching them how

to spot and avoid scams. After the hour long presentation, Abagnale took questions from the audience and even spoke with some people privately.

The event was so popular that the ABC affiliate in Houston, KTRK-TV, reported live from the event location. Finance blogger Ellen Chang also published a report from the location.

He is considered one of the world’s most respected authorities on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. Abagnale knows scams and how to avoid them because he is a former con artist himself. He was so good that his life was the basis for the movie Catch Me if You Can.

For more than 40 years now Abagnale has advised the FBI on how to outsmart con artists.

• If there is an information breach at any store, like

Some tips Abagnale offered those in the audience were:

there have been recently at national chains, and you are offered a one year credit monitoring service, ask for three years.

The reason is that your private information is worth more the older it is.

• Don’t let con artists who put you “under the ether” or play with your emotions.

They do this by triggering an emotional response which is fear, greed or urgency. They may try to scare you by calling you and posing as an IRS

agent and asking you to pay funds over the phone. Or excite you by saying you won a great prize, but you need to pay a fee. Remember, if you’re emotions are heighten then you’re more liable to fall for the scam.

Protect yourself by hanging up and call the company claiming to be calling you to confirm the information.

its. If you use a credit card, you are only liable for up to $50 of the unauthorized amount charged. With a debit card, you have only up to two days to report unauthorized charges or you could be liable for up to $500. If you wait for up to 60 days to report any unauthorized debit charge, you could be liable for up to everything.

• Never use a debit card at gas stations, online, restaurants, retail stores, and to buy big ticket items or make depos-

Are you too smart to fall for a scam? Find out by taking our AARP Catch the Con quiz at http://act.aarp.org/catchthecon/

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DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Team GalacTechs makes it to Phase 2 of Google Xprize Moonbots Competion based on the story the team created in Phase One of the competition. Teams are also asked to create and upload a video showing how they have demonstrated their MOONBOTS game to children and adults in their community.

Three Grand PRIZE winners will land a once-in-a-life time trip to Japan to meet with teams from all over the world competing in the Google Lunar XPRIZE. The MOONBOTS teams will learn how these Google Lunar XPRIZE teams are planning to reach the Moon with their innovative robotic technology.

Team GalacTechs

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ANTA ANA, CA., August 21, 2015 –The 2015 MOONBOTS Challenge is an international on-line competition that challenges youth from 8 to 17 years old to form a team (2-4 members) to design, create and program their own robots.

The competition is divided into two phases. In Phase One, teams submitted a short video

or written story about what inspires them about the Moon, from old tales to the potential of lunar exploration. Thirty teams were selected by a panel of experts to move onto the next stage: Phase Two. In Phase Two, teams received a robotics kit of their choice: LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3, VEX IQ Superkit or MECCANO Meccanoid G15 KS to create their own robot to rove on a simulated lunar landscape

Our very own Team GalacTech, a dynamic foursome from Orange County, CA, aspiring to be the next winners of this completion and with a passion for science and technology, have built a lunar resort that will showcase state of the art features for its visitors. The ‘Four Moon Seasons’ is the brainchild of GalacTech Getaways, a lunar tourism company powered by Team GalacTechs. They have made it to Phase 2 of this competition and are conducting their public outreach initiatives currently.

They did a fantastic demo at the Columbia Memorial Space Center and donated two of the

Indian Embassy Organizes Visa Camp and Interaction with Indian Community at Windsor Mill (Baltimore), Maryland on Saturday, August 29, 2015

Applicants make good of the consular services provided at Baltimore on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

B

ALTIMORE, Maryland - In pursuance of its objective of providing easy, efficient and quality consular services to the applicants, Embassy of India, Washington DC, through its Service Provider - Cox and Kings Global Services (CKGS), organized an Indian Visa Camp at Windsor Mill (Baltimore), Maryland on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

The Camp was held with support from ISKCON Baltimore and Baltimore Fest. The Visa Camp was also supported

by Maryland India Business Roundtable, India Samaj Baltimore, Shreyas Panchigar Foundation, Gujarati Samaj of Metropolitan Washington, Sikh Association of Baltimore, Guru

Nanak Foundation of America, Capitol Area Telugu Society and American Telugu Association from Baltimore.

2. The day long Visa camp was inaugurated by Mr. Prasanna Shrivastava, First Secretary (Consular), Embassy of India, Washington DC and Dr. Neeraj Verma of ISKCON Baltimore, accompanied by Mr. Amrish Patel of AB Consultants, Mr. Elisha Pulivarthi of MIBRT and Mr. Shreyas Panchigar of Shreyas Panchigar Foundation.

Also present were Mr. Shyam Pandey and Mrs. Shalini Sood of Baltimore Fest.

3. During the Visa Camp, CKGS processed about 150 applications for Indian Visa, OCI and Renunciation Certificates,

which were received from applicants from Baltimore as well as the adjoining areas and also advised several others on their consular applications.

4. During the interaction with the Indian American Community, First Secretary (Consular) apprised them of the recent initiatives taken by the Embassy for providing efficient and predictable consular services to the applicants. The members of the Community welcomed the Embassy’s initiative to bring the Visa Camp to their area.

5. Last such Visa Camp was held at Raleigh, North Carolina in May 2015.

6. More information on Indian Visa Camps can be obtained by visiting www.in.ckgs.us

VEX IQ kits to this wonderful establishment in Downey, CA which is dedicated to teaching kids about STEM through space exploration.

The team is scheduled to have 3 more demos – one at Fairmont School in Anaheim, CA, another one at the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana where they will be donating two more kits, and at Oso Grande Elementary school where one of the participants got his start at building robots. These kids have worked hard all summer in building robots and missions that melt ice water, a conveyer belt, a zip line, and many other exciting things that will allow for travel to the moon easier and more efficient for all of us.

About Team GalacTechs Team GalacTechs is made up of four future scientists with interests ranging from filmaking, acting, 3D printing, math and robotics . Nadia (11), Rayyan (10), Kamran (10) and Aleena (8) bonded over their love for space and their desire to explore the moon. For their inspirational tale, this fantastic foursome have envisioned a state of the art, ‘Lunar Resort’ (ie. temperature guided movable space camp) that will change the face of space travel forever. Through their agency, GalacTech Getaways, these young explorerentrepreneurs will provide safe, cost-effective access to the moon. http://www.moonbots. org/team/team-galactechs

Judge Sandill......

Continued from page 1 the award recipients was published on August 30, 2015. An award luncheon will be held in their honor on November 18th in Dallas.

Ravi K. Sandill is Judge of the 127th District Court in Harris County, Texas. Elected in 2008, Judge Sandill is the first ever District Court Judge in Texas of South Asian descent, and the only South Asian official elected county-wide in Harris County. He is a graduate of the University of TexasAustin and the University of Houston Law Center. Ravi, his wife Kelly, and their son Asher reside in Houston.

For more information about Judge Sandill, visit www.judgesandill.com

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

An evening of poise and grace Dancing by Kusum Sharma’s Shri Natraj Dance School

by Runmee Barbara

O

Kusum Sharma, founder, Shri Natraj School of Dance during her performance.

Photo (s) by Anusha Rajagopalan.

It was followed by the Kathak performance by the 1st year junior kids. They showed some simple Kathak steps and tatkar.

This was followed by tukdas and 21 spins (moving in round circles) performed by the 2nd year kids. The stage was dazzling in beautiful golden kathak costumes worn by the students.

The sound produced by the ghungroos (foot bells), stomping of the foot and beats of the tabla created a beautiful flow of rhythm.

The next performance was

by Kusum Sharma herself on a song called ‘Aaj jaane ki zid na karo’. The live music and her graceful dance moves captivated the audience to the core.

After her dance, she explained the various emotions that were used by her facial expression and body language in the song. She carried a charming smile throughout the show and would make the crowd burst into laughter with her funny remarks. Every performance had a unique style and she explained about the dance techniques that were being used by her students.

The show then progressed with the elegant recital con-

Ajit Wadekar and I championships.

From 1956 to 1977, when I lived in the city of my birth, Bombay won 20 out of 22 Ranji Trophy titles, including 16 consecutive ones, between 1958 and 1973. This city’s team has won 40 titles, but to me these 20 were the sweetest of the lot.

My local heroes were national heroes.

Rashi Sharma for co-ordinating and managing the team with high spirit.

n August 30, 2015 Shri Natraj School of Dance presented an enchanting evening of a dance recital at the Kaplan theatre in the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Centre, Houston.

The program was choreographed by Kusum Sharma with her excellent skills, expressive dance styles and captivating music. The students of Shrinatraj School of Dance presented Indian classical dances of Bharatnatyam and Kathak.

The age group of the dancers ranged from 4 to 35 years.

The show was attended by well-wishers, friends and families of all performers. The show started at 3pm with a lovely prayer dance ‘Mooshika Vahan’ in Bharatnatyam style. The dainty dancers looked gorgeous in their pink and green costume and enthralled the audience by their sublime performance.

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Students of Shri Natraj School of Dance present their talent. sisting of tatkar, chakradhar tukdas and toras by the 3rd and 4th year Kathak students.

The students took 108 spins and then continued to show versatility on “gat bhav” on an instrumental song dedicated to Lord Krishna. Lastly, they presented a candle lit dance called “Jhoothe Naina”.

Shhyam Moorthy and Nikita Khambe emceed the show.

They were very lively and kept the audience entertained by asking Ramleela related questions.

Winners of the correct answers were given free tickets for the

upcoming grand musical opera ‘Ramleela 2015’. The Hindustani classical music team had Aruna Gurujada, Chandra and Veena Watve as Vocal singers, Chidanand played the Tabla (hand drum) and Ram Sharma played the harmonium. Photographs and Videography were taken care by Sri Ram and Dhawal. Runmee Barbara and Tanya Rashi Sharma were in charge of technical audio and lighting. Thanks to all the assistant teachers Aparna Krishnan, Nithya Ram Krishnan, Runmee Barbara and Tanya

Every dance performance was accompanied by colourful lightings in the stage.

The richness of the dazzling costumes also added a flawless ambience for the dance recital. The audience showed great enthusiasm and were left mesmerised by the charm of the unique dance performances.

The dancers surely enjoyed the applause and attention they received from the crowd.

The show came to an end with a fantastic performance by the graceful dance queen, Kusum Sharma on a song ‘Thare Rahiyo’. All the performers were called on stage and thanked for their hard work and virtuosity which lead to an amazing performance and a visual delight for the audience.

An instrumental live music with tabla and harmonium accompanied by melodious soothing voice is in itself a treat to the ears. Adding to that, the sound of ghungroos (bells) and the delicate dance movements was truly a delightful experience for everyone present there.

Like every year, this year also Kusum Sharma’s Shri Natraj School of dance along with Kalakriti Performing Arts will present its 11th Annual Ramleela in Houston on Oct 18 at VPSS Srinath ji Haveli . This

Pradeep Anand. by © Pradeep Anand

I

grew up playing, watching, experiencing and enjoying cricket during my childhood and young adulthood in Mumbai.

My neighborhood, Dadar, was the cradle of Indian cricket, having contributed forty-one (yes, 41!) players who played for India. Until January 2015, 285 players had played for India. An area of 2.85 square miles contributed more than 14% of India’s Test Cricketers!

I grew up in the cradle of Indian cricket watching cricket matches at neighborhood playgrounds. I experienced, in close proximity, the beauty and finesse of the game exhibited by many who wore the Indian Test Cap. Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Farookh Engineer, Manohar Hardikar, Subhash Gupte, Ramakant Desai, Madhav Mantri, Ramnath Kenny, Naren Tamhane, Vijay Manjrekar, Ramnath Parker, Bapu Nadkarni, Baloo Gupte, Dilip Vengsarkar, Padmakar Shivalkar and Dilip Sardesai were a few of the stalwarts who represented India during my quarter-century in Dadar.

This Indian Cricket Cradle also nurtured Sachin Tendulkar and Sanjay Manjrekar.

The two neighborhood cricket clubs, Dadar Union and Shivaji Park, had a local Kanga League rivalry that could be matched by the most rabid football fans in America. However, that rivalry disappeared when these players played for Bombay in the national Ranji Trophy

However, our pride in the Indian team on international turf was unfulfilled for a very long time. Though the Indian team had played international Test cricket since 1932, these national heroes had not won a series in another country. That changed in 1971, under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar.

Mr. Wadekar was the first Captain of an Indian Cricket Team that won Test series overseas—in West Indies and in England.

Under his captaincy, India won over five matches in the West Indies, and then defeated England over three. Mr. Wadekar, led India to a third successive series victory, beating England cricket team again, 2-1 in a five-match series in 1972-73.

During those test series, my friends and I stayed up to listen to cricket commentaries, glued to short-wave radios. It had the same excitement as the time when, in July 1969, we heard Neil Armstrong say his historical words from the moon.

This giant step for India on foreign lands gave the breath of life that resurrected Indian cricket and pumped up pride in a national sports team.

This stylish, left-handed batsman and his team came back to India, to be showered with accolades and awards. Mr. Wadekar received the Arjuna Award and the Padmashri in quick succession.

More important, middle-class India was inspired by our local heroes’ accomplishments; we felt that we too could reach great heights on the global stage.

Continued on page 9

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Anuradha’s Krishnaarpanam: The Dance of Devotion Ajit Wadekar ....

‘

by Dr. Ritu Raju Krishnaarpanam’, a superb Kuchipudi recital by 69-year young Anuradha Subramanian, an accomplished Carnatic musician was offered as homage to her mother, eminent Carnatic musician Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy and to their favorite deity, Lord Krishna on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Stafford Center.

With a classical rendition of the invocation to Lord Ganesha, Anuradha set the stage for a performance that was as flawless and dedicated as it was intense and devoted.

With the flexibility of a 16-year old, Anuradha executed the intricate steps and flourishes with perfect symmetry.

From the first number, Swagatham Krishna, Anuradha enthralled the audience with elegant footwork, elaborate abhinaya, and sheer devotion.

In “Venugaanaloluni gana,” she presented minute details of the wistful yearning for Krishna with great grace and precision footwork.

Each composition, lovingly chosen, reflected the various aspects of the esoteric nature of Krishna. The choice of composers, similarly, echoed the danseuse’s devoutness— Oothukadu Venkata Kavi, Thyagaraja, Annamacharya, and Purandara Dasa—each of whom has earned a distinctive place in the Bhakti pantheon.

Anuradha delivered a brilliant exposition of the Tarangam, the most complex item in a Kuchipudi recital characterized by balancing on the rim of a plate, in “Alokaye Sri Balakrishnam.” Guru Rathna Kumar’s narration in English allowed the diverse audience to experience the majesty and mischief of Krishna’s avatar.

If the bhava (emotion) in “Bhavayami Gopala Balam” melted the hearts of the audience even as butter melts in the warmth of one’s palm, the adaptation of the popular

Anuradha Subramanian, presenting ‘Krishnaarpanam’ on Saturday, August 22, 2015. Photo credit Krishna Giri.

“Aadathu Asangadhu Vaa Kanna” captured the charm and naughtiness of Krishna with feisty footwork and expansive mudras.

The Purandara Dasa Kriti “Kanden Naa Govindana“ depicting Krishna as Vishnu was exceptional. The plethora of emotions on beholding the Lord--exhilaration, awe, gratitude, bliss--Anuradha captured and portrayed them expressively. Nowhere in the performance was the instrumental support as brilliant as in this number--the musicians used the flute and mridangam to evoke the ferocity and grandeur of the Narasimha Avatar and the pathos of the disrobing of Draupadi after a deceptive game of dice.

In a surprise element, her

grandson Kiran came on stage as little Krishna and sang a beautiful song with her. Clearly, we have a budding musician who will carry forward Anuradha’s musical tradition! The final Thillana was everything Dr. Balamurali Krishna would have envisaged when he composed it--energetic, spirited, elegant, and lively--with Rathna Kumar’s nattuvangam providing the perfect foil for Anuradha’s perfectly-executed mudras and lively adavus.

The support from the musicians was very impressive: Srikanth’s sonorous voice and rich vocals brought the exquisite compositions to life. ‘Krishnaarpanam’ could not be completed without the melodious notes of the flute-Krishna’s chosen instrument.

And Adyar Muthukumar did full justice to the divine reed; his evocative notes took the audience to the land of verdant valleys and undulating pastures where the gopis cavorted with Krishna.

Kesavan’s crisp percussion, especially his use of two mridangams to produce the sounds of Narasimha Avataram and Draupadi’s Vastra Haranam, was amazing and drew sustained applause from the audience. Guru Dr. Rathna Kumar’s lively nattuvangam provided excellent backing to the recital. In sum, the musicians did everything in their melodious power to support the dancer resulting in a memorable performance.

The evening served to highlight the strength of Houston’s classical dance and music landscape and the wealth of talent that our city holds. Rathna Kumar choreographed each of the dances while undergoing grave personal crisis as her husband Anil Kumar was critically ill.

Anuradha, who is a musician of considerable merit, earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records in 2006 for being the oldest Kuchipudi dancer at the age of 59.

The 700-strong audience (including guests from Canada, Colombia, India and various parts of the United States) was inspired and enthralled--as evidenced both by the prolonged standing ovation and by the comments of the guests. The guest speakers also testified to the inspirational nature of this recital. Guest of Honor Dr. Marie Goradia talked about how “dance and music have always been front and center” of Anuradha’s life and praised her for dancing “not just with her feet but also with her heart, her eyes, and her spirit.” Sugar Land Council Member Harish Jajoo presented a proclamation from the Mayor of Sugar Land recognizing Anuradha’s contribution to dance and culture.

Ajit Wadekar during a cricket match.

Continued from page 8 I had watched Mr. Wadekar play since about 1957 or so. He was probably seventeen, when he first played for the Bombay’s Ranji Trophy team in 1958. As an avid teenager cricket fan who followed the game very closely, I felt that he deserved to be on the Indian team in the early 1960s.

This was the folly of the Indian Cricket’s selection board that probably sought equitable distribution of players from all over the country rather than seeking the best of the best for the country.

When he was finally included in the team, he was quickly elevated to captain for his leadership skills. And then, in those historic series, his team brought home prized cricket trophies.

More important, he created memories in me that have been undiminished despite four decades of relentless onslaught on my grey cells.

Cricket is a significant component of the happiness that is childhood. Playing “gully” cricket and on cricket fields at my school, and going to nearby cricket grounds to watch the game are part of my idyllic childhood, as are meeting and chatting with the cricket superstars, who were unusually

humble and friendly. Imagining them in their whites, in the pavilion at Matunga Gymkhana and Dadar Union, brings back the awe I felt then. And when I meet my heroes today, I relive that awe and am inspired by them.

After retirement, Mr. Wadekar continued to nurture, mentor and strengthen Indian cricket to become the force it is today internationally. He served as the coach/manager of the Indian cricket team in the 1990s and, later, he was chairman of the board of selectors.

Additionally, Mr. Wadekar is Founder/President of All India Cricket Association for Physically Challenged (www.aicapc. org). It is a registered non-governmental organization that, since 1982, has helped handicapped persons realize the joys of playing cricket.

I am going to meet Mr. Wadekar at Madras Pavilion on September 9, 2015, at 6:30 PM. He is going to speak about “How a Captain can Effect a Turnaround”, and then answer questions from the audience.

It’s going to be an “awesome” evening for me and many others who want to meet and experience the man who gave Indian cricket its breath of life.

Register now for “An Evening with Ajit Wadekar: The Man who gave Indian Cricket the Breath of Life” September 9, 2015 at Madras Pavilion, Sugar Land, TX. Link for registering http://iitagh.org/events/an-evening-with-ajit-wadekar/

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 10

Sania Mirza conferred Khel Ratna, shooter Jitu Rai gets Arjuna Award

President Pranab Mukherjee seen presenting the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to Sania Mirza.

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EW DELHI - Tennis star Sania Mirza was today conferred with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna -- the country’s highest sporting honour -while shooting sensation Jitu Rai was among the Arjuna award recipients in a glittering ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The President also gave away the Arjuna awards even as the line-up was low on star power in the absence of cricketer Rohit Sharma, who missed the ceremony alongside boxer Mandeep Jangra and quarter miler M R Poovamma. In all, the (retired) Justice V K Bali led panel had recommended 17 names for Arjuna.

President Pranab Mukherjee presented the award to Sania, clad in a maroon saree and blue blazer, amid thunderous applause at the Darbar hall where Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was among the attendees.

Sania, who attracted the loudest applause from the esteemed gathering at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, received a medal, certificate and cash prize of Rs. 7.5 lakh. She had flown in just to receive the award ahead of the US Open starting in New York on Monday.

Sania became the second tennis player to receive the country’s highest sporting honour after Leander Paes on a day when Sports Ministry was fighting a court case that raised questions against its process of selecting the awardees.

The Arjuna awardees received statuettes, certificates and award money of Rs.5 lakh each.

The

ceremony,

however,

was shrouded in controversy with the ignored athletes and coaches not accepting the recommendations of the Ministry-appointed panel.

Just when it seemed there would be no controversy in the lead up to this year’s function, para-athlete H N Girisha approached the Karnataka High Court challenging Sania’s recommendation for Khel Ratna.

While Girisha will still be hopeful of getting the award later, another court case pending is of wrestling coach Vinod Kumar, who went to Delhi High Court claiming he was more deserving for the Dronacharya award than his rival Anoop Singh, whose name was recommended by the government-appointed panel. It will be known in the next weeks whether he gets the Dronacharya or not. PTI

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Millions strike in India over ‘anti-labour’ reforms

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EW DELHI - Millions of workers across India went on strike Wednesday in protest at planned labour law reforms, the biggest show of strength by trade unions since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office.

They say labour reforms planned by Modi’s government will put jobs at risk, and are demanding it scrap changes that would make it easier to lay off workers and shut down unproductive factories.

All India Trade Union Congress secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said the response had been “magnificent” and estimated over 150 million workers participated in the strike, although this could not be independently confirmed.

The strike -- the biggest in India for more than two years -included staff at state-run banks and mines as well as some factory, construction and transport workers.

“This strike is a reminder to the government that it must consult the millions of employees (affected) before changing the labour laws,” striking bank worker Amit Khanna told AFP in New Delhi.

Most cities remained peaceful,

Workers on strike in New Delhi. AFP photo. but clashes between police and activists broke out in the eastern state of West Bengal, which has a long history of left-wing union activism.

Television footage showed police baton-charge protesters in the state capital Kolkata and drag away women strikers who had staged a sit-in, while protesters threw stones and smashed vehicles.

Nearly 200 people were arrested across the state, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

Banks, shops and other businesses remained closed in the city, stranding commuters and travellers at the main station, while dozens of flag-waving protesters halted suburban trains.

In Delhi, long queues formed at bus stops early Wednesday, while passengers were stuck at airports as many taxis and autorickshaws stayed off the streets.

Industry body ASSOCHAM estimated $3.7 billion in economic losses from the strike, singling out the country’s ports where exports were left lying on the docks.

Pakistan army sentences five militants to death

I

SLAMABAD - Pakistan’s army Wednesday announced the death penalty for five militants linked to a series of terrorist attack across the country, the latest terror-related sentencing by the controversial military courts.

The men were convicted by military courts established as part of a crackdown on militancy following a massacre at a school in the northwest city of Peshawar on December 16 last year, in which more than 150 people, mostly children, were killed.

Parliament approved the use

of the courts for the next two years, and the Supreme Court endorsed the move last month, rejecting claims it was unconstitutional.

The army chief “confirms death sentence of another 5 hard core terrorists involved in killings (of a) Lahore advocate, Quetta sectarian killing,” military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said in a brief tweet, without giving further details.

The militants were also reportedly involved in several other incidents including a jail break in northwestern town of Bannu in 2012 and attack on a

girls school and a polio team in Khyber tribal region.

“6th terrorist (was) awarded life imprisonment,” Bajwa added. The army announced the first verdicts and sentences from the new courts in April.

Six militants were condemned to death and another jailed for life, all on terrorism charges, though scant details of the offences and trials were given.

On August 13, it announced death sentences for seven more militants for their involvement in the Peshawar school massacre and an attack on a bus of the minority Shiite Ismaili community.

Lifestyle VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 11

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Vol. 28 No. 36 Friday, September 4, 2015 Section 2 Page 11

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com Tel: 713-774-5140

Myanmar spirit festival offers rare space for gay community

US Catholics mostly accepting of non-traditional families

Two men paint a mural of Pope Francis on the wall of a high-rise building in New York on August 28, 2015 (AFP Photo/Jewel Samad)

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People dance during the festival in Taungbyone village on August 27, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ye Aung Th

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aving their floral offerings in the air, devotees danced through a temple Thursday to celebrate Myanmar’s biggest spirit festival which has also become a rare host for the country’s marginalised gay community.

The six-day spirit or “nat” celebration in Taungbyone village, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the central city of Mandalay, draws thousands of revellers each year in search of karmic reward as well as all-night parties.

A belief in the power of spirits has long co-existed with religion in Buddhist-majority Myanmar with their influence thought to stretch over everything from business deals to car engines.

“I have to sell flowers here because it is a tradition I inherited from my ancestors. Something bad happens if I do not come here,” said make-up artist Nyi Nyi, 29, from Mandalay, who puts his job on hold each year to sell flowers during the festivities.

Like the thousands of others who annually throng the narrow network of alleys and market stalls in Taungbyone he is here to appease the spirits of two brothers who are worshipped in the small village.

But he is also drawn to the festival as a gay man in conservative Myanmar where the vibrant festival has become a mecca for the minority community.

Gay people in the former junta-run nation still routinely suffer discrimination despite sweeping modernisation in recent years that has started to create more openness.

“I have been discriminated against at hospital and the police station. The hospital keeps us in (a) separate place because they think gay people are diseased. Police arrest us if we go out on the street after 8 pm,” Nyi Nyi told AFP. -- Changing attitudes towards homosexuality -At Taungbyone, however, there is a warm welcome and many of the most well-regarded mediums are gay or transvestite, providing advice and a direct line to the spirits by day and spending evenings dancing in elaborate costumes as part of the celebrations.

Spirit medium Noe Noe’s flowerfilled pop-up shrine behind the main temple was a hive of activity as a steady stream of devotees sought his blessing.

“I am still going strong. I am 66years-old, but I danced the whole night yesterday and I am going to dance tonight as well,” he said, throwing his arms out to indicate his prowess.

Ancient cultures in Myanmar worshipped a multitude of spirits, but the belief system was streamlined in the 11th century by King Anawrahta, who decreed Buddhism the national religion.

At the teaming train station in Taungbyone, housewife San Win explained the profusion of sparkling plastic goldcoloured medallions strung around her neck.

“We believe that the spirits will make these real, so I will give them to my family and friends,” said the 50year-old, who has visited the festival every year since she was 16.

Same-sex relations are criminalised under Myanmar’s colonial-era penal code, and although the law is not strictly enforced, activists say it is still used by authorities to discriminate and extort.

But taboos around homosexuality have begun to be relaxed after a quasicivilian government replaced military rule in 2011.

he American Catholics who will meet Pope Francis on his US visit later this month are widely accepting of non-traditional families, according to a Pew survey out Wednesday.

While 90 percent of US Catholics said that a household headed by a married mother and father -- traditionally supported by the Catholic Church -- is ideal for raising children, large majorities see single, unmarried and divorced parents as acceptable.

Sixty-six percent said that gay parents can do an acceptable job of raising children, including forty-three percent who considered the arrangement as good as any other.

A large majority -- 83 percent -- saw as acceptable for children to be raised by parents who are living together but not married, including 48 percent who considered it just as good as any other arrangement.

Roughly four in 10 US Catholics (38 percent) said it is acceptable or just as good as any other arrangement for single parents to raise children, with 31 percent saying the same about divorced parents.

The results, found in a Pew survey of 5,122 adults conducted May 5-June 7, also found that 86 percent saw it as acceptable for a man and a woman to live together as a couple outside of marriage.

Among those, 55 percent considered that lifestyle as good as any other.

About 70 percent said that a married husband and wife who choose not to have children have a lifestyle that is as good as any other.

Less than half of US Catholics saw homosexuality, cohabitation with a romantic partner outside marriage and contraception as sins -- 44 percent, 33

percent and 17 percent respectively.

And 76 percent said that the Catholic Church should allow the use of contraceptives, and 46 percent supported the Church changing its views to recognize gay marriages.

The Church has traditionally frowned upon any family arrangement outside of a male-female marriage with children.

Positions however harden among the roughly 40 percent of US Catholics who say they attend Mass weekly.

Among this group, only 34 percent say it is as acceptable and as good as other options for a gay couple to raise children. That compares to 49 percent of Catholics who attend Mass less than once a week.

- Soft on climate change Francis will have a hard time convincing his US flock about the need to fight against climate change.

Less than a third -- 29 percent -- say that working to counter climate change is essential to their Catholic identity, while 62 percent see helping the poor as key.

Forty-one percent say that spending money on luxuries without helping out the poor is sinful, but only 23 percent say it is sinful to use energy with no concern for its impact on the environment.

The survey, which included 1,016 self-identified Catholics, has a 3.5 percent margin of error for Catholics, and a 1.6 percent margin of error for the full sample.

Francis has a tight schedule during his September 22-28 US visit, which features stops in New York, Washington and Philadelphia.

Before flying back to Rome, Francis will visit the Vatican-sponsored World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

‘A Sinner in Mecca’ documents Sanjukta Nath being selected in Sugar Land’s exhibition gay Muslim pilgrimage

vas, 2’6”/ 18” The girl child married early in the deep rural belt of the central province of India, with the wide eyes awash with desire and hope for a life. Has she been resilient and innate to preserve and realize her dreams?

Sanjukta Dutta, artist.

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he Sugar Land Art Center and Gallery located at 104 Industrial Blvd, Suite Q Sugar

“ Afternoon Gossip “ Oil pastel on paper 2’6”/2’0” A hot steamy afternoon near Varanasi in India inspired this form. It tries to capture the laid back of life style of rural upcountry womenfolks, who gather after their daily morning chores and socialize with their me’nage. It is an intimate harmony and simplicity where they unwind themselves.

About the painter: Sanjukta Dutta nurtured the passion under tutelage of eminent Bengali Art-

Muslim pilgrims arriving for the evening prayer at Mecca’s Grand Mosque, home of the cube-shaped Kaaba or “House of God”, on September 29, 2014 during the annual hajj pilgrimage (AFP Photo/Mohammed al-Shaikh)

by Jennie MATTHEW The confession of a Pakistani murderer. Overzealous religious police. An Arab angered his pregnant wife was molested in the holiest site known to Islam.

A new film made by a gay Muslim pilgrim offers a English-speaking Western audience a warts-and-all view of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in a documentary that has attracted death threats and an online hate campaign.

It is a rebuke of Saudi Arabia and its strict Wahhabi form of Islam, but it is also deeply personal -- a man trying to reconcile his faith with his sexuality.

From that perspective which includes footage of his wedding to his American husband in New York, millions of Muslims will likely find “A Sinner in Mecca” provocative if not offensive.

But director and pilgrim, Indian-born New Yorker Parvez Sharma, sees it as a wake-up call for a faith followed by nearly a quarter of humanity which he believes has been hijacked by a violent minority.

“Islam is imploding upon itself right now and there’s a huge crisis,” Sharma told AFP. “It (a reformation) is happening, but it is happening too slowly and we’re running out of time.”

“The change needs to happen with Wahhabi Islam -- that is the root of all the problems,” he said.

Sharma associates with the Sufi branch of Islam common in his homeland India, which unlike Wahhabism embraces music and a more mystical -- and less dogmatic -- approach to faith.

- Wrong end of the stick He performed hajj in 2011, four months after Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden was killed and seven months after the Arab Spring began. He says the timing was deliberate.

“I felt that it would be the most interesting time to go with all this churning going on in the Muslim world.”

Most striking is his footage, filmed on a

Sanjukta Dutta’s painting “ innocence” will be among the other pieces displayed at the Sugar Land Art Center and Gallery Land, TX 77478, has chosen Sanjukta Dutta as a finalist for the pieces “ innocence” and “ Afternoon Gossip “.

These paintings will be displayed at the Sugar Land Art Center and Gallery for the month of September, 2015.

Indian-born director Parvez Sharma’s new documentary “A Sinner in Mecca” is a rebuke of Saudi Arabia and its strict Wahhabi form of Islam, but it is also deeply personal -- a man trying to reconcile his faith with his sexuality (AFP Photo/) mobile phone and two tiny cameras without permission from Saudi authorities, then smuggled out of the country.

“Early on,” he explains, “my iPhone was taken away by the religious police and they deleted initial early footage,” he said.

“These guys walk around with sticks and hit you if you’re doing something they consider un-Islamic, and I was on the wrong end of the stick several times.”

He captures the crush encircling the Kaaba, the sacred site in whose direction Muslims pray, the giant shopping mall next door where you can get a Starbucks coffee and the discomfort of standing on a bus an entire night to go to Mount Arafat.

“There is nothing kind about this process,” Sharma says in the film.

He calls his first experience at the Kaaba “probably the most violent night of my entire life.” He says he strung his iPhone around his neck and just let the camera roll.

- Threats Most of the film focuses on him. But he also includes two of more than 50 interviews he said he conducted.

An Arab man in the film complains that his wife was touched by other men, and a man from Lahore, a city in eastern Pakistan, confesses to seeking atonement for taking part in a so-called “honor” killing.

It has been shown at film festivals in Britain and North America, and goes on cinema release in New York on Friday before being aired on European television and Netflix in coming months.

“Sharma’s constant filming of his own face and his reactions to what he’s seeing give the film a sometimes annoying ‘selfie’ perspective,” wrote reviewer, David Savage, in Cut Print Film.

But he called it “an important and rare film” given “the threats of violence and death that have suppressed many of his fellow Muslim gays into hiding.”

Sharma says much of the response has been positive. But he has received a torrent of hate mail and online death threats coming from servers in countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

He says the Iranian government has denounced it. He tells of being accosted by yelling Saudi women at a festival in Britain.

“I hope that Muslims will eventually react positively,” he told AFP.

Wedding bells growing quieter in Las Vegas

by Sebastien Vuagnat

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Oliver Sacks, best-selling author and neurologist, dies at 82

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enowned neurologist and writer Oliver Sacks, who explored the mysteries of the human brain in a series of best-selling books, died Sunday at age 82, the New York Times reported.

Sacks’ longtime personal assistant, Kate Edgar, told the Times he died at his home in New York after a battle with cancer.

Sacks was the author of the 1973 book “Awakenings,” which detailed his real-life experience with patients who suffered from a condition known as encephalitis lethargica, and how they were able to exit -- however briefly -from their catatonic states with the aid of a drug.

Poster of the film “Awakenings.”

The story was adapted into a 1990 Oscar-nominated film of the same name starring Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro.

Sacks announced in February that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer after a rare melanoma of the eye diagnosed nine years earlier was found to have spread to his liver.

A S V E GAS, - At the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, an Elvis impersonator in a black jumpsuit croons as a couple walks down the aisle.

Pastor Jean-Claude Chevalme pronounces them man and wife.

All in 10 minutes flat.

“I feel grateful that I have been granted nine years of good health and productivity since the original diagnoThey weren’t the only ones. Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra exchanged vows in Sin City in 1966. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton, and Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford all tied the knot here.

- Ill-fated unions -

Viva Las Vegas.

But the wedding business isn’t what it used to be in Sin City.

About the paintings: “innocence “ Mixed media on can-

A couple walks out of the Little White Chapel after getting married in Las Vegas, Nevada (AFP Photo/Hector Mata)

The US desert oasis known for all-night gambling, extravagant shows and no-hold-barred boozing has for decades also been a magnet for couples from around the world who are looking to tie the knot quickly and cheaply.

The kitschier the ceremony, the better.

The marriage license office in Nevada’s Clark County is open until midnight every day, even on holidays.

Weddings usually cost just a few hundred dollars.

But fewer people are taking advantage of the southwestern city’s flexible laws -- 37 percent fewer over the past decade, in fact, as the number of Vegas weddings dropped from 128,000 in 2004 to 81,000 last year.

“The wedding business here in Las Vegas has fallen off since 2004. We haven’t had ups and downs, and ups and downs -- it’s just been a consistent

drop every year,” Chevalme said.

“You know, people don’t have as much money anymore because the economy here isn’t that good.”

The downturn could also be due to a decline in the appeal of a style of wedding that emerged more than a halfcentury ago.

“Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward got hitched here -- two big Hollywood stars of the 1950s,” said Clark County clerk Lynn Marie Goya.

ist Ramananda Bandapadhya, disciple of Nandalal Bose, an exponent of Indian Art. She is from Calcutta, India and has held numerous exhibitions in Birla Academy Calcutta, Government Art Gallery, Toronto, Nehru Centre London, Camden Image Gallery, Royal College Street, London, and Art Hub, Abudhabi.

The luster from those celebrity weddings has worn off over time as a Vegas marriage has come to mean something less glamorous: an impulsive, and usually ill-fated, marriage.

Stars like Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman got married there before annulling their vows nine days later.

Britney Spears and Jason Alexander tied the knot -- and then promptly untied it 55 hours later. What happened in Vegas really did stay in Vegas.

Films like “The Hangover” haven’t helped the city’s image.

“One of the misconceptions over the past few years is that people only come here when they are drunk and they get married last-minute, and that’s just not true. That makes great movies but

sis, but now I am face to face with dying,” he wrote in an essay in the New York Times opinion page.

“It is up to me now to choose how to live out the months that remain to me.

I have to live in the richest, deepest, most productive way I can.”

Born in London, he was educated at Oxford and then emigrated to Canada, then to the United States, arriving in New York in 1965 where he taught, wrote and practiced for the rest of his life. that’s just not true,” says Goya.

Even with the downturn, Las Vegas remains the top destination for weddings in the United States, and newly legalized gay marriage could provide a new source of revenue.

But Las Vegas estimates the nearly 40 percent decline in weddings has cost the city $1 billion a year, so it is starting to fight back.

It has kicked off a publicity campaign to restore the allure of the Vegas wedding and to attract a new generation of lovebirds to the city, especially from overseas.

“It’s all about the fun and the craziness. Everything is large, big, so different from what we have back in Norway,” says one new bride.

Rob Johnston, a newlywed from Britain, says he and wife Claire loved their Elvis-themed wedding.

“We really enjoyed it -- it was a fantastic experience. We’ve had many great days and now we’re off for dinner in the Eiffel Tower. What more could you want?”

Young Life

VOICE OF ASIA 13

Friday, September 4, 2015

Section 2

Page 13

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Teenage goths at higher risk of depression: study PARIS - Teenagers who identify as “goths”, a subculture known for its members’ black clothes and makeup, have a three times higher risk of depression than non-goth peers, researchers said Friday.

“Skaters” and “loners” also presented an increased risk, but not to the extent of goths, the researchers found.

“Young people who self-identified as ‘sporty’ were least likely to have depression or self-harm at age 18,” said a statement.

But they could not be sure whether it was a case of depression leading kids to join this particular subgroup, or being caused by it.

It was possible, the team said, that “peer contagion” within the goth subculture was responsible for the link, but it could also be that the group attracted already depressed social outcasts.

“Our study does not show that being a goth causes depression or self-harm, but rather that some young goths are more vulnerable to developing these conditions,” said the study’s lead author Lucy Bowes from the University of Oxford.

In a years-long study of over 2,300 British teens, Bowes and a team found that 15-year-olds who identified very strongly with the goth subculture were three times more likely than their non-goth peers to be clinically depressed by age 18.

They were also five times more likely to physically harm them-

Over 2,300 British teens, were a part of the year long study. selves, the researchers reported in The Lancet Psychiatry.

At 15, the study participants were

Read more on

A

Young Life and Visit www.voiceofa-

“Hard-working Texas families want the best for their kids, and securing their future educations is a big part of that — unfortunately, setting a family budget for that can be challenging,” Hegar said. “The Texas Tuition Promise Fund lets participants lock in today’s prices for their children’s edu-

siaonline.com

asked to what extent they identified with a variety of subcultures, including “sporty”, “popular”, “skaters”, “loners”, and “bimbos”. Three

years later, they were re-assessed for symptoms of depression and selfharm.

Teenage goths should be closely monitored, the authors said, so that those at risk can be offered support.

Open Enrollment in Texas Tuition Promise Fund® starts Sep 1, 2015

USTIN — Open enrollment in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund, the state’s prepaid college tuition program, begins today, Sept. 1, and runs through Feb. 29, 2016. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar reminds families that the Texas Tuition Promise Fund offers parents and loved ones the chance to prepay a child’s education at Texas public colleges and universities at today’s prices.

Lifestyles

“Teenagers who are susceptible to depression or with a tendency to self-harm may be attracted to the goth subculture which is known to embrace marginalised individuals,” said co-author Rebecca Pearson from the University of Bristol in Britain.

cations at Texas public colleges and universities, and it has flexible options that families can use to fit their budgets.”

Participants in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund purchase prepaid “tuition units” that can later be used toward undergraduate tuition and school-wide required fees at schools ranging from Texas public community colleges to four-year, in-state universities. Prices are based on 2015-16 academic year costs for the state’s public colleges.

Type I units, priced for tuition and school-wide required fees for the most expensive public four-year school in Texas, cost $132.54 per unit.

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Type II units, based on the weighted average cost of tuition and schoolwide required fees across all Texas public four-year schools, cost $91.43 per unit.

Type III units, priced at the weighted average cost of tuition and schoolwide required fees across all Texas public two-year schools, cost $23.35 per unit.

The plan’s payment options include lump sum payments, installment payments that include 8 percent interest or a pay-as-you-go plan that allows participants to gradually add more units when the family budget allows.

Payments can be as low as $15 after an account is established by paying a one-time fee of $25 and purchasing at least one unit.

Under the plan, 100 units equal roughly one academic year consisting of 30 semester hours of tuition and school-wide required fees at the Texas public school that most closely matches the pricing base. Participants can purchase up to 600 Type I units, approximately six years, or the dollar equivalent of Type II and III units.

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund is entering its eighth year. For more information about enrolling in the prepaid college tuition program, including a calculator that can help determine the type and number of units to purchase, go to TuitionPromise.org or call 1-800-445-GRAD (4723), Option 5.

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VOICE OF ASIA 14

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Arthritis and Joint Pain: Home Remedies - Part 2 1-2 tablespoons of carrier oil.

Carrier oil is needed to dilute the essential oil so that it does not irritate the skin, and can be olive oil, grapeseed oil, or something like that. Store the oil blend in dark glass bottle away from direct sunlight, and rub into your joints when they ache.

9. Juniper Berry Tea Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee.

by Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, Rice University, Houston TX. 8. Peppermint Eucalyptus Oil Blend Peppermint and eucalyptus don’t change the course of the arthritis itself, but they do have analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. The cooling sensation that they produce can temporarily override your discomfort, and create a soothing sensation that can ease the pain of arthritis. Blend 5-10 drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil together, and then mix into

It has been found that juniper berries do indeed help with arthritis pain thanks to a component called terpinen-4ol. Terpene suppresses a type of white blood cells called monocytes which, as a part of our immune system, respond to signals of inflammation. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks normal joint tissue for no reason, leading to inflammation, pain, and loss of function. If taken daily, juniper may be able to reduce the uncomfortable inflammation thanks to its terpene content. Only prickly juniper and common juniper varieties were effective. Bring 1 cup of

fresh water to a boil, and place 1 tablespoon of dried juniper berries in a mug. Pour the boiling water over the berries and let them soak for 20 minutes before straining. Drink 1 cup twice daily, and add honey to taste if you like.

Note: Do NOT drink juniper berry tea while pregnant.

10. Golden Raisins & Gin It is not recommended that one drinks gin, but this is an interesting old home remedy for arthritis. Gins flavor is derived from juniper berries (see #9 for a more in depth explanation of juniper berries) which contain anti-inflammatory properties. Golden raisins (only golden can be used in this recipe) require sulfides in their processing to give them their characteristic color. Sulfides are found in both glucosamine and chondroitin, which many people have found to be helpful remedies for arthritis. This remedy goes

back at least 20 years, and most people who hae used it have found it useful. Place 1 cup of golden raisins in a shallow dish, and pour in enough gin to just barely cover them.

Cover with a towel and store them away in a dark place until the gin has evaporated (around 2 weeks.) Eat 9 of the raisins daily, keeping in mind the results may take several weeks to show.

11. Bosweilla supplements Also known as Frankincense, Bosweilla is a flowering plant native to Africa and Asia. The gum resin or extract of the plant works as an antiinflammatory and pain-killer.

It works against inflammation by ‘disabling’ white blood cells that would cause swelling, and also helps shrink tissue that has already become inflamed and painful. It is sold at many health stores and online, and is fairly reasonably priced compared to what some other supplements cost.

12. Pectin & Grape Juice

Pectin is a water soluble carbohydrate substance found in the cell walls of plants, where it helps keep cell walls together, and gives fruit firmness as it ripens. It is extracted from fruit to use as a setting in jams and jellies, and has become popular as a home remedy for arthritis when combined with grape juice. It has been tentatively hypothesized that it helps return the synovial tissue to a more elastic and lubricated state, which results in pain-free movement. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid pectin with 8 oz. of grape juice and drink 1-2 times daily. It will take a week or two for the effects to show.

13. Cayenne ‘Capsaicin’ Ointment A common OTC pain reliever for joint pain contains capsaicin, a component in hot peppers that inhibits something called Substance P. Substance P is involved in transmitting pain signals to our brain, and when the capsaicin

interferes with it, it minimizes the alert to the discomfort, and therefore the discomfort itself. It has been one of the more effective topical treatments for arthritis, and you can make your own at home with humble cayenne. Keep in mind, however, that it is only a temporary fix and should be used sparingly if possible.

Mix together 3 tablespoons of cayenne powder with 1 cup of your oil of choice and heat in a double boiler for 5-10 minutes over medium heat. Stir in a 1/2 cup of grated beeswax and continue to stir until it has melted completely and everything is blended together. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, and then whisk together. Chill for another 1015 and then whip again before putting it in a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid and storing in the refrigerator. It will keep for 1 ½ weeks-apply daily as needed for pain.

Read Part 1 & 2 Online; www.voiceofasiaonline.com

Tanorexia: when getting a tan becomes an addiction British scientists develop slow-melting ice cream percent, regardless of age at first use.

But skin cancer rates have stabilised among those under the age of 45 thanks to “public education campaigns and greater awareness�, Rock said.

In Spain 3,600 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year. “Tanning booths abound, in beauty centres and gyms,� Moreno said.

The US Food and Drug Administration last year ordered that marketing material for sunlamps must carry warnings that, “Persons repeatedly exposed to UV radiation should be regularly evaluated for skin cancer.�

There is still no specific treatment for addiction to tanning.

The Spanish capital receives an average of 2,749 hours of sunshine per year, but that does not stop some people from seeking out UV rays (AFP Photo/Gerard Julien).

by Linh-Lan DAO

O

n a warm August evening in Madrid a steady stream of tanned customers parade out of a tanning salon -- even in sunny Spain, the need to catch some rays can turn into an addiction.

The Spanish capital receives an average of 2,749 hours of sunshine per year, according to the Spanish weather agency, double the amount received by London.

That does not stop Macarena Garcia, a university student, from seeking out UV rays. “My family does not like it, they tell me it is not healthy... but they live near the beach! I work here and I also want to tan,� she said as she left the Solmania tanning salon in the centre of Madrid.

She is not alone. Jose Manuel Rodriguez, a handsome 36-yearold dancer, said he comes to the salon up to three times a week “in order not to lose (his) natural tan�.

Jose Carlos Moreno of Spain’s academy of dermatology, (AEDV), does not hesitate to call this need to be tanned an addic-

tion. “They are people who never feel that they are tanned enough,� he said before comparing them to “anorexics who always feel like they are too fat�.

Their profile: mainly women and people under the age of 40 -- based on study participants -who tan more than two times a week to the point of obtaining an excessively orange or chocolatey skin tone.

- ‘Steal money to tan’ Tanning salons emerged in the 1980s in the United States, and researchers in the United States have been talking about tanning addictions -- dubbed “tanorexia�

-- since the 2000s.

The symptoms are similar to those of heroin addiction, according to Joel Hillhouse, a professor of public health at East Tennessee State University in the United States who has studied the psychology of tanning.

They include a desire to tan on waking, a needed for increasingly bigger “doses�, feelings of anxiety when not tanning and annoyance when friends and family

comment on their excessive tanning, he said.

Some people continue to using tanning beds even though they have skin cancer, Hillhouse said. “We even had a few that were willing to admit to us that they had done things like steal money in order to do indoor tanning.

They would actually take their roommate’s or their parents’ money,� he said.

Researchers say that exposure to ultraviolet rays itself can be addictive. “One of the reasons why the tanners tan is not only how they look, but how it makes them feel,� said Steve Feldman, a professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University in South Carolina.

Sunlight stimulates the release of endorphins, hormones that result in feelings of relaxation or euphoria very similar to that generated by morphine, Feldman said.

- Banned in Brazil, Australia The World Health Organization has since 2012 classified UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans.

Brazil became the first country in the world to ban indoor tanning bed in 2009, followed by Australia in 2014.

Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world with 11,000 cases per year. Melanoma is the deadliest kind of skin cancer, and is highly linked to sun exposure.

According to Vanessa Rock, the chair of the National Skin Cancer Committee in Australia, studies have shown that sunbeds increase melanoma risk by 20

Hillhouse recommends setting up support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and try to substitute tanning with relaxing activities like yoga.

L

ONDON -The summer scourge of sticky hands could become a thing of the past as British researchers announced the discovery of an ingredient to make slow-melting ice cream on Monday.

“We’re excited by the potential this new ingredient has for improving ice cream, both for consumers and for manufacturers,� Professor Cait MacPhee, of the University of Edinburgh’s school of physics and astronomy.

The protein BslA, which occurs naturally in some food, helps to blend the components of ice cream to make it smoother and more resistant to melting.

It can also help to keep ice cream frozen, so it remains creamy and smooth without gritty ice crystals forming.

“The protein binds together the air, fat and water in ice cream, creating a super-smooth consistency,� the University of Edinburgh announced in a statement.

Developed by researchers at the Scottish universities of Edinburgh and Dundee, the ingredient could be available within three to five years.

Manufacturers could also be enabled to make ice cream with fewer calories and saturated fat, according to the research.

The scientists developed a way to produce the protein using friendly bacteria. “Childhood memories of sticky hands from melting ice cream cones could soon become obsolete,� the university statement read.

Smoking rate among US adults drops to 15 percent

M

IAMI - The number of cigarette smokers in the United States has dropped to about 15 percent of the population, its lowest in decades, US health authorities said Tuesday.

About 36.7 million adults are current smokers, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “The prevalence of current cigarette smoking among US adults declined from 24.7 percent in 1997 to 15.2 percent in

January–March 2015,� said a report by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. “The prevalence of current cigarette smoking among US adults declined from 24.7 percent in 1997 to 15.2 percent in January–March 2015,� said the report.

Smoking continues to be more common among men (17.4 percent) than women (13.0 percent), the report found.

Smoking is most common

among African Americans (18.1 percent), followed by whites (17.1 percent) and Hispanics (10.4 percent).

The figures will be updated once the entire year’s data is available.

According to the US surgeon general, smoking is known to cause “a host of cancers and other illnesses and is still the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing 480,000 people each year.�

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VOICE OF ASIA 15

Bollywood Masala

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Friday, September 4, 2015

Section 2

Page 15

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Ranbir Kapoor,Madhuri Dixit at Viveik Oberoi’s Charity Event

Tel: 713-774-5140

Kangana is content being single

Kangana Ranaut

M

UMBAI - Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut says she is single and is in no mood to enter into a relationship as she is primarily committed to her work.

Nita Ambani, Mary Kom, Madhuri Dixit , Mrs Oberoi, Ranbir and other celebrities who attended the charity event.

Vivek Oberoi launched Oberoi Nation Building and Empowerment (ONE), an NGO aimed at preventing trafficking and rehabilitating victims, with a charity do called Set Beautiful Free.

In the past, the national award winning actress was reportedly in a relationship with actor Aditya Pancholi and Adhayan Suman. There were rumours of link up with other actors too.

“I don’t have anyone in my life as of now. I am single.. (but) I am not open to dating because I am committed to my films and roles. Relationship is a lot of work. I don’t want to be unfair to someone,” Kangana said in an interview here.

Held over the weekend in Mumbai, the event was saw several of his film industry friends and other Mumbai bigwigs turned up in support

When asked about the linkup rumors, Kangana chose to duck the question. She thinks it is essential to nurture and invest time in a relationship.

Ranbir Kapoor, Maharashtra Chief Minsiter Devendra Fadnavis and Vivek Oberoi get rakhis tied as part of Raksha Bandhan celebrations.

“Relationship is like a baby and you need to take care of it. I have been in a situations when one is busy and other person feels ignored and the relation-

ship turns bitter. You feel the person is demanding and as a woman you feel you are not respected,” she said.

“If you are working roundthe-clock what you are hoping to do with the relationship... it will die and you will regret.”

There are quite a few B-town celebrities who go for live-in relationships. But the 28-yearold actress thinks it is overrated.

“I think live-in relationships are overrated. There are marriages that are crumbling.. So I don’t have anything great to say about it. At some point, I would like to settle down,” Kangana said.

The “Queen” star is busy with three projects -- Vishal Bharadwaj’s “Rangoon”, Rani Laxmibai project with Ketan Mehta, and a film with Hansal Mehta.

“Today, I am targeted ....People are targeting my project, my position... I don’t want to become a soft target after these two three films I can take things easily,” she said. PTI .

Bollywood Shake ready to crown 2015 winners Annual Bollywood Pageant for Teen, Miss & Mrs. Bollywood USA 2015 on Sep 6, 2015

Miss Bollywood winner and runners up from last year. Photo by Bollywood Shake.

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ollywood Shake will be hosting its 3rd Annual Bollywood Pageant USA 2015 on Sept 6, 2015 at 7:30PM at Stafford Performing Arts Theatre (10505 Cash Rd, Stafford TX).

This year’s show will be bigger and more glamorous with the contest now open to contestants all over the United States.

Bollywood Shake conducted its auditions and extensive search for the last 6 months all over the US to find the best ladies to com-

pete for this year’s crown! Thirty Five ladies are ready to set the stage on fire in the Teen, Miss & Mrs. Bollywood categories!

Contestants are coming down from New York, Chicago, California, Louisiana and Austin for the pageant, making this year’s competition hotter and tougher!!

In addition to running a very successful Bollywood dance school and hosting their own radio show (Bollywood Shake Radio which airs weekdays Monday-Friday 4-7pm on 106.1

FM and 102.1 FM HD3), Bollywood Shake has always promoted local talent through its events! From Miss Bollywood 2014 pageant with Preity Zinta and Mrs. Bollywood 2014 pageant with Raveena Tandon to Mandira Bedi’s saree collection fashion show to Naach Meri Jaan Reality Dance Competition with Naved Jaffri, Bollywood Shake has always given a platform to locals from Houston and surrounding areas to showcase their talent! And this event is no different!

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Mrs. Bollywood winner and runners up from last year. Photo by Bollywood Shake.

Ruchika Dias, Founder & CEO of Bollywood Shake, has successfully organized the Bollywood Pageants for the past 2 years. This year’s show will be kicked up a notch at the stateof-the-art venue - Stafford Performing Arts Theatre. Comedian Dan Nainan will be the guest performer for the evening. Performer Grady Long will also sing some Bollywood songs in his unique style. Arif Memon and DMMS Productions are taking the production of the show to another level. Raza Hasan will

choreograph all the fashion show sequences this year too. The entire Bollywood Shake team and volunteers are working hard to put on an incredible show!

Ruchika’s vision has always been to bring Bollywood to mainstream America. ABC 13 and Fox 26 recently featured the Bollywood Pageant including interviews with Ruchika, Nina Desai (current Mrs. Bollywood 2014) and some of this year’s contestants. This year’s show is sponsored by Zee TV putting its

visibility on the national map!

This event promises to be one of the most fashionable, glamorous and entertaining pageants in America! Tickets are available on Sulekha.com.

There is also a shopping exhibition of clothing, jewelry and art before the pageant from 12-8pm at the Stafford Centre.

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HEALTHY LIVING VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 16

Friday, September 4, 2015

Section 2

Page 16

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

US approves injectable anticholesterol drug Repatha

W

ASHINGTON US regulators on Thursday approved Repatha, the second injectable drug of its kind designed for certain patients with stubbornly high cholesterol which puts them at risk of heart disease.

Repatha, also known as evolocumab, is made by Amgen and is part of a new class of drugs known as PCSK9 inhibitors, or antibodies which work on the liver to lower cholesterol.

It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for people with inherited conditions that cause high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol, as well as people whose clogged arteries have led to heart disease.

High LDL cholesterol in the blood causes plaque buildup in the arteries and eventually heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for Americans

killing 610,000 people every year.

recommended the drug’s approval in June.

“Repatha provides another treatment option in this new class of drugs for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or with known cardiovascular disease who have not been able to lower their LDL cholesterol enough with statins,” said John Jenkins, director of the Office of New Drugs at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

In July, the FDA also approved Praluent (alirocumab)

by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

One study on Repatha showed that patients taking it for 12 weeks saw a 60 percent reduction in LDL levels, compared to patients taking a placebo.

Data on whether the new drugs actually lead to longer lives or less heart disease will not be available until 2017.

Side effects may include upper respiratory tract infection, flu, back pain and reactions such as redness, pain or bruising where the injection is given.

Some patients may have allergic reactions, the FDA said.

An advisory panel to the FDA

Some experts say these new drugs offer an alternative to popular anti-cholesterol drugs known as statins (Lipitor, Crestor and others) which are not tolerated by all patients.

Pharmaceutical companies say the drugs could help between eight and 11 million Americans.

Analysts say the drugs could generate more than $2.5 billion annually for each of the pharmaceutical companies that make them.

Blood test could predict breast cancer’s return: study

M

IAMI | AFP - An experimental blood test may be able to predict whether a woman with breast cancer will suffer a relapse months before new tumors would be detectable on scans, researchers said Wednesday.

thor Nicholas Turner, team leader in molecular oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.

The technology, described in the journal Science Translational Medicine, works by detecting cancer DNA that circulates in the bloodstream.

Scientists took tumor and blood samples from 55 breast cancer patients with early-stage disease. Each of the patients had received chemotherapy and surgery to remove the cancer.

While the test is not yet available to the public, and likely will not be for years to come, researchers are hopeful that it could help refine personalized treatments for cancer and perhaps lead scientists further down the path of finding a cure one day.

“We have shown how a simple blood test has the potential to accurately predict which patients will relapse from breast cancer, much earlier than we can currently,” said study au-

“Ours in the first study to show that these blood tests could be used to predict relapse,” he added.

The blood test was administered following surgery and every six months afterward as a follow-up.

Of the 15 women who saw their cancer return, the test accurately predicted that relapse in 12 of them.

The test also detected cancer an average of about eight months earlier than the tumors were visibly detectable on conventional scans.

The technique uses personalized digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) tests to track mutations and could be applied to all subtypes of breast cancer, the study said.

Turner said there are some technical challenges to implementing the technology, “but digital PCR is relatively costeffective and the information that it provides could make a real difference to breast cancer patients.”

Breast cancer is diagnosed early in 95 percent of cases, but knowing whether or not treatment is able to remove all signs of cancer is key to preventing the tumors from returning and spreading elsewhere in the body.

“It will be some years before the test could potentially be available in hospitals, but we hope to bring this date closer by conducting much larger clinical trials starting next year,” Turner said.

Low-dose radiation 3D Mammograms now offered at the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land

Fish oil supplements don’t prevent mental decline: study

M

IAMI - Fish oil supplements, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, do not protect against mental decline despite common belief, said a study Tuesday spanning 4,000 older people.

The five-year clinical trial, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is “one of the largest and longest of its kind,” according to a statement from the US National Institutes of Health, which funded the research.

“Contrary to popular belief, we didn’t see any benefit of omega-3 supplements for stopping cognitive decline,” said study author Emily Chew, deputy clinical director at the National Eye Institute, which is part of the NIH. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oils, and people who regularly eat fish such as salmon, tuna and halibut have been shown to have better eye, heart and brain health than people who do not eat these kinds of fish.

But consuming the oils in pill form is not the same. A previous study in 2011 showed that omega-3 supplements, sold over the counter, did not improve the brain health of older patients with pre-existing heart disease.

The current study involved people with a common form of vision loss, called age-related macular degeneration.

Patients were 72 years old on average, and 58 percent of those enrolled were female.

They were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or pills containing omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid.

Those enrolled were given memory and cognitive function tests at the beginning of the study, then again two and four years later.

“The cognition scores of each subgroup decreased to a similar extent over time, indicating that no combination of nutritional supplements made a difference,” said the study.

With Alzheimer’s disease set to balloon as the global population ages in the coming decades, researchers are keen to find ways to prevent the most common form of dementia.

Some 46.8 million people worldwide currently suffer from dementia, a number that is forecast to reach 131.5 million in 2050, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Government payments for Medicare Advantage plans to rise in 2016 Payments to health insurers operating Medicare Advantage plans for the elderly and disabled will increase by 1.25 percent in 2016, the U.S. government said on Monday, in response to expected growth in health spending.

The announcement, by a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, comes after the U.S. government proposed a 0.95 percent cut in payments to insurers in February.

More than 16 million people are enrolled in these plans, in which healthcare benefits are managed by private insurers, including UnitedHealth Group Inc, Humana Inc and Aetna Inc. Each April the government announces reimbursement rates for insurers. The information helps insurers determine how profitable it will be to sell these plans, which optional benefits to provide and in which regions and markets to compete.

Shares of Humana, which receives about two-thirds of its revenue from Medicare Advantage plans, rose about 1 percent to $180 in after hours trading. UnitedHealth, Aetna and Anthem Inc were mostly unchanged.

The increase comes after many years of cuts to Medicare Advantage payments, because of an overall decline in healthcare spending and changes under the Affordable Care Act that seek to align payments more closely with the governmentrun Medicare fee-for-service program.

The increase is larger than expected, Leerink Partners analyst Ana Gupte said, and bodes well for insurers that sell these plans next year.

“2016 enrollment growth should be accelerated compared to previous years,” Gupte said.

Some insurers as well as the nation’s largest insurer lobbyist group, America’s Health Insurance Plans, had warned the government that any cuts would hurt the elderly.

“The final rate notice took a notable step to provide stable funding for the Medicare Advantage program,” AHIP President Karen Ignagni said, adding, however, that the policy did not do enough to protect chronically ill and vulnerable populations.

The increase for 2016 versus the decline announced in February results from expectations of Medicare Advantage spending growth of 4.2 percent, compared with the 1.7 percent

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com the government forecast in February.

The 4.2 percent growth reflects additional spending in 2014 and 2015, as well as higher expected outlays in 2016.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said higher spending was due to hospitalizations, rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers.

It also includes a 0.1 percent increase based on the assumption that Congress will enact legislation raising Medicare payments to doctors.

The government also said that it would move forward with changes to how it pays insurers for patients who are sicker than average. It will additionally leave the star ratings systems, which rewards highperforming plans, as planned, and it will tighten oversight of each plan’s pharmacy network and provider networks and directories.

The government policies affect each insurer differently, said Ipsita Smolinski, an analyst with Washington, D.C.-based research firm Capitol Street.

All of these numbers are averages and the bottom line 2016 impact is going to vary by plan, by location, by star rating and by coding practices.

Who wins in this market?

Large plans that have already invested to improve their Star ratings, reduce their administrative costs, and consistently meet CMS’s compliance standards. These plans—along with those joint ventures developed by regional players to compete against national plans—are now in a unique position to capitalize on the opportunity.

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UGAR LAND — (August 27, 2015) The Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land now offers the latest in breast cancer screening advances – low-dose radiation tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography.

“Utilizing advanced breast tomosynthesis technology improves the ability to detect breast cancer at the earliest stages, while using the lowest radiation exposure available in the market,” said Stephen W. Phillips, M.D., Medical Director of the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land.

Tomosynthesis provides clearer images and a more accurate screening than traditional mammograms, especially in women who have dense breast tissue. Radiologists pull imag-

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The Genius™ 3D mammogram requires no additional compression and takes just a few seconds longer than a traditional 2D mammogram. The low-dose mammogram is the only breast tomosynthesis system approved by the FDA as clinically superior to conventional mammography.

Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering 3D mammograms, the Breast Care Center provides the latest and most effective imaging tools for breast cancer screening. “We are thrilled about offering our patients this low-dose alternative,” Phillips said. “New technology helps our fight against breast cancer.”

The Breast Care Center offers all-digital mammography, molecular breast imaging, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, ultrasound biopsies, stereotactic biopsies and MRI-guided biopsies, all under one roof.

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If you would like more information about this important breast health exam, please contact Jamie Prinster, Breast Care Center Manager and Patient Navigator, at 281.275.0586. To schedule a 3D mammogram at Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land, visit houstonmethodist.org/onlinescheduling.

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VOICE OF ASIA 17

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Friday, September 4, 2015

Business VOICE OF ASIA

Section 2

Page 17 Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

US sees steady growth in JulyAugust: Fed Beige Book

W

“Respondents in most sectors across districts expected growth to continue at its recent pace, but the Kansas City report cited more mixed expectations,” it said.

The Beige Book, which provides largely anecdotal evidence on economic conditions to the monetary policymakers of the Federal Open Market Committee, gave some indication of pressures on businesses.

Businesses in three districts -- San Francisco, Boston and Dallas -- “explicitly mentioned the Chinese slowdown as a fac-

Apple partners to boost business use of iPads-iPhones AN FRANCISCO - Apple and computer network titan Cisco on Monday announced a partnership aimed at putting more iPhones and iPads to work at businesses.

The companies said in a joint release that they will optimize Cisco networks to provide a “fast lane” for devices and applications running on Apple’s iOS mobile operating system.

Most of the Fed’s 12 districts also reported only slight or modest growth in hiring, though a handful said there were increasing wage pressures due to tighter labor market conditions, according to the Beige Book regional survey.

But businesses were relatively optimistic of continued steady growth.

Tel: 713-774-5140

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ASHINGTON The US economy stuck to its modest-to-moderate pace in recent months but companies complained that China’s slowdown and the strong dollar were hurting business, a Federal Reserve report said Wednesday.

With the Fed expected to weigh a long-awaited interest rate increase at its coming policy meeting on September 16-17, the Beige Book gave no sense of any significant pickup in growth in the July and August survey period that would force the Fed’s hand.

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

“Nearly every Fortune 500 and Global 500 company today has put iOS at the center of their mobile strategy,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in the release.

“Together with Cisco, we believe we can give businesses the tools to maximize the potential of iOS and help employees become even more productive using the devices they already love.”

The US economy stuck to its modest-to-moderate pace in recent months but companies complained that China’s slowdown and the strong dollar were hurting business, a Federal Reserve report said (AFP Photo/Spencer Platt) tor” in reduced demand for certain products.

Survey respondents in five districts said the strong dollar was a negative factor for their businesses; cheap steel imports especially were hurting US steel makers, it said.

And the dollar was hitting retail sales in areas along the borders with Canada and Mexico, discouraging shoppers from both countries.

The slowdown in the oil industry, due to the plunge in crude prices, has also meant lower demand for machinery in some areas.

But other indicators -- tourism, loan growth, commercial and residential real estate, and auto sales -- were all fairly buoyant.

Meanwhile the Beige Book said most districts reported stable prices, more evidence of the lack of inflationary pressures across the country.

Businesses have long been dealing with employees using their personal smartphones or tablets to get work done.

Making company computer networks more friendly to iPhones and iPads holds the promise of helping Apple achieve further inroads in workplaces with devices

that have been hits with consumers.

Microsoft has long dominated business computing with its software. But it has seen its position threatened by lifestyle shifts to mobile lifestyles in which devices powered by Apple or Android software are the leaders.

Cisco said that its networks, which serve as backbones for company computer systems, will be modified to work more efficiently and reliably with iPhones and iPads with the goal of enabling higher levels of performance.

Improvements will include weaving iPhone into Cisco phone and video systems, according to the release.

“Ninety-five percent of companies in the Fortune 500 count on Cisco collaboration and Cisco networks to help their teams be more productive,” said Cisco executive chairman John Chambers.

“Through this engineering and go-to-market partnership, we’re offering our joint customers the ability to seamlessly extend that awesome Cisco environment to their favorite iOS devices.”

Still, hiring, one of the Fed’s two key barometers for interest rate policy -- the other is inflation -- was flat to modestly better in most areas.

Tesla car gets best-ever rating from Consumer Reports

Similarly, wages were generally stable, but facing upward pressure in San Francisco, the leading technology hub, St. Louis and Cleveland districts.

EW YORK-- A new Tesla electric car has earned the best-ever vehicle rating from Consumer Reports, sending shares of the automaker racing higher Thursday.

The new Tesla P85D “performed better in our tests than any other car ever has, breaking the Consumer Reports Ratings system,” said Mark Rechtin, automotive editor for the consumer group.

“With a six-figure price tag, the P85D is expensive, meaning its virtues will be experienced by a rare few. But its significance as a breakthrough model that is pushing the boundaries of both performance and fuel-efficiency is dramatic.”

The four-wheel drive P85D, which is a modified version of the Tesla S sedan, will cost upwards of $125,000 with typical equipment, Consumer Reports noted.

But the group said the breakthroughs suggest positive things for the sector, with Tesla due to introduce its Model X crossover in 2016, followed in 2018 by a “more attainable compact sedan,” the Model 3, estimated to start at about $35,000.

Consumer Reports gave the P85D a 100/100 rating, topping the 99/100 rating of the Tesla S two years ago.

Rechtin said the vehicle “initially scored 103 in the Consumer Reports’ Ratings system, which by definition doesn’t go

Those factors could point to a relatively modest August jobs report from the Labor Department on Friday.

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A Tesla Model S P85D is seen at Tesla’s headquarters in Palo Alto, California on April 30, 2015 (AFP Photo/Josh Edelson) past 100... so we had to make changes to our scoring to account for it.”

The new vehicle was impressive in energy efficiency, safety and performance, the group found.

“The P85D is brutally quick, with instant acceleration,” Rechtin wrote, noting that it could reach 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour in 3.5 seconds.

“The car’s thrust is forceful and immediate. Its near-instant gforces can otherwise be achieved only by leaping off a building— literally.

The acceleration “makes it frighteningly eerie in its silent velocity. It’s so explosively quick that Tesla has created an ‘insane’

driving mode.”

Tesla shares jumped eight percent in midday trade to $243.01, extending the spectacular market performance of the carmaker, which produces only a small number of coveted vehicles.

Earlier this month, Tesla reported a quarter loss of $184 million as the electric carmaker geared up for expansion.

Tesla plans to invest about $1.5 billion this year to expand production capacity, construct its huge “Gigafactory” for batteries and expand its network of charging stations.

Tesla is also gearing up for a new project to adapt car batteries to store power in homes and businesses.

Comcast Announces Fifth Back-To-School Kickoff For Internet Essentials More Than 2 Million Low-Income Americans, From 500,000 Families, Have Now Crossed the Digital Divide at Home Company Doubles Internet Speed, Offers Wi-Fi Routers For No Additional Cost, and Announces Pilot Program for LowIncome Senior Citizens

increased speeds for customers.

The current speed is doubling to up to 10 Mbps downstream, which is enough to power multiple devices simultaneously. In addition, by offering free Wi-Fi routers, customers will be able to connect any Internet-enabled device, including tablets and smartphones, which could help save money on monthly wireless bills.

PHILADELPHIA, (August 4, 2015) — Comcast today announced several significant enhancements and milestones for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program. The company said it plans to double the service’s download Internet speed, offer subscribers a Wi-Fi router for no additional cost, and conduct several pilot programs for low-income senior citizens.

The announcements reaffirm Comcast’s commitment to help close the digital divide for lowincome families and bring the transformative power of the Internet into more American homes.

“We have made significant progress toward closing the digital divide for low-income parents and children across the country. In less than four years, Internet Essentials has connected more than 500,000 families, or more than 2 million low-income Americans, to the power of the Internet at home,” said David L. Cohen, Comcast Corporation Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. “With the increase in the program’s Internet speeds, the addition of Wi-Fi and a streamlined auto-enrollment process, more families will have even easier access to the Internet and its life-changing resources for education, employment, healthcare, communication, and entertainment.”

Since the program’s inception, Comcast has made 25 key enhancements to Internet Essentials, and this is the third time in four years Comcast has

The pilot program for low-income seniors is designed to better understand the unique challenges of helping them cross

the digital divide and learn how to use the Internet. According to Pew Research Center, just 47 percent, or less than half, of seniors (aged 65 and older) have high-speed Internet at home.

When it comes to income level, only 25 percent of seniors with household incomes below $30,000 have home broadband, compared to 82 percent of seniors with household incomes at or above $75,000.

The first pilot program will take place in Palm Beach County, Florida, where Cohen was joined by City of West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Robert Avossa, and Urban League of Palm Beach County President and CEO Patrick J. Franklin to make today’s announcements.

“Senior citizens can be an afterthought when it comes to addressing digital literacy and use of the Internet,” said Franklin. “However, the Internet has a tremendous power to help change their lives for the better by tearing down the walls that geography may have put between them and the ones they love. It can also help restore a sense of community and inclusion, bonds that can weaken as we grow older.”

To receive the faster Internet speed, customers simply need to reboot their cable modems.

Existing customers who would like a Wi-Fi router just need to call the dedicated call center and either request to have one shipped to them for free, or they can schedule a professional installation, also for no additional cost. New customers will have the option to receive a Wi-Fi router when they sign up.

Internet Essentials Investments Through Internet Essentials, Comcast has invested more than $240 million in cash and in-kind support to help fund digital literacy and readiness training and education, reaching nearly 3.2 million people through national and local nonprofit community partners.

Through the end of June 2015, Comcast has: • Dedicated more than $1 million in grants to create Internet Essentials Learning Zones, where networks of nonprofit partners are working together to enhance public Internet access and increase family-focused digital literacy training in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Fresno, Miami, and Seattle, among others.

• Provided more than 41,000 subsidized computers at less than $150 each.

• Distributed for free nearly 46 million Internet Essentials program materials.

• Broadcast more than 7 million public service announcements, valued at more than $90 million.

• Welcomed more than 3.5 million visitors to the Internet Essentials websites in English and Spanish and its Online Learning Center.

• Fielded more than 3.2 million phone calls to our Internet Essentials call center.

• Offered Internet Essentials to nearly 48,000 schools and more than 5,000 school districts, in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

• Partnered with 9,000 of community-based organizations, government agencies, and federal, state, and local elected officials to spread the word.

About Internet Essentials Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program. It provides low-cost high-speed Internet service for

$9.95 a month plus tax; the option to purchase an Internetready computer for under $150; and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in-person.

Eligible families must have at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program, including public, parochial, private, charter, and homeschooled students.

For more information, or to apply for the program, visit www.

InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376.

About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates 30 news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

Your Horoscope for the Week of September 4, 2015 READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE

by Hardik Vyas, Astrologer Cell : 832-298-9950

ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct

You have to deal with criticism regarding the way you handle your obligations and domestic responsibilities. Take it in stride. Opportunities for friendship, pleasant associations, and enjoyable social interactions occur now. Personal relationships are rewarding. You might have to administer a little tender, loving care to yourself before attending to the needs and responsibilities of those in your care. You are forceful and can drive yourself too hard and overtax your physical and emotional reserves.

Your need to beautify your surroundings by renovating or redecorating. If you find that your plans will cost more than you had wanted to spend, try to do the work yourself. Property investments will be fruitful, but don’t be pushed into joint financial ventures with someone who is not completely trustworthy. New romantic relationships will develop through group activities. Don’t expect everyone you work with to be on your side. Talk is cheap, and someone may try to lead you astray. Check your options.

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May Need to value the instinctive powers that you possess. Sharing your enlightenment Carefully assess the cost of your actions and decisions at this time, as you are prone to be overconfident, inflated, or foolishly optimistic. Try to instill more self-sufficiency on the part of your dependents to take some of the pressure off you. Sharing the workload will save the day. You may need to reach out and meet your partner halfway or lower your expectations, if necessary, in order to avoid serious confrontations.

Opportunities to get ahead that are evident, if you follow through on your instincts.

Go after your dreams. Make your move regarding a romantic connection. Be open and honest and you’ll do just fine Your emotional attitude toward colleagues may lack professionalism. Don’t become involved in legal battles concerning the personal lives of others.

Opportunities to get ahead financially are evident. Your luck will run high. Taking advantage of moneymaking investments will prove lucrative. Hidden assets are likely to be cashed in.

Sagittarius (BH,F,DH,TH) 22 Nov to 21 Dec

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June This is a highly intuitive, insightful period which brings favorable relations and concord with others in your work and home environments. Go with the flow. Resistance will only result in needless effort on your part. At the end of the day your path will be clear and you will find your balance. How you handle any humiliation or adverse situation which occurs at this time may well be crucial to future success. Your insights are sharp with others and your surroundings but they are limited to/with certain members.

You need to feel like you belong to a family. Look for activities that will please your whole family. Organize social functions or gatherings. You need to get back to basics and family values. You can make physical changes to enhance your appearance. Get into a fitness routine, or start working on that new image you’ve wanted to project.

What a great time to make those changes you’ve been thinking about. You need an updated image that will help you present yourself and your goals with more confidence.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Negotiations with clients will lead to new and interesting developments, listen and learn. Don’t let dilemmas in your personal life result in problems with your productivity at work. You may be competitive, but if you take on unreasonable challenges you will feel restricted. Try to make arrangements to spend some time with your mate to clear up any misunderstandings you might have. Make your plans carefully and be sure to include a romantic touch to everything.

Continue your habit of dreaming big. Looking ahead at opportunities that can and should result in greater gains both in matters of spirit and health, wealth should be your main focus. Avoid loud aggressive people who would try to bully their views on you and others. In fact feel free to confront them head on. Don’t waste time on distractions focus on what the goals are. You will find yourself will allies you did not know you had. Be brave go forward! Soft-peddle issues, especially with elders and parents of any sign.

Aquarius (G,S,SH) 21 Jan to 19 Feb

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Mingle with those around you. You can learn a lot if you listen to the words of those who are experienced in your field. Take time to plan your actions. You need to be positive that you are headed in the right direction. You need to put your talents on display.

Don’t be afraid or too shy to show others how valuable you are. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to pay for your work. Get together with friends you don’t see that often.

Don’t hesitate to sign up for courses that will bring you additional work skills.

Pisces (D,CH,Z) 20 Feb to 20 March

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September Positive changes that will bring new enthusiasm to your life. It’s back to the drawing board to make changes to that important proposal you have been working on. You may run into past acquaintances through work-related functions. Be polite. You should extend a helping hand to friends or relatives having trouble updating their personal investments or papers. Your kind gesture will be handsomely rewarded. You will explode if you are forced to deal with relatives who don’t see your point of view.

QR

You will be charmed by someone. You may be led astray if you listen to a big talker.

Do a little research before getting involved in a financial venture. Situation that may be risky. Sudden romantic infatuations may throw you for a loop. Take your time if you wish things to work in your favor. Be honest and direct for best results. Romantic opportunities will develop. Be careful not to let colleagues get the wrong idea. You can help others make wise choices when it comes to their personal financial position.

Personal health issues which may influence your attitude. Dwell on what you can do, noPut your efforts into your career. Spend time catching up. You will accomplish the most if you are willing to present your ideas and follow through on your promises. You can make career changes that will help turn your financial situation around. Believe in yourself and so will all those you encounter. You should start your own part-time business. Don’t make decisions without running your ideas past the people you are close to. Be careful.

You may feel like eating hot spicy foods, but be prepared to pay the price if you lack moderation.

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VOICE OF ASIA 19

FRIDAY, September 4, 2015

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY FROM HBR.ORG Help Your Kids Find a Career They’ll Love It’s hard to advise your kids on how careers work today, let alone how to get a great job. We all want to set our kids up for selfsufficiency and meaning, so what’s the best way to help them with their careers? Begin by telling them that early on they’ll be valued more for their potential than their experience. They should try out as many kinds of jobs as possible to see what they’re good at. Later, in their middle to late twenties, they should figure out how they enjoy working: In a small company? In a competitive environment? For long hours, but more pay? Help them think through the trade-offs they’ll have to make. And let them know that their career will likely follow a winding path.

There’s no right answer for what careers should look like, and they don’t have to worry about following in your footsteps.

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One of the most common ways to injure your dog’s paws is by allowing them to step on an extremely hot or cold surface. In the Texas summer heat, concrete and wood pavements can become especially hot. If your dog is exposed to a hot surface for too long, it can potentially cause sores or blisters to develop on your dog’s paw pads.

In extreme winter conditions, doggie booties might be necessary to avoid chapped pads or an infection from chemical ice melters.

Dr. James Barr, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explains the most common summer and winter paw injuries. “The worst problems are that the pavement or other hard surfaces are extremely hot or cold. If the pet does not have a lot of protection on the feet or has a gait abnormality that causes it to walk strangely, then the unprotected areas can be hurt by the extreme temperatures,” he said. “Most of the damage is rubbing the surface off or actually burning the footpads.

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Pet Talk:

s humans, we know the important role our hands and feet play in completing normal, daily activities. When any kind of injury affects the use of our hands and feet, we may find it very difficult to go about our regular routine.

Just as humans depend on their limbs to complete daily activities, Fido’s paws are just as important to him. Running in the backyard, digging a hole for his bone and going for a walk in the park are all endeavors Fido would struggle with if he did not have healthy paws. To promote a healthy and active lifestyle, all dog owners should learn how to keep their pet’s paws free of injury.

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This can be very painful.”

Trimming the hair in between the paw pads can also reduce the risk of injury. Excess hair is more prone to painful matting and can also attract stickers or thorns.

Sometimes foreign objects like pebbles can become lodged between a dog’s pads, so it is important to check and clean this area regularly with a pair of tweezers to avoid pain and infection. Owners should also keep their yard free of sharp or pointy objects to further reduce the risk of a paw injury. If the area doesn’t seem safe to walk in barefoot, then pets should be protected from the area until it is properly cleaned of debris. Should your dog’s paw become injured, Barr recommends obtaining a towel to wrap around the paw and to apply pressure until veterinary care arrives.

One of the most important parts of maintaining healthy paws is to regularly trim your dog’s nails. Nail trimmers are available at pet stores, but sometimes it may be easier and safer to have a professional grind down and round off the nail. If the nails are left to grow excessively, there can be serious consequences that can harm your dog. “The quick of the nail will grow as the nails get longer. This means that when the nails are cut, they can be damaged,” explained Barr. “The longer the nails are, the harder it is for your pet to walk on hard surfaces.

Also, they are more likely to be caught on something and be torn off.”

While observing your dog’s nails you might also notice a dew claw, which grows higher up on the leg. A dew claw is similar to a thumb and can appear on both the front and back legs. Sometimes it is

recommended to remove dew claws if they are deformed or get in the way of the dog’s daily activities. “Dew claws are analogous to our thumbs.

They are a normal part of dogs’ feet, but they are not needed anymore in the normal walking of a dog,” explained Barr. “They are often recommended to be removed if they are misshapen or for cosmetic reasons. They can also be caught on things in the environment and can cause a painful injury.” If your veterinarian does not recommend removing Fido’s dew claws, it is still important to keep the nail properly trimmed to avoid the consequences of excessive nail growth.

Everybody loves a little extra TLC, including your pooch. Try going the extra mile and give Fido a relaxing paw massage by gently rubbing between the pads of his feet in a circular motion. You can even purchase a special pet-friendly moisturizer from your veterinarian to help relax your dog and prevent dry and chapped paw pads.

When you’re not pampering your pooch with special treatment, remember the essentials of maintaining healthy paws.

Avoid surfaces that may expose your dog’s paws to extreme temperatures and keep your yard free of hazardous items. Trim Fido’s nails regularly as well as the hair between his paws. By keeping your dog’s paws healthy, your dog will be on the right track to living a happy and active lifestyle.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at vetmed.tamu.edu/ pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu

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