Voice of Asia e paper August 12 2016 by VoiceOf Asia

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VOICE OF ASIA

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

28 years of dedicated service to the community

Vol. 29 No. 33 Friday, August 12, 2016 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 28 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

VOICE OF ASIA 2

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

VOICE OF ASIA 3 On INDIA’s 70th INDEPENDENCE DAY

Wishing our readers HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

VOICE OF ASIA 28 years of dedicated service to the community

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

New Medicare Law to Notify Patients of Loophole in Nursing Home Coverage Read on Page 20 or Call 832-806-1000

Vol. 29 No. 33 Friday, August 12, 2016 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 28 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

Greenpeace questions govt for pushing ‘high risk’ Kudankulam project According to Greenpeace, venture is particularly “troubling” as India lacks preparedness to handle a nuclear emergency. the first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear plant was on Wednesday dedicated to the nation jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed the hope for meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in China’s Hangzhou in early September 2016. Photo credit: Photohost-agency. EW DELHI, India, PTI Aug. 11, 2016- With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly dedicating the first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear power plant, Greenpeace India on Wednesday questioned the Centre for pushing the venture which places communities and environment at “high risk” of nuclear contamination.

It said the venture is particularly “troubling” as India lacks preparedness to handle a nuclear emergency, and also it is at the odds with the Prime Minister’s focus on Clean Growth.

The green body said solar and wind energy are far safer renewable alternatives to nuclear or thermal power. “Safety aside, decentralised renewable energy provides a far better chance of protecting India’s energy security as well as ensuring the fundamental right of energy access to over 200 million people,” Greenpeace India campaigner Priya Pillai said. Over the long-term, she said it would be in India’s best interests to prioritise optimal utilisation of its existing power capacity, cut down on transmission Continued on Page 13

Harris County Confirms First Zika-Associated Death in Texas

ARRIS COUNTY, Texas (August 9, 2016) - Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has confirmed a Zika-associated death in a newborn female, making it the first Zika-related death in the State of Texas. HCPH received a positive Zika test result on an infant who was born with birth defects, including microcephaly. The child died shortly after being born. The mother traveled to Latin America during her pregnancy where it is suspected she became infected, and delivered the baby in Harris County. “The saddest outcome of Zika’s health effects often impact the most vulnerable. We are devastated to report our first case of Zika-associated death and our hearts go out to the family,” stated Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Executive Director of HCPH. “While this is a travel-associated case, we know that prevention is key to reducing the risk of Zika virus infection. Harris County Public Health continues to actively work on protecting the community from mosquito-related diseases, but individuals must also protect themselves from getting bitten by mosquitoes locally and abroad.” HCPH continues to encourage residents to take precautions to prevent Zika infection. When outdoors, prevent mosquito bites by using an EPAregistered insect repellent that contains one of the following: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow product instructions. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, a member of the state Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response said, “Despite the horrible news regarding the recent Zika-related death, the residents of Harris County should be reassured that their county

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Public Health Director Dr. Umair A. Shah speak on the major developments regarding Zika virus at a news conference held on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Photo by Shobana Muratee, VOA. and state officials are continuing to monitor Zika-related developments worldwide and have plans in place

to respond to any potential risks to public health. County health officials Continued on Page 8

CBH - Oldest Nursing School Alumni Convention

OUSTON - A group of nursing graduates from Catherine Booth Hospital (CBH), the oldest nursing school and hospital in India celebrated another year of their Alumni convention on June 11, 2016 at the IPC Hebron, Houston Texas. The hospital was established by the Salvation Army missionaries in the early 1880’s in Nagercoil then a part of Travancore state, now a part of Chennai. CBH was one of the few hospital enrolling nursing students in the country. All the graduates were trained in a missionary spirit with care and compassion to patients. Most of the graduates at-

tended at the event were retirees, accompanied by their spouses. Some of them who attended were the graduates of the yearly 50’s and 60’s. One day conference and convention was started with singing their traditional Christian songs and bible reading. Dr. Samuel Varghese was the main speaker. He also is a student of the Hospital. The committee was headed by pastor Ipe Mathai, president, Secretary Mrs. Leelamma Thomas,, Treasurer. Mrs. Sara Philip., Communication: Mrs. Mariamma James, members Mrs. Moani Thomas and Mr. Chacko Committee decided to convene the next convention in New Jersy in 2018

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CBH nurses alumni convention meet in Houston on June 11, 2016. Members of CBH with their spouses.

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

VOICE OF ASIA 4

VOICE OF ASIA Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Austin Correspondent: Print & Media Marketing: Marketing: Office Manager:

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

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Shobana Muratee

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: 713-774-5143. 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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Voice of Asia, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074

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

THE STORY OF MAHATMA GANDHI

Anti-Rowlatt stir and Jalianwala Bagh carnage

separate institution named Satyagraha Sabha was formed with headquarters in Bombay. There were agitations everywhere against the Rowlatt Committee’s report. But the government was determined to implement the Rowlatt recommendations and in 1919, the Rowlatt Bill was introduced. When the bill was debated in India’s Legislative Chamber, Gandhi attended as a visitor. Now read on.

It was also in Madras that Gandhi first conceived the idea of an all-India hartaal (strike) as the beginning of the satyagraha movement. The leaders at once took up the suggestion and gave much publicity to the forthcoming action. The date was first fixed for March 30, 1919, but was later changed to April 6. The masses had received only short notice for the hartaal, but it turned out to be most successful. That was the first great awakening of India in her struggle towards independence. Gandhi left Madras and went to Bombay to join in the hartaal there on April 6. Meanwhile in Delhi, Lahore, and Amritsar, the hartaal had been observed on March 30.

As Irom Sharmila ends her fast, begins a different journey, her critique of AFSPA will deepen the political debate.

ixteen years ago, Irom Sharmila announced that she would have solid food only after the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is repealed from Manipur. She ended her fast on Tuesday, and the AFSPA continues to be in force in large parts of the state. But for Sharmila, this is not a battle lost. She has promised to continue the fight against the AFSPA but from a new platform — of electoral democracy. Her struggle all these years has focused on the AFSPA, but on Tuesday she hinted at broadbasing it to include larger issues of social and political transformation. She spoke of the right of Kashmiris and Manipuris to self-determination. At the same time, her choice, she made it clear, was to enter and engage with the political democracy secured by the Indian Constitution, to explore and expand its spaces. Her statement that if politics is dirty, so is society,

Mahatma Gandhi In Delhi the police did not allow free movement to the demonstrators and firing by police caused a number of casualties. Gandhi was requested to go to Delhi and he replied that he would do so after the hartaal in Bombay on April 6. In Bombay the hartaal was a great success. Not a wheel turned in any factory. Not one shop was open. All over India the hartaal was observed. Gandhi had asked the people again and again to be peaceful and not to be provoked to violence by the Government’s actions. In spite of this, violence broke out in many places. There were disturbances in Ahmedabad and also in the Punjab and he decided to go to these places to propagate nonviolence. On the way to the Punjab he was arrested at a wayside station called Palwal and sent back to Bombay. The news of his arrest inflamed the entire population of Bombay. There was an

indicates a grounded, non-aesthetisised approach to political activism. Sharmila, with her steely determination, has come to represent a paradigm of political action that stood apart from the standard practices of collective protests. Her hunger strike was the struggle of an individual, disempowered by the state and its juridical apparatus, to regain agency. Gandhi had invented the satyagraha as a moral weapon of the powerless against the powerful. The Indian state, which claims to be a legatee of Gandhi, didn’t respond. When its attempt to ignore the strike failed against the persistence of Sharmila, it sought to imprison her in a legal web. Its reaction to Anna Hazare, when he sat on a fast in Delhi, stands in radical contrast. Perhaps the remoteness of Manipur from Delhi,

Irom Sharmila after breaking her fast yesterday. Photo/AFP plain insensitivity to the concerns of a proud people in the frontier or discomfort with her critique of the army’s conduct prevented the political class from responding to Sharmila. But Sharmila and the Meira Peibis of Manipur found allies in civil society and their sustained protest has been the biggest challenge to the AFSPA, triggering a national debate over the act and inviting the judiciary’s intervention. At the same time, it can also be said that Sharmila’s satya-

graha exposed the limitations of an individualised form of protest against a powerful state — Gandhi, her inspiration, had built a powerful mass organisation that mobilised people on his behalf when he waged his battles against the British Empire. But the issues Sharmila has flagged have become a part of the national conversation. Her critique of the state and its coercive instruments will continue to be valuable in any discussion about the idea of India. - (Daily News Standard)

An Open Letter to President Obama on Zika funding: Sen. Cronyn August 5th, 2016

We write to express serious concerns regarding your Administration’s failure to allocate nearly $600 million in available funding for Zika response efforts. As you know, the Zika virus is expected to have a significant impact on Texas given its gulf coast location, warm climate, and recent flooding. For these reasons, we hope that your Administration will increase its efforts to combat the Zika virus in Texas with the resources already available.

funds for Zika response activities. However, many news outlets are now reporting that nearly $400 million of this funding remains unspent. In other words, your Administration has not used all available tools to protect our constituents and the American People from the threat of the Zika virus. Given your Deputy Press Secretary’s recent comments that “the keys here are sitting with Congress, and they have to turn them to release more federal funding,” as well as your past comments that “the money is stuck in Congress,” we are concerned that you and your Administration are attempting to give a false impression and shift the blame for failed leadership in combatting the Zika virus. For this reason, we ask that you provide prompt answers to the following questions:

On April 6, 2016, your Administration used existing legal authorities to repurpose $589 million of available

1. To date, how much of the $589 million reprogrammed for Zika response efforts remains available?

The Honorable Barack Obama President of the United States 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama,

2. What amounts have been allocated, to what agencies, and for what purposes? 3. How much has been distributed to states or localities through grants or other means, and for what purposes? 4. How much of this funding does your Administration plan to spend for Zika prevention and response efforts in the State of Texas? 5. What is the timeframe for distributing remaining available funds? 6. How much remains unobligated from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Ebola Economic Support Funds (ESF)? Despite the fact that your Administration has failed to deploy the $589 million in existing available Zika response funds, Congress has made significant efforts to supplement these resources. On June 23rd,

the House of Representatives passed a conference report which included an additional $1.1 billion for Zika prevention and response efforts, including the development of a vaccine and mosquito control efforts. Unfortunately, a minority of Senators have repeatedly filibustered this legislation in an attempt to play politics and curry favor with special interest groups. In addition to our request that your Administration take increased measures to combat the Zika virus using existing available funds, we hope that you will join us in calling on Members of Congress to stop the filibuster of additional funding for Zika prevention and response measures. All the best, Stephen Reynolds U.S. Senator John Cornyn Staff Assistant, SE Texas (713) 572-3337 www.cornyn.senate.gov

Great Summer Project For children! Enter Mahatma Gandhi Week 2016 Essay, I-Tribute, Poster and Speech contests. Visit gandhilibrary.org for registration and more information. All school going children can participate! These contests are being organized to create higher awareness of the inspiring life and work of Mahatma Gandhi to promote universal values of Truth, Non-Violence, Love and Service. Call 713-785-3900 or visit www.mahatmagandhilibrary.org enormous crowd awaiting his arrival there. When he reached Bombay he was set free.

the disturbances and promised complete cooperation in restoring peace.

The crowd was getting impatient. “Only you can control the crowds,” said a friend to Gandhi.

Gandhi then asked for permission to hold a public meeting on the grounds of the Sabarmati Ashram. The officer liked the idea.

The crowd greeted Gandhi with frenzied joy. A huge procession started but the police barred its progress. A company of mounted police was ordered to charge the crowds. Piercing screams and cries from women and children filled the air as the horsemen plunged forward with lowered lances. People ran to escape the fury of the police.

At this time, Gandhi got an invitation from activists in Madras to visit the city. He went there, though still weak, along with Mahadev Desai. That was Gandhi’s first meeting with another stalwart of India’s freedom struggle, C. Rajagopalachari. A small conference of leaders was held and Gandhi explained to them the implications of the Rowalatt act. While these talks were being held news was received that the Rowlatt Bill had been published as an act.

In a new form

“Come, I shall take you to the spot.”

In spite of the well entrenched opposition from nationalists, the Rowlatt bill became law.

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Gandhi was shocked by the police brutality. He went and met the Commissioner. The official was boiling with rage. “We, the police, know better than you the effect of your preaching on the people. If we had not taken drastic measures the situation would have gone out of our hands. I have no doubt about your intentions, but the people do not understand them. They only follow their natural instincts.”

At the meeting Gandhi announced with great sorrow the suspension of civil disobedience. He said he would fast for three days as a penance and he appealed to all the people to fast for one day. He asked those who were guilty of violence to confess their guilt. He expressed his regret at having started civil disobedience too early without giving sufficient training to the people. “I have made a Himalayan miscalculation,” he said. Many people jeered at Gandhi for saying that. Many of his friends and followers were furious at his stopping satyagraha. Gandhi then started teaching people

the true meaning of satyagraha and how it should be conducted. Through writing and speeches he wanted to drive home to the people the essence of his new creed. In the Punjab the situation was very critical. It was true that there were disturbances on the part of the people, but the measures adopted by the Government to check the disturbances were too severe. The leaders were trying to keep the people peaceful, but the stem measures of repression taken by the authorities had few parallels in history. In Amritsar the people were not allowed to move about freely. A proclamation was issued forbidding all gatherings and meetings. Only a few had the chance to know about the proclamation, however, because it was not announced widely, and it was made only in English.

It was announced that a meeting was to be held in a garden called Jallianwala Bagh, to protest against the Government’s actions. General Dyer took no measures to prevent the meeting. He reached the place soon after the meeting began and he took with him armored cars and troops. Without giving any warning he ordered, “Fire till the bullets are finished.” The garden was surrounded by walls and buildings and had only one exit. At the first shot the exit was jammed and there was no hope of escape for the crowd. There were between eight and ten thousand people attending the meeting. The soldiers fired 1600 rounds into that unarmed mass of people. Once a park, Jallianwala Bagh was now a scene of the most brutal massacre of hundreds.

— To be continued

“The people are not violent by nature; they are peaceful,” said Gandhi. “You wanted to go to the Punjab,” said the Commissioner. “Do you know what is happening in Ahmedabad, the Punjab, and Delhi? You are responsible for all these disturbances.” Gandhi was pained to hear of the disturbances and said that he would certainly take the responsibility upon himself if he was convinced that it was his. Gandhi went to Ahmedabad. On the way he learned in detail about the happenings there. Ahmedabad was under martial law. A police officer was waiting for him at the railway station to escort him to the Commissioner. This commissioner too was in a rage. Gandhi expressed his regret for

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VOICE OF ASIA 5

C OMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Second Front Page

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Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Keeping Your Joints Healthy celebrated Guru Peyarchi – Free Joint Pain Seminar Homam and Abhishekam SUGAR LAND—(August 3, 2016) – Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are key to preventing one of the most common medical conditions, osteoarthritis.

by Kamala Raghavan Guru Peyarchi Homam and Abhishekam were conducted at MTS on Tuesday August 2nd with Navagraha Abhishekam at 7:00pm, followed by a more elaborate event on Sunday, August 7th in a grand manner. Guru Peyarchi symbolizes the transit of Jupiter or Guru from Simha Rasi to Kani Rasi where he will rule for the next 14 months. The event on Sunday saw more than 150 devotees participating in the Sankalpam and Homam with 108 kalasas for Lord Dakshinamurthy performed at the tent outside the Navagraha Sannidhi. The Homam was performed by priests Sri Manicka Sundaram Bhattar, Sri Kalyana Sundaram, Sri Balaji Sethuraman, Sri Pawankumar Sri Bhashyam and Sri Parameswaran. After performing the Purnahuthi (below), the devotees got the opportunity to carry the beautifully decorated 108 kalasas with the sacred water to the main temple in a procession, which was truly a sight to behold. Inside the main temple, the devotees were thrilled to see the majestic idol of Lord Dakshinamurthy decorated by priest Sri Manicka Sundaram Bhattar (below). Dakshinamurthy is a form of Lord Shiva who is the Adi Guru (teacher) of all types of awareness, understanding and knowledge. He is worshipped as the god of wisdom, complete and rewarding meditation. He is regarded as the ultimate Guru - the embodiment of knowledge and the destroyer of ignorance. He shows the Jnana Mudra with the thumb denoting God, the index finger denoting man, and the other three fingers showing the three impurities of man: arrogance, illusion and bad deeds of the past births. When man detaches himself from these impurities, he reaches God. The Abhaya Mudra with the hand lifted above thigh with palm facing out and fingers pointing is in-

Today, more than 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, which is the progressive breakdown of cartilage in the knees, hips and shoulders. The breakdown causes joint pain and stiffness, and can ultimately impact an individual’s mobility and make every-day activities difficult and painful.

Deity adorned for the Guru Peyarchi Homam and Abhisheka terpreted as His grace upon His students. The snake signifies tantric knowledge and the fire represents illumination, removing the darkness of ignorance. The fifth day of the week, Thursday, also referred to as Guruvar or Guru vaaram, is associated with the planet Jupiter, and are considered auspicious to start any Priests conducting the puja at MTS. educational efforts. Special worship sertras as guided by Sri Manicka vices are offered to Dakshinamurthy on that day of Sundaram Bhattar. Priests Sri Kalyana Sundaram, Sri Sridthe week. Once the devotees gave the haran, Sri Pawan kumar, Sri kalasas with sacred water to the Parameswaran, and Sri Balaji priests, the event continued with Sethuraman made the event Abhishekam, Alankaram, and very meaningful to the devotees, Archana to Lord Dakshinamur- and the MTS staff provided able thy in the outside praharam. The support to the volunteers. The devotees got a chance to pray event ended with an extensive to the lord and get prasadams Deeparadhana to Lord Dakshinamurthy. The MTS priests, brought by the devotees. staff, and Board deserve our The devotees sat in the main thanks for the tireless effort in temple in front of the Utsava the set up and arranging this Murthy, and recited the man- auspicious event.

Ashvin K. Dewan, M.D., a knee and shoulder surgeon with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, will be giving a free seminar on joint pain and preventing osteoarthritis on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. He says it’s possible to keep your cartilage strong and resilient by being active throughout your lifetime. 20s and 30s: Protect Your Joints “Individuals in their 20s and 30s should exercise regularly and lift weights to strengthen the muscles that support joints,” Dewan said. “Maintain a healthy weight and make sure you have a balanced diet that includes the proper amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D to support bone and joint health.” Though many people are fit at this age, those who are overweight or have experienced a severe injury within the past 10 years may begin to develop early signs of osteoarthritis, including joint pain and stiffness. 40s and 50s: Keep a Healthy Weight The toll of earlier injuries or joint damage related to excess weight over time starts to mount. You may notice creaking or popping in your knees when climbing stairs, stiffness for a few minutes after waking,

or a dull ache in your hips after exercise. Weight loss, physical therapy or antiinflammatory medications may alleviate these mild symptoms. “Every extra pound gained puts four pounds of additional pressure on your knees and can further exacerbate osteoarthritis symptoms,” Dewan said. “Help your joints last as long as possible by eating right, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.”

Ashvin K. Dewan, M.D., knee and shoulder surgeon

60s, 70s and Beyond: Stay Active As you age, chances are greater that you’ll develop osteoarthritis in your hips, knees or shoulders. “Genetics, past injuries, excess weight and physical inactivity all play a role in its development and severity,” Dewan said. Severe symptoms, like constant pain and very limited mobility, aren’t uncommon, but anti-inflammatory medication, weight loss, physical therapy and exercise can help. “Even in late age, losing weight can help decrease joint pain in the knees and hips, while regular stretching and strengthening can help lubricate hip, knee and shoulder joints and increase flexibility,” Dewan said. Unfortunately, some people will reach a point where the pain is unbearable. “In the most severe cases, osteoarthritis can make it hard to walk, lift or reach, or even be self-sufficient,” Dewan said. “In these cases, joint replacement can provide pain relief, improve range of motion and mobility,

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To schedule an appointment online with Ashvin K. Dewan, M.D., visit houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics or call 281.690.4678. Visit our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information. FREE JOINT PAIN SEMINAR Is chronic joint pain slowing you down? Join Ashvin K. Dewan, M.D., for a free seminar on Wednesday, September 21 at 6 p.m. at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Brazos Pavilion Conference Center. From diagnosis to rehabilitation, Dr. Dewan will discuss the latest medical advances to help you get back to the active life you enjoy. For more information or to register, visit events. houstonmethodist.org/sl-jointpain or call 281.274.7500.

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Landlord can charge extra for ghosts Q. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a landlord and paranormal investigator. I have had a lot of people ask me this question: If someone is murdered or dies in a house or apartment, does the landlord have to tell potential tenants about paranormal activity? I know when something like this happens the spirit can stay there and make noises, like doors shutting, footsteps and names being called. Does the landlord have to disclose this information? Also, if the landlord knows that one of the houses has paranormal activity going on, is it legal for him to charge more?

depends on two facts. First, to impose a requirement to disclose the information must be known to the landlord. Second, the landlord then has an obligation to disclose the information only if he has reason to believe it would matter to the tenant. If the landlord believes there is paranormal activity and discloses it to the tenant, however, my opinion is the landlord has the right to charge a higher rent. I know of no law prohibiting pricing discrimination based on paranormal activity.

this morning and was told it would be my last day. Am I entitled to two weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notice? This doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem fair.

Q. While I was staying at a motel, my room was broken into and some things were stolen. Is the motel liable?

Q. Can I be put in jail for non-payment of my credit card bill?

A. Assuming the existence of paranormal activity, something many do not accept, the rules regarding its disclosure by a landlord are the same as any other fact. As a general rule, under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, anyone who sells or leases something in Texas must disclose information he knows would matter to the consumer. For example, if the landlord knew that the tenants who lived upstairs had loud parties late at night, this information must be disclosed. The failure to do so would be a violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the landlord could be responsible for up to three times the tenantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s damages. The same rule would apply to paranormal activity.

A. A motel is not an insurer of your safety or the safety of your property. In other words, simply because the theft occurred at the motel does not make it responsible. For the motel to be liable, you probably are going to have to show that it was negligent and that this negligence caused the theft. For example, if the motel knew that the door lock was broken, and did not act promptly to fix the lock, it could be liable if a thief entered through the broken door. The bottom line is that in most cases, property owners that act reasonably to protect you and your property are not responsible for things that go wrong on their property. This is true even if you have paid a fee to be there.

Whether paranormal activity has to be disclosed

HealthLine Wellness Expo 2016 A Voice of Asia News Group Community Initiative September 17, 2016 from 10 AM to 4 PM. TAFFORD, TEXAS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Voice of Asia News Group, publishers of Voice of Asia newspaper and HealthLine magazine, will be hosting their 1st annual Wellness Expo at the 20,000 sq.ft hall in Stafford Center at 10505 Cash Rd., Stafford, TX. This expo is backed by leading hospitals, physicians and medical professionals who are in it for the single purpose - to upkeep the wellbeing of seniors, men, women and children.

Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Q. What is an employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsibility as far as notifying an employee she has been fired? I showed up for work

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

A. As a legal matter, you probably are not entitled to any prior notice. Unless you have an employment contract or union agreement that says otherwise, you may be fired with no prior notice. Your employer may not have treated you fairly, but from a legal standpoint, my opinion is that it had the right to do what it did.

A. No, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have debtorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prison. In fact, any threat by a debt collector to put you in jail also violates both state and federal debt collection laws.

HealthLine Wellness Expo benefits families through health care providers, charitable health organizations

which help support the healthcare needs of the Senior population and families here in Houston and neighboring cities. Sponsors participating in the expo provide guests with health education, limited free screening services, medical care consultations, access to mental health counseling, health degree education and job training opportunities. Major sponsoring corporations include: Kelsey Seybold Clinic, Aetna, Texas Caregiver, India Caregiver, Ace Pain Management, Medwin Family Medicine & Rehab. Food vendors will also be present at the event. A portion of the proceeds will help H.O.P.E., (Heavenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own

Precious Eyes) a non-profit organization that helps autistic children live better lives. Over 2,000 Houstonians are expected to attend the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; long Wellness Expo starting at 10am to 4 pm. HealthLine Wellness Expo is an endeavor and effort of HealthLine magazine, a publication by the Voice of Asia News Group to give back to the community that has supported it for 29 years making it a leading community newspaper in Texas. Door prizes and raffle prizes will be given away every thirty minutes at the Expo. For booth reservation / sponsorship and other details call 713-774-5140.

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VOICE OF ASIA 7

India’s Independence Special

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

India Culture Center to showcase talent at I-Fest 2016 India Culture Center (ICC) has organized a talent Contest during India Fest on Aug 20th, 2016. In this contest the Talented parents of the child can also participate and showcase their talent. There will be cash award for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position. The three categories of talents, which will be judged are-

a. Dance b. Vocal singing c. Standup comedy For more information visit – www.icchoustontx.org and click on the Tab- Talent show. For guide lines of contest, scroll down and click on the tab. Application dead line is Aug 14th.

Also a Fashion show (Weaves of India) where the participants wear a typical sari fabric/design of a certain region of India and ties it pertaining to the custom of that area. The idea is to reveal how many different ways of tying the same length of saris in practical and artistic ways are practiced in India everyday for generations.

The graceful attire of sari is such a versatile outfit in itself, which can be casual or extremely dressy, very conservative or quite provocatively exposing, but always very graceful. Sarees of different regions can be recognized by either fabric like kanjivaram silk or Varanasi silk or the print/patterns of certain kind or the embroidery like Kan-

tha work of Bengal. There are various ways of wrapping the sari with pleats facing left or right or entirely at the back of the body instead of being in front as in Kurgi style! The pallu is also used differently in many ways. The only Criteria for participation is that you are an Indo-American heritage lady (18 or above) and own a

typical sari of some region which you have knowledge of tying perfectly. You’ll need to walk on the stage in modeling style showcasing your sari. There will be name recognition and some form of appreciation from sponsors. For further questions please contact Sangeeta Dua at 832-2527272 or Sangeeta Pasrija at 281-788-9750.

VOICE OF ASIA 8

India’s Independence Special

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Indian Consulate joins Samskriti to present ‘INCREDIBLE INDIA’

here is a reason for the peacock being the national bird of India. It symbolizes India’s extraordinary and harmonious diversity, in languages, cultural traditions, religions, costumes, songs, dances, and much more. It is this rich and colorful diversity that Samskriti brings to the stage year after year, through its numerous performances. For the 12th consecutive year Samskriti will be presenting one of its two signature events, INCREDIBLE INDIA (the other being BOLLYWOOD BLAST) on Saturday, August 13, 2016, 8.30 PM, at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. What brings greater credibility to this year’s INCREDIBLE INDIA is the collaboration by the Consulate of India in Houston, with the Consul General Anupam Ray at the helm, making this a special celebration of India’s 70th Independence Day. This is the first of its kind, and paves the way for more such harmonious collaborations in the future. Showcasing not only India’s cultural and artistic diversity but also its inclusivity, INCREDIBLE INDIA will present an interesting array of items to satisfy people with diverse artistic tastes. This year’s roster features Pandit Suman Ghosh’s students from the Center for Indian Classical Music of Houston, Supradipta Datta’s Kalangan School of Odissi, Rathna Kumar’s Anjali Center for Performing Arts,

the University of Houston’s winning Roarin’ Raas team, Piyal Sengupta’s Bengali Folk Dance ensemble, and a special appearance by New York’s Battery Dance Company in “The Durga Project”, exemplifying the dualities of destruction and creation and the all-powerful force of creativity. Steeped in both traditions of Western and Indian dance and music, Battery’s artistic director Jonathan Hollander has chosen the theme, music and designers for this ground-breaking production. Guest artist Unnath H.R., a leading classical dancer of his generation in India, has collaborated with Battery Dance’s brilliant ensemble of dancers, engaging in a symbiotic process. Raga Durga, as interpreted by the esteemed musicians

Classical dance performers at Samskriti’s Incredible India !

INCREDIBLE INDIA takes place on SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2016, 8.30 PM, at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030, and is funded in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, and the Consulate of India in Houston. Humtumdesi.com is the media partner. The event and parking are FREE. For tickets and information, visit www.milleroutdoortheatre.com / www. samskritihouston.org / www.humtumdesi.com , or call 832 275 9658.

Harris County Confirms First Zika-.... Continued from Page 1 and emergency management personnel have been studying Zika intently and are prepared to respond to any local developments.” Zika virus is spread primarily through the bite of the Aedes species mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of Zika are usually mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis (red eyes), and joint-pain, lasting several days to a week. Zika can also be transmitted sexually. CDC has confirmed Zika is linked to birth defects. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon and death is rare. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika virus infection. The CDC recommends that all people who are traveling to areas where the Zika virus is found should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. CDC recommends that pregnant women should avoid traveling to Zika affected areas. Before traveling abroad, HCPH recommends individuals contact their healthcare provider who may recommend vaccines or important preventive medication for travel-related diseases. To learn more about the Zika virus, visit: www.hcphtx.org and www.cdc.gov.

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Rajan & Sajan Mishra, and Garuda’s Dream, produced by Sangita Sounds, form the musical underpinning of the work, laced together by the tabla solos of Samir Chatterjee. Each of the items reiterates the theme of the show - that India is indeed incredible in so many ways, and we in Houston are fortunate to have a very large pool of local talent that we can share with the community at large. The Miller Outdoor Theatre is the perfect venue for INCREDIBLE INDIA, attracting viewers from all over the city, and Samskriti is the cultural conduit between the East and the West, informing, educating and entertaining audiences through its wide variety of high caliber programs.

VOICE OF ASIA 9

India’s Independence Special

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Greetings on India’s 70th Independence Day Where The Mind Is Without Fear

Hon. Consul General of India, Houston, Anupam Ray. Photo by Shobana M

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where knowledge is free Where the world has not been broken up into fragments By narrow domestic walls Where words come out from the depth of truth Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit Where the mind is led forward by thee Into ever-widening thought and action Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake. - Rabindranath Tagore

INDIA’S 70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY I want to extend my congratulations and best wishes to the citizens of India on this auspicious occasion as you celebrate the 70th Anniversary of India’s Independence. Pearland, Texas is home to many citizens of Indian descent who are contributing greatly to our quality of life. Our citizens join with me in wishing India many Independence Anniversary Celebrations throughout the coming years. Tom Reid, Mayor, City of Pearland

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VOICE OF ASIA 10

India’s Independence Special

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

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India’s Independence Special

VOICE OF ASIA 11

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

‘70 Saal Azadi – Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani’

India Celebrates 70th Independence Day July 28, 2016by Debu C Maps of India

n 15 August, India celebrates its 70th Independence Day. This year, Independence Day celebration is going to be different and special. In its Parliamentary Party meeting held on 19 July, PM Modi spoke to his party colleagues of his desire to make this year’s Independence Day celebration exceptional. It has now been decided that for the first time, the celebration of India’s independence will involve a six-day long ‘Bharat Parv’ festival at Rajpath near India Gate in the national capital, beginning 12 August. In addition to Bharat Parv, ‘Tiranga Yatras’ will be taken out across the country from 15-22 August. The purpose of both programs is to include other states in the celebration and ensure it’s a people’s festival that will invoke patriotism and pride for the nation. Apart from that, to commemorate the nation’s 70th Independence Day, the government has outlined an additional detailed 15-day long program. It will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ’70 Saal Azadi – Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani’ (70 years of Independence – Let’s recall the sacrifices made) and will go on from August 9 until August 23. Bharat Parv, 12-17 August, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister at 5 P.M on 12 August, and will be accompanied by a musical extravaganza presented by the Armed forces. The iconic India Gate will be illuminated with the Tri-colors all through the festival period. The six-day event is going to be held under the Ministry of Tourism but will get participation and support from Ministry of Textiles, Culture and Defence. All have been asked to participate actively in making the event a grand success. One may recall that just two and a half months ago, NDA had celebrated its second anniversary in power at the same venue. This time, however, states will play a major role in displaying their folk arts, handicrafts and culture, along with regional cuisines. Over 100 food stalls from various parts of India are likely to come up to give people a taste of India. Bharat Parv will be promoted as a major Tourist attraction. States like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Assam, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are likely to involve their respective cultural associations to put up a grand display of folk culture, handicrafts and art. The Defence Forces will put up their range of brass bands along with other Continued on page 12

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India’s Independence Special

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NITED NATIONS - Legendary carnatic vocalist MS Subbulakshmi will be honoured at the United Nations next week on India’s 70th Independence Day by a performance by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman at the world body’s iconic General Assembly.

MS Subbulakshmi to be honored at UN by AR Rahman on Independence Day

Commemorations to mark Subbulakshmi’s birth centenary also include a photo exhibition at the UN headquarters by India’s Permanent Mission besides the cultural extravaganza here to coincide with the country’s independence day.

Sankara Nethralaya will organise a Carnatic music concert by leading Carnatic vocalist and Padma Bhushan awardee Sudha Raghunath and her troupe at the UN on 2 October. It will also organise a musical concert featuring world renowned Indianorigin composer Zubin Mehta, sitar player Anoushka Shankar and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the famed cultural hotspot Lincoln Center in the city in November.

The Indian mission is gearing up to celebrate India’s 70th Independence Day at the UN with the cultural extravaganza featuring Rahman who will become only the second Indian artist after Subbulakshmi to perform at the UN after she was invited for a performance 50 years ago.

The Indian mission is organising the concert - that coincides with the completion of 50 years of Subbulak-

AR Rahman who will become only the second Indian artist after Subbulakshmi to perform at the UN after she was invited for a performance 50 years ago. Image source: UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin /Twitter shmi’s performance in the UN General Assembly hall with the support of Chennai-based Sankara Nethralaya, a not-for-profit eye institution.

Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar is expected to headline the independence day celebrations being organised at the Indian Consulate in the city.

Subbulakshmi was invited by the then UN Secretary General late U Thant and the then Chef de Cabinet late CV Narasimhan to perform at the world body’s headquarters in 1966.

The Consulate will host a flaghoisting ceremony on the morning of 15 August and India’s Consul General Riva Ganguly Das will ring the clos-

India Celebrates 70th ..... Continued from page 11

vised across the country.

displays of military achievements.

Beyond that, there was little to look forward to and for most, the day held meaning only for its holiday rather than any deep patriotic inspiration.

Tiranga Yatras, 15-22 August will be taken out across the country to invoke pride and patriotism among citizens. It will be also be significant to notice how the youth of the country responds to such initiatives, whether or not the 70th Independence day of India holds any connotation for them besides an off from work, school and colleges. PM Modi optimizes opportunity with showmanship One has to hand it to the PM for his ability to convert an opportunity into a grand event, thereby attracting maximum focus and attention of audiences in India and overseas. He has adequately demonstrated his ‘showmanship’ capabilities in almost all his foreign tours that have now become his niche and hallmark. He has repeatedly shown how an opportunity can be converted into an event to derive maximum mileage, something our political leadership has always lacked. The success of any event is subject to the media hype and attention it draws and PM Modi is a master at it, something the best of politicians, marketers and event managers must be in awe of. Independence Day celebrations were almost always a drab routine event with the PM unfurling the flag from the ramparts of Red Fort in the capital, followed by a long drawn speech tele-

Ever since his first rousing speech from Red Fort, PM Modi has tried to be different and this time, he has rightly decided to involve people rather than have them watch as an audience. Such is his impact that after his proposal in the first ever address to the UN, the intergovernmental organisation has extended invitation to the ‘Mozart of Madras’, AR Rahman to perform at the United Nations general assembly on 15 August 2016. He will be the second Indian after singer MS Subbulakshmi to perform at UN. The veteran carnatic singer performed in October of 1966. Bharat Parv could well emerge as a major domestic and international tourist attraction, and eventually become a much sought after annual event in an otherwise non-tourist season. If successful, this could be the tourist booster shot that the state government has been looking for. Significance of 15 August It was at the stroke of midnight of August 15, in 1947, that India finally won its freedom from the British Rule. The event was marked by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister,

School manager held for banning India national anthem

UCKNOW, India | AFP | Monday 8/8/2016 Indian police have arrested the manager of a private school on charges of insulting the national anthem after he allegedly barred staff from singing it on the premises, officials said Monday. Zia ul Haq was taken into custody after several staff, including the school principal, resigned over his refusal to let them sing the anthem on the eve of Independence day celebrations at M A Convent School in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh state.

dia’s national song -- which they say is against their faith because it encourages people to worship the country rather than God alone. “The administration has taken a serious note of this and we’ve already taken action against those involved,” said Andra Vamsi, a senior civil officer in Allahabad. Authorities are also mulling whether to shut down the school after a probe found it was functioning without a license.

“The guilty has been sent to jail under relevant laws for insulting the national anthem and flaring up communal sentiments,” said Vijay Yadav, local deputy inspector general of police.

India celebrates its 70th Independence day to commemorate the end of British rule on August 15, when institutions across the country will hoist the national flag and sing the national anthem.

Media reports said Haq believed certain words in the national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” written by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, were un-Islamic.

Many incidents of people being heckled by vigilantes for not standing up for the national anthem have been reported in recent months.

Muslim groups have already caused controversy by objecting to “Vande Mataram” -- In-

Actor Abhishek Bachchan and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev will headline the parade in Manhattan, organised on 21 August by the Federation of Indian Associations of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and considered among the largest in the US.

Subbulakshmi is among the best musicians India has given to the world, Akbaruddin was quoted as saying in the release.

“Remembering a legend. Photo exhibition @UN in memory of MS Subbulakshmi August 15-19,” he said in another tweet.

Through his performance, Rahman will pay homage to Subbulakshmi, the first musician ever to be awarded India’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna.

be held across the tri-state area.

The concert honouring Subbulakshmi at the UN aims to “perpetuate the memory of not only one of the greatest musicians India had ever produced but that of a greatest soul who lived a life of philanthropy and goodwill for all humanity”, Sankara Nethralaya’s Chairman Emeritus SS Badrinath said in a press release issued at the United Nations.

“Jai Ho to echo UN? AR Rahman to perform at UN in homage to MS Subbulakshmi on India’s 70th Independence Day,” India’s envoy to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

The world body’s iconic General Assembly hall, from where world leaders address the globe, will reverberate with Rahman’s music on the evening of 15 August.

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

In January, a theatre director was pushed out of a cinema in Mumbai for sitting while the it was played on the screen.

broadcasting his famous speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ over All India Radio. That magical night was enough to draw tears for years, from all those who were born and lived during that period. Even today, patriotic songs that are broadcast through the day still manage to bring out tears for some and invoke a deep sense of patriotism and pride in all Indians. Besides the Prime Minister unfurling the national flag at Red Fort, Governors in respective states follow the same and is marked by speeches in recognition of the sacrifices of our leaders and people who fought for the country’s independence. Since many schools have a plethora of activities organised in the week leading to the D-day, schoolchildren make the extent of celebration by singing patriotic songs and the National Anthem, performing stage acts on ‘Azaadi’-inspired stories, collating Prime Ministers’ Independence Day speeches and so on. Flag hoisting ceremonies are also carried out in schools and are followed by patriotic songs and sweets distribution. Similar events are organized in residential colonies

ing bell at the NASDAQ stock market in Times Square later that day. The NASDAQ has been commemorating India’s independence day for several years now by inviting the country’s ambassadors in the city to ring the closing bell. Several India Day parades will also and societies across the country. For any country, its journey into the future is influenced by the journey of its past, and therefore, it’s important for the present generation to know and recognize the sacrifices that our forefathers made for the freedom that we take for granted – well, mostly – today. It’s also a day for the present generation to discuss and debate the learnings of history to ensure that we, as a nation, do not repeat any past mistakes. The relevance of 15 August in our lives today becomes even more significant given the challenges the nation faces from across the border and disruptive forces within. The social, political and religious stability in the country is increasingly under attack and threatens to undo the gains of our hard fought freedom for values of a secular, inclusive and democratic India. Bharat Parv and Tiranga Yatra are only events and by themselves will mean little unless the youth understand the struggle that led to our independence.

US-based Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission Trust is also planning six concerts by Carnatic composer Sudha Ragunathan in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Washington next month. The trust’s president SV Acharya said in the release that it plans on creating a ‘Chair for Music’ in Subbulakshmi’s name in one of the universities in the United States. It is now for the youth of the day to imbibe the spirit of that magical night in 1947 and continue to build upon the path of values our freedom fighters so valiantly fought for. It’s a day to unite all Indians! Inspirational Quotes, Slogans by Freedom Fighters Vande Mataram : Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan; Long Live Youth, Long Live Farmer: Lal Bahadur Shastri Jai Hind: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Swaraj Mera Janamsiddha adhikar hai, aur main ise laker rahoonga: coined by Kaka Baptista and adopted by Bal Gangadhar Tilak Satyameva Jayathe: popularised by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Inquilab Zindabad: coined by Muslim Leader Hasrat Mohani and stands synonymous with Bhagat Singh Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, Ab hamare dil mein hai: a patriotic poem by Bismil Azimabadi and used as slogan by Ramprasad Bismil.

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 13

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Deadly bomb leaves ‘vacuum’ among Pakistan lawyers by Maaz Khan

Hamdard’s older brother died several years ago, and in line with Pakistani tradition he married his widowed sister-inlaw in order to care for her four children.

UETTA, Pakistan | AFP | Wednesday 8/10/2016 - In Pakistan’s most dangerous province, lawyers are a crucial force for justice. So when a bomb decimated Balochistan’s legal class this week, it left a vacuum that some say will never be filled.

“He fathered three more children in the marriage,” Shah said. “Everybody is worried who will look after the widow and orphans now. Probably God.”

The mineral-rich province is plagued by roiling insurgencies, hit by regular militant attacks, and run by political leaders who are widely seen as corrupt. The military, which has a growing stake in security as Chinese investment pours into the restive region, is accused of committing widespread abuses in the decades-long fight against separatist insurgents. Balochistan is the deadliest province in Pakistan for local journalists, according to Amnesty International, and foreign media are effectively barred. Lawyers are the only people shining a spotlight on the province’s many problems. Pakistan’s lawyers have been in the firing line before, but Monday’s massive attack -- which killed 72 and injured more than 100 -- was unprecedented in scale. Some 200 members of Quetta’s close-knit legal community had come to the provincial capital’s hospital to mourn the fatal shooting hours earlier of a prominent colleague. The bomb -- claimed by both the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State -- tore through the crowd. “We have lost the whole leadership,” said Attaullah Langov, a former secretary of the Balochistan Bar Association.

- Young reformist -

Lawyers say prayers for colleagues who were killed in the suicide bomb attack at a hospital in Quetta on Monday, after protesting against the attack, outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Pakistan August 9, 2016. REUTERS/CAREN FIROUZ. The loss is a hole “that cannot be filled,” he told AFP. Below are profiles of five victims who played a leading role in Balochistan’s civic life. - Rights activist Activist Sunghat Jamaldini was a member of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan who had played an active role highlighting the plight of missing people in Balochistan. Rights groups have accused the military of “disappearing” thousands of non-militant separatists, a charge routinely denied by army officials. Jamaldini also fought for women’s rights, an ongoing battle in deeply conservative and patriarchal Pakistan. An active member of the bar association, he hailed from a political family, and was the

son of Senator Jahanzaib Jamaldini of the Balochistan National Party. - ‘Dedicated’ cameraman Mahmoon Hamdard, a cameraman for Dawn TV, grew up in a slum outside Quetta, starting his career as a guard for a private security company where he was posted to the office of Dawn TV. Fascinated by journalism, he badgered staff to join the editorial team, working his way up to the position of cameraman as he tried to finish his studies. “He was very dedicated and committed,” Syed Ali Shah, the Dawn TV bureau chief in Quetta, told AFP. “He vowed to become a reporter... Hamdard would have risen high in the profession, had he been given the opportunity to live.”

Lawyer Adnan Kasi passed his bar exam in London in the early 2000s, becoming the youngest ever head of the Principal Law College in Quetta, where he introduced several reforms, including measures to combat nepotism and cheating. He went on to found his own chambers and was practising in

the Supreme Court. Kasi was running for the position of secretary in the Baluchistan Bar Association elections, which were due to be held on August 13. - Anti-corruption vanguard Lawyer Baz Mohammad Kakar was one of the first Baloch leaders of the lawyers movement to pledge his loyalty to former Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary. Chaudhary had become an unlikely hero as the figurehead of a successful 2007-2009 movement to restore judges deposed by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in his bid to cling to power. Kakar, a Supreme Court advocate, had spearheaded the movement in the province for two years.

Greenpeace questions govt .... Kudankulam project Continued from Page 3 and distribution losses, and continue to pursue its strategy of setting right financially distressed discoms and meeting its laudable renewable energy targets. Noting that Kudankulam has a population of over 10 lakh and people living within a 30kilometre radius of the plant, Greenpeace India, in its Red Alert report released in June, highlighted that population density around nuclear power plants in India poses a significant evacuation challenge in the event of an emergency. India’s current evacuation plans only provide support

within a radius of 16 km in case of an offsite nuclear accident while for Fukushima, Japan had to set an evacuation zone of 30 km, it said. Besides this, the manual for emergency guidelines are old and need to be relooked as the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has not updated its guidelines for last 26 years, it said. The idea that we can secure the country’s energy needs through nuclear power fails on all counts economically, socially and environmentally. There are important lessons to learn from the continued impacts of accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima.

“Even if we were to ignore these lessons from global history, the close shave, we had earlier this year with the recent accident at Kakrapar nuclear power plant, should be adequate reminder of the reality. “High-risk nuclear power is neither a viable solution, nor is it necessary, given the tremendous potential for renewable energy,” Pillai said. The first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear plant was today dedicated to the nation jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin with both the leaders calling it a fine example of special and privileged Indo-Russian strategic partnership.

VOICE OF ASIA 14

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

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Tradition faces modernity at Rights to sexual freedom hampered at Tibetan horse festival retirement homes

by Tom Hancock

USHU, CHINA - As Tibetan riders waved rifles and dug cowboy-booted feet into their horses’ flanks, hanging sideways from their mounts, tourists and locals cheered and snapped pictures on digital cameras and smartphones.

ASHINGTON - Putting up at retirement homes limits older adults’ rights to sexual freedom because of a lack of policies regarding the issue and the actions of staff and administrators at these facilities.

Set between emerald hills on the Himalayan plateau, some 3,700 metres above sea level, Yushu’s annual equine festival is billed as a showcase of Chinese government support for Tibetan culture. Women were draped in their finest jewellery, wearing beads of turquoise, yellow amber and red coral over flower-patterned traditional dresses known as chuba. Monks in crimson robes flitted through the crowds.

According to a Georgia State University study, though assisted-living facilities emphasize independence and autonomy, the staff and administrators behave in ways that create an environment of surveillance.

Yushu’s annual horse festival is billed as a showcase of Chinese government support for Tibetan culture ©Nicolas Asfouri (AFP/File)

This indicates conflict between autonomy and the protection of residents in regard to sexual freedom in assisted-living facilities.

Despite this philosophy, the autonomy of residents may be significantly restricted, including their sexuality and intimacy choices.

The study has been published in Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. (ANI)

In the late 1950s the Khampa -sometimes aided by CIA training and weapons -- staged the fiercest Tibetan resistance to Chinese rule, killing 800 Communist soldiers in one raid. Their forces were crushed after the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959.

Beneath grassy hills spiderwebbed with white prayer flags, Sonam Dolma set up a tent stall selling bottled mineral water, Coca-Cola and Red Bull. Now 51, she recalled helping tame

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wild horses as a teenager on the plateau where her nomad family raised yaks, and was unimpressed by this year’s athletics. “When I was young there would be a horse festival each year,” she said. “The skill was very high. The horses were big and strong.” Now, she added, the animals were smaller and slower. “A lot of the best horses have been sold because people

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turn to technology.” Many Tibetans have traded nomadism for life in the cities as part of an urbanisation drive pushed by Beijing, sometimes by force, and many who remain on the land prefer motorbikes for road transport. “I’m just not that good at riding any more,” 31-year-old nomad Jargaringqin told AFP, chewing on yak jerky as dried dung burned in his stove.

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While assisted-living facilities have many rules, they typically lack systematic policies about how to manage sexual behaviour among residents, which falls under residents’ rights, said author Elisabeth Burgess.

Regulations at these facilities may vary, but they share a mission of providing a home-like environment that emphasizes consumer choice, autonomy, privacy and control.

Yushu -- known as Jyekundo in Tibetan and now in the northwestern Chinese province of Qinghai -- is home to the Khampa, a traditionally martial people whose dialect is impenetrable to most Tibetans.

But beyond the imagery, the festival also displayed the impact of both modernisation and Beijing’s rule on the region, which Chinese forces occupied in 1951.

The frequency of sexual activity in older adults is lower than in younger adults, but the majority maintains interest in sexual and intimate behaviour.

“Residents of assisted-living facilities have the right to certain things when they’re in institutional care, but there’s not an explicit right to sexuality,” Burgess said. “There’s oversight and responsibility for the health and wellbeing of people who live there, but that does not mean denying people the right to make choices.” he stated.

- ‘Controlling Tibetans’ -

Dozens of paramilitary policemen guarded the festival, while a group of orange-suited firefighters patrolled with foam extinguishers ©Nicolas Asfouri (AFP/File)

Sexual activity does not necessarily decrease with age.

Herders had their guns confiscated, but the weapons made a comeback in tourist displays at the five-day event, which saw male riders competing in speed races and trotting competitions. The festival was suspended for several years following a major earthquake which ravaged Yushu in 2008, killing some 2,700 people. As part of reconstruction, authorities built a horse-racing stadium with concrete stands and plastic seating to host the festival’s opening ceremony.

Local Communist officials control the event, determining who races, sponsoring travel costs for riders and archers from rural counties, and handing out cash prizes to winners. “I am deciding who competes,” explained a woman from China’s Han ethnic majority, who works for Yushu’s official sports bureau. “It’s my third year, we organise a lot of activities.” There are still sporadic outbursts against Chinese rule in Yushu, with five locals setting themselves on fire since 2012, according to rights groups, among more than 140 such protests by Tibetans, most of them fatal. Dozens of paramilitary policemen guarded the festival, while a group of orange-suited firefighters patrolled with foam extinguishers. “In recent years the government has been controlling Tibetans more tightly. For example, we are limited in gathering together for activities,” said one young Tibetan sipping beer on the festival sidelines, asking not to be named. “This is a government event,” he added. “They are organising it so it’s considered safe.”

LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 16

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Tourist boom threatens Sri Lanka’s golden beaches by Amal JAYASINGHE OUNT LAVINIA, Sri Lanka - Tourists have flocked back to Sri Lanka’s palm-fringed beaches since a bloody civil war ended in 2009, but environmentalists warn unchecked development means some areas are now so polluted, swimming there is a health hazard.

But he conceded unchecked growth could be having a negative impact on the environment, admitting that he has stopped swimming in the coastal waters off Colombo after seeing sewage flowing into it from a southern suburb of the city.

“I also used to go and bathe at Wellawatte... I stopped it when I saw the canal bringing in all the sewage into the sea,” he explained.

Sewage from thriving hotels and guesthouses pours, often untreated, out into the water polluting the sea and shore.

He insisted the government was trying to get the tourist industry to clean up its act.

Even the country’s own tourism minister says he has stopped swimming in the seas close to capital Colombo because of the dirty water.

Authorities have started registering guest houses to try to ensure they dispose of their waste without harming the environment.

More than two million visitors now head to the tiny Indian Ocean island every year, more than four times the number that came in 2009.

Beaches in the former war zone in the island’s north, where tourism is still relatively new, remain cleaner.

Yet there are fears it is becoming a victim of its own success. Guesthouses have sprung up to cater for soaring numbers of visitors -- but often with little thought for how to deal with the waste they produce. Many simply discharge raw sewage straight into the sea, exposing bathers to potential health issues. The problem is most acute just south of Colombo at Mount Lavinia, an upscale neighbourhood and resort known for its “Golden Mile” of beach. Environmental engineering expert Mahesh Jayaweera said the bays in Mount Lavinia were now so polluted that people should not bathe in them.

Tourists have flocked back to Sri Lanka’s beaches since a bloody civil war ended in 2009, but environmentalists say the island is a victim of its own success.

But Jayaweera said the situation was deteriorating there too -- notably at the popular Nilaweli beach in the eastern district of Trincomalee. Often hailed by travel guides as one of Sri Lanka’s “most perfect beaches”, visitor numbers have jumped in the past few years.

“When you look at the water you won’t notice it. But at certain times of the year, the water in Mount Lavinia is so filthy it is worse than taking a dip in a cess pool,” he said.

“We just come here to play,” said local resident Harsha Swadesh, 26, enjoying a game of volleyball with friends. “The sea is rough and it is not very clean.”

“Sometimes the current brings back most of the stuff back to the beach in the morning and it is awful,” said one tourism industry figure who asked not to be named.

Levels of faecal contamination at Mount Lavinia are 60 times higher than maximum safe limits, said Jayaweera, of Sri Lanka’s University of Moratuwa.

Unawatuna, just south of the historic port city of Galle, is promoted as a pristine beach perfect for snorkelling and is famous for its coral reefs.

- Tourist boom -Tourism minister John Amaratunga said visitor numbers have soared since the end of Sri Lanka’s 37-year-long Tamil separatist war.

“A few years ago, we tried to shift the focus from beaches to eco-tourism, but the vast majority still visit us for our beaches,” he told AFP.

Many visitors are unaware of the dangers, but locals are more aware of potential issues.

But researchers say it is among the most polluted, with many guesthouses dumping their raw sewage into the ocean, especially at night.

“This year, our target is 2.2 million tourists, but we may end up with 2.5 million,” Amaratunga told AFP.

“The beaches predominate the tourism industry and that is why it is absolutely important for us to clean up and protect the beaches.”

Industry expert and environmental specialist Srilal Miththapala believes Sri Lanka needs to make urgent changes to ensure the tourism industry survives long term.

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Muslim-majority Indonesia outraged at ‘Bikini’ snack

Sonny Tumbelaka/Afp/Getty

AKARTA, Indonesia | AFP | /5/2016 - A noodle snack with a picture of a bikini-clad woman and the words “squeeze me” on the packaging has triggered outrage in Muslim-majority Indonesia, with consumer groups calling Friday for it to be pulled from shops. The snack takes its name “Bikini” from an acronym in local slang meaning “trendy rice noodles”. But the food, which can only be ordered online, sparked anger among conservative

sections of society in Indonesia, which has the world’s biggest Muslim population. Tulus Abadi, executive chairman of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation, said that the name and packaging were “verging on pornography, and therefore it has to be pulled from the market”. Ridwan Kamil -- the mayor of Bandung city on Java island, where the snack is believed to have been produced -- also called for the food to be withdrawn from shops as it had “caused uneasiness in

society”. The foundation, which managed to order some of the snacks earlier this week, said the maker had forged the “halal” label on the packaging. Such labelling is used on foods that are produced in line with Islamic law. Indonesia’s official Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency and local authorities are searching for the manufacturer of the snack in Bandung but have so far been unsuccessful after a three-day hunt.

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HEALTH, SC & TECH

VOICE OF ASIA 17

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Health and Human Zika-hit Miami neighborScientists say hoped-for phys- Texas Services Commission hood safe: Florida governor ics particle was just a blip Medicaid

HICAGO, | AFP | 8/5/2016 - Hopes for a new particle discovery that might have up-ended the standard model of physics were dashed on Friday, as scientists admitted that a “bump” in the data was actually just a “blip.” A great deal of excitement was generated by the December 2015 announcement that a fluctuation in the data had been found independently by two groups of scientists working on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a massive underground atom-smasher run by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). This bump, at an energy of 750 gigaelectronvolts (GeV), would have been six times heavier than the famous Higgs Boson particle, which gives items mass and was discovered in 2012. But following much speculation and many leaks to social media, scientists announced at the International Conference on High Energy Physics in Chicago that indeed, there was no discovery in either of two experiments, one dubbed Atlas and the other CMS. “The intriguing hint of a possible resonance at 750 GeV de-

caying into photon pairs, which caused considerable interest from the 2015 data, has not reappeared in the much larger 2016 data set and thus appears to be a statistical fluctuation,” said a statement from CERN.

works on the Atlas experiment.

Scientists at the meeting -which is held every two years -- tweeted their reactions to the news even before it was formally announced.

“So there was a lot of work over the last year of people coming up with new revised models of what it could be.”

“No new particle announced at #ICHEP2016 today but that’s how science works,” said Fermilab, the top US particle physics laboratory. “Basically 2 LHC experiments were both seeing the production of two photons more often than expected,” tweeted Brian Colquhoun, a particle physicist from the University of Glasgow, in Scotland. - Hard to rule out -According to Themis Bowcock, head of particle physics at the University of Liverpool, in England, experts are disappointed but do not see the experiment as a failure. “At the moment, what nature seems to be telling us is what we saw before was simply a fluctuation rather than the first signs of very new physics,” said Bowcock, who leads a team that

“This particle was quite interesting. The reason it got a lot of excitement was it didn’t easily fit into a lot of other theories,” he told AFP.

All that work was not in vain, he said. Nor does it mean for certain that such a particle does not exist. “It’s actually quite hard to rule it out. We have to wait for a longer time before we have evidence for this particle,” said Bowcock. “What it means for us is things are very much more as we expected it, and we have to look for new physics elsewhere.” Physicist Pauline Gagnon, who has retired from CERN, posted on her blog that “major discoveries are rare in physics.” On the other hand, blips and fluctuations like the one announced Friday “are not rare in particle physics, given the statistical nature of all the phenomena we observe.”

One new drug for three deadly tropical diseases by Marlowe HOOD

ARIS, France | AFP | Monday 8/8/2016 - Scientists unveiled findings Monday that could lead to a single treatment for a trio of deadly maladies found mostly in the world’s poorest countries. Collectively, these so-called “neglected tropical diseases” affect tens of millions of people and claim more than 50,000 lives each year. Chagas, sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis are caused by infection from parasites sharing a similar genetic profile. The scientists identified an enzyme common to these pathogens, and then developed a chemical that targets the enzyme and prevents it from functioning. They reported their results in the peer-reviewed journal Nature. “It’s a breakthrough in our understanding of the parasites that cause the three diseases, potentially allowing them to be cured,” said Jeremy Mottram, a professor at the Centre for Immunology and Infection at the University of York in England, and co-author of the study. Before proceeding with human trials, researchers need to test the compounds for toxicity, he said in a statement. In experiments, mice tolerated the drug well. To find the potential silver bullet, scientists tested three

million compounds -- part of a chemical library held by drug giant Novartis -- on live parasites. Using synthetic chemistry, they then tweaked the most promising molecules to find the one most effective against all three diseases. The most deadly of the trio -- trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness -- is fatal if left untreated. Transmitted by the tsetse fly, it is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Early symptoms include headache, anaemia and joint pains, while later infection produces severe neurological and hormonal problems. - Light-emitting parasites As the parasite invades the central nervous system, mental deterioration sets in, leading to coma and death. Finding a drug that can target the disease in the brain is difficult, but the researchers made a breakthrough in experiments with mice. The first step was to infect the rodents with parasites genetically modified to emit light. “We were able to detect the parasite in the brain using an imaging system,” explained co-author Elmarie Myburgh, also of the University of York. “We then tested the chemical developed by Novartis using our imaging method, which showed that it can get into the brain and kill the parasite.” The compound proved effec-

tive against the other two diseases as well. There are about two million cases of leishmaniasis every year in nearly 90 countries worldwide. The most severe form -known as visceral leishmaniasis -- attacks internal organs, while the more common variant causes face ulcers and disfiguring scars. More than 120 million people are at risk from Chagas disease, with 300,000 new cases every year. The disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, results in high fever and swollen glands to start, especially in young children. Symptoms can subside, often for years. But during that time the parasite is progressively infecting most of the body’s organs. It can cause fatal damage to the heart and digestive tract. Although treatments for all three diseases exist, they are expensive and cause side effects, as well as not working very well.

Will Pay for Mosquito Repellent to Fight Zika

USTIN – Texas Medicaid will cover the cost of mosquito repellent for women who are between the ages of 10 and 45 or pregnant, HHS Executive Commissioner Charles Smith announced today. The decision is in response to the possibility of local transmission of the Zika virus, which is spread primarily by mosquito bite. Zika can cause severe birth defects in unborn children whose mothers are infected while pregnant. “The best way to protect yourself from Zika is by avoiding mosquito bites,” Smith said. “There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease or drug to treat it, making it essential that people use mosquito repellent to protect women and unborn babies.” To be covered, a doctor must prescribe the repellent and the client must pick it up at a pharmacy. Clients can present their Medicaid prescription card just like they would with any prescription. Women in the following programs are covered: Medicaid CHIP CHIP-Perinate Healthy Texas Women Family Planning Eligible women can get up to two cans per month through Oct. 31. Patients can call doctors to ask for a prescription, and the doctors may call it in to a pharmacy. Office visits should only be required if there is a medical necessity. All the protocols and procedures are expected to be in place to allow clients to begin picking up the repellent on Aug. 9. HHSC has previously determined the following Zika-related items are covered under current Texas Medicaid benefits: Family planning services Contraceptives Diagnostic testing Targeted case management Physical therapy Long term services and support Acetometophin and oral electrolytes for Zika symptoms Potential coverage for additional ultrasounds for pregnant women For more information about the Zika virus, visit TexasZika. org.

ASHINGTON, | AFP | 8/7/2016 A trendy Miami neighborhood at the epicenter of the first US outbreak of the Zika virus is safe to visit, Florida Governor Rick Scott said Sunday. “We are doing a very good job of working to get rid of the mosquitoes,” he said on NBC’s Meet the Press. “We have been able to reduce the area that we had a concern about by 10 blocks on Friday.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday issued an unusual domestic travel warning for a one-mile section north of downtown Miami where mosquitoes have spread the virus to 16 people. In particular, it advised women who are pregnant to avoid travel to the area, a popular arts and restaurant district known as Wynwood, or consult their doctor if they live there. The virus can cause microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and

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ASHINGTON, | AFP | 8/4/2016 Money to fight the outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in the United States is running out, US President Barack Obama said Thursday, calling the situation “critical” and urging lawmakers to act. Obama spoke to reporters at the Pentagon, where he said the US government is taking the news of 15 cases of Zika being locally transmitted in Florida “extremely seriously.” “As our public health experts have been warning for some time, we are now seeing the first locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus by mosquitoes in the continental United States,” Obama said. “This was predicted and predictable.” Obama asked Congress in February to allocate $1.9 billion for the fight against Zika, but was met with resistance by Republican lawmakers who said the funds should instead be moved from coffers previously reserved for fighting the Ebola outbreak.

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He said he had asked the CDC for 10,000 additional Zika prevention kits, which contain mosquito repellent, condoms and tabs to treat standing water. “We still need the federal government to show up, the president and Congress have to work together and this is an international issue, not just a Florida issue,” he said. President Barack Obama asked Congress in February to allocate $1.9 billion for the fight against Zika, but was met with resistance by Republican lawmakers who said the funds should instead be moved from coffers previously reserved for fighting the Ebola outbreak.

“Not only did the Republican-led Congress not pass our request, they worked to cut it. Then they left for summer recess without passing any new funds for Zika,” said Obama. “Meanwhile, the people on the front lines have been making do. Now the money we need to fight Zika is running out.” Without funding, Obama warned, clinical vaccine trials could be delayed. “The situation is getting critical,” he said. “So this is not the time for politics.” Zika symptoms are mild in most people and go unnoticed in four out of five cases. However, the virus can cause severe birth defects, and pregnant women are being urged to stay away from the Miami area of Wynwood where mosquitoes with Zika are believed to be lurking. Zika is currently spreading in more than 50 countries and territories of the world, particularly in Latin America.

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“We’re making sure everybody pregnant has the opportunity to get an assessment and test if they want it,” he said. “And we’re keeping everybody informed. What we’re doing is working.”

By contrast, when the new compound was tested on mice, it did not appear to disturb the normal functioning of the animals’ cells.

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VOICE OF ASIA 18

Section 2

Young Life

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

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CMH Bala Vihar – A unique school that bonds families by Yuthika Gundamaraju and Vinod Sharma

express their devotion through music and chanting. Between shared memories made in the Indian-American melting pot of Sunday school, class lockins and picnics, celebrations of various festivals like Navaratri, Holi, Dipavali, students form lifelong friendships that last well into adulthood.

ahatma Gandhi once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Chinmaya Mission Houston embodies this ideology completely, through the medium of teaching Hindu culture. Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar is a Sunday school in which children are gradually introduced to Hindu scriptures and Hindu culture in an age appropriate manner in a nurturing environment. Surrounded by 500 other students in each of two sessions, they share their bicultural experiences with peers, watch older students model core values and help guide younger students through various fun and learning activities and learn life lessons from trained teachers.. This Bala Vihar provides a structured and consistent Sunday activity that binds a family towards a common cause of all round spiritual growth for the entire family. It provides families a common frame of reference founded on the Vedanta’s millennia tested principles, to discuss and navigate the world that children face every day. It allows parents to convey to their children their respect and love for the culture of India and strengthen their children’s spiritual foundation. In a true tradition of guru-sisya parampara – children get to observe the results of hundreds of volunteers at Mission working in a Karmayoga spirit of dedication to Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar students performing pujas at Sri Saumaya Kasi Sivalaya, and how to live life with an attitude of gratitude. As they enter high school and begin to transition into young adulthood they have a forum and a foundation to understand the nuances of

Hindu philosophy and through a discussion of the Bhagavad Gita understand how it pertains to their daily lives. In addition to these Bala Vihar classes, there are extracurricular activities outside of

class that help to further children’s interest and knowledge in Hinduism and Hindu culture. Students can learn a variety of Indian languages including Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu where they learn to read, write, and speak their mother tongues

better, and which help them connect with their extended families in India and share cultural experiences with their parents. Bhajana and slokathon classes, for those who are musically inclined, allow children to develop their talents and

Houstonions who would like to join Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar: • CMH Bala Vihar new year will start on September 11, 2016. Classes are held in two sessions each Sunday. First session from 8:35 to 10:15 AM and the second session from 11:20 AM to 1:00 PM

What makes Chinmaya Mission especially successful is its founding Archaryas Sri Gaurang Nanavaty, who conducts a satsanga for adults, and Srimati Darshana Nanavaty, who as the bedrock has led Houston’s Bala Vihar center since 1982 and has developed its curriculum. Here children begin to understand the true significance of the stories they heard from their parents and grandparents, and the practical applications of those morals in their lives. Children learn to be brave and fearless like Hanuman, the meaning behind the symbolism of Hindu deities. participate in

In the words of one student who grew up at the Mission Balvihar, “I couldn’t understand why my parents put so much stock into the old stories and traditions that they had grown up with, which seemed so illogical and confusing to me. I enjoyed the bedtime stories about Krishna that my mother would tell me, or the Amar Chitra Katha comics I read as a child, but outside of that I didn’t see much use in Hinduism in daily life.” Now as a well-balanced and accomplished young woman attending a prestigious National University she writes, “Chinmaya Mission has made an enormous impact on my life, by inspiring me to always strive to greater heights and follow my dharma, and find happiness in doing so. I know for a fact that it affects the lives of every student and seeker who comes looking for answers to life’s unknowable questions. I am so grateful to be a part of the Chinmaya Mission family. Anyone who gets to be a part of it is truly blessed.”

• Bala Vihar New Registration will be open for new members at Chinmaya Smrti Hall, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 AM on Sundays Aug. 14 and Aug. 21 only. • Registration will be open for all grades for both the sessions on above two dates only, i.e. Aug. 14 and Aug. 21. No Registrations on the Opening day Sun. Sep. 11

Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar teachers with Acharyas: Archaryas Sri Gaurang Nanavaty and Srimati Darshana.

• For more information visit CMH website at www.chinmayahouston.org or contact Bharati Sutaria at 281933-0233 or Jay Deshmukh at 281-565-1108.

Siyona Mishra wins 2016 MassMutual South Asian Spelling Bee money and the top two qualified for the finals.

EW BRUNSWICK, Aug 5, 2016, – Siyona Mishra of Orlando, Florida correctly spelled the word “zubrowka” (a dry straw-colored chiefly Russian liqueur of vodka flavored with herbs) during the 2016 MassMutual South Asian Spelling Bee finals to clinch the title of national champion and took home a cash prize of $10,000 from MassMutual

“We are extremely happy with Siyona’s win at the Bee as it goes to show that todays South Asian kids are all rounders and highly dedicated to their craft. We produced a special section called “Meet the Spellers where the viewers will have an opportunity to get to know some of the spellers including Siyona better,” said Tim Tan, Managing Director, Kawan Food, makers of the world’s most popular Roti Paratha Brand in the world - Kawan Paratha.

Ananya Kodali from Highland Village, Texas and Shruthika Padhy from Cherry Hill, New Jersey were tied for National Runner-Up at the MassMutual initiative on Aug.5, which was taped live for broadcast on Sony Entertainment Television The initiative was organized by leading multicultural advertising firm Touchdown Media Inc. and sponsored by MassMutual, a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policy owners. Sony Entertainment Television was the exclusive rights holder and broadcast the initiative across the globe in over 120 countries, Britannia is the presenting sponsor while Kawan Foods returns as the powered by sponsor for the initiative which is now in its 9th year. “We are truly impressed with these brilliant and talented spellers. We understand their success takes dedicated support from their parents and families. MassMutual shares the same passion about bringing financial education to the South Asian community. It was an honor to be a part of this great event that helps shape our future generation of leaders,” said Wonhong Lee, Assistant Vice President, Diverse Markets, MassMutual Financial Group. The special guest at the finals was last year’s National Champion, Shourav Dasari, who helped co-host a portion of the initiative. “It fills my heart to see such talented, young spellers from across the country

“Nail Biting contest year after year and I personally was unable to get up during the bee! It’s amazing to see the pool of talent from our community and am happy for Siyona Mishra’s win and

excited to get to know her and some of the other spellers better in the “Meet the Speller” series airing shortly on Sony,” said Jaideep Janakiram, Head of North America, Sony Entertainment Television-Asia. Children up to 14 years of age were eligible to participate and the contest saw spellers of even 6 years of age compete and make it past a few rounds. Registration for 2017 will open in October this year and for more information and to register your child, please visit www.SouthAsianSpellingBee. com. Find us on Facebook at South Asian Spelling Bee and you can follow us on our Twitter handle at Spell South Asian.

Teens who ‘sext’ experience more violence: study Left to Right: Candy Chan, Senior Marketing Consultant, Multicultural Marketing, MassMutual, Nimesh Trivedi, Director, Multicultural Marketing, MassMutual, Siyona Mishra, MassMutual South Asian Spelling Bee National Champion, Wonhong Lee, Assistant Vice President, Diverse Markets, MassMutual, and Rahul Walia, founder of The MassMutual South Asian Spelling Bee who make us proud as a community. The initiative is unique in its reach and engagement and we are very blessed to have the patronage of these families who make it a prestigious platform. My hearties congratulations to Siyona.” said Rahul Walia, Founder. The initiative was open to children up to 14 years of age and was held in 12 regional centers across the United States. These areas included, New Jersey, DC Metro area, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Bay Area, Charlotte, and

the newly added international center in Ghana. The contest was conducted in written and oral format at the regional levels which served as the elimination as well as selection process for the finalists. After registering their child online, parents brought them to the designated center and a 25-word written test was administered. Children had to spell 15 or more words correctly to qualify for the afternoon oral round and from there the top three were awarded prize

ARIS - Teenagers who exchange digital messages with sexual content, a practice known as sexting, are more likely to experience violence in love relationships, a study has found. In a survey of more than 1,000 14 to 17-year-olds in Norway, 549 reported having had a romantic partner. Nearly a third of the young lovers said they had sent explicit sexual messages -- pictures and/or text -- to their sweethearts. Compared to teens who had not engaged in sexting with a partner, these adolescents experienced four times more physical violence -- acts such as smacking, pushing, strangulation or being beaten with a hard object, the researchers found. They suffered 2.5 times more sexual abuse, ranging from forced kissing to

rape, and 3.5 times more psychological violence. The findings were reported in the peer-reviewed Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. For teens, “there is a bigger chance of becoming a victim of intimate partner violence if you send messages with sexual content,” said lead author Per Hellevik, a sociologist at the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies is Oslo. More than 40 percent of youngsters with love interests -- which did not necessarily include sex -- said they had experienced couple violence of some kind. This included sexters and non-sexters. Girls were far more exposed to violence than boys, the study showed, especially those with older partners. They also reacted differently.

VOICE OF ASIA 19

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Woman’s Life

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Ladies, drop the mop! Most Finns say housework is for both sexes elsinki, FINLAND Nordic gender equality proved to be no myth in a poll published on Tuesday, with nearly 90 percent of Finnish men willing to pick up the vacuum cleaner at home.

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More women win power but still few and far between

Between 80 and 90 percent of respondents said household chores such as vacuuming, mopping the floor, dishwashing or cooking were tasks for both men and women, the Association for Finnish Work found in its poll. While both male and female respondents thought most chores were suitable for both sexes, a few dirtier or heavier tasks remained more divisive -with men willing to volunteer for them. Almost half of the men surveyed said the smelly job of cleaning drains was a male task, while only one in three women said it was a man’s job. Similarly, 45 percent of male respondents thought lawn mowing was a job for them, not women, although only 25 percent of women said they were

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet in Berlin on July 20, 2016 (AFP Photo/ John Macdougall) Ladies, drop the mop! Most Finns say housework is for both sexes (AFP Photo) not up for the task. Dusting, laundry and window washing were considered female chores by one in five Finns, but over 70 percent of respondents were still up for those jobs regardless of their gender.

“In particular the younger male generations are very (gender) equal,” project manager Merja Mantila of the Association for Finnish Work told AFP, citing the 90-percent share of 25 to 34-year-olds who said dusting was for both sexes. The

Taloustutkimus

poll

questioned more than 2,000 Finns between the ages of 18 and 79 in March. Still, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, women in OECD countries spend on average nearly twice as much time on housework as men do.

ONDON (AFP) - Led by Angela Merkel, Hillary Clinton and Theresa May, there have never been so many experienced and ambitious women in positions of influence, even if they remain heavily outnumbered.

Clinton has already made history by becoming the first female presidential nominee

Philippines says Miss Universe IS threat is ‘serious’

ANILA, Philippines Philippines tourism officials on Tuesday said a threat by an Islamic State-related group to bomb the Miss Universe beauty contest was “serious”, but insisted the country would be ready to hold the pageant next year. A pro-IS social media channel tracked by the terror-monitoring SITE Intelligence Group

showed a video on how to “create a bomb for Miss Universe”, referring to the beauty pageant to be held in Manila in January 2017. The video, posted on Monday, appeared to show how to make an explosive belt for suicide operations. “We consider this as serious,” said the tourism department,

“This is historic, just as Barack Obama was historic. There is no question about that,” said Ester R. Fuchs, professor of public affairs and political science at Columbia University, referring to the first black US president. to an intelligence group assigned to the pageant, national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos told AFP.

which last month announced it won the contest to host the 2017 pageant. It cited the country’s successful hosting of Pope Francis last year, as well as world leaders for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, as proof that it was ready for the expected influx of visitors for Miss Universe. The threat would be referred

of a major US political party in her bid for the White House in November.

“That’s going to be looked at,” he said, without giving details.

The 2017 Miss Universe pageant will be held on Jan. 30 in the Philippines. (AFP Photo)

Filipino Muslim militants operating in the south of the country have in recent years pledged allegiance to the IS, though security officials and analysts said they were more focused on raising ransom from kidnappings than propagating an ideology.

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Asthma pill hailed in early test

ARIS, France | AFP | 8/6/2016 - The first new asthma pill in nearly 20 years has led to a sharp improvement in symptoms for chronic sufferers of the disease, according to an early test of the drug.

Asthma is a long-term disease in which the immune system in the airways goes into overdrive, and wheezing, coughing and restricted breathing are the result. People with chronic asthma can prevent or ease the symptoms by using an inhaler or steroids, but these can have hefty side effects. Fevipiprant seeks to prevent immune cells called eosinophils from moving into the bronchial walls, where they restrict and inflame the airways. In the trial reported in the British journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, researchers enrolled 61 asthmatics and divided them into two groups. One group was given 225mg of the drug twice a day for 12 weeks and the other participants were given a dummy lookalike pill, called a placebo.

From New York Times

“This new drug could be a game-changer for future treatment of asthma,” said Chris Brightling. a professor at the University of Leicester. reading of about five percent. Those who took the drug in the experiment and had moderate-to-severe asthma saw their average count of 5.4 percent fall to 1.1 percent over 12 weeks.

of research at the charity Asthma UK, said through Britain’s Science Media Centre. “But it’s an exciting development and one which, in the long term, could offer a real alternative to current treatments.”

No adverse effects were reported. Those who took the drug also reported extensive easing of symptoms, the team said.

Novartis, on its website, says fevipiprant is now in Phase III testing, with a hoped-for date of 2019 for filing for a licence.

“We already know that using treatments to target eosinophilic airway inflammation can substantially reduce asthma attacks,” Brightling said in a press release issued by the university.

Around 334 million people have asthma, a figure that inflicts a major burden on economies and health systems, according to a 2014 investigation, the Global Asthma Report.

“This new treatment, fevipiprant, could likewise help to stop preventable asthma attacks, reduce hospital admissions and improve day-to-day symptoms.”

Fourteen percent of the world’s children experience asthma symptoms, it said -- a trend that seems to have risen sharply in poor- and middle-income countries in the past couple of decades.

A key goal was to monitor levels of eosinophils in sputum -- a long-used biomarker of asthma.

- Test hurdles -Bigger studies are needed before the prototype drug, made by Novartis, can be approved under the three-phase process to test a novel medicine for safety and effectiveness.

People who do have not have asthma typically have an eosinophil count of less than one percent, while those with moderate-to-severe asthma have a

“More research is needed and we’re a long way off seeing a pill for asthma being made available over the pharmacy counter,” Samantha Walker, director

Lifestyle and environmental influences, such as tobacco smoke, house dust mites, types of pollen and airborne particulate pollution, are known factors in asthma. But many aspects of the disease are unclear and vulnerability varies greatly according to the individual.

Beyond wheatgrass: vegan junk food is all the rage by Veronique DUPONT

OS ANGELES - Vegan diets are considered by most as healthy and environmentally responsible, with celebrity poster children touting benefits like weight loss, clear skin and increased energy.

According to a Harris Interactive study, between seven and eight million Americans identify as vegan, especially in the US epicenter of clean eating, California. Today’s animal product-free diet goes beyond the stereotypical lentils and granola, with restaurants offering gourmet vegan dishes like watermelon salad with almond cheese and toasted pistachios, or zucchini flowers stuffed with macadamia ricotta. Of course, the diet is not all haute cuisine -- there are also plenty of restaurants serving “comfort” vegan food, including tofu or mock meat that has been breaded and fried. Los Angeles even holds an annual “Vegan Oktoberfest” -- allowing vegans to imbibe while sampling from an assortment of indulgent snacks. - Not just carrots and celery -At the

The hospital insisted that Ms. Cannon had never been formally admitted there as an inpatient, so under federal rules, Medicare would not pay for her nursing home stay. The money would have to come from her pocket. The experience of Ms. Cannon and thousands like her inspired a new Medicare law — in force as of Saturday — that requires hospitals to notify patients that they may incur huge outofpocket costs if they stay more than 24 hours without being formally admitted. Because of the Notice Act, passed by Congress last year with broad bipartisan support, patients can expect to start receiving the warnings in January. “It was extremely distressful to my mother, who was frugal her whole life,” said Cynthia Morgan of Chadds Ford, Pa., Ms. Cannon’s daughter. “She asked, ‘How can I pay into Medicare for so many years, and now Medicare won’t help pay for my care?”’ Ms. Cannon died in April. Hospitals have been keeping patients like Ms. Cannon in limbo — in “observation status” — for fear of being penalized by Medicare for inappropriate admissions. While under observation, patients can be liable for substantial hospital bills, and Medicare will not pay for subsequent nursing home care unless a person has spent three consecutive days in the hospital as an inpatient.

Under the new law, the notice must be provided to “each individual who receives observation services as an outpatient” at a hospital for more than 24 hours. Medicare

As the movement becomes more and more popular, temptations including donuts, pizza and mock hamburgers allow vegans to eat just as badly as everybody else.

McCully is a new convert to “mock meat” thanks to her girlfriend, and says that in just two months of adopting a vegan diet, she feels happier and “more energetic.”

WASHINGTON — In November, after a bad fall, 85yearold Elizabeth Cannon was taken to a hospital outside Philadelphia for six and a half days of “observation,” followed by nearly five months at a nearby nursing home for rehabilitation and skilled nursing care. The cost: more than $40,000.

Time spent under observation does not count toward the three days, even though the patient may spend five or six nights in a hospital bed and receive extensive hospital services, including tests, treatment and medications ordered by a doctor.

But even vegans -- who eschew all animal products like meat, eggs and dairy -- crave junk food.

“There are a lot of unhealthy options. It’s hard to resist at first,” Jessica McCully, 28, said at a vegan food festival in the Los Angeles area, a fake chicken taco in her hand.

New Medicare Law to Notify Patients of Loophole in Nursing Home Coverage Unexpected questions can change a free wellness visit into an expensive diagnostic one.

A treatment called fevipiprant eased asthma symptoms, improved lung function, reduced inflammation and repaired the lining of airways, researchers reported on Friday. “This new drug could be a gamechanger for future treatment of asthma,” said Chris Brightling, a professor at the University of Leicester, central England, who led the study.

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burgers, soy bacon three times a day... soy is not a health food.” A baker makes vegan desserts at Cafe Gratitude on August 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. © AFP/File / by David McNew vegan food fair in Anaheim, a suburb of LA, bowls of quinoa are hard to find. Lori Whitaker, a long-limbed blonde with a golden complexion, stood in line at one stand to buy a pizza. “I like my junk food; I won’t lie,” the 54-year-old said. Today, she said, “you can get a vegan pizza, a vegan taco -- I think this is great because a lot of people think vegans eat only celery and carrots.” In LA’s hipster Silver Lake neighborhood, Donut Farm sells sugary, fried confections just like every other donut shop -- but their treats in trendy flavors like green tea and salted caramel are vegan. “I think a vegan option is still going to be a bit more healthier,” said sales person Chris Boss, who said the bakery’s recipes call for organic flours and sugar, and ingredients like coconut milk. The treats do have less cholesterol and no trans-fats, he added.

But at the end of the day, “it’s a ball of fried dough with lots of calories,” Boss said. - ‘Horror and compassion’ Many converts to veganism cite health reasons, but support for animal rights remains a key motivation.

“We’re in this business to provide people healthy, nourishing food,” said Ryland Engelhart, co-owner of Cafe

officials estimate that hospitals will have to issue 1.4 million notices a year. “The financial consequences of observation stays can be devastating for seniors,” said Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine and the chairwoman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland, the chief sponsor of the Senate version of the legislation, said it would “save seniors from the sticker shock that comes after they are discharged from the hospital and realize that Medicare will not cover the cost of care in a skilled nursing facility.” The median cost for a private room in a nursing home is roughly $92,000 a year, according to a survey by Genworth Financial, an insurance company. Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing home care at a time. The text of the standard “Medicare outpatient observation notice” is subject to approval by the White House Office of Management and Budget. In its current form, the notice to beneficiaries says: “You’re a hospital outpatient receiving observation services. You are not an inpatient.” And it explains that Medicare will cover care in a skilled nursing home only if the beneficiary has had an inpatient hospital stay of at least three days. Patients can then consult their doctors and may ask to be reclassified as inpatients. For Medicare Planning contact Sudhir Mathuria @ 713-771-2900. Gratitude, a California chain of “plantbased” restaurants serving dishes like faux chorizo sandwiches and chocolate-pollen smoothies. “But you can’t expect people to jump overnight to a diet of kelp noodle salad with bean sprouts and sauteed tempeh,” he said. Still, Engelhart said, vegans need to be careful to maintain a balanced diet just like everyone else.

“Usually it’s with horror at how our factory farming works,” said Annie Jubb, a vegan lifestyle consultant. “It’s motivated by horror and compassion.” But Jubb admits that not all vegans are healthy. “They could be eating chips and fried food,” she said. “Eating soy

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Bollywood Masala

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I like the way he thinks: Priyanka Chopra joins Akshay on working with ‘Project Runway’ season 15

Neeraj Pandey

OS ANGELES - Actress Priyanka Chopra’s next international show is “Project Runway”.

EW DELHI (PTI) Akshay Kumar, who has teamed up with Neeraj Pandey for the third time with “Rustom”, says he and the director-producer are not only good friends but also like to do similar kind of movies.

They are also joined by Marchesa founder Georgina Chapman. Klum and Posen are returning as judges alongside veteran Akshay Kumar (File Photo)

impeccable. It is a stressful job getting 250 people together. He is very sorted that way. Hopefully, we will end up doing a lot more work,” the director said.

“I don’t know whether he likes my acting talent, it is for him to say but that’s what makes us do films together. God has been kind to us that our last two films have been successful.

When asked whether they have any plans to carry forward the stories of “Special 26” and “Baby”, Neeraj said he would love to continue the franchise but they don’t have a good script at the moment.

We hope this one also does well,” Akshay said in a group interview here.

It is Akshay’s third release this year after “Airlift” and “Housefull 3” and the actor is happy that he has been able to switch between genres.

Neeraj, on his part, finds it easy to work with Akshay as he thinks the actor comes without any baggage. “’Special 26’ was a brave choice on Akshay’s part. He has never done anything like that before. His work ethics are

Priyanka is currently filming the second season of her TV series “Quantico” and will also be seen in upcoming Hollywood film “Baywatch,” where

Rock” Johnson.

“Namaste!! On @projectrunway Coming soon…Project Runway Season 15, September 15th! @ninagarcia @zacposen @heidiklum @georginachapmanmarchesa #projectrunway,” she captioned the photo featuring model Heidi Klum and designer Zac Posen.

Neeraj is now wearing the producer’s hat on “Rustom”, which has been directed by Tinu Suresh Desai and stars Ileana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta, Arjan Bajwa and Pavan Malhotra besides Akshay.

“It is more than friendship. We both are professionals and we both get along with the kind of script we want to do. I like the way Neeraj thinks and I presume he likes the way I am.

she plays antagonist Victoria Leeds opposite Dwayne “The

The 34-year-old actress, who made her foray into Hollywood with TV series “Quantico,” will be one of the guest judges on the season 15 of the popular fashion reality show.Priyanka took to Instagram to share a picture from the set of the show.

Akshay, known for his action and comedy star image, took a risk by starring in Neeraj’s “Special 26”, which went on to become a hit at the box office. They collaborated on another hit in “Baby” last year.

The 48-year-old actor is hopeful their third film together will be as successful as their previous efforts.

Nina Garcia and designer mentor Tim Gunn.

“Everybody needs a change. I like to do different genres because otherwise, it gets boring. I do three to four films a year so I need that change more often.”

The film is inspired by KM Nanavati case. Neeraj said they only took certain elements from the case to build a thriller. “The film is inspired by the Nanavati case. It was a landmark judgement. The case had the potential of a great story but what Tinu and Vipul (K Rawal, writer) did was to integrate it with thriller elements. We realised we could say a few other things with the story.” “Rustom” is set to release on August 12 with Ashutosh Gowarikar’s period drama “Mohenjo Daro”, starring Hrithik Roshan but Akshay is not worried about the impending box office clash. “I hope both the films do well. It has happened before when two big films have released during the holiday period and both have done well.

Rekha attends Rajya Sabha first time in Monsoon Session

EW DELHI - today attended the proceedings in Rajya Sabha for the first time in the current Monsoon Session of Parliament. Clad in yellow silk saree and carrying a golden handbag,Rekha walked in the House during Question Hour. She quickly took her allotted seat and was seen exchanging pleasantries with fellow mem-

I hope I never have to be in court in real life: Big B

UMBAI, Aug 9 (PTI) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan may be playing a lawyer in his upcoming film “Pink” but the actor says he hopes he never has to face a real court in life. “I haven’t been inside a court room here (in India). I hope I never have to go to court. During the allegations of Bofors case, I did enter a court room in London to defend myself. And that’s the only time I saw a court,” Bachchan told reporters here at the trailer launch of “Pink”. The 73-year-old megastar, who is sporting grey hair and beard, says he relied completely on the research done by the makers of “Pink”. “I went by the research done by my writer and director. We had a recognised lawyer on sets to guide us, the way we spoke and all. We have tried to recreate court room scenes in the most natural way and it adds to the temperament of the film.

Rekha was nominated to the Upper House in April last year bers. The last time Rekha had attended Parliament was on May 7 when she turned up to cast her vote for elections to the Committee of Public Undertakings. Rekha was nominated to the Upper House in April last year along with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and industrialist Anu Aga.

“I follow instructions of Shoojit (Sircar) when it comes to my look. My character is sad and disheartened in life. He stays opposite these three girls who face problem and I see what they are going through. I decide to do something.” The “Piku” star mouths some hard-hitting lines in the trailer, which was launched today but Bachchan says he had no

Amitabh Bachchan

qualms in doing those scenes as they were important for the movie.

lawyer takes to justify the event that has taken place in the film. It is harsh but true.”

“If the lines are going to be supportive of the legal argument or track in the film, I felt it is important to say.

According to Bachchan, the colour pink signifies women empowerment.

It was justified to say it. It’s harsh, confrontational and embarrassing as those standing in witness box are not going to accept anything readily. “It’s the language that the

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“The film is about women and their strength so we have kept the title ‘Pink’. Women should stand up for their rights. The film is about women,” he says.

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99 Ranch Market Grand Opening in Katy, Texas

9 Ranch Market is proud to announce the opening of new store in City of Katy. This is also going to be the 40th store of the Asian supermarket chain in the nation. Katy joins 99 Ranch Market’s Texas family which includes Houston, Plano, Sugar Land and Carrollton. Now, the best products in groceries, seafood, meat, produce and hundreds of Asian specialty items are even more convenient for local customers. Just like other established 99 Ranch Market branches, the Katy store is devoted to serve shoppers’ needs for quality Asian products at competitive prices. The Asian supermarket chain’s top priority is to

provide fresh, nutritious and healthy products ranging from East Asia to North America. These include imported snacks and ingredients, locally grown vegetables and fruits, freshly caught seafood and high-quality meat at competitive prices. In addition, customers can enjoy the delicious food and drinks in-store at the Hot Deli or take home freshly-made pastries and sweets from Bread Farm Bakery. 99 Ranch Market is located in the centralized area on S. Mason Road near the I-10 Freeway; this spacious store covers over 40,000 square feet, with clean and modern interior and exterior design. It is 99 Ranch Market’s goal to create a supe-

rior one-stop shopping experience for all customers from the minute they walk in until the time they check out with a fullcart of groceries. To celebrate the grand opening 99 Ranch Market will be offering department-wide promotions to new and returning customers: From Aug. 13 to Aug. 14: • The first 100 customers each day will receive a special 99 Ranch Market goodie bag stuffed with surprises • With purchases over $30, each receipt can be traded in for one bottle of Kimbo Soya Milk •

With purchases over

EW YORK, | AFP | 8/8/2016 - Wal-Mart Stores announced Monday that it will acquire ecommerce company Jet.com for $3.3 billion as it beefs up its online retail operations in

response to Amazon and other competitors. Wal-Mart is paying $3 billion in cash for the online retailer. Shareholders of Jet.com, which was launched in July 2015, will also receive $300 million in Wal-Mart shares

REAL ESTATE by Dilip Kapasi

any amongst us looking for a home to live in, especially those living in and around Houston, look at the new subdivisions, and are tempted to consider buying a new home rather than settle for an older home. More important things to remember here are: 1. Go with someone who has an experience to buy a new home. Usually this person is your friend who just bought a home in the new subdivision. Pitfall here is you strive to get what she got. Realtor’s agent who does not have to be a realtor, per se, is basking in scenario that will obviously lead to a sale for him. Recommendation here is to find someone who has more experience in new construction and one who is not affiliated with the builder. Tip: Find a good realtor agent and have him or her represent you as buyer’s agent. Keep in mind the sales agent who you meet at the builder’s site works for the builder, not for you. 2. Be creative during negotiations. Builders do not like to drop their prices, but come to tell them about closing costs, any upgrades, prior sales of that type of home, and discounts, they will speak with you in negotiating language for sure. 3. Make sure to have the builder agent send you an email confirming what was agreed during meetings. For an incomplete home you see, make sure that the builder will go in writing to you that the home will be completed. This impacts move-in date and related costs, school, etc. 4. Ask the builder to make a list of standard fea-

tures and the list of common upgrades with costs. 5. Do a research on the builder, himself? Visit other builders, and testimonials, something I recommend a must. Ask your agent if he has worked with the builder and is aware of his reputation. See what guarantee the builder provides. Home Warranty and Inspection report go with the new home. 6. Get in the habit of reading fine print. 7. Walk-though is a must in new home as nails popping out in cabinetry, or garage walls not finished, touch ups. All these can cost you dearly once the home is yours and you start to occupy. Once the builder is gone from the sold home, it is hard to bring him back. 8. Many production home builders will not allow you to change anything in the model plan designed already that you selected. For instance, a larger closet, or a skylight in the bathroom or hallway are out of question for many production home builders. But there is some next level up builder who will give you flexibility to make some changes as long as they are workable within their plan. You need to ask this question to the builder before you start negotiating. Above are few tips before you set out to the builder of your choice for your new home. Continued.. Dilip Kapasi is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Houston. He can be reached at dilipmeena@yahoo.com for any question you may have.

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over time, Wal-Mart said. The move comes as WalMart and other conventional retailers struggle to keep up with Amazon and a slew of smaller online businesses that have sprouted in recent years as consumers become more comfortable with shopping in cyberspace. Conventional retailers have responded by shutting some stores and by meshing the two formats by, for example, having consumers order on line but pick up groceries at a store. In recent months, Wal-Mart has announced ventures with ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber to allow speedy delivery of goods to compete with Amazon’s Prime service. It has also introduced Walmart Pay, a mobile application designed to compete with Apple Pay. “We’re looking for ways to lower prices, broaden our assortment and offer the simplest, easiest shopping experience because that’s what our customers want,” said WalMart chief executive Doug McMillon. Credit Suisse said the Jet. com acquisition by Wal-Mart could spark acquisitions by other conventional retailers as specialty stores in everything from auto parts to home furnishings look for new ways to reach consumers.

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an attractive brand with proven appeal, especially with Millennials, the first generation of true digital natives,” Wal-Mart said. The deal could also let WalMart access a wealthier clientele. The average Wal-Mart customer has annual income of about $58,000, compared with $68,000 for Amazon, said market research firm Kantar. Wal-Mart plans to keep Jet. com as a distinct brand. Ramping up investment in ecommerce has been a drag on Wal-Mart earnings, along with added costs due to paying US workers more. Wal-Mart said in October it would raise investment in e-commerce from $700 million in 2015 to $900 million in 2016 and a projected $1.1 billion in 2017. Wal-Mart is still awaiting a fuller payback on the investment. In May, the company reported a seven percent rise in e-commerce sales in the first quarter, a rate of increase that McMillon said was too slow. Wal-Mart reported $478.6 billion in sales last year, more than four times that of Amazon. However, Amazon’s market capitalization of $361.6 billion is nearly 60 percent higher than Wal-Mart’s. Wal-Mart shares fell 0.6 percent to $73.34.

The Jet.com deal “could open up the doors for other brick and mortar retailers to follow suit,” Credit Suisse said.

It’s not often the federal government makes a decision that nearly everyone is happy with, but that’s what happened with a regulation that was recently finalized by the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes to the regulations under Internal Revenue Code section 401(a)(9) allow individuals the ability to defer the distribution of their qualified assets beyond age 70 ½ through the purchase of a Qualifying Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC). Generally, the new rules provide an exception to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) by allowing a QLAC to start making payments as late as age 85, meaning people can defer paying taxes on money that they may not need in early retirement. This is big news for those people who have been taking RMDs because they have to, not because they want to. A QLAC can provide more flexibility for your retirement planning by allowing you to better match your retirement income to your needs, and the ability to control when taxes can be paid on your qualified assets. A QLAC will also ensure that you will not outlive your money, because as an annuity it provides guaranteed income for life. There are some limitations to QLACs that you should know. Most importantly, there is a cap on how much of your qualified money you can put into a QLAC. Contributions are limited to the lesser of $125,000 or 25% of the owner’s qualified account balances, less previous QLAC contributions. The 25% limit applies on a plan by plan basis and to IRAs on an aggregate basis. Also, QLACs can only be established through a deferred income annuity with no liquidity features. Other important rules you should be aware of include: • Eligible accounts include 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b)

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or IRA, • Income payments must begin no later than the first day of the month following the owner’s attained age 85. • The contract must state from inception that it is intended to be a QLAC. • Once income starts, the payments must satisfy RMD rules. • The contract cannot have any cash surrender value or commutation benefit A QLAC can be a powerful tool for those who want more control of how and when they start taking money out of their qualified retirement accounts. With people living longer than ever before, the government has taken an important step in allowing people to have more flexibility with regard to their retirement assets. This is an opportunity that should be a serious consideration for many people nearing, or even in, retirement. Contact your tax/legal advisor for implications to your specific situation. This educational third-party article is being provided as a courtesy by Ramesh Cherivirala. For additional information on the information or topic(s) discussed, please contact Ramesh Cherivirala at New York Life Insurance Company, 13135 Dairy Ashford Rd, # 550, Sugar Land, TX 77478; Cell: 713-8754336.

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Wal-Mart praised Jet.com’s leaders, including chief executive Marc Lore, whose previous company owned the ecommerce site Diapers.com., which was sold to Amazon in 2010.

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VOICE OF ASIA 23

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

SPORTS

VOICE OF ASIA 24

Olympics: Mother and son to make history in Rio

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Olympics: Hijab-wearing US fencer exits with head held high

IO DE JANEIRO, Brazil | A pair of Georgian shooters are set to make history at the Rio Games by becoming the first mother and son to compete at the same Olympics. Three-time Olympic medallist Nino Salukvadze, 47, and 18year-old Tsotne Machavariani will be gunning for glory in the pistol events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so proud and very happy to have my son here with me,â&#x20AC;? said Salukvadze. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is just beginning now. I am more nervous for him, but when I am at the shooting range I am the coach and mentor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I am at the village I am the mother, although he is with the other athletes, not with old people like me,â&#x20AC;? the shooting legend added.

Mother and son compete in same Olympics for first time in history former champion Nino Salukvadze, left, and her son Tsotne Machavariani make history as the first mother-son competing in the same games. (Getty)

The evergreen Salukvadze will become only the second athlete ever to compete at eight Olympics after German-Italian canoeist Josefa Idem Guerrini.

10-metre air pistol, this time representing Georgia.

at a slightly younger age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mother won her first medal when she was 19. I am only 18,â&#x20AC;? he declared cheekily in comments released by organisers.

Salukvadze also appeared at Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens and London.

Salukvadze first competed in Seoul in 1988, winning gold in the 25-metre pistol and silver in the 10-metre air pistol for the Soviet Union.

Machavariani will compete in the 50-metre pistol and 10-metre air pistol events in Rio.

She won a third Olympic medal at Beijing in 2008, taking bronze in the

But the teenager hopes his trip to Brazil wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all be about hard work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My dream is to go surfing at Copacabana. My mother will let me, yes,â&#x20AC;? Machavariani said.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hoping he can outdo his mother by clinching a maiden medal

Indians immune to Olympic fever by Jalees ANDRABI

Government efforts to enthuse the public by organising live screenings and other events have largely fallen flat in a country that comes to a complete standstill for a major cricket match.

EW DELHI, India | AFP | Around a giant screen showing the Olympics in a central New Delhi park, young Indians chat, take selfies or snooze in the late afternoon heat, glancing only occasionally at the heroic sporting feats on display.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;People are not too interested in it. I think theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more into cricket and football and stuff, not the Olympics,â&#x20AC;? student Anusha Sharma told AFP in Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Park.

India is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second most populous country and has ambitions to become a global superpower. But when it comes to the Olympics it remains a minnow -- a status matched by the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supreme indifference to the Games.

Sharma said she had not known the Olympics were being shown there, but had spotted the big screen as she was passing and wandered over to see what was going on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really like it that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re screening the Olympics to let the people know,â&#x20AC;? she said of the initiative.

In 2012 India won just six medals -- one for every 200 million Indians -- making it the country with the worst Olympic record in terms of medals per head of population.

The country even chose cricketing hero Sachin Tendulkar as one of its Olympic ambassadors, alongside Bollywood star Salman Khan.

She said she aimed to explode stereotypes about Muslim women and blaze a trail for other Muslim girls to get involved in sport.

But athletes complain of substandard training facilities and a lack of government investment in sport in a country that has enjoyed two decades of rapid economic development and has a booming population of 1.25 billion.

For communications expert Pritam Sinha, the explanation for the lack of public enthusiasm for the Games is simple -- national pride.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people believe that Muslim women donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have voices or that we (donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t) participate in sport. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just to challenge the misconceptions outside the Muslim community, but also within the Muslim community,â&#x20AC;? she said.

That is in stark contrast to the huge

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to explain,â&#x20AC;? she said, when asked how it felt to walk out as the first American athlete to wear the traditional Muslim headgear, or hijab.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;This has been a beautiful experience for me. I know that this was written for me, the chips fell where they did and I feel proud to represent Team USA even in defeat,â&#x20AC;? said the 30-yearold.

Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in Rio comes in the midst of a US presidential election campaign marked by anti-Islamic rhetoric while incidents of threats and vandalism at mosques reached an all-time high last year.

India has sent a 118-strong contingent to Rio, its largest ever for an Olympic Games, and the sports ministry has set a target of 10 medals.

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Muhammad, who became the first US Olympian to compete in a hijab, said she hoped she had done her bit to change attitudes about Muslim women.

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IO DE JANEIRO, Brazil | AFP | Monday 8/8/2016 - Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad said she was proud to represent the United States and hailed a â&#x20AC;&#x153;beautiful experienceâ&#x20AC;? despite being knocked out of the Rio Olympics womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sabre competition on Monday.

cardboard cut-outs of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic athletes for supporters to take selfies with -- though most of the young people there seemed more interesting in taking selfies with each other.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In India there is a lot of talent, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no source to harness this talent,â&#x20AC;? said Prakhar Srivastava, another of the Central Park spectators.

The display features billboards on the history of the Games and giant

Ibtihaj Muhammad on trumping hate as Muslim U.S. Olympic star. Getty Images.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cricket World Cup is different. The craze for that for us in India canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be matched with Olympic sports,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know we can beat anybody in the world on a particular day. That is why we love the cricket World Cup more.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to break cultural norms and show girls that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to be active, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to be involved in sport.â&#x20AC;?

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 25

FRIDAY, August 12, 2016

Your Horoscope for the Week of August 12, 2016 READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE

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

ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April Maybe there is a way to benefit from this power surge you feel. You have a great network of allies that can provide you with some solid support. Partnerships will bring you more resources than if you try to go it alone. Listen to reason rather than emotion. If you start to promote your own ideas others will find it hard to deny your requests. By week’s end, you should try to slow down your pace a little so you don’t forget certain details that are important to you.

You need to find your voice and figure out how to use it to your best advantage. Before moving ahead on your own, think about ways to unite others. Human emotions cannot rule you, this time. You must try to look at things on a more intellectual plane. Try your best to stay clear of those who try to bring you down to their level. You need to look beyond the immediate to understand how the bigger picture works. Everyone needs to feel secure, some may rely on luck but you have your own strategy in place.

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Recent events have made your temper flare and you need to re-organize and consolidate your energy. Even though you feel agitated, you’re very social and very capable. Once the meetings are over, transform your home into a refuge from the real world for a while. Step back and realize that things aren’t quite as bad as you thought. Your positive flow has actually put you in a better position than you were before. You may have to act before you think you are ready to do so.

Sometimes, you may be too quick to re-act, but this week, you’re right to take a stance. Others are the same as always, but your perception of them will change radically. Be aware that your words and your actions will affect them greatly. You can probably talk your way out it, but everybody is watching to see the outcome. Stay calm and your confidence level will rise. Everybody wants security, but their concepts may be different than yours.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June There’s usually a reason for everything that you do, but your creativity may be driven more out of necessity than talent. If you want to try to turn this situation around, you’d better start now. Use the raw materials you have on hand to demonstrate your idea of art and beauty. You’ll have no choice but to be yourself when you journey on this new adventure. By week’s end, the mysteries will start to wear thin and expose the harsh reality that really exists.

You usually work hard but lately you’ve been very lax in matters of importance. Everyone is a specialist or is in need of one. Prove that you know more than your history suggests. Save time and money by drawing on the resources that you already possess. If this strategy has worked for you in the past, then it will probably work again. Strike a happy medium with authorities who are being too rigid about your boundaries. An apology, a smile or a hug will get you what you want.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July You need to continue to play the waiting game. Others want answers right away, but you should take some time to analyze the whole picture. If you try to push the process faster, something will hit the fan. Unfounded suspicions and accusations will only make others more uncomfortable. It’s better to keep quiet than to be negative. A surprise will shake things up and provide you with some answers. Try to be as discreet as possible. You’re ready to accept the news but not everybody is.

People with good attitudes are much easier to be around. So, just be yourself and others will fall in love with you. Your impeccable charm will help you to handle your responsibilities with strong authority and creative style. Important details may be overlooked by those who do not care. You need to oversee everything of any importance. Pace yourself so that you don’t get too tired or run down.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August A show of strength will improve your standing in the community. Choose the honorable road. You may need to go out on a limb, but you’ll have strong support from those in authority. You may need to fulfill a family obligation that you almost forgot about. You’ll realize that your personal relationships need more attention than you’re giving them. You’ll have to work on being more understanding without losing your winning edge.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September The warmth you feel inside will spark your passion for life. Get out there and enjoy all that life has to give. Look past others misgivings in order to take advantage of their expertise. You may not understand all the workings of a new technology, but you can figure out how to use it for your own purpose. Check your list and make sure you cover all the bases. Others will be ready to open up to you and to share all of what they have, both spiritually and physically.

Your message will come across in a way that encourages others want to join in. You know just which emotions to draw out of others and when to do it. You could combine valid points of view to provide a dynamic effort. Supporters will rally for your cause. Look upward and forward. Doubts should not be considered an option. Teamwork is easy for you and it could prove to be very profitable, in the long run.

Week will start with smooth ride & then it will become Humpty Dumpty. You are too emotional always, this is the time to keep your emotions aside. You need to think practical & be practical. Don’t take decision in Rush, think twice before you act or commit any important thing. Change in job is visible but analyze all the factors before going for it. Keep an eye on your finances, you have to be conservative or you need to look for short term loan.

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MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY What to Do When Your Boss Keeps Changing by Rebecca Knight If you work at an organization where constant reshufflings are the norm, you may find yourself with a new boss every few months. Here are some coping strategies. Introduce yourself. Each time a new manager is appointed, you need to schedule a one-on-one meeting with them and bring a copy of your résumé. Talk about your working style, your strengths, and your goals. Be accommodating. Ask your boss how they like to communicate, how often they want status updates, and how much detail they want in them. Then adapt your style. Focusing on learning. Try to look at the prospect of a new boss as an opportunity to learn. Ask yourself: What can this person teach me? Check your attitude. A new boss to get accustomed to is a challenge, but make sure you’re not wearing your annoyance on your sleeve. Channel your energy into making positive contributions to your organization. Source: Adapted from, “What to Do When You Get a New Boss Every Few Months,” by Rebecca Knight WWW.HBR.ORG

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WELLNESS EXPO

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