Voice of Asia E paper December 18 2015

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Houston’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Community holds multi-faith prayer vigil on one week anniversary of the San Bernardino California, shootings

by Mubasher Ahmad

H

OUSTON - On December 9, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Greater Houston held a multi-faith prayer vigil on the one week anniversary of the San Bernardino, California, shootings . The vigil began at 7 pm at the Baitus Samee Mosque in North Houston to remember the victims who were brutally gunned down during a holiday party at the San Bernardino Regional center. It was attended by leaders from different faith based communities and outreach organizations. Chapter President, Dr Amir Malik, in his remarks expressed the communities heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims. He also paid respect for the victims of the Paris, Beirut and Mali attacks.

The evening was somber in which speakers gave invocations for the vic-

Indo-American Chamber hosts media appreciation reception

tims and spoke about unity and coming together as a community to fight against radicalization.

Imam Mubasher Ahmad said that the ISIS ideology was incongruent to the ethos of Islam and that Islam promoted the sanctity of life. He emphasized the Qur’anic teaching that “Whosoever kills an innocent person, it is as though he has killed all of mankind.”

He said that Muslims were facing a multifaceted challenge and that it was obligatory for all Muslims to unite against terrorism who have hijacked the religion of Islam. He also went on to say that it was incumbent on families to protect their youths from falling into the trap of extremism.

A candle was lit for each of the fourteen victims followed by a moments silence.

L-R: Jagdip Ahluwalia, Executive Director, IACCGH, Mrs. Moani Thomas, Satish Philip, Koshy Thomas, Publisher Voice of Asia, Shobana Muratee, Editor, Voice of Asia and Ashok Garg, President, IACCGH at Maayuri Indian Restaurant, Dec. 14, 2015. Photo by David Garvin.

by Shobana Muratee

H

OUSTON - The IndoAmerican Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston (IACCGH) held an exclusive reception on December 14, 2015 for their media partners in appreciation of their long-term support to the Chamber. Ashok Garg President,

Religious leaders of the Greater Houston areas who led the multi-faith prayer vigil On December 9, at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Greater Houston.

IACCGH welcomed the members of media at the Mayuri Indian Restaurant and spoke a few words highlighting the Chambers success this year. “At the Chamber we had a great year,” he said “we elevated the Chamber to a different level - for the first, at this year’s gala, we had a sitting U.S. Ambassador to India, Mr. Richard Verma travel all the way from India to Houston for the event.” He then thanked the media for their efforts in getting the Chamber’s message across to the community. He presented a Certificate of Recognition to the representing media members.

Voice of Asia and HealthLine Publisher Koshy Thomas, Indo-American News Publisher, Jawahar Malhotra, The Fort Bend Independent, Publisher and Editor Sheshadri Kumar, Voice of Asia Editor, Shobana Muratee, and PTI reporter Seema Hakhu Kachru were representing the newspapers.

Radio hosts: Jagat Kamdar and Dinkar Chedda from Open Forum and Shobha Joshi from Gitanjali Radio were in attendance. TV Asia anchor Manisha Gandi and videographer Gautam Jain were also present. Bijay Dixit, photographer and owner, Unique Photo Images who is also Chamber’s official photographer was part of the media group.

Jagdip Ahluwalia, Executive Director, IACCGH, thanked the members on behalf of the Chamber, “It is through you that our message reaches a larger audience, spreads to the whole community and that is what makes the message valuable,” he said. He also introduced the incoming president Ms. Joya Shukla who he said will be taking charge on January 1, 2016, the formal inaugural of which will be held on January 20th at the City Hall Rotunda. The event will feature ‘apex leadership’, two prominent business leaders from corporate America who will share their success stories. “This part of the Chamber’s focus to create leadership within our community,” Ahluwalia said. He also mentioned the date for the upcoming ‘Distinguished Lecture Series’ to be held February 10, 2016 at Federal Reserve Building on Allan Parkway at 11:30 am. The lecture will feature Renu Khator, University of Houston’s President and System Chancellor who is also the Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

IACCGH treasurer Swapan Dhairyawan and Incoming President Joya Shukla took the opportunity and extended their thanks. Guests had a fun time and enjoyed the Mayuri’s famous Indo-Chinese cuisine.

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- The Publisher

by Anna Mulrine, The Christian Science Monitor

W

ASHINGTON, December 12, 2015.- When Michael Vickers was making his name as the Central Intelligence Agency operative depicted in “Charlie Wilson’s War” – running a covert war against the Soviets in Afghanistan through Muslim jihadis – it was by no means a war of decision by committee.

It was the bold and resourceful work of a maverick.

The wisdom of that approach remains controversial – it vanquished the Soviets but planted the seeds for modern terrorism.

Yet this week, Mr. Vickers, a former undersecretary for intelligence, told lawmakers that the qualities that guided him in Afghanistan have been in too-short supply in America’s recent warfighting. Put bluntly, American efforts to respond to the security challenges of today simply aren’t working.

We are not postured as a [Defense] department, intellectually or organizationally, for these highly asymmetric and largely unconventional long-term challenges,” Vickers said in congressional testimony. “We are winning battles and campaigns, but not our wars.”

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Why America isn’t winning its wars It’s easy to blame presidents for a lack of strategy, but a growing number of officials are saying that the fault lies with a lack of vision in the Pentagon. come back to hurt the United States even more – as the support for the Afghan mujahideen in the 1980s has, many say.

But there is a growing sense among some officials that the debate about the Islamic State, for example, has become “overly focused” on boots on the ground, because top Pentagon leaders are not thinking in “broader and more diverse strategic terms,” said retired Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Eggers, former special assistant to the president for national security affairs and a former Navy SEAL,​ during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday, at which Vickers also testified.

‘The tyranny of consensus’ To fix this, the Pentagon must change the way it does business, argued former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, who is often named as a likely contender to become the first female secretary of Defense if Hillary Clinton is elected.

undermine organizational performance, and compromise agility.”

Instead, they create a “lowest common denominator consensus that does little to illuminate tradeoffs and investment decisions the department must make for the future.”

Congress launched a major reform of the Pentagon 30 years ago, known as Goldwater-Nichols, in the wake of the Vietnam War. The goal was to fix a Pentagon recommendation-making process that had grown so bad that its military advice was “generally irrelevant, normally unread, and almost always disregarded,” as James Schlesinger, secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975, put it at the time.

“Goldwater-Nichols was, of course, informed and catalyzed by the failures of that generation. And my sense is that our modern shortcomings are equally deserving of them,” said Mr. Eggers.

Vickers is not alone in his belief that America’s security infrastructure needs to rethink deeply how it makes decisions.

The criticisms from top defense and intelligence officials go far beyond typical partisan complaints against the Obama administration. Instead, they lay the blame on the Pentagon and CIA themselves, arguing that those organizations are consistently failing to come up with new and innovative ideas to present to the president, resulting in a lack of strategy.

Making good decisions requires, in no small part, being decisive. Yet the most “pernicious” practice within the building today is “the tyranny of consensus that has come to dominate the Pentagon,” she said.

He cited former Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s take on the matter: “When it comes to predicting the nature and location of our next military engagements since Vietnam, our record has been perfect: We have never once gotten it right.”

While consensus is generally viewed as plus, “focusing what we can all agree on has become an end in itself in too many areas,” including strategy development, Ms. Flournoy told lawmakers Tuesday.

The buck stops ... where?

The need for change today was one of the rare points that seemed to have bipartisan consensus this week.

“We seem flummoxed by and self-deterred in our response to Russian indirect and direct aggression,” added Vickers, who stepped down from his job earlier this year. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, “although it’s certainly not from a lack of trying, we are far from having a strategy that can bring stability.”

Consensus is a particularly tough goal considering that the Joint Staff, the collection of the Pentagon’s top officers, has grown to nearly 4,000 people, she notes. That’s 10 times its 1958 size.

These are, of course, enormously complicated decisions.

And part of the caution stems from the desire to avoid unintended consequences that could

This is not simply a matter of efficiency, but also effectiveness, Flournoy said. “Bloated headquarters staffs have been documented to slow decisionmaking, push too many decisions to higher levels, incentivize risk-averse behaviors,

Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, noted that within the Pentagon, “Innovative ideas that challenge the status quo rarely seem to survive the staffing process as they make their long journey to senior, civilian, and military leaders.”

Instead, the result seems to be “watered down” thinking “that is acceptable to all relevant stakeholders precisely because it is threatening to none of them.”

Michael Rubin worked in the Pentagon during the Iraq War. “It’s very easy to blame presidents and say the buck should stop with the president, but I do believe what we’ve seen for the past 20-something years has been the ossification of the decision-making process,” he says.

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He recalls frequent policy discussions in the early days of the Iraq insurgency that routinely devolved into semantics.

“Whenever you have people start arguing over terminology – whether they should be called anti-Iraq forces, or terrorists – that ultimately becomes a distraction,” says Dr. Rubin, now a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute

in Washington.

It doesn’t help, either, that the body charged with corralling the policymakers – the National Security Council – is itself bloated, Flournoy and others noted. “The NSC was created to coordinate policy and impose discipline and ensure it’s implemented, but it has turned into another large bureaucracy,” Rubin says, growing to an estimated 400 staffers – roughly double the size it was under the George W. Bush administration.

In the Brent Scowcroft era under George H.W. Bush, Flournoy recalled an organization “with a very clear understanding of what their role is, which is strategy, policy, honest broker, and options development for the president.”

Reducing staff sizes within the NSC and the Pentagon is a necessary start, said Flournoy.

Outside-the-Pentagon thinking Mr. Eggers said he would place a premium on strategic and higher university training for military leaders. He pushed, too, for a “red team” of experts from outside the building to question the conventional wisdom within.

This idea was enthusiastically greeted by Sen. Angus King (I) of Maine. “I love the idea of a red team in the Pentagon or perhaps the National Security Council whose job it is to contest the conventional wisdom – to contest the consensus, to be obnoxious,” he said. “I could volunteer for that.”

The key may be getting a key group of players together, says Rubin.

He recalls the run-up to the Iraq War, when he was the Pentagon’s country director for Iran and Iraq. “What we felt was, if they would just get us a place in Crystal City [near the Pentagon] where we could all work together,” they could speed the decisionmaking progress.

This might include people from the Pentagon, State Department, Treasury, and CIA all troubleshooting in one place.

“What we don’t have is anything to allow people working on a common problem to actually work together,” he says.

He recalls when, during the Iraq War, someone in the State Department was investigated for leaking unclassified documents … to a Pentagon official.

“Let’s treat the people working on these problems as a unit which can be 100 people working together,” he says. “They can hash things out, and then someone in NSC can make a decision – and bring it to the president if they can’t.”

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FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

COMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

Second Front Page

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

MMNA-SW/ Rajasthani roots group celebrate camping

www.voiceofasiaonline.com

VPSS to hold Art Exhibition of Radha and Krishna by Houston’s Kartik Trivedi

Dr.Renu Khator, University of Houston President and Chancellor addressing the gathering.

Kartik Trivedi - The Artist, (Cover of Timeless Ragas collection)

by Shobana Muratee

H

ouston’s treasured artists and pride of the Indian American community will be in attendance with his famous collection of Radha & Krishna at the Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj (VPSS) and Vallabh Vidya Mandir, Houston on Saturday, December,19th from 5 PM to 8 PM and Sunday December 20 from 10 AM to 2 PM at their location on West Bellfort.

Kartik Trivedi is an internationally renowned artist and pianist who is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. He holds four Masters Degrees including Masters of Fine Arts to his credit. His artwork adorns the walls of

Members of the Maheshwari Community celebrating.

O

ne of the most philanthropic, hardworking and always helping Hindu community in USA is the Maheshwari Community. Maheshwari community is second prosperous community in the whole world. One of the most dynamic and active Society is Maheshwari - Southwest chapter and Rajasthani roots groupSW. Committee for MMNASW includes: President Arun Meeta Mundra, VP: Sanjay Dipti Biyani, Secretary: Sangita Bhagwan Bhutada, Treasurer: Srikanth Namrata Sharda and Cultural secretary: Deepali Pawan Ladha.

MMNA-SW camp was a splendid event held at Montgomery Texas. Every family of Maheshwaris and Rajasthani group was introduced including people from different states too;

like Rajesh Chokhani and Pankaj Mittal (Sr. management of Welspun) attended the event by travelling from Arkansas. Various activities on Janmashthmi with Bhajan and Dandiya celebrated.

Many family sports and entertaining games were played along with “Dahi Handi” for Krishna’s naughty spirit of “Makhan Chor”. Rain dance was enjoyed for hours. Art & Craft activities organized for kids fun.

University of Houston President and Chancellor Renu Khator conducted session about her life.

Renu ji also shared that being in board of Dallas bank how along with other board members like BNSF CEO Carl C Ice, they keep ‘open minded team spirit’ and leadership for solving new problems & giving value add to organization. Arun Mundra conducted one inspiring session

famous foreign luminaries and heads of governments: President Francois Mitterrand, Prince Charles, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Former US Presidents: Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and also current President Barack Obama who was gifted with ‘Hope’ oil/canvas 30”x40” in 2009.

In America he was very fascinated by American Impressionist style paintings a style which he adopted for his Western paintings. He authored Kartik Trivedi - Artist of all Generations. This book is a combination of Eastern and Western style paintings.

Trivedi was born in Gujarat State, India. Soft spoken,

down-to-earth Trivedi is extremely humble and magnanimous when it comes to sharing his art and his passion for art.

Since his moving to Houston, he has touched numerous hearts with his kindness and unassuming nature. He enjoys playing Raga Music, North Indian Classical on piano. He also performed a concert at the famous Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, New York, NY. He received Master’s Degree in Music from San Jose State University, San Jose, California, (1979).

The exhibition will be on of kind and not to be missed!

Call Rasesh Dalal @ 832646-4996 for details.

for value add in term of “International help”. He shared with his personal examples to group that along with professional valueadd, how some-one can do social value add too! Nepal earthquake relief & other part of world help done by samaaj and coordinated

by Arun too.

In evening great entertaining cultural program conducted for Dance, Instrument, Singing & act were performed by kids of MMNA-SW chapter. Later Rajesh Lahoti Karaoke singing night and Camp fire along with corn & marshmallow party, with Open Movie Theater were memorable super hit experiences. All age groups people overwhelmed with enjoyment and fun and it became life time experience.

Committee Arun, Sanjay, Sangita, Srikanth, Rajesh Lahoti, Deepali, Vivek, Ronak thanked everyone.

L-R: Mrs. Moani Thomas, Koshy Thomas, Publisher, Voice of Asia with artist Kartik Trivedi (with his gift), Pradip Kumar and Shobana Muratee, Editor at the Voice of Asia office.

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The People’s Lawyer www.peopleslawyer.net Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Everyone should have renter’s insurance Q. The upstairs tenant had a flood in her apartment and it flooded my unit as well.

The tenant and the landlord are playing the blame game. The landlord says it was the upstairs tenant’s fault. The tenant states that she has rental insurance, but she can’t file the claim on her insurance, because she thinks it was on the landlord’s fault.

My unit was soaked and wet, and that made it smell really bad. The ceiling has cracking and water spots, the door and the wall in my living room are warped, and my room and my son and daughter’s rooms all have bad water staining. My children suffer with asthma and they have to inhale the wet carpet smell and all the dust.

I still don’t know who was at fault. Who is responsible for replacing damage and wet items in my apartment? What are my rights as a tenant regarding this matter? I wasn’t at fault. I was at work when I received the phone call from my landlord telling me that my unit was flooded real bad. Please help me with this matter. Thanks in advance A. First, for either the landlord or the upstairs tenant to be liable you must show they were negligent and that is the reason for the flood. If it was just an accident, no one is liable. That is why it is so important everyone have renter’s insurance. For example, if the tenant did not turn off the water or the landlord didn’t properly repair a broken pipe and that is why the water leaked, that person would be responsible. If the tenant believes it was the landlord’s fault or the landlord thinks it was the tenant’s fault, find out why and then demand that person fix the damage to your property. As I said, if it was just an accident, neither the upstairs tenant nor the landlord would be liable.

Regardless of fault, however, the landlord probably has an obligation to repair damage to the apartment itself, such as your ceilings carpet and walls. He owns the property and must repair or replace it. As far as your personal property, small claims court (now called justice court) may be the best place to get this resolved if you believe either the landlord or tenant caused the flood and won’t accept responsibility. If you are unsure who was at fault, you can file suit and both of them and let them argue it out in court.

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Evening learning programs to continue in January at School of the Woods-Montessori

A

fter presenting two Evening Learning Programs in November for Woods High School and Woods Middle School, the school will put the spotlight on its elementary grade classes in January.

January 12 will focus on the Upper Elementary grades, 4, 5 and 6. January 19 will feature Lower Elementary grades 1, 2 and 3, and January 26, with Early Childhood (age 2-1/2 through Kinder-

garten).

They are structured as full evening events, all programs beginning at 7 PM. Parents, students, prospective students and anyone interested in Montessori education are invited to attend.

A unique feature of Montessori education is that students in each of the levels remain in the same classroom for three years. This practice provides a vital sense of continuity, each child maturing appropriately

but without the necessity of becoming a new student in a new class each year.

School of the Woods is an independent, nonprofit and nonsectarian school, Houston’s oldest continuously operating Montessori school, pre-K through grade 12, and is fully accredited. It is located at 1321 Wirt Road in Spring Branch.

For more information, call School of the Woods, 713.686.8811.

Sri Meenakshi Temple elects new Board members

S

ri Meenakshi Temple, one of the oldest temples in North America has a democratically elected governing structure. The temple is governed by the Board. Elections are held every two years for 9 positions in the Board.

council certified the following members as the elected members for the New Board starting on January 1st, 2016.

This year the elections were concluded on December 6th and Dr. Ram Reddy, the Election officer, appointed by the MTS advisory

Executive Directors: Vice chairman: Dr. Padmini Nathan Joint Secretary: Mr. Ramachandra M. Reddy Joint Treasurer: Mrs. Kamala

Q. I have two credit card debts from 2003. A debt collector is now calling me saying he is a lawyer and if I don’t repay him I will be sued. What can they do to me in the state of Texas? I want to work something out, but all they seem to want to do is sue.

Each member will serve on the board for a period of 4 years.

The members elected and their positions are as follows:

Raghavan Board Members: Mrs. Sheila Sriram Mr. Kumar Bashyam Mrs. Vijayarani Chilukuri Mrs. Nachal Sethuraman Adjunct Executive Directors: Mrs. Chandrakala Gupta Mr. Somarajan Nair Sri. Meenakshi Temple congratulates and welcomes all the newly elected members to the board.

A. In Texas, there is generally not very much a creditor can do to force you to pay, even if you are sued. Most of your property is considered “exempt,” and cannot be taken to pay your debts. For example, your home, your wages, retirement accounts and most personal property is considered “exempt” from claims of your creditors.

More importantly, however, a lawsuit for a credit card debt must be filed within four years of default or it will be barred by what is called the “Statute of Limitations.”

Threats to sue after the statutory time period also violate the federal debt collection law. I suggest you let the collector know that you believe the Statute of Limitations has run, and that you are familiar with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. My guess is he will then work with you. If you demand he stop all communication and collection efforts, the law also allows him to contact you only one more time.

Q. My father gave most of his money to charity right before he died. His will left everything to me. Do I have any right to the property he gave away?

A. You probably do not have any right to the property. A person has the right to dispose of property in whatever way he or she feels is reasonable. A will deals only with what is left in the person’s estate after they die. Assuming that your father was mentally competent when he made the gifts, I see no basis for you to challenge them.

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VOICE OF ASIA 5

TCCL hosts Annual Banquet

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

JVB Preksha Meditation Center participates in a community wide Diwali Food Drive initiated by HGH

by Seema Jain

B

Triggers Colts Cricket League members with Harris County Judge Ed Emmett

T

riggers Cricket Colts League (TCCL) hosted the 2015 Annual Banquet at KISD center on 12-DEC to conclude the second successful year. The Banquet was well attended by over two hundred members. The event had the warmth of a family gathering and the event master Malay Vyas provided the professional touch to the compering of the event.

Ms. Anita Vyas (NACH Houston) opened the event with an electrifying performance of interactive Bollywood dance with enthusiastic participants. Later, TCCL kids entertained the gathering with multiple talent shows such as reciting Piano, Violin, Tabla and Hindustani vocal.

TCCL Director Surya Saladi presented the league status report with future roadmap with a pledge to make 2016 a bigger and better platform for the youth players.

TCCL Clubs leaders Sudheer Kanatha & Dhaval Patel (KYC), Bhaskar Saripella & Krishna Sikharam (ECC), Bhavesh Patel & Vamshi Kathyam (SLYC) and Visu Manohar (NWCC) reported progress made by their respective clubs and laid out plans for 2016.

Honorable Harris County Judge Ed Emmett graced the event with his kind presence along with other sponsors and presented achievement awards.

Judge Emmett spoke with passion on his interest in improving

the game of cricket. He wanted TCCL to take cricket further into community working with school districts. He compared cricket with soccer from 25 years back to suggest cricket can become a true American game if it is promoted at the grassroots level.

He further pledged to donate for TCCL cause in 2016.

All the youth players present at the event presented a signed bat to judge Emmett along with an appreciation plaque to thank his support.

Special Guests Sakhi Mohamed (Smart Choice Auto Group), Jesal Patel (Financial Consultant) and Mangesh Gatto (KP IT) spoke on the occasion expressing their support to the youth cricket program.

Nanda Kumar, President of TCC concluded the event with his vote of thanks to the attendees and requested support to spread the word about cricket at local schools.

All the guests were treated to a sumptuous and delicious dinner.

TCCL conveys special thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who assisted in planning & executing various tasks resulting in a banquet with great success.

TCCL is looking forward to having this banquet again next year and hoping that it will be even bigger and better.

TCCL wishes everyone wonderful holidays and happy New Year!!!

eautiful things happen when communities come together to take hunger off of the Houston area map. Under the auspicious guidance of Samani Parimal Pragyaji and Samani Maryada Pragyaji, JVB Preksha Meditation Center participated in the 30-day Diwali Food Drive from Nov.6th - Dec.6th. This was a great example of community working together to shine a light on the issue of hunger and what is being done to solve it. It also highlighted a sense of sharing our blessings and a little of our abundance with the less fortunate ones. The donations from the communitywide Food Drive of Hindus of greater Houston made this the largest Diwali food drive the South Asian Indian Community has ever had.

Sometimes People who need food are not those who we traditionally think of as the poor.

Today, most people in need of assistance are formerly working, middle class families who lost their jobs or are underemployed. This Diwali food drive was a huge effort on the part of fellow organizations such as Arya Samaj, Sewa International, VPSS Haveli, Guruvauyurappan Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Meenakshi Temple and many other Greater Houston Area South Asian Indian Organizations to work in unison to make a real difference in their lives. Several Indian Grocery Stores also participated in the drive this year too.

These efforts certainly wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of JVB’s Gyanshala families & kindhearted Patrons. I am especially very proud of our three young Gyanshala students, Adi Bora, Tanvi Jain & Siddhi Jain, who went door to door with a handmade poster to raise the awareness of sharing

Children also put in their effort for the drive hopes in the form of a meal and successfully raised a significant amount of Vegetarian food Items and cash donation from this drive.

Thanks to a very successful food drive and many helping hands, the food boxes are ready to be delivered to the doorsteps of the Food Bank where the final amount of food and cash donations will be tabulated. On behalf of JVB Preksha Center, I would like to convey my special thanks to Anshuman Desai, President of HGH for his generous and thoughtful efforts to bring the South Asian Indian communities together for a great cause.

We are proud of our Preksha Meditation Center, it’s beautiful surroundings, a unique pyramid shape meditation hall, and a very peaceful ambiance. It is located at 14102 Schiller Rd, Houston, TX 77082. On the first and third Sunday of each

month there are pravachans by Samani Ji. The theme of the pravachans this year has been: Guide yourself in choosing the path- Detailed meaning of 18 Paap. Apart from the regular activities mentioned above Samani Ji’s also offer individual or one on one counseling confidentially to those who are in need of such help.

Apart from the offsite camps, or fund raising events like plays etc., most of our programs are offered free of charge. To cover

the costs of running the center on a day to day basis, we accept donations. As a charitable 501c corporation, the donations are tax deductible. Please take advantage of this beautiful facility by joining us in the programs we offer. Our center is open to all irrespective of their religious beliefs. Upcoming events include Special New Year Jaap & Jainism Quiz from 10AM12PM on January 3rd,2016.

For more information visit www.JVBHouston.org

Read these stories and more on community visit www.voiceofasiaonline.com

SANKARA EYE HOSPITAL, Hyderabad Help bring vision to needy in Hyderabad, Telangana Double your Donation An anonymous donor is challenging all our donors with a matching donation of $1 Million towards hospital construction Please donate before December 31, 2015 to avail of this generous offer

www.giftofvision.org/donate 1-866-SANKARA

Become a founding donor with $1000 donation

VOICE OF ASIA 6

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Houston Indian Fellowship Presents

Hamara Desi Christmas 2015 December 19th @ 6:00 PM VENUE: OLD STAFFORD CIVIC CENTER 1415 Constitution Ave., Stafford, TX 77477

k r a M r you ar! d n e Cal

Chief Guest: Honorable Steve Stockman US Congressman RSVP at:

www.HamaraDesiChristmas.org

e n! e r F sio r! s ne i m n Ad e Di ow!! n Fre VP RS

Contact: 832-275-8810 | 832-419-0967

Great family entertainment for all!

SPONSORS Houston Indian Fellowship • Red Oak Hospital • Annam Indian Restaurant • Confidant Realty Advisors

Hamara Desi Christmas Painting Competion!

Theme: December to Remember

Bring your Painting to the event on December 19th before 6 PM for a chance to win a prize.

Winners will be announced during the program on December 19th.

To register, and for details, please visit: http://www.hamaradesichristmas.com/cms/painting/ 1st Prize: TABLET | 2nd Prize: Gift Card Visit us online for a complete list of rules

VOICE OF ASIA 7

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

IITAGH Partners with HCC FIS receives 2015 MLK to Host another CodeFest Grand Marshal’s Award

H

igh School Students.

Houston Community College Students.

Small Business Owners They all came to the /C@deFest// 1.2 event hosted jointly by IIT Alumni of Greater Houston (IITAGH) and the Houston Community College (HCC).

“In partnering with the Houston Community College, we are taking this event to the next level,” said Anand Chauhan, an IIT Madras graduate who taught the workshop.

“This event was jointly hosted

by HCC’s Center of Excellence for Digitaland Information Technologies, Excellence for Engineering, and Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives, along with IIT Alumni of Greater Houston. With close to 100 participants at the event, we hit our goal and look forward to our continued partnership with IITAGH to host this event again in the coming months,” commented Ravi Brahmbhatt, Director of Student Innovation & Ravi Brahmbhatt and Anand Chauhan Entrepreneurship at the HCC. The participants got the opportunity to create their own websites and publish it live on the web. They learned the basics of HTML coding syntax and JavaScript. One of the participants commented, “It was neat to be able to create our own websites and see our changes on the internet. I enjoyed the day.”

“We are proud to have IITAGH involved not only with middle and high schools, but also with the Houston Community College with our /C@deFest// events,” said Prat- Students with IITAGH members at the CodeFest. ish Kanani, President of the IIT April 2, 2016. Anyone interest- this event.

Alumni of Greater Houston. ed in attending can contact ravi.

IITAGH is a 501(c)3 nonThe next /C@deFest// event brahmbhatt@hccs.edu for more profit organization. We help will be held at the HCC Alief details. We will be working with our members connect, develop, - Hayes Campus on Saturday HCC Trustee Neeta Sane to host

Standing (L-R) : Krishna Vavilala, Chairman; Dr. Narayana Ponada, Sita Mutyala,Event Chair, Raghavender Nednur, Charles Stamps, Chairman and CEO of MLK Events-Midtown, Dr. Sarita Mehta, Alpa Patel, Community Outreach Coordinator for Houston City Council woman Brenda Stardig and Sashidhar Nair. Sitting: Sanjay Ghakar.

T

he MLK Grand Marshall Award citation letter read: “this is to inform you the Foundation for

and give back to the local community. Visit www.iitagh.org.

For more information on the IITAGH /C@deFest// please visit http://code-fest.org.

India Studies (FIS) Has been selected to receive our organization’s highest award.

The MLK Grand Marshal’s Award is presented to those organizations and individuals that have demonstrated the doctrines and principles of Gandhi and king through their daily activities and life styles, and for embracing cultural diversity as a means of social change.

Accordingly, The Foundation for India Studies being one of several organizations that were considered, was selected to receive the 2015 MLK Grand Marshal’s Award for its outstanding and consistent participation in the MLK Grande Parade Houston” The Award was sponsored by Mr. Ben Hall, the Grand Marshal of the event who was also a contestant in the recently held Mayoral elections. While presenting the Award, Mr. Charles Stamps, President and CEO of MLK Events-Midtown Houston,in his address to FIS Board members on December 5th.at Hamni Bank, stated that he was amazed to see Mahatma Gandhi’s early work and influence in South Africa during his

recent visit to that country. He said the MLK Grande Parade contributes about $36 million to Houston’s economy.

By participating in the Annual MLK Parades, Foundation for India Studies (FIS) seeks to connect the Indian community with main street America at the grass roots level since Martin Luther King Jr. had followed principles of Non-Violence championed by India’s icon, Mahatma Gandhi.

“IT TAKES A VILLAGE” is the theme of 2016 MLK Grande Parade which will take place downtown on 18th January 2016, which is a declared public holiday to observe Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

The parade will originate at San Jacinto street and Elgin Street and starts at 10.00AM. More details are available on website: http://www.mlkgrandeparade.org/.

All are welcome to join in the parade. Please contact the Event Chair, Raghavender Nednur email: raghu4asie@gmail.com.

The first 50 participants reaching the venue will receive FREE T-shirts sponsored by METLIFE Insurance Co.

SANKARA EYE HOSPITAL, Indore Help bring vision to needy in Indore, Madhya Pradesh Double your Donation An anonymous donor is challenging all our donors with a matching donation of $1 Million towards hospital construction Please donate before December 31, 2015 to avail of this generous offer

Become a founding donor with $1000 donation

www.giftofvision.org/donate

1-866-SANKARA

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

Like Father Like Son: Imran Mehdi Hasan’s golden voice mesmerizes Houstonians

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Masterji lends cultural entertainment to Senior Citizens

Indravadan Trivedi (Masterji) with members of the Indian Senior Citizens Assco. (ISCA) on Dec. 12 2015 at Bayland Comm. Ctr. Renowned ghazal singer Imran Mehdi Hasan (left) being honored at a recent event in Houston.

by Ahsan Qureshi UGAR LAND, Dec 14 2015: In an enthralling performance marked by superb command over various ragas compsosed by his dad, young vocalist and ghazalist Imran Mehdi Hasan rendered Ghazals and Nazms with remarkable aplomb at a concert organized by Desiwindows.com on Saturday night at the Village Banquet Hall, Sugarland. A scion of the redoubtable Jaipur Rajhasthan Gharana Imran Mehdi Hasan learnt music first from his father Ustad Mehdi Hasan Khan Saheb and later also learnt tabla from Ustad tari Khan.

Born in Karachi, Imran Mehdi Hasan now lives in Chicago, IL USA, and has taken part in numerous concerts music festivals in Pakistan and abroad accompanying his father as a tabla player then as an exponent of ghazal.

Imran prefaced his performance with a rendition of the evergreen composition sung by his father ‘Ranjish Hi sahi’ in Raag Aiman. (Every inch a purist, he called it Raag Yaman). Aiman is the first raag of the Kalyan thaath and, being a Sampooran raag, contains all seven notes in its aarohi and

S

avrohi. The vadi sur of this raag is tivar Ga and the sumvadi sur is tivar Ni. While many connoisseurs among the audience had listened to his father render the same raag with great élan –incidentally, the same asthai “Ranjish hi sahi” — they were equally impressed with Imran Hasan’s scintillating performance and the effortless dexterity with which he employed “meendh” and “soot”. They also gave him full marks for his “taiyaari”.

Imran Hasan was accompanied by his 16 yr old son Muhammad Hasan on tabla and some of the finest musicians of this age: Ustad Ishrat Alladitta on the acoustic guitar,Atif Syed on Keyboards and Romeo Chidanand Singh on Dholak.

While the young tabla prodigy Muhammad Hasan played his percussion instrument with his usual skill and in a stolid manner –- as a rule, he smiles feebly only when the instrumentalist loses his “taal” His Solo was mesmerizing and hard to believe that a feeble looking young 16 yr old boy who looks 12 can perform various taals and druts and lehras with suxh virtuosity. Imran

changed the mood with qateel shifaee’s famous nazm “zindagi mein to sabhi pyar kiya karte hain” This is composed in Raag Bhimplasi whixh is again an evening raag.Imran showed a lot of maturity in this rendition and justified the komal notes with equal ease. Chote Ustad Muhammad Hasan also changed gears as being required and demanded by the compositions.

Imran Hasan rendered various “bandishain” from popular flims, which also belongs to various ragas. His “koshish” to maintain the mood of the raag and justify its usage by his illustrious father was exemplary. He never sang any thumri though which was being anticipated by the audiences.

The second part of the performance saw Imran Hasan render the ever famous “Mohabat Karne wale Kam na hongey” in Khamaj, the hallmark of his family’s style of music. He ended the performance with the Mili Naghma which his father sang. His style bore a striking similarity to his father Ustad Mehdi Hasan, who immortalized this form of gayaki “ GHAZAL”.

This program was sponsored

by Texans Energy.

St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church construction progressing at Pearland

St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church under the diocese of Chicago is building their own church building at 1610 O’day Road, Pearland. The construction is progressing and scheduled to be finished by the first week of March 2016.

Recently Chicago Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath visited the construction site and discussed about the progress of construction with the construction company, mission director Very Rev. Fr. Kurian Neduvelichalumkal and other committee members.

This Christmas, for all your shopping needs... Look Nowhere Else!

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

MTS Ayyappa Mandala Puja Gita Jayanti Celebration at Astabhishekam and Annadhanam ISKCON of Houston ‘Tatvamasi’ – ‘Thou Art That’ What you are seeking is none other than yourself – God lies within you.

by Dr. Venugopal Menon hat is the cardinal symbolic significance of Sri Sabarimala Sastha, ‘Ayyappa Swami’ as He is endearingly revered by the millions of His devotees. They address each other as ‘Ayyappa’, with equality, intimacy and reverence, seeing the divinity in each other. That represents the same axiom of Advaita philosophy of Sanathan Dharma proclaiming the non- duality between the Creator and the created, the Ultimate and the commoner; that it is all just ONE – the God Principle.

On Saturday, December 12th , devotees of Sri Sabarimala Ayyappa performed and celebrated ‘Akhanda-Nama-Japam’ (uninterrupted chanting), ‘Ashtabhishekam’(offering eight of His favored items) and ‘Annadanam’ (feeding the devotees) at Sri Meenakshi Temple.

The annual observation of Sri Ayyappa Mandala Pooja commences on the first day of Karthikai, when the sun transits into scorpio, called Vrischika Sankramanam, lasting for one Mandalam, forty one days. As Sri Ayyappa is believed to be Hariharaputra, a molecular re-

T

Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 PM & 21, 2015 at 4 PM

Gītā Jayantī - Advent of Śrīmad Bhagavad-Gītā gita sugita kartavya kim anyaih sastra-vistaraih ya svayam padmanabhasya mukha-padmad vinihsrta “One need only attentively and regularly read and listen to Bhagavad-Gītā, because it is the essence of all Vedic literatures. Since Bhagavad-Gītā was spoken by Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no need to read any other Vedic literature.” - Gītā Māhātmyam (Padma Purāṇa) the Founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and celebrated author of “Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is”, Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the US, where he started a worldwide movement to disseminate this universal and non-sectarian knowledge.

Scene from the battlefield of Kurukshetra where Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gītā

Mrs Venkatesan, Mr Ganesh Rajamani, Dr SG Appan, MTS Vice Chair S Narayanan, Gurusami Venkatesan and Dr Venugopal Menon addressing the audience under the banner of Sri Ayyappan Swamy

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bout 5,000 years ago, in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna spoke the BhagavadGītā, to his dear friend and disciple Arjuna. BhagavadGītā, whose literal translation is ‘Song of God’, comprises of 18 chapters and 700 verses in ancient Sanskrit language.

Bhagavad-Gītā discusses the system of yoga (connection with the Supreme Lord) which is the essence of mokṣa (spiritual emancipation).

Bhagavad-Gītā sheds light on the three main yoga systems:

karma-yoga (yoga of selfless action), jnana-yoga (yoga of spiritual knowledge) and bhakti-yoga (yoga of devotional service). In the course of giving Arjuna all manner of spiritual and material advice, Krishna explains the Self, the Supreme Self, difference between our self and our material body, karma, purpose of yoga, how our environment affects our consciousness and how to attain the perfection of life.

This year marks the 50th anniversary celebrations of

ISKCON of Houston located @ 1320 W. 34th Street, Houston TX 77018 (www.iskconhouston.org) is celebrating the advent of Bhagavad-Gītā with a two day festival later this week. Festivities starting @ 2.00 PM on Sunday, December 20th, include congregational chanting of BhagavadGītā verses and translations in Sanskrit and English, chapter summaries & classes by senior devotees, culminating in yajña (fire sacrifice) and prasadam dinner. Day 2 activities starting @ 4.00 PM on Monday, 21st December will include chanting of Bhagavad-Gītā verses followed by lecture by HH Giriraj Swami, a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada, ending with prasadam dinner.

Please join us in this joyous festival, which is free of charge and open to all, to reconnect with the Lord and His Message!

K. V. Doraiswamy Bhattar 281-489-0464 or 281-948-8368

kvdoraiswamybhattar@yahoo.com | kvdoraiswamy60@gmail.com

More than 30 years of experience as Priest in major temples including Sri Meenakshi Temple Pearland, TX. Can speak 5 languages (Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and English) Rituals Performed: Sreemantham, Punyahavachanam, Namakaranam, Annaprashanam, Vidyarambham, Choulam, Upanayanam, Wedding, Sathya narayana puja, and all kind of Homas (Havans) and more. I can drive to your place.

A section of devotees during the grand feast.

Devotees partook in the grand feast at the Youth center at MTS as part of Annadhanam after the Ayyappa Mandala Puja. union of Hari and Hara, Vishnu and Siva, Vishnu symbolizing the four directions and the four Vedas and Siva, the One Ultimate Reality.

Under the guidance of the Guru Swami, for 41 days, the devotees assiduously observe ‘Vrutam’, austerities (Anushtanam), adhering to Trikarana Suddhi, purity in thoughts, words and deeds. Mandala Vrutam is designed to cleanse and enhance the physical, mental and spiritual realms of the aspirant. The observance is in preparation to the pilgrimage to Sabarimala, the sacred abode of Sri Ayyappa in the hills of Kerala, India. The pilgrims ‘Ayyappas’, as they are reverently addressed as god himself, carry the Irumudi, the sacred offerings to the God on their heads as they climb the hills adopting a monastic dress code without footwear. Before getting to the premises of the Sanctum they ascend the eighteen steps, the Pathinettampadi, the austere attainment of overcoming the five senses, the eight emotions, the three natures as well as knowledge and ignorance. That is how the Ayyappa Bhaktha qualifies to get a vision of Him at his Sanctum Sanctorum.

The chanting of the Ayyappa Sloka started early in the morning at the Ayyappa Sannidhi of Sri Meenakshi Temple and was maintained by a steady stream of a few hundred devotees. As Guruswami Sri. Venkatesan guided the proceedings, Priest Sri Paramesawaran conducted the Poojas with elaborate adherence to the stringent requirements stipulated at Ayyappa sanctums. Lord Ayyappa is believed to be an ‘Abhisheka Priyan’, one who favors the pouring of libations over his image, and Ashtabhishekam is using eight of his preferred ingredi-

ents as the devotees’ offerings.

These are Vibhuthi (sacred ash,

Bhasmam), Milk, Honey, Panchamrutham (five nectars), ten-

der coconut water, sandalwood paste or chandanam, rosewater

and water. It was followed by the final aarthi and archana, as the throng of devotees prostrated in front of the sanctum after being offered the exposure to the sacred flames, sanctified water (theertham), kalabham and flowers.

There was ongoing bhajans – singing with delight of devotional hymns and verses in praise of Sri Ayyappa by passionately ardent devotees, followed by the traditional Chendamelam – big Kerala drums ‘favored’ by the Harihara Putra.

Annadanam, the offering of food followed. A sumptuous feast was prepared and lovingly served by a huge group of volunteers, sponsored by many donors. Many were involved

in cutting the vegetables on the previous day, followed by culinary experts guiding the cooking at the temple kitchen. A sincere attempt to create ‘Kerala dishes’ to please Ayyappas was made as it was the belief that He preferred such. It was delicious.

-Thus the 33rd anniversary of Sri Meenakshi Temple Ayyappa Mandala Pooja gloriously celebrated its Akhanda Nama Japam and Annadanam tradition as an overwhelmingly collective effort of several devotee volunteers and temple staff. The Ayyappa Mandala Pooja concludes on Sunday, December 27 with Kalabhaabhishekam, Abharana procession, Pushpabhishekam and Deeparadhana.

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Lifestyle VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 11

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Vol. 28 No. 51

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Tel: 713-774-5140

Spiders, snails on the menu as northeast India embraces slow food

by Etienne FONTAINE

M

AWPHLANG, India Welhite Naro proudly proffers his fried spiders and grilled crickets along with a somewhat less exotic dish of millet and squash -- a small sample of the disappearing delicacies of India’s remote northeast.

Naro is a farmer from Nagaland, one of the eight states that make up northeast India -- an area connected to the

rest of India, the northeast has maintained a food culture all of its own.

but villagers were increasingly opting instead to buy state-subsidised rice.

Beef is widely consumed, despite laws against slaughtering cattle in other parts of Hindu-majority India, where a campaign for a nationwide ban is gathering steam.

“Only two families were growing millet in 2010 because at that time we could get rice through the public distribution system,” said local farmer Pius Ranee, 27

Pork -- the staple meat of neighbouring China but relatively scarce in most of India -- features prominently on the dinner tables of the northeast.

Now they grow between 20 and 30 different crop varieties simultaneously in each field, with the village council deciding which crops will be planted.

Geographically isolated from the rest of India, the northeast has maintained a food culture all of its own (AFP Photo/ Biju Boro). rest of the country by only a narrow sliver of land and with its own distinct cultural and culinary traditions.

“This is a snail collected from the paddy (rice) field,” he told visitors at a recent international food fair as he encouraged them to taste his produce.

“You have to eat it like this,” he said, as he demonstrated sucking the snail from its shell.

Naro was one of around 40 exhibitors gathered in the northeastern state of Meghalaya for the Mei-Ramew festival, supported by the global Slow Food movement that is based in Italy and promotes local traditional cuisine.

Geographically isolated from the

The region is also home to a wealth of plant varieties that experts say are dying out as diets become more standardised -- a global trend that the Slow Food movement wants to combat.

- Village on front line -Nongtraw, a village in Meghalaya with stunning mountain views and only around 200 inhabitants, is on the front line of the battle to preserve regional food varieties.

The campaign began five years ago when the villagers, who belong to the matrilineal Khasi tribe, became concerned that the cultivation of the nutritious local staple millet was dying out.

Millet had been used to make a variety of snacks as well as the local beer,

It has even banned villagers from growing the straw used to make brooms -- a lucrative crop -- to try to avoid a food monoculture.

According to the Slow Food movement, just three cereals -- wheat, rice and corn -- now account for around 60 percent of global consumption.

Three types of apple account for 90 percent of those eaten around the world, even though there are thousands of less well-known varieties.

Even in an area where chain restaurants are few and far between -- McDonald’s has around 300 outlets in India, none of which are in the northeast -- there are concerns that diets are becoming too standardised.

An Indian Naga shows a dish made of snails at The Indigenous Mei-Ramew Food Festival in Mawphlang in India’s northeastern state of Meghalaya. (AFP Photo/Biju Boro).

Indian dietetics expert Gracedalyne Rose Shylla Passah said recipes for many local foods such as the small snacks made of rice that are popular among the Khasis have never been written down.

“The knowledge of how these snacks are made is passed only verbally, only from mother to child.

There is no documentation on this,” said Passah, of Avinashillingam University in the southern city of Coimbatore.

For producers, the Mei-Ramew festival provided an opportunity to introduce new consumers to the foods of the area -- from rare varieties of fermented bamboo shoot to Jaha, a local

rice variety known for its sweetness -both listed as endangered by the Slow Food movement.

As people from the Khasi, Garo and Naga ethnic groups indigenous to the area showed off their food traditions, the aroma of grilled pork and spiced beef rose into the air.

“Even in the most remote villages, the younger generation is facing a choice between standardised food and this culinary heritage,” said Rahul Antao, coordinator of the North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (Nesfas).

“These communities are the guardians of this biodiversity.” AFP .

Colombian eco-designer finds beauty in trash of cannibalized computers.

“It’s my shopping mall,” she said, beaming as she brandished defunct hard disks she planned to turn into pop-art coasters or clocks.

Restrepo, who is now 33, is known as the “All-Terrain

Colombian designer Adriana Restrepo is known as the “All-Terrain Blonde” among the impoverished trash-pickers of Medellin, who sort through the city’s garbage looking for whatever can be reused or recycled. AFP photo. Pictures and video by Raul Arboleda

by Florence PANOUSSIAN

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linings.

driana Restrepo has a lot of experience searching for silver

The Colombian fashion designer and environmentalist

was a pregnant 18-year-old when drug traffickers in Medellin, her violence-stained hometown, killed her partner, leaving her to raise their son on her own.

Maybe that has something to do with her talent for finding

beauty in other people’s trash, which she avidly collects to turn into hip, colorful home decor and accessories.

Restrepo lights up as she criss-crosses Medellin, Colombia’s second city, visiting used tire depots and warehouses full

Blonde” among the impoverished trash-pickers of Medellin, who sort through the city’s garbage looking for whatever can be reused or recycled.

She is their regular customer in the subway stations where they spread their meager wares

on the floor, hoping to sell an old CD, broken toy or empty box.

“I’ve always been very aware of nature. With my brand, I try to send a message of caring for the environment by giving Continued on Page 12

LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Indian painting sells for record $4.4 mn at Christie’s auction

Colombian ecodesigner ...

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n oil painting by abstract artist Vasudeo S.Gaitonde sold for 293 million rupees ($4.4 million) at a Christie’s auction in Mumbai on Tuesday, setting a new world record for Indian artwork.

Gaitonde’s untitled painting from 1995 broke the previous record of $4.01 million paid for a Francis Newton Souza work at a sale in New York earlier this year, the London-based auction house said.

The Gaitonde canvas was purchased by an anonymous “international collector”, Christie’s said following the auction at the luxury Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in the western Indian city.

“It achieved a world record for any Indian work of art sold at auction,” Christie’s international head of world art William Robinson said of the piece

by Gaitonde, who is considered one of India’s greatest abstract painters of all time.

Gaitonde, who died in 2001, had previously set the record for the most expensive Indian artwork when his untitled piece

Colombian designer Adriana Restrepo (L) with her recycled.

Continued from page 11 © AFP PHOTO/MANAN VATSYAYANA/FILES. In this photograph taken on December 6, 2013, Vasudeo S. Gaitonde’s “Untitled” (C), Rabindranath Tagore’s “Untitled” (L) and Amrita Shergil’s “Untitled-Hungarian Village Church” paintings are pictured during a media preview ahead of Christie’s first auction in India, in New Delhi. Tuesday December 15, 2015’s auction was Christie’s third sale in India. from 1979 sold for 237 million rupees at Christie’s first sale in India in 2013.

It held the record for two years before the sale of Goan artist Souza’s artwork in September.

Tuesday’s auction was Christie’s third sale in India as the auction house looks to tap into the Asian giant’s increasingly affluent middle class.

Robinson said the total value of the sale, which included 100

lots, was 980 million rupees.

“It is the highest total that Christie’s has ever achieved in India and that beats our previous record for the highest sale ever in India,” he told reporters.

Beatles’ Indian retreat opened to public

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EHRADUN, India | AFP - An abandoned spiritual retreat in northern India where The Beatles famously learned to meditate has been opened to the public, with plans to turn it into a touristy yoga centre.

- Designs from the dump -In the living room of the small apartment she shares with her 15-year-old son, David, Restrepo shows off her workbench -- a reconverted kitchen table -- and her shelves stacked with rescued treasures.

This is where she transforms wine corks into USB flash drives, old inner tubes into trendy bags, discarded plastic toys into flower pots.

She proudly shows off her two sewing machines, one of which she received from the Victims’ Unit, a government body tasked with helping Colombians affected by an armed conflict that has simmered for more than half a century.

Over the years, the conflict has drawn in the army, leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and drug traffickers. It has killed more than 220,000 people and uprooted six million.

The ashram, located in the town of Rishikesh on the banks of the holy Ganges River, became derelict after its flamboyant guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi abandoned the place in the 1970s.

The violence has been fueled by the drug trade in Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producer. Medellin, home to the now-defunct cartel led by late kingpin Pablo Escobar, has been hit especially hard.

But authorities in the state of Uttarakhand began cleaning up the place several months ago for Tuesday’s opening, exactly 35 years after John Lennon was assassinated in New York.

The Beatles spent some time at the 18-acre ashram in 1968. Getty images.

“We want to conserve the place and retain its original charm,” D.V.S. Khati, Uttarakhand’s chief wildlife warden, told AFP on Wednesday.

Indian tourists are being charged an entry fee of 150 rupees ($2.24) and 700 rupees ($10.50) for foreigners.

“We plan to have a yoga centre here as well soon. We hope the ashram in its new avatar will give a major boost to tourism in the region.”

things a second life. But they have to be beautiful. Because who likes ugly?” she told AFP.

Located on the edge of a reserve, the ashram remained a popular pilgrimage for hardcore Beatles fans despite becoming derelict and being taken over by the wildlife de-

partment in 2003.

Fans could sneak in by climbing over the perimeter walls, with a meditation hall decorated with colourful graffiti the main attraction.

The Beatles stayed at the ashram, spread over nearly 18 acres (7.2 hectares) and located in the Himalayan foothills,

in 1968 to learn transcendental meditation from the guru Maharishi.

But the Fab Four and the guru fell out during their visit, for various reasons. Ringo Starr reportedly objected to the vegetarian diet, while John

“The Trianas, a gang linked to the narcos and the guerrillas, killed my boyfriend, David Alexander,” Restrepo said.

three months pregnant.”

She has had just one goal ever since, she said: to get through the ordeal.

Her mother took care of her infant son while she finished her studies -- all while working from home.

Today, Restrepo markets her creations all over the world through her Facebook page, Adriana Restrepo Eco Diseno.

She also teaches young people looking to break into the fashion industry.

- Transform that trash -One of her students is 23-year-old Catalina Casas, who was uprooted by the Colombian conflict when paramilitaries killed her uncle.

Like Restrepo’s younger self, she is a single mother desperate to make it in design.

“I love sewing! I would never have imagined you could make a bag out of a tire,” she said.

On a recent day, Restrepo visited the sprawling slum of Comuna 13, a shantytown perched precariously in the hills on the outskirts of Medellin, to give a Christmas workshop.

Armed with just paintbrushes, glue and Santa Claus napkins, she taught a dozen residents to turn a scratched CD into a festive wine coaster.

It all fits into her larger mission, she said.

“I never found out why. I was

“We have to show that things can be reused, instead of thrown away,” she said.

Lennon felt that the Maharishi’s claim to celibacy was a lie.

famous “White Album” during and immediately after their stint at the ashram.

However the group wrote many of their songs for their

The guru later moved to Europe where he died in 2008.

US women as likely as men to play video games: study

© AFP/File | Pew Research Center said “data showed that a nearly identical share of men and women report ever playing video games,” at exactly half of men and 48 percent of women SAN FRANCISCO, AFP - Despite widespread belief, women are just about as likely as men to have ever played video games, a Pew Research Center survey released Tuesday revealed.

The Washington-based social

research institute reported that 60 percent of those surveyed believed video game players were more likely to be men.

But Pew said “data showed that a nearly identical share of men and women report ever playing video games,” at exactly half of men and 48 percent

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Overall, 49 percent of adults said they had ever played games on televisions, computers, consoles or mobile devices according to Pew, which surveyed 2,001 US adults.

But only 10 percent of those surveyed considered themselves “gamers,” a term applied to hardcore players, with men two times more likely than women to consider themselves as such.

A boom in “casual games” played on smartphones or tablets has broadened gaming demographics once seen as dominated by young men devoted to action titles.

Meanwhile slightly more than half of those surveyed disagreed with the notion that people who play violent video games are likely to be more violent themselves, while four out of 10 adults surveyed agreed, according to Pew. And while 26 percent of those surveyed thought most video games were “a waste of time,” another 24 percent did not find

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that to be true.

“Among the general public, attitudes toward games themselves are complex and often uncertain,” said Pew research associate Maeve Duggan.

“The public is closely split on some debates surrounding the content of games and their impact on users.”

Not surprisingly, those who played video games were more

likely than non-players to think well of the activity, the survey showed.

Pew’s survey was carried out between mid-June and mid-July of this year.

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VOICE OF ASIA 14

Section 2

Young Life

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ADHD diagnoses soar 43 percent in United States

by Kerry SHERIDAN

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FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Tel: 713-774-5140

Parental overmanagement of teens’ healthcare can be harmful Helicopter parenting at the doctor limits teens’ ability to learn to care for themselves.

IAMI | AFP | 12/8/2015 - The prevalence of ADHD soared 43 percent in the United States in the first decade of the century, with more than one in 10 youths now diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, researchers said Tuesday.

ADHD is the most commonly identified mental disorder in the United States, often treated with psychological therapy and prescription stimulants like Ritalin to improve behavior and focus.

Its precise causes are unknown, though some research has pointed to difficulties during pregnancy, exposure to toxins and family history as playing a role.

The findings in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry show that 12 percent of American children and teens had ADHD in 2011, a significant rise over the 8.4 percent reported by parents in the same survey taken in 2003.

When researchers looked specifically at teenagers, they found the diagnoses had risen 52 percent since 2003.

“This analysis suggests that 5.8 million US children ages five to 17 now have this diagnosis, which can cause inattention and behavioral difficulties,” said lead researcher Sean Cleary, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

While ADHD has traditionally been more common among

Researchers found the diagnoses had risen 52 percent since 2003. boys than girls, researchers found that parent-reported prevalence for girls diagnosed with ADHD rose 55 percent in eight years -- from 4.3 percent in 2003 to 7.3 percent in 2011.

Among boys, it rose 40 percent.

The data for the study came from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics, a part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

- ‘Sharp jumps’ -”We found rising rates of ADHD overall and very sharp jumps in certain subgroups,” Cleary said.

Hispanics in particular reported an 83 percent rise in ADHD diagnosis during the eight-year study period.

The rate of ADHD rose 107 percent among non-English speakers, and 71 percent among children with parents in so-called “other” parent marital situations -- such as living with a single father, legal guardian, or grandparent, the study found.

Study authors said their research was not designed to look for the underlying reasons for changes in prevalence.

However, past studies have suggested the recent rise in US prevalence of ADHD may include changes in special-education policy or increased public awareness of ADHD. Other studies have suggested that there has been no objective rise in ADHD since the 1960s, but rather changes in definition and diagnosis that account for more cases being recognized.

According to Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, the latest data is “not surprising” and “supports the general impression that more children and adolescents are being diagnosed with ADHD.”

Just 15 percent of parents reported their teenagers independently share physical and emotional health concerns with their doctors. Photo by Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

by Stephen Feller

A

NN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 14, 2015 (UPI) -- Most parents want to help and protect their children as much as possible. A new study conducted at the University of Michigan suggests that when it comes to healthcare, however, handling scheduling, forms and questions may im-

get older.

“Having teens take the lead in responsibilities like filling out their own paperwork, describing their health problems, and asking questions during adolescence helps them gain experience and confidence in managing their health,” Sarah Clark, associate director of the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital

Although 56 percent of parents said emotional and behavioral health problems were discussed with both parent and child, and 64 percent said the same for physical health issues, just 5 percent of teens asked questions independently, and only 15 percent asked to do so.

Parents in the survey said their teens were uncomfortable talk-

However, Adesman -- who was not involved in the study -said that while the statistics are convincing, “it does not help us understand why these increases are being observed.”

Teens with open and respectful parents are less likely to try drugs pede teenagers from learning to care for themselves.

More than one-third of parents were shown in the poll to ask all the questions at their teen’s visits to the doctor, limiting their ability to learn to care for themselves and potentially preventing them from asking about health issues their parents are not aware of.

Photo credit: Relaxnews.

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ccording to an American study published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence Journal, parents’ behavior can have an impact on their teens’ attraction to drugs.

The key to preventing this type of behavior in adolescence is thought to come from the quality of the relationship that parents build with their kids from early childhood until pre-adolescence.

This new study could reassure and encourage parents who are worried about their teenager getting involved with alcohol and drugs. Parental behavior is thought to be key in terms of how tempted young adults are to use these substances.

The main ingredients required are openness, communication, respect and understanding. According to the researchers, the more we take an early interest in our children, the lower the risk that they will associate with deviant peers or people

who could offer them drugs.

Thomas Schofield, the study’s lead author, and his colleagues Rand Conger and Richard Robins at the University of California, Davis, observed the interactions between Mexican origin parents and their children to measure the degree and effects of parental control. They concentrated on Mexican origin families to better understand if cultural differences were influencing parental behavior and outcomes.

Teaching teens to slowly start taking care of their own affairs makes them more selfsufficient, but a 2013 study also found it can help lower risks for anxiety and depression, as well as improve overall satisfaction with their lives as they Dr. Schofield said that another reason for this choice was the greater risk in this community of using drugs and alcohol early and misusing them over time.

The study followed up on 674 children at age 10 and 12.

The researchers observed the relationship with the mother and the father separately. They also controlled for child tem-

National Poll on Children’s Health, in a press release.

“Speaking with the doctor privately is important, not only to give teens a chance to disclose confidential information, but also to provide the opportunity for them to be an active participant in their own health care, without a parent taking over.”

Researchers surveyed 1,517 parents with teenage children.

They found 89 percent of parents attended their teens’ visits to the doctor, with two-thirds of parents filling out health history and other forms, because they either preferred to do so themselves or thought their teens would be unable. perament and cultural beliefs.

Thomas Schofield said the findings suggest that more than genetics is at play, and that the parents can make a difference by influencing the behavior of their child.

On a related subject, an additional study undertaken by Thomas Schofield and his colleague Jennifer Weaver of Boise State University, shows

ing about health issues.

The researchers suggest encouraging teenagers to make a list of health problems before going to the doctor, have teens check in and fill out their own forms, and that parents wait to speak, rather than taking over, in order to give children a chance to ask questions for themselves.

“Parents’ top reason for handling different aspects of the health care visit is that their teen would not be comfortable talking about these subjects -which may stem from the fact that they aren’t getting much practice,” Clark said. that it is important that the parents share the same beliefs on parenting, bearing in mind that one can change the views of the other. Dr. Schofield says that one parent’s ability to influence their spouse exists when they have a good relationship, and that parents should use this to their advantage when bringing up their child. ource: Relaxnews (Psychology) December 13th, 2015.

VOICE OF ASIA 15

Section 2

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Bollywood Masala

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Rekha conferred with National I haven’t signed any film for Yash Chopra Memorial Award 2016: Deepika Padukone

by Komal Panchamatia

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by Pooja Nawathe, (Daily Bhaskaran).

UMBAI, (PTI)Deepika Padukone is yet to sign a film despite a busy 2015 as the actress has not found anything exciting so far.

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UMBAI, India, Dec 16, 2015 - Veteran actress Rekha is conferred to be honoured with 3rd National Yash Chopra Memorial Award. The award is presented by the T. Subbarami Reddy in association with Shashi and Anu Ranjan 3 years back.

Jury comprised of T. Subbarami Reddy, Jaya Prada, Simi Garewal, Boney Kapoor, Shashi,and Anu Ranjan deliberately announced the name of actor receiving the award at the press conference held in Mumbai. Hema Malini was supposed to be part of jury, due to some reason she could not be present at the event. While Pamela Chopra who was to be part of jury couldnt attend the Press Conference because of ill health.

Lata Mangeshkar was the recipient of the first award in 2014 followed by superstar Amitabh Bachchan in 2015.

During the announcement T.Subbarami said, “Rekha being a versatile actress having acted in many Indian languages in addition to being a huge star in the Hindi film industry. She also straddled many genres of films from commertial cinema to off beat films and serious cinema.We all the juries had a long time discussion today.

And we came with the conclusion; we have decided to give the award this year to Rekha.”

The Jury also said that the name was selected anonymously. And they concluded with the name Rekha.

On the announcement Simi Garewal said, “I am happy to be part of this jury for this

“Expect nothing because I have signed no films for 2016,” Deepika told PTI in an interview.

When asked about not having any film despite being the top actress at the moment, she said, “I have reached a stage where I don’t have to do work to keep myself busy. I don’t want to do films just for the heck of making announcements.

Rekha, bollywood’s veteran actress. award and I haven’t said this to Mr. Subbarami Reddy, but I really commend the efforts he is taking in keeping this award alive. It’s not in term of commercial game, its being done the way I see purely as a tribute to very good friend of his and a very good film maker Yash Chopra.”

While Jaya Prada was overwhelmed after the name was announced as she has worked with Rekha in a movie and shares a special bond with her.

“Today I am really happy to be part of this jury. First award was given to Lata Ji, second was given to Mr. Amitabh Ji and third will be honored to Rekha Ji. I had got chance to work with Rekha Ji in a movie and today I got an opportunity to be part of jury to select her and to recognize the talent I feel happy.” Said Jaya Prada Asked will the award be given only to the actors related to Yash Chopra films, Boney Kapoor being a part of jury team replied to the question Saying, “All the deserving actors contributing to the film

industry will be recognized by this platform for this award.

It would be even actors and contributors outside Yash Raj films.”

Rekha will receive gold medal and Rs. 10 lakh for the prestigious title. The award ceremony will be held on 25th January 2016.

“I don’t need to do a film to keep my calender busy. I have read a lot of scripts, but I have not been excited about anything that I have read. I am okay with it.”

In 2015, Deepika did three films - “Piku” with megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, “Tamasha” with exboyfriend Ranbir Kapoor and the soon-to-be-released San-

Deepika Padukone jay Leela Bhansali’s “Bajirao Mastani”, opposite rumoured beau Ranveer Singh.

“The most challenging part is doing three films simultaneously. The films, the characters and the directors are different.

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UMBAI, (PTI) Filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj says he is a big fan of Academy Award winning composer AR Rahman and feels that the scenario of Indian music changed with his arrival.

Bhardwaj on board to sing one track each in her directorial debut “Jugni”.

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“I am a big fan of him (Rahman). He inspires so much with his music,” Bharadwaj said at a promotional event of an upcoming film “Jugni” here last evening.

“Actually, the scenario of Indian music completely changed when he came in. I remember when the music of ‘Roja’ was introduced, the whole country’s perspective towards music changed,” he said.

Bharadwaj also credited Rahman for bringing Indian music up to the international standards.

Bhardwaj’s track is a travel song composed by Clinton Cerejo.

When it comes to music, the “Haider” director feels there is lot of talent in the interiors of India.

“We have lot of talent, especially in the interiors of India.

As we see it in reality shows...

Shreya Ghoshal is an example.

When I saw the film, I found it beautiful, it is an honest film.

The music is extraordinary, the compositions are earthy,” the filmmaker-music director said.

The film has a 12-track album composed by Clinton.

“Clinton is one of the finest musicians we have today.

“He got the Oscar later, but I think his sound brought us to the international standard in 1990s,” he said.

I was surprised with his composition. Shefali has worked a lot for this film. I hope the music of the film is promoted well,” Bharadwaj said.

Debutant director Shefali Bhushan has got Rahman and

The film is slated to release on January 22, 2016.

It is not the ideal way of working as I would like to do one film at a time and dedicate the time to that film,” she said.

At the same time, the “Piku” actress says she will not leave any interesting projects.

“I am not going to let go films that I am excited about.

But if that happens, then you have to balance that out.

I am happy with the way this year has gone. I am very proud of ‘Piku’ and ‘Tamasha’ and I am topping it up with ‘Bajirao Mastani’,” she said.

In the past, Deepika also rejected some plum offers, including “Dhoom 3”, “Shuddhi” among others.

“Rejected is a harsh word.

Actors are never in a position to reject anything. Actors are offered films, if you feel connected enough you do it and if you don’t feel connected, you don’t do it. If you don’t do it, somebody else would do it. I don’t regret it (not doing films),” she said.

Deepika Padukone objects to Shah Rukh Khan’s statement on ‘Bajirao Mastani’ This December 18, Bollywood’s about to witness one of the biggest clashes ever.

Between Shah Rukh KhanKajol-Varun Dhawan-Kriti Sanon starrer Dilwale and Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh-Priyanka Chopra starrer Bajirao Mastani. While gossip columns have been abuzz about the clash that’s all set to hit the industry this week, SRK and Deepika opened up about the same.

While celebrating the music of Dilwale at a recent event, Shah Rukh said, “Both the films are different. Yes, the business will get divided. But Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale are two different films. We have tried our best in making a film and the film that’s releasing along with our film is made by our friends. So I hope both the films do really well at the box office.” SRK also reasons, “Our genre is more family and happy-go-lucky kind. Their genre is niche and historical.

For both films, audience will come in at different time and watch it.”

VOICE OF ASIA 16

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

HEALTHY LIVING VOICE OF ASIA

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Pomegranate supplements have limited effects on heart disease Juice from the fruit has been shown in previous studies to slow the growth of prostate cancer, fight bacteria and cavities, benefit diabetes patients, and as an aphrodisiac, in addition to having benefits to lower heart disease risk.

Researchers in the new study, published in the Journal of MePrevious studies have shown pomegranate juice and extracts to slow the growth of prostate cancer, have benefits for diabetes patents, and can be used as an aph- dicinal Food, recruited 33 rodisiac. Photo by Nitr/Shutterstock. hemodialysis patients, who Although an extract from the fruit lowered blood pres- are generally sure, it had no effect on other risk factors for cardioat higher risk vascular disease or to improve kidney function. for heart disease, to test the expected oxiby Stephen Feller studies to help prevent heart dative effects of the juice, as disease but a new study found ASHINGTON, well as other benefits expected Dec. 14 (UPI) extracts from the fruit have no to prevent heart disease. effect on most cardiovascular -- Pomegranates have been found in previous risk factors.

The 33 participants under

W

age 30 who were all receiving hemodialysis treatment three times a week for less than three months at the start of the study who were randomly assigned to receive 1000 mg capsule of purified pomegranate polyphenol extract or placebo every day for six months.

While researchers found there were some reductions in patients’ blood pressure and noted some atheroprotective benefits, the extract had no effect on inflammation, oxidative strength, or muscle strength -- in effect, little to no effect on either risk factors for heart disease or kidney function.

“Pomegranate supplementation had no effect on any other metrics of cardiovascular risk or physical function in our patients,” researchers wrote in the study. “Taken together, these data suggest that pomegranate extract supplementation may provide limited benefits in terms of reducing the development or progression of comorbidities in patients with chronic renal failure.”

Taking antidepressants while pregnant may double autism risk

by Kerry SHERIDAN

M

IAMI, | AFP Women who take certain common antidepressants while pregnant may face almost twice the risk of having a child with autism, a study said on Monday.

The findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics are based on Canadian records of more than 145,000 pregnancies.

Researchers found an 87 percent higher risk of autism when women took antidepressant medications later in pregnancy, a crucial time for brain development in the fetus.

“Our study has established that taking antidepressants during the second or third trimester of pregnancy almost doubles the risk that the child will be diagnosed with autism by age seven, especially if the mother takes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, often known by its acronym SSRIs,” said lead author Anick Berard, an expert on pharmaceutical safety during pregnancy at the University of Montreal.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants, and include brand names such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

As many as one in 45 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to a recent study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Scientists still do not fully understand what causes autism, though both genetics and environment are believed to play a role.

Researchers said their findings are important because as many as 10 percent of pregnant women are currently being treated with antidepressants.

While researchers found an 87 percent higher risk of autism when antidepressants were taken in mid to late pregnancy,

While an analysis of medical data showed the increased risk, the relationship between depression and autism may offer as much of an explanation as antidepressant drugs, said one researcher. Photo

by Gladskikh Tatiana/Shutterstock. they observed no association taken, to the mood disorder study’s implications. between the use of the medica- itself, to an overlap in genetic tion in the first trimester or the vulnerability or to other factors “The current findings should year before pregnancy and the associated with mood disorders not lead to a blanket change in and antidepressant medica- policy,” she said. risk of autism. tion,” said Jones, who was not - No proof of cause and effect involved in the study.

“All pregnant women, as well -The study, while large, was as those planning a pregnancy, Emily Simonoff, professor of who are taking SSRIs should also observational in nature, and researchers said more work child and adolescent psychiatry discuss the therapeutic options is needed to understand wheth- at King’s College London, said with their doctor, bearing in er antidepressants play a role in more research is needed, using mind that the present findings other datasets and methods in do not necessarily indicate a causing autism. order to better understand the causal role of the medication.”

Furthermore, the risk of autism is small, and must be balanced with the risk that a mother-to-be might harm herself if unmedicated and in a deeply depressed state.

“The baseline risk in the general population for autism spectrum disorders in children is around one percent. The studies to date have suggested that the rate in children born to women with mood disorders taking SSRIs in pregnancy may be approximately double at around two percent,” said Ian Jones, director of the National Centre for Mental Health at Cardiff University.

“It is difficult to know whether this small increase in risk is due to the medication being

7 Ways Social Security Will Change in 2016

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ocial Security beneficiaries won’t get bigger payments in 2016.

There wasn’t enough inflation in 2015 to trigger a cost-ofliving adjustment to monthly benefits. However, there are a few ways Social Securitywill change next year.

No payment increase. This is the third time there has been no Social Security payment increase since automatic costof-living adjustments began in 1975. There was also no increase in payments in 2010 and 2011. In January 2015 the cost-of-living adjustment was 1.7 percent. Social Security payments are adjusted to keep up with inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, but are not decreased when the index does not detect inflation. The average monthly benefit for retired workers is expected to be $1,341 per month in 2016, and retired couples who are both receiving benefits will receive an average of $2,212 monthly.

Stagnant tax cap. In years when there is no cost-of-living adjustment, there is also no change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, which will remain $118,500 in 2016.

Earnings above this amount are not subject to the Social Security portion of the payroll tax or used to calculate retirement payouts.

Earnings limit unchanged.

The Social Security earnings limit for people who work and claim Social Security payments at the same time will remain $15,720 in 2016 for people ages 65 and younger. Social Security beneficiaries who earn more than this amount will have $1 in benefits temporarily withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit. For people who will turn 66 in 2016, the earnings limit climbs to $41,880, and the reduction in payments for earning too much declines to $1 withheld for every $3 in excess earnings. Once a retiree turns 66 in 2016, the earnings limit no longer applies and benefit payments are recalculated to factor in withheld payments and continued earnings.

Existing beneficiaries protected from Medicare premium increase. Most retirees who are already receiving Social Security benefits will continue to pay the same Medicare Part B premium in 2016, because Medicare Part B premiums are prevented by law from increasing faster than Social Security payments for most existing beneficiaries. However, retirees

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com who first sign up for Medicare Part B in 2016 and high income Medicare beneficiaries may pay higher monthly premiums than people who previously signed up for Social Security.

Maximum possible benefit declines. The maximum possible Social Security payment for a 66-year-old worker who signs up for Social Security in 2016 will be $2,639 per month, down $24 from $2,663 in 2015. “A decrease in full maximum benefits occurs when there is no cost-of-living adjustment, but there is an increase in the national average wage index,” according to a statement from the Social Security Administration.

More online services. The Social Security Administration is continuing to add to the services offered online.

Workers can already create a My Social Security account that allows them to view their taxes paid and get a personalized estimate of their monthly payments at various claiming ages. Retirees can use this account to adjust their direct deposit, obtain a benefit verification letter, request a replacement SSA-1099 form or, most recently, obtain a replacement Medicare card.

Longer office hours. Following years of cutbacks, the Social Security Administration expanded office hours in many of its field offices beginning in March 2015. However, most offices continue to close to the public at noon on Wednesdays so that employees can work to reduce backlogs. If you prefer to conduct your Social Security business in person, you will now have an hour longer to do it on most weekdays.

Continued next week

Getting Forgetful with Age? Clinical Trial to Test Ways to Combat Mental Decline Cognitive effects of exercise, stress reduction and education to be measured in seniors

S

ome decline in memory and cognitive function is a normal part of aging, but what if it could be prevented? Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Washington University in St. Louis have launched a major clinical trial to investigate whether mental decline in seniors can be slowed or halted through exercise and other health-related interventions.

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Brain Research Foundation and a $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, the trial will explore how Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), physical exercise and health education influence cognitive processes, such as attention and memory in older adults.

Approximately 580 seniors in San Diego and St. Louis will be recruited for the trial.

“As our society ages, we want to preserve cognitive function and enhance it if possible,” said Wetherell. “We know the brain is capable of growing new connections into old age. If we demonstrate that one, two or all three of these interventions work, it will be good news for older people who want to maintain and improve their cognitive abilities.”

“This will be one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of its kind,” said Julie Wetherell, PhD, co-principal investigator and professor in UC San Diego School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. “Our overall goal is to find out how to improve memory and concentration in older people.”

Earlier research conducted

by Wetherell and Washington University researchers suggests there is room for optimism. In two smaller studies looking at the effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and health education on cognitive function in the elderly, they found improvements in the participants’ memory and thinking, with the stress reduction group showing greater gains.

The researchers note that the trial is timely given the rising numbers of elderly. Currently, 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day and in the next few decades the country’s population aged 65 and older will almost double, from 43 million in 2012 to nearly 84 million by 2050.

The current clinical trial will add exercise to the mix and will place participants into one of four groups. Three of the groups will test the interventions individually and a fourth group will test a combination of exercise

plus Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.

“We’ll be doing a huge battery of tests looking at memory and executive functions, such as planning and sequential switching between tasks,” said Wetherell. Participants will undergo baseline MRI brain scans and will be retested at intervals. The scans will assess brain size, neural activity and other standard measures of cognitive function.

“We’re also looking at certain physiological indicators, such as glucose tolerance,” said Wetherell. Impaired glucose tolerance, which plays havoc with blood sugar levels, can damage parts of the brain. In addition, diabetes is a known risk factor for vascular dementia.

Wetherell said levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, will also be tracked. “Elevated levels of cortisol have been shown to have a malign influence on the hippocampus and frontal lobes, which are areas associated with memory and executive function,” she said. (Newswise ).

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Female billionaires on the rise Allowing women to do more thanks to Asian businesswomen paid work could hugely boost India’s GDP

Z

URICH, Switzerland | The number of women among the world’s billionaires has risen faster over the past two decades than that of men, mostly thanks to Asian female entrepreneurs, a study published Tuesday showed.

There were 145 female billionaires in the world at the end of 2014, compared with 22 in 1995, according to the study, conducted jointly by UBS bank and the PwC auditing firm.

Male billionaires were still much more plentiful at 1,202, but their number was multiplied by just 5.2 over the period, against 6.6 for women.

In Asia, the number of women billionaires rose more then eight-fold, from 3 to 25.

The study said at least half of Asia’s richest women are firstgeneration corporate chiefs, who got their education in Eu-

Zhou Qunfei, chairwoman and president of Hunan-based Lens Technology, is one of Asia’s 25 billionaires. © AFP/File. rope or the United States before making their pile back home.

In contrast, most of women billionaires in Europe and the

US inherited their fortunes.

The study pointed out, however, that they were often more active in developing their businesses than heiresses of previous generations. AFP.

The Best Saving Strategies for Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials

No matter where you are in life, it’s smart to stash cash for your future.

If you’re looking to save more money in the new year — and really, who isn’t? — you’ll need a plan. The best saving strategy for you depends on what stage of life you’re in, as each phase carries its own particular financial responsibilities.

There’s no one-size-fits-all advice for saving, but here are a few generation-specific suggestions for getting the ball rolling.

Baby Boomers (51-69) If you’re a Baby Boomer, you’re part of a massive generation (making up over a quarter of the American population) born between 1946 and 1964.

While you’re in better financial shape than your younger counterparts, the reality is that you probably don’t have much in your retirement account — only 60 percent of boomers report having any retirement savings — you likely don’t have a pension, and you’ve got pressing questions about Social Security and Medicare.

As a result, you’re likely feeling a bit unsettled, particularly since it’s crunch time. You’ve really got to get serious about saving, or you may have to alter your expectations and adjust your standard of living.

So what can you do? Here are a few ideas to safeguard your future.

Go back to work. Many boomers are, and the majority are doing so for financial reasons.

Try to get by with less. Is

downsizing an option for you?

Accelerate your retirement savings.

Make sure your investments are allocated properly. Less than half of boomers are confident that theirs are.

Consider long-term care insurance.

And if you’re an empty-nester with kids who aren’t fully weaned off your wallet yet, consider prioritizing your own needs first. Sure, it’s human nature to want to take care of your children, but many boomer parents are doing so to the detriment of their own financial security. In fact, according to a study by Ameriprise Financial, 93 percent of boomer parents report providing financial support to adult children, 71 percent helped with college loans and tuition, and 53 percent helped them buy a car.

Gen Xers (36-50) Most Generation X members, born between 1965 and 1979, are busy trying to advance their careers and raise families.

Some are also caring for aging parents.

Managing cashflow, especially at this stage, is particularly challenging. After all, these are the most expensive years of your life. (Do you have any idea how much kids cost?)

Get into the habit of paying yourself first. Set aside a portion of your income the day you get paid, before you spend any discretionary money. The best strategy is to have someone else save for you, with your employer or your bank automatically taking money off the top of your paycheck for your retirement plan or other savings goals.

And avoid buying more home than you can afford. A big mortgage is a bad idea.

Millennials (19-35) Millennials, born between 1980 and 1996, actually tend to be a bit better than Gen Xers at day-to-day money management. However, they often live in the moment when it comes to financial decisions, and fail to prioritize long-term concerns — like retirement, for example.

This group is the least likely to contribute to their employer’s retirement plan.

As for managing costs, let’s start with the big one: rent.

Avoid paying it altogether, and live at home instead. After all, this is going to be your biggest expense. In many markets, rent eats up more than 30 percent of one’s monthly income.

When it comes to student debt, ridding yourself of this burden should be a top priority.

Consider an income-based loan repayment plan.

To keep your discretionary spending in check, give yourself a weekly or monthly allowance, or you’ll end up splurging more often than not.

Technology can be a big help in better managing your money.

Try a budgeting app like Mint to set goals and track spending.

And keep an eye on your credit score. If you want to buy a home someday, your score will feature prominently in the mortgage rate you’ll qualify for, and hence how much home you can afford.

What are some of the saving strategies that have worked for you?

Sonu Mehta | Hindustan Times | Getty Images She gave up her job when she Gauri Bhatia | CNBC had her first child and today omen make up al- spends most of her time lookmost half of India’s ing after her three children.

1.2 billion populaOut of the 30 girls in her batch tion, yet their economic potenat the IIM, 15 are currently not tial has been largely ignored.

Now, economists say women working. If Manju had not left could hold the key to the future the workforce, today she could growth of Asia’s third-largest have been earning 10 million rupees ($150,000) a year, giveconomy. en current salary trends at the Indian women can add $2.9 level of experience she would trillion, or 60 percent to annual have reached, estimates an inGDP, by as early as 2025, if al- dustry expert. lowed to participate in the work“Within the first five years of force on an equal basis as men, according to the 2015 McKin- working there is a huge leakage of talent. We have to bridge the sey Global Institute Report. gap there…give girls some“Women’s empowerment is thing to hold on to so that they an absolute economic no-brain- feel it is worth pursuing a career er...Empowering women boosts in spite of the pressure of mareconomic growth. For example, riage and child rearing,” Ipsita we have estimates that, if the Kathuria, founder and chief exnumber of female workers were ecutive of TalentNomics India, to increase to the same level as an organization committed to the number of men, GDP would building a pool of female leadexpand by 27 percent in India,” ers, tells CNBC. Christine Lagarde, managing diIn India 48 percent of women rector of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in Sep- drop out of the workforce betember. India’s economy grew fore they reach middle manat an annual rate of 7.4 percent agement positions, according to TalentNomics data. in the September quarter.

“Childcare facilities are the Yet female participation in the labor force is a low 24 per- biggest push to get women into cent, according to the McKin- the work force,” says Rashmi sey report, and Indian women’s Barua, assistant professor of contribution to the economy is economics at the Jawaharlal the lowest on a global scale, at Nehru University, Delhi.

17 percent.

Industry body FICCI Ladies “There is an entire popula- Organization (FLO) is lobbytion and skillset that is missing ing policymakers to allow the from the workforce. Why is it school to turn into a daycare ?” asks Ankita Vashistha, CEO facility after school hours. This of the 1 billion rupee ($15 mil- could remove one of the biglion) Saha Fund that invests gest hurdles that prevent womonly in ventures run by women en like Manju returning to the or which produce services and workforce. Employee benefits products for female consum- such as paternity and childcare leave would also help. ers.

Double dividend Huge leakage of talent

W

Gender inequality, a lack of education and childcare facilities, social pressures and rising crime in cities are all cited as reasons for women opting out of the workforce.

Limited financial inclusion, with women getting less than 10 percent of all loans granted, along with a preference for a male child and rules such as the ones that mean a woman needs to get her husband’s signature for even a car loan, have all contributed to women being left behind in the Indian economy, say experts.

Manju Taneja, a 42-year-old who asked that her real name not be used, has an MBA from the top ranking Indian Institute of Management but has not worked for the past 10 years.

“Studies across the world have shown that working women’s children are better fed, better educated, thus building social capital for the economy.

This is called a double dividend,” Archana Garodia Gupta, president of FLO, tells CNBC.

She adds that a business processes outsourcing (BPO) firm, looking to generate employment in smaller Indian towns, conducted a survey on how its employees spent their money.

The survey found women spent 93 percent of their earnings on the family’s nutrition and education, while the men spent only 60 percent on family needs, the rest on their personal expenditure.

“Let women spend the money, it will do the economy more

good,” says Gupta.

While senior managers recognize the merits of hiring women - women are great multi-taskers and work harder to prove themselves, according to managers - in India women make up less than 20 percent of senior managers in listed and privately held mid-market companies, according to TalentNomics.

This means that Indian companies are compromising on their profitability.

Good for the bottom line According to a series of studies conducted since 2004 by Catalyst, an organization working towards expanding opportunities for women, companies that achieve diversity in their management ranks attain better financial results. For example, companies with the most female board directors outperformed those with the least on return on sales by 16 percent and return on invested capital by 26 percent.

In India the government has mandated that all listed companies have at least one woman on the board, but 500-odd companies had defaulted on that as of October 2015, according to TalentNomics’ Kathuria.

She adds that gender balanced teams at companies lead to greater innovation and result in more patents.

What about unpaid work?

While the case for bringing women into the market economy is strong, there is another view that women in India, though not earning money, are still working - at home. Cooking, cleaning and taking care of the elders and children is unpaid work, argue some economists, that should be calculated as part of the country’s GDP. According to the McKinsey report, women perform 9.8 times the amount of unpaid work than men in India. If that unpaid work were to be valued and compensated in the same way as paid work, it would contribute $300 billion to India’s economic output. But the current measure of GDP does not assign value to housework, therefore it becomes imperative to bring women to the workforce to accelerate economic growth, say experts.

As FLO’s Gupta says, “The next round of workers is going to come from women. World over, a lot of that demographic dividend we are expecting will come from here.”

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HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, December 18, 2015

Your Horoscope for the Week of December 18, 2015 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 Your artistic ability which is combined with your perceptual and visual sense. You can blend imaginative colors to produce amazing beauty. You are likely to want spend a great deal of time with family and friends. You will feel more tolerant, forgiving and generous than usual. Your stars warn to ‘finish all you start’ and some of you may dig into sizable projects and ‘bite off more than you can chew’. Call in help or delegate out duty to other members. Get small tasks done and you’ll have a wonderful time.

You need to channel your energy wisely. Physical activities will lead to greater selfesteem. Try to spend some time with someone who makes you feel important. Let your own feelings for them be known. You’ll be able to make commitments or sign contracts. New opportunities will surface. You will have to work hard to accomplish anything but rewards will be yours if you put your heart and soul into the project you are involved in. Indecision/s, a tendency to be a bit ‘sarcastic with loved ones’ ...

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May Cover all of your bases. If you neglect your duties, you know you’ll hear about it.

Investments may not be as lucrative as they appeared to be. Don’t overspend on others, it’s a good time to hold on to your cash. A vacation or just a change of pace will do you a world of good. Complete creative projects, if you need help, ask a close friend for their help. Don’t take on unreasonable financial obligations.

Your ability to express your emotions, creatively. Let your feelings be known, write a love letter or call someone to say how much you care. You are not likely to win a debate and would be best off sticking to what you know best, feelings of the heart. Utilize your energy wisely, avoid confrontations with co-workers, as your reputation may be at stake. Easy negotiation/s to ‘get cooperation’ support, permission and ease with members is likely.

Back off and do NOT ‘push/press’ issues with in-laws, spouse.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June Your ability to do the things you enjoy most. Check into creative endeavors that you may want to develop. You may find those around you demanding, don’t let moody family members get you down. Avoid being obsessive as problems will result. You may be a bit tired of the nagging and criticisms you have been putting up with. Take a look at yourself. Your fuse is way too short and you may be prone to sarcastic remarks, throwing your hands up and walking away or even leveling discipline too hard.

Finding yourself eager to disagree with your boss. Hold your tongue and think twice before you say something that may cost you greatly. Patience will be the key. Don’t hold back, say what you think, but keep your cool. Your ability to get your point across will be appreciated even if others are not in total agreement with you. You mustn’t look at changes as being negative. Try the positive approach. Cooperation is poor and to top it off, timing issues, failures, minor mistakes and gross misunderstandings can further contaminate the day...........

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July An emotional and spiritual awakening. You will have trouble controlling your emotions if you let other’s criticism get to you. You may find yourself in a difficult situation at work. Opportunities are obvious. You will be able to make professional changes, if you don’t allow others to stand in your way. Rely on yourself. Try not to take sides and you may be in a better position. Long talks and some rather ‘big decisions’ appear likely .......

Your intense energetic nature, You shouldn’t try to deal with officials or superiors early in the week. Your spirit will certainly capture the hearts of those you meet. Don’t allow others to put additional responsibilities on your plate. Put your ideas to good use.

Your stars show great ease solving problems for others & some rather ‘unfair’ treatment, assumptions or even outright ‘accusations’ may be leveled upon you. Don’t get angry; just fix it and deal with the ramifications later.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Your ability to open your eyes to new beginnings and be ready to move with the times. Don’t allow your personal life to hold you back. Attending talks and lectures will be enlightening, satisfying and lead to lasting connections. You’ll be appreciated for your thoughts and ideas even if others do disagree with you. Take time to make changes. Tolerance is best spread thin but wide, as your patience may be low but the need to ‘contain and appease’ members may serve you better than trying to ‘stir the pot’.

Having the discipline and the desire to work hard in your chosen field. You can get recognition for your efforts if you present your work to superiors with confidence.

Problems with co-workers and employers may be alarming. Try to keep the situation in perspective. Use caution with emotional members as things can escalate way out of control quickly if you are perceived to have taken them for granted or worse yet ‘blown them off’. Be the ‘guiding sense of reason’.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September Keep eye on Your financial & professional outlook, You can certainly make money this week but you can also let it slip through your fingers. You can count on opposition from relatives who have never favored your actions. Visit friends or become involved in projects that will allow you to meet new friends or lovers. Struggles and a spike in spending are likely, mostly due to small needs, details, forgotten duties and banking/bill paying mistakes.

QR

Being best to work on projects yourself and in your own surroundings. You must make yourself happy before you can make others content. Take care of any minor health problems. You will have a tendency to get run-down. You can do well if you deal with institutions. Heavy accomplishments, days filled with errands and organization and several small needs filled to everyone’s satisfaction round out. Cheerful plans and good news are very likely.

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