Voice of Asia E Paper December 25 2015

VOICE OF ASIA 1

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

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Over 27 years of dedicated service to the community Vol. 28 No. 52 Friday, December 25, 2015 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

Texas Governor Greg Abbot hosts Indo-Americans at Holiday Reception

A

USTIN: Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his wife Cecilia welcomed a small group of IndoAmericans from Houston and Dallas to a holiday reception at the governor’s mansion in Austin on Saturday, December 12.

Jagdip Ahluwalia, executive director of IACCGH was joined

by Dr. Sushma Gorrela,

Dayakar Moparty and Sujeeth Draksharam from Houston. From Dallas IACCGH founding Chairman Ashok Mago and Past Chair Sunil Maini were joined by Dr. Deepak V. Chavda.

The first lady and the Governor were very gracious hosts; The Governor reiterated his desire to lead a meaningful trade mission to India in

2016. IACCGH and the Dallas Chamber work very closely with each other and hope to include businesses from other Texas Cities in the Trade Mission to India.

To learn more about IACCGH visit www. iaccgh.com and register for the 2016 Inaugural “IACCGH Networking Works” at 5:00pm at the Houston City Hall Rotunda.

L-R: Jagdip Ahluwalia, Ashok Mago, Mrs. Cecillia Abbott and Sunil Maini with Governor Abbott

Houston Police Academy Cadets visit India House on a Cultural Diversity Bus Tour

H

OUSTON - Holi is not just a spray of vibrant colors and Diwali is not lighting Diyas. Eid is beyond sharing a delicious meal and Sikhs have a passionate story of sacrifice.

Christmas celebrations are marked by the midnight mass attended by many. This is the wonderful message about Indian diversity shared

by India House General Manger Vipin Kumar with the visiting Houston Police Academy cadets last week on Thursday December 17th 2015.

entering the Gurdwara with heads covered as a mark of respect and removing shoes outside before entering places of worship.

India, with its grand geographical location, each state is different with its language, fashion, cuisines and religion, but is united together through values and migration. Just like Houston, where many diverse cultures come together.

Vipin also shared many Do’s & Don’ts with the cadets. Respect for elders and women. No out-of-line talking with women. He showed images of places of worship and a variety of dresses Indians wear, like saree, salwar kameez, pagri, bindi, chura and their significance.

Under Houston Police Department’s Cultural Diversity Bus Tour, the Cadets arrived at India House in the afternoon for an introduction to the Indian culture.

India House General Manager Vipin Kumar greeted the cadets with a welcoming Nameste and showcased a presentation filled with vibrant Indian colors explaining customs, traditions, religious beliefs, festivals and their meanings. He explained how values and traditions are of high esteem among Indians supporting this with examples like touching elder’s feet when seeking blessings,

Another scholar gave insight to the Islamic ways of everyday life to the audience.

The cadets visited other community centers as well and were presented with a brief overview of other cultures.

India House General Manger Vipin Kumar seen addressing the cadets at the India House on Thursday Dec. 17th 2015.

Managing and respecting diversity brings faith in our legal system. With the cadets leaving the room filled with an empowered mind!

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By Francis X. Clines DEC. 19, 2015

N

EWTOWN, Conn.

— The nation’s latest gun rampage — the one in far-off California — had an immediate and devastating side effect here, compounding the trauma of grieving families who lost 20 children and six educators three years ago in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“I think, ‘Oh my God, it’s happening again!’ ” says Mark Barden, whose son, Daniel, would have been 10 now if he had not perished in his classroom in a spray of high-powered rifle fire. “It’s crushing me once more — the event that keeps happening,” Mr. Barden adds, describing how he reacted to the news of the assault-rifle attack that left 14 dead and 22 wounded in San Bernardino.

Mr. Barden knows that just as the spotlight moved on from Newtown, so it will from San Bernardino as more mass shooting sprees occur in a nation with an all too short memory.

by Shashank Tripathi The Hindu

G

lobal companies prefer India as an R&D hub. There’s plenty to be pleased about When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UK recently, he and his UK counterpart, David Cameron, decided that the two countries will collaborate in automotive research and development (R&D) and testing. This could not have come at a better time.

India is on its way to becoming the world’s fastest growing economy in terms of purchasing power parity as projected both by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. With R&D being a strong focus area of the Centre’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and with raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) caps in key sectors, this is the time to make the most of India’s growth story and demographic dividend.

Recent studies reflect that India is fast becoming a preferred R&D hub for multinational corporations across the world thanks to the macro-economic scenario and intellectual capital available in the country.

According to a recent surveybased report brought out by Strategy&, PwC’s strategy consulting business, India along with China is fast emerging as a global hub for R&D driven largely by imported R&D from the US.

K. V. Doraiswamy Bhattar 281-489-0464 or 281-948-8368 kvdoraiswamybhattar@yahoo.com | kvdoraiswamy60@gmail.com

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FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

For Grieving Families, Each Gun Massacre Echoes the Last Still, each new mass shooting resounds with a darkly commemorative effect in Newtown.

Clichés about “closure” are not heard much here.

From time to time, something pops up to make recovery even more difficult. There is, for example, a nasty cohort of conspiracy theorists on the Internet denying that Sandy Hook ever happened. This creates fresh pain for parents like Lenny and Veronique Pozner, parents of 6-year-old Noah, by propagandizing that it was all a staged plot, one in which Noah never died! A plot, of course, to disarm the public (as if the Newtown families don’t know how impossibly armed America is).

“They seek us out and accuse us of being government agents who are faking our grief and lying about our loss,” said the Pozners in a newspaper essay

that told of receiving a “certified letter demanding proof that Noah once lived.”

In a show of resilience, the couple has joined eight other families in a wrongful-death lawsuit against the manufacturer of the military style assault rifle used in gunning down their children. Congress, ever attentive to the gun lobby, 10 years ago barred victims from suing gun makers and dealers for damages. The Newtown families say it’s time to fight the ban and force the industry to accept responsibility for the damage it causes.

Mr. Barden, meanwhile, runs a busy website for his lost son, as do other families whose children died. He is also the director of a national nonprofit group that focuses on gun safety and mental health measures aimed at identifying and helping the

sort of at-risk loner who killed Daniel. “We have found a calling,” says Mr. Barden, a musician who started the group with other victims’ families.

Mr. Barden said his own family, like others, had no thoughts of fleeing Newtown; his was even joined by sympathetic relatives who moved here in solidarity. The families know full recovery is impossible. But they seek strength in community cohesion. As difficult as the lawsuit is, it seemed to lend a special note of hope and spunk to Newtown on the anniversary of the shooting on Dec. 14. The Newtown Bee newspaper put it well: “This is the time of year when darkness closes in on us, and we feel again the need to gather around sources of illumination.”

Source: Editorial Observer The New York Times.

Now, research in India The report titled, ‘The 2015 Global Innovation 1000: Innovation’s New World Order’, states that Asia has become the top destination for corporate R&D spend in 2015, accounting for 35 per cent of total inregion R&D, which includes both domestic and imported R&D. More interestingly, this is a reversal from the last survey in 2007 when Europe was a leader and Asia was number three after Europe and the US. According to the 2015 report, more corporate in-region R&D is now conducted in Asia (35 per cent) than in North America (33 per cent) and Europe (28 per cent).

Growth drivers For the study, Strategy& identified 1,000 public companies around the world that spent the most on R&D during the last fiscal year, as on June 30, 2015.

The Global Innovation 1,000 companies collectively account for 40 per cent of the entire world’s R&D spending from all sources, including corporate and government sources. Further, to understand the global distribution of R&D spending, what drives that distribution and how the distribution affects the performance of individual companies, we looked into R&D footprints at disaggregated levels covering 207 companies across 23 countries.

India, with its number three slot, is also fast becoming a preferred destination for imported R&D. Between 2007 and 2015, while imported R&D in China grew by 79 per cent, in India the growth was as high as 116 per cent with the major chunk coming from the US. So what is so special about India that R&D spends by multinationals are increasing? India offers global talent at very competitive rates besides having a high-growth local mar-

ket in terms of consumption.

Proximity to key manufacturing sites, key suppliers and low development costs are other attractive factors.

According to the report, Asia’s rise — led by India and China — as the top in-region R&D spender was on both counts: domestic demand which rose by 60 per cent between 2007 and 2015 to $79 billion as also imports which increased by 86 per cent to $86 billion.

Auto, healthcare, and computing and electronics are amongst the top industries by R&D spending by the US. While the potential seems immense, conducting R&D outside the home country comes with its own set of challenges. Grappling with issues related to intellectual property rights, customer orientation and managing cultural differences besides regulatory hurdles are key challenges besides focus on sustained profitability.

While adoption of foreign technologies and products in India has paid off, the country currently lacks the resources to invest heavily in R&D, besides facing the capability and skill gaps required for a sustained industrial growth.

Going forward, as Indian manufacturers shift their focus towards serving global markets, they will need to invest more in R&D and develop new technological skills to move up the value chain.

Strategic moves To keep the momentum going, multinational corporations, especially the US companies, can focus on products better suited for emerging markets.

Besides, they can look at India to set up their R&D centres to start with and then move on to establishing India as their manufacturing base for exports

to other Asian and African markets.

Indian companies, on their part, need to invest heavily in R&D to add value to their offerings. For instance, Indian IT companies need to focus on big data and machine to machine (M2M) technology, and go in for digital transformation impacting business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumers (B2C), and business-to-government (B2G). Again, since India is one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets in the world the industry should stress on devising innovative solutions.

The tech startup ecosystem with a global mindset can further do well provided funding needs are taken care of. In the automotive sector, the focus should be on R&D whereby car majors manufacture in India and supply to both developed and emerging markets.

The Indian government has taken several steps to promote R&D. In Budget 2015-16, it announced plans to establish a National Institution to Transforming India (NITI) to increase the involvement of entrepreneurs and researchers to foster scientific innovations.

The ‘Make in India’ initiative which encourages companies across the world to manufacture in India with a focus on key sectors will boost R&D provided other factors such as improving ease of doing business, having a transparent tax regime, and cutting down on red tape and regulatory hurdles, are also accorded top priority by the government. Macro-economic indicators are there to take care of the rest. The Hindu The writer is a partner at PwC in India. The views are personal

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FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

VOICE OF ASIA

Second Front Page

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Sri Meenakshi Temple Honors Founders

by Akash, Srikanth Venugopalan and Mala Gopal

P

EARLAND Sri Meenakshi Temple Society (MTS) held a founders formal on December 19, 2015 in order to thank and honor the founders. This event has been a tradition at MTS for over four years to honor all those who have served the Board. What started as a small establishment in 1977 grew into a large religious organization that serves over 15,000 registered devotees in the Greater Houston Area. Many younger generation kids kicked off the night with a speech about how the temple had impacted their life.

They felt that the temple was their second home and emphasized the services that it had provided for the Indian community, specifically to children. It was also highlighted that the temple has not only affected them religiously, but it has also provided a platform to display their cultural talents.

An hour of delightful performances, organized by Mala Gopal and Srikanth Venugopalan, kept the audience engaged. Chairman P. Vaduganathan expressed his gratitude by stating, “Twenty kids came one by one on to the stage and asserted that they are proud to be part of MTS and is their second home.” He went on to thank all the volunteers who helped

www.voiceofasiaonline.com

OBITUARY:

Katy temple priest, Sri Gullapalli Udayakumar’s sudden death shocks community

The MTS youth volunteers.

Pt. Udayakumar, 40. ramha Sri Vedapandit Gullapalli Udayakumar, Priest of Sai Durga Shiva Vishnu Temple (SDSV), Katy passed away on Monday, December 21, 2015 8:45 PM as a result of suffering a massive cardiac arrest.

He was 40 years old and is survived by his father, wife and two young high school kids (14 & 15 yrs) .

Pandit Udayakumar’s Funeral Services

A fundraising campaign was started by friends and well wishers to support the family in the unexpected tragedy. Those interested to contribute please visit https://www.gofundme. com/udayakumar

Venue: Garden Oaks Funeral Home 13430 Bellaire Blvd.

Houston TX 77083

B

MTS leadership.

Public viewing Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM Religious Services Thursday, December 24th, 2015 08:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Contact: Ph: 281-530-5400

AARP Texas Names New State President Charlene Hunter James of Houston Appointed James’ appointment, James will have the responsibility, starting Jan. 1, of leading the AARP Texas Executive Council for at least the next two years.

She also will work with AARP staff and volunteers to establish strategic goals and objectives on a local level that are consistent with AARP’s national strategies.

MTS Board members presenting $10,000 to Dr. Sivaraman, President of Tamil Nadu Foundation for Chennai Releif

assemble the mega-event that was the Kumbabishekam by hosting an appreciation dinner. To end the night, MTS and its devotees contributed to the Chennai Flood Relief

by donating $10,000. The check was presented to the Tamil Nadu Foundation Houston Chapter President Dr. Ram Sivaraman by Padma Golla.

READ THESE STORIES AND MORE ON COMMUNITY VISIT US: WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Charlene Hunter

A

USTIN, Texas – Charlene Hunter James, a long-time volunteer and community advocate in Houston, has been named AARP Texas state president.

In collaboration with AARP Texas Director Bob Jackson, who announced

James, 64, has been a volunteer and state Executive Council member for AARP since 2008. Besides her work at AARP, she has served other organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and Texas Children’s Hospital. She holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas. She worked for the Houston health department for much of her career, and she served as director of the local Area Agency on Aging.

James “brings a wealth of experience and skill that directly supports AARP’s mission,” said Jackson. “Charlene comes from a family with a tradition of service and activism. She has already fulfilled many roles that make her an ideal choice to be state president.”

James said that community service runs in her blood. “I grew up in a family in which we were taught a duty and responsibility to serve others, particularly those who are less fortunate,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with the other Executive Council members, along with staff and other volunteers so that we can help AARP members realize their real possibilities.”

Ollie Besteiro of Austin, a former teacher and education association leader, has served as the AARP Texas president for six years. She remains a volunteer for AARP.

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FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

YOUR IMMIGRATION LAWYER

The People’s Lawyer

Answers to your Immigration Questions

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

www.peopleslawyer.net

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER (NIW)

Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Sharlene Sharmila Richards

There is no debtor’s prison Q. Can I be arrested for not paying my credit card bill? The debt collector said he is sending the police out to my house if I don’t promptly pay.

A. You cannot be arrested if you don’t pay your credit card bill! There is no debtor’s prison in Texas. If you don’t pay money you owe you may be sued, but you cannot be put in jail.

In fact, the threat to throw you in jail for not paying your bills violates both federal and state debt collection laws. For more information about what may happen if you don’t pay your bills and your rights under our debt collection laws, visit my website, www.peopleslawyer. net.

Q. How do you get collection agencies to stop calling for really old debts? They keep calling about a 15 year old debt.

A. As I have said before, even if a debt is 15 years old, you still owe it and a collector can ask you to pay. After seven years, however, it should no longer appear on your credit report and after four years it is too late to sue. In other words, you still have a moral obligation to pay old debts, but you cannot be legally forced to pay. If you have decided that you are not going to pay the debt, federal law allows you to stop all further communication by sending a letter to the debt collector demanding it stop. I suggest you send the letter by certified mail. If the debt collector continues to harass you, it will be violating federal and state debt collection laws.

Q. I did a small construction job and was paid with a check after I completed the work. I deposited the check in my account, but it was returned because the person who gave me the check stopped payment. I went to his bank and they said it was not their problem. How do I get paid? Why doesn’t his bank owe me the money?

A. The bank does not owe you the money because a bank generally has no liability when a check is written by one of its customers. A check is simply the customer’s order to the bank to pay money to someone else. The bank usually pays the check, and that is the end of the matter. But if there is not enough money in the account or the customer tells the bank not to pay (by issuing a stop payment order), the bank will promptly return the check and it has no further liability. You should always view a check as the customer’s promise to pay, not an obligation of the bank.

Fortunately, however, you are not out of luck. When a check is not paid, the person who wrote the check remains responsible. I suggest you let the person know you expect him to promptly pay the check, with cash this time, and that if he doesn’t pay you will file a claim in justice court. If you do have to sue, you can collect the amount of the check plus any fees your bank may have charged, and the costs of filing the lawsuit.

Q. I am trying to lease an apartment. When they ran a background check they found an old criminal record. Can I be denied a lease because of this? It was more than twenty years ago.

A. As far as the law is concerned, a landlord may decide to whom he will rent and can discriminate against certain classes of people, unless the law prohibits such discrimination.

For example, the law prohibits, race, sex or age discrimination so a landlord cannot refuse to rent to African Americans, women or to people above a certain age. There is no law, however, prohibiting discrimination based on a criminal record. If the landlord wants to refuse to rent to someone with a misdemeanor or a felony, he may. About all I can suggest is that you explain the situation to the landlord, and demonstrate that are someone who will be a good tenant. Offering a higher security deposit may also help.

Q. I have a small construction business. I have not been paid for a job. How long do I have to file a claim in justice court?

A. Your claim is for breach of contract. In Texas you have four years to file a lawsuit for breach of contract.

Do you want to know more about your legal rights? Visit my website, www.peopleslawyer.net.

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Q: I am an H-1B visa holder working as a Senior Researcher. My employer has indicated that it does not wish to sponsor me for permanent residence. Is there any other way I can obtain permanent residence myself?

A: Apart from the possibility of changing your H-1B employer to one which will sponsor you for permanent residence, your other options are to consider a self-petition under the EB2 National Interest Waiver or the EB1 Extraordinary Ability for aliens with extraordinary ability in business, science, art, education or athletics or under both categories, depending on which requirements can be met. The EB1 Extraordinary Ability category is for aliens recognized as being at the top of their particular field and who intend to continue to work in that field.

The EB2 National Interest Waiver on the other hand is for aliens with either an advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts or business and can show that he or she is able to contribute to the US national interest to a greater degree than other similarly qualified individuals in that field thus waiving the need for PERM labor certification.

Q: Can you explain the requirements for the National Interest Waiver (NIW)?

A: There are several requirements to be met in order to have a successful National Interest Waiver petition. To qualify, the alien must hold an advanced degree or have ‘exceptional ability’ in the sciences, arts or business. Advanced degree means either a Master’s Degree, Ph.D and can also include those who hold a Bachelor’s Degree with five years of progressive experience in the job. Both US degrees and foreign equivalents are accepted.

‘Exceptional Ability’ in the sciences, arts or business means demonstrating at least three of the following requirements : academic record from institution of higher learning related to an area of exceptional ability; license to practice the profession; membership in a professional association; proof of recognition for achievement and significant

contributions in the field or industry by peers, government entities or professional / business organizations; evidence of the command of a salary or other remuneration for the work involving that exceptional ability; demonstrate through letters of experience that he or she has at least ten years of full time experience in the occupation related to the field of exceptional ability. The alien must also be able to demonstrate a further three things: First, that he or she seeks employment in an area of substantial intrinsic merit to the United States. This means work that is valuable to the national interest. Second, the work must have a benefit that is national in scope. This means that the alien’s work cannot merely have regional or particular area impact but rather national impact. Third, requiring a Labor Certification for the alien will adversely affect the national interest. This means that the alien’s work in the field is so great that it would outweigh the nation’s interest in protecting US workers by requiring this alien to undergo the Labor Certification process (PERM).

Q: I currently hold J-1 status and I am subject to the two year foreign residency requirement. Can I still apply for the National Interest Waiver?

A: Yes, you may. But because of the two year foreign residence requirement, you will need to either satisfy the two year home rule requirement or obtain a waiver of the J-1 home rule requirement before you can adjust your status to a permanent resident or be granted the Immigrant Visa.

Q: I am thinking of filing for the National Interest Waiver and also for my Permanent Residence concurrently. Can I do this?

A: It depends on whether an immigrant visa is available for that EB2 preference category for your country of chargeability. See the current Visa Bulletin for this information.

Q: If my National Interest Waiver (NIW) is approved, do I have to continue to work in the same field before my permanent residence has been granted?

A: For National Interest Waiver, you should continue to work in the same field as your National Interest Waiver

petition. Your adjustment of status to permanent residence may be denied if you choose to work in another field.

Q: I want to file both EB2 National Interest Waiver and EB1 Extraordinary Ability petitions at the same time. If one of my I-140 Petitions is approved, what happens to the other I-140 petition?

A: If one I-140 Petition is approved, and you are eligible to file for your adjustment of status at the time, then go ahead and do that. There is no need to withdraw the other I-140 Petition. It is best to keep other petition as a fall back, if necessary.

Q: What happens if my I-140 Petition for National Interest Waiver has been denied? Can I appeal the denial?

A: If such a petition is denied, you have several option: Appeal the denial to the AAO (Administrative Appeals Office) if you think that the decision to deny you NIW petition was erroneous, file a motion to reopen if you did not provide certain evidence at the time of the filing of the petition or file a motion to reconsider for the petition to be reviewed by USCIS again.

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

Bio: Sharlene Sharmila Richards is a licensed Immigration Lawyer practicing in Houston, Texas. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000 and is a member of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and a member of the US Supreme Court.

If you require immigration advice or assistance, you may contact her at telephone number 713623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 5

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

Indians Celebrate 8th ‘Hamara Desi Christmas’ The stage was overflowing with vibrant colors as a variety of classical Indian songs telling of God’s Love were presented.

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ouston’s one and only Indian Christmas celebration was hosted last Saturday, the 19th of December 2015 at the Stafford Civic Center. As always the auditorium was packed to an audience of an awe inspiring program by Houston Indian Fellowship.

The audience was clinging to the edges of their seats as HIF performed these programs. The message behind this performance was to show that the real meaning of is to share Love, Joy and Peace to all mankind as it was done by Christ. Christopher Deepak wrapped up the event with a succinct Christmas message that further emphasized Love, Joy and Peace are at the very core of having a true meaningful Christmas to the audience.

The Houston Indian Fellowship (HIF), a group of Indians from across the metropolitan Houston area, conducts an annual Christmas Celebration to share the joy and cheer of Christmas with Indians in Houston from different walks of faith in addition to other events such as cricket championships and painting competitions in order to bring the community together for a time of fun. They also provide free health care for the needy.

Shirley Israel a member of the Houston Indian fellowship awarded the winners of the painting competition. Samsung tablets were given to the first prize winners in each category and the second prize winners were given a gift card.

The admission for the event was free and it was followed by complimentary dinner for all the attendees. The dinner was catered by the acclaimed Annam Indian Cuisine.

HIF, by hosting this event and providing free health care to the needy, strives to bring Christmas cheer to people from different faiths and regions of

Finally everyone in the audience joined Santa and the HIF team to the dance number ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’ in sharing Christmas joy and Cheer. The boisterous MC Sharon Samuel hosted this year’s event with elegance and grace.

The highlight of the event was the staged performance of the birth of Jesus with elaborate settings

A variety of classical Indian songs in praise of the Lord were sung.

India.

US Congressman Steve Stockman graced the occasion as the chief guest of the event.

His simple speech with the underlying message of the true meaning of Christmas deeply moved the audience.

The audience was raving

and professional’.

Reuben Joseph, the lead coordinator said ‘We come together and pool our talents to come up with an enjoyable event! This gives us a wonderful experience and we have a lot of fun doing it’.

Deepak Israel, a member of HIF proudly stated, “This event brings an opportunity to celebrate the Christmas Season of joy and cheer with fellow Indians who come from different walks of faith. He said to ‘Expect a greater and bigger event next year!’

Dr. Robello Samuel, integral member of HIF, said “Seeing the joy of Christmas on the faces of the audience gives me great satisfaction as that is the whole idea behind the celebration!”

The sponsors for this event were Red Oaks Hospital, Annam Indian Cuisine, New York Life and other individuals. The University of Houston students along with other families and friends helped behind the scenes – all of which helped make this celebration a memorable one.

Houston Indian Fellowship would also like to invite anyone interested in performing or help-

Young performers did skits, dances including Bollywood-style dances for the celebrations This year’s celebration included an inspiring staged performance of the birth of Jesus with beautiful costumes, retelling the story of the birth of

Jesus 2,000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem, skits, songs and Bollywood-style dances, and even a lesson on how to dance ‘Indian Style’.

about the event. “Wow! This is the best Desi event I have been to in the Houston area! Well organized and well catered event.

The programs were crisp, clear

ing at the 9th annual Hamara Desi Christmas event scheduled for the 10th of December 2016 please visit: www.hamaradesichristmas.org

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

Community leaders host farewell Luncheon for Mayor Annise Parker

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

Houston’s Mayor Annise Parker’s Christmas Party

Some of the prominent members who attended Mayor’s luncheon. Photo credit Rahman Moton.

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n December 18th at the Raindrop Turkish Culture Center, about 200 people attendant the Mayor Annise Parker’s Farewell Luncheon program co-hosted by the City of Houston, the International Community, Citizenship Month and Neighborhood all members of the board where present.

At the Luncheon Major Annise Parker, President of UHD Dr. William, First Lady Kathy Hubbard and Terence O’Neill spoke on the occasion. At the event City of Houston new Controller Chris Brown was also at the event.

The event was well attended by various community leaders and Members of Advisory Board, City of Houston.

“Lift Off Houston!” 2015 Business Plan Competition Winners Announced Three Grand Prize Winners Received $10,000 Awards

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OUSTON- (December 18, 2015) --Three Houston-based startups emerged as the Grand Prize winners in the City of Houston’s “Liftoff Houston!” Business Plan Competition. This year the finalists participated in three categories: Innovation, Product and Service. A Grand Prize winner was selected from each category and received an award of $10,000.

Sponsored by Capital One Bank in partnership with the Houston Public Library (HPL) and the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), the competition was created to engage and empower Houstonians seeking to start a new business in Houston by providing them with access to essential information, resources and support necessary to develop a sound business plan as a first step toward realizing this goal.

First and Second Prize Winners were selected from among nine finalists during a final pitch presentation which took place on Saturday, November 21, 2015. For more information visit www.liftoffhouston.com Grand Prize Winners: Innovation: Apurva Sanghavi - Throttle, is mobile app that analyzes consumers’ financial accounts and builds a plan to save them money by recommending extra payments on high interest debts and shows them all of their accounts on a simple and easy to use dashboard.

Product: Mario Garcia – Mandarino’s Café, is a Houston based business importing specialty high-graded coffee from a family farm in Honduras to be commercialized among the coffee roasters in Houston.

Service: Dean’s List Fit Club – Keisha Thompson., offers school district employees the benefits of stress free practices, healthier nutrition choices, self-motivational techniques, and exercise programs.

Honorable Mentions: Product: Denise D. Douglas - Balloon Boutique and More, provides business owners and families in the community long lasting memories with creativity, and economical support through event coordination, planning, and custom decorating.

Innovation: Allen Thornton - Grant Source, is a company devoted to producing a mobile application with grant and resources for small business owners.

Service: Sharon Washington - TWO Research Group, is a research and design firm that will provide a unique type of market research for businesses,

Left to Right: First Lady Kathy Hubbard and Major Annise Parker with Voice of Asia Publisher Koshy Thomas and Mrs. Moani Thomas at Mayor’s residence December 16, 2015.

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ayor Annise Parker along with First Lady Kathy Hubbard hosted a Christmas Party for her friends and the media in Houston at her residence on 428 Westmoreland, Houston on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

Happy Holidays from Us to You!

known as ethnographic user experience research.

About the Competition: The “Liftoff Houston!”

Business Plan Competition is designed to aid Houstonians to achieve the goal of business ownership while contributing to the local growth and sustainability of the Houston economy. The competition took place over a six-month period and included four stages (Orientation, Workshop, Mentor, and Business Pitch).

Cash prizes totaling $30,000, awarded in sums of $10,000 to the winning business plan submissions in the business plan categories of Product, Service and Innovation, was generously provided by Capital One Bank.

To successfully research, develop and present the business plan, participants were required to attend workshops offered by industry experts, ranging in topics from Business Plan Basics to Pitching Your Business, and attend information sessions to learn about the vast resources available to support new business start-ups through HPL and OBO. Additional support was provided through professional business mentors to help participants further refine their business plan.

I wish everybody a Happy Holiday Season!

Allen Owen Mayor Missouri City

Congressman Pete Olson, Congressional District 22 Political ad paid for by Olson for Congress.

I wish everybody a Happy Holiday Season!

Himesh Gandhi Sugar Land City Councilman At Large Position 1

My best to you as always!

John Healey District Attorney Fort Bend County

I wish everybody a Happy Holiday Season!

Judge Jay Karahan Harris County Courts Houston, Texas

Harry Patel CBA CTRS CFE CCFA EA ATP-TAX

Houston, Texas

DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

Sikhs in U.S. feel vulnerable to hate crimes as they are mistaken for Muslims

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

Indian-American Sanjay Pradhan to lead Open Government Partnership at UN General Assembly and a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, will lead the OGP Support Unit, and will report to an international Steering Committee of 11 governments and and 11 civil society leaders.

are working with Muslims to combat hateful rhetoric and dispel misconceptions about their respective faiths.

Sikhism was founded in the 15th century in part of what’s now India. About a half-million of the roughly 27 million followers worldwide live in the U.S.

“My long-standing passion for how open government can transform the lives of millions around the globe has led me directly to OGP,” Pradhan said.

Observant men cover their heads with turbans and refrain from shaving their beards.

This undated photo provided by Kanwar Singh shows his father, Inderjit Mukker, after he was beaten in a September road rage incident with a Chicago-area teenager in which the teen called the 53-year-old Sikh taxi driver ‘Bin Laden’ and repeatedly hit him in the face, breaking his cheekbone and leaving him bloodied and unconscious. | KANWAR SINGH VIA AP.

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HICAGO – Members of the Sikh religion are feeling more uneasy amid simmering antiMuslim sentiment because

many are being mistaken for Muslims.

But instead of distancing themselves, Sikhs increasingly

Pardeep Kaleka’s father and five other Sikhs were killed in 2012 when a white supremacist opened fire at a temple outside of Milwaukee.

He says it doesn’t matter whether a Muslim or Sikh is being targeted by backlash. He says Sikhs can’t remain silent, standing on the sidelines.

Courtesy: The Japan times.

Indian-American researcher named fellow of US academy

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EW YORK: A prominent Indian-American bioengineering researcher has been named as a fellow in the US’ National Academy of Inventors for his work in inventing path-breaking healthcare technologies.

C Mauli Agrawal, an IITKanpur alumnus, is the Vice President of Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He will be formally inducted in April next year.

His work in orthopaedic implants, cardiovascular biomaterials and diabetic foot products has drawn recognition. His bioengineering research has resulted in 28 patents.

Agrawal, 56, will be among 582 fellows in the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

He was selected for the honour because of his research and innovations in orthopaedic and

cardiovascular and implants.

biomaterials

“It is a great honour. Some of the greats, at least in my field, are members of this academy.

It’s good for San Antonio that we get more people there. Any recognition like this puts the spotlight on UTSA and I think that’s great,” Agrawal was quoted as saying by San Antonio Express News yesterday.

He has been in San Antonio since 1991. He worked at the UT Health Science Centre for 12 years before joining UTSA (University of Texas at San Antonio) in 2003.

Most of his work in San Antonio has focused on developing implants from orthopaedic and cardiovascular materials. His research group’s work led to the formation of an engineering company that developed scaffolding that can be implanted

in patients to help develop cartilage or bone.

Sanjay Pradhan,

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ASHINGTON: Sanjay Pradhan, an Indian-American World Bank official, has been tapped to lead an international initiative to promote government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens.

nership (OGP) was launched by eight Heads of State at the UN General Assembly in 2011, and in just four years, 69 countries have joined the partnership, along with hundreds of civil society groups and several multilateral organisations.

Pradhan, who currently is Vice President for Change, Leadership and Innovation at the World Bank, would assume the new charge by mid-2016.

“Sanjay will help ensure that OGP continues to succeed in its mission to promote government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens,” a statement said.

The Open Government Part-

Pradhan, who holds a PhD

Indian-American CEO Nikesh Patel arraigned on fraud charges in US

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EW YORK: An Indian-American CEO of a Florida financial firm has been charged with selling USD 179 million in sham loans to an investment company.

Nikesh Patel, 32, chairman and CEO of Orlando-based First Farmers Financial has pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court to charges that he forged signatures and produced false documents to create the appearance that approximately 26 government-backed loans had been

issued to borrowers in Florida and Georgia, according to an indictment returned in federal court in Chicago.

The sham loans purported to contain principal amounts ranging from USD 2.5 million to USD 10 million and Patel sold the fraudulent loans to a Milwaukee investment firm for USD 179 million, according to the indictment.

The indictment charges Florida-resident Patel with five counts of wire fraud, with each count carrying a 20 year prison

term and fine of USD 250,000.

Prosecutors said through its Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, the US Department of Agriculture guarantees a percentage of loans issued to borrowers who improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities.

First Farmers obtained certification to participate in the programme after Patel submitted false statements to the USDA about his company’s assets and officers, according to the indictment.

“OGP represents a historic opportunity to advance the open government agenda through a unique platform built on peer learning and the collaboration between government and civil society around the world,” he said in a statement.

“In his former senior position at the World Bank, Pradhan has proven to be a thought leader and practitioner in open government since before the phrase was even coined,” said Alejandro Gonzalez, OGP Steering Committee Civil Society co-chair.

“He is a trusted and experienced interlocutor with both governments and civil society around the world. Said to be widely respected figure in the development community, Pradhan brings a wealth of open government experience to the role,” he said.

Since 1986, he has held three Vice president positions at the World Bank Group (WBG) where he led the development of WBG’s Governance and Anticorruption Strategy; helped launch Global Partnership for Social Accountability; and incubated ICT-mediated citizen feedback.

He also launched Open Contracting with Partners; and rolled out a flagship Collaborative Leadership for Development program to help leaders in government and civil society undertake collaborative actions.

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

Ring in the New Year in Sugar Land Town Square

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UGAR LAND, TX ¬– Make this New Year’s Eve a sweet one to remember with a vibrant celebration for all ages featuring world-class entertainment, state-of-the-art technology and a unique 3D midnight light show!

Sugar Land’s New Year’s Eve on the Square extravaganza is the only free regional celebration that features award-winning 3D entertainment, fireworks, street performers and activities for families and adults of all ages. The event is planned for Friday, Dec. 31, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Alcohol will be available

for purchase during the second part of the celebration beginning at 10 p.m.

The event features Las Vegasstyle street performers, including glow-in-the-dark giant stilt walkers, aerial artists, interactive street magic shows and a 3D-video projection show on the façade of City Hall at midnight.

The finale will feature images like a fire-breathing dragon and an animatronic robot destroying the building as waterfalls cascade down to set a new scene.

The two-part celebration kicks off at 7 p.m. with a family celebration that will include

Bijo – A Toy Story

by Ramesh Anand President - Tyson’s Pals Rescue y tiny puppy ears flapped as I pushed my head out of Mary’s car window. Droplets of icy cold tears trickled down my face as the cool February breeze gently brushed my face.

It seemed like only yesterday that I stood shivering in a street corner with a ‘FOR SALE’ sign next to me. I looked perfect for the season with a bright red scarf. I could hear enchanting carols in the background.

Christmas was in the air.

I am not sure when I fell asleep. I opened my eyes to the sweetest, most innocent pair of eyes looking at me. Little Jill pulled me out of the box screaming – “Wish you all a Merry Christmas too! Thanks you! Thank you!” I was her long desired wish for a Christmas gift and they called me Bijo.

The next few weeks, life was a dream as I played in the backyard with Jill and her friends or at the park with my canine friends. I was the center of attention.

Soon, Jill’s school began.

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Jane seemed to be more preoccupied by her school and other new toys. Life was never the same.

My heart beat fast as Dick took me for a drive to the park.

Shrieks of laughter could be heard a distant away while my friends and I chased each other. As it grew dark and my friends left, I looked for Dick.

I ran from one end of the park to the other but there was no sign of Dick. Fear turned to panic when I realized that I had been abandoned. The icy rain cut through my soft skin and I ran under some bushes. I saw a bright red spot that soon turned into a small red puddle, where my head struck a sharp edge. I lay motionless in the snow for several hours and woke with a dull pain and was dizzy all over.

The next few days seemed like years as I scavenged to keep my young and tiny body going.

I must have fainted out of sheer hunger and exhaustion and am not sure how long I lay in the snow.

I felt a pair of soft hands pick me up. An angel like face smiled. She caressed my face and looked at my name tag, I heard her whisper – Bijou – You were someone’s jewel.

Why would they let you go? No worries. You are safe now. Life hereon will be one wonderful journey.

Now, as I pop my head out of Mary’s car, I keep wondering – when will folks stop giving us as Christmas

live entertainment, food and beverages and an impressive fireworks show. The adult portion of the event will begin at 10 p.m. and will include features such as street performers, dueling disc jockeys and adult beverages. The event will conclude with a 3D light show, a New Year’s Eve countdown and a one-of-a-kind sugar cube drop visitors cannot experience anywhere else.

Free shuttle services between Mercer Stadium and Sugar Land Town Square will run from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., and there will be free parking at the Texas and

Lone Star Garages in Town Square. Taxi services will also be available for those not interested in driving to and from the event. Designated drivers will

receive free soft drinks throughout the evening.

For more information about the event, contact Sugar Land

Parks and Recreation Department at (281) 275-2885 or visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/specialevents for a complete listing of events.

PET for GIFT

Sugar Land Animal Services Reduces Pet Adoption Fees

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UGAR LAND, TX ¬- Bring a new family member home for the holidays! Sugar Land Animal Services reduced pet adoption fees to $40 for cats and $55 for dogs through Jan. 16. The fee includes vaccinations, spaying/ neutering and a microchip with a lifetime registration.

All shelter pets require a sleepover option allowing potential families to try out a pet in their home for three to five days. If it’s a perfect match, just return to Sugar Land Animal Services to finalize the adoption.

Sugar Land Animal Services will bring more holiday spirit to the shelter by having Santa help deliver adopted pets to their new homes on Christmas Eve. Santa will personally deliver adopted cats or dogs to the homes of those who live within Sugar Land’s city limits. This special service will only be available on Christmas Eve, and time slots for delivery are limited. Residents are encouraged to call to reserve their Santa delivery as soon as possible.

Give Sugar Land’s pets the gift of a forever home this holiday season. For more information, visit Sugar Land Animal Services, 101 Gillingham Lane, or call (281) 275-A-DOG (2364).

13th ANNUAL INDIA HOUSE GALA Saturday, February 6, 2016 6:30 pm Onwards Sugar Land Marriott Town Square, 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Guest of Honor PANDIT JASRAJ Sangeet Martand vipin@indiahouseinc.org | www.indiahouseinc.org | 713-929-1900

VOICE OF ASIA 9

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

The Fort Bend Education Foundation presents 23rd annual Bollywood Nights gala

The Fort Bend Education Foundation’s Bollywood Nights, presented by Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP, promises to be a fantastic journey filled with possibilities at the Bollywood Filmfare Awards. This exquisite and stylized evening will occur on March 5, 2016 at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square.

Guests are invited to transform into their best celebrity look as they don beautiful and bejeweled saris. Add that defining touch of brilliant gold to become truly opulent. Strut your stuff as you mix and min2016 Underwriters star in Bollywood Nights: (front row seated L-R) Gala Co-Chair Jamie Fairchild, Carol Voelkel-United Healthcare, Mike Siwierka-Perdue Brandon Field Collins & Mott, LLP, Vijay Bhuchar (Back row standing L-R) Lina Sabouni-AUTOARCH Architects, Gala Co-Chair Terri Wang, Ray Aguilar-Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land, Ron Holleyhead-Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Jaqueline Preston-Kelsey–Seybold Clinic, Austin Roncancio-Fresh Air LP, Ron BaileyPBK Architects, Inc. and Sonal Bhuchar.

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OUSTON [December 18, 2015] – Houston Community College (HCC) celebrated the accomplishments of Trustee Sandie Mullins during a special ceremony at the December meeting of the HCC Board of Trustees. Mullins, who represented District VI, served on the board for six years.

gle with Fort Bend’s finest in support of our children’s education.

Enjoy a fabulous feast and thrilling entertainment as you are surrounded by the Bollywood experience. Dance drama while dancing to the music of the band Password will further engulf you.

Do your best celebrity walk over to the silent auction and bid board area for a vast array of most interesting and must have items. The highlight of the evening will be the much anticipated bidding on the live auction items. Place a bid

Come away from your Bollywood evening feeling rewarded for the awards you have bestowed upon The Fort Bend Education Foundation.

For table sponsorships, individual tickets, or auction donations, please visit www.fortbendisd. com/foundation.

FOR MORE ON COMMUNITY VISIT US: WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

HCC recognizes Board of Trustees

to serve District III and Trustee Eva Loredo will continue to serve District VIII. Both won by wide margins against their challengers. Dr. Tamez, who took 68% of the vote over Florida “Flo” Cooper, is humbled with the voters’ decision.

“Being re-elected is quite exciting and a wonderful reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to me by the community,” said Dr. Tamez. “I am honored and delighted to be able to continue the exciting and historical work taking place at HCC on behalf of our great city and the surrounding areas.”

“It has been my pleasure to serve as District VI Trustee and I took my commitment seriously,” said Mullins.

“My position has always been about getting students graduated within a reasonable budget and taking care of the taxpayers.”

Loredo won 67% of the vote over opponent Art Aguilar.

Mullins’ last day as HCC Trustee is December 31. Dr. John P. Hansen will take office as Trustee for HCC District VI on January 4. He served on the board of the Alief Independent School District for 22 years.

“Thanks to all my friends and supporters for re-electing me to Houston Community College,” said Loredo.

“As a lifelong educator, I am proud to serve in a capacity that supports quality higher education. HCC provides a great start for thousands of students as they prepare to enter the Houston workforce.”

“I am hoping to be a constructive part of taking the college from where it was when the chancellor came in to where we would like to be,” said Dr. Hansen. “It’s about the organization succeeding and the education of students.”

Voters recently chose to keep two HCC trustees in their districts. Trustee Dr. Adriana Tamez will continue

yourself or get together with friends and create your own awards category as “Best Bollywood Bidders”. The tantalizing auction items and packages will be auctioned by none other than James Patterson. Make full use of your celebrity buying power!

Houston Community College celebrated the accomplishments of Sandie Mullins, HCC Board of Trustees, District VI (center), during a special ceremony at the December meeting of the HCC Board of Trustees. Mullins, who represented District VI for six years, is stepping down as Trustee on December 31.

Dr. Hansen and Dr. Carolyn EvansShabazz ran on the ballot unopposed.

Dr. Evans-Shabazz, a former HCC student, has represented District IV since May.

SOUTH ASIA/US

VOICE OF ASIA 10

Dollar weak on fading ratehike impact, China stimulus

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OKYO, Japan | AFP | Tuesday 12/22/2015 Emerging currencies reliant on trade with China rose against the dollar Tuesday on hopes Beijing will push fresh reforms following a weekend policy meeting.

The gains come as the greenback’s interest rate-fuelled rally last week petered out, with analysts saying it would not likely push any higher, while investors keep an eye on the plan for future rises by the Federal Reserve.

After a secretive four-day meeting that ended Monday, China’s economic planners said they would combat local government debt and push on with changes in the housing sector to shore up growth.

They also said they would “allow the market to play a bigger role” and “strengthen structural reforms”, state news

service Xinhua reported.

sulting.

The announcement is the latest out of Beijing after it promised to free up the world’s number two economy and implement reforms of its bloated state-owned enterprises.

The dollar also struggled against its major rivals. It bought 121.26 yen, against 121.21 in New York and well down from more than 123 yen last week.

Currencies of nations with strong ties with China climbed against the dollar.

The yen was also supported by the Bank of Japan’s decision to tweak its stimulus on Friday, which was widely seen as insufficient to support the economy.

The Australian dollar rose 0.45 percent, Indonesia’s rupiah surged 1.17 percent, and the Thai baht was 0.1 percent higher. The South Korean won and Singapore dollar also advanced.

“Chinese stimulus is positive for the economy and many investors are gauging the general impact of any new measures as well as the longer-term impact of the Fed rate increase,” said Attila Vajda, managing director of advisory firm Project Asia Research & Con-

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and whether it will be able to come up with the funding to move forward with InSight. The mission has a total cost cap of $675 million and it has already spent $525 million.

The InSight lander -- which stands for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport -was set to delve deep beneath the Red Planet’s surface in order to discover how the solar system’s rocky planets formed.

“Learning about the interior structure of Mars has been a high priority objective for planetary scientists since the Viking era,” Grunsfeld said.

“We push the boundaries of space technology with our missions to enable science, but space exploration is unforgiving, and the bottom line is that we’re not ready to launch in the 2016 window.”

- ‘A hard blow’ -The problem-

India to increase punishment for minors after gang-rapist freed

The euro ticked up to $1.0917 and 132.39 yen, from $1.0915 and 132.20 yen in US trade, where it had sagged on profit-taking as investors squared positions before the end of the year.

“The best is over for the US dollar for the time being,” Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy in Sydney at AMP Capital Investors, told Bloomberg Television.

NASA suspends March launch of InSight mission to Mars

by Mira OBERMAN HICAGO - NASA announced on Tuesday it has suspended the March 2016 launch of its InSight mission to Mars because of problems with a key scientific component.

The next launch window will not occur until around May 2018 and the US space agency said it does not yet know if it will be able to continue with the mission given budget constraints.

“We either decide to go forward, or we don’t, and that depends on cost data,” John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington, told reporters.

“I don’t think anyone has a question that in 26 months we won’t be able to solve the problem.”

It will take weeks, if not months, before NASA knows how much this delay will cost,

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

atic instrument is a seismometer provided by France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), designed to measure ground movements as small as the diameter of an atom.

“It’s a hard blow,” CNES president Jean-Yves Le Gall told AFP. “This is one of the risks of the job. The good news is that our system was able to discover the problem when it was still here on Earth.”

NASA said the decision to delay follows unsuccessful attempts to repair a leak affecting the vacuum seal around three main sensors that is necessary in order to withstand the harsh conditions of the Martian environment.

A leak discovered earlier this year, that prevented it from retaining vacuum conditions, was successfully repaired, and the mission team “was hopeful the most recent fix also would be successful.”

Indian police escort the juvenile (in pink hood) who took part in the 2012 gang-rape of a student during his trial in New Delhi (AFP Photo/Prakash Singh)

by Annie BANERJI EW DELHI, India | AFP | Tuesday 12/22/2015 - Indian lawmakers Tuesday passed a bill allowing harsher punishments for juveniles aged 16-18 after an outcry over the release of a young rapist who served three years in a detention facility for his part in a notorious gang-rape in 2012.

“I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it, the ayes have it.

The bill has been passed,” P.J. Kurien, a speaker of the upper house of parliament, said after a day-long debate on the bill.

The release two days ago of the youngest convict in the case of the fatal gang-rape of medical student Jyoti Singh in December 2012 triggered widespread calls for amendments to the existing law.

The changes to the law will allow minors aged 16 onwards to be sentenced to at least seven years in young offenders’ institutions if convicted of “heinous crimes” including rape and murder.

However, they will not face the death penalty. “#JuvenileJusticeBill attempts to bring balance between rights of the child and need to deter

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heinous juvenile crimes, esp. against women,” Maneka Gandhi, the federal minister for women and child development, posted on Twitter after the bill was cleared.

Singh’s parents, who watched the proceedings from the visitor’s gallery of the parliament, welcomed the passage of the bill.

“I am satisfied that the bill has been passed in the upper house but somewhere deep down I feel sad that my own daughter never got justice,” said Asha Singh, the victim’s mother, as her eyes welled up.

The parents had led protests calling for the bill to be amended, labelling the existing law as too weak.

- Petty, serious or heinous -The new bill, which would replace the existing Juvenile Justice Act once the president gives signs the legislation, proposes a twostage process that would first categorise crimes committed by juveniles as petty, serious or heinous.

A minor accused of a “heinous” crimes -- such as rape, murder or acid attacks -- would then be examined by a board of psychologists and social behav-

iour experts, who assess whether the defendant should be tried as a child or an adult.

Then the decision to try the culprit as an adult would need to be approved by a children’s court, which would also draw up a plan for rehabilitation.

Gandhi said institutions would be established to house juveniles convicted of heinous crimes until they are 21 years old, after which they would be reviewed for release.

More than 1,000 juveniles above the age of 16 have been arrested for serious and heinous crimes in New Delhi -- often dubbed as “India’s rape capital” -- in 2015, according to Gandhi.

Critics of the legislation argue this bill violates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which India has ratified, and states that all people under the age of 18 must be treated equally.

The bill, which was passed by the lower house in May, had been listed for passage in the upper house during the ongoing winter session but proceedings have been hampered by perennial spats between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition members.

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Pope approves Mother Teresa sainthood after brain tumours ‘miraculously disappear’

by Ella Ide with Sailendra Sil in Kolkata

“I have never seen a case like it,” the surgeon was quoted as saying, after a CAT scan showed that the Brazilian’s tumours “had suddenly and inexplicably disappeared”, Tornielli said in La Stampa daily.

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AT I C A N CITY | AFP | 12/18/2015 - Pope Francis has recognised a second miracle attributed to the late Mother Teresa, clearing the path for the nun to be elevated to sainthood next year, the Vatican said Friday.

For all the reverence with which her name and memory are treated, Mother Teresa was not without her critics.

Mother Teresa, celebrated for her work with the poor in the Indian city of Kolkata, is expected to be canonised as part of the pope’s Jubilee year of mercy.

She has been accused of trying to foist Catholicism on the vulnerable, with Australian feminist and academic Germaine Greer calling her a “religious imperialist”.

In the Vatican’s Jubilee calendar, September 4 is already marked as a day dedicated to the late nun’s memory and her canonisation is likely to take place then, experts say.

One of her most vocal detractors was the British-born author Christopher Hitchens, who accused her of contributing to the misery of the poor with her strident opposition to contraception and abortion.

Archbishop of Kolkata Thomas D’Souza said the Vatican has recognised that Mother Teresa cured a Brazilian man suffering from multiple brain tumours in 2008.

Teresa, who was born to Albanian parents in what is now Skopje in Macedonia, was known across the world for her charity work. She died in

In this 1978, file photo, Mother Teresa, head of the Missionaries of Charity order, cradles an armless baby girl at her order’s orphanage in what was then known as Calcutta, India, in 1978. A champion among the poor in India, Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize for 1979. An Albanian, she went to India in 1928 to teach at a convent school, taking her final vows as a Roman Catholic nun in 1937, and opened her House for the Dying in 1952. (AP Photo/Eddie Adams)

Questions have also been raised over the Missionaries of Charity’s finances, as well as conditions in the order’s hospices where there has been resistance to introducing modern hygiene methods.

A series of her letters published in 2007 also caused some consternation among ad-

Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II wave to well-wishers in Kolkata in 1986 (AFP Photo/JeanClaude Delmas).

- Tumours ‘suddenly, inexplicably disappeared’ Pope Francis holds his Weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Vatican on Dec. 16, 2015. (Giuseppe Ciccia/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images).

1997 at the age of 87.

‘Saint of the Gutters’ -Nicknamed the “Saint of the Gutters”, she dedicated her life to the poor, the sick and the dying in the slums of Kolkata, one of India’s biggest cities, founding the Missionaries of Charity order of nuns.

She won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

She was beatified by then pope John Paul II in a fasttracked process in 2003, in a ceremony attended by some 300,000 pilgrims. Beatification is a first step towards sainthood.

Her missionary order in Kol-

kata -- formerly known as Calcutta -- said it was “thrilled” and grateful to Pope Francis.

work. “Look at the work she did, not a day’s holiday, not a day’s rest.”

The pontiff met the late nun in Rome in 1994 when he was a bishop, and joked last year that while he admired her strength, he “would have been scared if she had been my mother superior”.

In 2002, the Vatican officially recognised a miracle Mother Teresa was said to have carried out after her death, namely the 1998 healing of a Bengali tribal woman, Monika Besra, who was suffering from an abdominal tumour.

Sunita Kumar, a missionary spokeswoman who worked closely with Mother Teresa, said the late nun was an extraordinary woman who believed hard work was the best way to serve God. “She of course read the Bible but her main understanding was to serve the poor,” Kumar told the NDTV net-

The traditional canonisation procedure requires at least two miracles.

The second miracle involved a 35-year-old Brazilian man who had not long been married when he was diagnosed with eight brain tumours in 2008, according to Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli.

On December 9, the man was wheeled into the operating room in an induced coma, but doctors were forced to delay the medical procedure by half

and hour because of technical problems.

While they waited, the man’s wife led prayers to Mother Teresa in the hospital’s chapel.

When the surgeon returned to the operating room he is sais to have found the patient awake, sitting up and asking “what am I doing here?”

mirers as it became clear that she had suffered crises of faith for most of her life.

She was granted Indian citizenship in 1951 and received a state funeral after her death.

Her grave in the order’s headquarters has since become a pilgrimage site.

LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

‘Hoverboards’ hot for the Miss Universe crowns wrong holidays despite concerns beauty queen in live TV gaffe

Whizboard Store manager ‘Mor Loud’ demonstrates the Hoverboard on Broadway in Times Square in New York on December 15, 2015 (AFP Photo/Timothy A. Clary).

by Rob Lever WASHINGTON - Riding a “hoverboard” will zip you around town and make you the coolest person in the neighborhood. But it might also be risky.

These self-balancing electric scooters are surging in popularity in the first season where they have been available at relatively affordable prices -- as low as $300 for some models.

The trend is gaining traction despite multiple concerns: Some cities say they pose a hazard for street or sidewalk traffic, in addition to safety issues for riders; and some reports say poorly designed chargers can lead to fires or explosions.

Washington real estate investor Raphael Vargas, who uses his hoverboard daily, calls them “cool” and “a real conversation starter.”

“It beats walking and it’s a lot of fun,” he said.

While his daily commute is too far for the scooter, Vargas said he brings it in his car and then rides from the parking lot to his workspace with it.

“I took it to the mall and it made shopping a breeze,” he said.

To be sure, these are not the flying “hoverboard” from the film “Back to the Future” but rather two-wheeled electric scooters which are like a small, lightweight version of the Segway.

In recent years, technology has allowed the devices to be made lighter -- as little as 25

pounds (11 kilos) -- and to travel at speeds up to 12 miles (19 kilometers) per hour.

With self-balancing gyroscopes, similar to what is used in the Segway, the devices are designed to avert falls and allow riders to get comfortable in a matter of minutes, according to hoverboard marketers.

- ‘So easy to use’ -”I got on and I learned in 10 minutes,” said Tony Le, who saw his first hoverboards at a trade fair in China and decided to open his own retail operation in New Jersey under the brand Glitek.

Hoverboards are among the top items on wish lists for kids looking for a bit of adventure.

But some also see a potential to fulfill the urban transportation role envisioned by the Segway, which failed, as consumers shunned the bulky, expensive devices.

“I think of this as revolutionary. It’s so easy to use,” Le said. “This is something that will be in the trunk of everyone’s car.”

Michael Tran, co-owner of the Ooverboard rental and sales outlet in Venice Beach, California, said the devices are catching on fast.

“Demand is very high and supply is low,” he said.

An important feature, Tran said, is that they are intuitive to use.

“It acts like an extension of your leg. It’s not like a vehicle,” he said.

Juan Rodriguez, owner of Miami Hoverboard, said his beachside rental operation is

full almost every day and that he is considering expanding to nearby locations.

Rodriguez, whose firm also sells retail, said the hoverboard is a good urban transport option.

“It’s small. You don’t need parking. You can go to a restaurant, put it under the table and you’re ready to go,” he told AFP. Hoverboards have gotten an added boost from celebrities ranging from Chris Brown to Justin Bieber, who is seen riding one in a YouTube video.

- Are they ‘vehicles’? -But it’s not all good news for hoverboard buffs. Australia’s state of New South Wales banned them from roads, saying they are vehicles which cannot be licensed.

New York City has taken a similar position.

“Motorized self-balancing devices, such as Segways, hoverboards, and other ‘personal transporters, are prohibited in New York City,” the city’s police department said in a statement.

State law “requires all motor vehicles to be registered...

Since none of them may be registered they are not permitted.”

Some college campuses have also banned hoverboards, including the University of California system.

There is also a risk of explosion or fire from charging systems. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said it has received 11 reports of hoverboard fires in 10 states.

The Miss Universe crown is removed from Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez (L) by 2014 winner Paulina Vega (C) after the pageant’s host misread the cue card stating Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (R) as the winner on December 20, 2015 (AFP Photo/Valerie Macon).

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AS VEGAS - Colombia’s president shared his dismay Monday after his country’s beauty queen was wrongly named Miss Universe in a dramatic mix-up watched live by millions, before the glittering crown was bestowed on the rightful winner Miss Philippines.

The pageant’s host, US comedian Steve Harvey, misread his cue card in front of a global television audience late Sunday and initially announced that Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, had triumphed.

Half-laughing, half-sobbing with emotion, Gutierrez was fleetingly crowned and congratulated at the ceremony in Las Vegas, waving to fans as she cradled a huge bouquet of flowers. But as she blew kisses to an adoring crowd, Harvey was forced to come clean about his blunder.

“Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines,” he added as the music picked up again, with the actual winner, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach -a high-profile actress and television host -- looking stunned and mouthing “What?”

“I’d like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible,” said one of his messages, retweeted more than 85,000 times.

Harvey attempted to explain the error to a perplexed audience, who greeted the news with both cheers and boos.

- ‘Still our queen’ -Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Monday he was shocked by the episode, which made the front pages of the country’s main newspapers.

“This is exactly what’s on the card. I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake, it was on the card,” he said.

The glittering crown was then promptly placed on Wurtzbach’s head. She later told reporters she wished the best to the crestfallen Miss Colombia.

“I’m very sorry, I did not take the crown from her and I wish her well in whatever she wants to pursue after this pageant,” Miss Philippines said.

“I was watching Miss Universe with my family,” Santos told Radio Nacional. “Our queen was marvelous. She looked spectacular. It was such a disappointment when the host said he’d made a mistake.”

“To me, our queen is and will remain Miss Universe. They put the crown on her head. The photos are there to prove it. To me, as a Colombian, she is still Miss Universe.”

“OK folks, I have to apologize. The first runner up is Colombia.”

Harvey later took to Twitter to ask forgiveness for what he called “an honest mistake.”

Santos had publicly celebrated a year ago when the previous Miss Colombia, Paulina Vega Dieppa, won the Miss Universe 2014 title.

Online retailer Overstock said on December 9 it would stop selling hoverboards, and offered refunds to consumers who had already bought them, citing safety concerns.

British authorities seized 15,000 hoverboards this year, saying the charging systems could be hazardous.

The British branch of Amazon has also warned customers that some models of the device were unsafe because of “non-compliant” plugs -making them a potential fire hazard -- and urging them to

throw away defective boards.

Le said the safety issues reported so far have been linked to off-brand devices with substandard batteries and components, and that reputable brands have passed safety checks.

Patent disputes have also arisen over the technology used in the boards. Segway, which is now owned by a Chinese firm and produces its own version, filed suit against one rival, and US manufacturer Razor has sued another competitor.

Some argue the hoverboard is a wave that cannot be held back. Le, who talks frequently with manufacturers, says he believes at least one million hoverboards have been sold so far this year.

Razor, the manufacturer, says only that “this is going to be one of the hottest items of the season.”

“More hoverboards will mean less cars, less pollution,” said Miami’s Rodriguez.

“We can’t resist the future.

We have to adapt.”

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VOICE OF ASIA 13

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

VOICE OF ASIA 14

Section 2

Young Life

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FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

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The Power of Passion Fun and friends could be the key to encouraging exercise in teens Relaxnews (Fitness) December 17th, 2015

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o conduct the research, a team from the University of Notre Dame, Australia, surveyed 1,582 14-year-olds to find out more about their opinions on physical activity. Participants were all taken from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, one of the largest studies of pregnancy, childhood and adolescence in the world.

The results of the survey found that the most important factors for teens when taking part in physical activity were the opportunity to have fun, to spend time with friends and to feel good about themselves.

Vijay Goradia, CEO Vinmar International was the Guest Speaker. by: Sharat Kalaga

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assion is a term commonly used in today’s society. But what truly is passion? How

over 100 countries. Listening to Mr. Goradia, the point that really stood out to me was his PASSION. Coming to America with a desire to become

Competition, or the opportunity to win something, was the least important factor in their decision to participate in physical activity, with even less emphasis placed on competition by girls than boys.

The survey also questioned the teens about what they thought were the likely outcomes of being physically active

© LittleMiss/shutterstock.com over the next year, with many associating exercise with positive outcomes such as being fit and healthy, and feeling good about themselves.

However, teenagers with poor motor skills were less likely to associate physical exercise with these benefits.

Instead they were more likely to report that there would be a negative outcome, and that others would make fun of them if they participated in exercise.

Commenting on this finding, exercise scientist Professor Beth Hands, one of the authors of the study, advised that identifying teens with low motor skills is particular important as they are less likely to exercise than other teens. And between the sexes, girls are even less

The YLDP class of 2016 with YLDP Directors and Guest Speaker does it correlate to success? In the the best, Mr. Goradia said he worked Youth Leadership Development Pro- countless hours and made sure all his gram (YLDP) session at India House, customers were always satisfied, a my class and I learned from a proven feature that was driven by his passion. leader what passion is, and how it can Today, Mr. Goradia, a highly acbenefit a whole community. complished entrepreneur, passionately On November 14th, the YLDP class dedicates his time and wealth for eduof 2016 was honored to have Vijay cation and entrepreneurship through Goradia, founder of Vinmar Interna- avenues like Pratham, an organization tional, speak to us about his success providing remediation education to and the attributes required to become millions of children in India. Mr. Goa regarded leader. Vinmar, a global radia, who is the founder of the orgadistributor of petrochemical products, nization, spoke vividly of his personal has had phenomenal growth and prof- experiences with the under privileged itability with annual revenue in excess and how his passion to spread educaof 4 billion dollars and markets in tion has caused those around him to benefit in a positive manner.

H

Some financial aid associates work at the HCC campuses on the “front line” helping students fill out the necessary forms to start the financial aid process.

The financial aid associates at the HCC district receive that paperwork and handle the “back end” by carrying the process through to the award stage.

Sounds like a well-oiled machine, but according to JoEllen Soucier, executive director of the Financial Aid Office and Boni Jacobs, manager of the Financial Aid Processing Center at the HCC Administration building, there was room for improvement.

“The campus associates handle the customer service side, but they never really see what happens after they scan and link the documents,” said Jacobs.

“It’s like gathering all of the ingredients for a cake and never seeing the finished baked product.”

So Jacobs, with the support of Soucier, implemented the Financial Aid Exchange Program, an innovative way to bring district and campus associates together for one week to learn both sides of the financial aid process and put faces to the names on the emails and voices on the other side of the phone. The ultimate goal is to make the process smoother for the 40,000 HCC students who receive financial aid.

“If employees only know what is going on at their particular campus, that is what will be relayed to the students,” said Jacobs. “Bringing employees together from all campuses will create consistency for students across the whole district.”

Whitnie Smith and Tanika Aggison

The team is hoping that the findings could be used to encourage teenagers to do more sports and exercise, with Professor Hands advising against telling teenagers they need to exercise to win or compete, adding “This puts a lot of pressure and anxiety on them as they don’t see that as a motivator or as really important as to why they should be engaged in physical activity. We know that if you’ve got friends to join and do stuff with, you’re more likely to do that,” she adds.

Results from the study can be found in the journal Child: Care, Health and Development.

Chewing slowly helps prevent excessive weight gain in children The YLDP class of 2016 cherished Mr. Goradia’s inspirational session as it carried a strong message to us, that passion and desire to be the best is the first step to being great. We learned that having passion in any field and “wanting to go the extra mile” is what creates success. We also learned that having a passion to be the best can ultimately improve the lives of others, affect the society around us in a positive manner, and lead us to creating a better community. Passion is the absolute love for something and the strong desire to be the best. Mr. Goradia exemplified this meaning and gave us the desire to pursue our passion.

New Financial Aid program adds up for HCC students OUSTON – Houston Community College (HCC) awards more than $200M in Financial Aid every academic year to approximately 40,000 students, so you can imagine the enormous task the coordinators of those funds have. Their titles are the same, but their duties are quite different. They are financial aid associates, who make sure students who qualify for financial aid get their funds.

likely than boys to exercise once they hit their teenage years.

are associates at the district office and see the benefits of the Financial Aid Exchange Program.

“When we return forms back to the campus associates they don’t always know the rationale and then have a hard time explaining that to the student,” said Smith. “I think if they see what we do and why we do it, it will help build a better relationship and better service to our students.”

“I like it for the simple fact that we get to know our co-workers,” said Aggison.

“A lot of networking can be achieved through this program. Typically I would have never spoken with the campus associates because we don’t have a lot of face to face interaction.”

Jessica Jones and Carmen Franco work in the financial aid offices at Southwest and Southeast Colleges respectively. They are both HCC graduates who received financial aid as students. To learn more about the HCC transformation process visit hccs.edu/ transformation.

Relaxnews (Health) December 18th, 2015 n the first clinically controlled trial to study how effective eating slowly is for detecting a feeling of fullness and losing weight, a team from the University of California worked with physicians from the National University of Mexico to investigate.

I

The study wanted to look at the effect of minimizing the amount of food children ate before their stomach signaled to their brain that they were full. This signal, called the satiety reflex, normally happens after around 15 minutes, but in today’s fast-paced world we often finish meals in under 15 minutes.

The researchers looked at the eating habits of 54 Mexican children aged between 6 to 17 over a 1-year period. The children were divided into 2 groups. One group, the compliant group, was told by the researchers to eat slowly. The participants in the other group, the non-compliant group, were not instructed to eat slowly. Both of these groups were also compared to a control group.

During the study, the compliant group participants were asked to drink a glass of water before each meal, and then told to chew each bite of food for 30 seconds before taking their next bite, so they had time to realize when they were full and stop eating. To make sure that they waited the correct amount of time, each participant had a small hourglass to time the 30 seconds, and were instructed by researchers not to take their next bite until the hourglass had emptied.

The students were also told to avoid snacks in between meals.

The results found that waiting 30 seconds between each bite of food gives children the chance to realize when they are full, and prevents

overeating, resulting in a significant difference between the weights of the compliant group and the noncompliant group.

In the compliant group, the students’ weight decreased by between 2 and 5.7% after 6 months and by 3.4 to 4.8% after 1 year.

In the non-compliant group, the students’ weights actually increased, by 4.4 to 5.8% after six months, and by 8.3 to 12.6% after 1 year.

The weight of the control group also increased, by 6.5 to 8.2% after one year.

The results were so encouraging that the states of Michoacan, Yucatán and Veracruz, Mexico, have all asked the researchers to implement the method into schools.

Commenting on the method used, Dr. Ruy Perez-Tamayo, one of the co-authors of the study, said, “It is simple, inexpensive and easy to follow; and with Geert SchmidSchonbein, another of the study’s co-authors, adding that unlike a diet, the study’s method is sustainable long-term, possibly because also unlike a diet, it doesn’t change, or restrict what you can eat. “You can adopt this slow eating approach for yourself and keep it up for the rest of your life,” Schmid-Schonbein said.

“You can teach this approach to your children and they can teach it to their children in turn.”

The researchers would next like to conduct further research with a larger sample size in both Mexico and California, and would like to look at California’s large Hispanic population.

More details of the study can be found online in the journal Pediatric Obesity.

VOICE OF ASIA 15

Section 2

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

Bollywood Masala

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Mannara Chopra dazzles at Hi Life Designer Exhibition Launches

Tel: 713-774-5140

Bajirao Mastani’ scores over ‘Dilwale’

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he Shah Rukh KhanKajol starrer Dilwale has had a bigger opening than Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period biopic Bajirao Mastani, and it has continued to rake in more moolah because Shah Rukh Khan reportedly knew the trick.

The advance booking of Dilwale started from Monday of the releasing week, far ahead of Bajirao Mastani. However, the first Monday (after its Friday release) collections are always the litmus test for any film’s acceptability, and this is where it looks like Bajirao Mastani has an edge over Dilwale.

According to trade magazine Box office India (image attached below), on Monday Bajirao Mastani had the net collection of Rs 10.25 crore, whereas Dilwale ended up raking in Rs 10.09 crore.

“Bajirao has overtaken Dilwale,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. He further confirms

Shah Rukh Khan’Kajol in ‘Dilwale’. (Left). Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in “Bajirao Mastani.” that Bajirao Mastani has an upper hand now because it has had a very strong word of word of mouth working in its favor.

News publications have already established that Dilwale has crossed Rs 100 crore, but the fate of the film actually depends on net collection

from theatres in India. Going by those figures, Dilwale has made Rs 74.72 crores whereas Bajirao Mastani is lagging behind with Rs 52.20 crores.

I am an extremely proud feminist: Priyanka

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UMBAI, Dec 22 (PTI) Many actresses might shy away from calling themselves feminists, but Priyanka Chopra has no qualms in admitting that she is an absolute believer in feminism.

Mannara Chopra The 33-year-old actress said feminism is not an anti-male concept and, in fact, is about a conversation about gender equality.

B

ollywood and Tollywood actress Mannara Chopra latest stills at Hi Life designer and exhibition launches at Novotel in Hyderabad.

Actress Mannara Chopra inaugurates Hi Life exhibition in December 2015. Hindi movie Zid heroine Mannara Chopra new stills at Hi Life designer and exhibition at Novotel.

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“I am an extremely proud feminist. I am someone who believes feminism is just a conversation about equality. It is not about hating or berating men. For eons, women have been treated as second class citizens and it’s high time we are given the due credit,” Priyanka told reporters here at the trailer launch of her upcoming film “Jai Gangaajal”.

Indian Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra. © AFP PHOTO / FILES

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The actress said the movie is an attempt to blur the lines between a man

and a woman.

The actress, a former Miss Universe, was asked about her reaction on the recent goof up at the fianle of coveted pageant, where the host named Miss Colombia the next Miss Universe instead of the real winner, Miss Philippines.

“It is so bad. If that would have happened with me, I would’ve... I feel so sorry for Miss Columbia,” Priyanka said.

She is being praised for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Bajirao Mastani” but the actress revealed she was yet to watch the film.

“I haven’t even watched Bajirao Mastani by the way. I haven’t watched any film... The whole world is calling me and talking about Kashibai but I don’t know how I’ve worked in the film.

VOICE OF ASIA 16

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

HEALTHY LIVING VOICE OF ASIA

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

In Developing World, Cancer Is a Very Different Disease RAW DATA DEC. 18, 2015

I

n the United States the median age at which colon cancer strikes is 69 for men and 73 for women. In Chad the average life expectancy at birth is about 50. Children who survive childbirth — and then malnutrition and diarrhea — are likely to die of pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza, malaria, AIDS or even traffic accidents long before their cells accumulate the mutations that cause colon cancer.

T

he popular websites Physician Compare and Hospital Compare have been updated and expanded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency says their goal is to improve these consumer online tools.

In fact, cancers of any kind don’t make the top 15 causes of death in Chad — or in Somalia, the Central African Republic and other places where the average life span peaks in the low to mid-50s. Many people do die from cancer, and their numbers are multiplied by rapidly growing populations and a lack of medical care. But first come all those other threats.

Mr. Carter, a religious man, says he is prepared to meet his maker. But he is among the fortunate who first have the luxury of exhausting the most expensive remedies medicine has to offer.

So far the approach appears to be working, shrinking his brain tumors to invisibility.

Should there be a setback, his doctors may have the option of combining Keytruda with other recently approved immune system therapies, the next line of defense. Last summer at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Dr. Leonard Saltz, chief of gastrointestinal oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, estimated that medical bills for these cocktails could run $300,000 a year.

That is for just one person.

For those with the will and the resources, the war on cancer has come to mean pushing incrementally toward some imagined

Medicare Physician Compare and Hospital Compare updated Updates provide more for health care professionals and group practices

by George Johnson

How different this is from the United States, where oncologists are working to rid a 91-year-old former president of metastatic melanoma, one of the deadliest cancers. One of Jimmy Carter’s drugs, a new immunotherapy agent called Keytruda, has been priced at $12,500 a month, in addition to the cost of his surgery and treatment with computerguided radiation beams.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Valero Doval immortality, the ultimate right to life. There appears to be no limit to what we — society in the abstract — will agree to pay for extending long and well-lived lives.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was envisioning more of these death-defying acts when, borrowing a metaphor, he recently called for a “moon shot” to end cancer — infusions of additional dollars that, judging from the past, would go largely toward research that helps older people become older.

Children with leukemia, lymphoma or osteosarcoma might also benefit, along with some younger adults and those just reaching their prime, like the vice president’s son, Beau Biden, who died this year from a brain tumor at age 46. But the median age of diagnosis for cancers of all kinds in this country is 66.

Seventy-eight percent of cases are diagnosed in people 55 or older. Childhood cancer, among the most curable, remains rare.

In the developing world, cancer has a very different look, as illustrated in maps drawn by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Cancer Research.

The countries with the high-

est incidence, like the United States, Canada, Australia and those of Western Europe, are dark blue. With the exception of South Africa, almost all of the African continent is light blue or white. The map could serve double duty — as a pointer to places with the highest standards of living and hence the longest life spans.

But that is just part of the story. Cancers that arise in poorer countries are far less likely to be survived.

A disproportionately large number of these cases are caused by infectious agents. Look again at the international maps, and pick the ones showing the worldwide incidence of cervical cancer, which is brought on by infection with the human papilloma virus.

This map is almost a reverse image of the ones for colorectal cancer or breast cancer — the leading cancers of the richer realms. For cervical cancer, the dark blues of trouble are concentrated in places like Mali, while the wealthier countries, with lower rates, are rendered in white.

This is a cancer that could practically be wiped out everywhere by the HPV vaccine, and

those efforts are underway in poorer regions. Infection is also a major factor in stomach cancer and liver cancer. An Apolloscale moon shot aimed at all of these killers would save millions of people who still have much of their lives to come.

As improvements in economic development and public health move forward, the disparities are evening out, as described in an update this week by epidemiologists at the American Cancer Society. Life expectancy will slowly increase, and rising alongside will be the overall cancer rate.

Cancers of the poor will gradually give way to cancers of the more affluent. They will move up the list of leading killers, replacing the old diseases.

This is already happening in countries like India, where more people are becoming overweight and living less active lives — risk factors for malignancies of the colon and breast. Women who forestall or forgo childbearing are also at higher risk for breast and other gynecological cancers.

More people are also able to afford a steady supply of cigarettes — and to live for the additional decades it takes for the cancerous mutations to pile up.

China has joined North America and Europe as a hotbed of lung cancer, and other countries seem determined to catch up.

Dr. Vincent T. DeVita Jr., the renowned American oncologist, titled his new book “The Death of Cancer,” envisioning a time “when we’ll be able to cure almost all cancers” with an everimproving stream of engineered pharmaceuticals and other cutting-edge treatments yet to be discovered.

Maybe that will happen, if we can afford it. But there are so many lower-tech, lower-cost

New quality measures have been added to Physician Compare for group practices and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and, for the first time, individual health care professionals. These measures focus on the quality of care provided by Medicare physicians and other health care professionals. Hospital Compare includes information on more than 100 quality measures and over 4,000 hospitals. The website has been refreshed and updated to include new data and several new measures.

“Consumers want trustworthy, reliable, and understandable information about the quality of health care delivered by providers,” said CMS Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer Patrick Conway, M.D., MSc. “Both Physician Compare and Hospital Compare show consumers that they have a choice. This large release of quality measures for hospitals and physicians empowers consumers with information to make more informed health care decisions, encourages health care professionals to strive for higher levels of quality, and drives overall health system improvement.”

The 2014 data released today on Physician Compare include: • Additional performance scores on preventive care, diabetes, cardiovascular care, and patient safety by some group practices. CMS posted 2014 clinical quality of care measures for approximately 275 group practices who reported as part of Medicare’s quality reporting program, the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS).

These quality measures show how well a group practice provides certain types of care to people with Medicare.

• New performance scores on patients’ experiences with some group practices.

CMS posted measures for approximately 290 group practices who reported patient experience measures through the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and

and ultimately more heroic cancer moon shots yet to be made — ones that would save younger

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com Systems (CAHPS) for PQRS survey. The CAHPS for PQRS survey asks Medicare patients for feedback regarding their experiences getting care from their group practice.

• First set of individual health care professional performance scores on preventive care, cardiovascular care, and patient safety measures.

CMS posted 2014 clinical quality of care measures for over 40,000 individual health care professionals who reported as part of PQRS. • Updated performance scores for ACOs. CMS posted the 2014 clinical quality of care and patient experience measures for approximately 333 Shared Savings Program ACOs and 20 Pioneer ACOs. The first quality measures were added to Physician Compare in February 2014.

Since then, the number of individuals, groups, and organizations reporting quality data has continued to increase.

The 2014 data released now on Hospital Compare include: • A new measure for the Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) program that shows whether a hospital uses safe surgery practices before administering anesthesia, before incision and closing, and prior to the patient leaving the operating room for inpatient surgical procedures.

The goal of Hospital Compare is to inform patients about hospital quality and to encourage care improvements on the hospital level.

Hospital Compare allows patients and family members to simultaneously compare multiple hospitals on their performance related to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgery, and other conditions.

For your Individual, Business OR Medicare health insurance plan contact Sudhir Mathuria @ 713-771-2900.

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New dawn or Wild West? ‘Sharing economy’ goes global platforms have the potential “to radically upend both how we consume goods and how we work to afford them,” said the PwC report.

Notable platforms include Task Rabbit (running errands), Hourly Nerds (computer consultants), Thumbtack (home repairs), Bon Appetour (homecooked meals) and Washio (laundry). Services such as Instacart, Postmates and Grubhub deliver meals or groceries.

“I see this as one stage in a progression representing how digital technologies are changing how we organize work, which has been going on for 30 years,” said New York University professor Arun Sundararajan, who specializes in the subject.

Facilitated by smartphones and geolocation technology, the sharing model offers consumers vastly expanded choices and often lower prices. © Kostenko Maxim/shutterstock.com

by Rob Lever ASHINGTON, It’s a new dawn for transport, lodging -- and pretty much every service under the sun -- and it’s all about “sharing.”

W

The so-called sharing economy gained traction across the globe in 2015 as Uber upended the taxi business, Airbnb disrupted the hotel sector and a host of online and mobile startups let people moonlight as chefs or handymen.

Many see great promise in the collaborative economy, starting with the people flocking to it as way to turn their car or apartment, spare time or hobby, into a source of revenue -- with far great flexibility than a conventional job.

A PriceWaterhouse study es-

timates that the “sharing” or “peer-to-peer” economy will explode from roughly $15 billion in worldwide revenues at the end of 2014 to $325 billion by 2025.

But critics worry the rising sector is an unregulated Wild West with few safeguards for either workers or consumers, and the trend has raised hackles from incumbents fearing for their survival -- cue the taxi driver protests against Uber seen around the world.

Posting on the Uber forum under the handle DaveM, one driver describes a summer gig on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, as idyllic.

“I’m making good money. If I put in the hours I can get 18 rides a day,” he writes. “Beach all day drive at night=happiness.”

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

But user tales of woe collected on a website called AirbnbHell, tell another side of the story.

One lodging guest recounts: “When I got to the house and met the folks they seemed cool.

When I went out for dinner, they stole all my stuff and locked me out. To make it worse, they sent me an email saying God bless, Jesus loves you.”

- Who stands to benefit? -Facilitated by smartphones and geolocation technology, the sharing model offers consumers vastly expanded choices and often lower prices.

Spearheaded by giants like Uber, present in at least 67 countries, and Airbnb which operates in 190 countries including Cuba, peer-to-peer

In the United States alone, some 18 million workers now earn a significant portion of their income outside of traditional employment, according to MBO Partners. And a study by financial software group Intuit found that 80 percent of large corporations plan to increase their use of a “flexible workforce” in coming years.

Sundararajan says his research suggests people in digital labor markets often earn more than in traditional jobs.

“The evidence I have seen is that wages tend to go up when the work is related to physical presence,” as is the case with transportation, delivery or home services, he told AFP. With services that can be outsourced to distant locations, such as web design or translation, wages often fell.

The people who stand to benefit most, said the NYU professor, are those struggling to make ends meet, and who are at or below median income.

“These are people who can afford to take a vacation because they can rent their place on Airbnb, who can afford their car payments because they drive for a ridesharing service.”

Backers say the sharing platforms are largely self-regulat-

Tel: 713-774-5140

US fines BMW $40 mn for recall violations New York, United States | AFP | Monday 12/21/2015 17:58 GMT | 211 words German auto giant BMW was fined $40 million for not conductiong a timely recall on vehicles that failed crash tests, US auto safety regulators announced Monday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the carmaker acknowledged it had violated US recall standards with respect to the Mini 2 Door Hardtop Cooper, which failed crash tests in 2014 and 2015.

NHTSA fined BMW $3 million in 2012 for similar recall violations.

“The requirement to launch recalls and inform consumers in a timely fashion when a safety defect or noncompliance ing: users review providers for quality, providing incentives for good service while weeding out the bad ones.

But that view is not universal, with Edith Ramirez, chairwoman of the US Federal Trade Commission, arguing recently that “targeted regulatory measures may be needed to ensure that these new business models have appropriate consumer protections”.

- Short-term gig work -While many willingly embrace the job flexibility, meanwhile, the lack of a social safety net has raised concerns as traditional employment increasingly gives way to short-term “gig” work.

Increasingly vocal critics worry that the protections of the traditional employer-worker relationship, hard-won over the course of decades, could be lost in the process.

“This trend shifts all economic risks onto workers. A downturn in demand, or sudden change in consumer needs, or a personal injury or sickness, can make it impossible to pay the bills,” says former US labor secretary Robert Reich on his blog.

is discovered is fundamental to our system for protecting the travelling public. This is a must-do,” said NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind.

“For the second time in three years, BMW has been penalized for failing to meet that obligation. The company must take this opportunity to reform its procedures and its culture to put safety where it belongs: at the top of its priority list.”

The agency ordered BMW to pay $10 million in cash penalties and to spend at least $10 million implementing improvements, such as appointing an independent consult to develop best practices.

The remaining $20 million is in deferred penalties that will be due if BMW fails to comply with the order or commits other safety violations, NHTSA said.

“It eliminates labor protections such as the minimum wage, worker safety, family and medical leave, and overtime. And it ends employerfinanced insurance -- Social Security, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and employer-provided health insurance.”

New ideas are springing up to address the problem of job security, with startups joining labor activists to endorse efforts for a “flexible safety net” for this new type of worker.

A research report by Cornell University’s Seth Harris and Princeton’s Alan Krueger endorses the notion of a new classification of “independent workers” with portable social benefits.

Proponents of the sharing economy argue however that the sector is moving so quickly that it would be a mistake to impose new regulations without careful consideration.

“It’s not clear that we have found the new models of labor that will dominate in the 21st century,” Sundararajan said.

“We have to be cautious about rushing into regulation.”

Apple insider becomes chief operating officer

S

AN FRANCISCO Apple on Thursday made shifts to its executive team, naming its first chief operating officer since Tim Cook moved into the chief executive job some four years ago.

Since 2010, Williams duties have included overseeing Apple’s supply chain along with service and support.

Jeff Williams became Apple’s chief operating officer, formalizing a role some contend he was already handling at the California-based technology colossus.

Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller, a familiar face to any who have tuned into the company’s product unveilings, will expand his role to include heading the online App Store, according to the company.

Williams joined the company in 1998 and “played a key role in Apple’s entry into the mobile phone market with the launch of the iPhone,” according to a release.

“Jeff is hands-down the best operations executive I’ve ever worked with,” Cook said.

The head of Apple’s chip business, Johny Srouji, was named senior vice president for hardware technologies.

“Johny’s team delivers world-class silicon designs which enable new innovations in our products year after year,” Cook said.

Cook also announced that Tor Myhren will join Apple early next year as vice president of marketing communications, reporting Cook.

“We are fortunate to have incredible depth and breadth of talent across Apple’s executive team,” Cook said.

Cook was chief operating officer at Apple from 2007 to 2011 and took over as CEO from co-founder Steve Jobs, who died that year.

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HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

Your Horoscope for the Week of December 25, 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 Trying very hard and giving it all you’ve got’ while feeling anxious, nervous and insecure. Seek input from elders or sage, experienced souls. Your best days to communicate needs and desires ‘new beginnings’ and the end to recent problems/challenges, sometimes ‘all on their own’. Do not be ‘foolish with money especially in vesting your trust or profit with anyone with a ‘bad track record’. Cooperation remains poor but communication ‘ease’ appears to save you ‘fix any/all’ that may have gone wrong in the recent past.

You are making connections during a chance encounter. Time to be out and about, as opportunities to exchange information and learn will occur. Let your innovative spirit lead you. It may be tricky to see the right path but you will need some time and space.

Give yourself the chance to regenerate. You may also receive a ‘cherished wish’, so be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. Don’t ‘burn your wish’ on statements born out of frustration; the Universe is poised and listening the early hours of days.

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May Being your nurturing side and how you enjoy helping others with cheer. Cooking and baking make you feel good about yourself. Begin implementing the promises that you have made to yourself. You have the energy to do more and should take on more challenges. You have the force to be a powerful and effective communicator. Sad news of some kind is possible for a small cross section of you but appears limited to, but could take until to ‘reach you’.

A need to feel more comfortable to get back on track. Get together will feel very positive. Take pride in how much inner strength you feel. Also your creative world seems a little off kilter. Focus on finding the root of the problem. A positive flow will start things running smoothly again. Outside of the ‘possible threat’ contained in the friendship section, your stars show a productive week is ‘possible’ but only if you bust your ego to have it thus.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June A need to not lose sight of reality while you are in your current mood. You may need inspiration, romance and an escape from life. Solitary activity is not recommended.

Sharing, harmonizing and love will be your main theme. Showing affection is very important to you. Improvements are indicated in ‘long past’ and older challenges but it may take some struggle or dangling before you see 100% of the ‘outcome’. Personal illness/injury, including common cold, sinus, throat, eyes, may have you ‘off your feet’.

The fact your mind seems too restless for you to sit still. You are able to think at a very high level but need more mental stimulation to communicate. But at the same time, your creative imagination is active. So is your yearning for something beautiful. The artist in you emerges and your creations inspire you. Spending appears to go ‘on the rise’ with vehicle/travel expense, appliance replacement, house structure repairs and lost/misplaced items that must be purchased due to time sensitive needs, leaving you with two, should you find the other.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July A need to be alert and on your toes. The pace is likely to be faster than you thought.

Don’t allow aggravations and stress to beat up your spirit. It may be time to act on your dreams. Keep your focus on the tasks at hand, but imagine. Create something that touches your highest ideals. Cooperation with family is dotted poor to good, on and off through the week with this pattern likely.

An emotional tension you feel which should ease away as the week unfolds. Try to persuade your interests through written and spoken word alike. Your focus should be on your work and how to achieve your objectives. Once you do you will have a clearer picture of what is required of you. Spending to fix or replace is highly likely for damage to the house/structure, appliances or vehicles. Some ‘management’ spending for vehicles is likely but the bigger price tags may be for upgrades, replacements, avoiding insurance claims or repairs.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Diplomacy and patience which for you, may be seem a little worn out. Listen to your intuition; it will help control your bad behavior. Just when you thought you had your world under control. Last minute changes and adjustments will help put a new perspective on things. What a week to survive! Emotional ‘blow ups’ are common place, hopefully, a hefty cross section of you will miss this one and spending on a wide variety of ‘common sense, practical and/or unavoidable needs’.

You will be bored with the old philosophies and feel the need to search for your own truth. You will learn much through your direct experiences. A misunderstanding is likely if others do not clearly communicate their needs to you. Your ego may require a bit more nurturing and support. Your stars show great success is possible, especially IF you are negotiating terms for more money, power or favors. Success is likely again on, especially from power, money or ‘bosses above your first level boss’.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September You may feel very impressed to someone who is very powerful. By testing the depths of your feelings you will see how intense you can really be. Pushing the limits of a relationship could spark a challenge. Your hidden self is likely to emerge. This could be a positive or negative result. Impulsive decisions made early may contain some ‘gross mistakes’ especially in calculations or ‘assumptions’. New assignments may be handed to you the later hours of all day; make a good start with them.

QR

A need to use positive ideas to strengthen your social status. Career opportunities will find you through your business network. Put a positive spin on the current situation. Focusing on the goal at hand may tend to turn into positive results. Break away from your usual routines. Your most cooperative days ‘comparatively’ appear to be then you fall into what may be a frustrating run of poor quality, uncaring or even frustration levels of attention and cooperation until as far out. Most of you appear to ‘whip it into shape’ nicely the ‘right away’ and create peace where there BE no peace.

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VOICE OF ASIA 19

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FRIDAY, December 25, 2015

Know Your Words Here’s your chance to be a Vocabulary Sleuth!

Atheism n. The denial of the existence of God. Betimes adv. In good season or time.

Circumference n. The boundary-line of a circle.

Decorous adj. Suitable for the occasion or circumstances.

Equitable adj. Characterized by fairness.

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What you need to know to stay healthy during the holidays

• Goldfish can see both infrared and ultraviolet light.

• The average hen lays 228 eggs a year.

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• ‘Lonely Planet’ for travelers is based in Melbourne Australia.

’m the first to admit I love just about everything about the magical holiday season!

• Venetian blinds were invented in Japan.

But, one thing I don’t love is how we overdo everything to excess — myself included — with the mindset of “that’s what the holidays are for.”

I

• Madonna and Michael Jackson were both born in 1958.

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The holidays are for celebrating, indulging and relaxing, but that doesn’t mean we should equate that to a free pass to throw exercise sessions out the window and postpone healthy eating until the new year.

The question everyone wants

How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays + Fitness Routine Image: Tetra Images/Getty Images.

Christmas baking: Decorative Sugar Cookies

by Sophia Carlini • Riotact aking is one of the things that I love most in this world, and baking at Christmas is my absolute favourite! Instead of buying gifts for friends, family and work colleagues, I like to give everyone special to me handmade baked treats.

I know! Normally the idea of handmade is not a super exciting thought; you’re probably thinking about knitted beanies and socks. But handmade edible goodies are in a league of their own; not only do they taste delicious but they look absolutely amazing. Too good to eat, you might say.

B

Depending on how much time I have, I either make rum balls or Christmas cookies. The Christmas cookies are my personal favourite but they really are very time consuming.

Totally worth it though! This year I was lucky enough to have time to make some Christmas cookies, so I thought I would share the recipe with you.

Decorative Sugar Cookies Ingredients: 250g plain flour 110g icing sugar 110g unsalted butter

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1 egg 1tsp vanilla essence Fondant and or royal icing Edible decorations Food colours Method: Pre-heat the oven to 150 degrees celcius.

Prepare the cookie dough by mixing the flour and sugar together. Add butter and mix together with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add vanilla essence and the egg and mix until dough forms. You may need to place the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes, as it can be too soft to work with.

Once it is ready, roll out on a lightly floured surface or on a sheet of baking paper, to about 5mm thick. Using a cookie cutter of your choice, cut out the dough and place on a lined baking tray.

Bake in the oven for approx. 20 minutes or until golden. Take out and allow to completely cool.

You can decorate as you see fit. I love using fondant to decorate. It’s easy to use, it looks perfect and it’s not messy.

First, I make a fondant base for my cookie design. Roll out the fondant until quite thin, maybe 2mm thick. Use the cookie cutter you used to make the cookies to cut out the same shape.

to know is: How do you enjoy all the goodies and wonders of the season without reversing all your hard work and healthy habits in a matter of days?

I think it’s safe to say that we all know the obvious answers — and if you don’t, there are tons of lists and tips out there.

Using a paint brush, brush a little water onto the back of the fondant and stick down to the cookie. Once all your cookies have a fondant base you can begin to decorate.

I have pulled a few of my favorite tips — but none of the tricks, tips or magic solutions are going to be very helpful without first knowing this one thing.

I have chosen snow flakes and Christmas trees this year. Choose the colored fondant you would like to use and again role out quite thin. Using your fondant/cookie cutters, cut out the desired shape. Stick down onto the fondant base with a little water and then decorate with edible pearls and glitter as appropriate.

Watch my quick video where I share the most critical tip for staying healthy this holiday.

There are so many variations of designs to try and so many edible decorations to use, it’s really up to you! I love making cookies so much that I accidentally accumulated all of these cookie cutters!

Wrap your cookies in cellophane and present to your guests. I guarantee that they will love them!

Merry Christmas!

And once you get that down, here are a few actionable tips that will have a lot higher chance of success!

Schedule your workouts during your day or before your day No matter how busy you are, you still have 24 hours in a day, and you choose how to spend them. If you find you get swept up in the busyness and your workout time gets lost in the hustle, take a look at your day’s tasks a day before and plan your workout like you would any other appointment. In fact, it is likely the most important appointment you attend — you will be energized, have a clear mind, feel less stressed and be ready to tackle anything the season throws at you with a lifted spirit.

No fail plan: Get up just 30 minutes earlier and get it done before you start your day. Nothing can get in your way, and you can bask in your postworkout endorphins all day long.

Place on a lined baking tray.

On fondant base begin to decorate

Brush a little water onto the back

Reassess and revamp your workout to optimize time Who wants to spend all day in the gym when there is holiday shopping, dinner parties and visiting to do? Rather than skipping the workout altogether, carve out a 30-minute window where you maximize your workout with interval and strength training.

My favorite way to get results is to combine intervals with the right ratio of high-intensity cardio and strength training to get more out of less time.

Choose the color fondant you would like to use

Choose from your a wide range of cookie cutters

So many edible decorations to use.

Wrap your cookies in cellophane

Just add (bubbly) water This tip comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me — sorry, wine connoisseurs — but one of my best tips for slimming down your drink, while also hydrating, is to add sparkling water or club soda to any of your drinks, from cocktails to wine. I love the taste bubbly water adds, and I love even more that I can splurge on double the amount of drinks — without downing extra sugar and calories.

Even better, since you’re adding water, you are less likely to overdo it and wake up with a pounding headache!

Get festive with your fitness routine There are lots of fun activities you can do that count as exercise and don’t require clocking time at the gym.

Cross-country skiing and winter hiking are two of my favorite winter activities. You get the fresh air and the option to enjoy the outdoors, or bring a friend and catch up with someone — a much more slimming activity than sitting over a plate of cookies.

However, not all of us can strap on or access cross-country skiing or even a good place to hike. Due to life circumstances, many times we just need something simple and quick we can do right in our own living room — which is why I think it’s more fun to get into the spirit with holiday-themed workouts.

You’ll still get a great workout, but with a nice change of theme. Here is a collection of my top 10 holiday workout videos — as well as healthy holiday tips and tricks.

Don’t get me wrong, these tips do not mean you should avoid any fun, rather they are to get more enjoyment out of everything by enjoying the things that matter — and doing so in moderation will result in a happier, healthier and more energized you throughout the whole season.

Cheers to eating, drinking, moving and being merry as well!

Amanda Russell is a top-rated fitness and lifestyle writer, professional keynote speaker, Olympic-trained athlete, model, spokeswoman, founder of Fit, Strong and Sexy and one of the industry’s leading experts on fitness, wellness and change. Amanda hosts and executive produces the online fitness series: Fit, Strong and Sexy. To watch Amanda’s show, visit her on YouTube.

VOICE OF ASIA 20

FRIDAY, December 25, 2015