VOICE OF ASIA 1
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
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Over 27 years of dedicated service to the community Vol. 28 No. 41 Friday, October 2, 2015 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 24\ Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com
Akshay Patra draws great attention at Houston Benefit Event
From left to right: Piyali Dutta, Emily Rosenbaum, Gopi Kallayil, Manisha C Gandhi, Rajiv Satyal and Desh Deshpande. Photo credit Navin Mediwala. by Shobana Muratee
H
OUSTON - India’s brain drain, a cliché no longer relevant to
this millennium, was once again reiterated at the Akshay Patra’s Houston Benefit Event held on Saturday, October 11, 2015 at the Sugar Land Marriott in Sugar Land. Akshay Patra, a
non-profit organization, has given the world a scalable solution to tackle hunger by simply following the prototype of leading business enterprises: combining sound management with
Manisha Gandhi welcoming the guests at the Akshay Patra Benefit Event in Houston on Oct. 11, 2015. Photo credit Navin Mediwala. innovative technologies and smart engineering. “In India we have tremendous expertise and we have scalable solutions to problems that the world has
not seen before,” said Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande, Chairman, Akshay Patra, speaking at the event. Today, Akshay Continued on page 6
Wells Fargo Celebrates Diwali with $50,000 Donation to Operation Smile Wells Fargo sponsors Diwali celebrations throughout the country; Offers holiday debit card designs New York, October 13, 2015 –Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is celebrating Diwali with a $50,000 donation to Operation Smile to help provide life-changing surgeries for children and young adults in India who are born with cleft lip and cleft palate. To help kick-off the Indian New Year, the company will participate in a series of Diwali community celebrations throughout the country, including events in California, New Jersey and Texas. “Operation Smile is honored to be partnering again this year with Wells Fargo to celebrate the Diwali season,” said Lisa Jardanhazy, Vice President Global Media Strategy & Public Relations for Operation Smile. “Wells Fargo’s good
will and generosity helps Operation Smile provide increased access to surgical services for children around the world. We are grateful to have Wells Fargo’s support and partnership in our belief that all children deserve safe, well-timed and effective surgery to repair their cleft conditions.” From Oct. 16, 2015 to Nov. 30, 2015, Wells Fargo encourages customers to send their own smiles and holiday goodwill to those in India by making a donation to Operation Smile. Customers can make a donation and learn more about the company’s collaboration with Operation Smile by visiting www.wellsfargo.com/diwalismiles. Continued on page 5
From left to right: William P. Magee, Jr. D.D.S., M.D., CEO and co-founder of Operation Smile; Shuyi Wang, vice president and Asian segment marketing manager for Enterprise Marketing Strategy and Segments at Wells Fargo; Rahul Baig, managing director and head of New York Corporate Banking at Wells Fargo; Della Ng, vice president of Integrated Marketing at Wells Fargo; and Kathleen S. Magee, president and co-founder of Operation Smile. (Photo credit: Jay Mandal)
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FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
INCLUSIVE CAPITALISM: Panacea for Prosperity in Stagnant Economy Dr. Chandra Mittal is Professor at Houston Community College by Chandra K. Mittal
A
s the campaign for 2016 US Presidential election gets underway, the discussions about the economy, jobs, incomes disparity, etc. are taking hold of the national conversation. Whereas the left-leaning Democrats are generally critical of the American capitalism and suggest punitive taxation to fund popular socialistic welfare programs, the Republican are emphasizing the virtues of limited government and robust private enterprises, etc. as the way to improve living standards of all Americans. All this is, of course, the emotionally charged “election rhetoric� primarily directed at the voters, but the one that rarely translates into reality. The stereotypical arguments and perceptions between the virtues of capitalism and socialism are an age-old phenomenon in almost all human societies. Historically, while the capitalism and its conduct has been perceived as “exploitative and inhuman�, the socialism appears “compassionate, humane and intoxicatingly seductive�. But the reality is far from it. Such perceptions have been perpetuated by the vested interests on both sides represented by individuals, governments, and social groups. Typically, the advocates of both philosophies see a sinister motive on the opposite side. One fact, however, remains undisputed that wealth cre-
ation always requires elements of capitalism (i.e. investment and profit) regardless of the country, form of government or political philosophy. This is best exemplified by Russia and China which are although officially declared socialistic republics, but experienced wealth creation and economic expansion only by adopting capitalistic ways - be it StateCapitalism. And both of these economies are still hamstrung without mass privatization to realize their full economic potential. It is true that capitalism, while creating national wealth, has also created wide income gaps, economic disparities and disproportionate wealth distributions in the societies. But it is not due some monstrosity or conspiracy that is intrinsic to capitalism or inherent in its character. It is indeed due to a combination of factors such as unscrupulous financial practices, lack of regulatory oversight, and corrupt political system as was witnessed in the 2008 US economic meltdown. In this instance, financial institutions manipulated and abused the capitalistic system, violated the trust and took unprecedented risks leading to the disaster. While it is politically expedient to propose socialistic solutions and wealth redistribution as a way to abolish the economic disparities caused by capitalism, but these are not at all productive, realistic or sustainable because such measures cannot create enough wealth or trigger economic growth. This approach is a failure as is being currently witnessed in the European countries where social welfare programs have outgrown wealth creation. Capitalism is the real “golden goose� that can be killed only at the
CNBC show “Shark Tank’ risk of self-destruction. The real solution to correct the ills and abuses of capitalism lie in making the system transparent, responsible, inclusive and properly regulated. There is urgent need to de-emphasize “big� and promote small- and medium-sized privately held enterprises. No enterprise should be “too big to fail�. This can unleash enormous entrepreneurial energy to create wealth, higher employment and prosperity for the society at large. United States became the world’s largest economy only through small businesses and not because of large Stateowned corporations. One cannot be but mused and wonder about the spirit and soul of America when one watches the reality television show “Shark Tank� featuring aspiring entrepreneurs come before the panel of celebrated investors like Billionaire Mark Cuban to present their innovative business ideas to seek capital for their dream business ventures. The entrepreneurs face a rough and tough scrutiny, skepticism, and depending upon the merit of the business idea they either fall or rise and get funded for their projects. Shark Tank, though a tele-
vision show, exemplifies the spirit of “Inclusive Capitalism� - the linchpin of the American civilization, where the wheels of freedom and private enterprises churn out wealth for the society. United States is full of Shark Tanks in the form of Angel Investors, Venture capitalists, who encourage business ideas to help create new wealth. With the violent conflicts, political turmoil, and economic stagnation around the globe, the societies have a challenge to find ways to grow its economy and achieve political stability. When the large enterprises controlled by a few turn arrogant, abusive, and inefficient, there is need to channelize resources towards smaller enterprises that can be controlled and managed more efficiently. It is only the “participatory� and “inclusive� capitalism that can fuel the economic engine to create wealth, prosperity and political stability, and not the Utopia of Socialism. Dr. Chandra Mittal is Professor at Houston Community College and Co-Founder of Indo-American Association, Houston. He can be contact on drckmittal@yahoo.com or followed on twitter @drchandramittal.
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C OMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Second Front Page
Friday, October 16, 2015 • www.voiceofasiaonline.com • Page 3 • Email: voiceasia@aol.com • Tel: 713-774-5140
“Don Quixote” – an unforgettable artistic treat from Samskriti
Director and choreographer, Sheejith Krishna in the role of Don Quixote (left) with Madhusudanan as Sancho Panza.
by Sanchali Basu ho does not remember reading, in their childhood, about the Adventures of Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza? The stories about this man from La Mancha, by Spanish playwright Cervantes in the 17th century, influenced the writings of many a novelist in the 19th century and later.
W
On September 20, at the Dunham Theater of the Houston Baptist University, Houstonians had the wonderful privilege of witnessing “Don Quixote” come to life through the medium of Indian classical dance, for the very first time. This artistic collaboration between Sahrdaya Foundation and Kalapeetham of India, and involving a group of 15 dancers, made a deep impact on the audience with the unique and excellent production. The performance commenced with the narrator giving us an introduction to the book and how the hidalgo’s obsession with reading led to a distortion of his perception and wavering of his mental faculties and he started believing every word of the fictional books of chivalry to be true. He does not see the world for what it is, and prefers to imagine that he is living out a knightly story. The famous ‘tilting with windmills’ scene where Don Quixote mistakes the windmills for giants, was one of the most breathtaking and brilliantly choreographed scenes in the dance drama. Impeccable and creative choreography, synchronization, precision and perfection were in display throughout the performance. The excellent performances by Sheejith Krishna (Director & choreographer) in the role of Don Quixote and Madhusudanan as
Sancho Panza were especially noteworthy. Akhila Ramnarayan, the Narrator, who was also responsible for the script, was exceptionally good at both.
The play “Don Quixote” was a collaborative effort between Sahrdaya Foundation and Kalapeetham of India, and involving a group of 15 dancers. Seen in pic with Samskriti’s Director Dr. Ratna Kumar (4th from right standing) of Houston.
The tales of Cardenio, Luscinda and Dulcinea were told through Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak and contemporary dance forms. The Trojan Horse scene where the duke and duchess play an elaborate trick on the protagonists drew some laughter from the audience. The timeless tale was told with present day relevance combining multiple art forms. The areas of music, dance, audio visuals, props, theater and poetry were all par excellence. Bringing together the rich cultures and traditions of India and Spain, the program showcased the extraordinary versatility of India’s performance which are capable of engaging diverse audiences from around the world. The Consul General of Spain, the Honorable Enric Panes Calpe, graced the occasion with his wife. According to one member of the audience, Dr. Moushumi Sur, “I am still replaying the sheer artistry of the compositions in my head. The seamless coming together of East and West, the medley of dance, song, drama and storytelling with magical technical light and sound support, made this an absolute delight to watch. I thank Samskriti for bringing such high quality shows to Houstonians”. The next scheduled program, a two-in-one special, is “Fire and Ash” by Gowri Ramnarayan and “Dwita” by Rama & Daksshina Vaidyanathan, on Sunday, November 8, 2015. Please visit: www. samskritihouston.org for future event announcements and details.
Performers of Don Quixote play held in Houston on September 20, 2015.
FBISD joins AKA Sorority in hosting E3 Educational Enrichment Expo, “The Workshop Series,” on Oct. 31 High school students invited to come and receive information to assist in their college planning
F
ORT BEND ISD – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Mu Kappa Omega Chapter and Fort Bend ISD’s College and Career Readiness Department is hosting its E3 Educational Enrichment Expo, “The Workshop Series,” to provide high school students with information to help prepare them for college. The event will be held on Saturday, October 31 at Hightower High School (3333 Hurricane Lane,
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Missouri City 77459), beginning at 9:00 a.m. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from Historically Black Colleges/ Universities (HBCUs), take part in panel discussion workshops, receive information on scholarships and campus programs, and learn about other helpful resources to help them prepare for entry into an institution of higher learning.
The panel discussion topics will include: Why Choose a HBCU? Balancing Academic and Social Life, College is One of Many Options, and Demystifying STEM Careers. To register, scan the QR code on the flyer or go to http://ruthelen. wufoo.com/forms/e3educationalenrichment-fall-expo-student/. For more information, contact Expo Coordinator Ruthelen Robinson at (713) 569-0539.
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FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
YOUR IMMIGRATION LAWYER
The People’s Lawyer
Answers to your Immigration Questions by Sharlene Sharmila Richards, Immigration Lawyer:email at srichardslaw@aol.com
www.peopleslawyer.net Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center
ANSWERS TO YOUR CITIZENSHIP QUESTIONS Sharlene Sharmila Richards
It is legal to record your conversations Q. I am in a dispute with another party. When we speak he often admits he owes me money. Can I record my conversations with him? I was told that it is illegal to record conversation unless you give the other person notice. A. Under Texas law, it is legal to record a conversation if the person recording the conversation is a party to the conversation, or, one of the parties to the conversation has given his or her consent. There is no requirement you give notice to the other person or get his or her consent. This rule applies to in person or telephone conversations. Q. I co-signed for a friend when he bought a truck. He recently filed bankruptcy and included the loan for the truck in the bankruptcy. The lender now says I have to pay. Doesn’t bankruptcy mean you don’t have to pay? A. You are correct that the effect of bankruptcy is to “discharge” debts. This means that after bankruptcy the person who filed bankruptcy no longer owes the money. Bankruptcy, however, does not affect a co-signer or guarantor. In fact, one of the reasons a creditor asks for a cosigner is to protect itself in the even the debtor files bankruptcy. The bottom line is that your friend no longer owes the money, but you do. Q. One of my credit card companies closed my account because I was paying late and missed a payment. My question is, if they closed my account can they still charge interest and late fees to the account. A. The credit card company’s rights are based on your agreement. I assume that under the terms of your agreement, the credit card company had the right close your account if you were late making payments. This decision, however, has no affect on your liability to them for any charges previously incurred, or additional charges for future interest or fees. If you owe the company money, you must continue to pay it back in accordance with the terms of your agreement. This includes paying interest, and late fees, when applicable. The first time a payment is late the card issuer generally cannot charge you more than $25. If you are late a second time within the next six billing cycles, the card issuer generally can charge you up to $35. However, neither late fee can be more than the minimum amount due. Q. Does a landlord have to disclose anything to a possible tenant? I just rented an apartment and discovered that the tenant above me practices the drums at night. I also learned that this was the reason the former tenant move out. Do I have any legal rights? A. First, under the law, the landlord owes you a duty to allow you to reasonably enjoy your apartment. If the upstairs tenant practices drums at unreasonable hours and disturbs your use of the apartment, my opinion is that the landlord has an obligation to quiet the drummer or remove him. Your first step should be to tell the landlord you expect him to take steps to quiet the drumming. Also, under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act [DTPA], a landlord has a duty to disclose known facts that would matter to an ordinary tenant. As far as I am concerned, not telling you the reason the former tenant moved out, and the fact that the upstairs tenant continues to practice drums, is a violation of this law. Under the DTPA, you are entitled to up to three times your damages, and may be allowed you to get out of your lease. I suggest you let the landlord know you know your rights and hopefully you can work things out.
Do you want to know more about your legal rights? Check out my website, www.peopleslawyer.net
Q: What is Adjustment ofQ: I like to apply for citizenship through naturalization. How do I know if I am eligible? A: To be eligible to apply for citizenship through naturalization, you first have to have been a permanent resident for at least five years unless you fall within one of the exceptions for example you are a spouse of a US Citizen, an asylee or refugee or U.S military personnel. The other requirements are you must be at least 18 years old; been residing in the district or state for at least three months prior to filing the application for naturalization; been physically present in the United States for at least half of the last five years; have not broken your continuous residence which means that you have not spent more than 180 days outside of the United States in the five year qualifying period; possess good moral character in the last five years; able to speak, read and write in English; able to pass the US history and government test and lastly, you are willing to swear that you believe in the principles of the United States constitution and will be loyal to the United States. Q: I recently became a naturalized US Citizen. My son who is now fourteen years of age became a Permanent Resident at the same time as I did. How does he apply for his citizenship? A: Your son may have automatically acquired US Citizenship in this instance. A child born outside of the United States may automatically become a United States Citizen if all the criteria have been met on or before February 27, 2001. These criteria include the following: The child has at least one parent including an adoptive parent who is a US Citizen by birth or through naturalization; the child is under 18 years of age; the child is residing in the United States in the physical and legal custody of the US
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Q: My mother’s English is not very good. Can she still pass the citizenship test as she does not qualify for the English Language exemptions? A: To apply for naturalization, the applicant must have elementary level reading, writing and understanding of the English Language. He must also have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of US history and government. If he is at least 65 years old and has been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, he can take the easier test of US History and Government. My advice in such a circumstance is for her to consult with an immigration lawyer to determine if she possesses or will be able to achieve the required level of literacy skill needed for such an application and to pass the interview. We have successfully assisted many clients who thought their literacy skills were inadequate for the naturalization process. 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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A: Yes, your citizenship application will be denied because any absence of more than one year during the period which continuous residence is required interrupts the continuous residence requirement. As such, you
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A: I am assuming that your wife qualifies for citizenship in all other respects. Generally, any single absence between 6 months and a year within the requisite 5 year statutory period creates a rebuttable presumption that continuous residence has been interrupted. Because this presumption is rebuttable, she can present evidence to show that her continuous residence was not interrupted. Examples of these may include documentation that she maintained her residence in the US such as filing of federal tax returns; she maintained her employment in the US and did not obtain employment abroad, retained full access to her home in the US and that her close family members continued to remain here during the period of her absence will be helpful. In addition to that, it is advisable that she provides a written explanation as to the circumstances of her overstay and substantiate that with her mother’s hospital records and death certificate. Q: I had a re-entry permit and stayed abroad for more than one year during the required statutory period. I applied for citizenship. Will it be denied?
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Citizen parent and the child is under 18 years of age. If all these conditions are satisfied, your son does not need to apply for United States Citizenship but you may submit an application for a Certificate of Citizenship using Form N-600 on his behalf. Alternatively, you may apply for a US Passport for him without needing to apply for the Certificate of Citizenship. Q: My wife went to India where she stayed for more than 6 months but less than one year in the last 5 years. Her mother was very sick in hospital and my wife overstayed because of the funeral. Is this a problem for her citizenship application?
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FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Fort Bend Star Senior’s Expo - a Big Success by Jacob David
to a month in advance.
S
Brian Mertz with Texas Caregiver Support Services offers a growing database for Seniors to help them find the nearest clinic, hospital, doctor, nurse, home health aide service and a host of services that benefits them. There were also health vendors who addressed Alzheimer’s and Memory Care, Retirement Living and Care Centers, Advanced planning for funerals and Cremations, financial advisors to help with early retirement, Fort Bend Hearing, American Eyes Optical which help seniors with audio and visual problems.
TAFFORD, Texas Milling crowds of seniors with their families and caretakers flocked to the first ever Senior’s Expo at the new Stafford Civic Center on October 14, 2015. The Expo started at 9 AM and went on till 2 PM. Over 800 seniors attended the event. The turnout was surprisingly large and successful by any standards. Diane Strehl, Marketing Coordinator with the Fort Bend Star said that there were about 75 business vendors who had products that would help seniors live a stress free life. Some of the noted community vendors were Fort Bend Transit which offers low fare bus / van rides for Senior citizens living in Fort bend to any area in the county for a dollar one way. One day’s notice is necessary by calling in ahead of time to schedule the bus ride. Seniors can also schedule a visit to their doctor if they called in 2 weeks
Business vendors with products for retirement and senior living cater to seniors and their families. Photo by Jacob David
Three seniors pose in front of the Fort Bend Star Expo poster. Photo by Jacob David.
The seniors line up for lunch at the expo. Photo by Jacob David.
Wells Fargo Celebrates Diwali ....
to local communities since the company’s inception in 1852. In 2014, Wells Fargo invested a record $281.2 million in 17,100 nonprofits, educational
From left to right: Shuyi Wang, vice president and Asian segment marketing manager for Enterprise Marketing Strategy and Segments at Wells Fargo; Della Ng, vice president of Integrated Marketing at Wells Fargo; Rahul Baig, managing director and head of New York Corporate Banking at Wells Fargo; William P. Magee, Jr. D.D.S., M.D., CEO and co-founder of Operation Smile; and Kathleen S. Magee, president and co-founder of Operation Smile. (Photo credit: Jay Mandal)
Continued from page 1 “We’re very proud to support Operation Smile, which makes an incredible difference in the lives of children and their families who couldn’t otherwise afford the surgeries which cost approximately $240,” said Rajnish Bharadwaj, executive vice president and head of Cross Border Strategy and Governance at Wells Fargo. “At Wells Fargo, we’re committed to support the diverse communities where we live and work and I encourage everyone to join us this year as we celebrate Diwali and support such a worthy cause.” To celebrate Diwali with customers and the community, Wells Fargo also is supporting a concert, exclusive Bollywood movie screenings and a series of melas, or festivals, throughout the country. These include a concert in San Jose on November 13, and Diwali festivals in Pleasanton, Calif. on October 24, Dallas, Texas on October 31 and Edison, New Jersey on November 7. Bollywood Movie Night Out events will be held in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. This year, Wells Fargo once again is offering customers new Asian Indian art-inspired debit card designs. New and current
From left to right: Rahul Baig, managing director and head of New York Corporate Banking at Wells Fargo; William P. Magee, Jr. D.D.S., M.D., CEO and co-founder of Operation Smile; and Kathleen S. Magee, president and co-founder of Operation Smile. (Photo credit: Jay Mandal) customers can personalize their debit cards with six design options available at Wells Fargo’s Card Design Studio® service. Wells Fargo knows that many families send money to loved ones in India to celebrate Diwali, and using its ExpressSend® service, customers can send money to family and friends at more than 5,700 ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank locations and 22,600 ATMs across India. There is no transfer fee when customers send more than $500 to India from an eligible account and transactions $500 and less have a transfer
fee of $5. The ExpressSend service allows customers to send money easily and conveniently online through wellsfargo.com/ sendmoneynow, by calling 1-800-556-0605 or by visiting a Wells Fargo banking store, making Wells Fargo the only U.S. commercial bank to offer all three channels for remitting funds. The first remittance for each service agreement must be completed in person at a store. In addition to the transfer fee, Wells Fargo makes money if converting U.S. dollars to a foreign currency. Wells Fargo has contributed
programs, and schools, including to organizations specifically serving the Asian community, such as South Asian Young Women Entrepreneurs (SAY
Many Seniors were happy to attend this expo that specifically addresses their aging problems. So far this issue has been ignored, but now the society is starting to become aware of and taking care to address it. Steps like this expo, with due credit to the Fort Bend Star in making this possible is a step in the right direction.
WE). In 2013, The Chronicle of Philanthropy named Wells Fargo the #1 most generous cash donor in the United States.
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COMMUNITY
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Akshay Patra draws great attention at Houston ..... recognized Dr. KT Shah who launched the Akshay Patra Houston Chapter in 2010 and has been its strong supporter since.
Continued from page 1 Patra is successfully feeding 1.5 million children every day in 11,600 schools, spread over 24 locations in ten states of India. The Houston Benefit Event raised $150,000 which will result in feeding 10,000 children for one year! Gopi Kallayil, Chief Evangelist for Google Social for Brands, responsible for Brand Marketing, Google +, AdWords, and AdSense was the Keynote Speaker at the event. Addressing over 300 guests he put in perspective the reasons why a non-profit like Akshay Patra was able to achieve such tremendous success in handling such a huge problem. “What Akshay Patra has achieved is a 10x scale,” he explained, something similar to Google 10x score vision. By scaling the problem ten times (10x) bigger, “That’s when you have a pathway to solving the problem within one generation,” he said. The key is to be widely creative and think outside the box. He illustrated his example with a video of Google’s Driverless Car that was tested on the streets of Austin, Texas - for the first time outside California - in July 2015. Something which may seem far-fetched now could be the solution to solving a huge problem in the future. Furthermore, he said, “All complexities that we have created denies us the simple things,” like food. “Typically, three ounces of food per day is need for humans.” So the problem of hunger is not about having enough food, nor about poor production; its more about lack of leadership and lack of commitment, he added.
US Congressman Al Green had high praise for the workers of organization and presented a Congressional Certificate to its leaders present on the occasion. Jack Chis, Councilman, City of Houston also gave a proclamation and spoke a few words: “For the next hundred years we should be partners (India and US) for the welfare of our children,” he said. Emily Rosenbaum, CEO, Akshay Patra, spoke from the heart when she expressed her deep passion for the cause of the hunger and its eradication. She hosted former US president Bill Clinton at the organization’s kitchen during his visit in India. “When I visited the first kitchen, I could not look away, and I also saw the challenge,” she added. Akshay Patra is a bio-certified facility with little human handling, rolling out 60,000 rotis in an hour! For Rosenbaum, Akshay Patra is a “foundation with a heart.” She thanked the 100 youth ambassadors in the US for their time and support. Manisha Gandhi Manisha Gandhi, Akshay Patra’s Director of Development for Southeast, US addressing the gathering as Emcee and Comedian Rajiv Satyal and Emily Rosenbaum, CEO, look on. Photo credit Navin Mediwala.
Highly-acclaimed comedian and Master of Ceremonies, Rajiv Satyal was an instant hit with the Houstonians. His perfect timing in injecting political humor was very well received. He helped in the live auction that raised a good amount for the organization. Renowned contemporary artist Gopal Sen from India created an on-the-spot painting depicting children that are being empowered by education, as part of the fundraising.
Kallayil also mentioned that he had a ‘strong sense of personal connection’ to Amani Parthe cause of Akshay Pavathaneni, 14, tra and what it is doing to daughter of Consul educate children and “Feed General of India P Children’s Dreams.” ReHarish and Nancounting his humble bedita Harish gave a ginning in a small part of splendid solo perKerela in South India, he formance of classpoke of how his parents sical Kuchipudi who were farmers and fodance. The young cused on his and his siband multi-talented ling’s early education in 9th grader, has public schools. He summed won many awards up his story with how the including Presipower of good education, dent Obama’s the power of nutrition and Outstanding Acathe power of the dime (the demic Achievement first coin he used when he Award. Student of arrived in the US to call Dr. Ratna Kumar, his friend in California) Dr. KT Shah (in the wheel chair) with Congressman Al Green, Manisha Gandhi, Koshy Amani has delightimpacted his life. He was Thomas and Dr. Vatsala Bhaskaran, Vish Bhaskaran and their son. ed Houstonians at later available for a signing Amani Parvathaneni performing at the Benefit Event. many community of his new book titled “The events with her talInternet to the Inner-Net’ the proceeds of which he was going to US (New York to Texas), welcoming shay Patra and spoke of her visit to the efit event in Houston, she said she was ent. A good start, a great cause and donate to Akshay Patra. the guests said “Houston, we have a ‘kitchen’ in India and found that, “kids inspired to join. Gandhi said that 90% gratifying end to an evening with Manisha Gandhi, Akshay Patra’s Di- solution to eliminate hunger in India!” actually come to school for the meal.” of the funds for the organization came Akshay Patra, everyone enjoyed the rector of Development for Southeast, She gave an insight into the methodi- In 2012, when Dr. Deepak Chopra from India and only 10% from outside sumptuous dinner catered by Bhojan cal and mechanical operation of Ak- was the Keynote Speaker of the Ben- the country. On the occasion, Gandhi restaurant.
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Ramleela 2015 - Oct. 18th at VPSS Haveli OCT 18: 7 Days to Ramleela 2015 at VPSS Haveli
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Indian-American couple gifts $100 million to NYU’s college
by Runmee Barbara
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estivities will start soon with Durga puja, Navratri, Dusshehra and Diwali being lined up for celebrations. You no longer need to go to India to watch Ramleela. This season celebrate and spend quality time with family and friends by watching Ramleela 2015 right here. An attraction for a cultural enlightenment evening for all age group, Ramleela provides glimpses of devotional, spiritual, philosophical and ethical values of the great epic Ramayana.
Kusum Sharma’s Shri Natraj School of dance has been performing Ramleela since 2005. This year is the 11th Annual brought in association with Kalakriti Performing Arts a non-profit organization devoted to spread Indian culture and moral values through artistic performances. Ramleela is directed by Ms. Kusum Sharma who is well-know in Houston for her mythological and contemporary dance dramas like Krishna-Leela, Mughal-e-Azam, Meera, Amrapali and many others. Last year she worked on Houston Grand Opera ‘River of Light’ where she enacted mini Ramleela and played the role of Sita. This year she featured at the Caminos Gitanos, a Spanish cultural event. Ramleela can be witnessed and enjoyed by all. Though the dialogues are in Hindi, English subtitles are projected behind every scene. The use of sparkling costumes, glittering jewelry, dazzling lights, soulful music and melodious Ram bhajans, captivating dances, impactful dialogues, creative props, pyro dancers, fireworks and special effects makes the
Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon
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EW YORK: In one of the largest philanthropic gifts by a member of the Indian-American community, a couple has donated $100 million to New York University’s engineering school, which will now be renamed after them in recognition of its gift.
Kusum Sharma’s Shri Natraj School of dance has been performing Ramleela since 2005.
show a memorable experience for all. Kusum Sharma’s creativity , unique production team, powerful theatrical presentation and performances brings new changes and innovative styles each year to attract the Houston audience . Ramleela is a result of months of preparations and dedicated practice by team of around 100 performers and volunteers. In these times of social upheaval, it is of paramount im-
portance that we visit these fundamental principles of living which gets overlooked during our quest for carnal desires. This spectacular Ramleela will leave everyone with something to learn and will keep you all enchanted and engaged throughout the show. Come and be a part of this fascinating Threatical style Ramleela on 18th October from 3-6pm at VPSS Haveli located at 11715 Bellfort Village Dr, Houston, TX 77031. More details visit www.ramleelahouston.org
Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon’s gift to the New York University’s School of Engineering will principally support faculty hiring and academic programs and is intended to build on the engineering school’s existing practice of cross-disciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship, NYU President John Sexton and the school’s dean Katepalli R Sreenivasan said in a joint statement here. The school will be renamed the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in recognition of the Tandons “generosity and their belief in the school’s mission and promise,” the statement said.
Chandrika is a member of the Board of Overseers of NYU’s business school, a member of the NYU Board of Trustees and leads the NYU President’s Global Council. Ranjan is an engineer by training and a graduate of the Harvard Business School. He is founder and chair of Libra Advisors, a hedge fund he founded in 1990 that is now a family office. The Tandons’ donation is believed to be the largest philanthropic gift by a member of the Indian-American community, the university said. “Getting to know the engineering school was truly electrifying. The imagination and inventiveness of the students and faculty as they worked together on on real world problems, the cutting-edge work being done both within the school and collaboratively across schools in such diverse areas like the arts, medicine, education, incubators; the entrepreneurial spirit that per-
vades the place -- all this inspired us,” she said. Sreenivasan said the Tandons’ act of generosity is remarkable not only because of the size of the gift, but also because it recognises the importance of a school with which they had no prior affiliation. Funds .. Funds from the gift will be used to further enhance programs, including wireless, cybersecurity, and digital education and gaming and enhance interdisciplinary programs such as financial engineering, technology management and innovation, and entrepreneurship in important areas such as clean energy. In 2010, Harvard Business School had received a gift of $50 million from Tata Companies, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Tata Education and Development Trust, philanthropic entities of the Tata Group. The gift was the largest from an international donor in the School’s 102-year history.
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VOICE OF ASIA 8
Background: Lord Ram is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and King of Ayodhya. He was born in the Raghuvanshi dynasty. He is considered to be Mryada Purshottam or Lord of virtue, the perfect human being. He is the husband of Sita the avatar of Laxmi and the perfect embodiment of womanhood. The legend of Ram is deeply influential and popular in societies of the Indian subcontinent and across Southeast Asia and the globe. Lord Ram is revered for his unending compassion, courage and devotion to religious values and duty. Ram Leela is simply an enactment of the Epic Ramayana. It covers the complete life, values, principles and teachings of Lord Ram. Why do we enact it? The life and values of Lord Ram are the best lesson to be learnt in one’s life. Ram Leela remains the best visual treat and learning experience in life. At the same time it is entertaining and fun. This is especially true for children who may find reading the epic Ramayana or the Ram Charitmanas cumbersome and dry , however, they find Ram Leela to be interesting and through this their young minds absorb many things about culture and religion. To move from one episode of Ram’s life to the next is like a pilgrimage to most Hindus and indeed worship in action. It is celebrated across India. Across India, the Ram Leela is not only followed by Hindus but by people of different religion. Many cities in India hold Ram Leela annually from, 7, 14 and 31 days during the auspicious Sharad Navratri . Usually, the performances are timed to culminate on the festival of Vijay Dasmi or Dusshera. That culminates the victory of Lord Ram over the evil king Ravana, or the victory of Good over evil. The climax is the burning of the effigies of
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Shri Sita Ram Foundation presents: A Unique Ram Leela Play at New Stafford Centre on 25th Oct. 2015 Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran and son Meghnath. Most Ram Leela plays are based on the 16th century Avadhi version of Ramcharitmanas.
History: Historically it is believed that first Ram Leela plays were staged by Megha Bhagat, one of the disciples of Tulsi das. Although some scholars believe that Ram Leela first appeared somewhere between 1200 and 1500 AD prior to Ram Charitmanas. Nevertheless, it is safe to conclude that Ram Lila plays became more popular after Ram Charit manas was written in Avadhi as it could be understood by the masses as opposed to Ramayana the Sanskrit text. Styles of Ram Leela at some prominent places in India: Today, several regions of India have developed their distinctive forms of Ram Leela. There are numerous variants of Ram Leela presentations in UP ( Uttar Pradesh) itself. Ram Leela can be operatic, dramatic, or silent. The most prominent Ram Leela is that of Ram Nagar, 15 km. from Varanasi which is staged over multiple venues, the pantomime style is visible in Jhankis depicting scenes from Lord Ram’s life and are taken throughout the city. This style was started by Kashi Naresh , Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh of Kashi in 1830, which are performed everyday for 31 days. In Ram Nagar permanent sets have been built and the entire town becomes a vast set for Ram
Leela. The audience moves with the performers with each episode to various sets, such as Janakpuri, Panchvati, Lanka, so on and so forth. This is the most extensive, best-performed Ram Leela which draws the largest audience, including hundreds of sadhus called Ramayanis. The Almora or Kumaon style incorporates musical renderings of the Katha based on the theatrical style developed by Uday Shankar. Next is the operatic style which incorporates elements of folk theatre along with traditional style where the couplets of Ramcharitmanas not only act as dialogues but as chorus as well. Lastly there are Ramleela staged by professional troupes called Mandalis. A special way to present Ramleela is through puppetry which is more prominent in Rajasthan. In Karnataka, the Carnatic dance Katakali with elaborate masks and dress present the story in silent theatre. In Ayodhya, the curtains never come down on Ram Leela. It has been going on for 10 years now for full 365 days/yr. at the Tulsi Smarak Bhavan by different Ram Leela troupes from various parts of the country. The Bhavan is an initiative of Ayodhya Reseach Institute an organization of the state’s cultural department. Nearly 200 troupes have performed there since 2004. Each troupe performs for two weeks . In Delhi the Ram Leela
became more popular at the Ram Leela Grounds outside the historic Delhi Fort. This was started in the times of the Mogul Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The Delhi Ram Leela at the Ram Leela maidan is covered by radios and TV and is beamed over to over 100 countries. Major politicians including the Prime Minister and President attend this important festival. In 2010, Ram Leela was conducted in English so that foreigners attending the Common Wealth Games could understand the play. For last 52 years Delhi’s Shri Ram Bhartiya Kala Kendra’s name is synonymous with the enacting of the annual Ram Leela – a ballet based on the epic Ramayana. Every year there are newer interpretations and efforts on the part of the organizers to make it more contemporary. This Ramayan ballet is performed through dynamic dance sequences, striking rhythmic patterns of footwork, ornamental hand gestures, facial expressions and body postures in a contextually appropriate manner unlike conventional presentation. It has built a great following where people view this spiritual and cultural extravaganza time and again.
Modern Trends: Ram Leela has gone hi-tech specially in Delhi, showcasing India’s pre eminence in software and IT. Computer aided designs, laser technology assist the story telling.
Ram Leela committee at Old Kotwali maidan e.g. uses star war type lasers between the rival armies of Shri Ram and Ravan. There are 150 big Ram Leela and hundreds of small ones being staged across the Indian capital during Navratri time. Ram Leela as a uniting force: While a couple of years back the politicians and others were wary of the Ram temple and Babri Masjid verdict fallout, Hindu and Muslim artists were busy making preparations for Ram Leela. Muslims take part in a big way in the play. The famous Ram Leela of Buxi Ka Talab near Lucknow is organized and managed by Muslims. Many Muslims also engage in preparing dresses for the actors while many others can recite couplets from Ram Charitmanas. The most prominent in recent times is our former President Abdul Kalam who recites couplets from Ramcharitmanas and Bhagwat Gita with as much ease as from Quran. Needless to say, that Ram Leela is a unifying, cultural and religious force in India. Ram Leela ( Bhavyami Raghuramam) at Stafford Center in Houston, Texas: Shri Sita Ram Foundation, a 501 ( C ) (3) non profit organization based in Houston, produced and introduced Ram Leela on a major scale in a theatre setting in Houston for the first time in 2010 to a packed theatre. It has been produced again and again since then each year to a full house.
Since 2012 the play has been shown twice a year , once in a theatre setting and the other time in the open air setting at Skeeter’s stadium during the Dussehra & Diwali Festival where the tradition is to show the Youdh Kaand or the Battle scenes. The annual event at Skeeter’s stadium draws a capacity crowd of nearly 10,000 people. Ram Leela play in Houston has now become an annual activity undertaken by the Foundation, as a service to the community in Houston. Knowing that the audience is always looking for something new and more interesting, the play this year will be presented in a new and interesting manner, completely different from all the prior years shown ever in Houston. This play is being Directed by Houston’s best Director and Choreographer, namely, Dr. Rathna Kumar . This play is attracting the best youth talent of the community in their common goal to Glorify Lord Ram and reinforce our values and culture not only among our community members ( adults & children) but also to showcase it to mainstream America. This year’s play will be a dance theatre based on a script written in Sanskrit by Maharaja Swati Thirunal of Travencore 200 years back. It is called Bhavyami Raghuramam, Glory of Shri Ram. There will be 150 youth and children actors involved. The commentary will be in English. This exciting Ram Leela play is being presented on 25th 2014 in the prestigious New Stafford Center, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on - line by going to www.ShriSitaRam.org or www.Sulekha. com Or from various outlets on Hillcroft and Sugarland.
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FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 10
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Cricket Icons To Play On American Soil For First Time
Cricket stars ShaneWarne and Sachin Tendulkar (R)
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EW YORK CITY (Oct. 6, 2015) – Global cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne will headline a starstudded lineup of renowned cricket players from around the world in the inaugural “Cricket All-Stars,” a threegame series in New York City, Houston and Los Angeles. The historic tour marks the first time these legends have played in the U.S., and also renews the famous rivalry between “Master Blaster” Tendulkar and “King of Spin” Warne. The “Cricket All-Stars” kicks off on November 7 at Citi Field in New York City with a special opening ceremony prior to the match as well as other functions and galas. The second match will be on November 11 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The final match in the series will be on November 14 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by a special trophy presentation to the winning team. The format will be T20, a much shorter and boisterous form of cricket with the games
taking around three hours instead of multiple days. Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar and Australian spinner Shane Warne will each captain a hand-picked team. “Sachin’s Blasters” and “Warne’s Warriors” will feature some of the best players to ever play cricket hailing from eight different countries including Ricky Ponting (Australia), Brian Lara (West Indies), Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Jonty Rhodes (South Africa) and Michael Vaughan (England), among others. “Americans are so passionate about sports, and I think there’s a huge potential for cricket to take off,” said Sachin Tendulkar. “This is also the first time that international cricket will be played in these beautiful baseball stadiums in New York City, Houston and Los Angeles, which will be a lot of fun. We’re also planning some other events and festivities in each city so we can reach as many fans as possible. It would be great someday to see cricket bats right alongside the baseball bats, basketballs and soccer balls
in America.” Page 2 “We’ve signed all the top players you’d ever want to see,” said Shane Warne. “I’m excited for cricket fans in the United States to be able to see these amazing players for the first time, and I also think that the T20 format will appeal to new audiences who have never seen or played cricket before. I’m really looking forward to the matches in November, and helping to grow the sport of cricket in America.” As a sponsor of “Cricket All-Stars,” MasterCard will provide its cardholders exclusive access to event tickets and Priceless experiences throughout the series. A few lucky cardholders will even have the opportunity to meet some of the players. The pre-sale for MasterCard holders will begin on October 6. Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 8. Tickets are available through the following: Citi Field (NYC): Mets.com/ cricket Minute Maid Park (Houston): Ticketmaster.com/ event/3A004F3195293147 Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles): Dodgers.com/cricket
Sachin Tendulkar batting.
“Cricket All-Stars” is being produced by NYC-based Leverage Agency, a full-service sports and entertainment marketing company. Leverage will also handle the marketing and promotion for the event. Sponsors for “Cricket AllStars” include MasterCard, State Farm® and Uber. “It’s been a dream of mine to help bring the best of cricket to America,” said Ben Sturner, CEO of Leverage Agency. “Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world and we couldn’t ask for better partners than Sachin and Shane on this exciting venture.”
ShaneWarne bowling
For information on Cricket All-Stars, visit: CricketAllStarsLeague.com. Facebook. com/cricketallstars For Sachin Tendulkar, visit: Facebook.com/SachinTendulkar. Twitter.com/sachin_rt (@ Sachin_rt) For Shane Warne, visit: Facebook.com/officialshanewarne. Twitter.com/ shanewarne (@ShaneWarne).
SOUTH ASIA
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FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Salman Rushdie says India PM Pakistan isolates Christian woman condoning ‘thuggish violence’ on death row over security fears
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EW DELHI, India | AFP - Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s failure to condemn a spate of attacks on free speech is giving rise to “thuggish violence” in India, author Salman Rushdie said Tuesday, amid a growing protest by the literary community.
“I think what’s crept into Indian life now is a degree of thuggish violence, which is new,” the writer told India’s NDTV channel from London.
British-Indian author Rushdie said in a television interview the Hindu nationalist prime minister’s silence over a rise in attacks on dissent by right wing and religious extremists was endangering freedom of expression.
In the latest apparent attack on free speech, a far-right Hindu nationalist group on Monday attacked the organiser of a book launch for Pakistan’s former foreign minister in Mumbai, dousing him with black ink.
More than 20 Indian writers have handed back awards or resigned their posts in recent weeks over what they say is institutional inaction over incidents including the August murder of secular scholar M.M. Kalburgi.
“And it seems to be, I have to say, given permission by the silence of official bodies... by the silence of the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said.
“Modi is a very talkative gentleman, he has a lot to say on a lot of subjects and it would be very good to hear what he has to say about all this,” Rushdie said. The author, whose 1988 novel The Satanic Verses is banned in India, also told NDTV he was
deluged with “10,000 hateful tweets” on Twitter for showing solidarity with the protesting writers. “I support Nayantara Sahgal and the many other writers protesting to the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters). Alarming times for free expression in India,” he had tweeted on Monday. Sahgal, a celebrated Indian writer who is the niece of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, returned her prestigious award from the Sahitya Akademi -- the country’s top literary institution -- on October 6. “In memory of the Indians who have been murdered, in support of all Indians who uphold the right to dissent, and of all dissenters who now live in fear and uncertainty,” Sahgal had said in a statement at the time.
Writers returning awards a “manufactured paper rebellion”: Jaitley rationalise and condone such an action. Such incidents bring a bad name to the country.”
Arun Jaitley
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EW DELHI, Oct 14 (PTI) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today termed the steady stream of writers returning Sahitya Academy awards as a “manufactured paper rebellion” against the government in the wake of a “manufactured crisis”. In a facebook post titled “A manufactured revolt Politics by other means,” he said, “The death by lynching of a member of minority community at Dadri was extremely unfortunate and condemnable. No right thinking person can ever
Subsequent to this, a series of writers have returned awards conferred on them by the Sahitya Academy on grounds that an atmosphere of intolerance has been created under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Is this protest real or a manufactured one? Is this not a case of ideological intolerance?,” he asked. Jaitley said a large number of writers with left or Nehruvian leaning had been recognised by the Government in the past. “Some of them may have been entitled to this recognition. I am neither questioning their academic merits nor their right
to have political prejudices. Many of them have spoken out against the present Prime Minister even when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat,” he said. But after Modi came to power in May last year, “those who had enjoyed the patronage under the earlier establishment, have obviously been uncomfortable with the present Government.” This “discomfort”, he said had been furthered by shrinking fortunes of the Congress. “The new strategy of anti Modi, anti BJP sections appears to be to resort to ‘politics by other means’. The easiest way is to manufacture a crisis and subsequently manufacture a paper rebellion against the Government in the wake of a manufactured crisis,” he wrote. .
by Gohar ABBAS
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SLAMABAD, Pakistan | AFP | 10/14/2015 A Christian woman on death row for blasphemy has been put in isolation over fears of attacks by vigilantes enraged over a high-profile ruling in another blasphemy case that moderates said struck a blow against religious extremism. Prison officials Ashiq Masih (left) -- the husband of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman facing death and rights activists sentence for blasphemy -- leaves the Supreme Court in Lahore, on July 22, 2015 said this week that (AFP Photo/Arif Ali) they were concerned And a Christian labourer and ferred to a hospital, but the refor Asia Bibi’s life due to the security threat and his wife were burned alive last quests had been rejected. November after being accused her worsening health. “Asia has a history of asthma The mother-of-five, whose of throwing pages of the Koran and we were told that her health plight has prompted prayers in the garbage. condition had worsened at one from the Vatican, has been on death row since she was convicted in 2010 of committing blasphemy during an argument with a Muslim woman over a bowl of water. She was placed in solitary confinement last week at the women’s prison in the city of Multan, an official there told AFP. The move came after “genuine” threats to her life were issued in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the death sentence for Mumtaz Qadri, the killer of a politician who sought blasphemy law reform in a separate, high-profile case. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan. The country has never executed anyone on the charge -- but anyone convicted, or even just accused, of insulting Islam risks a violent and bloody death at the hands of vigilantes. Last year a British-Pakistani citizen who had been sentenced to death for blasphemy was shot and wounded by a guard at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
“She (Bibi) could be killed by any inmate or even a prison guard, so we have to be careful,” a prison official told AFP. A second official confirmed that Bibi had been isolated, adding: “We are concerned for her life.” The second official, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said Bibi’s health had deteriorated. “She was vomiting blood last month and was having difficulty walking,” the official said, adding that Bibi had been diagnosed with hepatitis B, a claim other officers did not confirm. Rights activists and family sources also voiced concerns for Bibi’s health and said she suffers from asthma. “Her life is in danger because of her health and the filthy prison conditions, and from fundamentalist elements within the prison,” Shamaun Alfred Gill, a Christian activist and spokesman for the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), told AFP. He said the group had repeatedly requested Bibi be trans-
time but she was recovering now,” a source close to the prisoner’s family told AFP. - Poisoning fears Bibi denies the charges against her. The Supreme Court agreed in July to hear an appeal against her sentence, but no date has yet been set. The allegations against her date back to 2009, when she was asked to fetch water while labouring in a field but some Muslim women objected, saying that as a non-Muslim she was unfit to touch the water bowl. A few days later the women went to a local cleric and made the blasphemy allegations. In April, Pope Francis met with her husband and daughter and said he was praying for her. In 2010, his predecessor Benedict XVI publicly called for Bibi’s release. Bibi is being held in a cramped, windowless cell in a high security zone of the prison, where other death row inmates are confined, the prison official told AFP this week.
VOICE OF ASIA 12
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Lifestyle VOICE OF ASIA
VOICE OF ASIA 13
ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Vol. 28 No. 41 Friday, October 16, 2015 Section 2 Page 13 Email: voiceasia@aol.com Tel: 713-774-5140
Bibi Magazine celebrates 25 years of Bridal Shows in the Houston Area by: Elvia Francis
While costs for the average North American wedding can range from $26,000 to $36,000, the costs of South Asian wedding ceremonies vary from $34,000 to $2 million. Despite this large range, the South Asian wedding industry averages only $11 billion annually, while the North American counterpart yields $50 billion each year. “With such immense monetary value and cultural significance, it just makes sense that wedding professionals also strategically align their services to the South Asian-American demographic,” says Zeb Mamsa, Bibi Magazine’s advertising director and bridal show producer.
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wice a year in the Houston area, Bibi Magazine brings their luxurious South Asian wedding showcase, popularly known as the “Bibi Bridal Show”, accompanied with the top echelon bridal vendors, to the city’s most prominent nuptial venues. This past weekend Bibi Magazine celebrated their 25th Bibi Bridal Show with an exclusive, invite-only soirée at Mr. Peeples in downtown Houston on Thursday, October 8, 2015, and a wedding showcase, complete with fashionshow segments, open to the public on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at the Sweetwater Country Club in Sugar Land. Launched in 2000 with the cumulative efforts of Ayesha Hakki and her partners, Shabana Haq and Zooni, Bibi Magazine is the longest-running, largest-circulated South Asian fashion magazine in the United States, and is seen as the benchmark in South Asian bridal and fashion publications. When Bibi Magazine first started, there was no other publication or website targeting the South Asian-American demographic.
Model displaying South Asian bridal dress at the 25th Bibi Bridal Show on Oct. 8, 2015 Photo Credit to : Jasleen Kaur Photography
Now, with the surgence of the Internet (such websites as Pinterest) and mainstream media (i.e. the Indian wedding scene in Fox 26’s hit television
show, New Girl), South Asian weddings have come into the forefront of American culture. Even Washingtonian
Magazine’s arts editor, Emily Codik, has taken notice, with her article last
month on “How Indian Weddings in America Became So Amazing—and So Pricey.”
But, if nothing else, South Asian brides can always get prepared with the biannual Bibi Bridal Show, with its complimentary admission and lovingly arranged gift bags for pre-registered brides! In fact, Bibi Magazine’s upcoming Spring 2016 bridal show will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2015 from 12PM to 5PM at the Embassy Suites - Energy Corridor (11730 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079). South Asian-American brides can also further organize their wedding planning essentials with Bibi Magazine’s yearly print publication titled the “Bibi Bridal Annual,” which retails for $7 and can also be bought online at bibimagazine. com/bibi-annual-print-magazine.
New York’s rich live 11 years longer than its poor
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ew York is a city of extreme inequality, where people in the poorest neighborhood of Brooklyn die 11 years earlier than those living around Wall Street, according to data released Wednesday.
The data was last updated in 2006, making it the first time in 10 years that indicators have been reviewed and improved.
The city unveiled health statistics from across Brooklyn, one of New York’s five boroughs, that seek to provide the most reliable indicator of community health in a decade.
Indicators include smoking, obesity, diabetes and drug use, as well as others not previously included that influence health such as air pollution, and quality of local housing and shops.
Updating and expanding the statistics, officials hope, will highlight extreme inequality in America’s largest city and help to improve quality of life for the poorest.
“Poor health outcomes tend to cluster in places that people of color call home and where many residents live in poverty,” said New York city health commissioner Mary Bassett.
In Brooklyn’s poorest neighborhood of Brownsville, which has a majority black population of 76 percent, average life expectancy is 74.1 years -- among the lowest in the city.
Residents in Brownsville were not dying 11 years earlier from unusual causes but from “the same diseases -- mostly heart disease and cancer -- at younger age and at higher rates.”
Manhattan’s financial district, home to Wall Street, has the highest life expectancy in the city -- at 85.4 years it
is a staggering 11 years longer than in Brownsville.
Among the 86,377 people living in Brownsville, more than 25 percent of
adults have not finished high school and nearly 40 percent live below the federal poverty level. It is the poorest neighborhood in Brooklyn and the seventh poorest in New York, which includes four other boroughs -- Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. Brownsville suffers more than twice the citywide rates of new HIV diagnoses, at 66 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 30.4. Its rate of psychiatric hospitalizations is also more than twice the city rate at 1,727 per 100,000 adults compared to 684. Other districts in Manhattan and Queens mimic the longer life expectancy of the financial district, while three other areas of Brooklyn and the Bronx cluster with Brownsville at the bottom. Remaining health profiles for the rest of New York will be released borough by borough over the coming weeks.
Police cars are parked outside the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, December 9, 2014 in New York ©Don Emmert (AFP).
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VOICE OF ASIA 14
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
China’s new glass bridge One-fingered Japanese climber tests courage of tourists fails to summit Everest TOKYO - A one-fingered Japanese climber who was attempting the first summit of Mount Everest since this year’s deadly quake said Thursday he had turned back before reaching the summit.
Kuriki said continuing his attempt to scale the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) colossus in those conditions would leave him dangerously exposed, with not enough time to return safely to camp.
This is the fifth season Nobukazu Kuriki, who lost nine fingers on the mountain in 2012, has tried to scale the world’s highest peak and he is the only climber making the dangerous attempt this year.
His overnight ascent had taken him well into the “death zone” -- the height above 8,000 metres notorious for its difficult terrain and thin air.
Climbers have abandoned Everest after an earthquaketriggered avalanche killed 18 people at the mountain’s base camp, and regular aftershocks since have increased the chance of avalanches.
Chinese tourists walk across a glass-bottomed suspension bridge in the Shiniuzhai mountains in Hunan province on October 8, 2015 (AFP Photo/Johannes Eisele). hina’s first glass suspension bridge, which dangles 180 metres (594 feet) over a canyon in the central Hunan province, has excited -- and terrified -- thousands of visitors since opening two weeks ago.
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“I’m afraid to look down. I can only look straight ahead,” said one young woman crossing the 300-metre long structure. Visitors were apparently not put off the experience despite news this week of cracks appearing on a glass walkway over a canyon in nearby Henan province, reportedly because someone dropped a stainless steel cup on it. Authorities insisted it was still safe. Visitors flocked to the Hunan glass bridge, in a scenic area of Pingjiang county, where officials were forced to impose a cap of 10,000 people a day during recent holidays. The glass-bottomed bridge, which replaced a wooden walkway, opened on September
24 -- just in time for China’s week-long National Day holiday, a peak travel period. As dozens of people trudged across the bridge it shook underfoot and photos posted online showed some visitors kneeling or crouching on the transparent surface, too scared to move.
“Did my best, but figured will not be able to return alive if I go further due to strong wind and heavy snow,” the 33-year-old wrote on his Twitter account.
“Decided to climb down at around 8,150 metres... I truly appreciate everyone’s support,” he added. Scaling Everest has been all but abandoned this season following April’s earthquake, which killed nearly 8,900 people and devastated large parts of Nepal, including the capital Kathmandu. It is the second spring season with virtually no one reaching the summit after an avalanche in 2014 killed 16 Ne-
pali guides and also sparked a shutdown. Mountaineers usually begin their summit attempts late at night, which allows them to descend in daylight, lowering the risk of them falling to their deaths due to exhaustion. Mountaineering experts say climbing in autumn is more dangerous than spring due to high winds and lower temperatures. Kuriki, who planned to summit alone without the aid of bottled oxygen, was forced to abandon a bid last month because deep snow made it difficult for him to climb quickly during the final stretch.
Mountaineering is a major revenue-earner for impoverished Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 metres, but the April 25 earthquake has raised fears for its tourism industry.
Baba Ramdev to launch Patanjali noodles next week; priced at Rs 15
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“The glass bridge is a little scary to me since I have a fear of heights. I didn’t look down,” said a muscular young man, though his phobia didn’t stop him from striking a ballet pose on the bridge.
EW DELHI, (PTI) : Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda will launch its instant noodles next week at a price of Rs 15, a move seen as an attempt to capture the market lost by Maggi -- the market leader till a few months back that had to go off the shelves following regulatory orders.
of other companieswhich are made up of maida and has only 10 per cent atta,” Ramdev said at a press conference here.
The structure is made from two layers of hardened glass with a total thickness of 24 millimetres (0.9 inches), according to state media.
Phrasing the catchline for the noodles as “Jhat pat pakao, aur befikr khao”, the yoga guru claimed it will have ‘no added MSG and lead’.
He further said, “Patanjali noodles will use rice-bran oil and not cheap and inferior palm oil as used by others.”
One family crossed handin-hand with their son in the middle. “We are not scared at all, it’s so much fun,” the mother said, as they strode boldly forward.
Maggi noodles, which were being sold by Swiss giant Nestle with a catchline of ‘two-minute’ noodles had to be taken off the shelves after food regulator FSSAI found excess lead and taste enhancer MSG despite ‘No MSG’
“Our noodles will be available at Rs 15, whereas other used to sell it for Rs 25 and its taste-maker will be a health maker,” he added.
Baba Ramdev
labelling. These findings were later challenged by the company before the Bombay High Court, which quashed those orders and ordered fresh tests.
Nestle is looking to relaunch the product by December. “We will launch Patanjali noodles on October 15. It will be made from whole wheat flour (atta), not like noodles
“We are working on the principles of swadesshi, where we work for the betterment and health of the country,” he said. Ramdev also said that he has no issues with the functioning of FSSAI and is open to any scrutiny of his products.
VOICE OF ASIA 15
HEALTH, SC & TECH
Toyota unveils self-driving car
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OKYO, Japan | --Toyota Tuesday unveiled a car that can drive itself along a highway, the latest foray by a major manufacturer into the world of automated vehicles.
Despite their big size, elephants rarely get cancer, and scientists said Thursday they have discovered the secret to the creatures’ special protection. It’s in the genes.
The company hopes to make other cars with similar features available within five years, in time for Tokyo’s hosting of the Olympics.
Elephants have 38 additional modified copies of a gene that encodes p53, a compound that suppresses tumor formation.
“We aim to be operational by 2020, the year when Tokyo welcomes the Olympic Games,” Yoshida Moritaka, Toyota’s chief safety technology officer, told reporters at the car’s unveiling.
“The car we have here is able to drive independently from the highway entrance to the exit,” Moritaka said. But Toyota hopes the technology will help it one day build an entirely driverless car as well as reduce accidents and congestion. Toyota has been a relative
Humans, on the other hand, have only two, according to the study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Toyota demonstrates its self-driving Lexus GS450h on the Tokyo metropolitan highway during a presentation in Tokyo, on October 6, 2015 (AFP Photo/Yoshikazu Tsuno) latecomer to the rush to design automated cars. But last month it announced plans to invest $50 million in building artificial intelligence into its vehicles. The joint research with Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
will take place over the next five years, Toyota Motor Corporation said. Several major carmakers and technology giants have been pursuing autonomous vehicle technology. Google has been testing selfdriving cars in Silicon Valley, while Nissan has vowed to put
an automated car on Japan’s highways as soon as 2016. In 2018, Nissan models should have the ability to avoid hazards and to change lanes, and by 2020 vehicles should be able to autonomously manoeuvre through crowded city roads. Apple is also rumoured to be pursuing the technology.
ONG KONG, China | AFP - From a camera-enabled collar dubbed the “smartphone” for dogs to a calorie-counting “smart cup”, health and lifestyle technology is at the forefront of what’s on show at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair this week.
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The bi-annual event, where electronics firms bring their designs and technology to market, traditionally attracts tens of thousands of buyers. Last year, more than 60,000 attended. “Healthcare electronics seem to have growing potential, and we see that reflected by the range of exhibitors launching health-related products,” says Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). “One example of this development is wearable tech. Manufacturers have adopted a variety of health applications into such products, ranging from a wristband that can track walking distance and sleep quality, to a swimming device that can record lap speeds and calories burned.” Underlining the domination of smartphones in modern lives, many of the products on show require users to download an app to best utilise what’s on offer. - ‘Enhanced living’ -Another trend is the creation of automated solutions to menial chores -- with everything from disc-shaped robot maids for vacuuming, to digital plant care, on display. “Technology development does seem to be enhancing living standards and the efficiency of daily life,” adds Chau. “The Electronics Fair illustrates this by featuring a wide variety of products which enhance convenience, such as vacuum that automatically
also calculate the calories you burn when doing various activities and there is a sleep quality monitoring function that charts your night. FREEBEE Fit Arc Reflex A digital swimming coach, this belt records lap speed, distance travelled, calories burned and movements relating to each stroke. Inventors claim it can help gauge efficiency in the water. WISA Cup A special GPS equiped electronic collar for dogs is displayed at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair in Hong Kong on Oct 13. AFP cleans your house, a ‘smart home’ device that makes air conditioning more efficient by collecting environmental data including temperature, humidity and air ventilation as well as information about outdoor weather conditions.” Other highlights include an all-singing, all-dancing humanoid toy and a new drone which has a “follow me” setting – for the ultimate “selfie” photographs. Unlike other similar electronics fairs across Asia, the Hong Kong event mainly showcases items that are ready for consumer sales rather than in their early stages of development, though it does have an invention corner for prototype ideas. According to HKTDC figures, Hong Kong is the world’s eighth largest trading economy and electronics exports increased to US$287 billion in 2014 -- accounting for 61 percent of the city’s total exports. The Hong Kong Electronics Fair runs from October 13-16. What’s On Show:Motorola Scout5000 This device, dubbed the “smartphone for dogs” has a camera on the collar and offers users two-way audio, GPS tracking and -- if their pet moves beyond a specified range -- escape notifications. Dino Lalvani, CEO and Chairman of Binatone. “Users will be able to communicate with their pet via the SCOUT5000 from anywhere in the world as well as track exactly where they are at all times. No product on the market offers all of these features in one product.”
Nixplay Seed A simple photo-frame that allows friends or family to share photos to one frame wherever they are in the world via a dedicated app. Product designer Vincent Sin says it re-imagines the traditional photo frame using modern technology. “Photos have slowly lost their purpose over the last decade,” he says adding that while more images than ever are being taken, they are simply stored on cloud servers, and then “forgotten within hours of being taken”. The firm has just confirmed a deal with Amazon.
This means that as elephants evolved, their bodies made many extra copies of a gene that prevents tumors from forming. Elephants have been considered an enigma for years because they have far more cells than people, which would presumably place them at higher risk of cancer over their lifespans which can last 50-70 years. And yet, the analysis of a large database of elephant deaths showed that less than five percent of elephants die of cancer, compared to 11 to 25 percent in people.
Dog smartphone and dancing humanoids on show at HK Fair
The growing popularity of smartphones and tablets has created a mini-industry of appenabled products, while consumer interest in health has led to a boom in the development of “wearable technology”.
Scientists discover why elephants rarely get cancer Miami, United States | AFP | Thursday 10/8/2015 - 15:00 GMT | 408 words
The car, a modified Lexus GS, uses sophisticated sensors to navigate roads, merge lanes and overtake other vehicles.
In its current incarnation, the car only switches to fully automated mode once it reaches the less frenetic confines of a highway and passes a sensor.
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
The calorie-counting “smart cup” turns on when it is picked up and records when, where and how much is consumed. It works with an app, which re-
“By all logical reasoning, elephants should be developing a tremendous amount of cancer, and in fact, should be extinct by now due to such a high risk for cancer,” said co-senior author Joshua Schiffman, pediatric oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine. quires users to select what they are drinking from a list of beverages, before connecting to the cup using Bluetooth technology. CielPUR - Air Quality Detector The device monitors and alerts homeowners to the air
InnoBand-D This wristband takes your day and turns it into figures – from counting the number of steps you take to tracking the physical distance you travel. It can
“In isolated elephant cells, this activity is doubled compared to healthy human cells,” said the study, which was coauthored by experts from Arizona State University and the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation. Researchers hope that their findings could one day lead to new cancer-fighting therapies in people. But that day could be far off, according to Mel Greaves, director of the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at The Institute of Cancer Research, London. “The new research provides a plausible answer to one of the most celebrated riddles in evolutionary biology –- why some big animals with lots of cells still manage to have quite low rates of cancer,” said Greaves, who was not involved in the study. “It is not immediately clear what lessons there are from this elephant tale for risk of cancer in humans. The main impact of this remarkable story is to bring into focus the question of why we are so uniquely predisposed to cancer for our size and lifespan –- and what we can do to change this.”
quality in their house or flat, using micro-sensors to assess levels of small particles PM2.5 and PM10, as well as carbon dioxide and humidity levels. Data can be tracked and stored using a dedicated application which can also provide advice on how to improve poor readings for better health.
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Bluetooth PlantCare Users provide information about their plant via their smartphone, and connect it to a soil moisture sensor placed in the plant pot. It will set off an alarm when the plant is too dry but also too wet. The sensor can also assess pH levels and the company is working on a new feature which will monitor the amount of sunlight received.
Elephants also come naturally equipped with a more aggressive internal mechanism for killing damaged cells that are at risk for becoming cancerous, researchers said.
Youngest Astrologer of North America
Aumeo Audio Billed as a chance to ‘hear music tailored to your ears’ this product works in conjunction with an app to first profile your hearing range and sensitivity, before adjusting audio content to perfectly suit an individual. The device was a success on online funding site Indiegogo, raising around $280,400 from more than 2,000 backers.
“We think that making more p53 is nature’s way of keeping this species alive.”
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Young Life
VOICE OF ASIA 16
Friday, October 16, 2015 by Abhaya SRIVASTAVA
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IRIDIH, India | AFP | Her face caked in dirt and hair matted with sweat, eightyear-old Lalita Kumari hacks away at pieces of rock containing an elusive mineral that adds a dash of sparkle to lipstick and nail polish.
Section 2
Page 16
Email: voiceasia@aol.com
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Tel: 713-774-5140
Indian children labour to bring sparkle to make-up
“Moreover these mines do not exist on paper so that makes our task very challenging.”
“I want to go to school but there is never enough at home for us to eat. So I have to come here and work,” said the pony-tailed youngster, her blistered hands hid behind her back after laying down her pickaxe.
Father-of-four Shibu Yadav acknowledges that his children spend their days mining for mica to keep the family’s heads above water. “This is the main source of livelihood for us,” he said, pointing at glittering silver and red mounds outside his ramshackle house.
Lalita is among hundreds of children who help their families make ends meet by spending their day collecting mica, their stomachs often hungry while the sun beats down on their heads.
“If it had not been for the mica, we would have starved to death,” said Yadav who says his family makes about 1,000 rupees ($17) a month from mica gathering.
Two decades ago the Jharkhand government shut down the mines over environmental concerns but tonnes of scrap left behind continue to lure impoverished villagers.
The families of the children who collect the mica often sell it to small traders who in turn sell it to big suppliers. In 2009, German pharma giant Merck was accused of using mica mined by children and supplying it to brands such as L’Oreal and Revlon. Merck has since implemented several measures to make sure that “all mica used for the manufacture of our
During the annual monsoon, they risk snake bites and being buried alive by collapsing slag piles. “In a place where poverty is so entrenched it is difficult to convince parents to send kids to school,” said Ram Bachan Paswan, a district labour superintendent.
While taking a breather in the hollow of a shimmery sand hill, Lalita says she has not known any other way of life after toiling in the mines of India’s eastern Jharkhand state since she was aged four.
The mica adds glitter to powders, mascara and lipsticks of top global brands although a complex supply chain makes pinning down the exact origin almost impossible, say activists.
chest, causing chronic health problems.
Deaf Indian child labourer Nagina (C) and other youngsters collect mica at a scrap mine in Koderma district of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand (AFP Photo/Dibyangshu Sarkar) pigments comes from child labour free sources,” the company said in a statement to AFP. - Ugly side of beauty -Activists however say remote areas make monitoring impossible and there is no way to guarantee the mica is child-labour free. “I think for companies the situation has become a kind of passing the buck,” said Bhuvan Ribhu of Bachpan Bachao Andolan NGO whose founder Kailash Satyarthi won last year’s Nobel peace prize for his work combat-
- Back to school -Cosmetic giants such as Estee Lauder and Chanel have recently joined a scheme to help fund the education of children going back to schools, working alongside Satyarthi’s NGO.
spokeswoman for L’Oreal said in an email to AFP.
Thirteen-year-old Seema Kumari says she can now fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher.
“It’s a collective responsibility of anyone who is procuring any mica from this region to come forward and ensure that all the children are in school,” Ribhu told AFP.
Repeated mails by AFP to Revlon, which is also supplied by Merck, went unanswered.
But she is one of the lucky ones and other youngsters see no end in sight to their labours.
Major companies insist their suppliers follow good practices.
Although child labour below 18 is illegal with fines and jail terms for offenders, poor enforcement means rules remain on paper.
“We know mica is used in powder and lipstick,” said Pushpa Kumari, whose weathered features belie her 13 years.
Children like Lalita often injure themselves with the pickaxes, while fine mica dust enter their eyes and
“It makes women look prettier,” she said, balancing a tray full of mica on her head. “But look what it does to us.”
ting child labour.
“Merck, our main supplier in India, only sources mica from legal gated mines and has submitted proof that its entire supply chain is secured,” a
Sugar Land Announces Fall, Winter Event Lineup
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UGAR LAND, TX ¬– Sugar Land’s most anticipated events each year are coming up! All of the events are fun, free and located right in Sugar Land Town Square. On Sunday, Oct. 25 from 4-8 p.m., Town Square will transform into Halloween Town. Gobs of creepy characters will roam the plaza. Activities for children will include the Munchkin Pumpkin Patch, a Spooky Reptile Show and a giant inflatable maze. People and pets in Halloween costumes will strut their stuff in the annual costume contest. For more information on Halloween Town and to sign up for the costume contest, go to www.sugarlandtx.gov/HalloweenTown. iFest Live returns to Town Square on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event showcases countries from around the world. Local organizations representing different cultures will each have a booth. Children can get an iFest Live passport stamped at each booth. The Global Activities booth will offer henna tattoos, face painting, Chinese name translations and more. International cuisine will be available for purchase from food vendors. On Thursday, Dec. 3 from 5-8 p.m., Santa Claus comes to town for Sugar Land’s Christmas Tree Lighting!
Sugar Land Town Square. Photo credit Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department
Activities for children will include the Munchkin Pumpkin Patch and more. Photo credit Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will share some holiday cheer and pose with guests for a free souvenir picture. Guests can also enter a 15-foot inflatable snow globe for a great photo opportunity. There will be holiday arts and crafts, stilt walkers, juggling elves and performances on Santa’s Helpers Stage. Then attendees will gather around the spectacular 40-foot Christmas tree to welcome the holiday season.
works show ending the night at 9 p.m. The party resumes at 10 p.m. with the adult New Year’s Eve celebration. Alcohol will be available for purchase until 1 a.m.
Ring in 2016 on Thursday, Dec. 31 with the New Year’s Eve on the Square celebration. The countdown to midnight will feature the event’s signature 3D video projection show coupled with jaw-dropping fireworks. This celebration is divided into two segments to ensure attendees of all ages are able to celebrate the New Year. The children’s celebration begins at 7 p.m. with music, entertainment, street performers and a fire-
All City of Sugar Land events are free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Texas and Lone Star garages. A free shuttle service will be available for Halloween Town, Christmas Tree Lighting and New
Year’s Eve on the Square from Mercer Stadium, 16403 Lexington Blvd., during the event hours. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the shuttle service, as parking in the garages is limited. For more information about these events or to become an event sponsor, contact the Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department visit www. sugarlandtx.gov/SpecialEvents
America’s children in crossfire of gun control debate by Sébastien BLANC ASHINGTON - Children as young as 12, eight and even five months old were shot dead in recent days in the United States -- deaths that highlight the dangers of easy access to weapons, and the difficulties of the gun control debate. Negligence, and simple bad luck, are often to blame for these tragedies which, with each death, trigger a new round of soul-searching over the divisive issue of gun control -- but little action. Last week, an 11-year-old boy fatally shot his 12-year-old brother in the head during a target shooting outing using live ammunition in Carrollton, Ohio, in what authorities have deemed an accident. Criminal charges could follow, however, for the person who left the handgun left unsecured on a picnic table, the local sheriff told The Repository, the newspaper in nearby Canton. And over the weekend in Tennessee, an 11-year-old boy was charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly fatally shot an eight-year-old girl, his neighbor, in the chest during an argument over a puppy, local media reported. A 2000 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that in more than 40 percent of house-
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holds with both children and weapons, the firearms are not secured and not always kept under lock and key. Fifteen years later, numerous awareness campaigns launched by both gun control lobbyists and pro-gun advocates have failed to curb the problem of accidental deaths. “Child gun deaths in the US are so much higher than those in other developed countries because we have so many guns and permissive gun laws,” said David Hemenway, a professor at Harvard University who specializes in injury prevention. “Too many parents do not understand that their children’s minds are not yet fully developed, and children cannot be expected to act like little adults.” - Don’t say ‘bang-bang’ The powerful National Rifle Association, the main pro-gun lobby in the United States, quibbles with that statement, and even provides recommendations to parents on how to educate kids about guns. “Guns are called guns in our house -- they are not bang-bangs, boombooms, paw-paws,” smiling “NRA mom” Julie Golob says in a video on the group’s website. Golob advises against buying toys that looks like weapons in order to avoid any potential confusion.
Today, a third of America’s children live in a home with at least one weapon. Two million of them live near an unsecured weapon, according to the group Everytown for Gun Safety. Other studies show that two-thirds of children know exactly where their parents store or hide their weapons, even if the adults are convinced otherwise. But storage and security is only one part of the problem. Accidents take place everywhere, simply because weapons are everywhere. The number of weapons held by civilians in the United States is almost the same as the size of the population -- roughly 320 million. It is not unusual for young children in the United States to shoot using live ammunition, despite the risk of recoil when the gun is discharged -- and children’s relative lack of awareness of how powerful that recoil can be. In August 2014, a nine-year-old girl killed her shooting instructor with an Uzi submachine gun in Arizona when she apparently was unable to handle the recoil. Four months later, a two-year-old boy accidentally shot his mother to death in an Idaho Wal-Mart by grabbing onto a gun she was carrying in a handbag specifically designed to conceal it. - ‘Out of control’ -
children are still allowed to shoot at targets, according to The New York Times. President Barack Obama angrily called on Congress to do more after the shooting at Umpqua Community College that left nine dead plus the shooter, and he plans to visit with relatives of the victims on Friday. But despite the Democratic leader’s fiery words, gun deaths continProtesters descend on the offices of the National Rifle ue unabated, and Association’s Capitol Hill lobbiest on December 17, American cities 2012, in Washington, DC (AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards) are seeing a surge in homicides. These accidental shooting deaths Children are not have shocked people in the United immune to the violence. States and sparked outrage abroad, Since early September in Cleveland, where handguns are not as commonchildren aged three and five have been place. shot dead. But neither accidental shootings nor And on Thursday, Aavielle Wakemass killings like the campus rampage last week in Oregon seem to unblock field will be laid to rest after she was shot dead last week in her car seat, the debate. her all-too-short life ended at just five A year after the Arizona incident months. involving the Uzi at the firing range,
VOICE OF ASIA 17
Bollywood Masala
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Friday, October 16, 2015
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‘Shantaram’ sequel hits shelves after a decade
Musician Ravindra Jain passes away at 71
M
UMBAI, | AFP - A longawaited sequel to “Shantaram” went on sale on Tuesday, 12 years after the novel about an escaped Australian convict in India became a huge backpacker hit, selling four million copies worldwide. It took the Australian author Gregory David Roberts 10 years to write “The Mountain Shadow”, which picks up the story two years after “Shantaram” ends. Roberts’ first novel became an international sensation when it was released in 2003 for its colourful depiction of the Indian city of Mumbai.
Ravindra Jain, legendary singer, and music composer. Twitter pic.
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UMBAI: Veteran music director-singer-lyricist Ravindra Jain passed away today at a city hospital due to multiple organ failure. He was 71. Jain breathed his last at 4.10 pm at Lilavati hospital due to multiple organ failure, sources close to him told PTI. Jain was shifted from Wockhardt Hospital in Nagpur few days back to Mumbai by a chartered air ambulance for treatment at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra. The music composer was suffering from a urinary infection causing a problem in his kidney, sources said. He was in Nagpur for a concert on Sunday, but could not participate because of his ill-health and was subsequently airlifted to Mumbai. He was
kept in the ICU at Lilavati and was on ventilator. Jain, who overcame blindness to become one of the most successful composers, gave music for hit films like ‘Chor Machaye Shor’, ‘Geet Gaata Chal’, ‘Chitchor’ and ‘Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se’, in the 70s. He was given a big break by Raj Kapoor for whom he composed super hit songs in movies such as ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’, ‘Do Jasoos’, and ‘Heena’, which was directed by Randhir Kapoor. During the 1980s and 1990s, Jain widely composed music for many mythological movies and television serials. He is survived by his wife Divya and son Ayush.
EXTRA Thai Buddhist monk horror film banned on fears it could ‘destroy’ faith
B
ANGKOK, Thailand - A Thai horror film about Buddhist monks has been banned over fears it could “destroy” the kingdom’s majority faith, authorities said on Tuesday. The Ministry of Culture has objected to certain parts of the film “Arbat” including a kissing scene and one where a monk is shown taking drugs. The clergy have long been revered in overwhelmingly Buddhist Thailand but in recent years have been rocked by scandals including gambling and prostitution, as well as corruption at the increasingly wealthy temples propped by donations from the faithful. “The movie has some scenes that will destroy Buddhism. If it is shown, people’s faith in Buddhism will deteriorate,” Somchai Surachatri, spokesman for Thailand’s National Office of Buddhism, told AFP. His office sits on the censorship committee at the culture ministry. On Tuesday the film’s producer Sahamongkol Film International said it was “preparing to adjust
some parts of the movie” before resubmitting it for consideration. “We will try to maintain the essence and plot of the story as far as we can,” it said in a Facebook post. Arbat -- which translates from Thai as “violations committed by monks” -- was scheduled for nationwide release on Thursday. The ban triggered a wave of comments from disgruntled movie fans on Tuesday. “We’ve lost our right to watch the film as a few people have decided on behalf of the whole country,” said one comment on the producer’s Facebook page by a user named Back Man. Thailand’s monks have come under increasing fire for their embrace of commercialism in recent years. In April the Dhammakaya temple, one of the richest in the kingdom, returned some $20 million given by a company executive later accused of embezzling the cash. Donations have long formed the bedrock of Thai Buddhism -- every morning barefooted monks make alms rounds in their local neigh-
It centres on the life of a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escapes jail and flees to India, becoming embroiled in the Mumbai underworld. “Shantaram” acquired a cult following, with television chat show queen Oprah Winfrey describing it as one of her favourite novels on a visit to India in 2012. It was given an added air of mystique
Melbourne author Gregory David Roberts by claims from Roberts that elements of it were based on real life events and the 900-page doorstopper became a favourite amongst backpackers.
Publisher Little, Brown UK has said it took Roberts 10 years to complete the sequel, and fans took to Twitter to express their excitement.
It sees the main protagonist, “Lin” set up a health clinic in a slum, fall in love, and fight with the Mujahideen in Afghanistan.
“Today’s the day! Been waiting for this to be released since I first read Shantaram 3 years ago,” Wes Cartlidge tweeted.
Alia not doing biopic on Pakistani singer Nazia Hasan
M
UMBAI, Oct 14 (PTI) Actress Alia Bhatt has denied reports of being a part of Pakistani singer Nazia Hasan’s biopic. Alia had once expressed her desire to play the singer on the big screen. “I am not doing it. I was asked if I had to do a biopic then on which person it would be, I gave this name (Pakistani singer Nazia Hasan) as it was on top of my mind. I found the story and subject interesting,” Alia said at a promotional event of her upcoming film “Shaandaar”. She was speaking at the launch of a new song “Raitaa Phail Gaya” from the film. Director Vikas Bahl said he had a great time watching noted actor Pankaj Kapur dance to the song. “When we started to make him dance then it was difficult to stop him. We were waiting for him to stop. He was fab. The unit was on floor looking at him,” he said.
bourhoods while many devotees “make merit” by gifting money to temples. The case of notoriously flashy monk, Wiraphol Sukphol, taking selfies while flying in a private jet triggered particular outrage. Other embarrassing incidents in recent months include a monk arrested for multiple sexual assaults, clergy dressed in civilian clothes drinking alcohol and crashing a car, and monks -- expected to be celibate -- having girlfriends.
Alia Bhatt said: “I am not doing it. I was asked if I had to do a biopic then on which person it would be, I gave this name (Pakistani singer Nazia Hasan) as it was on top of my mind.” Shahid, who is for the first time sharing screen space with actor-father Pankaj Kapur, has no dancing scenes with him. “The situation in the song is when I am around he is not dancing. We have ‘tashan’ in the film. When I go away he dances alone as he also wants to dance. I did not get chance to dance with him,” Shahid said. At the event, Shahid also came to the rescue of Alia when reporters asked her if she had seen pictures posted by her rumoured boyfriend Siddharth
Malhotra on social networking sites regarding New Zealand tourism, of which he is the brand ambassador in India. To this Alia said, “Shahid I always rescue you, today you rescue me.” Her “Shaandaar” co-star then go up and said, “Who is Siddharth, we don’t know any Siddharth. In New Zealand we don’t know any Siddharth. There is Sid (Siddharth) Marketing. He handles marketing of Dharma Productions. Apart from him we don’t know any Siddharth.
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FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
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Sitting no worse for health than standing: UK study
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ONDON - Sitting down is no worse for you than standing up as long as you take regular exercise, a British study said Monday, casting doubt on the health benefits of sit-stand work stations.
Exeter University and University College London researchers followed more than 5,000 people over a 16-year period and their findings were published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
The study also challenged advice from the UK National Health Service (NHS) based on other studies stating that “remaining seated for too long is bad for your health, regardless of how much exercise you do.”
“Any stationary posture where energy expenditure is low may be detrimental to health, be it sitting or standing,” said Melvyn Hillsdon from Exeter’s sport and health sciences department.
“The results cast doubt on the benefits of sit-stand work stations, which employers are increasingly providing to promote healthy working environments.” The research found there was no influence on mortality risk for participants from sitting at work, during leisure time or watching television. The NHS said on its website in advice published last year that there was “increasing evi-
How Medicare works with other insurance
dence” linking excessive sitting with being obese, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and premature death. It recommends an active break from sitting every 30 minutes, citing expert Professor Stuart Biddle saying: “Sitting needs breaking up.” “Do some tasks standing, like having coffee and chats, or even writing a letter –- Ernest Hemingway wrote his novels standing,” he added.
Heart attack test can reduce hospital admission: study
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ARIS, France | AFP | 10/7/2015 - A simple blood test can reduce unneccessary hospital admissions by pinpointing people seeking medical help for chest pain caused by something other than a heart attack, a study said Thursday.
room with chest pain at four hospitals in Scotland and the United States, the test correctly identified about two-thirds of those who were not having a heart attack -- all had a troponin level under five nanogrammes (billionths of a gram) per decilitre (a tenth of a litre).
hospital admission and have major benefits for both patients and health-care providers,” the researchers wrote.
Researchers said they had identified the optimal level of a protein called troponin in the blood below which a heart attack can be all but ruled out as the cause of chest pain.
This meant everyone under this threshold could probably have been sent home instead of being admitted to hospital, the research team wrote in The Lancet medical journal.
In a trial of about 6,300 people who went to the emergency
“Implementation of this approach would reduce avoidable
Chest pain is one of the most common causes of hospitalisation worldwide, with international guidelines recommending that people who complain of chest pain be admitted for extensive testing. The vast majority do not have a heart attack.
But they underlined the approach should not be applied without consulting a patient’s medical history and profile.
“Until now there were no quick ways to rule out heart attack within the emergency department,” lead author Anoop Shah from the University of Edinburgh said in a statement. In a comment also carried by The Lancet, experts Louise Cullen and William Parsonage from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Australia, and Martin Than from Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand, urged further study before a troponin benchmark is determined for early discharge of people with chest pain.
Attempts at suicide may rise after weight-loss surgery
M
IAMI, United States | AFP | 10/7/2015 Those who undergo surgery for weight loss may face a 50 percent higher risk of attempting suicide after the operation, according to a study out Wednesday. The research involved more than 8,800 people in Canada and is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Surgery. Those in the study were followed for three years before and after bariatric surgery to alleviate morbid obesity, an epidemic in wealthy nations where as many as six percent of the population is affected. While researchers have long known that mental health problems can be common in people who are severely overweight, they have not been able to pinpoint whether risks of selfharm existed before surgery or rose afterward. The actual number of selfharm emergencies among the 8,800 people was low -- 111 patients had 158 such emergencies. But researchers found that
the risk of these emergencies increased significantly -- by approximately 50 percent -- after surgery. “Intentional self-poisoning by medications was the most common mechanism of attempted suicide,” said the study. Other methods of self-harm included alcohol, physical trauma and poisoning by toxic chemicals. According to lead author Junaid Bhatti of the Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, the findings suggest a need for more careful follow-up of bariatric surgery patients. Some 200,000 such operations are performed annually in the United States. “These adverse events undermine the overall benefits of bariatric surgery,” said Bhatti. Nearly all the self-harm emergencies occurred in patients who had a history of a mental health disorder. The study did not identify specific reasons for the spike in self-harm attempts.
But experts know that shrinking the size of the stomach via surgical means can also alter alcohol metabolism, and may boost risky behavior as a result. An accompanying commentary by Amir A. Ghaferi and Carol Lindsay-Westphal of the Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare System in Michigan pointed out that bariatric surgery patients experience twice the level of selfharm emergencies compared to the average population, and four times the suicide rate.
“Most self-harm emergencies occur in the second and third postoperative years,” they wrote, adding that “there is currently no minimum standard for psychological follow-up” and postoperative follow-up has generally been poor. “Bariatric surgery is more than just an operation. It is time we recognize and treat it as such.” Other experts said the findings should lead to more intense screening of potential patients.
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I
f you have Medicare and other health insurance or coverage, each type of coverage is called a “payer.” When there’s more than one payer, “coordination of benefits” rules decide which one pays first. The “primary payer” pays what it owes on your bills first, and then sends the rest to the “secondary payer” to pay. In some cases, there may also be a third payer. What it means to pay primary/secondary • The insurance that pays first (primary payer) pays up to the limits of its coverage. • The one that pays second (secondary payer) only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn’t cover. • The secondary payer (which may be Medicare) may not pay all the uncovered costs. • If your employer insurance is the secondary payer, you may need to enroll in Medicare Part B before your insurance will pay. Paying “first” means paying the whole bill up to the limits of the coverage. It doesn’t always mean the primary payer pays first in time. If the insurance company doesn’t pay the claim promptly (usually within 120 days), your doctor or other provider may bill Medicare. Medicare may make a conditional payment to pay the bill, and then later recover any payments the primary payer should’ve made. I have Medicare and: I’m 65 or older and have group health plan coverage based on my current employment (or the current employment of a spouse of any age), and my employer has 20 or more employees. If the employer has more than 20 employees, the group health plan generally pays first. If the group health plan didn’t pay all of your bill, the doctor or health care provider should send the bill to Medicare for secondary payment. Medicare will look at what your group health plan paid, and pay any additional costs up to the Medicare-approved amount. You’ll have to pay whatever costs Medicare or the group health plan doesn’t cover. Generally, employers with 20 or more employees must offer current employees 65 and older the same health benefits, under the same conditions, that they offer younger employees. If the employer offers coverage to spouses, they must offer the same coverage to spouses 65 and older that they offer to spouses under 65. I’m under 65, have a disability, and have group health plan coverage based on my current employment. Generally, if your employer has fewer than 100 employees, Medicare pays first if you’re under 65 or you have
Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com Medicare because of a disability. Sometimes employers with fewer than 100 employees join with other employers to form a multi-employer plan. If at least one employer in the multi-employer plan has 100 employees or more, Medicare pays second. If the employer has at least 100 employees, the health plan is called a large group health plan. If you’re covered by a large group health plan because of your current employment or the current employment of a family member, Medicare pays second. If you go outside your employer plan’s network, you might not get any payment from the plan or Medicare. Call your employer plan before you go outside the network to find out if the service will be covered. I have Medicaid. Medicaid never pays first for services covered by Medicare. It only pays after Medicare, employer group health plans, and/or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance have paid. What’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)? A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicareapproved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share. A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Those plans are ways to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap policy only supplements your Original Medicare benefits. To choose right Medicare plan during open enrollment contact Sudhir Mathuria 713771-2900.
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US growth ‘modest’, strong dollar weighs: Fed report
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ASHINGTONThe strong dollar weighed on manufacturing and tourism spending in the US while the economy continued “modest expansion” in recent weeks, the Federal Reserve said in a report Wednesday. Eleven of the central bank’s 12 districts reported growth, according to the Beige Book survey of economic conditions from mid-August through early October. One district hit hard by the fall in oil prices, the Kansas City region, reported a slight dip in economic activity. The Beige Book, a collection of anecdotal information, said
that a number of districts cited the strong dollar “as restraining manufacturing activity as well as tourism spending.” However, consumer spending, driver of two thirds of the US output, grew moderately, led by sharper gains in auto sales. Nonfinancial services activity mostly strengthened and the housing market, which has been a bright spot in the economy, improved. Overall, the report was upbeat about the economy. “Business contacts across the nation were generally optimistic about the near-term outlook,” the Beige Book said.
But there were pockets of concern. Manufacturing generally weakened, in part due tot he downturn in energy sector activity in a number of districts. Though there was some strength in the auto, aerospace and transportation equipment industries, metals industries were hit by the strong dollar and competition from China. - Dollar drag The Fed report was sprinkled with references to the strong dollar’s negative impact, whether in manufacturing, ports or in New York, where it “has adversely affected sales, particularly in areas frequented by foreign shoppers.”
omy, the report said. In Montana, on the border with Canada, Canadian tourist spending fell as much as 15 percent because of the greenback’s appreciation. In the Dallas district, petroleum products exports suffered slightly from the currency headwind. The stronger greenback also heightened the competition from Chinese imports, steel industry officials in several districts said. In the agriculture sector, in addition to the dollar’s restraints on exports, some producers have not yet adjusted crop plans to account for the slowdown in the Chinese econ-
The Fed decided at its September policy meeting to leave its federal funds rate near zero, where it has been pegged for nearly seven years, citing concerns about the potential impacts to the US economy from China’s slowdown and the strong dollar. “While the tone of the report was somewhat more upbeat than recent economic reports, it was not likely upbeat enough to alter expectations for no rate hike in October and only a 50/50 (at best) chance of a hike in December,” said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange, in a research note.
The signs for the central bank’s dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability were little changed in the latest Beige Book. The labor market, which has moved toward the Fed’s mandate with an unemployment rate at 5.1 percent, tightened in most districts. There were areas of labor shortages, especially for skilled workers. But tepid wage growth, a key worry of the Fed as a sign of remaining slack in the market, was “mostly subdued” except for pockets of increased wage pressures. Prices were little changed “or up only slightly” in most districts, it said.
India Most Favoured Among Emerging Market Equities: BofA-ML EW DELHI: India is the most favoured market for global investors among emerging market equities, followed by China, a report by Bank of AmericaMerrill Lynch (BofA-ML) has said. According to a survey of fund managers by the global financial major, India and China are the most favoured among emerging market equities, while Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia are “unloved”.
economy will see some improvement in the next 12 months and are also less bearish on China’s growth prospects, investors do not want exposure to emerging markets, it said.
N
“Based on our Asia Pacific ex-Japan investor panelists, India moved back to being the market most investors would overweight in October, followed by China, while investors scaled back on their Korea overweight views,” the report said. Among other emerging markets, sentiments for Taiwan reduced, while Indonesia went from an ‘overweight’ position to being one of the most unfavoured markets.
Almost half of the respondents believe that Federal Re-
serve will raise interest rates in December 2015 while about 36 per cent see a rate hike in the first quarter of 2016. “Investors now see government bonds as being the most vulnerable asset class when the Fed raises rates, followed by
stocks, while commodities are being seen as the least vulnerable,” the survey noted. The survey period was October 2-8 and 209 participants with $512 billion assets under management responded to the survey.
GE to sell $32 bn in finance businesses to Wells Fargo Overseas investors have turned net buyers in October so far and have pumped in over Rs 8,000 crore. The BSE’s benchmark Sensex index is currently hovering around 26,700 points and has gained over 600 points so far this month. Overseas investors have turned net buyers in October so far and have pumped in over Rs
8,000 crore. According to BofA-ML, views on the Chinese economy, to a large extent, define investor views on emerging market equities. While most of the survey respondents believe Chinese
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EW YORK, 10/13/2015 - General Electric said Tuesday that it would sell financing assets valued at $32 billion to US bank Wells Fargo as the conglomerate moves to focus on its core industrial operations. GE said the deal with Wells Fargo includes GE Capital’s commercial lending and leasing businesses and nearly completes its program to pare back the finance unit to where it mainly serves the company’s industrial businesses.
the assets. The transaction was expected to close in the first quarter of next year. The deal includes GE Capital’s global Commercial Distribution Finance and Vendor Finance platforms, employing about 3,000 people. It also includes part of the Corporate Finance business, which serves companies across the United States and Canada.
“This is our largest transaction to date and a critical step in our efforts to reduce the size of GE Capital,” said Keith Sherin, GE Capital chairman and chief executive.
“Since our April 10 announcement, we’ve signed more than $126 billion in transactions, which is over 60 percent of our overall plan, and are on track to become less than 10 percent of GE’s earnings as the company transitions to a more focused digital industrial company,” Sherin said.
The Fairfield, Connecticutbased company did not say how much Wells Fargo is paying for
“This acquisition is an outstanding opportunity for Wells Fargo to deepen relationships
and strengthen our presence in key commercial lending markets,” said Tim Sloan, head of Wells Fargo Wholesale Banking, in a separate statement. In September, Wells Fargo announced it would buy GE Capital’s railcar services, without disclosing the terms of the transaction. Sherin said that once the transactions have closed and GE Capital’s retail finance business, Synchrony Financial, has been split off, GE Capital would seek removal from US regulators’ list of systemically important financial institutions, which must hold extra capital because they are deemed “too big to fail” without wreaking havoc on the financial system. Shares in Dow member GE edged up 0.3 percent to $28.17 in morning trade, while Wells Fargo was flat at $52.17.
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Public Notice Exhibit B
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
HOROSCOPE
VOICE OF ASIA 22
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
Your Horoscope for the Week of October 16, 2015 READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE
by Hardik Vyas, Astrologer Cell : 832-298-9950
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Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct
Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April Time will be a positive one for you especially if you are involved in academic work. Your appreciation for the warmth and assurance of a mentor will provide them with much pride. The way words are used can be very important to you. You see deeply below the surface and are aware of nuances that others may try to use information that could be harmful to you. Your week may ‘fly by’ in a haze of errands, emotions and fast ‘flair ups’, with quarrels or clashes, and while this one is far more likely to unfold in your career life ...
The chance of a misunderstanding if others do not clearly communicate their needs to you. Your ego may require a bit more nurturing and support. There may be manipulation and secrecy in the air. You are in a very suspicious mood that doesn’t make you feel very trusting of others. Cooperation is very good and promises to be ‘even better’ as we go, especially with youth and with members ‘getting what they want’.
Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov
Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May Needs to be patient and understanding with others and you’ll be able to unravel a mystery. Be very discreet and try not to tell everything you know unless you are sure that it is appropriate. Your steady hard work will reap you greater rewards than you thought. Positive energy will flow into strong alliances that instill peace and serenity into your personal relations. It is essential to give ‘equal time’ to the needs, comments, complaints and issues of each individual member and to ‘see it from their point of view’.
Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June The change of scenery being be positive for you. You will soon realize is that if you are not happy in some aspect of your life, you’ll need to make some significant changes. You’ll feel an urgency to eliminate negative influences from both your home and workplace. You’ll need to show your reliability and willingness to perform your duties and obligations. A ‘split decision’ or several of them, are likely this week and could lead to long discussions and some ‘change ups or change backs’.
Find that you’ll disregard superficial answers to your questions. You’ll feel encouraged to probe until you get to the bottom of the situation. You have something in your life that you are passionate about. Now is the time to act on that dream. Stay clear on your purpose and you’ll go far. Your stars show a great deal is ‘brought to you’ and much is expected, if not ‘demanded’ of you, your time, effort and especially ‘cash flow’ particularly in solving ‘need’ and providing repairs, replacements and upgrades.
Sagittarius (BH,F,DH,TH) 22 Nov to 21 Dec
You will 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 mood. Focusing on deep emotions may tend to turn into negative feelings. Break away from your usual reaction. Most news for members tends to be good this week, especially in finance, moves, income and employment but be careful how or when you ‘celebrate’ unless ALL members are ‘in a good space’ as there could be those who feel left out or even jealous.
Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan
Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July You are feeling a need to make yourself and your world more attractive. Your keen eye and dramatic flair of style will present an amazing image. Someone close to you may seem to be eager to do battle with you. You’ll learn a great deal about aggression by revealing your true feelings. Your stars show an excellent week with wonderful ‘emotional flow’ and good communications and particularly with youth, in-laws, spouse and siblings.
Causes you to use your sense of humor to help take a more objective look at yourself. You’ll feel more like yourself in the midst of a rapidly changing world. Creative ideas flow that make it easier than usual to express your thoughts. You’ll be negotiating and communicating of all kinds of deals. Cooperation may be poor but progress appears very good and then energies ‘change quickly’ and you may be ‘stonewalled’ for two days but it loosens up again and while ‘a lot of work for a big project’ is indicated, you appear to be successful.
Aquarius (G,S,SH) 21 Jan to 19 Feb
Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Current partnerships or helping, may improve your corporate visibility. They also may be able to provide you with some very sound advice and guidance. You may tend to expose too much of yourself or voice your opinion too openly. Allowing others to see your true self may help your cause. Emotions can go from cozy and easy to confrontational and problematic for a reasonable cross section of yourself, especially with, over or because of other members. Soft peddle response and issues the & things will be ‘neatly back in order’.
Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September Scenario finds you realizing that your past experiences will help you to locate your inner sense of being. Make plans to take a field trip or to travel for business or pleasure. You’ll be bored with the old philosophies and feel the need to search for your own truth. You’ll learn much through your direct experiences. Your week appears filled with emotional discussions, hefty management issues and several errands and expenses. Very enjoyable gatherings and creative, inexpensive enjoyment time is indicated. Food, fun and reunions are likely.
QR
You realizing that you might need to accept less help than you had hoped. Your longrange plans and ambitions should become clearer as you focus on your career. Your fine sense of talent and beauty will bring you closer to artistic souls. Your sensitivity will help you to weed out impostors in business. Cooperation is good but your day may get somewhat ‘derailed’, especially IF youth, behavior, discipline, with co-members are involved.
Pisces (D,CH,Z) 20 Feb to 20 March Find you reflecting that a recent social activity may have seemed more like work than pleasure. Break the dull cycle and find yourself some emotional excitement. Learn to delegate a little more. As much as you enjoy managing things, someone who reaches out to guide you could prove to be invaluable. Many tasks, errands and several demands upon your time and resources may fill, but appear to go well. There is a ‘threat’ of quarrels within the family, especially with siblings but may more likely take place with/over family members.
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VOICE OF ASIA 23
CLASSIFIEDS
CHIEF ENGINEER/ VP Broadcast Technology KTRK Television, the ABC/Disney O&O in Houston, Texas has a tremendous opportunity for a VP of Broadcast Technology with significant management and leadership experience and a strong working knowledge of television broadcast for our 24/7 facility. The successful candidate will have demonstrable ability to manage multiple, changing priorities. The successful candidate will also have an in depth knowledge that spans information technology, digital video and audio technologies, RF technologies and file based production workflows. Requires experience in TV broadcast engineering management including studio and transmitter facility maintenance, capital project planning and implementation, production and on-air operations, scheduling of technical personnel, preparation of operating budgets, as well as a knowledge of and compliance with all government and industry regulations and standards. Ideally the candidate will be detail oriented and a team player with the ability to support and service other departments including News, Programming and Promotions. A degree in a technical related field or equivalent experience preferred and at least 3 years experience in a primary role in the planning, installation, operation and maintenance of modern studio equipment, transmitter facilities, automation systems, remote control and remote broadcast equipment as well as other equipment typical to a commercial television station. Lucrative salary, relocation and benefits package for the right candidate. This is an excellent opportunity to join a first-class station, have a rewarding job and live in a fun and affordable city. Candidates must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file and cover letter. Please Reference Job ID: 304641BR on all materials submitted. Equal Opportunity Employer - Female/ Minority/ Veteran/ Disability/ Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity. No Telephone Calls Please.
Property Manager We are looking for an experienced and skilled Apartment Manager to lead our community to continued success. Job Summary We have a Property Manager position available in Houston, TX and Oklahoma City, OK. The Property Manager’s main responsibilities include: the overall daily operations and management of the property, as well as all of the activities within leasing, revenue management, fiscal planning, resident, and community relations. Responsibilities • • • • • • • • • • •
Direct and participate in the daily operations of the property
Responsible for implementing and completing a successful turn that ensures resident satisfaction
Performs monthly unit inspections, as well as prior to move-in and move-out Assist with leasing duties as needed and approving all new leases Overseeing the risk management and emergency procedures Managing staff including; hiring, training, and developing Maintain positive resident relations Responsible for purchases for the property and monitoring all expenses Maintaining system for service requests Reporting on payroll and employee records Maintain the resident database, accounts receivable, and accounts payable records
Requirements • • • •
Bachelor degree strongly preferred, high school diploma required
2 years of experience as a Property Manager with a proven track record of achievements
Proven proficiency in all areas of property management operations Must have excellent communication, management, and people skills
Please submit your resume to this posting for consideration. Thank you, Fax: 888.761.8942
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FRIDAY, October 16, 2015
MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY FROM HBR.ORG Develop Smart Routines to Find Your Focus The more decisions you have to make in a day, the more drained you feel. To focus your attention and energy on the work that matters, it helps to apply a repeatable structure to your day. You can start by beginning your mornings an hour or so earlier. No matter the time you choose, you’ll feel more energized by how much more you check off your to-do list before noon. Then try working in 90minute increments. This is the optimal amount of time for focus. Concentrate on one task, uninterrupted, for an hour and a half. Then take a break to refuel before switching to your next task. When you’re powering down at the end of the day, review your to-do list. Did you get everything done? Were your expectations realistic? Doing this every day will help you determine whether you’re assigning time and tasks appropriately. Adapted from Getting More Work Done (20Minute Manager)
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Now You Know!
Amazing facts from all over the WORLD!
• Some playing cards in India are round • In a deck of cards the king of harts is the only king without a moustache • The opposite sides of a dice always adds up to 7 • A Chinese checkerboard has 121 holes • The first crossword puzzle appeared in 1913
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Know Your Words Here’s your chance to be a Vocabulary Sleuth! Gusto--Keen enjoyment. Hale--Of sound and vigorous health. Illiberal--Stingy. Jocular--Inclined to joke. Kingling--A petty king. Free community events on: www.voiceofasiaonline.com Calendar! Got a favorite word? Let us know! Email us: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com
VOICE OF ASIA 24
FRIDAY, October 16, 2015