Voice of Asia Feb 13 2015

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Vol. 28 No. 7 Friday, February 13, 2015 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

India’s Arvind Kejriwal raises full-statehood issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh

N

E W DELHI, India : A day after decisively winning the Delhi elections, CM-inwaiting, Arvind Kejriwal, raised the demand of full statehood for Delhi in his maiden meetings with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal Urban Develwith Home Minister Rajnath Singh opment Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday. “Explained to both dress the Delhi Police matter of them that full statehood for too,” senior AAP leader ManDelhi was necessary to meet ish Sisodia told reporters, after people’s expectations,” Kejri- emerging along with Kejriwal wal tweeted after the meetings. from a short 10-minute long meeting with Rajnath Singh.

Full statehood for Delhi and Kejriwal also invited Naidu and passage of the Janlokpal and Singh for his oath-taking cerSwaraj bills are the first three emony on Saturday. Kejriwal points of the 70-point AAP also asked the Delhi Police to manifesto and the party is ex- withdraw the Z-plus security pected to aggressively push for cover provided to him on Monthe same as in its earlier innings day, saying he does not need in power. The BJP government the same since it will impede in at the Centre is, however, un- his mingling with the common sure of conceding to the full people. statehood demand as BJP did Kejriwal met President Pranab not promise the same in its vision document this time though Mukherjee on Wednesday who it was a part of its manifesto for gifted the CM designate a copy of the Constitution and a book Delhi in 2013. authored by him. He will meet “Full statehood will ad- the PM on Thursday. (PTI).

Sheriff Garcia, HCSO welcome first Sikh deputy to serve with Sikh articles of faith

H

OUSTON - (Feb. 6, 2015) - The Harris County Sheriff’s Office today became the largest law enforcement agency in the United States to allow a Sikh deputy to serve with Sikhism’s articles of faith, including turban and beard.

By making these accommodations the HCSO joins the US military and other law enforcement agencies across the country with observant Sikh Americans among their ranks.

The HCSO does not discriminate against any employee because of that person’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual or gender orientation, national origin, age, disability, handicap or veteran status and accordingly, is committed to accommodating an employee in regard to a dress code issue where the employee proves a unique need due to a medical condition or a firmly established religious belief and such condition or belief does not otherwise prevent the employee from fulfilling all of his/her normal assigned job duties. An accommodation to allow for an exemption from the department dress code policy will be determined by the Sheriff or his designee on a case by case basis.

Sheriff Adrian Garcia and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the implementation of the new policy that allows one of their ‘own’s ability to wear a turban and beard as part of his official HCSO uniform’.

“By making these religious ac-

commodations we are joining the US military and other law enforcement agencies across the country with observant Sikh Americans among their ranks.

Harris County is no different.

We are one of the most culturally rich and diverse communities in America,” said Sheriff Garcia.

“The Harris County and Houston area Sikh American community applauds the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Garcia, Deputy Dhaliwal, and Mr. Nijjar for their leadership and commitment to service,” lauded Bobby Singh, Regional Director, SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense Education Fund).

“We hope that young Americans of all backgrounds will follow in their footsteps and serve their local communities.”

Patrol Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, a Sikh American who joined the Sheriff’s Office six years ago, will, for the first time, be allowed to wear a dastaar and beard when in full uniform - both are articles of faith of the Sikh religion.

“We commend Sheriff Adrian Garcia and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for their leadership, and in recognizing that Sikh Americans and residents of Harris County should have the opportunity to serve their community, as we have done throughout our 125 year history in the United States,” said Jasjit Singh, Executive Director, SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund).

IACCGH hosts timely seminar on American tax laws and applications

Standing from left: IACCGH Treasurer and CPA Swapan Dhairyawan, CPA Atul Kothari, IACCGH Executive Director and CPA Mike Jain. Seated from left: CPA Mahesh Desai, IACCGH President Ashok Garg, Moderator Ajit Thakur, CPA Kershaw Khumbatta and CPA Imtiaz Munshi. Photo: Bijay Dixit.

ACT Increase: 24 to 29 College Destination: University of WI – Madison

ACC

Irina S.

Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal with Sheriff Adrian Garcia.

Photo credit: HCSO.

Bobby Singh (Regional Dir, SALDEF) speaks on the occasion.

Also seen are Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Jasjit Singh of SALDEF Executive Director.

by Manu Shah

H

OUSTON: The Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) conducted a free seminar on a highly relevant topic – American Tax laws as applicable to tax payers – both citizens and resident aliens who own/ control overseas assets. Held for a fourth year in a row, the seminar, which was held at India House on Sunday afternoon January 25nd, attracted more than 200 people.

Welcoming the gathering, IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia offered the disclaimer that the seminar was for information purposes only and is not intended as tax advice. Stating that IACCGH is not just for Indo Americans but a very “inclusive Chamber, he quoted HMTDC President Richard Huebner to emphasize that fact that “we need to collaborate with each other to create value.”

IACCGH President Ashok Garg outlined the mission, objectives and the various programs hosted by the organization which helped foster Indo US bilateral trade and enabled members to network with each other.

He also announced that IACCGH would be joining the Greater Houston Partnership in the upcoming Houston Trade Mission to India in April led by Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

Encouraging the gathering to take advantage of the expertise and experience of the panel of 7 renowned CPA’s, he stated that despite one being a successful doctor, engineer or businessman, it takes a “CPA to guide us in the best way to increase as well save our hard earned money legally.”

Described by Program Chair Swapan Dhairyawan Continued on Page 8

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

VOICE OF ASIA 2

by Anna North, Feb. 5, 2015.

B

Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Austin Correspondent: Print & Media Marketing: Marketing: Production: Office Manager:

etween now and Valentine’s Day, some customers at McDonald’s will get the opportunity to pay for their food not with money but with “lovin’” — that is, by performing one of a variety of interpersonal acts including dancing, fist-bumping an employee, or calling their mothers. McDonald’s laid out some of the possibilities in an ad during Sunday’s Super Bowl:

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

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

Editor: Online & Newsletter : Shobana Muratee

Of the ad itself, Phil Rosenthal writes at The Chicago Tribune:

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

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

“The planned Super Bowl spot released Friday takes the chain’s ‘Lovin’’ theme one sugar-frosted step too far, asking random customers to tell someone close to them that they loved them in place of paying cash for their meal orders.

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

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“A commercial works when it’s authentic and evokes sentiment. When it outright asks us to feel something in some stupid stunt, it’s off-putting.”

At The Street, Brian Sozzi argues that anyone enticed into McDonald’s by its “hugs-ascurrency program” may be disappointed: “Once inside the restaurant, those same consumers may well be reminded of why they don’t like McDonald’s in the first place, such as the absence of healthy alternatives, slow lines, greasy-smelling restaurants and a huge menu that continues to be stuffed with classic calorie bombs.”

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

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

And, he writes: “The disconnect between McDonald’s TV marketing and McDonald’s in real life comes at a time where the company, headed by a new C.E.O., is trying to transition to more upscale restaurant designs and a slimmer menu in order to reconnect with its defecting customers and reverse several quarters of U.S. sales declines.

But Sunday’s well-publicized

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Paying With ‘Lovin’’: A McDonald’s Mistake?

The ad depicts the transfer of “lovin’” as fun, if initially confusing. A number of critics, however, find the campaign disturbing — “lovin’,” they argue, is not the way to fix the fast-food chain’s woes.

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McDonald’s ad during Sunday’s Super Bowl Super Bowl ad tellingly references no food at all except for a customer ordering two hash browns and a small coffee.”

Meanwhile, Kate Bachelder experienced the “lovin’” campaign in action. At The Wall Street Journal, she writes: “A crew member produced a heart-shaped pencil box stuffed with slips of paper, and instructed me to pick one. My fellow customers seemed to look on with pity as I drew my fate: ‘Ask someone to dance.’ I stood there for a mortified second or two, and then the cashier mercifully suggested that we all dance together. Not wanting to be a spoilsport, I forced a smile and ‘raised the roof’ a couple of times, as employees tried to lure cringing customers into forming some kind of conga line, asking them when they’d last been asked to dance.

“The public embarrassment ended soon enough, and I slunk away with my free breakfast, thinking: Now there’s an idea that never should have left the conference room.”

emotional response in him.” Emotional labor, she writes, “requires poorly paid people to slather a smile onto their face and cover up the real conditions under which they labor.” And, she adds:

Photo credit Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

“McDonald’s has been one of the fastfood companies hit by massive, repeated waves of labor unrest by striking workers demanding better pay, the ability to form a union and an end to retaliation for their actions. Workers have been vocal about the fact that they and their families can’t survive on the money they make. But the company instead wants its customers to see employees who are genuinely delighted that a mother hugged

Ms. Bachelder notes that McDonald’s has suffered “a 21 percent drop in fourth-quarter earnings for 2014, net income falling last year by almost 15 percent to $4.76 billion, and a flat stock price in a soaring market,” and that it’s losing ground to chains like Shake Shack and Chipotle. Enforced “love,” she says, won’t help: “McDonald’s looks like it’s trying too hard to look trendy.”

Some customers appear to have gotten into the “lovin’” spirit — Lara O’Reilly at Business Insider rounds up a few videos of dancing, hugging and general niceness.

But at The Nation, Bryce Covert argues that the campaign’s problems go beyond its potential awkwardness. She calls the mandate that McDonald’s employees request “lovin’” from customers “a pretty blatant example of emotional labor: the requirement that a low-wage employee not just show up to work and adequately perform her duties, but that she put on a veneer of happiness and cheer for the customer to elicit an

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her son in front of them.”

For Ms. Bachelder, the “lovin’” campaign embarrasses customers and maybe McDonald’s itself. In Ms. Covert’s formulation, it may do something worse: force McDonald’s workers to do more work for their already-low wages, and to pretend that they like it.

SOURCE: The New York Times.

C OMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 3

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Second Front Page

Friday, February 13, 2015 • www.voiceofasiaonline.com • Page 3 • Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com • Tel: 713-774-5140

India Corporatizes Vastu Shastra in Houston Raj Basavaraju named

Left Chetan Patel, CEO of MahaVastu Houston Centre and Vastu Guru Khushdeep Bansal present a plaque to Acharya Gaurang Nanavati, Chinmaya Mission Houston on the day of the launch.

are being designed on the basis of Vastu principles. Now, with practical and easy MahaVastu solutions available in Houston, you can get the desired results without making demolitions in your existing buildings.”

He also said, “It is MahaVastu’s USP of ‘delivering results without demolitions’ that impressed me most and that’s why I decided to open a MahaVastu centre in Houston. Now, through scientific Vastu of MahaVastu, we will give such effective Vastu solutions to people of Houston that will help them reap amazing benefits of Vastu without making demolitions in their beautiful homes.”

Most of the industries, factories, home and offices in which Vastu remedies were applied in

ASIE 2015 President

and established global brand in the domain of Vastu. Advising customized Vastu solutions without demolitions is its USP. MahaVastu Centre also provides scientific Vastu Check-up reports, Vastu perfect designs for new buildings, tested Vastu remedies and professional courses on Vastu and Numerology. Hundreds of Interior Designers, Architects, House wives, Businessmen, Astrologers and Vastu enthusiasts have done MahaVastu Course and are providing professional Vastu services across the globe as certified Vastu experts.

This Houston centre is a new link in the chain of 240 Centres of MahaVastu Corporation which will facilitate construction of Vastu perfect buildings,

by Dinesh Shah, MBA, PE Houston: American Society of Indian Engineers and Architects known as ASIE is a Greater Houston Area based nonprofit organization for engineers, architects, designers, and engineering technicians.

ASIE provides a forum to assist its Raj Basavaraju members in career advancement works at RK & K as a Project by providing opportunities Manager. for networking through conThe 2015 ASIE Board comtinuing educational semi- prise of Executive Committee nars, workshops and field include all continuing memtrips. Every year, ASIE sup- bers of the board from 2014 port engineering and science are Raj Basavaraju – Presieducation by volunteering dent, Naresh Kolli – Vice in Mathcounts competition, President, Sai Gowthami volunteering as judges during – Secretary, and Rajesh ToScience & Engineering Fair likonda – Treasurer, and the of Houston and giving out rest of the Board of Directors Awards to students in Junior, are the newly elected memNinth & Senior Divisions bers include Phoolkeshi Patel, based on their projects. ASIE Dinesh Shah, Madhu Kilambi, also awards scholarships ev- Chetan Vyas, and Hari Jaiswery year to students pursuing al. Under his leadership, Raj undergraduate & graduate de- has appointed various board grees in engineering programs members and members to from public universities in the several committees which inGreater Houston Area. clude Membership, IT, FundThe administration of ASIE raising, Program, Public Reorganization consist of nine lations, Scholarships, Student Board members and four Ad- Member, Young Engineer, visory Council members. This and Account Review Comyear five nominations were mittee. required for the board and For the Advisory Countwo for the council, as the rest cil, Ravi Arora and Showri of them are continuing from Nandagiri were newly elect2014. Since all nomination ed, while Ram Gupta and received were equal to the Abraham (Roy) Joseph are elected positions available, continuing from last year. the Election Officer Ashish “I am honored to be electBaga declared all seven nominees Elected Uncontested ed as President for 2015. We have had an excellent year without any formal voting. including 20th Anniversary ASIE named Raj Basavara- Gala under the leadership ju, MBA, PE, as President of Sekhar Ambadapudi as a for the year 2015. He is a life 2014 President. I will try my member of ASIE since 2012 level best to keep up the moand has been playing an ac- mentum. I would like to contive role. He possesses a MS gratulate all the elected Board degree in engineering from Members as well as Advisors, Iowa State University since and with their support, I will 2001 and MBA from Univer- bring ASIE to the next higher sity of Maryland in 2009. He level.” said Raj Basavaraju.

H

OUSTON, (Feb. 5 2015 - Globally famous for its scientific Vastu solutions without demolitions, MahaVastu Corporation’s Houston Centre was inaugurated by the Founder of MahaVastu, VastuShastri Khushdeep Bansal and Chinmaya Mission Houston Acharya Gaurang Nanavati on February 5 at Holiday Inn –Westchase.

On this occasion, Vastu Guru Khushdeep Bansal said, “Houston, the biggest industrial city of America, has created its niche not only in USA but throughout the world. Its oil and natural gas industry has the capacity to provide energy to the whole world.

MahaVastu remedies which have benefitted the whole world will now strengthen Houston’s new Infra power and industrial market.”

He further added, “Energy is used for every work in the world. In Houston, it’s the mix culture and civilisation which induces energy in the people of Houston. More than one in five foreign-born residents are from Asia.”

Otherwise known as ‘Space City’, Vastu Guru now calls Houston as ‘Blessed City’ of America and said that today, the ancient Indian art of Vastu Shastra is being revived here through which you can attract more money, love, prosperity and happiness in your life.

“The people of Houston appreciate the importance of Vastu-perfect homes. We also

The MahaVastu team: Members from MahaVastu India, global, and local were in attendance. believe that on the basis of our quality services and excellent results we will be able to fulfil our mission of ‘Har Ghar MahaVastu, Dhan, Sukh Sehat Tathastu’ and re-establish the scientific Vastu Shastra across the globe,” he added.

After the grand launches in the financial capital of India-Mumbai and Chhattisgarh’s capital city- Raipur and West Bengal’s capital city-Kolkata, San Ramon-California, MahaVastu is now going to launch its second centre in USA at Houston.

Commenting on this, Chetan Patel, CEO of MahaVastu Houston Centre told media persons, “Now a days, almost all the famous buildings across the globe

last 20 years, are now achieving highest levels of success.

Informing about Vastu Course that will commence soon at Houston Centre, MahaVastu expert Patel said, “Very soon we are going to start a 2-day Vastu Foundation Course. You will get to learn how to select a Vastu compliant new apartment, selection of ideal color themes as per Vastu, beneficial application of Pyramids, Vastu remedies and books. Apart from these, you will also get practical training on how to see directions with magnetic compass. These will help the people of Houston to live with more money, love and happiness.”

MahaVastu™ is the leading

flats and factories in West Bengal.

Today’s scientific and practical Vastu Shastra – MahaVastu is an outcome of documented research on Vastu based on over 12,000 successful Vastu case studies done in the past two decades by Vastu Guru Khushdeep Bansal, author of the World’s biggest book on Vastu Shastra – MahaVastu Handbook.

MahaVastu visions to set up 240 Centres across the globe in near future. Starting with a negligible investment, the expected turnover of a MahaVastu Centre can be in billions. For more information contact: 832-2699000, 832-412-2827 or Email: ask.hou@mahavastu.com

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

Drivers owe a duty to each other to be cautious Q. I was driving into a parking space to park my car. As I got halfway into the space, a woman in the car parked next to me opened her door hitting my outside mirror. The mirror broke-off, damaging the side of my car. Is she responsible for the repair of my car?

A. The woman who opened her door is responsible for your damages, if she was “negligent.” She is not responsible simply because it was her door that hit your car. In simple terms, the issue is whether it was her fault that she broke your mirror?

Negligence means not acting as a “reasonable person” would. My opinion is that when you open your car door you should look to see if there is anything next to you.

If she didn’t look, and that is why her door hit your mirror, she could be considered negligent and responsible for the damage. On the other hand, as a driver, you also have a responsibility to look to both sides when parking your car. If a reasonable person in your situation would have seen her opening the door and stopped the car, you may have been negligent by your failure to stop.

The bottom line is that her liability depends on the facts of your situation, and who, if anyone, acted unreasonably. It may be that both of you acted unreasonably and contributed to the accident. If that were the case, no one would be responsible for the damage.

Small claims court may be the place to get this resolve if you believe she was negligent and she won’t pay.

Q. My son was over at a friend’s house and the friend’s dog bit my son in the chin/ mouth. Is the friend legally responsible for all expenses incurred, such as medical treatment? This took place inside the friend’s house.

A. From a legal standpoint, your question is very similar to the one above. Your friend is not responsible simply because it was his house and his dog. The legal issue is whether this was merely an accident, or whether someone was at fault in causing it.

For the friend, to be responsible, he must have been “negligent.” Negligence means not taking reasonable steps to protect someone from injury. For example, if the friend knew the dog bit people in the past, and did not warn your son to be careful or did not take steps to keep the dog away from him, he could be negligent and responsible. On the other hand, if the dog had never bitten anyone and the bite was just an accident when your son was playing with the dog, my opinion is no one has any liability.

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Can I get a divorce?

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Q. I let a fried borrow the extra key to my apartment and he lost it. Can I require my landlord to change my locks?

A. Under the law, a landlord has an obligation to change the locks at his expense, when a new tenant moves in. After that time, the landlord must change the locks whenever the tenant requests, as often as the tenant wants. The tenant, however, must pay the costs of installing the new locks. In other words, you can require your landlord to change your locks, however, you must pay the costs.

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Sharlene Sharmila Richards

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT H-1B VISAS Q: What is the H-1B Visa?

A: This visa is for foreign skilled professionals to wish work in the US on a temporary basis in a ‘specialty occupation’. A specialty occupation requires theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge along with at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. As such, the foreign national must have at least a US bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. In addition to that, the bachelor’s degree must relate to the intended field of occupation. In some cases, relevant work experience may be used as a substitute for the required bachelor’s degree.

Q: My son in interested in applying for the H-1B visa. He wants to know if he can just apply for this visa himself. He presently does not have a job offer from any employer.

A: In order to try for the H-1B visa, your son needs to have a job offer from a legitimate employer who will petition for the visa on his behalf.

Q: My daughter is currently on OPT (Optional Practical Training) with her new employer. Her OPT will expire this summer. She wants to work in the US on H-1B visa. Her employer, I believe is unaware about such a visa. What can my daughter do?

A: I suggest that she approach her employer, usually through their Human Resources Department, to initiate a discussion with them about the possibility of filing an H-1B visa petition for her. The employer, if unfamiliar with such a visa and the procedures involved in the filing may then take action to seek appropriate advice or make inquiries to learn about the options under this visa category. In view of the fact that the start date for filing the H-1B is fast approaching on April 1st, 2015, your daughter should initiate these discussions with her employer as soon as possible.

Q: When is the earliest my potential employer can file for my H-1B visa for the 2016 Fiscal Year?

A: The earliest filing date for the 2016 H-1B cap subject cases is April 1st, 2015.

Q: What is the H-1B visa cap? I want to apply for the H-1B visa this year.

A: The H-1B cap refers to the yearly numerical limit set by Congress for the number of foreign workers that can be granted H-1B visas. For each fiscal year, the quota for H-1B visas has been set at 65,000. Another 20,000 visas are set aside for foreign nationals who possess an advanced degree which includes a US Master’s degree or higher. If you are applying for the H-1B visa for the first time, you will be subject to this numerical limitation of 65,000 visas unless you come within the advanced degree cap or your petitioning employer is a cap exempt organization. In the past few years, the cap or quota was reached within the first 5 days after the April 1st filing date. For example, in the 2015 Fiscal Year, USCIS reported that it received more than 170,000 H-1B petitions during the first five business days in April. Because it was so oversubscribed, a lottery was used to select from the petitions that were received. It is projected that for the 2016 Fiscal Year, the cap would again be reached.

Q: What kinds of cases are cap exempt from the annual 65,000 H-1B visa cap?

A: If you already have the H-1B non-immigrant visa and you are just applying to extend the period of validity for the visa, or you’re a changing H-1B employers, you are exempt from the quota. Institutions of higher education or those that are related or affiliated nonprofit entities as well as nonprofit research organizations or governmental research organizations are all cap exempt. For example, if you are applying for a teacher’s position in a public school with University affiliation, your petition may be cap exempt. If you have an advanced degree, there are an additional 20,000 visas available.

Q: What happens if my petition was not selected by the random selection process?

A: USCIS will return the petition package together with the filing fees.

Q: Do I meet the educational requirements for an H-1B visa if I have a two year Associates Degree and 2 years of work experience?

A: No. You must hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree. In most cases, this typically means a 4 year degree. Your work experience is presently insufficient as three years of work experience equates to one year of university education. You will most likely need an additional 4 years of work experience in that particular field in order to have the equivalency of a Bachelor’s degree.

Q: I have a Bachelor’s Degree from India. Will this be enough to apply for H-1B visa?

A: All foreign degrees have to be first evaluated to determine whether it is equivalent to the undergraduate degree offered by an accredited university or institution of higher learning in the United States.

This degree evaluation is typically done by a third party credential evaluation service. In addition to that, the Bachelor’s degree you possess must be in the field related to your intended H-1B occupation.

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.

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. You may contact her at telephone number 713-623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 5

2nd Annual Multicultural Gala of Bangladesh Association Raised $450,0000 Benefits go toward building the first Bangladesh-American Center in North America.

Houston - On Friday, Jan 23, 2015, Bangladesh Association, Houston (BAH), hosted its second Annual Multicultural Gala to celebrate its 36th anniversary. The event was held at the Marriott Town Center, Sugar Land. Mayor Annise Parker of the City of Houston declared that day as the Bangladesh-American Center Day. H.E. Mohammad Ziauddin, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, delivered the keynote speech.

Mr. Qasim Sharif, CEO of Stratum Energy, chaired the event and also delivered a memorable speech to build a strong America.

On behalf of Mayor Parker, Councilman Jack Christie and Councilman Richard Nguyen presented the Honorary Citizenship Certificate to the Ambassador. Mr. Shah Haleem, BAH Chairperson, delivered the welcome speech. The Gala has helped raise about $450,000.

The Gala was conducted

by Channel 13’s VP of Community Affairs Cynthia Cisneros with invited guests that included local and federal leaders. Many delegates including representatives from the offices of Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Cornyn, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and Congressman Al Green, Consul General of Pakistan Mr. Afzaal Mahmood attended the event to present certificates of recognition. Texas Comptroller Mr. Glenn Hagar, Consul General of Turkey Mr. Ferhat Alkan, and Consul General of South Korea Mr. Suk b Park graced the occasion and delivered speeches too. Mayor Annise Parker and Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia sent congratulatory video messages.

Senator Rand Paul sent a greeting message, which was delivered by Dr. Nizam Meah. Other local, state, and national leaders and elected officials also sent greeting messages.

The Gala represented many countries and their local art-

ists in performing guitars, dance, and music to entertain the audience throughout the entire four hours. US national anthem and color guards were presented jointly by the Houston Police Department and the Houston Sheriff Department Honor Guards. Elsik High Choir team performed the opening ceremony along with other multicultural performances.

The Gala objective was to honor and empower people to promote culture, education, health care, and outreach programs.

Awards were presented to H.E. Ambassador of Bangladesh Mohammad Ziauddin, Qasim Sharif (Founder, Stratum Energy), Hasan Rahman (Ex-BAC Director), Cynthia Cisneros (VP, ABC Channel 13), Mrs. Sandra Syed and Amnaul Syed and manu others.

Ambassador also toured under construction Bangladesh-American Center facility @ 13415 Renn Road, Houston, TX 77083.

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

FIS Interviews Sockalingam Sam Kannappan and wife, Meenakshi

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ockalingam Sam Kannappan and his wife Meenakshi Kannappan were interviewed by Govindan Somaskanthan for the Foundation for India studies’ IndoAmerican Oral History Project on December 17th 2014.

Kannappan was born in Nattarasankottai village in Chettinad area in Tamil Nadu state in 1943. Chettinad occupies a pride in the history of Tamil Nadu since the people from Chettinad are noted worldwide for their selfless service and spirituality.

Kannappan came to America for further studies and joined graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at University of Texas at Austin on September 9, 1968.

Kannappan formed Patients Hospitality Committee under India Student Association, University of Houston in 1972 to help heart surgery patients.

When about seven patients died without next of kin in Houston, Kannappan performed last rites with the assistance of Mr. P.H.Desai, First Secretary, Embassy of India, Washington DC. Kannappan served as Editor of Jothi of the Hindu Worship Society of Houston from 1973.

He is the Co-Founder of Bhara-

Govindan Somaskanthan interviewing the Kannappans. thi Kalai Manram in Houston in 1974. He is the Founder Secretary of Sri Meenakshi Temple Society (MTS) in October 1977 and was instrumental to purchase first five acre land in May 1978. Recently, Kannappan was elected the Honorary President of MTS which has evolved into a multi-million dollar organization. For his role in building the Sri Meenakshi Temple, the Mayor of Pearland Tom Reid commented “I am after all the Mayor of Pearland, but Sam is the Mayor of Sri Meenakshi Temple”.

His leadership in helping victims of Hurricane Katrina and Ike was very much appreciated

by Americans. He was given tile of Sevai Thilakam (Service Star) in Chennai on June 7th 2005. He is listed as one of 20 leading Business leaders from Tamil Nadu by India Today on July 8th 2009. Editor made special mention of Kannappan’s integrity and Honesty in business dealings.

Whether it is a fundraiser for the widow of a Texan firefighter or for the victims of the Gujarat earthquake, he has swung into action immediately. Kannappan is always available whenever someone needs help.

Not only Kannappan organizes meetings or events, but you can see him washing the temple floor or Temple restroom demonstrating a humility and total lack of ego. In a country where wealth and opulence go hand in hand, Kannappan leads a very austere life and his needs are limited.

On January 9th 2003, Kannappan spoke at NRI conference in New Delhi and offered assistance from Texas for linking Indian rivers.

BAH Members and Honorees

He developed Tamil Fonts with voice synthesizer to assist M.G.R, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1984. He was the Co-Chairman for the India’s Millennium festival on January 27, 2001. As Chairman of India’s Disaster Relief Committee, he oversaw the reconstruction of 200 homes in Krishna Nagar, Kutch after Gujarat earthquake from funds collected in Houston. He started GOPIO Houston Chapter.

Kannappan is the author of textbook “Introduction to Pipe Stress Analysis” and Piping analysis software EZFLEX.

Kannappan could not have done all this had it not been for the support from his wife, Meenakshi who is a modest woman and who understands her husband’s mind and helps him in his service to the society.

For more information about Kannappan and his accomplishments, please visit: http://engineers.texas.gov/board_bios/ kannappan.html and http:// www.samkannappan.com/ aboutme.php

VOICE OF ASIA 6

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Mahatma Gandhi Library observes Shraddhanjali for the Mahatma

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ahatma Gandhi who spread the message of non-violence, truth and global peace, died on January 30, 1948. Mahatma Gandhi Library (MGL) in collaboration with Unity Houston commemorated Shraddhanjali, a memorial service, on Saturday, February 7th at Unity Houston.

Mahatma Gandhi said “I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.” He was never afraid of death.

Currently, the world is encountering several challenges including intolerance, impatience, and terrorism. Hence, it is essential to follow the ideas and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, especially truth and non-violence, not only to achieve international peace and prosperity, but the same within one’s own heart.

Mahatma Gandhi Library is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the universal values of peace, non-violence, truth and love. The library was started almost twelve years ago by the vision and dedication of Mr. Atulbhai Kothari and today, with many dedicated volunteers, their worthy efforts continue.

The Shraddhanjali program started sharply at 3:45 pm with the delightful playing of the violin by Shreya Chawla from Sartartia Middle School, FBISD. MGL board member Devinder Mahajan welcomed the guests and explained the importance of year 2015 as the 100th anniversary of Gandhiji return from South Africa to his motherland, Bharat, India in 1915.

Mr. Rajan Chawla was a brilliant Master of Ceremony for the program which initiated with an Invocation from Reverend Robert Hudspeth, the Spiritual Director of the Fellowship Spiritual Life Center, followed by garlanding and lamp lighting ceremony by Dr. Manish Wani of MGL and Rev Mindy Lawrence and Rev Michael Gott of Unity Houston.

The program continued with a beautiful rendition of the bhajan Vaishnav Janato by the glittering voice of Smriti Srivastava and her group from Arya Samaj.

“Gandhiji was an anomaly in an era marked by two world wars” and “in order to be the change Eesha Ranjith Nair, 3rd grader at Unity Choir led by Rev Michael support and dedication to the you wish to Harmony School of Excellence Gott as they harmoniously sang activities of Mahatma Gandhi see, be who and a student of DAV Sanskriti “Every praise is to our God.” Library. you need to School of Arya Samaj delighted Mr. Atul Kothari, on behalf Daksh Kapoor, Senior from be.” the audience with her winning of the board of Mahatma Gan- Austin High School, presented speech, “Values in life are more dhi Library awarded a special his awe-inspiring 1st place winThe proimportant than success”. It recognition plaque to Ms. Kristi ning entry in iTribute multimegram conwas followed by speech winner Person from Sugarland Middle dia presentation entitled “Mantinued with Ananya Choudary, 7th grader at School. Her entire class has dela: portrayal of Gandhian the adorable Seven Lakes Junior High and a been participating in MGK orga- principles.” children from member of Bihar Association of nized essay contests since 2005.

DAV SanNorth America (BANA) spoke Mr. Sanjay Ahuja received the skirti School on “Trusteeship vs ownership: plaque on behalf of the Arya of Arya SaThe keynote speaker for the Which is better.” maj Houston Yuvak Mandal (AYM) youth program was Rev. Mindy Law- Rev Mindy Lawrence of Unit Houston delivering led by Smriti This was followed by the volunteers for their continued rence of Unity Houston who gave keynote address at Shraddhanjali 2015 Shrivastava, a moving tribute and explained as they sang beautiful bhajans patriotic songs, Mera Joota Hai Japani” and “Chhodo Kal ki baatein.”

Dr. Sitaben Kapadia, member of the reading group at the Mahatma Gandhi Library, and Professor Emeritus of English Language and Literature, University of New York, then gave her insightful perspective of Mahatma Gandhi. She is one of the few still alive that has actually seen Mahatma Gandhi in person. She described the vision of his radiant smile which she saw from 10 feet away that still inspires her today.

The Unity Choir again took center stage and sang a lively rendition of “Amazing Grace” getting the audience involved and lifting the spirits of all in attendance.

Children from Arya Samaj DAV Sanskriti School (Sunday School) performing at Shraddhanjali The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Vijay Singh, Board member of the Mahatma Gandhi Library and chair of the program. The crowd was encouraged to visit the Gandhi Darshan Exhibit on display and the MGL booth. The event culminated with the singing of one of Gandhiji’s favorite bhajans, Raghupathi Raghav Raja Ram” by the Mahatma Gandhi Library board members again led by Smriti Shrivastava. It was followed by beautiful instrumental music in the background while all present enjoyed refreshments.

The Shraddhanjali program at Unity Houston commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s life was truly inspirational and proved to keep the legacy of peace, truth, non-violence and love alive, Board Members of Mahatma Gandhi Library join Smriti Srivastava and Chidanand ji in rendering Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram as the penetrating the hearts of all in finale of the Shraddhanali. attendance.

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VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Obama appoints IndianAmerican CEO Ajay Banga to a key administration position

Ajay Banga credit post.jagran.com WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has announced he will appoint top Indian-American CEO Ajay Banga to a key administration position.

Banga, chairman of the US India Business Council, has been appointed as member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the White House said.

The announcement came along with several other appointments to key administration posts.

“The talent and expertise these individuals bring to their roles will serve our nation well.

I am grateful for their service, and look forward to working with them,” Obama said on Thursday.

Banga, an MBA from IIMAhmedabad, is president and CEO of MasterCard, a position he has held since 2009.

Prior to joining MasterCard, he held various senior management roles with Citigroup from 1996 until his departure in 2009, he served as CEO of Citigroup Asia Pacific.

He served as director for marketing and business development at PepsiCo Restaurants International India from 1994 to 1996.

Banga began his career at Nestle India, where he served in various sales and management roles from 1981 to 1994.

He is a member of the board of directors of MasterCard and The Dow Chemical Company.

He received a BA degree from Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College. PTI

US policeman leaves Indian partially paralysed

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ashington, Feb 11, 2015 - A 57-yearold Indian man has been partially paralysed in the US when a police officer forced him on ground after receiving report of a “suspicious person” looking into the garages of several homes.

The policeman on duty forced him on the ground, injuring Patel, who is now partly paralysed and undergoing treatment in a hospital.

The policeman responsible for injuring Patel has been sent on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.

“The Madison Police Department takes all use of force incidents seriously and reviews them as a matter of policy. The use of force involved in this incident has been referred to the Office of Professional Standards for investigation,” the police said in a statement.

The incident took place on February 6, when it received a complaint of a suspicious person walking onto driveways and looking into garages.

The caller, who lives in the neighbourhood did not recognise Patel and thought him to be suspicious.

Officers arrived in the area and made contact with a person matching that description.

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Sureshbhai Patel had come to the US two weeks ago to stay with his son in a suburb of Huntsville, Alabama.

Last week, while walking down the sidewalk in the neighbourhood he was stopped by the police. Since he did not know English, he was unable to respond to the questions asked by police except for saying “no English” and in between he put his hand in one of his pockets.

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Sureshbhai Patel has been partially paralysed.

Patel, did not appear to speak English and there was a communication barrier, the police said, adding that the grandfather began putting his hands in his pockets.

“Officers attempted to pat the subject down and he attempted to pull away. The

subject was forced to the ground, which resulted in injury,” the police said.

told a local daily. Chirag said his father speaks only Gujarati and Hindi.

“He (Patel) was just walking on the sidewalk as he does all the time,” his son, Chirag Patel, an engineer who works in Huntsville,

Patel had no health problems prior to this incident.

A local attorney is planning to sue the Madison Police on behalf of Chirag. (PTI).

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

Continued from Page 1 “as a mentor to all of us” panel moderator, Ajit Thakur commenced with the topics that would be covered during the seminar such as the FBAR, declaration of foreign assets, entity selection, current year tax updates and retirement planning.

CPA Kershaw Kumbatta began the seminar by emphasizing the importance of planning for one’s golden years or retirement with the caption “Goodbye tension, Hello pension.” He offered an overview of some of the retirement plans such as: Traditional IRA is easy to set up, needs taxable income, can be set up before April 15th and the money can be taken out any time after the age of 59 ½. Taking it out before will result in a penalty. However, in the event of a disability or some other exceptions, the money can be taken out without paying the penalty.

Roth IRA is not taxed and there is no age limit for contributing. Converting your traditional IRA to Roth IRA is a taxable conversion. One needs to keep it for 5 years in the account, can be taken out after the age of 59 ½ otherwise it would be taxed.

Simple IRA is a fairly new plan for small businesses which have less than 100 employees and receive at least $5000 in compensation. Employees can contribute up to $12,000 and employers can contribute up to 2% of the employees’ salary.

Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) is a written plan, offers tax credit to employers who set up this plan for their employees, employee must be employed by the employer for three years of the last five years to be eligible.

401(k) Plan, one of the most popular retirement plans is more complex and expensive to set up, needs an accounting firm to set it up, offers greater design flexibility than IRA plans, allows employees to contribute to their own retirement, maximum amount of $17,500 can be contributed and an additional $5,000 for those above the age of 50. Employee’s contribution is vested. The 401(k) plan allows for loans and hardship withdrawals.

Declaration of foreign bank accounts: CPA Mahesh Desai continued the seminar by discussing one of the most controversial topics currently – Declaration of foreign bank accounts.

In April 2014, the Indian Government did not sign a formal agreement but agreed in substance to the Inter Government Agreement Scheme to share financial information about US citizens or Green Card holders who own funds in India, with the IRS. US Laws impose an obligation of the US citizen or Green Card holder to file an FBAR FinCEN Form 114 (if you have over $10,000 in an overseas bank) through the BSA efiling system and Form 8938 which is a Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets with the Personal tax returns if assets more than $100,000 in an overseas bank. Foreign mutual funds and equity funds need to be reported on the above forms along with your tax returns by June 30th. Noncompliance may result in criminal penalties.

CPA Swapan Dhairyawan continued on the above topic.

He cautioned the gathering that the IRS is extremely underfunded and taxpayers can expect to receive several mails but there is no reason for panic.

A new trend described as “quiet disclosure” is taking place where taxpayers are quietly amending their income tax returns but Swapan warned that the IRS was going to come down strongly on those who did so.

He also explained the liability of signature authority whereby a bank manager in India makes a decision on the basis of any communication via email, text message or telephone call by a person living in the US. The IRS can hold the person as a “signature authority” for this Asset per their communication.

The best way to avoid any kind of penalty is to join the Streamlined Domestic Overseas Program – (SDOP) which the IRS has initiated since July 2014 to encourage immigrants to voluntarily disclose their overseas accounts. If one has had more than $10,000 in an

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

IACCGH hosts timely seminar on American tax laws and applications overseas account and has not disclosed this in the past, one can enter this program by: • Providing Amended Tax returns of previously filed federal income tax returns (Form 1040) for the last 3 years and Form 114 FinCen for the last 6 years.

• Provide Form 8938 - a statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, if applicable from years 2012.

• Pay an offshore penalty (Title 31) equal to 5%. The IRS will consider other payment arrangements if the taxpayer is unable to pay the full amount at one time.

Fortunately, the procedures have been streamlined and made easier. About 50,000 people have joined the program and the IRS has collected $6.5 billion to date from this program.

Ignorance of the law will not be counted as an excuse. 2,500 investigations were initiated in 2014 However, if one has reported all overseas income and paid tax on all taxable income but did not file an FBAR, one need not use the OVDP/SDOP. If one is currently under examination by the IRS, one cannot enroll in the OVDP. The IRS has not issued a deadline for the program as yet.

Seeking qualified tax and legal advice when making a

voluntary disclosure was recommended.

Swapan also called attention to a phone scam targeting immigrants where callers identified themselves as IRS officers and threatened deportation or imprisonment if some amount of money was not deposited.

He clarified that the IRS never makes personal phone calls or emails. It only sends notifications through the mail. He suggested in such a circumstance, contact your CPA or the FTC website (Federal Trade Commission) or email phishing@ irs.gov On January 2nd, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act was signed by President Obama impacting every taxpayer and this topic was covered by CPA Mike Jain. Some of the highlights are: • The high income tax bracket is 39.6% from 35% for earnings above $400,000.

• The Alternative Minimum Tax has gone up by 28% • Long term capital gains for high income taxpayers increased from 15% to 20%.

• Estate and Gift Tax rate has increased from 35% to 40% • Small businesses can write off 50% on new, depreciable assets through Bonus Depreciation.

• Small businesses can get R & D tax credit which is very liberal. This is however a credit and not a deduction.

• Social Security tax has increased to 6.2% while Medicare tax has increased to 1.45%. High income tax payers would pay 0.9% Medicare tax.

• Businesses can get a tax credit for hiring qualified veterans.

• “S” Corps are subject to 3.8% capital gains tax if you are active in the business • Texas has no State Income tax but one can get sales tax itemized deductions.

• Affordable Care Act Form 1095 A and B will be monitored by the IRS An entity is any way, shape or form to limit liability for your business and this topic was covered by CPA Atul Kothari. Tax forms the largest part of doing business or making money and for a sole proprietor, the proper entity could be the cheapest form of insurance one can buy.

There are two different types of entities – the No Liabilities Protection and Liabilities Protection. The options to save tax will be based on the entity you own.

Entities with Liabilities Protection could be Sub C – formed at the State

level, has double taxation, CEO compensation must be market based, is good if planning to go public, has health insurance deductible at the corporate level Sub S – has one level of taxation and liability protection with certain criteria.

According to him, one can start by going as Sub C and switching to Sub S. He also stated that LLC is the most suitable entity for small businesses as it has one level of taxation and offers both liability protection.

The disadvantage of a Corporation vs a Partnership is that in a Corporation, the profit/loss goes to the shareholders and double taxation exists, whereas in a Partnership, the profit/loss can vary between the partners.

The last panelist was CPA Imtiaz Munshi who answered the questions most frequently asked by his clients. Some of the answers were: One must keep re• cords of an asset sale for 6 years after the sale.

• Backup for income/ deductions must be kept for 6 years • Bank Statements must be kept for longer than 6 years if possible and it is acceptable to keep them in digital form.

• One cannot claim the support sent to parents in India

unless they are US citizens or Green Card holders living in the US, Canada or Mexico • After a divorce, only the parent who has custody of the child can claim a deduction.

• If an adult child lives at home, he/she can be claimed if they are under 19, a student under 24 or disabled.

• Mileage rate is 57.5 cents a mile in 2015 • Deducting your home office is a possibility if you use it regularly or exclusively for office work but could elevate your audit risk • Foreign students who have income in the US must pay taxes. However they are exempt from Social Security taxes for the first five years.

• Foreign investors can invest in real estate in the US either as a partner or owner in an LLC This concluded the seminar.

The audience was invited to speak to the CPAs on a one on one basis after the event.

President Ashok Garg presented Certificates of Appreciation to the panel of CPA’s while Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia thanked Mahesh Puducheri from Halliburton for their support of IACCGH, Mahesh Shah from Madras Pavilion for providing the snacks and India House for the facility.

He also thanked IACCGH Board Member Rajiv Bhavsar, Hasu Patel from the Mayor’s Council, ICC President Charlie Patel, Mr. Narasimhan of Meenakshi Temple, GOPIO President Surender Trehan, and Dr. Upadhyay for their presence at the event.

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Pakistan, India resume Kashmir trade No end to Bangladesh crisis without polls: opposition head M UZAFFARABAD - Pakistani officials Wednesday said stalled trade with India across the de facto border in the disputed territory of Kashmir had resumed after negotiations with Indian authorities.

D H A K A , 2/11/2015 - Opposition leader Khaleda Zia insisted Wednesday that there could be no resolution of Bangladesh’s growing political crisis unless Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed to stand down and allow new elections.

“Every conscious and conscientious person in Bangladesh knows that the only way to resolve the current political crisis is to hold an inclusive, competitive and meaningful election,” Zia told AFP by phone.

Trade was suspended on Friday after Indian authorities detained a Pakistani truck driver accused of drug trafficking.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the two countries won independence from Britain in 1947. Both claim the scenic Himalayan territory in full.

Opposition leader Khaleda Zia is the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) (AFP Photo/Munir Uz Zaman)

“The more quickly it can be arranged, the better it is for everyone. If it is delayed, the crisis could become even more complex,” she said in her first interview with Western media since she was confined to her office more than a month ago.

Zia, leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said that she wanted to reach a consensus on the framework for the elections with her arch rival Hasina but there had been no response to proposals that she had previously put forward.

“We said a fair election should be held based on consensus of all parties and through talks.

We want that,” she said.

“We also have to make some decisions on the election commission, administration and electoral rules so that a level playing field is created for all the parties.

“We made a seven-point proposal on these matters a few days ago... but we’ve not heard anything from them,” she added.

More than 80 people have

been killed in political violence since Zia was confined to her office in central Dhaka on January 3, shortly before the anniversary of last year’s general election that was boycotted by all opposition parties.

Many of the victims have died in firebombings of buses and trucks since Zia ordered her supporters to stage a transport blockade which is in its sixth week.

Hasina has said she will not deal with “terrorists” or “murderers”, comparing the arson deaths to the recent execution of a Jordanian pilot by the Islamic State organisation.

- Petrol bombs But Zia said the arson attacks appeared to be the work of Hasina’s Awami League.

“It’s the Awami League which is behind all this violence and they are putting the blame on us,” said the two-time former prime minister.

“We’ve read in the newspapers how petrol bombs were found in the Awami League’s office.”

Zia, who is the leader of a 20party opposition alliance, said

that 18,000 opposition activists had been arrested since the start of the year.

Earlier in the day, British High Commissioner Robert Gibson became the first senior Western diplomat to meet Zia since the start of her confinement.

In brief comments after the meeting, Gibson urged “all parties to fully consider the effects of their actions and resist from causing further damage to the country’s national interest”.

Although there were widespread calls for Hasina to stage fresh elections in the aftermath of last year’s effective onehorse race, those calls have been more muted in recent months.

Zia, 69, welcomed the prospect of greater international pressure on Hasina.

“The world community should put stronger and more effective pressure on the government for compromise and dialogue,” she said.

Zia and Hasina have a notoriously poisonous relationship after ruling the former East Pakistan for much of last 25 years.

Barter trade across the de facto border began in 2008 as part of peace efforts, but it is frequently disrupted by disputes.

“Trade has resumed between India and Pakistan after successful negotiations between authorities from both sides,” local administration official Sayed Ishtiaq Gillani told AFP. He said cargo trucks waiting on both sides of the border had started to move.

Trade and Travel Authority chief Imtiaz Wayen confirmed

Pakistani police make way for Indian trucks as they leave the Trade Facilitation Centre before crossing the border in Chakoti, Pakistan-administered Kashmir Photo Sajjad Qayyum (AFP/File) the resumption of trade.

“Yes! Trade and travel between Pakistan and India has resumed and Indian officials have decided to let all the trucks cross the border except one truck in which drug was found last week,” Wayen told AFP.

thority official in connection with the case, he said.

Wayen said a special crossborder bus service that operates twice a week would also resume.

He said the driver had also been detained and would be interrogated by the Indian authorities.

Early on Monday, the Indians had requested the release of 50 trucks held by the Pakistanis, who in turn asked for access to the detained driver and release of 22 trucks held by the other side.

Pakistani authorities had also started an investigation and arrested a Trade and Travel Au-

Delegations from both sides had met on Monday but failed to reach agreement.

Pakistan discovers ‘huge’ reserves of iron ore: officials

L

AHORE, Pakistan | AFP | - Pakistan on Wednesday said it has discovered major reserves of iron ore as well as copper, silver and gold in its central province of Punjab.

The reserves were found in Chiniot city in the Punjab, around 160 kilometres (around 100 miles) northwest of Lahore,

by Chinese group the Metallurgical Cooperation of China.

A senior provincial administrative official told AFP that initial estimates indicated 500 million tons of iron ore -- a primary ingredient in steelmaking -- had been discovered.

He said the Chinese company has expressed interest in setting up a steel mill on the site, adding that the extracted iron had been tested in Swiss and Canadian laboratories, which found 60-65 percent of it to be high grade.

The official added that silver, copper and gold samples would also be sent for testing soon.

Speaking at the site on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the discovery could help Pakistan’s stuttering economy turn a corner and end its “begging bowl” culture.

“It is Allah’s blessing that under the lush green fields rich deposits of copper, iron and gold have been found, which will help the country get rid of the ‘begging bowl’ for good,” Sharif said.

Conflict, instability, corruption and a chronic energy shortage have hampered Pakistan’s economy for years.

The IMF granted a $6.6-billion loan to Pakistan in September 2013 on the condition that it carry out extensive economic reforms, particularly in the energy and taxation sectors.

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

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VOICE OF ASIA 11

LIFESTYLE

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Vol. 28 No. 7 Friday, February 13, 2015 Section 2 Page 11

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

Mother knows best, even on Valentine’s Day doesn’t say much, but he’ll signal his verdict later with a few subtle comments.

“He’s kind of the test,” said Broomfield, of Englewood, New Jersey.

Of course, dating a guy your parents like isn’t the same as dating a guy who’s like your parents.

by Connie Cass And Emily Swanson (AP)

G

mother.

uys, if you want to get the girl, try bringing flowers — to her

With Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s something to think about: Winning over mom may sound old-fashioned, but it’s still a smart strategy in today’s fast-changing, app-tapping, hookup-happy world of dating.

In a new poll, 6 in 10 young women say when they’re thinking of getting serious with somebody, their mother’s approval is “extremely” or “very” important.

lesson in high school when she tried going out with “the guy your parents don’t want.”

ing a woman his mother didn’t like, he wouldn’t ditch her immediately.

“It’s not a good idea,” she said. “It doesn’t go smoothly for anybody.”

“I’d see if it’s something you can change over time,” he said.

“But long, long term, that’s going to be an issue.”

Indeed, 4 in 10 young women say they would consider breaking up with someone their mom didn’t like, according to the Associated Press-WE tv poll. And 16 percent say they’ve actually dumped a guy for that reason.

In contrast, a mere 6 percent of the young women, ages 18 to 29, say their mother’s opinion of their dates matters “not at all.”

“She makes the call,” said Jessica Wilhelm, a 19-year-old college student and self-described “mommy’s girl.”

Sons worry a little less about what mom thinks, the survey found. Still, half of men under 30 say her approval is extremely or very important when a relationship might get serious.

Wilhelm, from Brighton, Michigan, said she learned her

Andy Lowney, 22, of DeWitt, Michigan, said if he were dat-

Dads, the stereotypical gatekeepers for teenage daughters, still have some say, too.

Half of young women and nearly 40 percent of young men put high importance on dad’s opinion when a romance is getting serious. A father’s view outranks what friends or siblings think, according to the poll.

Kelsley Broomfield, 21, said her parents deploy different tactics when sizing up boyfriend material.

Her mother, always friendly and chatty, asks the what-doyou-want-to-do-with-yourlife questions. Dad listens and

And how do the folks feel about all this?

We’re not asking for much, they insist, but couldn’t you just listen to us now and then?

While few parents say they want a lot of sway over their grown children’s love lives, the vast majority of parents of all ages — 7 in 10 — would like to exert at least a little influence.

Alas, fewer than 6 in 10 parents believe they have, or will have, any influence at all.

Some may be underestimating their lifetime impact, however.

L.D. Ross Jr. of Clinton, Maryland, said he made his expectations known early through years of dinner-table conversations about values and how to judge character. By the time his son and three daughters were old enough to date, he said, “they were very good about the people they selected to bring home.”

Three of the four are married now, and he has five grandkids.

A new poll finds that 6 in 10 young women say when they’re thinking of getting serious with someone, their mother’s approval is “extremely” or “very” important.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) “I don’t think anybody really wants to bring home somebody they know their parent is going to just totally disapprove of,” said Ross, 59. “It’s not going to be a happy family.”

What about when he was going out as a young man, did he give his own parents cause to worry?

No, Ross says, laughing — but they didn’t know about everything.

“I was a sneaky little sucker,” he said.

The poll of 1,315 adults was conducted ahead of the premiere

of WE tv’s new show “Match Made in Heaven.” The poll was conducted online Dec. 19-21, 2014, using a sample drawn from GfK’s probability-based KnowledgePanel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Respondents were first selected randomly using phone or mail survey methods, and later interviewed online. People selected for KnowledgePanel who didn’t otherwise have access to the Internet were provided access at no cost to them.

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A cup proclaims the superpowers of mothers in Washington, Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Guys, if you want to get the girl, try bringing flowers _ to her mother. It may sound old-fashioned, but winning Mom’s OK is still a big deal in the fast-changing, app-tapping, hookup-happy world of dating.

And it turns out men aren’t necessarily looking for a girl just like the girl that married dear old dad, either. Among men and women of all ages, a slim majority — 51 percent — think it’s better to go out with someone who’s the opposite of their parents, instead of someone who reminds them of the folks.

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VOICE OF ASIA 12

HEALTH, SC & RES

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Is Garlic Nature’s Best Medicine?

Recent scientific studies on the therapeutic benefits of garlic - PART I

by Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, Rice University, Houston, TX lipid (fat) profile of patients with high blood cholesterol. Their study was published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

At the end of the four months the researchers concluded “... garlic extract supplementation improves blood lipid profile, strengthens blood antioxidant potential, and causes significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. It also leads to a decrease in the level of oxidation product (MDA) in the blood samples, which demonstrates reduced oxidation reactions in the body.”

Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee

G

arlic (Allium sativum), an herb used widely as a flavoring in cooking, has also been used as a medicine throughout ancient and modern history to prevent and treat a wide range of conditions and diseases. Today garlic is used to help prevent a large number of diseases including cancer which are supported by scientific studies. Garlic is rich in antioxidants.

In the body, harmful particles called free radicals build up as you age, and may contribute to heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants like those found in garlic fight off free radicals, and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage caused over time.

According to the National Library of Medicine 3, part of the NIH (National Institutes of Health), USA, garlic is widely used for several conditions linked to the blood system and heart, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, heart attack, coronary heart disease and hypertension. The NIH adds “most of these uses are supported by science.” Scientific studies on the therapeutic benefits of garlic. Below are examples of some scientific studies published in peer-reviewed academic journals about the therapeutic benefits of garlic.

Lung cancer risk People who ate raw garlic at least twice a week had a 44% lower risk of developing lung cancer, he study authors wrote “Protective association between intake of raw garlic and lung cancer has been observed with a dose-response pattern, suggesting that garlic may potentially serve as a chemo-preventive agent for lung cancer.”

Brain cancer Organo-sulfur compounds found in garlic have been identified as effective in destroying the cells in glioblastomas, a type of deadly brain tumor. Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina reported in the journal Cancer that three pure organo-sulfur compounds from garlic - DAS, DADS and DATS - “demonstrated efficacy in eradicating brain cancer cells, but DATS proved to be the most effective”.Co-author, Ray Swapan, Ph.D., said “This research highlights the great promise of plant-originated compounds as natural medicine for controlling the malignant growth of human brain tumor cells,” Ray said.

“More studies are needed in animal models of brain tumors before application of this therapeutic strategy to brain tumor patients.”

Hip osteoarthritis ‘Women who eat food rich in garlic had lower levels of osteoarthritis’, a team at King’s College London and the University of East Anglia, both in England, reported in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The study authors said their findings not only highlighted the possible impact of diet on osteoarthritis outcomes, but also demonstrated the potential for using compounds that exist in garlic to develop treatments for the condition. The long-term study, involving more than 1,000 healthy female twins, found that those whose dietary habits included plenty of fruit and vegetables, “particularly alliums such as garlic”, had fewer signs of early osteoarthritis in the hip joint.

Garlic as a powerful antibiotic Diallyl sulfide, a compound in garlic, was 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics in fighting the Campylobacter bacterium, according to a study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

The Campylobacter bacterium is one of the most common causes of intestinal infections. Senior author, Dr. Xiaonan Lu, from Washington State University, said “This work is very exciting to me because it shows that this compound has the potential to reduce disease-causing bacteria in the environment and in our food supply.”

Heart protection Diallyl trisulfide, a component of garlic oil, helps protect the

heart during cardiac surgery and after a heart attack, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found. They also believe diallyl trisulfide could be used as a treatment for heart failure. Hydrogen sulfide gas has been shown to protect the heart from damage. However, it is a volatile compound and difficult to deliver as therapy. Hence, the scientists decided to focus on diallyl trisulfide, a garlic oil component, as a safer way to deliver the benefits of hydrogen sulfide to the heart.

In another study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, scientists found that garlic oil may help protect diabetes patients from cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death

among diabetes patients. It is a chronic disease of the myocardium (heart muscle), which is abnormally thickened, enlarged and/or stiffened. The team fed diabetic laboratory rats either garlic oil or corn oil. Those fed the garlic oil experienced significantly more changes associated with protection against heart damage, compared to the corn oil fed animals. The study authors wrote “In conclusion, garlic oil possesses significant potential for protecting hearts from diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy.”

High cholesterol and high blood pressure Researchers at Ankara University set out to determine what the effects of garlic extract supplementation might be on the blood

In other words, the garlic extract supplements reduced high cholesterol levels, and also blood

Doctors at the Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China, carried out a study evaluating the relationship between Allium vegetable consumption and prostate cancer risk. They gathered and analyzed published studies up to May 2013 and reported their findings in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.

The study authors wrote “Allium vegetables, especially garlic intake, are related to a decreased risk of prostate cancer”.

Alcohol-induced liver injury (ethanol-induced liver injury) is caused by the long-term over-consumption of alcoholic beverages. Scientists at the Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, China, wanted to determine whether diallyl disulfide (DADS), a garlic-derived organosulfur compound, might have protective effects against ethanol-induced oxidative stress.

Their study was published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA). The researchers concluded that DADS may help protect against ethanol-induced liver injury.

Alcohol-induced liver injury

To be continued

pressure in the patients with hypertension.

Prostate cancer

Light jogging is best for a long life: study MIAMI, AFP - Vigorous exercise such as fast running might be harmful to your health over time, according to a Danish study Monday that found light jogging is best for longevity.

People who did not jog at all were just as likely to die as people who jogged strenuously and often, according to the 12-year study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

But those who jogged lightly, between one and 2.4 hours per week, were the least likely to die suddenly, said the findings

based on 1,098 healthy joggers and 413 healthy but sedentary non-joggers in the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

Researchers had access to records that tracked hours of jogging, frequency and the individual’s perception of pace.

The optimal frequency of jogging was no more than three times per week, and slow to moderate joggers experienced significantly lower mortality rates than fast-paced runners.

“It is important to emphasize that the pace of the slow joggers corresponds to vigorous

exercise and strenuous jogging corresponds to very vigorous exercise,” said Peter Schnohr, a researcher from the Copenhagen City Heart Study, Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“When performed for decades, this activity level could pose health risks, especially to the cardiovascular system.”

Past research has found similar correlations between light to moderate exercise and long life, as well as the higher death risk associated with vigorous exercise.

LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 13

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

India’s Ricky Kej, Vaswani win at Grammy while Anoushka loses

Musicians Ricky Kej (L) and Wouter Kellerman, winners of the Best New Age Album Award for ‘Winds of Samsara’ pose in the press room during The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/ Getty Images)

L

OS ANGELES, February 9, 2015. - Bangalorebased musician Ricky Kej and activist Neela Vaswani won at the 57th Grammy awards for their work in album ‘Winds of Samsara’ and the documentary on Malala Yousafzai, respectively.

Album category. The artiste teamed up with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman on the album.

Kej was declared a winner for his collaborative album ‘Winds of Samsara’ in the New Age

Other albums nominated in the category were ‘Bhakti’ by

A self-taught musician Kej, 33, has previously composed soundtracks for Kannada films.

‘Winds of Samsara’ is his 14th studio album.

Author Neela Vaswani, winner of Best Children Album for ‘I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed The World (Malala Yousafzai)’ at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on Sunday. AFP Paul Avgerinos, ‘Ritual’ by Peter Kater and R Carlos Nakai, ‘Symphony Live In Istanbul’ by Kitaro and ‘In Love And Longing’ by Silvia Nakkach and David Darling.

Vaswani, who is the author of the short story collection ‘Where the Long Grass Bends’ and memoir ‘You Have Given Me a Country’, won the trophy in the Best Children’s Album category for ‘I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education And Changed The World (Malala

Yousafzai)’.

In the album, she had narrated the audio version of the book of the same name.

Anoushka Shankar, 33, daughter of late sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, lost in the best world music album category. It was her third nomination in the category.

This year she was nominated for ‘Traces of You’, her seventh album featuring her half-sister Norah Jones on the track ‘The Sun Won’t Set’. PTI

Uber to launch ‘panic button’ for users in India

W

ASHINGTON Uber is launching a “panic button” and other safety features for users in India, following news that Mumbai was readying a ban on the ride-sharing service.

The move also follows concerns about Uber’s practices in the wake of rape allegations against a driver in New Delhi last year.

Uber said in a blog post that starting February 11 riders in India would have an “in-app panic (SOS) button that allows a rider to alert the local police

at the push of a button in case of an emergency.”

Riders will also have a “safety net” feature allowing them to share their trip details and realtime location with up to five friends and family members.

A spokeswoman for Uber said these initiatives were “specific to India.”

Uber said it faced “some misconceptions” about its safety initiatives in India. It noted that it already conducts background checks on driver applicants and this week launched

a “third party driver screening program” which goes beyond the standard transport licensing process.

The California-based startup which operates in more than 50 countries said that it had established in India “a dedicated team and process to manage emergencies” if anyone uses the panic button. The team will be available 24 hours a day and can notify police.

Uber said it is not recommending physical panic buttons, saying they “cause confusion and are prone to wear and tear, but

will allow independent drivers to install them with safeguards.

“We have expressed willingness to install physical buttons provided that... there is only one physical panic button per car... (and) pressing the button calls the local police directly, since they are best positioned to react to a law and order situation.”

Uber has faced regulatory issues in many locations as it expands to over 200 cities, but claims it offers choices for consumers who face a taxi sector protected by regulators.

Banned filmmaker Panahi’s taxi-eye view of Tehran shown in Berlin

Jury member Shirin Neshat stands next to the picture of director Jafar Panahi before presenting his co-director Kamboziya Partovi with a Silver Bear award for Best Script in film “Parde” (Closed Curtain) during the awards ceremony at the 63rd Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin February 16, 2013. REUTERS/ Fabrizio Bensch/Files

by Michael Roddy

B

ERLIN (Reuters) Banned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who has defied the authorities before by smuggling a film out of Iran, did it again at the Berlin International Film Festival on Friday with his film “Taxi”.

The superficially whimsical but ultimately profound look at life and filmmaking in Iran, shot from the interior of a taxi with the director at the wheel, was shown despite a 20-year state ban imposed on Panahi.

He is not under arrest but can be jailed by the judiciary at any time. Two years ago he smuggled a movie to the Berlin festival on a USB drive, eliciting a protest to the festival from the Islamic Republic.

At Friday’s premiere, festival director Dieter Kosslick was not saying how Panahi’s film made it to the German capital, but he applauded his decision to continue making movies.

“Jafar never accepted his 20year ban and tried to make his work because he cannot live without making films, and by accident we got this film here, maybe with a taxi?” Kosslick said, tongue-in-cheek, to reporters on the red carpet.

In the film, Panahi chauffeurs

an odd assortment of people around Tehran, including two women who think they will die if they do not get two goldfish to the Ali Springs before noon.

A male passenger who admits he is a “freelance mugger” argues in favor of the death penalty for criminals with a woman teacher in the backseat who thinks capital punishment is too severe for someone who steals to feed his family - and says only China executes more people than Iran.

A girl playing Panahi’s niece tells her uncle after he picks her up from school that her teacher has told her the rules for making a “distributable film” in Iran. It cannot show anything sordid which is what Panahi has been filming from his taxi - and the characters must be named after Islamic saints.

Kosslick said Panahi’s wife and the actress playing the niece attended the premiere while an empty chair was left for the director as he had not been expected to be allowed to travel to Berlin for the occasion.

He said he did not think Panahi’s relations with the Islamic authorities were as dire as they were two years ago when Tehran complained to the festival for giving Panahi an award for an allegorical movie made in defiance of the state ban.

sphilip@llppc-law.com

Young Life

VOICE OF ASIA 14

Friday, February 13, 2015

Section 2

Page 14

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Jason Learning Seeks Adventurous Students and Educators for STEM Research Experience in the Bahamas

F

ORT BEND ISD - Jason Learning, a worldrenowned science education organization, will lead a scientific expedition to the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) in the summer of 2015 and is seeking a diverse, creative, and adventurous group of students and educators to join the research team as “Student and Educator Argonauts.”

Jason Learning is partnering with 11 Houston-area school districts – with generous support from Chevron – to provide this opportunity to 22 students and educators from the Houston area. These Argonauts will be selected through a competitive application process in early 2015.

The Jason Argonauts will travel to the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas in July 2015. There, they will participate in an intensive hands-on research experience with resident and visiting scientists engaged in a diversity of marine science projects. In addition to being a leader in the area of marine science and education, CEI also prides itself on

C

ool temperatures, low humidity, and furnace-blasted dry air can leave your skin dry, flaky, and itchy. Everyone needs to protect his or her skin from drying out in winter, but if you have certain skin conditions, you should step up your routine to keep your skin healthy.

“Winter itch is a common name for the skin symptom of generalized itching in winter.

While most commonly seen in the elderly and those with a history of asthma, allergies and eczema, anyone can experience winter itch,” says Dr. Vishakha Gigler, a board certified dermatologist.

With that in mind, here are a few steps everyone can take to prevent and relieve dry itchy skin in wintry weather: • Avoid irritants. Try to avoid products that can irritate your skin, such as fragrance, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners.

Use a hypoallergenic laundry detergent and wear soft fabrics such as cotton.

modeling sustainable practices.

Argonauts will be immersed in a sustainable living experience, which is designed to help them become advocates for sustainable development in their own communities.

“Our Argonaut program connects students and educators with real scientists to teach and inspire a love of exploration and inquiry, promote self-confidence, and develop leadership skills,” said Dr. Eleanor Smalley, Chief Operating Officer of Jason. “We are very excited in 2015 to once again return to the Cape Eleuthera Institute, which offers a strong connection between research and education.”

Student applicants must be 14 or 15 years old by June 1, 2015 and have a committed sponsor to assist them through the Argonaut experience. Educator Argonauts should have at least five years of experience working with students, have plans to continue as an educator in the 2015-1016 school year, and have used Jason Learning in an educational setting.

Ideal Argonaut candidates will:

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Demonstrate a strong interest and ability in science Possess excellent leadership and/or teamwork skills Be self-motivated, creative, and adventurous, taking personal initiative to meet challenges and overcome obstacles Possess excellent communication skills and be comfortable in front of a camera Participate in field activities which may be outdoors and/or strenuous in nature; activities, locations, or conditions may include, but are not limited to snorkeling, swimming, extensive time on boats, small/confined spaces; heights, adverse weather conditions (temperature extremes, precipitation, wind, etc.)

Be comfortable with the idea of being on a boat and/or have prior experience on boats Possess or be able to obtain a passport and be willing and able to travel to an international location “It is a tremendous opportunity to participate in a rich, hands-on experience alongside world-class scientists,” said Katie Cubina, Jason’s Senior Vice President for Educational Programs. “These individuals will return from

Tel: 713-774-5140

Harvard bans sex between staff and students

their field experience to serve as mentors and role models within their own communities as well as the Jason community at large.”

Chevron’s funding assures that all travel, lodging, food, programming an equipment costs related to the Houstonarea Argonauts activities will be covered in full.

Since 1990, Jason’s National Argonaut Program has provided hands-on, scientific field work to over 460 competitively selected students and educators worldwide, many of whom have gone on to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Jason Argonaut candidates will complete and submit their application materials by February 16, 2015 deadline.

Student and Educator Argonauts will be selected and notified by the beginning of April 2015. For more information, visit the 2015 Argonaut application page on the Jason website:www.jason.org/ argo2015.

Students at the Quad, on the campus of Harvard University, on January 27, 2015, in Cambridge, Massachusetts (AFP Photo/ Maddie Meyer)

N

ew York, | AFP | Harvard, one of America’s most prestigious universities, has told professors not to have sex with students following a review into sexual harassment policy.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences Committee said it was prohibiting “romantic or sexual relationships” regardless of whether a faculty member was teaching or supervising the student in question.

The ban applies to undergraduate and graduate students, and has been ushered in as part of a review of policy on sexual misconduct.

The review “determined that the existing language on re-

Healthy Winter Skin Care Tips • Add humidity to your home and office. Portable humidifiers or those that work with your heating system put moisture into the air that will be absorbed naturally by your skin and hair.

Last May, the US department of education published a list of 55 colleges and universities under federal review for allegedly mishandling sexual assault and harassment complaints.

Harvard, in the northeastern US state of Massachusetts, was on the list. The university’s historic rival, Yale, prohibited sexual relations between faculty and undergraduates in 2010. itch. More information can be found at www.tricalm.com.

• Protect against windburn.

When heading outside on cold days, avoid windburn and prolonged exposure by wearing a hat, scarf, and gloves.

• Hand care. The skin on your hands is thinner than most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it’s harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.

• Moisturize after showering.

• Alleviate winter itch: To alleviate itch safely and effec-

It comes at a time when top American universities on the defensive over complaints of sexual violence on campus.

• Eat right. Stock up on foods with lots of healthy monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, olive oil, flax, sardines, and avocados. These foods promote good skin health.

• Wear sunscreen. Sunscreen may make you think of the beach, but it’s important in winter, too. Apply a moisturizing, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to exposed areas to protect from the sun’s harmful UV rays before heading outdoors. Look for sunscreens with hyaluronic acid in them.

The most important thing with regards to bathing is your follow-up routine. Pat your skin dry with a towel and then apply a thick moisturizer. Apply in the morning and at night.

lationships of unequal status did not explicitly reflect the faculty’s expectations of what constituted an appropriate relationship.”

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For example, TriCalm is a steroid free, fast acting itch relief gel that is five times more effective than steroid-based hydrocortisone 1% at reducing

This winter, avoid and relieve dry skin. With the proper skin care regimen, you will keep your skin smooth, healthy and itch-free.

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VOICE OF ASIA 15

BOLLYWOOD MASALA

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Friday, February 13, 2015

Section 2

Page 15

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

HC restrains Mumbai firm Shreya Ghoshal ties the knot from using Rajinikanth’s name with boyfriend Shiladitya

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court today restrained a Mumbai-based film production company from using name, image, caricature and style of delivering dialogues of superstar Rajinikanth in its proposed film titled “Main Hoon Rajinikanth”.

Allowing an application

by Rajinikanth, Justice R Subbiah upheld the court’s September 17 last interim orders restraining Varsha Productions from using the actor’s name in any manner in the film. The judge said the company was not entitled to use the name without Rajinikanth’s permission.

Submitting that the film has scenes of immoral nature, the actor filed a suit seeking Rs 25 lakh as damages and an application seeking to restrain the company from using his name in any manner whatsoever amounting to infringement of copyright.

During the earlier hearing on September 17, 2014, the court had issued the interim injunction restraining the company from using the name of Rajinikanth till further orders. In his final order on the application today, the judge referring to a judgment of Bombay High Court observed “If any person uses the name of a celebrity without his/her permission the celebrity is entitled for injunction, if said celebrity could be easily identified by the use of his name by others.

In the instant case, on seeing the name of Rajinikanth in the title of the impugned movie, the persons who are coming across the title of the impugned movie, are identifying the name only with the petitioner herein, which is evident from the website pages hosted by different persons,” he said.

“Therefore, in my opinion, even assuming for a moment that the impugned movie is not a biopic of petitioner, since the name found in the title of the impugned movie is identifiable only with the petitioner who happens to be a celebrity and with any other person, the production company is not entitled to use the said name without the permission of Rajinikanth, particularly when he had chosen to advertise the movie with a title ‘Hot Kavita Radhesyam as sex Worker for Rajinikanth’.

Super star of the South Rajinikanth

Shreya Ghoshal with her husband Shiladitya.

T

Poster of the proposed film “Main Hoon Rajinikanth”.

he ‘Sunn Raha Hai’ hitmaker tied the knot with the techie last night in a traditional Bengali wedding.

maker tied the knot with the techie last night in a traditional Bengali wedding, which was attended by close friends and family members.

Singer Shreya Ghoshal has married boyfriend Shiladitya in an intimate wedding in Mumbai.

“Married the love of my life @shiladitya last night surrounded by our families and close frnds, exciting new life awaits,” Ghoshal, 30, posted on Twitter along with a pic-

The ‘Sunn Raha Hai’ hit-

ture.

The playback singer started her career with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’ (2002), where she crooned five numbers ’Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka’, ‘Bairi Piya’, ‘Chalak Chalak’, ‘Morey Piya’, and ‘Dola Re Dola’ Since then she did not turn back and sang many soulful Bollywood numbers.

‘Queen’ wins best film, Kangana gets best actress at Filmfare Awards 2015

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UMBAI: Vikas Bahl’s coming-ofage drama Queen triumphed at the 60th Filmfare Awards, winning in key categories including best film, best director and best actress for its lead star Kangana Ranaut.

The film bagged six Filmfare awards in total - best editing

to Abhijit Kokate and Anurag Kashyap, best cinematography (Bobby Singh and Siddharth Diwan) and and best background score for Amit Trivedi. Kangana, who saw off competition from Alia Bhatt, Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra, Rani Mukerji and Sonam Kapoor in the best actress category, was not present to accept her award.

Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shakespearean tale Haider closely followed Queen with five wins which includes a black lady for Shahid Kapoor in the best actor category and best supporting honours for Tabu and Kay Kay Menon. Haider triumphed in the technical categories as well, with Dolly Ahluwalia winning best costume designer and Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray topping the best production design list.

The Filmfare lifetime achievement award was given to veteran actress Kamini Kaushal for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

The judge noted that the production company recently released web articles and posters and various press releases and video releases about “Main Hoon Rajinikanth” in which it has exploited the superhero image portrayed by Rajinikanth in various movies for its benefit by embodying the same in the picture which has scenes of immoral nature which has come to the notice of the actor.

Young star Alia Bhatt bagged the best actress (Critics) trophy for Highway and Sanjay Mishra won the best actor (Critics) for his outstanding performance in Ankhon Dekhi, which also earned director-writer Rajat Kapoor the best story gong.

Kriti Sanon won best debut female Filmfare award for Heropanti, while Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan won the best debut male Filmfare award for Khoobsurat. Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi won for PK in the best screenplay and best dialogue categories, which were the only wins for the Aamir Khan-starrer film.

In the music categories, Ankit Tiwari won best male playback singer for Galiyaan from Ek Villain and Kanika Kapoor was named best female playback singer for Baby Doll from Ragini MMS 2.

Rajinikanth issued a legal notice to the film company which was, however, returned by it. Hence he approached the court by way of the civil suit. (PTI).

Trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy won best music director for their work in 2 States. Best lyrics honour went to Rashmi Singh for Muskurane from CityLights.

Anil Kumar Konakandla and Prabal Pradhan won the best sound design honour for Mardaani. Sham Kaushal won an award for best action in ‘Gunday’.

Best choreography honour was handed out to Ahmed Khan for the song Jumme Ki Raat from Salman Khan’s Kick.

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The evening saw performances from Salman Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and was attended by BTown celebrities like Rekha, Kajol, Manisha Koirala, Neha Dhupia, Subhash Ghai, Vidya Balan among others.

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The ceremony held at Yash Raj Studios was hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar and stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma. Courtesy: PTI

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTH

VOICE OF ASIA 16

Friday, February 13, 2015

Section 2

Page 16

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Experimental ‘smart’ insulin shows promise in mice: study

Google boosts health search with more medical sources

S

AN FRANCISCO, AFP | Google on Tuesday began tuning its mobile search application to better answer people’s questions about common ailments from tennis elbow to the measles.

Google product manager Prem Ramaswami said that the Internet titan will apply Knowledge Graph technology to common medical queries, putting computing power to work figuring out the meanings behind words and relationships between topics.

“Starting in the next few days, when you ask Google about common health conditions, you’ll start getting relevant medical facts right up front,” Ramaswami said in an online post.

Experimental ‘smart’ insulin shows promise in mice: study

M

IAMI, | AFP | 2/9/2015 - An experimental “smart insulin” that acts for 14 hours has shown promise in mice and could be tested in people with type 1 diabetes in two years, researchers said Monday.

The product, known as InsPBA-F and developed by biochemists at the University of Utah, self-activates when blood sugar soars, according to the research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Tests on mice with a form of type 1 diabetes showed that one injection could “repeatedly and automatically lower blood sugar levels after mice are given amounts of

sugar comparable to what they would consume at mealtime,” said the study.

blood sugar and manually inject themselves with insulin when needed.

The drug closely mimicked the way the bodies of normal mice would return their blood sugar levels to normal after eating.

Any mistake or lapse can lead to complications, including heart disease, blindness or even death.

“This is an important advance in insulin therapy,” said co-author Danny Chou, assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah.

“Our insulin derivative appears to control blood sugar better than anything that is available to diabetes patients right now.”

People with type 1 diabetes must constantly monitor their

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Ins-PBA-F is a chemically modified version of a naturally occurring hormone.

It differs from other “smart insulin” products in development that use a protein-based barrier, such as a gel or coating, that inhibits insulin when blood sugar is low.

After more long-term safety tests in lab animals, the first human safety trials could begin in two to five years

HPV vaccine not linked to riskier sex, STIs: study

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IAMI, AFP | Despite concerns among some parents, the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) does not cause riskier behavior in teens, nor does it raise rates of sexually transmitted infections, US researchers said Monday.

The findings by a team of ex- University of Miami pediatrician Judith L. Schaechter gives an HPV perts at Harvard vaccination to a 13-year-old girl at the Miller School of Medicine on Medical School September 21, 2011 in Miami (AFP Photo/Joe Raedle) and the University of Southcompanying editorial. fections that did occur were inern California are published dependent of the vaccine,” said in JAMA Internal Medicine, a - Higher rates the study. journal of the American Medical Association.

In an effort to see if vaccinaIf the HPV vaccine had tion could be linked to higher caused an increase in risky sexHealth authorities recom- STI infection rates, the study ual behavior, researchers said mend the vaccine for pre-teen compared 21,000 girls who they would have found a higher and teenage boys and girls as a were vaccinated to 186,000 rate of STI among vaccinated way to prevent HPV, which can unvaccinated girls of the same girls after they received the go undetected and lead to can- age. vaccine, since it only protects cers of the cervix, anus, penis, against HPV and not any other mouth and throat.

Both groups had the same in- diseases. surance plans and lived in the But just 38 percent of girls same area of the United States.

“We found no such increase, aged 13-17 in the United States causing us to conclude that had received all three recomRates of sexually transmitted there was no association bemended doses in 2013, and infections were measured four tween using the vaccine and even fewer boys were vaccinat- times per year, for the year prior unsafe sexual practices,” said ed, according to the US Centers to vaccination and the year af- study co-author Seth Seabury, for Disease Control and Pre- ter. associate professor of research vention. in the Department of EmergenThe girls who were vacci- cy Medicine at the Keck School Vaccination rates have been nated had slightly higher rates of Medicine at the University of slowly rising in the years since of STI than the unvaccinated Southern California.

2006, when the vaccine was girls, both before and after vacintroduced. In 2013, the most cination.

According to Anupam Jena, recent year in which officials assistant professor of health have data, 57 percent of girls Researchers said they believe care policy at Harvard Mediand 35 percent of boys began these higher rates were attribut- cal School, the findings should the HPV vaccine series with able to the higher likelihood of be seen as good news for conat least one of the three recom- sexual activity among girls who cerned parents. mended shots, the CDC says. are getting vaccinated, compared to unvaccinated girls.

“Since this is one of the few But experts would like to see medications ever developed even higher rates of vaccinaHowever, both groups expe- that can actually prevent cantion. rienced an increase in rates of cer, it’s good to be able to reSTIs as they grew older, and assure parents, physicians and “Just as we do not wait until this increase occurred at the policymakers that the vaccine we have been in the sun for two same pace, whether or not the does not promote unsafe sexhours to apply sunscreen, we girls had received the vaccine. ual practices among girls and should not wait until after an young women,” Jena said. individual is sexually active to This “suggests that the girls’ attempt to prevent HPV infec- sexual behaviors were not alThe study was funded by a tion,” wrote Robert Bednarczyk tered in the least by the vaccine. grant from the US National Inof Emory University, in an ac- Any behaviors resulting in in- stitutes of Health

“We’ll show you typical symptoms and treatments, as well as details on how common the condition is -- whether it’s critical, if it’s contagious, what ages it affects, and more.”

Google worked with a team of doctors to compile information that represents real-life clinical knowledge and high-quality medical sources on the Internet regarding a host of common medical woes, according to Ramaswami.

One out of 20 searches at Google are for health-related information, he noted.

California-based Google cautioned that such search results were intended for informational purposes and not intended as medical advice.

“But, we hope this can empower you in your health decisions by helping you learn more about common conditions,” Ramaswami said.

“Once you get this basic info from Google, you should find it easier to do more research on other sites around the web, or know what questions to ask your doctor.”

In coming days, Knowledge Graph technology will be woven into the Google English language search application in the United States for smartphones and tablets.

Google said that it plans to expand the number of medical conditions handled by the feature and to extend it other parts of the world.

Read Latest Health News Updates Visit: www.voiceofasiaonline. com

Tel: 713-774-5140

What Doctors, Hospitals Are Provided Free by Drug Firms, Suppliers Released by CMS Information promotes transparency in financial relationships between health care industry, doctors and teaching hospitals

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or the first time, consumers have information on consulting fees, research grants, travel reimbursements, and other gifts the health care industry – such as medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies – provided to physicians and teaching hospitals.

The information was released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the last five months of 2013. It meets a requirement of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) to help consumers understand the financial relationships between the health care industry, and physicians and teaching hospitals.

In a news release on the first round of Open Payments data, CMS said it is “part of our ongoing effort to increase transparency and accountability in health care.”

Future reports will be published annually and will include a full 12 months of payment data, beginning in June 2015.

This data contains 4.4 million payments valued at nearly $3.5 billion attributable to 546,000 individual physicians and almost 1,360 teaching hospitals.

“CMS is committed to transparency and this is an opportunity for the public to learn about the relationships among health care providers, and pharmaceutical and device companies,” CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said.

“This initial public posting of data is only the first phase of the Open Payments program. In coming weeks, we will be adding additional data and tools that will give consumers, researchers, and others a detailed look into this industry and its financial arrangements.”

Financial ties among medical manufacturers’ payments and health care providers do not necessarily signal wrongdoing. Given the importance of discouraging inappropriate relationships without harming beneficial ones, CMS is working closely with stakeholders to better understand the current scope of the interactions among physicians, teaching hospitals, and industry manufacturers. CMS encourages patients to discuss these relationships with their health care providers.

“Using this new data, it is now possible to conduct a wide range of analyses of payments made by drug and device manufacturers,” said Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, deputy administrator and director of the Center for Program Integrity at CMS. “Open Payments does not identify which financial relationships are beneficial and which could cause conflicts of interest. It simply makes the data available to the public. So while these data could discourage payments and others transfers of value that might have an inappropriate influence on research, education, and clinical decision-making, they could also help identify relationships that lead to the development of beneficial new technologies.”

Manufacturers submitted data to CMS this summer and CMS performed initial matching to ag-

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com gregate payments to a single physician or teaching hospital. After the data were collected and displayed, registered physicians and teaching hospitals had the opportunity to review payments reported about them and dispute information they believed inaccurate.

More than 26,000 physicians and 400 teaching hospitals registered in the Open Payments system to review payments attributed to them.

During the review and dispute period, CMS identified payment records that had inconsistent physician information, such as National Provider Identifier (NPI) for one doctor and a license number for another.

In cases where CMS was unable to match the physician information or the record was not available for review and dispute but the company had attested that the payment had been made, the personally-identifiable information has been suppressed temporarily in the record.

About 40 percent of the records published today are de-identified.

This data will be fully identifiable in 2015 after the reporting entity submits corrected data, and physicians and teaching hospitals have a chance to review and dispute.

In addition, data that were disputed and not resolved by the end of the September 11 review period have not been published and will be updated at a later date.

Over time, CMS expects to make enhancements such as introducing new tools to allow for easier data searches. This improved search functionality will allow users to more easily review payments received by their personal physician, or search on criteria such as specialty, location, or types of payments received.

The CMS news release said, “Building on its commitment to transparency, the Open Payments program is the latest effort by CMS to make health care cost data available to the public. For example, the agency continues to publicly release and update data allowing consumers to compare what hospitals charge for common inpatient and outpatient services across the country.”

To view the Open Payments physician payment dataset and other background, please visit: www. cms.gov/openpayments.

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VOICE OF ASIA 17

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

H

Friday, February 13, 2015

OUSTON — On Thursday, Jan. 29, was the Grand Opening for the World Chamber of Commerce Texas’ at the Kim Son Restaurant, where over 500 guests attended.

BUSINESS

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Section 2

Page 17 Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

World Chamber of Commerce Texas Promotes Global Business and Education Opportunities at Launch Party

After the recognitions a Chinese dance ensemble by Golden Peacock School was performed and then an Indian solo from the Anjali Center for Performing Arts.

The room was filled with diplomats, elected officials, board members of other organizations and leaders of business education and healthcare officials seeking to learn more about WCCT, network and meet the 2015 Board of Directors and Officers.

Vice President Hare ended the event with closing remarks encouraging attendees to help the organization with ways to move forward together, open opportunities and solutions that benefit Houston and its businesses, education and health care communities.

The event opened with a special welcome to all guest from Don Hare, Vice President of WCCT and a thanks to BBVA Compass for a financial contribution to underwrite a portion of the event.

One of our attendees Lisa Powell, attorney and counselor at Jackson Walker L.L.P, said she looks forward to attending upcoming events and was very impressed with WCCT and its mission.

Initial members also received framed certificates followed by a cultural performance from the Indonesian band named Sanggar Tari Citra.

Adrian Garcia, Sheriff of Harris County, spoke at the event and installed the Board Officers. In his comments, Sheriff Garcia noted that the creation of the World Chamber of Commerce Texas is an opportunity to increase business and educa-

Final recognitions were given

by Vice President Hare spotlighting distinguished guests in attendance included chamber presidents, elected officials and dignitaries.

Elected officials, dignitaries including Adrian Garcia, Sheriff of Harris County, and Board of WCCT at the ribbon cutting ceremony. tional awareness while promoting Houston.

members and the sheriff to join in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

After the Installation, dignitaries and elected officials were invited to stand alongside board

Following the ribbon cutting, Victoria Ai Linh Bryant, President of WCCT, answered any

questions and educated attendees with a presentation about the focus of WCCT, its mission and upcoming events for the year.

After the presentation, attendees enjoyed a performance by an African dance and drum ensemble called KoumanKe’le’ African.

Another attendee, Shari Bihms, attorney at Shari D. Bihms & Asociates , said after learning more about the organization she was enlightened to join.

For more information, visit www.wcct.org.

Franchise Expo South promises more growth opportunity in Houston

by Jacob David

H

OUSTON, Texas – The largest Franchise Expo South was held at the NRG Center from February 5th to 7th .

There were over 250 booths showcasing franchise opportunities from different industries, ranging from $39,000 to $2 Million in start up fees.

Each industry provides full training and implementation procedures to the applicants.

It gave attendees the opportunity to start a franchise busi-

ness and become independent while still getting assistance in regards to daily business operations. Over 5,000 attendees attended the franchise expo over the two days. Representatives from each franchise were available to answer questions of the attendees and get the application procedure underway.

In addition to the booths, there were opportunities for each visitor to attend forty free educational seminars on the concept of franchising. There were also companies that were willing to qualify interested candidates for financing by

providing them a range of options. This franchise expo is one among the three that happens at the national level each year. By attending the expo, people got to learn the various business opportunities that are out there. This expo was certainly an eye opener on the new franchises that have a promising future. It also provided the opportunity for visitors to learn about different industries that have franchising opportunities from Chemical Cleaners to the Food Industry.

For more details visit: http:// www.franchiseexposouth.com

Attendees at the booths of the Franchise Expo Show. Photo credit: Franchise Expo South.

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Your Horoscope for the Week of February 13, 2015

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

READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April Beware of whose toes you trample, because someone else thinks that this is his or her dance. You’ll have your act together, and heads will turn. This means that you’ll know exactly how to deal with high prices or depleted resources. Emotion and intuition spread their warm, reasonable vibes wherever you go. Keep one hand firmly on your priorities before they wander off into the haze. Consolidate your assets while they’re still clearly defined. Personal problems are indicated for and may be clashes.

Hunger, that great equalizer, centers you again. Optimism keeps you afloat even when others sink into silence. Find new excitement with enlightened visitors or a hot date. You laugh at those poor souls who lack your cosmic advantages, but beware - a rival may soon steal your thunder. After this running start, buckle down to some serious work on. Surely you know the right people to make this happen. Reward follows punishment. Problems are plentiful but your patience remains firm.

Scorpio (N,Y)23 Oct to 21 Nov

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May You are being out of step and possibly out of control. Hang on for the burst of astrological fire that warms and clarifies you later in the week. Unless you can escape, there won’t be another break in the action until late in the week. You’re refreshed and ready for the next phase by week’s end, which means that you won’t panic when you hit your wall. Expect a few days of not getting your way. Turn your newfound creativity toward practical ends in the final days of this month, when you understand that you want power to help others instead of power for its own sake.

The radical solution to help you through all the work that others cheerfully heap on your head. Keep turning on the charm, which could steer you straight out of trouble. Talk your way out of anything serious by the, unless it’s a seriously fantastic invitation for the coming weekend. A pointed remark could deflate your balloon, but keep your head above the clouds and you may witness a rare phenomenon. Be quiet about your discovery, when your perspective is met with little sympathy.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June A graceful apology returns some of your losses. The fire is back in your eyes, and you won’t stand for anyone’s dirty tricks. Expect to work straight through the weekend, when playtime finally hits. Stay close to home, because your skills may be required onsite. An early conclusion frees you to do personal work, but you’re back in battle against a problem revived by the Taurus mate or close acquaintance. You may get into a bit of messy fun, because a real or symbolic parent wags a moralistic finger at you, urging you to clean up your act.

The stroke of luck, probably attracted by your responsible habits. You’re selected for an important project with far-reaching results. This demanding schedule takes its toll.

Rest mind and body with lighter work or none at all. But you can’t seem to slow down, you’re in demand and overbooked. Be careful of excessive work or play, because apparently endless resources could bottom out. But water signs regenerate quickly. The weekend finds you buoyant, focused, and ready to mentor/advisor anyone who needs your help.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July The need for patience, understanding and compassion always comes ‘easier’ for you but it may feel ‘strained’ this week well into and then you ‘catch a natural break’ and members seem to back off and STOP challenging you. Most of the time, they are likely to be totally unaware, with the exception and may be ‘needling you’ or it feels that way.

Stay calm and give them a ‘small warning.’

You want to be the life of the party and mastermind of all the jokes. Don’t fret, satisfaction returns on the weekend. Spend the weekend giving as well as taking. You’re watching the clock, which only slows time down. Expect Monday and Tuesday to crawl by in a tangle of little headaches and petty intrigues. Mid-week brings new spark to your legendary fire, and then it’s all about you. An attack of conscience or a bout of soul searching leads you to forsake pure fun for some greater purpose.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Your quest for perfection, It leads to a moment of friction. Remember that growth without change is a joke. Your immediate future should be secured, and you’ll have time for fun. But the week finds you impatient at the slowing trend that the stars bring to your fast-paced world. Be ready to spend the end of the week either in search of your personal grail or chasing a wild goose. As you go down to the wire, you’ll probably question whether your quest was worth all the effort.

Growth, changing, falling in ZERO(SHUNYA)- and hopefully into a rhythm that suits you, because you’ll be stuck there all week. This week is about relationships, whether you’re starting or ending one. Resolve this thing ASAP, or long term plans must change. Fortunately, the stars bring and fresh energy to you. Gamblers and opportunists gleefully forget what has gone before. Cash out and leave the building by week’s end, when Lady Luck pulls another mood change. . If you’re reasonable, the last days of the week are free from failed experiments.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September Success and pleasure as you whirl through unfinished business with style and warmth.

Savor your accomplishments. For two intense days, you’re all seeing and all knowing.

Some of what you’ve learned has immediate applications, and some can be set aside for future use. Your ally in all that’s logical and practical, bails you out this week. Some tacks on a big question mark and hints at a surprising answer. Do you have ‘record’ capacity? You can always blow it away later if you don’t need it. Small issues shorten your fuse BIG time until is over and then cooperation is good but your stars show some ‘personal down time’ likely.

Confidence and skill rise sharply with an invention or a final debt payment. This trend peaks gloriously. After that, any return to normal life may disappoint. You could be staring out the window again with daydreams of flying. Be careful about your wishes, because around the middle of the week you may actually get some of them. Beware of new distractions ongoing around you, when good looks and intense opinions might pull you into the orbit of some stronger heavenly body. The week opens an exciting chapter, as you manifest the speed and articulation for which is so well known.

Got a Car to Sell?

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Part Time Accountant Property Management Company in Houston is looking for a part-time accountant with the following qualifications: • Degree in Accounting or Business preferred.

• Must have good working knowledge of Quickbooks and Excel.

• Experience in generating financial reports & bookkeeping.

• Other duties as assigned.

Good compensation for an experienced person

To apply please email your resume to:

princeville.investments@gmail.com (Please indicate in the subject line: “Accounting Position”)

Now You Know!

Amazing facts from all over the WORLD!

• Goldfish can see both infrared and ultraviolet light.

Visit our Website www.voiceofasiaonline.com For the latest on Community News, National & Global Enjoy stories on LEISURE & LIFESTYLE To Advertise online email: adsvoa@ yahoo.com or call 713-774-5140

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Jaunt- short pleasure trip

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Got a favorite word? Let us know!

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Visit us on www.VoiceofAsiaOnline.com to stop driving buzzed. The next installment expanded on this message, equating buzzed driving and drunk driving and demonstrating the devastating consequences that can occur.

The most recent work focuses on the financial consequences specifically. The overall campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

of the dangers of “buzzed” driving and to motivate people

Sponsor: NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

TECHNOLOGY

Get the Most Out of Your Tech Devices

Y

our tech gadgets are an investment, and with a little bit of effort, you can get even more out of them and make them last longer.

Many manufacturers encourage you to register your product after purchase. Don’t ignore this advice. Registration usually takes just a few minutes and offers numerous benefits. For example, Casio has a fast and easy online registration process for its line of calculators, as well as digital pianos, projectors and watches, amongst other items. Once registered,

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SECONDS!

Here are three steps consumers sometimes overlook, that can help you get more out of your tech.

Your sensitive electronic devices travel with you to school, work and everywhere in between. While you do your best to avoid slips and trips, not every accident is avoidable. Take better care of these fragile items by purchasing well-fitted, hard cover cases for each. Know in advance the best way to protect your products in the event of water immersion and other common hazards. Your technology’s instruction manual is a good place to learn more.

Jaundiced - cynical; pessimistic

Bellicose - war-like; aggressive

Buzzed Driving Prevention

I

Here’s your chance to be a Vocabulary Sleuth!

Elusive - hard to pin down.

• A group of owls is called a parliament.

n 2012, deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08+ numbered 10,322--that’s one person every 51 minutes. Though the drunk driving prevention campaign has been very successful, research showed that many people thought the messages to be targeted at overtly drunk drivers, and not them.

When decision time came, they would consider themselves merely “buzzed” and get behind the wheel. PSAs created to address this gap were released in 2005 to inspire recognition

Know Your Words

Nettle - annoy

• An octopus pupil is rectangular.

SAFETY

KTRK-TV the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX has a current opening for a creative storyteller to cover news as a Multi-Media Photojournalist. This job will entail daily shooting, editing, writing and producing news content for on-air, on-line, social media and publishing to our digital platforms. Some on-air experience is a plus. The candidate should be knowledgeable of the operations of the assignment desk and police scanners. Qualified applicants must have at least 3-years major/medium market experience as a field photographer with Edius Pro editing experience. Experience with P2 cameras, Dejeros, ENG/Live Trucks and a strong ability to produce interesting live shots is a must. The candidate will need to work independently at times as well as and in a team environment with a reporter or producer. Lighting experience is required, along with shooting short and long form stories as well as breaking news. Must possess good news judgment and work well under deadline pressure. Background check clearance and clean driving record will be required. Primarily, this position requires working on Saturdays and Sundays early morning shift (6:00 AM to 2:00 PM). Applicants must also have the flexibility to work nights, weekends, overnights (9:00 PM to 6:00 AM) and holidays when needed. This is an excellent opportunity to join a first-class station and live in a fun and affordable city. To be considered candidates must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file. Reference Job ID: 248295BR. Equal Opportunity Employer – Female/ Minority/ Veteran/ Disability. No Telephone Calls.

Office in Katy needs female workers in and around katy area to handle office work.

Should be multi tasking with basic Computer and Internet skills, will train. Full time flexible working mom hours 8am - 4pm Please email your resume to

• Dragonflies have 6 legs but can’t walk.

Got a favorite fact? Let us know!

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Multi Media Photojournalist

HELP WANTED

• Elvis’s middle name was Aron.

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FRIDAY, February 13, 2015

Know in advance the best way to protect your products. Photo Source: (c) ArenaCreative - Fotolia.com Casio consumers will get the scoop on product upgrades and special promotions. Most importantly, if you register your products, you will receive an extended warranty on select models so you can rest easy knowing that your electronics are covered even if something goes wrong. To learn more, visit www.Casio.com.

Customize Your Settings Read your customer manual.

Doing so will help you become better acquainted with your device so you can maximize its functionality. You’ll be able to better troubleshoot issues as they arise and gain insights into customizing your device to suit your needs.

For example, you can set up your tablet to automatically connect to a Wi-Fi network when it’s in range, so you use less of your cellular data. Additionally, you can create shortcut icons to access the apps you use most frequently, as well as customize screen brightness to reduce your battery use.

For calculators, reading the manual may even help you with your academic or job assignments, as these resources often contain examples of common math problems and how to use your calculator to solve them.

Be a savvy consumer. Don’t just buy the best gear; make sure you’re getting the most you can out of your technology.

SOURCE: StatePoint.

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Branding

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• kind, grade, or make, as indicated by a stamp, trademark, or the like: example: the best brand of coffee.

• to promote as a brand name.

To advertise: Having a weekly budget is wise planning, most successful businesses plan for the entire year.

Businesses set apart 7 - 8% or more for advertising from their revenue.

• 10,000 copies weekly.

• Reaching 150 locations.

• Broadsheet publication.

Plan and Execute: Plan your mode of advertising, print or online, video or banner ads, e-mail blasts, there are several ways which can be combined to get you Results over time.

VOICE OF ASIA

The largest newsweekly for Asian Americans and South Asian families, reaching Fort Bend, Harris and Brazoria Counties...

has been helping businesses for 25 years, since 1987 to get their message heard, time and again, to get them new and repeat customers.

If you are a brand new business or an existing one that needs direction, needs to get noticed, needs new customers, sign up and stay with us!

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