Voice of Asia March 20 2015 by VoiceOf Asia

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FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

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Vol. 28 No. 12 Friday, March 20, 2015 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Asia Society’s Tiger Ball 2015 roars Renu Khator, UH President success, sets a record high! and System Chancellor, Elected ACE Board Chair

OUSTON, TX- (March 13, 2015) - Tiger Ball, the signature event of Asia Society Texas Center, raised nearly $1.3 million at its Thursday night gala in the Museum District, the most successful event in the agency’s 35 year history.

March 16, 2015 - Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston (UH) System and president of UH, has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (ACE), the major coordinating body for the country’s colleges and universities.

The international coterie of 700 came from all corners of the globe, including the crème de la crème of Houston’s business and society circles. Guests strolled down the red carpet into the illuminated Chevron Gala Pavilion, named for the event’s presenting corporate sponsor. With a golden dragon greeting guest, the lavish reception continued until dinner began in the worldclass Yoshio Taniguchi-designed building. Dessert and dancing rounded out the evening back in the Pavilion.

Khator became board chair during ACE’s 97th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. She succeeds James H. Mullen, Jr., president of Allegheny College (PA), and will serve for one year. Before becoming ACE Board chair, Khator served as vice chair.

Led by an inﬂuential contingent of co-chairs – Anne and Albert Chao and Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron – the gala celebrated 35 years of Asia Society in Houston and honored long-time chairman Charles Foster and his wife, Lily Chen Foster. The annual gala garnered almost $1.3 million to support Asia Society programs, educational activities, and exhibitions – all furthering the mission of bringing East and West together. Continued on Page 9

Dr. Renu Khator

Continued on Page 4

Lily and Charles C. Foster. Photo by Jenny Antill.

TiE Energy Special Interest Group Announcement

OUSTON, TX (March 5, 2015) TiE Houston has ofﬁcially launched an Energy Special Interest Group within the TiE Community. This new initiative, led by TiE Houston Board Member and President of iEducate, Dr. Roopa Gir, aims to strengthen entrepreneurship in the energy sector by leveraging the strong technology of the entrepreneurial community within TIE Houston and TIE Global (spread across 61 chapters in 18 countries). Our goal is to allow energy entrepreneurs access to private funding and corporate leadership. Continued on Page 9

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ACE’s membership also elected Georgetown University (DC) President John J. DeGioia vice chair; and Nancy J. McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System, secretary.

Ram Shenoy (CTO, ConocoPhillips), Mario Ruscev (CTO, Baker Hughes), and Jim Sledzik (Sr. Partner and President, Energy Ventures Houston), with Vikram Rao (ex- CTO Halliburton). Photo by Kalith Talison, Reﬂection Media Inc.

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by Mark Weisbrot for US Today , March 17, 2015.

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

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hould the Federal Reserve raise interest rates in order to create more unemployment and keep wages from rising? If the question were asked that way, the vast majority of Americans would say, “No!”

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

Hold the Fed accountable: Opposing view

It is not posed in this manner, even though economists — including Fed economists — and many journalists who write for the business press know that this is exactly what the Fed will be doing when it raises interest rates. Of course, the justification is that we “need” to do this in order to keep inflation from rising to harmful levels. But the Consumer Price Index is actually down slightly for the year ending in January; in other words, inflation is in negative territory. Why should anyone want to increase unemployment just to keep inflation down? When the Fed increases unemployment, it increases it twice as much for African Americans as for everyone else. And higher unemployment also reduces wage growth much more for African-American workers and lower-wage workers. Across the board, more unemployment translates very directly into more income inequality. This is no time to be increasing unemployment and inequality, and pushing down wages. Median household income in

INDIA

ometimes political mobilisation and not socio-educational backwardness decides the distribution of the benefits of reservation for specific communities in education and jobs. While striking down the inclusion of Jats in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBC), the Supreme Court voiced its opposition to the State’s tendency to go by the “perception of the self-proclaimed socially backward class” in deciding the beneficiaries of reservation quotas. The Jats spread across nine States are relatively more prosperous than many other communities in northern India but they used their numerical superiority to influence and pressure the government into including them in the OBC quota. The state should not be influenced by political considerations and it must exercise great care in identifying emerging forms of backwardness. Past mistakes or “wrong inclusions” in the reservation list, according to the judgment, could not be the basis for further additions. However,

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images) the U.S. is still down about 3% since the recession ended in mid-2009. For the vast majority of the workforce, wages have stagnated or declined since 1979. Meanwhile, in the ﬁrst three years of the current economic recovery, the top 1% of Americans received 91% of all income gains.

existence, there is a grass-roots movement to hold America’s central bank accountable to the voters, citizens and working people of this country. A coalition led by the Center for Popular Democracy is “Fed Up” and trying to make sure that the Fed doesn’t cut off wage growth before it even gets rolling.

Fortunately, for probably the ﬁrst time in the Fed’s century of

If America is to shed the title of “Land of Inequality,” this is

how it is going to happen: by more people becoming aware of how the Fed’s monetary policy affects them and demanding that it change. Mark Weisbrot is co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D.C. He is also the author of the forthcoming book Failed: What the “Experts” Got Wrong About the Global Economy.

Determining backwardness the court was careful not to dismiss any change to the list of OBCs. On the contrary, Justice Ranjan Gogoi who wrote the judgment directed the government to recognise emerging socially and educationally backward groups such as transgenders, who are among the most distressed, for the grant of reservation beneﬁts. The judgment is thus important not only for its articulation of the rationale for identifying the groups that need to be kept out of the reservation system — politically dominant and economically prosperous caste groups — but also for its support for the inclusion of heavily dis-

advantaged groups such as transgenders, who cannot ordinarily be classified as a social class. Closely linked to the setting of norms for identifying new groups for reservation benefits is the court’s downplaying of the importance of caste in deciding reservation benefits. While caste was indeed a prominent reason for historical injustice in the country, it could not be the sole decider of backwardness of a class. Instead, new practices, methods and yardsticks would have to be continuously evolved moving away from the caste-centric definition of backwardness,

the court ruled. Surely, the fact that the previous United Progressive Alliance government notiﬁed the reservation for Jats despite advice to the contrary from the National Commission for Backward Classes played no small part in counter-posing historical injustice to emerging forms of backwardness in a changing society. But the question that arises is about the exclusion of castes and social groups already in the reservation list in a continuously evolving society. The court might have left a small opening for revisiting the whole list of reservation beneﬁciaries in the light of new socio-economic realities. Courtesy: The Hindu

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FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

Second Front Page

Friday, March 20, 2015 • www.voiceofasiaonline.com • Page 3 • Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com • Tel: 713-774-5140

ATY – For the fourth successful year, Ashirwad’s Vedic Fair 2015, themed Fun, Flamboyant, Festive drew impressive crowds on Saturday March 14th, 2015 from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Seven Lakes High School in Katy TX. The Indian cultural expo recreated the Vedic era complete with spectacular Goloka diorama of Golok, Gokul, Mathura designed by Ashirwad’s creative team. An alluring 5 feet tall ice sculpture of Lord Sri Krishna enhanced the ambience of the fair. Sriman Sudarsana Venkatesa Iyengar Swami ji performed Sri Gopala Krishna pooja for the visitors who were also offered prasad from Dwaraka, Vridavan and Tirupati. At 4 PM India Exhibit Presentations Competition to Experience Bharath (India) began with diverse presentations on Indian lifestyle, health, rivers, dance, music, gods, temples, states, festivals, kings, scientists and sports were brilliantly presented by young generation of Indo-American descent. Bhavana Gollapudi was winner and Ayushi Sapru was runner up in 10 and above category. Ananya Bhonsley and Annika Ahuja were winner and runner up in 9 and below category. As per polls taken for India Exhibit Presentations by Vedic Fair visitors, people’s choice award went to Srinidhi Srikalyani. Cooking Competition winner was Renu Ahuja for her healthy dishes: Quinoa/Red Rice Cutlets with Mango Salsa and Fruit Berry Drink with Chia Seeds and Manisha Mohta was runner up for her dish Haryali Paneer and Mughlai Paratha. Explore to Enjoy, Free How 2 workshops on Indian Arts and Lifestyle on Yoga, Meditation, Rangoli Art, Henna Tattoos, Classical Dance, Selﬁe in Saree Styles, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Dandiya Dance, Bhangra Dance, Dhoti, were well attended. Vedic Bazaar the Shopping, Soliciting, Socializing and feasting street made up of 20+ booth vendors was packed all the way till close. Talent Showcase at Vedic Fair 4 began with Ashirwad’s Sloka-League comprising of Sravya Dutta, Karishmaa Sharat Babu, Aishani Sakalabhaktula, Srinidhi Srikalyani, Harshini Kaparaju, Ananya Bhonsley, Anika Ravishankar and Saanika HalapetI reciting Sri Vishnu sahasranama slokas

Ashirwad’s Vedic Fair 2015 An All-In-One India Experience

Top: A scene from drama ‘The Blue Man’ Below: Gorgeous Goloka diorama.

without seeing. Audience well applauded Sloka-League reciting slokas by number chosen randomly by them. Abhinaya School of Performance Arts students performed ﬂamboyant “Kunidaado Krishna” dance performance choreographed by Guru Indrani Parthasarathy. Followed by KIDS Vedic Walk, a dazzling show case of Sri Krishna Leelas, was cheerfully applauded by the audience. KRISHNA – The Blue Man, prime time mega play directed by Ashirwad’s Chief Teacher and Vedic Fair Chair Srimathi Geetha Ravula with 50+ Houston artists delightfully depicted life story of Lord Krishna in fascinating Indian attire, dazzling jewelry, action, dialogue, drama and dance that

Bhavana Gollapudi Winner of India Exhibit Presentations 10 and above.

kept audience interested. Play started with a narration about Krishna, The Blue Man and the need for current generation to listen to the stories of Krishna that happened eons ago. Play depicted a few episodes from the life story of Krishna that delivered a message for current times. The highlight of the play is Tula Baram, where Krishna sits in one pan and was measured by his wife Satyabama in the other pan pouring all her wealth. Krishna’s pan doesn’t move a bit for all the jewelry she pours in and only goes up for a Tulsi Leaf full of devotion. This incident was precisely depicted by a real stage prop that actually moved up with a drop of tulsi leaf as seen in the picture. In this episode Krishna tells that he cannot be measured by wealth and can only be reached through devotion or love. He delivers a beautiful message that ego, jealousy, greed, anger, lust are vices that destroy our soul but devotion to GOD is a nectar that burns these vices away. If everyone loves every being on this earth and has unshaken faith on GOD then we will see a better world. All-in-All Vedic Fair 4 was a phenomenon for show casing various diversities of Bharat (India) in high quality which is relevant to the young Indo-American generation to carry forward the torch of i-Lifestyle (Indian Lifestyle). Ashirwad A Blessing’s Chief Teacher Geetha Ravula thanked Ashirwad’s Vedic Fair team and families, play artists, performers, How 2 Workshop Leads, sponsors and supporters: Shri Sitaram Foundation, Hindus of Greater Houston, Subhash Gupta, Sachin Sharma, Radha Sharma, Sukhi Kohli, Anand and Dr. Ashima Chauhan, Mandap Creations, Frontier Consulting, ISKCON, Sanatan Hindu Center, India Culture Center, Gujarati Samaj of Houston, Katy Indian Cultural Association, Islamic Society of Greater Houston, Sikh Center of Houston, JVB Preksha Meditation Center, Universal Door Meditation Center, Vedic Bazaar Vendors and Media friends. Ashirwad A Blessing Temple announced Lord Rama’s abode SAKET LOK and prime time play “RAMA – LORD of 16” as Vedic Fair 2016 highlights. For updates visit FB page facebook.com/VedicFair or AshirwadABlessing.org.

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FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

UH Professor chosen as Fulbright Specialist to The People’s Lawyer participate as Field Expert www.peopleslawyer.net Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Security deposit should not be used for last month’s rent Q. My apartment lease was up in December. Since that time we have had a month-tomonth agreement. I am now moving out. I gave proper notice. I am afraid my landlord will not return my security deposit. Can I require the landlord to use my security deposit for the last month’s rent? A. A security deposit is designed to compensate the landlord for damage to the apartment. Under the Texas Security Deposit Law, assuming the tenant gave proper notice and a forwarding address, a landlord must either return the security deposit or give written notice of why it is being withheld within 30 days of when the tenant moves out. A landlord who violates this law is considered to be acting in bad faith, and can owe the tenant three times the deposit plus $100. Under the law, however, a tenant cannot require the landlord to use the deposit to cover the last month’s rent. In fact, if a tenant does, the landlord has the right to sue for three times the deposit plus another $100. My advice is to pay your rent, and if your security deposit is not properly returned, use the Texas Security Deposit Law. To see more about Texas landlord tenant law, visit my website, www.peopleslawyer.net Q. I was involved in a three-car accident. I was nor at fault. The other two drivers admit it was not my fault, but both denied their responsibility, saying it was the other driver’s fault. Each insurance company denied my claim and told me to go to the other insurance company. What can I do to get the costs of repairing my car? A. As you have learned, an insurance company is responsible only for acts of its insured, and if the insured denies liability the insurance company usually will refuse to pay unless you can prove it was the insured’s fault. In your case, both parties are blaming the other, and the insurance companies are simply going to wait and see who is responsible. One way of resolving this is to ﬁle a claim against both parties in justice court. In court, each party will have to tell his or her story to the judge and the judge determines liability. It may be that each is at fault and judge will assign 50% of the blame to each driver. Once liability is determined, the insurance companies should pay. Q. Am I entitled to a paid leave when I have a child? My employer has told me any leave will be without pay. A. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, you may be entitled to up to 12 weeks leave, depending on the size the company and how long you have worked there. The law, however, does not require that the leave be with pay. Although many businesses grant employees a paid maternity leave, all you may be legally entitled to is an unpaid leave. Q. My 17-year-old daughter is living with her boyfriend. They tell everyone they are married. Do they have a common law marriage? A. Generally, to establish a common law marriage, a couple must agree to be married, live together as married, and hold themselves out as married. After that, they would have a common law marriage. In this case, however, it doesn’t matter what your daughter does. In Texas, a person under the age of 18 cannot have a common law marriage. Q. What is a Power of Attorney for Health Care? A. This is the document that allows you to designate another person to make medical decisions regarding your health care in the event you are unable to do so. To be valid, the document must be signed by two witnesses. A Medical Power of Attorney for Health Care may be revoked by notifying either the agent or the your health care provider orally or in writing, of your intent to revoke. For more information about the Medical Power of Attorney for Health care and a free copy check out my website below. Do you want to know more about your legal rights? Visit my website, www.peopleslawyer.net

Rupa Iyer, PhD

r. Rupa Iyer, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies of the College of Technology at the University of Houston has been recommended for the Fulbright Specialist Roster after receiving the endorsement from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Institute of International Education’s Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES). The Specialist Roster is a prestigious list of experts who provide assistance with projects requiring their specialized knowledge, skills or research. The roster includes a list of all candidates who are eligible to

Technology and the founding director for Biotechnology programs. Her research is in the area of environmental biotechnology with applications in bioremediation.

“Dr. Iyer’s appointment as a Fulbright Specialist is a tribute to her distinguished career in biotechnology and adds an esteemed honor to a full list of achievements at the University of Houston,” said Paula Myrick Short, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost upon learning the news of Iyer’s candidacy.

Iyer has received a multitude of recognition, awards, and grants for her outstanding contributions to the university and her ﬁeld such as: the University of Houston Excellence in Teaching Award, 2014; Fluor Award for Service Excellence, College of Technology, 2013; Summer Undergraduate Research Award (SURF) Mentor Award, 2013; and the Outstanding Indian Award, teaching, India Culture Center, 2011; among others.

Iyer earned a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Michigan State University and obtained a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Mumbai in India. She conducted her postdoctoral studies in the M.D Anderson Cancer Research Center, Houston. Iyer has been part of the College of Technology since 2005 as a credentialed associate professor with an impressive curriculum vitae. Iyer was named Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in 2014, in addition to her appointment as the Director for Center for Life Sciences

“Rupa joins the ranks of the elite with this nomination. She is the ﬁrst Fulbright Specialist Roster candidate we have had since I came to UH. As a result, we expect to see many more accomplishments coming from her program and the College of Technology,” said Jaime Ortiz, Vice Provost for Global Strategies and Studies. “I am very excited and look forward to implementing and disseminating the interdisciplinary research based program created, designed, and developed right here in UH. Dr. Ortiz’s assistance during the application process was very crucial to my success,” Iyer said of her achievement.

Renu Khator, .. Elected ACE Board Chair Continued from Page 1 “It will be a privilege to serve as chair of the American Council on Education during a period of major challenges and enormous opportunities for higher education,” Khator said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on key issues such as college completion, global competitiveness and innovation.” The UH System’s ﬁrst woman chancellor and the ﬁrst Indian immigrant to head a comprehensive research university in the United States, Khator

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

assumed her post in January 2008. As chancellor, Khator oversees a system that serves nearly 70,000 students, has an annual budget that exceeds $1.5 billion and has a $3.8 billion-plus economic impact on the Greater Houston area each year. As president, she is the chief executive ofﬁcer of the largest and oldest of the four UH System universities. During her tenure, UH has experienced record-breaking research funding, enrollment and private support. In 2011, UH became a Tier One university, with the Carnegie Foundation elevating it into the top

category of research universities. A noted scholar in the ﬁeld of global environmental policy, Khator has published numerous books and articles on the subject. Prior to her appointment, she was provost and senior vice president at the University of South Florida, capping a 22year career at that institution. Khator was born in Uttar Pradesh, India, earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kanpur. She received her master’s and Ph.D. in political science from Purdue University (IN).

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VOICE OF ASIA 5

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

A Magical Experience of Colors at Radha Madhav Dham, Austin TX

fter weeks of cold and gloomy weather, Saturday, March 7, turned out to be a cool spring day – warmed up somewhat with the sun trying to peek in from behind the clouds. Despite the lingering cold and threats of rain, more than 4,000 people gathered to celebrate the Indian festival of Holi.

Nikhilanand Ji explained to the audience how to practically integrate this devotional remembrance into their fun festivities. At 6:00 p.m. sharp, gulal play began with loud cries of “Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, Holi Hai!”, reverberating throughout the grounds – as it was sung by the live band and repeated by the thousands of participants playing Holi. The atmosphere quickly turned vibrant, exuberant and joyful – bright ﬂorescent colors of spring could be seen ﬂying everywhere, creating clouds of pink, purple, blue and red hues in the air. The live band was electrifying as it brought the entire crowd to its feet, dancing in excitement and merriment. Young and old, male and female, Indian and Western – all opened their hearts, sharing of the joy and in celebration of the human values of compassion, forgiveness and love, which underlies the spirit of this colorful Indian festival called Holi.

The sights, tastes and sounds of India greeted people as they strolled around the 200 acres of beautiful Temple grounds, along with chirping of birds, beautiful peacocks and deer that came to witness the scene. The Holi Mela, hosted by community volunteers, was enjoyed by Indians and Westerners alike, who ﬂocked around the food booths eager to taste the delectable Indian dishes being prepared right in front of them – freshly prepared dosas, paav bhaji, chhole bhature, papdi chaat and samosas, along with mango lassi and sweets like hot jalebis and gulab jamuns, not to mention the delicately spiced garam chai for a cold day. Kids were transported into a fun world of games, as they rolled around the grass inside a Zorb ball, jumped up and down in the Bounce house, toured the grounds in a mini train, watched funny clowns festooned with painted faces – all were delighted to be spending a fun day with

Holi revellers at the Radha Madhav Dham in Austin, Texas. friends and family. Inside the Prayer Hall, the deities of Radha and Krishn looked stunning in a new Holi Shringar (adornments) with heaps of colorful Holi powder and decorated

Devotees seen spraying colors as they play Holi

pichkaris placed at their feet, creating create a colorful depiction of Holi, as played in the land of Braj (Vrindavan) in India, 5000 years ago when Radha Krishna descended on this Earth

Planet. All Temple programs celebrated the spiritual aspect of Holi, enabling loving remembrance of Krishna’s mischief in the play of

Holi with Gopis in Vrindaban, and bringing to life the theme of “Braj Style” Holi. Uplifting Braj kirtans, and fun folk dances showcased Krishna’s naughty leelas. The speech by Swami

Children get to play many games on Holi

In the words of one enthralled visitor, Holi at Radha Madhav Dham was a magical experience - “It’s the best, it’s so magical, I want to thank the temple for letting my children experience our culture in this way” For more on this Holi event, check out their Facebook page for event photos at www.facebook.com/RadhaMadhavDham.

Families gather at the Dham to celebrate Holi

Part 1 How Vastu affects your workplace? Every employee is an asset and ensure optimum productivity for an organization’s growth. Founder, manager and executive together lead a company forward. While various motivational and corporate trainers try their best to keep the workforce motivated, at times simple Vastu tips can do wonders like no other means. They play a significant role in not just energizing the entire office environment but also induce positivity thus ensuring a harmonious work culture. Just focusing on simple things like office location, sitting arrangements and color scheme can ensure a complete turnaround. Your workstation, walls, furniture and sitting arrangement if done following simple Vastu Shastra tips can do wonders to your efficiency. Keep these suggestions in mind to enjoy a joyous work ambience.

Chetan Patel

Ofﬁce Workstations and its effects

Since most of the interior designers and architects who join MahaVastu Course wish to know about Vastu guidelines for workstations in ofﬁces, we suggest them that workstations for different proﬁles need individual customization.

Workstation for Marketing Professionals Marketing professionals must avoid blue and black accessories and place their workstation in South zone. Their seats can be maroon or brown in color and they can experiment with green color to get beneﬁts from contacts. Ideally they should face North to attract more money and newer opportunities.

Workstation for Sales Persons Sales professionals should place their workstations in East zone and avoid yellow and grey colored accessories. Their seats can be blue or brown in color. According to 45 powers of alchemy in Vastu shastra, green color will help them develop contacts with new customers. They should sit facing West to attract more sales order.

Workstation for Strategists and Senior Management

Senior professionals are required to plan for an organisation, so they should sit in NorthEast Vastu zone facing West. This will generate better planning ideas. Red and dark yellow colors should be avoided by them for both seat covers and accessories.

Workstation for Management Professionals In order to execute and implement plans more efﬁciently and effectively, management professionals are advised to sit in the West Vastu zone facing East. Red and green colors are a complete no for seat covers and accessories.

Ofﬁce Color scheme and the effect it creates on business.

‘Have a bright and colorful day’ is a greeting that instantly makes us imagine vibrant images. Colors are not just most powerful stimulant for our eyes but also impact our thoughts. Colors can either make us depressed or actually uplift our mood and leave a positive impression on our mind.

Contact for 2-Day Vastu Foundation Course which is going to be held on April 11-12

The writer, Chetan Patel a well-known MahaVastu Expert of Houston is also CEO of MahaVastu Houston. He is fully dedicated and well equipped to guide people on every problem related with Vastu Shastra.

Contact + 832 412 2827 • 832 269 9000 chetan.patel@mahavastu.com

DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

Infosys leads 5 Indian projects Pancreatic cancer researcher shortlisted for Green Oscars named NSW Woman of the Year

T giant Infosys leads five Indian clean energy projects that have been shortlisted for the annual Ashden Awards, referred to as the Green Oscars, here Wednesday. The awards recognise worldwide contributions towards green energy initiatives and a move away from fossil fuels. Infosys has been nominated in the ‘Ashden Award for Sustainable Buildings’ category for the Bangalore-based company’s cutting edge design of new buildings which helps keep offices cooler and maximises natural light. “Since 2008, global IT giant Infosys has cut more than USD 80 million from its energy bills and reduced electricity consumption per staff member by 44 per cent. Its success lies in seizing every opportunity to reduce energy consumption in its existing buildings — from reducing the size of chiller plants for air conditioning, to painting roofs white so they reflect the heat,” reads the award nomina-

tion statement. The other ﬁnalists include two projects from Maharashtra — Sakhi Unique Rural Enterprise (SURE) and Greenway Grameen — which have been nominated in the ‘Ashden Clean Energy for Women and Girls Award’ category. SURE is a not-for-proﬁt social enterprise in central Maharashtra that has selected, trained and supported more than 600 women micro-entrepreneurs to sell clean energy products like solar lanterns and cleaner cookstoves to other women. Mumbai-based Greenway Grameen’s mission is to provide an affordable, desirable cookstove to improve quality of life for Indian women. The Rajasthan Horticulture Development Society has been shortlisted for the ‘USAID Ashden Energy for Agriculture Award’ for its solar-powered water pump project and Mera Gao Power from Uttar Pradesh has been nominated in the ‘Citi

Ashden Award for Innovation in Finance’ category for pioneering the use of unsubsidised commercial micro grids, which have so far connected more than 20,000 families to clean, affordable power. “India is a hotbed of innovation in sustainable energy: from social enterprises that are meeting the energy needs of some of the poorest people in the country, to an IT giant that’s achieving staggering energy savings across all its business campuses. “Together all ﬁve organisations are leading examples of what can be achieved. The rest of the world should take note,” said Ashden Awards founder Sarah Butler-Sloss. A total of 14 Ashden Award winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London on May 22. Winners will receive up to 40,000 pounds and global recognition as one of 2014’s green energy leaders.(PTI).

US woman faces 25 years in prison for killing Indian man

EW YORK: A 33year-old woman in the US faces up to 25 years in prison for pleading guilty to pushing an Indian man to death in front of a subway train in 2012. Erika Menendez, a resident of Queens, New York, pleaded guilty before Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory Lasak last Friday for shoving Sunando Sen, 46, to death as

the subway train entered the station on the night of December 27 2012. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Menendez had admitted committing “what is every subway commuter’s worst nightmare - being suddenly and senselessly pushed into the path of an oncoming train.” He said Sen was shoved

from behind and had no chance to defend himself. Lasak has indicated he would sentence her to between 22 and 25 years in prison on April 29. According to the criminal complaint, Menendez was observed talking to herself and pacing back and forth on the subway platform around 8 pm.

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UNSW pancreatic cancer researcher, Professor Minoti Apte has been named the 2015 NSW Woman of the Year for her contributions to medical research, tertiary education and the Indian community. Dan Wheelahan

NSW pancreatic cancer researcher Professor Minoti Apte OAM has been named the 2015 NSW Woman of the Year for her contributions to medical research, tertiary education and the Indian community. Professor Apte, from the South Western Sydney Clinical School, received the award from NSW Premier Mike Baird and the Minister for Women Pru Goward during a reception at NSW Parliament House today. Based at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Professor Apte is director of the Pancreatic Research Group and is an acknowledged worldleader in alcohol-induced pancreatic injury and pancreatic cancer. “Alongside her impressive career successes, Professor Apte is an active member of the Marathi Association of Sydney, an organisation that serves Sydney’s significant Indian population,” Premier Baird said, adding that her achievements inspire other women to follow in her footsteps. Professor Apte investigates pancreatic cancer at a cellular level to find out how and why the cancer is so aggressive and spreads so quickly. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers with a five-year

Professor Minoti Apte survival rate of just 6%.

ance family and career.

She was the ﬁrst in the world to develop a method to isolate pancreatic stellate cells, a technique which provided a much needed research tool for studying the path that pancreatic ﬁbrosis (scarring of the pancreas) takes.

“Inequality and disadvantage for women returning to work remains a big problem in Australia and more work needs to be done in this area,” Professor Apte said.

She is currently leading preclinical studies that are primed to suggest new treatments for pancreatic cancer – the ﬁfth leading cause of all cancer deaths in Australia. Accepting the award Professor Apte called on state and federal governments to make increased funding in medical research a higher priority. She also called for better support for women seeking to bal-

Sen was on the platform waiting for the train’s arrival when suddenly Menendez approached him from behind and shoved him onto the tracks as the train came into the station.

force trauma.

Sen was struck by the train and died of multiple blunt

She had also said that even though the attack on Sen was

Menendez had later told authorities that her hatred for “Hindus and Muslims” prompted her to push Sen off the subway platform.

“UNSW is leading the way when it comes to family-friendly workplace arrangements and supporting women who want to balance family with pursuing a career in science, academia or medical research. “In winning the award I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful support of members of the Pancreatic Research Group, my current PhD students Zhihong Xu and Sri Pothula and my mentors Professor Jeremy Wilson and Professor Ron Pirola.” (UNSW news)

too sudden, he had still tried to save himself brieﬂy before he fell onto the tracks. Sen, an immigrant from India had lived in Queens for years and had opened his own printing and copying business near Columbia University.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

Rama Navami - Celebrate Lord Rama’s Appearance Day at ISKCON of Houston On Saturday, March 28th.

any millennia ago, in an age what the Vedic scriptures call Treta Yuga, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead descended on earth as Lord Ramachandra in Ayodhya. Born to King Dasharatha and his chaste wife Kaushalya on the 9th day of the month of Chaitra, Lord Rama exemplified the perfect person as is recorded in the great epic Ramayana. He demonstrated characteristics of an ideal king, an exemplary brother and a devoted husband. For worshippers of Vishnu or Krishna, Rama Navami is a very auspicious day as it signifies the appearance of the revered incarnation who defined principles of dharma and righteousness. Devotees observe a fast and chant the holy names of the Lord with sincerity. Many also prefer to read from sacred scriptures like the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Ramayana that describe His extraordinary pastimes. On Saturday, March 28th, ISKCON of Houston will be celebrating this festival starting at 5 pm. There will be a discourse discussing the glories of Sri Rama and His pas-

times from the Ramayana. This will be followed by sacred worship with aarti and chanting of holy names. There will be cultural programs with drama presentations and more. These will be followed with a grand feast.

with love and devotion. Come join in for the festivities! Jai Sri Ram!

Rama Navami is a chance for all of us to cleanse ourselves of all negativity and ﬁll our hearts

Connect with us: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Iskcon of Houston | 1320 West 34th St, Houston, TX 77018 | www.iskconhouston. org

Hindus of Greater Houston appoints new President

he recent appointment of long time Houstonian Anshuman Desai as the president of HGH heralds the emergence and establishment of “One voice,” a “united Hindu voice.” Desai, is proud of his Hindu Identity and not shy of showing his Hindu pride. He has committed himself to reinvigorate the HGH, by focusing on the organization’s mission, goals and objectives to ensure that HGH will reﬂect and resonate as the authentic voice of all Hindus in the greater Houston area.

Anshuman Desai

Recognizing the enormous efforts by all the past leaders having created an enormous presence of Hindus in Houston, the new president is keen and determined to take it to higher plains and be recognized as the oldest and third largest faith of humanity by the mainstream of Americans. Desai’s spirit of volunteerism and his success in mentoring the youth bear testimony to his ability and skills in shaping an inﬂuential Hindu community organization.

Desai thanks his mother for imbibing in him the interest in volunteerism as she used to work as a nurse’s helper in Municipal Hospital in Ahmedabad, offering her services in all areas, including cleaning the premises. The family’s status did not interfere with her attitude of rendering help to others, without being asked to do so. His father, who was a leading educator in Gujarat, came to the U.S. in 1955 as a Fulbright scholar to do his master’s in education at Columbia University. It was his father who instilled in

young Anshuman the mentoring skills that has become his habit in all dealings. Desai himself came to the U.S. in 1977 to do his master’s degree in industrial engineering. The new president may not be too involved in religious rituals, but places greater emphasis on “Karma Yoga” and “Jnana Yoga,” that is to do service and to nurture spiritual knowledge. For more than 10 years at Chinmaya Mission Houston he was in charge of Youth and Family activities and various special

projects. Though not an active member of the Jain community, he dedicated his work at the Jain Center Houston at a critical time by leading a team of youngsters in completing the temple construction. He was able to play a critical role in installing the deities and help open the temple on time in 1995. Other organizations he has participated are JVP Preksha Meditation Center and the Mahatma Gandhi Library. For more on Desai visit www. voiceofasiaonline.com

12th Annual India House Gala Unity In Diversity

Keynote Speaker Carl Lewis

Saturday, March 21, 2015 6:30 pm to Midnight Grand Patron

Gala Chair: Devi Prasad Rungta Supporters

Bal & Rita Sareen

Patron

Suresh Shenoy

Durga & Sushila Agrawal

Amit & Arpita Bhandari

Rakesh & Shonali Agrawal

Virendra & Nalini Mathur

Charlie Patel

Gopal & Urvashi Savjani Jugal & Raj Malani Ram A. & Radha Rani Gupta

Dalip S & Manjit Soni

Council Arun & Vinodini (Vinni) Verma Ashok & Mohini Bhambhani

Sponsors

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Naresh & Madhu Mittal

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Ravi & Aruna Goel

Manish & Manju Rungta

Sewa Singh & Kuldip Legha

Rajinder & Kanwal Bhalla

Suresh & Krishna Agrawal

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VOICE OF ASIA 9

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

TiE Energy Special Interest Group Asia Society’s Tiger Ball 2015 .... Announcement Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

ntrepreneurship has always creatively destroyed the status quo and delivered innovative breakthroughs when times are tough, such as the current oil price environment. The launch event, “Innovating in the Oil and Gas Industry: Opportunities for Entrepreneurs” was held at the HESS Club in Houston and attended by a sellout crowd of almost 200 technologists, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and industry professionals.

Among supporters sighted were Nancy Allen, Lydia and James Chao, Chinhui and Eddie Allen, Lynn Wyatt, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Isla and T.R. Reckling III, Maria and Neil Bush,

About Asia Society Texas Center With 11 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and

Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron

Durga and Sushila Agrawal

Sushila and Durga Agrawal, Muffet Blake, Nancy T. Chang, Chevron’s Joni Baird, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Mandy Kao and artist Mel Chin, who contributed artwork to the auction.

the United States. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.

Field Advisor, Baker Hughes (TiEHOUSTON)

targeted at the broader community.

Sammy Haroon, TiE Silicon Valley Charter Member and Director of Baker Hughes’ Palo Alto Innovation Center, emceed the event, which consisted of a stellar panel composed of Ram Shenoy (CTO, ConocoPhillips), Mario Ruscev (CTO, Baker Hughes), and Jim Sledzik (Sr. Partner and President, Energy Ventures Houston), with Vikram Rao (ex- CTO Halliburton) serving as moderator. The panelists examined innovation opportunities for entrepreneurs and discussed cycles of creative destruction in the oil and gas industry. The event was broadcast live and a recorded version will be made available in upcoming weeks. This event is the ﬁrst of a series of local and cross-chapter events that will be hosted in Houston, Denver, and Silicon Valley to start. The next event will be an Energy Track hosted at TiEcon in Silicon Valley, May 15-16, 2015 in Santa Clara, CA. A webcast of that track will be held in late May/ June. Future activities include a Golf Social and Energy-focused Funding Forum in the Fall of 2015. The Energy SIG will examine all aspects of the energy ecosystem, including downstream, midstream, and upstream oil & gas, alternatives, renewables, and retail. According to TiE Houston President Aruna Viswanathan, “Tonight’s event represents a watershed for TiE Houston. It comes with careful consideration as a global audience is watching to see what happens in the energy sector.” Dr. Roopa Gir added that “TiE is the only nonproﬁt that can bring together the entire energy innovation ecosystem and starting with the launch of this SIG in the Energy Capital of the World, TiE Houston will join with other TiE chapters in promoting innovation in the energy sector.”

TiE Houston President Aruna Viswanathan with Vikram Rao

Vic Ahmed - Founder & CEO Innovation Pavilion (TiE-ROCKIES) L-R: Dr. Roopa Gir, Sammy Haroon, Mario Ruscev and guest.

For more information about joining the Energy SIG please contact TiE Houston Executive Director Sehar Javed at admin@houston.tie.org Interested sponsors please contact Dr. Roopa Gir at 713-504-1827. TiE Energy SIG Steering Committee Members

Dr. Roopa Gir- President & CEO, iEducateUSA (TiE-HOUSTON) Sammy Haroon- Director, Palo Alto Innovation Center, Baker Hughes (TiE-SILICON VALLEY) Shantanu Agarwal- Partner, Energy Ventures (TiE-HOUSTON) Shahid Javed- ex-Vice President, Procurement & Supply Chain Management, BP (TiE-HOUSTON) Philippe Flichy- Senior Digital Oil

Shri Iyer- Partner, Three Cities Research (TiE-HOUSTON) About TiE Houston TiE-Houston is an active and engaged community of entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and individuals interested in growing the next generation of entrepreneurs. With over 60 Charter Members and an active General Member base, TiE Houston is actively engaged in the local community working collaboratively with local startup incubators, accelerators, universities, and co-networking spaces to co-host workshops and events

About TiE The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. There are currently 13,000 members, including over 2,500 charter members in 61 chapters across 18 countries. TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TiE’s focus is on generating and nurturing our next generation of entrepreneurs.

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

VOICE OF ASIA 11

LIFESTYLE

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Vol. 28 No. 12 Friday, March 20, 2015 Section 2 Page 11

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

‘World’s most beautiful boulevard’ turns 150

The Austrian Parliament Building (built 1874-1883), designed by Danish architect Theophil Hansen (1813-1891), pictured in Vienna, Austria (AFP Photo/Joe Klamar) by Simon STURDEE IENNA, Austria, In 1857, bushy-whiskered Emperor Franz Joseph proclaimed that his rapidly growing imperial capital Vienna needed a radical makeover befitting Austro-Hungary’s wealth, might and technological prowess. This year, the centrepiece of the mammoth urban engineering project that ensued -- the resplendent, five-kilometre (three-mile) “Ringstrasse” boulevard ringing old Vienna -- turns 150. With its dizzying mix of palaces, museums and public buildings in a chocolate box of different styles, the “Ring” is the “most beautiful boulevard in the world”, the tourist board says. The Austrian capital is marking this with special exhibitions, showing how this street beloved of tourist and architecture aficionados -- including Hitler -- has played a central role in the city’s happiest and darkest days. - ‘Like a museum’ Following Franz Joseph’s decree, the city walls that had kept out two marauding Turkish armies -- but not Napoleon -were torn down, opening up the claustrophobic centre. Inspired by Baron Haussmann’s renovation of Paris and by Ludwig I’s transformation of his Bavarian capital Munich, Vienna summoned the finest architects of the day -- Gottfried Semper, Theophil Hansen and Heinrich von Ferstel.

The theme chosen was “historicism”, giving the designers free rein to give it all they had with designs inspired by bygone epochs in architecture -- and with no expense spared either financially, or in scale. So what sprang up were the soaring “Flemish-Gothic” city hall, a “neo-Renaissance” university, a “neo-Romantic” opera house and the “neo-Classical” parliament, a Hellenist’s wet dream complete with ripped Greek heroes and an imposing Diana statue. Others include the hallowed Burgtheater, the mighty Natural History Museum and its twin the Museum of Art History, the Neue Burg extension to the Hofburg palace and the Votivkirche church -- all in different styles, but still fitting together. “It is fantastic, like a museum of architecture,” said Rainald Franz, art and architecture historian at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), giving AFP a neckcranking tour on a public tram conveniently going round most of the Ring. “The aim was to say to the world this is an international metropolis.” - Superficial splendor Indeed, the Ringstrasse became the main stage for Vienna’s golden era, the boulevard’s glittering cafes a haven for the intellectual elite of the day like composer Gustav Mahler, the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud or artist Gustav Klimt.

And filling the gaps between the public buildings were plush palaces erected by a new, confident and ostentatious class of Viennese grown rich from the vast empire’s rapid industrialisation, many of them Jews. These included for example the Ephrussis, the banking family made famous by Edmund de Waal’s bestselling 2010 family memoir “The Hare with Amber Eyes”. Their former home still stands today -- inhabited by Casinos Austria and next to a McDonald’s. But according to Gabriele Kohlbauer-Fritz, curator of an upcoming exhibition -- “Ringstrasse: A Jewish Boulevard” -at Vienna’s Jewish Museum, this splendour was a facade, and not just for the city’s Jews. “On the one hand there was this wonderful Ringstrasse but at the same time the masses had to fight to survive, both Jews and non-Jews,” she told AFP. Most of the bricks for the Ringstrasse’s buildings were made in vast factories where workers, most of them Czech, would work in horrendous conditions for 15 hours a day, seven days a week, paid in company tokens, not money. People living in “catastrophic” conditions, and the lower middle classes left behind by the Industrial Revolution, became “highly receptive” to anti-Semitism, sowing the seeds for the rise of the Nazis and the Holocaust, Kohlbauer-Fritz said.

People ice-skate in front of the Vienna City Hall, designed in 1883 by Austrian architect Friedrich von Schmidt (1825-1891) (AFP Photo/Joe Klamar) - Hitler connection The man behind that genocide ﬁrst visited Vienna in around 1906 as a teenager, and was blown away by the Ringstrasse. “For hours and hours I could stand in wonderment... The whole Ringstrasse had a magic effect upon me, as if it were a scene from the Thousand And One Nights,” Hitler later recalled in “Mein Kampf”.

He later lived in Vienna between 1908 and 1913, during which time he failed to get into the Academy of Fine Arts, stayed in a homeless shelter and sold respectable paintings of the many buildings on the Ring. And when the failed artist returned in triumph on March 12, 1938 as Nazi dictator, he knew the best place to make a triumphant entrance and announce the “annexation” of his native coun-

try into the Reich -- the Ringstrasse and the balcony of the Neue Burg palace. The same night, with the streets of Vienna ringing with shouts of “Heil Hitler”!, recounts de Waal in “The Hare with Amber Eyes”, the ﬁrst brownshirts barge into and ransack the Ephrussi Palace. It was a foretaste of the tragedy to come. Website: http://www.wien.info/ en/sightseeing/ringstrasse201.

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VOICE OF ASIA 12

TECH NEWS Major US health insurer hacked, affecting 11 million

ASHINGTON - Premera Blue Cross said Tuesday its computer network had been hacked, potentially exposing data from 11 million people, in the second recent such attack on a major US health insurer. Premera said in a statement it discovered on January 29 “that cyberattackers had executed a sophisticated attack” to get into its computer network. An investigation found that the initial attack occurred on May 5, 2014. The company said hackers may have been able to access members’ name, dates of birth, social security numbers, email addresses, bank account data and medical claims information. Including customers and contractors, the total number of people affected could be 11 million, Premera said. The announcement by Premera came six weeks after a similar disclosure from Anthem Blue Cross, which said as many as 80 million customer records may have been compromised. Premera said it was working with the FBI and the private security ﬁrm Mandiant “to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident and to remove the infection created by the attack.” “The security of Premera’s members’ personal information remains a top priority. We at Premera take this issue seriously and sincerely regret the concern it may cause,” said Premera chief executive Jeff Roe. “As much as possible, we want to make this event our burden, not that of the affected individuals, by making services available today to help protect people’s information.” Last year, US retailer Home Depot said 53 million email addresses were stolen, months after fellow retailer Target said the personal data of 70 million customers was accessed. Reports last month said China may have been behind the Anthem hack, a claim that was denied by Beijing.

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

CULTURE

VOICE OF ASIA 13

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

Spring into Easter with these Entertaining Tips

ith Easter around the corner, you’re probably already thinking about creating the perfect Easter baskets and planning a celebration for family and friends. As everyone knows, there’s nothing more delightful and heartwarming than sharing a meal with your loved ones, so sweeten this year’s celebration by surprising your guests with an unforgettable Easter get together.

to offer an assortment of treats, like a selection of milk and dark chocolates, lollypops, springtime trufﬂes, and sour bunnies for pucker-up fun. Always make sure to serve candy and chocolates made with highquality ingredients. American made delicious, See’s Candies is one of the few remaining candy makers that ages its chocolate – a process that imparts a smoother, mellower ﬂavor and elevates the overall taste experience. Gluten-free and with no added preservatives, it’s a great option for entertaining this Easter holiday.

Egg-cellent Ideas

If you’re hosting brunch for friends or a family dinner, celebrate the holiday by creating a beautifully set table. For the centerpiece, create a handmade “nest” out of branches or

Easter Basket

Easter - Photo Source

crinkle paper and place it on top of a cake plate – this is the perfect place to showcase your children’s beautifully decorated eggs. Complement the “egg nest” with small bud vases of single blooms and pastel napkins

to create pops of color around the table. Party Treats Easter wouldn’t be Easter without

For Kids, Books Make Great Easter Surprises

delicious treats! To show you are the host with the most, consider setting up a candy buffet and invite guests to pick a selection of their favorite sweets. Keep in mind that not everyone has the same tastes, so be sure

A-tisket, a-tasket, what to put in guests’ Easter baskets? Answer: candy! No matter what your basket budget is, you can ﬁnd sweet treats in a variety of sizes and price ranges, from hand-decorated Rocky Road Eggs to chocolate bunnies and Orange Cream Lollypops. For more Easter ideas, visit, www.Sees.com or hop on over to See’s Pinterest page for additional inspiration. With a few new twists, your Easter celebration is sure to be a hit this year. Source: StatePoint

My House... Your House... Our House!

India House Activities

The iconic Easter egg should take center stage when it comes to your Easter festivities. And decorating the eggs is its own party! Paints, dyes, stickers, glitter – guided by imagination, the kids will be occupied for hours with the important task of egg decorating, and their memories will last a lifetime! Not up for paint and glitter? How about baking cookies in the shape of Easter eggs for the kids to hand-decorate with festively colored icing?

• ZUMBA Fitness Class: Starts Feb 7th, Saturday 9 am to 10 am • India House Charity Clinic: Every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm - By Appointments Only. • Free Yoga Classes: Every Tuesday & Thursday from 11 am to 12 pm and Every Saturday from 10 am to 11 am. • Free Meditation classes: Every Saturday from 11 am to 11:30 am. • Free Immigration Consultation: Every Saturday from 1 pm to 3pm. Preferred by appointments (Walk-ins may be rescheduled). • Free Family Law Consultation: Every Tuesday from 6 pm to 7 pm. Preferred by appointments (Walk-ins may be rescheduled). • Free Kidney Smart Classes: 4th Thursday of each month from 12 pm to 1:30 pm. • After-School Tutorial Program: Every Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm. • Sareen Clinic (Harris Health System): Every Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 11 am. Bollywood Classes: Sat & Sun. Visit us Online for details: www.indiahouseinc.org For more information and appointments, contact Vipin@indiahouseinc.org or call (713) 929-1900 • 8888 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77031

Read Culture stories on www.VoiceofAsiaOnline.com Children reading books. Photo Source: (c) Serhiy Kobyakov - Fotolia.com

he best way to treat kids this Easter may not be with the typical sweets. While candy is predictable, you can really make a child’s day with a different approach. “This Easter, think books,” says Jaimie Cona, Associate Director of Marketing at DK, a publisher of adult and children’s books. “Fill baskets to the brim with books, and consider including them in your egg hunt.” Here are some titles that are fun enough to be a sugar substitute: • Super Heroes: Discover a thrilling, action-packed world with “LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Amazing Battles!,” which features the bravest of heroes as they foil yet another evil villain’s scheme. Dynamic images and scenes will appeal to reluctant readers. Super hero fans may also love “Ultimate Factivity Collection: Marvel Avengers,” which combines facts about the Earth’s mightiest super heroes – the Avengers – with fun activities and interesting puzzles. • Pop-Out Surprises: Using ﬂaps, touch-and-feel textures and pop-out surprises, “Pop-

Up Peekaboo Farm,” introduces young minds to sheepdogs, tractors, cows, horses and more. • Creepy Crawlies: “Eyewitness Explorer: Bug Hunter” includes more than 30 handson learning activities and stepby-step project instructions. Enter the kingdom of creepy crawlies and learn everything there is to know about beetles, bees, spiders and more. Experiments that can be done at home include raising a caterpillar. • Little Chefs: Encourage your budding chef’s aspirations with creative recipes that are safe for children. The “Mommy & Me Bake” cookbook is designed to offer parents and children the opportunity to work together as a team while teaching basic baking skills. From simple kneading and mixing to creating whimsical and tasty treats, the book empowers kids to experiment in the kitchen. • “Frozen”: For fans of the mega hit film, fill up Easter baskets with a great crop of new picks, including “Frozen: The Essential Guide,” a factfilled reference book about the characters, locations and themes of Disney’s beloved princess tale. A sing-along companion, “Frozen: The Essential Collection,” features

lyrics to the famous songs, as well as a full-color sticker book. “Ultimate Factivity Collection: Disney Frozen,” a jam-packed activity book, combines facts with games, challenges and sticker activities; and aspiring princesses everywhere are sure to love the “Ultimate Sticker Book: Frozen,” which lets kids recreate their favorite scenes from the movie with reusable stickers. • Bedtime: There’s always time for a little play before bedtime. Capture the attention of infants with “Baby Touch & Feel Animals,” which features blankets, stars, sleepy stuffed animals and a range of novelty textures. • ABC’s: Children around the world have fallen in love with Sophie, the popular giraffe teether toy from France. In the “Sophie la girafe” book series, Sophie and her friends teach new concepts, such as colors and basic vocabulary. “Peekaboo ABC” features every letter of the alphabet illustrated by familiar objects found in Sophie’s world. More kids’ book ideas for Easter can be found at www. dk.com. With a few literary surprises, you can indulge more than just your child’s sweet tooth on Easter. Source: (StatePoint)

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Young adults want news, not the newspaper: study by Rob Lever

they â&#x20AC;&#x153;mostly bump into newsâ&#x20AC;? during unrelated online activity, the report said.

Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s young adults want news, but few want to read a newspaper. And most stumble onto news while on Facebook or other social networks.

- Facebook news As a result, Facebook has become a key source of news for the 18-to-34 generation: some 88 percent said they get news from the social network regularly.

Those are among the ďŹ ndings of a survey released Monday of 18- to 34-year-olds by a project of the American Press Institute and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Some 47 percent said they got most of their news on national politics and government from Facebook, 62 percent said the social network was their primary source for news on social issues and 41 percent for international news.

Some 85 percent of â&#x20AC;&#x153;millennialsâ&#x20AC;? surveyed said that keeping up with news is important to them and 69 percent said they get news daily. The researchers said the study appears to allay concerns that young adults are apathetic about the world around them. The millennial generation â&#x20AC;&#x153;spends more time on social networks, often on mobile devices. The worry is that millennialsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; awareness of the world, as a result, is narrow,â&#x20AC;? the authors said. But the ďŹ ndings showed â&#x20AC;&#x153;that this newest generation of American adults is anything but â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;newsless,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; passive or civically

Facebook was the top source of news for 13 of 24 news topics, the survey found. Only 12 percent of young adults surveyed paid for a print newspaper subscription in the past year uninterested.â&#x20AC;?

said.

The study found that young adults donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get news in the same way as their parents and grandparents.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Instead, news and information are woven into an often continuous but mindful way that millennials connect to the world generally, which mixes news with social connection, problem solving, social action and entertainment.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This generation tends not to consume news in discrete sessions or by going directly to news providers,â&#x20AC;? the report

Much of the news young adults get is from social networks such as Facebook, even though they often go to these platforms for other reasons. Just 39 percent said they went online to seek out news or information and 60 percent said

The report said these social news consumers are often drawn into topics they might otherwise have ignored because peers are recommending and commenting on them. Despite the notion that social media creates a polarizing â&#x20AC;&#x153;ďŹ lter bubble,â&#x20AC;? some 70 percent of millennials said their social media feeds are comprised of diverse viewpoints -- evenly

mixed between those who agree and disagree with them. - Who pays? The survey offers a bleak outlook for traditional media like newspapers hoping to boost paid subscribers. Just 12 percent of the respondents said they paid for a print newspaper subscription in the past year, while another 13 percent said they read a newspaper for which someone else pays. Just seven percent in the survey said they paid for a digital subscription to a newspaper. The authors said many of the respondents felt they should not have to pay for news. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We heard the notion that, because news is important for democracy, people feel they should not have to pay for it,â&#x20AC;? the study said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It should be more of a civic right because it is a civic good.â&#x20AC;? The report is based on a survey of 1,046 young adults between January 5 and February 2, with a margin of error estimated at 3.8 percentage points.

Parents brace for another dose of Frozen fever

Characters from the Disney movie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Frozenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perform on a ďŹ&#x201A;oat during the new parade â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anna and Elsaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frozen Fantasyâ&#x20AC;? at Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu on January 13, 2015 (AFP Photo/Toru Yamanaka)

by Eric Randolph with Alice Ritchie in London

ARIS, France (AFP) -Dazed parents wander the aisles of the Disney store in a manic search for the right Elsa dress or Anna doll, the endlessly repeated refrain of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let It Goâ&#x20AC;? ringing in their ears. Are they ready for another instalment of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frozen feverâ&#x20AC;?? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I bloody well hate them all,â&#x20AC;? says one man, staring at the 60-euro ($70) price tag on a shiny turquoise dress. He was one of many grimly determined parents making a dash through the Champs Elysees branch of the Disney store in Paris on Friday, looking for more merchandise to sate the bottomless hunger of their charges back home. The prospect of a Frozen sequel, ofďŹ cially announced a day earlier by Disney, does not ďŹ ll them all with instant delight. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More songs, more marketing? Yes, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re certainly worried,â&#x20AC;? said Sylka Pax from Belgium, who has an eightyear-old girl. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It drives us a little crazy but it has some advantages,â&#x20AC;? she added on reďŹ&#x201A;ection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We took part in a quiz the other day and I immediately recognised the Frozen song in the music section.â&#x20AC;? - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No light at end of tunnelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The parenting world has yet

to recover from the sensory and ďŹ nancial assault launched by Disney in late 2013, when Frozen burst out of nowhere to become the single most important thing in the lives of millions of children. That has meant several hours of Christmas Day lost to the construction of a Frozen castle -- whose broken pieces then become hidden booby traps around the house. It has meant many mornings of struggle to convince a daughter she should wear her school uniform rather than an Anna dress. And it has meant hearing the song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let It Goâ&#x20AC;? more times than is medically advisable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a ďŹ ve-yearold who sings it at the top of her lungs all day -- Let it goooooo!â&#x20AC;? says Disney store shopper Carol AustinGroome, from Britain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And she does not have a good singing voice.â&#x20AC;? She is not alone. Even Prime Minister David Cameron admitted last month to having heard the song â&#x20AC;&#x153;more times than I care to rememberâ&#x20AC;? thanks to his four-yeardaughter Florence who regularly â&#x20AC;&#x153;launches into songâ&#x20AC;? in front of his security detail.

founder Andrew Bloomer, adding that Frozen parties still account for around a quarter of his business.

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He fears for the sanity of some customers if the sequel triggers another wave of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frozen feverâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They saw a light at the end of the tunnel and now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gone,â&#x20AC;? he said. - A desperate search In another aisle at the Disney store, Yusuf Sogul is desperately looking for an Elsa doll before he catches his ďŹ&#x201A;ight back to Istanbul. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My daughter is seven years old. She has phoned us twice today and I have many messages on Whatsapp telling me to get it, but they only have the big one -- it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ t in my luggage,â&#x20AC;? he says, slightly panicked.

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At the London branch of the store, some parents put a more positive spin on the Disney cash-cow, which has become the ďŹ fth-highest grossing ďŹ lm of all time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only movie she has watched all the way through,â&#x20AC;? said Anna, from Gothenburg in Sweden, buying a Frozen bag for her seven-year-old daughter.

Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Little Rascals childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entertainment company says the will to organise Frozen parties has slowly melted away in the past year.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Normally she has ants in her pants but with Frozen she sits and watches it. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good thing. And I love the music.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diminished recently, not really among the kids, but among the parents,â&#x20AC;? says

While some fathers may be dreading the coming ice storm of a Frozen sequel,

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they also know they will have their revenge when an even more powerful force hits the screens. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care less,â&#x20AC;? said London-based father Graeme Harrison. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because the boys and I have now got Star Wars Episodes XII AND XIII movies to look forward to.â&#x20AC;?

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Aishwarya Rai’s ‘Jazbaa’ first look in April

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Shashi Kapoor turns 77; Shabana, Rishi wish him good health

UMBAI: Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, best known for his performances in ﬁlms like “Jab Jab Phool Khile”, “Deewar” and “Kabhi Kabhie”, turned 77 today. His nephew Rishi Kapoor and “Fakira” co-star Shabana Azmi wished the actor health and happiness on his birthday. Rishi took to twitter and posted a rare photo of the handsome actor along with his wishes.

a full ﬁve years.

“Happy Birthday Shashi uncle God Bless good health and all happiness,” tweeted Rishi, who worked with his uncle in many ﬁlms including “Apna Khoon”, “Kabhi Kabhie” and “Duniya Meri Jeb Mein”.

Aish will be seen in a promotional song video for the ﬁlm, but the movie itself will not have any song and dance routines, reports say. Irrfan Khan, Anupam Kher, Atul Kulkarni, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Shabana Azmi are the other stars who are going to be in the movie.

Shashi Kapoor, best known for his performances in ﬁlms like “Jab Jab Phool Khile”, “Deewar” and “Kabhi Kabhie”, turned 77 today.

Shabana thanked the actorproducer for giving Indian cinema the grand Prithvi Theatre, which Shashi built in the memory of his father Prithviraj Kapoor who had dreamt of having a place for his repertory theatre company.

“Happy Birthday #Shashi Kapoorji-most gorgeous man. Khush rahiye sehatmand rahiye (Be happy and healthy)... You have been a trailblazer and a huge inspiration. Prithvi The-

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

EW DELHI: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been off the big screen for many years now and she is all set to make comeback with ﬁlmmaker Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Jazbaa’. The latest buzz about the movie is what the stunning Aish

will look like in the movie, and the fans may not have wait that long. Sanjay took to Twitter to tell the fans about the release of the ﬁrst look of the movie. That sure is good news as people are eager to see the beautiful actress in all her glory after

atre is a legacy you have gifted to our city,” Shabana posted on Twitter. The actor has featured in over 160 movies and won three National Awards. (PTI).

Sonakshi Sinha’s next with A R Murugadoss titled ‘Akira’

UMBAI - If there is one man who is enjoying the best of both the worlds, then, it has to be none other than A R Murugadoss. Looking at the success ratio that he enjoys not just in Bollywood (Ghajini, Holiday), but also down south as well, it becomes needless to say that all of his ﬁlms are as deﬁnitely eagerly awaited. Putting an end to all the guessing games, Fox Star Studios has announced their next production titled Akira (which means ‘graceful strength’ in Sanskrit), which will be direct-

ed by none other than the A R Murugadoss. This film will see Sonakshi Sinha playing the title role. Her role is that of an intense character, but a misunderstood girl who is forced to fight back when she is put in a corner. The film, which is an emotional thriller, will also see Sonakshi performing some lethal action for the first time on the celluloid screen. The movie highlights a strong social message and it focusses on the safety of women, the burning issue which the country is currently facing.

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Sonakshi Sinha

The ‘Afghan Bruce Lee’ dreaming of Hollywood Framed by the dramatic backdrop of Kabul’s ruined Darulaman palace, Abbas Alizada throws kung fu punches, kicks and spins, watched by an eager young crowd. Dressed in a white vest, black trousers and light shoes despite the bitter Afghan winter, Alizada bears a striking resemblance to his idol - legendary martial arts movie star Bruce Lee. Alizada twirls his nunchuks in front of the shell-blasted

walls of the former royal palace, an evocative monument to the 35 years of war that have ravaged Afghanistan. Then he leaves the enclosure, smiling, sunglasses on his nose, his fans can ﬁnally meet him, shake his hand - and take selfies with him. He is a member of Afghanistan’s Hazara community, an ethnic group with distinctively Central Asian features that add to his resemblance to Hong

Kong star Lee. With more than 50,000 followers on Twitter and 40,000 likes on Facebook, Alizada has become quite a celebrity in Afghanistan, known locally as “Bruce Hazara”. He has become a familiar face on local media and now he is dreaming of Hollywood stardom. “When I was eight years old I saw the Bruce Lee movies, and I was hooked,” he told AFP in his brother’s ofﬁce in Kabul,

Abbas Alizada calls himself the ‘Afghan Bruce Lee’ (AFP Photo/Shah Marai) sitting round a traditional “sandali” stove for warmth. “I said I will be the Bruce Lee of Afghanistan one day. I know I cannot be Bruce Lee, but I follow in his path,” he said. Alizada is the youngest of 10 children and his older brothers have followed his career closely. One of them, 25-year-old Ahmad Zia, works as his manager, coach and secretary. “I’m very hopeful that my brother will become a member of Hollywood,” Zia said.

Alizada dreams of working with Hong Kong martial arts movie star Jackie Chan - who he respectfully refers to as “Mr Jackie”. He also idolises action stars such as “Mr Rambo” - Sylvester Stallone - Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme. But his biggest ambition is to complete “The Game of Death”, the film Lee left unfinished when he died in 1973. “Bruce didn’t finish his last

movie, he did half of the movie. My project is to complete this movie,” Alizada said. Hollywood or no, Alizada is already the pride of the Kabul district where he lives. “Abbas is a hero, he’s a superstar for us,” engineer Mohammad Ali Mokhtar, 25, said. “Our country faces difﬁcult problems, like drugs, security, and so on. We hope Abbas will raise the name of our country.

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Aspirin lowers colon cancer risk, but not for all

Miami, United States | | Tuesday 3/17/2015 - Taking aspirin or ibuprofen tends to reduce the risk of getting colon cancer for most people, but it does not work in a minority of people with certain genes, researchers said Tuesday. The findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) are based on an analysis of 10 large studies in Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States. More than 16,000 people -- all of European descent -- were included. The data confirmed that regular use of aspirin or non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) was linked to a 30 percent lower colorectal cancer risk, for most people. But the preventive benefit was not seen in people with relatively uncommon variants in genes on chromosomes 12 and 15, the study said.

Since aspirin and other antiinflammatories carry risks, such as internal bleeding, doctors must consult with patients about the potential dangers and benefits, said co-senior author Andrew Chan of the Massachusetts General Hospital Gastroenterology Division and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “This study suggests that adding information about one’s genetic profile might help in making that decision,” he added. “However, it is premature to recommend genetic screening to guide clinical care, since our findings need to be validated in other populations.” African Americans face far higher rates of colon cancer and death from colon cancer than whites, and they were not included in the study. Researchers also hope that more study will help them find out if a person’s genes play any

role in the likelihood of dangerous side effects from aspirin and NSAIDs. Advances in precision medicine, which aims to tailor treatments to an individual’s genetics, mean that studies such as this one may soon have a tangible impact, experts said.

“In the not-too-distant future it will be possible to affordably and efficiently conduct genetic testing in healthy individuals to more accurately define benefits and risks of interventions intended to decrease risk of disease,” said an accompanying editorial in JAMA by Richard Wender of the American Cancer Society in Atlanta. “The ability to translate genetic profiling into tailored preventive care plans for individuals is still years away, but with the study by (Hongmei) Nan et al, the road, arduous as it may be, is more clearly illuminated.”

New cancer fears in France over breast implants

ARIS, AFP -3/17/2015 - France’s national cancer institute said on Tuesday there was a “clearly established link” between a rare form of cancer and a certain type of breast implant, as the health minister sought to allay fears.

“This complication presents very infrequently,” the body said. The country’s health minister immediately sought to calm fears, with memories of faulty breast implants from the

IAMI, March 16, 2015 AFP - The condition of an American healthcare worker who was sickened with Ebola in Sierra Leone has worsened and is now critical, hospital ofﬁcials said Monday. The medical charity Partners in Health said the patient is a clinician who worked in the West African country, which along with Liberia and Guinea is struggling to emerge from the worst Ebola outbreak in history. The patient was airlifted from Sierra Leone and was admitted to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center on Friday. “NIH physicians have changed the status of the patient with Ebola virus disease being treated at the NIH Clinical Center from serious to critical condition,” a statement said. “No additional details about the patient are being shared at this time.” Ten other healthcare workers “who came to the aid of their ailing colleague were subsequently identiﬁed as contacts of the evacuated clinician,” said Partners in Health.

“Our vigilance is absolute,” she said.

The national cancer institute (INCa) said there had been 18 cases of a rare form of cancer, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, since 2011, linked to silicone breast implants (AFP Photo/Miguel Medina) French ﬁrm PIP still fresh in the memory. “We do not recommend that women carrying these implants have them removed,” Marisol

Touraine told reporters. She urged women not to be “carried away by excessive worry” about the implants.

According to Francois Hebert, deputy head of the drugs agency ANSM, around 400,000 women carry breast implants in France -- 80 percent for aesthetic reasons and 20 percent as a result of breast cancer. French ﬁrm PIP sparked a global health scare in 2011, when plastic surgeons began reporting an unusual number of ruptures in their products. The PIP implants were banned and the company eventually liquidated.

US measles outbreak linked to low vaccine rate: study

OS ANGELES, (AFP) 3/16/2015 - A measles outbreak in the United States that began at a Disney theme park in California was able to spread because not enough children are being vaccinated, US researchers said Monday. As few as 50 to 86 percent of kids were vaccinated against measles in the areas of California, Arizona and Illinois where cases clustered, far below the 96 to 99 percent needed to create what is known by researchers as “herd immunity.”

The study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics is the “ﬁrst to positively link measles vaccination rates and the ongoing outbreak,” the authors from Boston Children’s Hospital said. A total of 142 people from seven states have come down with measles in the outbreak that began December 28, 2014, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “The fundamental reason why we’re seeing the number

of cases we are is inadequate vaccine coverage among the exposed,” said John Brownstein of the Boston Children’s Informatics Program. Brownstein is a digital epidemiologist and co-founder of HealthMap and VaccineFinder, an online service that helps connect people with locations offering vaccinations, such as the MMR vaccine that protects against measles. “Our data tell us a very straightforward story -- that the way to stop this and future

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US Ebola Understanding Principal Uses patient of Life Insurance... last part. ‘critical,’ The job of calculating how says hospital much life insurance an indi-

They are being transported to the United States and are being monitored for signs of illness.

The national cancer institute (INCa) said there had been 18 cases of the rare disease -- anaplastic large cell lymphoma -- since 2011, linked to the silicone breast implant. Given the rarity of the cases, the INCa said there was no need to recommend the removal of the implants.

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

measles outbreaks is through vaccination,” he added. “We hope these data encourage families to ensure they and their loved ones are vaccinated.” Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes a rash and fever, and can lead to complications ranging from brain damage to hearing loss and blindness, or, in rare cases, even death.

vidual needs generally means determining: • needs

lump-sum

cash

• needs

income replacement

When these needs have been determined, they must be converted into an amount of cash needed. The amount of needed cash must then be compared with the family’s liquid assets, and any difference between the amount of cash required to meet family needs and family resources should be funded with life insurance. Not surprisingly, in view of inflation’s constant erosion of income, individuals must calculate the impact of inflation (usually assuming 5 percent per year) and must build in enough “extra” to counteract inflation’s effects. To determine how much life insurance a family will need, a life insurance consultant like us can help based on the extent of the individual’s financial responsibilities and the kinds and amounts of other income. The best solution may be that a family’s insurance needs will involve using a combination of several life insurance plans. In addition, the combination may need to be changed as the family’s situation changes over time. Fortunately, life insurance is flexible, and several types of plans are available. An agent can work with an individual to determine what life insurance products will best fit ongoing needs and future goals. In a later chapter, we will look more closely at how to determine a family’s financial and life insurance needs. For many people, the largest investment they will ever make is in their home. Because of that, and for other emotional and social reasons, many families want to ensure that surviving family members can continue to live in their home even after the death of a primary wage earner; life insurance plans designed to retire a home mortgage can do just that. Several types of mortgage redemption plans are available. Because individual situations may be different, a plan that works for one family may not be right for another. Under an interest-only plan, the money paid each month on the mortgage is applied to pay the interest only; no principal payments are made. Accordingly, the loan principal does not decrease with each mortgage payment. The money that is normally used to reduce the mortgage principal is allocated to a universal life insurance policy that builds cash value on a tax-deferred basis. At the end

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com of the term, enough cash value can have accumulated in the policy’s cash value to pay the mortgage loan. For example, the monthly payment on a $250,000 mortgage with a 30-year, fixed 6 percent loan is $1,498 if the principal were amortized. If interest only was paid on the outstanding mortgage, a monthly payment of $1,250 is required. By choosing to pay only interest, the remaining $248 monthly can be allocated to purchase the universal life insurance policy. That policy pays the outstanding mortgage if the insured were to die during its term and, by using cash value, can pay the outstanding mortgage if the insured lives. Instead of choosing an interest-only approach to redeeming a home mortgage, a homeowner can purchase a term or permanent life insurance policy and allocate its death benefit specifically to pay an outstanding mortgage. The premium varies, of course, depending on the type of policy purchased and the proposed insured’s age, sex, and health. Upon the insured’s death, the surviving spouse can use the policy’s death benefit to pay off the mortgage or, if appropriate, he or she can invest the death benefits and take periodic withdrawals to make mortgage payments. Many mortgage protection policies are decreasing term insurance policies. Decreasing term insurance policies provide a constantly reducing amount of protection each year to the end of the term. However, the premium does not decrease as the protection decreases—the policy owner pays more each year per $1,000 of insurance as the insured’s age increases. Many people whose mortgage protection is in the final years will note that the protection is relatively small while the premium remains the same. In such circumstances, they may decide to cancel the policy. To evaluate your needs, compare quotes from all major life insurance companies and for guidance to purchase Life Insurance contact Sudhir Mathuria, 713-771-2900.

Blood clot removal boosts stroke risk in heart attack patients

OS ANGELES, 3/16/2015 - A common practice that involves using a syringe to remove a patient’s blood clots during treatment for a heart attack has been found to increase the risk of stroke, researchers said Monday. The study led by McMaster University and the University of Toronto is the largest of its kind to date. It was presented at the American College of Cardiology annual conference in San Diego and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine. More than 10,000 patients in 20 countries were part of the randomized controlled trial. Some heart attack patients had just an angioplasty, or percutaneous coronary intervention, which opens a blocked artery in the heart using a balloon. Others had an angioplasty plus a manual thrombectomy, in which a cardiologist uses a syringe attached to a tube to create suction to remove the clot from the artery, the researchers said. The result found “no beneﬁt

Blood clot removal boosts stroke risk in heart attack patients. from the routine use of thrombectomy, or blood clot removal, and that heart attack patients receiving this were more likely to have a stroke,” according to the study.

not be used as a routine strategy,” said lead author Sanjit Jolly, an associate professor of medicine of McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

Since current guidelines leave it up to individual doctors to decide whether or not to do the syringe procedure, study authors said they hope their study will lead to changes in practice.

“This is still an important therapy, but given the downsides we observed in our trial, its use should be quite selective and as a measure when an initial balloon angioplasty attempt fails to open up the artery, rather than as a routine strategy.

“The message from this study is that thrombectomy should

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TED Prize winner wishes for Mashable continues globarchive of human wisdom al expansion, plans new

site in India

A screenshot of the announcement on Mashable.

EW DELHI: USheadquartered news portal, Mashable today announced its foray into the Indian market in partnership with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s JV ﬁrm India. com. StoryCorps founder Dave Isay during the TED conference in Vancouver, Canada on March 17, 2015. AFP Photo.

ANCOUVER (AFP) - StoryCorps founder Dave Isay unveiled a wish to use smartphone applications to archive the spoken wisdom of humanity.

into nursing homes, hospitals, even prisons and use this app to give voice to people who feel their lives don’t matter,” Isay said before going on stage to announce his wish at TED.

As this year’s TED Prize winner, his wish came with the promise of help from accomplished and inﬂuential “tedsters” gathered here for a conference devoted to “ideas worth spreading.”

“That would be the ultimate dream.”

The prize came with an unfettered wish and a million dollars, all of which Isay said has already been spent building a StoryCorps application for smartphones along with a website and back-end system to handle the ﬂoodgates it will likely open. Free StoryCorps applications tailored for mobile devices powered by Apple or Android software became available on Tuesday. “I would love to see people go

The application lets people record interviews with those whose life stories they wish to preserve. The application suggests questions and gives the options of uploading interviews online or just keeping them on smartphones. - Voices of ancestors Brooklyn-based nonproﬁt StoryCorps has recorded some 65,000 conversation-style chats involving more than 100,000 people in the United States since former public radio documentary maker Isay founded the project in 2003. Copies are archived in the US Library of Congress to serve as an

oral history told through the stories of people’s lives. Those interested in recording interviews with friends, loved ones or family members can do so for free at one of the group’s StoryBooths in Atlanta, Chicago or San Francisco, but donations are sought. Those involved in interviews, which are limited to 40 minutes, get copies of recordings on compact discs. StoryCorps also has a mobile recording team. Excerpts of stories have made their way onto National Public Radio as well as into books. “It is the single largest collection of voices ever gathered,” Isay said. Inspirations for the project include oral histories recorded as part of a US Works Progress Administration effort in the after-

The company, which termed India as one of its top five global markets, said Mashable math of the Great Depression and the Pulitzer Prize winning author Studs Terkel. “Some people have called it therapy in a booth, but that is not what this is about,” Isay said. “You can have a conversation with someone who matters to you and hundreds of years from now your great-great grand kids will hear it and understand where they came from.” - Uploading wisdom StoryCorps went from few people showing up at the first lone booth in Manhattan to it now being hard to reserve time in booths. The applications released on Tuesday were meant to open the longtime US-only project to the rest of the world. “You find a quiet room, hold out the cell phone, do an interview with a loved one anywhere in the world, and then hit a button and it uploads it,” Isay said. “So, the big wish is to upload the collective wisdom of humanity.” Uploaded interviews will immediately be made available at StoryCorps.me website. Only US interviews will be filed away in the Library of Congress, but StoryCorps is interested in similar partnerships with archives in other countries. StoryCorps application is only

India will have an editorial team based in the country for localised content. Commenting on its India foray, Mashable Founder and CEO Pete Cashmore said: “As Mashable continues to grow in parallel with the expansion of digital, entering India was an obvious next-step.” He further said: “We are extremely excited to be linking up with Penske Media and the team at India.com, with their expertise in producing premium localised content, we feel they are the perfect partner to ensure that Mashable India will be an incredible success.” India.com web portal is a JV between Penske Media Corporation (PMC) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. When asked about the investment Mashable will make in India, its India spokesperson said: “India is one of Mashable‘s top ﬁve global markets and we want to grow multi-fold from here… the two partners will invest substantially in the areas of local content, sales and marketing of Mashable India.”

in English but the nonproﬁt plans to work with the translation team at TED, which makes transcripts of online talks available in many languages. The video of Isay’s wish presentation at the conference is slated to be posted at ted.com on March 25. “On the tenth anniversary of the TED Prize, it feels appropriate to honor the core of what we stand for: shared ideas and the power of storytelling,” said TED curator Chris Anderson.

India.com publishes content destinations, including BGR. in, CricketCountry.com, BollywoodLife.com, TheHealthSite. com, Prepsure.com, BrownPaperBag.in, and India.com. “We are thrilled to partner with Mashable as we continue to expand the PMC and ZEE alliance in the Indian digital industry. The company’s phenomenal growth is a testament to the incredible team and leadership in India, and we are conﬁdent that Mashable’s addition now quickens the ascendance of this enterprise,” said PMC Chairman and CEO Jay Penske. Mashable India will have an editorial team based in India for localised content. It will offer the best global coverage from Mashable.com and augment it with extensive editorial coverage from India. “We believe that the combination of Mashable and India. com will provide a unique content destination curated for India’s fast growing online generation,” Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd MD & CEO Punit Goenka said.

“Dave Isay has created a remarkable instrument for recording the human experience.” The TED community includes scientists, celebrities, politicians, artists, and entrepreneurs. Since being born in California in 1984, the gathering has grown into a global forum for heady “ideas worth spreading.” TED has won a worldwide following for trademark “talks” during which the accomplished speakers deliver thought-sparking presentations.

NRI founded healthcare opens 100-bed hospital in Dubai

(The new branch of Aster DM Healthcare was inaugurated by UAE Minister of Health Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais at Mankhool-Bur locality. )

UBAI: An NRI founded healthcare facility has inaugurated a 100-bed hospital in Dubai to meet the growing demands of super-speciality care by providing “holistic treatment” to the residents in the Gulf emirate.

sphilip@llppc-law.com

The new branch of Aster DM Healthcare was inaugurated by UAE Minister of Health Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais at Mankhool-Bur locality here. “The hospital will cater to the growing demands for super- speciality care by providing holistic treatment to the residents,” the healthcare’s

founder Azad Moopen, a native of Kerala and Delhi University alumnus said yesterday. With nearly three decades in the healthcare sector, the Dubai-based group operates over 239 health facilities across the Middle East and India. “We developed the Hospital guided by the need for superior medical service offerings and beds to improve patient experience. As a healthcare network, we signiﬁcantly contribute to the UAE medical sector by means of the three different brands we are proud of- Medi-

care, Aster and Access. “These facilities offer primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary care meeting the requirement of people from a cross section of the society,” Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of the healthcare said. The Hospital also has a speciality mother and neonatal care unit to provide tertiary level care during pregnancy and to premature babies, especially critically-ill neonates,” Alisha Moopen, Director of Aster DM Healthcare said.(PTI).

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

Your Horoscope for the Week of March 20, 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 Gain valuable information, as You are a survivor. Try looking up in reference books or on the internet. Remind others of how inventive you can be when you have to be. Enjoy the learning and bring the light to those who share your ideas. Check security issues and viable solutions will come to you. Everything will seem to be going in the opposite direction from what you had anticipated. Instead of letting it get to you, look on the bright side and be dazzled by what you see. Quick thinking could save everything.

Try to Accept others misgivings, honestly. The attention you receive will be encouraging rather than distracting. Your judgments could play a big role in their lives. A high level of conﬁdence will announce to others that you’re ready to get down to business. Communicate your intentions clearly from the very beginning. The secret to your success will lie in ﬁnding a compatible partner to bounce off of. If you continue to argue on every point, then you may need to look elsewhere.

Scorpio (N,Y)23 Oct to 21 Nov

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May Time, schedules and your ability to have discipline in your life, This is the way to achieve your immediate goals. Talk to a trusted friend about their experiences. If possible, try to get an extension on your deadline. Hasty actions could be worse for you than not acting at all. If you have more time, try to devote it to getting it right. Someone close to you will disappoint you. There’s no point in pretending to be objective, but at least you can be fair with your feelings. Partners in an intense friendship have many ways to communicate.

Share your creative ideas. Everyone will be fascinated with your conversations. Your showmanship & flair may be questioned by those in authority. Exhibit the benefits of the new venture. Peers may try to question your motives, respond with positive financial data. Collect & study the facts, you may be tested to remember, later. Don’t be too ready to accuse someone without knowing the facts, but you probably shouldn’t trust everything you hear. If you are selling something, you are likely to close the deals and get top dollar.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June Put things into a better perspective. Accent is on using your personality to open new doors of opportunity. Your cycle is high. You need to be cautious about who you trust with your personal & ﬁnancial matters. Time is on your side, so don’t rush any big decisions. Remember that a relationship is as much about friendship as it is about obligation. Use your imagination & you’ll come up the winner. Small details, errands and ‘minutia’ that MAY lead to misunderstandings, arguments and certainly disagreements are possible.

You’ll be able to achieve your immediate goals if you learn to listen closely to others. Verify your information and obtain written reference material. There’s no reason to take everything quite so personally. Don’t jump to any conclusions right away, allow some time to soften your overall view of things. You’ll need the time to digest your thoughts & emotions. Patience will be required in order to understand others perspective. Reconnect with what excites you and rejoin the life that’s going on outside your door.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Opportunities for travel, romance & communications. Whether it be for business or for pleasure, take advantage of the situation before you. Set the standards, keep the ﬂow positive & don’t try to preach your morals to others. Keep your private life private and your social life social. Your excess energy might put you in danger of saying or doing something inappropriate. Others may not be in a mood to have their limitations challenged. Allow room for variation. Mutual literary interest could bond a relationship.

Transform information and data into a valuable opportunity. Take the time you need to streamline procedures and improve techniques. Once you do, you’ll be able to reap rewards beyond your expectations. Gather together with others who share your passion and want to succeed. Your ability to encourage them will pay off in many ways. Their gratitude will be overwhelming and surprising. Family members will try to bring you into their web.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August You may connect with a new network of learning. Once you do, you’ll feel more conﬁdent in who you are. Volunteer work looks good on your resume, which can not only help others, but yourself, as well. By removing money from the equation, you allow yourself new avenues of exploration and expression. New friends can lead you to new avenues of social & professional exposure. Be yourself & you’ll be accepted & loved by all. Encourage others to pursue their talents. Community spirit might be upstaged by individuals who lacks rational.

Use your wit & wisdom to help make others feel comfortable with new ideas. Invite others to join you while you step into a new realm of learning. Stress your independence, creativity and style. Your personality will be bubbling. Take on the leadership role & make sure you listen your own words. Relax and make yourself feel at home. Be aware of the limits to which a business relationship can be stretched. Be open to new experiences, and remember to say thank you.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September With new beginnings and a reconnection to the past, You could ruin your chances by using your most effective ammunition too early in the week. Rude or impulsive behavior is not easily excused. Regrets have a way of softening the hard edges. An old wound may be slow to heal. No one ever said it was going to be easy, but you know it’ll be worth it. Open your eyes to the reality that exists not what you perceive through your rose colored glasses. Look deeper and you will be able to make needed changes. Family affairs will work out if you look at the situation through others eyes.

Changes in your career objectives, Your skills are a valuable asset to any team on which you’re a player. Hold off on making your report ﬁnal until you have listened to others concerns. There will also be changes in your domestic affairs. A chance meeting will be the start of a fresh new things. Spend some quality time & realize how special you feel. Your entire outlook will be transformed. Gatherings may be heated, refuse to take sides in family disagreements. It’ll only cause you to make bad feelings. Don’t allow negative comments you hear to discourage your progress.

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CLASSIFIEDS

VOICE OF ASIA 19

FRIDAY, March 20, 2015

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