Voice of Asia May 31 2013

VOICE OF ASIA 1

10,000 copies every week

VOICE OF ASIA The Leading Community Weekly from Texas since 1987

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

th

ANNIVERSARY 1987-2012

Vol. 26 No. 22 Friday, May 31, 2013 Published Weekly from Houston 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

Robin Elackatt Re-elected US drone kills PakiU.S. Immigration Judge, Clarease Rankin Yates. Judge Yates was the first AfricanAmerican woman to be appointed to that judicial post. The Honorable Judge is a friend and a resident of Councilman Elackatt’s district in Missouri City, Texas.

Councilman Elackatt was first elected in 2009, representing District C at the age of 37. He was re-elected back to a secondterm in 2011 being unopposed.

Prior to being a Councilman, Elackatt served as the vice chairman and a member of Missouri City’s Parks Board. He also served on the Colony Lakes Homeowners’ Association Board and was the past president of the Homeowners Association Board.

Robin Elackatt

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issouri City, TX: On May 11, 2013, Robin Elackatt was re-elected to serve on Missouri City, City Council for a third-term in office. Councilman Elackatt was sworn into office On Monday, May 20, 2013, by

Since he has been elected to City Council, he has contributed his time and energy to serve his district and City of Missouri City to ensure public safety, streets & sidewalk repairs has been his ticket to the City Hall. Councilman Elackatt currently serves as the Chair for the Sidewalks, Drainage/Utility and Solid Waste commit-

tees. He is also a member of the Budget, Finance, Communications/Facilities, Compensation/Benefit, Consultant Selection, Ethics, and International Relations committees.

During the oath of office, Councilman Elackatt stated, “Over the past two years, we have made great strides towards our vision of making Missouri City, the best place to live, work and play in the nation.

As I graciously accept the opportunity to be the voice of the people in Missouri City and District C, I look forward to working with City Council, to improve public safety, maintain property value, maintain fiscal responsibility; sustainable business development, public and private partnerships; and ensuring that Missouri City has a competitive, well-developed workforce.”

He and his wife, Tina, have two young children and live in Colony Lakes subdivision, Missouri City, Texas. Councilman can be reached for comments at RElackatt@missouricitytx.gov or by visiting www.RobinElackatt.com

Greater Houston Tamil School Celebrates Annual Day

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OUSTON: Houston’s biggest South Indian language school, the Greater Houston Tamil School celebrated the completion of its academic year with a fantastic annual day program. The event was conducted at Mayde Creek Junior High School, Houston on Saturday, May 25, 2013 and was attended by more than 350 Tamil enthusiasts.

About 160 students, from the three branches at Pearland, Katy and Woodlands, completed their academic year 2012-13 and proficiently displayed the language skills. From Kindergarten to sixth level the students of each school gave a memorable quality performance. The show started with the Pearland kindergarten children talking about shapes and their favorite colors

stani Taliban deputy: officials

in their sweet naïve voice. This was followed by the kindergarten children from the Katy Tamil School reciting the songs learnt during the academic year. The students from the first level to third level of both schools melodiously sung the legendary poet Mahakavi Bharathiyar’s songs and Continued on Page 6

Waliur Rehman talks to local media representatives in South Waziristan on May 16, 2011 (AFP/File, Naseer Azam)

by Hasbanullah Khan

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IRANSHAH, Pakistan, May 29, 2013 (AFP) - A US drone strike killed the deputy chief of the Pakistani Taliban Wednesday in the country’s lawless tribal northwest, officials said, dealing a major blow to the militant network.

Waliur Rehman, the number two in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction, died along with at least five others when an unmanned US drone fired two missiles on a house in North Waziristan district early Wednesday.

Pakistani security sources told AFP that Rehman, who had a $5 million US government bounty on his head, was the target of the strike, which came a week after US President Barack Obama outlined new more restrictive guidelines on drone use. It was the first known drone strike since that announcement.

Officials in several towns, as well as tribal and intelligence sources, confirmed Rehman’s death in the attack in Chashma village near Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan district, a stronghold of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Students of the Greater Houston Tamil School who participated in the Annual Day celebrations.

The United States refused to confirm that it had killed Rehman, despite Obama’s promise of more transparency on the drone war.

“We are not in a position to confirm the reports of Waliur Rehman’s death,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. But he added: “If those reports were true, or prove to be true, it’s worth noting that his demise would deprive the TTP of its second-in-command and chief military strategist.”

Pakistani security officials said the others killed in the attack were TTP cadres, including two local-level commanders. There were no initial reports of civilian casualties.

Washington had accused Rehman of organising attacks against US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and also wanted him in connection with a suicide attack on an American base in Afghanistan in 2009 that killed seven CIA agents.

Rehman had been a key figure in the TTP since its inception in 2007 and was second-in-command of the national hierarchy behind Hakimullah Mehsud, as well as leading the group in South Waziristan.

Continued on Page 10

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FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Second Front Page

Friday, May 31, 2013

Certification Exam in Carnatic Music by Krishna Gana Sudha Music Academy

Students taking the certification exam

by Thara Narasimhan

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he first of its kind a certification Examination in Carnatic Music was held on 27th May 2013 organized and designed by Vidushi Rajarajeshwary Bhat under the auspices of Krishna Gana Sudha Music Academy - Houston, TX. An overwhelming 60 participants took advantage of this exam all over the United States several in person and few taking exam online. CARNATIX Level I - Shadjam exam for the first time in the USA with the help of Tournametrix.

Certification is a process that validates an individual’s qualifications for a specific field. It demonstrates that the individual knows and exhibits abilities and skill with level of assessed excellence and the standard of knowledge that has been acquired through learning. In addition, it increases visibility, builds credibility, provides a goal for personal professional achievement and validates expertise for the individual and to those outside the field.

The Carnatix offers 7 levels certification Examination towards “Sapta Gana Rathna” degree and performance opportunities created by Vidwan Sri. Vittal Ramamurthy (Violin) and Vidhushi Smt. Rajarajeshwary Bhat (Vocal). With their extensive experience and knowledge in music, CARNATIX - Carnatic Music Examinations are designed to bring about standardization in Carnatic Music Assessment throughout the world with one

standard system and encourage interested students to take these exams one level at a time and grow in this field.

The exam consisted of both theory and practical examination personally administered by Vidushi RajaRajeswary Bhat at SAI Primary Care - Manvel, TX. She is very well known to introduce innovative methods of teaching and making it fun to learn Carnatic music. She is instrumental to introduce “Gruha Sangeetham” and “Tender Voices” that provides incentive for students to master their lessons, inspiration to pursue the art to the next level and enthusiasm to share with family and friends in a traditional concert format presented by her students. With this innovative of idea beginning with certification in Carnatic music there is excellent scope for this idea develop and flourish into higher level of recognition with, approval and University Accreditations.

Meena Aithala observes, “ Krishna Gana Sudha Music Academy (KGSMA) has established a milestone for all the music learners who will be now able to receive certification for their music education. The Director of KGSMA Vidushi Rajarajeshwary Bhat initiated this idea and with her dedication and selfless effort, this is a reality now. For more information on activities of Krishna Gana Sudha Music Academy see below: “Swara Raga Laya” Music Workshop – 2013- Annual Music Camp in Gurukulam style… by Guru Vidushi Rajarajeshwary Bhat from Friday, June 7th to Monday, June 10th 2013.

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

An Enriching Literary Conference Hosted by Houston Kannada Vrinda

by Dr. M.S. Nataraja, President, Kannada Sahitya Ranga)

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ouston Kannada Vrinda (HKV) did it Again!

More than 250 lovers of Kannada literature gathered and celebrated the tenth anniversary of Kannada Sahitya Ranga (KSR), the one and only national organization dedicated to the growth of Kannada literature in the United States.

It was a meticulously executed conference showcasing literary and cultural events for two days on May 18 and 19, 2013 at the Hamman Hall auditorium inside the beautiful campus of Rice University in Houston. When the out-of-town guests arrived on Friday evening, the HKV volunteers were buzzing with activities -- decorating the foyer with art work specially made to suit the occasion, and setting up the registration desk and a book exhibition/store while many artists were going through their final rehearsals for the show.

Three scholars, two from India and one from Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY joined the several office-bearers of KSR and HKV and felt the enthusiasm of the local organizers under the leadership of Vatsa Kumar, a veteran organizer of multiple conferences.

The Saturday inaugural session started promptly with the honorable Consul General from the Indian Consulate, Parvataneni Harish lighting the lamp and releasing the conference publication “Beru-Sooru,” a 550-page book of essays written by Kannada writers settled in the United States, covering a variety of topics and their rich experiences. HKV-funded project, in which a hitherto unpublished book of Raja Rao was re-created and translated into Kannada from an existing manuscript in English, also was brought to light during this conference. This book and three other books --two of translated poetry and one on humor -were released by the two other special guests, professors S.N. Sridhar and Sripati Tantri. Professor K.V. Tirumalesh a wellknown scholar of Linguistics delivered the keynote speech in which he enlightened the at-

Left to right: Mr. Parvathaneni Harish Hon. Consul General of India, Prof. S. N. Sridhar, Stony Brook University, New York and Mr. Vatsa Kumar, President, Kannada Vrinda. tendees with several interesting nuances of languages in general and Kannada in particular. He explained the meanings of the words that originated from the native Indian languages and are retained in their pristine form; he gave the examples of the names of several states in this country, including that of Texas (friendly folks!).

There were several interesting literary sessions during the two days. There was one in which people read their poems and essays, another in which a short story converted into a play was read such that the story could be visualized by the audience.

There was a special session that was a tribute to Raja Rao (the translator professor C.N. Srinath from Mysore was also present to share his experiences while professor Sridhar gave his literary evaluation of the translated novel “Nareegeeta”).

A special session showcased our own writers who have recently published books while another session was devoted to introducing the languages and culture of the west coast of Karnataka (Professor Sripati Tantri

was the main speaker). And finally, there was a very stimulating dialogue session with the chief and special guests with audience participation.

It was not all literature; there was a segment of cultural events on Saturday evening where for the first time, Rajam Ramamurthy of San Antonio presented a ballet in Kannada based on the famous ballet Swan Lake. Other artists from HKV (directed

by Indrani Parthasarathy and Rashmi Sahshi) presented brilliant segments of group dances and artists from California (coordinated by Vasu Aitala) put together a very interesting Yakshagana episode.

The program started off and ended with melodious group songs presented by HKV artists (coordinated by Neela Chakravarthy, music by Jayasimha Murthy) while young musicians (students of Vidushi Rajeshwari Bhat) enthralled the audience on Sunday morning. It was the segment by the children of Texas that stole everybody’s heart with their demonstration of flawless conversational Kannada in their hilarious skit

(Poornima Kashyap’s group) and a mock Kannada class (Nataraja Kallur’s group).

Texas Kannadigas showed their generosity and hospitality and made sure that all the guests had a wonderful stay.

After the millennium Kannada conference of the year 2000 which brought name and fame to Houston Kannada Vrinda, they have once again demonstrated their enormous strength and organizational capability by successfully conducting a two-day literary convention in a remarkably classy way! While a large number of volunteers (starting with Venkatesh Gowda and friends transporting the guests from the hotel to the venue and back) have worked long and hard for the success of this program, two of them stand out for their dedication and commitment –Dr. Mangala Prasad and Yashvanth Havalimane.

The members of KSR are ever indebted to this show of support for our work being done by the literary enthusiasts scattered all over the country.

Long Live Kannada in the United States.

COMMUNITY

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FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

The People’s Lawyer

Discover Your World Through International Melodies

www.peopleslawyer.net

News series at Discovery Green to highlight cultures from around the globe with music, dance and fashion

Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Repossession doesn’t end financial responsibility Q. I can no longer afford to pay my car note. One friend told me that if the car is repossessed or I return it, I am off the hook for any more payments. Another said no matter what, I would still owe the remaining payments. What really happens following the return of a car?

A. Actually, neither of your friends is correct; the consequences of a repossession depend on the value of the car. Whether a car is voluntarily returned or repossessed, the results are the same. Following the return of the car, the creditor usually will arrange for the sale of the car.

After the sale, the creditor will apply whatever is obtained from the sale against the amount you owe. At that point, there are three possibilities. First, the amount you owe may be the same as what the car sold for. In that case, you will not owe anything additional. Second, the amount obtained at the sale may be more than you owe. If that happens, the creditor may keep the amount necessary to cover your debt, but must return the surplus to you. The third and most likely option is that the car sells for less than you owe. In that case, the amount obtained at the sale is applied to the debt, and you still owe the difference.

Here is an example of how this works. Let’s assume you owe $12,000. The returned or repossessed car is sold at auction for $8,000. The creditor will apply the $8,000 to your debt, leaving a “deficiency” of $4,000. You still owe the deficiency and the creditor may pursue a claim to collect the $4,000. The bottom line is that unless the car is worth the same or more than you owe, you will still owe some money following its repossession or return.

Q. I rented an apartment to be close to my new job. After just two months, I have been transferred. Is this a legal excuse to get out of my lease?

A. As a general rule, you may terminate a lease only for those reasons spelled out in the lease.

Read your lease carefully to see if it gives you the ability to terminate it early due to a change in your employment. If it does not, you will be in breach of the lease and the landlord could be entitled to damages if you stop paying rent. My guess is that this will not be a valid reason to terminate your lease early. If that is the case, my suggestion is to discuss this with your landlord and see if you can work out a mutually agreeable settlement. For example, the landlord may agree to let you leave early if you forfeit your security deposit. Be sure to get any agreement in writing.

Q. Am I entitled to recover child support from my child’s father, whom I never married?

A. Generally, if you can establish that someone is the father of a child, he has an obligation to help support the child. The fact that you did not marry him does not matter.

Q. My wallet was stolen. The thief charged $2,500 to my credit card. Am I responsible?

A. Good news, under federal law your maximum liability for the unauthorized use of your credit card is $50. In fact, you have no liability for any charges made after you report the loss.

If your card is stolen, be sure to immediately call the credit card company.

Q. How do I get a copy of a living will? Does it have to be notarized to be valid? What does it cost?

A. For a free copy of a living will, visit my website below; go to “Legal Topics,” and click on “Wills and Living Wills.” A living will, formally called a “Directive to Physicians,” does not have to be notarized, but must be signed by two witnesses. You may make several originals and give them to a number of people to insure that it will be available when needed. For example, you can keep one and give one to a family member and your physician.

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

Celebrating Houston’s international communities through music and performance featuring Asia.

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OUSTON, Texas (May 15, 2013)— Get ready to celebrate Houston’s international communities through a new series of performances and music at Discovery Green! Discover Your World will highlight different cultures in a three part series beginning Sunday, May 18 with Celebrating Latin America, followed by Celebrating Asia on June 2 and Celebrating Africa on June 16.

“Houston is rich with culture and Discover Your World will showcase and celebrate the communities that help contribute to making Houston the diverse city we call home,” said Discovery Green President, Barry Mandel.

In addition to performances, attendees will have the opportunity to explore vendors selling food, crafts and jewelry representing each culture.

The Discovery Green advisory committee, representing a broad cross section of cultural organizations, helped put this new series together for the enjoyment of park visitors. The free family-friendly series is made possible in part through

the City of Houston’s Initiative Grant Program of the Houston Arts Alliance.

Celebrating Latin America on Sunday, May 19, 4 – 10 pm will include performances by: Gracie Chavez-Bombon Djs ; Farra8 ; Raices Del Peru; Brazilian Arts Foundation; Mixteco Folklorico; Colombian Ballet Folklorico; Bang Bangz; and Los Skarnales.

Celebrating Asia on Sunday, June 2, 4 – 10 pm will include: a fashion show; Shailon Academy (China) Dragon Dance; Kim Kuja School (Korea); Infused performing arts (India); and Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti (India).

Celebrating Africa on Sunday, June 16, 4 – 10 pm will include performances by: Bel-Ami; Vivalda Dulia (Angola); Ingoma planet; Impande Ye Africa Production Company; a fashion show; and ‘Mellow Rythm (Fela Kuti Tribute Band).

Outdoor events may be affected by weather. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are welcome while food, wine and beer will be available for purchase.

Share your photos and tweets

from all three events using #DGDiscoverYourWorld or #DiscoveryGreen on Instagram and Twitter. For more information please visit discoverygreen. com.

Discovery Green Discovery Green is a 12-acre park created by a public-private partnership between the City of Houston and the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy.

Since the park opened in April 2008, it has welcomed more than 5 million visitors and hosted more than 2,000 public and private events. The Discovery Green Conservancy works with hundreds of programming partners to present three dynamic programming seasons each year most of which are FREE and open to the public.

As a non-profit organization, the Conservancy raises all the funds needed for the programming that Houstonians enjoy.

Visit www.discoverygreen. com or call (713) 400.7336 for details. Visitors to the park are invited to stay connected to Discovery Green online through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

YLDP Students Inspired by Honorable Judge Ravi Sandill

YLDP batch of 2013 meet with Judge Sandill

by Nitin Ponnaganti

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O

n April 27th YLDP had its final session of the year held at India House. It was a memorable event with a phenomenal speaker, the Honorable Judge Ravi Sandill. A graduate from the University of Texas, Judge Sandill was the first South Asian to be elected Judge in Harris County. He gave the 2013 class of YLDP an eloquent speech, highlighting some key attributes to be a successful leader.

He advised the students to be good decision makers.

Not only did the Judge give us advice, he was an inspiration for all the students. Judge Sandill was diagnosed with cancer in his youth. Even though he had a life threatening disease he still decided to run for Judge for the 127th district court against an opponent who had been Judge for the past 30 years. Judge Sandill was new to this process, and he was a democrat in the state of Texas, despite, all odds Judge Sandill was elected the Judge for District of Harris County. His ability to overcome adversity and his journey to become a leader inspired all of the students.

Thankfully he also was able to overcome cancer.

Judge Sandill also encouraged the students to become active in the society. He stated that in order for politicians to help the Indo-American community you have to participate in the political system

Judge Sandill is a truly influential person who taught us some valuable life lessons. He taught us that we have to be decisive when it comes to decision making. He is the beacon of success that all young South Asians can aspire to become.

HPD hosts “National Police Week, Day of Prayer”

Astrologer Hardik Vyas with Houston Police Chief, Charles McClelland

Houston Police Department organized “National Police Week, Day of Prayer”, for the brave officers, who lost their life serving Community. Priests from different religions were called for prayers. Representing the Hindu community was Virat Mehta and Hardik Vyas who offered prayers in Sanskrit and English, for the Peace and Welfare, at HPD Headquarter at Houston Downtown.

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FBISD Elementary Student Krish Advani receives TAGT Summer Scholarships FORT BEND ISD - Gifted/ Talented (GT) students Krish Advani of Commonwealth Elementary School was awarded Texas Association of Gifted and Talented (TAGT) scholarships to attend summer programs. Isabella Marino of Cornerstone Elementary School was the second of the two recipients. They are among 34 students across the state and the only two in Fort Bend ISD selected as 2013 TAGT Summer Scholars.

The TAGT awards scholarships to GT students, in grades K-12, who are currently participating in a Gifted/Talented program and who want to enrich their training experience during the summer months.

The scholarships are based on merit and may be used to attend academic or artistic summer programs.

Krish will attend the week-

Krish Advani long Summer Discovery Camp at the Houston Health Museum, where he will receive hands-on science experiences and study topics relating to health and medical science (including anatomy/physiology, forensics and kitchen chemistry).

Drug Take Back gets Big Response from FBISD Community

Shown during the Drug Take Back event (from left) are Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition members Annette Henderson, Ron Rutledge, Mary Kiernan and Laura Jenkins.

FORT BEND ISD - The Fort Bend ISD Police Department, Safe and Drug Free Schools Department, and the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition recently sponsored the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “National Drug Take Back Initiative.” This event gave Fort Bend ISD community members

the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets of old, expired or unwanted medicine and avoid giving youth access to the medications, which can lead to abuse and addiction. Through the event, approximately 125 community members dropped off a total of 361 pounds of medicine for safe disposal.

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

“Preserve our Heritage, Pursue Dreams, and Perform with Passion” is his message HOUSTON (05-28-2013) - Octogenarian, Mr. Anantha Aiyer, a native Houstonian for more than 35 years was interviewed at HCC studios on May 17th, 2013 for the Indo-American Oral History project of the Foundation for India Studies (FIS).

Anantha at 81 does not look his age. Still walking upright, active and full of zest for life, he engages himself to the promotion and propagation of Tamil language and culture. [Tamil is the oldest and richest classical language, only after Sanskrit, that has existed in India for more than 2000 years and FIS is proud to have been instrumental in recommending more than 250 Tamil language books to Houston Public Library which are available today for the public to borrow.]

Anantha Aiyer, affectionately called “Ananatha” throughout the South Indian community has worked tirelessly to retain the rich tradition, values, and religious faith amongst the Indian immigrant community living in America. Anantha is an engineer by profession, but his true passion in life for the last seven decades, has been Theatre! In fact, he has been the torchbearer of Tamil theatre in the US for more than 40 years. From his humble beginnings in Chennai, India, he has left his mark on Tamil theatre in 3 continents, spanning seven decades.

He was born in Madurantakam, and was brought up and educated in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he started his career as an engineer at Royal Enfield.

Anantha has been involved in Tamil Drama from his very early years in Chennai and acted with Tamil Theatre veterans, Pattu and Y.G.Parthasarathy, of United Amateur Artistes, and later formed his own troupe known as “ Madras Stage Artists.”

After leaving for London, UK in 1965, Anantha pursued his interest in Tamil theatre, by writing, producing, and staging Tamil plays. Traveling ex-

DISCOVER

YOUR W O RLD @ DISCOVERY GREEN

Celebrate Houston’s Asian community with a FREE evening of music and performances!

CELEBRATING ASIA Sunday, June 2, 2013 4 – 9:30 pm

Fashion show Kim Kuja School Shailon Academy Dragon Dance Infused Performing Arts Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti (India) FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT

DISCOVERYGREEN.COM

Media Partners: • KPRC • HOUSTON CHRONICLE • COMCAST • UNIVISION Concerts may get affected by rain. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome.

Food, beer and wine are available for purchase. No glass containers or outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. #DGDiscoveryourworld and #discoverygreen This project is funded by the City’s Initiative Grant Program of the Houston Arts Alliance.

Mr. G. Anantha Aiyer, being interviewed by Padmaja Sarathy, PhD. for the Indo-American Oral History project tensively in Europe, he staged many Tamil plays in several European countries. In 1967, he was a founding member of London Tamil Sangam and actively participated in cultural and religious projects for several years.

The group presented radio plays for the BBC which also had a good number of listeners in Singapore and Malaysia, until he left for New York in 1973.

His love for Tamil theatre and his culture, led him to form his stage company, “Vadivel Theatres”, in 1975, with which he staged numerous plays, including the extremely popular “Thanikudithanam”. While in New York, he joined the executive committee of Bharathi Society of America, and later became President of the organization. During his time in New York, he staged many Tamil plays, and traveled all over the Northeastern US performing in many cities. In addition to his affiliation with the Arts, he was also very cultural and civic minded, and participated in many fundraisers for the Ganesh Temple, in Queens, NY. In 1977, he moved to Houston, with his wife, Padma, and his two children, as job opportunities were plenty in the oil and gas industry. Once in Houston, he was inducted into the

Sri Meenakshi Temple Project, and became one of its founding members. He also founded Tamil Stage Creations the same year. Over the last 35 years, Anantha has written over 20 original plays, and has staged Tamil plays for 35 consecutive years to commemorate either the Tamil New Year, or Deepavali, each year.

For nearly 40 years he has been writing, directing and presenting Tamil plays in America.

The Nataka Academy in Chennai, in association with the Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha and the Brahma Gana Sabha, felicitated Anantha in 2005. He was the first to venture into a mega monumental production, “Washingtonil Thirumanam” for television, and many artistes from Chennai visited the U.S. to participate in it. The serial telecast by Doordarshan in 1996 won the Mylapore Academy award for best TV serial that year.

Anantha has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and titles, including “Nataka Siripi,” “Iyakkunar Imayam,” and “Nataka Thandhai” . He has received awards from both Indian and US based Arts Alliance organizations. In recognition of his great community service and to further

honor Anantha and Tamil Stage Creations, the City of Houston, and Senate of the State of Texas had made the proclamation as “Tamil Stage Creations Day” on October 17th, 1998. He has celebrated his 35th anniversary of his theatre company, with 35 consecutive stage productions since 1977.

Most recently Ananatha was awarded the” Kala Bramha Award” by Austin based Kalalaya Productions. This award is to recognize the significant contributions of key individuals who have presented live theatrical performances in North America. The institution honors the stalwarts who have contributed to the Performing Arts.

Recently Anantha celebrated his 80th birthday with scores of friends and family by his daughter Luckmi Anantha Pawa, and his son, Jay Aiyer, their spouses, grandchildren and numerous friends.

When asked, what his message would be to the future generations of Indians, Anantha’s clear message is: “Preserve our Heritage, Pursue Dreams, and Perform with Passion”.

Contributors to this article are: Thara Narasimhan, Luckmi Anantha Pawa and Padmaja Sarathy, PhD.

COMMUNITY

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Greater Houston Tamil School Celebrates Annual Day .....

Continued from Page 1 displayed their Tamil skills by choosing an animal of interest and talking about it.

The fourth and fifth level students of Pearland Tamil School compared the state of Texas with Tamilnadu state in India.

The detailed description comparing the geography, history and the important cities in both regions enthralled the audience.

Meanwhile, their counterparts from Katy enacted out scenes on the “Seven Ancient Philanthropist Tamil Kings”. This was followed by a presentation by the Katy sixth level students on their Tamil Wikipedia project (places to see). They also released a video documentary about their school.

The last piece of the entertainment came from the Woodlands School. They enacted the story of Veerapandia Kattabomman.

The amount of practice that had gone into this production

was clearly evident on the stage with amazing background and props too. It was well presented and brought out the history of a great king who stood for his rights against the British to the audience. It was a fitting finale for the day that was all about showcasing the academic excellence of the students in all three art forms of Tamil (Iyal, Isaai, Nadagam).

The chief guest for the event, Dr.Sankaran Radhakrishnan, Professor of Asian Studies, UT Austin was felicitated by Dr. Gopal Krishnan, president of Greater Houston Tamil School.

Dr. Sankaran Radhakrishnan emphasized the importance of learning Tamil and also explained that the purpose of learning Tamil is not to just learn another language but to learn it so that the culture behind the language will survive with future generations in USA. He requested the parents to talk in Tamil at home and asked the children to insist that their parents only talk to them in Tamil.

It was also announced that all branches of HTS have been awarded the candidate status for curriculum accreditation by AdvancED. This is a significant step in obtaining accreditation for the school which, in turn, will enable recognition of Tamil for language credits in regular American schools.

The teachers of the school were honored by the chief guest for their hard work, time and effort. Students received prizes for perfect attendance, academic ranking and competition from their respective teachers.

Prizes were also awarded for the Thirukural competition which was recently held between the three schools. The completion of the school year ended in a pleasant evening with good food for ears and mouth.

Registration for academic year 2013-2014 is now open for Kindergarten to grade 6.

For more information, please visit us at www.houstontamilschools.org.

Center for Jain Studies at Claremont Lincoln University is

making a big difference

by Dr. Sulekh C. Jain, Houston, Texas.

If you are curious about state of Jain Academic Education in North America, we have some good news . Claremont Lincoln University (CLU) in Claremont, California (a suburb of Los Angeles) is a unique and bold multi-religious university : a place that will educate people of many traditions, side by side, so we can all flourish in a multireligious world. According to Dr. Philip Clayton; Vice President and provost, “CLU exists as a consortium of religious partners.

Here religious traditions are nurtured by practitioners of the faith; students visit the local temples and form friendships with the local Jain families. The result is an organically growing partnership between the Jain community and the University. Our goal is to teach, “Applied Jainism”.

The Center for Jain Studies (CJS) ( http://jain.claremontlincoln.org/ ) at CLU grew out of a close collaboration between Claremont Lincoln University, the International School for Jain Studies in India (ISJS), the Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC), and the Federation of Jain Associations in North Amer-

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

ZEE partners with AIF to impact social change in India Supports AIF’s (American India Foundation) New York Young Professionals Gala NEW YORK/TORTONTO:(May 6, 2013): In ongoing efforts to support charities dedicated to fostering socioeconomic development around the world, ZEE Americas sponsored the American India Foundation’s 6th Annual New York Young Professionals Gala this April. Each year, AIF raises awareness and funds for one major cause, ranging from neo-natal health and education to healthcare for HIV positive women and children. This year’s nominated program was MANSI (Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative), which aims to lower the infant mortality rate and lessen childbirth complications for women in rural areas of India who have limited access to proper medical facilities and practitioners.

ZEE Americas GM, Sameer Targe said “As a leader in South Asian entertainment, we are an inseparable part of the South Asian community in the United States. ZEE believes in supporting initiatives that promote social and economic change, especially when it comes to empowering the youth and

their efforts to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.”

AIF’s annual gala has grown from strength to strength each year. With 500 guests in attendance this year, the event was hosted by Reshma Saujani, the first Indian-American woman to run for Congress, and included a live and silent auction (with prizes including a 3-night stay at the Leela Palace Hotel in Bangalore and a tour of the Nasdaq Headquarters with CNBC host Seema Mody),

buffet dinner, and dancing featuring music by DJ Tiger. AIF raised over $100,000 this fiscal year with all the proceeds benefitting MANSI. Highlights of the gala can be seen on ZEE Americas’ entertainment network, ZING, which is specifically geared toward the South Asian American youth and their strides within the community.

The 6th Annual American India Foundation Young Professionals Gala on ZING: http://bit.ly/12Lm3ZD

ica (JAINA). Jains were the first to partner with CLU -Hindus and Sikhs followed suit.

In all of its projects, the Center especially encourages connections between Jain dharma and other wisdom traditions. As the Jain tradition advocates the importance of compassionate feeling in our relations with all the sentient beings, the Center also seeks to raise awareness of the larger interconnected ecological environment in which we find ourselves.

The CJS seeks to further the work of Jain dharma by facilitating and promoting open discourse, innovative scholarship, creative expression, and the practical application of Jain teachings in today’s world. The Center focuses in particular on three central Jain teachings—ahimsa (non-violence or compassion), annekantavada (non-absolutism, or the multiplicity of viewpoints), and aparigraha (non-attachment or non-possession)—and their application to contemporary thought and activity.

In line with these commitments, the CJS puts on an annual international conference in which Jain dharma is brought into close conversation with other wisdom

Members of the Jain community at the Claremont Lincoln University traditions, special lectures by expert scholars in Jain dharma and related fields, visits to the local Jain temple in Buena Park (JCSC) for Jain festivals and special events, on-campus Jain

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celebrations at Claremont Lincoln, and graduate-level courses each semester in philosophy and applied Jain dharma , Annual Ahimsa Award and celebration of Ahimsa Day every October 2nd and Anekantvad lecture as VRG Lecture series. CJS also sends Claremont students and scholars to study in India each summer for first-hand experience of Jain life and teachings. In addition to

these ongoing projects, the Center is also working to: • Offer online courses in Jain dharma and online library of Jain material on CJS website • Expand the Jain holdings in the on-campus library collection at Claremont Lincoln • Host a summer camp for Jain youth and college-bound students on campus in 2013

• Establish a Jain sacred space on campus for Jain meditation and worship (pooja) • Establish a graduate certificate (and, later, an M.A. degree) in Jain Studies at Claremont Lincoln This Center at CLU has become a role model and a catalyst for other Dharma traditions to join CLU.

DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

The shocking moment Disney Cruise Line dining room server, 33, ‘molested girl, 11, in ship elevator’

Mich. man captured in India, arraigned in murder of wife and kids

by Barry Leibowitz (CBS)

Daily Mail Reporter ( 21 May 2013)

informed of the incident several hours later, on August 6.

urveillance video shows the shocking moment an 11-year-old girl was allegedly molested by a Disney cruise worker at Port Canaveral, Florida just hours before the ship set sail.

Though the crime is alleged to have occurred nine months ago, details are just coming to light as the cruise line has been criticized for not immediately alerting Florida authorities of the molestation.

Milton Braganza, a 33-year-old dining room server from Goa, India, allegedly fondled the girl’s breasts and forcibly kissed her shortly after the Brazilian adolescent boarded the Disney Dream ship on August 5 with her grandmother and sister for a five-night journey to the Bahamas.

Because the incident occurred while the ship was docked, police in Port Canaveral would have jurisdiction because the ship was 1,000 feet from shore, Port Canaveral police chief Joseph Hellebrand told WKMG-TV.

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Since they were not immediately informed, the suspect wasn’t questioned by U.S. police or apprehended.

Since Florida authorities were not informed, the suspect stayed aboard the ship as it set sail and has since been released by police in the Bahamas to return to his home country, angering U.S.officials.

Instead, Braganza was questioned by Bahamian police on August 7 in Nassau because the Disney Dream is flagged with the Bahamian flag. During the interrogation, Milton Braganza admitted to police in the Bahamas, ‘I touched her on her right breast with my left hand,’ according to a police report.

Surveillance video shows the young passenger encountering the cruise line employee at 2:54pm, near the elevators shortly after she boarded the ship. According to estimates, a five day journey on a Disney cruises costs an average of $900 per person.

The girl boarded the elevator, where she said the man grabbed her breast, groped her and then kissed her, putting ‘mouth on mouth,’ she said according to a cruise security report.

Surveillance video shows the 11-year-old girl was allegedly molested by Milton Braganza, a Disney cruise worker.

In the video, the man’s back is to the camera blocking a view of the girl.

Authorities in the Bahamas let Braganza go and Disney paid for the man’s airfare back to his native India.

If it had been investigated in Florida, charges would have proceeded against the man in spite of the grandmother’s opinion, Chief Hillebrand said.

She informed her grandmother of the assault and minutes later video shows the girl, her grandmother and her sister emerging from an elevator and making their way to the ship’s customer service desk to report the crime.

Security officers on the ship began investigating an ‘inappropriate sexual act’ at 3:22pm and at 4:40pm the dining room manager reviewed the video and identified the man in the footage as Milton Braganza.

Two days into the trip though, the girl’s grandmother told authorities that she did not want the crime investigated.

Florida law enforcement are dumbfounded as to why officials would let the man go free.

A spokesman for Disney Cruise Line told the local TV station that the company ‘took proper action’ in responding to the passenger’s allegations.

Facebook pic of Milton Braganza, 33, from Goa, India. on the ship.

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OVI, Mich. - A former Michigan resident was arraigned Sunday on three counts of felony murder, after being brought back from India in the killings of his wife and two children almost five years ago.

Novi police say 46-year-old Lakshminivasa Nerusu fled to India after allegedly bludgeoning his family to death, CBS Detroit reported.

It’s alleged that Nerusu killed his wife, 14-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son at the Wexford Townhomes in 2008, in the city 25 miles northwest of Detroit.

“We found just a brutal crime scene where several instruments had been used to not only bludgeon but cut these individuals so we spent several hours processing that crime scene and then worked backwards in tracking where Mr. Nerusu was because he was the only family member

not present,” said Novi Police Chief David Malloy.

Nerusu was arrested in India a few months ago and arrived in metro Detroit Saturday morning, according to CBS Detroit.

“According to some of the sources we’ve talked to, he’s been living on the street and literally been homeless for a period of time,” said Malloy.

“This helps bring closure to not only the remaining family members , but it also brings closure to, to many of the officers & detectives who actually worked on this case because of the brutality of it, so we’re just, we’re pleased that we’re gonna be able to move on to the next step of the judiciary process.”

The police chief told CBS Detroit Nerusu was caught in India because Novi police worked relentlessly with the FBI and State Department officials in India.

If convicted he faces life in prison for three counts of first degree murder.

Indian inventor Ajay Bhatt-led team honoured by EU for developing popular USB LONDON: The European Union today honoured Indiaborn inventor Ajay Bhatt-led team at the US tech-giant Intel that developed the Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology, one of the most important advances in computing since the silicon chip.

The European Patent Office announced the winners of the European Inventor Award 2013, which honours outstanding inventors for their contribution to social, economic and technological progress.

Some 500 guests attended the

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Pakistan cops rescue teenage boy kidnapped via Facebook

K

ARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) - Police killed four abductors and injured a fifth after they kidnapped a boy and held him for a half-million dollar ransom.

The boy was allegedly lured through Facebook.PPolice in Pakistan’s biggest city Karachi on Monday rescued a teenage boy who was kidnapped for a half-million dollar ransom after apparently being lured through Facebook, officers and relatives said.

Officers raided the gang’s hideout to the west of the sprawling city, which is

plagued by gang violence and extortion rackets, killing four of the abductors in a shootout and arresting a fifth.

The kidnappers started chatting to their 13-year-old target, identified only as Mustafa, six months ago, senior police officer Niaz Khoso said. They enticed him to a meeting on Friday.

The youngster, the son of a senior customs official, was whisked away to the town of Hub outside Karachi in restive Baluchistan province, and his family received calls demanding 50 million rupees

($508,000) in ransom.

Police said they used mobile phone records to track the kidnappers to the hideout in Hub and rescued him on Monday morning.

Mustafa’s mother made a tearful plea to parents to supervise their children’s use of social media.

“This is my request to all the parents to never let their children make friendship on Facebook,” she told media, sobbing as she sat beside her son.

“I beg you for God’s sake that you never do.”

India, Japan to speed up talks on civil nuclear deal

Both sides also agree to cooperate on maritime security TOKYO, May 29, 2013 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Wednesday decided to accelerate talks on a civil nuclear deal that would allow Japan to export nuclear reactors to India and to bolster maritime security cooperation at a time when China’s postures in the region’s seas have thrown up concerns.

A joint statement issued at the end of exhaustive talks between Dr. Singh and Mr. Abe said the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of civil nuclear cooperation

XoomAnnounces MoneyTransfer Service to India with Breakthrough Speed Money transfers to India bank accounts within four hours rest assured that their funds are safe and deposited in a timely manner,” said Julian King, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development for Xoom.

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AN FRANCISCO, CA, May 20, 2013 – Xoom Corporation (NASDAQ: XOOM), a digital money transfer provider, announces a quick deposit service to India to provide customers the ultimate money transfer experience that is fast, safe and convenient.

Customers can now have money deposited to any bank account in India within a breakthrough speed of four hours.

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Beginning today, customers can transfer from https://www. xoom.com/India and deposit within four hours to an Indian bank, when sent during bank processing hours. Banks in India include ICICI, Punjab National Bank, HDFC, SBI, Axis Bank, Citibank and many more.

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to India. No matter where you live, taking care of your family is an important part of our Indian culture. Now Xoom has reduced the transfer time of bank deposits to just four hours, making it easier for our families and us,” says Amitabh Bachchan, fondly known as “Big B!” Xoom is a fast-rising money transfer company and went public on February 15, 2013, which was the first tech IPO on the NASDAQ Stock Market this year.

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FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Xoom is a digital money transfer provider, focused on helping consumers send money in a secure, fast and cost-effective way using their smartphone, tablet or computer. During the 12 months ended March 31, 2013, Xoom’s more than 840,000 active customers sent more than $3.6 billion to family and friends in 30 countries worldwide. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and can be found online at www.xoom.com.

between the two countries while recognising that nuclear safety was a priority for both governments.

“In this context, they directed their officials to accelerate the negotiations for an Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy,” it said.

“Everything is linked to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” Tomohiko Taniguchi, Councillor, Cabinet Secretariat, said on being asked whether India’s inking the NPT was linked with progress on the civil nuclear cooperation agreement.

Japan is the only country in the world to have faced nuclear attacks. Negotiations for the civil nuclear cooperation agreement have not made much headway since Japan was struck by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011.

While Japan has backed the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal and the exemptions given to India from international technology sanctions, successive governments in Tokyo have found the going tough in garnering political support for it in the face of stiff opposition from the non-proliferation lobby here.

India and Japan welcomed the expansion of bilateral defence ties and agreed to further cooperate on maritime issues to ensure freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce.

They decided to establish a Joint Working Group to explore the modalities for cooperation on the U.S.-2 amphibious aircraft.

It is the first time that Japan has offered such a step on the aircraft, which can both land on choppy waters and has long-range civilian and military applications.

The two sides also institutionalised naval exercises which will now be held on a regular basis with increased frequency.

Dr. Singh said that at a time of global uncertainty, change and challenges, India and Japan are “natural and indispensable

partners for advancing prosperity in our two countries and for a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous future for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions”.

The remarks came amid the flexing of muscles by China in the South China Sea and East China Sea. China has in the recent past used its naval ships and aircraft to intimidate neighbouring countries, including Japan, which are in dispute with Beijing over maritime rights.

Briefing reporters on the IndoJapan talks, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said both nations’ leaders looked forward to further strengthening their global and strategic ties and taking it to a new level.

Mr. Mathai said: “We are reaching a stage when the possibility of cooperation between India and Japan has reached a decisive stage.”

Both sides expressed their commitment to continue working to prepare the ground for India to become a full member in the international export control regimes —the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Agreement.

Mr. Abe stressed on the importance of bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early date.

Japan wants India to sign both the NPT and the CTBT, which New Delhi terms as discriminatory.

On his part, Singh reiterated India’s commitment to its unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing.

Singh said India attaches particular significance to intensifying political dialogue and strategic consultations and progressively strengthening defence relations, including through naval exercises and collaboration in defence technology. (The Hindu)

WORLD/US

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Forty-one move forward in US spelling bee US regains top slot

by Robert MacPherson

Paige Kimble, the 1981 champion.

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ational harbor, Maryland, May 29, 2013 (AFP) - Forty-one contestants advanced Wednesday to the semi-finals of the top US spelling contest, the first to also ask competitors know what the words mean.

They were among 281 youngsters from eight nations who gathered at the Gaylord National Resort outside Washington for the three-day Scripps National Spelling Bee that is an enduring American institution.

Those who made the cut included New York’s Arvind Mahankali, 13, a four-time contestant who placed third last year and in 2011, and 11-year-old Katharine Wang, one of two entries from China.

Stumbling out of the 86th edition of the competition were this year’s youngest hopeful, Tara Singh. But the event’s official Twitter feed (@ScrippsBee) noted that the eight-year-old from Kentucky has “many years ahead” to return to the finals.

“I’ve had many parents and spellers approach me this week, thanking me (because) they realize that this raises the prestige of the achievement of making it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.”

Parents take photos of their children on stage as they participate in the round two of the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee May 29, 2013 at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. ticular makes them so special besides hard work and a culture that is obviously encouraging them,” said Jacques Bailly, the 1980 champion who now is the event’s chief word pronouncer.

The finals take place Thursday at 8:00 pm (0000 GMT Friday), televised on the ESPN sports channel, following the semifinals in the afternoon.

“This is a fantastic event,” added the University of Vermont classics professor. “There are no quotas. These (contestants) are winners and they look to me like a wonderful cross-section of America. It inspires me.”

For the past five years, the annual National Spelling Bee has been clinched by youngsters of South Asian heritage -- a reflection, some say, of the overriding importance their immigrant families place on educational excellence.

Fifteen contestants were knocked out in Wednesday’s first public rounds that began with “glasnost” and “perestroika” -- Russian words from the final years of the Soviet Union when none of the contestants had yet been born.

“I don’t think anything in par-

The competition kicked off

Tuesday with computer-based tests, and reaches its climax Thursday with nationally televised finals producing a winner who goes home with $30,000 cash and other prizes.

More than 11 million children have taken part in qualifying spelling bees over the past school year, with the best of the best advancing stage after stage toward the nationals.

Seven weeks ago, organizers caused a stir when they declared that for the first time in more than eight decades of competition, this year’s contestants would have to prove their ability to not just spell obscure words, but also define them.

The reaction has been “very enthusiastic,” said National Spelling Bee executive director

For most of its history, the event has been run on a nonprofit basis by the Scripps media group, and many contestants have traveled to the US capital with sponsorship from their hometown daily newspapers.

Kimble said “time will tell” whether the vocabulary element will alter the nature of the competition that has fundamentally remained unchanged since 1925, when Frank Neuhauser of Kentucky won the first national bee with “gladiolus.”

“Our own gut feeling is that it’s not going to change the national finals much at all,” she said.

“But it will have a profound effect for all the millions of students who participate at schoollevel spelling bees,” given the emphasis on learning vocabulary as part of preparing for competition.

Bailly, who won the 1980 national title with “elucubrate,” which means to work out something by studious effort, saw a direct link between spelling and vocabulary.

“Spelling and meaning are so intimately connected,” he told reporters. “If they don’t know the meaning now, they don’t have as good a chance at spelling.”

US drone kills Pakistani Taliban.....

Continued from page 1

The loss of such a senior leader will come as a blow to the TTP, which has waged a bloody campaign of bombings against the Pakistani state in recent years, though Rehman was seen as more moderate -relatively -- than Mehsud.

Rehman came from a religious background and set up his own seminary in his native South Waziristan, teaching children before turning to militancy.

Pakistan’s incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif has supported the idea of peace talks with the Taliban and sources said there had been

the impression that Rehman could have had a role to play in the process.

Washington says drone strikes have been an effective tool in wiping out important Taliban and Al-Qaeda figures in the militant-infested badlands along the Afghan border.

But they have been unpopular in Pakistan, where the government publicly denounces them as illegal and a violation of sovereignty.

Obama last week defended the legality of the CIA-run strikes, which began in Pakistan in 2004 and became more frequent during his presidency. But he outlined new rules

for their use.

stani concerns seriously.

The guidelines say drone strikes can only be used to prevent imminent attacks, when the capture of a suspect is not feasible and if there is a “near certainty” that civilians will not be killed.

According to Britain’s Bureau of Investigative Journalism, CIA drone attacks targeting suspected Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan have killed up to 3,587 people since 2004, including as many as 884 civilians.

Carney would not confirm Wednesday whether the attack on Rehman satisfied the new criteria.

The attack was the first since Pakistan’s May 11 general election, won by Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N. Sharif, due to assume office on June 5, has called the drone strikes a “challenge” to his country’s sovereignty and said Washington must take Paki-

The frequency of drone strikes in Pakistan has tailed off in recent months, the last coming on April 17.

On Sunday US Secretary of State John Kerry said this was because the tactic had “been so successful in rooting out Al-Qaeda in Pakistan” and was only used after targets were confirmed “at the highest levels”.

Preparing for the day: Nawaz Sharif’s first speech as PM to be full of ‘surprises’

by Abdul Manan LAHORE: Prime Minister in waiting Nawaz Sharif will have some surprises in store when he makes his first address after taking oath on June 5, sources privy to the preparations told The Express Tribune.

Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz’s (PML-N) chief presided over a high level party meeting at his residence Jati Umra, Raiwind where the senior leadership of his party helped him draft his speech.

Ahsan Iqbal, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Khawaja Asif, Ishaq Dar, Sartaj Aziz, Shaukat Tareen and other technocrats and bureaucrats participated in the party’s internal meeting.

According to details, all participants at the meeting decided that it was essential for ‘revolutionary’ announcements to be made in the address.

A lot of time was put into finalising the draft, which is now almost complete. Points regarding the education sector will be incorporated after another meeting on Thursday. Nawaz will also preside over a meeting today of a 16 member delegation of the party’s law makers from Balochistan, to discuss the appointment of the Balochistan chief minister.

What to expect from the address Nawaz will present his 30 days plan in his first address.

The plan includes cuts in nondevelopment expenditure of up to 30%, including a reduction in the expenses of the central government.

The PML-N chief will also promote simple living by avoiding the use of protocol during his movement in the country and will instead have only a few guards with him. Ministers will

also be asked to use small cars following the example of Indian ministers. Nawaz has also decided to initiate a trend of waiting on traffic signals during his personal and official travels.

The decision of not staying in the prime minister house will be finalised after getting the input of security agencies in the fol-

lowing days.

ees and ministers.

Nawaz will talk about plans to ensure good governance, which will include the formation of a small cabinet with around 25 members in the Centre, a cut in the purchase of new vehicles, furniture for offices and renovation funds for the official residences of government employ-

Besides announcing mega development projects across the country, he will also announce a ‘strict’ decision regarding autonomous bodies that get Rs500 billion annually as a bailout package from the budget. Nawaz will also declare the withdrawal of excessive subsidies.

in competitiveness ranking

G

ENEVA, May 29, 2013 (AFP) - The United States has regained the top spot in a global economic competitiveness ranking thanks to a rebound of its financial sector, abundant technological innovation and successful companies.

In its annual ranking, released Thursday by the Swiss-based Institute for Management Development (IMD), the United States jumped back from the number two slot in which it found itself in 2012.

Last year’s frontrunner, Hong Kong, meanwhile fell to third place in the 2013 ranking, while Switzerland moved up to second from third.

“We base our study on 333 criteria, two-thirds of them statistics and the remaining third opinion polls,” Stephane Garelli, head of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, told AFP. “In the end, the golden rules of competitiveness are simple: manufacture, diversify, export, invest in infrastructure, educate, support SMEs, enforce fiscal discipline, and above all maintain social cohesion,” he explained.

Running from table-topper the United States to last-placed Venezuela, the 60-economy ranking also helps flag up broader economic trends.

“While the eurozone remains stalled, the robust comeback of the US to the top of the competitiveness rankings, and better news from Japan, have revived the austerity debate,” said Garelli.

“Structural reforms are un-

avoidable, but growth remains a prerequisite for competitiveness. In addition, the harshness of austerity measures too often antagonises the population. In the end, countries need to preserve social cohesion to deliver prosperity,” he added.

The top 30 includes 10 members of the austerity-gripped European Union, with Sweden in fourth, a notch up from 2012, and Germany and Britain at an unchanged ninth and 18th respectively.

Ireland rose from 20th to 17th, and France from 29th to 28th.

Japan also climbed from 27th place to 24th.

The IMD underlined the impact of Japan’s “Abenomics” -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s drive to ramp up the money supply and offer fiscal stimulus -- saying it seemed to be having an impact on the dynamism of the world’s third-largest economy.

Fortunes were mixed for the BRICS group of emerging economies, made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

China climbed to 21st from 23rd, and Russia to 42nd from 48th.

But India slipped from 35th to 40th, Brazil from 46th to 51st, and South Africa from 50th to 53rd.

“Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are immensely different in their competitiveness strategies and performance, but the BRICS remain lands of opportunities,” said Garelli.

UK teen threatened to be killed in Pakistan if she refused to marry

A

teenager, claiming she had been forced to marry a man, said if she refused, she would be taken to Pakistan and killed, Daily Mail reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, a 16-year-old girl turned up at a police station in the United Kingdom on her wedding night and claimed she had been forced to marry a man she had only met once.

Hearing the case, Luton County Court was told that the girl expressed fears to the police that “she would be shot and everybody back home would be told it was suicide.”

The Daily Mail report stated

that the girl fled her wedding reception, which was attended by up to 1,000 guests, and arrived at a police station “in her pyjamas and in a distressed state.”

The report further revealed that death threats had previously been made against the runaway bride if she refused to marry.

Two women were accused in the case of conspiring to force the girl to marry, breaching court orders issued earlier banning any arranged wedding.

Counsels representing the accused women denied the accusations. (The Express Tribune)

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LIFESTYLE

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Vol. 26

No. 22

by Jung Ha-Won

S

EOUL - South Korea’s obsession with plastic surgery is moving on from standard eye and nose jobs to embrace a radical surgical procedure that requires months of often painful recovery.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

S. Korea’s plastic surgery fad goes extreme

A radical solution to congenital facial deformities or for people unable to chew properly due to excessive over or underbite, the operation involves realigning the upper and lower jaws.

“Yes, it was originally invented to correct a dental deformity, but you can’t blame someone for getting the surgery to look good, especially in a place like the South where beauty, especially for women, pretty much trumps it all,” the doctor said.

One result of the bone-cutting procedure is often a slimmer jawline -- and that’s what caught the attention of South Korea’s booming beauty industry.

“But it’s a very complex, potentially dangerous surgery ... it’s disturbing to see people with no real dental flaws daring to go through it just to have a small, pretty face,” Choi told AFP. The procedure, which involves general anaesthesia and takes months to recover from, carries the risk of various complications including permanent facial numbness or even paralysis.

A doctor with the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons said the procedure took off around four years ago when a Seoul dental clinic ran a major ad campaign promoting the cosmetic benefits.

“If we are seeing more complications, that’s largely because the sheer number of people getting the surgery has increased rapidly in such a short period of time,” said the doctor, who declined to be identified.

But there’s nothing really “cosmetic” about double-jaw surgery.

“This surgery alters your look far more dramatically than, say, Botox or a nose job because it changes your entire facial bone structure,” said Choi Jin-Young, a professor in dentistry at Seoul National University.

rious,” Shin said.

As it became popular, plastic surgeons began offering the surgery, causing the price to fall and making it more affordable to more people.

A stream of celebrities boast on TV shows how it gave them a “new life,” while advertisements extolling its cosmetic benefits are everywhere from street billboards to subway stations, magazines and popular Internet sites.

A small face with a “V-shaped” chin and jawline is considered a mark of feminine beauty in much of East Asia, along with a highbridged nose and big eyes.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Advertising for the procedure is prevalent and unambiguous.

A billboard advertising double-jaw surgery is seen at a subway station in Seoul, on May 22, 2013 (AFP/File, Jung Yeon-Je)

A number of celebrities, some reportedly paid by doctors, underwent double-jaw surgery and later appeared on TV talk shows saying it had provided a “turning point” in their career and personal lives.

“Everyone but you has done it,” admonishes another on a metro bus.

A Seoul lawmaker in January proposed setting a minimum age limit for plastic surgery, noting the danger of “bone-related surgeries” in particular.

There is no official data on how many double jaw surgeries are performed. One recent study estimated the annual figure at 5,000, but it did not differentiate between cosmetic and medically prescribed procedures.

Some 52 percent of those who had taken the surgery suffered sensory problems such as facial numbness, the study said.

Data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons suggests South Korea has one of the highest per-capita rates of plastic surgery procedures in the world.

Seoul’s consumer protection agency saw the number of registered complaints surge from 29 in 2010 to 89 last year, though many more cases of post-operative problems are believed to go unreported.

Cut throat competition among the growing number of plastic surgeons has driven some to promote more radical procedures that others might not offer.

“My mouth keeps moving leftward and the jaw area has gone numb,” wrote one user of a medical consumer online forum, showing photos of her skewed mouth.

“The double jaw surgery clinic chosen by the pickiest ladies,” reads one typical poster on a Seoul subway station wall, with large before and after photos.

But Lim In-Sook, professor of sociology at Korea University, said legislation couldn’t tackle the root causes that push some women to risk their health for a prettier face.

“This is a highly male-dominated nation where women need both brains and beauty, or often beauty more than brains, to get a job, get married and to survive in all aspects of life,” she said.

A billboard advertising double-jaw surgery

“I can’t even feel when saliva keeps dripping out of my mouth,” she said.

Last August, a 23-year-old college who underwent double-jaw surgery killed herself. She left a suicide note explaining her desperation after the surgery left her unable to chew food or stop crying due to nerve damage in a tear

duct.

Shin Hyon-Ho, a medical malpractice lawyer in Seoul, said he had seen cases where the surgery had resulted in chronic jaw pain, a skewed mouth, misaligned teeth and an inability to chew or smile.

“The number of plastic surgeryrelated cases is growing ... with complications becoming more se-

Plastic surgery, according to Lim, has become just another accepted way of giving yourself an edge in what is a super-competitive society.

“So every single part of our bodies becomes an object for nip and tuck,” Lim said. “Today it’s your jaw, but who knows what we’ll have to fix tomorrow?”

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Young Life

VOICE OF ASIA 14

Friday, May 31, 2013

by Richard Cohen, (New York Daily News )

P

resident Jones, members of the faculty, assorted notables, proud parents and financially indebted graduates. I come before you on this auspicious day to say something about the degree you have just been awarded. You have been told it is not worth the papyrus it is printed on. I am here to tell you it is worth a fortune.

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Tel: 713-774-5140

What that degree is really worth

It takes more than a simple cost-benefit analysis to discover the true value of college

This is hardly small change, of course, but aside from Washington, we are talking the price of a new car — without the premium package. This is a debt your average young person gladly takes on without whining to Congress.

I add that just to provide some perspective and get you riled up.

The figures concerning salaries and debt are not to be dismissed. But they, too, need some perspective. College, after all, is not solely about earning power — although you are forgiven for not knowing this. College, believe it or not, is about education — and that, boys and girls, is not something you can put a number on. Let me give you a word: Anthropology.

In preparing for this commencement speech, I assembled a file of newspaper stories about the cost of college, the burden of student debt and how much you can expect to earn in your first year after graduation — assuming, of course, you can even find a job.

The numbers are daunting. Unless you are graduating from one of those name-brand elite institutions — Harvard, Yale, etc. — you’re probably not going to make much your first year out.

In fact, we now have many examples of community college graduates earning more than those with bachelor’s degrees.

What’s more, people often come out of school burdened with debt — about $24,810 on average, but an astounding $41,230 in Washington, D.C., where many residents have advanced de-

grees.

This is a word I’m not sure I ever heard in high school. But when I got to college, I had to take a year of it to satisfy a science requirement. I did one semester of physical anthropology and one of cultural — and about 40 years of both ever since. I became enthralled with the study of evolution, with paleontology, with my pal Australopithecus africanus and with the “sexing” and “racing” of skulls. Give me a good skull and to this day I can give you the sex and the race of the dearly deceased.

Hofstra graduation earlier this month.

Zee Americas Creates A First Of Its Kind Network For The South Asian American Youth Zing Americas Is The First And Only Entertainment Channel With Locally Produced Content That Engages Assimilated South Asians dance competitions like Raasadelphia (“Raas” is a traditional folk dance from Gujarat) which is held at an Ivy-league institution every year. So many second generation South Asians have aspirations to make it big in Bollywood but lack the access and

connections. Bollywood Dreams is a reality series where ZING brings Bollywood industry leaders to the US to teach aspiring filmmakers and actors first hand. With the plethora of South Asian Film Festivals on the East and West coasts, the network has created

a platform to highlight local independent films including shorts, long features, and documentaries alike; and Look Who’s Watching ZING features celebrity interviews from the most prominent South Asian Americans on television.

I still keep up with anthropology. I try to stay somewhat current in sociology and psychology, my major and minor before I lost my way and took up journalism — and I do these things not for credit but for fun.

College taught me how to have fun with knowledge. It enriched my life in ways that cannot be quantified. I came out of college with a debt, but my real debt was to my professors.

When I wanted to become a writer, I found teachers who showed me how.

One of them, John Tebbel, a former newspaperman turned author, took me aside. He praised. He criticized. This is how it’s done, kid. The man changed my life.

NEW YORK - May 20, 2013,

Z

EE Americas’ entertainment network ZING is now the first and foremost South Asian music channel targeting the 18-34 set. ZING features locally produced content with prominent South Asian celebrities and serves as a platform for emerging artists (actors, comedians, musicians, and bands) to springboard to fame.

See, this is the part of college no one talks about anymore.

It’s all about numbers — what it costs and what you can earn.

It’s all about a financial investment — how much in and how much out, as if value is always about money.

But there’s value in the discovery of fine art or cinema or literature or . . . anthropology.

And — very important — you will get an overview of the world, not just your little area, but all the rest.

Started in 2011, ZING features a wide range of top-rated programming in addition to its Bollywood music line-up, which engages the growing youth population in the US and Canada.

About a month ago, a hostess at a dinner party asked the table what college had done for them. Absolutely nothing, one person instantly responded. I braced for a cascade of negativity, but to my surprise it never came. Guest after guest praised their education and how it had made them a richer, happier person. I was gratified.

ZEE Americas GM, Sameer Targe said, “ZING is our sincere effort to expand the pie of viewership toward the assimilated South Asians, who have a desire to consume South Asian/Bollywood content that they can relate to.”

I know what you’re thinking: It’s fine for you to say, Cohen.

You’ve got yours. You’re not poor and scratching for a job.

True enough. But you will find truth in the cliche that money cannot buy happiness. This has been the case for thousands of years — or, as I like to put it, since Australopithecus africanus.

Locally Grown gives budding artists a chance to rise up from their smaller communities and gain nationwide appeal for their music. ZING has aligned with the top 20 universities with the largest South Asian student populations for Campus Life programs, including reality based

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LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 15

Mumbai bans lingerie-clad mannequins to save men from ‘impure thoughts’

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Women choose red or pink clothes at their most fertile: study

Mumbai has banned mannequins modeling lingerie to prevent men from having impure thoughts. According to authorities, the ban will be put in place in hopes of reducing rapes and sexual assaults in the city.

M

umbai, home of India’s increasingly raunchy Bollywood film industry, is to ban mannequins modeling lingerie from its shop windows to stop the city’s men having “impure thoughts”.

Representatives on the city’s local authority have voted to ban the models in a move they believe may reduce the number of rapes and sexual assaults.

Local councilors, known as corporates, said mannequins dressed in lacey underwear, stockings and suspenders, had led to a “pollution of minds” among men in the city, which has India’s second highest number of rapes after Delhi.

Opponents said the mannequins were not as suggestive as erotic sculptures and carvings at celebrated temples like Khajuraho, which feature scenes of group sex and bestiality.

Members of Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, however, said the mannequins were illegal and immoral. “I have raised this issue and want an end to showcasing of women’s body on Mumbai streets. Mannequins displaying two-piece clothes or other lingerie are corrupting the minds of people and are against the morals of the society. This affects the mindset of men towards women and they see her as a commodity. As a member of

Peak fertile days may inspire women to wear pink or red, a new study suggests.

A

new study finds that women wearing red or pink were about three times more likely to be at peak fertility than women donning other colors.

Mannequin wearing lingerie (Getty Images) the society, we have to understand the awkwardness a woman or a family in a market will feel standing in front of such a mannequin,” said Ritu Tawade, who proposed the ban.

“Our demand to ban the displaying of mannequins wearing scantly dresses is based on the Provisions of the Indecent Representation of Women

(Prohibition) Act, 1986, which says ‘indecent representation of women means the depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman; her form or body or any part thereof in such way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to, or denigrating women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals,’” she explained.

In the study, researchers from the University of British Columbia asked 124 women ages 18 to 47 what color shirt they were wearing, and when they had had their last period.

After calculating peak fertile days for each woman, the researchers found an association with red and pink shirts and fertility.

According to the report, the researchers plan to conduct a followup study to further ask women why

they selected a particular color on the day of the survey. Possibilities include that women feel sexier at peak fertility and want to grab more attention, consciously or unconsciously, the researchers said.The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science on May 26 and will appear in a future issue of the journal Psychological Science.

A prior study found that women buy sexier clothes when they’re ovulating, according to researchers from the University of Minnesota.

Research has also found that women report increased desire for sex during peak fertility and find masculine features more attractive.

World’s largest Lego unveiled NEW YORK: A massive Star Wars X-Wing spaceship has landed on New York’s Times Square. Well, not quite.

It’s actually a replica of one flown in the famed movie franchise and represents the largest model ever made by Danish toy company Lego.

Unveiled Thursday, the spectacular structure consists of more than 5.3 million of the company’s multi-colored

plastic bricks, weighs almost 46,000 pounds (20,865 kilograms) and took 32 builders about 17,000 hours to put together.

“I built pretty big things with Lego, but this is the biggest ever,” said Lego master builder Erik Varszegi at an unveiling ceremony in the iconic Manhattan square that drew a crowd of curious onlookers.

“It’s a life-size version,” he added.

“That means the same scale it was built for the film.”Used by Luke Skywalker to destroy the Death Star in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, the X-Wing model promotes the premiere of “The Yoda Chronicles”the Cartoon Network next Wednesday.

Its creation and transfer to New York is movie material in itself.

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VOICE OF ASIA 16

BOLLYWOOD MASALA

Friday, May 31, 2013

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Tel: 713-774-5140

Mallika Sherawat, Bollywood How Kamal Hasan ‘scarred’ celebs on an acce-dental high his daughter

Shruti Hasan’s scar-faced look in ‘D Day’ was perfected by Kamal Hasan.

New Delhi, May 28 -- Mallika Sherawat turned into a star overnight (on Twitter) all thanks to her controversial Variety interview at Cannes where she blatantly relays incorrect statements she believes to be true about India and that too in a rather funny accent.

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra rebuked Mallika for calling India “regressive” taking offence quite personally.

But Priyanka wasn’t alone.

Here is what some prominent tweeple had to say.

Mini Mathur @minimathur directly attacked Mallika for her opinions. “How is Mallika Sherawat being allowed to be so STUPID? UGH,” she tweeted.

Sandhya Mridul @sandymridul went a step ahead and called her a “stupid delusional cow” hashtag-highlighting Mallika’s oh-so-fake accented English - #BATTUMOFTHEPILE

Other witty tweets that went around were: @ClownPrinceG4m - Mallika Sherawat’s accent joins a list of fakes she already has.

When she talks, her accent is the most interesting thing. Not her words. and @jhunjhunwala29m Mallika Sherawat says India is regressive & depressing. She’s right - How else do you explain this country tolerating her for so long?

Incorrect facts aside, Mallika’s thick accent is another legitimate point of scorn. Why must Indians always desperately roll their R’s to suit the English-speaking world’s ears?

What’s worse is that they seldom get it right.

Mallika’s current nemesis Priyanka Chopra too is a prominent member in this list of accent offenders. Her sudden Yankee twang caught the media by surprise at the 2009 Toronto film festival.

Madhuri Dixit’s famous fakeccent post her American stint made her shift gears and go desi again. Bollywood biggies like Aishwarya Rai and Anil Kapoor have often been heard sounding a bit off on the accent game as well.

Why does the Indian film industry have to subscribe to fake accents so often? Are we uncomfortable in our shoes? Most of these stars sound perfectly global in their well-polished Indian accents and just as horrendous in their broken fake ones.

Is it time for Bollywood to learn and embrace its own unique identity? Or must we continue to strive to make ourselves “understandable” globally?

Madhuri thinks Dharmendra as the most handsome person

Shruti Haasan in ‘D-Day’

S

hruti Haasan who will be seen in Nikhil Advani’s ‘D-Day’ plays the character of Suraiya, a Karachi based prostitute.

As a part of the character’s look Shruti required to have a scar on her face. A source says, “The story of the scar dates back to Suraiya’s past, when she entered the world of sex trade at 16. She was given this scar when her face was cut open by a pimp”. Shruti’s father, actor Kamal Haasan, who has over the years experimented with his looks in various films involving make-up and prosthetics, gave his inputs on the look of the scar but not a lot of people know the fact that Shruti, herself, has done a prosthetic make-up course. She, along with her father was heavily involved in her look, giving inputs on the right colour, depth, how it would look as it ages etc The scar, in the recently launched trailer for the movie, looks very real and doesn’t look

D-Day stars: Rishi Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Irrfan Khan, and Shruti, like make-up at all.

Directed by Nikhil Advani, D-Day is a high octane thriller revolving around a covert mission to bring India’s Most Wanted fugitive to justice. The movie stars Rishi Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Irrfan Khan, Aakash Dahiya, Huma Qureshi, Shruti Haasan, Chandan Roy Sanyal & Sree Swara Dubey. Nikhil Advani, commented, “The

idea of capturing India’s most wanted man in his own playing ground is a question every Indian has asked at least once in their life.”

“D-Day is our attempt at bringing this very idea alive on screen. From the plot to the performances, every aspect of this movie is real, gritty and hard hitting, but more importantly, it’s honest,” he says.

heart, but he did it (won the heart of people) with his one step. So you can understand what kind of reverence he has for us also,” said Madhuri Monday at the launch of the sixth season of “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa”.

Dharmendra made his dance style popular with the song “Main jat yamla pagla deewana” in 1975 movie “Pratigya”.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene Unveils Her New Figure At Madame Tussauds London. (Getty Images) MUMBAI, May 28 — In her about three-decade career Bollywood dancing diva Madhuri Dixit has worked with many good looking and talented actors like Salman Khan, Akshay

Kumar, and Sanjay Dutt, but she finds yesteryear star Dharmendra the most handsome.

“I think he is one of the most handsome persons I have ever seen on screen,” Madhuri said

while talking about Dharmendra’s good looks, and added she is also a huge fan of his trademark dancing step.

“We do so many steps, different steps to win the people’s

Madhuri is set to judge at the sixth season of the dance reality show along with filmmaker Karan Johar and choreographer-director Remo D’Souza, which is set to go on-air June 1 with 12 contestants fighting for the crown.

In the first two episodes of the show, Dharmendra will be seen. He is curerntly promoting his home production “Yamla Pagla Deewana 2”, which is coming out June 7. (Source: IANS)

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ENTERTAINMENT

VOICE OF ASIA 17

TV, Boomers and Asia: Film trends to watch post-Cannes - Analysis

C

ANNES, France, (AFP) What films will we be watching in the near future, and how will we be watching them?

ternational Documentary Film Festival.

Driving the trend are cheap digital technology for content makers, niche markets for non-fiction programming ranging and the Internet as a form of distribution.

Here’s a snapshot of trends that emerged in the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, a weathervane of the movie industry:

“If you own a Mac and a camcorder, you can make a documentary, basically,” said Tyler Konney of Taylor & Dodge, which is marketing “After Porn Ends,” about actors who struggle to resume normal life after a career in pornographic films.

-- TV, NOT CINEMA: Hollywood’s grip on big movies is being broken by TV, to which big-time directors, actors and money are migrating.

Dark, offbeat critical and commercial successes like “The Wire,” “Mad Men,” “The Sopranos” and “Game of Thrones” show what happens when bold programming and video-on-demand (VOD) come together.

At Cannes, there was no greater symbol of the change than “Behind the Candelabra,” a biopic that has Michael Douglas as the flouncing entertainer Liberace.

“Too gay” for Hollywood, the movie was financed by HBO -- which means it cannot even be considered for an Oscar if it premieres to the public on television.

“TV is really taking control of a conversation that used to be the exclusive domain of movies,” said director Steven Soderbergh. “(...) I think it’s a second golden age of TV that’s happening in the States now.”

Richard LaGravenese said creative types found TV refreshingly experimental compared to Hollywood studio films.

“TV is where a writer can write his novel. You can have episodes that are purely character-driven (...) that are just about nuance and about shades of the human condition that you can’t do in film any more.”

-- GREY IS GOLD: Expect more and more films that cater to ageing Baby Boomers, the biggest and wealthiest population bulge in history.

Robert Redford made a screen comeback with “All is Lost,” about a retired-but-virile yachtsman caught in a storm.

Senior-friendly projects that were announced or touted at Cannes include

Michael Douglas, left, as Liberace and Matt Damon as Scott Thorson in Behind the Candelabra, a film which was financed by the cable TV giant HBO and which was shown at Cannes this year. AP Photo / HBO / Claudette Barius “Life Itself,” a marriage comedy starring Morgan Freeman, 75, and Diane Keaton, 67; “And So It Goes,” with Douglas, 68, who is introduced to the granddaughter he never knew he had; and “Look of Love,” where Annette Bening, 55, falls for a man (Ed Harris, 62), who happens to look like her dead husband.

“You really need elements that appeal to the older audiences,” The Hollywood Reporter quoted Mimi Steinbauer, an executive with Radiant Films International, as saying.

“These actors have fans in those demographics. That is very important.”

-- LOOKING TO ASIA: Asian markets and money, as well as Asian content, are exerting a widening influence. China is at the forefront.

“China is coming on strong not just as a market place for international motion pictures, but coming on strong as a creative force,” Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg told a press conference.

Big-budget US-Chinese co-productions such as “Kung Fu Panda 3” are sometimes shot with a Chinese location and storyline.

In the case of “Iron Man 3,” produc-

ers included two Chinese characters for a version released only in China: a character named Dr. Wu, played by Wang Xueqi, and a woman close to him, performed by actress Fan Bingbing.

Some co-productions are being voluntarily submitted to Beijing’s censors in the early stage of the creative process to avoid rejection further down the line, according to the industry press.

Asian-made movies can make it big in Europe and the United States provided they move out of a narrow cultural range and address universal themes, say some.

“I find film from India can be sold in Latin America, in Europe, in parts of the world we never thought of before because human emotion and drama are the same everywhere,” said US-based film producer and distributor Raaj Rahhi.

-- DOCUMENTARIES: They are the biggest growth area of films, driven by interests in content ranging from social and environment issues to history, sports and music.

“People today want more than escapism,” said Martijn te Pas, in charge of programming at Amsterdam’s In-

Another push for documentaries and low-budget fiction is crowd-sourcing, where Internet sites such as Kickstarter bring small investors and creators together.

“Kickstarter is something that harnesses people for a project which has great ideas but no money,” said Toby Rose, a British writer seeking 10,000 pounds ($15,100) for a movie idea, “Fashion Victim: The Musical.”

-- PIRACY: Do you illegally download movies? In the near future, you could run a bigger risk of being pursued by the dogs of law.

Lacking a technical fix against piracy, studios are turning more and more to cyber-detectives to sniff out the Internet addresses of illegal downloaders.

Lawyers then subpoena the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to identify the abuser. The attorneys send a threatening letter, usually with a settlement offer.

“In Germany, there has been a reduction in (copyright) infringements by 80 to 90 percent over the last three years,” said Patrick Achache of Guardaley, a German-based tech company which has been hired to trace illegal downloading.

In the biggest case, Voltage Pictures, which produced “The Hurt Locker,” attacked 25,000 people deemed to have illegally downloaded the hit movie from BitTorrent and peer-to-peer networks. The settlement offer was usually between $1,000 and $2,000; many cases, though, have been thrown out or contested.

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Movies Review: Aurangzeb

by Rummana Ahmed | Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff Direction: Atul Sabharwal Rating: ***1/2 Atul Sabharwal weaves an intriguing tale in ‘Aurangzeb’; the collusion of the powerful and the corrupt. The nexus of ministers, real estate developers and the police is almost impenetrable and there is no place for those who don’t fall in line.

Arjun Kapoor in a double role is undisputedly the star of ‘Aurangzeb’. Twin brothers separated when young usually makes for a clichéd portrayal. Actors try so hard to play the two characters differently that the depiction eventually looks forced but Arjun doesn’t fall into these trappings. He plays brothers Ajay and Vishal, one is the spoilt brat born with a silver spoon, smug about his position of privilege. The other is a small town boy, unaware that he could have been the successor to an empire. Arjun plays the two characters with aplomb, there are some similarities and yet, he manages to create two distinctive characters, each immensely likeable. His swagger and body language compliment his role and there is a rare intensity that makes his characters very attractive.

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays police officer Arya, who has idolized his uncle DCP Ravikant (Rishi Kapoor) and unquestioningly conformed to his power wielding strategies. Arya is inherently upright but he would much rather be a little amoral than be ousted for his sincerity. It’s a complex character but Prithviraj plays out the conflict competently, his eyes and his silence conveying his inner turmoil.

‘Aurangzeb’ is an engaging saga but it is very dialogue heavy where music or humour hasn’t been used effectively to provide some respite. In fact, the second brother Ajay did have immense untapped comic potential but alas, the sparse one-liners make for only a few genuine laughs. While the narrative explores the grey in every character whether it is the gangster or the police, at some point we needed a little more clarity about the plot. Did Yashwardhan (Jackie Shroff) suddenly have a change of heart? What happened to the empire that everyone was fighting over? Did Ravikant’s brutal actions have no consequence in his personal life?

The film might be a little too intense for some but if you are ready to overlook some gaping holes; the film is worth a watch. Arjun Kapoor and Prithiviraj Sukumaran rise above the slightly flawed execution to make ‘Aurangzeb’ quite engaging.

Riyaaz Qawwali to release their debut CD Asian

sure forever”—Beth Ortuño

“I took my 3-year-old son to a performance of music by Riyaaz Qawwali with plans to duck out [of] the back if he started getting fidgety. He was enthralled and then fell asleep. I can’t think of a more spiritual being that you could actually hold in your arms than a small child who has just been lulled to sleep with total faith in your embrace and sacred music permeating his brain. Thank you Riyaaz Qawwali for an experience I will trea-

For more event details, visit http:// asiasociety.org/texas. Riyaaz Qawwali was established in 2006 in Austin, Texas and is led by Sonny Mehta, a classically trained musician. Their music is symbolized by dynamic rhythmic cycles, uplifting melodies and improvisational poetry. For more details about Riyaaz Qawwali, visit www.riyaazqawwali.com. You can also follow them on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.

Riyaaz Qawwali to release debut CD “KASHTI on June 15 in Houston, Texas.

Pakistani TV smashes taboos with its answer to ‘Glee’

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OUSTON, 28 May 2013) Featuring the poetry of mystics from the Indian sub-continent such as Hazrat Amir Khusro, Sant Kabir, Guru Ravidass and Baba Bulleh Shah, Riyaaz Qawwali is set to release their debut CD— “KASHTI,” at The Asia Society Texas Center. The musical ensemble represents a very unique genre of music, and one of the only qawwali groups in the whole country. The Debut will culminate into an event which will take place on Saturday, June 15. The CD promises to provide the listener with songs that speak of love, devotion, and longing.

by Guillaume Lavallee AHORE, Pakistan, - Gay romance, Islamic extremism and a soundtrack of classic love songs make for Pakistan’s taboo-breaking answer to the hugely successful US television series

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The plan is for the 26-episode series to air in September or October, and while producer Nabeel Sarwar insisted the programme was not a “political pulpit”, he is determined to take on the tough issues.

“Nobody wants to have contro-

Led by Sonny Mehta, Riyaaz Qawwali is proud to announce the launch of ‘Kashti’—the first album in the music industry that incorporates ideas and poetry from various faiths whilst extending the unique musical idiom of qawwali. The CD features two tracks that emerge from the holy scriptures of Sikhism, two tracks that surface from the ‘Sufi’ waters of South Asia, and two tracks that embody the Hindu faith.

The group is grateful to the music teachers, parents and fans for their unrelenting support of the group which has helped them uphold the ethos of qawwali. After a successful fundraising campaign last August, the group worked diligently to record this album.

Each track in this album is infused with elements native to the qawwali genre and components that resonate with today’s listeners. “...[Riyaaz Qawwali] mesmerized the audience with their singing … the virtuoso performance of the group leader, Sonny, impressed the audience tremendously. At the request of the audience members, the group sang a classical Qawwali bandish in Raag Bhairavi and enchanted the audience with their command of the raag. Their masterful rendition of this and other Qawwalis brought back memories of the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who introduced the tradition of Qawwali to the west”—Austin South

Riyaaz Qawwali -follow them on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.

A Pakistani drama artist records a scene during shooting of the play “Taan”.

—AFP Photo

‘Glee’.

Like its smash hit forerunner, ‘Taan’ follows the lives and loves of a group of young people who regularly burst into song. But this time they attend a music academy in Lahore, instead of an American high school.

Taan -- which is a musical note in Urdu -- tackles subjects considered off limits in Pakistan’s deeply conservative Muslim society, with plotlines including love affairs between two men and between a Taliban extremist and a beautiful Christian girl.

versy for the sake of controversy, nobody wants to have an assignment to violence, nobody wants to push a button that would result in a disaster for anyone,” he told AFP. “But the truth has to come out somewhere. Where are we going to put a line in the sand and say, ‘Look, this is what we are’?”

Taking a public stand to defend liberal values like this is rare in Pakistan, where forces of religious conservatism have risen steadily in recent years.

Risque scenes in foreign films are routinely cut by the authorities and the team behind Taan are acutely aware that they must tread carefully with their challenging material.

In one scene the two gay lovers dance and sing in a small room but never embrace -- their relationship is suggested rather than overtly shown.

The moment is interrupted when a radical Islamist character bursts in.

Director Samar Raza said representing the lives of gay characters was difficult in a country where homosexuality is still illegal.

“Let’s say in a certain scene, there are two boys talking to each other, they are not allowed to show their physical attachment to each other,” he said.

“So I bring a third character who says: ‘God designed Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve’.”

It is not only the sensibilities of the censors the producers must navigate.

While 70 percent of Pakistan’s population is under 35, a huge and potentially lucrative audience for advertisers, it is the head of the household who decides what families watch on TV, explains Sarwar.

“The head of the household during the day is the matriarch and the head of the household at night is the patriarch -- they control access to TV,” he told AFP. “You have to find programming that allows the matriarch and the patriarch to join in and participate, but there has to be room for the younger audience.”

In a bid to appeal to older view-

ers the makers of Taan have licensed around 100 classic Pakistani songs, some by legendary artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and have reworked them to suit modern tastes, as Glee does.

“We try to find music that resonates with the older generation which control the access to the TV but we contemporise that music so that the younger audience does not feel left out,” Sarwar said.

The show hopes that by taking on difficult issues in a light-hearted way it will both reflect the changing nature of Pakistani society and attract a young audience currently hooked on imported Turkish soap operas.

Local dramas struggle to compete with the likes of “Manahil and Khalil” and “Ishq-e-Mamnu” (Forbidden Love) -- Turkish serials starring Westernised characters with fair skin and dubbed into Urdu.

Turkish soaps are widely watched across the Muslim world, but the popularity of “Ishq-e-Mamnu” has prompted a lively debate about the “Turkish invasion” of the small screen in Pakistan, with local production companies complaining that they do not have the resources to rival them.

Yasmin Huq, one of the stars of Taan, told AFP a homegrown show could speak more clearly to Pakistanis than foreign imports.

“Today’s generation is watching Turkish and Indian dramas,” she said. “But no one can make a musical story like Pakistanis. Even if you watch the Turkish and Indian dramas, you will see that nobody can talk about Pakistan like Pakistanis.”

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTH

VOICE OF ASIA 18

Friday, May 31, 2013

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Women more at risk than men of smoking, drinking: study

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For women, the equivalent risks were similar: 1.32, 2,04 and 2.44 respectively, said the study.

But the picture changed

Women who smoke and drink heavily are at a higher risk of early death than men who do the same, a study said Tuesday. AFP File drastically when alcohol was thrown into the mix.

For men who smoked more than 26 cigarettes and drank the equivalent of more than 30 grams of alcohol per day, the death risk on a separate scale was 2.38 compared to men who never smoked and drank up to a maximum of five grams of alcohol.

For women the risk rose to a massive 3.88.

“Women who consume excessive amounts of alcohol have a significantly higher risk from tobacco use than those who consume little or no alcohol,” the study authors wrote.

They did not elaborate on the possible reasons for the stark difference.

The study also confirmed earlier findings that current smokers have mortality rates around 1.5 to three times higher than people who never smoked.

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Dr. Hiten Patel According to ancient Indian scriptures, diabetes is a metabolic kapha type of disorder in which diminished functioning of agni leads to a tendency toward high blood sugar. (It recognizes 24 forms of the disease commonly classified under Prameha - 4 are due to Vata dosha, 6 are due to Pitta dosha, and 10 are caused by Kapha dosha. The main causes of these diseases are fat, urine, and Kapha buildups due to foods, liquids, lifestyle and others.)

Ayurvedic practitioners attack diabetes using a multiprong approach. First, they address diet modification, eliminating sugar

Fish oil:

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Federal law already bars the use of funds from Medicaid -- a social program for the poor and disabled -- from being used for elective abortions.

North Houston Internal Medicine

Ashish Kapoor, M.D.

US Supreme Court rejects abortion case ASHINGTON, (AFP) - The US Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up an appeals court ruling striking down a state law blocking federal aid to groups that perform abortions.

Data taken from a Europewide survey of some 380,000 people aged 40 and older, revealed that women faced a disproportional risk from the already well-known ill effects of heavy alcohol and tobacco use.

On a risk scale that places never-smokers on level “1”, the death risk rose to 1.38 for men who smoked one to 15 cigarettes per day, 1.86 for those who smoked 16 to 26, and 2.44 for those who smoked more.

Tel: 713-774-5140

W

ARIS, (AFP) - Women who smoke and drink heavily are at a higher risk of early death than men who do the same, a study said Tuesday.

Of the group, followed over an average period of 12 years, 26,411 died during the study period, said a report by French researchers published in the journal Bulletin epidemiologique hebdomadaire (BEH).

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

and simple carbohydrates, and emphasizing complex carbohydrates. Protein is limited, since excessive intake can damage the kidneys. Fat is also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult.

Since many diabetics have autoantibodies, a cleansing program is instituted. Panchakarma is typically used for this purpose. This begins with herbal massages and an herbal steam sauna, followed by fasting to cleanse the body. This is followed by an herbal purge for the liver, pancreas, and spleen.

Colon therapy is next, first to cleanse the digestive tract and then to reconstitute the system.

Healing Diabetes.

Remedy for healing Diabetes Drink 1 litre of warm water first thing in the morning.

Mix following powders properly: 100 gms Methi (fenugreek seeds) powder 100 gms tejpatta ( Bay leaf) powder

150 gms kala Jamun seed powder 250 gms gudmaar powder Take two tablespoons of mixed powder and boil it for 10 minutes in 150 ml of water till it is reduced to 100 ml. Filter it through fine muslin cloth.

But the Indiana state law passed in 2011 would have banned the granting of state or federal Medicaid funds to organizations that perform abortions, even if the funds were to pay for other services.

Planned Parenthood -- a nationwide group that performs abortions -- had challenged the law, saying it would have prevented access to its cancer screening and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

The Supreme Court did not provide a reason for its decision to allow the appeals court ruling to stand.

Abortion was made legal in the United States by the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, but several states have passed measures trying to curtail the practice, most of which have been struck down by the courts.

Visitors Coverage announces availability of Acute Onset of PreExisting Conditions Coverage Plans “Enhanced medical coverage for international travelers visiting USA.” CALIFORNIA, May 2, 2013

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isitorsCoverage.com, a leading online travel medical insurance brokerage firm, has announced the availability of travel insurance policies with higher preexisting conditions coverage limits. This provision offered

by VisitorsCoverage has further established the company’s status as one of the few travel insurance providers that offer enhanced insurance benefits for non-US citizens traveling to USA. Now, seniors under the age of 70, traveling to USA, can enjoy protection up to $100,000 for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. The coverage of acute onset of pre-existing condition varies from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the overall policy maximum selected under the policy.

International travelers visiting US that include seniors above the age of 60 with existing ailments often look for

coverage related to their preexisting conditions. This news of coverage of acute onset of pre-existing conditions will be a breath of relief for them as medical expenses incurred during sudden manifestations of previously existing conditions can be covered by the insurance provider.

Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage.com says “Most people, especially seniors above the age of 60, suffer from some or the other pre-existing ailments, and with the exorbitant costs of medical treatment in US, such insurance products definitely act as incentives for non-US citizens to visit USA.” VisitorsCoverage works closely with insurance companies and underwriters to offer better coverage for the emergency treatment that follows acute onset of pre-existing conditions. At the same time it strives to meet the unique needs of the majority of customers. Although

there are several insurance products available in the market, VisitorsCoverage picks elite plans available from reputed companies and caters to the needs of travelers at an affordable price.

To learn and compare international travel insurance policies that provide coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, please visit http://www.visitorscoverage.com/insurance/preexisting-conditions-coverageplans/ About VisitorsCoverage VisitorsCoverage, a leading travel insurance brokerage company, offers a variety of health insurance plans for visitors to USA. It offers matchless customer service, unbiased advice, and a user-friendly online platform for its customers to get quotes, compare, and buy travel medical insurance. The company, established in 1996, is a one-stop-shop for all your international travel insurance needs. Visit for more details: www.VisitorsCoverage.com

Drink it twice a day, one hour before lunch and one hour before dinner.

Stop white rice, peeled potatoes, white sugar, maida (super refined Wheat flour),peeled polished pulses cereals. Eat lot of green vegetables in raw form.

Kapaal bhati and Bhastrika Pranayam also helps. (People with blood pressure and cardiac issues to do it under expert guidance only) 30 minute walk in the morning and evening.

Dr. Hiten Patel is a Registered Medical Practitioner (Alternative Medicine) and ACWA. e can be reached at +91-9820371404 or mind. therapist@gmail.com www.drhitenpatel.blogspot.in

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ost people are aware that fish oil is good for them. Most doctors encourage their patients to take fish oil supplements. Most people take one or two capsules and mistakenly think that it is enough. To see the beneficial effects, the minimum effective dose is 6 x 1000mg capsules per day. There are no serious side effects. If you take too much, you will smell like a fish, feel dizzy and have an urge to go numerous times to the bathroom. This happens usually if you take more than 20 capsules a day. Strict vegetarians may take chia or flax seeds but these are not as effective as fish oil.

Fish oil contain Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, ALA) which are potent anti -inflammatory compounds. Since inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases such as the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, dementia and cancer, supple-

mentation with fish oil plays a very important role in the prevention of these diseases.

Fish oil and the brain: Research has shown that the brain structure of those taking fish oil supplements is different from those not taking fish oil supplements. The brain volume in the critical areas of memory and cognition (hippocampus and cerebral cortex) are increased in those taking the supplements. DHA, one of the components of fish oil may be considered as building blocks of the brain.

Regular intake of fish oil is protective against age- related cognitive decline and dementia. Improved mood, clearer thinking, better memory are all experienced by those taking fish oil.

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SC & TECH

VOICE OF ASIA 19

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

Cockroaches can sense dan- Researcher admits mistakes in stem cell study ger in sugar

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ASHINGTON, (AFP) - A blockbuster study in which US researchers reported that they had turned human skin cells into embryonic stem cells contained errors, its lead author has acknowledged.

by Kerry Sheridan

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ockroaches will eat anything. Except sugar, that is.

Some of the common pests have evolved to learn how to detect and avoid a certain kind of glucose often used in bait traps, according to research published in the US journal Science on Thursday.

Scientists focused on the slender and small brown German cockroaches, which live all over the world in homes, offices and apartment buildings -- anywhere humans tread and leave crumbs behind.

An apparent disdain for sweet-laced traps was first observed in some of these roaches in the early 1990s, about seven to eight years after commercial traps using glucose came on the market and entered into widespread use, said researcher Coby Schal of North Carolina State University.

The roaches were evolving quickly, scientists found. New generations were emerging that had inherited a genetic aversion to glucose.

And now, Schal says he and his colleagues understand why.

Glucose-averse roaches use their small taste-hairs to sample food first and if it contains glucose, they actually taste it as bitter, not sweet.

“They bounce back as if they got an electric shock. It is a very, very, very clear behavior.

They just absolutely refuse to ingest it,” said Schal, a professor of entomology.

“It is kind of like if you put something really bitter or really sour in your mouth and you im-

Shoukhrat Mitalipov nevertheless adamantly stood by the conclusions of the study published last week in journal Cell, which reported that human stem cell lines for the first time had been created via cloning.

View of giant cockroaches on display during an exibition at the Explora Park in Medellin, Colombia on February 5, 2013 (AFP/ File, Raul Arboleda) mediately want to expel it.”

Schal said this evolution came about “incredibly fast,” but noted that the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria moves even faster.

said Bob Kunst, president of Fischer Environmental, a pest control company in Louisiana.

Kunst, who was not involved in the study, described German cockroaches as “filthy little creatures” because they can carry salmonella.

It is hard to know what percentage of roaches have become averse to glucose. In this study, Schal and colleagues sampled various roaches from infestations in the United States, Russia, Puerto Rico and South Korea.

Many of the major players in the pesticide industry keep their attractants under wraps for competitive purposes, but experts have a good idea of what works these days, he said.

Of 19 populations studied, they found seven that contained glucose-averse roaches in their midst.

“I would suggest certain high carbohydrate and base proteins are very popular with roaches,” Kunst said.

“This is a global phenomenon. It is not restricted to the US,” he said.

To illustrate how keen these newly evolved roaches are to survive and thrive without glucose, Schal and colleagues filmed the critters as they chose a fructose-based blob of jelly over one right next to it that contained glucose.

Professional exterminators have known about the issue for some time. The agrochemical industry has responded by altering baits to replace glucose with other attractants.

“We haven’t used any kind of trap that used sugar for years,”

They also captured video of the roaches entirely avoiding a mound of jam containing glucose and flocking instead to a

The journal Nature contacted Mitalipov after an anonymous online critic on PubPeer spotted four separate problems in the paper.

In an interview with Nature, Mitalipov confirmed that three errors were made in the rush to publish -- but denied the fourth issue raised was an error and said the overall conclusions were unaffected.

“The results are real, the cell lines are real, everything is real,” said Mitalipov, a reproductive biology specialist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Beaverton.

“I personally made the cells,” he said. “I saw them grow into colonies.”

He blamed the errors on his rush to publish the research, which he hoped to present next month at the International Sociglob of peanut butter.

“We are showing that cockroaches can learn incredibly well. They can associate the punishment of tasting glucose with the smell of the bait.”

Schal said he hopes the agrochemical industry will take

ety for Stem Cell Research meeting. “Maybe it was rushed,” he said. “It was my mistake.”

Mitalipov said his research team will be issuing an erratum correcting the flaws, and hopes that other scientists will try to duplicate his findings, which will lend it even more credibility.

“The first thing we want to do is have people confirm our results,” Mitalipov said. “We are not hiding these cell lines.”

The scientific community was divided as to how seriously to view the errors.

Robin Lovell Badge, who heads the Division of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research in London, warned against a rush to condemn.

“I expect the errors above were also due to the rush to publish. The authors should be given a chance to answer and correct mistakes,” he told Nature.

Others said they were surprised that Cell accepted the paper in just days -- a time they deemed insufficient for proper peer review.

Francisco.

“It’s a degree of sloppiness that you wouldn’t expect in a paper that was going to have this high profile,” Kriegstein told the British journal.

“One worries if there is more than meets the eye and whether there are other issues with the work that are not as apparent,” he said.

The cloning method written about in the article was described as an important breakthrough because it does not destroy embryos in creating the type of stem cell that can morph into any other type of cell in the body.

The technique involves transplanting an individual’s DNA into an egg cell that has been stripped of genetic material, a variation of a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Scientists said the research could one day offer new pathways in the fight against Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and blindness.

Since the reprogrammed cells use genetic material from the patient, there is no concern about transplant rejection.

“The four-day review process was obviously inadequate,” said Arnold Kriegstein, director of the stem cell program at the University of California, San

Another advantage of the technique is that it circumvents some of the ethical challenges inherent when using fertilized embryos to obtain stem cells.

steps to more widely eliminate glucose from baits.

“As far as we know they do nothing for the ecological system outside of being pests in our homes, associated with us and possibly transmitting diseases and such,” he told AFP.

The German cockroach represents just one of about 5,000 species of roaches, and getting rid of the household pests all together would not be a bad thing, he said.

“In low-income housing it is a really severe problem. Cock-

$6 billion US fraud probe targets digital currency

by Sebastian Smith

erty Reserve gave many of its users was the freedom to commit crime.”

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EW YORK, May 28, 2013 (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday unveiled the world’s “largest” money laundering probe targeting the digital currency operator Liberty Reserve, striking a major blow against what a prosecutor termed the “Wild West” of virtual banking.

The Costa Rica-based entity, which handled huge amounts of money outside the control of national governments, is charged with running a “$6 billion money laundering scheme and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business,” the US Attorney’s office for New York said.

Prosecutors said Liberty Reserve processed at least 55 million illegal transactions for at least one million users “and facilitated global criminal conduct.”

The probe involved law enforcement in 17 countries and “is believed to be the largest money laundering prosecution in history,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Liberty Reserve’s principals were arrested Friday in a round-up launched simultane-

Customers would go to Liberty Reserve’s now shut-down website to buy the online currency, known as LRs, that could then be used in transactions with other LR users.

The system was not registered with US authorities and unlike some other non-state currency systems did not require proof of identity for users.

The United States on Tuesday unveiled what it called the world’s “largest” money laundering probe against the digital currency operator Liberty Reserve. ously in Costa Rica, Spain and New York, sealing the fate of a company that had been one of the most successful in the popular but increasingly scrutinized world of unofficial banking and virtual currencies.

erty Reserve founder Arthur Budovsky -- a former US citizen who took Costa Rican nationality -- and his partners of creating a firm that masqueraded as a convenient and legitimate money transfer system.

One of them, Russian citizen Maxim Chukharev, is set to be extradited to the United States, Costa Rican authorities said Tuesday.

In reality, the organization turned itself into the “financial hub of the cyber-crime world,” the indictment said.

The indictment accuses Lib-

US Attorney Preet Bharara said “the only liberty that Lib-

Adding another important layer of anonymity, Liberty required customers to buy or sell their LRs via third party exchangers, meaning that there was no direct link between a customer’s traditional bank account and Liberty’s system.

An extra service would allow a user to hide “his own Liberty Reserve account number when transferring funds, effectively making the transfer completely untraceable, even within Liberty Reserve’s already opaque system.”

The system, the indictment says, was tailor-made for criminal transactions and money-laundering, facilitating “a broad range of online criminal activity, including credit card

fraud, identity theft, investment fraud, computer hacking, child pornography, and narcotics trafficking.”

“The scope of the defendants’ unlawful conduct is staggering,” the indictment said.

“With more than 200,000 users in the United States, Liberty Reserve processed more than 12 million financial transactions annually, with a combined value of more than $1.4 billion.”

Authorities say that when Liberty Reserve realized it was under investigation it made a show of shutting down, yet continued to operate behind an array of shell companies in Australia, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Morocco, Russia and Spain.

Budovsky and his partners started Liberty Reserve after an earlier similar venture, Gold Age Inc, which traded the EGold digital currency, was shut down by US authorities.

It was then that Budovsky, 39, emigrated to Costa Rica, later renouncing his US citizenship, and becoming resident in The Netherlands. He was arrested in Spain.

He and his four partners, who range in age from 27 to 46, face maximum prison terms of 20 years if found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as up to 10 years on charges related to running an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Chukarev was described as being co-responsible for Liberty Reserve’s technical infrastructure.

Virtual currencies have grown exponentially, but face pressure on numerous fronts.

The popular Bitcoin system has come under scrutiny by financial authorities and seen growing trading volatility.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman said the United States had used “every tool we have” to combat “global illicit finances.”

As Bharara put it, “the global enforcement action we announce today is an important step towards reining in the ‘Wild West’ of illicit Internet banking.”

“As crime goes increasingly global, the long arm of the law has to get even longer, and in this case, it encircled the earth,” he added.

VOICE OF ASIA 20

Friday, May 31, 2013

BUSINESS

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Murdoch defies naysayers with new News Corp

by Jennifer Saba (Reuters)

million.

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upert Murdoch tried to convince Wall Street on Tuesday that there is still money to be made in newspapers, reminding investors that he had defied skeptics over the past 60 years to build one of the world’s biggest media empires.

As News Corp prepares to separate its publishing business from its entertainment assets, Murdoch said that while some brands face individual challenges, as a whole the publishing portfolio is “undervalued and underdeveloped.”

“I am not saying I didn’t make many mistakes along the way -even some spectacular ones,” Murdoch said at a meeting in Manhattan to sell investors on the new publishing company.

“You may be wondering why I want to do it all over again,” the 82-year-old media mogul said. “The simple answer is: there is opportunity everywhere.”

The new publishing company, which will retain the News Corp name, officially kicks off on June 28 with properties such as: The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Newswires, The Times of London, Australian pay-TV services, book publisher HarperCollins and fledgling education unit, Amplify.

The spin-off comes as newspapers face plunging advertising revenue and readers who increasingly prefer to get news for free on their smartphones and tablets. Shares of newspaper companies - once con-

Still, analysts wanted to know if Murdoch intended to go shopping with his coffer of cash especially where newspapers assets are concerned - including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune that are on the market.

News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch delivers an address on October 14, 2011 in San Francisco, California. News Corp’s board on Friday approved the break-up of the conglomerate into two independent companies, separating the high-flying entertainment assets from the struggling newspaper operations sidered blue-chip investments - have tumbled over the past decade as investors fear a permanent drain in ad sales.

Against this backdrop, the publishing company’s new chief executive, Robert Thomson, said there will be “relentless” cost cuts in store for the business. He gave no specifics.

News Corp executives took pains to note almost half of the publishing company’s revenue comes from sources other than advertising. One revenue source is Dow Jones, which sells news and information to financial institutions and competes with Thomson Reuters Corp and Bloomberg LP. Dow Jones CEO Lex Fenwick highlighted the introduction of a new platform, codenamed DJ X. He emphasized

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

one product, one price and one standard contract.

“If we can take a little more of institutional spend with DJ X - if we deliver that product with real value, there’s a real opportunity to increase our market share,” he said.

Fenwick also said Dow Jones is working on a messaging platform to compete with Bloomberg’s vaunted product.

CLEAN BALANCE SHEET Thomson, a close confident of Murdoch, ensured the new publishing company would start out with a clean balance sheet, no debt and $2 billion in cash to buffer operations and attract investors. News Corp intends to pay a dividend, but the board has yet to determine the details. It said it has authorized a share buyback of $500

Murdoch said if the “price is right” News Corp could be interested in newspapers. But he said that cross-ownership rules that prevent companies from owning top TV stations and newspapers in the same market made it “pretty unlikely.”

News Corp said last Friday that it would write down the value of its Australian and U.S. publishing assets by up to $1.4 billion, potentially wiping out the company’s estimated profit for the quarter ending June 30.

Thomson said the company will have “a permanent startup sensibility.” He added, “We will be relentless in our costcutting and in our pursuit of profits.”

The new News Corp also unveiled its logo - written in a cursive script based on the handwriting of Murdoch and his father, Keith, whose Australian newspapers were the seeds of the media empire.

The Fox network, the movie studio and a set of lucrative cable properties will become a separately traded company called 21st Century Fox. “I have been given an extraordinary opportunity most people never get in their lifetime: the chance to do it all over again,” said Murdoch.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Apple CEO sees more ‘gamechangers’; hints at wearable devices

by Alexei Oreskovic

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ANCHOS PALOS VERDES, California (Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook said on Tuesday he expects the iPhone and iPad maker would be responsible for “several more gamechangers” and that wearable computers could be the next big thing.

“It’s an area where it’s ripe for exploration,” Cook told an All Things Digital conference, an annual gathering of technology and media executives in the California coastal resort town of Rancho Palos Verdes.

“It’s ripe for us all getting excited about. I think there will be tons of companies playing in this.”

His remarks come at a time when worries are mounting that the company which created the smartphone and tablet markets is no longer at the top of its game, with a slowdown in earnings growth hitting its share price.

Cook stopped short of saying if Apple was working on wearable products, but added that wearable computers had to be compelling and that Google Inc’s Glass -- a cross between a mobile computer and eyeglasses that can both record video and surf the Internet -- is likely to have only limited appeal.

“There’s nothing that’s going to convince a kid who has never worn glasses or a band or a watch to wear one, or at least I haven’t seen it,” he said. “So I think there’s lots of things to solve in this space.”

Cook also said he has a “grand vision” for television that goes beyond an existing $99 Apple TV streaming device, but did not go into details. The company has maintained for years that it harbors an interest in the TV arena.

When asked if Apple has lost its cool, Cook said “absolutely not” and went on to list statistics of device sales and usage.

He, however, acknowledged that he was frustrated with the sudden downturn in the firm’s stock price.

Since hitting a record close of $702.10 last September, the world’s largest technology company has shed 44 percent, losing more than $280 billion of market value - or more than the entire market capitalization of Google.

In April, Apple reported its first quarterly profit decline in over a decade and was also shunned by some well-known fund managers in the first quarter, with John Griffin’s Blue Ridge Capital selling off its shares and Chase Coleman’s Tiger Global Management sharply cutting their position.

Cook has tried to reset heightened expectations around the company and he has stressed that the company’s position remains strong and has opened up more of its treasure trove to investors, doubling its cash return program to $100 billion by the end of 2015.

Cook’s appearance at the conference follows his grilling by a Senate panel last week about Apple’s tax management strategy.

Mothers now top earners in 4 in 10 US households

by Hope Yen WASHINGTON (AP) — A record number of American women are now the sole or primary breadwinners in their families, a sign of the rising influence of working mothers, a new study finds. Mothers now keep finances afloat in 40 percent of households with children, up from just 11 percent in 1960.

While most of these families are headed by single mothers, a growing number are married mothers who bring in more income than their husbands, according to a study released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center.

As the numbers have shifted, however, public attitudes have

remained mixed regarding the impact of working mothers on families. People are not at all sure that it’s a good thing.

Demographers say the change is all but irreversible and is likely to bring added attention to childcare policies as well as government safety nets for vulnerable families.

“This change is just another milestone in the dramatic transformation we have seen in family structure and family dynamics over the past 50 years or so,” said Kim Parker, associate director with the Pew Social & Demographic Trends Project.

“Women’s roles have changed, marriage rates have declined — the family looks a lot different

than it used to. The rise of breadwinner moms highlights the fact that, not only are more mothers balancing work and family these days, but the economic contributions mothers are making to their households have grown immensely.”

The trend is being driven mostly by long-term demographic changes, including higher rates of education and labor force participation dating back to the 1960s women’s movement. Today, women are more likely than men to hold bachelor’s degrees, and they make up nearly half — 47 percent — of the American workforce.

But recent changes in the economy, too, have played a

part. Big job losses in manufacturing and construction, fields that used to provide high pay to a mostly male workforce, have lifted the relative earnings of married women, even among those in mid-level positions such as teachers, nurses or administrators. The jump in working women has been especially prominent among those who are mothers — from 37 percent in 1968 to 65 percent in 2011 — reflecting in part increases for those who went looking for jobs to lift sagging family income after the recent recession.

ried breadwinner moms has jumped from 4 percent in 1960 to 15 percent in 2011. For single mothers, the share has increased from 7 percent to 25 percent.

homemaker marriage will never again be the norm, we won’t provide working parents with the support they need.”

How does the general public feel about that?

—There is a gender gap on attitudes. About 45 percent of women say children are better off if their mother is at home, and 38 percent say children are just as well off if the mother works. Among men, 57 percent say children are better off if their mother is at home, while 29 percent say they are just as well off if she works.

At the same time, marriage rates have fallen to record lows.

Forty percent of births now occur out of wedlock, leading to a rise in single-mother households.

Many of these mothers are lowincome with low education, and more likely to be black or Hispanic.

Roughly 3 in 4 adults said the increasing number of women working for pay has made it harder for parents to raise children.

In all, 13.7 million U.S. households with children under age 18 now include mothers who are the main breadwinners. Of those, 5.1 million, or 37 percent, are married, while 8.6 million, or 63 percent are single. The income gap between the families is large — $80,000 in median family income for married couples vs. $23,000 for single mothers.

Both groups of breadwinner moms — married and unmarried — have grown sharply.

Among all U.S. households with children, the share of mar-

While roughly 79 percent of Americans reject the notion that women should return to their traditional roles, only 21 percent of those polled said the trend of more mothers of young children working outside the home is a good thing for society, according to the Pew survey.

Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at Johns Hopkins University, said that to his surprise public attitudes toward working mothers have changed very little over the years. He predicts the growing numbers will lead to a growing constituency among women in favor of family-friendly work policies such as paid family leave, as well as safety net policies such as food stamps or child care support for single mothers.

“Many of our workplaces and schools still follow a male-breadwinner model, assuming that the wives are at home to take care of child care needs,” he said. “Until we realize that the breadwinner-

Other findings:

—The share of married couples in which the wife is more educated than the husband is rising, from 7 percent in 1960 to 23 percent in 2011. Still, the vast majority of couples include spouses with similar educational backgrounds, at 61 percent.

—The number of working wives who make more than their husbands has been increasing more rapidly in recent years. Among recently married couples, including those without children, the share of “breadwinner wives” is roughly 30 percent, compared to 24 percent of all married couples.

The Pew study is based on an analysis of census data as of 2011, the latest available, as well as interviews with 1,003 adults by cellphone or landline from April 25 to 28. The Pew poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

FEATURE

VOICE OF ASIA 21

Your Horoscope

Restaurant learns online reviews can make or break

P

HOENIX (AP) - It was the customer service disaster heard around the Internet.

An Arizona restaurateur, fed up after years of negative online reviews and an embarrassing appearance on a reality television show, posted a social media rant laced with salty language and angry, uppercase letters that quickly went viral last week, to the delight of people who love a good Internet meltdown.

“I AM NOT STUPID ALL OF YOU ARE,” read the posting on the Facebook wall of Amy’s Baking Co. in suburban Phoenix.

“YOU JUST DO NOT KNOW GOOD FOOD.” It was, to put it kindly, not a best business practice. Add to that an appearance earlier this month on the Fox reality television show “Kitchen Nightmares” - where celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay gave up on trying to save the restaurant after he was insulted - and you have a recipe for disaster.

“That’s probably the worst thing that can happen,” said Sujan Patel, founder and CEO of Single Grain, a digital marketing agency in San Francisco.

In the evolving world of online marketing, where the power of word of mouth has been wildly amplified by the whims and first impressions of anonymous reviewers posting on dozens of social media websites, online comments, both good and bad, and the reactions they trigger from managers, can make all the difference between higher revenues and empty storefronts.

Hotels, restaurants and other businesses that depend on good customer service reviews have all grappled in recent years with how to respond to online feedback on sites such as Twitter, Foursquare, Yelp, Facebook and Instagram, where comments can often be more vitriol than in-person reviews because of the anonymous shield many social media websites provide.

No matter how ugly the reviews get, businesses need to be willing to admit mistakes and offer discounts to lure unhappy customers back, digital marketing experts said.

“In the past, people just sent bad soup back. Well, now they are getting on social media and telling all their friends and friends

of friends how bad the soup was and why they should find other places to get soup in the future, so it takes the customer experience to another level,” said Tom Garrity of the Garrity Group, a public relations firm in New Mexico.

communications experts to respond to every tweet, Facebook message and online review, the wave of digital feedback can be especially challenging for small businesses with small staffs, digital consultants said.

“The challenge becomes - how do you respond when someone doesn’t think your food or product is as great as you think it is?”

For one thing, there is so much online content to wade through.

Roughly 60 percent of all adults get information about local businesses from search engines and entertainment websites such as Yelp or TripAdvisor, according to a 2011 study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

In Amy and Samy Bouzaglo’s case, the bad reviews were compounded by their horrible reality TV experience. The couple said during a recent episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” that they needed professional guidance after years of battling terrible online reviews.

They opened the pizzeria in an upscale Scottsdale neighborhood about six years ago.

“Kitchen Nightmares” follows Ramsay as he helps rebuild struggling restaurants. After one bite, he quickly deemed Amy’s Baking Co. a disaster and chided the Bouzaglos for growing increasingly irate over his constructive feedback. Among his many critiques: The store-bought ravioli smelled “weird,” a salmon burger was overcooked and a fig pizza was too sweet and arrived on raw dough.

“Customer service is a spectator sport now,” said Jay Baer, president of Convince & Convert, a social media marketing consultancy in Indiana. “It’s not about making that customer happy on Yelp. That’s the big misunderstanding of Yelp. It’s about the hundreds of thousands of people who are looking on to see how you handle it. It’s those ripples that make social media so important.”

In their “Kitchen Nightmares” episode, Amy and Samy Bouzaglo are seen yelling and cursing at customers inquiring about undercooked food or long delays.

They blame online bullies.

“You need thick skin in this business,” Ramsay said before walking out. It was the first time he wasn’t able to reform a business, according to the show.

“We stand up to them,” Amy Bouzaglo tells the camera at one point. “They come and they try to attack us and say horrible things that are not true.”

Amy’s Baking Co. temporarily closed last week after the episode aired. A Bouzaglo spokesman said the couple was not available for an interview Monday. The restaurant’s answering machine was full. Emails and Facebook messages were not returned.

That’s exactly how businesses shouldn’t respond, the digital experts said.

A wall post published last week claimed the restaurant’s Facebook, Yelp and Twitter accounts had been hacked, but hundreds of commenters expressed doubt.

Social media sites show someone posting as a member of the Bouzaglo family had been insulting customers over negative reviews since at least 2010.

The story bounced across the Internet, generating thousands of comments on Facebook, Yelp and Twitter, and prompting nearly 36,000 people to sign a petition on Change.org that asks the Department of Labor to look into the Bouzaglo’s practice of pocketing their servers’ tips.

While many corporations hire

“If your policy is to berate the customer online, that doesn’t create good public relations,” Garrity said.

Baer said he tells clients to create a response matrix representing different potential complaints that staff can refer to whenever bad feedback arises. Creating the comment chart before the bad publicity hits helps ensure businesses aren’t responding to angry or disappointed customers with their own anger or disappointment, Baer said.

A 2011 Harvard study found Yelp’s 40 million reviews disproportionately affect small businesses. The research found a onestar increase in Yelp’s five-star rating system resulted in a revenue jump of up to 9 percent for some restaurants, while chains with sizable advertising budgets were unaffected.

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Hardik Vyas, Astrologer Cell : 832-298-9950

As per Indian Vedic Astrology the Moon sign is considered, in which every Rashi has control over certain letters, which are initials of your name. Whereas in Western system of Sun Sign, all the people born in one month belong to the same sign. For example, every year approximately around 21 of March to 20th April, the Sun is moving in the Aries Constellation. So all the people born in that month belong to the Sign of Aries. If you were born in between those two dates then you are a Aries born.

Aries (A,L,E) 21st. March to 20 April You’ll be able to achieve your immediate goals if you learn to listen to others. You need to focus your energy into a new plan or project to reach your goals. Don’t go looking for anything in particular but something will certainly present itself to you. Express your appreciation to those who have helped you, on your way. Learn to try to let things come to you, rather than chasing rainbows. If you find something that tickles your fancy, discuss it with your mate & their perspective may just give you the spark you need. Verify your information by obtaining written reference material.

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You can enhance business, career & prestige in the community. Higher ups may request your time.

Listen to other’s ideas on how to handle the situation & plan your strategy, accordingly. Sometimes you may feel as if you can conquer anything and maybe you can, but remember to thank those who have helped you on your way. They need to feel your respect & your love. They’ll feel it best if you show it through your actions, not just your words. Make sure to keep your positive flow going. Others may require your attention & understanding in a domestic situation. Be careful not to say something that you’ll be sorry for later.

Gemini

(K,CHH,GH) 22 May to 21 June

Your life seems to have gone completely off kilter, lately. You seem to have been pushed off track of your interests and goals. Other situations have taken over & become a real priority to you. You will be exposed to information and data and will be able to transform it into a valuable opportunity. Try to streamline procedures, improve techniques & you’ll be able to reap rewards beyond your expectations. Gather together with others who share your passion to succeed. Your ability to encourage others will pay off. Pay attention to your inner feelings.

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Bask in your share of the group’s recognition when it comes and humbly accept your role in the success. Your efforts will not go unnoticed and someone could make you an offer in the near future because of your actions now. Celebrate with loved ones. Other’s energies support your efforts at making changes, especially those that will help you to let go of an unhealthy habit. You have the inner resources to go it alone if necessary, but someone close to you could benefit from your example and encouragement. The buddy system could strengthen your own resolve to conquer this habit and give your ideas about replacement activities. Take it one day at a time. When asked to give your opinion, express your feelings strongly & clearly.

Leo (M) 23 July to 23 August

A sense of getting yourself organized. Your life has been far too busy lately. Try not to sweep your problems under the rug. Expect disagreements with your partner if financial irresponsibility has left you in a tight spot. The key might be to set limitations on each other’s spending habits. Perhaps you were supposed to take care of this situation long time ago. Slow down and deal with it now. Then you’ll get this problem behind you forever. Ask direct questions if you have any doubts. Chance meeting will allow the surge of a new fresh relationship. Share some quality time & realize how special you feel for each other.

Virgo (P) 24 August to - 23 September The fact that even though you do not always fit the normal mould, you definitely have your own style. Aspects of your personality will shine this week. You may have to show your true colors to those who doubt your loyalty. If your heart is true then you will have nothing to worry about. What a wonderful and progressive week ‘over all’ for MOST of you but a small cross section of you MAY and I say “MAY,” hit a pocket of time when illness/injury could ‘put you down off your feet or your game’, with digestive, common cold/flu. Delegate duty out to family if you hit this one and withdraw to conserve energy!

Libra

(R,T) 24 Sept. to 23 Oct.

Scorpio (N,Y) 24 Oct. to 23 Nov. Stay focused on bringing your greatest asset to the forefront, your confidence. Once you feel confident in yourself, you will be able to influence others. Peers may try to question your authority, reply with positive financial feedback. Collect & study facts & faces, you may be tested to remember, later. You are due to receive a gift or a bonus. Perform your heart out, enjoy the limelight. Offers you receive may be exciting, but you will need time to digest all of the information you have received. Family members, co-workers will vie for your attention.

Sagittarius

(BH,F,DH,TH) 23. Nov. to 21 Dec.

Look over your personal papers, make budgets and write everything down. You can get your point across and make valuable connections. Your personal life will stabilize. Don’t be confrontational. You’ll meet opposition if you try to push your ideas too much. Be observant and save your comments for a better time. You need to focus on your career. You’ll accomplish the most if you travel for business. If you have an idea, present it. Don’t take on too strenuous a task. Minor injury or exhaustion will result if you do.

Capricorn

We speak Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam & Spanish Not Certified by Texas Board Of Legal Specialization

(B,V,U) 21 April to 21 May

Focus your energy full force. You’ll seem to have a keener understanding of how things work.

Look behind the scene & you’ll see all of your options. Play your cards right & you may be celebrating true success. Bring people together by showing them interesting new lifestyle or way to work. Personal relationships will feel more positive than ever. Invest time with family members & you’ll be creating great memories for everybody. Express your ideas with passion & you’ll learn new ways to impress your style. Once you do, you’ll be able to feel more confident in who you are.

UMA MANTRAVADI

HOUSTON LOCATION: 6200 Savoy Dr., Ste. 414 Houston, TX 77036

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

(KH,J) 22 Dec. to 20 Jan.

Miscommunications or misunderstandings may occur, if you don’t choose your words carefully. What solution that had long gone by the wayside, may now become a viable one. Listen to others with expertise to overcome distance & language problems. Your ability to communicate on many levels will help others to understand your motivations. Be sensitive to those who are affected by your acts.

Let your flair for communications guide you through important negotiations & decisions. If you play your cards right, you could really become the talk of the town.

Aquarius (G,S,SH) 21st Jan. to 18th Feb.

You may feel as if there are too many things to decide on. Take the time to read, write & express your thoughts on paper. By doing so, you may feel an awakening of ideas, you shared with someone, long ago. That person may remind you of something very important that you forgot. Stress that seemed so intense, lately, may lessen, as the week goes by. Take the time to enjoy all of those favorite things, that you really like to do. Don’t be afraid to express yourself. You need to open your mind & your heart to someone who shares your goals.

Pisces

(D,CH,Z) 19th Feb. to 20th March

Once you feel more in control of the situation, you’ll be able to get past the negative influence you’ve been feeling. Be cautious with who you trust with your financial matters. Time is on your side, don’t make any rush decisions. Accent is on using your personality to open new doors of opportunity.

Your cycle is high. You’ll be at the right place at the right time. When it comes to the technical end, listen to others who have the knowledge & experience. Make sure you insist on having creative control. Try to get you priorities straight.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

VOICE OF ASIA 22

FRIDAY, May 31, 2013

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES & ORGANIZATIONS OF HOUSTON - call Voice of Asia 713-774-5140 Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) Prog: Silver Jubilee Celebrations at Hilton Americas on Sept 21st, 2013 . For more information, call Gala Chair Ramesh Cherivirala at 713-875-4336.

VSNA, Houston Prog: Monthly Mahamane event. Puja, Vachana Sahithya discourses, Aarthi and Prasad Contact: vsnahouston@gmail. com/832-545-1185 (Jyoti Biradar) Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/VSNA.HOUSTON Website: https://sites.google. com/site/bsusorg/home

Hare Krishna Dham (ISKCON) Prog: Everyday, 7 Aratis and bhoga offerings daily. Sunday Festival: 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Location: 1320 West 34th St, Houston, TX 77018.

Contact:281-433-1635/E-mail harekrishnadham@gmail.com Website: www.iskconhouston. org

International Hindi Association (IHA) Houston Prog: 16th Biennial Hindi National Conference on August 30, 31 and September 1 (Labor Day weekend) at VPSS Haveli.

For registration and more information contact Sangeeta 281 7889750 or Swapan 281 3820348 or visit www.hindi.org

BAPS

Arsha Vidya Bharati Prog.:Sanskrit classes and special worship sessions for all ages Location: 2918 Renoir, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Contact: 281-606-5607 or AVB. Houston@gmail.com Web-site: https://sites.google. com/site/avbtexas/classes

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Baitus Samee Mosque Prog: Friday Prayer - 1:30 PM Children’s Classes | Interfaith meeting | Location: 1333 Spears Rd, Houston, TX 77067 Imam - Mohammed Zafarullah Contact : Work: 281-875-3400 | Cell: 713-874-4363 Zafarullah_Hanjra@hotmail. com www.Alislam.org

Ashirwad - A Blessing Temple Prog: Regular prog :Sloka Classes for kids and teens.

Location: Katy, Hwy 249 & Sugar Land.

Contact: 281.995.0930/ 281.808.2159

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston Prog: Vedanta teachings Sundays at 10:30 AM Location: at 14809 Lindita Dr. Houston, TX -77083.

Website: www.vedantahouston. org

Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya Temple Temple Hrs: 9 am to noon and 5 to 9 pm.

Sri Astalaksmi puja: 7 pm.

Sri Laksmi Archana will be performed on request all day.

Location:10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX77498.

Phone: 832.541.0059.

Website: www.saumyakasi.org;

Prog: Location: 1150 Brand Rd. Stafford, TX. Contact: 281-765-2277 Web:

Sri Meenakshi Temple Prog: Location: 17130 McLean Road Pearland, TX 77584 Contact: (281) 489-0358

QR

Chinmaya Mission Prog: One Session from 6/2 to 8/25; Sunday satsanga for adults and Bala Vihar (PreK to Grade 11) from 10:50 AM to 12:30 PM at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land,

TX77498. Enrolling for new Bala Vihar year. New members visit welcome desk between 10:15 to 10:45 AM. Contact: Bharati Sutaria 281.933.0233 Location:10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX77498.

Phone: 832.541.0059.

Website:www.chinmayahouston. org.

ISSO Prog: Darshan daily from 7.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.; Aarti daily from 7.45 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Location: 10080 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Phone: 281-530-2565 Web:

VPSS Houston Prog: Location VPSS Vallabh Hall, 11715 Belfort Village Dr. Houston 77031.

Contact:713-530-2900 Website:www.vpsshaveli.org

Shri Satyanarayan Sai Puja Darshan Prog: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 1:p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Every Thursday Abhishek Location: 16338 Kensington Dr, Ste 110, Sugar Land 77479.

Phone: 713-933-8821 / 9359.

Shri Radha Krishna Temple

Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji Location:10098 Synott Road.

Sugar Land, TX 77478 Phone: 281- 498-2344 Website: www.ashtalakshmi.org

Hindu Worship Society Prog: Open all days except Thursdays (by appt). Regular Puja and Prasad. Sunday Service 11:30 AM to 1:30 Location: 2223 Wirtcrest Lane Houston TX 77055.

Barsana Dham Houston Chapter

Gurdwara Sahib of SW Houston Prog: Sundays Dewan 10:00 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Langar Location:14811 Lindita Drive, Houston, TX 77083 Phone: 281-498-5200 Website: www.gurdwaraswh. com

Prog: Satsang every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: India House, 8888 West Belfort 77031 Phone: (713) 855-9818 for details Website: www.jkphouston.org Weekly Radio Program-1460 AM Saturdays 10-11 a.m.

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Jain Center of Houston

Prog: Location:3845 West Bellfort, St., Sugar Land, TX 77498 Website: www.babamandir.org

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

Prog: Location: 3905 Arc St. Houston, TX 77063 Contact: 281-606-JAIN; Email: ecjsh@jain-houston.org Website:www.jain-houston.org

Durga Bari Society

Hindu Temple of The Woodlands

Prog: Sandhya Arati at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday: 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Location: 13944 Schiller Road.

Contact: 281-597-8100 Website:www.houstondurgabari. org

Gayatri Pariwar of Houston Prog: Sundays Satsang, BalSanskar Shala, from 11am to 1pm.

Location: 5645 Hillcroft, Suite #

Location: 7601 S. Forest Gate Drive at Woodlands Parkway, Spring, TX 77382.

307, Houston, TX 77036.

Website: http://www.gayatripariwarhouston.org/ “

Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya Prog: Location: Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land -TX 77498.

Contact: 281.568.1690 Website: www.saumyakasi.org

Sri Guruvayurappan Temple Prog: Bhajans: Sat.7:00 -8:00 p.m.; Sundays 9:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.Location: 1620 Ormandy Street, Houston, TX 77035 Contact: 713-729-8994

Govindaji Gaudiya Math Prog:Satsang every Sunday evening from 5 - 7 p.m. Vedic heritage classes for kids 5-14.

Location: 16628 Kieth Harrow blvd. Houston, TX 77084 Contact: 281-499-3347/281491-4114.

Sathya Sai Baba Centers Prog: Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at two locations Locations: Contact: (North) 832-418-3842 or (South) 281-788-4786.

Website:www.saicenterofhouston.org

Telugu Christian Fellowship Prog; Every third Saturday 6:30 PM. Worship is in English Location: The Triumph Church, 10555 West Airport Boulevard, Stafford, TX 77477.

Contact:713-301-6444 Website:

Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple Prog: Hanuman Deeksha & Sri Sita Rama Kalyana from June 5th to June 11th, 2013. Under the auspicious presence of HH.

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specializing in North Indian cuisine, Office and Corporate catering.

Roofing 522),1* VEEDONE CONSTRUCTION, LLC. - ROOFING Roofing, Siding, Gutters and Fence WIND & HAIL INSURANCE CLAIMS SPECIALIST

15919 KUYKENDAHL RD. HOUSTON, TX 77068

281-919-1920

(281) 701-7760 www.VeeDone.com

Computer Repair & Networking

Medical School

Home & Business, Microsoft & A+ certified, low flat rates, free estimates, pickup & delivery.

High School to Medical School Starts $45,000 for all 41/2 years INDIA, Europe, Carib, China etc

www.PCNetworkGuru.com Call Amit at 832-971-6807

Prog: Annual Family Camp “Understanding Joy & Sorrow” on March 29 - 31, 2013 (Good Friday Weekend) Bellville, TX. Location: 14102 Schiller Road, Houston TX 77082 Phone: 281.596.9642 Website: www.jvbhouston.org

Prog: Free Yoga Classes every Sat/Sun from 8 am to 9:30 am Location: Arya Samaj @Schiller Road.

Contact: 281-579-9433.

Websites: www.pyptusa.org

Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir

QUICK REFERENCE SERVICES DIRECTORY

Accountants

JVB Preksha Meditation Center

Patanjali Yogpeeth Center

Prog: Every Friday Satsangh from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. Bhajans and Devi Puja, Discourses.

Location: 12530 Ann Louise Road, Houston, 77086.

Phone: Contact Vishnu at (832) 309- 7181.

Prog: Location:11625 Beechnut, Houston, TX 77072 Phone: 281-933-8100 Website: www.SRKT.org.

Contact: info@woodlandshindutemple.org, 832-585-0001 Website: www.woodlandshindutemple.org.

Become a Doctor

209-830-8266; 248-419-0284

EasyMedSchool@yahoo.com www.EasyMedSchool.com

• 2514 Times Blvd. Rice Village, Ph: 713-523-4753 • 2130 Lone Star Dr. Sugar Land, Ph: 281-494-2981

LEGAL SERVICE ACCESS QUALITY LEGAL ADVICE

SMALL BUSINESS: • 1-50 EMP - $75/M • 51-99 EMP - $125/M FAMILY PLAN: • $17/M to $26/M

CONTACT: J. SINGH

INDEPENDENT SALES ASSOCIATE for LEGAL SHIELD

Call 713-894-8771 Email Singh.j@sbcglobal.net

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FRIDAY, May 31, 2013