Voice of asia nov 1 2013 by VoiceOf Asia

OP-ED/OPIONS/VIEWS

VOICE OF ASIA 2

by Simon Danaher, Online Editor , International Adviser

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ANALYSIS

Is The US Losing Saudi Arabia To China? – Analysis by Daniel Wagner and Giorgio Caﬁero

audi Arabia’s declared intention to pivot away from the U.S. in foreign policy implies a shift toward Beijing, which predates both the Obama presidency and the Arab Awakening. While a full-ﬂedged “divorce” from the U.S. appears highly unlikely at this juncture, there is genuine cause for concern in Washington. The Saudi government’s decision has potentially profound implications regionally, as cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. has been a hallmark of the Middle East’s political landscape for the past 80 years. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have maintained a strategic partnership since World War II based on a common understanding — Saudi Arabia provides the U.S. with oil and the U.S. in turn provides a security umbrella to the Kingdom. The two have for many years also shared mutual interest in containing Communism and Arab nationalism, which has led to many joint U.S.-Saudi campaigns throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Washington and Riyadh’s shared objective of countering the inﬂuence of post-revolutionary Iran has also served to strengthen their ties. Part of what is at issue here is a simmering, lingering tension between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. The U.S. has beaten the ‘democracy’ drum in the Middle East for decades, particularly since 9/11, which has not sat well with the distinctly undemocratic Saudi polity. The fact that 15 of the 19 hijackers of 9/11 were Saudi nationals prompted greater scrutiny in Washington about the nature of the bilateral relationship, as have questions about human rights in the Kingdom

since that time. Saudi ofﬁcials view U.S. hegemony in the post-Cold War era as having a destabilizing impact on the Middle East. Saudi Arabia sees itself as paying a price for reckless and poorly executed U.S. foreign policy, with the U.S., for example, having refused to pressure Israel to make concessions to the Palestinians (consistent with the Saudi Initiative of 2002) and having toppled Saddam Hussein against Riyadh’s advice. The Saudis saw the U.S. decision to remove Saddam as misguided from the beginning, and anticipated that any democratically-elected national Iraqi government would be Shi’ite-majority and politically tied to Iran. However, when protests erupted in Bahrain in 2011, the Saudis did not wait for a permission slip from the White House before waging a harsh crackdown to defend the Sunni-dominated monarchy in Manama. Riyadh views the prospects of political change in Bahrain as another potential Saudi loss and Iranian gain, rooted amid concern that Saudi Arabia’s own Shi’ite community would rise up against the House of Saud, in response to a Shi’ite take-over of Bahrain. In addition to viewing American ofﬁcials as clueless about the Middle East’s realities, the evolution of the Arab Awakening has led many in Riyadh to question Washington’s loyalty to the Kingdom and its allies. When protests erupted across Egypt in 2011, the Saudis were disappointed at the passivity of the Obama Administration, which stood by as the power of its strategic partner for 30 years (Hosni Mubarak) disintegrated. Washington’s subsequent decision to withhold a portion of military aid to General Sisi has Continued on Page 12

Voice of Asia (USPS 010-215) (ISSN#10705058) is published every Friday (for a subscription rate of $30 per year) by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713774-5143. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Voice of Asia, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074 It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or conﬁrmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints. - The Publisher

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Asia tops annual survey for ‘expat experience’ the Cayman Islands make up the rest of the top ﬁve respectively.

HSBC’s annual survey of expats living around the world, found five Asian countries voted within the top 10 for “expat experience”. These countries included Thailand (placed first), China (third), Singapore (sixth), India (seventh) and Taiwan (eighth). The survey found that expats in these Asian countries were more likely to find it easy to make friends since moving abroad (Thailand 76%, Singapore 63%, Taiwan 63%, China 59% and India 57% compared with the global average of 57%) as well as enjoying a more active social life upon relocation (Thailand 59%, China 44%, India 37%, Taiwan 36% and Singapore 29% compared with the global average of 26%). Indeed, the survey of over 7,000 expats worldwide revealed that expats across Asia were more likely to enjoy a better social life. More than a third (35%) of expats based in the

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espite neighbours helping India in addressing its security concerns, India is not responding equally, opined experts at the seventh South Asian Conference. South Asian strategic and academic experts on Wednesday stressed the need for India to take advantage of a window available now to change its perception in the neighbourhood. They cautioned that time is running out for India to put in place a collaborative and sustainable framework for the region’s future. Despite neighbours helping India in addressing its security concerns, India is not responding equally, opined experts at the seventh South Asian Conference. Organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), the conference brought together strategic experts, academicians and policy makers from South Asian countries to explore regional perceptions. “New Delhi is captured by Tamil Nadu as for as its Sri Lanka policy is concerned and it has to come out of this,” said Dr Dayan Jayatilleka of Sri Lanka. “India should not help in creating a particular perception among the people of Sri Lanka.” Dr Jayatilleka further stated that India’s prime minister should attend the u p c o m ing commonwealth meeting in the country as his absence will only vilify the bilateral and regional relations between the two countries.

HSBC found expats in these destinations are more likely to notice an improvement in their ﬁnancial status upon moving (Switzerland 75%, Qatar 73% and China 72% compared to the global average of 59%) as well as being satisﬁed with the present state of the economy in their host country (China 87%, Switzerland 86% and Qatar 84% compared to a global average of 56%). region agree they have a more active social life since relocating, compared with the global average of only 26%. Interestingly, Bahrain was voted second in the list of top destinations for expat experience, this despite continued political turmoil in the country which has resulted in curfews and regular, sometimes violent, protests. As well as evaluating the experience of life abroad for ex-

patriates, HSBC’s survey also looks at the ﬁnancial wellbeing of respondents and factors important to families, such as how good a country is for bringing up children. This year’s survey found that Switzerland was best for “expatriate economics” – which ranks countries based on factors such as earning potential, disposable income and satisfaction with economic outlook. China, Qatar, Thailand and

Our Credentials:

Last year, the survey found that those living in Southeast Asia tend to earn the most, with those in Singapore likely to be the wealthiest. However Europe was the clear winner when it came to raising children, with four countries from the region within the top 10, including Germany and France which took ﬁrst and third spots respectively. SOURCE: International Adviser. Pub. on Oct 30 2013

India can play a better role in South Asia, say experts Dr Jayatilleka said that India sent a wrong signal by downplaying the level of participation. Ambassador Humayun Kabir of Bangladesh too lamented India’s role and said that New Delhi should stop looking at Bangladesh through a India-Pakistan rivalry prism. Besides, Kabir said, India should strive for sub-regional cooperation with Bangladesh to build blocks for future regional cooperation. “India needs Bangladesh to develop its own country. India should respond to unilateral concessions that have

been offered by Bangladesh over the years,” said Kabir, while mentioning that India was given access to northeast states through Bangladesh. What India needs, Kabir said, are creative, collaborative and sustainable relations with Bangladesh. From Nepal, Dr Pratyoush Onta, pointed out the lack of academic input to shape policies and perceptions of a country. “Nepal is nonexistent for India and there is no academic or scholarly work on Nepal,” Onta rued. While Dr Yaqoob Khan Bangash from Pakistan was optimistic about changing

While referring to recent elections in Sri Lanka’s northern provincial council elections,

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perceptions inside Pakistan regarding India, he stated that a lot remains to be done on both sides. “Anti-India sentiment is decreasing in Pakistan and the middle-class and the upper middle-class have already divorced this perception,” said Bangash, adding that India has to help Pakistan in concentrating on peace, development and democracy so that Pakistan can come out of a primordial identity crisis. Besides, people in Pakistan, with its huge internal security issues, are no longer interested in Kashmir issue, he said. Source: DNA

25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

VOICE OF ASIA 4

INDIA CULTURE CENTER, HOUSTON (ICC) NOTICE 2013 India Culture Center, Houston (ICC) is requesting Nominations for ICC Board of Directors (7 positions for 2 year term) and Trustees (2 positions for 3 year term)

FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

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1. At-Large Board of Directors The nomination must be proposed, seconded and signed by paid members of ICC. The candidate must be a paid member of ICC as of AUGUST 31, 2013. The mailing address, phone number and e-mail addresses of all three (Nominee, Nominator and Seconder) must be provided in the nomination, signed by the nominee as well which should be faxed to the Chairman of the Election Committee and also mailed along with a non refundable processing fee of $25 to the address below and should reach by November 23, 2013. Postmark will not be considered. Checks to be payable to ICC. Incomplete forms will not be considered. ICC By laws are available on www.icchouston.org Requirements and QualiďŹ cations A nominator can nominate only one candidate though he or she can second multiple nominations. The elections for Board of Directors will be conducted on DECEMBER 15th, 2013 (Sunday) at 2 pm at India House, 8888 West Bellfort Houston, TX-77031. You can download the Forms from ICC website(www.icchouston.org) 2. Nominations for Trustees The nominations should be faxed and also should be mailed by any paid member of ICC for Trustee position and should reach the election OfďŹ cial no later than November 23, 2013. A simple form with your name and nominee names, address, phone number and e-mail address. The Trustee candidate should meet one of the following eligibility criteria. Person can nominate by member self, resume should be attached. a. Must be a Past President of ICC OR b. Must have had a distinguished record of past services to ICC, Partnering Organizations or Community at Large. Attach Resume to validate qualiďŹ cations. Requirements: * Only 6 nominees will be presented to the board of directors for consideration. Committee will consider one past president and one person with distinguished record as written in the qualiďŹ cations. Election Committee has right to accept or reject any or all nominees by majority vote of Committee. Rejected nominees will be informed in advance. For further information:

P V Patel, President 832-754-7596 Email: Dukeofnuke@mail.com Manisha Mehta, Secretary 832-876-2142 Email: Mgandhixyz@gmail.com

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Mail completed and signed nomination to:Ashok Dhingra Member, Election Committee 10700 Rockley Rd Houston, TX 77099 Email: ashok@dhingra.com Fax: 281-496-0400

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This article is reproduced from the Voice of Asia newsweekly archives in commemorations of its 25th anniversary. Published date: August 15, 1988

hen was the last time you had great Indian food? Discover Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s today, rated by Houston City Magazine, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Among the 25 best restaurants in Houston,â&#x20AC;? for authentic Indian cuisine and an experience in exotic dining. For lunch or dinner, 7 days a week, walk into the beautifully mirrored contemporary Indian restaurant featuring a wide range of Indian specialities at very moderate prices. Star rated by Texas Monthly, Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offers 21 hot and cold dishes, all you can eat

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Harbans Singh, my chief chef, Gurcharan Singh, assistant chef, and Sukwindra Singh, the tandooriya. They are my backbones,â&#x20AC;? he added. Patel, originally from London, is always a smiling, welcoming and familiar face at Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am a very social person. I love to entertain people,â&#x20AC;? he said. Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has a seating arrangement for 150 people and is also involved in catering and parties. So, next time you want to have a party, or cater food for a party, or just enjoy an evening out, visit Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 5704 Richmond Ave., 266-0131. Reservations suggested not required. Date of Publication: August 15, 1988

â&#x20AC;&#x153;India Culture Center and Its AfďŹ liated Indo-American Organizations Wish You All A Happy Diwali & A Prosperous New Year - 2014!â&#x20AC;?

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FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diwali Celebrated at BAPS Houston

Houston Takes A Step To End Global Poverty At Partnership Walk / Run

Citizenship Month Co-Chairs - Dr. Noel Bezette-Flores and Claudia Ortega Hogue. Dr. Noel Bezette-Flores, currently she is the Executive Director for the Center for Public Service and Family Strengths at UHDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College of Public Service, recently was named by Mayor Annise D. Parker to the board of directors of Houston Media Source. Claudia Ortega Hogue is Texas Director of Civic Engagement, National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed OfďŹ cials-NALEO Educational Fund. Just to name a few, she is an active member Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advisory Committee for Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (MOIRA), Harris County Clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OfďŹ ce Hispanic Advisory Committee, and Nuestra Vida/Univision 45 Advisory Board.

HOUSTON, TEXAS, October 28, 2013. On Saturday, November 2, 2013, around 7,500 participants will demonstrate their commitment to end global poverty in the annual Houston Partnership Walk / Run at Sam Houston Park. The Houston Partnership Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds that reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health in Africa and Asia. Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Walk raised $1.1 million. 100% of the funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to projects supported by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administration. Expected VIP guests to attend the event are elected ofďŹ cials, community, academic and corporate leaders. VIP guests and speakers include Kathy Hubbard - First Lady, City of Houston who initiated the Citizenship Month of Houston. This program is supported by Mayor Annise Parker and the OfďŹ ce of International Communities. Sujiro Seam - Consul General of France. Mr. Seam served on Minsitry of Foreign Affairs for French Government as well as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Public Goods in 2011 and then for Development and Global Public Goods in 2013. In addition, he worked with World Trade Organization. Marty McVey - USAID Board Member and an entrepreneur. He is also an ofďŹ cer and member to the Board of Directors of thirteen privately held companies and currently oversees a real estate portfolio within the United States. He serves on many charitable organizations including; The Indus Entrepreneurs and Human Rights Watch. Dr. William Flores - President, University of Houston Downtown. Dr. Flores was recognized as of the 100 most inďŹ&#x201A;uential Hispanics in the country. Besides being the president for UHD, he serves on the regional advisory board of the College Board which administers the SAT exam and is a board member for Central Houston, Inc., the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Texas International Education Consortium, Innovate-Educate and Project Grad Houston.

The event will feature a 5K competitive iRun and a 100-yard Youth Fun Run (for children ages 6-13), along with the 3K family Walk. The event is a day of fun for the whole family and one that Houston residents look forward to every year. Other activities on the day of the walk includes lively entertainment and activities for all ages celebrating a rich diversity of cultures. One of the most inspiring features of Partnership Walk is the Village in Action, where participants can enjoy interactive exhibits spotlighting the Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practical solutions for alleviating poverty from Afghanistan to Zanzibar. Partnership Walk events is held in 10 major U.S. cities this year. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction activities including the annual Partnership Walk and Golf events have attracted over 410,000 participants and raised $54 million for poverty alleviation projects supported by AKF USA. Participants help communities in some of the poorest areas of Africa and Asia to create long-term, selfhelp solutions to lift themselves out of poverty. These contributions make a tremendous impact in creating opportunities for girls in Afghanistan to go to school, for farmers in Mali to feed their families, and mothers in India to lead healthy lives.

Outdoor games was part of the highlights of the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diwali celebrations at BAPS, Houston Continued from Page 1 Diwali Celebration. Organizers were keenly aware that transmitting traditions from one generation to the next was important to many families in attendance. The inspirer of the festival, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, had given his blessing that families should work together to celebrate Diwali. This message was on display as older children guided their younger friends from station to station. The entire event was created by the older children who had volunteered their time for the younger children. With their insights, modern touches were seamlessly incorporated within the event. Traditional Indian snacks and candy were complemented with ice cream and ancient stories were explained using puppets and videos. ReďŹ&#x201A;ecting on the scenes of the day,

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Mr. Patel said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I see the smiles on my kids as they enjoy the day today, it takes me back to India. A traditional Mandir, festival and traditions is what is not only for the kids but for me too. All this is here because of my guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj.â&#x20AC;? Mr. Patelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, 6-year-old Akshar Patel also shared his amazement, stating, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got candy, balloons, and small ďŹ reworks today and the other kids talked about Diwali.â&#x20AC;? Akshar then bounced around the moon walk with excitement. Despite residing in India, Pramukh Swami Maharaj continually inspires devotees all over the world to celebrate their Hindu heritage and customs. These festivals allow for families to meet and celebrate the Hindu festivals and pass on traditions to future generations.

About BAPS: The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide socio-spiritual organization in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Through a number of social and spiritual activities, BAPS endeavors to produce better citizens of tomorrow who have a high esteem for their roots - their rich Hindu culture. Its 3,300 international centers support these activities of character-building. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is morally, ethically and spiritually pure, and free of addictions. For more details visit www.baps.org

Notice of Public Hearing Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at 12 noon to receive public comment about proposed January 2014 service changes. The proposed service changes include:

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VOICE OF ASIA 6

TAFFORD -Music lovers of Houston had a full serving of their favorite melodies by the talented team of tollywood singers headed by the beautiful and talented Singer Sunitha at the Melodious moments with Singer Sunitha Concert. The event was organized by Houston Premier Telugu Radio Andhra Mirchi Radio (AMR) (www. andhramirchiradio.com) in association with People media group. Thanks to the support of the music lovers of Houston, the event was grand success. All roads of October 20, 2013 led to the Stafford Civil center on Constitution Avenue. The concert was a lovely bouquet of classical, semi and popular numbers drawn from some memorable movies that have found a place in Tollywood’s hall of fame. The setting was ambient, mood was hopeful, orchestra was live and the rendition was pitch perfect. The event would not have been a memorable one if not for the enthusiasm and dedication of the singers. Leading the group of singers, and the designer of the show was Sunitha Upadrashta who has a special place in the hearts of all music lovers with her honey dipped voice and vice like grip on the ﬁner nuances of music. Through her hardwork and dedication, ably aided by a harmonious voice and a ravishing sense of style, has carved a special place in the annals of Telugu music. She has been a mainstay of the Telugu Cinema for the last two decades and is still going

Musical Moments with Sunitha Successful show by Andhra Mirchi Radio

Balpam Patti Bamma, Aura Ammaka challa, Masaka Masaka etc. The show had a surprise when Sri Krishna sang and Sunitha garu sang with Andhra Mirchi Radio’s RJ and Houston’s own singer Sarada Akunuri. Ms. Akunuri also served as the president of the Houston’s Telugu Cultural Association (TCA). The show was unique to other singing shows with its blend of entertainment through stand up comedy performed by upcoming and talented comedians, Trinadh & Rakesh, from the popular program ‘Jabardasth’. The show was designed with music and comedy interwoven seamlessly complementing the talent of each performer. Trinadh enthralled the audience with his ability to mimic voices and Rakesh showcased his talent as a ventriloquist to the enraptured audience who applauded their every appearance and asked for more.

Sunitha Upadrashta (center) took the center stage and was accompanied by other talented singers seen here with her i strong as a playback singer and providing voiceover for characters on screen. Live shows are generally compromises on the quality on singing for performance and entertainment. Singer Sunitha has a reputation of being uncompromising to point of being autocratic about rendition. This uncompromising nature resulted in a show that can be considered a showpiece for

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quality and entertainment. There were multiple standing ovations to songs performed by her starting with Ee Swasalo, Ee Velalo Neevu from Gulabi, Telusa Manasa from Criminial and Vedam Anuvanuvuna from Sagarasangamam. She was ably supported by the upcoming and talented Singers Sri Krishna Vishnubhotla, Sai Silpa and Sai Charan. Sri Krishna is well known in Houston through his prior performances and a through professional and a complete singer who has the privilege of being hailed as a singer to watch out for by the musical powerhouse and stalwart Shri S. P Balasubramaniam. Sai Silpa is the upcoming singer who has captured the young and old alike with her affable nature and lovely voice. Sai Charan is on his ﬁrst live tour in the US but his performances made one believe that he is a seasoned performer with a booming voice that can ﬁll halls and hearts. The singers, in various combinations, belted out chartbusters and melodious songs with the same gusto and kept the audience on their feet for most of the show. There was something for everyone in the audience as the singers alternated between old and new songs with ease and repeatedly got amidst the crowd and engaged them. At one point, all the singers were in the audience performing a medley of latest chartbusters whilst the crowd was dancing with joy and did not stop until the audience needed a break to rest their clapping hands and dancing legs. Some of their popular renditions at the show were: gun lanti kannulunna, Gongura Thotakada, Mayadari Maisamma, Egire Pothe entha bavuntundhi, Guvva Gorinkatho,

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Singer, Sunitha Upadrashta

Andhra Mirchi Radio has always brought unique shows to its listeners and this program was another such successful experiment in that direction. AMR has been the premier Telugu radio channel in Houston since its inception in 2008 and had conducted events that became the benchmark for quality and diversity in their content and execution. AMR is also the ﬁrst Telugu radio in Houston to go live 24x7 online and airs live every Saturday 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on AM 1050. The show would not have been possible without the generous sponsors like Mr. Jithender Reddy, Twin Oak Builders, Alings Hakka Cuisine, Mayuri Indian restaurant, Biryani Pot, Ramesh Cherivirala of New York Life Insurance, Camelot Solutions, Karat 22 Jewelers, Qatar Airlines & Maharaja Jewelers. Their generosity and commitment to serve the South Indian community and AMR in particular has changed the cultural landscape of Houston. AMR thanks the music lovers of Houston for making this event a grand success and pledges to bring more quality oriented programs in the future.

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FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

Indian-American Emily Shah crowned Miss New Jersey USA Oct 25, 2013

ashington: Eighteen-year-old Indian-American Emily Shah has won Miss New Jersey USA 2014 title, following in the footsteps of Nina Davuluri, who was crowned Miss America recently. Emily would now compete for Miss America and Miss Universe titles. Davuluri had won the coveted beauty pageant in September. Emily was the youngest among more than 130 contestants for the New Jersey pageant held over the weekend. Shuffling between India and America, Emily has dabbled in cinema having acted in both Bollywood and Hollywood films. She featured in Hollywood movies like ‘The Great New Wonderful’ with Naseerudin Shah and Bollywood films such as ‘Out of Control’ alongside Riteish Deshmukh, ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’, ‘Jaaneman’ among others. She is daughter of LAbased Prashant Shah, who has been associated with several

Emily Shah, Miss New Jersey USA. Courtesy: Twitter Bollywood production houses such as with Karan Johar’s, Rakesh Roshan and Shahrukh Khan, in various capacities. Emily plans to work in action

ﬁlms and is currently working as an assistant of stunt team of Hollywood movie ‘Run All Night’ starring Liam Neeson and Ed Harris. PTI

Indian origin doctors allege racial discrimination in UK test Oct 28, 2013 by Hasan Suroor

ondon: In a new row over racial discrimination, Indian-origin doctors are gearing up to sue British medical authorities following an inquiry that revealed “unconscious bias’’ against them in a crucial qualifying examination. The inquiry conducted by the General Medical Council found that ethnic minority doctors were four times more likely to fail their clinical exam than white candidates. The exam in question is a practical test in which trainee GPs (general practitioners) are assessed while they treat actors in a mock-surgery setting. A candidate must pass the test in order to qualify as a GP. The test can be taken up to four times. The rate of failure was the highest for candidates trained in South Asia, with 69.4 per cent of candidates failing in their ﬁrst attempt. “I have no more attempts at the exam and my three years of training as a GP have been a complete waste of time and money. It has taken a serious strain on my physical and mental health; at one point I was extremely depressed,” said Rai Singh who has exhausted all this chances. The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO),which is taking legal action against the

Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the General Medical Council (GMC), said the test was “flawed’’ resulting in “potential/actual racial discrimination”.Its president Dr Ramesh Mehta accused exam regulators of “institutional bias”. “Hundreds of doctors’ careers have been damaged because they have repeatedly failed the CSA exam. They are facing institutional bias and are unfairly failing the exam despite extensive training and knowledge,” he said.“For them to be judged to be so grossly incompetent in a short exit exam either reflects poorly on years of training, which is unlikely, or it is because the exit exam is flawed.’’ Vicechairman Dr Satheesh Mathew said the BAPIO was “inundated with emails and calls from the trainees facing a disaster for their career”. “It is unbelievable that after going through the training such a large proportion is failing the examination.” The inquiry was ordered after complaints from non-white candidates that the way of Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) test was conducted was “unfair’’ and put them at a disadvantage vis-à-vis indigenous white colleagues. Prof Aneez Esmail, who led the inquiry based on data for over two years, called for “fairer means’’of assess-

ment. But he suggested that the bias may not be necessarily conscious. The problem seemed to be that the examiners and mock-patients, whose responses formed the basis of the assessment, were all white and often unconsciously or subconsciously they responded differently to candidates from another cultural background. “So if they hear an Indian dialect, for instance, they might pretend that they don’t understand them and they might subconsciously withhold vital clues,’’ said one GP. The inquiry recommended including having more examiners and actors who are from ethnic minority backgrounds. “Many of us who do work in this area describe the problem of unconscious bias,’’ Prof Esmail said. “So I think that what might be happening, especially with the white British graduates compared to the ethnic minority British graduates, is that – without realising it even perhaps – they may be assessing it in a different way.” Prof Esmail said he did not think that examiners were saying, “Oh we don’t like ethnic minorities.” ”It doesn’t work like that anymore. It’s all this unconscious stuff that goes on which we need to be aware of,” he said. The GMC said it took the ﬁndings “seriously”. ”We agree with Prof Esmail

Three Indians kidnapped in Hong Kong freed in police operation

ong Kong: Three Indians held at gunpoint for three days by kidnappers in Hong Kong have been freed following a rare international operation. The three men - travelling on a business trip to Hong Kong were abducted within hours of their arrival on Saturday. They were taken to a hideout in the northern New Territories and guarded by a gang armed with a ﬁrearm and choppers.

rare international police operation over the weekend, ended with their release. A 27-year-old man of Indian descent was arrested in Hong Kong and another man, aged 28, is being held by the police in India in case with the connection, the paper said. Police are hunting the remaining members of the gang.

The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of USD 2.5 million from their families in India, South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.

Details of the international effort to release the captives, aged 35, 48 and 55, are being kept under wraps but sources have told the paper that they were driven to Chek Lap Kok airport on Monday and set free.

The abduction, which led to a

Sources close to the investi-

that there is no room for complacency,” said chief executive Niall Dickson. The report made“a powerful case for action,” he said. Dr Clare Gerada of RCGP acknowledged that culture could be a factor but denied that there was deliberate discrimination. ”We also know

that this is a culturally speciﬁc exam – it stands to reason if you are born and brought up in this country, within the NHS, that you have an advantage… If I go to India and sit an exam designed for doctors to practice in India, I will be at a disadvantage,” she said.

gation said all three businessmen suffered injuries during their captivity but were able to be interviewed by the police. It is understood no ransom was paid but the gang took the victims’ cash and valuables before they were freed. The 27-year-old suspect is facing kidnap and robbery charges and was being questioned in Tai Po police station. Detectives from the New Territories North regional crime unit are now leading the hunt for the rest of the kidnap gang - all believed to be of South Asian origin. “The victims were threatened and held by ﬁve to six South Asian men armed with choppers and what appeared to be a pistol. It was well-planned and obviously had an international dimension to it,” a police source said. Hong Kong police sought assistance from the Indian authorities through the force’s Liaison Bureau, a move a senior police ofﬁcer described as “rare”. PTI

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VOICE OF ASIA 8

FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 11

India’s Foreign Policy Crisis – Analysis

India bus crash inferno kills 45: ofﬁcial by Noah SEELAM

particularly on the treacherous roads of the northern Himalayas.

YDERABAD, October 30, 2013 (AFP) - A speeding bus exploded in a ball of ﬂames after crashing into the central reservation of a southern Indian highway early Wednesday, killing 45 passengers as they slept.

Police said the driver and cleaner had tried to ﬂee the scene of the accident, which occurred around 5:00 am (2330 GMT Tuesday) between Bangalore and Hyderabad.

nly ﬁve people on the vehicle escaped the inferno, including the driver and the cleaner who broke windows and ﬂed before the fuel tank exploded, police said.

They “tried to run, but the police caught them”, local police spokesman Venkateshwarlu, who uses only one name, told AFP. Relatives of the victims screamed and broke down in tears outside the ofﬁce of the vehicle operator in Hyderabad, 140 kilometres (85 miles) from the crash site.

“The total number of charred bodies found is 45, including that of a small child,” L. Sarman, a senior district administrative ofﬁcial, told AFP. “The driver was speeding at about 120-130 kilometres (7580 miles) an hour. He was driving all night, it seems he may have fallen asleep at the wheel,” said Sarman.

Police arrived later to question the owners of Jabbar Travels, which offer buses to cities across the south of India. Many of the victims were charred beyond recognition. Television pictures showed ﬂames leaping out of the vehicle, which was completely gutted by

Fatalities were high even by the deadly standards of India, where bus crashes are common,

by Harsh V. Pant

the time firefighters arrived. The survivors were being treated in a nearby hospital in Wanaparthy, police said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed “sorrow over the loss of lives in the bus accident”, while the state government asked police to investigate the matter and submit a report. The Times of India reported that at least five of the victims were software engineers who were travelling home to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival this Sunday. Both Hyderabad and Bangalore are centres of India’s booming IT industry, while Diwali is one of India’s biggest festivals which sees tens of millions of migrants head back to their families. Around 140,000 people died in road accidents in India in 2012, according to the government’s National Crime Records Bureau, which works out at 16 an hour.

India’s Infosys settles US ... charges or court rulings against the company,” the Infosys statement said. “Furthermore, there are no limitations on the company’s eligibility for federal contracts or access to US visa programs as a result of the settlement.”

Continued from page 1

a reserve of $35 million for the matter including legal fees. The company said the settlement “resolves all issues with the US Department of State, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the US Department of Homeland Security relating to I-9 paperwork errors and visa matters that were the subject of the investigation”.

Infosys performs India-based computing and other technology services for Western clients, which have included Goldman Sachs Group, Wal-Mart Stores and Cisco Systems.

The US probe began in 2011 after an employee ﬁled a lawsuit in the United States alleging that the Nasdaq-listed Infosys was “improperly” using B1 visas.

But it also has thousands of US-based employees working at on-site locations for clients as technicians and engineers. The Bangalore-based ﬁrm was created three decades ago by N.R. Narayana Murthy and six others as they sat around a kitchen table.

Consultant Jack Palmer said he faced harassment after raising concerns over the violation of visa laws, but his case was dismissed.

Murthy, an icon of Indian

“There were no criminal

business who pioneered the country’s flagship outsourcing industry, returned from retirement in June as executive chairman. He came back at time when Infosys was struggling with weak earnings, loss of market share and waning employee morale, and he warned that the task of rebuilding a “desirable” Infosys could take at least 36 months. The firm this month reported a lower-than-expected 1.6 percent rise in quarterly net profit, but raised its full-year revenue outlook, marking a promising return for Murthy. Many of India’s IT outsourcing firms reported sluggish growth last year, but the outlook for the industry has started to improve in the key US and European markets.

Introducing VoiceofAsiaTVNews.com

VOICE OF ASIA

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The Leading Community Weekly from Texas since 1987

Vol. 26 No. 24 Friday, June 14, 2013 Published Weekly from Houston 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

HH Chinna Jeeyar Swa- Dr Devinder Bhatia appointed to miji initiates VT SEVA Texas Medical Board and Prajna in Houston

n Friday, June 7 at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, many gathered to celebrate two initiatives spearheaded by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji – VT SEVA and Prajna. The night began with an introduction to Prajna, a module-based program designed by Swamiji for the youth with the aim to inculcate the values extolled in the Vedic culture. The audience was amazed by the dedication and discipline of the Prajna students after listening to one of the

OUSTON: A prominent Indian American heart surgeon has been appointed to the leading medical regulatory body in the US state of Texas by Governor Rick Perry.

Houston-based Bhatia specialises in thoracic surgery, peripheral vascular disease, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery and cardiovascular disease in his practice.

Dr Devinder Bhatia has been appointed to the Texas Medical Board for a sixyear term along with seven others.

Bhatia graduated from the University of Arkansas and has a medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and completed his cardiothoracic and peripheral vascular surgery fellowships at Carolinas Medical Centre.

The Texas Medical Board is the state agency mandated to regulate the practice of medicine in Texas and consists of 12 physician members and seven public members appointed for a sixyear term by the Governor. HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji

Bhatia’s father immigrated to the US from India in 1962. The IACCGH and Indian American community congratulates Dr. Devinder Bhatia on his appointment to the Texas Medical Board.

Dr Devinder Bhatia

HCC Trustee Neeta Sane receives Greater Houston Service Award

OUSTON – To salute the volunteer service of outstanding individuals, Volunteer Houston proudly presented its 2013 Greater Houston Service Awards to individuals from all walks of life who are transforming Houston through their acts of service. The event was held at the Bayou City Events Center Wednesday, June 12 and highlighted the impact of unique volunteers who are making meaningful changes across Houston-area communities.

Prajna students with Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and Prajna coordinators. Also seen is Dr. Renu Tamirisa, Prajna Coordinator students describe what he has learned in Prajna. This was followed by an astonishing performance by an 8 year old Prajna student in the Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam Avadhanam, in which an individual is able to recite any slokam upon command and identify the number of a slokam upon recitation. Following this was a presentation displaying the activities of VT SEVA or Volunteering Together for Service,

a 501(c)(3) secular non-proﬁt organization that seeks to provide access to quality education and health care on many fronts. The viewers were moved by the four main activities of VT SEVA that include providing education to underprivileged children by building schools in remote and tribal areas in India, providing education to visually-impaired children/youth (Nethra Vidyalaya Junior College,

AP, India), providing free healthcare services and early cancer detection screenings, and promoting environmental awareness and eco-friendly activities along with disaster relief to those affected by natural calamities (Gujarat earthquake relief, Haiti and Japan earthquake relief funds, Andhra ﬂood relief, Tsunami relief). Continued on Page 6

Houston Community College Trustee Neeta Sane is the ﬁrst HCC trustee to receive a Greater Houston Service Award for her service to HCC and the Greater Houston Area. “Volunteer service for the betterment of the society has been my passion and making a difference in the lives of others has always been and will continue to be my focus,” said Sane. To honor the award recipients and celebrate their volunteerism, several executives from corporations and non-

Neeta Sane proﬁts joined event presenters Melanie Lawson, KTRK Channel 13; Greg Hurst, KHOU Channel 11; Bill Balleza, KPRC Channel 2; and METRO’s Jerome Gray. Houston Community College commends the vision of Volunteer Houston in encouraging and supporting the community service that dramatically affects the lives and livelihoods of citizens of the Greater Houston Area.

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OUSTON: A prominent Indian American heart surgeon has been appointed to the leading medical regulatory body in the US state of Texas by Governor Rick Perry.

Houston-based Bhatia specialises in thoracic surgery, peripheral vascular disease, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery and cardiovascular disease in his practice.

Dr Devinder Bhatia has been appointed to the Texas Medical Board for a sixyear term along with seven others.

The IACCGH and Indian American community congratulates Dr. Devinder Bhatia on his appointment to the Texas Medical Board.

The attack took place near Miranshah, the main town in the troubled North Waziristan tribal district.

students describe what he has learned in Prajna. This was followed by an astonishing performance by an 8 year old Prajna student in the Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam Avadhanam, in which an individual is able to recite any slokam upon command and identify the number of a slokam upon recitation. Following this was a presentation displaying the activities of VT SEVA or Volunteering Together for Service,

VOICE OF ASIA

ANNIVERSARY 1987-2012

Neeta Sane proﬁts joined event presenters Melanie Lawson, KTRK Channel 13; Greg Hurst, KHOU Channel 11; Bill Balleza, KPRC Channel 2; and METRO’s Jerome Gray.

HH Chinna Jeeyar Swa- Dr Devinder Bhatia appointed to miji initiates VT SEVA Texas Medical Board and Prajna in Houston

OUSTON: A prominent Indian American heart surgeon has been appointed to the leading medical regulatory body in the US state of Texas by Governor Rick Perry.

Houston-based Bhatia specialises in thoracic surgery, peripheral vascular disease, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery and cardiovascular disease in his practice.

Dr Devinder Bhatia has been appointed to the Texas Medical Board for a sixyear term along with seven others.

DR. SHIRLEY PENKAR

Mouthwatering savings

Dr Devinder Bhatia

to our group of caring professionals.

DR. SHIRLEY PENKAR

Bhatia’s father immigrated to the US from India in 1962. The IACCGH and Indian American community congratulates Dr. Devinder Bhatia on his appointment to the Texas Medical Board.

HCC Trustee Neeta Sane receives Greater Houston Service Award

Houston Community College commends the vision of Volunteer Houston in encouraging and supporting the community service that dramatically affects the lives and livelihoods of citizens of the Greater Houston Area.

Southwest OB / GYN is pleased to announce an addition

FRIDAY, June 14, 2013

The Leading Community Weekly from Texas since 1987

Vol. 26 No. 24 Friday, June 14, 2013 Published Weekly from Houston 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com Dr Devinder Bhatia

HCC Trustee Neeta Sane receives Greater Houston Service Award

Prajna students with Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and Prajna coordinators. Also seen is Dr. Renu Tamirisa, Prajna Coordinator

VOICE OF ASIA 1

10,000 copies every week

Bhatia’s father immigrated to the US from India in 1962.

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India’s ties with the United States, which Singh bolstered with the signing of the US-India civil nuclear pact, are now ﬂagging. There’s a sense of despondency about the future of India as a potential strategic partner in Washington, unprecedented in the last two decades. The growing differences between the two today are not limited to one or two areas but spread across most areas of bilateral concern. The United States is unhappy that despite valiant efforts to bring India into the nuclear regime the nation has yet to make headway in selling nuclear reactors there. India is concerned by the US immigration changes and forthcoming withdrawal from Afghanistan.

MIRANSHAH, October 30, 2013 (AFP) - A US drone strike targeting a militant compound Thursday killed three insurgents in a northwest Pakistan tribal region near the Afghan border, ofﬁcials said.

Vol. 26 No. 24 Friday, June 14, 2013 Published Weekly from Houston 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

HH Chinna Jeeyar Swa- Dr Devinder Bhatia appointed to miji initiates VT SEVA Texas Medical Board and Prajna in Houston

Singh visited the United States in September for the UN General Assembly meeting and then the Association for South-East Asian Nations summit in Brunei, together with a bilateral visit to Indonesia, before heading off again, ﬁrst to Russia and then to China, two critical states in India’s foreign policy matrix. On the surface, New Delhi’s foreign policy is doing well – major partnerships look steady and various joint declarations proclaim a convergence of interests. But a closer examination suggests that, in the name of multipolar diplomacy and non-alignment, Indian foreign policy is in danger of becoming rudderless, especially with economic decline and political turmoil at home. India’s major relationships are suffering as questions emerge in Washington about India’s rise, in Moscow about the gravitation to the West, in the East and Southeast Asia about India as credible balancer – all this emboldens China.

operation between India and Pakistan.” In a separate meeting with Sharif, Obama urged cooperation, pointing out that “billions of dollars have been spent on an arms race… and those resources could be much more profitably invested in education, social welfare programs on both sides of the border.” In turn, Sharif offered “commitment to build a cordial and cooperative relationship with India.” The net result of this triangular diplomacy so far has been unprecedented volatility on the Indo-Pak border with the Pakistani Army violating a ceasefire in operation since 2003 in an attempt to once again internationalize Kashmir issue. Russia’s growing closeness with China is also troubling for India as it faces an aggressive China on its borders.For all the talk of “time-tested” Indo-Russian ties, the two sides feel the pressures of a changing global context. Bilateral trade is struggling to cross the measly $11 billion mark, and Russia’s privileged position as India’s defense supplier of choice is under pressure as India shifts to the purchase of smart weaponry, which Russia is ill-equipped to provide. The Indian military has also been critical of relying too heavily on Russia for defense acquisitions, especially in light of the lengthy dispute over refitting the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, renamed INS Vikramaditya, supposed to be handed off to India in 2006. New Delhi expected that contracts on the construction of third and fourth nuclear reactors at Kudankulum would be finalized during Singh’s visit, but Russia had liability concerns. For all the brouhaha about US pressures, India’s old friends, Russia and France, also resist entering the Indian civil nuclear power sector. The outcome of Singh’s talks with China was meager. The much touted Border Defence Cooperation Agreement, or BDCA, aimed at curbing border incidents that inflame public passions was his most significant takeaway. Yet the BDCA is more hype than substance as the two sides have already articulated a range of principles and protocols to manage border tensions, most notably in 1993, 1996 and 2005 – all of which seem to have only strengthened China’s position. The visit yielded little on India’s growing trade imbalance with China. On river water disputes, Beijing merely offered to take into account Indian concerns while making its policies and building a series of dams on the Brahmaputra and other rivers that flow into India from Tibet. Sino-Indian ties remain tense. India’s profile in its own neighborhood has been shrinking rapidly as New Delhi’s inability to shape the evolution of domestic politics in Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka demonstrates. India’s attempt to project its “soft power” in Afghanistan has not yielded the hoped for results. This prompts regional states to question India’s ability to emerge as a bal-

ancer in the larger Indo-Pacific. While keen to court India, these states do not see India emerging as a credible actor in their neighborhood any time soon. This foreign policy crisis is of India’s own making. Inability to put its own house in order has shattered the notion of India as an emerging global power. In the last five years, the government in New Delhi decimated economic potential, scaring domestic and foreign investors, and making the county hostile to private investment. The peculiar balance of power between the government and Congress Party ensured that Singh – who as finance minister under then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, opened India’s doors to the outside world – became a party to stifling the Indian economy. This has had serious implications for Indian foreign policy, and for too long, the Indian policy establishment viewed economic growth as a substitute for grand strategy. The thinking was, Why does India need a foreign policy? They assumed as the Indian economy grew, its weight would automatically resonate in the international system, and they expected to be wooed by major powers. So once again, the idea of non-alignment was resurrected in the name of grand strategy. The idea that India should be equidistant from China and the US, a critical balancer who could choose sides – touted in the name of “strategic autonomy’” as a unique brand of foreign policy – was laughable at best and disingenuous at worst. Lulled into overconfidence about its own geo-strategic significance, it mattered little to Indian policymakers that Chinese economic and military capabilities were far ahead of India’s, and New Delhi on its own had little capacity to balance China. The last two decades were exceptionally good for Indian foreign policy in that they allowed India to operate in an international environment devoid of major power conflict. Under US predominance, the international system gave New Delhi unprecedented strategic space to pursue economic growth and new strategic partnerships without worrying about costs. After initially taking advantage of this benevolent environment, Indian leadership lulled itself into believing that it would last forever. Where bold choices were needed, all Indian policymakers could offer were a rehash of old ideas. As the system is undergoing changes with relative American decline, India finds itself bereft of economic heft and diplomatic agility. If the Indian story appears less attractive today, then Indian leadership must shoulder most of the blame. (Harsh V. Pant teaches at King’s College, London. Currently he is a Visiting Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Delhi) Courtesy: YaleGlobal, 29 October, 2013

US drone strike kills three in NW Pakistan: ofﬁcials

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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a busy man these days – on a legacy tour, trying to underscore his credentials as a foreign policy leader of consequence. At home, though, he remains isolated, marginalized by his party, mocked by the opposition and hounded by the national media. Not surprising, therefore, that at the end of his 10-year stint at the helm of Indian politics, he is seeking refuge in foreign lands.

Russia and India, meanwhile, are both keen to emphasize that Pakistan’s bid to rehabilitate Taliban is not an acceptable outcome in the aftermath of a US drawdown but have yet to ﬁgure out a way to inﬂuence rapidly evolving realities on the ground.During Singh’s recent meeting with US President Barack Obama, no progress was made on issues apart from strengthening defense cooperation. Singh reiterated concerns stressed during a one-hour meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, both attending the UN General Assembly meeting in September, over terror emanating from Pakistani soil and the need for Islamabad to rein in elements responsible for the violence. Obama politely thanked Singh “for what has been a consistent interest in improving co-

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“A US drone ﬁred two missiles on a militant compound, hitting a part of the house and also a vehicle parked there, killing three militants,” a senior security ofﬁcial told AFP on condition of anonymity.

He said that fire engulfed the vehicle soon after the attack, while local people were trying to recover the dead bodies and injured trapped beneath the rubble of the compound. Another official in the city of Peshawar confirmed the attack, saying the identities of the militants were immediately unclear. The incident comes a week after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged US President Barack Obama to stop drone strikes during a meeting in Washington. The Pakistani defence ministry Wednesday said 317 US

drone strikes in the country’s tribal areas had killed 67 civilians and 2,160 militants in Pakistan since 2008. US drone attacks are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, but Washington sees them as a vital tool in the ﬁght against militants in the lawless tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan. The Pakistani government has repeatedly protested against drone strikes as a violation of its sovereignty. But privately ofﬁcials have been reported as saying the attacks can be useful in removing militants from the country.

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In New York how to hothouse your tot mentary schools, where a baby boom has made the competition for places ﬁercer than ever. To get into the best private schools, where tuition can top $40,000 (30,000 euros) a year, children as young as four are subjected to rigorous tests. Middle-class parents who can’t afford private education face an equally competitive ﬁght to get their children into the best public schools.

Students like Kuzeh are signed up to “baby and me” lessons in Chinese or French. AFP Photo. by Veronique DUPONT

EW YORK CITY, (AFP) The pursuit of educational excellence is so competitive in New York that some babies are given personal tuition in French and Chinese, and four-year-olds are hothoused for the best schools.

room!” she says in French, opening one of the little doors.

In a city where 37.2 percent of the residents were born overseas, many richer than average parents want their children to be bilingual even if mom and dad are not.

Babies who cannot even form sentences in their native English are signed up to “baby and me” lessons in Chinese or French in the ultra-trendy TriBeCa neighborhood of Manhattan.

Wealthy parents are also inﬂuenced by research suggesting that growing up bilingual can have a positive impact on memory and early learning.

In one, a French teacher sings a well-known French nursery rhyme to nine-month-old twins sitting under a “baby gym” on a mat with their American mother. The teacher then guides them through a game with little doors illustrated with pictures of rooms in a house, behind which are animal ﬁgurines. “Where is the rabbit? In the sitting

He recognizes that it is a lot of pressure at a young age.

Children must go to local elementary schools, but after that they vie for places at the best junior and high schools across the city.

“To say whether your child is brilliant even when they can’t read yet, many people say that’s ridiculous,” he said.

“I would move in a heartbeat (to be next to a good school) if I could, but I can’t afford it,” said Lee Berman, a government worker and father of two girls aged seven and 10.

The aim is “not that they answer everything right but that they get used to the test,” Berman says as his youngest daughter learns to solve logical problems on a tablet with her tutor.

In the Lower East Side, a gentrifying neighborhood of Manhattan, public schools are terrible, he said.

Bright Kids, which opened in 2008, already has 200 teachers at ﬁve different locations across New York.

He did everything to get his daughters into the “gifted and talented” (G&T) program at their school that offers higher quality teaching.

Andrew Peterson, a Bright Kids teacher, said very young children who refuse to concentrate or sit down force a good teacher to get their attention “in a fun way”.

Until 2008, children were selected by their head teachers, but now they take a written test -- for which parents stump up cash for private coaching. Since they were four, Berman’s

He also needs to manage the expectations of parents and make them accept that “even if their child scores in the 98th percentile and not in the 99th percentile, they are still very bright”.

With the global rise of the Chinese economy, Chinese is currently the most in demand, but French still holds the enviable association of being seen as chic, Hazan said. “We want her to develop cognitive skills and an ear for language to set her up for loving the exploration of language and cultures going forward,” says one mother of a four-year-old girl who has been at the school for two years. Bright Kids offers ‘boot camp’ for $400 Learning a foreign language also bulks out applications for the best ele-

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Student Kuzeh waits to work with Maurice Hazan, founder of Tribeca Language and the Q-TALK Method works at the Tribeca Language October 16, 2013, New York’s premier language school for children (ages 2 and up) and adults. (AFP Photo/Timothy Clary)

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Although they are already in a G&T program. Berman says their school is badly run, and he wants them to pass a new test to get into a more prestigious G&T school run by the city.

Maurice Hazan, the founder of Tribeca Language, said when he moved to New York 20 years ago, he realized there was a huge market in introducing children to foreign languages as early as possible.

Some of the richest, most competitive, most fashionable parents on the planet leave no stone unturned in the ﬁght to provide their children with the upper hand.

At TriBeCa Language, the lessons are open to tots as soon as they start babbling.

daughters have gone to Bright Kids, which offers phone apps for $35, “boot camp” for $400 or private lessons for $200 an hour.

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OPINION:

The immorality of college admissions

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Wealth is the overriding factor for college admissions, making a farce of institutions that boast of diversity. Sarah Kendzior

n October 6, New York magazine published an article on the demise of “ethical parenting”. A new generation of parents were encouraging cheating, doing their children’s homework, bribing powerful officials, and sabotaging their children’s rivals. “Parenthood means you cannot possibly behave as though society’s rules and norms apply equally to all,” writes the author, Lisa Miller. She describes a social order where the ends are believed to justify the means, regardless of who gets hurt. Miller attributes the rise of unethical parenting to a declining economy: “The accoutrements of middle-class stability and comfort feel like they’re slipping away, even to those of us living smack in the middle of them.” What Miller never explicitly says is that every act of lying, cheating and cruelty she describes is directed at one goal: Getting a child into a prestigious college. Nothing else drives the immoral behaviour depicted, making one wonder - is it the parents who are unethical? Or is it higher education itself? Miller’s article is one of many trend pieces showcasing how parents sacrifice both their integrity and their bank accounts in the quest for college admission. The New York Times alone has run dozens of articles on high schools that cost $40,000 per year, preschools that cost $43,000 per year, and SAT tutors who charge $35,000 per student. The luxurious world depicted in these articles is unfamiliar to the average American family,

which makes $52,000 per year. One might wonder why the struggles of wealthy parents are covered so closely when they represent such a tiny percent of the population. That is, until you look at who comprises the entering classes of America’s “needblind” universities. Faux diversity “Diversity” is a cherished value of American schools - so long as that diversity does not include students whose families earn less than the tuition fee. Elite universities favour those willing to pay to play - and play again until they win. Only 3.8 percent of American families make more than $200,000 per year. But at Harvard University, 45.6 percent of incoming freshman come from families making $200,000 or more. A mere 4 percent of Harvard students come from a family in the bottom quintile of US incomes, and only 17.8 percent come from the bottom three quintiles. “We admit students without any regard for financial need - a policy we call ‘need-blind admission’,” Harvard’s website proudly proclaims. Harvard charges $54,496 per year for tuition, room and board, but waives the fees for families making less than $60,000 per year. This would be a laudable policy were Harvard admitting low-income students in any significant numbers, but they are not. Instead, they fill their ranks with the children of the elite portrayed in Miller’s article - elites who drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on private schools, exorbitant “enrichment” activities, and personal tutors that almost

no Americans can afford. Harvard’s admission is “needblind” only in that it turns a blind eye to actual need. Like many universities, it increases its number of aid recipients by inflating its price tag. With tuition higher than the median US household income, students from families making $200,000 are now deemed poor enough to qualify for financial aid. “You can afford Harvard,” the admissions site boasts, noting that 70 percent of students receive assistance. They neglect to mention that this 70 percent represents some of the wealthiest people in the country. This is not to say that a family making $100,000 or even $200,000 does not merit financial aid to attend Harvard. They do, but only because Harvard charges obscenely high tuition, despite having an endowment of over $30 billion. Their price tag functions as a social signifier and a “go away” sign, a sticker designed to shock - and deter. Harvard is but one of many US universities whose admissions policies ensure that the entering class is comprised of the ruling class. Studies by the New America Foundation note that most merit aid goes to wealthy families, and that “merit aid policy is associated with a decrease in the percentage of low-income and black students, particularly at the more selective institutions.” While universities like Harvard keep out the poor by redefining wealth as poverty, others practice more blatant discrimination. At George Washington University, students who cannot pay full tuition are put on a

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waitlist while wealthier students are let in. In 2012, less than 1 percent of waitlisted students were admitted. Like Harvard, George Washington had advertised itself as “need-blind” until revelations of its admissions process came to light. It now defines itself as “need-aware” - a phrase which implies they are aware of need, but seemingly unconcerned with fulfilling it. Wealth as merit Defenders of elite universities argue that the poor are not a target of discrimination, but are simply less qualified for admission. They point to lower SAT scores, a dearth of extracurricular activities, and lacklustre standards of achievement at impoverished public schools. What they are defending is a system in which wealth is passed off as merit, in which credentials are not earned but bought. Aptitude is a quality measured by how much money you can spend on its continual reassessment. Students whose parents pay tens of thousands for SAT tutors to help their child take the test over and over compete against students who struggle to pay the fee to take the test once. Students who spend afternoons on “enrichment” activities compete against students working service jobs to pay bills - jobs which don’t “count” in the admissions process. Students who shell out for exotic volunteer trips abroad compete with students of what C Z Nnaemeka termed “the unexotic underclass” - the poor who have “the misfortune of being insufficiently interesting”, the poor who make up most of the US today. For upper class parents, the college admissions process has become a test of loyalty: What will you spend, what values will you compromise, for your child to be accepted? For lower class parents, admissions is a test failed at birth: An absence of wealth guised as a deficiency of merit. In the middle are the

Author Kavita Sahai is partnering with Pratham, to support children’s literacy. 100% of all proﬁts from her book about Diwali, “Lots of Lights,” will be donated to Pratham. Written for preschoolers and kindergartners, this beautifully illustrated book helps young children understand an important holiday and allows Indian children to learn about their heritage in a fresh and relevant way. The book can be purchased at Createspace and Amazon.com. About Pratham: From its start in providing pre-school education to the children in the slums of Mumbai, Pratham has grown into the largest educational organization in India reaching 2.4 million children in 21 states. Central to this success has been a whole new way of approaching the education problem to create a national impact. For details log on www.prathamusa.org students, stranded players in a rigged game. It does not have to be this way. Imagine a college application system in which applicants could only take standardised tests once. Imagine a system in which young people working jobs to support their families were valued as much as those who travel and “volunteer” on their parents’ dime. Imagine a system in which we valued what a person did with what he had, instead of mistaking a lack of resources for a lack of ability. Imagine a system in which a child’s future did not rest on his

parents’ past. A higher education system that once promoted social mobility now serves to solidify class barriers. Desperate parents compromise their principles in order to spare their children rejection. But it is the system itself that must be rejected. True merit cannot be bought - and admission should not be either. Sarah Kendzior is St Louisbased writer who studies politics and media. Follow her on Twitter: @sarahkendzior Source: Al Jazeera, 29 Oct 2013

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Bollywood’s ‘King of Mel- Freida Pinto does a Rihanna as she ody’ Manna Dey dies at 94 strips down and pole dances in raunchy new Bruno Mars video for Gorilla

Indian President Pratibha Devising Patil (L) presents a shawl to Bollywood singer by Gulab Chand BANGALORE, October 24, 2013 (AFP) - Legendary Bollywood singer Manna Dey, whose husky voice dominated the soundtracks of Indian movie classics for more than 60 years, died in hospital on Thursday aged 94. The playback singer, who had been struggling with ill health for several months, died in the southern city of Bangalore after suffering multiple organ failure, a hospital spokesman told AFP. “We are saddened by his loss, but he died peacefully,” his son-in-law Jnanranjan Deb, who was at the singer’s bedside when he died, told the Press Trust of India news agency. Dey, part of the golden era of Bollywood from the 1940s to the 1960s, was a versatile singer who enthralled generations of music lovers and moviegoers with his romantic ballads but also faster modern songs. His body was taken from the hospital to an open-air theatre in Bangalore’s central business district for crowds of fans to pay their respects. One emotional follower burst into one of Dey’s songs as he stood next to the body, which was covered in ﬂowers with only Dey’s face showing. The singer’s cremation took place later in the afternoon in northwestern Bangalore, with hundreds of fans joining grieving relatives including his daughter Rama at the ceremony. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led tributes to the musician, who recorded more than 3,000 songs during his career in numerous languages. “I am deeply saddened to hear of the demise of the King of Melody, Manna Dey. An accomplished singer with a unique voice, he was multi-talented,” Singh said in his condolence message. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, for whom Dey sang in early hits such as “Sholay” (Embers) in 1975, described him as a “stalwart of the music world”. “Flooded with memories and his songs,” Bachchan wrote on Twitter, where many in the industry paid tribute for man widely known as Mannada. Born in Kolkata in May 1919 as Prabodh Chandra Dey, he had trained

to be a wrestler as a college student, but struggled with the sport owing to worsening eyesight. “By the time I was an adult, music had taken over my life and soul,” Dey wrote in his autobiography, “Memories Come Alive”.

Frieda Pinto strips down to just her underwear and pole dances in Bruno Mars’ new video for Gorilla. (Courtesy: Atlantic)

After college, he travelled to Mumbai where he was ﬁrst employed as an assistant to a music director, before making his debut as a playback singer in the 1943 ﬁlm “Tamanna” (Desire).

he’s regularly praised for being one of the most sophisticated young starlets on the acting scene, known for her demure style and classy demeanor. But Frieda Pinto has shocked her fans by stripping off Rihanna style and pole dancing in the brand new video for Bruno Mars’ single Gorilla.

His ﬁrst big hit came seven years later in “Mashaal” (Torch) and his career went on to span more than six decades.

by Julia

His most popular numbers included the 1970 hits “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” (Life is such a puzzle) for the ﬁlm “Anand” (Happiness) and “Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo” (Hey brother, watch where you are going) for “Mera Naam Joker” (My Name is Joker).

It seems that the actress has shrugged off her good girl mantel to show off her raunchy side in the provocative scenes - and she could certainly give Miley and Britney a run for their money.

Dey’s last recording was for the 2006 movie “Umar” (Age).

The incredibly racy video sees the actress playing a stripper in a seedy bar, who strips down to just her underwear and stilettos.

The singer was as much at ease with a classical Indian song as he was with a peppy, youthful one. As well as Hindi, he sang in regional languages such as Bengali, Malayalam, Bhojpuri and Gujarati. Rajendra Babu, a leading director in the Bangalore-based ﬁlm industry, said Dey was widely admired by the country’s moviemakers for his ability to sing in so many languages. “Mannada was one of the greatest singers in the Indian subcontinent during the 20th century with a unique and original voice,” he told AFP. Later in life Dey was always seen wearing a brown fur cap, which was given to him by a fan at a winter concert in the northern region of Kashmir as he struggled to sing in the bitter cold.

And Frieda doesn’t just dance around in her underwear, she tries out some ambitious moves on the pole as she turns herself upside down. Bruno can be seen singing on stage as onlookers throw money at Freida while she gyrates. Blimey - and we thought Rihanna was raunchy! The actress’ long-term love Dev Patel might want to look away for the next scene however, as she is shot indulging in a VERY steamy session with Bruno himself in the back of a car. In the scene, which we reckon was probably thought up by

Freida Pinto is better known for her demure style. Courtesy: PA

Dey won various awards for his work in the music industry, including the Dadasaheb Phalke, the highest award in Indian cinema, in 2007. But some felt he did not enjoy the same levels of fame and celebrity as his contemporaries Mohammed Raﬁ and Kishore Kumar, with whom he recorded a boisterous song for “Padosan” (Neighbour) in 1968. Dey is survived by his two daughters. His wife Sulochana died of cancer last year.

Singer, Bruno Mars the singer himself, the pair roll around on the backseat while passionately kissing. Ooh-er. The catchy new song is sure to be a surefire hit seeing as two of the singles from new album Unorthodox Jukebox have already made it to number one.

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The drug plan must give you a prompt decision (72 hours for standard requests, 24 hours for expedited requests). If you disagree with the plan’s coverage determination, the next step is an appeal. Coverage gap (Medicare prescription drug coverage) A period of time in which you pay higher cost sharing for prescription drugs until you spend enough to qualify for catastrophic coverage. The coverage gap (also called the “donut hole”) starts when you and your plan have paid a set dollar amount for prescription drugs during that year. Call us to-day Medicare for enrollment. Contact:: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional

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gest, fastest responses,” said the study, co-authored by Quan Van Le of the University of Toyama and researchers at the University of Brasilia. The research was done using two young macaque monkeys that were born on a national monkey farm in Japan. Researchers said they believe the monkeys had no chance to encounter snakes prior to the experiment. Scientists surgically implanted micro-electrodes in a part of the brain known as the pulvinar, which is involved in visual attention and the fast processing of threatening images. Then they showed the monkeys various color images on a computer screen, including snakes in various positions, threatening monkey faces, pictures of monkey hands and simple shapes like stars or squares. Seeing a snake caused the brain to ﬁre off rapid fear responses that were unparalleled by those seen in reaction to faces, hands or shapes.

Researchers found that of about 100 neurons that ﬁred off when presented with at least one of the image types, 40 percent had the largest response to snakes. That was the biggest group, followed by almost 29 percent that were superior at responding to faces. While researchers have long known that primates have an uncanny ability to see snakes even in cluttered surroundings, the latest data adds a new answer to the question of why. “Snakes are largely responsible for the origin of primates. Vision is what separates primates from other mammals. A lot of the structures in our brain are devoted to vision,” said Isbell, who wrote a book on the topic in 2011 called “The Fruit, the Tree, and the Serpent: Why We See So Well.” “I pulled together indirect evidence,” she told AFP. “Here is the ﬁrst time that somebody has come along and actually tested some of the predictions in the book and I am

really gratiﬁed that it was supported.” While the study included only two monkeys, future research could focus on responses to other predators in primates, as well as the potential for learning more about how the human brain responds, Isbell said. Susan Mineka, a professor of clinical psychology at Northwestern University and an expert on primates, described the work as “absolutely fascinating” and “really important.” She said one potential weakness was that the research team seemed unable to say for certain that the monkeys studied had never encountered a snake. “It is too bad that they didn’t also document what these monkeys’ behavioral responses to snakes were like,” Mineka added. “We have known that many species of monkeys either have an innate fear of snakes or pick up a fear of snakes very readily. This provides a probable mechanism. That has been a huge question in the literature.”

Are You Up to Date on Your Vaccinations?

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WASHINGTON, October 28, 2013 (AFP) - Snakes tend to arouse sharp fear in monkeys, apes and humans, and scientists said Thursday they have found speciﬁc brain cells that ﬁre off a rapid warning for slithery danger.

“Snakes elicited the stron-

determination

• Whether you have met all the requirements for getting a requested drug

by Kerry SHERIDAN

Certain neurons respond “selectively” to images of snakes, and they outpace comparable neurons that react to visuals of faces, hands or geometric shapes, the researchers said.

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bies and for children, but most people don’t know that there are many vaccines recommended for adults also. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations from birth through adulthood to provide a lifetime of immunity. While most children get vaccinated, unfortunately most adults are not vaccinated as recommended, leaving them very vulnerable to infections, long-term suffering, and even death. Definitely death is the most extreme complication of infections that vaccines can prevent but there are also hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year that can be prevented by vaccines. An estimated 45,000 adults die annually in the U.S.A. from complications due to diseases that can be easily prevented by vaccines. Millions more people get sick and cannot take care of their day to day needs, miss work or risk passing their infections on to others. Some people hesitate to get vaccinated because they think vaccines may pose some risks, but the fact is that people of age 65 and older are at a higher risk of complications from the actual diseases than from vaccine. It is important for older adults to keep vaccines current, even if they were vaccinated as children, because their immunity may have faded over time and there are new and improved vaccinations now available that were not available when they were children Here are the vaccines that are recommended for adults by the experts: 1. Flu vaccine A yearly flu vaccination is recommended for most adults, because immunity from flu vaccine fades away within a year and vaccine manufacturers come up with new vaccines every year to ensure they are effective against the current flu virus strains. The flu vaccines are commonly avail-

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never gotten Tdap should get a dose of Tdap as their next booster dose. Adults 65 and older may get one booster dose of Tdap. Adults (including women who may become pregnant and adults 65 and older) who expect to have close contact with a baby younger than 12 months of age should get a dose of Tdap to help protect the baby from pertussis. Healthcare professionals who have direct patient contact in hospitals or clinics should get one dose of Tdap. 5. Chickenpox (varicella) Chickenpox is a disease caused by varicella virus. Chickenpox can be a serious disease, especially in babies and older adults. The disease can cause serious skin infections, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death. It is extremely contagious and can be spread by an infected person before they even know they’re sick. Vaccination is the most effective step you can take to be protected from this serious disease. All children should get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine starting at age 1. Teens and adults also need this vaccine if they didn’t get 2 doses of the vaccine or chickenpox disease when they were younger. 6. Other vaccinations Other vaccinations that you may need include those that protect against human papillomavirus (which can cause certain cancers), hepatitis A, meningococcal disease and measles, mumps and rubella, depending on your age or any medical conditions you might have. The CDC also recommends immunization against hepatitis B infection for adults who have diabetes or are at risk for hepatitis B. You should consult with your doctor to update your vaccination record and be proactive to protect yourself and others around you from several contagious diseases by being immunized appropriately.

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able September through April each year, through your doctor’s office or retail pharmacies. Tell your doctor before getting the flu shot if you are allergic to eggs, latex, have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine previously, or have Guillain-Barre syndrome. Individuals with fevers should wait to be vaccinated until the fever is gone. 2. Pneumonia vaccine Pneumonia is responsible for 60,000 deaths each year. Older adults and others who are at high risk for developing pneumonia should receive a one-time pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine. Patients older than 65 who have previously been vaccinated can get another one-time booster vaccination, if five years or more have passed since the original shot and they were younger than 65 at the time of their primary vaccination. 3. Shingles vaccine (Zoster) The zoster vaccine is a fairly new vaccine, which has only been available for a few years. Zoster vaccine is to prevent a shingles outbreak. Shingles is a painful, contagious blistering rash caused by the chicken pox virus that was dormant (inactive) in your body for years after you got chicken pox. The inactive chicken Pox virus becomes active again and attacks your body when you get older and your immune system weakens. The vaccine may decrease your risk of having shingles by about 50 percent, or at least minimize its severity. Experts recommend it for anyone 60 or older except for people with certain disease conditions. Talk to your doctor about any health problems that you have before you get the Zoster vaccine.. 4. Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) Adults under 65 who have

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VOICE OF ASIA 21

Toddlers getting more tablet use: study

ASHINGTON (AFP) - The craze for tablets and smartphones is spreading to ever younger users.

A new study of American households found 38 percent of toddlers and infants under the age of two have used a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone, compared to 10 percent in 2011. The study by Common Sense Media said young children up to age eight still spend more time with “traditional” screen media such as TV, DVDs, computers, and video games, but that this is shifting . Overall screen time is down by 21 minutes, with mobile time up 10 minutes, the study found. Viewing on a television set still makes up half of all screen time. “This is quite an extraordinary shift for our young children,” said James Steyer, chief

executive and founder of Common Sense Media.

“In the past we could measure and control exactly where, when, and how they were engaging with screens. Now, mobile devices follow our kids from room to room,” he said. “The media children consume can have a profound impact on their learning, social development, and behavior, and the only way to maximize the positive impact -- and minimize the negative -- is to have an accurate understanding of the role it plays in their lives. These kids are true digital natives.” The average amount of time children spend using mobile devices has tripled, from ﬁve minutes a day to 15 minutes a day for the zero-to-eight age group, the study found, and the number of kids who have used mobile devices has nearly doubled from 38 to 72 percent. “I’ve never seen a new medi-

um take hold among little kids this fast,” said researcher Vicky Rideout. “As many little babies and one-year-olds have used smartphones or tablets today as all kids under eight had done just two years ago.” The most common mobile media activity among children is playing games, cited by 63 percent of parents. And parents also said 30 percent of kids used these devices for reading. The study found educational TV is the most popular screen activity among young children, with 61 percent watching some programming. On average, children in this age group read or are read to for just under half an hour a day, roughly the same as in 2011. The report is based on a survey of 1,463 parents of children age eight and under including an “over-sample” of AfricanAmerican and Latino parents from May 20 to June 12.

HIV has big hiding place, foiling hopes for cure by Kerry SHERIDAN

ASHINGTON, October 24, 2013 (AFP) - Modern medicine can keep HIV at bay but not cure it, and researchers said Thursday the reason may lie in the larger-than-expected size of the virus’s hiding place. Traces of HIV can lie dormant in the body’s immune cells, and this so-called latent reservoir is 60 times bigger than previous estimates, according to new research in the journal Cell. The ﬁndings, based on three years of lab experiments, explain why human immunodeﬁciency virus usually makes a swift comeback and can lead to

full-blown AIDS if an infected person stops taking antiretroviral drugs. “Our study results certainly show that ﬁnding a cure for HIV disease is going to be much harder than we had thought and hoped for,” said senior investigator Robert Siliciano, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Siliciano in 1995 ﬁrst showed that reservoirs of dormant HIV were present in immune cells. There are 213 known proviruses, or remnants of HIV that linger in cells and tissues throughout the body even when HIV is undetectable in the blood.

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The latest research showed that 25 of these -- a total of 12 percent -- could reactivate themselves, replicate their genetic material and infect other cells. This came as a surprise to the science team, because these non-induced proviruses had previously been viewed as defective, therefore playing no role in the infection’s return. The study found that the average frequency of intact noninduced proviruses was “at least 60-fold higher” than the potentially dangerous latent viruses that scientists already knew about. All these intact non-induced proviruses need to be wiped

FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

Top US ofﬁcial apologizes for ‘Obamacare’ website woe

ASHINGTON, October 29, 2013 (AFP) - A key ofﬁcial overseeing the US health care law’s new website apologized Tuesday for its troubleplagued rollout, but insisted the online program is ﬁxable.

Marilyn Tavenner, the first Obama administration official to testify before Congress about the rocky start to healthcare.gov, took heat at a hearing on problems with the October 1 debut of the website through which millions of Americans are expected to sign up for health insurance. Tavenner acknowledged consumers were having difficulty enrolling through the online exchange marketplace due to various “glitches” in the system. “I want to apologize to you that the website has not worked as well as it should,” Tavenner, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Department of Health and Human Services, told lawmakers at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing. “The bottom line is, this healthcare website is fixable,” and CMS staff and contractors “are working around the clock” to improve the service.

out in order to achieve a cure, experts say. What is needed are specialized drugs that target them. More than 34 million people worldwide are infected with HIV. The three-decade-old pandemic kills about 1.8 million people each year. A handful of people with HIV around the world have been described as being in remission or potentially cured of HIV, but these cases are rare. The most famous of them, Timothy Brown -- an American

But she dodged pointed questions about just how many people have enrolled in the system.

Tavenner said some 700,000 people nationwide have applied for coverage, but as for actual enrollment, she repeatedly said: “We’ll have that information available in midNovember.” Tavenner was testifying one day before her boss, Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, faces what is sure to be a grilling by House lawmakers frustrated by the huge hiccups that have plagued the website. Consumers have had trouble signing on, getting accurate cost estimates, and completing enrollment. But House Republican Dave Camp, the Ways and Means Committee chairman, insisted that the issue was less the online portal than with the very structure of President Barack Obama’s signature health care reforms. “While the website can be ﬁxed, the widespread problems of Obamacare cannot,” Camp said. Repeating a Republican position that helped lead to a twoweek government shutdown, Camp said Obama “should at a minimum seriously consider who was long referred to as the Berlin patient -- was cleared of the virus after a bone marrow transplant that wiped out both his leukemia and his HIV infection. Another novel case involves a young girl who was infected in the womb, and was given a potent dose of antiretrovirals shortly after birth until she was 18 months old. At that point, the child’s mother stopped bringing her to the doctor and stopped giving her medication. Research out Wednesday showed the now

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delaying the law for families and individuals.” Ofﬁcials have said some seven million Americans must enroll in Obamacare for the system to balance ﬁnancially.

That includes 2.3 million young and healthy enrollees, whose monthly premiums would help fund the high medical costs of the sick and elderly. “If we don’t meet this demographic of 2.3 million young people, it’s very clear that premiums will go through the roof,” Camp said. Tavenner acknowledged that while the government projects sufficient numbers of Americans will sign up, “the next six months of enrollment are critical.” Obamacare requires most Americans to have health insurance from 2014 or face a fine, but the White House said it will give an extra six weeks, until March 31, to obtain insurance before facing the penalty. Last week, the lead contractors on the website -- which has cost some $500 million -- said CMS gave just two weeks in September for end-to-end testing of the system. The contractors said such testing should have taken months. three-year-old child has no trace of HIV in her blood despite going 18 months without treatment. Clinical trials to test the approach on a wider scale in infants in low and middle income countries are set to begin next year. “Although cure of HIV infection may be achievable in special situations, the elimination of the latent reservoir is a major problem, and it is unclear how long it will take to find a way to do this,” said Siliciano.

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VOICE OF ASIA 22

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BUSINESS Section 2

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Grand Opening: Houston Ayurveda Center Moves To New Location

FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

Tel: 713-774-5140

London aims to become Islamic ﬁnance hub by Mathieu GORSE

LONDON, October 29, 2013 (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron said Tuesday London aims to become a top capital of Islamic finance as the city played host to the first World Islamic Forum outside the Muslim world. “Already London is the biggest centre for Islamic finance outside the Islamic world. And today our ambition is to go further still,” Cameron told more than 1,800 political and business leaders at the ninth forum, dubbed the “Davos of the Muslim world”. “I don’t just want London to be a great capital of Islamic finance in the Western world, I want London to stand alongside Dubai and Kuala Lumpur as one of the great capitals of Islamic Finance anywhere in the world,” he said. “Investing in London is good for you and opening London up to your investment is good for us.”

Traditional lighting of the lamp by Acharya Sri Gaurangbhai Nanavaty, Acharya Smt. Darshanaben Nanavaty as Sunita Tarkunde and Raj Tarkunde look on.

OUSTON - On Sunday, October 27 evening was held a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the ofﬁcial opening of the Houston Ayurveda Center at its new location at 3222 Mercer. The Center’s moved from its which moved from their previous location at 4100 Westheimer. The Center had already been blessed because owner Sunita Tarkunde felt that was a priority so her goal with this ceremony was to mark the opening with someone from her place of worship and to celebrate with friends and family and employees. The ribbon cutting was done by Sri Gaurangbhai Nanavaty, Acharya of the Chinmaya Mission accompanied by his wife Acharya Smt. Darshanaben Nanavaty. Following the ceremony, everyone enjoyed healthy

Ayurvedic food and teas specially made in the Center’s kitchen. The Center is one of its kind inside the Loop and is owned by Sunita Tarkunde, who holds a Master’s degree in Ayurveda & BAMS from India. It’s a family business as her sister Sanskruti Gaikaiwari works with her. It features several rooms for therapeutic services, a meditation room, a kitchen for cooking classes, a multi-purpose room for yoga, dance, art classes, and a consultation room. They will soon be installing a droni (a traditional Ayurvedic wooden massage table) in one of the service rooms. A full list of their services is on their website, www.houstonayurveda.com.Sunita’s commitment to the Ayurvedic lifestyle extends back to

her home country of India, where she began her practice in Clinical Ayurveda in 1992. With her highly authentic education and vast work experience, she has helped thousands of people to gain complete health. She is a registered nurse (RN) and also a faculty member of “Kerala Ayurveda,” where in-depth Ayurveda courses are taught to spread the knowledge of this ancient medical science.

More than 20 UK banks currently offer Islamic financial products, while 49 Islamic bonds -- called sukuks -with a total value of $34 billion, have been listed over the last five years on the London Stock Exchange. But Cameron aims to expand well beyond this. “When Islamic finance is growing 50 percent faster than traditional banking and when global Islamic investments are set to grow to £1.3 trillion by 2014, we want to make sure a big proportion of that new investment is made here in Britain.” As part of realising his ambitions,

Cameron announced a new “Islamic Index” on the London Stock Exchange and revealed plans for Britain to release an Islamic bond. “This means the creation of a new way of identifying Islamic finance opportunities -- a world-leading Islamic Market Index,” he explained. The index will identify companies that meet traditional Islamic investment principles. A foundation of Islamic investment is that it should be structured on the exchange of ownership or real assets, with money being used only as a method of payment. Islamic financial principles also prohibit the payment of interest, so Islamic bonds pay investors a fixed return based on the profit generated by an underlying asset. “It is another global first for the City of London,” said Cameron. Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai said the comments from the British prime minister marked a “very welcome step”, and added he hoped Islamic finance could play a role of “reinforcing ethical and moral values” in the financial world after the economic crisis. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also welcomed the news that Islamic finance was “no longer confined to the Muslim world”. Islamic finance has already helped to transform London’s skyline, with Qatari money part-funding the Olympic village used at last year’s games and the 310-metre Shard building now towering over the River Thames.

Sunita is a gifted healer and her hallmark is her gentle, thorough way of working with clients to regain and maintain full, vibrant, and radiant health in the body, mind, and spirit. She will be presenting a free talk each week at the Center on Wednesdays at 5pm about Ayurveda and the Center is open Monday through Saturday for services and classes. (www.houstonayurveda.com)

Bill Frazer for Houston City Controller Houston needs a professional accountant as our city’s ﬁscal watchdog and whistleblower.

ity controller is a job that, if done right, should be no stranger to some controversy. Serving as the city’s budget watchdog, a proper controller shouldn’t be afraid to step on some toes. It is an independent office that has the right to audit city government and the duty to blow the whistle on fiscal shenanigans - whether illegal or simply unwise. But ever since Kathy Whitmire jumped from the controller’s office to the mayor’s seat, the position has seemingly transformed into a springboard for ambitious politicians. That isn’t to say Houston hasn’t had several excellent controllers since Mayor Whitmire. It does mean, however, that controllers risk losing a bit of their bite as they’ve kept their eyes on future office instead of on the city’s bottom line. At a time of looming pension obligations, we need someone who isn’t there to make friends, but to make sure that our house is in order. Bill Frazer is the man for the job. Frazer, a 62-year-old retired accountant, has served as president of the Houston CPA Society and sat on the Board of Directors of the Texas Society of CPAs. He doesn’t have political ambition, just decades of experience. Houston needs a professional who can sit down and take the longer view on our finances. A solid technician with impeccable qualifications, Frazer could spend the next six years ensuring that we’re on the right track. Frazer emphasizes transparency in government, noting that it isn’t just enough to release numbers. The controller should also explain what the numbers mean. Without that guide, it has become all too easy to ignore actual problems, or resort to apocalyptic predictions of immediate bankruptcy. His overall promise to address issues where they exist, and calm folks where they don’t, sets a prop-

Bill Frazer

er tone for the office. Houston is not going to be Detroit any time soon - as long as we address our current obligations. He also says that he’ll focus on auditing Houston’s tax increment reinvestment zones and tax abatements to determine whether they’re good policy. That question has gone unanswered for some time. An incumbent city controller hasn’t faced a serious challenger since 1997, when Sylvia Garcia beat then-Controller Lloyd Kelley. But there are many reasons why that trend ends at the current controller, Ron Green. There’s his record of tax problems, nearly losing his house to foreclosure in 2006. There’s his business associations with five-time felon Dwayne K. Jordon. There’s the $35,000 that he billed taxpayers for out-of-town trips and luxury hotels during his first three years in the controller’s office - the sort of trips that Harris County prohibits and that previous controllers never took. Underneath the scandals, there’s the simple fact that Green has not been an ef-

fective budget watchdog. Sure, he has done the bare minimum of his position. The controller’s office releases budget numbers, but provides no context. Green notes the future burdens of bond votes, but doesn’t tell voters whether they’re good or bad. He talks about public pensions, but only when asked. Instead of focusing on the quantitative budget issues, Green likes to talk about the qualitative services he provides for constituents - such as financial literacy classes. In fact, when both candidates met with the Chronicle editorial board, Green asked Frazer whether he saw the people that the budget numbers represented. “Yes I do,” Frazer said. “And I think they’re concerned.” We are concerned. Houston needs a controller who views the office as an active defender of fiscal health, not another step on the political ladder. Vote for Frazer. Source: Houston Chronicle. Column Opinion / Recommendations

FEATURE

VOICE OF ASIA 24

Snooker: Pakistan’s modest world champion

FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

Your Horoscope (For week beginning Friday, November 1, 2013)

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) 21 March to 20 April An upsurge of your positive energy ﬂow. Recently you have felt as if something was holding you back, this week, everything will click. Don’t let underlying discord ruin your mood any more than necessary. Consider calling a powerful friend with a good ear. A small luxury will make you feel enormously wealthy. Giving yourself a reason to smile doesn’t have to take a break. You deserve whatever you want. If you don’t see it, ask for it. Once you get past the initial stumbling blocks, you’ll realize that you were assuming other’s expectations of you.

Taurus(B,V,U)21 April to 20 May pakistan’s Mohammad Asif, 31-year-old is Snooker World Champ. AFP Photo by Clotilde GOURLET

AISALABAD - Rising sports stars regularly spout the cliche about not letting success change them, but in the case of Mohammad Asif, Pakistan’s sole current world champion, it seems to be true. The 31-year-old was given a hero’s welcome when he returned to Pakistan after winning the amateur world snooker championship a year ago, feted by politicians and media alike. He still lives in the same modest house in a nondescript corner of Faisalabad, an industrial city in Punjab province, and still practises at the same grubby basement club. He says he has seen nothing of the $100,000 reward promised him by the government for his win, but his success has made him a superstar in the city once known as the “Manchester of Pakistan” for its countless cotton mills. “Wherever I go, thanks be to God, I get special love from the people, everybody is caring and praying for me,” he told AFP. “Now everyone in the city recognises me, which gives me pleasure.” The biggest change for Asif has been his wheels. Gone is his rickety old motorbike, replaced by a gleaming black Toyota Corolla

emblazoned with “M. Asif -World Champion” -- a gift from Pakistan’s richest man, property tycoon Malik Riaz. Asif is only the second Pakistani to win the world title, after Mohammed Yousuf, nearly 20 years ago, but his campaign nearly ended before it began. A shortage of funds meant the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) had practically given up hope of sending players to last year’s championship in Bulgaria until a slew of personal donations allowed Asif to board the plane. The shy, softly spoken Asif repaid their generosity with a fairytale win, beating England’s Gary Wilson 10-8 in the ﬁnal. Now he has his sights set on matching the achievement of his professional counterpart Ronnie O’Sullivan, who in May successfully defended the world crown he won in 2012. “I am ready to defend my title and am conﬁdent I will win it again,” Asif said ahead of the tournament in Latvia starting on November 27. Asif helped Pakistan to victory in last month’s world team championship in Ireland and he said the experience has brought him added mental steel. “The recent wins have boosted my morale and have matured my

game. I have learnt how to handle the pressure, which is key in snooker,” he said. All being well, Asif plans to turn professional next year thanks to a $20,000 sponsorship deal from entrepreneur Nadeem Omar. Illustrious names like Jimmy White, James Wattana and Ken Doherty are all former amateur champions, with the Irishman being the only player so far to have held both the amateur and professional crowns. Despite enjoying great popularity at amateur level around Pakistan, snooker struggles for funding and exposure in a country obsessed with cricket. While cricket stars earn good livings with big-money sponsorship deals and endorsements for everything from banking to shampoo, snooker is left to struggle on thanks to the efforts of dedicated amateurs. But for Asif, there is no comparison. “This is the best game. Technically there is a lot of joy in it, you have to beat your opponent by yourself whereas in cricket you have to rely on your teammates,” he said, noting that the sport had a distinguished history in Pakistan. “Our founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah also used to play this game.”

UMA MANTRAVADI

Strong feelings that may obscure your vision. Dwelling on your personal problems will only distract you from the task at hand. Your greatest inspiration comes from taking everything personally. You have a lot to gain by maintaining control of your emotions. An affair of the heart could move toward heartbreak. You still have time to save it, but do you really want to? You will have to be accountable for your actions. Choose your words wisely, as the consequences of what you say will be great.

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June New creative idea or project can spring up from nowhere. Even if the thought sounds foolish at ﬁrst, it’s time to follow through on your dreams. Let the thoughts come through, impractical as they may seem. Imagination will course you through now. Your greatest potential is to present information in a fascinating new package. Once you get though with it, you’ll be able to create a good reputation. One that is bound to gain positive attention from all concerned.

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Some interesting happenings in your domestic & personal life, that could include change of residence or marital status. Events this week, have made it impossible to allow things to remain as they are. The demands put on you may seem unfair, perhaps even a little manipulative. You may feel a little resentful. Allow changes to sink in, don’t assume the worst in others. Try your best to treat them fairly. Your swift action will only strengthen your case. What may have began as a real burden to you, may now become a real asset.

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Change in mood & perhaps a change of attitude that you feel. It’s easy to be disillusioned about the progress you’ve made if you continue to look at things in a negative light. You tend to put more pressure on yourself than others do. You may assume a lot more than you should. This may tend to make you more defensive about projects that you have been procrastinating about. Realize that things that you’ve committed to, should take priority. You need to organize your time in order to achieve any of these goals.

Virgo(P) 23 August to 22 September Some decisive moments as well as surprises in store for you, particularly in relation to your personal plans. Personal change is deﬁnite. You have a tendency to be overly generous and forget that you have a budget to respect. Your desire to help others is admirable, but it could lead you into the red. Your ambitious nature may sometimes attract criticism, but there is no doubt about it. Your efforts have been worthwhile and you are about to reach a new level of success. You can arrange travel this week, as you seek out adventure and discovery

Libra(R,T)23 Sept to 22 Oct Need to work & play hard. You seem to be running late on everything you do this week, as a result you don’t have any time to spare. This could be because you are either too stressed or too distracted to make good use of your time, so slow down, and you’ll get more things done. Don’t let this romantically calm period get you down, in fact, this is a welcome break which will allow you to enjoy some free time alone to recover from emotional pressure. you this week.

Attorney and Counselor at Law

Scorpio(N,Y)23 Oct to 21 Nov

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SAN ANTONIO: 6 8 51 C i t i z e n ’ s P k w y, S t e . 2 2 5 San Antonio, TX 78229 Te l # ( 2 81 ) 8 2 7 - 3 8 3 6

NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS IMMIGRANT VISAS

REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS OTHER CASES

E-1 & E-2 Visas H-1B Visas H-1 Extensions L-1 Visas

Family Petitions Labor Certifications Naturalization Citizenship

BUSINESS CORP LAW

Cancellation Bond Determination Voluntary Departure

REAL ESTATE LAW

Extensions RFE Appear for Interviews

Sagittarius(BH,F,DH,TH)22 Nov to 21 Dec You need to organize your ﬁnancial and personal situation. 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.

Capricorn(KH,J)22 Dec to 20 Jan

FAMILY LAW

FREE CONSULTATIONS ON FRIDAYS BETWEEN 1PM & 3 PM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

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

Co-operation & co-existence. You know you need to let go of the past. An old friend can turn you on to a new experience. It could seem a little strange at first, but with time you could get used to it. In the professional domain you could find a supporter, mentor or colleague who boosts your confidence and presents you with an interesting challenge. It’s one of those situations where less may be more. Listen to your intuition, don’t allow others to deter your progress.

Advance your creative ideas and concepts to those in power. Don’t rush any decisions, play the waiting game. Recent events will make you aware of how precious life is. Exhibit benefits of new venture. Verify accounting procedures, make sure everything is on track. 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. Family members, co-workers will vie for your attention.

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

true success.

Understanding that you have reached a real milestone in art, music or literature. You’ll be impressed with a new discovery & will want to tell the whole world. Be it in a personal relationship or a business dealing, you will reach a very positive goal. 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

Pisces(D,CH,Z)20 Feb to 20 March Overcome new personal challenges and a new sense of direction. 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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

VOICE OF ASIA 25

FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES & ORGANIZATIONS OF HOUSTON - call Voice of Asia 713-774-5140 Hare Krishna Dham (ISKCON) Prog: Diwali Celebrations on Sun. Nov. 3rd, 5:30 PM Govardhan Puja - Mon. Nov 4th 6:30 PM Drama & Cultural Events: Sun. Nov 10th 5:00 PM 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

BAPS Prog: Diwali and New Year Celebrations on Sat. Nov 2, Diwali Nov. 3, Diwali , Nutan Varsh Nov. 4, Shakotsav Nov. 13 Location: 1150 Brand Rd. Stafford, TX. Contact: 281-765-2277 Web:

Shri Radha Krishna Temple Prog: Diwali Celebration will be on Sunday Evening November 3th 2013. Candle Light Maha Aarti at 7:00PM. Prasaad will be served after Maha Aarti. Location:11625 Beechnut, Houston, TX 77072 Phone: 281-933-8100 Website: www.SRKT.org.

India House Prog: Diwali Bazaar on Nov. 2 from 11 AM to 8PM Location: India House 8888 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, Texas 77031

Location:same as Chinmaya Mission. Website: www.saumyakasi.org;

Hindu Temple of The Woodlands Prog: Location: 7601 S. Forest Gate Drive at Woodlands Parkway, Spring, TX 77382. Contact: info@woodlandshindutemple.org, 832-585-0001 Website: www. woodlandshindutemple.org.

VPSS Houston Location VPSS Vallabh Hall, 11715 Belfort Village Dr. Houston 77031. Contact:713-530-2900 Website:www.vpsshaveli.org

Prog: Vedanta teachings Sundays at 10:30 AM Location: at 14809 Lindita Dr. Houston, TX -77083. Website: www.vedantahouston. 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:

Shri Satyanarayan Sai Puja Darshan

Location: 17130 McLean Road Pearland, TX 77584 Contact: (281) 489-0358 Web: www.meenakshi. org Arsha Vidya

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.

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

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

Ahmadiyya Muslim Sri Ashtalakshmi Community Baitus Temple Samee Mosque Prog: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama

Prog: Location:10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX77498. Phone: 832.541.0059. Website:www.chinmayahouston.org.

Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya

Ashirwad - A Blessing 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.

Prog: Regular prog :Sloka Classes for kids and teens. Location: Katy, Hwy 249 & Sugar Land. Contact: 281.995.0930/

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston

Sri Meenakshi Temple

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

Chinmaya Mission

281.808.2159

Stotra Parayanam: daily 6.30 p.m. 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

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.

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir 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.

JVB Preksha Meditation Center 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

Patanjali Yogpeeth Center 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

Jain Center of Houston 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 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

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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:

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center Prog: Daily classes in Raja Yoga Meditation To register call or email. Contact:832-379-8888/ Email: houston@bktexas.com Website: bktexas.com

Bethesda Houston Tamil Church Prog: Prog: Sundays Tamil Worship: 5 – 7pm Sunday school : in English. Bethesda Family Fellowship: in English 10.30 am-12.30 pm Free Tutorial for all children Mondays & Wednesdays 5-6

pm. Ladies Bible Study: Thur 9 am. Location: 1092, Suite F&G, Stafford. Tex 77477 Tel:281-317-7331 Contact: 281-317-7331 Website:bethesdahoustontamil church.org

Our Redeemer Church Prog: Sundays worship at 4:30 pm, Location: All Saints Lutheran Church 1211 West Belfort Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477. Contact: 281-686-4135 / Email: pastorvj@linchouston. org

Trinity Mar Thoma Church Prog: Sundays Malyalam service at 9:45 a.m. Every alternate weeks in English at 10:30a.m. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. Location: 5810 Almeda Genoa Road. Contact: 713-9771-1557/ 281261-4603.

Rekindle The Fire Ministries Prog: Houston Revival Meetings Every second Saturday of the Month. Location: New Song Christian Community Church near 59S and Wilcrest. Every fourth Saturday of the month join a lively youth revival meeting at Pasadena. Website:t www. rekindlethefire.org

Indian Catholics of Houston Location: Claridge Drive Houston, TX 77031 Contact:: (713) 995-6811

Islamic Society of Greater Houston Location: Eastside Drive Houston, TX 77098 Contact: (713) 524-6615

BAPS Clear Lake Prog: Location: 520, W.NASA Parkway, Webster, TX - 77598

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VOICE OF ASIA 27

LEGAL NOTICE Neighborhood Centers Inc. (AGENCY), a non-proﬁt human services organization, announces a Request for Proposal (RFP) #13-14 for Combustible Waste Collection Services. A “mandatory” Vendors Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2013 @ 10:00 AM (CST) at 3838 Aberdeen Way, Houston, TX 77025. Interested Vendors can submit a proposal for RFP #13-14 for Combustible Waste Collection Services. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Wednesday, December 18, 2013 by 12:00 PM (CST). To receive RFP #13-14, e-mail Ashia Brown, Supply Chain Manager, at abrown@ neighborhood-centers.org. NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC. ENCOURAGES SMALL AND HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES TO APPLY.

CLASSIFIEDS House for Sale

Open house on 10/26 & 11/2 Sat 10AM -12PM

Job Placement for Nannies SKS Domestic Help Referral Service Immediate need for Nannies in and around Houston. Call: 713 518 1935 Email: care@sksdomestichelp.com Visit us at: www.sksdomestichelp.com

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4 Bed/ 2.5 bath/2car Area: Dwelling 2,885 sq.ft + 410 sq.ft garage Cul-de-sac Corner lot Huge back yard, Granite ﬂoor, Tankless water heater. Lot of upgrades. Contact: sam@hitechoilﬁeld.com Phone: 832-999-4567 Cell : 832-620-8384 For details and photos visit www.Zillow.com

HINDI PRAYERS

Do you need PRAYER? Do you need a MIRACLE in your life? Can we pray for the CHILDLESS couple?

South Indian Chef / Cook Wanted Chef or Cook for Authentic Andhra Style food needed with good restaurant experience, also catering, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner items. Restaurant located in busy Sugar Land area.

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FRIDAY, November 1, 2013

Read Voice of Asia for Community News

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT – Part Time

Digital Account Executive

KTRK-TV, the ABC owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a part-time production assistant. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to begin a career in journalism. In this position, you may have the opportunity to write and edit newscast scripts, work on the assignment desk, work on our digital platforms, sort scripts and run the teleprompter. Must be willing to work overnights, weekends, and holidays. College degree preferred. The ideal candidate has experience gathering and writing news along with a good understanding of social media trends. For consideration all interested applicants must apply on-line at: www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume ﬁle, cover letter and list of references. Please send writing samples to: Robin Freese, Executive Producer, KTRKTV, 3310 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77005. Please Reference Job ID: 142125BR on all materials submitted. No phone calls please, and no third parties. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.

KTRK, the local ABC Owned Television Station is seeking a highly motivated sales professional to sell our portfolio of digital assets. Knowledgeable in the media/online advertising industry, the desire to build lasting client and agency relationships, taking ownership of a project and seeing it through to completion are big pluses. If you are conversant in online advertising, search marketing and mobile advertising, have professional presentation skills and the ability to build and present client proposals this may be your opportunity to work with Houston’s Leading News Properties. Requires exceptional oral and written communication skills. Only those with strong prospecting, networking, successful cold calling and a great closing ratio need apply. BA/BS degree is preferred. Candidates must apply online at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume ﬁle. Please reference Job Req # 14123BR on all materials submitted. No phone calls please, no third parties. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

Part Time Broadcast Technician

SPECIAL PROJECTS PRODUCER

The KTRK-TV Production Department is looking for a part time Broadcast Technician who is a self-starter and works well with others. Duties will include but not limited to building graphics with Adobe Photoshop CS 5.5, robotic camera operator, audio assistant, and floor manager for live and recorded programming. This position might also be used for various production-related duties as assigned by the Production Manager. Prior broadcast experience in a live Control Room environment is a plus.Qualified candidates must be able and willing to work flexible hours, early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays. Weekly work hours will vary. Applicants must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and stand on your feet for long periods of time. A strong work ethic and positive attitude is required as is the ability to handle multiple tasks. For consideration all interested applicants must apply on-line at: www. disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file and cover letter. Please reference job ID: 142124BR on all materials submitted. No phone calls please, and no third parties. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.

KTRK-TV, the ABC O&O located in Houston, TX is looking for a multimedia journalist who is a strong writer that understands Female-Focused On-Air & Digital content. Applicants must be an excellent multi-task individual who is well versed in social media and able to produce and publish content for web and mobile devices with the ability to focus on aggregating and generating stories that are geared toward saving time, saving money, and high-interest water-cooler *talkers* that are perfect for morning consumers. This person also focuses on how broadcast and web/mobile platforms can constantly interact in the mornings. Must be a high-energy, vibrant, social-media-savvy person willing to work a midnight-9am shift ENPS, desktop editing and Ignite experience a plus, as is knowledge of the Houston area. For consideration all interested applicants must apply on-line at: www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume ﬁle, cover letter and list of references. If you are truly ready for market #10, please send writing samples and a copy of your latest newscast including one that demonstrates your ability to handle breaking news to: Human Resources, KTRK-TV, 3310 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77005. Please Reference Job ID: 142121BR on all materials submitted. No phone calls please, and no third parties. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.

News/ Programming Intern

Broadcast Technology/ Engineering Intern

KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid NEWS or PROGRAMMING INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will attend production meetings, assist the assignment desk, research news topics, view and log tapes, transcribe interviews and edit video along with other duties. Interns also will also have an opportunity to, on occasion, travel with reporters and field crews for stories and live remotes. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and will include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req 139313BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. No phone calls please. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.

KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY/ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will gain firsthand experience in a broadcast technical environment. You will gain experience in networking and computer hardware/software troubleshooting and support as well as learning how to maintain broadcast systems such as automation, news editing systems and live news vans. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and may include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req #139315BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. No phone calls please. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.

Community Affairs Intern

Human Resources Intern

KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid COMMUNITY AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will attend help in the production of community affairs shows, including scheduling of guests, help gathering and editing video, assist with community drives, forums and outreach. Each area requires significant planning, scheduling and execution. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and may include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req #139314BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. No phone calls please. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.

KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid HUMAN RESOURCES INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station Human Resources department. As an intern you will gain experience in a generalist HR department. You will be exposed and assist with recruiting/job posting, on-boarding, maintaining and updating employee documentation, timecard processing/ reporting, communication of various HR policies, procedures, laws, standards and government regulations i.e. HIPAA, FMLA, database management and other daily HR responsibilities. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Applicants must have strong communication skills as well as the ability to organize/prioritize, have an attention to detail and strong Microsoft Office skills. Most importantly the applicants must be able to maintain confidentiality. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers. com, Job Req #139317BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. No phone calls please. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.

VOICE OF ASIA 28

FRIDAY, November 1, 2013