Voice of Asia Sept 26 2014 by VoiceOf Asia

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FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

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hen is the right time to take Social Security Retirement benefits? Read on Page 15 Or Call: 713-771-2900.

Vol. 27 No. 39 Friday, September 26, 2014 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 24Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

ANGALORE, September 24, 2014 (AFP) - India won Asia’s race to Mars on Wednesday when its unmanned Mangalyaan spacecraft successfully entered the Red Planet’s orbit after a 10-month journey on a tiny budget.

India is on course on Wednesday (Sep 24) to become the ﬁrst nation to reach Mars on its maiden attempt, a historic feat that aims to showcase the country’s home-grown and low-cost space technology.

Indians from ministers to students and ofﬁce workers took to Twitter to express pride, with the Hindi slogan “JaiHind” or “Hail India” trending on the microblogging site.

Scientists at mission control let out wild cheers and applause after the gold-coloured craft ﬁred its main engine and slipped into the planet’s orbit following a 660-million kilometre (410-million mile) voyage.

India has been trying to keep up with neighbouring giant China, which has poured billions of dollars into its programme and plans to build a manned space station by the end of the decade. At just $74 million, the mission cost is less than the estimated $100 million budget of the sci-ﬁ blockbuster “Gravity”.

“History has been created. We have dared to reach out into the unknown and have achieved the near impossible,” a jubilant Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) base near Bangalore.

It also represents just a fraction of the cost of NASA’s $671 million MAVEN spacecraft, which successfully began orbiting the fourth planet from the sun on Sunday.

“The success of our space programme is a shining symbol of what we are capable of as a nation,” Modi said, grinning broadly and embracing the ISRO’s chairman. The success of the mission, which is designed to search for evidence of life on the Red Planet, is a huge source of national pride for India as it com-

petes with its Asian rivals for success in space.

India now joins an elite club of the United States, Russia and Europe who can boast of reaching Mars. More than half of all missions to the planet have ended in failure, including China’s in 2011 and Japan’s in 2003. Staff from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bangalore celebrate after the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft successfully entered the planet’s orbit, on September 24, 2014 (AFP Photo/Manjunath Kiran)

Shah Rukh Khan Delivers King Size Show With ‘SLAM - The Tour’

PM Modi to get rock star reception in New York

by Daniel Bases

NEW YORK Tue Sep 23, 2014 (Reuters) - It is a rock ‘n’ roller’s dream to “sell out The Garden,” but for a foreign politician to pack New York City’s most famous sports and entertainment arena is another thing entirely. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his ﬁrst trip to New York as leader of the world’s most populous democracy, will draw perhaps the largest crowd ever by a foreign leader on U.S. soil when he takes the stage on Sunday in Madison Square Garden before a crowd forecast to total more than 18,000 people.

oustonians had a rollicking time at the recent Shah Rukh Khan show, SLAM –The Tour presented by Star Promotions at the Toyota Center on Friday, September 19. The show was a blast of Bollywood bonanza with top notch stars led by Shah Rukh Khan and included Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Farah Khan, Boman Irani, Malaika, Arora Khan, Sonu Sood, new comer Vivaan Shah. Houston was the first stop for their world tour and it was a smashing hit! Read complete report on page 16, Sec. II

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Thousands more are expected to pack New York’s Times Square to watch his address in Hindi on big screens as well as smaller viewing parties around the country and on TV in India. The Indian diaspora hopes this visit by a leader who was until recently barred from the United States will signify India’s importance not only on these shores but in the wider world too. The event is being emceed by prominent members of the Indian American community, Nina Davuluri, who has just relinquished her crown as Miss America 2014, and TV journalist Hari Sreenivasan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures after giving a speech at his lecture meeting hosted by Nikkei Inc. and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Tokyo September 2, 2014. CREDIT: REUTERS/TORU HANAI “Indian citizens and diaspora over the world are hopeful that this (Modi) administration will cut bureaucracy and focus on people,” said Dr. Dinesh Patel, chief of arthroscopic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, who arrived in the United States more than 50 years ago. Patel, who says he was given an award for work in education by Modi, a fellow Gujarati, added: “People are passionate to see the new leader. Another Narendra is coming to this country to let the USA know what India is about.” The ﬁrst Narendra was Swami Vivekananda, a 19th-century philosopher and monk who propagated the Hindu faith in

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the United States. Modi often cites a speech by Vivekananda, born Narendra Nath Datta, to the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, as a source of inspiration. “Let us remember the words of Swami Vivekananda and dedicate ourselves to furthering the cause of unity, brotherhood and world peace,” Modi wrote Sept. 11 to his 6.5 million followers on Twitter. India’s economy, the third largest in Asia, has struggled to recover from sub-par growth, shackled by layers of bureaucracy anathema to the diaspora. Modi’s general election triumph in May was driven in large part by his entrepreneurial mantra.

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS The U.S. Bets on Modi

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FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

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by DANIEL TWINING Sept. 22, 2014 WSJ/Opinion ndia’s Narendra Modi was once subject to a U.S. visa ban for failing to halt communal violence while chief minister of Gujarat. He meets President Obama at the White House on Sept. 29 as an honored guest. Prime minister of the world’s second-most populous country, with the biggest electoral mandate of any Indian leader in decades, he can afford to be magnanimous about former slights. The two leaders should embrace an agenda that strengthens their role as democratic and economic counterweights to growing global disorder.

America anticipates an Indian resurgence that could tilt Asia’s power balance.

Obama might envy what Mr. Modi has already accomplished: India’s stock market is up 30%, growth has surged to nearly 6%, and the defeated Congress Party is so feeble it cannot even lead India’s fractured opposition. Mr. Modi makes the political weather in his country, whereas Obama seems a bystander in his own. But their countries’ common interests compel cooperation. India urgently needs American technology, investment, energy and trade to reform a still-statist economy that sputtered badly under the previous government and lacks the foundations for Chinese-style growth. India could also use American support to manage a dangerous security environment featuring a witches’ brew of Pakistani-based terrorism, internal insurgency and tensions with a revisionist China driven by what Mr. Modi calls an “18th century expansionist mindset.” His recent summit with Xi Jinping was overshadowed by a military standoff along their border. America anticipates an Indian resurgence that could tilt Asia’s power balance in a democratic direction and drive global growth. A thriving India could also uplift the region, including troubled Pakistan. As sectarian violence engulfs the Middle East, India and its nearly 200 million Muslims exemplify relative tolerance. The United States has a considerable stake in India’s success.

Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister. BLOOMBERG

as part of a pro-growth package of reforms. America could also supply natural gas as India opens its energy market to international investment. This would be a bounty for a country overly reliant on risky Middle Eastern suppliers. And it is surely time for a U.S.-India investment treaty that opens the way to a broader agreement covering trade, technology and knowledge workers; after all, America remains India’s largest trading partner in goods and services combined. Messrs. Obama and Modi should clear away the bureaucratic underbrush to make it happen. India’s exclusion from the Trans-Paciﬁc Partnership and obstructionism at the World Trade Organization could otherwise marginalize it from the global trading system at a time when almost half India’s GDP is tied to the world economy.

Refreshingly, Mr. Modi has said all things are possible between India and America— even a strategic alliance. But the two countries still have much distance to travel to create one. An agenda for the Obama-Modi summit should encompass ﬁve critical areas for cooperation: defense, energy, trade and investment, the future of Afghanistan and the crisis in the Middle East.

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Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister. ENLARGE Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister. BLOOMBERG India is the world’s largest arms importer. America is its principal supplier of military hardware, and Indians exercise more with U.S. armed forces than with anyone else. It is now time to engage in joint planning for contingencies that impact both countries. Mr. Modi’s liberalization of foreign investment in the defense sector and pending renewal of a 10-year U.S.India defense agreement offer a chance to work together to propel India’s military modernization. India faces chronic developmental bottlenecks from energy supply constraints. The 2008 Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal was designed to help—but Indian liability laws made it impossible to implement. The new team in New Delhi should push through enacting legislation

Integration into global supply chains is a developmental imperative. India and America have high stakes in preventing Afghanistan from spiraling back into warlordism after Western forces withdraw. Indians recall that the 1999 hijacking of Air India made them—not Americans—the ﬁrst foreign victims of the Taliban’s alliance with Al Qaeda and other extremists. Washington and New Delhi should develop a joint plan to expand training of Afghan security forces and enhance India’s stabilizing economic and diplomatic role. Even more pressing, the victories of Islamic State compel a closer degree of Indo-U.S. collaboration. India’s Arab allies—and principal energy suppliers—are all part of the U.S.-led anti-IS coali-

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tion; even China is considering cooperating. New Delhi opposed action in Libya and Syria at the United Nations and has taken a hands-off approach to the region. But how can India—home to as many Muslims as Iraq, Syria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt combined—sit this one out?

C OMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 3

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

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IACF Recaps its 27 year legacy of ‘giving back’ Raises $150,000 at annual gala for charities in Greater Houston Area

IACF president Dr. Ramesh Cherivirala seen receiving a Congressional Certiﬁcate from Hon. Congressman, Al Green by Shobana Muratee

Speaking about the mission of IACF Raghavan said, “Realizing how important the STEM disciplines are, the IACF started education initiatives with tutors educating students of middle and elementary school.” This education initiative was the brain child of David Raja and Anu Bala, past presidents of IACF she said. Raghavan also mentioned that, 18 scholarships were given to FBISD schools students this year and one of them was given the David Raj Memorial Scholarship, a student who was planning to become a surgeon and who was also a musician. Two emerging organizations: PEACE and PAIR that are concentrating on education were given checks that were presented by the past president Murthy Divakaruni and Dr Dominique Shrestha physician and friend of late David Raj did the honors of presenting the checks to the Nicole Ellis (Pair) and Padmaja Sarathy (Peace).

er the 4-pillars of IACF: Education, Family Welfare, General Giving and Health Care. Over the years the IACF has supported struggling organizations and continues to add to its roster. Nearly 26 organizations beneﬁted from IACF last year and over the years the organization has donated over $6m in total for various causes.

OUSTON – “For the past 27 years we are caring the torch and proposing the same thing, we live here and we want to give here,” said Dr. Ramesh Cheriviralla, president, Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) in his welcome address at its annual gala hosted on Saturday, September 20 at the Hilton Americans. He recognized the attending elected ofﬁcials, special guests and the IACF Board of Directors on the occasion.

Starting on a very sentimental note, Kamal Raghavan, IACF incoming president and Event Chair rekindled the memories of late David Raj, former president of IACF, who she called a great philanthropist, friend and musician and requested his friend Hubert Vaz Nayak to dedicate a song in his memory.

The IACF is a Houston based, non-proﬁt organization started by Indian Americans with a mission to help charities in the Greater Houston Area that cov-

Among the dignitaries who attended the event were Fort Bend District Attorney, John Hailey, Jay Guerrero, Chief of Staff, Ofﬁce of U.S. Rep. John Cornyn, Congressman Al Green, Mayor ProTem, City of Stafford, Ken Mathew, KP George, Trustee, FBISD and Robert Sakowitz, President & CEO, Hazak Corporation, a leading Management Consulting company in Houston Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg and Sunil Thakar, Houston’s popular RJ and president of Music Masala Radio were the emcees and they together conducted the second half of the program that included the live auction by Nik Nikam, MD (cardiology). Donors gave jewelry and art pieces to be auctioned for fundraising. This year, the IACF raised $150,000 in total. In a different type of Q & A, honored guests John Hailey, Ken Mathew, Rita Lucido, and

Emcees Sunil Thakar and Kim Ogg Robert Sakowitz were called by past presidents Anu Bala and Sushma Bhan who questioned them on how they envisioned IACF could help in the 4-pillars that the organization stood for. They spoke on the school dropout rate, women’s safety and health and how organizations like IACF can help in making the government ofﬁcials step

up to the plate and take heed of some of these distress situations especially education. The gala also incorporated a cultural segment with dance performances by students of Anjali School of Performing Arts and Kathak dance by Megna Murli. Dinner had Indian specialties both vegetarian and non-vegetarian catered by Dawat.

IACF’s Board of Directors at the annual gala held on Se. 20, 2014. Photos by msanphoto.com

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FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Hindi Sabha held at BAPS temple

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It is important to know your legal rights Q. The air conditioning in my apartment has not worked for four days. I have asked the landlord several times to make the repairs and the always says “tomorrow.” I don’t want to move. I know that a landlord has a duty to repair conditions that affect a tenant’s health or safety. What can I do to force him to make the repairs? A. You are correct that your landlord has an obligation to repair a condition, such as a broken air conditioner, that affects a tenant’s health or safety. Your first step now is to stop calling and give him written notice. You need to send a written notice to trigger your legal rights. I suggest you deliver it in person to the landlord or property manager, and also send a copy by certified mail. That way you have proof you gave notice. The landlord then has a “reasonable time” to make the repairs. The statute says seven days is reasonable, so I would give him a week. If it is not repaired, file a claim with the local justice court. You can go to justice court without an attorney to obtain a repair order and damages.

As you can see, the law gives a tenant substantial rights when a landlord does not repair a serious problem. My guess is that once the landlord receives your written notice and knows you know your legal rights, he will promptly make the necessary repairs. And talking about knowing your legal rights the next session of the People’s Law School will be held in Houston on Saturday, October 4th. Presented by the Center for Consumer Law at the University of Houston Law Center, this is the oldest and most successful law for the layperson in the nation. More than 50,000 people have attended our classes and learned valuable information about their legal rights. This is your chance to learn more about the law and get answers to your basic legal questions. We won’t make you a lawyer, but we can help you avoid problems and resolve disputes. At the People’s Law School, there will be classes in fourteen different areas of law. We will teach classes in everything from consumer law and debt collection, to family law, basic business and landlord-tenant rights. There will be classes in ﬁnding the law on the Internet and using small claims court, as well as specialists teaching you about bankruptcy, health insurance, taxes and immigration law. A local volunteer judge, attorney or law professor will teach each class, and everyone receives extensive written material. The People’s Law School will be held in Krost Hall at the University of Houston Law Center, on the main campus of the University. Everyone may select three courses to attend. As I said, the program is free, but you must register in advance. To register or get more information, go to www.peopleslawyer.net. Class begin promptly at 9am, but arrive early for complimentary coffee and donuts. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 4th.

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ICC Board of Directors and Trustees met at the footsteps of the temple

his year’s Hindi Sabha was held jointly by the India Culture Center (ICC) and International Hindi Association (IHA) on September 14 at the at BAPS temple in Stafford, Texas. ICC Board of Directors and Trustees along with the IHA executive team and core committee met at the footsteps of the temple for group picture session with the enchanting temple as the back drop. The team was taken for Darshan to the beautiful marble temple by the Public Relations team of BAPS led by Ashvin Dave and Ketan Inamdar. Later they were led into the sabhagraha where the main discourse took place. More than a thousand people attended the Hindi Sabha. The Houston Swamiji spoke in chaste Hindi on the topic of strong and vital family

and social relationships. The entire program was conducted in Hindi including the emceeing by the youth who did a commendable job. BAPS is an institution which is inspired by Bhagwan Swami Narayan and presently led by Pramukhji Swami Maharaj and has millions of followers across the world. Generally, discourses at the temple on every Sunday (Ravisabha) are conducted in Gujarati but it being International Hindi Day and in support of IHA Houston’s efforts to promote Hindi language; the Sabha conducted in Hindi which lasted for almost 90 minutes and everyone was in awe listening to Swamiji IHA Houston President Swapan Dhairyawan and Jt Secretary Sanjay Sohoni were invited

to the stage for special blessings and felicitation by Swamiji at the end of discourse. They appreciated the efforts of IHA for community service in the Greater Houston area. After Arti all members got blessings from the Swamiji and the program ended with a special dinner Prasad to the attendees The hospitality and affection showered by the BAPS volunteers to the IHA team was incredible. ICC President Charlie Patel was invited on the stage for special blessings from the Swamiji. The BAPS volunteers lauded the efforts of ICC for being the oldest organization and involved in preservation of culture in Greater Houston area. They also appreciated efforts in humanitarian projects which emerge from time to time in the community.

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In justice court, the justice of the peace may: direct the landlord to repair the condition; reduce your rent from the date of your ﬁrst written repair for the loss of value and use of the rental unit; direct the landlord to pay you one month’s rent plus $500 in penalties; and award you the amount of your actual damages, court costs and attorney’s fees (if you choose to have an attorney represent you). The law requires a hearing be scheduled within one week of service of the documents on the landlord.

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FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Ireo hosts beneﬁt for Magic Bus: Baki Itihas by MIST; Changing lives through sport quite a pleasant surprise! Indian real estate developer Ireo introduces Magic Bus to New York City to beneﬁt the empowerment of children in India through high-impact sports and mentoring curriculum.

Baki Itihas was staged at the Katy Performing and Visual Arts Center. Photo: Sushanta Bose by Sanchali Basu

New York City, September 17, 2014: Magic Bus and Ireo joined forces on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 to introduce prominent members of New York society to Magic Bus, a very large and professional non-government organization in India focused on behavioral change and leadership development for children and youth living in the most marginalized communities in India. Amongst those in attendance was Matthew Spacie, Founder and Executive Chairman of Magic Bus, Anurag Bhargava, Chairman of Ireo, Rahul Brahmbhatt, Executive Director of Magic Bus USA, and recent graduate of the Magic Bus program, Parvati Pujari. Spacie is a young and innovative entrepreneur who previously headed Cox & Kings in India and co-founded Cleartrip. com. He founded Magic Bus with the goal of taking children out of poverty and giving them a purpose in life through sports.

“I can tell you how to get a girl of 14 into school,” says Spacie, “but I’m not going to build that school. The whole premise of Magic Bus is to leverage what’s already there. Our program costs Rs.1,200 ($25 USD) per child per year. It’s nothing. We don’t do the delivery, the youth leader does, we don’t build assets, because they should already be there by law. It’s very complex, but I’m pleased it’s complex. Getting people out of poverty isn’t easy.” Over the past 15 years, Magic Bus has used its unique “sport for development” approach to empower children and youth in making effective life choices in the areas of education, livelihood and leadership, health, and gender equality. Magic Bus’ curriculum on sport for development has won national and international recognition, including the 2014 Laureus Sport for Good Award, recognizing the world’s most impactful sport for develop-

ment program, and the 2014 National Sports Promotion Award from the President of India. Magic Bus takes a holistic approach towards providing an end to end solution for underprivileged children and youth, working with them from age 7 all the way through to adulthood. Independent impact evaluations provide strong external validation of Magic Bus’ impact: across the program, 98% of adolescent girls are in school and 80% of all Magic Bus graduates enroll in vocational training or go on to further education. The cost of the program is $25 per child per year. Parvati Pujari, 24, a graduate of the Magic Bus program, travelled from India to New York to speak to guests about her life changing experience, which began when she was nine years old. She grew up in a Mumbai slum area and saw her eldest sister get married at the age of 12. With the help of Magic Bus, Parvati completed

he Houston Bengali drama scene has come into its own after quite a few years of successful stagings of independent dramas and dramas at the drama festival held annually at the Durga Bari auditorium. So much was the enthusiasm among some of the ardent drama buffs that it led to the creation of the group MIST (Masks, Issues, & Stages Traversed). The members decided to kick it up a notch and graduate from the amateur level to a professional level. Their current production, Badal Sircar’s Baki Itihas was enacted at the Katy Performing and Visual arts Center the past weekend Saturday, Sept 19 and 20 to sold out audiences. The audience was in for a surprise because this was the ﬁrst of its kind to be ever held in Houston. Beautiful ladies welcomed high school and college, something her older sisters were not allowed to do. While they were married off as child brides, Parvati today works for Magic Bus as an Assistant Training Manager. Magic Bus partners have included UNICEF, USAID, The World Bank, UK Sport, Australian Sports Outreach Program and the Government of

all at the ticket counter and arrangements were made for wine and cheese in the lobby before the show. Professional ushers guided everyone to their seats and the shows began at scheduled time in pin drop silence. The drama is about a couple; the wife, a homemaker/writer and the husband, a lecturer, who ﬁnd out about the suicidal death of a chance acquaintance in the local obituaries. The story spins around the wild imaginative ideas of each as to what could have driven the man to commit suicide. The two angles of thought gave the audience a chance to reﬂect on two of the various many possible perspectives, and the twists in the plot kept the audience riveted to their seats. The poignant ending typical of a Badal Sircar play, made one search deeper into the realm of truth eventually taking one back into the history of mankind. It brought out the

stark reality of life and made us ask what do we live for! The brilliant performances by the stellar cast consisting of the who’s who of the local Bengali drama scene left little to be desired. Of special note was Rahul Chakraborty’s characterization of the main character Sitanath, who made it very real and believable. The supporting cast of Manas Saha, Santasri Sen, Kousik Bhattacharya, Sampurna Kahali, Aurko Dutta, Udipta Mukherjee, Dilip Dutta, and Uddalak Bharadwaj were all very precisely effective in their own right. The rest of the production crew worked tirelessly to get the sound, light and stage to all work in seamless harmony. Thanks to the excellent teamwork, the production went off smoothly and ended up being a very fulﬁlling experience for all. The community will now look for such outstanding productions from MIST in future.

India. Corporate partners have included Nike, TOMS, BMW, Marchesa, Premier League and the NBA. This strong partnership network has enabled rapid scale-up since its inception in 1999. Magic Bus now has an outreach of 250,000 children and 8,000 mentors across 18 Indian states and has recently launched pilot studies in Singapore and London.

Magic Bus established itself as a US 501(c)3 organization in 2011 and is aiming to build support in the US, similar to robust networks in India, UK, and Singapore. Chairman of Ireo, Anurag Bhargava, said of the endeavor, “I believe in what Magic Bus and Matthew are trying to achieve, and Ireo is delighted to support this event.”

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Rehab Pro- Twenty-seven FBISD Teachers receive gram at Memorial Hermann Southwest Nalco Ecolab Foundation’s 2014 Hospital Certiﬁed by Industry Leader Visions for Learning Grants Program awarded grants totaling $75,000 to Fort Bend County area teachers

Pictured are FBISD grant recipients and District administrators.

Cutline: The Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.Photo: Memorial Hermann HOUSTON (Sep. 23, 2014) — Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital is proud to announce the certification of its Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The hospital was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care. “Having a certified cardiovascular program confirms our commitment to maintaining high standards and following established best practice guidelines, resulting in improved outcomes for our patients,” said Iyad Daher, M.D., Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Southwest Noninvasive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation medical director. “Our patients often credit their recovery and well-being to our focus on this critical step in the care process.” Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs

are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory symptoms) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families. Memorial Hermann Southwest participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of its program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee and Certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors. “This

certiﬁcation

from

AACVPR again demonstrates the fact that Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital is a recognized leader in the field of pulmonary medicine,” said Victor Salcedo, M.D., Memorial Hermann Southwest Pulmonary and Respiratory medical director. “An essential part of successful pulmonary treatment and rehabilitation includes monitoring, lifestyle education, exercise, and support to help reduce the risk of future health problems and progression of disease.” AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years. One of only 256 hospitals recognized nationwide, Memorial Hermann Southwest recently received the American College of Cardiology’s 2014 NCDR ACTION Registry– GWTG Platinum Performance

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ORT BEND ISD Twenty-seven (27) Fort Bend ISD teachers were among those to receive grants from Nalco Champion to support their instructional needs. In keeping with its long-standing tradition of supporting public education, Nalco Champion awarded grants totaling $75,000 to teachers in four Fort Bend County school districts through the Ecolab Foundation’s 2014 Visions for Learning grant program. The grants help support teachers’ efforts in engaging students in the classroom, augmenting basic skills instruction and enriching the overall classroom experience.

FBISD’s 2014 Visions for Learning grant recipients and the schools they represent include: Dulles High School - Sherrie Hickl Hightower High School – Ibironke Balogun, Shermett Corbett-Harris, Melvin Donahoe, Francis Enih, Judy Joachim, Raziyya Khatoon, Latasha Madison, Mallam Phillips, John Ramon, Renum Saxena, Deborah Scraper, and Joshua Thompson (Also on the original grant team, but no longer at Hightower were teachers Sara Dickenson, Rachel Looney and Stormie Melton.) Kempner High School - Katrina Lyons, Dr. Jeff Ricken Ridge Point High School -

Nikki Reed, Craig Sanders M.R. Wood Center for Learning – Trudy Higgins-Edison, Karen Porter First Colony Middle School – Tracey Rich Quail Valley Middle School – Casey Giannetti, Jeanette Morales Parks Elementary - Kelly DeBose Sienna Crossing Elementary Kymberly Le They were recognized at a reception held at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, along with grant award recipients representing Lamar Consolidated ISD, Needville ISD and Stafford Municipal School District.

iFest Returns to Sugar Land Town Square

ugar Land, TX - Mark your calendars for the ninth annual iFest Live international festival on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sugar Land Town Square. The Fort Bend Education Foundation has passed the torch to the City of Sugar Land after eight years of hosting the event. The City is taking over iFest Live to continue the celebration of diversity of cultures in the community.

The event will feature dozens of local organizations that will showcase their unique and vibrant heritages from all around the world through performances, art, food and activities. An array of delicious international cuisine will be available for purchase from food vendors. The ﬁrst 2,000 children to “travel the world” and gather eight ofﬁcial stamps from any of the various countries being represented will receive a free iFest

Live drawstring backpack. Festival admission and all activities are free of charge. Complimentary event parking is available in the Lone Star and Texas Parking Garages at Sugar Land Town Center. Come celebrate the wonderful diversity of culture within the community! If interested in participating in this event or for general inquiries, visit www. sugarlandtx.gov/ifest or call 281275-2236.

DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

ICICI Bank launches new prod- Indian scientist awarded with uct ‘NRI Advantage’ , for NRIs honorary Professorship

UMBAI: ICICI Bank today launched a new product to serve the Indian diaspora and cater to their nonﬁnancial needs. The top private lender said ‘NRI Advantage’entitles cus-

tomers to avail of exclusive discounts/special offers. It is targeted atNRI Premia, NRI Pro and NRI savings account holders. Commenting on the offering, ICICI Bank Executive Director Rajiv Sabharwal said, “the

bank serves 1.5 million NRIs spanning 150 countries and processes over 5 million inbound transactions annually. With NRI Advantage we are confident that we will be providing our customers with a better value in the market.” The product delivers a host of discounts for healthcare requirements, gifting family & friends, assistance for service needs and India-based shopping wants of NRIs, among others.

LONDON: An Indian-origin British scientist today became the first recipient in the field of dermatology to have been conferred with an honorary Professorship by a prestigious French University for the remarkable results of his first beauty tablet. Kartar Lalvani, founder Chairman of the Vitabiotics, Britain’s largest vitamin producer, was conferred the honorary Professorship of the leading French University and Centre

for dermatologic Research, part of a 900-year-old medical institute at Besancon, University of Franche Comte. “This is only the second time in the history of this renowned University that an honorary Professorship has been awarded to a British scientist,” a spokesman of the University said. “It is also the first time ever that such an award has been given to a British scientist in the field of dermatology by the institute which is a global centre of excellence,” he said. In his acceptance speech Lalvani said, “I am delighted at the innovative research collaboration between Vitabiotics, and leading dermatologist Professor Philippe Humbert’s renowned research centre that has created highly original discoveries on winter skin ageing.” He said the discovery was followed by Vitabuiotics innovation in how to prevent the winter skin ageing through the micronutrient speciality of Perfectil, a beauty supplement for skin, hair and nails. “Ours is the first British company to bring transformative innovation to dermatology and cosmetics - an area where France has always been and remains predominant - so of course for us a French scientific partner was a natural choice,” Lalvani said. Richard Rahul Verma would make an excellent US ambassador to India: Congressmen WASHINTON: Top American lawmakers and eminent Indian-Americans have hailed President Barack Obama’s decision to nominate Richard

Rahul Verma as his next envoy to India, noting that he would make an excellent ambassador. “With over two decades of senior foreign policy experience, Rich Verma is a skilled and accomplished professional who will make an excellent ambassador to India,” Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, said. Obama yesterday announced his decision to nominate Verma as his next Ambassador to India. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first IndianAmerican to head the US diplomatic mission in New Delhi. He would replace Nancy Powell, who resigned from the position early this year. Obama formally sent Verma’s nomination to the United States Senate yesterday, where more than 50 ambassadorial nominees are pending for confirmation. A former Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, Verma currently serves as Senior Counsellor at Steptoe & Johnson LLP and Albright Stonebridge Group. He is also a Senior National Security Fellow at the Centre for American Progress. “He (Verma) is committed to building the US-India relationship, has access to the highest levels of the White House, and is exactly who we need at the helm as we look to further strengthen US-India relations,” Crowley said soon after Obama’s announcement. At a critical time for growing India-US relations, Congressman Ami Bera said Verma is an experienced professional who will make “an outstanding ambassador” at such an important moment. “He has many years of foreign policy experience as a high ranking official with the US Department of State, as an adviser in both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, and during his years in the US Air Force,” he said. “I know he understands the importance of strengthening the US-India partnership, and I look forward to working with him toward that goal as he takes on this new role,” said Bera, who is the only Indian-American in the current Congress and only the third ever. He was Senior National Security Adviser, Counsel and Foreign Policy Adviser to the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from 2002 to 2007, and an Associate at Steptoe & Johnson from 1998 to 2002. Verma served on active duty in the US Air Force from 1994 to 1998 and received, among other decorations, the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. Verma currently serves on the boards of Human Rights First, the Clinton Foundation, and the National Democratic Institute. He received a BS from Lehigh University, a JD from American University, and an LLM from Georgetown University Law Centre.

Indian woman attempts to poison her mother

Meena Patel, mother who was given poison by daughter. London, Sep 22 (PTI) Inspired by a TV show, a 38-year-old Indian-origin woman attempted to poison her “controlling and selfish” mother, a magistrate, who denied her from getting married to a man of her choice. Kuntal Patel, a graphic designer, had laced her mother’s Diet Coke with the deadly poison Abrin but it failed to take effect as it reacted with the acid in the drink, a court was told here today.

VOICE OF ASIA 8

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence is the ﬁrst international project to explore the resonance of Gandhi’s ethics of non-violence, or “satyagraha,” in the visual arts. Circling the globe and spanning centuries, crossing cultures and embracing faiths, drawing on history and shaped by world events, Experiments with Truth poses a provocative question:

What does peace look like?

Exhibition on view October 2, 2014 through February 1, 2015 Open Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday 1533 Sul Ross Street Houston, Texas 77006 713-525-9400 menil.org Free Admission. Always Join the community conversation inspired by the exhibition

Gandhi’s Legacy: Houston Perspectives An exploration of tolerance, diversity, and peace

For program information, visit gandhislegacyhouston.org

Photo: Gandhi’s last possessions. c 1948. Photographer unknown

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

SOUTH ASIA VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

WORLD/US/ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 11

India creates history... Continued from Page 1

- NASA sends congratulations -

Black market oil contributes up to $2 million a day to the militant group, and the attacks targeted the small-scale refineries in remote sections of eastern Syria in an effort to choke off its funding. U.S. Central Command said the refineries produce between 300 barrels and 500 barrels of refined petroleum daily.

Scientists announced at 8:02am (0232 GMT) that Mangalyaan had entered the orbit. Now the probe is expected to study the planet’s surface and scan its atmosphere for methane, which could provide evidence of some sort of life form. Mangalyaan is carrying a camera, an imaging spectrometer, a methane sensor and two other scientiﬁc instruments. NASA congratulated India’s “Mars arrival”, welcoming Mangalyaan, which means Mars vehicle in Hindi, in a tweet to “the missions studying the Red Planet”. The European Space Agency also offered congratulations, tweeting “welcome to the club!” Indian engineers employed an unusual “slingshot” method for Mangalyaan’s voyage, which began when it blasted off from India’s southern spaceport on November 5 last year. Lacking enough rocket power to blast directly out of Earth’s atmosphere and gravitational pull, it orbited the Earth for several weeks while building up enough velocity to break free. Critics of the programme say a country that struggles to feed its people adequately and where roughly half have no toilets should not be splurging on space travel.

U.S., Arab allies launch more airstrikes in Syria ASHINGTON -The U.S. and two Arab allies took aim Wednesday at a key source of ﬁnancing for Islamic State militants, bombing 12 of the oil reﬁneries controlled by the terrorist group in Syria, the military said.

No single nation had previously succeeded at its ﬁrst go, although the European Space Agency, which represents a consortium of countries, pulled off the feat at its ﬁrst attempt.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) congratulates K. Radhakrishnan, head of the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), after India’s Mars Obiter successfully entered the red planet’s orbit, at their Spacecraft Control Center in the southern Indian city of Bangalore September 24, 2014.

But supporters say it is the perfect opportunity to showcase India’s technological prowess as well as a chance for some one-upmanship on its rival Asian superpower. “It’s a low-cost technology demonstration,” said Pallava Bagla, who has written a book on India’s space programme. “The rivalry between regional giants China and India exists in space too and this gives India the opportunity to inch ahead of China (and capture more of the market),” Bagla told AFP. China offered its congratulations. “This is the pride of India, the pride of Asia, and is a landmark of the progress of humankind’s exploration in outer space,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a daily brieﬁng. Former

prime

minis-

ter Manmohan Singh announced the mission launch in a speech on Independence Day 2012, shortly after China’s attempt ﬂopped when it failed to leave Earth’s atmosphere. India has launched 40 satellites for foreign nations since kick-starting its space programme ﬁve decades ago. But China launches bigger satellites. ISRO scientists said the Mars Orbiter Mission, or MOM, had “proved” India’s “technological capabilities” and showed it was capable of venturing further. “MOM is a major step towards our future missions in inter-planetary space,” ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan told reporters. The probe is expected to circle Mars for six months, about 500 kilometres from its surface, and send data back to Earth.

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

According to a U.S. ofﬁcial, the strikes by the U.S., Saudi

Arabia and United Arab Emirates air forces targeted the infrastructure surrounding the oil platforms, including barracks and other support structures that are key to the refinery operations. Some of the refinery towers may remain standing, the official said, but the attacks went after the systems needed to operate the machinery. The official said the strikes took out a majority of the group’s oil refineries, and that the two Arab nations conducted a majority of the airstrikes. The U.S. also provided surveillance aircraft. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the mission. “The destruction and degradation of these targets fur-

ther limits ISIL’s ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations,” U.S. Central Command said in a news release, using one of the acronyms for the Islamic State group. The strikes were a continuation of the broader military campaign that began Monday against the militant group. Four Arab nations -- Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and United Arab Emirates -- participated in those strikes, and Qatar supported the attacks. As of Tuesday, according to Central Command, the U.S. had conducted airstrikes that hit at least 20 locations in Syria. Combat aircraft ﬂew 64 sorties. (AP).

Asian Games: China’s girl power set to last

NCHEON, September 24, 2014 (AFP) - China’s female swimmers added three gold medals to an already impressive haul at the Asian Games Wednesday, stating they had no intention of giving up their dominance in the pool. Rising star Shen Duo added the women’s 200 metre freestyle title to her gold in the 100m, while Jiao Liuyang defended her 200m butterﬂy crown and Fu Yuanhui won the women’s 100m backstroke. China stretched their gold medal lead over rivals Japan to 15-8, with the female swimmers leading the charge since the ﬁrst day of competition Sunday at the 17th Asiad. “This year we’ve had good performances in some big competitions around the world,” said Shen, aged only 17. “The swimmers in our team have a very good relationship with each other and our training camps our excellent -- very powerful,” she added.

The junior world record holder has been in startling form in Incheon, South Korea, building on her success at the recent Youth Olympics in Nanjing. As well as her two individual titles, the teenager from Jiangsu has collected team gold in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay and the 200m edition. Zhang Yuhan took the 400m freestyle title while Fu has controlled the backstroke events, winning the 50m gold before adding the 100 title on Wednesday.

Ye’s double gold in the 200m and 400m individual medleys at the London Games in 2012 aged just 16. Shen, after collecting her fourth gold of the week, said the team’s dominance would continue in the future. “We have many very good swimmers, who are all different ages,” she told reporters. “I think we will continue to be successful and win medals.” Asian champion Jiao, 23, agrees.

Elsewhere, Lu Ying and Chen Xinyi won the 50 and 100 metres butterﬂy respectively while Olympic champion Ye Shiwen crushed the competition in the women’s 400m medley on Tuesday.

Jiao said she would have to work hard and keep improving if she is to be sure of making the squad for the 2016 Olympics in Rio because of the number of youngsters snapping at her heels.

In total, China’s women have contributed 12 of their country’s 15 gold medals this week.

“I really want to be there but I must get better because there are more and more young swimmers coming through,” she said, adding that they can “encourage and help each other”.

They have dominated the pool in recent years -- notably

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

VOICE OF ASIA 13

LIFESTYLE

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Vol. 27 No. 39 Friday, September 26, 2014 Section 2 Page 13 by Aditya PHATAK hey were famed for their jet-set lifestyles and the names of their companies were emblazoned on airplanes, Formula One cars and the shirtfronts of cricket teams. But now the debt-laden empires of three of India’s best-known tycoons -- Vijay Mallya, Subrata Roy and T. Venkattram Reddy -- are crumbling before their eyes, downfalls that observers say stem from a climate of weak regulation and deference to conspicuous wealth. “All too often, the banks are dazzled by the halo of personal fortunes,” said Vishwas Utagi, a veteran campaigner for banking regulation. Some of India’s most successful businesses, such as the family-run Tata and Reliance conglomerates, have been led for years by men with little appetite for publicity and who prefer to operate in the shadows.

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com Tel: 713-774-5140 build up debts that should never have been allowed. “Mallya is a case of overstretching and over-leveraging, while Roy is the case of exploiting regulatory arbitrage or the loopholes in regulation,” Bandyopadhyay told AFP.

India’s jet-set tycoons crash to earth He also couldn’t resist the glamour of the IPL, buying the Deccan Chargers franchise before it went bust in 2012.

Indian United Breweries Group chairman Vijay Mallya attends the launch of the Kingﬁsher 2014 calendar in Mumbai. Photo: AFP Mallya of Force India and involvement in cricket. As well as sponsoring the national side, Sahara set up a Pune-based franchise to enter the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL). The team’s expulsion from the IPL at the end of last year’s tournament in

Nico Hulkenberg’s Force India during practice for Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Photograph: Hoch Zwei/Action Images But Kingfisher boss Mallya and Sahara supremo Roy came to epitomise a new breed of tycoon, unafraid of trumpeting their achievements when they started making a name for themselves in the early 2000s. Mallya -- the self-styled “King of Good Times” -- became something of an icon as he turned the United Breweries Group which he inherited from his father into one of the world’s largest spirit makers. As his core business flourished, Mallya branched out by launching the Kingfisher airline, named after his company’s best-known beer. His profile rose further when he acquired a stake in the Force India F1 team and ownership of the Royal Challengers Bangalore cricket team. - Selling hotels for bail But as the Indian economy began to slow sharply at the turn of the decade, with the aviation industry becoming one of the sectors to be worst hit, Mal-

lya’s fortunes nosedived too. After selling the liquor business to Diageo in a bid to shore up his airline, Mallya looked on helplessly as Kingfisher continued to haemorrhage cash. The airline never took to the skies again after a pilots’ strike over unpaid wages in 2012. Having run out of patience over Mallya’s failure to clear debts said to be in excess of $60 million, the United Bank of India this month declared him a “wilful defaulter”, making it nigh impossible to access fresh loans. While Mallya is fighting to keep his properties from creditors, Roy is trying to sell his portfolio of luxury hotels -including New York’s Plaza Hotel and the Grosvenor House in London -- to raise the $1.6 billion he needs to secure bail from Delhi’s Tihar Prison. While he has several media interests, including a Hindi TV channel and newspaper, Roy’s profile was heightened by his co-ownership with

India’s Sahara group’s chairman Subrata Roy (C), surrounded by bodyguards, leaves the Securities and Exchange Board of India head office in Mumbai, on April 10, 2013 (AFP Photo/Punit Paranjpe) T. Venkattram Reddy, seen during Farnborough Air Show, in England, on July 19, 2006. AFP photo. a dispute over finances hinted that all was not well. Things dramatically worsened in March when Roy was detained after failing to meet a demand by regulators to pay back millions of small savers the $3.2 billion that Sahara raised via an illegal bond scheme. - Palatial splendour While Roy owns homes modelled on the White House and Buckingham Palace, Reddy’s penchant is for luxury cars with a fleet which reportedly included a Rolls Royce Phantom.

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While Roy’s fortune was self-made, Reddy and his brother T. Vinayak Ravi Reddy inherited the ownership of the Deccan Chronicle from their father. The Hyderabad newspaper’s prestige enabled them to draw loans for riskier ventures including a chain of bookstores and a chartered jet company. Even if the cricket team is no longer sucking money, the Reddys are struggling to keep the wolf from the door and lenders have already seized several of their properties. Tamal Bandyopadhyay, author of a book on Sahara, said a weak regulatory framework enabled tycoons to

Utagi, a retired bank worker who is vice president of the All India Bank Employees’ Association, said there were too many “pliable people” in the industry who face little comeback if money they lend is not repaid. “When it comes to credit appraisals for corporates, the rules are more often honoured in the breach than the observance,” he said. Bandyopadhyay said the ambitions of Indian tycoons were rarely held in check as they were “surrounded by sycophants”. “That makes it very difﬁcult for them to stay in touch with reality,” he added.

LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 14

How safe is that tattoo ink? by Harry MisikoWashington

ics regulatory authorities. Since 2009, EU members have identiﬁed more than 20 inks from the United States as dangerous and banned their sale. Those products can be found in a search of the Rapex site.

ASHINGTON (September 23 2014) - Tattoos seem more popular than ever, but is that artistic ink dangerous to your health?

Some of the blacklisted inks, according to Rapex recall reports, contained potential carcinogens, toxic substances and nickel, cadmium and arsenic.

Little attention has been paid to that question, even as rates of skin cancer - the most common cancer - have been steadily growing. German dermatologists published an article in March about their effort to determine if a tattoo had caused skin cancer in a 48-year-old man. About four months after a tattooist had pumped red and black pigments into the skin on the man’s left leg, he was diagnosed with skin cancer at a spot where red ink had been used, and he was sent to the specialists for treatment. In the article - it appeared in PRS Global Open, a medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons - the dermatologists reported finding no direct connection between the tattoo ink and the cancer, but they urged doctors to look for signs of squamouscell carcinoma in patients who have a reaction to tattoos. They also pointed out that there are no international standards for tattoo ink mixtures and that inks in some countries may contain carcinogenic substances, giving tattoo-seekers a lot more to think about than whether the needle is sterile and the artist is talented. An earlier review also found no clear link to cancer, saying, “The number of skin cancers arising in tattoos is seemingly low, and this association has to be considered thus far as coincidental.” But the authors also said that tattoo ink may contain possible carcinogens, that it remains in the skin for a lifetime and that the long-term effects are unclear. Many countries regulate the inks as cosmetics. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has the authority to screen the pigments used in inks before they go on the market, but the agency says it usually does not do so “because of other competing public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence of safety problems specifically associated with these pigments.” Cosmetics in general do not require approval before they reach the market. Instead, the FDA investigates when it receives complaints about products. “FDA has basically been acting once cosmetics reach the market and cause harm,” said Janet Nudelman, director of the California-based Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, who has criticised the FDA regarding lead in lipstick and who says tattoo ink should be examined even before complaints are filed.

In the United States, regulation of tattoo parlours and tattoo artists is left to state and local jurisdictions. The FDA urges health-care providers, public health officials, tattoo shop owners, tattooists and consumers to report tattoo-inkrelated health complications through the agency’s MedWatch program. The potential for problems with inks was illustrated in 2012, when the FDA reported an outbreak of skin infections associated with tattoos. It determined that ink had probably been contaminated during manufacturing, either because of unsanitary processes or contaminated ingredients. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 22 confirmed infections in the states of New York, Washington, Iowa and Colorado. The two companies connected to those infections, Catfish Carl’s in Arizona and another that the FDA has not named publicly, voluntarily recalled the inks from the market, according to Juli Putnam, an FDA spokeswoman. Over the summer, White and Blue Lion, a California company, recalled its ink after the FDA found that contamination of ink in a home-tattoo kit had led to a skin infection in one person. “Even if a person receives a tattoo at a tattoo parlour that maintains the highest standards of hygienic practice,” the FDA warns, “there remains a risk of infection from the use of contaminated ink.” Medical attention should be sought if a tattoo becomes painful or develops redness, swelling or blemishes, the FDA advises. The FDA, which says there have been no in-depth studies of the inks, is researching the chemical composition of tattoo ink and its safety at the National Centre for Toxicological Research in Arkansas. Almost all inks, dermatologists say, contain chemicals that can cause allergic and other reactions. They also warn that tattoos can cover up signs of skin cancer such as moles and that some colours can be more irritating than others. “In scientific literature, it is not an unknown phenomenon that red ink causes skin irritation or even worse,” Felix Julian Paprottka, one of the doctors involved in the German

case, said. Michi Shinohara, a dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, says she has seen patients with tattoo reactions that mimicked skin cancer. “Sometimes these actually have to be treated as skin cancer because we can’t tell for sure,” she says. That leaves doctors looking for answers. “The reported few cases are considered to be mere coincidences, since skin cancer is very common,” says Jorgen Serup, a dermatology professor at Copenhagen’s Bispebjerg University Hospital, which has a clinic that treats tattoo problems and researches safe practices.

“Because the FDA cannot require a cosmetics company to submit data before marketing a product or require a company to tell the FDA when they receive a report that one of its products has caused an adverse reaction in a user, the FDA may not know when there are problems,” Putnam, an FDA spokesman, says. The FDA urges health-care providers, public health ofﬁcials, tattoo shop owners, tattooists and consumers to report tattoo-ink-related health complications through the agency’s MedWatch program. Founded in 1993, MedWatch is a reporting system for adverse reactions to cosmetics, drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, medical foods and infant formulas. The federal agency investigates the complaints and, if they are conﬁrmed, issues safety alerts and orders product recalls, withdrawals or labelling changes to protect the public health.

“Cancer may easily occur in tattooed skin independent of the ink or pigment... However, we cannot completely deny it may happen,” added Serup, who has published extensively on industrial pigments, skin and tattoo complications.

Some tattooists shrug off the possibility of problems with ink.

The Copenhagen clinic warns patients that no tattoo ink should be considered entirely safe. “Inks are industrial products with generally unknown content,” the clinic says in a fact sheet.

Tats may be cool, but many questions about them remain unanswered.

The clinic also urges those getting a tattoo to keep a record of the ink used, its manufacturer and other details, in case problems develop. Lack of international standards, the German doctors say, complicates ensuring safety because problems reported in, for example, Europe may not be picked up elsewhere even though some inks are distributed globally. Every week, the European Commission gathers information from its member countries about dangerous products and sends out warnings through its Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products, or Rapex. The reports, which are shared among the 28 EU member states and other participating countries, are based on tests carried out by each country’s cosmet-

“Most researchers use mouse skin [in experiments], and their ﬁndings may not accurately apply to humans,” says Paul Roe, the owner of Britishink Tattoo Studio in Washington.

Courtesy: Washington Post

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

EA kicks off “FIFA 15” video game in US

AN FRANCISCO, (AFP) Electronic Arts on Tuesday kicked off the US launch of its “FIFA 15” video game, hyping the latest instalment of its long-running soccer franchise as its most realistic yet. More than 5.5 million people have taken part in a demo period for the game, which will be released worldwide later this week, according to EA. “We believe we have built a game in FIFA 15 that delivers the most immersive and responsive game play experience ever in the FIFA franchise,” said EA Sports vice president David Rutter. “We can’t wait for the millions of fans to start their season and experience all of the innovations.” EA is letting virtual soccer stars in “FIFA 15” get psyched, or angry, on field just like their real-world inspirations. The game infuses on-screen players with “emotional intelligence” designed to let them show how they feel about missed passes, brutal tackles, teammates, opponents and more. “We want our fans to feel the highs and lows of the drama that is football, and experience the emotional rollercoaster that plays out during a match,” Rutter said during a glimpse at the title earlier this year. “We’re now able to immerse you in the game and let the story of the match unfold based on new commentary, crowd activity, and the natural reactions of the players, which make every

game unique.” “FIFA 15” on-screen players express ranges of emotions that evolve based on how a game is going, and have attitudes about on-field allies and opponents. California-based EA said it tapped into the improved power of Xbox One and PS4 to make game play and graphics more realistic. “Visually, this is the biggest step the FIFA franchise has ever taken,” Rutter said. “We set out with the goal of creating atmosphere, players, crowds, and pitches that not only look like they do on match day, but also feel like they do when you play or watch football - it’s a level of immersion we’ve never been able to bring to the game before.” Versions of the game are also tailored for prior generation Xbox and PlayStation consoles, along with personal computers powered by Windows software. The new title is priced at $60. A “FIFA 15 Ultimate Team” version of the game is available for free to play on smartphones or tablets powered by Apple, Android, or Windows software.

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Menil Collection since 2004, managing all aspects of the institution’s operations and development and directing its curatorial program. Born in Lucerne, Switzerland, Helfenstein earned his master’s degree from the University of Geneva and his PhD from the University of Bern. Exhibitions that Helfenstein has curated at the Menil include “Bill Traylor, Wil-

liam Edmondson, and the Modernist Impulse”; “Klee and America”; “Robert Rauschenberg: Cardboards and Related Pieces”; and the current exhibition “Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence.” Helfenstein has lectured and published widely on modern and contemporary art. He is also coeditor of “Art and Activism: Projects of John and Dominique de Menil” (2010).

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VOICE OF ASIA 15

Friday, September 26, 2014

Section 2

Page 15

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Speak Up During National ‘One million babies’ Bullying Prevention Month spawned by EU student

exchanges

AFP (ﬁle photo) I Speak Up!” Photo credit StatePoint

ith classes, sports, homework and other activities, weekdays are action packed for kids. Unfortunately, some students deal with an unwelcome addition to their daily routine -- bullying. An estimated 13 million students are bullied annually, according to government statistics.

With online social media so widely available to kids today, bullying doesn’t necessarily stop after school, and often takes place round-theclock. The repercussions can be missed days of school, depression and even suicide. Fortunately, kids are getting more help these days as bullying prevention efforts are growing nationwide. Cartoon Network has been a pioneer in this space and its “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” campaign has been empowering bystanders to put a stop to bullying since it launched in 2010. On average, more than 100,000 people visit the initiative’s website monthly to learn prevention strategies. “Speaking up to a trusted adult is the safest, most effective way for victims and bystanders to bring an end to a bullying situation,” says Alice Cahn, Cartoon Network vice president of social responsibility. “Bystanders in particular can be powerful agents for change when they

report incidents.” Support for Cartoon Network’s award-winning prosocial effort has come from such diverse organizations as Facebook, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, LG Mobile, and CNN. President Obama even invited Cartoon Network to the first Bullying Prevention Summit at the White House, and later introduced the initiative’s first documentary, “Speak Up.” This year, Cartoon Network’s Speak Up Week (Sept. 29 - Oct. 3) kicks off National Bullying Prevention Month in October and is a great time to review ways that adults and kids can stand up to bullying: • Cyberbullying: Don’t contribute to the problem by sharing, saving, forwarding or reposting information. If you’re on the receiving end, resist the urge to get back at the person or fix the issue online -- both can make the problem worse. Get offline and deal with it in real life. Parents can help prevent cyberbullying by monitoring kids’ use of computers, mobile phones and tablets. • Don’t stand by: Research has found that when bullying occurs and a bystander intervenes by speaking up, more than half of bullying situations stop within just 10 seconds.

by Danny KEMP

• Share your voice: Cartoon Network is recruiting 1MM students, parents, teachers, legislators and anyone concerned about bullying prevention to submit user-generated videos that feature individuals declaring the phrase, “I Speak Up!” You can use a smartphone or go online to upload your own video to the www.StopBullyingSpeakUp. com website. Participants are also encouraged to use the hashtag, #ISpeakUp to share videos via their own social media platforms to help spread the word and enlist friends to take part in the 1MM challenge. Select videos will appear on-air as part of new campaign spots for Cartoon Network, its digital platforms and Boomerang. • Listen: Parents should check in with kids periodically to make sure they’re safe and happy at school, on the playground and online. If you’re an adult and a child tells you about a bullying situation, listen. Either let the school know about the issue or talk to the other children’s parents about putting a stop to the behavior. Whether you’re a victim, a bystander or a concerned adult, don’t sweep bullying under the rug. By speaking out against cruelty, you can help end bullying. Source: StatePoint.net

RUSSELS - It gives new meaning to the phrase “European Union”.

The Erasmus student exchange scheme has brought so many couples together from across the continent that it has led to the birth of one million babies, the EU said Monday. A study of the programme’s impact since its launch in 1987 showed that 27 percent of people who took part had met their current life partner during their stay abroad. Thirty-three percent of Erasmus students hooked up with people of a different nationality than their own, nearly three times (13 percent) the rate of students who had not travelled. That had created something of an EU baby boom, the bloc said as it released the results of the study.

a Europe increasingly gripped by economic stagnation, the EU said the Erasmus scheme also played a vital role in increasing the job prospects of students who took part. “We can see from this impact study that young people who have been part of the Erasmus programme are less likely to experience long-term unemployment,” Hansen said. Famous names to have gone through the scheme include Italian Foreign Minister and incoming EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, a member of what Prime Minister Matteo Renzi calls the up-and-coming “Erasmus generation”. Mogherini did a thesis on Islam and politics while on an Erasmus exchange in Aix-en-Provence,

France. In total, three million students and 350,000 teachers have taken part in the scheme, the EU said. A further four million people will get support from Erasmus to train or study abroad over the EU’s next budget period until 2020. The study surveyed 80,000 students and organisations, the biggest ever of its kind. Erasmus involves the 28 European Union states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The scheme is named after the Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus (1466 - 1536), who travelled around Europe during the Renaissance to further humanist thinking.

Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for education, said that the EU “estimates that around one million babies are likely to have been born to Erasmus couples since 1987”. European Commission spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen said it was a “touching little ﬁgure” that showed the scheme “creates a lot of positive things”. “It is a great encouragement to young people to go and live abroad and open up to all the opportunities that exist if you are willing,” Hansen added. - Go forth and multiply But the EU insisted the programme achievements went beyond spawning dual-nationality babies -- creating jobs as well as population growth. With unemployment affecting one in ﬁve young people in

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VOICE OF ASIA 16

BOLLYWOOD MASALA

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Friday, September 26, 2014

Section 2 Page 16

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Tel: 713-774-5140

Shah Rukh Khan Delivers King Size Show With â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SLAM - The Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Shobana Muratee

pro who delivered her performances with great ease. Acting seems to come to her as naturally as directing. She is the queen of choreography and has directed films that were real blockbusters. Her new film Happy New Year is scheduled to release in October around the time of Diwali. This tour roster had the entire Happy New Year star cast serving also as its promo platform for the film and Farah did a brilliant job by plugging it in.

OUSTON - Ten years is a long time but the wait was well its worth, especially for die-hard fans of Shah Rukh Khan who got a Texas size show with his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SLAM -The Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on Friday, Sep. 19 at the Toyota Center downtown. The show which is on its world tour was the largest Bollywood bonanza with a super-sized star ensemble which included Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Farah Khan, Boman Irani, Malaika, Arora Khan, Sonu Sood, new comer Vivaan Shah and singers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Kanika Kapoor. The mega show, with its beginning performance in Houston, was brought by local promoter Rajender Phal, CEO of Star Promotions, known for promoting such mega shows in the past like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Unforgettableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with the Bachchans. New Jersey was the next stop for SLAM on September 20 followed by performances in Washington DC (September 21). Then future shows are scheduled for Chicago (September 26), Vancouver in Canada (September 27) and San Jose (September 28). They are scheduled to perform at the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s O2 Arena in London on October 5.

Malaika Arora Khanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sizzling performances to her item songs kept the audience energized as the show went on to go way past midnight. Yo Yo Honey Singh was clearly cut out for a global audience. His music and moves were both catchy and had everyone grooving to his rap. Finally, Kanika Kapoor looked very glamorous and was a welcome talent who connected instantly with massive crowd.

Shah Rukh Khan seen interacting with couple from Dallas to who he later presented a Harley Davidson motorbike.

It was fitting finale when the entire star troupe, dressed in blue glitzy uniform, performed to an altered version of the song â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;India Waaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from the film Happy New Year and crafted it into â&#x20AC;&#x153;Houston Waaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. All in all a night to remember!

New comer Vivaan Shah opened the show with great gusto and style. He performed to the special â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Slamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; song written specially for the show which gave a rocking intro to the show. Shah Rukh Khan proved beyond a doubt that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still the undisputed King of Bollywood. He continues to charm his audience with his signature moves from the nineties and romanced his way through the evening, proving himself the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bollywood Badhshaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;King Khanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The show revealed the industrious side of Khan and his quest for pushing boundaries. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sting or limit his appearance. In fact the audience got an abundance of performances and some even got quality time with him - like a couple from Dallas, Teju and Daval with whom he clowned around with and later quizzed them on his films before presenting them with a Harley Davidson motorbike.

Shah Rukh Khan introduces Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rajender Phal, CEO of Star Promotions

Deepika Padukone looked ďŹ ery in her shimmering gold outďŹ t at the ďŹ nale.

Although there was much hype about Shah Rukh Khanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new body frame, packing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;eight-packâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; abs, it was left only to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination as he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come anywhere close to stripping his shirt off for the show. Sonu Sood on the other hand, dropped his shirt at the slightest cue, which was well received as he seemed to be compensating for otherwise awkward dance moves. For Deepika Padukone, this world tour was her first. But she is already a heartthrob of thousands who have watched her blossom since her Om Shanti Om Bollywood debut. Since then she has had a series of hits including her latest with a Shah Rukh Khan-star vehicle, the blockbuster â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chennai Expressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Their unmistakable chemistry was evident throughout the show which made the performances even more intriguing. Deepika looked ravishing in every outfit and her best was for the last when she danced to a number from her upcoming film Happy New Year. Abhishek Bachchan brought a feel of freshness to the group and stood out as the most original star with the Bachchan aura hovering about him. He tactfully connected the audience with Ashwarya Rai Bachchan (his super star wife) in India with an Instagram of Houstonians going wild. Boman Irani and Farah Khan provided some comic relief with their act as an odd romantic couple inspired by their roles in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi. The star comedian Boman seemed a little out of place on the live stage but was very lively. Farah was very delightful and an absolute

TOP: SLAM-The Tour group that performed in Houston on Friday, Sep. 19, 2014. From L-R: Vivaan Shah, Sonu Sood, Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Malaika Arora Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Farah Khan and Boman Irani.

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FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTH

VOICE OF ASIA 18

Friday, September 26, 2014

Section 2

Page 18

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US warns Ebola could infect 1.4 million by 2015

by Kerry SHERIDAN ASHINGTON, September 23, 2014 (AFP) - The number of Ebola infections in Liberia and Sierra Leone could skyrocket to 1.4 million by January 2015, according to a worst-case scenario released by US health authorities Tuesday. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that Ebola cases in these two West African nations could range between 550,000 and 1.4 million cases by January 20, 2015. The Ebola epidemic has killed 2,811 people of the 5,864 infected since the beginning of the year in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization. The CDC estimate is based on the assumption that Ebola cases in the world’s largest outbreak to date are being underreported by a factor of 2.5.

However, experts warned the ﬁgures are based on data that is three weeks old, before the United States and other nations ramped up their responses to the epidemic in West Africa. “The numbers do not reﬂect current conditions,” said a CDC statement on the projection, published in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Asked by reporters why the CDC would release information that was already out of date, the agency’s chief Tom Frieden said the model is designed to be used by government leaders and international relief groups to model what may happen under different variables. “The bottom line here -- and what I think what is really important in this tool -- is that the model shows that a surge now can break the back of the epidemic,” Frieden said. “It also shows that there are severe costs of delay.”

The UN health agency earlier Tuesday projected that new cases would increase from hundreds each week to thousands without “drastic improvements in control measures,” with infections more than tripling to 20,000 by November. That study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, projected a 46 percent death rate among reported cases that have a known clinical outcome. Some prior outbreaks of Ebola have had much higher fatality rates. A key challenge in the current epidemic is isolating and treating those who are sick. A US military mission to the region has begun, which will involve 3,000 troops providing training and logistics. In Liberia, the hardest-hit nation, chronic shortages of beds and staff have forced health care workers to turn patients away.

“I would say that we have seen a tremendous surge in the last week in responses from around the world,” said Gayle Smith, special assistant to the president and senior director of the National Security Council. “That momentum must be at least maintained so that we can assure that we are way out ahead of this and not assuming... that we don’t need more.” Ebola is spread through close contact with the bodily ﬂuids of an infected person, or by touching the corpse of someone who died from the disease -- as is a common custom in funeral rites. The hemorrhagic fever causes muscle aches, diarrhea and vomiting. “If we move fast enough we can turn it around,” said Frieden. “I am conﬁdent that the most dire projections are not going to come to pass.”

Common diabetes drug metformin could cause thyroid and heart problems, experts warn Metformin is commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes • •

But new research warns the drug is linked to having an underactive thyroid Complications include heart disease and problems in pregnancy

by LIZZIE PARRY drug widely prescribed to those with diabetes could cause thyroid, heart and a host of other health problems, a study has warned. Metformin is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels by reducing glucose production in the liver. But new research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found the drug is linked to having an underactive thyroid. And the increased risk of producing low levels of the thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), can lead to complications, scientists have warned. The condition can cause heart disease, goitre - a lump in the throat caused by a swollen thyroid - pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma. Both men and women can have an underactive thyroid, though

the condition is more common in women. In the UK, it affects 15 in every 1,000 women and one in 1,000 men. The condition can also develop in children. The amount of metformin an individual needs to control blood sugar levels is worked out by a person’s doctor or diabetes team. However, some previous research has raised concerns that the drug may lower thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. The study, published in Canadian Medical Association Journal, examined data on 74,300 patients who received metformin and sulfonylurea, another common diabetes drug, over a 25year study period. Of these people, 5,689 were being treated for an underactive thyroid, and 59,937 had normal thyroid function. In the group with an underactive thyroid, there were 495 incidences of low thyroid-stimu-

The drug metformin - widely prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes - could cause heart disease and a host of other health problems, scientists have warned lating hormone (TSH) (119.7 per 1000) per year compared with 322 in the normal group (4.5 per 1000). In patients with a treated underactive thyroid, metformin was associated with a 55 per cent increased risk of low TSH levels compared with treatment with sulfonylurea. Metformin therapy did not appear to affect people with normal thyroid function.

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Dr Laurent Azoulay at the Department of Oncology, McGill University, said: ‘The results of this study conﬁrmed that the use of metformin was associated with an increased risk of low TSH levels in patients with treated hypothyroidism. ‘Given the relatively high incidence of low TSH levels in patients taking metformin, it is imperative that future studies assess the clinical consequences of this effect.’ SOURCE: Mailonline.

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re you still working?

If you plan to continue working, there are limits on how much you can earn each year between age 62 and full retirement age and still get all your benefits. Depending on the amount of your benefit and your earnings for the year, you may have to give up some of your benefits. If your earnings will be high, you may decide to wait until full retirement age to start your benefits. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn. •After you reach full retirement age, Social Security recalculates your benefit amount to give you credit for any months in which you did not receive a benefit because of your earnings. •When additional earnings appear on your record, Social Security checks whether you will increase your monthly benefit. If you do, Social Security will send you a letter telling you your new benefit amount. How much can I earn and still get benefits? If you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, your earnings may reduce your benefit amount. (If you were born between 1/2/1945 and 1/1/1955, your full retirement age is 66 years.) If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, Social Security Administration deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2014, that limit is $15,480. • In the year you reach full retirement age, SSA deducts $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit. In 2014, the limit on your earnings is $41,400 but SSA only counts earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age. Do you come from a longlived family? When you think about re-

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com tirement, be sure to plan for the long term. A man who turned 65 in 2014 can expect to live about another 19.3 years. A woman who turned 65 the same year can expect to live about another 21.6 years. And those are just averages. About one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90. One out of 10 will live past age 95. How long do you expect to live? Did your parents and grandparents all live into their 80s or 90s? If the answer is yes, and you have every reason to believe you will too, you may want to delay starting your beneﬁts until full retirement age or later. If they didn’t, you may choose to start receiving retirement beneﬁts earlier. • If you come from a long-lived family, you may need the extra money more in later years, particularly if you may outlive pensions or annuities with limits on how long they are paid. There are some of the factors to be considered (To Be Continued……). For effective Retirement and Health Planning contact Sudhir Mathuria for your Health and Wealth Planning at 713771-2900.

VOICE OF ASIA 19

HEALTH, SC & TECH

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Flower Power: The Healing power of Flowers - Part I

Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, Rice University, Houston TX.

by Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee s the old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” As much as we may appreciate the beauty of different flowers emerging from sleepy ground, many floral friends are much more than just a pretty face. Some flowers possess the power to heal, earning them a place in your medicine cabinet as well as your favorite vase. It’s no secret that flowers can boost morale and improve mood. A bunch of sunny-faced blooms brighten a room and the spirits of anyone catching a drift of their scent. Medicinal properties of flowers were discovered thousands of years ago. Folk medicines practiced by the natives around the globe extensively use flowers. Flower therapy uses essential flower oils, flower waters, flower juice, flower petals (fresh and dried), and aroma to heal mind and body. Because of medicinal properties of flowers, modern medicines use flower extracts. Essential flower oils are also used in cosmetics. . One of the greatest advantages is that flowers and plants offer completely natural medicinal properties, often without the scary side effects that modern pills and medications bring on. Furthermore, remedies made from flowers can be much cheaper than drugs marketed by pharmaceutical companies. To learn more about using medicinal flowers for home remedies, have a look at some of the most effective ones below. ANGELICA HERB – Remember the green bits of can-

died angelica used to decorate cakes? It comes from the very same plant as the Angelica ﬂower. Like the rest of the plant, the ﬂower is extremely fragrant and has a number of medicinal uses including digestive disorders and coughs and colds. It can also be given as a strengthening tonic for seniors and children. Act much like calcium channel block-

ers used in treatment of heart problems related to angina. Other medicinal qualities are as carminative, antispasmodic, topical anti-inflammatory, diuretic, expectorant, digestive tonic, anti-rheumatic, uterine stimulant, cholagogue (gallbladder pain), somatic, and diaphoretic. This flower helps relieve anemia, abdominal bloating, chronic bronchitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastrointestinal spasms, loss of appetite, peptic discomforts, arthritis and joint pain, typhoid, ulcers. It has been used as a blood purifier, to promote blood circulation and in both sexes. It relieves peripheral circulation problems and reduces high blood pressure by acting to stabilize blood vessels. BEGONIA – Begonias can be prepared in several different ways. An infusion made by soaking the flowers in hot water helps to eliminate headaches and rid the body of

toxins. The crushed ﬂowers

and leaves can also be rubbed directly on the skin to help relieve pain and heal sores or burns. Flower infusions used to promote blood circulation and elimination of toxins from the body. Poultice of ﬂowers used for burns and toxic sores, relives headaches, rashes, sore and irritated nipples, conjunctivitis and peptic ulcer. It is also anodyne, antiphlogistic and antispasmodic. Decoction used in the treatment of traumatic pain, hematemesis, gonorrhea, post-partum vaginal discharge, amenorrhea and snakebites. BELLIS PERENNIS – Also known as the common daisy, this ﬂower holds a wealth of medicinal properties despite its unassuming appearance. When used in an infusion, it

acts as a laxative as well as an expectorant to purge the body of toxic matter. It is also used as a home remedy to help treat physical disorders such as arthritis and rheumatism. Direct application to the skin through an ointment or poultice aids in healing wounds. They are a traditional wound herb and are also said to be especially useful in treating delicate and listless children. Recent research has been looking at the possibility of using the plant in HIV therapy. It is mildly anodyne, antispasmodic, antitussive, demulcent, digestive, emollient, expectorant, laxative, ophthalmic, purgative and tonic. The fresh or dried ﬂowering heads are normally used. An infusion is used in the treatment of catarrh, rheumatism, arthritis, liver and kidney disorders, as a blood puriﬁer etc. The daisy once had a great reputation as a cure for fresh wounds.

An ointment made is applied externally to wounds, bruises whilst distilled in water is used internally to treat inflammatory disorders of the live. It is said to be a cure for mouth ulcers. Daisies also have a reputation for effectiveness in treating breast cancers. The flowers are normally used fresh in decoctions, ointments and poultices. A mild decoction may ease complaints of the respiratory tract, rheumatic pains and painful or heavy menstruation. The plant, harvested when in flower, is used as a homeopathic remedy. Its use is especially indicated in the treatment of bruising. BLACK COHOSH – Women should be very careful when using Black Cohosh as it is an extremely potent flower. Black Cohosh can be used as an emmenagogue, which means that it stimulates the uterus. Women with menstru-

al problems can effectively use low doses of this flower to help regulate their cycles and relieve pain. In the same vein, pregnant women should avoid it since it can bring on a miscarriage or early labor. Black cohosh acts as a antispasmodic to muscles, nerves, and blood vessels and as a muscle anti-inflammatory. It contains the anti-inflammatory compounds that have been used for an assortment of muscular, pelvic, and rheumatic pains. Black cohosh seems particularly effective for uterine cramps and muscle pain caused by nervous tension, as well as pains accompanied by stiffness, soreness, and tight

sensations or contractions. Native Americans used it for female and muscular conditions as well as fatigue, sore throat, arthritis, and rattlesnake bites. BLOOD ROOT – This little white ﬂower is very effective in low doses when treating respiratory problems. It can be made into a paste when mixed with other com-

pounds and applied on the skin to treat rashes, warts, tumors and various dermic problems. When ingested as a tea or tonic, bloodroot is very effective in cleansing the blood and lowering fevers. Used mainly for bronchial problems and severe throat infections. The root is used in many pharmaceuticals, mixed with other compounds to treat heart problems, dental applications (to inhibit plaque), and to treat migraines and for ringworm infections. Bloodroot is said to repel insects. It is used in as an anesthetic, cathartic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant and tonic. Also as an anesthetic, antibacterial, anti-cholinesterase, anti-edemic, antigingivitic, anti-inﬂammatory, anti-neoplastic, antioxidant, anti-periodontic, anti-plaque, antiseptic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, fungicide, gastrocontractant, hypertensive, pesticide, respiratory stimulant and more. BLUE LOBELIA – Native Indians used Blue Lobelia as a treatment for syphilis as well as less severe ailments. Tea made with this ﬂower helps to relieve fevers, coughs and colds, and digestive problems. It stimulates the respiratory center of the

brain, producing stronger and deeper breathing, making it very useful in treating many respiratory complaints, such

as asthma, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, spasmodic croup, and pneumonia. It is a most useful systemic relaxant and a holistic combination of stimulation and relaxation. Used to treat convulsive and inflammatory disorders such as epilepsy, hysterical convulsions, traumatic injuries, tetanus, sores and abscesses, colds and fevers, diphtheria and tonsillitis. BUTTERFLY WEED – Butterfly Weed is primarily effective in treating respiratory and related lung issues. When ingested in large amounts, it can be used for internal cleansing and pain relief. Direct application to the skin in the form of a poultice can help to reduce swelling or heal wounds. Widely used for lung inflammations (Pleurisy), asthma, and bronchitis. It was named

after its ability to help reduce the pain and inflammation of the disease pleurisy (Pleurisy Root). It helps improve lymphatic drainage and relaxes the capillaries. It is a relaxing diaphoretic that works gradually. Can be used for bruises, swellings, rheumatism and lameness. Contains an enzyme that removes warts. It has been used as a feverreducing agent, digestive and anti-inflammatory. It was also used for colds, diarrhea, dysentery, emphysema, flu, indigestion, measles, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and typhoid. To be continued next week

VOICE OF ASIA 20

BUSINESS

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

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dgn (dosa) Factory opens its 2nd Bill Gates in bid to boost location in Missouri City, TX charity amongst India’s rich

From L-R: Council Member, Missouri City and At-Large Incumbent Jerry Wyatt, partners Niraj Shah, George Eapen, Deven Bhakta, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen, Mayor Pro Tem Robin Elackatt and Chris Preston At Large Position #2 Missouri City Council Member, hold the declaration for display at dgn Factory. Photo by Jacob David by Staff Reporter MISSOURI CITY - Friday, September 19th, 2014— Missouri City, Texas: After a long day of heavy downpours, the skies cleared for the much anticipated grand opening of dgn Factory’s second location in Missouri City, TX. The partners of dgn Factory, Deven Bhakta, George Eapen, and Niraj Shah, (after whose first names dgn Factory is named), welcomed Missouri City Mayor, Allen Owen, Mayor Pro Tem, Robin Elackatt, Missouri City Council At Large Position 2, Chris Preston and other distinguished friends and family. George Eapen was proud to say that dgn Factory (formerly known as Dosa Factory) has topped the charts for the most favorite restaurants for 2013 in the United States. He also spoke on the plans for future expansion of dgn Factory both nationally and internationally. After a successful opening of their first location in a strip cen-

ter on Richmond Ave, Houston, the second location in Missouri City, TX is in a freestanding location equipped with a drive thru and patio seating. The third location is also being completed in Downtown Houston in the Tunnel food court scheduled to open November 2014. There are also plans to launch two food trucks in Houston making Indian Fast Food more accessible to all. Once these locations are up and running, dgn Factory will accept offers for franchising starting 2016. Upon concluding his welcome speech, George Eapen welcomed Mayor Allen Owen to light the ceremonial lamp which culturally signifies “giving life” to the new location. Following Mayor Owen was Mayor Pro Tem, Robin Elackatt, Missouri City Council At Large Position 2, Chris Preston, and partners of dgn Factory. In his speech Mayor Allen Owen said that he is happy that dgn Factory chose Missouri City for their second location.

“We were kind of worried that there are plenty of empty retail spaces and we are glad that this one has been empty for the shortest period, only 4 months. We welcome dgn Factory to Missouri City and wish them all success in their journey” said Mayor Allen. Mayor Pro Tem Robin Elackatt read out the Missouri City Declaration and handed it over to owner and partners Deven Bhakta, George Eapen, and Niraj Shah. He then promised full cooperation from Missouri City officials to make sure that dgn Factory runs as a successful business. Finally, George Eapen welcomed the guests to a buffet of items including: gobi schezwan, mini idlies, spicy aloo wedges and a variety of stuffed dosa’s. dgn Factory is scheduled to officially open to the public next week. For more details, please visit: http://dgnfactory.com/

SYDNEY / MELBOURNE

Bill and Melinda Gates with Indian author Chetan Bhagat (left) at an ‘All Lives Have Equal Value’ event in New Delhi on September 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Chandan Khanna).

EW DELHI, September 20, 2014 (AFP) - US billionaire Bill Gates will dine with some of India’s wealthiest people this weekend in a bid to encourage them to give more to charity, in a country where the rich are still seen as relatively tight-ﬁsted. The gathering will be hosted by tycoon Azim Premji, founder of Bangalore-based software giant Wipro and one of India’s biggest donors, an executive close to the businessman told AFP on Saturday. “They will be meeting privately to allow them to speak freely” about philanthropy, the executive told AFP. The meeting comes amid disquiet in India about a yawning divide between the burgeoning wealthy class and hundreds of millions still living in deep poverty. India has 100 billionaires -- the sixth biggest number globally, according to a report this week by Swiss bank UBS and Wealth X, a ﬁrm which tracks “ultra-high net

worth” individuals. But like other emerging economies such as China, India’s charitable giving still lags markedly behind that in the West where the tradition of wealthy businessmen donating chunks of their fortunes is much more deeply ingrained. Rich Indians gave an average 3.1 percent of their income to charitable causes in 2011 -- up from 2010 but far behind the 9.1 percent average in the United States, according to consultancy Bain & Company. Premji was the ﬁrst Indian to join Microsoft co-founder Gates and US billionaire investor Warren Buffet’s Giving Pledge club which encourages the world’s wealthiest to donate at least half their fortunes to charity. Gates is the world’s wealthiest man, worth an estimated $76 billion, according to a 2014 Forbes list. The tech tycoon, who is on a trip to India with his wife Melinda, said this week in New Delhi he

did not believe it was a good idea for the rich to leave a lot of money to their children. “A lot of (people with) ﬁrst-generation fortunes now don’t believe in aristocratic dynasties -- they don’t want to destroy their children’s experience of making it on their own,” Gates said in a public talk Thursday. He said he believed “that (feeling) is increasing” among the world’s wealthy. He and his wife have already declared that they have no intention of leaving their entire fortune to their three children, saying they needed to “have a sense that their own work is meaningful”. Their Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has given away billions of dollars to global health and development. Gates attended a similar event hosted by Premji in 2012. The latest event’s guest list was not divulged but Kiran MazumdarShaw, chief of pharmaceutical company Biocon, said its aim was “to tell other wealthy to share”.

BUSINESS

VOICE OF ASIA 21

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

New Wilshire Bank Opens In Houston

J.P.Park, Senior Vice President and Texas Regional Manager.

by Jacob David OUSTON WILSHIRE Bank (Nasdaq: WIBC) has opened its doors in Houston for the ﬁrst time. The new branch in Houston is on the 10,000 block of Harwin. Their ﬁrst branch in Texas was opened in Dallas. The bank started in the 1980s in California by Jewish and Korean immigrants. It was a bank opened to represent the true spirit of Multi ethnic groups. On December 31st, 2014 Wilshire Bank will be celebrating its 34th anniversary. With $3.68 Billion in Assets, Wilshire Bank has 36 branches with 25 of them in Los Angeles, 8 shared between New York and New Jersey and 2 in Dallas, Fortworth, and 1 in Houston. Wilshire Bank plans to hold a grand opening on November 17th, 2014. The bank plans to expand rapidly between 2014 and 2016 in Texas. It aims to target Asian Immigrant minorities, Women owned businesses from China, Korea, India, Nepal, Pakistan and others settled here in Houston. In his speech at a press conference held at Shahnai

Restaurant in Hillcroft, JP Park, Senior Vice President, Wilshire Bank, said that “Houston is a big city, bigger than Dallas. With a combined population of 9.5 million, Wilshire bank hopes to set deep roots in Texas. There are other Chinese banks which are strong here in Houston like East West, Metro and Golden bank. But we are not here to attack them. We are here to serve the Asian and South Asian communities and add to the competition. We are open to American clients also. We’d like to strengthen the ﬁnancial market here in Houston. Competition is always good so long as it is done ethically and legally. This helps the business market positively.” “Wilshire Bank plans to reach out with loans for businesses focusing on the Oil & Gas Sector, and helping businesses grow in Corpus Christi and San Antonio. “We plan to open 3 – 4 branches in a couple of years expanding to Austin (2016) and San Antonio (2017).” Reminiscing, JP Park said that “Wilshire Bank started as a small community bank in 1980. 80% of the banks did not do well and stopped

short of reaching a billion dollars. We reached our $1 Billion mark in 2005. In 2006, we reached $2 Billion. There after the market and the economy came upon hard times. Many banks closed, even Signature bank closed. We reached our $3.68 Billion mark in 2014. Wilshire bank has 7 loan production ofﬁces situated in Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, where banking is tough business, he said. We have survived that economy. In Los Angeles, we are situated on Wilshire Blvd, where Asian Immigrants now own the most expensive Real Estate.” “With Wilshire Bank, ethnicity does not matter. What matters is which bank cares about you and the business that you do?” JP Park said. Joining October 2000, he has had 14 years of experience in the Financial Industry. He says that his career has grown faster than most others. This is because he is a self made business man and understands how businesses are run. “I know Asian American and South Asian Immigrants are hard working people. They are rich and well-to-do because of their work ethics. We plan to be a bank for the diverse communities in Houston. We will try our best to approve most business loans because we know that behind every business owner

L-R: Yuri Yoo, First Vice President and Houston Branch Manager; J.P.Park, Senior Vice President and Texas Regional Manager; and Saleem Afrooz, Bank Ofﬁcer representing South Asian communities at the press conference meet held on September 19, 2014 at Shahnai Restaurant, Hillcroft. Photos: Jacob David.

is a family which depends on him or her. Our motto is the understanding that as our customers grow, it will help our growth” Wilshire Bank has 80% of institutional investors in its stock holdings and 15% of individuals. Most institutions holding Wilshire bank stock are based in LA, NY and TX. The branch in Houston will

have 7 staff members, with 5 managing operations and 2 lending ofﬁcers. It will offer full service taking deposits and offering loans. Yuri Yoo is the First Vice President and Branch Manager. Saleem Afrooz is their bank ofﬁcer representing the South Asian communities. Wilshire Bank can offer loans between $30 million to

$110 million for businesses. For now, JP Park, Senior Vice President and Texas Regional Manager, plans to shuttle between Dallas and Houston. He will be here in Houston every week between Thursday and Saturday. You can reach him directly with questions at 1-817-706-8342, even on Saturdays when he will be working. He promises to answer his calls.

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 22

FRIDAY, September 26, 2014

Your Horoscope for the Week of September 26, 2014 by Hardik Vyas, Astrologer Cell : 832-298-9950

READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April 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. Don’t be afraid to express yourself.

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.

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May

Scorpio (N,Y)23 Oct to 21 Nov

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 true success. Bring people together by showing them interesting new lifestyle or way to work.

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.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June 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.

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.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July 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. If you have an idea, present it.

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.

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August

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

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.

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.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September 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 sometimes ﬁnd it hard to ﬁnd companions who share your interests and ideas, but there are plenty of people who want to listen to you this week.

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.

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ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CONSTRUCTION MANAGER-AT-RISK Sterling Aviation High School HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT (HISD)

College Request for Proposals (RFQ)

Cadence McShane Construction as Construction Manager-at-Risk for HISD, in accordance with Texas Government Code 2269, will receive bids or proposals from all qualified subcontractors for the All-Trade Packages. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held 10:00am Friday, October 3, 2014, at Sterling High School Cafeteria located at 11625 Martindale, Houston, TX 77048. A Site-Visit walkthrough of the project will be held immediately following the pre-proposal conference. Bids or proposals are due Wednesday, October 22, at 2:00pm, and bids or proposals should be emailed to houstonbids@cadencemcshane.com or mailed/delivered to the Cadence McShane Construction, 7701 W. Little York, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77040. Late bids will not be accepted. There will be no public opening of bids or proposals. All bids or proposals shall be available after award of contract, or the 7th day after final selection of bids or proposals, whichever is later. After receipt of bids or proposals, Cadence McShane, will conduct its evaluation of the subcontractor bids or proposals in relation to the project requirements and will select the bid(s) or proposal(s) that offers the best value to HISD. Cadence McShane, is committed to meeting the M/WBE goals set for this project. M/ WBE forms, schedules and statements, as required by the package documents, shall accompany each bid or proposal that is submitted. Bids or proposals submitted without all required information, and in the order and manner specified, may result in the bid or proposal being considered non-responsive. HISD, the Owner, reserves the right to waive any informality and/or to reject any, or all bids, or proposals. Contact Eddie Smith at esmith@cadencemcshane.com or Wm. Earl Finley, C.P.M., A.P.P. at wfinley@houstonisd.org for additional information on this project Drawings and specifications are available on iSQFT (www.isqft.com) and in the Cadence McShane office located at 7701 W. Little York, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77040. Drawings and Specifications may also be reviewed at: Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street, Houston, TX 77092, (713) 843-3700 McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge, www.construction.com Virtual Builders Exchange, 3910 Kirby, #131, Houston, TX 77098, (832) 613-0201

State and Local Government Relations Services Project No. 15-01 Documents can be obtained at: www.hccs. edu/district/departments/procurement. Sealed qualiﬁcations will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11A06 Houston Texas 77002) until 2:00 PM (local time) on Wednesday, October 8, 2014.

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FRIDAY, September 26, 2014