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38 - Vol 5 - Epaper PDF
38 - Vol 5 - Epaper PDF
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Follow us on Vol.5 No. 38 January 12-18, 2013 60 Cents New York Edition TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Vikas Girdhar he tensions between India and Pakistan have heightened again after two Indian soldiers were brutally shot and beheaded allegedly by Pakistani troops on Tuesday. The incident threatens to derail the bilateral talks that had only resumed last year after a hiatus since 2008, when an attack by Pakistani militants terrorized Mumbai. Ironically, Pakistan cricket team had just returned from India a tour that marked resumption of sporting ties between the neighbors. Now, India wants answers and protests are snowballing in the country. What exactly took place on the
LOC (line of control) in Jammu and Kashmir that led to the slaying of Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh and Lance Naik Hemraj depends on who is being asked. Pakistan claims that the LOC was crossed by India first. India counters that unprovoked fire was opened by Pakistan first. Indian leaders, it seems, privately believe that this incident reeks of Pakistans insincerity in improving bilateral relations. The US has asked the two nuclear nations to talk to each other. "We're urging both sides to take steps to end the violence," State Department's Victoria Nuland said in Washington. Continued on page 4
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Alkesh Patel, Chairman of AAHOA, believes it is right time to enter Indian market
Governor Andrew Cuomo giving his state of the state address 2013
ing fewer than 15 grams of marijuana would be dropped from a misdemeanor to a violation under Cuomo's plan. The idea comes as a response to New York City's stop-andfrisk policy, which results in marijuana arrests that unfairly targets young minorities, Cuomo said. Both measures will likely face continued resistance from Republicans in the state Senate, who will share control of the chamber with the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference this year.
Cuomo's minimum-wage proposal was met with approval from various labor leaders, though some had been advocating for tying future increases to the rate of inflation. His attempt to boost the slumping upstate economy includes what he called "phase one" of a plan to legalize a limited number of privately owned casinos. Under Cuomo's proposal, up to three casinos would be allowed upstate with none in New York City, with the idea of attracting downstate visitors north.
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Mineola: Kishore Kuncham, newly elected President of India Association of Long Island (IALI), will be given the oath of office by the County Executive Ed Mangano on Jan 13 at the office of the County Executive here. The Executive Council of IALI 2013 will also take the oath of office alongwith Kuncham. Kuncham, who serves currently as Supervisor of Freeport School District, takes charge from Sukhwinder Ranu.
he shooting of innocent kids in Connecticut shook my soul. I brought that pain with me on my flight to Delhi, only to find a nation horrified and outraged by the gangrape. A paramedical student was violated, her intestines ripped open and then she was left unattended for two hours on the streets of Delhi in the wintery night. The tragedy continued should
Kishore Kuncham
Arjun Tendulkar
India- Pak tensions story Continued from page 1 A senior Pakistani official believes that, while this incident is unfortunate, it should not stop efforts to keep the bilateral movement going. "We believe that these kinds of incidents should not be allowed to sabotage bilateral reconciliation and I think both countries are trying to reconcile things so this process should go on," Naeem Anwar, Minister of the (Trade) High Commission of Pakistan in India, said. When asked about the possibility of India considering suspending trade with Pakistan, Anwar said, "That should not be an option as there has been substantial growth in trade and commerce between the nations. While trade between India and Pakistan at the moment is normal, it too is in danger of being affected down the line. The annual bilateral trade can reach $10 billion within the next three years from $2.7 billion in 2010-11, provided there is a willingness to deal directly and not through a third country, and no accidents like the current incident to jeopardize the progress. On Thursday, Pakistan reiterated that it was committed to giving India its MFN (Most Favored Nation) status and rubbished reports of anything to the contrary.
On its part, India has rejected Islamabads call for a UN probe of the incident because it neither wants to involve the world organization nor internationalize the dispute. Meanwhile, hotheads like Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena executive president, demanded that India should "take revenge" from Pakistan for the brutal killing of its two soldiers. NRA blasts Biden story Continued from page 1 gun rights. "We were disappointed with how little this meeting had to do with keeping our children safe and how much it had to do with an agenda to attack the Second Amendment," the group said in a written statement. "While claiming that no policy proposals would be 'prejudged,' this Task Force spent most of its time on proposed restrictions on lawful firearms owners -- honest, taxpaying, hardworking Americans. Besides the NRA, Biden has also met anti-gun and sports groups like the Outdoor Industry Association. Attorney General Eric Holder and other Obama Cabinet secretaries were meeting as well with Walmart and other sports retailers. Delhi gang rape story Continued from page 1 bus cleaner Akshay Thakur. All of
them are now in Delhi's Tihar Central Jail. The case against the sixth accused, said to be a minor, is being heard by the Juvenile Justice Board. Meanwhile, the court issued notice to the Delhi Police and asked it to file its response on an allegation by an advocate that police and the Safdarjung Hospital were negligent in dealing with the case and the victims. Police Jan 3 had filed the chargesheet against five out of six accused in the brutal gang-rape of the 23year-old physiotherapy intern in a moving bus, leading to multipleorgan failure and her death. All the accused also assaulted her 28-year-old male friend. Both were thrown out of the bus after around 40 minutes, naked, bleeding and shivering. The friend will be the main witness in the case. The police have charged the five under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 376 (2)(g) (gang-rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 395 (dacoity), 396 (murder in dacoity), 365 (kidnapping or abduction with intent to secretly or wrongfully confine a person), 394 (hurting in dacoity), 201 (destruction of evidence), 120B (conspiracy), 34 (common intention), 412 (dishonestly receiving stolen property), and 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code.
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tion on life and message of Swami Vivekananda; lecture series on Hinduism in universities during the spring and fall semesters of 2013; and a dharma and yoga fest to com-
"India did not behave like a country which came on the Council after 19 years. It behaved as if it belongs to the Council," he added. During its tenure, India made a strong push for expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of the Security Council "to make it reflect contemporary realities," saying that the Security Council in its present structure "serves no one's purpose." India has proposed that an expanded council should have a total of 25-26 members. Puri asserted that India has demonstrated through its "maturity and constructive contribution" that it rightly deserves a permanent seat at the council and offers a promise that it will not take another 19 years for India to return to the council. "The struggle for Security Council expansion is uphill but this peak can be scaled and will be scaled," he said. Puri said while membership of the Security Council gave India an opportunity to "establish our credentials, show our maturity and constructive contribution," action for reform of the UN body will come from traction in the General Assembly.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
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Swami Tattvavidananda offering flowers to Lord Dakshinamurti on Jan 1. Photo credit: Xitij Photography/www.xitijphoto.com.
musical performances. The event was met with great welcome by proud parents. The pride evident on their faces continued to glow as the
youth members ascended to the stage yet again the following night for the long-awaited Talent Show which showcased a range of acts including
IN BRIEF
20-year-old student bana-Champaign, and works as from Wheaton, Ill., an underwriting benefits consulthas been on a winant at Gallagher Benefit Services ning spree on Jeopardy! in Itasca, Ill. for three consecutive days. All of the contestants got the Ashok Poozhikunnel, who Final Jeopardy answer Babe Ruth right and having bet first appeared on the show Jan. 3, has so far earned $7,201, Poozhikunnel won Ashok seen here with $65,602. According to his with a total of $26,001, putting Facebook page, Poozhikun- Alex Trebek of Jeopardy him on Jeopardys Top 12 list nel attends the University of Illinois at Ur- of highest prize money winners.
at Rice University. However, mining cobalt is expensive, and supplies are finite. Fabricating and recycling lithium-ion batteries made with cobalt also demands high temperatures and lots of energy. After investigating a number of molecules from nature, the researchers found that purpurin and its relatives seem ideal as electrode materials. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
According to the plea agreement, Anand, who owned weight loss clinics in northwest Indiana and south suburban Chicago, could serve over four years in prison while his wife could face a jail term of three years. The tax evasion charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Anand also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The Anands have agreed to pay restitution of over $740,000 to the Internal Revenue Service for taxes they owed on nearly $2 million of unreported income between 2005 and 2008.
school in Texas has announced plans to introduce teaching of Hindi language in its curriculum and they hope that this serves as a model example for many other schools in the country to follow. Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District (HEBISD) headquartered in Bedford (Texas, USA) is introducing Hindi, official language of India, for its students. Seventh, eighth and ninth graders will be in a position to take Hindi classes. These courses are part of the districts International Business Initiative, which will set students on a course to success in college and in the workforce, HEBISD states. Welcoming the news, Nand Kapoor, a former president of Association of Indian Americans, said that the next step should be to offer other languages of India languages like Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Gu-
jarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, etc.,to the aspiring students as that would improve the understanding to multicultural and multi-linguist Indian society to the bastion of Western world. Rajan Zed, the Chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, commended HEBISD for offering Hindi and observed besides learning the rich languages and culture of India, it would also make a good business sense to open-up the American children to India which is on a track to become a global power. Moreover, USA being a culturally diverse society, introducing languages of India would bring more cohesiveness and harmony in the communities. In addition, American children of India-descent would be able to keep their languages, traditions and culture alive and intact, Rajan added.
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NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Urooj Khan died just weeks after winning $1 million lottery jackpot
the medical examiner's office to take a closer look at Khan's death. By early December, comprehensive toxicology tests showed that Khan had died of a lethal amount of cyanide, prompting Chicago police and county prosecutors to investigate his death as murder. While a motive has not been determined yet, police haven't ruled out that Khan was killed because of
his big lottery win, according to a law enforcement source cited by the Tribune. He died before he could collect the winnings - about $425,000 after taxes. Both Khan and his wife Shabana Ansari, 32, were born in Hyderabad. Ansari moved to the US from India after marrying Khan 12 years ago. Their daughter, Jasmeen, now 17, is a student here.
Srikanth Srinivasan
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
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"We will fix the problem. This is about a women who is raped and deserves justice," Harris said. Existence of such an outdated law is quite contrary to the modern law of the State. California was the first American State to specify the use of chemical castration as a punishment for child molestation. Kamla Harris is now joined by the State lawmakers.
athew Martoma, an Indian-origin hedge court records, he would continue to remain free on fund portfolio manager has pleaded not bond. guilty to charges that he participated in His next court appearance has been set for March one of the "most lucrative" insider trading 5. His lawyer said he is not discussing any plea schemes totaling $276 million involving informadeal with the government and maintained that his tion about clinical trials for an Alzheimer's drug. client is innocent. Martoma, 38, was arraigned at Manhattan fedProsecutors told the judge that they would be eral court here Jan 3 before Judge Paul Gardephe presenting evidence in the form of trading and teleand entered a not guilty plea to one count of conphone records and e-mails but do not plan to use spiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts any wiretap evidence. Assistant US attorney Arlo Hedge fund manager Devlin-Brown said the government has collected a of securities fraud. "I plead not guilty, your honor," Martoma, who Mathew Martoma 'voluminous' amount of evidence in the case. A was indicted last month, said for all the three counts he is Stanford graduate, Martoma joined SAC Capital Advisors in charged with. Martoma is the son of Indian immigrants and was 2006 and had worked with the firm's affiliate CR Intrinsic Inaccompanied by his wife and parents during his hearing. He vestors. Federal prosecutors have accused Martoma of using faces as many as 20 years in prison on the securities fraud material, non-public information that he received from a doctor charges and five years on the conspiracy charge if convicted. He in 2008 on the clinical trial of an Alzheimer's disease drug to was arrested in November from his home in Boca Raton, Flori- make profits and avoid losses for SAC in an amount totaling apda and has been free on a five million dollar bail. According to proximately $276 million.
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US AFFAIRS
Obama picks Chief of CIA and Secretary of Defense, Lew in as Treasury Secretary
Washington: Assembling his second term national security team, US President Barack Obama courted controversy as he named former Republican senator Chuck Hagel to head the Pentagon and his counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to lead the CIA. "My No.1 criteria in making these decisions was simple - who is going to do the best job in securing America," Obama said Monday nominating Hagel, seen as a maverick politician, to replace Leon Panetta as Defense Secretary and Brennan, a key architect of America's drone strategy, to head the Central Intelligence Agency. In making the two controversial picks, especially that of Hagel, Obama signaled his readiness to join battle with Senate Republicans for their confirmation unlike his decision to go for Senator John Kerry as the Secretary of State instead of controversial US ambassador to UN, Susan Rice, who was said to be his first choice. Hagel, 66, who may become the first Vietnam veteran and first enlisted soldier to serve as US defense secretary, has advocated deep cuts to the Pentagon budget and bucked his fellow Republicans in opposing troop surges in Iraq and Afghanistan, telling his biographer: "I will do all I can to prevent war." Hagel has also come under fire over comments about Israel and Iran and gays. He has supported Carney declined to comment on news reports of Lew's prospective move, but praised him as "a remarkably capable chief of staff" and an "exceptional public servant". As with so many presidential aides, the Treasury Secretary's primary goals are "economic growth and job creation", he said. A former investment banker and Capitol Hill aide, Lew was instrumental in crafting the August 2011 debt deal that created the $600 billion automatic tax increases and spending cuts narrowly avoided in the New Year's "fiscal cliff" agreement. A 57-year-old native of New York City, Lew's long familiarity with Capitol Hill began when he took a job as a legislative aide in 1973. He went on to serve for nine years as chief domestic policy adviser to House Speaker Tip O'Neill. While Lew's announcement could come as soon as Thursday, it was not clear that the president has settled on his new choice for chief of staff, according to CNBC. Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough and Ron Klain, former chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden are both seen as potential Lew replacements. News of Lew's appointment came as Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced she would not return for Obama's second term that starts Jan 20.
The controversial Chuck Hagel is set to become the next US Secretary of Defense
CIA Chief to-be John Brennan has worked for Obama since 2009
White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew will replace Timothy Geithner as Secretary of the Treasury.
Israel entering negotiations with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza strip and is considered a terrorist organization by the US. Hagel has also called for talks with Iran and spoken out against certain sanctions -- a cornerstone of Obama's foreign policy aimed at pressuring Tehran over its nuclear program. Some also are bothered by a comment he made in 1998 about an ambassadorial candidate James Hormel being "openly, aggressively gay" -- which he apologized for in December, 14 years later. Obama, a Democrat, praised Hagel as a "patriot" who knows what it is like being on the frontline and said his selection "represents the bipartisan tradition that we need
more of in Washington". But many in the Republican establishment opposed the choice with Senator Lindsey Graham saying, "He has long severed his ties with the Republican Party". But Democrat Chris Murphy countered that he believes "Republicans are spoiling for a fight". Compared to Hagel, the reaction was somewhat muted to the nomination of Brennan to replace retired Gen. David Petraeus, who stepped down from his job as CIA director in November amid revelations that he had engaged in an extramarital affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell. Brennan, 57, worked for the CIA for more than two decades and has been Obama's assistant for coun-
terterrorism and homeland security since 2009. He is said to have shaped the White House's strategy to aggressively pursue suspected terrorists in Pakistan and in Yemen, dramatically escalating the use of armed unmanned aircraft or drones to kill them. Obama is also expected to name current White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew as the next Secretary of the Treasury in place of Timothy Geithner. Lew, who previously served as budget director under Obama and former president Bill Clinton, has long been considered the frontrunner to replace Geithner, the last remaining member of Obama's first-term economic team. White House spokesman Jay
As Biden intensifies gun control efforts, Giffords launches campaign GM recalls 68,000 vehicles over parking glitch
Washington: In the weeks that have followed the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Connecticut, Vice President Joe Biden has actively increased his efforts to advocate stricter gun control laws and awareness. Biden referred to the effort as a moral issue that needs immediate attention. "When I think of all the tragedies that we have endured, I don't think anything has touched the heart of the American people so profoundly as seeing those and learning of those young children not only being shot but riddled with bullets," he said. Former US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was injured in a mass shooting, has launched a high-profile campaign against gun violence in America. Giffords launched her campaign Tuesday on the second anniversary of the shooting in Tucson in Arizona that left six people dead and critically injured her. "In response to a horrific series of shootings that has sown terror in our communities, victimized tens of thousands of Americans, and left one of its own bleeding and near death in a Tucson parking lot, Congress has done something quite extraordinary - nothing at all,"
Vice President Joe Biden recently called the gun control effort a 'moral issue'.
Gabrielle Giffords's gun control campaign is a significant step in the gun control movement.
Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, said in an op-ed published in USA Today. "Special interests purporting to represent gun owners but really advancing the interests of an ideological fringe have used big money and influence to cow Congress into submission. As a result, we are more vulnerable to gun violence," they added. The husband-wife team announced their new "Americans for Responsible Solutions" initiative, which aims to raise money to balance the influence of the powerful pro-gun lobbying group the
National Rifle Association and others in the gun industry. Giffords and Kelly had an emotional meeting with family members of those killed in the December shooting. Twenty children and six adults were shot dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. "We can't just hope that the last shooting tragedy will prevent the next," they said. "Achieving reforms to reduce gun violence and prevent mass shootings will mean matching gun lobbyists in their reach and resources."
Washington: American automobile giant General Motors (GM) said it is recalling more than 68,000 new sports utility vehicles, pickups and vans that could roll away after being parked, a media report said. GM would recall the 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban and Tahoe, and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon and Yukon XL because they may not meet a federal requirement requiring transmission shift interlocks, Xinhua reported citing Detroit News. The recall includes 54,686 vehicles in the US and 6,310 in Canada, 710 in Mexico and 7,038 trucks from oversees markets, primarily in the Middle East, GM spokesman Alan Adler was quoted as saying. No crashes or injuries have been
reported thus far. GM said the vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable and malformed steering column lock park in the lock module assembly. The key may be rotated to the off position and removed while the shifter is not in the park position, and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning. The transmission can also be shifted out of park without application of the brake pedal while the key is in the off position, the company said. Most of the affected vehicles are believed to be still on dealer lots or in transit to dealers. The condition was discovered at GM's Arlington Assembly plant Dec 14. All of the recalled vehicles were built between November and December 2012.
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INDIA
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Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh and Lance Naik Hemraj were killed by Pakistani troops, who could be from the 29 Baloch Regiment this did not take place, but if our enquiry is not good enough, we can ask the UN to do the enquiry," she said. The government, meanwhile, rejected Pakistan's suggestion that the UN should be asked to probe allegations that Pakistani troops killed and beheaded two Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir. "That demand is rejected out of hand. We will not internationalize the issue nor go to the United Nations," Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters after a cabinet meeting. Indian leaders made no efforts to hide their disgust. Defense Minister A.K. Antony called the Tuesday killings in the border district of Poonch "highly provocative. The way they have treated the body of the Indian soldiers, it is inhuman". External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the mutilation of the soldiers was "an extremely sensitive matter". Khurshid spoke after Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai summoned Pakistani High Commissioner Salman Bashir and lodged a strong protest. Bashir was "spoken to in very strong terms", Khurshid said. The matter was also taken up by the Director General of Military Operations, Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, with his Pakistani counterpart, Lt Gen Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmed. They spoke on their hotline at around 10 a.m. An army spokesperson said a "strong protest" has been lodged. "We also conveyed to him that this action has been carried out by regular troops of Pakistan army. Strong protest is also lodged against mutilation of body which is a grave violation of rules of engagement by any civilized, professional army." The killings appeared to be a repeat of the killings and torture of Indian soldiers by the Pakistani military during the Kargil conflict in Kashmir almost 14 years ago. The Congress party warned Pakistan not to test India's patience. "The way they have beheaded our soldiers is brutal and barbaric," its spokesman Rashid Alvi said. "We want good relationship with our neighbour, but whether Pakistan wants peaceful relationship is doubtful." Indian officials said the Pakistani soldiers sneaked some 600 meters into a forested part of Sona Gali under the cover of a thick fog and killed the two soldiers who were leading an Indian patrol. Brigadier J.K. Tiwari, deputy general officer commanding of the 25 Division headquartered in Rajouri, about 180 km from Jammu, explained how the killings took place. Speaking after a guard of honor for the dead men, he said the two soldiers were ambushed amid a thick fog that greatly reduced visibility in the area. He said the patrol spotted some movement ahead, sparking a gun battle that lasted about 25 minutes. When the patrol reached the two scouts, they found them beheaded. The Bharatiya Janata Party asked the government to "clearly define the red lines" for Pakistan. New Delhi "will have to be very firm, very cautious and very clear on how to deal with Pakistan", its leader Arun Jaitley said. "The government must be very firm while dealing with Pakistan." But in significant comments, Khurshid emphasized that "it is very important that we make sure that such incidents should not be escalated". Even Jaitley said the brutal killings were obviously "intended to disturb the environment" of improved relations between the two countries. The LoC was calm after separate overnight clashes between Indian and Pakistan troops. After the Tuesday killings, Pakistani troops shelled an Indian post in Krishnaghati sector also in Poonch district, triggering counter firing by the Indian Army.
US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland comment into the alleged beheading of two Indian soldiers saying, "I'm not going to get into the specifics here. I think we've spoken to the general principles we want to see here." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was aware of the tension between India and Pakistan on this issue and "instructed our ambassadors to work with both governments, which they are doing", Nuland said.
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INDIA
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MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi has been booked for delivering a hate speech and accused of sedition and waging war against the nation.
-- and so was his brother Asaduddin now. In another development, a division bench of the high court dismissed a petition filed by a citizen seeking directions to Youtube to remove Akbar Owaisi's speeches from the video-sharing website. The legislator was arrested in Hyderabad after he underwent medical tests through the day. He was booked in Nirmal Jan 3 in connection with a venomous speech by him in Adilabad Dec 22 against the Hindu community. He is facing serious charges,
ranging from sedition to waging war against the government. Police had initially booked the legislator for promoting enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to harmony as well as waging or attempting to wage war against the state. The latter charge carries death sentence or life imprisonment. Owaisi now faces five other charges: criminal conspiracy, sedition, threatening people to give false evidence, doing public mischief and disobeying official orders.
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DELHI GANG-RAPE
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
The 23-year-old woman was raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus in New Delhi, leaving the nation outraged
proceedings, the magistrate quoted the public prosecutor as saying that he feared for the safety of the accused. The prosecution also moved an application for an in-camera trial. Aggarwal conceded the request "keeping in view the situation". She added: "The proceedings ... including the inquiry and trial can be held in-camera. Hence, all public persons, and every bar member in the court are directed to vacate the courtroom, except the accused, public prosecutor and investigation officer."
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OP-ED
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anagement of change is always a challenging task and change is always resisted in any organization or society. What the country has been witnessing and seized with in the last fortnight after the rape and brutal injury of a Delhi girl has shamed one and all. Why did this happen? An analysis reveals that Indian society, especially many males, have not been able to manage change and transformation that has taken place as regards Indian women. Our culture, traditions, ethics and values have taught us to respect women and treat them equally at our respective homes and among relatives. The moment we see a woman in public and who is not related our attitude changes and we tend to pass sexist and snide comments. Wrong thoughts also build up in the mind. Today, women, apart from doing many other jobs, are commanding space stations, flying passenger as well as military aircraft, captaining ships, participating in all sporting activities, driving cars, buses and trains. They are heading governments, business houses, industrial institutions and are holding senior offices in the police, bureaucracy, military, medicine, judiciary, scientific, educational institutions and any post of responsibility that can be thought of. Not only are they holding
The moment we see a woman in public and who is not related our attitude changes and we tend to pass sexist and snide comments. top posts but are more effective and efficient than their male counterparts. It is this change that needs to be understood by many men. The new mantra that needs to be followed and understood is to treat women equally and with respect not only in their respective homes but in the streets outside all day and especially between sunset and sunrise. These two values need to be ingrained and followed amongst those Indian men folk that have not yet understood them. We are now in an era where we cannot question what women feel, talk, wear or do as they are responsible enough. If they cross the boundaries of the law of the land, then the law agencies would take care of the situation. This applies to men folk too. This equality needs to be understood. There is no need for moral policing by political, educational and religious agencies to tell what a woman needs to wear or how to conduct herself. What is needed is to respect women as they enter new fields of responsibility in Indian society and treat them as equals. It has to now be clearly understood that the consent of the woman is required
before any advancement having a sexual overtone is done by any man. It is her right. It is so with men too. A woman sexual worker cannot force herself unless the man consents. So here again equality comes in. This intricate balance of equality and respect needs to be understood. This applies both ways and whilst women display these two virtues towards men it's some men folk who somehow seem to lose it somewhere down the line. The time is ripe now to understand women, as they move about day and night doing their jobs and take on new responsibilities. They need to be treated with respect and equality. As regards rapists, they need to be punished severely and justice needs to be delivered quickly so that it acts as a deterrent. Stricter laws need to be enacted. In summary, the days of telling women what to do, say, dress or feel is over. They know their responsibilities and if they do anything the law doesn't permit the law agencies are there to handle the situation. It's high time we let them enjoy their new found freedom and allow them to take on higher responsibilities. The faster we manage this change the better. The bottom line is to treat all women with respect and equality at all places and at all times. (Ravindra Gaikwad is a senior serving officer of the Indian Navy)
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
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Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, delivering the inaugural address. including GAPIO and AKMG to collaborate on this summit, designed to bring the best, most efficient and cost effective healthcare solutions to the people of India, Dr. Kumar explained. In his inaugural address, Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, said, Healthcare in India is one of the largest sectors, in terms of revenue and employment. He complimented the Indian doctors who have made tremendous progress in the medical world and are known for their excellent and compassionate services to their patients around the world. Ravi acknowledged the urgent need to create additional health infrastructure, which entails a higher level of investment in the Indian healthcare market in the coming years. He underlined that the government of India is committed to the ever increasing need to invest in the health care system in India. He urged the pharmaceutical companies to keep the prizes of life saving medicines at an affordable level, in order to make them available and accessible to all. No one should be denied medical treatment for want of money, he said. Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala, who delivered the keynote address, after inaugurating the summit, highlighted the Kerala model of healthcare which has resulted in the state becoming the healthcare leader in India. He pointed to the highest life expectancy of 75, and the least infant mortality rate among all the states of India as proof of the effectiveness of Keralas healthcare policy over the past decades. India with its 1.2 billion population is expected to have a robust medical sector with a $100 billion industry by 2015 from the current $ 65 billion, growing 20 per cent annually due to increasing demand for specialized and quality healthcare facilities in addition to the growth in the insurance plans seeking to provide reliable health insurance to hundreds of millions of people. The challenge facing the industry is to make healthcare affordable, accessible to all and efficient. Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, T.K.A Nair, lauded the physicians of Indian origin for their achievements and leadership around the world. While focusing on the governments many programs to reach healthcare to all, he urged the private sector to work and collaborate with the government to make healthcare affordable to all of Indias people. Others who addressed the august gathering included Dr. Jeremy Lazarus, President, American Medical Association; Dr. Emmanuel Cassimatis, President & CEO, ECFMG, USA; Dr. Vinay Kumar, President, Indian Medical Association; Dr. Chittaranjan Ranawat, clinical professor of orthopedic surgery, Cornell University; Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, chairman, Apollo Group of Hospitals; and Dr. K.K. Talwar, Chairman, Medical Council of India. The summit was packed with several plenary sessions, interactive roundtables, clinical practice workshops, and meet-the-expert/CEOs sessions, providing an ambience of
Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala, lighting the traditional lamp, accompanied by Indian dignitaries and AAPI leaders, to inaugurate the summit. learning and inspiration. It proved to vention, diagnosis, treatment options be significant, especially when India and shared ways to truly improve is increasingly becoming a destina- healthcare transcending global tion for medical tourism. boundaries, Dr. Ajay Lodha, More than 100 opinion leaders and Treasurer of AAPI, added. expert speakers presented cuttingAt the valedictory ceremony held edge scientific findings related to at the IMA House, Kochi, Dr. clinical practice, representing major Narendra Kumar received a symbolic centers of excellence, institutions and Key marking the launch of the professional associations. In a first, Amrita Peripheral Clinic, supported CEO from hospitals, teaching institu- by AAPI and run by AKMG tions and major healthcare sectors, (American Association of Kerala including pharmaceutical, medical Medical Graduates). AAPI supports devices and technology, came 15 clinics around the country. together to explore potential opportu- However, this is the first one in the nities for collaboration. Omar Ishrak, state of Kerala, Dr. Kumar said. Worldwide CEO of Medtronic was What we do here is going to help the keynote speaker. Dr. G.N. Singh, make policies and programs that benDrug Controller General of India efit the people of this great country, with his team was joined by leading Dr. Jayesh Shah, President-Elect of healthcare policy makers and AAPI, said, informing that the next Hospital CEOs. GHS will be held in Ahmedabad This convention has shown how from Jan 3-5, 2014. well the Indian doctors have proved AAPI is the largest ethnic medical to be an effective force in the med- organization in the US and represents ical world in USA, said Dr. Ravi the interests of more than 65,000 Jahagirdar, Vice-President. physicians and about 35,000 medical The summit also focused on pre- students/residents of Indian origin.
At the valedictory function, Dr. Narendra Kumar, President of AAPI and Chair of GHS 2013, received the symbolic Key marking the launch of the Amrita Peripheral Clinic, which is supported by AAPI and run by American Association of Kerala Medical Graduates.
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AWARD
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AAPI President Dr Narendra Kumar receiving the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award from President Pranab Mukherjee at PBD 2013 in Kochi.
Dr Narendra Kumar addressing the AAPI Global Healthcare Summit 2013 in Kochi.
ever, financially stable, expanding steadily and is on the right path strengthening the organization and its 100,000 members, seeking ways to contribute to their motherland. His leadership qualities and organizational skills came to the fore and have been hailed by one and all during the 9-City Musical Tour by Shreya Ghoshal in the US as well as during the most recent Global Healthcare Summit 2013 in Kochi, India. With over 1,200 delegates from around the world, the Summit was historic for the number of delegates and the quality of discussions led by world renowned physicians, CEOs, and scholars from across the globe, in addition to the many initiatives planned to benefit millions of people in India. It was with his decades of hard work and dedication to AAPI that Dr Kumar became leader of this umbrella organization, which repre-
sents over 130 member associations nationwide with a total membership of 100,000 physicians and fellows of Indian origin. As Regional Director of AAPI, he had attended almost all the local AAPI chapter meetings to serve as a liaison between the local chapters and the national organization. Besdies, he has been instrumental in recruiting hundreds of new patron members to AAPI. He credits attending PBD 2007 in New Delhi for giving me a chance to prove my ability to act as political liaison in organizing special interviews with Indias top dignitaries. As AAPI Treasurer, Dr. Kumar was able to fulfill his promise to keep AAPI finances in proper order by maintaining fiscal stability, accountability and enhance financial health. It is important to keep financial matters transparent to the membership, he says. Dr. Kumar sees heading AAPI as an honor, a responsibility he would carry with ever greater commitment. Serving in various capacities in his local Michigan chapter and subsequently the parent AAPI, he has an intimate knowledge of the nuts and bolts of this giant organization. When others were hesitant to commit a million dollars towards star singer Shreya Ghoshals US Tour, especially after he had inherited several hundred thousand dollars of debt from his predecessors, Dr. Kumar showed courage and innovation, encouraging AAPI and its local
chapters around the nation to play an active role that resulted not only in generating over $1.2 million but also brought the chapters and the national organizations together. A man of integrity who has given his best to every enterprise he has undertaken both in his professional, family and social life, Dr. Kumar has won the admiration of everyone. Comments Dr. Jayesh Shah, President-Elect, AAPI, Dr. Kumar is the kind of person you immediately feel as if he is your friend. In three words: he is personable, gogetter and passionate. He can translate any dream into reality by hard work, perseverance, and commitment. An accomplished physician and surgeon in the US, specializing in Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Dr. Kumar is a Board Certified Sleep Medicine specialist and founder/Medical Director of Sound aSleep Sleep Diagnostic Labs, which includes four Sleep Labs in Michigan. Dr. Kumar, who graduated from Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala and did his residency from Banaras Hindu University and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, is committed to giving back to the community and to enhancing opportunities for the professional growth of physicians of Indian origin. Dr. Kumar, who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, candidly admits, Over the past 10 years, I have become increasingly involved in social, professional and political arenas and have taken active leadership roles in various medical organizations both in USA and abroad. During his tenure in 2004 as the Silver Jubilee President of Association of Kerala Medical Graduates (AKMG), his Executive Committee promoted increased member participation, partnered with global AKMG chapters in India and the Middle East, and furthering its mission to charitable projects. I was instrumental in establishing Electronic Learning Resource Centers in various government medical colleges in Kerala, raising over $500,000 in alumni donations, recalls Dr Kumar. He was also
instrumental in organizing the Heart-Heart program in conjunction with the Lions Club of Kerala, which provided free open heart surgery for 150 indigent patients. In 2004, he helped raise over $150,000 for the charitable wing of AKMG through the AKMG Silver Jubilee convention in Detroit. In 2010, as the Fund Raising Committee Chair Tri-City Hindu Temple of MidMichigan, USA, he helped raise over $2 million to build a Hindu temple in Michigan. In the political realm, Dr Kumar has been organizing Indo-American Political Fund Raising events since 2002 and has made substantial contribution for poll campaigns of state governors, senators, and congressman, thus enhancing the political image of the Indian American community. In May 2005, as co-President of the Indo-Pak Friendship Society Convention in Saginaw, MI, attended by over 1,200, he enabled the people of the subcontinental neighbors to work together for fostering peace and cooperation. Recognizing his leadership and contributions, the American Medical Association (AMA) honored him with the Leadership Award in 2008. In the same year, he was bestowed with the Kerala Ratna Award and the MAPI Presidential Award. In 2004, Dr. Kumar received the Distinguished Leadership award from Michigan State Medical Society. In 2009, he was given the Keraleeyam-Kerala Ratna Leadership Award in New Delhi, presented by the Chief Justice of India, for enhancing the image of Kerala. Dr. Kumar is also the recipient AKMG Purple Heart Award for Philanthropy and Leadership Award from Kerala Center in New York. Dr. Kumar has been married to Meenakshi for 32 years and the couple have two children -- Sarada and Ramesh. Dr. Ramesh Kumar is a graduate of the Amrita Institute of Medicine in Kochi, and is currently a Research Fellow at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Sarada completed her Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Michigan and pitches in her husband Dr. Arjun Das medical practice in Toledo, Ohio.
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Over 2,000 participants from 70 countries participated in the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Kochi, Kerala. President of Mauritius Rajkeswur Purryag, who was the chief guest, led the list of 15 pre-eminent overseas Indians who were honored with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards at the annual event.
President Pranab Mukherjee with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardees in Kochi, Kerala
Kochi: President Pranab Mukherjee said India sees its vast diaspora as a valuable contributor to its growth and is keen to expand the bonds further in building an inclusive and knowledge society. The president said the record remittance of $67 billion from overseas Indians was a testimony to both the emotional attachment and the fulfillment in investing in India's strong economy. "We should explore ways and means to encourage further participation by the diaspora to give additional impetus to India's growth story," Mukherjee said at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here. "I also wish to see the Indian diaspora as a stronger partner, not only in India's economic growth, but also in building India's knowledge society, while continuing to engage culturally and emotionally, and serving as the effective ambassadors that they have been for this country," the president said. He said India was the world's third-largest economy on the basis of purchasing power parity and the second fastest growing economy after China.
"In six out of nine years, our country managed to grow at a rate above eight percent. Due to the slowdown in the global economy and other factors, the growth rates have declined -- from 8.4 percent in 2010-11 to 6.5 percent in 201112, and further to 5.4 percent in the first half of 2012-13," he said. He said the diaspora could become partners in India's progress. "For accelerated growth, investment level has to increase. You all can help in the process by investing in Indian companies and establishing new ventures. The yield of Indian equity markets is amongst the highest in the world and many of the most famous companies have established business here or seeking to do so," he said. Mukherjee said that during his tenure as finance minister, he opened up the Indian capital market for qualified foreign investors (QFIs). "Initially, we permitted QFIs to invest in Indian mutual funds and on January 1, 2012, in a far-reaching decision, we opened the doors for them to directly invest in Indian equities.
"Soon, the corporate bond market was opened to QFIs. You may, therefore, also like to look at the opportunity that India offers in this regard and take advantage of the high yield that you are likely to get by investing in the Indian capital markets," he said. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas -India's annual exposition to connect with its 130-million diaspora in 130 countries -- also saw the president confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards on 15 pre-eminent overseas Indians for their contributions. In his address, the president lauded the contributions of the Indian diaspora in areas ranging from social service and polity to economy, science and culture. "It is a matter of pride for every Indian that there are at least five heads of state or government, and over 70 senior political leaders such as deputy heads of state, speakers, ministers in various countries, who can trace their roots to India," Mukherjee said. The chief guest at the event was Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag, who was also among the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
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Kochi: Applauding the overseas Indians for serving as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between India and their adopted homes abroad, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India was committed to deepen their connection with India and advance their interests. While honoring their achievements, we will also seek to facilitate their travel, business and education and make it easier for them
to be a part of life in India, enjoy due rights and participate in Indias economic development, the Prime Minister said in his address at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Kochi, Kerala. Highlighting the recent steps that the government has taken to boost domestic and foreign investments in India, the Prime Minister said India's strong economic fundamentals, backed by sound policies,
would help the country return to a higher growth path. Prime Minister Singh said that the overseas Indian community should be a vital partner and participant in Indias social and economic development. Whether you wish to invest or share your knowledge, technology and skills, whether your enterprise takes you to the cities or your compassion brings you to a remote village, I
Kochi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired the fourth meeting of Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians which exchanged views on key international issues and their implications for India, including the global economic situation, developments in west Asia and energy security. The meeting was attended by 13 eminent Overseas Indians who gave their perspectives on strengthening engagement between India and the Overseas Indians as well as between India and various countries in the bilateral sphere, according to an official release.
They included Karan F.Bilimoria, Swadesh Chatterjee, Ela Gandhi, Lord Khalid Hameed, Renu Khator, Kishore Mahbubani, L.N.Mittal, Lord Bhiku Chotalal Parekh, Tan Sri Dato' Ajit Singh, Neville Joseph Roach, Srinivasa S.R. Varadhan and Yusuffali M.A. "During the meeting, the participants exchanged views on key international issues and their implications for India, including the global economic situation, developments in West Asia and the Gulf region, energy security; and trends in the Asia Pacific region," the release said.
Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurating the exhibition of 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 7.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh releasing a hand-book for emigrants at the inauguration of the 11th PBD.
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ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
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Suraj Sharma is the only male actor nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star award this year
"
Aashiqui 2" has 10 love songs, says director Mohit Suri and adds he has given the compositions a contemporary feel while retaining the flavor of the original movie's music. Mahesh Bhatt had directed 1990 romantic musical hit "Aashiqui", with two new faces Rahul Roy and Anu Agarwal in the lead roles. The film had 11
songs, including "Tu meri zindagi hai", "Ab tere bin" and "Nazar ke samne", and all were very popular with the masses. "The film ('Aashiqui 2') has 10 love songs and we have tried to retain the feel of the previous film as well. But of course that film came out 21 years ago, so it can't be exactly the same," Suri, who is making the film with
Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in the cast, said. Although "Aashqui 2" is in its last leg of shooting, its release date has not been confirmed yet. When asked, Suri said: "(Producer) Mukesh Bhatt will be able to give you a better answer on the release date. I only make the film."
Sunmeet Kaur Sawhney, winner of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), with Amitabh Bachchan
Sawhney hails from Chandigarh and has been staying in Mumbai since a few years back now. Amitabh also mentioned the Delhi gang-rape incident that has shocked the nation. "In the days that have gone by, where the dignity of a young girl has been maligned and brought to shame through the most heinous and disgusting acts of a bunch of animals, it gave me great pleasure to see a woman in a man's world, taking on the many painful experiences, and coming out victorious." "Her (Sawhney) status as a woman was never compromised, and given an opportunity, she has proved to an entire nation, which hangs its head in shame for the gang-rape victim, that women are strong and no less than men that they do occupy an equal measure of importance and presence in a civilised world."
Kristina Akheeva
ustralian model-turnedactress Kristina Akheeva, who is making her Bollywood debut with "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2", brushed up her Hindi-speaking skills during the film's shooting. She feels it will help her in the long run. "I am indeed taking my career in Bollywood very seriously and I think that the language plays a very important role. Hence, I am brushing up my Hindi skills," Kristina said in a statement. Kristina, who has been paired with Sunny Deol in the film, recently wrapped up a threemonth-long schedule for
the movie. According to sources, the cast and crew of "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2" helped Kristina brush up her skills too. The romantic comedy, a sequel to the 2011 film "Yamla Pagla Deewana", has been directed by Sangeeth Sivan. Kristina had a very rewarding experience shooting in London with the Deols - Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby - and now she is considering new projects that are coming her way. In "Yamla Pagla Deewana", Australian actress Emma Brown Garrett had featured opposite Sunny.
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ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
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Review
internet that keeps him and the narration drooling till the end. The film draws its reasonable power and energy from its mix of the playful and the somber. The two moods co-mingle in rewarding waves of episodic overtures where one by one, and the holidaying couple are swept into a vortex of horrific self-exploration. Rajeev Khandelwal is an actor who chooses unusual projects. His repertoire from "Aamir" to "Soundtrack" to "Shaitaan" and now "Table No.21" shows the mind of an actor in pursuit of excellence. Paresh Rawal's dependability as a performer of unpredictable skills never lets a script down. Here he is partly a slime-ball, party a screwball and finally a grieving angry father. Watch out for the innocent young Druv Ganesh as Rawal's son. As a victim of college ragging, his eyes will haunt your for a long time after the film is over.
there's more to millionaire Paresh Rawal's game plan than just millions of hits on the
Imran finds it scary to work Zeta-Jones keen to attend Kumbh Mela in India with Pankaj Kapur H
ollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones says she is planning to visit India to attend the Kumbh Mela in search of "peace and tranquility". She is also sure she can fit into a Bollywood film if she gets a "good opportunity". She is planning the trip with her husband Michael Douglas, and her children. "Personally, I've been going through a tough period in my life. What I require for my mental health and well-being is some peace and tranquillity. I swear by yoga, which I believe has its roots in India. So I really want to visit India again specifically during the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage and I am told it is a sight to behold for the eyes and soul," said the actress in a statement. "I'm hoping to find what I'm looking for here. I'm trying to make this happen with my family. If that doesn't work out I'm definitely coming on my own," added the 43-year-old. If it materializes, this will be the actress's second trip to the country. She had last visited in 2008, and was smitten by the beauty of Rajasthan and even visited Mumbai. As far as Bollywood is concerned, she s a i d : "Considering my musical experience, I think, I fit into Indian movies perfectly. I am not very familiar with actors but would love to work with some if a good opportunity comes."
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma and Pankaj Kapur in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
ctor Imran Khan, who is sharing celluloid space with Pankaj Kapoor for the first time in "Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola", says working with the veteran actor can be unnerving. "Pankaj-ji is a fantastic actor, but working with him is very scary," Imran said here Saturday during a promotional event for his film. "As soon as the director says 'action', he explodes as a bomb and the actor who is standing in front of him has to be ready to take whatever he is going to do, because if you are not ready, then the whole scene may get spoilt. So, you have to be alert and have to be on your toes. It is scary," he added. In "Matru...", Imran and Pankaj
will be seen playing the characters Matru and Mandola, respectively. The film, releasing Jan 11, also features actress Anushka Sharma. Many relate Imran with the romantic avatar he has displayed on screen through films like "Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na", "I Hate Luv Storys" and "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu", but he says in real life, he isn't so at all. "I am not romantic at all. I can't do this - buying gifts, giving roses and all that. I feel that if you are serious about a relationship, it is more than just that and all these things (gifting) is just for showing off," said Imran. Post "Matru...", Imran will be seen in "Mumbai Talkies" and "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again".
Sunny Leone Directed by Bhushan Patel and produced by Ekta Kapoor, Ragini MMS 2 is a sequel to 2011 horrorthriller Ragini MMS.
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DIASPORA
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag's eyes turned moist while addressing people of Wajidpur, Bihar
Four Indian-origin people among worst tax cheats in UK Indian flooded with pesky calls;
London: Eleven people of Asian-origin, including four of Indian descent, are among 32 persons figuring in the rogues' gallery of Britain's top tax criminals of 2012. Among the 11 people of Asian-origin, four of Indian descent are Davinder Singh Dhaliwal, Sandeep Singh Dosanjh, Navdeep Singh Gill and Ranjot Singh Chahal, according to a report in the Guardian. The tax office posted pictures of 32 tax cheats - A rogues' gallery of Britain's top tax criminals of 2012, ranging from cigarette and alcohol smugglers to professionals who set up complex avoidance schemes for the rich, the daily said. This is the first time such a list has been published online by HM Revenue and Customs. The 32 tax cheats were last year sentenced to a total of 155 years and 10 months behind bars. They include four men jailed for a total of 21 years and three months for one of the biggest alcohol smuggling frauds uncovered in the UK, worth 50 million pounds a year. Among the four is Davinder Singh Dhaliwal. In another case, a gang of three - Sandeep Singh Dosanjh, Navdeep Singh Gill and Ranjot Singh Chahal, set up a chain of bogus companies to trade fraudulently in EU emissions allowances - known as carbon credits and cheated the HMRC to the tune of 38 million pounds in VAT. Dosanjh received 15 years imprisonment, Gill 11 years and Chahal 9 years. Six people of Pakistani-origin figuring in the rogues' gallery are Mohammed Shabir Karim, Imran Bhatti and Kamran Bhatt. Another Asian involved was Murugasan Natarajan of Sri Lankan descent.
Rakesh Sagars number was erroneously announced during Channel 4s Big Fat Quiz of the Year
He said that last year, 171,649 people were arrested for various drug-related offences in the country. In 2011, 167,001 people were detained. He also said 2,872 foreigners were arrested last year compared to 1,162 people in 2011.
abuse from people who hate Jonathan Ross... Ofcom said they would look into it and suggested I change my number, but I paid a lot of money for it because it is a very easy number to remember so I'm not doing that". Channel 4 has apologized to him for the calls but insists viewers must have "guessed" his number because it was partially obscured onscreen. A Channel 4 spokesman said: "An illegible and non-functional number which contained more digits than a standard mobile number was shown very briefly on the contestant's panel on Big Fat Quiz of the Year." "We have apologized and have further obscured the digits on repeats of the show." The comic quiz show had already attracted complaints because of "disgraceful" jokes made about the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and US President Barack Obama.
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SUBCONTINENT
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with members of the Afghan High Peace Council although not directly with members of the Karzai government, which they have long shunned.
Malala Yousafzai was shot by a Taliban assassin as she took a bus home from school in Pakistan's northwest Swat region.
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INTERNATIONAL
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
President Hugo Chavez, who has not been seen in public for nearly a month, is suffering from a severe pulmonary infection
"If anyone has doubts, then go to the Supreme Court, go ahead to the Supreme Court, explain what your
doubts are," Diosdado Cabello, the National Assembly speaker, said in a stormy debate after the delay was
Under the deal, journalists involved in the protests would not be punished
Beijing: Journalists at a Chinese newspaper embroiled in a row over censorship have struck a deal to return to work, reports said as protesters demanding press freedom gathered for a fourth day. Demonstrators have this week massed outside the Guangzhou offices of the Southern Weekly, a popular liberal paper which had an article urging greater rights protection replaced with one praising the ruling party. Reports said that negotiations between government officials and the newspaper had reached an agreement that would see the journalists produce the next edition. The South China Morning Post said the province's Communist chief, a rising star in the party, had stepped in to mediate in the rare public dispute which is testing the new party leadership under Xi Jinping, installed in November. "There's a verbal agreement in place. Basically it's back to normal, but we'll see how the two sides react to each other in the future," Dow Jones Newswires quoted a
Southern Weekly editor as saying. Under the deal, journalists involved in the protests would not be punished and propaganda authorities would no longer directly interfere in content before publication, Dow Jones said. A handful of protesters gathered outside the Southern Weekly's offices, one of them in a wheelchair, holding banners calling for press freedom which police tried but failed to seize. At their peak on Monday the demonstrations drew hundreds of demonstrators, in a rare public challenge to the authorities on rights issues. As the campaign swelled, backed by support from the blogosphere and celebrities on social media, the state-run Global Times produced a hard-hitting editorial Wednesday called for limits on media liberties. "Freedom of the press must have limits. It should correspond to social demands, but also provide more than that," said the daily which is known for its outspoken nationalistic views.
Wildfires are a fact of life in arid Australia, where 173 people perished in the 2009 Black Saturday firestorm
small village in Yass Shire west of Canberra where a fire has so far burnt out 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres). More than 2,000 firefighters worked through the day tackling some 140 blazes across New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, with 30 of those uncontained.
New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell said an estimated 10,000 sheep had perished in the Yass area alone. Wildfires are a fact of life in arid Australia, where 173 people perished in the 2009 Black Saturday firestorm, the nation's worst natural disaster of modern times.
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BUSINESS
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India's business confidence Fitch issues fresh ratings warning to India worsened in Q3
New Delhi: Business confidence in India worsened during the OctoberDecember quarter, due to high interest rates and infrastructure bottlenecks, a survey by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has revealed. The CII's quarterly Business Confidence Index dropped below the 50-point-mark during the third quarter of the current financial year, reflecting a continuing deterioration in the macro economic scenario. The index dropped to 49.9 points for the October-December period as compared to 51.3 points recorded in the previous quarter and much below 55 points recorded in the first quarter of 2012-13. "Majority of respondents rated domestic economic developments, high interest rates, infrastructure bottlenecks and institutional issues among the key concerns," CII said in the survey report. The business confidence has worsened despite a series of economic reform measures taken by the government. India Inc gave "thumbs up" to the economic reform measures but feel that it was not enough to lift the confidence. "While reform measures undertaken by the government in the recent months will surely start yielding results, it is important that the momentum on reforms is not lost," said CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee. New Delhi: Ratings agency Fitch maintained its "negative" outlook on India's sovereign rating, citing concerns over slowing economic growth, inflationary pressures and an uncertain fiscal outlook, but that did not appear to jolt the government which said that the economy is on the right track. "We are not worried. We have been saying we are on right track. But people still distrust us and ask whether we will able to achieve fiscal deficit target... We will adhere to fiscal consolidation roadmap," economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram told a new agency. Fitch, along with Standard & Poor and Moody's have put India's sovereign rating outlook in negative category, raising the prospect of putting it in the junk grade if the economic fundamentals do not improve over the next few months. Fitch sovereign analyst Art Woo
Fitch, along with Standard & Poor and Moody's have put India's sovereign rating outlook in negative category
reiterated the agency's earlier warning. Although Woo described India's fiscal and economic reforms last year as a "step in the right direction", he also expressed concern that the government would miss its fiscal deficit target for the year, while suggesting that structural reform process were "sluggish".
During a conference call, Woo called growth "a bit disappointing" at a time of elevated wholesale price inflation, despite acknowledging signs of stabilization in the near-term for both indicators. The Fitch analyst also expressed concern about India's record current account deficit of 5.4% in the September quarter. India is staring at sub-6% expansion of its gross domestic product, the lowest in a decade as sluggish domestic and overseas demand have take a toll on manufacturing activity and has also affected the services sector. The farm sector, too, is expected to log in weaker rise in production on account of deficient rains. On the fiscal front, the government has been forced to revise its estimate from 5.1% of GDP to 5.3% on account of higher-thanbudgeted subsidies and lower-thatprojected revenue mop up.
portal through which safety information on food and drugs flows back and forth among FDA, the Indian government and industry. "Either we provide answers to their questions or we link them to the right people who can," he said. FDA's India office also shares information gleaned from facility inspections with Indian officials so they can take action to improve product safety and quality. FDA responds to requests from the Indian government to train representatives from industry, agriculture and commerce in agricultural and manufacturing standards and practices used in the US.
China economy to overtake India's foreign reserves up by near $40 mn US by 2019: research
Beijing: China will overtake the United States economically within six years, an official research institute predicts, and go on to become the world's most important country in three decades more, state media said Wednesday. The findings came from the Nation's Health Report issued by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Global Times said, without giving details of the criteria used for the prediction. China's economy would be larger than that of the US by 2019, it cited the document as saying, and China's "international status" would exceed that of the US by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. "National health" was defined as a country's "overall conditions... using resource sufficiency and wealth distribution as the major criteria", the Global Times said, but did not go into specifics. China ranked as the 11th "healthiest" country out of some 100 nations, it said, just behind Costa Rica, with Sweden in top position. The official Xinhua news agency said China was given a national health status of "up to standard", though the US, Japan and Britain were deemed "health deficient". The report could not immediately be independently obtained from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. China's stunning economic growth rates, increases in military spending and overlapping security interests in the AsiaPacific region with the US have sparked concerns the countries could find themselves increasingly at odds in coming decades as they jockey for global influence.
Mumbai: India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves increased by $39.6 million to $296.57 billion for the week ended Dec 28, 2012, data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed. The reserves had gone down by $92.8 million to $296.53 billion for the week ended Dec 21, 2012. The foreign currency assets
(FCA) - the biggest component of the forex reserves - went up by $63.9 million at $262.01 billion, according to the weekly statistical supplement released by the RBI. The FCA decreased by $169.9 million at $261.94 billion in the previous week. The central bank said FCA in US dollar terms included the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US
currencies held in reserve, such as the pound sterling, euro and yen. Gold reserves value remained the same at $27.80 billion. The value had dipped by $386.2 million in the week ended Nov 30. The value had remained unchanged at $28.18 billion since the week ended Nov 2, when the value of gold reserves rose by $56.4 million.
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SPORTS
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If India whitewash England in the five-match ODI series, it can reach top position
Dubai: World champions India can regain their No.1 spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI Championship table if they can whitewash England in the
five-match One-day International (ODI) series starting January 11 in Rajkot. While India play Pakistan in the five-match series, South Africa
Pakistan squared the two-match T20I series 1-1 and won the three-match ODI series 2-1 against India
in favor of national cricketers, fans showered rose-petals on the team as soon as they appeared
outside the airport lounge. Speaking to media at the airport, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq
Experts are bullish about the league that it will benefit not just India but the global field hockey fraternity
just India but the global field hockey fraternity. In an auction last month that was held along similar lines to the IPL, star player Sardar was the costliest player, selling for $78,000 to Delhi. Ace drag-flicker V.R. Raghunath was bought by Uttar Pradesh for $76,000, Australian star Jamie Dwyer went to Punjab for $60,000, German player Mortiz Fuertse was taken by Ranchi for $75,500 and Dutch great Nooijer sold to Uttar Pradesh Wizards for $66,000. Charlesworth, who has been associated with Indian teams in the past, thinks the league will offer budding Indian players a chance to compete with the best. India's national coach Michael Nobbs has previously expressed the hope that said the league will help identify future stars.
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FEATURES
January12-18, 2013
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After the downturn following the world financial crisis and Mumbai terror attack, foreign tourist arrivals have been on the rise. According to the Planning Commission Working Group on Tourism, India is targeting one percent of world tourist arrivals by 2017. India's share in international tourist arrivals in 2011 was 0.64 percent. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), nearly 40 million Indians are employed in tourism and the country has the highest growth potential
in this decade. And yet, growth in the sector has been inadequate -- a growth rate of 2.04 percent over six years 2005-11. Seized of these facts, the government last month relaxed tourist visa rules by lifting restrictions imposed on foreign visitors, barring those from a few selected countries. According to the tourism ministry, 6.29 million foreign tourists arrived in 2011, earning the country $16.5 billion. In the first 11 months of 2012, 5.89 million tourists came to India against 5.57 million in 2011, earn-
ing the nation $16.78 billion, a growth of 22.1 per cent over a similar period in 2011. And as more business is taking place in the digital space, the ministry would soon come out with a website listing important tourist destinations in the country and facilities available there. "This will serve as a comprehensive catalogue for the foreign and domestic tourists, including those who travel in the pilgrimage routes," said Dewan. A 2002 policy paper said "due importance should be given to
domestic tourism, particularly pilgrimage related". A host of factors like rising disposable income, popularity of weekend getaways, good marketing by states and a depreciating rupee curbing foreign travels have contributed to the growth of domestic tourism. Around 851 million domestic tourists travelled within the country in the January-October period in 2012, up from 748 million in 2011. India is targeting domestic tourism growth of about 12 percent by the end of year 2017.
26
LIFESTYLE
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The trophy designed for iGate CEO Cup Golf is 21 inch tall, weighs 8.6 kgs and is embellished with diamonds and rubies. precious stones. "This was the first trophy that Guinness listed as the world's tallest and heaviest trophy and is called Trilok Rachna trophy owned by the marble company RK Marbles which displays it at Kishangarh in Ajmer district of Rajasthan. It is a premier event and we should have a trophy a CEO will be proud to lift. Pabuwal is distinguished for his work creating one-ofa-kind trophies. He holds the worlds highest credentials in trophy making while crafting several world cups, acclaimed for design and workmanship. He designed the worlds first Guinness world-record trophy Trilok Rachna, said Phaneesh Murthy, CEO, iGATE. iGATE, the first integrated technology and operations company providing Business
Heres a list of news and comments that streamed onto our desktops and smartphones, 140 characters at a time.
President Obama's tweet declaring reelection victory with this photo was the one most retweeted in the history of Twitter online to gather solidarity to ban the use of automatic weapons. Apple- Samsung trial verdict: Samsungs patent infringement was widely discussed topic on twitter. Curiosity Mars Rovers landing: NASA's Curiosity Rover had a significant social presence across networks like Twitter and Foursquare. The Rover also has an official Twitter account. Social media users, especially Facebok, Pinterest and Twitter cheered as the rover Curiosity survived "seven minutes of terror" to land on the surface of Mars, and shared the first tiny photographs it sent. Neil Armstrongs and Sally Rides death: Twitter users mourned the death of both astronauts. Pakistani young activist Malala Yousafzai shot for advocating education for girls: Anger raged like a wild fire on social media circles after 14 year old peace activist, Malala Yousafzai was shot twice in Swat valley,
Felix Baumgartner standing in his capsule about to dive. His jump from the edge of space was the most watched and shared video. Pakistan. tweets on voting day numbered 31-million. Felix, first skydiver to break the speed of Debate-watchers real-time reactions gave sound: Video of Felix Baumgartner jumping birth to a new mainstream meme with each from the very edge of space became the most session. watched and shared video. Presidents tweet announcing his victory: London Olympics: The unprecedented Obamas three word tweet and photo shared real-time gathering, which produced 150 mil- just after his victory had become the most lion tweets in just 16 days, gave people retweeted tweet in history, with more than 817 around the globe an inside view into the 000 users retweeting the post. On the day the games but also caused plenty of tension in the results came out, his Twitter handle was menU.S., as results were typically broadcast tioned over 3.2-million times and while the through social channels before NBC showed votes were being tallied, Twitter pulsed at them on television. over 327 000 tweets per minute. Race to Presidential elections: Both camBenedict XVI on Twitter: The Pope made paigns were eager to capitalize on social dis- his Twitter debut in eight languages. He realtribution channels to reach citizens. Twitter ized the importance of social media to connect became a virtual hub for conversations about with the youth.Superstorm Sandy: Superstorm the US Presidential election from the early Sandys devastating trail of destruction was debates to the day Barack Obama found out he captured most poignantly by those who expehad been re-elected. The first presidential rienced her first-hand. On October 29, debate generated 10-million tweets, the final Instagram users shared their Sandy images at one garnered 6.5-million and election-themed a rate of nearly 10 per second.
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REAL ESTATE
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This is the second and final part of Intelligent Investing in India by Hema Virani, who last week discussed the perks of investing and here outlines the risks involved and how to minimize their dangers.
lthough you can never make your real estate investments risk-free, you can decrease the risks. Always check the credentials and track record of a developer before investing in his or her project. Talk to the projects customers and verify the status of their past projects. Never base your decisions on ads.
Pitfall No 1: PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN will never see the light of day (or will be delayed). Then the value of the property may remain stagnant or even fall. Solution: VERIFY CLAIMS made by the builder. All infrastructure proposals are in public domain; however, accessing this information is difficult. You can find some proposed infrastructure such as roads in the approved building plan, which should be available at the builder's site office," says Manish Sinha, CEO, Favista.com. "Proposed highways, railroad links, etc, can be found in the city master plan that is available with the district town planner," he adds. Pitfall No 2: DELAYED PROJECTS - Delay in getting possession is common at several loca-
tions, especially the DelhiNational Capital Region (NCR), Mumbai and Chennai. The risk of delay is high in prelaunch and launch stages and decreases as construction nears completion (but then your investment return will be less also). Solution: You can reduce this risk by choosing a developer with a good record of timely delivery. Check that all the clearances are in place and purchase further along in the development. Pitfall No 3: VALUATION RISK - Investors will have to look at the current market value and if it will be a profitable investment for the future. In India, there is a lack of qualified professional valuers and ignorance about valuation
services which can be availed through various companies, financial institutions and independent valuers. Solution: To be sure, you MUST get the property valued by QUALIFIED professionals. Pitfall No 4: HOME LOAN Banks usually limit installments at 40-50 per cent of the borrower's salary. The loan amount is capped at 70-80 per cent value of the property. However, this does not eliminate the risks. i) If interest rates rise, the risk of default is high, ii) If construction is delayed or the value of the property does not rise fast enough to yield a return that can cover the cost of funds, you will end up losing money. iii) Also, if the price of the
property falls to less than the loan amount, your equity in the house will turn negative. Solution: Tax-saving should not be the sole criterion for buying a property. If the interest rate on the loan is less than the return, it makes sense to take a home loan for investment. Today, the real estate sector is giving much better returns than the home loan rates and banks are also more comfortable lending to individuals rather than real estate projects. Pitfall No 5: CIRCUMVENTING RULES Property sales are often carried out through power of attorney (PoA), a contract where the seller passes on the right to maintain, rent, lease, mortgage or sell the property to the buyer. A PoA does not transfer ownership rights. Solution: Transaction of immovable properties through PoA has no legal sanctity. According to a Supreme Court ruling in October 2011, immovable properties can be sold or transferred only through REGISTERED DEEDS. Buying on PoA is risky even when the agreement can be registered. "There are so many cases where the person selling the property does not hold the power of attorney in the right manner," says Sinha of
Favista.com. Pitfall No 6: Title disputes - All land-sale transactions are registered. However, land title records in India are in very bad shape and not digitized. Several land-related transactions such as partition, mortgage, agreement to sell, court order and acquisition are not required to be registered. Even when a sale is registered, the history of the title is not verified. "What we have is presumed ownership, which is questionable and can be challenged on multiple fronts - ownership, extent of boundary, financial encumbrances and inheritance sub-divisions," says Swati Ramanathan, cofounder of Janaagraha. Solution: Verify that the seller is AUTHURIZED TO SELL the land, the title is clear, there are no pending taxes/dues, clearances for further development are in place, and the plot is approved by the city development corporation and other local authorities. Hema Virani is a Certified Commercial Investment Management Designee as well as an investor. She also holds an Associate Brokers license for over 10 years in the New York area. For a free compilation of India Government resources, ask her at hema@hemavirani.com.
Self Help
Take a bite out of your familys food bills in the new year
f it seems like your grocery store bills are getting bigger, youre not imagining it: food prices are on the rise, and poised to go higher. Scarce rainfall plus last summer s record-breaking heat wave resulted in scorched crops in many of the nations grainproducing regions. The reduced fall harvest has created higher prices at the supermarket now, for products ranging from boxes of cereal to bottles of soda, and from bacon to beef. The World Bank has even warned that high and volatile food prices may be the new normal. Luckily, shoppers can take a few easy steps to help ease the bite on food budgets. Buy fewer processed food products. That means buying fresh fruit instead of processed packaged fruit snacks, or peanuts in the shell rather than shelled, roasted and salted peanuts in a can. Less processing equals greater value, explains Kara Newman, author of The Secret Financial Life of Food: From Commodities Markets to Supermarkets. When you buy packaged food, only 15 to 20 cents of every dollar goes toward the raw commodities used in that product, Newman says, citing a USDA study that focused on price inputs
for a typical box of corn flakes. In that box, 15 percent to 20 percent of the price goes toward the raw corn, she explains -- the rest goes toward processing, transportation and fuel, advertising, and other expenses related to getting a box on a retail shelf. In the end, you pay more for the packaging than you do for the corn in your corn flakes! Try out Meatless Mondays. Consider preparing vegetarian meals at least once a week. In 2012, the steepest food price increases were among beef and veal, and poultry products, according to USDA figures -- and those products are expected to trend higher still in 2013. By comparison, fresh vegetables were the only category that saw a decline in prices last year. Cant bear to go completely veggie? Try subbing eggs, dairy and fish for beef and poultry -those products have had slightly gentler price increases. Cut out the middleman. One of the secrets nobody tells you is that you can opt out of buying commodity products if you want, Newman notes. To do that, shop at greenmarkets where you can buy direct from farmers and other food producers.
freshed, you may be suffering from insomnia. To help you get better sleep this year, Dr. Thorpy suggests these simple tips: Set and stick to a sleep schedule. Establish a regular bedtime and wake time. Set aside time at night to wind down. Spend some quiet time before bedtime. Such activities as watching TV, using the computer or working right before bedtime, or in the bedroom, can make it harder to fall asleep. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. Exercise regularly. Just dont exercise rigorously near bedtime and check with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen. Dont clock-watch. If you awaken in the middle of the night and stay in bed, dont lie there staring at the clock. And dont watch TV or use your laptop or cell phone, because these technologies stimulate the brain, making it tougher to fall back to sleep. If these tips dont help, speak with your healthcare professional to help determine if you are suffering from insomnia and require treatment.
28
HUMOR
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Too many idiots running around with guns. Gun control? Are you crazy? We dont need gun control. We need people control. Whacha mean? Guns dont kill people. People kill people. Dont know where I heard that, but it makes sense to me. So how ya gonna control people? Thats easy. With guns. Whacha mean? If idiots are running into schools with guns, other people need to use guns to stop them. This isnt rocket science, you know. Wouldnt it be easier to keep guns away from idiots? No way, man. Keeping guns away from idiots would be like keeping pasta away from Italians. Youd have the mafia after you. But shouldnt we at least make an effort to keep guns away from idiots? No way, man. Just because youre an idiot doesnt mean you cant own a gun. Thats whats great about America. We
have the Second Amendment, which gives everyone, even idiots, the right to bear arms. And if theres one right that idiots value, its the right to bear arms. Take my cousin Clayton. He owns eight guns, including three semi-automatic rifles. I asked him if he values the right to bear arms and he said, Yeah, why dya think Im always wearing a tank top? I want people to see my guns. And then he flexed his biceps. Sounds like a real genius. Oh, hes a genius all right. He dropped out of school after eighth grade, has never held a job for more than six weeks. They fired him at the gas station cause he kept sniffing the gas and they fired him at the fish market cause he kept sniffing the bass. Why does he need eight guns? Thats what I keep asking myself. Why would anybody need eight guns? Im quite happy with just five. But Clayton, hes a little strange. He even ordered himself an M203 grenade launcher, like they use in the Army. I asked him why he needed one, and he said, Dont ask me, bro. Ask the voices in my head.
Arent you afraid he might do something crazy, like attack a school? No way, man. Clayton is harmless. Hed never go near a school. Hes too scared of education. But other people out there, you never know. Thats why we need to protect our schools better. Whatcha mean? All principals need to have guns in their offices. Secretaries and teachers too and lets not forget about the janitors. Janitors too? You gotta be kidding? Yeah, the janitors should have a special gun with a barrel on one end and a mop head on the other. Isnt that what a janitor is for anyway keeping the scum out of our schools? So you want the entire staff to have guns? Yes, but theres more to my plan. Just imagine if every desk has a secret compartment under it. Whenever theres an intruder in school, the principal would push a button, unlock the compartment and a gun would fall out. Id love to see the intruders face when he walks into a classroom and sees 30 guns pointed at him! So you want the entire staff to be armed and students to have access to guns in an emergency? Bingo! Hearing that word, Finkelberger looked at his watch. Oh no, he said. Im late. Edna will kill me. Then youd better get Yeah, I know. Get a gun. No, I was gonna say, get going. What do you take me for an idiot? Finkelberger didnt answer. He just waved and hurried to the door.
Indian Bindis are hot trend in winter bling in the US. Instagram posts from (clockwise L-R) Imogen Searra, Lizzy X Bradley, Bum-blebeez, Jessie Rose Indie, Maile Shantii, Rebel Diamond. (Instagram)
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ASTROLOGY
29
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874 Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899 psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
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30
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
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Staying silent for any reason begins with desire and passion. Whatever we want to do we can achieve. If we have a desire to improve our body, we learn how to silence any distractions to accomplish our goal. If we desire to improve our mind or entertain our mind, we have no trouble silencing any interruptions to achieve our desired outcome.
attention into gazing within. All great saints practiced and perfected sitting in silence. For example, when Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj moved to Beas, he moved into a small hut made of straw and branches. The hut was eight feet long by eight feet wide. It was then plastered with mud and a small cave was dug out. He would go into the cave and meditate in there for days. Sometimes he would stay in meditation there for two weeks, going without any food, as he was absorbed in the inner spiritual journey. Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj used to meditate up to eight hours a day, even when he held a full time job, raised a family, and did selfless service. He would sometimes meditate by the river and outs to keep fit and build our muscles. We snatch away time from our other pursuits when we feel something is important. We spend time daily preparing food that we feel will be delicious, nutritious, or weight-reducing. This reminds me of a humorous story. A family had decided to all go on a diet. The husband was on a diet, the wife was on a diet, and the kids were on a diet. After many months, the husband remarked, "This does not seem fair. We have been on a diet for months and we are not losing weight. The only thing losing weight is the refrigerator." Whether we are eating food for taste, nutrition, or weight loss, we are still spending a considerable amount of time on feeding our body. It takes time to shop, to buy
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