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The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol.6 No. 3 May 11-17, 2013 60 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Gilanis son abducted as Taliban threaten Pak poll
Two Manmohan ministers on chopping block

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal is likely to be dropped & Law Minister Ashwani Kumar stripped of his portfolio.
Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar
Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud and (inset) Yousaf Raza Gilani
Islamabad: Gunmen kidnapped the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday as fears of election violence were raised by a letter from the leader of the Pakistani Taliban revealing plans for suicide bomb attacks on polling day to undermine the
vote. Gunmen kidnapped Ali Haider Gilani, son of a stalwart of the outgoing Pakistan People's Party (PPP), as he was headed to a political gathering in Multan, police said. Ali Haiders secretary and guard were shot dead in the attack. Continued on page 4
2 sex crime cases captivate Americans
New Delhi: In a Union Cabinet reshuffle in the offing, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may ask Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal to quit. Bansal, under a cloud over his kin's involvement in bribery allegation for a plum railway board posting, skipped the cabinet meeting chaired by Singh Thursday. Law Minister Ashwani Kumar is likely to be given some other portfolio. He faced the ire of the Supreme Court on Wednesday for allegedly vetting of a CBI probe report on irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks. The apex court made a reference to the law minister's role and asked: "Does it not subvert the integrity of the investigation if changes are brought in status report on the sug-
Minister of Railways Pawan K. Bansal ready to present the rail budget 2013-14.
gestion of Law Minister and government officers." Opposition parties including the BJP and CPI-M have demanded Continued on page 4
Immigration bill survives 1st test as GOP amendment on border security thwarted
Jodi Arias teared up Amanda Berry (right) with her sister and in court when guilty daughter after the rescue. She was one of verdict of first degree the three women Ariel Castro abducted and kept as sex slaves in Cleveland. murder was read.
Cleveland/Phoenix: Whistleblower account of the attack on US mission Attempts in Senate to derail the immigration bill. But the wall to wall media coverage was cornered by two sex crime cases, and the salacious details thereof, which captivated Americans.
Even as the Jodi Arias case brutally murdering his boyfriendwas reaching denouement in Phoenix, AZ after months of lurid details presented in court and shown on TV -news broke that three women who went missing in separate cases about Continued on page 4
Washington DC: The bipartisan coalition behind a contentious overhaul of immigration laws stuck together on a critical early series of test votes Thursday, turning back challenges from conservative critics as the Senate Judiciary Committee refined legislation to secure the borders and grant eventual citizenship to millions living in the US illegally. In a room packed with lobbyists and immigration activists, the panel rejected moves to impose tougher Continued on page 4
Supporters for immigration reform from the group Campaign for Citizenship say a prayer prior to the start of the reform bill's markup before the Senate Judiciary Committee May 9.
US Affairs 9
Architecture 15
Bollywood Centenary 16
Spiritual Awareness 30
excellence in journalism
May 11-17, 2013
CULTURE
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
IALI and Bhavan join hands with Hofstra University.

ofstra University's 30th anniversary of its annual Dutch Festival was held on May 5 at the university's South Campus. For the first time in its history, the festival program included India as a featured country. India Association of Long Island (IALI), in partnership with the Nartan Rang Dance School of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, presented an engaging program of dance and music, along with a sampling of ethnic foods, to an enthusiastic crowd. Dr. Kishore Kuncham, President of IALI, Swati Vaishnav, Cultural Chair of IALI and the Artistic Director of Nartan Dance School, along with Richard Wolcott, Director of Event Management at Hofstra University, banded together to make India's debut at the festival a grand affair. The show took on a life of its own with the guests enjoying the sights and sounds of the different regions
of India. The dignitaries included the Consul General of India in New York, Amb. Dnyaneshwar Mulay; Nassau County Executive Mangano, represented by Kamlesh Mehta, Director of Business & Economic Development; former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi; Sunil Modi, President, AIA-NY; Dr. Tarun Wasil, President of AAPI-QLI; and Dr. Dev Ratnam, President of the Rotary Club of Hicksville-South. Amb. Mulay in his remarks said, You dont have to go to India, you can see Kashmir to Kanyakumari right here. Dr. Kuncham lauded all participating youngsters and dance teachers Swati Vaishnav, Dr. Arti Datta, Sadhana Paranji, Uma Putane, Satya Pardeep, Shilpa Mithaiwala, and Sahityasri Thapi -- for their choreography and dedication. Jassis graciously provided free lunch to all the participants.
Students performed different classical and folk dances.
Children performing Ganesh songs
Folk dance from Kashmir
Girls singing Vande Matram
Garba of Gujarat
Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay felicitated by Swati Vaishnav.
Dignitaries and dance teachers at the event thanked by Dr Kishore Kuncham (on the mike), IALI President.
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
May 11-17, 2013
Cricket finds a home in New York

New York: Cricket, the favorite sport of South Asians, has finally found a home in the land of baseball in the Bronx, one of the five boroughs of New York City. The new cricket complex with 10 new cricket fields in Van Cortlandt Park makes up the largest site in the United States for the sport, according to city officials cited by the New York Times. Designed as part of a $13 million renovation of a wide, grassy expanse of the park once used as a parade ground, the cricket complex reflects the growing diversity of New Yorkers and their pastimes, the US daily said. Last Sunday, more than 100 cricket players joined diplomats from countries including Jamaica and Britain to break in the new cricket fields. "When you see fields like this, you want to play," Dolip Dhanpat, 40, a delivery driver who was waiting with his team to take a turn, was quoted as saying. "It's a blessing." About 10 percent of the city's 8.2 million residents are of South Asian
Racist slur targeted at Nikki Haley by Dem leader

New York: The Indian American community is shocked to learn about the racist remarks targeted at South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Well send Nikki Haley back to wherever the hell she came from," said Dick Harpootlian, South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman, at an event attended by US Vice President Joe Biden, Mail Online reported last Friday. The comment obviously cast aspersions on Haleys Indian heritage. Harpootlian made the comment in support of Democrat Vince Sheheen, who has declared he will run for governor. IAFPE (Indian American Forum for Political Education) has joined with other Indian community organizations in condemning the remarks of Harpootlin and wish Joe Biden will join rest of the country in demanding unconditional apology for Harpootlin remarks, said Dr Sampat Shivangi,
The new cricket complex with 10 cricket fields in Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx is the largest site in the US for the sport.
or West Indian descent, including a fast-expanding Bangladeshi population in the Bronx, according to an analysis of census data by Queens College. With the new complex, the Bronx has a total of 18 dedicated cricket fields, more than any other borough, according to city officials cited by the Times. Brooklyn is next with 16 fields, followed by Queens, with 13. While cricket has thrived in the Bronx, earlier the fields had to be
shared with soccer, rugby and football teams, the Times said. Soccer balls often came bouncing into cricket games. By contrast, the new fields sitting side by side have been carefully measured to regulation size and declared off limits to other sports, it said. The cricket complex took three years to complete, one more than planned, city officials cited by the Times said, because the grass seed did not take and had to be replanted.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley
National President of IAFPE. The incident was not the first in which a member of the self-professed party of racial harmony and fairness went after Gov. Haley. In late 2011, an Occupier made a death threat against her.
Chris Christie reveals secret weight loss surgery

New Jersey: New Jersey governor Chris Christie secretly underwent gastric band surgery in February to try to lose weight at the urging of his family, his spokesman said. The father of four agreed to the surgery, in which a tube was placed around his stomach to restrict the amount of food he can eat, after turning 50 in September, he told the New York Post. He said he wasn't motivated by thoughts of running for president. Christie was one of the Republican Party's most popular voices until he heaped praise on Democratic President Barack Obama for his response to Hurricane Sandy. But he remains very popular in his home state and is often mentioned as a potential 2016 presidential contender. His weight is the subject of constant discussion from being a punch line for latenight TV comedians to speculation about whether it could hurt a run for president. "I've struggled with this issue for
Protest at Pak consulate against Sarabjits death in custody
The protest was organized by INOC (I) USA
NJ Governor Chris Christie looks to have shed some weight.
20 years," the governor said. "For me, this is about turning 50 and looking at my children and wanting to be there for them."
New York: A large crowd of IndianAmericans protested the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in a Pakistani jail at a protest rally organized by the Indian National Overseas Congress (I) USA on May 5 in front of the Consulate of Pakistan here. Sarabjit died following a vicious assault by fellow inmates in a jail in Lahore. We share the grief of the family and of the nation, said George Abraham, President of the INOC (I), USA. Civility and the international
law that should govern foreign prisoners in custody are thrown out of the window and Pakistan may be in violation of the Geneva protocol in this regard, his statement added. It is a barbaric crime and the real culprits are the Pakistani authorities and they cannot absolve themselves of responsibility, said Shudh Prakash Singh, Senior VicePresident of the INOC (I), USA who also led the protest. "The Indian and American governments should deal sternly with Pakistan and stop
all aid to the nation with worst record in exporting terrorism and violating human rights of minorities", he added. Earlier Shudh Parkash Singh had issued an emotional appeal to all leading Indian organizations regardless of their political or religious affiliations to join in the protest. In response to the appeal, many organizations like Indian American Forum, Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation, India Association of Long Island supported the initiative taken by INOC (I).
May 11-17, 2013
TURN PAGE
Two Manmohan ministers story Continued from page 1 Bansal's resignation after his nephew Vijay Singla was arrested by the CBI for taking a Rs 90 lakh bribe. A Delhi court Thursday sent Singla and four others, including prime accused and railway official Mahesh Kumar, to judicial custody till May 20. Immigration bill survives Ist test story Continued from page 1 conditions on border security before immigrants who entered the country illegally could take the first steps along a new pathway toward citizenship. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Jeff Flake who helped draft the bill - joined all 10 Democrats in blocking the changes. Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican who has yet to announce a position on the overall legislation, opposed one and supported the others. Assuming the core political alignment remains intact, the committee is expected to approve the measure within two weeks and clear the way for an epic showdown on the Senate floor in June. White House aides watched from the sidelines as the committee began its work on a bill that President Barack Obama has made a top priority in the opening months of his second term. Painstakingly negotiated by a bipartisan "Gang of Eight," the measure would clear the way for tens of thousands of new high-tech and lesserskilled workers to enter the country while also requiring all employers to check the legal status of their employees. But it was the core trade-off securing the border against future illegal immigration while setting up a 13-year process by which immigrants unlawfully in the country could qualify for citizenship that generated the most controversy by far. Gilanis son abducted story Continued from page 1 Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, in a message to the group's spokesman, outlined plans for attacks, including suicide blasts, in all four of the country's provinces. "We don't accept the system of infidels which is called democracy," Mehsud said in the letter, dated May 1, and obtained by Reuters on Thursday. Since April, the al Qaeda-linked Pakistani Taliban have killed more than 100 people in attacks on candidates and rallies, particularly
those of secular-leaning parties, in a bid to undermine elections they regard as unIslamic. The attacks have prevented candidates from the three main parties in the ruling coalition from holding big rallies. Instead, they have relied on door-to-door campaigning or small meetings in homes or on street corners. The Pakistani Taliban have not attacked the main opposition party led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which has courted support from groups accused of supporting militancy. Sharif, who is seen as favorite to become the next prime minister, says Pakistan should reconsider its support for the U.S. war on Islamist militancy and suggests he would be in favor of negotiations with the Taliban. Two sex crime cases story Continued from page 1 a decade ago were rescued from a house in Cleveland, OH, on Monday. They were kidnapped, kept under lock and key and sexually abused by the suspect Ariel Castro, 52. Castro, an unemployed bus driver, was arrested after 27-year-old Amanda Berry managed to call out to a neighbor and eventually called 911. Berry bore a child during captivity while Michelle Knight, 32, was reportedly forced to abort five times. The third girl, Gina DeJesus went missing at age 14 while returning from school. Besides abduction and rape, prosecutors are considering filing aggravated murder charges against Castro, a charge that would make him eligible for the death penalty. He is said to have confessed to some of his crimes. His two brothers, also taken into custody, were found not involved. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a jury found 32year-old Arias, a wannabe photographer, guilty of first degree murder in the 2008 death of her boyfriend, Travis Alexander, stabbing him 27 times and shooting him twice in the head at his home. The same jury will weigh in on the aggravators in the crime, and recommend life in prison or death for her. In an interview to Fox, Arias said she was surprised by the first degree murder verdict because there was no premeditation on my part. Now, she would prefer death penalty. I believe death is the ultimate freedom, she said.
Indian Cultural Association of central Jersey holds Spring Festival
Chief Guest Congressman Frank Pallone, ICA President Kalpana Dalal at the event.(right) Emcees of the show: Avi Desai, Avish Jain, Sapna Mehta, & Aashini Desai.
Matawan, NJ: The Indian Cultural Association of Central Jersey (ICA of CJ) celebrated their annual spring festival 2013 on May 4 with a colorful cultural program that incorporated traditional and Bollywood mix of dances at Matawan High School, NJ. The theme of the program reflected cultural and devotional performances on Holi, Radha Krishna, and patriotic songs. The program was presented and emceed by young Sapna Mehta, Avish Jain, Avi Desai and Aashini Desai. Different flavors of Indian mythology behind Radha and Krishan were depicted in various dances such as the one on "Woh Kisna Hai" song , directed by Zohal Shah.
Punjabs Bhangra was presented in colorful costumes; directed by Sheela Mehta it became the popular pick of the audience. A special musical classical melody was presented by a group of kids playing 16 instruments like Tabla, Flute, Violin, and Clarinet, arranged by Shalin Sukhia. The program concluded with a grand finale with all the participants singing the Indian National Anthem with Chief Guest Congressman Frank Pallone. The Cultural Program was coordinated by Vijya Parmar. ICA was established in 1982 and is dedicated to the goal of preserving, promoting and enhancing Indian culture and its values among the new generation of children.
Kaptain Kirkland honors Ashok Sapra

Uniondale, NY: The KAPTAIN event was presented by Ashok Sapra and Leonard Weissbach of Los Angeles at the Marriott, Uniondale on April 27 and sponsored by The Global Corporate Awards. Weissbach is a leading accountant/business manager to the Hollywood celebs. Kaptain is a designer to the rich and famous whose patented bubble leather scores of rock stars and celebs have been wearing for over 20 years. He is taking this to India in a joint venture. Kaptain also wants to take Bollywood to Hollywood as he has a studio ready to film Indian stars with Hollywood stars.
Kaptain (left) presented trophy to Ashok Sapra and also Global Corporate Award for Public Relations.
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TRISTATE COMMUNITY
May 11-17, 2013
US India Business Council to protest against immigration bill

Washington, DC: The US India Business Council (USIBC) is planning to launch a major campaign, on a scale witnessed during the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, against certain provisions in the US immigration reform bill, in particular those related to much sought after H1B visas. In addition to mounting its own effort and putting in all its resources to convince the US lawmakers that the killer provisions of the comprehensive immigration reform bill - that has been introduced in the Senate by the bipartisan group of eight Senators called the Gang of Eight - the top business group representing the interest of US companies doing business in India is in the final stages of hiring a top lobbying firm for the purpose. With time running fast, the USIBC, its member companies and the lobbying firm are expected to fan across the Capitol Hill to what its proponents argue to make the case that the US-India knowledge economy is the centerpiece of the relationship and the free movement of technical professionals is as vital as is the free movement of manufacturing. USIBC, which had written a letter to the Gang of Eight before they introduced their immigration bill in the Senate, believes that it makes no sense for the US to advance a policy that turns away talented, highly-educated individuals who want to contribute to America's prosperity and competitiveness. It argues that the bill would put the US at a relative disadvantage in the global marketplace, driving away skilled workers to go elsewhere, including to Canada and Europe. And the proposed caps on H1B visas will instead put a cap on economic growth in both the US and India, something that is bad for US domestic markets and the global economy, it argues. With its membership comprising of top American companies like Boeing, Pepsico and General Electricals, USIBC, which is one of the best advocate of India-US relationship in the town, feels that the bill is a missed opportunity to promote economic growth in a meaningful way. Not only the bill is "at best aggressively protectionist", Indian-born, highly-skilled workers are also disproportionally affected in the bill, USIBC members feel and it is this strong believe in that it has decided to launch a massive lobbying effort at the Hill. "We are deeply concerned about aspects of the negotiations that have been reported in the press that could actually hinder US innovation, growth and competitiveness, as well as do serious harm to USIndia relations," USIBC president Ron Somers had told the Gang of Eight in a letter dated March 22. "Particularly targeted by the proposed restrictions would be global IT services companies headquartered in India, which are in fact enabling American companies to remain globally competitive," he then said. The Confederation of Indian Industry too has written to the gang of eight on this issue. In a letter to the Gang of Eight, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had expressed concerns about provisions related to H1B and L1 visas. "CII is of the opinion that the provisions on H1B visas in particular would be against the interests of Indian companies, and create an unequal playing field for them. CII urges the US Congress to reject such discriminatory provisions," said Chandrajit Banerjee, the director general of CII.
NYTS celebrates new year by feeding the needy

New York: The New York Tamil Sangam (NYTS) celebrated the Tamil New year in a noble way by "Feeding the poor and needy" under the able presidency of current president Dr M N Krishnan. This year marks its twenty-third event and it was held on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 St Paul's Ave, Stapleton Staten Island. NYTS executive committee and members, Church officials and volunteers assembled at the church at 11 am and started the event. About two hundred people attended this event from all over Staten Island and some from Brooklyn. All the attendees were received with typical greetings from NYTS members at the church, seated with comfort and served with hot meal, which included salad, roast beef, baked potatoes, steamed mixed vegetables, roll and butter, fruit juice, coffee, water and some delicious cake. This event was highlighted by giving away a nice t-shirt to all the poor and needy. As usual, this year's 'Feeding the poor and needy' event was also coordinated and organized well by Dr Krishnan family. NYTS thanked all its members, volunteers, church officials and participants for making this event a memorable one, specifically to Bruno, chief chef at the church for his wonderful food prepared with dedication and served with love.
2013 New York Indian Film Festival announces its awards Shahid, Anumati and Color of Sky emerge winners
The NYIFF Closing Night presenters and filmmakers.
(Photo: Nydreams.com/Fahim Feroj)
200 people from Staten Island and Brooklyn benefited through the event
New York: The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) announced the winners of its competition categories at a ceremony at the prestigious Skirball Center, in the final event for the monumental festival, which ran April 30 May 4. The winners were chosen from 18 narrative, 10 documentaries (feature length or shorter) and 8 shorts from the Indian subcontinent and its diaspora. Top honors were awarded to Anumati directed by Gajendra Ahire, for Best Feature Film as well as Best Actor in a Feature Film for Vikram Gokhales impressive turn as a desperate husband, Ratnakar, on a mission to save his dying wife. The award for Best Feature Film was jointly presented by Consul General of India, Ambassador Mulay and Ambassador Manjeev Puri. Top Chef judge Padma Lakshmi presented the
Best Actor award. Director Hansal Mehta took home the Best Director of a Feature Film award for his compelling film Shahid, which traces the true story of slain human rights activist lawyer Shahid Azmi. The director, in addition to receiving an award, presented an award that night, alongside Farooque Sheikh, to the Best Young Actor in a Feature Film. Suraj Negi was honored for his role as the titular character in Hansa. Deepti Naval was also honored in her role as Leela Krishnamoorthy, a middle aged widow, in debut filmmaker Avinash Kumar Singhs Listen Amaya. This film reunited Farooque Sheikh and Deepti Naval as a romantic screen pair after over two decades. The award was fittingly presented by renowned actor Aasif Mandvi and actress Sarita Choud-
hury. Respected Malayalam cinema filmmaker/writer Dr. Biju was awarded for Best Screenplay by presenter Monica Dogra for his vision in Kashathinte Niram (Color of Sky), and the Best Documentary award went to The Only Real Game, directed by Mirra Bank, with the award presented by Sujata Thakur, Incredible India. Best Short Film went to Khaana, directed by Cary Sawhney. The award was presented by House of Cards actress Sakina Jaffrey. This year the Festival also had an award for the one-minute cell phone Bollywood short film. Created under the supervision of Professor Karl Bardosh, NYU students were tasked with creating music videos to popular Bollywood sound tracks, culminating in an impressive batch of viral mobile films, all in consideration for the esteemed award.
May 11-17, 2013
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Kataria & group asks Ban Ki-moon to press India to give refuge to Hindus from Pak
New York: The Indian American Intellectuals Forum has written a letter to UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon highlighting the worsening plight of minorities in Pakistan and in particular about 500 Hindu families from that country who are seeking sanctuary in India. Citing the precedent that India has taken in and settled Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators, Muslim refugees from Myanmar, etc, the letter implores the Secretary General, We request your Excellency to ask the Indian authorities for using the same humanitarian approach and yardstick in granting citizenship/asylum to the nearly 500 Pakistani Hindu pilgrims now waiting in the Indian capital. To escape the Islamic tyranny of Pakistan they have requested permission for staying in India permanently. The letter from the Forum, signed by its President Narain Kataria and others, has asked Ban and the World Body for immediate intervention to save the Hindu pilgrims lives and restore their long lost human and religious rights. The letter notes that for the ethnic minorities whether they be Hindu or Sikh, being law abiding citizens in the Islamic State of Pakistan is not enough. They have been subjected to the worst form of suppression, oppression and extreme degrees of discrimination primarily because of their religion. In order to break their spirits, belittle and humiliate them, their places of worship are routinely looted, vandalized, desecrated and burnt to ground in their presence. Abduction, raping, and conversion of the ethnic minority women as also their forcible marriages with Muslim men is considered a Quranic deed for which Allah is supposed to reward them. The Forum quotes advocate Amarnath Motumal, a member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan confirming that at least 25 Hindu girls are abducted every month. The persecuted families of the victims can hardly risk registering cases against the influential perpetrators as death threats are issued to them in case they raise their voice. So, the victims choose to remain silent to save their lives, Motumal said.
'Sinister' quest for gold lands man 20 years' prison

New York: A Jersey City man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for targeting Indian-American families for their high-quality jewelry in a series of home break-ins in 2009. Miguel Ortiz and his crew of burglars took their search for gold to a "sinister" level, said Superior Court Judge Charles Delehey on Thursday sentencing Ortiz at the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly, New Jersey, according to phillyBurbs.com. Delehey, noting the sophisticated nature of Ortiz's operation and his extensive criminal history for similar crimes, said: "Man's quest for gold is nothing new. Some have acquired it by digging for it, others by stealing it." "Here, they are sinister, analytical, methodical, and by a stroke of wrongful good luck, they learned how to locate the gold, not at the end of the rainbow, but in the homes of Indian-Americans. Mr. Ortiz and his fellow burglars are skilled and experienced in their craft." Ortiz, 43, also was ordered to pay restitution totaling $35,000, an amount the judge admitted was just a fraction of the value of the gold jewelry and other valuables the defendant and his crew stole during seven break-ins in Burlington County from May to October 2009. Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Eife told the jury that Ortiz and his crew targeted homes owned by residents with Indian names, including Patel, Gandhi and Singh, that they found through searches of telephone directories and Internet queries. Ortiz burglarized or attempted break-ins at homes in Bordentown Township, Burlington Township, Delran, Evesham, Moorestown and Westampton, according to testimony. The proceeds of the burglaries were pawned for cash, said the state's star witness, Arquimedes Pieranthony, who also faces prison time for his role and will be sentenced later. As part of his plea deal, Pieranthony had to testify against his friend. The witness told the jury that he, Ortiz and another co-defendant shared the $60,000 to $70,000 take from one Moorestown job in which they stole about 100 pieces of jewelry. Eife, who argued for a 30-year sentence with no chance of parole for 15 years, told the judge Thursday that investigators found "hundreds of prospective victims' (information) in his phone" when Ortiz was arrested.
IN BRIEF
IALI launches educational seminar series

Einiger LLP.), Understanding Various Types of Insurance Products and Improving on Benefits (Mr. Salil Zaveri, Zaveri Insurance Agency), Obamas Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Mr. Naresh M. Gehi Esq., Gehi Associates), International Tax Matters & US Taxing Guidelines (Mr. Roby Seth, CPA), Long Term Care Planning (Mr. Salil Zaveri), Nassau County Department of Social Services Adult Services (Ms. Karen R. Garber, Program Coordinator & Mrs. Sunita Manjrekar, DSS Director). The seminars were very informative, interactive, and the attendees left with a wealth of information. Dr. Kishore Kuncham, President of India Association of Long Island was pleased to bring these educational seminars to its members and extended sincere thanks to the presenters, volunteers, donors and attendees. A special thanks to the Board of Directors of NATA, Vikram Jangam and Sridhar Kumbala for partnership with IALI and event sponsor Dr. Paila Malla Reddy, he said. IALI grand sponsor Salil Zaveri was acknowledged for arranging most of the speakers. Visit ialiny.org for more information.
TLCA Ugadi 2013 program held on April 27
IALI members at the educational seminar
n the month of April, India Association of Long Island (IALI) brought various educational seminars to the community members. The first of the series was held on April 14, at the Asamai Temple in collaboration with North American Telugu Association. The second of the series was held on April 26th at the Plainview Library, Plainview, NY. The topics included Estate Planning Strategies (Ms. Jennifer N. Santaniello Esq., Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferraro &
TLCA committee members at the program
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e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
he Telugu Literary Cultural Associations Ugadi celebration program saw overwhelming attendance from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The hall was packed even after making additional seating arrangement in the balcony. More than 1000 members witnessed the breathtaking program. The tri-state children presented various items like classical dances, songs and some never before items like Veena recital. TLCA conducted TLCAs Got Talent competition to encourage kids to showcase their talent in this program. Kids participated in the program very enthusiastically. The winners were announced and prizes were distributed by the cine artists Sri Lakshmi, Hama Chandra and Ankita. Authentic Ugadi pachchadi and Bobbatlu were offered along with the dinner. The post-dinner session had an auspicious start with generous event donors Mallareddy garu and Mohan Badhey garu lighting the candles. TLCA offered shradhanjali to the bereaved families of the past-presidents and members of TLCA. State Senator Tony Avella graced the occasion and appreciated the programs conducted by TLCA. He was honored
by the event sponsor donors. The Senator commended the donors for their generosity and presented mementos to the donors for their unstinted support to TLCA. Ticket to India, a dance ballet was presented as a part of TLCA encouragement to the youth. The kids put up an excellent performance and the crowd cheered the performers and choreographers by giving a standing ovation. TLCAs annual souvenir was released by the Senator and the donors. Later in the program comedian Sri Lakshmi, singers Hema Chandra and Sumangali and actress Ankita entertained everyone with their performances. A lucky draw was taken out and a 40 LED TV sponsored by Maddipatla Foundation, was presented to the winner.President Krishnasri Gandham thanked all the donors that this would not have been possible without the generous donations from the event sponsors and all the other donors. She also thanked the entire Executive Committee and Board of Trustees for their help and support in organizing the event. Secretary Rao Voleti proposed vote of thanks.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
May 11-17, 2013
Brutal attack on elderly Sikh in California Obama talks with Asian-American

Washington, DC: The police have arrested a 29-year-old transient in connection with a brutal Sunday morning attack with a steel rod on an 81-year-old Sikh man outside the Nanaksar Sikh gurdwara in southwest Fresno in central California. The attack happened just after 7 a.m. at the temple on South Cherry Avenue as the victim, Piara Singh, was walking down the road, The Fresno Bee reported. Gilbert Garcia, who has a record of arrests in the Fresno area, was arrested about 8 a.m. Sunday in a rural neighborhood a half-mile away, the Bee reported citing police chief Jerry Dyer. As he was being detained, Garcia uttered a threat in an outburst. Dyer said police are investigating the threat but he declined to say what was said. "We need to determine if the threat was made with intent, or was he spouting off," the chief said. Dyer and officials from the US Attorney's Office in Fresno met with more than 100 people at the Sikh gurdwara Tuesday evening to discuss the attack. Piara Singh was reportedly approached by a man in his late 20s or early 30s who was
leaders on immigration bill

Piara Singh, 81 was hit with a steel rod in an apparent hate crime (Photo: Abclocal)
riding a bicycle and armed with a steel rod. Without saying a word, the attacker beat Singh in the head and body. Singh is hospitalized with head wounds, broken ribs and lung lacerations. Temple officials cited by the Bee said the attack was not a robbery and that Singh had never seen the man before. If the attack is determined to be a hate crime, federal charges could be filed, Mark Cullers, chief of the US Attorney's Office in Fresno was quoted as saying by the Bee. That could be in addition to any state charges filed against the assailant, he said. Singh remains in the hospital in serious condition.
Washington, DC: Ahead of a senate panel hearing on a comprehensive immigration bill, President Barack Obama and his senior staff met with top Asian-American leaders for what participants called a "meaningful" discussion on immigration, health care and civil rights. The sit-down with Obama Wednesday, which came amid Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, was the first time that the president met with top officials from the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community, Politico, an influential Washington newspaper focusing on politics reported. "The meeting was very productive," Deepa Iyer, chairperson of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and the executive director of the South Asian Americans Leading Together was quoted as saying. "I think it really speaks to a recognition of the growing power of our community in the country. We've been able to galvanize a strong political base." Much of the conversation centered on the
comprehensive immigration reform starting to make its way through Congress. In particular, the AAPI leaders zeroed on family reunification measures that are critical to immigrant communities, Politico reported. Iyer said she and other AAPI leaders expressed concerns that family-based immigration measures would be restricted or eliminated during the legislative process. "He listened to what we had to say; he was very candid with us," Iyer was quoted as saying. The White House said in a statement: "The president emphasized that commonsense immigration reform continues to be a top legislative priority and that he looks forward to working with the AAPI community to achieve that goal." The AAPI leaders also discussed immigrants' access to health care and pressed Obama and administration officials on administrative measures they could take on certain issues, such as an interagency task force focusing on hate crimes, Politico said.
SBI California ordered to clean up US operations

Washington, DC: The California-based subsidiary of State Bank of India (SBI) has agreed to take a series of steps to improve its banking practices related to bad loans following a review by US regulators. The largest Indian bank consented March 6 to the orders of the federal and state regulators "without admitting or denying any charges of unsafe or unsound banking practices relating to the June 18, 2012, examination." The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides deposit insurance and examines certain financial institutions for safety and soundness, while the California Department of Financial Institutions (CDFI) regulates the state's banking system. The March 20 consent order accepting the SBI subsidiary's plea sets deadlines ranging between 30 days and 120 days from that date for achieving the targets set out by the regulators. The 17-page order, among other things, requires the bank to have and retain qualified management and obtain within 90 days an independent study to ensure it "is staffed by qualified individuals commensurate with its size and risk profile to ensure the safe and sound operation of the bank." The order also requires the bank to file with the FDIC "Reports of Condition and Income which accurately reflect the financial condition of the Bank" including "any adjustment in the Bank's books made necessary or appropriate as a consequence of any FDIC and/or CDFI examination of the Bank." The regulators have also ordered the bank not to "establish any new branches or other offices of the Bank or enter into any new lines of business without the prior written consent of the Regional Director and the Commissioner." The bank is also required to eliminate from its books, by "charge-off" and "collection" (and not write-offs) all assets that the bank has classified as "loss", but have not been previously collected or charged off. "Elimination of these assets through proceeds of other loans made by the bank is not considered collection for the purpose of this paragraph," the order said. "The bank is to develop a written plan, approved by the board for systematically reducing the level of non-performing assets and/or assets listed on the bank's watch list to an acceptable level," it added. "Violation of any provisions of this order will be deemed to be conducting business in an unsafe and unsound manner, and will subject the bank to further regulatory enforcement action," said the order, signed by Kathy L. Moe, deputy regional director (Risk Management) at FDIC, and Scott D. Cameron, chief examiner of the CDFI.
Ten Indians on Forbes Midas List

Washington, DC: Only three Indian dealmakers figure among 100 top tech investors on Forbes Midas List, far outdistanced by China with 17 top dealmakers in the Asian venture market. Remarkably, some 20 percent of the top 100 VCs have invested in China and India, up from 17 percent last year, a major development in recent years for these Startup Asia markets, Forbes said. The three top Indian dealmakers listed by the US business magazine were: Sameer Gandhi, Accel Partners #44, Bijan Sabet, Spark Capital, #51 and Navin Chaddha, Mayfield Fund, #52. Besides the three Indian dealmakers seven other persons of Indian origin figure in the Forbes Midas list for 2013. They are: Aneel Bhusri, Greylock Partners #14; Asheem Chandna, Greylock Partners #20; Neeraj Agrawal, Battery Ventures #27; Venky Ganesan, Menlo Ventures #32; Vinod Khosla, Khosla Ventures #68; Salil Deshpande, Bain Capital Ventures #71; and Ajay Agarwal, Bain Capital Ventures #94. In this year's Midas List of top tech
Coverpage of Forbes issue featuring the Indians
investors, the IPO of Facebook, the largest IPO ever for an Internet company, which briefly valued the company at $104 billion cast a large shadow over the rest of the venture industry in 2012, Forbes said. Despite its disappointing post-IPO performance, Facebook still drove many of the top names on the Midas list, including five of the top ten and 6 of the top 11, the magazine said.
May 11-17, 2013
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
US firm to invest $240mn to light up Bihar's Buddhist sites

Washington, DC: A power venture formed by Indian and North American energy professionals plans to create a role model for the world by lighting up famed Buddhist sites in Bihar with a $240 million solar energy project as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative. Founded in 2011, FJS Energy LLC, USA, aims to work around the Buddhist Circuits starting with Rajgir-Nalanda and Bodhgaya in the first phase and then taking up Vaishali and other places. "We would like to start the process of implementation at the earliest," said Christopher Sargunam, Chief Operating Officer of the company with offices in Delhi, New Jersey and Ontario, Canada. The company's ultimate aim is to create a portfolio of 200 MW at a cost of around $240 million but the first phase would focus on 20 to 25 MW which would envisage an investment of upwards of $30 million, he said. JS Energy thought of lighting up the Buddhist Circuit as a "not-for-profit" Corporate Social Responsibility initiative with a "larger objective" as it is one of the world key religious tourism destinations that has of late witnessed a sharp rise in the domestic and foreign tourist ar-
Indian-American woman running for a city council

New York: An Indian-American woman is running for a city council in the state of Washington, according to a media report. Clinical pharmacist Vandana Slatter is running for the Bellevue City Council and challenging the incumbent, Don Davidson, the Northwest Asian Weekly reported Monday. Vandana works as a senior regional medical sciences liaison official at American biopharmaceutical company Amgen and is also a public leader, her campaign website said. She graduated from the University of Washington with a doctorate in pharmacy and earned a masters in public administration from Evans School of Public Affairs in the University of British Columbia. Slatter served as an executive
Vandana Slatter
The Buddhist circuit in Bihar
rivals. While the Bihar government "is pursuing development of road and other key infrastructure in a planned manner, it is equally important to have clean and continuous supply of power to these circuits and create a role model for the world," Sargunam said.
intern to US Senator Maria Cantwell, and was appointed to the Washington State Board of Pharmacy by then governor Christine Gregoire in 2007. According to the report, she is currently first in fund-raising, having raised around $55,000.
Indian American student wins entrepreneurship award
US film 'explores the power' of baseball in Manipur

Washington, DC: It was amazing enough that in cricket-crazy India, America's national pastime baseball has found a foothold in the northeastern state of Manipur. And now two American women, one a critically acclaimed director and the other an Academy-Award winning actress, have come together to make a movie that they say "explores the power" of the game for "people in a troubled, distant place." Featured at the 13th New York Indian Film Festival ended Saturday, "The Only Real Game", a new documentary by Mirra Bank ("Last Dance", "Nobody's Girls") tells the story of how baseball has nurtured a dream for healing a wounded society and connecting it to the wider world. This dream moves toward reality when First Pitch, a small group of baseball-loving New Yorkers, and two Major League Baseball Envoy coaches, join Manipuri men, women and children to "play ball." "Baseball is a team sport and everyone on the team has a particular position and a job to do within the team" said Melissa Leo, Academy-Award winning actress (The Fighter, Frozen River, 21 Grams), who narrates the film. "So win or lose, at the end of the day everyone can go home happy at playing in a team," she said explaining how the game nurtures a team spirit. But, "I think the real impetus of the film is what ties people quite a lot in pretty dire circumstances" she said. Leo said she happily went along and joined Bank because "we both have interest and respect for each other's work" and "If she was making a film that she thought was terribly important for the people in it, I had a suspicion she would be treating them in a really brighter kind of light." Although on the one hand it is entertainment, it can also "shed light on the dilemmas of these people," she said. "A lot of time atrocities are happening because they are happening in the dark." Some American soldiers brought the game to Manipur during World War II and started a tradition that has lasted all these years handed down from family to family, making it perhaps the only place in India where baseball is played. "I know that there are several women who are involved from one generation to the next over the years to keep it alive," Leo said, "because "it really seems to help especially the youth to direct their energies and have a healthy outlet for them." This brings out a spirit of pulling together, she said and so "women in Manipur, who have recognized that it's a very important part of their social structure, work very hard to keep baseball alive."
Nisarg Patel (extreme left) with his team. His firm creates biosensors that can detect bacteria in water.
New York: An Indian American student has won the changing entrepreneurship and outstanding teaching award at an annual awards ceremony for co-founding a company that can detect bacteria in water. Nisarg Patel of the Arizona State University (ASU) was given the award at the annual Pitchfork Awards ceremony in the institute for co-founding HyrdoGene Biotechnologies, the College Times reported Friday. According to Patel, his group creates biosensors that can detect bacteria in water. The group reprograms bacteria to produce a protein biosensor that then purifies from the bacteria. They package it in a sugar-like cube that will dissolve when dropped in water. The protein will then bind to any bacteria; if there are bacteria, the water will turn red as a warning sign to avoid drinking it, the report said. The idea for this technology
came when one of Patel's laboratory partners, who went to Guatemala, saw children there looking at water and drinking it if it seemed clear. They dont realize its contaminated with bacteria that they cant see, so thats one of the issues were trying to solve, Patel was quoted as saying. Even if your idea is small, the fact that there are so many of you means one small impact after another can really make a difference. Rohit Rajan, a biochemistry sophomore at ASU and Patel's roommate, described the latter as a pretty laid back person who could also be very focused and determined. Hes enjoying everything he does, Rajan was quoted as saying. This is the second year that the Pitchfork Awards were presented at ASU. A total of 95 students were selected as finalists by a committee of university faculty and staff.
Background performances by Craig Phillips (Sitar) and Nirvan Sengupta (Tabla) at the Fishman Young Artist Series Reception event hosted at the Indian Embassy Residence in Washington DC on April 30.
US AFFAIRS
May 11-17, 2013
Some experts fear another housing bubble Pentagon blames China military for cyber espionage
New York: As home values rise, helping to heal a battered market, real estate forecasters are beginning to fear another housing bubble is looming on the horizon. The survey of 105 economists, real estate experts and investment and market strategists predicted home values to end 2013 up an average of 5.4% year-over-year, with a median U.S. home value to rise to $165,280, up from $156,800 at the end of 2012. While survey respondents were more optimistic on near-term home value appreciation this year and into 2014, their expectations for nationwide home value growth for the following three years were slightly more pessimistic than in prior surveys. On average, panelists said they expect annual home value growth between 3.5% and 3.7% from 2015 through 2017, down modestly from previously expressed expectations in the 3.6% to 3.8% range. Cumulatively, survey respondents predicted home values to rise 22.3%, on average, through 2017. The survey was conducted by Pulsenomics for real estate information marketplace Zillow (Z). But the good news regarding rising home values is tempered with a gloomy forecast, as most expressed fears that the Federal Reserve could be inflating a new housing Washington DC: China has engaged in widespread cyber espionage in a bid to extract information about the US government's foreign policy and military plans, said a Pentagon report issued Monday. China kept up a steady campaign of hacking in 2012 that included attempts to target US government computer networks, which could provide Beijing a better insight into America's policy deliberations and military capabilities, according to the Pentagon's annual assessment of China's military. "China is using its computer network exploitation (CNE) capability to support intelligence collection against the US diplomatic, economic, and defense industrial base sectors that support US national defense programs," said the report to Congress. "In 2012, numerous computer systems around the world, including those owned by the US government, continued to be targeted for intrusions, some of which appear to be attributable directly to the Chinese government and military," it said. The report marked the most explicit statement yet from the United States that it believes China's cyber spying is focused on the US government, as well as American corporations. Although President Obama's administration has demanded China stop widespread cyber theft, officials have tended to focus their public comments on the hacking of private business networks and not US government agencies. The information targeted by the cyber spy-
bubble. "The panel's expectations of near-term home value appreciation remaining above historic norms are consistent with a market struggling to satisfy strong demand from buyers attracted by rock-bottom interest rates and improving economic conditions," said Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries. "But looking further out, that appreciation will have to moderate as interest rates rise, or else homes that seem affordable today despite rapidly rising values are going to look very expensive relative to people's incomes as it gets more costly to finance a home. How the Federal Reserve handles the eventual winding down of its policy of quantitative easing will be critical in determining if the current period of rapid appreciation is a benign bounce off the bottom, or a more dangerous bubble being re-inflated."
Pfizer to sell Viagra online

Trenton, NJ: In a first for the drug industry, Pfizer Inc. will begin selling its popular erectile dysfunction pill Viagra to patients on its website. Men still will need a prescription to buy the blue, diamond-shaped pill on viagra.com, but they no longer have to face a pharmacist to get it filled. And for those who are bothered by Viagra' s steep $25-a-pill price, Pfizer is offering three free pills with the first order and 30 percent off the second one. Normally, drugmakers don't sell medicines directly to patients. But the world's second-largest drugmaker is trying a new strategy to tackle the menace of online pharmacies increasingly offering patients counterfeit versions of Viagra and other brand-name drugs for up to 95 percent off with no prescription needed. Other major drugmakers likely will watch Pfizer's move closely. If it works,
ing could possibly benefit China's arms and technology sectors, as well policymakers interested in US leaders' thinking on Chinarelated issues, the report said. The cyber spying could assist Chinese military planners in "building a picture of US network defense networks, logistics, and related military capabilities that could be exploited during a crisis," it said. US officials have grown alarmed over what they call increasingly brazen hacking from China that has penetrated defense contractors including Lockheed Martin and a host of other organizations and agencies. The digital espionage was part of a broader industrial espionage effort that seeks to secure military-related US and Western technology, allowing Beijing to scale back its reliance on foreign arms manufacturers. China has predictably denied Pentagon's cyber espionage accusation. "We oppose any groundless criticism and hype, because thay will only harm bilateral efforts at cooperation and dialogue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
they too could begin selling other medicines that are rampantly counterfeited and sold online, particularly treatments for non-urgent conditions seen as embarrassing. Think diet drugs, medicines for baldness and birth control pills. Viagra is one of Pfizer's top drugs, with $2 billion in worldwide revenue last year. And it's the most counterfeited drug in the U.S., according to the company.
3 abducted women find freedom

Cleveland, OH: Three women who went missing in separate cases about a decade ago were found alive in a residential area of Cleveland on Monday, and police said three brothers were arrested in the case. As per Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath, the women were locked up in the house where they were found and had been there since they disappeared. He said the brothers, ages 50, 52 and 54, are being held in the city jail awaiting charges. Cheering crowds gathered Monday night on the street near the home where police said Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were found earlier in the day. Cleveland police released the frantic 911 call Berry made after escaping from the house where she had been living. "I'm Amanda Berry ... I've been missing for 10 years and I'm here -- I'm free now," she said, her voice distraught and quick, according to an audio recording of the call released Monday night. Berry disappeared at age 16 in 2003, when she called her sister to say she was getting a ride home from her job at a Burger King. DeJesus went missing at age 14 on her way home from school about a year later. They were found just a few miles from where they had gone missing. Police said Knight went missing in 2002 and is 32 now. They didn't provide current ages for the other two women.
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May 11-17, 2013
US AFFAIRS
The Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto believes in learning from the past, governing in the present, planning for the future
By Robert Golomb ow does it feel to finally have your son join the family business, was the first question I asked the town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, Republican John Venditto when I interviewed him in his office last week. Realizing that I was referring to his 31-year-old son Michael, who won a special election this past November to fill the seat of Nassau County Legislator Peter Schmitt who recently died of a heart attack, a barely detectable smile came to his face. I felt a great deal of fatherly pride as your question suggests, but that pride was also mixed with sadness over the loss of my dear friend, Peter, he said. Despite that fatherly pride over Michael entering politics, Venditto added, I can honestly say that I never tried to steer Michael towards public service other than by his observations of my own natural actions as an elected official. My wife Christine and I had other career goals in mind for our son. But public service has simply been Michaels goal since he graduated from law school and passed the bar, and his desire to work on behalf of the people in the community in which he was born and raised just seems to come naturally to him. The younger Venditto, however, has many years to go before his resume resembles that of his 62year-old dads. Now serving in his eighth two-year term, John Venditto first assumed office in 1998 as the 59th Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay - whose first town supervisor was elected more than a century ago and whose first recorded inhabitants were mid 17th century English settlers. Before being elected to his current position, Venditto served as Town Attorney from 1991-1997 and as a town city councilman from 19811991. Venditto sees a connection
Learning, Governing, Planning

of his previous elections) to allow the Republican town board to appoint a Republican to replace him. According to those advancing this scenario, the towns recent financial problems and the still ongoing rebuilding required from the massive damage caused by Hurricane Sandy have caused Venditto to lose his appetite for the job, and thus, according to this theory, he is running in 2013 solely to allow his hypothetical Republican replacement have the advantage of campaigning as the incumbent in the 2015 election. Venditto promptly dismissed that possibility. That is something that I would never do, he insisted. It would go against everything I believe in about personal integrity, honesty and public service. It would go against everything my parents taught me and everything I taught to my own children about how to conduct their lives. When I asked if it were true that he became discouraged by Moodys downgrading the towns bond rating, Venditto responded, As I just indicated, we have taken the best and most prudent fiscal measures to get back that Aa3 credit rating. And I am confident that we will accomplish that. Concerning the claim that the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy and the continuing work still involved in the ongoing rebuilding process has overwhelmed him, causing him to lose his desire to serve out a full twoyear term if re-elected this November, Venditto became animated in his denial: Actually the exact opposite is the case. I was and continue to be inspired by the courage and resiliency of the homeowners and businessmen and women who were victimized by Hurricane Sandy. "And I continue to be inspired by the towns entire workforce police, fire, sanitation, engineers, clean-up personnel and the rest. Their planning before the hurricane struck, conduct during, including search and rescue operations in the hardest hit areas, and actions in the aftermath of the storm, including clean-up, restoration and out-reach and humanitarian efforts, much of which is still going on, is something that our residents and I will always remember and be thankful for. It is unlikely, I believe, that any one of his 58 predecessors would have had, under similar circumstances, said it any better. Robert Golomb is a nationally published columnist. He writes on a range of educational, cultural, political and international issues. MrBob347@aol.com
John Venditto and the sprawling Town of Oyster Bay
between the long proud history of the town and the manner in which he tries to govern it today. Throughout the great history of Oyster Bay, its residents and leaders always seemed to have been visionaries, looking towards the future, looking for ways to improve the lives of those who would follow them. They were pioneers in building houses, roads, schools and developing the towns infrastructure. My administration has sought to continue that forward looking approach by implementing policies that protect and enhance the environment, provide recreational activities for the young and old and create long range growth and development for our communities and businesses. {This} will benefit our residents today and {benefit} their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren tomorrow. Noting with a detectable sound of pride in his voice that his own now adult children, sons Michael and Nicholas and daughter Joanna - just as he and his own late sister were born and raised in Oyster Bay, Venditto added, My own children now live and plan to raise their own families here. They are typical of so many young adults raised in Oyster Bay. I was proud when a recent study found Oyster Bay has the highest rate of residents who live in the town the entirety of their lives. This shows that not only is the town a great place to live right now, but its also a place where our residents wish to see their children and grandchildren grow up. Beyond the towns long history and intergenerational family traditions, there are geographical and demographic factors, which impact upon how Venditto governs Oyster Bay. Resting between North Hempstead on its northwest border and Hempstead in its southwestern one and extending from the waters of the North Shore to the waters of the South Shore of Long Island, Oyster Bay covers a total area of a
massive 169.5 square miles - in which its more than 290,000 mostly middle and upper middle class citizens live their daily lives. Whom you select to help you to govern a town of this size is vital, he explained to me. I surround myself with the best, brightest and most dedicated public servants in the nation. They know the towns unique terrain the streets in our neighborhoods, the schools, the parks, the pools, the beaches, the houses of worship, the community centers, the stores and the restaurants. Supervising an area of this size and geographical complexity, it is vital that we remain in close contact throughout every day as we coordinate our efforts to provide both day to day {governmental services} and, when circumstances require, as in the case of Hurricane Sandy, {provide} emergency governmental services to our citizens wherever they live and work. In addition, Venditto must also take into account the checkerboard quality of the district administrative organization of this town, which contains within its jurisdiction 15 autonomous unincorporated villages and 19 incorporated villages. Most of these 34 local entities have their own elected mayors and city council members, who are empowered to make decisions concerning local budgetary matters, such as maintenance of parks and local roads and contracting with private companies to deliver residential sanitation services. Venditto, however, is avowedly comfortable with what some of its detractors have called A Byzantine governmental structure. Actually, I believe that having accountable local elected officials making decisions that pertain to purely local issues further empowers the electorate, which is always a good thing. Venditto has in the past received praise from many economists for his stewardship of the towns finances. Since he was first elected to office, the town has won nation-
al recognition for its sound budgeting practices and consistent robust economic growth. Recently, however, the Oyster Bay economy, along with that of the entire country, has experienced a downturn. This downturn recently led Moodys Investors Services to lower Oyster Bays bond rating from Aa3 to A2-, a two- step decrease, which received wide media coverage. Still, Venditto, pointing first to the past, remains optimistic about the towns fiscal future. When I first became Town Supervisor, my administration inherited a $30 million deficit, he noted. I appointed the best financial minds in the state, and we were able to right the ship, something we are in the position to do now. While Americas financial problems have hurt towns, cities and states throughout America, we {in Oyster Bay} have taken and will continue to take a methodical and measured approach to return to our Aa3 credit rating But Venditto emphasized to me that his first priority as Town Supervisor is to preserve the suburban character of the Towns neighborhoods - regardless of the nationally challenging economic times. {To that end}we have made major investments in our infrastructure. Pointing to a recent study showing that the property value of homes in Oyster Bay has risen by 22% - reportedly the highest rate of increase of any town in Northeast America - Venditto was quick to add, These investments proved to be sound for the homeowners of our town. There has, however, been recent media speculation, putatively emanating from sources within the Democratic Party, that Venditto, who recently announced his plans to run for a ninth term this November, would resign shortly after his almost certain victory (Venditto was elected to his current term with 74% of the vote and has won by similar landslides in most
US AFFAIRS
May 11-17, 2013
11
Critics slam conservative study on Obama's trade pick hailed as India's friend cost of immigration reform
Washington: The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has welcomed President Barack Obama's nomination of a "friend of India", Michael Froman, to the position of US Trade Representative (USTR). "There is no individual better qualified to fill this important position at this crucial time than Mike Froman," said Ron Somers, President of the business advocacy association comprising nearly 400 of America's and India's top companies. "Froman has played a vital role in the US-India trade and commercial relationship as the US Government's chair of the US-India CEO Forum, and as the US 'Sherpa' for the G20," he said. "Mike has been pivotal in his role at the White House facilitating the first state visit of the Obama Administration, featuring the Prime Minister of India, and in planning President Obama's historic visit to India in November 2010," Somers noted. Earlier, announcing Froman's nomination in the Rose Garden at the White House Thursday, Obama described him as "one of the world's foremost experts on our global economy." "And I'm not surprised, by the way, because we went to law school together -he was much smarter than me then, he continues to be smarter than me now," he said. Froman, who currently serves as an assistant to the president and deputy
America maybe a country of immigrants, but support for immigration reform 2013 among the public is paper thin. Worse, Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a key member of the bipartisan coalition drafting the bill, has admitted he doesn't think there will be enough votes in the Republican-controlled House to get the legislation passed.
Washington: As lawmakers mull immigration reform to deal with the problem of 11 million illegal immigrants, including some 260,000 Indians, a conservative think tank claimed the bipartisan plan would cost a whopping $6.3 trillion. But critics, both conservative and liberals, alike cast doubts on the Heritage Foundation study with the Washington Post suggesting that it "distorts the immigration debate" and top fiscal conservatives slamming it as rehash of a flawed 2007 study. The conservative group said government benefits to newly legalized immigrants over the course of their lives would cost more than $9 trillion, while these immigrants would pay only $3 trillion in taxes. "We need an immigration process that attracts workers that our economy needs and encourages patriotic assimilation to unite new immigrants with America's vibrant civil society," Heritage Foundation President Jim De Mint, a former senator, said Monday. "But let's be clear. Amnesty for those who are here unlawfully is not necessarily to capture those benefits," he was quoted as saying by Politico, an influential Washington newspaper focusing on politics. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the president of the America Action Forum told MSNBC the study does not take into account the economic impact and upward mobility of undocumented immigrants. Josh Culling of Americans for Tax Reform agreed. A Cato Institute study cited by the Washington Post found that immi-
gration reform would add $1.5 trillion in growth over ten years while forcing out 11 million immigrants would lower GDP by $2.6 trillion over that period. The Washington Post Editorial Board suggested the Heritage paper, "chock-full of assumptions that most economists dispute, is a blatant attempt to twist the immigration debate." "By ignoring the effects of legalization on the overall economy, Heritage failed to take into account the effects on federal revenue as workers emerge from the shadows to start businesses, travel without fear of arrest and deportation, earn higher wages and contribute to job creation," it said. The bipartisan plan of the so-called "Gang of 8" senators, would create a minimum 13year path to citizenship for those who entered the country illegally before 2012-paired with approximately $2,000 in fines and hundreds more in fees. Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a key member of the bipartisan coalition, has admitted he doesn't think there will be enough votes in the Republican-controlled House to get the legislation passed, according to Politico. President Barack Obama has praised the Senate bill, saying although it's stricter than what he would have proposed "it meets the basic criteria that I laid out from the start." That criteria includes creating a pathway to citizenship, beefing up border security and cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers.
Michael Froman, new US Trade Representative
national security adviser for international economics, has been deeply involved in the Obama administration's trade agenda for the past four years. Obama also Thursday nominated Penny Pritzker, a longtime Chicago-based Obama fundraiser, as his new Commerce secretary. Obama called Pritzker, a businesswoman worth an estimated $1.85 billion who sits on the board of her family's Hyatt Hotels empire, "one of our country's most distinguished business leaders" and "an extraordinary civic leader."
US tightening visa rules for students

Washington: In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, the US will tighten oversight to help ensure that foreign students seeking to enter the US have valid student visas, according to various media reports. Effective immediately, border agents at places like the airport or another entry point to the country will verify every international student making sure they have a valid student visa, ABC News reported. If a student is no longer enrolled, the information is updated in the system called Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS). Under the new procedures, border agents will verify a student's visa status before the person arrives in the US using information provided in flight manifests. If that information is unavailable, border agents will check the visa status manually with the agency's national targeting data centre. The measures come amid continuing investigation into the April 15 bombings that killed three and injured more than 260. hree of surviving suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's friends are facing federal charges on allegations of trying to hide evidence after the explosions. One of the friends, Azamat Tazhayakov, 19, was allowed to reenter the US on a student visa even though he was no longer attending the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where Dzhokhar Tsarnaev also studied. Congressional Republicans have questioned how the government has dealt with visa security issues, According to the Los Angeles Times. In a three-page letter this week, Senator Charles E. Grassley asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for details about student visas and how Tazhayakov was able to reenter the US. In a statement this week, the Homeland Security Department said that Tazhayakov entered the Us On Jan. 20 using a student visa with an expiration date of Aug 30. "At the time of re-entry there was no derogatory information that suggested this individual posed a national security or public safety threat."
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May 11-17, 2013
INDIA
Drubbed in Karnataka, BJP to keep up anti-Congress campaign

New Delhi: Disappointed by the election verdict in Karnataka, the BJP sought to downplay the impact of the results on the momentum of its campaign against the UPA government and said it will work on correctives. BJP leaders said that the result in Karnataka was "disappointing" and "below expectations", but asserted that the issue of corruption will hit the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the Lok Sabha polls due in 2014. The BJP suffered a major jolt in Karnataka, the only southern state it ruled, with its tally expected to be just 40 seats. It had won 110 seats in the 2008 assembly elections. Elections were held May 5 to 223 seats of the 225-member Karnataka assembly, which has one seat reserved for the AngloIndian community. Congress coasted an easy victory in the polls in which several constituencies saw four-cornered contest. The BJP was poised to tie with Janata Dal-Secular for the second spot. Its prospects were hurt in several constituencies by former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who floated his Karnataka Janatha Paksha (KJP) after quitting the BJP. "There is a lesson in every election. The party will analyse what went wrong," BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. The BJP's parliamentary board met to take stock of the results. Naqvi said corruption was an issue in the Karnataka polls and added that the issue will work against the Congress in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He said that elections to four more state assemblies were scheduled at the end of the year and the
BJP leaders said that the result in Karnataka was 'disappointing' and 'below expectations'
BJP had bright prospects in all of them. Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Congress had scored victory due to split in BJP votes caused by Yeddyurappa's exit. However, he defended the decision on replacing Yeddyurappa as chief minister due to serious issue
of corruption and Lokayukta taking cognizance of the matter. BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the party was upset and unhappy about the loss. Political analyst Aswini K. Ray said that the BJP had "goofed up" Karnataka and results were "a predictable set-back" for the party.
All 120 MLAs with me, says Siddaramaiah

Bangalore: Pitching himself as the next chief minister of Karnataka, Congress leader Siddaramaiah said all 120 of the party's newly elected legislators were with him. The Congress, he added, was sending observers from Delhi to ascertain from them their choice for chief minister, "The observers will brief the party high command (on legislators' choice) which will take the decision," Siddaramaiah, who was leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly, told reporters at his residence here. On the support he has among the legislators to become the chief minister, he said: "All 120 MLAs
Modi magic fails to work in Karnataka

Bangalore: The BJP's rout in Karnataka has taken some sheen off the party's poster boy Narendra Modi, who had been billed as a star vote-getter. The Gujarat chief minister addressed only three public meetings, one each in Bangalore, Mangalore on the west coast and Belgaum in the north. These public meetings came after days of speculation whether Modi, who led BJP to three consecutive wins in Gujarat, would take part in the campaign at all given the poor shape his party was in the state. Official results still coming in indicate that he seems to have made no impact on the voters even in these three areas. The Modi magic did not
Congress leader Siddaramaiah
The Gujarat chief minister addressed only three public meetings in Karnataka
(members of the legislative assembly) are with me." He did not give details of who would be coming as observers and when the decision on chief minister was likely to be announced. The Congress won 121 seats in the 225-member
assembly Wednesday when votes polled Sunday were counted. "I am a strong contender," Siddaramaiah had said Wednesday even as vote count was on and trends showed that the Congress was heading for a clear majority in the house.
work even in the two coastal Karnataka districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. Mangalore, about 350 km from Bangalore, is the main town of Dakshina Kannada. The two districts had become BJP strongholds in the last decade. In Dakshina Kannada dis-
trict, the BJP lost all the eight assembly seats to Congress. In Udupi it won just one out of five. The Congress took three seats and an independent won one. In 2008, the BJP had won eight of the 13 seats from the two districts and the Congress had secured five.
Parliament adjourned sine die

New Delhi: Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die, two days ahead of schedule. The budget session, which started on Feb 21, was in recess March 22-April 22, and was scheduled to end May 10. However, as the second half of the session was marred by protests, failing to transact much business. The two houses were first adjourned till noon, within minutes of assembling at 11 a.m., as the BJP once again raised its pitch, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and two ministers. The scene was the same when the Lok Sabha assembled at noon. Following this, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house sine die. In the Rajya Sabha, though there was a ruckus at noon as well, peace was restored to bid farewell to members who are retiring soon. Chairman Hamid Ansari also asked the members to introspect if the balance between deliberation, legislation and accountability had been lost due to regular disruption of the proceedings. He also did not give an account of the work done by the upper house, as is the routine practice, saying this was in the "public domain". "Work done and not done is in the public domain, there is no need for a commentary on the experience," Ansari said. "Two, has the time not come to bridge the the growing gap between the rule of procedures and the need felt by different sections of the house to voice opinion on matters of concern? This, needless to say, has to be done in an orderly manner to preserve the dignity of the house, Ansari added. Has the membership of this august body assessed the impact of disruptive behavior on public opinion? The second half of the budget session hardly saw any transaction of business, with the opposition creating a ruckus and demanding resignation of the prime minister, Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal. The opposition has alleged that the prime minister is responsible for misappropriation in the allocation of coal blocks. While Bansal's nephew was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly taking a bribe for the appointment of a member of the Railway Board, Ashwani Kumar has come under attack in the Supreme Court for vetting the CBI report on coal blocks' allocation.
INDIA
May 11-17, 2013
13
Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah is dead
India will hand over Sanaullah's body: Shinde

New Delhi: India will send back the body of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah, who succumbed to his injuries sustained in an attack in Jammu's Kot Bhalwal jail, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Thursday. "The ministry of external affairs is coordinating with the Pakistani authorities to complete the formalities to send his body back home," Shinde told reporters here.
Mamata asks to explain Sarabjit's missing organs
Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay was attacked at Jammu's Kot Bhalwal Jail
Pak seeks international probe

New Delhi: The Pakistan High Commission has requested the Indian government to institute an international probe into the death of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay. "We have requested the government of India for an international inquiry into the brutal attack on the Pakistani citizen. We request the government of India to immediately give his body to his family members so the funeral can take place according to Islamic rituals," Manzoor Ali Memon, one of the three diplomats granted consular access to the prisoner, told a TV channel. "We are in deep grief and we are shocked. We express our deep condolences to Sanaullah's family and people of Pakistan for the brutal and extra judicial killing of the innocent citizen of Pakistan. Sarabjit spent over two decades in a Pakistan prison on charges of being an Indian spy
Chandigarh: Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay who was hospitalised here after being attacked in a Jammu jail last week died due to multiple organ failure, doctors said. "Sanaullah was declared dead around 7 a.m. due to multiple organ failure. The team of doctors headed by Y.K. Batra tried their best to revive him," a spokesperson of the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) said here. The Pakistani was in deep coma ever since he was flown in here from Jammu. He was serving life imprisonment at Jammu's Kot Bhalwal Jail. He was attacked May 3 by an Indian prisoner. Pakistan High Commission spokesman Manzoor Memon said in
New Delhi that Pakistan was "in grief and shocked" at the death of Ranjay. "We will request the Indian government to facilitate return of his body to Pakistan," Memon said. The information regarding his death has been given to the central government, PGIMER officials said. The attack on Ranjay took place a day after Sarabjit Singh, an Indian prisoner in Pakistan, succumbed to grievous injuries following a murderous assault in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail. Ranjay was arrested in 1996 and charged with involvement in a bomb blast at Katra near the Hindu shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in 1994 which left 10 people dead. He was serving life term in the Jammu jail.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded a detailed statement from the central government about the missing vital organs of Sarabjit Singh, the Indian death row prisoner who died in a Lahore hospital a week after a murderous attack in jail. "I am astonished that vital organs like the intestine, heart, gall bladder and kidneys were missing from the body of Sarabjit Singh. The forensic department of the Civil Hospital in Amritsar has observed this during the second autopsy," Banerjee said on a social networking site. "As citizens of the country, we have a right to know the reaction of the government to this report. The
central government must come out with the detailed statement on this issue so that every citizen of the world comes to know the truth," added Banerjee. A board of Indian doctors who conducted a second post-mortem in Amritsar on Sarabjit said that the vital organs were missing from his body and the assault on him was carried on "with the motive to kill". Sarabjit, 49, spent over two decades in a Pakistan prison on charges of being an Indian spy. He was brutally assaulted by fellow prisoners with bricks and sharp-edged weapons in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail April 26. He was declared dead in Lahore's Jinnah Hospital.
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May 11-17, 2013
INDIA
SC's caged parrot remark is correct: CBI chief
CBI a caged parrot: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has termed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a "caged parrot" that "speaks in its master's voice". "It is a caged parrot speaking in its master's voice," a bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha said, adding: "It's a sordid saga that there are many masters and one parrot." The court's observations came on CBI director Ranjit Sinha's second affidavit stating that Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office and the coal ministry had made certain changes in the report on the allocation of coal blocks. The bench also asked the government whether it was contemplating a law to make the working of the CBI independent and insulate it from extraneous intrusion and interferences. There are other ways of bringing the law, Justice Lodha said, apparently pointing to ordinance route as parliament adjourned sine die Wednesday two days ahead of scheduled. "The best things would be that such a law is put in place before
CBI chief Ranjit Sinha
New Delhi: CBI chief Ranjit Sinha accepted the Supreme Court's observation that the country's premier investigating agency was a "caged parrot" that "speaks in its master's voice". Asked by reporters about his views on the apex court's caged parrot remark, Sinha said: "Whatever Supreme Court said is correct." However, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that the court had just made a comment and it was not an order. Moreover, the government had done nothing wrong, he added.
"It is a comment by the court and not an order. If it was a written order, then we would have reacted to it. The government has done nothing wrong... The investigation has not been affected and there was no intervention in the investigation," Digvijaya Singh told reporters. The court made the observation Wednesday on Sinha's second affidavit filed Monday which stated that Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office and the coal ministry had made certain changes in the report on the allocation of coal blocks.
There are allegations that Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and senior PMO officials made changes in coal report
the next hearing of the case (July 10) so that there would be an impartial and non-partisan independent investigating agency," the judge said. Pointing to such a scenario, Justice Lodha said: "It would be golden. It would really be wonderful." The apex court also questioned the credibility of the CBI probe into the allocation of coal blocks and asked for a thorough and qualitative investigation.
Expressing displeasure at the government's interference in the coal allocation probe report, the court said, "the heart of the report was changed on the suggestions of the government officials". Asking the government to make the investigating agency impartial, the apex court said it needs to be ensured that the CBI functions free of all external pressures. "If the CBI is not made independent, we will step in," it observed.
SC rejects Jagan's bail plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed the bail petition of YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, popularly called Jagan, in a case of disproportionate assets and said his release could hamper the probe against him. The apex court also canceled the bail of Jagan's auditor Vijay Sai Reddy and directed him to surrender by June 5, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel Ashok Bhan told reporters outside the Supreme Court. A division bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and M.Y. Iqbal also rejected the bail plea of industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad, an accused in the case. The Supreme Court directed the CBI to complete its investigations in four months. Jagan, a Lok Sabha member from Kadapa, was arrested by the CBI on May 27 last year on charges of amassing huge wealth by doling out favours to individuals and companies who invested in his business when his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Bhan said the court observed that Jagan was involved in the
'Khurshid's China trip will help end border row'

Beijing: Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid's visit to China will help put "a political end" to the recent border row, a hardline Chinese daily said. In an article "Face-off just a small thorn in Sino-Indian relations", Global Times said the recent border tensions had been "solved smoothly" even before Khurshid began his May 9-10 trip. "It seems the two Asian giants, once confronted with the border issue, have developed a tit-for-tat attitude towards each other among the public," it said. "The bilateral relationship is also subject to instigation from the West. But the tension has never risen to where it could jeopardize China-India ties. When it comes to resolution, sobriety and diplomacy can succeed," it added. Chinese soldiers had reportedly intruded 19 km inside Indian territory in Depsang area of Ladakh April 15 and pitched tents. After five flag meetings and dozens of phone calls between the two sides, troops of both sides moved back to their original positions. The daily pointed out that India is one of the few countries which have not yet finished delineating borders with China, but "this has had little impact on the rapid growth of Sino-Indian trade". The trade volume of over $70 billion in 2012 not only makes China the second largest trade partner of India, "but also draws the two countries closer and creates win-win interaction between the two". India and China fought a border war in 1962, and claim each other's territory. The daily noted that neither China and India "will underestimate the great potential and attractiveness of its neighbor's market". "It is impossible that Sino-Indian border issues will be left unsettled forever. But it is probable that the leaders of both countries have the wisdom and confidence to address the problem based on respect and mutual trust," it added.
YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy
greatest scam and that he had enriched himself and deprived society of legitimate rights of development. "The Supreme Court took serious view of this and observed that enriching an individual or a group of individuals is not permissible under law and he has to suffer and remain in jail for some more time," he said. Terming Jagan the main accused
and main beneficiary of the scam money, the court rejected the bail plea on the ground that being an influential politician, he may hamper the investigations. "I feel excited. The rule of law has prevailed. The Supreme Court has upheld the rule of law. All rumors floated by the accused are blunted and nailed now," Bhan said.
ARCHITECTURE
May 11-17, 2013
15
Fulfilling his dream of building houses for poor in India

By Rahul Vaishnavi
e is the brain behind several world-class and award-winning buildings that include airports and hotels in the US. Several milestones and achievements later, the dream of doing something meaningful for his home country has brought Indian American architect Harshad Patel to his roots, determined to provide low-cost houses to the country's poor. Patel, who was born in Kampala, moved to India with his family when he was 12. An avid sketcher, he took to architecture on the advice of his elder brother. Once he completed his studies in India, he moved to the US in 1973. "After designing for many firms and winning many competitions, I set up my own design firm in 1987 and dared to take on the established players in the US. I like to compete because I know I will win," Patel, founder and director of Design Consortium, said. And now, with all his expertise and discussions with international firms to come up with solutions for low-cost residential structures specifically catered for India, Patel wants to give back to his native country, especially to make his father's vision come true. "My father had a dream of helping the poor of India and talked about how low-cost housing was the need of the hour. However, due to red tapism and high levels of corruption, the project has never been able to take off," Patel said.
As per Patel, the price of land triples within a span of a few years. So, if the government allots land for a low-cost housing society, by the time it is approved and everything is in place, the price of the land would have skyrocketed, making the project unviable. But the renowned architect, who has set up office in Gurgaon, has a solution in sight - a mix of prefabricatHarshad Patel ed residential projects and one of his that guarantees to mammoth projects in reduce costs and conCalifornia -struction time. Shoreline Square "India today needs in Long Beach. an estimated 19 million low-cost houses for its poor and a mix of prefabri- ernment will have to subsidize the cated and precast buildings is the land and provide tax benefits to the builders in their future projonly solution," he said. "Prefabricated buildings can be ects, he said. "As it is, most Indian built in a factory at a much quick- developers are not interested in er pace and also with less the low-cost affordable housing wastage," said Patel, adding that project due to the high cost of some major developers in India land, delays in government perare in consultation with him to mits and the cost of construction. design and build low-cost housing Providing incentives is a soluprojects. "We are in talks with tion," he said. Apart from low-cost housing, Mexican and Chinese companies Design Consortium has also startwho can set up factories here and ed residential and commercial provide us with prefabricated projects across India in Tamil buildings," Patel said. He however felt the government Nadu, Punjab and Maharashtra, as would have to entice the builders also premium villas in Delhi. "A huge market is opening up in who would work on low-cost houses because compared to other India in township development," projects, the profit margins would says he. "We want to be part of be slimmer. To start off, the gov- such exciting possibilities."
Harshad Patels plan is to use prefabricated residential projects that guarantees to reduce costs and construction time.
Mumbai airports T2 set to outshine Delhis T3
Vertical Horizon: Cityscapes of Hong Kong

rench artist Romain JacquetLagrze, stunned by Hong Kongs architectural race to the sky, captured these breathtaking images of Hong Kongs towering skyscrapers. The series titled Vertical Horizons calls attention to the geometric patterns that is Hong Kongs skyline from extreme angles. With a population of 7 million inhabiting an area of just 426 square miles, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. All images by Romain JacquetLagrze/Rex USA
A view of what Mumbai airports new umbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji state-of-the-art terminal will look like when it International Airport is opens in September this year. being upgraded in light of the booming air traffic growth in the Indian The cost of T2 is Rs. 9,800 crore. For those aviation. According to the plan, the airport who stress about traveling to the domestic will have a new terminal, a new ATC, new Sahar airport for connecting flights, a sixtaxiways and have its old terminals upgrad- lane elevated expressway will provide for a ed. The GVK-led consortium that operates smooth drive from T2. Designed by SOM architects, the new intethe airport will open Terminal 2 in September that it hopes will outshine Delhi grated terminal spread across 4.8 mn sq ft airports T3. Officials have released pictures will be able to handle 40 million passengers of what T2 will look like once it is ready. annually.
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May 11-17, 2013
BOLLYWOOD CENTENARY
Indian artists with a global face
On May 10 exactly a century ago, the release of India's first feature film 'Raja Harishchandra' unleashed the magic of movies that has since permeated into our lives. The South Asian Times celebrates the journey of Indian cinema, now transcending beyond the desi territory
hat do Satyajit Ray and Amitabh Bachchan have in common? Both are respected celebrities at home and abroad. Read on for several other big names who've taken India abroad. Satyajit Ray: The Bengali filmmaker is considered as one of the auteurs of world cinema. His Apu trilogy brought him international acclaim. Pather Panchali (1955), won eleven international prizes, including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival while Aparajito won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded Ray an honorary Oscar in 1992 for Lifetime Achievement. Mrinal Sen: Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghataks contemporary, Sen is a Bengali director who made films on the stormy Sixties and the social realities of lower and middle-class Bengalis. During his career, Mrinal Sen's films have received awards from almost all major film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Karlovy Vary, Chicago and Cairo. Retrospectives of his films have been shown in almost all major cities of the world. Mira Nair: Nairs
debut feature film, Salaam Bombay! (1988) won the Golden Camera award at the Cannes Film Festival and also earned the nomination for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Nair s films such as Monsoon Wedding (2001) and The Namesake (2006) have earned international fame, while her most recent offering, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, based on Mohsin Hamids novel of the same name is set to release in 2013. Deepa Mehta: Indo-Canadian writerdirector Mehtas Elements trilogy -- Fire (1996), Earth (1998) and Water (2005) won critical acclaim. Water was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Mehtas recent Midnights Children, based on the Rushdie novel, released to a muted response. AR Rahman: Rahmans score for Slumdog Millionaire won him two Academy Awards in 2009. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time magazine, he has won two Grammy Awards, a
BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe. Shekhar Kapur: The maker of films such as Bandit Queen and Mr. India, Kapur tasted international honor with his historical biopics on Queen Elizabeth (Elizabeth and its sequel The Golden Age) garnered 7 Academy Award nominations. Amitabh Bachchan: His phenomenal popularity has made the world sit up and take notice. In 1999, Bachchan was voted the "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millenium online poll while in 2000; he became the first living Asian to have been modeled in wax at London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Aishwarya Rai: Rai, who won the Miss World title in 1994, has often been described as the worlds most beautiful women. Apart from Bride and Prejudice (2004) and Provoked (2007), she has acted in international films such as Pink Panther 2 and the Last Legion. Irrfan Khan: Khan's work in movies such as The Namesake, A Mighty Heart and Life of Pi has brought him to international notice. He essayed the role of a villain in the bigbudget The Amazing Spider-Man. Om Puri: One of Indias most respected actors, his roles in East Is East (1999, City of Joy (1992), and Gandhi (1982). In 2007, he appeared as General Zia-ulHaq in Charlie Wilson's War, which stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Anupam Kher: Kher has made his presence felt on the international radar with his roles in movies such as Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004), and most notably, in last years Oscar-nominated Silver Linings Playbook. Mallika Shehrawat: Shehrawat acted in The Myth (2007), a Chinese film, co-starring with Jackie Chan. In 2009, Sherawat starred in a Hollywood film named Hisss, co-starring Irrfan Khan. Frieda Pinto: Pinto rose to prominence playing the role of Latika in the 2008 British Indian drama film Slumdog Millionaire, which marked her debut. She has since starred in You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Immortals and Trishna.
Indian movies that took global arena by storm
s Indian cinema celebrates its birth centenary, we bring you movies that left a shining mark on the screen of international cinema. The Apu Trilogy: (1955-1959) Satyajit Rays Apu trilogy Pather Panchali (Song of the Little Road), Aparajito (The Unvanquished) and Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) is considered amongexamples of world cinema. The three films went on to win seven awards from the Cannes, Berlin and Venice film festivals. Mother India: (1957)The film won acclaim in international circles and was Indias first submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1958, where it made the shortlist. Awara, Mera Naam Joker: Raj Kapoors movies enjoyed immense popularity in Russia, which continues even today. Mirch Masala: (1987) Ketan Mehtas film was nominated for the Golden Prize at the 15th Moscow International Film Festival. Salaam, Bombay: Mira Nairs 1988 Hindi film on the lives of street children in India. It won the Golden Camera and Audience Awards at the Cannes Film Festival and shone at the Montreal Film Festival as well. Water: Deepa Mehtas Elements trilogy excited tremendous international interest. Water was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Lagaan: The 2001 film based in the British colonial era, starring Aamir Khan and directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar, was nominated in the Best foreign picture category at the Academy Awards.
BOLLYWOOD CENTENARY
May 11-17, 2013
17
Over the years, some stars have followed the conventional path while others have taken brave new routes. Here are some who dared to think differently.
he first westernised star, Dev Anand, wore a dhoti only once in his entire career, and regretted it. He told his co-star Sadhana, "never again." He was most comfortable in his urban avatar. The epitome of mannerisms and flamboyance, he paved the way for megastars such as Shammi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna. Angry Man Noses Out Romantic Heroes Rajesh Khanna was busy rubbing noses with Mumtaz onscreen, when a brooding Amitabh Bachchan broke his romantic reverie by breaking noses onscreen. The socio-economic mood of the 1970s proved conducive for Bachchan's angry young man image, and Bollywood's action era was effectively unleashed. Image Hopping Unlike villains before him, Shatrughan Sinha played a bad man with unparalleled bombast. After knocking down a henchman, he would stop to see if his wristwatch was still ticking. His strong-
Star N Style
hold over the frontbenchers was so firm that Manmohan Desai had to include a reformation scene for the actor in Bhai Ho Toh Aisa (1972). Along with fellow villain Vinod Khanna, Shotgun transitioned to leading man status. These villains had brought in a whip, sorry whiff of change. A man of Substance Amongst Men Zeenat Aman didn't just bring in the westernised heroine and made skin 'in', what is more remarkable is her choice of roles - the druggedout flower child in Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), the happy hooker in Manoranjan, the golddigger in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (both 1974) - that added multiple dimensions to the Hindi film heroine. Her Gudd(i) Deed In the same era, Jaya Bhaduri's brief career (she mar-
ried within two years of the release of Guddi, 1971) helped establish a place for non-glamorous actresses, whose stardom was powered entirely by their histrionic capabilities. Shabana Azmi took the baton from Jaya and raced ahead with Ankur (1974), Nishant (1975), Mandi (1983) and refused to be a casualty of the heroine prototype or the hero-powered system. Bad is Good Shah Rukh put a revisionist spin on the concept of the leading man with Baazigar, Darr (both 1993) and carried gray into black. His midnight-dark interpretations of evil were gambles that paid off. It's hard to think of an actor who has not played the blackguard since. Two Too Many In the 1990s, Aamir Khan started doing two films at a time when stars like Govinda were doing 20! Aamir may have emulated Dilip Kumar's strategy but unlike his senior - he was able to inspire many followers. Consider Hrithik Roshan's career: in 13 years, he has had just 18 releases! S m o o c h Operator Sneered for being a serial kisser, Emraan Hashmi bussed his way to success. His success shines like a beacon for newcomers asserting that genres, like erotica and horror, once considered infra dig, can pave the way to stardom. Risky Business Finally, there is Ranbir Kapoor, who has taken on several cobweb-dispelling roles from his career's inception (Wake Up Sid! and Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year in 2009, Rockstar in 2011, Barfi! in 2012). Unlike his predecessors, he didn't wait to acquire stardom before jumping out of the box. Moreover, post stardom too, Ranbir continues to shun low-hanging fruit. Like all the great path breakers, he is a brave man.
From Phalke to 100-crore club
n Hindi cinemas 100th birthday, Paresh Mokashi, the man who chronicled the story of how the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, made Indias first feature film in 1913, tells HTs Robin Bansal that Phalke would have loved the transition Indian cinema has made. Mokashis film Harishchandrachi Factory was Indias official entry to 82nd Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Excerpts from an interview: If Dadasaheb Phalke were alive today, he would have loved the way we have moved forward on celluloid and evolved in tandem with the socio-economic changes in how we are making films with both budgets and earnings that cross Rs. 100 crore unlike during his time when he literally had to mortgage his house and sell everything he owned to collect funds to make films. He forayed into cinema because of his passion and also because he looked at it as an industry capable enough to employ thousands of people. He was right. He would have said, Today we have completed a century, lets move on to the next 100 keeping the social changes in mind. I still remember recreating the way he used special effects and techniques at a time when there were no visual effects or other digital medium. It was astounding. Impressed with his work, the British had even offered him 1,000 at that time to make films for them. But, he refused because he wanted to set and establish the cinema industry in India. Filmmaking at that time was a taboo and people thought that those involved in the process were mad, so, to save his crew embarrassment, Phalke called his set up a factory to give the impression of the industries and mills running prominently during those times. The one thing which is concealed from everybody is his wife's contribution to his life. He used to give filmmaking courses to her and she became perhaps the first woman cinematographer in the history of cinema. But there is a dearth of material on Phalke. I went to the National Film Archive of India, interacted with his family members and film historians to gather as much information as I could. And, I decided that I'll make Harishchandrachi Factory only till his journey up to Raja Harishchandra (1913). It was a creative decision because I wanted to show how he worked and how he overcame difficulties in those early years.
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May 11-17, 2013
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
Simbu and Akon
Big B's emotional moment with fans

M
egastar Amitabh Bachchan got emotional when he met his fans in New York during the premiere of his Hollywood movie "The Great Gatsby". Amitabh, 70, met his fans and says that it becomes difficult for him to see tears of joy on faces of his fans. "Lovely meeting the Ef (extended family) and TwFmXt (Twitter family extension) and the FbXf (Facebook extended family). Such Amitabh Bachchan with Leonardo Di Caprio and others at red carpet for 'The Great Gatsby' (Photo: Yagnesha Shah) humility in them, such respect and admiration from them. They are the winner. I know that it was an emotional moment for many when we met up, but never forget it was equally emotional for me too," Big B posted on Twitter. "Your tears of joy and emotion are difficult for me to take. I wish for only smiles on your faces, so lets see them please," he added. "The Great Gatsby", directed by Baz Luhrmann, marks Amitabh's Hollywood debut. He plays Meyer Wolfsheim in the $125 million 3D project, a big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of the same name. The movie also stars Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Di Caprio and it will open the 66th edition of Cannes International Film Festival, starting May 15.
When Simbu made Akon wear a dhoti

T
amil actor Simbu made international R&B singer Akon wear a veshti (dhoti) while shooting for the music video of the global version of his hit love single "Love Anthem". "It was fun shooting with Akon. The music video has come out really well and I'm sure audiences will love it when it goes viral. I convinced him to wear the traditional Tamil festival attire and made him dance to few steps in the song," Simbu told IANS. "He is a wonderful human being and is very cooperative. I'm grateful to him for taking time off his busy schedule and coming all the way to Chennai to shoot the song with me," he added. Made with the intention of spreading love, Simbu's "Love Anthem" features the word love sung in several languages. It was originally released in 2011 for world peace.
'Shootout At Wadala':
testosteronedriven flick
Don't confuse 'The Reluctant...' with 9/11 story: Mira
A scene from The Reluctant Fundamentalist cclaimed US-based Indian filmmaker Mira Nair said the audience shouldn't confuse "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" with a 9/11 story as the event is only a game-changer in her movie. "I don't want to confuse the movie with a 9/11 story, it's more of a love story and a thriller - 9/11 is a game changer in the movie. The story is about a man who tries to find himself," she said. Nair was in the capital for a press conference to promote "The Reluctant...", which is coming out here May 17. "I have made all kinds of films with the subcontinent in my heart, but 'The Reluctant...' is my first human thriller, a coming of age story that bridges our world with America," she said. The film stars Britain-based Pakistani origin actor Riz Ahmed
A scene from 'Shootout At Wadala' abli badmash hai", sings reading out a copywriter's wisdom Priyanka Chopra in one of from billboards and hoardings. the 3 utterly wasted item Everyone is a smart ass in this numbers in this film about blazing film. guns, flaring nostrils, sanguinary Take a character with an unmenrevenge and bleak atonement. tionable name, played with enerBabli is not the only one who's a getic fervor by debutant Siddhant badmaash here. The characters are Kapoor. At some point in the trigall hardened players of the under- ger-happy proceedings he world from the 1970s. They all explains why if he was Shah mean business in the business of Jahan he would have built the being mean. Qutub Minar instead of the Taj They sport the right clothes dia- Mahal. logues and attitude. "Because it's so old and yet it Yes, the detailing is deft. stands so erect!" Wordsmith Milap Zaveri, who is Mumbai as seen through the real hero hero of this film Gupta's expertly sketched images, about fascist solutions to the is a kingdom of the damned. Men conundrum of urban chaos, pulls pull put guns and knives as the out all stops to spread out an orgy background music (by Amar of rhetorics and rhetorics all Mohile) settles scores. Tempers across the narrative. run high. The body-count matches Everyone speaks as if they are the exacerbated emotions.
Review
To his credit, Gupta knows this world of internecine wars as minutely as Coppola knew his Sicily. The mood in the cat-andmouse game is forever defiant and belligerent. There's no room for dull moments in Gupta's storytelling. The cat and-mouse game tends to get breathless but never wheezy even when characters such as the one played by Manoj Bajpai splutter to a gruesome end. Gupta keeps a firm grip on the proceedings on his out-of-control characters, all played by actors who understand the close link between oppression and violence. This is Gupta's big-ticket comeback. The sound and fury certainly signify something significant in the history of gangsterism in our cinema.
in the lead along with Hollywood biggies Kate Hudson, Liev Schreiber and Bollywood veterans Shabana Azmi and Om Puri. "It is a film like no other - an Indian director making a Pakistani film across several continents, uniting A-list of Hollywood talents with legends from the Hindi film industry, creating a modern sound that crosses borders with its Sufi qawallis, rap music, Faiz poems, and techno groove," said the director who took five years to come out with "The Reluctant..." Her last film was "The Namesake". Based on Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid's novel of the same name, "The Reluctant..." is about a young man chasing corporate success on Wall Street and struggling between his American dream, a hostage crisis and the enduring call of his family's homeland.
OP-ED
May 11-17, 2013
19
Task of cleansing system has fallen on judiciary
Intemperate media hysteria setting political agenda

By Saeed Naqvi was in Lucknow when Sarabjit Singh died in Lahore. My purpose in visiting the city of my childhood was to address a much milder agenda: to attend a seminar organized by the local Urdu Media Guild on May Day. Since May Day this year coincided with celebration of Prophet Mohammads daughter Fatima Zehras birthday, the organizers made this coincidence the theme of the seminar. Trust Lucknow to have preserved in its nooks and corners, here and there, a little bit of the cultural togetherness which was once the dominant feature of its social attractions. Despite all my efforts at accommodating change, I have often despaired at standards of political demonstration organized, for example by Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati against each other. Mayawatis was dhikkar (damn) rally some years ago, which Mulayam Singh reciprocated with a thu, thu (spit on you) rally. That is why it was such a relief to be at the seminar searching for common ground between workers Day and dignity of labor enunciated by founders of Islam. Earliest Islam had itself attempted to build on a respect for the poor available in the Bible, even though the likes of Bernard Shaw aptly rebutted romanticisation of poverty: Modern poverty is not the poverty that was blest in the Sermon on the Mount." There was, however, no ambiguity in the minds of the organizers. The seminar dwelt on the example set by the prophet and his daughter in maintaining an exemplary simplicity in their own lives. Even though Fatimas mother, Khadija, was one of the richest women in Arabia, Fatima worked out a unique division of labor with Fizza who shared her household chores: they rested on alternate days. Daily chores in those days included grinding
The country must be thankful that the judiciary at the highest levels though not always lower down - remains free of taint By Amulya Ganguli ver since the Manmohan Singh government became embroiled in scams, it has been mainly the Supreme Court that has pushed for accountability. In doing so, it has taken recourse to a new technique for ascertaining the truth - that of virtually appropriating to itself the task of inquiry by directing the official agencies, either the police or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to conduct the probes under the judiciary's aegis. It has been an eminently successful method. In Gujarat, for instance, the Special Investigating Teams (SIT) set up to inquire into the Narendra Modi government's role during and after the 2002 riots have performed reasonably well. The main feature of these probes is that the governments, whether in the states or at the centre, have no role to play. Now, for the first time, this dividing line has been breached. And, the suspect is none other than the country's law minister, Ashwani Kumar. Besides, his alleged vetting of the CBI's report relates to the coalgate scandal in which the prime minister's name has been mentioned because he was once the coal minister. The suspicion, therefore, is that he was trying to protect Manmohan Singh, perhaps on his own. The Supreme Court's outrage is understandable - it has described the act of overseeing of the report as an "erosion" of trust by the CBI - because the intervention by the minister, bureaucrats of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and law officers like the attorney general has negated the very purpose of the court-monitored investigation, which is to ensure its credibility by keeping the government at arm's length. It is as if Gujarat's tainted minister, Amit Shah, has checked the SIT's report on the fake encounter cases with which he is associated. It is obvious that from now on, the scene will become murkier as the Supreme Court tries to "liberate" the CBI from official control, as it has vowed to do. First, more skeletons will tumble out of the cabinet as the court examines the CBI's affidavits on who saw the report, what changes were made, were there any deletions or additions, etc. Secondly, as a result of these revelations, the government will continue to be on the back foot with the opposition and the media relentlessly harassing it. Its prospects, therefore, of approaching the next round of elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi with any degree of confidence is remote. However, there may still be a silver lining to this gloomy scenario for the general public. Irrespective of how disheartening the current spell of "judicial activism" is for the government and, indeed, for the entire political class, for no party wants an independent CBI - the democratic system itself is likely to benefit. The country must be thankful that the judiciary at the highest levels - though not always lower down - remains free of taint and dedicated to the cause of ensuring honesty in public life. It is frightening to think what might have happened otherwise.
Sarabjits funeral pyre being lit by his sister grain for dough. In these days of creeping intolerance, citing parts of history from the religious domain could well be misunderstood but not in some enlightened arenas of Lucknow. Among those who held forth on the theme were former High Court Judge Pradeep Kant and former Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University Roop Rekha Verma. What I found particularly enchanting was the poetry on the family of the Prophet, linking it to Workers Day. This was composed and recited by Sanjay Mishra Shauq. An Urdu poet with a name like Mishra still reaching across religious boundaries? I rubbed my eyes with disbelief. Sad to reflect, how Sanjay Mishra Shauqs literary ancestors from Chunni Lal Dilgir in the 19th century right upto Krishen Behari Noor only decades ago, writing on themes of the Prophet and Karbala, have become part of our collective amnesia. Abdul Rahim Khane Khana, Maulana Hasrat Mohani and Qazi Nazrul Islam have, in our minds likewise, been separated from compositions on Lord Rama, Krishna, Shiva and Shakti. The next morning, just when my mother, now 94, brother and others in the family were talking about the previous evenings seminar, I received a message on my mobile from a friend in Delhi: Switch on the TV because Sarabjit Singh has died." We looked at each other with sadness, of course, but it was tinged with a sense of foreboding. We did not have to exchange a word to realize that the same thought crossed our minds when the TV came alive in a menacing sort of way. The anchor with angry, threatening faces in the five windows on the screen, demanded action, sought vengeance and generally mobilized political leaders on an ultra hardline platform towards an indefinable end. Were they inducing a societal, nervous breakdown for TRP ratings? Political leaders on the eve of a make-or-break election, out of touch with the people, are liable to mistake a noisy media for public opinion. Therefore, on cue, came BJP president Rajnath Singh. We should call back our High Commissioner from Islamabad he thundered. Not to be left behind, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lamented Pakistani leaders not having listened to our pleas to save the brave son of India. No one thought of placing in perspective a simple fact: Sarabjits conviction and sentence are a 23-yearold story which has been invested with so much media attention only recently.
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
20
May 11-17, 2013
OP-ED
Manmohan: Silence as a curse

By Rajdeep Sardesai t may seem incongruous to say today, but there was a time when one found Manmohan Singhs silence a mark of quiet dignity. In this age of noise, where everything from Parliament to television studios thrive on high decibel politics, Dr Singh was seen to be a reassuring bridge to an earlier era where the tone was more measured. I still remember interviewing Dr Singh in 1999, just ahead of him contesting a Lok Sabha election for the first, and as it later transpired, the only time. There was no manufactured hype surrounding his campaign: no shrill rhetoric, no cheering sycophants, no screaming banners. Dr Singh appeared most comfortable when we sat in his personal library, away from the lights and cameras. It was his grandsons birthday. I recall asking him if we could shoot the family celebrations. No family please, was his firm but polite response. We had missed a potential photo-op, but I genuinely respected the zealous manner in
There is another inescapable middle class value that the prime minister must now show: its called moral courage in the face of adversity.
which he chose to guard his privacy. Sadly, 14 years later, the very qualities that one found appealing in Dr Singh have now returned to haunt him. His silence is now construed as weakness, his limited communication seems evidence of a leader with much to hide, and the privacy argument is now seen as a sign of political nonaccountability. Yes, he still
admirably keeps his family away from the charmed power circle and is perhaps the only Indian prime minister who can seriously claim that no one in his immediate family has gained from his being in high office. But for that fact, the rest is now history: from being catapulted to prime ministership on the strength of his personal honesty, he is now being lampooned as a timid leader who
heads perhaps the countrys most scam-tainted government. Indeed, for a long time, the sense was that the prime minister was a helpless victim of coalition politics. What could he do if the DMK insisted on having its way with key portfolios while every other ally sought its pound of flesh? Even if his ministers were corrupt, the prime minister most certainly was not. To therefore target him was unfair: a coalition government by its very nature was a government of compromise and its survival was predicated on a willingness to make those compromises. Unfortunately it is now becoming increasingly apparent that in UPA 2, the obsession with survival has come at a very heavy cost, not just to the credibility of the ruling arrangement, but to the prime ministers own personal reputation. For example, if Dr Singh had put his foot down in May 2009 and insisted that Mr Raja be kept out of the telecom ministry, it might have led the DMK to stay out of government, but would have sent out a clear message that the prime minister
meant business. Remember this was a period when the prime minister having just won a tough reelection had finally acquired some political muscle. By caving in to DMK pressure at a moment of his greatest triumph, Manmohan Singh unfortunately lost the moral high ground, perhaps forever. Since then, there has been a steady, but inexorable decline in Dr Singhs political and moral authority. Instead of being seen as a man of integrity, he has now been branded a political survivor, someone who will allow his instincts for self-preservation to rule over all else. But there is another inescapable middle class value that the prime minister must now show: its called moral courage in the face of adversity. That would come if the prime minister finally realises that he isnt a secretary in the government of India but a chief executive of the Indian state. As a bureaucrat, silence might have been a compulsion. As a prime minister, it has become a curse. Even if late in the day, it is time for Dr Singh to stand up and, yes, speak out.
The great dictation

sent to the Supreme Court, Sinha did a fantastic impression of a top-end Japanese robot. Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury, on her part, was at her most brilliantly comic when she suggested on television that Sinha had gone over to Kumars to probably check some files as part of the CBIs routine investigation. The Sinha-Kumar meeting was attended by the attorney general and additional solicitor general along with a joint secretary each from the Prime Minister s Office and the law ministry people whose legitimate jobs are to defend the government. Instead of asking Sinha to let him have a look at the CBI report for the purpose of checking it for language and grammar, Ashwani and Co. could jolly well have written it out themselves with someone such as the Noida-based Vikram Seth adding a bit of flair to it. Sinhas attempt to make the CBIs stooge status sound matter of fact and respectable I am a part of the government. I have not shown sensitive information to an outsider. I have shown it to the law minister. was quite cute. He had set our minds at rest that the CBI status report was not shown to the pesky Chinese. If the CBI director has found it perfectly okay to make a fashion statement out of wearing a dog collar, the prime minister, by defending Kumar, has found nothing odd so far in his law ministers action of proofreading a report meant for Supreme Court eyes investigating charges that the governments allocation of coal blocks during 2004-2009 was conducted in an inefficient manner. Now the Supreme Court wants the CBI to state in an affidavit who made what changes in the status report. One hopes that Sinha doesnt interpret this as a goahead for him or one of his flunkeys to call up the law ministry, or attorney generals office or the PMO to go through the list of changes made at Ashwani-jis March 5 tea party and take dictation. Over the years, Manmohan Singh has been increasingly at ease with the durbari scheme of things that we saw him to be so uncomfortable with during his first tenure as prime minister-cum-brand ambassador. For one, hes no longer just expected to be loyal; he now expects loyalty himself. For another, all the 142 coal blocks were allocated during his tenure in the coal ministry. So his reputation as a scarecrow to frighten away all black birds of corruption and dodge now seems crow-pecked with his straw showing.
CBI director Ranjit Sinha has admitted that there is a master-servant relationship with the Government of India.
By Indrajit Hazra ike the clinically mad, the sycophant is blissfully unaware of his condition. In a feudal set-up where the road is paved with rewards and threats, the servile are protected from notions of being servile by their supine position being a permanent feature and condition of their jobs. No one has shown this more effectively than the extended durbar of the Congress-led UPA. Servility here, of course, is always pitched as
loyalty. The admission by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Ranjit Sinha of a master-servant relationship between the Government of India and the CBI isnt shocking because no one in his right mind considered the CBI to be independent. It is shocking because the government didnt even bother to trot out a convincing This isnt what it looks like, honey line when caught in bed with the CBI. When law minister Ashwani Kumar wanted to see the CBIs status report on the coal allocations case prior to it being
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
DIASPORA
May 11-17, 2013
21
Indian-origin family wedding triggers political row

Durban: A controversial wedding in an Indian-origin family in South Africa has allegedly created a rift between President Jacob Zuma and African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, a media report said. The wedding in the influential Gupta family got hit by controversy when a chartered aircraft carrying guests from India landed at an air force base at Waterkloof near Pretoria April 30. The aircraft incident was the final straw for Mantashe, who has allegedly been privately expressing concern that the family was wielding too much influence in the South African government and ANC affairs, the Independent Online reported quoting unnamed sources. Mantashe's supporters also had come out in support of ANC vicepresident Cyril Ramaphosa to take over as party president in 2017, fearing some of Zuma's allies would try to block Ramaphosa from taking over. The bride in the wedding was Vega Gupta, daughter of Achla Gupta, the only sister to the politically connected Gupta brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh - and the groom was India-born Aakash Jahajgarhia. The Guptas own the New Age newspaper and Sahara Computers and are known to be close to President Zuma. The private aircraft - an A330-200 belonging to Indian carrier Jet Airways - landing on the air force base had sparked outrage from various sections as it broke various rules and protocol. Five senior officials, including the country's chief of state protocol, have since been suspended and an inquiry ordered into the incident. Meanwhile, the Gupta family has expressed apologies for the aircraft
The extravagant wedding was held at Sun City.
incident and several other controversies surrounding the wedding. In light of what happened... the family would like to issue a general apology to all affected, including the
South African and Indian governments, the local authorities, the South African public and especially our guests, Atul Gupta said in a statement.
Malaysian Indian Congress underperforms in polls

Kuala Lumpur: The much anticipated increase in support for the Malaysian Indian Congress failed to materialize with the party winning four seats in the just- concluded polls as a major shift in support of the ethnic Chinese towards the opposition marred its performance. The Election Commission chairman Tan Abdul Aziz Mohammad Yusof announced that ruling Barisan Nasional ( National Front) coalition led by Najib Razak has taken a simple majority with 133 seats, 21 more than the threshold required to form a government. The opposition alliance led by Anwar Ibrahim Pakatan Rakyat won 89 seats in the polls. Ethnic Indians in Malaysia have overwhelmingly backed the ruling Barisan Nasional which triumphed in the general elections. MIC, the largest ethnic Indian political party and a major component of the ruling coalition, contested in nine parliamentary seats and has won four, one better than their performance in 2008 elections. Leading the MIC winners were party president G Palanivel, who registered a 462-vote majority over opposition Democratic Action Party's M Manogaran for the Cameron Highlands seat and his deputy Dr S Subramaniam who defeated opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Chua Jui Meng with a 1,217-vote majority in Segamat. The other two victors were MIC vice-president M Saravanan, who retained his Tapah parliamentary seat over K Vasantha Kumar and youth MIC wing chief P Kamalanathan, who retained his Hulu Selangor seat over Khalid Jaafar of PKR with a 3,413 majority. The party performed badly in the states, winning only five out of the 18 state seats which it contested.
Legally working Indians in Saudi Arabia to be regularized

Dubai: Indian workers who have travelled to Saudi Arabia legally will be allowed to regularize their visa status, get new jobs or to return home if they register voluntarily with the Saudi authorities during the three months grace period announced by the Kingdom, according to officials. This was among the issues discussed at the Joint Group meeting held this week at the Saudi ministry of labor. The group will continue their discussions next week, said a statement issued from the Indian embassy in Riyadh. The Joint Group was set up during the discussions between Saudi labor minister Adel Fakeih and Indian delegation led by overseas affairs minister Vayalar Ravi in Jeddah on April 28. The Group is mandated to discuss all issues pertaining to the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia including immediate issues pertaining to implementation of Nitaqat program and overstaying Indian workers. The 'Nitaqat' law makes it mandatory for local firms to hire one Saudi national for every 10 migrant workers. There has been widespread perception that the new policy will lead to denial of job opportunities for a large number of Indians. Over two million Indians are currently working in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government was implementing the Nitaqat law to cut unemployment in the country.
Guyana marks 175th anniversary of Indian Arrival Day

Port of Spain: Guyana marked the 175th anniversary of Indian Arrival Day Sunday by unveiling a monument at the very location where the first batch of indentured Indian laborers alighted from a ship in 1838. The monument at Plantation Highbury up in the East Bank corridor of this South American nation has been built specifically to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian laborers to work in the country's sugarcane plantations, local media reported. Indians were brought in as indentured laborers by the British from 1838 to the early years of the 20th century to the then country of British Guyana. At the Highbury Commemoration Compound event, organized by the Berbice Indian Cultural Committee, the unveiling was followed by a rich cultural program of skits, songs and dances, among others. Speaking on the occasion, David Armogan, chairman of East Berbice-Corentyne region -- or Region 6 -- of Guyana, said Guyanese Indians, like Guyanese of other ethnicities, have achieved a lot, especially in medicine, business, nursing, and politics and called upon Guyanese to continue to remember their traditions and culture. According to Frank Anthony, Guyana's minister for culture, youth and sports, after the first batch of Indians brought on the ship, the Hesperus, set foot on Guyanese soil, the conditions they worked in were "horrendous." "And while some people said that we cannot equate it with what happened during slavery, historian Hugh Tinker, author of a book about slavery, spoke about the horrors of indentureship," the Kaiteur News quoted him as saying.
Indian-origin man named CEO of South African gold mining firm

Durban: South African gold-mining company AngloGold Ashanti has appointed Indian-origin Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan as it new chief executive officer with immediate effect. "We're extremely pleased to have an executive of Mr Venkatakrishnan's calibre to lead AngloGold Ashanti through the next phase of its development," Tito Mboweni, chairman of the Johannesburg-headquartered firm said in a statement Wednesday. "He will enjoy my personal support and the full support of the board as he brings his extensive experience to complement the impressive depth of our operating and strategic talent." AngloGold Ashanti is one of the biggest gold mining, exploration and marketing companies in the world with 21 operations in 10 countries across four continents. Its major development projects are located in Tropicana in Australia, Kibali in the Democratic Republic of Congo and La Colosa in Colombia. Venkatakrishnan served as the company's chief financial officer (CFO) for nine years prior to this appointment. According to the company statement, he will continue to serve as CFO simultaneously until further notice. "In his role as CFO, he has overseen funding for all of AngloGold Ashanti's operating activities, giving him a detailed knowledge of all of our mines and operating jurisdictions," the company statement said. Venkatakrishnan was earlier the CFO at Ashanti Goldfields until it merged with AngloGold in 2004. He holds an A.C.A from Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid. Venkatakrishnan's appointment comes a day after Indian-origin Ivan Menezes was appointed the chief executive of London-headquartered Diageo, the world's largest liquor maker.
22
May 11-17, 2013
SUBCONTINENT
Pak polls one of bloodiest in history: Daily Imran in stable condition after fall
Islamabad: This election is turning out to be one of the bloodiest in Pakistan's history, said a daily, warning that the "prospects for the situation on May 11 are grim and frightening". The caretaker government needs a reality check, followed by some evidence that it takes its responsibilities vis--vis security for the elections more seriously than has been in evidence so far, said an editorial in the Daily Times Monday. "We have the strange conjuncture of arguably one of the bloodiest and most violent elections in our history and a seemingly toothless caretaker government attempting to paper over its manifest failure to discharge its primary duty - the holding of free, fair, transparent elections in an enabling secure environment where parties and voters are not cowed into submission, either during campaigning or on polling day. "With five days to go for the exercise of the electorate's right to freely express its will, the Islamabad: Pakistani cricketerturned politician Imran Khan, who was injured after he fell down from a "lifter" in Lahore, is in stable condition, his spokesman and party leaders said. Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), fell off a lifter while he was being raised to a stage to address an election rally, his spokesman Ejaz Chaudhry said. Chaudhry said that the PTI chief received injuries at the forehead but said he is out of danger, reported Xinhua. TV footage showed Khan was taken to hospital while bleeding continued from his forehead. He was first taken to a local hospital for stitches and later was transferred to his own Shaukat Khanum Hospital for further treatment, PTI leader Asad Umar said. Witnesses said that Khan came down from nearly a 20-feet lifter A witness said that Imran Khan hit a rod as he came down and bleeding started from his forehead. PTI leader Dr. Yasmin Rashid also said that Khan is conscious and is talking, which is a good sign in case of head injuries. She said doctors
Pakistani cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan got injured after he fell down from a "lifter" in Lahore
Pakistan is set to hold general elections on May 11
prospects for the situation on May 11 are grim and frightening." Noting that this election is turning out to be "one of the bloodiest in our history", the daily cited a think tank report to say that since January till the end of April this year, 2,674 people have been killed. "Admittedly, the toll includes militants targeted by the security
forces and drone strikes, as well as personnel of the security forces engaged in operations against the terrorists, and also casualties on both sides in the nationalist insurgency in Balochistan. However the bulk of the dead are citizens and political leaders and workers of the three secular-leaning mainstream parties, the PPP, MQM and ANP."
put 16 stitches. Another party leader Asad Omar said that Imran Khan was talking to the doctors and he was confident. He said that Khan will not address the public meeting Tuesday night and will take a rest. He appealed to the people to pray for him. He told Khan's supporters that there is no need to panic. Police held Khan's security guard responsible for the incident in preliminary investigation. Police sources said the third guard tried to climb on the lifter that led to its falling down. Khan's party cancelled all public meetings in Lahore, the party 's spokesman said.
Bangladesh building collapse toll nears 800
'Pak cruise missiles posing new challenge to India'
Dhaka: Around 800 bodies had been retrieved in Bangladesh's building collapse as the grim recovery work continued a fortnight after the country's worst industrial tragedy which occurred on the outskirts of Dhaka. The rescuers continued their relentless efforts to search for more bodies as the stench of decaying bodies still remained around the ruins of the Rana Plaza building which crumbled on the fateful morning of April 24, Xinhua reported. While local media, put the toll at 803, after more than two dozen bodies were recovered Wednesday, the authorities confirmed 766 deaths till afternoon. "The death toll of the building collapse has risen to 766 till 2.00 p.m. Wednesday," said Yusuf Harun,
administrative chief of Dhaka district. Following the cracks detected just a day before the disaster, the workers were evacuated and garments authorities declared a leave for April 23. But none bothered about the cracks when officials of the factories in the building forced the workers to join workplaces the next morning. Six floors of the building housed the five garment factories which, according to the months-old data of the owners' association, employed nearly 3,122 workers, mostly women. There were hundreds of shops inside the building and a bank branch. Rescuers have pulled alive more than 2,437 people after the eight-storey building collapsed.
Washington: With Pakistan arming itself with nuclearcapable cruise missiles with stealth capabilities, a new dimension has been added to India's maritime security challenges that will contribute to the changing strategic environment in South Asia, a leading Indian defence expert said here. "Taking a leaf from China, Pakistan seems to be investing in cruise missiles," said C Uday Bhaskar, Distinguished Fellow with the Society for Policy Studies in New Delhi, referring to Pakistan's indigenously developed cruise missile Babur, which can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.
"This has lowered the index of stability in the region," Bhaskar said at an Asia-Pacific security seminar on India's Maritime Security Challenges at the East-West Centre. But in dealing with issues ranging from low intensity conflict and piracy to major-power strategic contests, India's key challenges were resource constraints, ship building capabilities, maritime infrastructure and the changing geo-political environment, he said. The rapidly changing strategic environment in South Asia and emergence of an "extended global common" posed another challenge, said Bhaskar, a visiting fellow at the National Maritime Foundation in New Delhi.
Afghanistan in talks' agenda of Burns

New Delhi: Days after his meeting with External Affairs Minister SalmanKhurshid in the Kazakh capital Almaty, US Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns arrives in New Delhi this week to hold talks on a host of issues, including Afghanistan and expanding civil nuclear cooperation with India. In Almaty, on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia ministerial conference, Burns had met Khurshid and briefed him about the meetings Secretary of State John Kerry had with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan Army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in Belgium. In his Delhi visit, Burns would discuss Afghanistan where "we welcome the leading role India is playing in fostering regional economic integration and spurring private sector investment", said a US statement. Both sides would also discuss regional issues, including "our mutual goals for greater cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and in". Burns Delhi visit is "to continue the very productive dialogue our two governments now enjoy on a wide range of political, economic and security issues. The strategic partnership with India is of great importance to the United States and one in which both our governments are continuing to invest", said the statement. The deputy secretary will exchange views with his counterparts on how to grow the trade and investment relationship and expand our energy and climate change cooperation, including how to further advance our civil nuclear cooperation. The deputy also looks forward to discussing regional issues, including our mutual goals for greater cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and in Afghanistan, where we welcome the leading role India is playing in fostering regional economic integration and spurring private sector investment, it said.
INTERNATIONAL
May 11-17, 2013
23
Court upholds ex-PM China denies renewed Cameron spells out British stance on Tibet Berlusconi's tax fraud conviction US cyber spying claims
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
Milan: An appeals court has upheld the tax fraud conviction against ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and sentenced him to four years in prison. But the Italian leader could appeal this verdict to a higher court, the Court of Cassation. In October, a court convicted Berlusconi in a scheme that involved inflating the price his Mediaset media empire paid for TV rights to US movies and pocketing the difference. Berlusconi denied the charges and says he's a victim of politically motivated prosecutors. That verdict was upheld Wednesday by the appeals court in Milan. The lower court, which began hearing the case in 2006, also said Berlusconi could not hold public office for five years or manage any company for three years; penalties that would take force only if the conviction is upheld on two levels of appeal. The media tycoon is also a defendant in a trial for having sex with a 17-year-old prostitute while he was still PM, and then abusing the powers of his office by putting pressure on police to release her from custody.
Beijing: China's military denied renewed US accusations of sponsoring cyber attacks and said the sides should cooperate against the global threat of computer crime. The accusations in the latest Pentagon report on the Chinese military are "irresponsible and harmful to the mutual trust between the sides, Senior Col. Wang Xinjun, a People's Liberation Army researcher, was quoted as saying by the official. "The Chinese government and armed forces have never sanctioned hacking activities," said Wang, who is based at the Academy of Military Sciences in Beijing, one of the PLA's main think tanks. The military frequently uses such academics as alternative spokesmen. The annual Pentagon report released on Monday included for the first time the accusation that at least some attacks on US government and other computer systems appeared to be "attributable directly" to the Chinese government and military. It said China is using its cyber capabilities to collect intelligence against US diplomatic, economic and defense programs, and is developing the skills needed to conduct cyber-warfare.The new wording in the report continues an escalating effort by US officials to call out the Chinese on the cyber-attacks and to press for a more open dialogue with Beijing on the problem.
British Prime Minister David Cameron London: Britain does not support a Tibetan state independent of China, Prime Minister David Cameron said, amid reports of Chinese anger at his meeting with the Dalai Lama last year. Cameron told parliament that Britain respected China's sovereignty and ministers recognised Tibet as part of China. Britain officials deny that Chinese anger at the meeting between Cameron and the Tibetan spiritual leader in May 2012 could scupper the Prime Minister's plans to visit China by the end of this year. The Chinese government takes a dim view of ministers from foreign governments meeting the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing accuses of encouraging separatism and violence. Cameron told lawmakers he had spoken to the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and he hoped Britain could build a better relationship with China. He said: "Let us be absolutely clear; this government has not changed the long-standing British policy towards China and Tibet. We do want to have a strong and positive relationship with China, which I believe is in our mutual benefit. The Chinese government is aware of our policy on Tibet. We recognise Tibet as part of China. We do not support Tibetan independence and we respect China's sovereignty. When I spoke to Premier Li recently, we both looked forward to both countries working very closely together in the months and years ahead." The meeting between Cameron, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and the Dalai Lama in London was part of the government's approach of seeking, "dialogue and discussion and gathering a wide range of viewpoints on issues of importance", a spokesman for Cameron said yesterday.
24
May 11-17, 2013
BUSINESS
Biz briefs India makes it easier to get visas on arrival

New Delhi: The government has put in motion a series of measures that will drastically liberalize the visa regime in the country and ensure a significant boost in foreign tourist arrivals. Not only has the government extended the facility of visa on arrival for individuals from four to nine airports in the country but also given its nod for VoA option for a group of foreign tourists (four or more) using air or sea ports to enter the country. The group VoA facility has been extended to all countries excluding Afghanistan, China, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and Pakistan and foreigners of Pakistani origin. In effect from April 1, the measures mean that a family of four, or a group coming from any part of the world except for the countries on the negative list, can use the VoA facility. This significant measure has put India even above China in its liberalized visa regime. China has introduced a visa-free regime for 60 countries from January 1 this year. India received about 6 million foreign tourists in a year which is a fraction of the world share in tourist arrivals. However, the growth of tourists arriving under the individual VoA scheme has been encouraging. In 2011, 12,761 VoAs were issued which increased by 26% to 16,084 in 2012. In January-March 2013, 5744 VoAs have been issued. The move has been cleared by the inter-ministerial coordination committee for the tourism sector constituted by the PMO following tourism minister K Chiranjeevi's intervention. In December last year the government had waived off the 60-day period between two visits to the country. Individual VoA was earlier accepted in airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata which has now been extended to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum and Goa.
India pitches for rating upgrade

New Delhi: India's growth story is credible and the government is making serious efforts to control subsidy and address other macro-economic problems, the finance ministry told rating agency Moody's, making a strong pitch for sovereign ratings upgrade. Representatives of Moody's met finance ministry officials at North Block here to access India's economic situation. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram said the rating agency wanted to learn about the government's measures to control subsidy and fiscal deficit. He said most of the analysts raise concern over whether there will be slippage on subsidy and the budgetary numbers were credible. The numbers have been very carefully done in the budget. We have checked and double checked it. Therefore, there is no question of numbers not being accurate or credible, Mayaram said. "We have a credible story that we have told them and they have appreciated what we have said. Now rest is up to them, he said. Mayaram admitted that India's macro-economic pictures were not fully rosy but the government was taking action to improve the situation. "We know there are problems but we have to take actions in a particular manner and the government is fully committed to take action so that the problem that we are seeing today are fully addressed, he said. The finance ministry had put
Moodys last week said India's sovereign outlook is stable
forward similar arguments and made pitch for ratings upgrade during the meetings with the representatives of Standard & Poor's and Fitch recently. Moody's last week said India's sovereign outlook is sta-
ble and does not warrant any action in the next 12-18 months. Moody's has assigned India the sovereign credit rating of 'Baa3', with stable outlook. This is the lowest investment grade rating.
India-born COO is new Diageo chief
Wipro invests $30 million in US data firm

Bangalore: IT bellwether Wipro invested $30 million (Rs.162 crore) for a strategic equity stake in Opera Solutions LLC, a leading privately held US-based big data science firm. "This strategic partnership with Opera will help us extend leadership in the big data analytics space, combining its machine learning expertise, pre-discovered predictive signals and algorithms with our expertise in global delivery model to create industryspecific solutions," Wipro vice-president K.R. Sanjiv said in a statement here. The Jersey City-headquartered Opera has the largest group of scientists, specialised in machine learning, which is applied to generate big data flows and create predictive patterns or signals. "Though big data is a huge opportunity for business value creation, many enterprises do not have the technology or science to access its power," Sanjiv observed. Opera provides capabilities to allow organisations turn raw big data into strategic advantage, profit and productivity. "Opera's domain expertise will enable our customers to maximise their return on investment of big data analytics implementation through faster adoption," said Sanjiv, who heads Wipro's analytics and information management business. Opera also offers a range of solutions which turn the signals into prescriptive action and improve frontline productivity and bottom-line growth.
Senate passes Internet sales-tax bill

Washington: Congress took a step toward ending tax-free shopping on the Internet as the Senate passed a bill empowering states to collect sales tax for purchases made online. But online shoppers wont have to pay sales tax just yet. The measure which got 69 yes votes and 27 no votes in the Senate next goes to the House of Representatives, where anti-tax sentiment among many Republicans may make it more difficult to pass. Supporters of the legislation, named the Marketplace Fairness Act in the Senate, say it is about tax fairness and that it isnt a tax increase. Read Q&A with National Retail Federation tax expert. Some have said: Well, its a new tax. Of course its not, said Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander. This is a tax that everybody owes but only some people pay. Opponents claim it amounts to a national Internet sales tax and imposes burdensome compliance costs on small businesses. I fear that what were going to do is crush a lot of these start-ups, said Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat. The Senate bill would exempt businesses with less than $1 million in online sales, but eBay wants to raise that small-business exemption to firms with less than $10 million in sales.
Ivan Menezes
London: The worlds top liquor company Diageo reshuffled its management, with company insider and Indian-origin chief operating officer Ivan Menezes replacing Paul Walsh, who has been CEO for 13 years. The value of Diageo has tripled under Walsh but the firm has struggled recently in some acquisition attempts in emerging markets. Diageo had in November got into an agreement to buy a controlling 53.4% stake in Vijay Mallya-led United Spirits. Analysts do not expect its open offer to shareholders to succeed, leaving Diageo with around 30% of USL. Walsh, 57, has not yet decided what his next move would be, a Diageo spokeswoman said. Menezes presence at the helm is expected to help to underline the global credentials of the London-listed firm. Menezes, formerly the head of Diageo North America, was made COO last year. We would not expect any significant change to strategy and see this as the natural next step in Diageo leadership, said Jefferies analyst Dirk Van Vlaanderen. Ivan is a known quantity.
SPORTS
May 11-17, 2013
25
Sachin only Indian in Stewart's dream team

London: Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian to make it to the Test dream team drawn up by former England captain Alec Stewart from among players against whom he had played in his career. "The 'Little Master' is a nobrainer for his extraordinary run-scoring over such a long period of time and the way he has dealt with the pressure of being India's number one sporting icon," Stewart told BBC Sport. "I remember a brilliant 165 in his hometown of Mumbai in 1993 and 193 at Headingley almost a decade later. When he got in, his bat just seemed to get wider and wider," added the channel's Test Match Special summariser as part of a special feature. Stewart, whose Test XI would be captained by Australian Steve Waugh, said West Indian Brian Lara was the best batsman he has played against. His team does not include former Australian captain Ricky Ponting nor the legendary batsman Vivian Richards while the latter's West Indian contemporaries Gordon Greenidge and Malcolm Marshall find places. Richards and Marshall played their last Test together in 1991 while Greenidge quit the same year but a few months before them. Stewart explained Richards' omission on the ground that the legendary West Indian's "very best days were just behind him by the time I made my Test debut in 1990".
IPL: Chennai canter to win against Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey carried Chennai Super Kings to a 77run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. Suresh Raina (99 runs off 52 balls) and Mike Hussey (67 off 42) made full use of good batting conditions, powering Chennai 223 for three, the highest T20 total at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Hyderabad never looked like getting near the target and ended at 146 for eight for their first loss at home in IPL-6. Chennai would be pleased with the result, considering they lost badly to Mumbai Indians Sunday. They still maintain their top spot in the team standings with 20 points from 13 games. Hyderabad remain fifth with 14 points from 12 matches. Hyderabad lost their in-form Shikhar Dhawan and Kumar Sangakkara by the sixth
Sachin Tendulkar
Two other Indians -- Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble -made it to Stewart's broader squad but missed out in the final Test XI.
Chennai Super King bowler Dwayne Bravo celebrates during the Pepsi IPL-2 match
over and could never recover from the bad start to the chase. It was all but over when they found themselves five down for 64.
Football's greatest manager calls it a day
IPL teams standings

Teams Chennai Super Kings Mumbai Indians Rajasthan Royals Royal Challengers Bangalore Sunrisers Hyderabad Kings XI Punjab Kolkata Knight Riders Delhi Daredevils Pune Warriors Mat 13 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 12 Won 10 8 8 7 7 5 4 3 2 Lost 3 4 4 5 5 6 8 9 10 Tied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 N/R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pts 20 16 16 14 14 10 8 6 4 Net RR +0.687 +0.644 +0.441 +0.568 -0.228 +0.171 -0.273 -0.778 -1.291
Let SRK enter Wankhede Stadium: Thackeray

The shockwaves of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson's announcement were felt across the world
Malhotra-led IOA to boycott IOC meeting

New Delhi: Objecting to Narinder Batra and R.K. Anand's inclusion in the delegation, the Vijay Kumar Malhotra-led Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has decided to stay away from the May 15 meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne. The IOA delegation will now have six members while India's sports ministry will be represented by Minister of State Jitendra Singh, secretary Pradeep Kumar Deb, Anil Kumar Singh (OSD to minister), India's first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and Olympian sailor Malav Shroff. What irked Malhotra, who is recognised as the IOA president, is that the IOC accepted Batra and Anand, whose names were proposed by the Abhay Singh Chautala-led unrecognised IOA, which has been suspended by the IOC. "I have informed the IOC that by inviting Batra and Anand, the IOC has recognised a democratically elected IOA under the leadership of Mr.Chautala. There is no point in our attending the meeting," Malhotra told IANS. Malhotra's panel, besides him, had N. Ramachandran (patron, Squash Rackets Federation of India), Tarlochan Singh (vice president, Archery Association of India) and S. Raghunathan (president, Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association). But the IOC decided to include Batra, secretary general of Hockey India (HI), and Anand, who is represents the weightlifting federation, increasing the representation of the National Sports Federation (NSFs) by a significant number. Tarlochan Singh and Ramachandran have also informed Malhotra that they too would not be attending the Lausanne meeting. The IOC member from India, Randhir Singh, who is also the Olympic Council of Asia secretary general, has also decided not to attend the meeting since the IOC didn't bother to take the OCA into confidence before convening the meeting. Randhir Singh is also the secretary general of the recognised IOA.
London: One of the most storied journeys in world football will end when the current English Premier League comes to a close later this month. Alex Ferguson, the 71year-old manager of Manchester United, announced that he would call it a day, bringing down the curtains on his glittering 26-yearold association with the club. As much as the trophies he won, it was his stellar role in making United a global brand - valued at $3 billion - synonymous with commercial and footballing success that would count as his greatest legacy. With fans spread from Kolkata to Colorado, United became the most identifiable brand in the world under Ferguson's stewardship. The club announced that Ferguson would be elevated as its
director and ambassador, making his presence a daunting prospect for anyone stepping into his shoes. His last game at the famed Old Trafford will be against Swansea on May 12, while the Scot's last game in charge of the Red Devils would be away to West Brom on May 19. Fittingly, it would be his 1,500th game in charge of United. The shockwaves of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson's announcement were felt across the world. Valued at $3 billion, the shares of the world's richest club immediately fell by 4.7% as the New York Stock Exchange opened trading on Wednesday. BBC reported that shares fell to $12.90, below their $14 flotation price, despite a bullish broker prediction for the stock.
Mumbai: After the Congress, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray demanded that Mumbai Cricket Association lift its five-year ban on actor Shah Rukh Khan from entering Wankhede Stadium. Khan's Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians were set to face off at the Wankhede Stadium here Tuesday and the star would miss the match if the ban is not lifted. Thackeray said it was "wrong" on the MCA's part to ban Khan from entering the stadium. "He is the owner of the team. Is he some terrorist," Thackeray said. Earlier, state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant appealed to the MCA to lift the five-year ban on Khan for his "misbehavior" during last year's IPL.
26
May 11-17, 2013
HEALTH
Dr. Atul Shah, a Board Certified Allergist & Asthma Specialist based in Shirley, NY, discusses asthma and its management.
iving with allergies can limit many things we want to do and enjoy. Dr Atul Shah, Shirley, NY based Board Certified allergy and asthma specialist, strongly believes that allergies should not limit us from enjoying life. There are many things that can be done to make it "Allergy-Free". When we see children with asthma and allergy, the common concern and misconception is that they can't play sports or take part in physical activities. But Dr Shah encourages active lifestyle for children and adults with asthma and this is very much possible, if asthma is managed and controlled fully. Here Dr. Shah replies to some of the commonly asked questions.
What are the allergic triggers for asthma? Dr. Shah: The most common allergy triggers are indoor and outdoor environmental triggers, such as dust mites, pet dander, molds, cockroaches, grass pollen, tree pollen, and weed pollen. Asthma can also be triggered by food, medications, food additives, and coloring agents. What role do emotions play in asthma? Dr. Shah: Many of emotions, both positive and negative, are known triggers for asthma. Stress, too, plays a big role in promoting asthma symptoms. Learning to recognize, express, and manage your emotions can help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma exacerbations. How do you diagnose asthma? Dr. Shah: The recognition of symptoms is the first step. Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, early tiredness, and nighttime cough are common symptoms. Lung function tests (e.g. spirometry, peak flow,
nitric oxide test) and responses to asthma medications help us confirm the diagnosis of asthma. How do you manage asthma? Dr. Shah: The goal of asthma management is to achieve normal life and normal lung function with the use of minimum number of medications needed. It usually involves steps to identify and avoid triggers, treat underlying conditions that could trigger asthma, and use rescue medications to improve symptoms and daily controller medications to reduce the need for rescue medications. The use of daily controller medications is essential to reduce the airway inflammation associated with asthma. Treating underlying allergies significantly improves asthma. Can I participate in sports if I have asthma? Dr. Shah: The goal of asthma management is to achieve complete control of asthma so that the individual with asthma can participate in all physical activities, including sports. Many professional athletes have asthma and are able to enjoy
The drug pairs Mercks Zetia, which lowers (LDL or bad cholesterol) with the generic version of Lipitor, the best-selling statin made by Pfizer that lost its patent protection in 2011.
Asthma management involves steps to identify and avoid triggers, treat underlying conditions that could trigger asthma, and use of rescue medications like inhalers to improve symptoms and daily controller medications such as Singulair to reduce the need for rescue medications.
What is asthma? Dr. Atul Shah: When the small airways inside a persons lungs become narrow and tight, that person coughs, wheezes, and feels chest tightness and shortness of breath. This is called asthma. It can be triggered by allergies or nonallergic triggers. When the right medicine is given, these symptoms resolve as the airways open up.
sports without any restrictions. If you are symptomatic with asthma, you might need to modify physical activities and schedules until full control is achieved with daily controller medications. The use of a rescue inhaler 20 to 30 minutes prior to exercise is helpful for those with exercise-related asthma symptoms. Physical conditioning, breathing exercises, graded warmups, and controlled air temperatures
can help minimize exercise-related symptoms. At the Center for Asthma & Allergy, we are now offering oral Allergy Drops or Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT), besides the regular allergy shots. It is a new form of giving allergy vaccination, instead of allergy injections, it is done as oral drops and can be done at home! www.AmazingAllergist.com
Drug to cut cholesterol is approved by FDA

he Food and Drug Administration approved on Friday a combination drug developed by Merck that lowers a patients cholesterol but has not been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or death, the company said. The drug pairs Mercks Zetia, which lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) with the generic version of Lipitor, the best-selling statin made by Pfizer that lost its patent protection in 2011. Although the combination drug, to be called Liptruzet, was shown in a clinical trial to reduce LDL cholesterol more than patients who took Lipitor alone, the company said Liptruzet did not reduce patients chances of developing heart disease. That fact troubled some cardiologists, who questioned why it was approved. This is extremely surprising and disturbing, said Dr. Steven E.
Scientists develop nanoparticles for diabetics

Boston: US researchers have engineered nanoparticles for diabetics capable of releasing insulin in the blood thereby to help maintain normal blood sugar levels, says a study. In a promising development for diabetes treatment, researchers have developed a network of nanoscale particles that can be injected into the body and release insulin when bloodsugar levels rise, maintaining normal blood sugar levels for more than a week in animalbased laboratory tests. The work was done by researchers at North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MIT and Children's Hospital Boston, reports Science Daily. "We've created a 'smart' system that is injected into the body and responds to changes in blood sugar by releasing insulin, effectively controlling blood-sugar levels," says Dr. Zhen Gu, lead author of a paper describing the work and an assistant professor in the joint biomedical engineering program at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. "We've tested the technology in mice, and one injection was able to maintain blood sugar levels in the normal range for up to 10 days." The new, injectable nano-network is composed of a mixture containing nanoparticles with a solid core of insulin, modified dextran and glucose oxidase enzymes. When the enzymes are exposed to high glucose levels they effectively convert glucose into gluconic acid, which breaks down the modified dextran and releases the insulin. The insulin then brings the glucose levels under control. The gluconic acid and dextran are fully biocompatible and dissolve in the body. Each of these nanoparticle cores is given either a positively charged or negatively charged biocompatible coating. The positively charged coatings are made of chitosan (a material normally found in shrimp shells), while the negatively charged coatings are made of alginate (a material normally found in seaweed).
Nissen, chairman of the department of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Cardiologists have long questioned the value of Zetia and Vytorin, which combined Zetia with an older statin, Zocor. They had been on the market for a decade, but had not been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. A clinical trial of more than 18,000 patients is assessing whether Vytorin significantly reduces heart attacks, strokes and heart-related deaths and is expected to conclude in 2014. In March, an independent monitoring board let the trial continue, suggesting that no significant safety concerns had come up. Still, Dr. Nissen said he was skeptical that the trial would show that the drugs were effective. Morgan Liscinsky, an F.D.A. spokeswoman, said high levels of LDL cholesterol were a known risk factor for heart disease. Liptruzet is a combination of two currently mar
keted drugs that effectively lower elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, she said. The FDA rejected Mercks application for the drug last year, and the company said at the time that the agency requested more information. Merck said Liptruzet was a good option for patients who were not successful in lowering their bad cholesterol. A significant percentage of patients are unable to lower their LDL cholesterol to recommended levels despite treatment, Dr. Peter H. Jones, an adviser to Merck and an associate professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said in a news release. Liptruzet is meant to be taken once a day and will be sold in doses of 10 mg of Zetia, in addition to 10, 20, 40 or 80 mg of Lipitor, known as atorvastatin. Mercks list price will be $5.50 a pill. A company spokeswoman did not say whether insurance companies were planning to cover the drug, but said Merck intends to be competitive in managed care to ensure wide access to Liptruzet.
LIFESTYLE
May 11-17, 2013
27
Giuliana Rancic opted for Falguni-Shane at Met Gala

New Delhi: American TV personality Giuliana Rancic decided to opt for Indian designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock's creation at the annual Met Gala in New York. The Met gala is one of fashion's biggest nights and this year kicked off the Metropolitan Museum of Art's spring exhibition "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Monday. The 38-year-old Rancic, known for hosting award shows, was seen in a nude full length gown featuring beaded detailing. "It is a very proud moment for us to spot our creations at the Red Carpet of the Met Gala, which is one of the biggest fashion events in the world. Giuliana looked lovely in one of our signature styled gown," said the designers in a statement. Falguni and Shane are also designing international tattoo artist Kat Von D's wedding gown. They have previously designed for numerous international celebrities, including Madonna, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Fergie, Nicole Scherzinger, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian.
Scared of losing job, workers not taking sick leave

London: Despite a severe cold or flu, British workers are too afraid to take sick leave, fearing they would lose their job, a study has found. According to a survey conducted by Canada Life Group, employees said they worry about their colleagues judging them if they do not come to office, Daily Mail reported. It was found heavy workload was a significant reason for a fall in sick days. Canada Life Group Insurance is one of Britain's largest group-risk insurance companies. Employees said being aware that work would build up in their absence put them off staying at home. A third of workers surveyed said they would go to work if they had the flu, and 93 percent said a cold was not a good enough reason to stay at home. It was found women take an average of 4.4 days off, whereas men take 3.5 sick days. "It is worrying to see that so many employees feel they cannot take a day off," said Paul Avis, from Canada Life Group. Other than witnessing a heavy workload that would build up while they were off, fear of judgment by colleagues and the risk of losing their job were also selected as major reasons for going to work when sick. The British economy has been on a plateau since the 2008 financial crisis, with small spurts of growth and contraction. As a result, British unemployment has risen from only five percent in 2007 to just under eight percent, well below the double-digit rates scaled during recession in the 1990s.
Guiliana Rancic in Falguni-Shane creation
Skype helped Gemma Arterton stay in shape

Los Angeles: Actress Gemma Arterton worked out with her trainer with the help of Skype while shooting for a film. She had to workout six days a week when she was in Ireland for "Byzantium." "It's the new thing, we've decided, because I was filming in Ireland. I hate working out in gyms, and I don't like the way they make your body look," Marie Claire magazine quoted Arterton as saying. While Gemma was keen to get in shape for the movie -- in which she plays Clara, a vampire prostitute and mother who is protective of her daughter, played by Saoirse Ronan - she insists too many "intelligent actresses" are slimming down in excess. "I saw an actress I know and she's lost so much weight. She's gone
Montblanc launches collection to raise fund for education

New Delhi: Montblanc has launched the Signature for Good Collection, a limited edition to raise money to promote education and build schools in the third world countries. As the brand supports Unicef's global initiatives to enable more children to read and write, it has pledged to raise $1.5 million for Unicef's education programs, through the Schools for Africa and Asia initiatives and programs in Latin America. Each piece of the collection is individually numbered and features unique brick design that symbolizes the joint effort of building a better future for the children by improving access to quality education, including the construction of schools. The brand will donate part of its proceeds to Unicef's education programs for every piece sold from the collection. The collection includes Meisterstuck Writing Instrument, small leather goods and exclusive jewelry accessories and the price starts from Rs.13,000 onwards.
Gemma Arterton
from a size 12 to a size four within two months," she said. "There are so many good, intelligent actresses doing this, and I just think, 'Why does that go hand in hand with the acting profession?' It shouldn't. It lets the side down. It lets down team woman."
Beat your stress out with paper and pen

London: A study has suggested writing a 'happy list' before the start of each working day can help stressed-out workers improve their problem-solving skills. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, US, asked 73 students to write a short essay on subjects such as the importance of friends and family. A group of students rated their levels of stress over last month, and half the group then performed the self-affirmation exercise. While the stressed-out students had been found to have performed nearly 50 percent worse on a problem-solving test, after writing the essay their scores caught up. David Creswell, assistant Professor in psychology at the university said: "A brief self-affirmation activity is sufficient to buffer the negative effects of chronic stress on task performance and can improve the ability to solve problems in a flexible manner
Britain to ban porn from public Wi-Fi

London: Pornography is all set to be banned from Britain's public Wi-Fi networks by the year-end, Prime Minister David Camerons childrens czar has announced. The move, according to Claire Perry, was vital to prevent children from stumbling across adult material when using wireless internet networks in places such as cafes and railway stations, or seeing others who may be downloading it. However, one of Britain's largest internet providers has warned against the ministers' plans to block porn from public Wi-Fi, stating it could go against the law. BT was accused of dragging its heels over an agreement to filter its public wi-fi services by raising its concerns that it could open itself to legal challenges. The company claims blocking adult material from stores which use BT public wi-fi could breach a legislation, banning the interception of electronic communications. Last year it was revealed that the coffee chain Starbucks, which uses BT, had failed to filter adult material from its free wi-fi, putting children of seeing obscene porn on other customers tablets or mobile phones. Starbucks has now imposed a filter. But Perry said she was still hopeful that hardcore porn would be filtered out of all public wi-fi networks by the end of the year.
during high stress periods. "Our study suggests that self-affirmation may increase creativity and insight in stressed individuals." Earlier studies had shown how self-affirmation exercises could reduce acute stress. But the link between these improvements and chronic stress-related effects was unknown.
28
May 11-17, 2013
HUMOR
Humor with Melvin Durai
Buy or sell a home, but only if you dare

some home selling tips: y wife and I recently sold our home in Winnipeg and are in the process of buying one in the Chicago suburbs. Ive learned a lot about home buying and selling, and would like to share some tips with you, in case youre daring enough to buy or sell a home. I use the word daring because I strongly advise against it, just as I strongly advise against committing murder. And trust me, at some point during your home buying or selling process, you will want to kill someone, most likely your real estate agent. I dont mean to scare you I just want you to be prepared for the bitter feelings that might arise if the process doesnt go the way you hoped, such as if youre forced to sell your home for less than you owe the bank. (This is known as a short sale in real estate terminology, because you will be short of money to pay the bank, the bank manager will get short with you, and achieving your retirement goals will be nothing short of a miracle.) If you still feel compelled to buy or sell a home, its a good idea to learn as much as you can about the process. Lets start with
De-clutter your home. Its important to make your home look spacious, so please rent a storage unit somewhere and fill it up with everything you dont require for your day-to-day living needs, except perhaps your husband. Trust me, potential home buyers are not going to be impressed with your collection of seashells from all over the world, even if youve glued them together in the shape of Barack Obama. Remember: home buyers want to be pleasantly surprised, not shell-shocked. Update your kitchen. This is really important to women, as I discovered when my wife and I walked into a gleaming new kitchen and her eyes lit up more brightly than on our wedding day. Too bad we were just visiting a friends house. Dont hang around during home viewings. When a real estate agent is showing your home to potential buyers, its really not a good idea for you to be lying on the couch in the living room, watching an episode of Wife Swap. Its better to dis-
appear for an hour or two, and by disappear, I dont mean in the walk-in closet. Trust me, if theres anything more off-putting to a home buyer than seeing a row of leisure suits from the 70s, its seeing a pair of eyes behind them. Put away your photos and other personal items. Home buyers want to picture themselves living in your home, not picture you on a beach in Hawaii. You dont want them to get the wrong idea. Wife: That bikini seems a little tight on her. Husband: Not as tight as our finances will be if we buy this home. Tight finances are certainly a good reason to be careful when buying a home. Here are some tips to help you: Always verify facts. The seller may claim that the roof was installed in 06 and the carpet was installed in 08 but you need to make sure it wasnt 1906 and 1908. Do as much research as you can. Google the home, Google its owner, Google the neighbor, Google the neighbors dog. The latter may seem extreme, but wait until you need to retrieve an errant ball. Pretty soon, youll be calling
the police to retrieve part of your butt. Location is important. If a home is next to a busy road, you can count on getting a good price. If its next to an Indian grocery store, you can count on getting good rice. Dont let your agent pressure you or mislead you. Real estate agents can be very helpful, but theyre also eager to see you making a purchase. If your agent sends you a text on his iPhone that a particular house will be scooped up within a week, what hes trying to scoop up within a week is his commission. Not all agents are like this, of course. Some have Blackberries.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ASTROLOGY
May 11-17, 2013
29
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: May 11-17, 2013
ARIES : Innovative ideas & technical expertise would enable to win the confidence of seniors at professional front. Charming nature and pleasant personality would make you the attraction of family function this week. Avoid being volunteer to overspend otherwise you will have to come home empty pocket. Romantic imagination would keep you in a jovial & cheerful mood. Cutting down the number of parties and pleasure jaunts would help in keeping in good mood. Its time to travel with innovative imagination. It would be beneficial if you plan to buy a small property. A sparkling laughter-filled week when most things proceed, as you desire. TAURUS: Avoid getting influenced through persuasion & pressurized situations at workplace. Family members appreciate the changes made in & around the house. A promising week to earn profits in real estate and financial transactions. The company of love partner makes you forget about the work. Make sure you avoid everything that affects your health. Before you travel examine yourself and your traveling partner, to determine what you expect from your vacation. Real estate is one thing on which you can rely on to invest. Make sure you dont disagree with influential people unless looking for some trouble. GEMINI: You are likely to encounter some challenging situations at workplace. Some changes that you might make to your looks could annoy family members. Better to do things that would please them. Speculation will be hazardous, therefore as far as possible, avoid them. Overindulgence in trifles might bring a strain in romantic relations. Stress & tensions are likely to increase, putting some mental pressure. Travel abroad is possible but dont run short of cash. Mortgaging your plot may lose it forever. Friends could put under a lot of pressure by creating a complicated situation. CANCER: Service people, artists and those in creative field will get several new opportunities. Friends and family members would encourage to work harder. An improvement in monetary position makes it convenient to purchase essential items. Sudden romantic encounter will lift your spirits. Encourage mind to be receptive to positive emotions like love, hope, faith, sympathy and optimism to enjoy a sound health. Are you longing to go on a vacation then be ready for it? Investment on construction business would flourish your income. Magnetic personality brings into the limelight. LEO: A hectic schedule awaits at professional front. You are likely to hear good news from close relatives. This week long-term investment would enable to make substantial gains. Love takes a new turn as you brace yourself for wedding bells. You need to keep patience as your continuous effort coupled with common sense & understanding brings success. Dont wait for extra ordinary opportunities, travel plans may not work out. Investing commercially may not be the good venture. People are likely to accept unique but only original ideas. VIRGO: Brace yourself to tackle professional problems by keeping spirits high. You should take some time to enjoy it with children, even if you have to go out of your way to make that happen. Be careful with whom you deal financially this week. Attending a social event/family function brings a romantic encounter. Cultivate a harmonious nature to kill your hatred because it is more powerful than love besides adversely affecting body. Be ready to hang out with your friends. Dealings for older properties can be in process. Those traveling outstation need to be careful about their luggage and important documents. LIBRA: Your greatest gains will come through your creative ideas at professional front. An old friend makes a pleasant visit later in the week. Financial hassles will be eased out with the help of your friends. Your physical charm would catch the attraction of opposite sex. A beneficial week to work on things that will improve your health. Shape your travel plans in such a way that they are not stressful. Planning to sale your property, it might be not a good decision. Avoid picking up an argument over petty issues especially in friend circle. SCORPIO: Success is certain provided you work as a team. Evening enjoyed with family and close relatives brings immense pleasure. Certain important plans will be executed, bringing fresh financial gains. A unilateral decision in love could annoy partner. Control your excitement otherwise it might cause some problems in this week. You might travel for a while but stressful trip it would be. Mortgaging your plot is not right for you, crisis may arise. Some friends would play tactics to override by undermining your interests. SAGITTARIUS: This week you might have to take the help of smart & motivated people at professional front. You are likely to plan a short trip with family. Speculations are likely to bring monetary profits. Dont forget to plan something special with partner to enjoy the ecstasies of love. Dont forget to attend a social gathering to enlighten your mood. If you want to enjoy a hassle free trip then plan your expenses in advance. Dont bring hurdle to your family where property matters are concerned. Cutting down parties and pleasure jaunts are certain later in the week. CAPRICORN : Little steps towards improving interpersonal skills would go a long way. If people approach you with problems better to ignore them for the sake of family life. Avoid overspending on entertainment and luxuries in this week. Love life blossoms paving the way for lovely times ahead. Make efforts to strengthen your mental toughness to enjoy peace. Going for a vacation is always a big expenditure- you must plan everything. Your possession for acquiring a plot might be achieved. You come across with an interesting acquaintance. AQUARIUS: You will be highly benefited by fitting yourself within a team. You will feel disappointed when you discover that someone you have always trusted is not very honest with you at family front. Not a very promising week to make investments especially in speculations. Love Companions Company fails to bring desired results as you behave high demanding. Dormant problems could surface putting mental pressures. Your travel plans might affect your family life dont ignore them. Purchasing home loan is not the right decision for you. Failure in assessing the situation could trap you in hidden enemies net. PISCES: You will be on the seventh heaven when you receive recognition for your achievements at work. Unexpected visit by old friend could give you a pleasant surprise. Monetary position is likely to improve later in the week. A romantic encounter is likely to add spice to life. Your confidence and energy will be high during this week. By traveling you will learn about new places, ultimately its a great deal for yourself. If you invest on smaller properties then it can be beneficiary for future investments. Dont blame your ill stars for self-created problems.
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874 Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899 psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

May 11: You are dominated by the planet Moon. You are also governed by the number 2. Soaring high, is your nature. You are ambitious and always look upwards towards progress and prosperity. In the coming year, you will be able to complete any project that you undertake, to complete satisfaction. You will be able to create opportunities for yourself, which you will be able to fulfill and earn recognition and fame for yourself. But in trying to do so, you may become a little dictatorial at times. You need to control your dominating nature, to keep those around you happy. You are a born leader, and expect your colleagues and friends to follow whatever you order them to. This sometimes, leads to misunderstandings and heart burning. Nature and natural surroundings will draw your attention in the coming year. You will be able to enjoy the seas, flowers and on the whole, nature, which will give you a sense of satisfaction. June, September and December will be eventful. May 12: You are governed by the number 3 and by the planet Jupiter. You are also influenced by the Moon. Independent by nature, you do not like others interfering in your personal life. Your ability to express your views and ideas, will take you to the top of hierarchy, in the year ahead of you. Your superiors will notice your sincerity and loyalty,, and they will entrust a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. You will be able to fulfill these duties to the utmost. Your jovial nature and your ability to be sympathetic towards those who need your help, will make you popular in your friends circle. Sports and outdoor activities will keep you in good health. Travel will form an important part of your life this year. You will travel far and near. Overseas travel is also foreseen. But you are patriotic by nature, and will not like to stay away from your country for too long. The months of June, November, February and March will be highly important. May 13: You are governed by the number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are also influenced by the Moon. Your life is marked by unexpected happenings. The coming year, will bring changes, which will be beneficial to you. A change in job is likely, and this will bring you success and recognition. Freedom for those in bondage, will be your aim for the year. You hate anything which is linked with hypocrisy and will not tolerate anything achieved through cheating and mistrust. A word of advice for the coming year try to take all precautions while signing any legal documents. If you are planning to sign a partnership, you will have to weigh all the pros and cons, before getting into any legal matters. Your methodical approach to life, will help you to overcome obstacles which you may face. But try to keep away from speculation and gambling. May, October, December and March will be eventful. May 14: Youre governed by the number 5 and the planet Mercury. You are also dominated by the Moon. You are blessed with a pleasant and vivacious personality. Your planning and methodical approach to work, will catch the attention of your seniors. You will be handsomely rewarded for you efficient and honest approach to your professional career. The ability to judge the weaknesses of your opponents, will be an asset to you, and you will be able to use this to your advantage. Travel will bring you both prosperity and pleasure. You will travel to distant lands in the coming year. This will allow you to make the most of newer opportunities and will also be a source of relaxation and enjoyment. Your sensitive and warmth nature, will bring many friends close to you and you will have a large circle of friends. Intellectual people will attract your attention, and you stand to gain in their company. April, August, November and February will be highly significant. May 15: You are governed by the planet Venus and dominated by the Moon. You are also influenced by the number 6. You have the ability to inspire those around your. Your mere presence, makes people happy and full of enthusiasm. You have an affinity towards art and music. Those of you, in the profession of dance and poetry, will do exceeding well in your professional career, in the year ahead of you. Your family will be of utmost importance to you, and you will go to any lengths to fulfill all their dreams. You will stay away from social customs and traditions. Your warmth and attractive personality will draw many friends to you. You will always be amongst friends and relatives, who are fond of you. You will earn a lot of money in the coming year, but will also spend it all on buying expensive clothes, jewelry and luxuries of life. July, November and March will prove to be result oriented. May 16: You are governed by the number 7 and dominated by the planet Neptune. Moon also has an influence on you. You are born intelligent. If you can couple this will power and determination, you will reach the pinnacle of success, in the year ahead of you. Travel will form an important part of your life, in the coming year. Most of you are likely to travel to distant lands. There is also a possibility of developing business ties abroad. You will be a free bird, and although you are religious minded, you will not let orthodox views and customs, bind you. You think logically and will not get swayed away by religious beliefs. You will be able to handle difficult situations with ease and authority. You will be able to express your views with clarity, whenever required. But, you tend to become a little stubborn at times, and try to impose your ideas on your colleagues and friends. August, November, December and April seem to be eventful. May 17: You are governed by the number 8 and by the planet Saturn. You are also influenced by the Moon. You are a good organizer and an executor of big projects. In the coming year, your efficiency and sincerity, will clearly reflect in your work. Your seniors will notice this and you will be rewarded handsomely for your hard work and dedication. Your ability to see both sides of a problem, will be an asset to you, and you will be able to use this to your full advantage. Your sense of duty towards your loved ones, will make you do your best for them. You can expect peace and harmony at the domestic front, in the year ahead of you. You will be able to handle your money matters with ease and with your efficient planning, even save for the future. Those around you, will be impressed with your behavior and will try to follow your footsteps. The months of July, September and February will be highly eventful.
Before you consult...

i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, Time and Place of birth is accurate. ii) Careful: Did you check background of the astrologer before disclosing your secrets. iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, dont feel shy. Its his business. iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the outcome is not as desired, never give up. v) Consult: Take second opinion before spending thousands on cure/remedies.
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30
May 11-17, 2013
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Part three of the discourse 'Inner peace through meditation'
A spiritual teacher can guide us on inner journey

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
enerally, our attention is spread out in our body. Through the help of our five senses we are aware of our physical body and the world outside. These senses function through the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, and skin. We are aware of the world through the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. The soul, unaware of its true nature, has identified itself with the body and mind. Instead of the soul controlling the mind and the mind controlling the senses, the situation has become reversed. The soul is dragged by the mind, and the mind is pulled by the senses into the outer world. Our attention is lost in outer enjoyments and tempted by the world's attractions. Most of us are attracted to sights that we consider pleasant and beautiful. To someone, scenery might be lovely. To another person, an architectural building might be appealing. To yet another, machinery might look beautiful. We enjoy listening to lovely sounds. Some of us like to hear classical music, whereas others may like to listen to rock'n'roll. We are attracted to those sounds that we find enjoyable. We are attracted to food which is delicious. And we are enticed by sweetsmelling fragrances and by the sense of touch. Because of these outer attractions, it is hard for us to withdraw our attention from the outer world. So long as our attention is identified with the world outside, we are faced with the problems and miseries that are inherent in physical existence. We spend our time seeking worldly enjoyments but they last for only short periods of time. By inverting our attention and rising above the physical body through a process of meditation, we will find regions within which give us lasting peace. We have within us an opening or door by which our attention can enter the higher regions. This entryway is located between and behind the two eyebrows. It is known as the seat of the soul in the body and has been referred to in many ways by various reli-
gions and philosophies. It has been called the single eye or third eye, the shiv netra, divya chakshu, daswan dwar, or tenth door. If we can withdraw our attention from the outer world and focus it at this point, we will see the Light of the higher regions reflected therein. As our soul collects at this point, it rises into the beyond. This is the same point through which the soul passes at the time of death when it leaves the body. In the last thirty years, much research has been documented by medical doctors in the field of study which has come to be called near-death experiences. These are experiences reported by people who were declared clinically dead, but through the wonders of medicine were brought back to life. It is interesting that the experience of most of the people who underwent near-death experiences were similar They felt as if they were going through a tunnel and emerging into light. Most of them said that they found so much peace, joy and bliss in that region that they did not want to come back to this world. Near-death experiences have also been reported by children. Doctors discovered that the children had the same types of experiences as the adults. We do not have to wait for physical death or an accident causing a near-death experience to travel into the realms within. Through a scientific method of meditation we can learn how to come and go at will through this inner door. The current of Light and Sound which descended from the Creator also returns to its Source. This Light and Sound is constantly reverberating within us. We can pick up the current at the third or single eye. But to go within and concentrate at that point, we need the help of an experienced guide or spiritual teacher. At the time of initiation, he shows us how to collect our soul at the third eye. We get a firsthand experience of seeing the inner Light and hearing the Sound Current. On our own, it is difficult to concentrate at the seat of the soul and contact the Light and Sound. The mind wants to remain absorbed in the outer world and this does not allow us to concentrate at the tenth door. We can perform a small experiment ourselves. If we close our eyes and try to sit still, concentrating our attention, we will find
By mastering meditation under the guidance of a spiritual teacher, we not only attain personal fulfillment, but we become an instrument for bringing peace and joy to those around us. When we merge in the Creator, we recognize that all living beings are children of the one Father. We realize that the Light of God which is within us is within everyone else.
The mind acts so quickly that it is difficult to keep it still. But through mental repetition, we give the mind something to do. And what better way to engage the mind than to repeat the Names of the Creator? While we repeat these Names, we concentrate our attention at the third or single eye. We gaze into the area in front of us. As we concentrate on what lies in front of us, we begin to see Lights of various colors. These are reflections of the Lights of the higher regions. Concentrating further we begin to cross the inner sky, stars, moon, and sun. We then travel with our spiritual teacher through the astral plane. The physical body remains at rest in meditation but our attention is fully engaged in the astral region. A silver cord connects our soul with the physical body so that when our meditation is over we return to the physical body filled with peace and happiness. A spiritual teacher can guide us on the inner journey. We rise through the causal and supracausal planes. At each successively higher plane, the lower bodies are left behind until the soul reaches the purely spiritual realm where it shines in its pristine brilliance. Here we appear as pure spirit, pure Soul. At this stage our soul merges
that our mind will start to bombard us with thoughts. Within seconds we will become fidgety and will want to move and open our eyes and find we can hardly sit still. Then, the mind will start thinking of one thing or another. So any distractions will keep us from concentrating. Although wonderful regions lie within us, we have not been able to enter them. We need to learn a technique by which we can still the body and mind, and find peace, love, and bliss within. To help keep our attention focused, the teachers of Science of Spirituality give us, at the time of initiation, five Words or Names of God to repeat mentally. This mental repetition keeps the mind engaged so it does not wander about or become entangled in thoughts which might pull our attention down. Our mind is like mercury and cannot be still. It needs to do something. If we examine our daily activities, we will find that when we are not concentrating on working with our physical body, or on writing, reading, or doing any other activity, then the mind begins to wander and generate thoughts. One moment it could be in Chicago and the next moment it could be on Mars and then it could be anywhere else.
back in the ocean of all bliss, peace, and happiness. We become fully aware of our true selves and of God. The benefits of learning meditation are many. The soul attains selfknowledge and returns to the source from where it came. We become all-conscious. We find solutions to the questions of the mystery of life and death. We realize that death is nothing more than passing through a door from one realm of existence to another. We are able to cross the threshold to higher realms and return in the twinkling of an eye. Death no longer holds any fear for us, for we know that we never die but only pass to another realm. And those regions are more beautiful, more peaceful, more blissful than any place on earth. The more we come in contact with the Light and Sound, the more bliss we experience. This state of peace and joy remains with us when we return to the physical realm. It becomes a part of our daily lives. By mastering meditation under the guidance of a spiritual teacher, we not only attain personal fulfillment, but we become an instrument for bringing peace and joy to those around us. When we merge in the Creator, we recognize that all living beings are children of the one Father. We realize that the Light of God which is within us is within everyone else. We realize that all are brothers and sisters are in the Creator. It is at this stage that we develop true love for all, for our fellow beings, and for all creation. We become ambassadors of God's love. We radiate love to others. We begin to care for others. We transcend the labels that our societies have placed on people. We do not discriminate among people on the basis of wealth, skin color, religion, or nationality. We need to become integrated human beings. Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj used to say that if we are Christian, let us become a true Christian. If we are Jewish, let us become a true Jew. If we are Hindu, let us become a true Hindu, If we are Sikh, let us become a true Sikh. If we are Muslims, let us become a true Muslim. And this means that we live our lives according to the essence of each religion. That essence is to know ourselves, know God and develop love for all. (To be continued..)
May 11-17, 2013
May 11-17, 2013

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The South Asian Times

Gilanis son abducted as Taliban threaten Pak poll

Two Manmohan ministers on chopping block

2 sex crime cases captivate Americans

May 11-17, 2013

IALI and Bhavan join hands with Hofstra University.

Students performed different classical and folk dances.

Children performing Ganesh songs

Folk dance from Kashmir

Girls singing Vande Matram

Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay felicitated by Swati Vaishnav.

May 11-17, 2013

Cricket finds a home in New York

Racist slur targeted at Nikki Haley by Dem leader

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley

Chris Christie reveals secret weight loss surgery

Protest at Pak consulate against Sarabjits death in custody

The protest was organized by INOC (I) USA

NJ Governor Chris Christie looks to have shed some weight.

May 11-17, 2013

Indian Cultural Association of central Jersey holds Spring Festival

Kaptain Kirkland honors Ashok Sapra

May 11-17, 2013

US India Business Council to protest against immigration bill

NYTS celebrates new year by feeding the needy

The NYIFF Closing Night presenters and filmmakers.

(Photo: Nydreams.com/Fahim Feroj)

May 11-17, 2013

'Sinister' quest for gold lands man 20 years' prison

IALI launches educational seminar series

TLCA Ugadi 2013 program held on April 27

IALI members at the educational seminar

TLCA committee members at the program

May 11-17, 2013

Brutal attack on elderly Sikh in California Obama talks with Asian-American

leaders on immigration bill

SBI California ordered to clean up US operations

Ten Indians on Forbes Midas List

Coverpage of Forbes issue featuring the Indians

May 11-17, 2013

US firm to invest $240mn to light up Bihar's Buddhist sites

Indian-American woman running for a city council

The Buddhist circuit in Bihar

Indian American student wins entrepreneurship award

US film 'explores the power' of baseball in Manipur

May 11-17, 2013

Pfizer to sell Viagra online

3 abducted women find freedom

May 11-17, 2013

Learning, Governing, Planning

John Venditto and the sprawling Town of Oyster Bay

May 11-17, 2013

Michael Froman, new US Trade Representative

US tightening visa rules for students

May 11-17, 2013

Drubbed in Karnataka, BJP to keep up anti-Congress campaign

All 120 MLAs with me, says Siddaramaiah

Modi magic fails to work in Karnataka

Congress leader Siddaramaiah

Parliament adjourned sine die

May 11-17, 2013

Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah is dead

India will hand over Sanaullah's body: Shinde

Mamata asks to explain Sarabjit's missing organs