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.10 No. 9 July 1-7, 2017 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Dream of developed Love at first sight

India will be fulfilled
In speech in DC to Indian community, PM Modi
lauds his corruption-free government and tells
NRIs to keep their bridge to India open.
Washington DC: Addressing the Indian
diaspora here as the "members of family",
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised
of a developed India in their lifetime.
Interacting with the diaspora here last
Sunday, Modi said their success is due to
the supportive environment in the US, and
his government is working to provide the
same environment back home.
"Your heart always asks when would our
country become like this (the US)... I assure
you that this will happen in your lifetime,"
Modi said.
Saying that Indians in America have not
just helped India progress but also the US,
he said that success and action of the
Indian diaspora is still echoing in the
world.
"You are the same people but your suc
cess story has a simple reason, it's because
you got supportive environment here," he
said. The Prime Minister added that "125
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
crore equally talented Indians are there
back in India, they are now getting sup
portive environment and soon we will
develop India soon". "The biggest change
in India today
Continued on page 4
Though beginning with "low expectations", India has
many reasons to smile by the outcome of the first
Modi-Trump summit in White House. On cross-border
terror, Pakistan was put on notice, so much so that
Islamabad said US was speaking Indias language.
l By SATimes Team
Washington: In the first get
toknow meeting between
Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and US
President Donald Trump, the
obvious optics of hugs and
handshakes was there, indi
cating the beginning of a
warm personal relationships
between the two leaders and
stronger bilateral ties. The
summit was successful in
many ways than one.
The success was a result of
finetuned Indian diplomacy.
Vice President Mike
The irritants of issues like
Pence announced
H1B visas, attacks on Indians that he will visit India
in America and the US on the invitation
pulling out of Paris climate of PM Modi.
accord were sidestepped to
Continued on page 4 RELATED STORIES AND PIX ON PAGE 1617. (Photo: PIB)

DR LOKESH MUNI HOLDS Community upbeat on

INTERFAITH CONFERENCE IN NJ
SEE DETAILED REPORT ON PAGE 15.
Atlantic City, NJ: Interfaith dia
logue can establish world peace,
said Acharya Lokesh Muni,
founder of Ahimsa Vishwa
Bharti, which organized the
Peace and Harmony through
Interfaith Dialogueconference
here on June 24 to celebrate
completion of its 10 years and to
Continued on page 4
ModiTrump summit
SPECIAL TO
THE SOUTH ASIAN TIMES
New York: Leading lights of the
Indian community here largely
reacted positively to the visit of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to
Washington where he was invited
by President Trump and had an
interaction with NRIs.
Krishna Reddy Anugula, presi
dent of the Overseas Friends of
BJP USA, termed the visit a com
plete success. He attended the
community reception for Modi.
You see, the expectation about
the outcome before the visit had
not been much. Despite that they
got along very well, the New
Jerseybased Anugula noted. I
understand that there are some
irritants such as changes in the
H1B visa issuance and a lack of
focus on hate crimes perpetrated
against the community. I am sure
they will be sorted out soon.
Modi gave an inspiring speech
to the NRIs, urging them to help
bring back the countrys old glory,
according to Anugula, who added
that the PM also urged the first
generation IndianAmericans to
ensure that the second and third
generations also maintain socio
cultural links with their ancestral
land.
Jagdish Sewhani, an HSS leader
and president of the American
India Public Affairs Committee,
based on Long Island, also termed
the Modi visit successful in the
sense that India got what it want
ed. Modi was the first foreign
leader to be invited to a White
House dinner by Trump. In coun
terterrorism and defense coopera
tion, the New Delhi viewpoint pre
vailed, he said.
Trump pulled the US out of the
Paris climate change accord and
Continued on page 4

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info July 1-7, 2017
TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY July 1-7, 2017 3

37th India Day Parade Trump to meet

in NY on Aug 20
New York: The Federation of
Indian Associations (FIA) of tris
tate kicked off its India Day
Parade celebrations with an
evening of music, cocktails and
dinner at the Indian Consulate
June 28.
The 37th India Day Parade in
New York this year is scheduled
for Sunday, Aug 20. The gala ban
quet is set for Aug 21 at the Royal
Alberts Palace in Fords, NJ.
The India Day Parade on Aug 20
begins at noon on 38th street and
Madison Avenue, ending at 26th
street. Food court and sponsor
booths will be on 26th street,
between Park and Madison
Avenues while the cultural pro
grams will continue through 6 pm
on Madison Avenue, between 24th
and 26th streets.
More than 125 members of the
community were in attendance at
the Indian Consulate, including
FIA President Andy Bhatia, other
FIA officebearers, sponsors and
with Putin at G20
summit next week
Washington: US President
Donald Trump will meet
with Russian President
Vladimir Putin next week
at the Group of 20 summit
in Hamburg, Germany, the
White House said.
US National Security
Adviser H.R. McMaster
made the announcement at a two countries "may be at an all
White House briefing on time low". Meeting with Russian
At the parade kickoff at the consulate, CG Riva Thursday, adding that "there is no Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in
Ganguly Das, FIA officials and guests. (inset) Rana specific agenda. It's really going to Washington in midMay, Trump
Daggubati of Bahubali fame has confirmed be whatever the president wants expressed his desire to build a
participation at the parade.
to talk about". The first faceto better relationship between the
patrons. FIA chairman Ramesh Das said, The India Day Parade is face encounter between the two two countries.
Patel announced that the dashing hugely symbolic because it brings leaders will come amid tensions Earlier this month, US Secretary
Rana Daggubati and beautiful communities from different between the US and Russia as the of State Rex Tillerson said the US
Tamannaah Bhatia, both stars of Indian associations and embold two countries hold differences on is working to stabilize its relation
the recent massive Indian hit ens the fabric of Indian together a slew of issues, including the ship with Russia, which is "at an
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, ness. She also announced that in Syrian conflict, the Ukrainian cri alltime low".
had confirmed participation in the a first the Indian Consulate was sis and the expansion of NATO, "Our relationship is at an all
Parade , courtesy Indias Times sponsoring a float this year to Xinhua news agency reported. time low, and it's been deteriorat
Media Group. The Grand Marshal showcase Indias Northeast, its dif In April, Trump said the US was ing further. Our objective is to sta
was yet undecided. ferent cultures, tea gardens and "not getting along with Russia at bilize that," Tillerson told lawmak
Consul General Riva Ganguly investment opportunities. all" and the relations between the ers at a Senate hearing.

Mahant Swami Maharaj welcomed to America with fanfare

Atlanta, GA: On June 21, devotees and digni
taries gathered to welcome H.H. Mahant
Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader
of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The scene
at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir here
was one of deep joy and excitement, as this
is Mahant Swami Maharajs first trip to
North America as Guru of the organization,
continuing the life work and mission of his
guru H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj follow
ing his earthly departure. The event was also
webcast live and viewed by thousands of
devotees who could not make it to the event.
Following his arrival, a welcome assembly
was held on June 23 with the presentation As part of Mahant Swami Maharaj 3 efforts. Throughout his life, Mahant Swami
of a Hindu Vedic pujan to officially greet month tour across North America, he will Maharaj has emphasized the importance of
Mahant Swami Maharaj and concluded with visit eight cities in the US. He will attend unity as the foundation for families, organi
blessings from him. numerous celebrations including the ten zations, and communities. His life communi
The welcome assembly included US year anniversaries of the BAPS Shri cates the core values of BAPS rooted in
Congressman Rob Woodall, Georgia Public HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current Swaminarayan Mandirs in Atlanta, Toronto, mutual understanding, tolerance, respect,
Service Commissioner Tim Echols, and Mr.
spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan
and San Jose as well inauguration of the and love for all individuals and communities.
Sanstha, and (right) a performance
D.V. Singh, Head of Chancery, Consulate Ghanshyam Maharaj Abhishek Mandapam in During his tour, he aims to continue to
welcoming him at the BAPS Shri
General of India in Atlanta. Also present Robbinsville, NJ. Devotees have spent inspire devotees throughout North America
Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta.
were leaders of the city of Lilburn as well as months developing dynamic cultural pro to live a balanced life, filled with spirituality,
leaders of numerous Hindu and nonfaith U.S. Representative for Georgias 7th grams and preparing facilities to support morals, family values, and respect for others.
based organizations. Congressional District. While meeting thousands of attendees at each event. For more details regarding His Holiness
You can tell a lot about a place and its Mahant Swami Maharaj before the assembly, Pramukh Swami Maharajs vision contin Mahant Swami Maharajs North America
people, and you make me swell with pride he shared, I am in awe internally of the ues to be his driving force behind guiding visit, please visit www.baps.org/msm17na or
with this warm greeting, said Rob Woodall, spiritual fortitude of your volunteers. spiritual activities and organizational follow #MahantSwami on social media.
 4 July 1-7, 2017
Trump's revised
travel ban goes
into effect
Guidelines have been issued explaining who
is barred and who is exempt from the travel
ban partially okayed by the Supreme Court.
Washington: The "watereddown" revised version
of President Donald Trump's fiercely litigated
travel ban has finally gone into effect after
months of winding through courts, the media
reported. The ban went into effect at 8 p.m. on
Thursday, reports CNN. Less than an hour before
the ban was slated to begin, an emergency
motion was filed in federal court by the state of
Hawaii, which contests the Trump administra
tion's plan to exclude certain categories of for
eign nationals that the state believes are allowed
to enter the country under existing court rulings.
The White House on Wednesday set new
guidelines for visa applicants from six Muslim
majority countries Libya, Syria, Iran, Somalia,
Yemen and Sudan and all refugees, requiring
them to have a "close" family or business tie to
the US. A hotel reservation, for example, will not
constitute a bona fide relationship under the
executive order, but an academic lecturer invited
to speak in the US will be exempt from the travel
ban. Visa applicants will now have to prove a
relationship with a parent, spouse, son, daughter,
soninlaw, daughterinlaw or sibling in the US,
CNN quoted a senior administration official as
saying. If the applicant cannot sufficiently estab
lish such a close relationship, he or she will be
banned for 90 days if one is from the six Muslim
majority countries, and 120 days if one is a
refugee from any country.
The new guidelines were issued in response to
the Supreme Court's ruling partially restoring
Trump's controversial travel ban. The State
Department criteria applies not only to visa
applicants, but also to all refugees currently
awaiting approval for admission to the US.
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TURN PAGE
Love at first sight
Continued from page 1
keep sharp focus on terrorism and eco
nomic cooperation. "We will destroy radi
cal Islamic terrorism," Trump said forceful
ly, an affirmation that may not have been
exactly music to Pakistani ears. India
heaved a sigh of relief that Trump wants to
largely continue the "strategic partner
ship" and "Major Defense Partner" rela
tionship with India that was begun by his
Republican predecessor George W Bush
and continued by Democrat Barack
Obama.
Big orders placed by India was a good
bet, something businessman Trump can
appreciate. Inviting Ivanka Trump to the
Global Entrepreneurship Summit this fall
in India was a smart move. She has accept
ed to head the White House delegation.
Dream of developed India
will be fulfilled
Continued from page 1
is that every Indian wants to do and is
already doing something with resolution to
change and develop the nation," he said.
"Today, 125 crore people from Kashmir
to Kanyakumari have resolved to do some
thing for their country. With such a
resolve, the country is developing at a pace
never seen before."
Calling corruption as the root cause due
to which "the previous governments were
changed in India", Modi said his govern
ment has emerged corruptionfree in the
last three years.
"Technology is helping with that," Modi
said. "Increased usage of technology brings
transparency in systems. When I think of a
developed India, I think of a healthy India,
particularly the good health of the women
ing the opposition on foreign soil. We
and children of our nation," he added.
The Prime Minister also said:
"Transparent policies create an environ
ment of trust among the people. The youth
of India understands technology and the
importance of technology very well.
Through technology driven governance we
are creating an 'Adhunik Bharat'."
"With proper policies and governance,
aspirations of people of India can become
achievements. We are already seeing the
results of this," said Modi
"Innovation, technology and talent are
Associate Editors:
Hiral Dholakia-Dave
Contributing Editors: Meenakshi Iyer,
Nilima Madan, Melvin Durai,
Dr Prem Kumar Sharma, Ashok Vyas,
Dr Akshat Jain, Ashok Ojha
West Coast Correspondent
Pooja Jain,
Pooja@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
crucial in this age," he added. The Prime
Minister also said the warmth, the Indian
community gave him is memorable. He
also said: "If you want to give back to India,
this is the best time to do so. Keep the
bridge with India. Your younger genera
tions must continue the strong bond with
India."
Dr Lokesh Muni holds
interfaith conference in NJ
Continued from page 1
celebrate 3rd International Day of Yoga.
During his US visit, Acharya ji also spoke at
the UN and is scheduled to address the
JAINA convention in Edison over the July4
weekend. Swami Ramdev speaking at the
conference, said yoga brings internal and
external peace. Yoga also brings personal
and social development. It is relevant for
people of all religions. Today gurus of dif
ferent faiths have given the message of
interfaith harmony from one platform,
which will send a special message to the
world.
Community upbeat on
ModiTrump summit
Continued from page 1
apparently imposed curbs on H1B visas
used by tech workers, who are mostly from
India. The former was endorsed by India
and the latter is of great importance to the
country. Still, Sewhani was hopeful.
Rajender Dichpally, national general secre
tary of Indian National Overseas Congress
(I), offered a slightly different view.
I am glad that there is a continuity in
IndianAmerican relationship and Modi
was honored with an official dinner. The
twoday trip was overall good, he said.
But he was unhappy about Modi criticiz
the Carnegie Endowment for International
have a tradition of forgetting political dif
ferences back home when we are abroad.
Why should he take to task the Congress
and other opposition parties while speak
ing to the NRIs. The PM should have taken
up the H1B issue, Dichpally added.
On the eve of the summit, US sanctioned
Sayeed Salahudeen, leader of a terror outfit
unleashing violence in Jammu and
Kashmir. Chairman of the National
Federation of Indians in America, Ramesh
Patel, described the summit as very
Jaipur (India) Bureau
Prakash Bhandari
Prakash@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/
masalajunction.com.
Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com
Photo Journalist: Sandeep Girhotra
Cartoonist: Mahendra Shah
Art and Design: Dhiraj Kumar Showaan
Vladimir Tomovski
Bhagwati Creations,
Web Editor: Bharat Bhushan Chopra
News Service: HT Media Ltd.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
important. Subjects such as economy and
counterterrorism were discussed, Patel
said, opining that even H1B and hate
crimes against Indians must have been
taken up in private discussions, though
nothing has been made public about that.
Patel also attended the NRI meeting at
which Modi called upon them to contribute
their mite to the motherland.
Ankur Vaidya, who is on the FIA team
organizing India Day Parade in Manhattan
on August 20, dubbed the ModiTrump
summit as an icebreaker. Both leaders
wanted to play safe by focusing on mutual
ly agreed topics. Vaidya specifically point
ed out Indian surgical strikes against
Pakistan, which Modi noted that no nation
protested against.
Aside from soliciting opinions from the
individuals cited above, The South Asian
Times compiled comments from experts
about the Modi visit.
Ashutosh Varshney, director of the
Center for Contemporary South Asia at
Brown University, advised New Delhi to be
cautious in dealing with the Trump admin
istration. India would like to continue to
deepen its friendship, but Trump can only
be an object of concern, even if he tweets
lovely compliments after dinner, he was
quoted as saying by The New York Times.
Stephen K. Bannon, chief strategist at the
White House, who has studied the
BhagavadGita and is reported to have
good knowledge about India, expressed
the opinion that both leaders symbolized
nationalist passions in the worlds largest
democracies.
Indians want the two men to build a per
sonal rapport so that Trump invests in
India because Modi is a great guy, Indian
American Ashley Tellis, a senior fellow at
Peace, told the newspaper. That is the best
you can get.
Harsh Pant, head of strategic studies at
the Observer Research Foundation, a New
Delhi think tank, echoed Tellis views.
A lot depends upon what sort of rapport
they strike. If they dont, irritants that were
pushed aside in recent years could just as
easily resurface and overwhelm the rela
tionship, Pant was quoted as saying by
The Wall Street Journal on the eve of the
summit.
IANS Newswire Services
IANS Washington Bureau
Arun Kumar
arun.kumar@ians,in
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY July 1-7, 2017 5

School to be named after TrumpModi meeting start of a

Sunita L. Williams, famed
IndianAmerican astronaut
New York: An elementary school in
Needham will be named after a famous
alumna: astronaut Sunita L. Williams.
The IndianAmerican woman held the
record for cumulative spacewalking time by
a clocking in at 50 hours and 40 minutes,
according to NASA.
"Sunita represents a woman in the STEM
field ... which is important for young
women in the country to see other women
involved in," Heidi Black, chair of the
Needham School Committee, told NBC
News.
Williams is one of two Asian Americans in
NASA's astronaut, which consists of 44
active astronauts.
In 1998, Williams was selected as an
astronaut by NASA, has spent a total of 322
days in space and previously served in the
Navy, NASA public affairs specialist Brandi
Dean told NBC News.
The school being rebuilt will replace the
old elementary school, Williams attended as
a child. Williams said that having an ele
mentary school in her hometown named
after her is humbling and overwhelming.
Sunita L Williams
(Image courtesy: improvisedlife.com)
"I hope this will be a new spark and addi
tion to the town. I'm excited for the future
of the students there and I hope it opens up
their eyes to even greater possibilities than
what was obvious from when I was there,"
she told Needham Wicked Local.
The construction of the school has not yet
begun but Black said the school is expected
to be finished by 2019.
(News source: masslive.com)
great friendship: Shalabh Kumar
Virginia: The muchanticipated first bilater
al meeting between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and President Donald
Trump is not a policy summit but a "start"
of a "great friendship" between the two
leaders, a top Indian American Republican
supporter said on Sunday.
Shalabh Kumar, founder of the Republican
Hindu Coalition (RHC), said the meeting will
be a platform for the two leaders to get to
know each other and set the pace for
strengthening IndoUS ties.
"The bilateral meeting is the start of a
great friendship, it's really not meant for
Shalabh Kumar, founder,
any policy implementation," Kumar said
Republican Hindu Coalition
here as he arrived in the Virginia suburb for
presidential candidate Trump had declared
the community event to be addressed by
that India and the US will be best friends
PM Modi.
and this meeting is "just the start of that."
About 700 members of the Indian diaspo
Terming the future of IndoUS relations as
ra arrived here, dressed in their cultural fin
"phenomenal" Kumar expressed confidence
ery to hear Modi.
that bilateral trade between the two nations
"This is not a policy summit. This is a feel
will reach four trillion dollars in the years to
good meeting between the two leaders to
come, "much bigger than the US trade with
get to know each other and establish the
Saudi Arabia."
relationship. Both leaders are on the same
"India is a strong player in Asia and in
page," Kumar said.
establishing peace and security in the
He noted that in the RHC rally held in
region," Kumar said.
New Jersey in October last year, the then

Trump appoints Krishna Stardust Global Icon awards

R Urs as the new US
Ambassador to Peru
Washington, DC: President Donald
Trump has appointed Krishna R
Urs as the new US Ambassador to
Peru. A career service American
diplomat since 1986, Urs is cur
rently Charge d' Affaires of the US
Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where
he was also the Deputy Chief of
Mission.
During three decades of State
Department service, Urs has spe
cialised in economic issues and
developed extensive policy experi
ence in the Andean region of
South America. He has served at
seven US embassies as well in sen
ior leadership positions in
Washington, DC, a media release
said. Urs earned a MS from the
University of Texas and a BS from
Georgetown University. He speaks
fluent Spanish as well as some
Hindi and Telugu.
Previously, Urs served as the
Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Transportation Affairs and Chief
US Government Aviation
support girl child campaign
New York: Stardust is hosting the
first of its kind global icon awards
on July 13th at the Plaza Hotel in
New York to celebrate global
Indian achievers. This award show
has taken up the initiative of sup
porting the Celebrate The Girl
Child Campaign Beti Bachao, Beti
Padhao (Save girl child, educate
girl child) a social campaign that
aims to generate awareness and
improve the efficiency of welfare
Krishna R Urs
services intended for girls.
Negotiator at the Department of (L to R): Shashi Jon, Meera Gandhi, Sanjana Jon,
This initiative was launched by
State from November 2010 until Swami Chidanand Swaraswati, Sadhvi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
June 2014. He has also served as Bhagawati, and Prashant Rane (head, Magna
January 22nd 2015, which aims to
Director in the Office of Aviation Publishing in New York). Photo: SnapsIndia.
eradicate female feticide. The
Negotiations in the Bureau of
Stardust initiative shall bring Bhagawati Saraswati, fashion the concern of female feticide and
Economic, Energy and Business
together global icons who shall designer and social activist Sanjana discussed the need to eradicate this
Affairs in the Department of State,
pledge to eradicate female feticide Jon, who has been associated with issue which dents our society even
Charge d' Affaires, at the US
and promote women empower the campaign against female feti today. A special calendar high
Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy
ment. Swami Chidanand cide since 2003 and Meera Gandhi lighting National Shakti shall be
Chief of Mission at the same
Swaraswatiji, President of CEO of Giving Back Foundation, released and an oath shall also be
embassy, Director of the Office of
Parmarth Niketan Ashram in which works towards empower taken by the global icons on July
Economic Policy and Summit
Rishikesh, India; who is currently ment of women and children inter 13th pledging to eradicate female
Coordination in the Bureau of
in New York as a guest at the acted with press correspondents feticide and to promote women
Western Hemisphere Affairs at the
United Nations for the on June 20th at Chatwal Hotel, empowerment at the Stardust
Department of State.
International Yoga Day, Sadhvi New York. The guests highlighted Global Icon Awards.
6 July 1-7, 2017 TRISTATE COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF
2017 South Asian Spelling Bee Boston Nartan Rang Dance Academys
& New Jersey winners announced annual extravaganza spotlights
Bollywoods dances

Boston winners New Jersey winners

ontinuing its quest for the best (13) of Haverstraw, New York was the re

C speller in the community, the 2017

South Asian Spelling Bee traveled to
Massachusetts and New Jersey this past
weekend with stops in the Boston and New
gional champ, Anmol Dash (12) of Buffalo
Grove, Illinois, was the first runner up, and
Richa Juvekar (13) of Westford, Massachu
Nartan Rang Academy's participants and teachers on stage
setts, was second runner up.

Brunswick.
With a huge turnout this year as well, the
Bee attracted some top talent as well as
young and new spellers that competed for
the coveted prizes and titles.
In the Boston Regional, Sravanth Malla
In New Jersey, Sujata Choudhury (10)
from Cherry Hill, New Jersey was named re
gional champ, Abhilash Patel (9) from Har
riman, New York was first runner up, and
Agranya Ketha (13) of Montville, New Jer
sey, was the second runnerup.
O
n June 18th the Nartan Rang Dance
Academy of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
presented its annual dance showcase,
Nritya Ranjani (now in its 16th year) at the
Adelphi University Performing Arts Center
on Long Island. It was a grand tribute to
Bollywoods golden oldies, fusion and clas
ages from 4 to 60 choreographed by Swati
Vaishnav & Siddhi Vaishnav. The show was
ably emceed by Monty Kataria and Shiv
Vaishnav. At the event well known commu
nity leader and philanthropist Amit Doshi
was honored and recognized for his servic
es to the community by a proclamation

400 people attend IACFNJ summer

picnic at Mercer County Park
I
ndoAmerican Cultural Foundation of
Central Jersey IACFNJ held its annual
summer picnic at Mercer County Park
on June 25th. The funfilled eight hours
outdoor picnic in a beautiful weather was
attended by more than 400 people from
the local communities of heavily populated
Indian Americans in Central Jersey.
This years summer picnic was very well
attended and enjoyed by young kids of all
age groups throughout the day with many
funfilled activities including bingo, henna
tattoos, cricket, live DJ and music and
singing. The breakfast, lunch and dinner
were provided to all participants free of
The event had activities for all agegroups
charge. The delicious and mouthwatering
menus included gota, fafda, jalebi, papdi no
lot, bhel, tea, watermelon, corn, khichadi,
kadhi, shaak and pasta and pizza for kids
throughout the day.
sical dances. Nritya Dhara (stream of from Nassau County by Dilip Chauhan, Sen
dances) was a spectacular extravaganza. ior Advisor, with Nassau County Comptrol
Over 75 students participated ranging in ler George Maragos.
Glen Cove Gurdwara celebrates
13th Vaisakhi Mela
G
len Cove Gurdwara, NY celebrated its
13th year of Vaisakhi Mela on June
25th with a turnout of 12,000 visitors
and many dignitaries from Nassau County. It
included Judge Richard McCord, ESQ., Con
gressmen, Thomas Suozzi, Barbara Peebles,
Deputy Mayor of City Of Glen Cove, George
Maragos, Nassau County Comptroller and
Dilip Chauhan, Director of Southeast Asian
Affairs for Nassau County Comptroller,
George Maragos.

GOPIOCT to honor ve achievers at Miles O'Sullivan third American to take

11th annual awards banquet Diksha under Acharya Shree Yogeesh
M
iles OSullivan, 27, was born in tended a Meditation Retreat at Siddhay

T
he Global Organization of People
of Indian Origin (GOPIO)Con
necticut Chapter will honor out
standing achievers of the Indian Amer
ican community in Connecticut and
those provide service to the communi
ty or the society at large at its annual
awards banquet on July 8th at the
Stamford Hilton Hotel, Stamford. Chief
guest at the program is Ambassador
Riva Ganguly Das, Consul General of
India in New York. Ila Paliwal, a
Greenwich resident will be honored for
contribution and achievement in Per
the UK and moved to the United atan Tirth.
forming Arts. Dr. Draupathi Nambudiri,
States when he was a young For several months before his visit, he
a psychiatrist at the Stamford Hospital
boy. He was raised by a supportive, lov was studying Acharya Shree's teachings
will be honored for her contribution in
ing and hard working family who via his YouTube channel. With the de
Medicine and Health Care. Dr. Rupen
have expressed their pride for their sire in his heart to advance spiritually
dra Paliwal, Provost and Vice Presi Miles O'Sullivan
son dedicating his life to serving hu and a subtle calling within his soul to
dent for Academic Af fairs at Sacred
manity. Miles is a professional ocean photog become a monk, Miles put the effort to attend
Heart University in Fairfield will be
rapher and captures life in a beautiful, color his retreat. After a year of selfstudy, practic
honored for his contribution in Educa
ful, and thoughtful way. Since April of 2013, ing nonviolence, becoming vegetarian and im
tion. Captain Alpa Ladani, a distin
Miles has been training to become a monk un plementing the spiritual practices (sadhana)
guished 20year veteran of the Con
der the guidance of his spiritual guru Acharya that he learned, Acharya Shree accepted him
necticut Army National Guard, will be
Shree Yogeesh. He first met Acharya Shree, at for training and has lived and studied at Sid
honored for Service to the Nation.
the age of 22, in January of 2012 when he at dhayatan Tirth ever since.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Dr. Sammader takes over as
AAPI President at NJ convention
Atlantic City, NJ: Dr. Gautam
Sammader assumed charge as
President of the American
Association of Physicians of
Indian Origin (AAPI) at the conclu
sion of the 35th annual conven
tion at Harrahs Resort here on
June 24. Dr. Naresh Parikh,
PresidentElect; Dr. Suresh Reddy,
Vice President; Dr. Sudhakar
Jonnalagadda, Secretary; Dr.
Anupama Gotimukula, Treasurer;
and Dr. Ashok Jain, Chairman BoT,
also assumed ofce at the gala
attended by 1,500 delegates from
across the nation.
Vowing to unify AAPI by break
ing down the barriers of regions,
languages, and medical education,
Dr Samadder said, AAPI members
should be at the table during plan
ning and implementation stages
of the health care reforms.
In his inaugural address, Dr.
Ajay Lodha, outgoing President of
AAPI, shared with the audience
the many programs and initiatives
he and his executive committee
had taken in the past year. The
Faster entry into US
for Indian travelers
from now on
Washington, DC: Lowrisk Indian
travelers to the US from now on
would experience speedy entry
into the country after landing,
with India making a formal entry
into an American initiative.
President Donald Trump wel
comed India's entry into the
International Expedited Traveler
Initiative (Global Entry Program),
saying it would facilitate closer
business and educational ties
between the citizens of India and
the US. The IndiaUS joint state
ment, issued after talks between
Trump and Modi, said the US pres
ident applauded the entrepreneur
ship of Indians and Indian
Americans that have directly ben
eted both nations.
The citizens of Switzerland and
the United Kingdom are also part
of the program, which India has
now joined. Global Entry is a US
Customs and Border Protection
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Dr. Gautam Samadder (4th from left) is handed the
gavel by outgoing President Dr. Ajay Lodha.
AAPI Board of Trustees honored
him for his outstanding leader
ship, commitment to AAPIs mis
sion, and for carrying the entire
AAPI family together, as well as
for his contributions to realize the
lofty goals of AAPI.
The 5day convention was
packed with CMEs, spiritual dis
courses, yoga, fashion show, town
hall meeting, Bollywood extrava
ganza, India forum, young physi
cians forum, childrens activities
and delicious food from around
(CBP) program which allows expe
dited clearance for preapproved,
lowrisk travelers upon arrival in
the US. On landing at select air
ports, the program members enter
the US through automatic kiosks,
instead of queuing up to clear the
immigration by meeting an immi
gration ofcer. At these airports,
the members proceed to the
Global Entry kiosks, present their
machinereadable passport or US
permanent resident card, place
their ngerprints on the scanner
for ngerprint verication and
complete a customs declaration.
The kiosk then issues the traveler
a transaction receipt and directs
him or her to the baggage claim
and the exit. Travelers must be
preapproved for the Global Entry
program. All applicants undergo a
rigorous background check and
inperson interview before enroll
ment, the CBP website says.
July 1-7, 2017 7
Supreme Court limits
the government's ability
to strip citizenship
from immigrants
Washington, DC: The Supreme She became a citizen in 2007.
Court on Thursday limited the She initially told immigration
government's ability to strip U.S. ofcials her husband had not
citizenship from immigrants for served in the Bosnian Serb mili
lying during the naturalization tary. That was a lie, she later
process. conceded and lower courts
The justices ruled unanimous upheld a criminal conviction
ly in favor of an ethnic Serb against her. The conviction auto
from Bosnia who lied about her matically revoked her citizen
husband's military service. ship and she and her husband
India. Baba Ramdev addressed the
Justice Elena Kagan wrote for were deported in October.
convention inspiring people to
the court that false statements Maslenjak was convicted by a
learn and practice simple ways of
can lead to the revocation of citi jury that was told that even an
living healthy. He told the physi
zenship only if they played inconsequential lie was enough
cians of the glorious past of the
some role in her naturalization. for a guilty verdict.
Indian civilization that gave birth
The court rejected the position The high court returned the
to medicine practice thousands of
taken by the Trump administra case to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court
years ago. BK Sister Shivani also
tion that even minor lies can of Appeals in Cincinnati to deter
gave a discourse.
lead to loss of citizenship. mine whether Maslenjak's false
Speakers at the gala included
The woman, Divna Maslenjak, statements made a difference in
Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, a candidate
and her family were granted the decision to grant her citizen
for Connecticut Governor,
refugee status in 1999 and set ship in the rst place.
Congressmen Raja
tled near Akron, Ohio, in 2000. (News Source: Associated Press)
Krishnamoorthy, and Tom Suozzi.
India, China send largest number
of students to US: Report
India accounts for the largest number of students in STEM field.
Washington, DC: India and China
continue to send the largest num
ber of students to the US with
Indians topping the list of those
opting for science, technology,
engineering and mathematics, a lat
est report said. China and India
sent 362,368 and 206,698 stu
dents respectively in the last one
year, the latest 'SEVIS by the num
bers' report said.
India accounts for the largest
number of students in STEM eld,
which stands for science, technolo
gy, engineering and mathematics.
There are 1.18 million interna
84 per cent of Indian students in the US studied STEM
tional students with F (academic) or
(Image courtesy: harvard.edu)
M (vocational) status studying at
8,774 schools in the US, it said. nual report on international stu Homeland Security Investigations
The global student population dent data, which includes a new (HSI). India not only had the largest
increased by two per cent com section on regional data trends, is number of STEM students, but also
pared to May last year, with 76 per prepared by the Student and the largest proportional STEM stu
cent of students enrolled in higher Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), dent population; 84 per cent of
education programs of study, part of US Immigration and Indian students in the US studied
according to the report. The bian Customs Enforcement's (ICE) STEM, it said.
 8 July 1-7, 2017
Equity & excellence for all in New York City schools
(Photo credit:
NYC Department
of Education.)
By NYC Schools Chancellor
Carmen Faria
s we come to the end of my 52nd
A school year as a New York City edu
cator, its clear that our schools are
the strongest theyve ever been.
This year, 70,000 4yearolds attended
free, fullday, highquality preK, getting
the academic and social skills they need to
succeed in kindergarten and beyond. We
Sarah Jessica Parker to
publish novel about Indian
American Muslim family
New York: In a Monday
press release, Penguin
Random House announced
that Sarah Jessica Parker's
rst book in her new imprint
is a debut novel about an
IndianAmerican Muslim
family from California,
whose estranged members
are brought together to cele
brate their daughter and sis
ter's wedding. Written by Author Fatima
Farheen Mirza
Iowa Writers' Workshop
(Image : New York Times) for Hogarth, was rst
alum Fatima Farheen Mirza
and tentatively titled A Place for Us, the
novel is currently slated to hit store shelves
sometime in 2019.
In A Place for Us, readers meet Hadia and
her family on the eve of her wedding. Hadia
has chosen to marry for love, not tradition,
and so her parents must reconcile her deci
sions, and those of her brother and sister,
with their own expectations. Mirza worked
on the novel for eight years, since she was a tion, identity and belonging in contempo
college freshman. "It was my love for the
characters ... that committed me to the proj book in her new imprint will appear some
ect," she says, adding: I was interested in
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Op-Ed
announced that our elementary and middle
schoolers English test scores were better
than the rest of New York State for the
rst time. High school graduation and col
lege enrolment rates are at record highs,
and our dropout rate is at a record low. If
youd told me or any New Yorker earlier
in my career that New York City schools
would achieve these things, I wouldnt have
believed you.
First and foremost, weve spent this
school year building on this progress.
Weve made extensive investments in our
Equity and Excellence for All agenda, which
is creating a path from preK to college and
careers for every child in every neighbor
hood in New York City. To continue to
improve our childrens literacy and reading
skills, over 100 new reading coaches sup
ported teachers in highneeds schools in
the Bronx and Brooklyn. 171 middle
schools took their 7thgraders to visit col
lege campuses to build college awareness
and help their students see college in their
future which, as the rst in my family to
exploring what it means
when to be loyal to oneself
is to betray the home you
have come from, the bond
between siblings as well as
their betrayals, and the
decisions that each charac
ter makes that determines
not only their own destiny,
but also the lives of their
loved ones.
The creation of Sarah
Jessica Parker's imprint, SJP
announced in the fall of 2016. According to
the SJP for Hogarth website, the former Sex
and the City star and member of the
Presidents Committee on the Arts and the
Humanities "acquires and curates works of
ction that reect her own taste as a read
er." Parker calls Mirza's novel "a poignant
portrait of a family caught between two cul
tures and a resonant story of faith, tradi
rary America." Sarah Jessica Parker's rst
time in 2019. (News source: bustle.com)
go to college, is especially important to me.
At the high school level, we added new
Advanced Placement courses at 63 schools
including 31 that didnt have any AP
courses previously. We made the SAT exam
available to all juniors free of charge dur
ing the school day, and eliminated the
CUNY application fee for lowincome stu
dents, to put more students on the path to
college.
But while I celebrate the progress weve
made, this is no time to rest. They say that
patience is a virtue, but its not one of mine.
Just as its been in each of my 50plus
years as an educator, summer is an oppor
tunity to keep moving forward and make
sure we hit the next school year with a run
ning start.
This summer, well welcome over a hun
dred thousand students across all ve bor
oughs into our Summer in the City summer
school program, which offer handson cur
ricula and visits to New York City cultural
institutions. And well be laserfocused on
training teachers as part of our Equity and
Excellence for All agenda, to ensure contin
ued progress. Well be hiring and training
140 more reading coaches who will reach
White House forgoes
traditional dinner
commemorating Ramadan
Washington, DC: The White House did not
host a traditional Iftar dinner to commemo
rate Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of
fasting, for the rst time in nearly two
decades, a media report said on Monday.
Despite events held by previous adminis
trations, this year's Ramadan passed nearly
unobserved by the White House. It was
marked only by a statement published late
Saturday coinciding with the end of the holy
month, reports the Guardian.
The rst White House Iftar dinner was
hosted by President Thomas Jefferson in
1805.
Hillary Clinton resurrected the event when
she was First Lady in February 1996, host
ing about 150 people for a reception for Eid
ulFitr, which marks the end of the holy
month.
The sunset dinner, attended by legislators,
diplomats and leaders within the US Muslim
community, went on to become an annual
tradition from 1999, observed by the past
three administrations.
George W. Bush held an Iftar dinner every
year of his two terms, including just after the
September 2001 terror attacks.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
every elementary school in the Bronx, and
more schools in Brooklyn, next year. As
part of our Algebra for All initiative, hun
dreds more math teachers will receive cut
tingedge instruction to raise the bar for
their students, including 5thgrade teach
ers who will departmentalize and teach
only math, like weve always done in mid
dle and high schools.
Well be putting in the work to support
193 more middle schools in bringing their
7thgraders to college campuses through
the College Access for All initiative, and
training teachers to add AP courses at 115
more high schools including AP
Computer Science courses that will give
students the skills they need for an edge in
college and careers in the 21st century.
For me, public education is yearround.
We need to keep focusing on the classroom
and raising the bar. We need to do whats
best for kids and ensure they have every
opportunity. We dont have time to wait or
give up two months of the year; we have to
be ready when our kids and families come
back next school year.
I look forward to an active and fullling
summer. See you in September.
President Barack Obama hosted his rst
Ramadan dinner in 2009 and subsequently
every year of his Presidency.
The Washington Post reported that
Saturday's White House statement was
signed by Donald and Melania Trump and
was not posted on the president's social
media presences.
It read: "Muslims in the US joined those
around the world during the holy month of
Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and chari
ty." "Now, as they commemorate Eid with
family and friends, they carry on the tradi
tion of helping neighbors and breaking
bread with people from all walks of life.
During this holiday, we are reminded of the
importance of mercy, compassion and good
will. With Muslims around the world, the US
renews our commitment to honor these val
ues. Eid Mubarak."
Last year, then Presidential candidate
Trump told an ABC News interview that he
would be open to continuing the tradition of
hosting the dinner if he were in the White
House. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also
broke with tradition by not hosting an Iftar
dinner at the state department.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
H1B VISA A NONISSUE
FOR TRUMPMODI
Washington, DC: The H1B immigra
tion visa was a nonissue in the ofcial
meeting between President Donald
Trump and visiting Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. The visa, used over
whelmingly by Indian IT companies,
has been a bone of contention for a
while for the US authorities. The
alleged abuse of immigration system
by several leading Indian IT out
sourcers has been a major issue with
the opponents.
In the aftermath and soon after
Trumps Make America Great Again
call came Indian outsourcer Infosys
announcement to hire more American
citizens.
India's foreign secretary S.
Jaishankar cryptically replied when
asked about the hot button issue:
"There is recognition that the Indian
American community has played an
extraordinary role in building this rela
tionship. When you value something it
is obvious that you will take care of
what you value."
The White House made no mention
of the H1B visa issue in a joint state
ment. In simple fact sheet published by
the White House, they acknowledged
that Indians sit at the forefront of
Silicon Valleys technology revolution,
having founded an estimated 15% of
NATIONAL COMMUNITY July 1-7, 2017 9
Preet Bharara to join his
brothers media rm: Report
Marin County startups.
New York: Since Preet Bharara,
They have helped to develop the
the former United States attor
Pentium chip, ber optics, and noise
ney in Manhattan, was abruptly
cancelling headphones, among numer
red in March by President
ous other innovations, it said. Today,
Trump, speculation has been rife
nearly four million IndianAmericans
about what he would do next.
reside in the United States and over
As it turns out, Bharara is
700,000 U.S. citizens live in India.
becoming something of a media
Each year, the U.S. hands out 80,000
Renaissance man. On Monday,
H1B visas, with some 65% of them
he will ofcially announce that
going to Indian nationals. Most of
he is joining his younger broth
them are on visas to do work at the
ers media company, Some
Indian outsourcers: Infosys, Wipro,
Spider Studios. He is writing a
Tata, Tech Mahindra and HCL.
book. And he has not stopped
In their meeting Monday, Trump
tweeting.
urged Modi to do more to relax trade
Bharara will become an execu
barriers against US companies. He
tive vice president at Some
made it clear that he sees a need for
Spider, which Vinit Bharara
more balance in the USIndia trade Preet and Vinit Bharara
started in 2014. He will also
relationship in keeping with his cam (Image courtesy: New York Times)
host a podcast called Stay
paign promise to expand American
Tuned With Preet. cuted politicians on both sides Preet Bharara does have other
exports and create more jobs at home.
The podcast, which is sched of the aisle and earned a reputa postprosecutorial plans. In April,
Last year, the US trade decit with
uled to begin airing in the com tion for aggressively going after he joined the New York
India neared $31 billion. Trump said
ing months, will explore justice insider trading on Wall Street. University School of Law as a
he would like a trading relationship
and fairness issues and provide He has repeatedly said he has distinguished scholar in resi
that is "fair and reciprocal."
indepth analysis on legal cases. no plans to seek political ofce, dence. He is also working on a
PM Modi, for his part, described
As the United States attorney but that has not stopped the book about the search for jus
India and the US as "leading engines of
for the Southern District of New murmurings. tice, which the publisher Alfred
growth" in the global economy, a senti
York for more than seven years, So joining an upstart media A. Knopf plans to publish in
ment he had expressed in a piece for
Preet Bharara, 48, was perhaps company and hosting a podcast early 2019.
the Wall Street Journal as well prior to
the most powerful federal prose might not seem the next logical (News source: New York
the meeting.
cutor in the country. He prose step in Bhararas career. Times)
(Source: Forbes & Agencies)
10 July 1-7, 2017
Washington DC: The US
Supreme Court on Monday hand
ed a victory to President Donald
Trump by allowing his temporary
bans on travelers from six
Muslimmajority countries and
all refugees to go into effect for
people with no connection to the
United States while agreeing to
hear his appeals in the closely
watched legal ght.
The court, which narrowed the
scope of lower court rulings that
had completely blocked his
March 6 executive order, said it
would hear arguments on the
legality of one of Trump's signa
ture policies in his rst months
as president in the court's next
term, which starts in October.
The justices granted parts of
his administration's emergency
request to put the order into
effect immediately while the
legal battle continues.
The court said that the travel
ban will go into effect "with
respect to foreign nationals who
lack any bona de relationship
TRUMP'S NEW IDEA
A 'SOLAR WALL' ON
MEXICAN BORDER
Rendering of one section of the Mexican side of the wall.
Washington: President Donald
Trump pitched a new concept to
his supporters for the wall he
intends to erect on the Mexican
border: cover it with solar pan
els and use the energy to
cover construction costs.
"Yes, we will build a wall," he
told a crowd in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa. "We have to stop the
drugs from owing in."
"I will give you an idea that
nobody has heard about yet," he
said. "The southern border. Lots
of sun, lots of heat. We are
thinking about building a wall
as a solar wall. So it creates
energy. And pays for itself."
"And this way, Mexico will
have to pay much less money.
And that's good. Right?"
quipped the president, whose
initial pledge to make Mexico
pay for the wall has met with
stiff resistance from America's
southern neighbor.
"Think of it, the higher it goes,
the more valuable it is," he
Supreme Court partially reinstates
Trump travel ban order
with a person or entity in the
United States." The Supreme
Court left the lowercourt injunc
tions against the ban in place, but
only with respect to the chal
lengers to the ban themselves
and others in similar circum
stances, meaning they involve
people in the United States who
have relationships with foreign
nationals abroad and whose
rights might be affected if those
foreigners were excluded from
entry.
But the court said the injunc
tions were too broad to also
include barring enforcement of
the ban against foreigners who
have no connection to the United
States at all. "Denying entry to
enthused.
"Pretty good imagination,
right? My idea!"
The US administration put out
a call for proposals several
months ago for the construction
of the border wall, one of which
submitted by a Las Vegas
businessman named Tom
Gleason involved using solar
panels.
The Trump administration
has yet to make serious head
way on the president's emblem
atic but hugely costly campaign
pledge to build a wall on the
Mexican border.
Under pressure from
Democrats, the US Congress has
so far refused to commit fund
ing to the project, agreeing only
to nance maintenance on
existing parts of the border
fence.
The real funding battle will
play out starting in October,
when 2018 budget negotiations
begin in earnest.
US AFFAIRS
such a foreign national does not
burden any American party by
reason of that party's relation
ship with the foreign national,"
the court said.
The court also said it would
allow a 120day ban on all
refugees entering the United
States to go into effect on the
same grounds, allowing the gov
ernment to exclude from the
United States refugee claimants
who do not have any "bona de
relationship" with an American
individual or entity.
Three of the court's conserva
tives said they would have grant
ed Trump's request in full, includ
ing Trump appointee Neil
Gorsuch. The case is Trump's rst
CNN retracts story on RussiaTrump
ally link, 3 journos quit
Washington: Three journalists of
American news channel CNN,
including the head of the inves
tigative unit, resigned after writ
ing a story about members of
President Trump's electoral cam
paign having financial ties with
Russia.
Reporter Thomas Frank, editor
Eric Lichtblau and the executive
editor of CNN's investigative unit,
Lex Haris, presented their resig
nations, which the TV channel
accepted, Efe news reported.
Trump spread the news on his
Twitter account with the words:
"Fake News CNN is looking at big
management changes now that
they got caught falsely pushing
their phony Russian stories.
Ratings way down!" Trump, who
has never moderated his tweets
White House sends FBI director
nomination to Senate
Washington: The White House
has formally sent to the Senate
the nomination of Christopher
Wray as the new director of the
FBI, the media reported.
On Monday, the Justice
Department released a statement
from Wray, who said he was
"honored and humbled" by the
nomination and looks forward to
his confirmation by the Senate,
reports The Hill magazine.
"From my earliest days working
with agents as a line prosecutor
to my time working with them at
the Department of Justice in the
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
major challenge at the Supreme
Court, where he restored a 54
conservative majority with the
appointment of Gorsuch, who
joined the bench in April. There
are ve Republican appointees
on the court and four Democratic
appointees.
The March 6 order called for a
90day ban on travelers from
Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria
and Yemen and a 120day ban on
all refugees entering the United
States to enable the government
to implement stronger vetting
procedures. It was blocked by
federal judges before going into
effect on March 16 as planned.
Trump issued the order amid
rising international concern
since taking office, at the same
time slammed other reputable
media like The New York Times,
The Washington Post and televi
sion channels NBC, CBS and ABC
for also publishing "fake news"
about his administration.
A spokesman for the TV chan
nel had announced that "in the
aftermath of the retraction of a
story published on CNN.com, CNN
has accepted the resignations of
the employees involved in the
story's publication".
According to CNN, the story
aftermath of 9/11, I have been
inspired by the men and women
of the FBI inspired by their pro
fessionalism, integrity, courage,
and sacrifice for the public."
Wray said.
"If confirmed, it will be a privi
lege and honor to once again
work with them. America faces
grave threats both here and
abroad, and the FBI, in concert
with its federal, state, and local
partners, continues to work
steadfastly to prevent and hold
accountable those responsible
for these threats." President
about attacks carried out by
Islamist militants like those in
Paris, London, Brussels, Berlin
and other cities. But critics have
called the order a meanspirited,
intolerant and unAmerican
"Muslim ban." The state of
Hawaii and a group of plaintiffs
in Maryland represented by the
American Civil Liberties Union
argued that the order violated
federal immigration law and the
Constitution's First Amendment
prohibition on the government
favoring or disfavoring any par
ticular religion. Regional federal
appeals courts in Virginia and
California both upheld district
judge injunctions blocking the
order.
published on June 20 did not
comply with the standards of
quality, precision and exhaustive
reviews imposed by the editorial
department, particularly because
it was based on a single anony
mous source. The story said that
Congress was investigating the
ties of a Russian investment fund
with Trump officials, including
Anthony Scaramucci, adviser to
the US President.
Such investigative reports are
expected to be reviewed at sever
al editorial levels, factchecked
and passed through a filter of
other journalists and editors, as
well as of company lawyers.
The story was published only
on the Web, not on the TV news
channel, and all links to it have
been deactivated.
Donald Trump announced Wray,
a former assistant attorney gen
eral during the tenure of
President George W. Bush, as his
choice to lead the bureau earlier
this month. Wray's nomination to
the helm the bureau, a position
which lasts for a 10year term,
comes after Trump in May fired
former director James Comey,
reports the magazine. Comey was
leading the bureau's probe into
Russia's attempts to meddle in
the US presidential election and
any potential ties between Trump
campaign staff and the Kremlin.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info US AFFAIRS July 1-7, 2017 11

Republicans delay US Senate vote

on 'Obamacare' repeal
McConnell is trying
to revise the Senate
healthcare bill by Friday
enate Majority Leader legislation affects coverage lev

S Mitch McConnell is aiming

Trump called all GOP Senators to White House to listen to all voices and
to persuade them to pass the healthcare repeal and replace.
Washington: Republicans eager to
repeal "Obamacare" suf fered a
deeply embarrassing setback today
when shrinking support forced
them to postpone votes on their
controversial health care overhaul,
one of President Donald Trump's
top priorities.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell, who led the secret draft
ing of the measure and unveiled it
last week, said lawmakers would
continue negotiating, in a bid to
bridge the "dif ferences" that have
split Republicans over the legisla
tion. "Consequently, we will not be
on the bill this week. But we're still
working toward getting at least 50
people in a comfortable place" to
vote for the measure, McConnell
said.
"It's an ongoing discussion, and
several of them want more time," he
said of Republican lawmakers.
Senator David Perdue said earlier
that he believed a vote would not
occur this week as planned, but pos
sibly "the first week when we get
back" from the July 4 Independence
Day recess. The delay is a huge
to send a revised version
of his healthcare bill to the
els and federal spending.
In between closeddoor
lunches and meet ings w ith
Congressional Budget Office as McConnell and his team on
soon as Friday as he continues Wednesday, a number of
to push for a vote be fore Republicans flashed visible
Congresss August recess. signs of frustration even as
blow to Trump and Republicans
The ef fort reflects the tight they expressed cautious opti
who have spent the last seven years
timeline McConnell faces in his mism that a vote was possible.
plotting an end to the Af fordable
attempt to hold a vote in July Conservatives asked for the lift
Care Act, commonly known as
and the pressure he is under ing of coverage mandates to
Obamacare. It also highlights the
to change the bill to garner lower premiums and requested
deep ideological divides within the
enough support to pass it. With higher limits on tax exemptions
party over how to improve the
both conservatives and cen for healthsavings accounts.
health care system while not cut
trists pushing dif ferent policy Moderates asked for more gen
ting millions of Americans out of
solutions, Senate leaders were erous tax credits for the work
insurance coverage. McConnell said
struggling to craft a rewrite of ing classes and a gentler phase
Trump has been "fully engaged" in
the Af fordable Care Act on out of the expansion of
the process. Trump hosted all
Wednesday that would attract Medicaid that their states have
Senate Republicans at a special
votes without torpedoing the enjoyed under the Af fordable
meeting at the W hite House
CBOs official score of how the Care Act.
Tuesday afternoon.

Low trust in Trump, and US US warning appears to have averted

favorability falls in world Syrian chemical attack: Jim Mattis
Washington: President is arrogant, intolerant
Donald Trump and his and even dangerous," Washington: US Defense Secretary
policies are broadly according to a state Jim Mattis said on Wednesday that
unpopular around the ment re leased with the Syrian government of President
world w ith the the poll, which was Bashar alAssad appeared so far to
notable exceptions of carried out between have heeded a warning this week
in Russia and Israel, February 16 and May from Washington not to carry out a Syrian President
according to a poll 8. And under Trump, chemical weapons attack. Bashar alAssad
released on Monday. favorability ratings for But Russia, the Syrian govern
Even Russian the US have fallen in ment's main backer, said the U.S.
President Vladimir many countries, assertions that Assad's forces may
Putin, considered an A fake Trump Time according to the poll. have been planning a chemical
authoritarian with a cover is displayed in a "The share of the pub attack complicated peace talks on
long record of punish couple of golf courses lic with a positive view ending Syria's sixyearold civil
ing political allies and owned by The of the US has plum war. T he White House said on that." Washington accused Syrian administrations warning to Syria
suppressing views President. Time meted in a diverse set Monday it appeared the Syrian mil forces of using the Shayrat airfield this week was far from conclu
divergent from his
magazine has asked of countries from itary was preparing to conduct a for a chemical weapons attack in sive, said another U.S. of ficial
those to e removed.
own, seems to instill Latin America, North chemical weapons attack said April. Syria denies this. However, familiar with the intelligence. It
more confidence in people to do America, Europe, Asia and Africa," Assad and his forces would "pay a Matt is said Syria's chemical did not come close to saying that a
the right thing regarding world Pew said. The fall in confidence in heavy price" if it did so. US officials weapons threat was larger than chemical weapons attack was com
af fairs. According to a new Pew the US Presdient was especially later said the warning was based any single location. "I think that ing," the official said.
survey of citizens in 37 countries pronounced among US allies in on inte lligence that indicated Assad's chemical program goes far The United States conveyed the
around the world, 27% say they Europe and Asia, and in Canada preparations for such a strike were beyond one airfield," he said. warning to Russia via the decon
have confidence in Putin while and Mexico, the poll said. Among under way at Syria's Shayrat air U.S. and allied intelligence of fi fliction channel the two countries
22% say they have confidence in the 37 countries polled, Russia field. cers had for some time identified use to avoid clashes in Syrian air
Trump. Those numbers pale in and Israel were the only ones in "It appears that they took the several sites where they suspected space, but there is no evidence
comparison to German Chancellor which people said they trust warning seriously," Mattis said. Assad's government may have been indicating that this deterred a
Angela Merkel, about whom 42% Trump more than they did Obama. "T hey didn't do it," he told hiding new ly made chemical chemical attack, the official said.
say they have confidence. "Among the positive characteris reporters fly ing w ith him to weapons from inspectors, a U.S. The Syrian military and foreign
Twentytwo percent reported tics tested, his highest rating is for Brussels for a meeting of NATO of ficial familiar with the intelli ministry did not comment on the
they had faith in Trump to guide being a strong leader. Fewer defence ministers. He of fered no gence said. T he United States White House warning, although
America's role in the world, com believe he is charismatic, well evidence other than the fact that launched a cruise missile strike on staterun alIkhbariya television
pared with a 64% level of confi qualified or cares about ordinary an attack had not taken place. Shayrat in April following the station said the allegations were
dence in Barack Obama, Pew people," it added. Indians respon Asked whether he believed Assad's deaths of 87 people in what fabricated. Russia denounced the
Research said. "In the eyes of most dents exhibited an 18 percentage forces had called of f any such Washington said was a poison gas warning and dismissed W hite
people surveyed around the world, points drop in confidence in strike completely, Mattis said: "I attack in rebelheld territory. The House assertions that a strike was
the White House's new occupant Trump's leadership. think you better ask Assad about intelligence that prompted the being prepared as "unacceptable".
 12 July 1-7, 2017
Modi denounces killings
in the name of cows
Ahmedabad: Breaking his silence
on cow vigilantes, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi made it clear that
killing people in the name of "gau
bhakti" was unacceptable.
Addressing a gathering at the
Sabarmat i Ashram set up by
Mahatma Gandhi here, Modi said:
"As a society, there is no place for
violence.
"Killing people in the name of
'gau bhakti' (cow worship) is not
acceptable. This is not something
Mahatma Gandhi would approve."
Modi underlined that no one
spoke about protecting cows more
than Mahatma Gand hi and
Acharya Vinoba Bhave.
"Yes, it should be done," he said.
But "we are a land of nonviolence.
We are a land of Mahatma Gandhi.
Why do we forget that?
"Today I want to say a few words
and express sadness on some of
the things going on," Modi added,
in clear reference to the increasing
cases of murderous attacks on
people in the name of cow protec
tion.
Army Chief in Sikkim
amid IndiaChina
border faceoff
Gangtok: Army Chief General
Bipin Rawat arrived in Sikkim to
take stock of the security sce
nario amid a standoff between
Indian and Chinese troops
along the border in the area.
According to sources, the
Army chief will review the secu
rity situation, and may also visit
some forward areas.
Chinese People's Liberation
Army (PLA) personnel breached
the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
in the Sikkim sector and
destroyed two makeshift Indian
Army bunkers earlier this
month in Lalten area of Doka La
sector.
The Chinese Defence Ministry
confirmed the border trouble
but accused Indian troops of
crossing the boundary into
China "in an attempt to prevent
a road construction" by the
Chinese side.
The Defence Ministry and
Army have made no official
comment on the incident yet.
Doka La is located in the
Chumbi valley, and the area
where the aggression took
place is not far from the corri
dor of rail and road that con
nects to northeastern India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at Sabarmati Ashram
event in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on June 29.
"Violence never has and never
will solve any problem. No person
in this nation has the right to take
the law in his or her own hands.
"Let's us all work together. Let's
create the India of Mahatma
Gandhi's dremas. Let's create an
India our freedom fighters will be
proud of," Modi said.
T he remarks by Mo di, who
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat
Also close to the area, Bhutan
and China have a border issue
along Tibet. China is at present
extending a rail line close the
the border here.
The Defence Ministry, for a
long time has been maintaining
that there are no transgressions
along the IndiaChina border
and the issue is of different per
ceptions of the boundary. The
Defence Minister has repeated
the line several times, including
in answers to Parliament ques
tions, in response to queries
about Chinese transgression in
the Indian side.
In reaction to the border face
off, China has refused to let the
first batch of around 50 Indian
pilgrims, who were supposed to
travel to Kailash Mansarovar
Lake in Tibet, go through the
Nathu La route.
INDIA
arrived in Gujarat on Thursday on
a twoday visit, assume signifi
cance in the wake of criticism that
he and his government have main
tained silence about the violence
by cow vig ilantes who have
lynched people in various places.
The cow vigilantes claim to be
acting to defend an animal which
Hindus consider sacred.
Hundreds protest in
Delhi against lynchings
New Delhi: Hundreds of people,
including film stars and social
act ivists, g athered at Jantar
Mantar here to protest against the
recent incidents of lynching of
minorities and Dalits, particularly
in BJPruled states.
Family members of Mohammad
Akhlaq, who was lynched by a
mob on suspicion of keeping beef
in his home in Dadri in Uttar
Pradesh two years ago, and others
were present at the event organ
ised under the banner of
"#NotInMyName" close on the
heels of the lynching and murder
of 16yearold Junaid in a train
follow ing an argument that
turned communal.
Carrying banners saying "Not In
My Name", activists including
Shabana Azmi, Medha Patkar,
Aam Aadmi Party leaders and citi
zens said communal division of
the country and lynchings should
stop.
"Fundamentalists are dividing
people... We need to have events
like these that create pressure
against this trend," Patkar told
IANS.
Saba Dewan, who started the
campaign on Facebook, said: "This
is against the systematic violence
taking place ag ainst Dalit
Muslims. The state has done noth
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Vice President's
election on August 5
New Delhi: Election for India's
next Vice President, to succeed
M. Hamid Ansari, will be held
on August 5 and counting of
votes will be done on the same
day, the Election Commission
announced.
Chief Election Commissioner
Nasim Zaidi said, "The date of
polling, if required, will be
August 5. Counting, if required,
will be done on August 5."
Zaidi said the election will be
held between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Chief Election
Commissioner said that filing
of nomination will begin on
July 4 with the issue of notifi
cation.
The last date for filing nomi
nation is July 18, while scruti
ny of nomination papers will
take place on July 19. The last
date for withdrawal of nomina
tion is July 21.
Hamid Ansari has been Vice
President and exofficio
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
from August 11, 2007. He won
the second term on August 11,
People participate in "Not In My Name" protest against killing of
Junaid Khan, in New Delhi.
ing and there is a deafening
silence. Pehlu Khan is our brother
and Junaid is our son."
Another organiser, Bilal said 80
per cent of the victims of lynching
were Muslims.
A stage was erected with a map
of India on it with dots for loca
tions where such incidents have
taken place in recent times. At the
protest, which was to be a "silent
protest", there were songs and
speeches calling for communal
harmony.
T he most significant of the
2012. His current term ends
on August 10. "The EC is man
dated to ensure that the elec
tion for the office of Vice
President of India is free and
fair," Zaidi said.
Zaidi said the Vice President
is elected by members of the
Electoral Collage consisting of
members of both houses of
Parliament in accordance with
the system of proportional rep
resentation by means of a sin
gle transferable vote.
He said the nominated mem
bers of Lok Sabha as well as
Rajya Sabha are also eligible to
be included in the Electoral
College and therefore entitled
to participate in the election.
"For the Vice President's
election in Rajya Sabha there
are 233 members and 12 nom
inated members. Similarly, in
Lok Sabha there are 543 mem
bers and nominated members
are two.
"The total number of mem
bers of the Electoral College is
790," Zaidi said.
lynchings was that of Mohammad
Akhlaq in 2015, father of an
Indian Air Force personnel, who
was killed by a mob on suspicion
of beef being kept in his house in
Dadri, on the outskirts of national
capital.
In April 2017, a dairy farmer
was killed after being attacked in
Alwar district of Rajasthan by self
styled cow vigilantes.
Last week, teenager Junaid was
attacked by a group and killed
while travelling in a train from
Delhi to Haryana.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Pak ofcials worried over
TrumpModi bonhomie: Daily
Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistani
of ficials will be worried "about
the amicability" of the meeting
between US President Donald
Trump and Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Mo di, a
Pakistani newspaper said.
"And the worrying word from
Washington is that the US is
looking at a stricter policy on
Pakistan," T he News
International said in an editorial.
The daily said the ModiTrump
meeting in Washington "is a
reminder that the US and India
have become closer mostly
because of the latter's growing
economic importance.
"And while the alliance
between the two deeply divisive
leaders might not last long, for
now they seem to be kindred
spirits," it said.
A joint statement issued after
1993 blasts convict
Mustafa Dossa dies
before sentencing
Mumbai: Smuggler and mafia
operat ive Mustafa Ahmed
Dossa, convicted by a Special
TADA Court last week for his
role in the March 1993
Mumbai serial blasts, died
shortly before he was to be sen
tenced here.
Dossa alias Mustafa Majnu is
survived by his brother
Mohammed Dossa, a coaccused
in the same case and abscond
ing from the law, his second
wife and four children.
Dossa was found guilty of the
landing of three tonnes of dead
ly RDX and AK56 assault rifles
at Maharashtra's Raigad coast
weeks before the blasts.
He was also accused of
attending meet ings he ld in
Dubai at his brother
(Mohammed Dossa)'s residence.
Present at those meetings
between December 1992 and
January 1993 were absconding
mafia don and blasts master
mind Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar
and Tiger Memon, who imple
mented the plans.
Hailing from Ag ripada in
south Mumbai, Dossa mostly
lived as a dapper businessman
in Dubai. In early 2003, he was
arrested in a local case and was
to be deported from the UAE.
He decided to come to India
and was arrested on March 20
that year after he landed in New
Delhi. Since he was missing
from the earlier trial of the
March 1993 blasts cases, his
name was included in the sec
the Mo diTrump meet ing in
Washington asked Pakistan not
to let its territory be used for
crossborder terror attacks. The
US also designated the Pakistan
based Kashmiri separatist leader
Syed Salahuddin as a global ter
rorist.
The daily, however, said that
Modi's discussions on defence
with Trump, such as on increased
naval cooperation, were directed
against China, which it pointed
out was the only rival to India in
South Asia.
The coming together of Modi
and Trump "will show the region
that India intends on being the
neighbourhood cop of the US
and in return the US will parrot
its line on Kashmir and terror
ism".
Another Pakistani newspaper,
The Nation, also attacked "global
Mustafa Dossa.
ond (current) trial along with
other absconding accused who
had been arrested, including
the deported accused Abu
Salem. On June 16, nearly 24
years after the blasts rocked
Mumbai, Special TADA Court
Judge G.A. Sanap found him and
five others guilty in the case.
Since the past few days, the
arguments for the sentencing
was on be fore the Special
Judge. On Tuesday, Special
Public Prosecutor Deepak Salve
sought death penalty for Dossa,
contending his (Dossa's) role in
the blasts was even more seri
ous than the hanged convict,
Yakub Memon.
Way back in July 2010, Dossa
shot to lime lig ht after he
attacked Abu Salem inside the
hig hsecurity Arthur Road
Central Jail premises where
they were both lodged.
Dossa had pounced on Salem
during the morning breakfast
regime, slashing his face and
neck with a spoon which was
reportedly sharpened like a
knife.
INDIA
powers" for ignoring what it said
were human rights abuses in
Jammu and Kashmir.
"The international community
often pays no heed to the legiti
mate resistance of Kashmiris
because they see India as one of
the biggest markets for their
products," it said.
T he daily warned that both
India and Pakistan were nuclear
powers and "global powers need
to gauge the regional situation
very cautiously.
"Any move by global powers by
which one of the two countries
feels threatened will deteriorate
the security situat ion in the
region."
The US designated the
Pakistanbased Kashmiri
separatist leader Syed
Salahuddin as a global terrorist.
India downplays use of 'Indian
administered Jammu and Kashmir'
New Delhi: India has downplayed
the use of the term "Indian
administered Jammu and
Kashmir" in the US State
Department's designat ion of
Pakistanbased Hizbul
Mujahideen leader Syed
Salahuddin as a global terrorist.
"The use of the term 'Indian
administered Jammu and
Kashmir' mere ly af firms our
position that Syed Salahuddin
has been involved in crossbor
der terrorism against India,"
External Af fairs Ministry
spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.
"Similar term has been used in
the State Department's country
reports on terrorism brought out
Modi to visit Israel next month
New Delhi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi will be visiting
Israe l from July 4 to 6, the
External Af fairs Ministry
announced, as the Middle Eastern
country's embassy here welcomed
the first ever prime ministerial
visit from India.
"During the visit, the Prime
Minister will have detailed discus
sions w ith Prime Minister
(Benjamin) Netanyahu on all mat
ters of mutual interest and will
also call on President (Reuven)
Rivlin," the External Af fairs
Ministry statement said.
"India established diplomatic
relations with Israel in 1992 and
since then the relationship has
evolved into a multidimensional
partnership," it stated. "This year
every year, including in the peri
od 201013, in the context of
crossborder terrorism perpetrat
ed on India.
"India's consistent position that
the entire state of Jammu and
Kashmir is an integral part of
India is well known."
The State Department, in the
notification issued on June 26,
stated: "Under Salahuddin's
tenure as senior HM leader, HM
has claimed responsibility for
several attacks, including the
April 2014 explosives attack in
Indianadministered Jammu and
Kashmir which injured 17 peo
ple."
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi
both the countries are commemo
rating 25 years of diplomatic rela
tions and the visit of PM will pro
vide an impetus for deeper bilater
al engagement in areas of mutual
interest."
The Israeli Embassy here said
that apart from calling on Rivlin,
Modi will have a working meeting
and dinner with Netanyahu.
"It will also include highlevel
bilateral meetings and other vari
ous components which reflect the
fabric of the IndoIsraeli rela
tions," the embassy said in a state
ment.
According to the External Affairs
Ministry, elements of Modi's pro
gramme include homage to Indian
soldiers at the Indian Cemetery in
Haifa and address to the Indian
July 1-7, 2017 13
Azad called the use of this term a
"sellout".
Welcoming the designation of
Salahuddin as a specially desig
nated global terrorist by the US,
Baglay said: "This longawaited
step had been under discussion."
He said the joint statement
issued after Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's talks with US
President Donald Trump "is the
strongest joint expression of the
commitment of the two sides to
be shouldertoshoulder in the
fight against terrorism and calls
on Pakistan to ensure that its ter
ritory is not used to launch ter
rorist attacks on other coun
tries".
community at an event in Tel Aviv.
The Haifa Indian Cemetery con
tains the g raves of 49
Commonwealth servicemen of the
First World War.
According to the Indian Embassy
in Te l Aviv, there are about
85,000 Jews of Indian origin in
Israel. This apart there are about
10,000 Indian nationals in Israel,
of whom around 9,000 work in
the caregiving sector, while the
rest are mostly diamond traders,
IT professionals and students.
Prime Minister Netanyahu on
June 25 had announced Modi's
visit in a tweet, saying "Next week,
the Indian Prime Minister, my
friend, @NarendraModi will arrive
in Israel, This is an historic visit to
Israel."
 14 July 1-7, 2017
Sikh woman becomes
first turbaned Supreme
Court judge in Canada
Canberra: Indianorigin Sikh human rights
advocate Palbinder Kaur Shergill has been
appointed a judge at the Supreme Court of
British Columbia in New Westminster.
Shergill is the first turbaned Sikh to be
appointed to the judiciary in Canada.
Jody WilsonRaybould, Minister of Justice
and Attorney General of Canada, announced
the appointment on Friday under the new
judicial application process announced on
October 20 last year.
We lcoming the decision, World Sikh
Organization (WSO) President Mukhbir
Singh said: "The appointment of Justice
Shergill is another milestone for the Sikh
community in Canada. It is a matter of great
pride that today we have the first turbaned
Sikh appointed to the judiciary in Canada."
The appointment was made with immedi
ate effect as Justice Shergill replaces Justice
EA ArnoldBailey, who retired on May 31, a
report by news portal Voice Online said.
Regarded as a leading human rights advo
Toronto holds biggestever yoga
event in North America
Toronto: Toronto set a record of holding the
biggestever yoga event in North America as
yoga guru Baba Ramdev led thousands of
people throug h yog a asanas at the
International Center here on Sunday.
The daylong mega event was organized by
the nonprofit International Day of Yoga
Canada (IYDC) in collaboration with the
Indian consulate here.
Top leaders, including Canada's Science
Minister Kirsty Duncan, Ontario state's Indo
Canadian Minister Dipika Damerla, Ontario
Opposition Leader Patrick Brown, mayors,
and members of Parliament joined the event
as Baba Ramdev put them through over two
hours of yogic asanas in the morning session.
Brahma Kumari Sister Shivani led the
evening meditation session.
It was all fun and laughter as Ramdev guid
ed people, including the VIPs, through tough
yogic exercises, highlighting the benefits of
each asana. Administering an oath to the
crowd to do yoga everyday, he said: "People
look for solutions outside, but everything is
inside us. My mission is to take yoga to every
corner of the world."
"Even if one percent people of the world
practice yoga, it will usher in prosperity and
world peace and there won't be any wars.
Yoga has nothing to do with any religion."
Referring to his Patanjali Ayurved business
DIASPORA
Palbinder Kaur Shergill
(image courtesy: cbc.ca)
cate, she has been instrumental in helping
shape human rights and religious accommo
dation law in Canada through her work as
general legal counsel for the WSO since
1991. Prior to her appointment to the
bench, Shergill practised as a lawyer and
mediator with her law firm, Shergill &
Company, Trial Lawyers.She lives in Surrey
with her husband, daughter and twin sons.
empire as a charity and nonprofit organiza
tion "for the benefit of mankind", Ramdev
said his mission is to build the world's
biggest university which teaches modern
education and India's ancient wisdom and
knowledge.
Amid applause, the yoga guru said he had
never attended any bigger yoga event than
this one anywhere outside India.
Terming the yoga celebrations an "exciting
and important event" Duncan greeted the
huge g athering in Punjabi, say ing:
"Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, Assalam Aleikum.
Mera naam Kirsty Duncan hai. Mainu bahut
khushi hai...."
Indian Consul General Dinesh Bhatia, who
put together the event in collaboration with
community organizations, said yoga is India's
gift to the world and lauded Prime Minister
Narendra Modi for getting it recognized as
International Day of Yoga. He introduced
Ramdev to Canadians as "the brand ambassa
dor of yoga and Ayurveda" and a crusader
against corruption and black money.
Welcoming people to the yoga celebrations
in Canada, IYDC Chairman Satish Thakkar
highlighted the economic benefits of yoga in
terms of medical costs for modern society.
He said the mission of IYDC is to take yoga to
the mainstream in Canada by organizing
even bigger yoga events in the future.
UK Sikh couple denied adoption of
white child due to cultural heritage
London: A Sikh couple in the UK has
claimed that they were refused permission
to adopt a white child because of their "cul
tural heritage" and told to adopt a child
from India instead.
Sandeep and Reena Mander, Britishborn
business professionals from Berkshire,
were quoted by The Times as saying that
they were told not to apply to become
adoptive parents on the basis that white
British or European applicants would be
given preference.
The couple, who are of SikhIndian her
itage, had told Adopt Berkshire, an adop
tion agency that they would be delighted
to adopt a child of any ethnic background
but were rejected as potential parents on
the grounds that only white children were
available. The couple, both in their 30s,
Bring software industries to Bengal:
Mamata to Bengali diaspora
The Hague (Netherlands): West Bengal
Chie f Minister Mamata Banerjee on
Thursday appealed to the Bengali commu
nity here to bring software industries.
"Our young generation is in the software
industry which is an important sector. We
have IT parks and land is also available.
We will provide facilities within our capa
bilities. We have lot of scope for the indus
try," she said, adding that state had no
mandays lost. Banerjee, who is accompa
nied by a high powered official and busi
ness delegation, is in the Netherlands to
participate in the United Nations Public
Service Forum as a speaker.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa
join yoga demonstration performed by the Portuguese Yoga Confederation,
in Lisbon, Portugal on June 24th.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
claim they were told to adopt a child from
India instead.
Adoption agencies are allowed to priori
tize on the basis of race in order to match
children to prospective parents of the
same ethnic background. But the govern
ment has also said that a child's ethnicity
should not be a barrier to adoption.
The Manders, whose cause has been
taken up by Prime Minister Theresa May
as their local MP, will take their case to
court.
They are applying to Slough county
court, seeking a declaration that the policy
should allow them to adopt. They are
being represented by the law firm
McAllister Olivarius and their case is sup
ported by the Equality and Human Rights
Commission (EHRC). (IANS)
"In order to bring Bengali community as
well as Indians living across the countries
in the world with one platform, the state
can think of a portal or website," she said
at the interactive session with Bengali dias
pora.
Inviting the Bengali community here to
participate in the next year's Bengal
Business Summit, she said the state had
introduced Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman
with an objective to take Durga Puja to dif
ferent parts of the world.
She also appealed to Dutch investors,
along with Italian and German industrial
ists, to invest in the state.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Interfaith dialogue can establish world peace, said Acharya Lokesh Muni, founder of
Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, which organized the conference to celebrate completion of its
10 years and to celebrate 3rd International Day of Yoga.
Atlantic City, NJ: A grand interna
tional conference, Peace and
Harmony through Interfaith
Dialogue, was organized on the
occasion of International Yoga Day
under the leadership of Jain
Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni at
Vaikunth Hindu Jain Temple in
Atlantic City on June 24.
The mega event was held in the
august presence of Yogrishi Baba
Ramdev, founder of Patanjali Group
of Institutes, founder President of
Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Jain Acharya
Dr. Lokesh Muni, Ambassador of
Sikhism in USA Bhai Satpal Singh,
Sadhvi Bhagwati from Parmarth
Niketan (Rishikesh), Roman Catholic
Father John Thomas, Ms. Kiran Bali,
Chairperson United Religious
Initiative, and Mayor of Galloway
Township Mr Don Purdy.
The event was a historical congre
gation of faith luminaries and
attended by more than 1,000 distin
guished guests from NRI communi
ty in the US. Shri Basant Gupta,
Event Chairman, welcomed the
guests on the occasion. The pro
gram was organized to celebrate
Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti completing
10 years, 3rd International Yoga
Day and the launching of Jain
Channel Arihant by Acharyaji and
Swamiji.
Swami Ramdev, appreciating the
historical beginning by Ahimsa
Vishwa Bharti, said that the subject
of the seminar is very contempo
rary and relevant. Yoga brings
internal and external peace. Yoga
also brings personal and social
development. It is relevant for peo
ple of all religions. Today gurus of
different faiths have given the mes
sage of interfaith harmony from
one platform, which will send a spe
cial message to the world, he added.
Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni said
that peace is necessary for develop
ment of society; interfaith dialogue
can establish world peace. Violence
and terrorism cannot solve any
problem. Violence gives rise to
counter violence. Ideological pollu
tion is more harmful than environ
Grand Interfaith Conference
held in Atlantic City
(From left) Father John Thomas, Sadhvi Bhagwati, Dr. Lokesh Muni, Baba Ramdev, Bhai Satpal Singh Khalsa,
and Kiran Bali at the inauguration of the conference.
mental pollution. All problems can
be solved through dialogue. When
people of different religions, faiths
and castes will work together for
development people of the whole
world will surely get the benefits.
Bhai Satpal Singh said that in
social life peace, brotherhood, love,
nonviolence lead to development of
all sections of the society. Interfaith
harmony is the key to development.
He said that the relevance and pur
posefulness of religion lies in creat
ing peaceful, organized, independ
ent, developed and progressive con
ditions in the society.
Rev John Thomas, Pastor Parish
of Saint Monica Atlantic City, said
difference in opinion is natural in
society; problem arises when differ
ence of opinion becomes difference
International Ahimsa Awards were presented to prominent people at the event.
RELIGION
in hearts. He said that all religious
leaders like him are constantly mak
ing efforts to give the message of
peace and harmony in the society.
Whenever the need arose we went
to communally disturbed areas to
establish peace there.
Mr Don Purdy, Mayor of
Galloway Township, NJ,
said that great religious
leaders from India pro
moting yoga and reli
gious integrity is for
the welfare of whole
world. He said that
leaders of USA and
India can together
establish world peace.
Sadhvi Bhagwati said
that Acharya Lokesh Muni ji
is spreading Indian culture in
July 1-7, 2017 15
Day celebration at UN
Headquarters, Parliament of
Worlds Religions at Salt Lake City.
He is an Ambassador of Peace. He
has also associated religion to
remove social evils from the society.
Many eminent people of Indian
origin were honored by Acharya
Lokesh and Baba Ramdev at the
event. The International Ahimsa
Awards honor their will and wish to
establish Indian values and culture
to bring more glory to our country.
Honorees included (in social field)
Shri Mafat Patel, Shri Piyush Patel,
Shri Anil Monga, Shri Kamal Arora,
Shri Basant Gupta; in media Padma
Shri H.R. Shah, Padma Shri Sudhir
Parikh, Shri Kamlesh Mehta, Shri
Rajeev Bhambri, Shri Bhavya
Shrivastava. In education field Shri
Bipin Sagankar, Praveen Khatiwal,
Kiran Bali, and in medical field Dr.
Maveen Mehta, Dr. Raj Bhayani
were honored with Ahimsa Award.
the world. Last year he had
A view of the 1,000 strong
addressed the prestigious platforms
august audience.
like International
Yoga
 16 July 1-7, 2017 MODI-TRUMP SUMMIT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Hugs, business & US

support for India
Though beginning with "low expectations", given the
unpredictability factor of the current occupant of the
White House, India has many reasons to smile by the
outcome of the first Modi-Trump summit on Monday.
l By Tarun Basu of Westinghouse nuclear reactors. activity of the
He wants India to import American kind that

I
f hugs and handshakes are
markers to personal and bilater
al relationships, then the first
gettoknow meeting between
Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and US President Donald
Trump seems to have been singu
larly successful.
The optics as seen on TV
showed Trump proffering his hand
of friendship to Modi he called
him a "true friend" more than once
in the course of the day after
their meeting in the Oval Office,
and then shaking his hand and hug
ging him at the end of their media
appearance at the Rose Garden.
This was followed by more hugs
and handshakes while seeing Modi
off at the end of a fourhour inter
action and working dinner, the first
Trump has offered at the White
House for a visiting leader since
becoming President on January 20.
What is the takeaway for India
and the region for this maiden
IndoUS summit in the Trump era?
One, Trump wants to largely con
tinue the "strategic partnership"
and "Major Defense Partner" rela
tionship with India that was begun
by his Republican predecessor
George W Bush and continued by
Democrat Barack Obama; two, with
sharp business instincts, with econ
omy and jobs his primary motiva
tion, Trump thinks he can do busi
ness with India.
He may have been especially
buoyed with the $2bn order for
drones and what he called "(An)
Indian airlines recent order of 100
new American planes, one of the
largest orders of its kind, which will
support thousands and thousands
of American jobs" and the purchase
natural gas and did not forget to the US,
add, like a true businessman, that
the prices were being negotiated
"trying to get the price up a little
bit"!
And, if India is ready to do busi
ness with US something which
China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and
Qatar, among others, have learnt to
use to their advantage then the
Trump administration is ready to
accommodate Indian concerns and
aspirations more than half way.
India made a smart move
China had also done so ear
lier by inviting
Trump's eldest
daughter Ivanka to
lead the US delega
tion to the Global
Entrepreneurship
Summit in India later
this year. Ivanka has accepted
to do so.
Trump has called the securi
ty partnership between the US and Japan and India are going to under officialese but, embellished with Mujahideen, as a "global terrorist"
India as "incredibly important" and take. China also does not like the such Trumpesque epithets like and putting counterterrorism
said both nations will work togeth formulation IndoPacific as 'amazing', carry the imprimatur of cooperation, including in Kashmir,
er to destroy terrorist organiza opposed to neutral AsiaPacific the President himself. at the nub of their bilateral rela
tions and the radical ideology that and would not be happy with the From a visit that had begun with tionship. This could not be good
drives them. "We will destroy radi joint statement that talks about the "low expectations", given the news to either Pakistan or the sepa
cal Islamic terrorism," Trump said "importance of respecting freedom unpredictability factor of the cur ratist elements in Kashmir.
forcefully, an affirmation that may of navigation, overflight, and com rent President, the Indians have Pakistan, especially, has been sin
not have been exactly music to merce throughout the region" more than one reason to smile. gled out for admonition with the
Pakistani ears. "Our militaries are while calling upon "all nations to They prepared well, read astutely joint statement calling on Pakistan
working every day to enhance resolve territorial and maritime dis the signals from the White House, "to ensure that its territory is not
cooperation between our military putes peacefully and in accordance especially issues and emotions that used to launch terrorist attacks on
forces. And next month, they will with international law." move and motivate Trump, and set other countries" and also to "expe
join together with the Japanese Trump concluded by saying that the right frame for the meeting by ditiously bring to justice the perpe
navy to take place in the largest "I truly believe our two countries making bigticket business moves trators" of terror attacks on
maritime exercise ever conducted can set an example for many other with the US that Trump could brag Mumbai, Pathankot and others,
in the vast Indian Ocean." nations, make great strides in as job generating. The US respond putting the onus on cessation of
China had already sounded a defeating common threats, and ed in equal measure by making the terrorism squarely on the shoul
veiled note of warning over the make great progress in unleashing presummit announcement of nam ders of Pakistan.
activity of "nonregional forces" amazing prosperity and growth." ing Syed Salahuddin, chief of Tarun Basu is founderEditor of
and frowns upon the joint military This was seen as not just standard Kashmiri militant group Hizbul IANS.

TrumpModi warmth aimed at China: NYT Pak says US speaking

T
he bonhomie President Donald
Trump and Prime Minister
Narendra Modi displayed at their
meeting in Washington was partly
aimed at China, the New York Times has
said.
"The display of warmth, a senior
White House official said, was at least
partly aimed at President Xi Jinping of
China, who has disappointed Trump by
failing to impose more pressure on
North Korea to curb its nuclear and bal
listic missile programs," the esteemed
paper said.
The Times described Trump and Modi
as "two nationalist leaders with a shared
passion for social media" and said "India
sought to vie with China for Trump's
favor in the region".
Pointedly, Trump noted that India had
helped the US enforce sanctions on
North Korea, the Times said.
But the daily said that while ties
between the two countries had grown
steadily closer over the last two
decades, "India faces new uncertainties
with Trump". "For now, the US and India
are finding common cause in pushing
India's language
back against China's maritime ambi
Islamabad: Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry
tions," it said. "Before Modi's visit, the
Nisar on Tuesday expressed concern over the
Trump administration approved the sale
administration of US President Trump 'speaking
of 22 surveillance drones to India,
India's language', a day after Indian PM Modi met
which New Delhi can use to eavesdrop
Trump in Washington. The US State Department
on Chinese naval movements in the
has designated Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed
Indian Ocean.
Salahuddin a global terrorist and slapped sanc
"The drones, which have never before
tions on him a move slammed by the Foreign
been sold to a nonNATO country, could
Office today as 'completely unjustified'. Nisar
be especially valuable if they are flown
asserted that the Pakistani government would not
over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
compromise on the rights of Kashmiris, and
giving India control of a socalled choke
remains firmly committed to providing Kashmir
point that is one of China's greatest
diplomatic, political and moral support.
marine vulnerabilities," it said.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info MODI-TRUMP SUMMIT July 1-7, 2017 17

President Trump says UP poll delayed

Modis visit to Washington
Washington: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi was scheduled to visit the White
House earlier this year but his trip was
delayed because of UP state elections,
President Trump said at the formal din
ner with Modi at the historic Blue Room
of the White House.
Replying to him, Modi said the icing
on the cake was that in those elections,
our party won.
You won by a lot, Trump said, laud
ing it as a fantastic victory.
Among the guests present at the din
ner were First Lady Melania Trump,
Trumps soninlaw and special adviser
Jared Kushner, Defense Secretary James
Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross,
Energy Secretary Rick Perry and
National Security Adviser McMaster. On
the Indian side were Foreign Secretary
S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor
Ajit Doval, and Indian Ambassador to
the US Navtej Sarna. President Trump speaks during a formal dinner with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. (Photo courtesy: AP)

US, India going to be substantially closer: US officials

T
he meeting between President
Trump and PM Modi has sent a
clear message around the world
that ties between the two countries
are going to be "substantially closer",
Energy Secretary Rick Perry said at a
press briefing Tuesday. "Energy is
going to play a very, very important
role in that," he added.
Perry, talking about the working
dinner the President hosted for the
Indian leader on Monday, said Trump
and Modi discussed LNG (liquefied
natural gas), clean coal and nuclear
side among other things.
"At dinner, we talked about the
US Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington . three areas of which there will be
great backandforth cooperation
dealmaking, if you will. One of those
is in LNG. The other side of that is in
clean coal. Thirdly is on the nuclear
side. "So there is great opportunity
for India and the US to become even
stronger allies, stronger partners
energy being the glue that will hold
that partnership together for a long,
long time."
The US State Department described
Modi's first faceto face meeting with
Trump as "successful".
"Modi departed Washington after a
successful trip to Washington," said
State Department spokesperson
Heather Nauert.

Modi gifts shawls,

bracelet, Lincoln
stamp to Trumps
rime Minister Modi present Lincoln and symbolized the close

P ed President Donald Trump

and First Lady Melania a
range of gifts including a hamper
containing a traditional, hand
crafted silver bracelet and hand
woven shawls from Jammu and
Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
During his first facetoface
meeting with the First Family,
Modi also gave Trump a folio
containing an original commemo
rative postage stamp issued by
India 52 years ago to mark the
death centenary of former US
President Abraham Lincoln. The
stamp honored the memory of
ness of the ideals he stood for
and which drove Mahatma
Gandhi.
The US President was also pre
sented a wooden chest with intri
cate inlay pattern, a speciality of
Hoshiarpur in Punjab, as well as
tea and honey from Kangra valley
in Himachal Pradesh.
Later Trump gave Modi a guid
ed tour of the President's resi
dence quarters in White House,
including Lincoln bedroom, and
showed him a copy of Lincoln's
famous Gettysburg address and PM Modi with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump who wore a
the desk on which he wrote it. beautiful yellow dress with floral print
18 July 1-7, 2017 ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Depp apologizes
Nothing disrespectful in for 'assassination'
'Jab Harry Met Sejal' remark on Trump
ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has reacted

B to the censor board's disapproval of the term

"intercourse" in a promotional video, saying nei
ther he nor people associated with his upcoming film
"Jab Harry Met Sejal" need to use anything "disrespect
ful" to sell it.
In one of the 'minitrails' of the Imtiaz Ali movie,
actress Anushka Sharma is seen handing over an
indemnity bond' to Shah Rukh, saying there won't be
any legal ramifications if the couple ends up having
intercourse.
This didn't go down well with Central Board of Film
Certification (CBFC) chairman Pahlaj Nihalani, who con
demned the telecast of the minitrail which was meant
for digital consumption only. After the brouhaha, he Trump supporters condemned the actor.
demanded that if he gets one lakh votes from the com ctor Johnny Depp has apologized for
mon people in its support, he will clear the usage of
"intercourse". Asked for his opinion about the whole
episode, Shah Rukh told the media on Eid: "I think I am
A remarks he made about US President Donald
Trump at the Glastonbury Festival.
Depp said the remark was in "poor taste" and did
below 18, so I cannot vote (laughed). not "come out as intended", Depp told people.com.
"On a serious note, neither I, nor anyone in the film "I apologize for the bad joke I attempted last night
Imtiaz, Irshad (lyricist Irshad Kamil) sahab, Pritam da or in poor taste about President Trump. It did not
anyone would use any disrespectful word, that hurts a come out as intended, and I intended no malice. I
family or anyone's sentiment. We are yet to send the was only trying to amuse, not to harm anyone,"
film to the censors and they should watch the whole Depp said. The clamor led Depp to apologize after
film to decide." "Jab Harry Met Sejal" is releasing on his remarks at the Glastonbury festival did not go
August 4. in the good books of Trump supporters and the
The film starring SRK and Anushka releases on August 4. White House. He asked: "Can you bring Trump
here?" After receiving jeers from the crowd, he
added: "You misunderstand completely. When was

Kajol thanks Dhanush the last time an actor assassinated a president? "I
want to clarify. I'm not an actor. I lie for a living

for breaking her but it's been a while. Maybe it's about time. I think
he needs help and there are a lot of wonderful
dark, dark places he could go," he said.
language barrier
ctress Kajol, who will next be seen in the Tamil
'Sultan' wins award at Shanghai
A film "Velaiilla Pattadhari 2" titled "Lalkar" in Hindi,
thanked her costar Dhanush and director
Soundarya for breaking her language barrier in the
International Film Fest
roducerdirector Karan Johar, who ended
movie.
"I thank them as they broke this myth which was in my
head that I can't speak in another language and I can't act
P his longstanding friendship with actress
Kajol said sometimes a relationship ends
and added that he only wants to remember the
in another language. 'Velaiilla Pattadhari 2' has been one "great history" shared with the actress.
of the most professional experience and the credit goes to "About Kajol, I think enough has been said
Dhanush and Soundarya," Kajol told the media at the trail recently. I don't want to say any more.
er and music launch of the film. Sometimes, a chapter ends... book ends... relation
"I was lied upon saying that you don't have to speak in ship ends," Karan said at the launch event of his
Tamil. They proved me wrong the first day because they book "An Unsuitable Boy".
gave me a long script with two scenes and huge dialogues. "Good friends" Kajol and Karan Johar reported
They said at least try," she added. ly turned foes during the release clash of their
Filmmaker R. Balki and director Anand L. Rai launched respective films "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and
the trailer of the film. "Shivaay". In his book "An Unsuitable Boy", Karan,
The film will release on July 28. who had worked in many blockbuster films with
Kajol, also spoke about the end of his friendship
Actors Dhanush and Kajol at the music launch of 'VIP 2'. with the "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" actress.

S
alman Khan had once said, "Cinema district and in the backdrop of the 1962
should always be in touch with the India and China War, the film is the tale
soil of the country. My films
celebrate the heartland of
REVIEW
India." And probably with
"Tubelight", he tries to be 'Tubelight':
true to his words. So, he
has dedicated the film to Shines but
the families and friends
of soldiers who are left with low
behind to fight their own
battles.
voltage
The film is an adaptation of
the 2015 released American war film
"Little Boy". Set in Jagatpur in Kumaon cally capture the stunning locales to per
of a dimwitted boy Laxman
whose brother, the only sur
viving member of his fami
ly, joins the Indian Army.
How he survives during
the interim period with
out his brother, forms
the crux of the tale.
Visually, the film is
enthralling. The wide angle
lens used by Director of
Photography Aseem Mishra aestheti
Salman disappoints and Sohail has
nothing much to offer in the film.
fection. The music and background score
further enhance the viewing experience.
But it is the waferthin premise, packed
with motivational messages and a tinge
of patriotic notes that make the plot seem
forced.
In "Tubelight", Salman Khan does not
play the dynamic hero that he used to
portray with gusto. As Laxman, he fails to
exude energy onscreen and hence, disap
points his fans. His character is endear
ing but his physical demeanor is not.
Initially jarring, but by the last act you
are one with the character and the actor.
Salman definitely grows on you. Sohail
Khan as his younger brother Bharat, has
nothing much to offer.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
'VICEROY'S HOUSE'
TO RELEASE AS
'PARTITION: 1947' IN
INDIA IN AUGUST
urinder
G
Chadha, a
British lm
maker of Sikh ori
gin, and actress
Huma Qureshi on
Thursday launched
the poster of their
lm "Viceroys
House", which will
release under the
title "Partition:
1947" in India on
August 18.
The lm, which
stars Huma,
"Downton Abbey"
star Hugh
Bonneville, Gillian
Anderson and late actor Om
Puri, has already released in
Britain.
The poster of the lm fea
tures Tanveer Ghani as
Jawaharlal Nehru, Denzil
Smith as Muhammad Ali
Jinnah and Neeraj Kabi as
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
Big B, Aamir, Priyanka among
invitees to join Oscars academy
B
ollywood biggies like Amitabh
Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai
Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Priyanka
Chopra and Deepika Padukone are
among a record 774 people from 57
countries invited to be a part of the
Oscar Academy's 'Class of 2017'. The
step is being seen as an attempt to
diversify its membership.
According to theguardian.com, the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences announced on Wednesday
that it had invited a record 744 new
members to its governing body, sur
passing the 683 invitations issued in
2016.
The Academy has been under pres
sure to diversify its membership for
several years, the critcism reaching a
crescendo in 2015, when all 20 acting
nominees were white, starting the
#OscarsSoWhite controversy. The
Academy is doing damage control
since then.
This year's class, 39 per cent of
Mahatma Gandhi.
which comprises women, reects a
Chadha also shared the
359 per cent jump, from 2015 to
poster and wrote: "Just land
2017, in the number of women invit
ed in India. So excited to see
ed to join the Academy.
this! Very cool for a diaspora
People of color make up 30 per cent
lmmaker to see how the
of the 744 added members, a group
story of 'Partition: 1947' is
that includes Barry Jenkins, whose
seen globally."
lm "Moonlight" won Best Picture this
The academy has been trying to
increase diversity.
year, Janelle Mone, who appeared in
"Moonlight" and the Oscarnominated
"Hidden Figures", and Jordan Peele,
whose lm "Get Out" got engulfed in a
controversy over British actors in
AfricanAmerican roles, reports the
guardian.com.
From India, there are directors like
Mrinal Sen, Buddhadeb Dasgupta and
Goutam Ghose, actors Irrfan Khan and
Salman Khan, Indian costume design
er Arjun Bhasin, directors and writers
like Anand Patward han, Sooni
Taraporevala and noted sound design
July 1-7, 2017 19
er Amrit Pritam Dutta.
Even Indiaborn Mohit Kallianpur
and Mahesh Ramasubramanian, who
have worked in animation and visual
e f fects of Hollywoo d lms like
"Frozen" and "Shrek" respectively, are
part of the exhaustive list.
"It's up to all of us to ensure that
new faces and voices are seen and
heard, and to take a shot on the next
generation the way someone took a
shot on each of us," Cheryl Boone
Isaacs, President of the Academy of
Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences,
was quoted as saying on the ofcial
Oscar website.
Among other international highpro
le actors new ly invited to the
Academy are "Wonder Woman" star
Gal Gadot, "Moonlight" Oscar nominee
Naomie Harris, Donald Glover, Chris
Hemsworth, Riz Ahmed, Adam Driver,
Dwayne Johnson, Leslie Jones, Betty
White, Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Anna
Faris, Margot Robbie, Channing
Tatum, Kristen Stewart, Shailene
Woodley, Ruth Negga, and Rupert
Grint.
The new members invited are part
of seven branches actors, casting
directors, costume designers, design
ers, documentary, executives and lm
editors.
 20 July 1-7, 2017
Harvard to soon have permanent chair for Tamil
Half a million strong Tamils community living in North America is coming forward
to help fund the $6 million Harvard Chair.
Dr. Sundaresan Sambandam and (right) Dr. Vijay Janakiraman have
been working together to get the oldest Indian classical language,
Tamil, on the worlds center stage..
By Suchitra Srinivas
two day symposium on Rig Veda and
A Sangam literature at Harvard universi
ty! Does something ring in your ears?
A university that produces wellgroomed
graduates, who get chased by the corporate
world, for their capacity to design lucrative
business models around the world is dis
cussing the importance of 2500yearold
Tamil literature. Look for more that will put
the oldest south Indian language, Tamil on
the worlds financial stage, assures Dr Vijay
Janakiraman, a practicing cardiologist from
Pennsylvania who is spearheading the cause
for a permanent Tamil chair at Harvard uni
versity.
As a young boy, Dr Janakiraman received
full scholarship to pursue Tamil language in a
prestigious university back home in Tamil
Nadu. Guided by the elders advice he choose
to do medicine instead; as everyone believed
that studying Tamil language was not going
to make the smart 16yearold earn enough
money. Landing in the US in 1975, he became
a successful cardiologist. For over 40 years he
worked meticulously in and out the hearts of
many thousand men, women and children.
But Dr Janakiraman had an unattended feel
ing in his own heart for not having pursued
higher studies in a language that he had pas
sion for. But this was all only until recently
when the Harvard Tamil chair project took
birth.
The philanthropist doctor did not think
twice when Harvard University said creation
of a permanent chair for Tamil language
would require a community deposit of six mil
lion US dollars. This is perhaps what I am
destined to do, he felt. Dr Janakiraman along
with his friend and close aide Dr Sundaresan
Sambandam, an oncologist from Rhode
Island, wrote a check for one million US dol
lars as seed money to set the project live in
2015. They then rolled their sleeves to raise
the remaining $5 million, all from the com
munity. In a country with about 300,000 pro
fessional immigrants having Tamil connec
tion, raising 5 million dollars was not going to
be a difficult task, he asserted.
The spark to the idea of creation of perma
nent chair is owed to conversations with
Vaidehi Herbert from Hawaii, who began to
explore the world of Sangam literature just as
a pass time reading but ended up losing her
self to the fine truths depicted in Tamil litera
ture. She soon translated 18 books in English
and was recently recognized by the Tamil
EDUCATION TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Vaidehi Herbert GU Pope awardee
Conversations with Vaidehi sparked
the thought for Tamil Chair
Nadu government with the prestigious the GU lishing a Tamil chair in a number of other uni communities have stepped up and come in a
Pope award. versities, said Dr Janakiraman. big way to contribute for the cause, said Dr
Dr Janakiramans conversations with The Tamil chair efforts will thus be ongoing Janakiraman. Still a huge target remains to be
Vaidehi were on some of the highest moments
of science as was evident in the Tamil culture
two thousand years ago. Multistoried
which will not just focus on setting up the
chair but oversee the continuity of its contri
bution to the language studies. We plan to
reached. Corporate donations need to be
stepping up along with individual contribu
tions. Harvard Tamil chair is purely a pride
bridges, high building structures, great sense involve and collaborate with the universities for all Tamilians across the world. Many phi
of astronomy and astrophysics were all in the long run by making the composition of lanthropists with love for the language from
described to precision in old Tamil literature the Tamil chair board comprehensive as we countries like Canada, Singapore, Malaysia
especially those belonged to the Sangam will include the university representation in have also donated for the cause said Dr
times. it, said Dr Janakiraman. Janakiraman. Tamil Sangam across USA have
The irony is that the language that pre All these would happen if 6 million US dol been conducting fund raising events to add to
served this super tech knowledge for over two lars are raised within the next year. Till date the pool. A feeling of oneness is evident
thousand years is not pursued to be ensuring 40 percent of the money has been collected though much needs to be done as 60 percent
a lucrative career while those of recent origin through various volunteers ef forts. Tamil of the coffer is still waiting to see dollars!
seem to take the top seats. Can this change
with the Harvard Chair for Tamil language?
Yes, very much, believes Dr Janakiraman.
If there was a way to unearth the glory of
our ancient past we need to resort to research
and that is exactly the Tamil chair proposes to
do. A wellequipped research department at
Harvard university exclusive for Tamil lan
guage could do the trick, he said.
Tamil Chair Inc. was created as a nonprofit
with 501 (C) (3) status. The primary objective
is to raise money for a permanent Tamil chair
in Harvard university that will work on teach
ing, scholarship and research in Tamil at one
end and on the other open more such avenues
in other universities across USA where Tamil
language studies could be taken up.
Harvard University has currently 29 stu
dents who are taught Tamil by professor
Jonathan Ripley. The university hired him as
a preceptor to teach Tamil. Currently, there is
no professorship for Tamil. About half a mil
lion Tamils live in North America and Harvard
University has a few hundred Tamil students.
Today we are seeing the spurt of many vol
unteer run Indian language schools where
thousands of immigrant children of Tamil ori
gin take to Tamil language studies. There are
about 50 accredited Tamil schools in the U.S.
There are efforts to get accreditation to Tamil
language in various other school district
across USA. Many of these students could
take up higher studies in Tamil if sufficient
opportunities are given to them. Harvard
Tamil Chair would be a great opening in this
direction, feel the experts.
Once the Harvard Tamil chair gets done,
Tamil Chair Inc. will work towards getting
permanent professorship for Tamil at univer
sity of Chicago, Pennsylvania and Michigan
where currently the Tamil is being taught
through nonpermanent lectureship mode. If
the model clicks we will also work for estab
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SUBCONTINENT June 1-7, 2017 21

Pak put on notice on terror havens

after Modi, Trump meet
Washington: Pakistan was put on notice
by the US and India who called for rooting
out terrorists' safe havens and to fight
groups, including Pakistanbased Jaishe
Mohammad, LashkareTaiba and Dcom
pany, even as the two countries decided to
broaden their strategic, defense and eco
nomic relationship.
The new direction in the bilateral rela
tionship came during the summit meeting
between Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and President Donald Trump who met for
the first time in six months after the host's
election to the top office.
However, the joint statement makes no
reference to the H1B visa issues on which
India has serious concerns, and the Paris
accord on climate change on which Trump
made critical remarks on India and China.
The two leaders also told Pakistan to
ensure that its territory is not used for ter
ror attacks on other countries and asked it
to bring to justice terrorists blamed for
attacks in Mumbai and other places in
India. "The leaders stressed that terrorism
is a global scourge that must be fought
and terrorist safe havens rooted out in
every part of the world. They resolved
that India and the US will fight together
against this grave challenge to humanity.
"They committed to strengthen coopera
tion against terrorist threats from groups
including Al Qaeda, ISIS, Jaishe
Mohammad (JeM), LashkareTaiba (LeT),
DCompany and their af filiates," said the
The two leaders met for the first time after Trump's election to the top office.
joint statement issued after their meeting.
India appreciated the US designating the
Pakistanbased Hizbul Mujahideen leader
Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated
Global Terrorist just ahead of the
TrumpModi meet "as evidence of the
commitment of the US to end terror in all
its forms".
The statement specifically referred to
the terror attacks in Mumbai (2008) and
Pathankot (2016) that it said were perpe
trated by Pakistanbased groups and said
the terrorists must be expeditiously
brought to justice.
The LeT was blamed for the Mumbai
mayhem of November 2008 that killed
166 Indians and foreigners including
Americans. T he Jaish was accused of
attacking the Indian Air Force base at
Pathankot in Punjab, leaving seven securi
ty personnel dead.
Also, in their joint remarks to the media
after delegation level talks, both Modi and
Trump spoke of their commitment to com
bat terrorism.
Modi said battling terror and destroying
terrorist hideouts would be an important
part of mutual cooperation.
"We w ill enhance the inte lligence
exchange to boost coordination to address
our common concerns over terrorism and
w ill deepen our policy coordinat ion
accordingly."
Modi said the two countries had agreed
to increase cooperation to tackle increas
ing radicalization, extremism and terror
ism.
Trump said both India and the US had
been struck by terrorism, "and we are
both determined to destroy terrorist
organizations and the radical ideology
that drives them.
"We will destroy radical Islamic terror
ism," he said.
"Our militaries are working every day to
enhance cooperation between our military
forces. And next month, they will join
together with the Japanese navy to take
place in the largest maritime exercise ever
conducted in the vast Indian Ocean."
Answering quest ions later, Indian
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said the
US move to declare Syed Salahuddin as a
global terrorist had sent a clear signal.
"You should take the step for what it is.
It is in a sense fixing responsibility, high
lighting a problem.
"There is a context to it... It is focusing
on a particular group and a particular
individual... I think none of us can really
miss that message."

Kabul warns Death toll in Pakistani oil

insurgents to join
peace efforts
Kabul: T he President of
Afghanistan called on insurgents
to give up arms and join the ongo
ing peace process initiated by
Kabul.
"I clearly tell the armed mili
tants, who bring tragedy to our
people every day: you don't have
time, take a decision; if you are
Afghan (then) join peace, if not,
then face the bravery of the
Afghan security forces," Ashraf
Ghani said in an address to the
nation after holding the EidalFitr
prayer at the Presidential palace,
reports Efe news.
Remarking that both the insur
gents as well as their supporters
were "isolated", Ghani said
Afghanistan enjoys backing from
the international community as
well as the Afghan people.
Ties between Afghanistan and
Pakistan have strained, with both
exchanging blames for encourag
ing or turning a blind eye to terror
activities on either territory.
This month, Afghan authorities
Since the end of the NATO
mission, insurgents have been
gaining ground in Afghanistan.
launched the Kabul Process, a
peace initiative backed by numer
ous countries and international
organizations, but rejected by the
insurgency movement Taliban.
Since the end of the NATO com
bat mission, insurgents have been
gaining ground in different parts
of the strifetorn country.
tanker fire rises to 158
Islamabad: The death toll in the oil
tanker fire in Pakistan's Punjab
province has risen to 158, officials
said.
Aamir Bukhari, Director of
Emergency at the Victoria Hospital
at Bahawalpur, told Xinhua news
agency that the death toll surged
after 18 injured succumbed to their
injuries at dif ferent hospitals dur
ing the last 36 hours.
Bukhari said following the inci
dent, 125 unrecognizable bodies
and 144 injured were brought to
the hospital, out of which 33 had
expired.
He feared that the death toll
might further rise as 22 out of 111
Pakistani soldiers examine accident site in Bahawalpur.
injured and under intensive care
had bleak chances of survival the owner of the tanker. and someone lit a cigarette.
because they had suffered over 80 The incident took place when an A total of 80 motorbikes and six
percent burn wounds. oil tanker filled with around 50,000 vehicles were burnt in the fire,
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who liters of petrol skidded off the road including a car carrying seven per
cut short his Britain tour after the due to careless driving on a high sons of a family who stopped just to
tragedy, visited the injured and way in Ahmad Pur Sharqia, a small know what people were collecting.
announced to hold an indepth town about 400 km southwest of T he Punjab government
inquiry into the tragedy, saying "we Lahore. announced a compensation package
shall not let this incident go ignored The fire broke out after many of 2,000,000 rupees ($19,100) for
without reaching any conclusion". people from nearby villages came each family of the deceased and
A case has been registered on motorbikes to collect the oil 1,000,000 rupees ($9,550) for each
against the driver, the manager and spilling from the capsized oil tanker of the injured.
 22 July 1-7, 2017 INTERNATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Northern Ireland party signs

deal to support May's govt
London: Northern Ire land's
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
signed a deal w ith the
Conservatives to support Prime
Minister Theresa May's minority
government in Britain.
The deal comes two weeks after
the June 8 general election result
ed in a hung Parliament and will
see the 10 DUP MPs back the
Tories in key Commons votes, BBC
reported.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said
that her party had signed the sup
ply and confidence deal with the
Tories that entailed a one billion
pounds ($1.3 billion) investment
Prime Minister Theresa May has welcomed the deal. in Northern Ireland over a two
year period.
Also, an additional 500 million
pounds of previously announced
funds by Britain will be spent on
infrastructure, health and educa
tion in Northern Ireland.
As part of the deal, the military
covenant will be implemented in
full in Northern Ireland, meaning
more focus on the treatment of
military veterans. There is also
going to be a triple lock guarantee
of at least a 2.5 per cent rise in
the state pension each year, and
w inter fue l payments w ill be
maintained throughout the UK.
The deal also comes just days
before a crucial vote in the House
of Commons on the Queen's
Speech, which last week set out
government measures in the com
ing session of Parliament.
The pact will ensure DUP sup
port to May if any of the
Opposition parties attempt to
move a vote of no confidence in
the Prime Minister or her govern
ment, as well as guaranteeing sup
port for budget matters.
May, welcoming the deal, said
the two sides share many values
in terms of wanting to see pros
perity across Britain, the value of
the union and the important bond
between the different parts of the
United Kingdom.

Venezuelan SC, Parliament attacked US adds China to list

Caracas: Venezuela's Supreme
Court has been attacked by
grenades dropped from a helicop
of human trafficking
ter in what President Nicolas
Maduro called a "terrorist attack",
a media report said.
Footage on social media showed
a police helicopter circling over
the city before shots and a loud
bang were heard, the BBC report
ed.
The police of ficer said to have
piloted the stolen aircraft issued a
statement denouncing the "crimi
nal government".
The Supreme Court was regular
ly criticized by the Venezuelan
opposition for its rulings which
bolster President Nicolas Maduro's
hold on power.
Earlier on June 27, armed civil
ian g roups attacked the
Venezuelan Parliament building
after a clash between lawmakers
and the military police of the
Bolivarian National Guard (GNB),
BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT SAYS CHARGES
offenders
Venezuelan President Maduro has faced months of mass protests.
Efe news quoted opposition legis
lator Julio Borges as saying.
The clash left at least two female
members of parliament injured,
Borges was quoted as say ing.
Borges blamed President Nicolas
Maduro for the attack. He said:
"Nicolas Maduro... said that if the
ballots are no use, then the vio
lence will be, that if the ballots are
Washington: The US
government added
China to the list of coun
tries falling short in the
fight against human
trafficking, a designa
tion that could lead to
sanctions, and dropped
Haiti from the list. Back
on the US State
Department's human
no use, then the bullets will be."
trafficking blacklist this
President Maduro has faced
year in its annual report
months of mass protests amid a
are Venezuela, Belize,
political and economic crisis.
Russia, North Korea,
Some of the demonstrations
Iran and Syria, among
have become violent, leaving so far
others, Efe news report
at least 75 people dead and about
ed. "Human trafficking
1,500 injured, according to data
is one of the most tragic
from Venezue la's Prosecutor Ivanka Trump, who has stated that one of
human rights issues of
General's Office. her priorities is to fight human trafficking,
our time. It splinters attended the report's presentation.
families, distorts global
markets, undermines the rule of
law, and spurs other transnation
punishment including forced
labor and execution", without

AGAINST HIM 'GROUNDLESS' al criminal activity. It threatens

Rio De Janeiro: Brazil's President
Michel Temer dismissed charges
pressed against him as based on
"supposed illicit evidence", the
media reported. In a speech where
he was accompanied by numerous
lawmakers and ministers, Temer
said he was "minimally concerned"
about the charges presented to the
Supreme Court (STF) by prosecutor
general, Rodrigo Janot, as they
were "a work of fiction". "I am not
impressed with the lack of legal
foundations, as I was a lawyer for
over 40 years. I know when there
are or there are not foundations.
From a judicial point of view, I am
minimally concerned...I have had a
very productive and very clean life.
We are victims of this infamy,"
clear he would not allow anyone to
President Temer dismissed the
charges as 'work of fiction'.
Xinhua news agency quoted him as
saying. Temer also lambasted the
allegation that he was "denounced
for passive corruption, without ever
having received funds, and not hav
ing participated in agreements to
receive them". "Where is the con
crete proof that I received these
funds? They reinvented the Penal
Code," said Temer. The President
targeted Janot for "creating a plot
from a novel" and for making "fic
tional" accusations. Temer made it
accuse him of crimes he did not
commit. Janot filed corruption
charges against Temer at the STF
based on confessions made by exec
utives from meatpacking giant JBS.
The STF will have to send the
charges to the Chamber of
Deputies, which will have to
approve them by a twothirds
majority for them to continue.
public safety and national securi
checking to see if they were sent
to China as forced labor, the doc
ty," said US Secretary of State Rex ument said.
Tillerson at the presentation of Also appearing on the report's
the report. blacklist, besides the countries
The report said that China previously cited, are Belarus,
"does not fully meet the mini Burundi, the Central African
mum standards for the elimina Republic, the Comoros, Congo,
tion of trafficking and is not the Democratic Republic of the
making significant efforts to do Congo, Equatorial Guinea,
so". Eritrea, Guinea, GuineaBissau,
The document cited indications Mali, Mauritania, Sudan, South
that "government complicity in Sudan, Turkmenistan and
forced labor continued," notably Uzbekistan.
in the Xinjiang region, where Attending the presentation of
local authorities supposedly the report was the daughter and
coerce "Uighur men and women adviser of the US President,
to participate in forced labor in Ivanka Trump, who has stated
and outside the province". that one of her priorities is the
Chinese authorities "continued fight against human trafficking,
to forcibly repatriate North which affects some 20 million
Koreans, where they faced severe people worldwide.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info July 1-7, 2017
 24 July 1-7, 2017 BUSINESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Cabinet nod to inprinciple NO DEFERRING GST

divestment of Air India LAUNCH: JAITLEY
New Delhi: Yet again ruling out defer
New Delhi: The Union ring the implementation of the Goods
cabinet gave inprinciple and Services Tax (GST), Finance
approval for Air India's Minister Arun Jaitley appealed to the
stake divestment, opposition parties, their MPs and
Finance Minister Arun states where these parties run the
Jaitley said. governments to attend the midnight
"Inprinciple approval launch of the new tax law in
for Air India divestment Parliament onJune 30.
has been g iven," the "It is neither partisan nor dictated
minister said at a press by any pressure. I appeal to all the
Jaitley made it clear that the roll
briefing after the Union parties, states and MPs to attend the out of the new indirect tax regime
cabinet met here. function in the spirit of consensus is on course.
"T he Civil Aviat ion that guided the making of the law,"
Ministry's proposal for he told a press conference here. product. It will be more as compared
format ion of a g roup Jaitley was replying to a question to rest of the states. It is in the inter
under the chairmanship on the proposed plans of the opposi est of the state and consumers and
of the Finance Minister tion parties and their MPs to keep traders," he said. Jaitley said that all
to decide the modalities away from the midnight launch and decisions related to GST were taken
of divestment process demands for deferring the launch by by consensus at all stages passing
has also been accepted." 6 months. "There is a constitutional of the law in parliament, assemblies
About Rs 33,000 crore of Air India's debt is on
However, the minister mandate that on September 15 you and on the legislative changes.
account of working capital loans.
did not divulge any time will lose the right to collect taxes. So Asked about apprehensions among
frame for the formation of the group or the it. Sinha that time had said that interministeri alternate system has to come into various sections about the provisions
submission of a final report by the panel al consultations on the future of the airline place. Hopefully by that the system of the new law, he said, "All GSTrelat
which will be formed to look at the quantum have been completed and "are being sum will smoothen out. Those who are ed decisions, I don't see much of a
of stakesale. marised and presented" to the cabinet. talking about deferring by 6 months, problem. Small issues will always be
On June 20, Minister of State for Civil In a recent report to the Civil Aviation it is constitutionally impermissible. I there. The system is fully geared up.
Aviation Jayant Sinha had said that the NITI Ministry, the NITI Aayog recommended strate hope Jammu and Kashmir is able to System will eventually smoothen
Aayog's recommendation on the future of the gic disinvestment in the lossmaking Air India, do it soon. I have emphasised that by itself out. The date of implementation
national passenger carrier has been presented by which government control would be trans the time they don't join, the traders has always been decided by consen
to the Union cabinet which will take a call on ferred to a private owner. will be paying tax on inputs and final sus by GST Council, not by centre."

US VICE PRESIDENT LAUDS SPICEJET

FOR $22 BN BOEING ORDER
Washington: Following US
President Donald Trump's praise
of Indian carrier SpiceJet for cre
ating jobs in America, Vice
President Mike Pence has also
lauded the lowcost Indian carri
er for creating thousands of jobs
in his country.
"Let me just take the opportu
nity, as the President did..., to say
thank you to SpiceJet for invest
ing and believing in American
workers and American business
es," Pence said while addressing
the 42nd annual celebrations of
the USIndia Business Council
(USIBC). During a joint press con
ference alongside Prime Minister
Narendra Modi at the White
House on Monday, Trump
praised SpiceJet for creating jobs
in the US with its $22billion
order for Boeing planes.
"I was pleased to learn of an
Indian airline's (SpiceJet) recent
order of 100 new American
planes, one of the largest orders
of its kind which will support
thousands of American jobs,"
Trump said.
SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh
in a statement said: "We have
placed a large order for the
Boeing 737 MAX, in fact, the
biggest ever placed by an Indian
Leaders at the 42nd annual celebrations of USIBC.
airline with Boeing. The new
planes start to join the fleet in our operating cost will further go Department of Commerce, it cre paid American jobs within the
the middle of 2018 and with that down." "As per the US ates 1,32,000 highskilled, high US," he added.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Kumble-Kohli matter was not
handled properly: Ganguly
Anil Kumble interacts with Virat Kohli.
Kolkata: Former India captain
Sourav Ganguly said the contro
versy involving exnational team
coach Anil Kumble and skipper
Virat Kohli could have been han
dled a lot better by the Board of
Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI).
Talking to reporters here,
Ganguly who is part of the
Cricket Advisory Committee
(CAC) of the BCCI responsible for
selecting the coach, said: "The
matter should have been handled
a lot better, Anil Kumble and
Virat Kohli. It should have been
handled a lot better by whoever
is in charge. It wasn't handled
properly."
Asked about the news that Ravi
Shastri has applied for the
coach's job after the BCCI
extended the deadline for appli
cations to July 9, Ganguly said:
"Everybody has got the right to
apply."
Ganguly was named in the
Kuldeep more lethal on dry wickets, says Kohli
Port of Spain: Indian skipper Virat
Kohli heaped praise on leftarm leg
spinner Kuldeep Yadav for his
threewicket haul in the 105run
victory against the West Indies in
the second Oneday International
(ODI) cricket match at Queen's
Park Oval here.
Kuldeep Yadav in his 3/50
picked up West Indies opener Shai
Hope (81) and middle order bats
men Evin Lewis (21) and Jason
Holder (29).
Carribbean opener Hope looked
in good touch, scoring at a strike
rate of 92.04 but failed to carry his
team to victory as he was adjudged
leg before wicket off Yadav's deliv
ery.
Middleorder batsmen Lewis and
Holder fell prey to Yadav in similar
fashion after being stumped by
Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra
Singh Dhoni.
"When batsmen try to attack, he
can slow his pace down, just beat
the batsmen halfway into the pitch.
So he (Kuldeep Yadav) is quite
sevenmember Special
Committee formed by the BCCI
to identify the critical points in
implementation of the Justice
R.M. Lodha Committee reforms.
"The committee will face the
music from Committee of
Administrators," a laughing
Ganguly said.
"I don't know what is the exact
role. Will have to find out." Asked
about the Lodha Committee rec
ommendations like 'onestate,
onevote', age cap of 70 years for
officebearers, increasing the
number of members in the selec
tion panel to five from the cur
rent three, and several others,
Ganguly said: "There are lots
more. There will be a meeting on
the 1st (of July). There every
thing will be decided."
The Special Committee is
expected to begin work in the
next two days and is likely to
submit its first report within a
fortnight.
Leftarm leg spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
amazing with what he does with
the ball. I've faced him in the IPL
as well, he's not easy to get away
especially when the wicket is dry
like it was to day," Kohli told
reporters after the match on
Sunday.
"He becomes even more lethal.
SPORTS
Women's World Cup: India
favorites against West Indies
New Delhi: Fresh after a 35run
victory over strong title con
tenders England in their opening
encounter of the ongoing
Women's Cricket World Cup, India
have displayed a swagger and
quick moves on the field that
make them look ominous.
The Indian eves were all pre
pared to take on the brilliant yet
erratic West Indies on County
Ground, Taunton.
The West Indies are the injured
tigresses on the prowl waiting for
their first win after a humiliating
eightwicket drubbing by the
Australian girls who are prone to
middleorder collapse against big
teams. In their first encounter
against the Aussies, the West
Indies lost their last seven wickets
for less than 60 runs.
In the head to head records,
India have a 50 advantage over
the West Indies in World Cup
ODIs over a stretch of two decades
1993 to 2013.
The West Indies have set a bril
liant record in scoring runs and
are consistently improving their
rankings in ODIs, but are prone to
sudden batting collapses.
Having finished as runnersup
position in the last World Cup
where India were seventh, the
West Indies have already set a
barometer against India, as they
are seeking their first World Cup
victory.
Leading the attack is Diandra
Dottin, the hardest hitter of the
leather ball in the women's game.
Skipper Stafanie Taylor
Credit to him for putting in a per
formance like that in his first bowl
ing performance in ODIs," he
added.
The Indian skipper also men
tioned that Yadav's cross seam
deliveries make it hard for the
batsmen to read him from the
India skipper Mithali Raj.
arguably the best allrounder in
the g ame former skipper
Merissa Aguilleira, who is swift
behind the wickets and Hayley
Matthews' experience could cre
ate problems for the Indians.
The Indian bowlers will have to
refrain from bowling anything in
the arch and short de liveries
which are likely to be dispatched
towards, or over the boundary
ropes with disdain.
The Carribbeans are mercurial
and place their strength in chas
ing. However, statistical favourites
India need to put on the pressure
while fielding and win this to
maintain their top four position in
the round robin format of the first
round. India skipper Mithali Raj is
wrist.
"It becomes dif ficult when he
bowls crossseam deliveries turn
ing both ways. Usually bowlers
bowl seamup deliveries turning in
and cross seam bowling the goo
gly. But he can do both bowling
cross seam, so that it becomes dif
ficult to pick from the wrist," Kohli
said.
A wristspinner is always a bonus,
something we have identified now
in this series, so all sorts of options
are open.
"The 2019 World Cup, we've got
15 players here, then we've got a
pool of 10 or 12 back home who
will probably be tested over the
next two years, see how they react
in pressure situations, and who's
able to make more impact through
the middle overs for us, especially
with the ball.
"That's something we need to
look at as a side, to improve upon
going ahead, then figure out who
the best guys are," he added.
Kohli also hinted that batsman
July 1-7, 2017 25
in the most destructive form of
her career and has scored consec
utive seven halfcenturies. She has
been unbeaten in six of those
innings.
Openers Smriti Mandhana and
Poonam Raut are expected to give
India an explosive start.
The concern for India is running
between wickets and wicketkeep
ing by an inconsistent Sushma
Verma who missed two chances
that oscillated the game towards
England in the last match.
Historically, Indian wins are
dependent on caughtbehinds and
stumpings in which Anju Jain
holds a record of 31 dismissals
that includes 17 stumps and 14
catches.
Rishabh Pant might get the chance
in the third match of the tourna
ment, which is on June 30.
"We'll sit down and decide as a
team about changes that can be
made. We'll go to Antigua and
regroup, and that's a possibility as
well, give a few guys an opportuni
ty," Virat Kohli said.
Kohli also considered Ajinkya
Rahane as the third opener for his
side. Rahane scored a century on
top of the order in the second ODI.
"Jinks (Rahane) has great poten
tial at the top of the order, but
when Rohit and Shikhar as an
opening partnership play well in
oneday cricket then that becomes
a powerful package for us," he
said.
"Jinks is always in there for us as
the third opener, and having got
the opportunity in this series he
has batted really well. Today, the
way he paced himself I thought
was really, really nice. He was
going at a run a ball, never fell
behind," Kohli added.
 26 July 1-7, 2017
Can someone disturb you?
Whether it is a child, youth or an old person, everyone seems to
get disturbed by their surroundings. Pujya Gurudevshri gives us an
insight into the real cause of our disturbance so that we can
overcome it to become the master of our lives
By Pujya Gurudevshri
Rakeshbhai
T
he music that comes out
of your music player
depends on what you play.
If you play classical music, you
will hear that and if you play a
movie song, you will hear that.
Your brain is just like that device.
The tragedy of life is that the
music playing in your brain is
not yours; its been placed by
others. Decide to play your own
music and not others'. Resolve to
delete all those old recordings of
failures, humiliations, discomfort,
and defeat that say, 'you must
suffer.'
No matter how unfavorable the
circumstances are, stay deter
mined to continue living happily.
Your old recording says, 'feel
stressed or distressed if someone
is angry or against you.' Change
it to: 'This is not the end of the
world, and even if it were, who
says there is anything to worry
about?' Do not get carried away
by the old recording. Play the
new music of peace, equanimity,
and true spiritual knowledge.
CORRECT YOUR
THINKING
Let's say the house next door is
getting renovated. The workers
are doing their job sincerely but
the sound they are making is
loud enough to blast the
eardrums. You feel restless. You
rebel and get angry with them
because you feel that you are
troubled by the noise and no one
is understanding that. But why
are you so agitated?
Your suffering is due to your
past recording that says, Others,
not me, are creators of my joy
and sorrow. My work, studies
and sleep are disturbed because
of noise. Wake up to the under
standing that, I am unhappy and
restless because of my own
incompatible attitude. Now, let
the new recording play, Not oth
ers, but I alone am the creator of
my joy and sorrow. I am respon
sible for everything that happens
with me. Sound does not hinder
me, I am a hindrance to the
sound. You may feel that this
isn't fair. Some thoughtless,
insensitive people make noise
that the whole neighborhood can
hear and I am blamed even
PERSONAL GROWTH
Propounding the path of Bhagwan Mahavir, the founder of Shrimad
Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai is a
spiritual visionary and a modern day mystic. For more information,
visit: www.shrimadrajchandramission.org
though I am peacefully studying
in a corner. How can I be a hin
drance to it? How can silence
hinder noise?
Open your eyes and look at
your recordings from a distance.
You'll realize that the thought
that makes you suffer is wrong.
Then, even if it is old, wellestab
lished, and common, the moment
that thought comes in the light of
awareness, it gradually begins to
loosen its grip on you and melts
away. The stress is real but one
thing is clear its certainly not
their fault. The fault lies with
your wrongly set principles, your
stubbornness, your beliefs, and
your insistence. You have created
a notion that I am a very sensi
tive, sentimental, softnatured,
and introvert person. I need
peace, solitude, and silence for
my work, and without that, I just
cannot work. It is my birthright
to live in a noisefree environ
ment and others must respect my
right and remain silent.
A spiritually inclined and
peaceful person is not one who
dislikes noise, disorder, and the
bustle. But he is one who remains
steady within, in spite of all of
them. Therefore, your opinion is
wrong! The fact is that you are
habituated to being intolerant to
noise. It is no different from
those who are habituated to
being tolerant to noise. They can
not live without noise! Had your
recording said, 'noise is irrele
vant, it cannot affect my sleep or
work, I don't need absolute
silence to concentrate', then
today, your condition would have
been different. So work on
changing your attitude.
CHANGE ATTITUDE
Your wrong logic says, I would someone points it out to you, you
have been in a better condition if
I had the other habit. But what
can I do now? I am helpless. My
nerves are under stress and I
cant relax. And unless I relax, I
cannot work or sleep properly.
So the only solution is to suffer
and wait patiently. My destiny!
Defending yourself in this man
ner is absolutely wrong and must
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
be stopped if you wish to
progress spiritually. Just as you
had convinced your brain that
noise couldn't be tolerated, you
must now set it as 'noise can be
tolerated. If others can tolerate,
why can't I?
Only after you are convinced
that noise cannot spoil your
work, will you realize that you
were a hindrance to noise. The
noise certainly is and will
remain. The world is noisy and
you have to live in this world
only. Whether you like it or not,
this is the reality. Whatever you
may do, it will remain the same.
To oppose is like kicking a rock.
The rock will not move but you
will get hurt. By complaining, not
accepting, and resisting what is,
you are being a hindrance and
inviting your own loss. Being in
harmony with the reality, accept
ing and giving space for what is,
is the right path. If you dont
resist the noise, it cannot disturb
you.
THE KEY IS IN YOUR
HANDS
This is an example and it can
be applied to any object, situa
tion or person. You blame exter
nal circumstances but the real
fault lies in you. The hindrance is
never outside; it is always within.
It is in the wrong concepts. But
the key is in your hand. If you
could create such concepts, you
can also create other concepts.
And if you progress spiritually,
you can even become free from
all concepts and live in absolute
reality, which is the ultimate goal
of human life.
It is not very difficult to change
the attitude. Once you begin to
practice, you will understand
that to succeed, you will take less
time than you have imagined. By
changing the belief, the noise
will have less influence and you
will easily be able to apply your
self in your work. Only when
does not last long.
will notice the sound.
In reality there is nothing like
disturbance. What you call as dis
turbance is nonacceptance of
the present circumstances! Once
a musical concert was organized.
A day before the concert the
singers came to the hall for a
rehearsal. At the same time, some
workers, completely unaware of
the rehearsal, were trying to fix
something in the hall using the
hammer and the saw. Disturbed
by their sounds, the leader of the
rehearsing group approached a
worker with a pitiable face.
Looking at him, the worker said,
please continue your singing sir!
We are not getting disturbed by
it!
Who was more genuine? The
singer or the worker? If the
worker is not disturbed by the
singer, then why should the
singer get disturbed by the ham
mer sounds? Only because he
could not accept the hammering,
he opposed it and found it to be a
disturbance. So the solution was
not to stop the hammering but in
accepting it as music.
UNDERSTAND,
NOT TOLERATE
By correcting the attitude
behind nonacceptance and
accepting the reality, one does
not feel any disturbance. What
do you accomplish by resisting,
complaining or quarrelling any
way? Instead of accepting cir
cumstances out of helplessness,
start changing your attitude
through right understanding and
see for yourself stress does not
last long.
In fact peace remains constant
because peace is ones inherent
nature. When ones focus shifts
from events to attitude, one
starts taking charge of his life. No
more does he become happy or
sad due to external things or
beings.
An angry person feels he is the
tortured one and the one who
makes him angry is the torturer.
Whether he expresses his anger
or not, from within, he believes
that he has been instigated to
become angry by someone out
side. With such deluded thinking,
the anger becomes intense. With
the right understanding when
delusion is annihilated, anger
They alone are the masters of
their lives, who live their life free
from others' influence or slavery.
Should others govern your emo
tions, words or deeds? Do not
give the control of your life to
others. Only if you become the
master of your life, you can
ascend the ladder of Selfrealiza
tion.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Want to educate women
about menstrual hygiene:
MISS INDIA WORLD 2017
l By Nivedita
New Delhi: She comes from
Haryana, is all of 20, is studying
medicine and has just won the
Miss India World 2017 crown.
Manushi Chhillar is focused on
winning the Miss World title for
India, but her life's mission, she
says, is also to spread awareness
about menstrual hygiene
through her initiative Project
Shakti. "The poor menstrual
management in our country and
across the world has always
bothered me as a person...That's
one cause that I will take for
ward with me," Manushi told
IANS over phone from Mumbai,
while talking about the social
responsibility that comes with
the Miss India crown.
"I feel it is a very basic factor
that is inculcated in every
woman. I started a project called
Project Shakti and through that I
educated women about menstru
l By Vikas Dutta
he hardest border to cross is
T the one constructed or fos
tered in our minds. Though
many Indians are quite fond of cit
ing "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or
the world being one family, the
sentiment may not only stop at
their western frontier but also
doesn't prevent "borders" being
drawn deep within the country.
Why wouldn't suspicions and mis
conceptions flourish?
Just a few years after she became
a journalist in 1984 and decades
before her short stint of reporting
from Pakistan, Meena Menon
recounts she came across a "bor
der" in Mumbai between a "cluster
of shanties" and a "hillock with
ramshackle huts" and was warned
not to cross over to the latter.
"That is Pakistan. The mosques are
full of bombs and guns," a "well
meaning" local party activist told
her.
This was not the only case in the
city or the state, she says or is the
sentiment only rooted in space for
those against "the socalled patriot
ic or nationalist notions of being
Indian" will also be asked to go or
be sent to Pakistan, deemed "a
repository of people traitorous to
India."
The reality, as Menon brings out
Medical student
Manushi Chhillar
won the 54th
Femina Miss
India pageant
al hygiene as that's one cause I
really feel for."
Manushi was announced win
ner at the 54th Femina Miss
India World 2017 held at Yash
Raj Studios in Mumbai on
Sunday night. The first runner
up was Sana Dua from Jammu
and Kashmir and the second run
nerup was Priyanka Kumari
from Bihar.
She studied in St. Thomas
School in Delhi and Bhagat Phool
Singh Government Medical
College for Women in Sonepat.
With dancing, singing, poetry
writing and painting as her
favorite interests, Manushi
believes in just one motto: "The
sky is the limit. We are limitless
and so are our dreams, we must
never doubt ourselves."
This is the thought her parents
brought her up with in Haryana,
which had the worst sex ratio
among states in the 2011
Census.
in her memoir of her less than a
year but eventful stint in Pakistan
as the Hindu's reporter before she
and fellow Indian agency journalist
were summarily asked to leave, is
quite different.
As her own case brings out, the
"unshakeable feeling" in the minds
of many Indians that it "must be a
rotten place, antiIndia, full of
bearded men wanting to blow
themselves up, and with guns and
ammunition stored in mosques,
burqaclad women, and people
straining at the leash to attack
India" is quite far from the truth.
There are no doubt many
obstreperous bureaucrats or suspi
cious or opinionated citizens with
FEATURES
'Society has started accepting
women as chefs'
l By Kishori Sud
New Delhi: Traditionally, chefs have
been men. Even topend restaurants
in fivestar hotels have had men as
cookery experts. But things are
changing. An increasing number of
women have started to flaunt the
chef's hat. Masterchef Pankaj
Bhadouria says the society's mind
set has transformed over the years,
leading to acceptance of women in
different professions. Bhadouria,
who launched her fifth book "The
Secrets in the Spice Mix: Fifty
Unique Homemade Spice Mixes
with Recipes" (Penguin/Ebury
Press; 168) earlier this month, has
her academy in Lucknow.
"Not today... Now if you see, a lot
of women can be seen as profes
sional chefs. But, yes, earlier was a
different case," she told IANS in an
interview here when asked about
the lack of female chefs in the hotel
management industry, particularly
in India. "This is true with every
other profession. Earlier girls were
not allowed to step out for a long
time," she said.
One has to understand what the
hotel line is like, she said. "When
the entire world is asleep, the
kitchen work starts at 7 in the
morning, closes at 2 in the night.
Difficult timings, long hours... tough
job. At that time, parents would not
Book Review
Title:
Reporting
Pakistan;
Author:
Meena Menon; Adventures in a
Publisher:
Viking/Penguin
mirrorimage
Random House;
Pages: 340
preconceived or hawkish notions,
even a rare case of a diplomat who
has hadn't pleasant experiences of
India, but Menon also notes that
there are many more people, both
official and common, who are
delighted to meet Indians, ask
questions about the country and
are helpful as they can be.
Her account, spanning her nine
month stint in Islamabad, an earli
er visit to Karachi in 2011 and fill
ing subsequent details about many
incidents she had covered or writ
ten about, is no attempt to sugar
coat the reality of a country which
has many problems.
Apart from describing experi
ences of adapting to a new place
allow their girls. But now women
are doing night shifts, air hostesses
are doing night shifts... Now the
horizon of our society has broad
ened. We have started accepting
our girls in different roles, and this
is one of them."
She is also happy to see how
mothers are enrolling their sons for
cookery classes. "I have a lot of stu
dents where men are enrolling to
learn how to cook. I have a lot of
mothers bringing their sons to my
academy where they say, 'Please
teach him something because he is
going outside the country to study,
will live on his own; so he needs to
be independent enough',"
Bhadouria said. Teaching comes
naturally to her. A school teacher
for 16 years, Bhadouria left her job
to chase her dreams. She participat
ed in the first season of "MasterChef
India" and won it. It paved the way
for her to host several TV shows,
author five recipe books and start
her academy. She says her profes
Reporting
from
Pakistan:
land?
which
is not entirely
unfamiliar or unfriendly, the bon
homie, or rather uncontroversial
matters like art and culture and
cuisine, Menon also unflinchingly
writes about more serious issues,
though seeking to clarify that she
is "no expert" in bilateral relations.
These issues span terrorism and
other insurgencies (blamed on
India), development (or lack there
of), the continuing trauma of
Partition, the "deep state" and its
effect on politics and civilmilitary
relations, the treatment of minori
ties, including the Ahmadis, down
to the problems of transgenders,
the quashing of student councils
and the Left's efforts to stay rele
July 1-7, 2017 27
Now the horizon of
our society has
broadened. We have
started accepting our
girls in different
roles, and this is one
of them"
-Master Chef
Pankaj Bhadouria
sion as a chef is her second life.
The 45yearold, mother of two,
says she is leading a very different
life now as her hobby and passion
have become her bread and butter.
"My journey has been very inter
esting and I would like to call it my
second life. Because this is a very
different life I am leading now... I
am doing everything that I enjoyed
doing earlier, but it was a hobby
earlier and now it is my profession,"
Bhadouria said. She says she enjoys
sharing her skills through her
books. Her latest book celebrates
the very "essence" of Indian cook
ing. "My book doesn't just talk
about these Indian spice mixes but
we also have certain international
spice mixes that I have covered. For
example, the Thai curry mixes,
Zaatar a Middle Eastern masala or
the Moroccan seasoning.
vant.
Her reporting included visiting
the aftermath of a terrorist
attack where she can see
policemen collecting body
parts in plastic bags,
attending the "treason"
trial of former President
Pervez Musharraf, inter
acting with 26/11 prose
cutor (until he requested
her to stop putting him
into trouble), chronicling
the plight of many marginal
ized sections, from displaced
Christians, the Afghan refugees,
and the Baloch.
In fact, her interview of Mama
Qadeer Baloch, who held a "Long
March" to Islamabad to raise
awareness of the missing people of
the sprawling but restive province
got her into trouble with the
Foreign Office and may have a
contributing factor in her ouster.
But aware Indian readers will
realize no doubt how common
some factors are (or will be) in
both countries, though outraged
patriots on both sides will angrily
demur.
And the most effective lesson is
that while the relations between
India and Pakistan cannot be
explained by logic, physics may be
helpful, say as magnets brought
near each other behave?
28 July 1-7, 2017 HUMOR
Funny Side by Nury Vittachi
Grab the future with both
hands, unless it's electrified
BEST
RATE
FOR
INDIA
AND
PAKISTAN
(Image courtesy: whywait.com.au)
s p i r i t u a l f r i e n d g a ve m e s o m e
A
New York Head Quarter
advice last week: "Be the change
422S Broadway you want to see in the world."
HICKSVILLE So now I have to work out how to
become a giant killer robot and
NY 11801
inspire other guys to take the same
5168271010 journey.
My idea is that if men are occupied
fighting tournaments encased in
Gundamstyle robot gear, the whole
masculine aggression thing will be
channe led into a healthy sport, and
women can get on with running the
planet. Everybody's happy.
Laughter is the Best Medicine H u m a n s M U S T a c t i v e l y sh a p e o u r
futures and the first item in my
mailbox that day contained a perfect
example.
A householder got fed up w ith
motorists driving dangerously fast in
his district, I read in a news link for
warded by reader Sunita Chou.
Authorities in the US city of
Cleveland, Ohio, ignored his com
plaints. So the man dressed up as a
roadworker and spent the day
installing more than 20 of ficiallook
ing speed limit signs in the area,
becoming a hero to his fellow citizens.
T his columnist pinged regular con
tributors to see if there were exam
ples from elsewhere.
A barber in Chiang Mai in Thailand
started opening for business on
Wed n e s d a y s , d e s p i t e a s u p e r s t i t i o n
t h a t h a i r d r e s s e r s s t a y sh u t o n t h a t
day. Furious protestors said he'd
bring a curse on the community. But
he'd discovered that the practice had
nothing to do with ancient tradition
By Mahendra Shah or luck. Some barbers had at one time
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, go t i n t o t h e h a b i t of r e s e r v i n g o n e
artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording day a week for haircuts for members
of royalty a practice no longer
the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons.
needed.
Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Talking of T hailand, one of my
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
neighbors bought a Siamese cat, so I
said "sawatdee khrap" (he llo) but it
just sat there, baf fled. Should I tell my
neighbor it's almost definitely an
imposter?
But back to our topic. The most
shocking example of a man grabbing
his destiny was a news item from New
Zealand, forwarded by a colleague.
D o c t o r s t o l d a m a n n a m ed J oh n
Grif fin that his heart was beating in
an irregular rhythm and he would
have to get on a waiting list for elec
trical treatment to jolt it back to
s t e a d y b e a t s . S o h e w e n t h o m e,
strolled over to his neig hbor's hig h
voltage electrified security fence and
t o u ch e d i t . Z A P ! E l e c t r i c i t y s u r g e d
through his body and fixed his heart
problem. Doctors were horrified.
The moral of this story? The
Universe has a wacky sense of humor
and will sometimes reward people
who do stupid, dangerous things.
This is extremely important for the
male sex, as we seem to have evolved
to do that stuf f.
How come? I asked a university sci
entist friend and he said that evolu
tion in the long run doesn't make mis
takes, so guys are meant to be
extreme risktakers.
He also told me that a risk study at
Nanjing University last year revealed
why guys treat the eating of spicy
food as a competitive sport.
Researchers gave volunteers a test to
measure their appetite for risk. Then
they gave half the group spicy food
and repeated the test. The chilichom
pers had become risktakers.
Note: Readers, keep curryeating
males in your family away from elec
trified fences. Unless they have
climbed inside giant robots, as all
rightthinking men should.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
JULY 17, 2017
ARIES: Time to be a good communicator LIBRA: Selfconfidence helps in making
& natural negotiator to enable yourself to an impact at professional front during
tackle the pressure of a highly responsible this week. A new outlook will be the
position. Family members appreciate the source of laughter at family front. If possible
changes made in & around the house. You put your money on the advice of innovative &
should focus investment on land/real estate or experienced people. Romantic vibrations from
cultural projects to earn profits. You are likely to someone unknown would lift your spirits tak
get a new friendship opportunity in the evening. ing imaginations to scaling heights. Knowing
Channelising energy for selfimprovement your calories would enable to keep yourself fit.
would immensely benefit you. Traveling alone is Traveling abroad can be exciting adventure
about freedom, but your family might be angry. that will be remembered forever. Your personal
Selling a plot might be profitable as property loan plans for property could be in progress.
rates tend to rise sooner. You succeed in cutting Selfdiscipline would enable to manage you bet
yourself away from old ideas & beliefs those ter.
have outlived their purpose. SCORPIO: Valuable support from a col
TAURUS: Calculated risks at professional league would help in professional mat
front will be rewarded with success. ters. Enjoying a picnic with family will
Make sure you avoid controversial issues not only bring joy but also help in clearing mis
otherwise these could cause arguments with understandings. Financial hassles seem to get
loved ones. Monetary position is likely to over as someone lends a timely helping hand.
improve on recovering of delayed payments. Love life brings immense romantic pleasure.
Avoid revealing personal & confidential secret to Mental alertness would enable to solve a tricky
lover/beloved. Creative hobbies are likely to problem. Finally you have found the time for
keep you relaxed. If adventure is your style of your deserving break, travel will be favourable.
holidaying, then plan it and move around. Your dream for new house might be full filed
Buying overseas property will be beneficiary for now. Time to reassess your strengths & weak
you. You are likely to be full of good ideas. nesses.
GEMINI: If possible, take the help of emo SAGITTARIUS : Make sure you dont
tional intelligence to succeed at profes neglect subordinates by giving an ear
sional front. Relatives are likely to give to them to enable yourself to find valu
some valuable advice regarding personal life. able suggestions. Distant relatives are likely to
Investment in antiques & jewelry brings mone contact/visit you during this week. You are like
tary gains and improvement in financial posi ly to make money, if you put savings into con
tion. Your generous attitude would contribute servative investments. Love is likely to remain
much in your love life this week. It is time for in low spirits. Time to understand body and at
you to enjoy a short pleasure trip to recharge the same time avoid the food that does not go
body. A beautiful vacation you awaited for is on well with it to keep ailments a bay. Dont wait
your cards. Dealings in disputed properties will for extra ordinary opportunities, travel plans
ruin your reputation. Hidden enemies would try may not work out. Mortgaging your plot may
to conspire against you by hatching temptation. lose it forever. There is a possibility of an
CANCER: Unilateral decision at work increase in the number of enemies and misun
place would invite the anger of col derstanding with friends.
leagues. Avoid raising controversial CAPRICORN: Time to equip yourself
issues at domestic front otherwise it will only with strong communication skills to
vitiate the peaceful atmosphere. Carelessness enhance career prospects. It is high
could cause monetary loss. Extremely supportive time to change your dominating attitude in
& loving partner would help in withering away family. A promising week to put your innova
your troubles. You might feel slightly rundown tive ideas on use to make extra money. New
mentally & physically. Relaxation is the best romance that some of you are going to experi
option available to recharge body. Travel abroad ence would take the worries off mind. You need
is possible but dont run short of cash. You can to relax and get involved in hobbies that you
apply for your home loan. A week when your enjoy doing the most. Deals on commercial
choice of activities would bring gains far beyond property can tend to be at full boom. Timely
expectations. action would save from humiliation.
LEO: You will be successful in regaining AQUARIUS: Before refusing a promo
your professional touch. You receive care tion offer, look the things from long
and af fection from family members. term perspective. Charming nature
Long pending arrears and dues will finally be and pleasant personality would make you the
recovered. Shortlived romantic opportunities attraction of family function. Financial profits
could come your way during this week. The are solely depended on investment in conserva
pressure of making important decision in the tive investment. Traveling proves a blessing in
week may make you tensed & highly nervous. disguise by bringing a love in your life. Health
Destination with a great deal is on your way, be will be fine despite some mental pressures. Are
ready for traveling. Avoid the use of estate you longing to go on a vacation, consider your
agents to sell your house or property. You must work also? Getting your dream home will be
test your hopes and take realistic steps to realise the greatest pleasure for you. Paintings bring a
them. pleasant relief to people at the time of crisis.
VIRGO: Engineers are likely to find it PISCES: Lack of effective communica
very difficult/hard to complete the work tion with subordinates could disappoint
on time. Matrimonial alliance for eligible you. A unilateral decision could create
bachelor in family brings joy to all. Investment some problems at family front. Neglecting
concerning residence w ill be profitable. financial front would give invitation to evapora
Romantic partner seeks a firm commitment in tion of savings.
love. With a positive outlook & confidence, you Some misunderstandings could make love life
succeed in impressing people around you. Be suf fer. You might find it dif ficult to control
ready to travel with a challenge, new connec emotions, which could put unnecessary pres
tions will help you. Your search for a house is sure on you. You might travel for a while but
towards its final destination. You find time for stressful trip it would be. Lifestyle home is what
socializing and following up with things that you you are looking for? Your ef forts keep the
love doing the most. atmosphere buoyant around you.
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
1st July, 2017
Pulled by numeral 1, the Sun and Mercury,
systematic and pragmatic approach will pro
vide a good base to start a new enterprise or
grow in the existing one. You need to make
certain guidelines and follow them to get suc
cess and increase your financial well being.
You have immense talent which is God gifted
and you need to unlock them by sheer hard
work. Your retrieval power is incredible.
Physically and mentally you will be sound as
your area of interest will get divert to some
frisk and frolic activities. New opportunities
are waiting for you which you will deal in wise
manner. You are a nature lover person and
criticize its wear and tear. Certainly you will
follow the idiom If wealth is lost something is
lost and if health is lost everything is lost.
Your pals will provide timely help to you. You
appreciate others act which makes you loved
by near and dear ones. Asset time: October,
January, March and July.
2nd July, 2017
Dominated by number 2, Moon and
Mercury, you easily get influenced by people
of elite club who will direct your life on right
path. Work is everything for you so whatever
you start its good time for it and surely you
will accomplished it. Time to implement your
past experience and lessons learned in the
upcoming new venues. Respect and accolades
will follow you. You ought to be a technical
person with honed skill of manipulating the
things. Circumstances will force you to toil
hard and move your business to an ever
expanding overseas destination. Your monoto
nous life style will change all of sudden and
you will go for jaunting. Kins and friends will
accompany and felicitate you. Instead of plan
ning and discussion all the time you believe in
implementing the ploy, so high time to start
new venture. Your jolly nature and good sense
of humor will tie the people with you all the
time. Your simplicity catches everybodys eye.
You are a down to earth person. Latent time:
July, November, March and May.
3rd July, 2017
Carry forward by 3, Jupiter and Mercury,
your hardnosed approach will take you on
high rides. You are highly intellectual person
with knowledge of every domain in your kit.
You have the capability of dealing with your
professional as well as personal life together.
Your first love will always be your work with
whom you tend to spend maximum time which
in return will provide you awesome glory,
honor and surprises. You abhor bigot natured
person and always try to light up the dark
spaces with the ray of hope. This makes you a
veteran warrior. Always ready to help others
means a friend in need is friend in deed. You
should learn that love is always known by
deeds not by words so hurry until the tides
will flow in your favor. Too much of expecta
tion from others may strain you so believe in
yourse lf. Result oriented time: October,
November, March and July.
4th July, 2017
Charged by number 4, Uranus and Mercury,
unwittingly you will get lot of name and fame
in your business but dont get excited just take
the charge. Upcoming year promises to bring
positive vibes for your pious soul but little flip
flop may chafe you. Sharp and honed acumen
skills are all what you require in your income
source. You will easily surpass all your hin
drances well. Your way of communication will
take you to the pinnacle post at your profes
sional level. Serve the humanity is high on
your genre. Understanding the need of society
July 1-7, 2017 29
and helping the people may lead you to enter
into politics. Your modest and organized
approach for your business will assured you
high returns with some B2B relation in the
international market. Travelling may leads
some onus on you but turned to be fruitful for
you. You are advices to dig into the details of
every new project you are undertaken, surely
get success. Goddess Luxmi will shower all her
blessing on you. Time for new options: August,
December, Match and May.
5th July, 2017
Supported by number 5 and Mercury, your
inborn attitude will help you to make good
relations at your work place with dignity.
Circumstances will force you to follow your
ideals path in your ventures. You should pay
attention to the saying Careless habits may
lead to happening. Your dual personality
helps to claim name and fame in all front of
life. You are always there for your kins and
friends. Your benevolent nature is an asset for
you. You are supposed to get respect and
regard from your coworkers and seniors. You
believe in Earn and Spend theory means on
one hand your diligence pays for you and on
the other your spendthrift trait will credit you.
You are likely to follow western culture of tak
ing no tension for future. Your wardrobe is
replete of high profiled and branded items.
Your mental and physical state will catch your
interest in spirituality. Catching t ime:
November, January, May and July.
6th July, 2017
Ruled by number 6 and planet Venus;
Mercury also dominates you. You are blessed
with immense talent. Your artistic nature will
create win win situation for you everywhere.
Hidden talent in the field of art and music is
tangible symbol signifying distinction in your
life. You are likely to set your own venture in
this named and famed industry. Your ideas will
not only get populate at domestic level but
also at international market. This ensures you
a smooth and contended life both in terms of
your bank balance and health. You will get Red
Carpet welcome wherever you go. Suggestion
is to set your goals before firing onto them.
You are perfect example of Dont follow suc
cess instead be so much talented that success
will follow you. Yogic exercise and an apple a
day is all what recommended to you by to
keep your body in toned state. Profitable
months: October, December, April and June.
7th July, 2017
Mercury and Neptune and number 7 will fol
low you, you are what you are is the tagline
of your life. You always believe to follow your
footprints only. You invent your inventory
yourselves. You basket is full of new ideas all
the time which makes glory to follow you. You
are not pseudo intellectual personality but
care free kind of attitude which makes you
eminent person. You need to control your gal
lant feeling at times. Activeness and participat
ing are your benchmarks. You dont bear any
kind of lousiness or regardless behavior in
your work. You will be like a pendulum mov
ing to and fro from your one country together
for jaunting as well as business trips. You are
conservative and choosy about making friends.
Your friends are special for you but any kind
of misbehaved character will generate brush
aside attitude from your side. Manipulation of
your feelings may bother you and you will feel
loneliness. You love yourself more than any
other person. Clashes of self respect argu
ments will fail to keep your near and dear
ones close to you so just chill. Marvelous time
period: July, November, January and April.
30 July 1-7, 2017
By Sant Rajinder
Singh Ji Maharaj
T
he catalyst that ignites our
spark to connect with the
Divine is a divine Engineer.
Right now there is static interfer
ing with the connection between
the soul and God. We cannot com
municate with God because on
our own we do not know how to
eliminate the interference to open
the lines of communication. Just
as we are untrained to connect a
radio station with a radio or a
computer with the Internet, simi
larly, we are untrained to connect
our spark to the Divine. To make
the connection between our soul
and God, we need training. We
need to call someone who is com
puter literate to hook us up to the
Internet. We need to call a cable
technician to hook our television
to cable TV. In the field of spiritu
ality, if we were able to connect
our soul to God ourselves, each
would have done so by now. Yet,
few people know how to do it. To
connect with God, we need an
expert. T hat person who can
make that connection for us is a
spiritual Master.
A spiritual Master teaches a
form of meditation that does
more than help us feel peaceful
and calm; he connects our soul
with God. The meditation con
nects us to a current of light and
sound emanating from God that is
already reverberating within us.
We just need to learn how to tap
into it to see and hear it. A Master
is a catalyst who makes that inter
nal connection for us. He teaches
us how to meditate to stay in tune
with the light and sound current,
which takes us through the astral,
causal, and supracausal regions
until the soul merges back with
God in Sach Khand.
The divine Engineer attunes our
instrumentthe soulto receive the
spiritual communication from
God. As in science, the process
must be done correctly to work.
Even in the worldly sphere, when
we go to a teacher, there is an
understanding that the teacher
has something to offer to the stu
dent. It may be intellectual knowl
edge or career training. It could
be techniques of playing a sport
or skills in the performing arts.
Any student who goes to an
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
The Spiritual Catalyst
The Master is a catalyst that connects us to the spark
of the Divine. When performing certain scientific
experiments, we add a catalyst to cause a chemical
reaction; similarly, the Master is a catalyst that makes the
connection between our soul and God. The process by
which he makes that connection to experience the light
and sound of God within us is called initiation.
instructor and is eager and ready
to learn will gain something.
However, if a student is egotistical
and thinks he or she knows more
than the teacher, little will be
gained. When we have the atti
tude that we have nothing to
learn, we close ourselves off from
receiving what the teacher has to
give. We then remain at a stand
still as far as our own develop
ment is concerned.
Great scientist Isaac Newton
once spoke of the vastness of
knowledge. He remarked that he
was just picking up pebbles from
the seashore of time. If such an
intellectual giant as Newton felt
as if he were still a student with
much more to learn, then how can
anyone of lesser stature feel so
proud of his or her learning?
There is an anecdote about for
mer United States President
Teddy Roosevelt. He was a great
nature lover. In the evenings, he
would spend time talking with a
friend, and afterwards they would
take a walk together. One night,
as they went for a walk, they
looked up at the starry night sky.
They noticed how vast space was
and how many stars there were.
They looked with wonder at the
Milky Way, the Big Dipper, the
Little Dipper, and the vastness of
space, and were in such awe that
they walked in silence.
Finally, Teddy Roosevelt spoke
what both of them had on their
mind, saying, "Well, I think we are
small enough now. Lets call it a
night.
Most people act and feel as if
the whole universe circles around
them. In reality, we are a small
part of the whole. W hen our
heads become swollen, thinking
we are better than everyone else
including God, we can no longer
be open to learning and receiving.
We become small and congealed
and do not learn and grow. To
increase knowledge, sharpen our
skills, and improve our techniques
in any worldly field, we need to be
open to receive what the instruc
tor has to give. This principle is
equally valid when we look at the
spiritual sciences. When we go to
a spiritual Adept to learn how to
realize ourselves and realize God,
we need to approach him with a
w illingness to learn. W hat a
Master has to give is unique. It is
not available from anyone else in
this world. From all other instruc
tors we gain esoteric knowledge,
which is knowledge of the outer
world. From a Master we gain
esoteric knowledge, or knowledge
of the inner world.
The Master is a catalyst that
connects us to the spark of the
Divine. When performing certain
scientific experiments, we add a
catalyst to cause a chemical reac
tion; similarly, the Master is a cat
alyst that makes the connection
between our soul and God. The
process by which he makes that
connection to experience the light
and sound of God within us is
called initiation. At initiation, he
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
opens our inner eye to see the
light of God and opens our inner
ear to hear the sound of God with
in. He gives us a spiritual boost so
we can withdraw our attention
from the body to focus at the sin
g le or third eye between and
behind the two eyebrows to expe
rience inner light. We become
absorbed into the light and wit
ness inner vistas such as flashes
of light, pinpoints of light, lights
of various colors and the inner
sky, stars, a moon, and a sun. That
boost then leads us to the radiant
or ethereal form of the Master,
who serves as our inner Guide. In
the presence of the radiant form
we travel beyond the physical
realm to experience the astral,
causal, and supracausal realms,
until we merge back in God in the
highest spiritual realm of Sach
Khand.
Souls experience upliftment to
reconnect with God in two ways:
through the radiation of a Master
that emanates from his physical
presence, and throug h his
charged attention sent to us even
from around the world. Those
who are receptive receive the full
dose of divinity whether in his
presence of not. The spiritual
boost either from the spiritual
radiation in his physical presence,
or from his charged attention
which we receive in meditation,
helps us enjoy inner experiences.
The emptier we are of distracting
thoughts during our meditation,
the greater the benefit we receive
from a Master, because we are
open to receive the spiritual radi
ation.
We can receive the spiritual
boost from the Master through
his eyes. That glance is called the
darshan of the Master. It is so
powerful it can uplift our soul to
the third eye to connect with the
lig ht and sound w ithin. T he
glance of grace gives more bliss
than intoxicating drugs and alco
hol and has no harmful side
effects to our body, mind, society,
or relationships. Physical intoxi
cants may temporarily make us
forget our pains, but when these
wear off, we need another fix. The
spiritual intoxication of a glance
of grace uplifts us immediately
and takes us to a state of con
sciousness higher than any we
can reach in this world. It takes us
to a state of bliss more intense
than any in this physical realm.
Through his charged attention,
we can receive that glance direct
ly whether in his presence or dur
ing meditation even when we are
physically ten thousand miles
away from him, because that
glance is not emanating from the
physical form of the Master. The
charg ing is coming from the
Divine through the catalyst of the
Master. The beauty of this glance
is that it stays with us. It is free
and available to us anytime we go
within during mediation.
The Master is not the physical
bo dy, but a catalyst throug h
which the Divine can flow to us. It
is always radiating divine love.
We can experience that power of
divine love when we turn our
attention from the world to the
channe l of Go d w ithin. T he
Master is that divine Engineer,
who through the glance of grace,
helps us switch our channel from
the world outside to God within.
On our own, we are tuned out. If
we are open to receive the spiritu
al radiation and the glance of
g race of the Master, we w ill
become tuned in to the channel of
God. Through initiation by a spiri
tual Master, the spark of the
Divine is ignited so that through
meditation on the light and sound
current we journey through high
er spiritual realms until our soul
reconnects with God.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj is an internationally
recognized spiritual leader
and Master of Jyoti
Meditation who affirms the
transcendent oneness at the
heart of all religions and
mystic traditions, emphasizing
ethical living and meditation
as building blocks for
achieving inner and outer
peace. www.sos.org.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info July 1-7, 2017
TheSouthAsianTimes.info July 1-7, 2017