Healthcare 10

Bollywood 16

Travel 18

Spiritual Awareness 30

The South Asian Times

NEW YORK EDITION
Vol. 3 | No. 40 | January 22-28, 2011 | 60 Cents

Excellence In Journalism
TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Dr. Premila Bhat on review board of nephrology mag

Tristate Community, Page 3

Kolkata Memorial: Tribute to the first Pravasis

India, Page 14

Greatest literary show on earth on in Jaipur

International, Page 15

Hindu American Foundation takes on caste system

Controversy, Page 26

After 2G scam, black Its official: Obama to seek money whisked abroad second presidential term is big issue in India
Washington: President Barack Obama passed the halfway point of his four-year term on Jan 20 and revealed he is already plotting to win a second, boosted by a sudden upswing in popularity. His official spokesman Robert Gibbs said his boss would likely ask voters to send him back to the White House in 2012. Weve made some progress on getting our economy back in order, and I think the president wants to continue to do that, Gibbs said, adding that Obama would file official candidacy papers in the coming months. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey showed Obamas approval rating surging to 53 percent, eight points higher than in December. Officials have given the most detailed information yet about Obamas plans to set up his campaign headquarters in his home

New Delhi: Even as big time corruption cases like the 2G scam are raging in India, new developments have put the spotlight on black money stashed abroad. After the Supreme Court asked the government to identify those involved in the $1.5-trillion (one-and-half times Indias GDP ) national plunder, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has begun discussions with his cabinet colleagues on how to bring back ill-gotten money stashed

away by Indians in foreign banks. The finance ministry has also started renegotiating its tax agreements with several countries in an effort to track unaccounted money stashed in tax havens such as Switzerland. The apex court acted after firebrand lawyer Ram Jethamalani sought directions to the union government to act upon a report that Germany was willing to share details of Indians having accounts in banks based in Liechtenstein.

President Barack Obama met his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao on a state visit to Washington earlier this week. See coverage of the Sino-US summit page 15. town of Chicago and to separate the machinery from the work of the White House in Washington. The plan reflects the need to lay the foundation of a structure to replicate Obamas 2008 grass roots campaign, though the election is nearly two years away and he has no clue who his Republican opponent will be. Most often mentioned Republican candidates to take on Obama include Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty. Obama Continued on page 4

Money Story Continued on page 4

No takeover of finances BJPs banned R-Day march Wait for Prime Ministers to Srinagar to be flashpoint Reshuffle Act II by NIFA: Mangano
Mineola: Even as a New York State watchdog is expected to meet next week to determine if seizEd Mangano ing control of the finances of Nassau County was called for, County Executive Ed Mangano is confident that no such takeover would be required. The Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) can take over the finances of the wealthy county in Long Island if it concludes the countys $2.6 billion budget for 2011 isnt balanced. NIFA had required county officials to show by Jan 20 documents to prove their budgetary fixes create a balanced spending plan. Brian Nevin, a senior policy advisor and communications director for the County Executive, told the SATimes that all the countys requested documents were submitted to NIFA by Jan. 14, much before the deadline. Mangano Continued on page 4 Srinagar: In a decision that could prove to be the next flashpoint in Kashmir, the state government on Thursday decided not to allow the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on January 26. A government press release said: The flag-hoisting yatra will undo all the gains made in the last few months. It will be a provocative act and will have counter reaction. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: We are hoping that nothing will be done to precipitate the situation in the state. A senior minister added: It was unanimously decided that BJP activists will not be PM Manmohan Singh allowed to cross the Jawahar Tunnel. The tunnel, 200 km New Delhi: Some comnorth of Jammu, separates mentators have trashed Prime Jammu from Kashmir. Minister Manmohan Singhs BJP Continued on page 4 reshuffle of his cabinet as spineless and directionless. Our next issue dated January 29 will be a But Part II of the two-part special issue celebrating Indias Republic Day. reshuffle could have many necks on the chopping block not one or two, but eight to 10 among those already served the yellow card with transfers to lesser ministries. Age, image, performance, domicile, identity and aptitude will, to the extent possible, influence the division of human resources for government and party assignments. Besides the obvious names thatll be thrown up in the list of discards, elimination is a byproduct of selection in such exercises. Singh Continued on page 4

Sonia Gandhi

878_New York South Asia 10x2 inc.indd 1

10/15/10 11:19:34 AM

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Christie brings 'Superman' school plan to state

Trenton, NJ: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says 2011 is the year of education reform, and every chance he gets, he's pushing his agenda. On Wednesday, he introduced the documentary "Waiting For Superman" at a screening for lawmakers. After the movie, Christie announced a plan - right out of the movie - to create a zone where kids get support education and healthcare from the minute theyre born until they graduate from college, with a clear path to get there. Christie announced a partnership with the Harlem Children's Zone to create the same program in Paterson. The hope is, it can be ex-

City doc on editorial review board of Nephrology journal

New York (SATimes): Dr. Premila Bhat, director of the Home Hemodialysis Program at Atlantic Dialysis Management Services, LLC of Ridgewood, NY, has been appointed to the editorial review board of Nephrology News and Issues journal. She will serve on the board that guides editorial policy and reviews articles submitted for both electronic and hard copy publication. A graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine and the Columbia College of Columbia University, Dr. Bhat is a Board Certified Nephrologist practicing in Brooklyn, NY and is interested in the impact of legislative changes on the delivery and quality of care provided to individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and conopment, day to day administration and management of dialysis services and related business development activities. Iys business strategy is to maximize individual site results through consolidated activities. Central to the ADMS approach is the long term control of these clinical services by nephrologists. Atlantic Dialysis affiliates provided over 250,000 dialysis treatments in 2010 to an estimated 2,500 patients in its already existing 10 clinics around New York City and Long Island, where Dr. Bhat and her fellow doctors work. Nephrology News & Issues, part of Grand View Media Group (Birmingham, Ala.), was started in 1987. For more information about ADMS, visit ww.atlanticdialysis.com.

Dr. Premila Bhat, of Atlantic Dialysis Management Services ducts research evaluating systems and protocols to optimize Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) care. Atlantic Dialysis Management Services (ADMS), based in NY, was established to provide new dialysis site devel-

Gov. Chris Christie speaking at a special screening of Waiting For Superman". Photo: Gunjesh Desai/MasalaJunction. panded into other troubled more charter schools, bringcommunities. He also an- ing the total to nearly a 100 nounced the creation of 23 in the state by fall.

(from right): Col Rajeev Sharma (Gorkha Rifles), Col Raja Venkat (Army Medical Corps), Col. Oankar Singh (Artillery), Maj Krishnachari (Armoured Corps), Seema Jagtiani (Organizer), CG Prabhu Dayal, Col Virendra Tavathia (Rajputana Rifles & Organizer), Maj (Mrs) Meena Venkat (Army Medical Corps), Col M S Siddhu (Sikh Light Infantry), and Capt Ashok Vazirani (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers-EME).

Project to help Indian army martyrs' families launched

Edison, NJ: Project Shradhaa was launched here on 15th January, Indias Army Day, for the widows and children of martyred armymen of India by providing them with financial help for obtaining quality education and career counseling. Consul General Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, the chief guest, said it was for the first time that a function of this nature was held on Army Day. He honored the Indian army veterans present. NJ Assemblymen Upendra Chivukula, Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad, Council Member of Edison Township, graced the event as did Mayor of Edison, "Toni" Ricigliano. The project arose from a discussion couple of months ago between Kulraaj Anand of EBC Radio, Col (Retd.) Virendra Tavathia and Seema Jagtiani to do something for the families of Shaheed soldiers of lower ranks in India. Pending a non-profit status for Shradhaa, the fundraiser was held courtesy the North American Jat Charities. The organizers are trying to involve veterans here, and many of them have chipped in with their services. Col Tavathia hosts a popular radio program on EBC. Three weekly episodes were made to promote the project. The enthusiasm of the listeners was great and many pledged to support the cause. Ms. Seema Jagtiani solicited ideas for the event from high school students on Facebook. The DJ Dynasty provided complimentary DJ for the event and a youth group performed live with melodious songs of yesteryears. Shradhaa organizers have informed senior serving and retired officers of military in India about the project.

From left, Col (Retd.) Virendra Tavathia, Shradhaa organizer, Consul General Prabhu Dayal, EBC Radios Kulraaj Anand and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula at the event. (Photo: Gunjesh Desai/MasalaJunction.)

Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Obama story from page 1 Most often mentioned Republican candidates to take on Obama include Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, a failed 2008 contender, and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty. And the intentions of the most high-profile Republican in the country, Sarah Palin, are attracting fevered speculation. Mangano story from page 1 Were fully confident that theres no reason, no imminent threat of a deficit, and we dont foresee any takeover, he asserted. The county, Wall Street Journal said in a story, is facing problems common in other local governments, particularly aging suburban communities: generous union contracts, rising costs, and reluctance to cut services or raise taxes. In November, Moodys Investors Service downgraded the countys credit rating one notch to A1 with a negative outlook. It called its cashflow projections aggressive and said that the 2011 budget had significant assumptions that may be difficult to meet. Nassau County has about $1.2 billion in outstanding bonds. Municipal bond investors have recently punished bonds issued by Nassau County, demanding yields higher than similarly rated debt. BJP story from page 1 The state governments decision came in the backdrop of the Lal Chowk Chalo (march) call given by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, a separatist outfit. BJPs flag hoisting yatra, called Ekta Sankalp yatra, was flagged by BJP national president Nitin Gadkari from Kolkata on Jan 11. Singh story from page 1 The governments final shape will arise out of the Congress revamp, part of which will be the reworked Congress working committee and the team of new office bearers. Enlistment of leaders for party work is expected to create room for promotion and induction of younger MPs in the council of ministers. The objective is to have a mix of youth and experience in the government. Consultations to redo the Congress setup might begin in a day or two, said an official. He said deserving young faces werent promoted in the first go for want of finding matching spaces for seniors like Gurudas Kamat, V Narayanswamy and Vilas Muttamwar. That the exercise is only midway through is evident also from Vayalar Ravis concurrent charge charge of civil aviation and Narayanswamys deputation to the PMO. Their job profiles will change in the next round with aviation getting another incumbent and the PM firming up on a successor to Prithiviraj Chavan. It was virtually by default that certain ministers bagged impressive portfolios. Vilasrao Deshmukh got rural development on the strength of his experience as CM. CP Joshis exit was on account of his temperament incompatible with rural affairs, but best for ensuring efficiency in roads and transport. Those perceived as having lost by default include Salman Khursheed and Beni Prasad Verma. The former got a promotion with a portfolio below expectations. The latter got a berth lesser than the cabinet rank he had in the 1996-98 United Front regime.

January 22-28, 2011

Money story from page 1 There are 15 banks in Liechtenstein, of which seven are Swiss-owned. The small principality is surrounded by Switzerland and Austria. Meanwhile, WikiLeaks has threatened to reveal the names of 2,000 Swiss bank account holders, and Headlines Today has claimed it has received explosive details from the whistleblower Rudolf Elmer who worked for 20 years for Julius Baer, a reputed Swiss bank. The TV channel said it has identified the names of several individuals and firms that could have operations based in India. Some names that cropped up included a company named Annapurna and a couple Asad Ali Khan and Zahida, who were directors of a company named Unicorp Services in Cayman Islands. The channel said these names could be fronts for individuals and corporations. Julius Baer bank has, however, said that much of the information given by Elmer was either fake or falsified.

Letters to the Editor

partheid and racial discrimination was abolished in USA in 1968. Still, many Town Halls, State Legislatures & US Congress are controlled by racist/religious fanatics from both Democrats & Republicans. They have the support of the Media, Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Bureaucrats. That is why minorities are still fighting for equal rights. A Democrat controlled Police Union members/supporters in the presence of print & TV media in New Jersey can call Indians are cockroaches, animals, illiterates and illegal with impunity. Now we have Republican Governor Robert Bentley of Alabama declaring

Alabama Gov: Non-Christians Save Hindus & Sikhs from genocide in Pakistan not my brother, sister e are appalled and horri- risen in the last two years, with tem- leave the land of their forefathers or
in a church meeting on Monday that Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, Im telling you, youre not my brother and youre not my sister, and I want to be your brother. All minorities must demand resignation of Bentley as Governor. Anti-Defamation League says his remarks raise serious questions whether non-Christians can expect to receive equal treatment during his tenure as governor. Dave Makkar www.citizensfordemocracynj.org Gov. Bentley subsequently apologized. - Editor

fied to know that over one hundred Hindu families in Pakistans Balochistan province are making frantic efforts to seek asylum in India after becoming the target of a campaign of vilification, demonization, kidnapping and extortion by Jihadists supported by Pakistans spy agency ISI. Over the last 5 years, more than 5,000 Hindu refugees have already moved from Pakistans Sind province to Rajasthan. Their tattered clothes, emotionless faces and vacuous eyes tell their dismal tale. Anecdotal evidence and human rights groups say that persecution and conversion of Hindus and Sikhs has

ples and gurdwaras being desecrated and worshippers being attacked. According to Basant Lal Gulshan, Balochistans Minorities Affairs Minister 41 Hindus were abducted during the past three years and four more were killed when they resisted kidnapping attempts.: In the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Taliban have warned Hindu men to grow beard and Hindu women to wear burqa to avoid being beaten or fined by Lashkar extremists. Last year, Islamic militants directed Sikh community in the NWFP either to convert to Islam,

pay 12 million rupees ($140,000) jizya the medieval tax levied on non-Muslims in Islamic state. Christians are also treated like criminals in Pakistant, and charges of blasphemy leveled against them on the flimsiest of excuses. We appeal to the governments of India, the USA, the UN and all global human rights groups to stop egregious human rights violations and rescue these hapless Hindus, Sikhs and Christians from the jaws of death as soon as possible. Narain Kataria - President,
Indian American Intellectuals Forum

The South Asian Times

Excellence In Journalism
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Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Pak man charged with stalking Scientists death in NJ, family in India alleges JFK's grandchild
Schlossberg since April 2008, New York: A Pakistan born cab sending her e-mails, flowers, edriver has been accused of cards and balloons, the New stalking the granddaughter of York Post reported. He was arassassinated American Presirested Dec. 8 and charged with dent John F. Kennedy, even retwo counts of aggravated haferring to himself as her husrassment and one count of stalkband and has now been served ing, all misdemeanors. charges by the familys lawyers. Held on a $25,000 bail, Naeem Ahmed, 41, sent 40 inAhmed has sought that the case timate messages to Tatiana be dropped claiming that police Schlossberg, 20, daughter of doubt Schlossberg's account of Caroline Kennedy and showthe events. "The alleged harassered her with flowers and balloons despite warnings by the ment has been going on since 2008 without reporting the incifamilys security firm, media redent to any law-enforcement ports said. agency," court papers reportedIn some of love notes, Ahmed ly said, noting that "there is no addressed Schlossberg as hunNaeem Ahmed has been stalking articulated reason for such a ny bunny and signed off as Tatiana Schlossberg since 2008 long delay." your hubby, Daily News, a New York tabloid reported quoting documents "Defendant contends that neither at the time of the alleged phone calls, direct e- mail communications placed in a Manhattan court. Ahmed, however, wants authorities to drop the or e-card greetings, nor at any other time, did the decase on grounds the family waited too long to call fendant engage in any threatening or harassing conpolice. Court papers filed by prosecutors in a Man- duct toward the complainant," Ahmed's court filing hattan court claim Ahmed had been stalking said, according to the Post.

foul play

New Jersey: The family of Nima Aggarwal, 35, a young scientist from Delhi who was awarded for her work on plant molecular biology, has alleged that her death at her apartment at New Jersey in US on January 8 was not a suicide. And that her husband may have something to do with it. Her husband's family has denied all the allegations, saying it was a suicide according to a Times of India report. The New Jersey police are yet to take a view on the death but allowed Nima's body to be taken to New Delhi where she has been cremated. Nima died a month before she was to come to India. Her husband, Dr Pushpendra Kumar Panchal, is a PhD scholar from DU in solid physics and is employed with a research firm in New Jersey. Nima's contract with Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey, expired on October 31. Panchal had told the local police that his wife had commit-

ted suicide by consuming poison, as she was "under depression,'' while he and her daughter were away at a party for five hours. The couple had met through a mutual friend and married on June 25, 2007. They left for US on July 13, 2007. After this, Nima, claimed her relatives, was never allowed to come to India. The Aggarwal family which now wants to lodge a dowry case against Panchal's family for allegedly "torturing their daughter in US and demanding dowry from her,'' are awaiting the final report by the New Jersey police department. Nima had completed her Phd from International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. A President's medal winner, she had visited several places in India and even Israel and Switzerland to attend conferences and seminars and teach young students.

Rubin museum to have exhibition on yogis of India and Nepal

New York: The enigmatic world of sadhus, the vividly decorated or completely nude ascetics of Hinduism, is explored in Body Language: The Yogis of India and Nepal at the Rubin Museum of Art this winter. Striking photographs by Thomas L. Kelly capture extraordinary-looking male sadhus (as well as a female sadhvis), famously known as the mystics, ascetics, yogis and wandering monks of South Asia. Sadhus renounce worldly life, earthly possessions and social obligations to devote their lives entirely to religious practice and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Sadhus, whom Kelly describes as disturbing, annoying, inspiring, exasperating, irrational, wise and powerful, increase their spiritual powers and advance on their path to enlightenment by practicing intensive forms of yoga and meditation and even performing magic rituals.

Essentials of Gita-Part 2 begins Feb 20

Hicksville, NY: JKP Barsanadham New York organized the 8-day "Essentials of Gita - Part II" program begins on Sunday, Feburary 20th at 11.30am at Asamai Temple in Hicksville and continues until February 27. Swami Nikhilanandji has carefully organised this program during the February school break so that the children can actively participate and learn from the program. The program schedule is as follows: Sun Feb. 20th: 11.30am - 1.30pm; Mon- Sat Feb. 21-26: 7-8.30pm; Sun Feb. 27th: 11.30am 1.30pm. The topics of Gita to be covered: Feb 20: Chapter 8: What happens at the time of death; Feb 21: Chapter 8: Path of light and path of darkness; Feb 22: Chapter 9: Is soul the same as God; Feb 23: Chapter 9: The general and special Grace of God; Feb 24: Chapter 10: The origin of universe and the omnipotence of God; Feb 25: Chapter 11: Arjun's Divine vision; Feb 26: Chapter 12: Devotion to personal or formless God; Feb 27: Chapter 13: Qualities of God, souls and maya.

Images to be on display Photos: Thomas Kelly They use their body like a canvas on which to tell stories, using colors and symbols to represent esoteric inner visions and higher states of consciousness, while also expressing their religious identities. Body Language focuses on the rich symbolism behind sadhus painted bodies, postures and practices. Having lived in Kathmandu, Nepal for decades, Kelly is personally acquainted with most of the sadhus represented in the exhibition, affording him such rare, intimate encounters. Kelly made his first trip to Nepal in 1978 as a Peace Corps volunteer, and has since worked as a photo-activist, documenting the struggles of marginalized people and disappearing cultural traditions all over the world, with a special focus on sex workers and the traditions of prostitution across South Asia. His writing has appeared in publications worldwide, including the New York Times, Time, and National Geographic. Films produced and directed by Kelly have appeared on Discovery, USA, National Geographic, and the BBC. Body Language will be on view January 28 May 30, 2011.

Call for entries: 2011 Amanda Burden Urban Open Space Award
Washington: Entries are now being accepted for the 2011 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Amanda Burden Urban Open Space Award, which recognizes excellence in the design and development of urban public open spaces. The award, first presented in 2010, was created by ULI through the generosity of Amanda M. Burden, Chair of the New York City Planning Commission and Director of the New York Department of City Planning, and 2009 laureate of the ULI J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development. The ULI Amanda Burden Urban Open Space Award rewards an outstanding example of a public destination that has enriched and revitalized its surrounding community. The winner of the award will be announced at ULIs Spring Council Forum, set for May 1820, 2011 in Phoenix. A $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to the individual or organization most responsible for the creation of the winning open space project. The deadline for submissions to ULI is February 18, 2011. The competition is open to both ULI members and non-members. For more info visit www.uli.org

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Chicago Art Institute revives its India link

New Delhi: The world famous Art Institute of Chicago, where celebrated Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda delivered a historic address in 1896, is reviving its links with India in a big way. 'We have embarked on a mammoth project to exhibit royal art from Jaipur in Chicago in 2013. The institute has joined hands with the National Museum in Delhi and the royal family of Jaipur,' its president James Cuno told HT Media in the capital. Under a formal American global exchange program, Chicago and New Delhi are designated as 'sister cities to facilitate collaborations and exchanges in art, culture, business and education', he recalled. Cuno said: 'The institute's curator of South Asian art, Madhuvanti Ghose, is organizing an exhibition of Jaipur royal arts down the centuries with the support of the royal family and the National Museum. 'The exhibition, one of the biggest that the international community will ever see, will comprise miniatures, artefacts, sculptures, textiles and relics of the Jaipur royalty created by artists who were commissioned for the purpose. 'We will procure the art works from the Palace Museum in Jaipur, the Albert Museum in the city, private collections, the National Museum and from the Victoria Albert Museum in London.'

Karan Sikka wins Intel and Siemens competitions for Energy Research

Swami Vivekananda fame the Chicago Art Institute Cuno added that the Art Institute of Chicago was also looking at a long-term exchange with the National Museum for collaborations and exhibitions of mutual benefits.' The institute has a 'large South Asian and Indian collection of art and objects related to art'. 'Every year, we send American art students on a four-week orientation program to India so that they acquaint themselves with Indian art,' he said. Cuno addressed issues of identity crises in a post-colonial world and public references in art with critic Gita Kapoor, artists Homi Bhabha and Jitish Kallat at the India Art Summit 2011 in Delhi. During his two-week stay in India, he plans to explore the possibility of new acquisitions, carrying forward the exchange initiatives and meeting Indian artists.

Acting Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante, Siemen's Semifinalist and Syosset High School senior Karan Sikka, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carole G. Hankin. (Credit Syosset H.S. ) New York: Karan S Sikka, a 12th grade student at Syosset High School, was recently selected as a semifinalist in the prestigious Intel Science Research Competition. Of a record number of 1744 applicants from across the USA, only 300 were awarded this prestigious position. In Karan's winning research, titled "A Temperature Controlled Investigation of Gold and Palladium Nanoparticle Catalysis for the Performance Enhancement of a ProtonExchange-Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell", he used rare-metal nanoparticles to increase the power output of the hydrogen fuel cell, a clean, zero-emissions form of alternative energy. Karan used advanced chemistry and thermodynamic techniques to learn more about the catalytic reactions within the fuel cell, which may one day reduce our dependence on foreign oil. His research began during the summer of 2010, at Stony Brook University in New York. In addition to his alternative energy research, Karan Sikka is a varsity swimmer, who enjoys

Karan (extreme right) with parents Sharanjit and Vimi Sikka and sister Jessica. swimming both leisurely and competitively. He is an outdoorsman and a passionate environmentalist who has initiated a recycling program in his school. His career goal is a position in a Research and Development Team for the advancement of renewable energy. In addition to Intel Semifinalist, Karan's research also earned him the title of semifinalist in the Siemens Research Competition. He is the only student from Syosset High School to win both Intel and Siemens competitions. Karan will also partake in the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair in the months to come. Currently, he is continuing his research at Stony Brook University to revolutionize the way we produce electrical energy and? reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. Vimi Sikka, Karan's mother, is a proud social volunteer and a chartered member of the Rotary Club of Jericho Sunrise. Karan's father, Sharanjit Sikka, works as a Director of Finance in the hospitality industry. Jessica, Karan's sister, is a 10th grade student at Syosset High School who hopes to pursue research of her own in the field of anesthesiology.

56 Indian-American semifinalists in Intel competition

Houston: Fifty six high school students of Indian-American community were named amongst the 300 semi-finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search which is considered as America''s most prestigious pre-college science competition.California has the highest number of the semi finalists, 41 out of which seven are Indian Americans, followed by New York 11, Maryland seven, Texas six and the rest of the Indian Americans are from various other states. This year''s semifinalists were selected from 1744 entrants representing 172 schools and are competing for USD 1.25 million in awards.

Wyndham to franchise Chatwal's hotel brands globally

Washington, DC: Wyndham Hotel Group, one of the world's largest chains, has entered into an agreement with Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal to franchise and manage his group's Dream and Night boutique hotel brands globally. Wyndham and New York headquartered Chatwal Hotels & Resorts announced the agreement in Parsippany, New Jersey Thursday. The 151-room Dream Cochin is located in Ernakulum, Kerala. Other Dream and Night hotels currently are open in New York and Bangkok. In addition, the 108-room, ArtDeco-inspired Dream South Beach is scheduled to open early this year in Miami Beach, Florida, adjacent to the former Versace Mansion on Collins Avenue. The company also has announced plans to open a Dream hotel in New York's Meatpacking District during the second quarter of this year and expand in South Asia. Eric Danziger, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer said: 'The addition of the Dream and Night brands will complement Wyndham Hotel Group's diverse brand portfolio which focuses on meeting guest needs with a hotel product for every kind of traveller.' 'These design-driven, destination-within-adestination brands are favored by travelers who crave an avant-garde yet cosmopolitan experience. We are especially proud to work with Sant Singh Chatwal, an innovative hotelier and entrepreneur, to expand and evolve these brands in key business and leisure markets around the globe.' Chatwal, chairman and CEO of Chatwal Hotels & Resorts and its management arm, Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, said Wyndham will 'take the development of the Dream and Night brands to the next level' by leveraging Wyndham's global distribution system, Wyndham Rewards loyalty programme and extended reach of development professionals.' Chatwal Hotels & Resorts will continue to own the Dream and Night brand trademarks and intellectual property.

National community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Sikhs warned of turban screening at US airports

Washington, DC: Already peeved by security pat downs, Sikhs in the US have been warned that they could now face 100 per cent screening of their turbans at American airports as the new imaging technology cannot see through their 'pagris'. In a mass email alert to the community members, Sikh Coalition, an advocacy group, told them that they should be ready for additional screening at all the airports. "Sikhs should now expect to be secondarily screened 100 per cent of the time at American airports, even after passing through so-called Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines," it said. Although the Transport and Security Administration (TSA) publicly asserts on its website that its newest machines can see through "layers of clothing," the TSA has made clear in both word and practice that such machines are not powerful enough to see through Sikh turbans. The Sikh Coalition rejects the TSA's policy as "unfair and unsafe," and is working with key lawmakers to change it, the group said. "Even still, in the meantime, we believe that Sikh travelers should at least know what to expect at American airports," it said in its alert. "Because the machine cannot see through your turban, your turban must first go through a pat-down (either self-administered or administered by a TSA screener) to scan for non-metallic threat items. After this procedure is finished, your turban will now also be subjected to a hand-held metal detector wand search to scan for metallic threat items," says the revised travel guideline issued by Sikh Coalition. "Please keep in mind that you can always pat-down your own turban. Your turban should also not be ordered removed unless a screener detects something dangerous in your turban either at the pat-down or metaldetecting stage. To avoid false alarms, we recommend that you wash your hands before entering the screening area," it said. According to the TSA, if a person's turban or hands trigger an alarm during explosive trace detection sampling, the person will be required to undergo private screening and remove the turban to resolve the concern, Sikh Coalition said in its guidelines. Amid concerns voiced by Sikhs in the US over their enhanced screening at airports because of their turbans, four key lawmakers asked authorities to quickly address the issue to avoid undue inconvenience to the community members.

Hindus upset with Jim Carrey, NBC

Washington, DC: Hindus are disturbed over the portrayal of Lord Ganesh as a sex act on NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) and want apologies from all those responsible for it, including actor Jim Carrey and NBC. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) said that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be thrown around loosely in reimagined versions for dramatic effects in TV series for mercantile greed. Such absurd depiction of Lord Ganesh with no scriptural backing was hurtful to the devotees. In a skit on NBC's SNL (January 8) titled "The Wrath of Ganesh", Jim Carrey (as erotic shaman Lee Licious) and Kenan Thomson (as Grady Wilson) demonstrate a sexual technique, mocking elephant-headed Lord Ganesh and his trunk in the process. Grady has traveled the world to find new sexual techniques to spice up the bedroom, the tagline of the episode (1587) "Grady Wilson's Tantric N'Tasty" says. Such trivialization of Lord Ganesh was disturbing and offensive to the one billion Hindus world over, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said and requested NBC to immediately remove it from all its websites and other links.

Hindu leaders are upset with portrayal of Lord Ganesh in a skit on NBC's Saturday Night Live by Jim Carrey. Rajan Zed also asked Golden Globe winner actor-comedian Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) , actorcomedian Kenan Thomson, NBC Universal President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Zucker, and SNL Executive Producer Lorne Michaels to tender a public apology for it and urged them not to inappropriately drag Hindu deities to advance the commercial or other agenda in the future. Meanwhile, Forum for Hindu Awakening has called it a "grave denigration" and "vulgar mockery of Sri Ganesh", appealing devout Hindus worldwide to protest against it.

Commerce Secretary Locke to lead high tech trade mission to India

Washington, DC: Twentytries. four U.S. businesses will join The delegation Commerce Secretary Gary includes: ABSi Locke for a business develCorporation, opment mission to India on Rockville, MD; Aero February 6-11. The businessControls, Inc., es joining the trade mission Auburn, WA; are based in 13 states across Curtiss-Wright Flow the country and more than Control, Brea, CA; half of them are small- and Exelon Nuclear medium-sized companies. Partners, Kennett The delegation, which also Square, PA; FLIR includes senior officials from Systems, Inc., the Export-Import Bank (EXWilsonville, OR; IM) and the Trade Fluidic Energy, Development Agency Scottsdale, AZ; GE Commerce Secretary (TDA), will make stops in Hitachi Nuclear Gary Locke New Delhi, Mumbai and Energy, Inc., Bangalore, where Locke will Wilmington, NC; highlight export opportunities for U.S. Intuit Inc., Mountain View, CA; Kent businesses in the advanced industrial sec- Displays, Kent, OH; Kulite Semiconductor tors, of civil-nuclear trade, defense and Products, Inc., Leonia, NJ; Lockheed security, civil aviation, and information Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD; and communication technologies. Locke nLIGHT Corporation, Vancouver, WA; accompanied President Obama to India in North Star Aerospace, Inc., Auburn, WA; November, where they witnessed more NuScale Power, Inc., Portland, OR; than $10 billion in business deals between Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh, WI; U.S. companies and Indian private sector Palantir Technologies, Palo Alto, CA; and government entities, supporting 50,000 Pelican Products, Inc., Torrance, CA; American jobs. Rajant Corporation, Malvern, PA; Exports are leading the U.S. economic Rapiscan Systems Inc., Torrance, CA; The recovery, spurring future economic growth Boeing Company, Chicago, IL; Thermo and creating jobs in America, Locke said. Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA; The business leaders joining me on this Transco Products, Inc., Chicago, IL; mission see the great potential to sell their VeriSign, Inc., Dulles, VA; and goods and services to India, helping drive Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, innovation and create jobs in both coun- Monroeville, PA.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28 , 2011

Indian-American named to US N-trade committee

Washington, DC: An Indian-American nuclear industry expert, Vijay Sazawal, has been appointed to the civil nuclear trade advisory committee (CINTAC) to advise the US commerce department on trade issues facing the industry. Srinagar-born Sazawal, 64, who has over 35 years of professional experience in the nuclear industry covering the entire fuel cycle, will serve on the committee for two years. In a letter appointing Sazawal to CINTAC, US commerce secretary Gary Locke said the committee "will advise me on trade issues facing the US civil nuclear industry for use by me and other department of commerce officials in our roles as members of the civil nuclear trade working group of the programs and policies to expand US civil nuclear exports and strengthen the competitiveness of the industry," Locke noted. Sazawal is currently director of the government programs at USEC Inc, a leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants worldwide. At USEC, which he joined in 2002, Sazawal provides corporate program oversight and coordination of various projects funded or supported by the US government. He is a member of the management team involved in the American Centrifuge Project, the leading initiative by USEC to build state-of-the-art centrifuge nuclear enrichment plants based on American technology. Prior to joining USEC, Sazawal worked at COGEMA Inc, now Areva NC, for seven years as vice president of engineering and technology. Sazawal came to the US in 1970, joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation in the advanced reactors division as part of the design and technology team working on the clinch river breeder reactor project in 1975 after completing his doctoral degree in structural mechanics from the Michigan Technological University. Sazawal graduated from the Tyndale Biscoe Memorial High School and the Amar Singh College and holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Banaras Hindu University and a master's in technology in materials engineering from the College of Technology in Bhopal.

Vijay Sazawal trade promotion coordinating committee". "CINTAC will provide consensus advice on the development and administration of

Sanjay Gupta in Forbes' 10 Most Influential Celebs list

Washington, DC: Noted Indian American physician-TV presenter Sanjay Gupta figures among Forbes' 10 "Most Influential Celebrities" with noted Hollywood director Steven Spielberg narrowly edging out television show host Oprah Winfrey for the top spot. "The CNN personality was almost named US surgeon general in 2009, but withdrew his name when it looked like too many members of congress would oppose his appointment," the US business magazine said, ranking Gupta eighth in its latest list with a 40 percent Influential Rating. "When not appearing on CNN, Gupta is a neurosurgeon in Atlanta. In 2007 he got into a well-publi-

Pandits Citigroup reports first profitable year

Washington, DC: Citigroup Inc led by Indian American chief executive Vikram Pandit reported $10.6 billion earnings in 2010, marking the first profitable year since he took charge of the banking giant in December 2007.The New Yorkbased third-largest US bank reported its fourth straight quarterly profit but its shares fell in pre-market trading as revenue fell far short of estimates. With $1.31 billion earnings, less than analysts estimated, fourth-quarter net income was four cents a share, compared with a $7.58 billion loss, or 33 cents, in the same period in 2009. Eight analysts had predicted in a Bloomberg survey that Citigroup would report a per-share profit of seven cents. I am very pleased that with our fourth consecutive profitable quarter, we earned $10.6 billion for the

TV presenter Dr Sanjay Gupta cized debate with Michael Moore over his film Sicko," it said. The list was compiled by E-Poll Research, an Encino, California based service which ranks more than 6,000 celebrities based on 46 attributes.

Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit year, said Pandit, 54, who nursed the ailing bank to health with a token annual salary of $1 after some $39 billion of losses over 2008 and 2009. Although the economic environment remains uncertain, our future path is clear: As Americas global bank, weve built a foundation capable of producing sustained profitability and our next goal is to achieve responsible growth, he said.

AAHOA chairman joins US travel advisory board

C.K. Patel said. Thats why its a special Atlanta: AAHOA Chairman ChandraKant C.K. Patel has been honor and responsibility to give hoteliers a voice at this high-profile level of named to the prestigious Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which condeliberation and decision-making. C.K. Patel has considerable experience sists of 30 leading travel and tourism in the hospitality industry and business business leaders who are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to advise on community, including successful hotel ownership since 1982 and the founding of industry-related programs and policies. Travel and tourism is a vital segment two community banks in Georgia. He currently is president of Atlanta-based of the U.S. economy, employing 8.2 million people and generating $1.3 tril- Chandrakant C.K BVM Holdings, which owns and operates lion in annual spending, or nearly 3 perhotels as well as commercial real estate Patel investments. cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). The industry is among the top employers in Based in Atlanta, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is among the hotel more than half of the U.S. states and territories. Those of us in the travel and tourism industry industrys leading groups with more than 10,000 have a profoundly important role in the financial members who together own more than 20,000 hotels health of our country, especially in creating the jobs with a combined market value of almost $130 that are needed to spur our recovery and growth, billion.

Ashok Mago receives Excellence in Global Friendship Award

Washington, DC: Dallas-based Indian-American Ashok Mago has been presented with the ''Excellence in Global Friendship Award'', in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting Indian culture in the US and strengthening India-US relationship. Mago, who has played a key role in the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, was presented with the award by Sikkim Governor B P Singh at a function held in New Delhi early this month, said a media release. Former Indian Ambassador to the US Lalit Mansingh was also present at the award ceremony of the Unity International Foundation. Governor Singh lauded the role played by Mago in bringing India and US closer and hoped that others will follow his lead and be involved in the communities they live in and bring the country of their birth and their adopted homeland closer.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Plans to increase access of Asian Americans to federal govt.

Washington, DC: The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Interagency Working Group (IWG) released the first set of agency plans to increase Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) access to the federal government."The agency plans are part of the Administrations commitment to assure that all Americans have a seat at the table, said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who serves as Initiative co-chair with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. We have an extraordinary opportunity to break down barriers and address challenges that the AAPI community has faced for decades as a result of the model minority myth. From health disparities and language access to data disaggregation and bullying/harassment, AAPIs have unique needs that the federal government will make every effort to address, said Locke. Executive Order 13515 mandates that agencies develop plans to increase access to and participation in federal programs in which AAPIs remain underserved. Twenty-three participating agencies developed agency plans over a four-month period with input from numerous offices within each agency, AAPI community groups and the Presidents Advisory Commission on AAPIs. Each plan details the agencys strategic activities and performance outcomes for the next one to two years. The agency plans will drive the Administrations effort to improve the quality of life for AAPIs, Initiative Executive Director Kiran Ahuja said. In order for the federal government to take meaningful steps, it is crucial that people go online, view the plans, and provide feedback. Plans will be released on a rolling basis through the end of February. The public comment period will be open for 30 days from the posting date of each plan. To view the participating agencies or provide feedback, visit http://www.aapi.gov/.

Panchatantra tales now on your iPad, iPhone

Story book app for children two to ten years of age
Chicago: Green Broccoli LLC, a Chicago based company, recently launched an interactive story book app titled -"Tales of Panchatantra: The Lion and the Hare" for the iPad and iPhone devices. The story, which is an adaptation of the fable series Panchatantra, is targeted at children in the 2-10 years age group. The story is set in a contemporary setting, where the grandfather narrates the story to his grand kids. The story is illustrated and presented in a manner to appeal to children. The app, which features two languages (English and Hindi), can either be played in auto mode with narration or in manual mode without narration. The child could also touch objects and animals on various pages to hear their sounds in the manual mode. The personalization feature of the book lets the user put the name of up to two children in the cover page of the

Grandpa narrates the story to grandkids in the app book. "We wanted to adapt the stories to make them most interesting to children. We thought about how we learnt these stories in our childhood and narration by grandparents came out as the clear choice", Shantanu Chandra, founder, Green Broccoli LLC said, explaining the style of presentation of the story.Green Broccoli, LLC is founded with the aim of entertaining and enriching children around the world by developing stories and games on the mobile platform.

India donates $500,000 for Benin floods aid

New York: In a press statement issued by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York, the government and people of India received with deep sorrow and sadness the news about the heavy devastation caused by huge floods in the friendly nation of Benin since late last year. India condoled the loss of lives and property suffered and expressed solidarity with the people of Benin. Further, in response to a request from the Government of the Republic of Benin, India decided to make a cash donation of US$ 500,000 towards assistance to the affected people in the aftermath of the floods. The transfer of this amount was completed when the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri handed over a check for the amount in New York to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin to the United Nations, Ambassador Jean-Francis R. Zinsou.

Iqbal Theba, Aasif Mandvi, Malika Ameen attend fundraiser for Pakistan flood victims
Chicago, IL: Over two hundred people attended the celebrity fundraiser, Stars for Hope, at Carnivale in Chicago on Sunday, January 16. Hosted by OPEN Chicago, 'Stars for Hope' included silent and live auctions, speeches by representatives from Oxfam America, the US State Department and celebrity entertainment to benefit victims of the catastrophic floods in Pakistan. Stars in attendance were Iqbal Theba, known for his role as Principal Figgins on Glee, Aasif Mandvi of The Daily Show, Malika Ameen, a contestant on Top Chef: Just Desserts, and Faran Tahir, who appeared in Star Trek and Iron Man. "Don't think about the politics of what's going on [in Pakistan], just look at what's going on at the human level," said Iqbal Theba, star of Golden Globe winner for Best Comedy Series, 'Glee.' Theba and Tahir entertained the audience by acting out a proposed Glee script, with Theba running through the tables to serenade the audience with American and Pakistani songs while they ate lunch. Following dessert, Mandvi performed a standup routine that plunged into risque territory and earned

Americas Best Franchising adds 42 properties in 2010

he five brands operated by Americas Best Franchising continued steady, although slower growth in 2010 with the sale of 39 new properties totaling 2,899 rooms and the opening of 42 new properties totaling 2,987 rooms. This represents a growth of 18% for 2010, compared to growth of 30% in 2009 when the company added the Vagabond Inns & Suites brand of properties to its portfolio. Americas Best Franchising, whose 75 % of franchisees are Indian Americans, now operates 274 hotels that together have 18,371 rooms under its upscale 3 Palms brand for independent hotels plus its

US State Department Director of Pakistan Affairs Tim Lenderking, far right, with the guests of honor. (Photo by: Amina Elahi, Divanee.com) him a standing ovation. Among the items up for silent auction were a private, in-home baking class by Ameen and a Glee call sheet, script and DVD all autographed by the cast. But the afternoons hottest items were two sets of four Daily Show tickets along with a private backstage tour led by Mandvi, which went for a total of $10,500. Including ticket sales, the event raised over $40,000. All proceeds will go to the Karachi Relief Trust and Oxfam America, benefiting survivors of last summers floods.

four upper economy brands Americas Best Inns & Suites, Budgetel Inns & Suites, Country Hearth Inns & Suites, and Vagabond Inns & Suites. The economic slowdown has made proven hotel brands such as ours even more valuable because both travelers and owners seek out names they trust, said Doug Collins, Chairman and CEO of Americas Best Franchising. We deliver common sense accommodations in an uncommon way and we always keep the bottom line in sight for our franchisees as well as for our guests. According to Collins, Americas Best Franchising expects to achieve a growth

rate of 15 to 20% in 2011, selling and opening about 50 properties. Expansion will come domestically as well as internationally, with the company signing agreements during the past two weeks for new master licenses in India and in China, which are among the largest and most populated countries in the world. The economic recovery has been slower than we anticipated or than we want, but both business and leisure travel is picking back up and should continue steady during 2011, added Collins. Our country, our industry, and our hoteliers have the skills and the mindset to make this a solid business year.

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National community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Healthcare reform and Pre-existing conditions: Argument for repeal

White House has dismissed the Republican effort to repeal healthcare reform as not a serious legislative effort. Indeed, even as the repeal of President Obamas signature domestic effort passed in the House by a vote of 245 to 189 Wednesday, the Democrat controlled Senate is certain to block it. Meanwhile, a recent poll found that only about 1 in 4 Americans supports repealing the law. Follows an argument from the Republicans against it and its rebuttal.
By Jane M. Orient, MD he plight of people who lose their insurance and then get sick is one of the most appealing arguments for health care reform. And the White House took advantage of it, soliciting tear-jerking stories from those who played by the rules and who cant get insurance through no fault of their own. The disagreeable trutha relentless law of economicsis that you cant insure a preexisting. If you wreck your car, State Farm pays only if you had the insurance policy before the accident. People would very much like to buy insurance that would cover their pre-existings, without restrictions or waiting periods. But the same folks dont much like the idea of paying for other peoples pre-existingsor even for their sicknesses. So the healthy ones often switch to a new policy that gives them an enticing low rate if they pass the underwriting. Then those who cant switch see their premiums go up rapidly. This is called the death er, pre-existings are no problemif you can get the job, that is. But the huge drawback of employer-owned insurance is that you lose it if you lose your job. Lots of people are stuck in jobs they hate because of this. It might not seem fair that people who pay into a policy for years or decades are left with nothing the instant the policy lapses. But that is the nature of an insurance contract. As soon as the government forces people to pay a premium for other peoples pre-existings, they are likely to object to what they quite reasonablysee as a rip-off. Hence the need for more force: the individual mandate. Some people dont see the connection, and think we can keep that popular provision on pre-existings, and delete the rest. We cant. The long-term answer to the problem of preexistings is to break the connection between health insurance and employment, which requires changing the tax code provision that caused it. People can pay medical costs with pre-tax dollars if and only if they pay with employer-owned insurance. If they pay out of pocket or through individual policies, they must use after-tax dollars. With payroll tax and income taxes, that means they pay about twice as much. How can that be fair? People tend to have much longer relationships with groups other than their employer: churches, credit unions, or fraternal organizations, for example. Why cant they get group health insurance in that way? This type of group policy could offer advantageous guaranteed renewability to keep healthy people in the program. And why should people get a huge tax advantage if and only if they funnel payments through a third party? Meanwhile, there are people who have problems now. And there is a solution that already works, without the system-wide destruction of ObamaCare. Many states have high-risk pools for the uninsurable. In Colorado, the monthly premium for a 35-year-old man with income under $50,000 is about $204, around $50 higher than premiums in the regular market. In New Jersey, with guaranteed issue/community rating like that in ObamaCare, the regular monthly premium is $2,150. Forcing insurers to cover pre-existings without allowing enormous premium increases will bankrupt them. Perhaps driving private insurers out of business is the real agenda. However, imposing a solution that multiplies costs bankrupts everybody. Those who are counting on that single payer hovering in the background need to remember that the government is already bankrupta very dangerous pre-existing condition. The most popular provision of ObamaCare may also be the worst. The whole Act needs to be repealed. Dr Jane M. Orient is the Executive Director of Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and has been in solo practice of general internal medicine since 1981. A Tucson, AZ resident, she has appeared on TV and Radio Networks and has published hundreds of op-eds.

spiral. Is it the wicked insurance companies fault? Or human nature? You might feel sympathy toward a person who finds out that he has a costly and fatal condition like AIDS. But what if he doesnt tell the life insurance company about the preexisting as he buys a million-dollar policy for the benefit of his partner? Is it wicked of the insurer to rescind the policy because of fraud? Or should the government force the company to payuntil it goes bankrupt, and leaves all of its subscribers without coverage? If you have insurance through your employ-

Half of Americans under 65 have pre-existings: Argument against repeal

efore the health care bill banned it, Americans with preexisting conditions were frequently rejected for health coverage by private insurers -- it was one of the hot button issues during the initial debate. Today, the Washington Post reports that 129 million Americans under the age of 65 are afflicted with preexisting conditions -- up to half of the nation's population that does not yet qualify for Medicare. On Wednesday House Republicans will move to repeal the Affordable Care Act; that likely won't pass the Senate, but it will set a precedent for the GOP to begin dismantling its tenets -- including the clause banning rejection for preexisting conditions. Should they succeed, they will continue a disastrous practice that will leave an astounding amount of Americans vulnerable. Writes The Post: The study found that one-fifth to one-half of non-elderly people in the US have ailments that trigger rejection or higher prices in the individual insurance market. They range from cancer to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma and high blood pressure. The smaller estimate, by Health and Human Services Department researchers, is

based on the number of Americans whose medical problems would make them eligible for states' high-risk pools - special coverage for people denied insurance because of their medical history. The researchers arrived at the larger figure by adding in other ailments that major insurers consider a basis to charge customers higher prices or to exclude coverage for some of the care they need. According to a report released last year by Rep. Henry Waxman, 650,000 Americans were denied health coverage by four top insurers between 2007-2009. The Post's report claims the GOP dismissed both reports as a PR move on the eve of their vote, but the fact remains. Even though the repeal is symbolic, the glibness with which the GOP is willing to put so many citizens at risk is astonishing.

India Newswire TheSouthAsianTimes.info

11

January 22-28, 2011

The great $1.5 tn national plunder

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had begun discussions with his cabinet colleagues how to bring back black money stashed abroad, a day after the Supreme Court queried why the government cannot name those involved in this $1.5-trillion "national plunder". The discussion came against the backdrop of the apex court coming down heavily on the government's reluctance to provide full information on ill-gotten money stashed away by Indians in foreign banks. "Our government is committed to bring all that money and find out the truth. But there is some process involved," Defense Minister A.K. Antony told reporters after the cabinet meeting, asserting that there will no cover-up on the matter. "We have already made up our mind." A finance ministry official said India has also started renegotiating its tax agreements with several countries in an effort to track illgotten money stashed in tax heavens such as Switzerland. "There are issues of how we capture data in each country. Each country has a different system of capturing data. That has to be brought on a standardized platform," said a spokesperson for the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). He said a process of exchange of information among governments has started and was still developing. "Here is a meaningful exchange of information and the process to develop a robust tax regime has started." Left parties, however, stressed they will to us for use in the collection of taxes." The matter came up before the apex court after noted lawyer Ram Jethamalani sought directions to the union government to act upon a report that Germany was willing to share details of Indians having accounts in banks based in Liechtenstein. Jethamalani wanted the directions to be given to the government to bring back such ill-gotten money, estimated at a whopping $1.5 trillion - nearly one-and-half times India's gross domestic product - put away in foreign banks by Indians. "It is not a case of tax. The issue involved is of serious nature. Keep aside all the things. Let us consider the persons named," said the apex court bench of Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy and Justice S.S. Nijjar. There are 15 banks in Liechtenstein, of which seven are Swiss-owned. The principality, with an area of about 160 sq km, is surrounded by Switzerland and Austria and has a total population of 67,000 people. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari has said the union government's reluctance to disclose the names of Indians with ill-gotten money parked abroad raised suspicions about it and the government should make the names public. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani attacked Singh for the government's response in Supreme Court on unearthing money illegally stashed by Indians in foreign banks, saying that it should tell the names of those who had sent money abroad.

The Supreme Court has asked the central government what was its difficulty in disclosing the names of people who have stashed away huge amounts of money in Swiss and German banks in Liechtenstein principality in Europe. oppose any move for a tax amnesty scheme to bring back black money. "Much of this money has been taken out of the country illegally. So thre is no question of an amnesty," said Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat, giving out bis reaction to the media persons here. The prime minister made it clear that information on black money stashed in tax havens abroad cannot be made public since it would entail violation of India's treaty obligations with other countries and jurisdictions. "There is no instant solution to bring back what is called black money. We have got some information and that has been provided

Manmohan dinner crashers top Time's list

Washington: The White House gate-crashers, who stole the limelight at President Barack Obama's first state dinner in honor of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009, top Time magazine's list of "Top 10 Memorable State-Dinner Moments". The list released ahead of the Obamas' official state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao noted how wannabe TV stars "Tareq and Michaele Salahi stole the spotlight when they finessed their way into President Barack Obama's first state dinner". "Crashing the party wasn't the worst of it: the couple, who will forever be known as the White House gate-crashers, were filming the event for The Real Housewives of DC, an installment in Bravo's reality-show franchise," the magazine recalled.

Charge-sheet against BSP MLA

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed its charge-sheet in the Banda rape case, terming local ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi as the key accused. Disclosing this, Chief Minister Mayawati said: "We believe in taking prompt action against wrongdoers, no matter how high and mighty they be and it was in keeping with that spirit that the Crime Branch of CID had submitted its charge-sheet against our own party MLA (legislator) in record time." "Meanwhile, the government has also moved an application to transfer the case to a fast-track court so that timely justice could be dis-

Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi. pensed to the victim," she told reporters at a press conference at her official residence. Reiterating the names of all police and jail officials against whom some punitive action was ordered by the government for their alleged complicity or mischief in the case, she said "anyone who was even remotely responsible for dereliction of duty" has not been spared.

Tareq and Michaele Salahi at Barack Obama's State Dinner.

Yeddu accuses Bhardwaj of bias

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa has accused Governor H.R. Bhardwaj of being biased against him over the plea to sanction prosecution of the chief minister over alleged land scams. Strongly protesting against Bhardwaj's remark of 'ulta chor kotwal ko dante (it is like a thief reprimanding police), Yeddyurappa said by such statements the governor had lowered "the dignity of the chief minister, the entire cabinet and thereby voters of Karnataka". Bhardwaj's remark came in response to questions by reporters about Yeddyrappa's letter and cabinet resolution expressing doubts whether the governor would be "fair and judicious" while deciding on the plea for sanction. "Your excellency has again made sweeping and highly biased statements in the media," Yeddyurappa said in a letter to Bhardwaj. The second from Yeddyurappa to Bhardwaj in two days, its copies were released to the media by the chief minister's office. Yeddyurappa said such statements "does not inspire confidence that a decision by you on this subject would be unbiased, fair and judicious". "On the other hand it is now patently clear that you have adopted a biased attitude," Yeddyurappa charged. Yeddyurappa said that through the letter he was formally recording his protest "against prejudging the issue" and urged Bhardwaj to refrain from considering the plea for sanction "in view of your continued bias in this matter".

Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj (left) with Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa.

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India Newswire TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

PM shuffles ministry, core remains

The new council
Cabinet ministers 01. Pranab Mukherjee - Finance 02. Sharad Pawar - Agriculture and Food Processing Industries 03. A.K. Antony - Defense 04. P. Chidambaram - Home Affairs 05. Mamata Banerjee - Railways 06. S.M. Krishna - External Affairs 07. Ghulam Nabi Azad - Health and Family Welfare 08. Sushil Kumar Shinde - Power 09. M. Veerappa Moily - Law and Justice 10. S. Jaipal Reddy - Petroleum and Natural Gas 11. Kamal Nath - Urban Development 12. Vayalar Ravi -Overseas Indian Affairs and Civil Aviation 13. Murli Deora - Corporate Affairs 14. Kapil Sibal - Human Resource Development and Communications and Information Technology 15. Ambika Soni - Information and Broadcasting 16. B.K. Handique - Development of North Eastern Region 17. Anand Sharma -Commerce and Industry 18. Virbhadra Singh - Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 19. Vilasrao Deshmukh - Rural Development and Panchayati Raj 20. C.P. Joshi - Road Transport and Highways 21. Kumari Selja - Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture 22. Subodh Kant Sahay - Tourism 23. M.S. Gill - Statistics and Programme Implementation 24. G.K. Vasan - Shipping 25. Dayanidhi Maran - Textiles 26. Farooq Abdullah - New and Renewable Energy 27. Mallikarjun Kharge - Labor and Employment 28. Pawan K. Bansal - Parliamentary Affairs, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences 29. Mukul Wasnik - Social Justice and Empowerment 30. Kantilal Bhuria - Tribal Affairs 31. M.K. Alagiri - Chemicals and Fertilizers 32. Praful Patel - Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises 33. Sriprakash Jaiswal - Coal 34. Salman Khursheed - Water Resources, Minority Affairs Ministers of State with Independent charge 01. Ajay Maken- Youth Affairs and Sports 02. Beni Prasad Verma - Steel 03. K.V. Thomas - Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution 04. Dinsha J. Patel - Mines 05. Krishna Tirath - Women and Child Development 06. Jairam Ramesh - Environment and Forests

There were also no changes in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's core team - Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Defense Minister A.K. Antony and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh carried out a much anticipated shuffle of his ministerial pack by elevating three junior ministers to cabinet rank and bringing in three new ministers of state in an exercise meant to shore up the image of his 19-month-old government buffeted by corruption scandals

and charges of non-performance. However, the changes were restricted largely to his Congress party and did not include any from his allies that form part of his United Progressive Alliance (UPA), other than the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

US to build on Obama's India visit: Blake

Washington: The US will build on President Barack Obama's India visit through an intensive program of collaborative activities that will see more "high profile visits and even greater engagement" this year, a senior US official has said. Among the high-profile visits to India will be by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other cabinet officials in spring and by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in February. Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake announced this during a talk Wednesday at Rice University, Houston in Texas, on the Obama Administration's Priorities in South and Central Asia. "Of particular note, we welcome the opportunity to work with India closely during its two-year tenure on the UN Security Council, which started Jan 1," he said. On the business side, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will travel to India in February to attend Aero

Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake. India, the biannual Indian aerial fair that has grown in importance as India itself has grown. India will soon announce the winners of a tender worth up to $12 billion to supply 126 medium multirange combat aircraft - a competition in which both Boeing and Lockheed Martin have entered their jets, Blake noted. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other cabinet officials "will also travel to India this spring for the US-India Strategic Dialogue, which oversees the entire spectrum of our cooperation", he said.

There were also no changes in his core team - Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Defense Minister A.K. Antony and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. No minister was dropped, but some, like Murli Deora (corporate affairs) and M.S. Gill (statistics and programme implementation), were obviously downgraded. Deora and Gill earlier held the petroleum and natural gas and the sports and youth affairs ministries, respectively. President Pratibha Patil administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the new ministers at the Ashoka Hall in Rastrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace. Salman Khursheed, Praful Patel and Sripraksh Jaiswal were promoted as cabinet ministers, taking the number of ministers in the cabinet to 34. In the significant reshuffle, Khursheed got water resources with additional charge of minority affairs. Patel got charge of heavy industries and public

enterprises and Jaiswal retained his portfolio but got promoted because of his good work. The entrusting of coal and water resources portfolios to cabinet rank ministers reflected the importance of such important resources to the national economy. Vayalar Ravi, the overseas Indian affairs minister, got additional charge of civil aviation, a possibly temporary responsibility, as another round of ministerial changes are expected after the presentation of the annual fiscal budget next month. Ashwani Kumar (science and technology, earth sciences, planning and parliamentary affairs), K.C. Venugopal and Beni Prasad Verma are the new ministers of state sworn in. While Ashwani Kumar and Beni Prasad Verma have been union ministers before, Venugopal, a lawyer and a first-time MP, has only been a minister in Kerala. Verma, who got steel, also got independent charge as minister of state, along with Ajay Maken,

who is the new sports and youth affairs minister and K.V. Thomas, who got independent charge as consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister of state. With this, the Manmohan Singh ministry will have 78 ministers - 34 cabinet ministers and 43 ministers of state. This is the first expansion of the UPA II government, battling a public perception that it is mired in corruption and indecisiveness. The ministerial changes were preceded by several rounds of consultations between Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The government, inching towards the half-way mark of its five-year term, has been plagued by issues of governance, reflected mainly by its inability to curb rising prices of food and fuel and political corruption that has made even industry leaders write letters seeking the prime minister's "urgent" intervention to check the "governance deficit".

Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info

13

January 22-28, 2011

Bollywood to be Pakistan's savior?

By Aakar Patel ecent news from Pakistan has been quite grim. First, Punjabs governor was murdered by his own bodyguard for showing empathy with a Christian woman about to be hanged. The mother of fours crime, which she denies committing, was to say unkind words about Prophet Muhammad. Governor Salman Taseers other bodyguards knew that murderer Mumtaz Qadri would kill him, but stood aside as he shot over two dozen bullets into Taseers back. Then Qadri was garlanded and congratulated by Pakistanis, while Taseers body was buried in the absence of President Asif Ali Zardari who sensed the public mood against his dead friend. The angry Urdu media continues to blame Taseer, indicating he asked to be killed. Even on English newspaper websites, comments from Qadris jubilant supporters have overwhelmed the few who are upset. Videos of Qadri singing hymns in custody are on YouTube and being approved by Pakistanis, and Facebook pages in his admiration had to be taken down. The bar associations lawyers are defending Qadri for free, and Pakistans home minister Rehman Malik admits he would also shoot blasphemers himself. Prime minister Yusuf Gilani says he is a Syed, descended from Prophet Muhammad, and will not change the blasphemy law that Amnesty says is awed and being misused. At a meeting to support

People outside a theater in Pakistan running 'My Name is Khan.' Taseers martyrdom, 200 Pakistanis came. To a Karachi march in support of the blasphemy law, 40,000 came. Remember, these are the moderate mullahs, who tolerate grave-worship and Susm. Qadri is himself a follower of the Su order of Qadiriyya, as his name indicates. And so we observe that the extremism in Pakistan is no

longer limited to the more conservative groups, like the Wahhabis and Deobandis. In that sense, the battle against extremism is already lost, because the majority is no longer reasonable on matters concerning Islam. They think the war against the Taliban is unwarranted, and given this mood that will soon end in the Talibans favor. Pakistans economy will contract over the coming months. There is no growth and no internal investment. How can there be in such an environment? Their International Monetary Fund bailout already happened two years ago, and America is being pushed away because of its hated wars, and because it is seen as the enemy. Pakistan is at the moment an incomplete ideological state. Some of its laws are Islamic, but most are the same as Indias. Al-Qaedas alZawahiri reminds them of this and urges them towards the purity of full-dress Shariah. That phase may appear inevitable because, as the events of Taseers death illustrate, the movement has the majority behind it. We have one culture and there is as much trafc anarchy on the streets of Karachi as there is on those of Mumbai. But if they are like us, why have they turned out to be so unhinged? The answer is that for decades they have denied themselves access to our shared culture. Extremism is produced by isolation, and it is the isolated ideological state that becomes extreme. Culture is of two types. The rst is classical.

This is high culture and in India is represented by things like Hindustani music and formal dance. High culture is for the elite, and its appeal is limited because it engages the intellect. The second is popular culture. This is entertainment, and in India it is Bollywood. After Partition, Pakistan skewered its high culture because it was thought to be Indian. It is incapable of now producing Hindustani singers or musicians of quality, and can only produce half-trained qawwals like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Pakistan was always unable to produce popular culture because the State stressed piety, and so it was dependent on Bollywood for entertainment. After the 1965 war, this was stopped after Bollywood was banned from being screened in Pakistan. The invention of VCRs brought it back in the 80s through piracy, but only to a few. Under President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistans lm exhibitors, who are mostly Gujaratis like Karachis Mandviwalla family, demanded that Bollywood be brought back because Pakistani lms were rubbish and terrible for business. This happened and now, slowly, Bollywood lms are returning to cinema halls across Pakistan. This is a great thing for Pakistan, because popular entertainment makes the nation moderate. What will pull Pakistan out of its lunacy will ultimately be Bollywood. (The views expressed by the author are personal)

Learn from Tunisian crisis

By Gautam Chikermane ast week, dictatorships in three Islamic nations faced a common global enemy ination. With one difference: instead of suffering silently, the people hit the streets we saw riots in Tunisia, Algeria and Jordan. This was probably expected. Dictatorships are ne as long as citizens are taken care of. But the case of Tunisia, where the countrys president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has had to ee to Saudi Arabia is being looked upon as a model by citizens of other Arab nations to follow. Leaders in Egypt and Saudi Arabia are probably next. Clearly, the Arab world is in turmoil. What I nd interesting is that these protests and the subsequent regime change in Tunisia (and po-

Inflation has become the biggest enemy of a perplexed global establishment. The Indian government will need to look beyond the archaic banning of exports, restrictions on sale and throwing a corrupt IT department to raid traders. tentially in Algeria and Jordan man rights violations or fundamenthough they dont look so serious talists taking over the country. In right now), are not because of hu- fact, there is nothing Islamic about

the protests in the three countries. The culprit is simple economics and its survival implications. When prices go out of control, governments feel the pressure. But the ination rate is 6.1% in Jordan, 3.5% in Tunisia, 5.7% in Algeria. These rates seem aspirational for India, where price rises are in double digits. Ination, as we all know, is religion-agnostic. In post Cultural Revolution secular China, with Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism as the dominant religions, it stands at 5.1%. In the Hindu-dominated secular India, the ination rate hit 8.4%, with consumer price ination at a high 12%. But theres a difference between the Arab nations and Chindia. In the former, the re of ination has all but burnt the establishment. As far

as the worlds two fastest-growing economies are concerned, the revolutions and regime changes will be delayed. In China, because of a strong military. In India, because of elections. Ination has become the biggest enemy of a perplexed global establishment. The Indian government will need to look beyond the archaic banning of exports, restrictions on sale and throwing a corrupt IT department to raid traders. Our policymakers seem to have forgotten that India is now a trillion-dollar economy, and tools of economic policy have to evolve. These will not do. Note to the government: will you please stop telling us that ination will fall by such and such month? Just bring it down, and well know. Stop talking it down. And learn from Tunisia.

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.

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India TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Kolkata Memorial: Tribute to the first Pravasis

Inaugurated on Jan 11, Kolkata Memorial honors those brave ones who left India as indentured Indian laborers from 1834 to 1920. The memorial is also a vision that became reality for Ashook Ramsaran, New York based Executive Vice President of GOPIO and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas honoree.

he Kolkata Memorial was inaugurated on January 11, 2011 at Kidderpore Depot along the Hoogley River in Kolkata by Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA). It was attended by hundreds from Guyana, Trinidad, Suirname, Guadeloupe, USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Kenya, Fiji, Mauritius, Reunion Islands, New Zealand, Australia and others countries where persons of Indian origin reside. It was thanks to persistent efforts by Guyanese born Ashook Ramsaran, in his capacity as Executive Vice President of the

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi (in bandgalla), Ashook Ramsaran (to his right) and others at the inauguration of the Kolkata Memorial (right).

How my personal quest for roots became universal

by Ashook Ramsaran

y goal is that Kolkata memorial, a museum and resource center, would emotionally and physically connect the descendants of indentured workers with the history of their ancestors who left India. This will be a lasting legacy to present and future generations of their descendants. My own great grandfather left India in 1853 and it took him over 100 days by ship to reach Guyan. In contrast, it took me less than 24 hours by airplane from New York to reach Kolkata. During my journeys to Kolkata, I made several visits to housing sites, holding areas, processing offices and the docks that are still standing in Kolkata even 150 years later. All through those visits, I thought that perhaps it was some special guidance that was leading me there, doing what should be done as a lasting tribute to all those who left those shores. A personal quest was quickly transformed to a universal one, representative of the descendants of those who left India from the ports of the then Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. That gave me courage and determination to install the commemorative memorial plaque to be followed by the museum. There is an overwhelming sense of personal obligation and responsibility in succeeding in this goal. In the process, I intend to use all available support, collaboration and good intentions of the governments of India and West Bengal, and of countries with persons of Indian origin (such as Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, and Malaysia), indenture researchers and historians, authors, film and documentary producers, archivist,

patrons and well wishers throughout the global Indian Diaspora. While our ancestors left those shores with barely the clothes they were wearing but emboldened with lots of hope, promise and courage, we, their descendants, can proudly walk today in those very same depots and docks, reminisce and marvel while expressing our gratitude and, yes, become emotional -at their courage and determination. Our strength and freedom of spirit come from them who bravely made the journey, courageously walked ahead of us and cleared treacherous pathways so that we can live better lives today. On the long airplane return journey from Kolkata on July 12, 2010, with lots of emotion, vivid recollection and personal perspective in mind, I drafted the following inscription to be placed on the memorial plaque, an inscription that reflects common feelings among the global Indian Diaspora: By thousands they journeyed from other parts of India by boat, bull cart and by foot to this port city, bound for their long and arduous journeys on the treacherous seas of the kala pani by ships to places unknown to them and despite many false promises, travel they did with unwavering spirit and hope for a better tomorrow. In honored tribute, with due recognition, gratitude and lasting remembrance of all those who left these shores from 1834 - 1920 as Indian indentured laborers to faraway lands seeking better livelihoods for themselves and their descendants; for their pioneering spirit, determination, resilience, endurance and perseverance amidst the extremely harsh and demeaning conditions they encountered; for their preservation of sense of origin, traditions, culture and religion, and their pro-

motion of the Indian culture; for their achievements and successes despite insurmountable odds; for the many sacrifices made individually and collectively; for the invaluable contributions they have made to the diverse culture and economic development of the lands they adopted and where they lived; and for triumph of the spirit of Indianness that they maintained and passed on to their descendants. Our ancestors who left those shores truly deserve their place in the annals of Indian history and the journeys of people of Indian origin. We should all be very proud of our ancestors who made the first journey that has become an integral part of our history as well. We certainly owe them a lasting tribute, recognition of their sacrifices and a truly worthy remembrance. My personal quest for my own connection to India was always a yearning long before I met with Minister Jagdish Tytler of the then newly formed Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) in Brussels, Belgium in October 2004. My continuing search and inquiries led me through many pathways but nothing definitive that would allow me to pursue a direct link to the ancestral village of my great grandfather Pooriya who arrived in Guyana as an indentured laborer in 1853 aboard the ship Adelaide. That information was shown in the single line entry in the birth record of my grandfather Ramlochannd, born March 10, 1867 in Guyana. That single line entry also listed my great grandmother Radhah having arrived in Guyana in 1860 aboard ship Colgrain. With no ship records of 1853 or 1860 available in the archives in Guyana, my search moved beyond Guyana to other possible sources such as India and

the UK where I was hopeful that secondary records were kept. From my vantage point as Secretary General of GOPIO, I was able to view the entire global landscape of PIOs and the history of emigration from India during the 19th and 20th centuries. I acquired historical details, in-depth knowledge and valuable information on Indian indentured laborers from 1834 through 1920 since I wanted to know more about my great grandfather and his journey to Guyana, in the hope that someday I would be able to find his ancestral village. Tytler approved of my request to chair a Tracing the Roots session at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2005 in Mumbai. That session spawned renewed intensity among PIOs and encouraged the MOIA to establish Tracing The Roots initiatives and those were qualified to do actual searches for families in India based on emigration information obtained in the countries of destination. A few states, including Bihar, also initiated programs to assist PIOs to trace their respective families and ancestral villages. I considered this a welcome trend that contributed to more interest among descendants of Indian indentured laborers and their quest to connect to their ancestral villages and, in effect, to India itself. While I was standing with Leela Sarup and MOIA officials on the Kidderpore Depot docks on July 7, 2010, that realization came to fruition when the agreement was made with Dr A Didar Singh, Secretary of MOIA, to embark on a two-phase effort to pay tribute to Indian indentured laborers of 19th and 20th centuries: Installation of a memorial plaque at Kidderpore Depot to be followed by a memorial museum and resource center in a

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International), that the Government of India accepted his proposal and erected the memorial monument. The Kolkata Memorial is inscribed with a plaque paying a tribute to those who left India as indentured Indian laborers between 1834-1920. The inscription in Hindi and English on the plaque was taken from the draft provided by Ramsaran, who has captured the shared sentiments of the descendants of the indentured laborers. The memorial inauguration was preceded by a commemorative luncheon hosted by GOPIO and the newly formed Global Indian Heritage Society (GIDHS) and attended by Minister Ravi and his staff at the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata. Attendees from various countries expressed their gratitude for the Kolkata Memorial as a symbol of their connection and roots in India. It is a long overdue tribute to those who took the risks on barely a promise, to their individual and shared sacrifices and their endurance that made it possible for their descendants to flourish with the spirit of Indianness that transcends time. The delegations from Mauritius and Reunion Islands sang familiar songs, expressing their gratitude for their participation at the inauguration. The Kolkata Memorial project has meaningful significance for millions of descendants of those who left India as indentured laborers. The project has received overwhelming emotional sentiments and enthusiastic support from all corners of the global Indian diaspora. This will be a lasting legacy for present and future generations of their descendants, remarked Ramsaran. "A noble effort indeed", said writer and historian Dr Anand Mullo of Mauritius. "An extraordinary service to the Indian Diaspora", said Indian emigration roots researcher Shamshu Deen of Trinidad. "We are all deeply indebted for the Kolkata Memorial which is a tremendous achievement", said Indo-Caribbean Diaspora icon (Dr) Yesu Persaud of Guyana. Adds Ramsaran, I feel honored and privileged to be working in prominent leadership role to see the Kolkata Memorial become a reality. Our ancestors who left these shores truly deserve their place in the annals of Indian history and the journeys of people of Indian origin. The vision of a single, suitably significant place of emotional and physical connection for the descendants of indentured workers is finally becoming a reality.

International TheSouthAsianTimes.info

15

January 22-28, 2011

Tightrope walking in Sino-US ties

Washington: The US-China summit concluded on Thursday was a test of the balance of power between the two superpowers. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, President Hu Jintao were well aware of the summit stakes. Obamas strategy was to push as hard as he could, and he did. He needed Chinese concessions for a successful summit. Hus strategy was to resist as hard as he could, and he did, because all he wanted was a summit that did not fail. The Chinese side won this test of wills and power because all they had to do was hold the line, while Washington had to gain concessions. Second, Hu was in a far stronger position overall because Chinas economy continues to grow in double digits, while the American economy remains troubled. Obama fought the good fight and pushed unlike the passive posture he adopted a year ago in Beijing. But he had to get concrete concessions from Hu to register a success, while all Hu had to do was smile without giving in and make sure that mutual relations didnt deteriorate. Last weekend, some members of the Obama team even considered taking desperate measures. Specifically, they were contemplating either simply dropping the joint communiqu at the end of the summit or canceling the state dinner, according to administration officials. Their thinking was that Hu couldnt possibly afford to let the whole summit fail, while Obamas toughness would look good politically. Fortunately, they dropped both ideas. For Obama, it was precisely the right time to start undoing Beijings grossly unfair economic practices. But all the Obama team managed to extract from the visitors was about $45 billion in new contracts to buy American goods and services, particularly civilian airliners from Boeing. Most of these

President Obama and, First Lady Michelle Obama with state guest Chinese President Hu Jintao who came to Washington for a summit this week. deals had been in the pipeline well before the summit. On the really key economic issues, Hu essentially avoided showdowns and compromises and sounded reassuring. These make-or-break items included Chinas unfair currency manipulation to gain price advantages on exports, its stealing U.S. intellectual property to make U.S. goods without paying for them, and its placing high and illegal hurdles in the path of American companies trying to do business in the Middle Kingdom. On security issues like Chinas assertions of sovereignty over the seas bordering its territory, it was Hu who was doing the asking, and Obama who gave no ground. Here, the U.S. has the cards. For all Chinas increased military spending and technological advances, it remains far behind America in military punch. The same held for U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing insists the sales be stopped because Taiwan is considered part of China. But Washington will continue to assure Taiwans safety. Obama had the strong hand on these issues because the military balance of power still favors the U.S. Much was made publicly of human-rights issues. Obama had to show that his administration, contrary to some doubters, actually cares about these issues. And Obama did raise them both in private and in public. But he put nothing on the line to pressure Beijing because, in the end, Beijing would have mostly ignored the threats and the American side knew this well. So, all played their prescribed roles on human rights, and that was that. As for the other touchy security issuesIran and North KoreaChina puts a finger or two on the American scales to help deal with nuclear proliferation. Obama asked for more, but he didnt get that either. Beijing just isnt going to pressure any country, no matter how bad or dangerous. Its not part of the Chinese playbook, especially if they lose oil and money.

Chilly reception for Hu on Capitol Hill

Washington: Unlike the warm reception on Capitol Hill given to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his state visit in November 2009, chill followed Chinese president Hu Jintaos meeting with Congressmen Thursday, where both Republicans and Democrats were outspoken on China's human rights record and what they claim are Beijing's unfair trading practices. Members of the House complained afterwards that Hu only took two questions on human rights before going on to hold a meeting with senior senators. Hu met John Boehner, the House speaker, and Senate majority leader Harry Reid, both of whom skipped the state dinner for the Chinese leader on Wednesday night. The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, also turned down the invitation. was no time to discuss the strong yuan, which Congress members stress is being manipulated by Beijing to help China's trade balance. Boehner said it was a good meeting and that he had raised lack of religious freedom, China's failure to respect intellectual property rights and Beijing's need to exercise more influence over North Korea. Pelosi asked about human rights, in particular the fate of the jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel laureate. Democrat Sandy Levin said Hu had given the same reply as he had at the White House: that China needed to do more on human rights. Later, Hu told a group of US business executives that hes fully confident about the prospects for ties between the two countries. The worlds economic recovery is a tortuous process with many uncertainties, he said. We should keep our relations on the path of equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual development. U.S. companies doing business in China are increasingly concerned that their future growth in what may now be the worlds second-biggest economy will be curbed by government policies designed to help homegrown companies compete globally in sectors such as aviation, telecommunications and banking. On trade, Hu said that inexpensive but quality Chinese goods saved U.S. consumers $600 billion over the past decade. He also called for more cooperation on aviation, health and the environment. Hu described Chinas military as defensive and a threat to no one, and stressed that Taiwan and Tibet are Chinas core interests.

Tibetans and others protested President Hus visit for rampant human rights violations in China. Democratic house leader, Nancy Pelosi, also a critic of Chinas rights record, attended the dinner, however. Earlier, Reid called Hu a dictator in an interview but tried to make amends by saying: Maybe I shouldn't have said 'dictator', but they have a different type of government than we have and that is an understatement." House members also expressed frustration that there

Greatest literary show on Earth begins

By Rawat A/SATimes Jaipur: The reputed Jaipur Literature Festival chugged off its journey into sixth year Friday with much hype and hoopla, camera blizzard and star struck media going berserk over getting a glimpse of whos who of the literary world. Those who attended the five day festival on the very first day included US ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer, stateman Dr Karan Singh, Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, and Sheldon Pollock a US scholar of Sanskrit, Indian intellectual and literary history. Dr Karan Singh was the guest of

Jaipur Literature Festival

honor at the inaugural function while the keynote address was delivered by Prof. Sheldon Pollock. Orhan Pamuk in his conversation talked about the art of the novel at the front lawn of Diggi Palace in Pink City. The Mughal tents were mobbed by the fans of noted Indian poet and filmmaker Gulzar who enthralled the gathering by reciting from his collection Kuch Sher, Kuch Ped, Kuch Nazmon ka Khayal. In the afternoon Jon Lee Anderson talked about his journeys into the insurgent world and revolutionary life of Che Guevara. Anderson talked about the influence of teachings of Mahatma Gandhi on the young Che when he was being groomed as revolutionary. Naseem Shafaie represented the voices from Kashmir in a conversation called Na Tshay Na Aks. In a conversation at Baithak, former foreign secretary of India Navtej Sarna discussed his literary outing with Two Pages from History. The DSC Jaipur Literature Festival, called by Tina Brown of The Daily Beast as the Greatest literary show on Earth, is a celebration of national and international writers and encompasses a range of activities including poetry, music & dance, debates, readings, impassioned panel discussions and workshops for next six days.

Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot (in grey Nehru jacket) and Tourism Minister Bina Kak at the inauguration of the festival. (inset) US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer with Dr Karan Singh.

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Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Dhobi Ghat: Mumbai's myriad colors

ollywood's Mr. Perfectionist is back. After taking the audiences by storm with the blockbuster "3 Idiots", Aamir Khan is returning to the screen with wife Kiran Rao's debut directorial venture "Dhobi Ghat". The film is releasing on January 21 and expectations are riding high. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the highly anticipated film has some new talent in Kriti Malhotra and Monica Dogra and also stars Prateik Babbar - this is his second movie after "Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na". Argentine musician Gustavo Santaolalla has composed the background score and soundtrack of the drama that puts the spotlight on different lifestyles of the city. With a Dhobi Ghat (washermen's row) as the backdrop, the film tells the story of four people from different backgrounds who meet each other, after which their lives are altered forever as they go through longing, loneliness, loss and love. Prateik plays Munna, a washerboy who aspires to be an actor and is a huge fan of

A still from 'Dhobi Ghat'. Salman Khan, while Aamir will be seen as a reclusive and lonely modern art painter. Monica is an investment banker named Shai and Kriti plays the role of Yasmin.

Kiran says the film is a tribute to Mumbai and in many ways it is about her, the kind of people she met and her quest for life in the city of dreams. The film is said to have been made on a budget of Rs.5 crore and there were no special sets constructed to shoot the film. To give an authentic touch to what both Aamir and Kiran consider an arthouse film, "Dhobi Ghat" has been shot in bylanes of Mumbai and the city's most famous Dhobi Ghat at Mahalaxmi. The film has also been shot in under-construction buildings, Mohammed Ali Road market, Chowpatty and Marine Drive. The dedicated husband-wife duo didn't even shy away from renting a room in a chawl at Muhammad Ali Road to shoot the film. "Obviously our expectations from the film are that everyone likes it and more and more people come and see it. It's a very different film and we hope it does well," Aamir said.

Hrithik shoots back at Salman

n his 'happy' birthday a few days ago, Hrithik Roshan was truly exul-

Ashmit Patel and Veena Malik in Bigg Boss 4.

'Ash-mit, Veena made love in Bigg Boss'

tant. He seemed to be blissfully content and in a mood to forgive and forget, which is why he reacted to Salman Khan calling him a "child", in an oddly calm tone. Hrithik said, "Salman must have said it with affection. And I don't think there is anything wrong in being a child," (Mumbai Mirror, January 10, 2011). But things are not always what they seem on the surface. Hrithik's passivity was, as it appears, only a garb. Recently, Hrithik and his wife Sussanne shot with Karan Johar for an episode of Koffee with Karan. On the show, Hrithik shot back at Sallu by saying, "Salman

Hrithik Roshan and Salman Khan. thinks that the world is conspiring against him, but that's not true. We all love him." He further added, "I don't want to use this as a medium to comment on Salman."

eality just got more lurid on TV. Ashmit patel, whose only claim to fame has been riding on getting cozy with women on camera (remember his MMS episode?), allegedly had sex with Veena Malik on "Bigg Boss 4", if an ex-contestant is to be believed. As if viewers weren't already fed up with an overdose of the Ashmit-Veena intimacy, here's a new twist to keep the tale alive. An ex-contestant, on the condition of anonymity, spills the beans. "Most of the contestants were irked with all that Ashmit and Veena did in the house. Everybody would feel awkward in their presence. I remember, they were given the task to guard the diya kept near the swimming pool, and we saw

them snuggling in the quilt. And of what I've heard, many viewers felt the same. It was all so disgusting. One of the key reasons for my exit was their growing intimacy. I'd requested Bigg Boss to evict me from the show. I couldn't take it anymore." But Ashmit, who calls this "an offshoot of people's overactive imagination", says he never got that close to Veena in the first place. "No, it didn't happen. I would have wanted something like that to happen, but I didn't have the inclination," says he (go figure!) Ashmit adds, "With cameras installed everywhere, how is it possible for anyone to make love? And now that the show is over, I have no chance. But I have only gained from these rumors."

Aamir doesn't bathe regularly!

trange as it may sound, but Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's wife Kiran Rao says the one thing she dislikes about her husband is that he doesn't bathe regularly. "The one thing that I don't like about him is the fact that he doesn't take a bath. And trust me when I say this that his bathing habits are not very regular," Kiran told Live India in an interview. To this, the actor jumped in for his own rescue and said: "I do take a bath when I go out for work. And considering most of the time I step out for work, I take a bath most of the time. It is only when I am not stepping out or when I am on a holiday that I don't take a bath." Kiran is all set for the release of

Aamir Khan with wife Kiran Rao. her directorial debut "Dhobi Ghat", which is releasing on January 21, and stars her husband in a pivotal role.

Ultimate Bollywood Thesouthasiantimes.info

17

January 22-28, 2011

'Turning 30' More than a chick-flick

Film: "Turning 30"; Cast: Gul Panag, Purab Kohli, Sid Makkar; Director: Alankrita Shrivastava; Rating: *** t's that sassy, spunky, urbane chick mouthing that 'f' word again! Last week it was Rani Mukherji in "No One Killed Jessica". This time it's the delightfully spontaneous Gul Panag, who's playing a working-girl in an ad agency and is on the verge of 30. But things are not quite working out for her and she is watching her life come apart at the seams. This is "Sex & The City" transposed to Mumbai. Abandoned by her well-to-do boyfriend, Naina weeps with unabashed self-pity in front of the bathroom mirror and pleads, begs and whines with him to "take her back". The problem, you realize in telling the tale of an urban girl's adventures in the big bad city is the language. While debutante director Alankrita Shrivastava, in control of her narration and characters, gets the mood right, the

A still from 'Turning 30'. dialogues often appear to be straining for effect. Which woman of today, hitting on a guy in a bar or for that matter anywhere, uses a term like "fuddyduddy"? The chick flick, as it is rather crudely called, is an alien genre in Bollywood. The first time director gets the tone and spirit of urban female bonding far more accurately than in the recent "Aisha". "Turning 30" goes for the inner wear-and-tear. Once Purab Kohli makes a late

entry into Naina's life, the film kind of loses its ebullient spirit. The narrative gets lazy and Naina's 30th birthday party just goes on and on. But at the end of it all, we do care about what happens to Naina's adrift life. How Naina gets back her groove makes an interesting if at times sluggish story. The unabashed references to the protagonist's sex life and physicality are new to Hindi cinema. Gul Panag plays Naina with a disarming mix of transparency and confusion. She lets the character's strength and vulnerability hang out in the same line of vision, creating a world that is at once livedin and unexplored. It's a wonderful experience just watching Gul light up the screen once again after "Dhoop" and "Dor". New cinematographer Akshay Singh shoots the characters in a way that they appear in a far better light than they would otherwise. Fresh, feisty and welldesigned with above-average technical virtues, "Turning 30" is more chic than a 'chick flick'.

Akshays son harassed

kshay Kumar has accused a security guard from a Juhu building of pinching his son Aarav's buttocks, while the guard has another story to tell. The security agency, however, claims that the guard was simply doing his duty by preventing the boy from entering a meter room in the building. A resident of The Grand Eastern Shores said that Aarav and Akshay were visiting a family friend, when Akshay got drawn into a conversation with a resident upstairs. With his fathers attention moving away from him, the boy wandered down to the buildings lobby and straight into the room which had all the electricity meters. The guard, Bhandari, who spotted the eight-year-old walk into the meter room, sprang to his feet and Akshay Kumar with wife Twinkle and son Aarav. pulled him out of there, before the child could My son was climbing the stairs with his touch any live wire and hurt himself. friend when Bhandari came behind them Akshay and wife Twinkle Khanna, how- and pinched his buttocks. My son quickly ever, claim that their son did not go into brought it to my notice. the meter room, and the guard is just tryAt this point of time his friend said that ing to save his face. According to reports, Bhandari had done this to him too. the actor even slapped the guard, not once, Another child from their group also had but twice. a similar experience. Twinkle said, My son did not go into Our son has been brave enough to talk the meter room. That was simply about this to us. He has been a hero. Bhandaris version. The guard has been fired from his job.

Big B out of IIFA

mitabh Bachchan has been dropped from the position of IIFAs brand ambassador. The actor remained the face of the international award show for past 10 years ever since the awards began in the year 2000. Bachchans post about him not traveling to Toronto (where the awards will be held this year) on the micro blogging site Twitter shocked many including fans and fraternity members. Not coming to Toronto IIFA. IIFA says my services are not required, he tweet-

ed. He even held the organizers responsible for his absence in Sri Lanka last year. Its the organizers of IIFA that do not want me in Toronto. Sri Lanka was the same, he wrote. IFFAs spokesperson Sabbas Joseph issued a response this evening saying, Due to unexplainable reasons, after announcing the event as Amitabh Brand Ambassador, Mr. Bachchan couldnt participate in the IIFA Weekend Sri Lanka last year. Following this, IIFA aborted the concept of a Brand Ambassador. Keeping in mind the huge

respect that Wizcraft and IIFA have for Mr. Bachchan and the deep relationship that weve always shared, we are not having anyone replace Mr. Bachchan. The Bachchan family has been an intrinsic part of IIFA every year, and in this regard we have already shared with them a proposal about their participation this year too. Mr Bachchans reason for non-participation is best known to him. IIFA and Mr. Bachchan are inseparable. We will continue to pursue his participation for this year too.

Amitabh Bachchan at one of the IIFA Awards function.

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Travel & Heritage TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Paris the city of lights

By Sandip Hor aris, the City of Lights, offers endless attractions. Here are what the French would call less incontournables (the unmissable) sites. Built on the banks of the river Seine which divides the city into two, referred as the right bank and the left bank, both sides abound with historical monuments, cultural sights, museums amid colorful and lively districts, each with their own distinctive character. For all, unquestionably the first destination is the iconic Eiffel Tower which was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889. There is a magnificent view from its top, but long queues test your patience. Suggested next stop is the Arc de Triomphe, the largest triumph in the world that was commissioned by Napoleon in honor of his 128

victory battles. It stands proudly at the top of Champ-Elyses - the celebrity street in Paris and the most fashionable in the world, where you come to dress up in Lanvin or to layer with the chicest accessories from some of the world's flagship boutique stores such as the Dior, Prada and Nina Ricci. Paris is full of museums and galleries. Whether you are art connoisseur or not, the "must sees" are Musee de Orsay, which houses an outstanding collection of impressionist masterpieces from Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and Manet; Musee Rodin to see Auguste Rodins The Kiss, Cathedral, Gate of Hell and various incarnations of his Thinker; and Lourve, a former royal palace and now the home of Leonardo de Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michaelangelo's Slaves and 2nd

Louvre is the worlds most visited art museum; the pyramid entrance added in 1988 has doubled visitor numbers. century BC Statue of Venus De Milo. Walking along the banks of River Seine is an experience by itself. You will come across the majestic 14th century Notre Dame Cathedral, a repository of French art and history. A stroll around the area with a coffee at a caf is a good way of experiencing Parisian culture. For shopping, visit the famous Galleries Lafayette at

Bastille where Opera de Paris is located. Then dash off to Sacre Coeur, a white domed basilica in Montmartre; from its terrace you enjoy a spectacular view of Paris for free and then not regret going up the Eiffel tower for the same purpose. Finally do not leave Paris without enjoying an evening show of artful beauty and glamour at either the Lido or Moulin Rouge. Both are fairly expensive, but you may be doing it once in a life time, so don't bother to tax your credit card a little extra. The public transport system in Paris comprising mainly metro rail and bus is excellent and cheap. There is a metro station close to all tourist landmarks. Buy a 3-day Paris Visite card that allows unlimited travel on both bus and rail within central Paris and inner metropolitan zones.

Indian forts relive glorious past in documentary

By Jaideep Sarin Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh.

hey have withstood the onslaught of marching armies, they have been like trophies for rulers, and several well known forts in India are now reliving their glorious past through a 26-episode documentary series Bharat ke Burj. Produced and directed by Chandigarh-based theatre personality Gurcharan Singh Chani and his son Gyandev Singh, the series aims to tell the story of 26 forts that have been part of Indias rich history and their rulers. The series has been such a great learning experience for us while making it. Many myths about the forts, which are centuries old, have been broken, Chani, who spent three-and-a-half years in research and shooting with his son, said. Forts like Kalinjar (Uttar Pradesh), Chittor (Rajasthan), Gingee (Tamil Nadu) and Golconda (Andhra Pradesh) have been like trophies which various rulers always wanted to conquer. Some of the most famous battles and lives of dynasties and rulers have revolved around these forts, Chani said. The documentary series, being

telecast on Doordarshan since November, features forts ranging from Qila Mubarak in Punjabs Patiala to those down south in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The series has been researched and scripted by historian Pushpesh Pant. These 26 forts were chosen from over 150 forts that were visited by the team. Initially, 52 forts were selected, of which 26 have been made part of the series in the first phase. It was a grand and enriching experience for us also. We were

overawed by the variety, style of architecture, repository of art and the grandeur of these forts. The Bidar fort (Karnataka) is even decorated from the outside. The Golconda fort has things written in Tamil but the maker was a Persian (Quli Qutab Shah), Chani said. The present series is inspired by the idea that forts are not a subject of specialist interest - like for students of military history or architecture. These have been an integral part of the life of our people and continue to do so, he

said. India has a particularly rich legacy of forts and fortified cities. These represent and showcase the glorious diversity of our culture as well as repositories of literature, music and performing arts, Chani pointed out. For instance, Raja Man Sing Tomar of Gwalior was an accomplished dhrupad singer and the first to recognize the genius of Tansen. This great musicians spiritual preceptor was Sufi mystic Mohammed Gaus whose mausoleum is visited by almost everyone who comes to the fort. Within the compound of the Gwalior fort are awe-inspiring Jain statues, a historic gurdwara and temples built in different regional styles, for instance, Teli

Ka Mandir and Saas Bahu Ka Mandir. Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of forts in the country followed by Rajasthan. The Golconda fort still has the Barra Katha, the traditional folk theatre form, which narrates the story of the fort and its protagonists. The Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur is the most well maintained among all forts. It is managed by a trust headed by Maharaja Gaj Singh, Chani said. Though the team found that conservation efforts were being made for forts, many of which are in ruins, it felt that a lot needs to be done by the government and the people if these forts have to stand for centuries to come.

Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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January 22-28, 2011

Statue of peace leader Sri Chinmoy unveiled in Nepal

Nagarkot, Nepal: To wish peace to the whole world, Nepal installed a statue of the late spiritual leader and world peace advocate Sri Chinmoy in Nagarkot. This was unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, Suiata Koirala. Joined by former Prime Ministers Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Kirti Nidhi Bista, Deputy Prime Minister Koirala stated, Today we all are happy to unveil the statue of Sri Chinmoy, one of the finest sons of South Asia. We are grateful for his love for Nepal and dedication to its ideals of peace. Sri Chinmoys spiritual vision can inspire us all to lay the foundation for a peaceful and inclusive Nepal. I am optimistic that the vision of Nepal as a Sri Chinmoy PeaceBlossoms Nation would prevail. In 1999, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala issued a declaration proclaiming Nepal as a Sri Chinmoy Peace-BlossomsNation, a symbolic gesture of Nepals commitment to world peace. Nearly four hundred delegates from over fifty nations have traveled to Kathmandu to attend this statue dedication and to mark 2011 as the Year of Tourism in Nepal. After the past decade of internal strife in Nepal, this group of students of Sri Chinmoy felt the importance of supporting Nepals efforts to once more serve as the Jewel of the Himalayas in welcoming hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Sri Chinmoy tirelessly dedicated his life to the dream of world peace and fulfillment of the unlimited potential of of the human spirit. He was a prolific author, poet, artist, musician and athlete. He established meditation and peace centers in more than 60 countries and guided thousands around the world as a spiritual master of great height. President Nelson Mandela wrote to Sri Chinmoy, The Peace Centers that you have established in various parts of the world are critical for the survival of humanity. In 1994 Nepal's King Birendra, said, You have come to us as an ambassador of peace. Yours is a most significant contribution. The statue of Sri Chinmoy was built by British sculptor Kaivalya Torpy who traveled to Nepal for this occasion. Previous installations of statues of Sri Chinmoy have taken place in Oslo (Norway), Seattle (USA), Prague(Check Republic), Helsinki (Finland), Mazatlan (Mexico), Puerto Rico (USA) and Bali (Indonesia).

Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala (centre) and former Prime Ministers Shri Chand (left) and Shri Bista hold a torch at the unveiling of Sri Chinmoy's statue in Nagarkot.

Kuala Lumpur: Burning of copies of a book that refers to caste system among Malaysian Indians, allegedly by some Hindu groups, has triggered an animated debate. The point being made is whether the Hindus, who worship books as a symbol of knowledge, should be burning it to register a protest about its content. A commentator has said it signifies 'a gulf between reason and recklessness', and of the 'distinct lack of leadership in and among Indians in Malaysia'. Some non-government organizations (NGOs) lodged a police complaint alleging that one of the persons behind the book burning was M. Manoharan, a legislator who was jailed for organizing a protest rally in 2007 under the banner of Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf). At the centre of controversy is 'Interlok', a book by Abdullah Hussain that has been made compulsory Malay literature reading for Form Five students this year. It refers to caste system among ethnic Indians. Multi-racial Malaysia is home to 2.1 million ethnic Indians, a bulk of them Tamils. Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), the largest Indian-based party and its nominee in the government, Human Resource Minister S. Subramaniam, has

Book burning by Malaysian Indian sports complex's foundation laid in UAE Ajman: The foundation stone for a stone for the sports complex. between UAE and India, saying he sports complex of the Indian Sanjay Verma, Indian consul gen- was always open to investors from Indians sparks debate Association was laid Wednesday in eral in Dubai and many senior offi- various nationalities interested in
called for the book being withdrawn or at least the offending parts being deleted. The MIC has called for the book to be taken out of the curriculum, saying that the word 'pariah' used to describe the caste system was a sensitive topic among ethnic Indians. Deputy Education Minister Puad Zarkashi, who chaired a meeting Tuesday, said: 'The issue was discussed intellectually and rationally. We also explained the criteria and methods used in choosing literature text, such as the theme and plot.' Six Indian representatives, including Malaysia Hindu Sangam president R.S. Mohan Shan, MIC education bureau chairman T. Marimuthu and Universiti Malaya's Indian Studies Department head S. Kumaran were among those who attended the meeting. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Malay Civilisation and World Institute deputy director Teo Kok Seong said people should 'refrain from jumping to conclusions'. 'While 'pariah' is a taboo word, we need to first look at the context in which it is used. In Interlok, it is used to simply describe a particular caste and not to malign an entire community - the whole novel in fact promotes racial unity.' Ajman in the presence of M.K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, chairman of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, laid the foundation cials and members of the Indian community attended the ceremony. The land for the complex has been donated by the ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi. Sheikh Rashid hailed the relations establishing projects that help in the development of the UAE. The Indian ambassador thanked the ruler of Ajman for his support to the Indian Association, a factor he said encouraged Indians to stay in the UAE.

South African cops say motive behind Anni Dewani's murder found
in London Thursday. Shrien was said to be London: The investigators probing the murder of an Indian-origin woman who was 'deeply hurt' by the allegations, the daily said. Shrien's spokesman Max Clifford was killed during her honeymoon in Cape Town have discovered the motive behind the quoted as saying: 'This is the most powerkilling, the South African police chief has ful man in the South African police. This clearly demonstrates why we are consaid. South Africa's chief of police -General Bheki Cele said that investigators knew cerned about what would -happen to Shrien if he goes back to South Africa. why Shrien Dewani, 31, allegedly took out a contract to kill his wife Anni in November The accused husband What chance does he have of justice when Shrein Dewani last year when the couple was on their honthe chief of police has condemned him?' The claim comes after Shrien's friends said he was coneymoon tour. According to British newspaper the Daily Express, the official declined to reveal the alleged evi- sidering returning voluntarily to South Africa to stand dence but said it is set to emerge at an extradition hearing trial over his wife's death.

Goa could soon be on NRI holiday radar

Panaj: Goa could soon emerge as a favored holiday destination of US-based non-resident Indians (NRIs) who visit India on their annual sojourn, a tourism body said here. Atlanta-based Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) spokesman C.K. Patel told reporters that modalities were being worked to assist diverting this annual traffic of NRIs to Goa for a "few days in paradise". "Every year, a large number of Indian residents in the US visit their homes in India. We can assist in diverting some of this traffic to Goa for a holiday," said Patel. A 34-member delegation of the AAHOA is in Goa to interact with tourism officials and the tourism and travel industry stakeholders and to scout for other investment opportunities in the state. Patel, who is a key member on the travel and tourism advisory board assisting the US administration, added: "We will also be taking up the issue of relaxation of visa norms with the US government for Indian travelers and expect the Indian government to do the same on a reciprocal basis". The AAHOA represents 10,000 members owning more than 20,000 hotels across the US. It also represents a share of over 45 percent of the entire midscale hotel industry, worth a total of $128 billion in property value.

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Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

US guards likely for Zardari

Taseer's killer wont be prosecuted, says brother

Islamabad: The brother of late Punjab Governor Salman Taseer's assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, has expressed confidence that the bodyguard will never be prosecuted. Taseer's bodyguard Qadri had shot him dead because of his vocal opposition to the blasphemy law that was recently used to sentence a PakistaniChristian woman, Asia Bibi, to death. During investigations, he revealed that he had been motivated by a cleric, 'QH', of Rawalpindi, according to sources, who said Qadri had attended a congregation on December 31 near his house in Sadiqabad, Rawalpindi, where the cleric delivered a speech on blasphemy. Influenced by the speech, Qadri met the cleric separately and discussed with him the issue of killing people committing blasphemy. The cleric encouraged Qadri to kill, when he asked how to deal with a blasphemer, the sources added. Qadri's brother, Dilpazeer Awan, said approximately 17 state probe agencies were still interrogating relatives on whether Qadri was linked to any political or religious groups in Pakistan.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. Islamabad: In the aftermath of Pakistan Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer's assassination by his own police guard, a proposal to bring in special security guards from the United States for President Asif Ali Zardari is under consideration, according to highly-placed sources. While Zardari's security has always been a cause of serious concern for Pakistani authorities, a larger proposal is also under consideration by the government to hire the services of foreign security guards for a number of VVIPs, including the prime minister, provincial governors, chief ministers, and a few federal ministers, according to a source. At present, an army unit, the infamous 111 Brigade, is deployed at the Presidency for the security of the president, while police guards are deployed around the four boundary walls of the Aiwan-e-Sadr. However, Zardari has engaged many private guards from Sindh for his personal security, reflecting his distrust of government-provided security arrangements. There is now a proposal to install US security guards in the innermost security cordon, the source said. The proposals come as a part of the government's decision to review security arrangements of important personalities following Taseer's shocking assassination, which validated the fears that religious extremism had penetrated the ranks of security forces in Pakistan.

Pakistanis light candles in commemoration of slain governor of Punjab Salman Taseer in Lahore.

Awan said he, however, believed that 26-year-old Qadri had acted on his own. Awan described his brother as a dedicated member of the Pakistani Elite Force, not an extremist as portrayed by some police officials. "An overhaul in the present security system has been recommended as an essential requirement by the authorities responsible for the safety and well-being of the VVIPs," the source said. Meanwhile, the police depart-

ment in Islamabad has collected the detailed data of its personnel after Taseer's murder in Islamabad. The data includes the religious leanings of its personnel and also their family background in terms of affiliations with religious organizations. Authorities plan to ultimately purge the department of suspect elements, and in this regard, it is learnt that a few police personnel have already been removed from the security set-up.

UN seeks $51m for Sri Lanka flood victims

Colombo: The United Nations prepares to issue an appeal seeking US$ 51 million to meet the urgent needs of over one million people affected by the heavy rains and floods recently experienced in Sri Lanka. The UN appeal for funds was launched on January 20 by the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Catherine Bragg who arrived in Colombo for a three-day official visit. Bragg met with those affected by the adverse weather conditions and the representatives from the Government, donors, and aid agencies during her visit. The UN has said that the appeal is seeking US$ 51 million to enable international partners to support the government in addressing the needs of more than one million flood-affected people over the next six months. The heavy rains and floods affected over one million people and resulted in 43 deaths. The Sri Lankan government has estimated

7.2 temblor jolts Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale that hit a remote area of southwest Pakistan on Wednesday shook the ground from Delhi to Dubai, damaging about 200 structures though there were no reports of direct casualties. However, two women - one in Jacobabad in Sindh province and another at Quetta in Balochistan died of heart attacks during the quake while three persons were taken to hospital at Multan in Punjab after suffering cardiac arrest. Initial reports indicated that around 200 mud houses near the epicenter of the quake in Balochistan province were damaged though there were no reports of loss of lives, National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Nadeem Ahmed said. The earthquake occurred at 1:23 am Pakistan time at a depth of 84 km, the US Geological Survey said. Its epicenter was 45 km west of Dalbandin, a remote town in Balochistan with a population of 15,000. Pakistan Meteorological Department Director Arif Mahmood said the quake was felt in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan and parts of Iran and India. He said quakes of such magnitude in the past were followed by aftershocks. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani directed the National Disaster Management Authority to keep relief provisions ready for dealing with any emergency in the aftermath of the quake. He directed the NDMA to rush tents, blankets, medicine and food to Quetta as a "standby arrangement for quick delivery if required". A contingency plan was also finalized during a meeting between the prime minister and the NDMA chief this morning. Gilani said army, paramilitary and law enforcement personnel should be sent to make an assessment of quake-affected districts.

Sri Lankan flood victims wade through a submerged road in Karaithivu, about 220 kilometers east of Colombo in Sri Lanka. the flood and landslides damage to be about US$ 500 million. In its latest humanitarian report released on January 18, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the government and the UN assessment team have identified agriculture and livelihood, shelter, nutrition, sanitation, and education as main needs. The UN clarified that Bragg's visit is focused on humanitarian issues and not related to the work of the advisory panel on Sri Lanka.

Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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January 22-28, 2011

'Lanka beats India on civic engagement'

Washington:: India is ranked 48th far behind neighbors Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal in a Gallup poll of civic engagement in 130 countries measuring individuals' likelihood to volunteer their time and assistance to others. While India scored only 28 percent, Sri Lanka with a 51 percent civic engagement index figured eighth in the global list topped by the United States at 60 percent followed by Ireland with the same score and Australia in the third place with 59 percent. Pakistan was ranked 27th with a score of 42 percent while Nepal was placed 40th with 30 percent. In general, the Gallup poll showed people with high civic engagement are positive about the communities where they live and actively give back to them. Data from 130 countries show that, in general, adults in developed countries are much more likely to be civically engaged than those in the developing world, the noted US public opinion research agency said, Respondents, it said were asked whether they have done any of the following in the past month: donated money to a charity, volunteered time to an organization, or helped a stranger or someone they didn't know who needed help. While the most civically engaged countries are primarily in the developed world, the level of participation in each activity the index measures varies signifi-

Lanka to speed up Tamil rebel probe

The Gallup poll showed people with high civic engagement are positive about the communities where they live and actively give back to them. cantly among countries, it said For example, 83 percent of Thais say they donated money to charity in the past month, among the highest levels in the world. However, 16 percent say they volunteered their time. Conversely, Americans are much less likely than Thais to say they donated money, but Americans are among the most likely in the world to say they volunteered their time.

More than 5,000 former Tamil rebels, including women, are in custody. Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is to look into speeding up investigations against former Tamil rebels in custody, officials said Tuesday, more than 18 months after the war ended. A four-member committee, headed by an official from the attorney general's department, is to study the cases of the ex-rebels and make recommendations to the government about expediting their investigations, they said. Some of those in custody have been arrested with no clear evidence against them, and Tamil political parties and rights groups have called on the government to accelerate the investigations against the suspects and either charge or release them. The committee plans to visit the detainees, including a visit Wednesday to a camp in Boosa in southern Sri Lanka, the officials said. Deputy Solicitor General S. Fernando heads the committee which includes three other government lawyers. The committee was appointed on a recommendation made by a panel investigating the events of the last eight years of the conflict with the rebels, who were fighting for a separate homeland for the Tamil ethnic minority in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. The panel known as the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is holding public sittings to hear evidence from a range of people, including military personnel, politicians, clergy and aid workers about a conflict in which both sides were accused of abuses. More than 5,000 former rebels, including women, are in custody. Some of the investigations have been pending for several years.

SAARC to get first woman secretary general

Dhaka: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is set to get its first woman secretary general - a 36-year-old Maldivian lawyer. The SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu has confirmed that former lawmaker of the Maldives, Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed, will be appointed SAARC secretary general on March 1, The Daily Star said, quoting diplomatic sources. Bangladesh foreign ministry sources said Maldives had recommended Fathimath Dhiyana for the post during the 16th SAARC summit in Thimphu, Bhutan, last April. The present chief, Indian diplomat Sheel Kant Sharma, completes his three year term on Feb 28. Fathimath, 36, is also a former attorney general of the island nation. The eight-nation regional forum rotates its secretary general among the member countries every three years. It is the Maldives' turn to lead the organization.

Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed.

Scrap all 'unequal' pacts: Nepal Maoists

Kathmandu: Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao met the chief of Nepal's opposition Maoist party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, and conveyed India's concern at the growing antiIndia sentiments attributed to the former guerrillas. The meeting with the Maoist chief, who has been calling India the principal obstruction to Nepal's social progress and asking his cadres to be ready for a confrontation with the southern neighbour, was the cynosure of all eyes on a day assigned for meetings with the leaders of the major political parties, including the ruling communists, Nepali Congress and regional parties from the Terai plains. Maoist party sources said Prachanda had told the Indian official that his party was not against India but wanted a fresh diplomatic start based on the changes that had taken place in Nepal since 2006. Prachanda raised the old Maoist demand that all uneven bilateral pacts with India be scrapped and new agreements be drafted that would take note of the sea changes in Nepal, including the emergence of the Maoists as the biggest party after the elections in 2008. Since June, after the communist-led government resigned, Nepal's parliament held 16 rounds of election but failed to get a new premier due to the fights among the parties over power-sharing.

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International TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Tunisia cabinet to meet amid row

Tunis: Tunisia's national unity cabinet was set to meet for the first time, amid a row over the presence of members of the previous government in key positions. Four opponents of the ousted president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, quit the government in protest at the continued domination of his RCD party. In response, Interim President Fouad Mebazaa and Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned from the RCD. But the opposition ministers said the move had not allayed their concerns. Meanwhile, further violent protests have raised doubts about the likelihood of a stable transition to an open and democratic government. The government says which was led by Sadok Chourou of the banned Islamist Ennahdha Movement, who was imprisoned for 20 years during Mr Ben Ali's rule. The leader of Ennahdha, Rached Ghannouchi, will only be allowed to return from exile in London if a life sentence imposed on him in 1991 for plotting against the state is cancelled by an amnesty, according to the prime minister. In an interview with the Financial Times, Rached Ghannouchi said his party espoused a moderate pluralism, and envisioned a society far more liberal and open than Iran or Saudi Arabia. Ennahdha had signed a shared statement of principles with the other opposition groups that included freedom of expression, freedom of association and women's rights, he added. The US has welcomed the new government's decision to end restrictions on the media and free all political prisoners, but warned that political change in Tunisia must be more fundamental and wide-ranging. "We want to see an open process, significant dialogue between the government and significant groups that want to play a role in Tunisia's future," said state department spokesman PJ Crowley. UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon has meanwhile renewed his call for "broad-based consultations to establish an inclusive interim government".

The government says 78 people have been killed in protests since mid-December, and set the economy back by $1.6bn euros ($2.2bn). 78 people have been killed in euros ($2.2bn). protests since mid-December, and Riot police fired tear gas at two set the economy back by $1.6bn protests in central Tunis, one of

Clinton asked to oppose anti-Israel resolution

Washington: As many as 16 US Senators have asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to oppose a UN resolution that is being drafted by the Palestinian Authority(PA) in an effort to unilaterally dictate terms to Israel,enabling the PA to avoid direct negotiations. "We are very concerned about reports that the Palestinian Authority is drafting a resolution intended for consideration at the United Nations Security Council regarding issues that have been and should continue to be pursued through direct negotiations between the Palestinian Authoritya nd Israel, namely borders and settlements," the Senators said in a letter to Clinton. "We believe such a move hurts the prospects for a peace agreement and is not in the interest of the United States," said the letter signed by the Senators led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. "We strongly urge you to make clear that the United States

No clear leader between Obama, Republicans

Washington: Ahead of a crucial vote in Congress, a new Gallup poll suggests that Americans are not clear who should have more influence over the nation's direction in the next year - President Barack Obama or the Republicans. Forty-five percent want Obama to have more influence, while 42 percent prefer the Republicans. This marks a slight change from surveys conducted in August and early November of last year when Americans expressed a slight preference for the Republicans. One of the first items on the agenda of the new Congress with opposition Republicans in control of the House will be a vote Wednesday on the proposed Republican legislation that would fully repeal Obama's healthcare bill, Gallup noted. After this highly visible effort to challenge one of Obama's signature achievements in his first two

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. will veto such a resolution if it is raised at the Council, and to clearly communicate United States'' intent to do so to other Security Council members," it said. "A resolution of this nature would work against our country''s consistent position, which has been that this and other issues linked to the Middle East peace process can only be resolved by the two parties negotiating directly with each other," Gillibrand wrote in her letter.

Forty-five percent want Obama to have more influence, while 42 percent prefer the Republicans. years in office, the new Republican House leadership plans to introduce a number of additional measures designed to push against Obama's policies of the last two years. Naturally enough, Democrats and Republicans across the country have diametrically opposite views on who should have more influence over the direction of the country, the poll noted. Republicans are in a stronger political position as this new political year by virtue of their new control of the House and increased number of Republican seats in the Senate.

Biggest-ever experiment in world Chemistry year

Paris: Schoolchildren around the world are being asked to take part in what organizers hope will be the biggest chemistry experiment of all time. Budding scientists at primary and secondary school level will be asked to carry out four tests on water as part of the International Year of Chemistry, due to be launched in Paris on January 27. We are hoping that 10,000 schools will take part, said Fabienne Meyers, associate director of the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), which is teaming up with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the project. Investigations will include testing water for acidity and learning how to filter and distil it. Small-scale chemistry kits are being distributed to schools in some developing countries to help them, Meyers said. Once the experiments are complete, the children will

UNSC reforms: Real negotiations may begin

New York: Negotiations among governments to reform the UN Security Council may enter a new phase this year with serious talks to meet demands to enlarge the body to include countries like India, Germany and Japan as permanent members, the UN said. Germany, Japan, India and Brazil - known as the G4 have been demanding permanent seats if the council is to be expanded from the current 15 members to at least 21 or 26 members. The current 15-nation council has 10 countries elected for two-year terms and five veto-wielding permanent members: the US, Russia, China, France and Britain. African nations like Nigeria and South Africa also want permanent seats on the council on a par with the current five permanent members' power status, including veto over UN resolutions. Joseph Deiss, the UN General Assembly president, said "real negotiations" may at last begin this year to reflect the demands of the organization's 192 members.

Investigations will include testing water for acidity and learning how to filter and distil it. be able to enter the results onto an interactive map on the International Chemistry Year website (http://www.chemistry2011.org/).

Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info

23

January 22-28, 2011

Avoid India for investment: Goldman Sachs

London: Goldman Sachs, the US investment banking giant, has issued a short-term alert over investing in India and China due to the impact of rising inflation, advising clients to rotate into Wall Street and other bourses as a safer bet over coming months, a media report said. "We're not as tactically positive on the BRIC as we have been," said Tim Moe, the bank's chief Asia-Pacific strategist, referring to the quartet of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the Daily Telegraph reported. "To be frank, we may have held on too long to our overweight position in China last year. We have decided that discretion is the better part of valor and have tactically reduced our weight. Asia is not in the sweet part of the cycle. The longer-term picture of Asia outperforming the US is taking a breather," he said, speaksaid Moe, describing Mumbai's bourse as "crowded". Goldman insists that the longerterm super-boom remains healthy in both the BRIC nations and a broader group of countries, or "N11", led by South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey and Egypt. Goldman expects China to rebound strongly in the second half of the year, distancing itself from the ultra-bearish views of those such as hedge fund star Jim Chanos betting that Beijing will prove unable to engineer a soft landing from its property bubble.

India not a favorite investment nation

We're not as tactically positive on the BRIC as we have been, said Tim Moe, the US investment bank's chief Asia-Pacific strategist. ing at a Goldman conference in London. The cooling ardor for China is significant shift for the bank that coined the term BRIC and has been the cheerleader of the emerging market story over the past decade. According to the report, India is an even bigger worry, with yawning twin deficits, and overheating visible on all fronts. The nation's central bank warned this week of "surging inflation". "India's current account deficit is running at a record pace of 4.1% of GDP and it is 100% funded by short-term portfolio flows, which cannot be relied on indefinitely," New Delhi: Small businesses and entrepreneurs in Britain are hesitant about expanding to emerging markets like India and would rather look at investing in more developed markets like the US, according to a report compiled by global consulting firm Deloitte. "Less than one percent, out of the 350 companies surveyed, cite India and Brazil as prospects for significant growth, in addition to just 1.5 percent that consider China a prospect for growth," said the report from Deloitte titled Entrepreneurship UK: 2010/11. "This despite the fact that BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) markets currently represent 70 percent of global growth and are expected to maintain these growth levels for several years," the report said.

Mobile portability begins in India

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has unveiled a new scheme that permits mobile phone users to change their service providers without having to forgo their numbers in what in industry jargon is called mobile number portability. The service, which was initially launched in Haryana is being taken nationwide in a bid to ensure that people dissatisfied with the quality of service of the existing telecom providers are given a choice while being able to retain their phone numbers. "It is believed that mobile number portability, besides enabling a subscriber to change operators without losing his or her original number will also trigger competition," said the prime minister. India currently has over 700 million mobile phone users, making the network the largest in the world after China but ahead of the US. The country has been adding 15-18 million new mobile phone connections to the network every month.

Trump to enter Indian property market

Ahead of the pan-India launch of the scheme, some companies had already started their advertising campaigns to woo dissatisfied customers from other networks. Idea Cellular was the first to start the campaign, followed by Vodafone recently. The technology is widely prevalent in most parts of Europe and North America, as also in countries like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea. U.S. billionaire real-estate developer Donald Trump. New York: U.S. billionaire realestate developer Donald Trump is entering the Indian property market with a luxury residential tower in Mumbai, more than two years after announcing plans to expand in the south Asian nation. Trump, who has joined with Mumbai developer Rohan Lifescapes Pvt. for his first venture in the country, expects to start marketing the project by March, said Donald Trump Jr., Trumps son and executive vice president at the Trump Organization LLC. We are doing a very luxury project with Rohan Lifescapes and well be in India later this quarter to launch it officially, Donald Trump Jr. said. He declined to give further details on the project. Donald Trumps son said in a July 2008 interview that he planned to set up a fund of as much as $1 billion to buy property in India. The market place is beginning to understand and appreciate luxury, so there is a great opening for us there, as well as in resorts, he said at the time. Trump is hoping to take advantage of growing demand for luxury properties in a market with an increasing number of millionaires. Indias wealthy may almost double their assets to $6.4 trillion over the next five years as economic growth swells their ranks, Credit Suisse Group AG said in its global wealth report released Oct. 8. That has fanned demand for residences and homes designed by top designers such as Versace, Gucci and Roberto Cavalli among the well-heeled in major cities, said Mumbai-based Anand Narayanan, India director of Knight Frank LLP, a Londonbased real-estate broker. The next big trend in India is that of branded residences such as the Trump Towers and Versace Residences we see in other cities, said Narayanan. The billionaire has branded buildings from skyscrapers in Manhattan to condominiums in Tijuana, Mexico, Trump World in the South Korean capital Seoul and the Trump Towers Istanbul.

TVS Logistics acquires US company

Chennai: The Madurai-based TVS Logistics Services has acquired US-based Manufacturers Equipment and Supply Company (Mesco) to consolidate its holdings in TVS America, a top company official said. "We have acquired the $30 million revenue Mesco based in Michigan and 51 percent stakes of Global Rush, US in TVS America at an outlay of around Rs.50 crore. We have formed a holding company in the US - TVS Logistics America - to house our investments in the US," Managing Director R. Dinesh told reporters."Mesco takeover gives us a new capability. We buy companies for customer access or adding new capability," Dinesh said.

Lavasa can't build: Environment ministry

New Delhi: The Lavasa city project near Pune has violated green laws and caused environmental degradation, and no further construction activity can be carried out, the environment ministry said in its report to the Bombay High Court. However, the ministry said the project can be considered on merits and imposition of various conditions, including heavy penalty. The ministry, in its 74-page report, said the construction carried out by Lavasa Corporation for its project is unauthorized. The case will be heard on January 27. The ministry had slapped a show-cause notice on Lavasa Corporation because it had alleged-

The controversial Lavasa city project near Pune. ly failed to secure necessary environmental clearances before starting work on its 5,000-plus hectare lake city project coming up in Mulshi sub-district of Pune district, around 200 km from Mumbai.

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Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

India win thriller against SA

Cape Town: Yusuf Pathan and Harbhajan Singh's batting heroics saw India clinch another thriller by two wickets in the third one-day international against South Africa here on January 18. Chasing 221 runs, India were struggling at 93/5 before Pathan (59 off 50 balls) and Suresh Raina (37) brought the visitors back in the game with a 75-run stand. South Africa struck through Morne Morkel (3-28) and Dale Steyn (2-31), removing the duo and clawing back in the match. But Harbhajan Singh scored an unbeaten 23 off 25 balls to clinch victory. Harbhajan, who struck two sixes off Morkel and Wayne Parnell, and Zaheer Khan (14) put up a vital 26 run stand. They lived dangerously but kept the scoreboard moving, taking advantage of the last batting powerplay taken in the 43rd over. India went 2-1 up in the five-match series, having got the better of South Africa by one

Yusuf Pathan celebrates with Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh after winning the 3rd ODI against South Africa in Cape Town on January 18. run in Johannesburg. India lost Murali Vijay early, caught and bowled by Steyn in the third over, but Virat Kohli (28) and Rohit Sharma (23) stitched 52 runs. In-form Kohli, who stroked five welltimed fours, nicked Morne Morkel behind the stumps.

Harbhajan Singh scored an important 23 to take India to victory. Sharma followed Kohli as part-time spinner Jean Paul Duminy trapped him leg before. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj singh did not trouble the scorer much and soon India were staring at a huge task. Pathan and Raina batted sensibly to steady the innings. Big hitter Pathan struck off spin-

Yusuf Pathan hits one of the three sixes in an over. ner Johan Botha for three sixes in one over. He continued with his belligerent batting, hitting six fours. Earlier, debutant Faf du Plessis (60) and Duminy (52) rescued South Africa from a toporder collapse but India kept the noose tight at the death to bowl out the hosts for 220.

OZ firm to sue OC over unpaid bills

2012 Olympics top priority: Maken

New Delhi: Newly-appointed Sports minister Ajay Maken has said that his top priority would be to see India better its performance in the 2012 London Olympics and has asked his officials to make a blueprint for the athletes' preparation. The government earmarked a whopping Rs.678 crore for the athletes' training for the two major events Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games last year and Maken said the momentum should be maintained in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics. "We got good results because the government spent a lot of money on training and exposure of the athletes. We got foreign coaches. All of said. Maken said he is keen to see India win more than three medals they bagged in the Beijing Olympics. "The target will be the 2012 Olympics. We would want maximum athletes to qualify for London. We need to get as many medals as we can and maintain the momentum," he said. "I have spoken to the secretaries and very soon we will be ready with the full-fledged plan for the Olympics' preparation." "The challenge will be to improve our sports and move ahead. I would want to correct the wrong steps taken in the past. We can't linger on," he added.

Sports minister Ajay Maken. that led to the betterment of sports and that must continue, Maken

India unveils World Cup team

An Australian company claims that it has still not been paid for its services in the CWG, 2010.

n Australian company is going to sue the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee over unpaid bills, said an official who has given his lawyers the names of other businesses that may want to join the legal action. ABC.net.au reported that the Australian company that was behind the opening and closing ceremonies is now taking legal action against the organizers for unpaid bills. Ric Birch, who was the mastermind behind the opening and closing ceremonies, said that they have not yet been paid for the

two events on Oct 3 and 14 last year. "I supplied the services of 12 people over the course of the year leading up to the Games, which included choreographers, producers and myself as executive producer, Birch said. Birch said his efforts to get in touch with the organizers of the Delhi CWG were initially ignored. "Then finally in December Lalit Bhanot who is secretary general of the organizing committee sent a note saying that now they wanted to claim a performance guarantee because Mr Birch's performance was not up to the mark. So I am mortified as you can imagine," he said. Birch is suing the Delhi CWG Organizing Committee in an attempt to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding fees, the media report said.

he Indian selection committee has announced the team for the Cricket World Cup, which is set to start in the sub-continent from February 19. The team would be led by MS Dhoni and includes a surprise package in Piyush Chawla - the leg-spinner who has been out of the national team for more than two years - yet finds himself included in the team.The team was announced by the chairman of the national selection committee Kris Srikkanth. The former Indian captain claimed that the team was the best available talent in the country. He added that he has total confidence that the team can end their 28-year wait for a one-day World Cup. "This particular Indian team is doing brilliantly for the past couple of years in both Test and one-day international (ODI) cricket. They are playing consistently not only in India but outside," he told reporters after the team was announced. Srikkanth, who was a member of the team that lifted the trophy in 1983, added that the selection committee had thought long and hard about the composition of the team and hence included a large spin contingent in the squad. He said, "Don't forget that you are playing in India. The spinners probably play a very major role on the turning wickets. I am confident that the kind of balance we have, the kind of batting line-up we have, this team led by Dhoni will do the job for us." Squad: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan

Zaheer Khan will lead the Indian bowling attack, along with Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, R Ashwin and Piyush Chawla. Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Piyush Chawla, R Ashwin.

Lifestyle TheSouthAsianTimes.info

25

January 22-28, 2011

Angry spouses good for marriage?

t may not be a good idea to forgive your spouse for all the mistakes, as those who do are more likely to face additional bad behavior compared to those who stayed angry, suggests a new study. Study author James McNulty, of the University of Tennessee said that the benefits of forgiveness might need to be weighed against the risks. "You may feel better if you forgive me. But the question is, what happens down the road?" LiveScience quoted McNulty as saying. "I measured, basically, peoples tendency to be forgiving and partners tendencies to engage in verbal and physical aggression. "The partners of less-forgiving spouses actually showed a decrease... If I am a forgiving person, youre going to keep [acting aggressively] for four years," said McNulty. To track forgiveness, McNulty asked 135

Being unforgiving towards your partner might actually be good for your marriage, says a new study.

heterosexual newlywed couples to fill out individual relationship diaries every day for a week. The diaries included a questionnaire about whether the persons spouse had done something to upset them, and whether they had forgiven their spouse for the transgression. The husbands in the narrowed sample reported bad behavior from wives on about 29 percent of days, while wives reported bad behavior from husbands on about 34 percent of days. Overall, spouses who forgave their partners were almost twice as likely to report that their partner misbehaved the next day as those who held a grudge, found McNulty. However, the findings dont suggest that forgiveness is always bad, nor is it a given that forgiving someone will turn you into a doormat, said McNulty.

NoPeace@work

A stiletto or ballet babe?

Steer clear of those gossip sessions in office in order to have a stress-free working environment. re you one of those who oth- be on the edge, and heated erwise enjoy their job but exchanges over official matters are experience phases of disillu- common. Avoid getting into a sionment when everything seems vicious war of words with anyone. wrong and the work routine sort of And importantly, dont take it peroverwhelms you. This feeling, actu- sonally. Emotions are not meant for ally, is mostly our own doing. In a the workplace. A reader recently mindless bid to get to the work, we shared a tip for those who have the sometimes dont realize when the tendency to instantly and angrily work gets to us. respond to provocative emails. Draft Here are some things that can your reply, but dont send it. Wait potentially ruin your peace of mind till the next morning, re-read the at work. Avoid them to avoid stress. draft and remove the needless emotion from the mail before sending it. 1 Trying to be a super fast mail: Now thats being objective! Most of us get an email every few 3 Getting into office politics: minutes and some, a few emails every minute. And those who carry This ones a sure shot calmness that blinking monster, Blackberry, killer. Unless your place of work do not have a respite from mail even happens to be the Congress or BJP when they may be answering the Headquarters, chuck the politics. call of nature. But just because Focus just on the work and avoid youve got mail, its not important needless group dynamics and bitchto leave whatever you are doing and ing sessions. Heard of the headattend to it right away. Finish the phones? Put them on. work at hand in peace. If it is earth shattering urgent, the sender will 4 Constant cribbing: Dont keep call you. grumbling and complaining about work pressure or a bossy boss or a 2 Reacting, rather than acting: low salary. Take a break and go out In the challenging corporate envi- for a walk instead. Youll come back ronment of today, everyone seems to loving your job.

ts amusing but true; experts say the shoe styles you choose can go on to say a little something about your personality. Ever wondered why Victoria Beckham finds it too tough to let go of her killer heels, even when she is on leisurely stroll with the kids in a neighborhood park? Or why does our desi diva Deepika Padukone, likes to wear a flat pair of pumps even at the most stylish soirees? If pop psychologists are to be believed the shoe a girl wears goes on to reveal some important personality traits. Wedge and Platforms Expert speak: Designer Sikander Bakht says, A woman who loves wearing wedges loves to be high on style and wants to get noticed but doesnt wants to trade it all at the cost of her comfort. Accessory designer Sabbah Sharma says, Wedges signify someone who is very sophisticated because even if the priority is comfort, this person makes it a point to add an up-factor by choosing wedges over flats. Pretty Peep Toes Experts speak: This ones for the girl who believes in the oldworld charm and

Peep toes are worn by women who love the idea of old-world charm and romanticism.

romanticism. Peep toes are normally worn by girls who love the idea of feminine dressing. According to a survey, too men found peep toes sexy as they just revealed a hint of toes. Sky High Stilettos For a lover of high style its okay to have no designer clothes, but a shoedrobe without a stylish stiletto is not pardonable. Designer Sikandar Bakht says, A killer heel for centuries has been the ultimate seduction tool for women. It signifies a woman who is a worshipper of all things fashionable. Shoes designer Sameer Singh says, A stiletto woman is the real power woman. She

knows her mind and doesnt like people messing with her. Sneak into Sneakers This one is for ladies who cant get over the tom-boyish style and comfort is what ranks at

the highest order. Sneakers are for women who want to have fun and they also have casual and carefree approach towards life. It may also signify that she is a fitness freak.

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Controversy TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Courage to take on the caste system

It was courageous of the Hindu American Foundation, a prominent advocacy group in the US, to prepare a report seeking to end caste-based discrimination in Hinduism. The report released last month rejected the notion that caste is intrinsic to Hinduism. HAF received some endorsements initially as well as critical inputs and requests for revision. So it has taken the report offline for final edits. Now Swami Ramdev and couple of other Hindu leaders have expressed concern over the report, even calling for its withdrawal. HAF, however, is not backing down and plans to publish the revised report in a few weeks.
Compiled by Parveen Chopra

HAF Report
Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a prominent advocacy group which earlier spearheaded the Take back yoga campaign, released the report Hinduism: Not Cast in Caste - Seeking an End to Caste-based Discrimination about a month ago. Castebased discrimination is an ongoing human rights problem in India that must be eradicated, the report said. More controversially, it rejected the notion that caste is intrinsic to Hinduism. Analyzing the explosive subject of caste in the Indian sub-continent, HAF report said that the discrimination represents a failure of Hindu society to live up to the essential spiritual teachings of the tradition, and the solution lies in proper application of Hindu teachings as well as the enforcement of existing Indian laws. HAF claimed that the report (now in limbo) was a culmination of five years of research and documentation by the Foundations Board and Executive Council members, staff, supporters and advisors. This report is the Foundations sincere effort to join the many Hindus, both past and present, who have courageously fought castebased discrimination, birth-based hierarchy, and other injustices against humanity, said Swaminathan Venkataraman, HAF Board Member and editor of the report. He added that the solution to the problem lay in adhering to Hinduisms inherent principle of recognizing divinity in all beings. The 172-page report presented details of atrocities perpetrated against members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who constitute 22 percent of the Hindu population. Many members of these groups not only face discrimination in India, but also throughout South Asia. Over 160 million people fall under the category of Scheduled Castes (SCs), the erstwhile untouchables. The report highlights the efforts by Hindu groups as well as that of the Dalit movement to eliminate caste-based discrimination, but

All will be happy with the new, revised report

---Aseem Shukla, Co-founder, Hindu American Foundation
We will come out with the revised report in a few weeks, and hopefully when people think about it and analyze it, they will be happy with the new report, asserted Aseem Shukla, Co-founder and Board Member of Aseem Shukla the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). The South Asian Times had contacted the Minneapolis, MN, based pediatric urosurgeon on the phone for an update on the report. Responding to calls for revision from some revered swamis, Shukla said HAF was already doing revisions based on broad inputs. As to some calls to withdraw the report, he argued that the revered swamis were very likely confronted with some out-of-context quotes from the report. "With the report already offline when many of the letters about the report started coming in from India, we have to wonder how the report was even read by the pujya swamis to cause so much needless controversy," questioned Shukla. "None of these spiritual leaders had contacted HAF for an explanation or clarification before issuing their public letters, so we can only conjecture that some motivated people misled the people we respect deeply--it is a deeply unfortunate situation." Shukla added that much confusion exists in India among some spiritual leaders based on misinformation that HAF seeks to rewrite Hindu sastras. crimination in international fora, including the US Congress and the UN. These efforts should be firmly rejected, says HAF, as they are often initiated by aggressive Christian missionary organizations with vested interests. crimination and the need for change, you are bringing that idea into human consciousness and making it possible for the change to come. -Swami Varadananda, Trustee Emeritus of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions The reticence or denial from Hindu leaders (on birth-based discriminatory practices) has not been a prudent strategy; it has not served the Hindu cause well. -Ved P. Chaudhury, Ph.D., General Secretary, Hindu Collective Initiative of North America HAFs campaign deserves the support of everyone who wishes to end the undeserved suffering of millions, foster the modernization of India and advance the We never asked to reject the Smritis nor asked for revision of the Dharma Sastras. We only said, do not give importance to those parts which discriminated on the basis of caste. He claimed that HAF has been in touch with Swami Dayananda, and the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha led by him is asking not to be involved in this issue any longer. He said some good inputs had come after the report was first put out, and it was decided it should be revised. In India and the United States, the report has got great press and positive input, he added. Explaining why HAF confronted the explosive issue of caste, Shukla said, HAF has been taking up the issue of human rights of Hindus elsewhere, like in Kashmir, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia through an annual human rights report. But the Hindu Dalit issue has been hijacked too often by Christian missionary groups in the US and by anti-Hindu, political groups within India. We, at HAF, believe that if a prominent Hindu group acknowledges the problem, clarifies that it has no sanction in Hinduism, then we, as Hindus, can frame the narrative ourselves and properly deal with this explosive issue. Shukla blamed some peopleparticularly a former HAF board member who was made to leave over differences in style of functioning--for trying to create divisions in the Hindu community and creating unnecessary heat for HAF, which is working in the right spirit on all issues including caste. Seven year old HAF has several thousand members, he said. --Parveen Chopra What HAF report is not meant to be is an academic treatise on the subject of varna and jaati or their historical evolution. While the report indeed draws upon scholarly works and has also been reviewed by academics, it is primarily targeted at a general audience. appreciation of Sanatana Dharma in the West. -Philip Goldberg, Interfaith minister and author of American Veda: From Emerson to the Beatles, How Indian Spirituality Changed the West The reason you have created an uproar on the caste issue is because you have developed the ability to be self-critical. Our inability to be self-critical is the key reason why we have not been able to uplift our own downtrodden.. Jay Lakhani, Director, Hindu Academy London It is of seminal importance to the Hindu society anywhere to continue to effectively address caste-based discrimination, a prac Continued on page 27...

asserts that much remains to be done. Our report strongly asserts that Hindus must take responsibility for perversions of the caste system," stated Venkataraman. "We urge Hindus to look at the situation objectively, realistically, and compassionately, in spite of the exploitative roles of foreign rulers, predatory proselytizers, and current Indian politicians that have also contributed to the complexity and persistence of caste. HAF report acknowledges that some ancient Hindu texts lay down social laws and codes which support caste-bias and a birthbased hierarchy (although none of them prescribe untouchability); and that discrimination has survived despite considerable Hindu attempts to eradicate it, and countless Hindu scriptures and commentaries extolling the inherent divinity and spiritual potential of all peoples. Yet, HAF argues, the claims by many Christian missionaries and others that castebased discrimination is intrinsic to Hinduism and that conversion to other religions is the only solution are categorically erroneous and illustrate their vested interests in harvesting souls. Tellingly, conversions to Christianity have not led to an improvement in the situation of SC converts, who continue to suffer discrimination at the hands of upper caste Christians. This is why HAF insists that Hindus have a great moral burden to act in a more determined and concerted fashion to end caste-based discrimination. There have been recent attempts to pass resolutions and legislation on the issue of caste-based disHAF is to be lauded for its Hinduism: Not Caste in Caste report which confronts head-on the longstanding blight of castebased discrimination. As Swami Vivekananda said: Caste is simply a crystallized social institution, which after doing its service is now filling the atmosphere of India with its stench. -Pravrajika Vrajaprana, Vedanta Society of Southern California The Hindu scriptures as quoted by acharyas of different sampradayas soundly reprove caste based discrimination and affirms the oneness and equality of human beings. -Swami Bodhananda, Sambodh Foundation By making people aware of caste dis-

Statements in support
HAF has presented statements of some Hindu leaders and scholars (some in their personal capacity) denouncing caste-based discrimination and praising the report. Some are reproduced below below in abridged form, followed by criticism of the report excerpted from letters by some leading lights of Hinduism: -Dr. Adityanjee, Secretary, Hindu University of America. One can reject caste discrimination as being opposed to the real teachings of Sanatana Dharma without having to reject the value of varna, jati and kula. -Vamadeva Shastri (David Frawley), scholar

Controversy TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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January 22-28, 2011

system must be carefully done after seeking input from all sections of Hindu society. The blanket recommendation and clarion call to all Hindu sampradayas to require their acharyas to immediately discard or rewrite the dharma sastras is very ill advised and also impractical. Our sastras and acharyas have told us that only extremely rare individuals of great spiritual power and perfect mastery of the Vedas-rishi-munis--have the authority to make substantive changes in the dharma sastra or to write new dharma sastras. Only a few such individuals are born in every millennium. The HAF report has been written by a small committee of people who though well meaning lack the learning and power of practice to carry credibility and acceptability across Hinduism. We advise this report to be withdrawn and its circulation be stopped with immediate effect. A committee should be formed to nominate a team of scholars to write a new report. There is no place for input from nonHindus or politicians in a report of this kind, This is true for government and other international bodies also no matter how authoritative or well meaning. These are not only our views but that of other mahatmas in Hardwar and Rishikesh. -Swami Ramdev President, Patanjali Yogpeeth I am very happy to learn that different people are reviewing the report. One of them I know is revising the whole report. So I request you to withdraw the report immediately from the website until we have a consensus among all the Hindu leaders. - S w a m i D a y a n a n d a Saraswati, Convenor of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, Founder, Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, PA The topic of caste/jati/varna is a sensitive and complex one. A public report on the topic from a Hindu perspective requires great deliberation and collaboration. A meaningful report requires deep consultation, collaboration and consensus from Hindu Acharyas of various traditions and lineages. It needs inputs from credible scholars who have studied the gamut of religious, socio-economic and geo-political dimensions of caste-related issues. It also needs consensus/acceptance from Hindu organizations and community leaders with first hand knowledge about caste-related issues and with extensive social work experience. Any subsequent report on this topic by HAF must at a minimum have the input of credible voices from across the Hindu religious community. Among these there should be at least some which have been voices of sober criticism at HAFs first attempt on this matter. -Dr. Pranav Pandya Head, All World Gayatri Pariwar The varnashrama dharma system is a universal psycho-analytical classification that shows the division of labor and human qualities in any society. It is valid for all societies and for all times. Jaati system that is implemented in India was meant to promote societal harmony and stability. Different sections of the society are interdependent on each other. When all sections of the society work together, real peace, harmony and progress will result. Jati system is not meant to discriminate and demean sections of society, but to unite them together in brotherhood. We urge the HAF board members to restore societal harmony and peace and unity in the Hindu society by withdrawing the report and starting a new effort. -Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swami Head of the Udupi Sri Madhvacharya Dvaita Sampradaya By getting above itself and its core competency HAF has done grave damage to its utility as a support for Hindu Dharma. By developing delusions of grandeur that it is a religious authority on Hinduism, and filled with modern day Vyasas in training to re-write the dharma sastras, HAF has only exposed itself to stinging ridicule and potentially irreparably damaged its viability as an institution. -Nagendra S. Rao Former Board member, HAF

Courage to take on the caste system

Continued from page 26 tice which has no scriptural support. The Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha has passed resolutions in this regard in February 2008 and January 2010. -Sudhir Prabhu, Jt Secretary, Hindu Collective Initiative of North America, Board Member, Ekal Vidya Foundation USA Given that HAF has a track record of service to and on behalf of the Hindu community, I see no reason to question the sincerity of the drafters of this Report in publishing it, much less their commitment to the Hindu cause. -V.V. Raman, Professor

Calls for withdrawal

We heartily support the principle of the uplift of depressed jatis. However, we have grave concerns about the metho d s advocated by HAF to do this. Any effort to reform jati

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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011

Humor with Melvin Durai

Protecting ourselves from food

Florida woman named Adyan Sanchez was recently arrested for allegedly throwing a plate of tamales at her boyfriend after he called her a bad word. I was happy to hear about her arrest because she committed a very serious crime. No one should be able to get away with wasting a plate of tamales. A tamale, as you probably know, is a Latin American dish consisting mainly of masa (a dough usually made of corn) and other fillings such as meats, vegetables and chilies, which are boiled or steamed in a leaf wrapper. Tamales are delicious. If my wife ever threw a plate of them at me, Id do exactly what Sanchezs boyfriend did: call 911. Id want the police to come over and charge her with tamale abuse. Then Id pick the tamales off the floor and devour them, even if the police accuse me of eating the evidence. Thankfully my wife, Malathi, has great respect for food. In 10 years of marriage, I dont think she has ever thrown any food at me, unless you count the times when I did the cooking. Actually, even when my culinary skills are lacking, Malathi has somehow resisted the temptation to throw food at me. Instead, she has been very encouraging: Its quite tasty, honey. Im sure the dog will really appreciate it. Sanchez was upset at her boyfriend, Roberto Olvero, because he allegedly called her a B-word -- and it wasnt beautiful. According to a report at SmokingGun.com, Sanchez was particularly miffed because Olvero called her the B-word in front of their one-year-old son. So instead she showed the boy how Mommy showers Daddy with love,

the Food Safety Act. Its important for every country to have laws that protect us from food. You may think this is an isolated crime, but just a few months earlier, police in West Virginia charged 40-year-old Larry Lacy with domestic battery for allegedly throwing a piece of bologna at his wife, Angela. According to an article in the Charleston Daily Mail, the couple were having an argument during a cookout about disciplining

their children, and Larry, apparently, decided to demonstrate the proper way to do it. Angela, who was unhurt, didnt want her husband to go to jail, so the cops asked him to spend a night away from home instead. If I were a cop, I would have gone one step further: I would have taken away all their bologna. If my boss caught me eating it, I would have told him the truth: You know me, sir. Ill do anything to protect the public.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

affection and tamale sauce. When the police arrived, they found the sauce on Olveros pants and arrested Sanchez for domestic battery, even after she insisted that she hadnt thrown any Duracells at Olvero. She was taken to jail, but later released after posting a bond of 500 tamales. (Actually, it was $500. Im not sure if there were any tamales involved.) Throwing food at a person is a crime -thats why the cops booked Sanchez, even if her boyfriend wasnt hurt. Its important to put a stop to this behavior before things get worse. Today, Sanchez might throw a tamale at Olvero; tomorrow, it might be a taco or burrito. And before you know it, their poor son might have no food to eat. Domestic abuse of any sort is wrong, of course, and just because food is involved doesnt mean we should take it lightly. In fact, we should take it very seriously, because not only is it wasteful, people can get injured. Thats why I was very pleased to hear that the U.S. Senate voted in favor of

by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Tech Life

GM to offer wireless in-car phone charging pads

MELBOURNE: Charging your cell phone on the go may soon become as easy as taking it for a drive, as General Motors has announced that it has plans to offer wireless charging technology across a number of its vehicles from the second half of 2012. And Chevrolet's plug-in hybrid Volt is likely to be the first car fitted with the charging mat that sits in the center console, reports the Age. The US manufacturer has signed a contract with Powermat, an Israeli company that specializes in wireless charging technology, which will see charging mats fitted to multiple models within 18 months. The deal between GM and Powermat is reportedly worth US 5 million dollars, with the aim of accelerating the technology's development and boosting the brand's business. Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine says the elimination of cords is just one the benefits, claiming charging mats are both safer and more efficient than plugging into your car's cigarette lighter.

Penguin launches iPhone app for toddlers

LONDON: Penguin has released one of the first book apps designed for three month old babies to help enhance their hearing, visual and motor skills. The 'Baby Touch Peekaboo App' goes live in the Apple app store and brings to life the popular Ladybird series of books on the touch screen. The app has been specifically designed for and tested on babies as young as three months so they are able to easily interact with the story on a touch screen device. Simple taps of the screen make different characters appear, in lots of bold colours with sound effects, the Telegraph reports. Anna Rafferty, managing director of Penguin Digital, said: "We are not aware of any other apps designed specifically for babies. "The Baby Touch series of books has been extremely popular since its launch in 2005 and we thought it was a good story to turn into an app... We have designed the app in such a way that it helps develop a baby's eye tracking skills, hearing ability and motor and touch skills." She said that the target age was from three to 12 months old and that babies as young as six months old would be able to operate the app without their parent's help. The app also features an auto play tool - which allows parent to play the entire content of the app as a movie.

Astrology
TheSouthAsianTimes.info

29

January 22-28, 2011

Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874; Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899; psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: January 22-28, 2011

Aries:You are likely to become highly ambitious, determined and enthusiastic this week. Your high energy level would bring enormous gains and enhance your reputation. Financially you would become more comfortable and have plenty of time for recreational and other activities. Members of the opposite sex would be source of inspiration and will help you in need of the hour. Some tension might arise with close friends or relatives. Taurus:For those of you who have not been going out lately, you will have plenty of opportunities to meet and build new alliances. Anxiety and indecisiveness that has plagued you in the past seems to end, as optimism and confidence seems to take control. Financial gains likely but you need to be extra careful before entering into any new partnerships. House ladies are likely to be more involved into embroidery, cooking or other creative activities. Children and youngsters will look up to you for inspiration. Gemini:Though progress has been slow and not rewarding on financial front, some news will bring happiness and boost your morale. Business decisions and investments need to be made very carefully, as speculation will only bring major losses. Close relative might make an unexpected visit bringing gifts and presents. These pleasant and memorable moments bring happiness and harmony at home. Your interest in religious and spiritual activities would make you seek divine knowledge. Cancer:Finish your pending jobs that have been hovering over your head before you pick up any new assignment. Work pressure might leave you irritated and exhausted, but you should remember that harsh words and erratic behaviour would only bring disregard and criticism. Financial gains seem likely as you recover delayed and pending payments. Children would need careful handling and proper attention. Try to meditate to calm inner conflicts. Leo:Improvement in relationship with important and influential people would bring a change in your personality. Your confidence and determination would be upbeat and you are likely to win plenty of favors with your charms and pleasant personality. However deception from a close associate and losses due to hasty investment cannot be ruled out. Encourage children to spend their extra time with creative activities and sports. Spouse in a loving and caring mood banishes your troubles away. Virgo:You might be bestowed with rewards and recognition for your recent achievements. The appreciation you receive will have major contributions from your family members and friends. Religious feeling will arise, making some of you embark on a pilgrimage. Journeys and travelling that you undertake during this period would be highly rewarding and educating. Though gains of luxury items are foreseen, but few losses due to hasty speculation cannot be ruled out. Libra:This week you seem to possess the Midas touch. Gains from investment and speculation would be beyond expectations. New plans and offers would dominate the week. For those at service new job opportunities or some sort of monetary benefit cannot be ruled out. Domestic happiness and new romance will flourish. Despite such a prosperous time and financial gains, some tensions due to careless actions of your domestic servants, co-workers or working partners cannot be ruled out. Scorpio:A brilliant week for creative as well as literary activities. Your imaginative talent will prove to be highly lucrative. Financial gains are also expected from investments that you have made recently. New contacts and friendships will develop through social activities. Uncertainty regarding career opportunities of your children will seem to bother your mind, seek advice from an academic counselor if necessary. Do not overspend on friends and spend more time with family members. Sagittarius: This week you should set your goals and make the best of your efforts to reap the rewards. Your confidence and ability to work on projects, which require high responsibility, would bring you benefits in the long run. This period is also good for building ties with influential people and important govt. officials. A short trip for pleasure later in week cannot be ruled out. Nuptial knots for some lovebirds. Capricorn:This week opportunities to travel should not be turned down. There would be improvement in your business as well as professional skills. Certain legal matters would need immediate attention, therefore seek an advice of a lawyer if necessary. Financial gains will accrue throughout the week, but you need to control your tendency to be extravagant, in order to save. Friends and relations will be helpful to complete pending jobs. Aquarius:Despite some tensions and botheration that you might have experienced last week, this period start on an optimistic note. Excitement and gaiety marks this week with plenty of gains in whatever you do. New ventures and assignments would improve your financial conditions. Your interest in outdoor activities will see you go out on short trips, outings and other entertainment activities. Children are likely to win laurels in extra curricular activities. Pisces:This week you will benefit provided you are willing to take bold decisions at workplace. Your determination and confidence will yield favorable results with each passing day. Money position improves as pending payments get cleared. Your life partner will bring you immense pleasure, but would behave highly possessive. During this period you should go out and build new relationship and contacts, but avoid strangers and people that you have ignored in the past.
Astrology, Numerology, Tarot are highly complicated ancient sciences, impossible to understand them completely. Over 99% astrologers are inaccurate in over 80% of their predictions & forecasts. Many of them are con artists taking advantage of blind faith & situation of God fearing people. Now-a-days many of them use all the state of the art, latest tools of marketing & excessive use of media to attract more & more people. Be careful before putting complete faith in the hands of unknown person who could be possibly a fraud. Please check the back ground & testimonials of the Astrologer/Pandit /Swami/Guru/Muni/ Rishi before consulting them. Dont get influenced by their outfit, busy schedule and photographs with celebrities & high profiled personalities. More they spend on their self promotions & advertisements, more the chances of getting robbed by them.

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

Jan 22: Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are active, practical, enthusiastic, courageous and highly philosophical person. You are very proud of your traditions, culture and rituals. You are highly religious and possess a very sharp mind, but you need to check your tendency to behave impatient and stubborn at times. Your communication skills and charms would impress those around you. Your income would improve, but your expenses would be erratic which would make it extremely difficult for you to save. New romance for those unattached, but your work is likely to suffer if you keep fantasizing about this special person. You should not let anything interfere with your career objectives if you desire to achieve your goals. Elders and children in the family will demand lot of your attention. Doctors and lawyers can look forward to a remarkable year. The months of May, June, July and October will be significant. Jan 23: Governed by number 5 and the planet Mercury. You are intelligent, sharp, sensible, business oriented, dignified, original and dashing person. People perceive you as a very warm and friendly person, but you need to check your tendency to behave restless and impatient at times. Financially a very favorable period starts this year, but you should avoid getting involved in conflict with loved ones. You would make financial gains through sale of property, accrual of rent, dividends or interests. This is also a good time to invest in long-term investments and speculations. Children would be a source of immense happiness and win laurels in their fields. Pilgrimage or a distant journey will be high on your cards. The months of March, May, October and November will be highly significant. Jan 24: Ruled by number 6 and the planet Venus. You have a pleasant personality, sharp memory and you are very fond of worldly pleasures. You are very methodical, emotional and helpful person. You make your plans and stick to it, but you need to control your tendency to behave moody, timid and spendthrift at times. This year businessmen would expand their ventures into new and more profitable avenues. You would do extremely well if you deal in real estate, but expect some opposition to arise from partners. New romance for some, so make the best of it. Meditation and Yoga should be practiced for spiritual as well as physical gains. Some exhilarating news from your children will bring happiness later in the year. The months of September, October, December and January will be highly eventful. Jan 25: Dominated by number 7 and the planet Neptune, you are highly creative, affectionate, trustworthy, original, energetic and emotional person. You never run away from difficult task. What might appear impossible to others would look like a challenge to you. You have great talents, but you need to control your tendency to behave arrogant and dominating at times. This coming period is good for starting new ventures. Projects that have been slow till now would gain momentum. Disputes if any would get sorted out and bring a sense of relief to your mind. Romantic encounters with colleagues might develop, though it would be very short lived. Your competitive nature would make you stay ahead of others and also make you popular amongst your peers. Friends will be helpful but demanding. The months of June, August and October will prove to be significant. Jan 26: Influenced by number 8 and the planet Saturn. You are ambitious, authoritative, Systematic, sober and simple person. You have great potential to influence large group of people. You possess modern, revolutionary views which keep you in the limelight, but you need to control your tendency to behave stubborn and jealous at times. This year you would have abundance of energy, which if properly used would bring you overwhelming results. Financially it seems to be a good period to invest in stocks and property, but all investments should be made for a long-term basis. A distant journey seems likely later in the year, most probably for attending some auspicious occasion. Friends and relatives will not be very helpful and should not be depended upon. The months of May, June, August and December will prove to be beneficial. Jan 27: Ruled by number 9 and the planet Mars. You are active, energetic, trustworthy, systematic and quick in taking decisions. You always welcome new ideas and are fond of reading to increase your knowledge and discover new and unknown things, but you need to control your tendency to behave shy, arrogant and moody at times. This year you would make new contacts, which would help you in your line of work. You would also receive unexpected advancements in your career. You would do extremely well socially if you travel and get involved in clubs and other social events. Your income would be much better than the past few years. Your beloved though possessive at time would be helpful and supportive. Minor health ailments such as backache, stiff neck or body pains will pose frequent problems. The month of March, June, July and August will bring in the desired result. Jan 28: Influenced by number 1 and the Sun, you are active, energetic, determined, responsible and original. You are creative and highly result oriented person, but you need to curb your tendency to behave reckless, spendthrift and stubborn at times. The coming year improves financial status of many and some even inherit ancestral property. Business will flourish and financial gains will lift your confidence. Legal matters that have been haunting your mind will settle to your satisfaction. Promotions and increments are likely for some. Romance however will not be pleasant as frequent arguments and disagreements will keep on bothering your mind. Students will perform remarkably well in academics and sports. Those suffering from blood pressure and piles need to take extra care of their health. The months of February, April, June, August and December will be highly significant.

Be Aware
Everyone have situations with family, finance, health or love but fearful middle age women are their soft target. Remember, no one can change any-ones future & fortune. Be careful before spending thousands of dollars on remedies. Tantra, Man-tra & Yantra, Havan, Pooja, Tabeez, Prayers should not cost thousands of dollars. The South Asian Times is proud to present Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma, the trustworthy, renowned & expert astrologer who com-bines scientific calculations of your birth chart with planets in transit before mak-ing predictions. He will never suggest any remedy which is very high in cost and not tested for prescribed effects & results. If you have any experience to share with our readers, please write to editor@thesouthasiantimes.info

Before you consult...

i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, Time and Place of birth is accurate. ii) Careful: Did you check background of the astrologer before disclosing your secrets. iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, dont feel shy. Its his business. iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the outcome is not as desired, never give up. v) Consult: Take second opinion before spending thousands on cure/remedies.

Free Consultation Learn about the fair value of diamonds & precious stones. To the readers of The South Asian Times by an expert gems dealer.
For appointment, please call 516 390 7847 or email consult.gems@gmail.com

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Spiritual Awareness TheSouthAsianTimes.info

January 22-28, 2011