India Herald

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Houston Grand Opera’s River of Light is a chamber opera that examines the intricacies of acontemporary, cross-cultural family facing the problem of how to preserve family legacy. River of Light follows Indian wife Meera and her American husband, Burton, while they explore andcreate the cultural heritage of their newborn daughter. Above, a scene from the performance atSri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland on March 23. Award-winning composer Jack Perla—who alsocomposed the fi rst East + West opera, Courtside (2011)—has set the libretto by Houstonian literaryparagon Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The accomplished international cast for River of Light includes Maya Kherani as Meera, Michael Sumuel as Burton, Alissa Anderson as Neighbor/Cousin Renu, and Samuel Levine as Neighbor. Traditional Indian instruments tabla (percussion) and sitar (plucked stringed instrument) are woven into the score, performed by Houston-based musician Shantilal Shah (tabla) and San Francisco artist Arjun Verma (sitar). Dancer Kusum Sharma playsthe part of Sita. See Page 10.

Houston Grand Opera presents River of Light

Houston Maharashtra Mandal celebrated Holi last week. See Page 12.

HOUSTONThousands of volunteers in

the U.S. are working round the clock to ensure a BJP government with 272+ seats and Narendra Modi as India’s prime minster after the next elections.

Overseas Friends of BJP

(OFBJP), Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV) and many other community organizations have been spearheading the message of “NaMo for PM” and the Mission 2014 program by organizing Chai Pe Charcha/NaMo Chai Parties, Walk for Unity, Yoga for Unity, and

other similar programs across all important cities in USA.

The group’s four-point agenda calls for enhancing reference calling effort, focus the calling effort in select constituencies to maximize the gains for BJP, recognizing

Indian diaspora in USA launches ‘Vote for India’ campaign

Volunteers enjoy a cup of tea after a successful “Chai pe Charcha” session at India House in Houston.

See CHAI, Page 14

Swati Dandekar, who hopes to become the fi rst Indian American woman in the U.S. House of Representatives, was in Houston on March 22 for a fundraiser organized by the Hindu American Political Action Committee and the Indo-American Political Action Committee. Dandekar, a Democrat, was a member of the Iowa House and senate for 10 years. If elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Dandekar will be the fi rst Iowa woman to win federal offi ce. Story on Page 6.

PAGE 2 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 • PAGE 3

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OBITUARY

In decades spent excelling atmaking – mostly, making up – hisprofile sufficiently controversial tokeep everyone interested,Khushwant Singh’s writing is atutorial in how to pass time by beingof one’s time and place.

The endeavor got him on thecontroversial side often, most no-tably in his fervent editorial sup-port to the Emergency (and spe-cifically to Sanjay Gandhi), but hiswriting career was an attempt tonot look away from the present,and to employ all his guile to getreaders to stay on the same pageas him.

To this end, he would spice upaccounts of his exploits, pretend-ing to be incorrigibly debauchedand addicted to gossip, eventhough his highly disciplinedschedule too was the stuff of leg-end (early morning to the writingperch, drink at seven, dinner ateight, and good night at nine).

He would have time for any-one who came calling, and, in sea-son, copious quantities of freshphalsa juice, but only, by appoint-ment, please.

He would produce great schol-arship, by way of fiction and non,but he’d remain the aam aadmi’sfavorite weekend distraction, withcolumns (and later books) of“Khushwant jokes”.

Anjana Ranjan in TheHindu:

Right from when I first met himin 2004, when his corpus of writ-ten works was huge and his repu-tation huger, I found Khushwant

Singh remarkably untouched byarrogance — never mind thescary sign outside his door warn-ing uninvited visitors not to ring thebell. For a man with his formidableexperience and scholarship of his-tory, politics, current affairs, com-parative religions, he was not inthe least condescending to a jour-nalist less than half his age.

And for all the crass sexualityof some of his fictional passages,he turned out to be a gentlemanlyconversationalist. Interestingly, theconversation with this self-de-clared agnostic often turned tomatters of faith.

Although on the first occasion— when his novella ‘Burial at Sea’had just come out — he did men-tion that he didn’t “waste any timein prayer,” and that “spirituality isa lot of humbug,” admitting, hedidn’t understand it, we still spenttime on the topic.

In 2005, after his collection ofobituaries was published (“Deathat my Doorstep”), perhaps it wasonly natural that the discussionveered towards the afterlife. Hav-ing decided that of the major be-lief systems — Hebraic, Judaic,Islamist on the one hand andHindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh on theother — “there’s no basis for be-lieving either,” he asked me whatI thought of reincarnation. Givingmy views on the karma theory apatient hearing, he dismissed me,just as genially, saying it was onlybecause I was brought up aHindu.

When his collection ‘Why I

supported the Emergency: Essaysand Profiles’ was released in 2009,apart from the topic at hand, hereiterated his continuing agnosti-cism, saying he had an interest inall religions and that’s why he could“debunk them all.”

Having taken a swipe at thestandard of newspapers with their“mixture of Hindi-English-Urdu”,he complimented The Hindu asone he respected. But soon headded, “One thing I can’t read inThe Hindu is the column on reli-gion. Otherwise, it is like a reli-able grandma.”

By 2010 when ‘The SunsetClub’ — a closely kept diary ofone year presented as a novel —came out, he was describing him-self as having reached the “vanaprastha stage of life,” bor-rowing from scriptural terminol-ogy to denote his winding down.But his definition was not in theconventional mode of celibacyand abstinence.

His protagonist Sardar BootaSingh was lustful, explicit and ahearty drinker, and the whole rea-son Singh chose the fiction formatwas, “You have to add mirchmasala to a factual life, or it wouldbe very dreary”.

And though no organised reli-gion offered him “answers toquestions like, where we comefrom, what happens to us whenwe die,” he admitted he wantedto withdraw from socialising —“a waste of time” — and attemptto bring peace of mind through the“daunting task” of doing nothing.

Friends, family and admirers gathered at the Lodhi crematoriumin South Delhi on Thursday afternoon, March 20, to pay their lastrespects to Khushwant Singh.

Singh, 99, died “very peacefully,” said his son Rahul Singh. “Oflate, he wouldn’t talk much, but would like to discuss the upcomingLok Sabha elections. He had his single malt on Wednesday night.On Thursday morning he got up as usual and was doing his cross-word when he decided to lie down... and never woke up. He diedthe way he would have wanted to,” said Rahul, adding that earlier inthe week Singh had experienced slight breathing trouble. KhushwantSingh had expressed his wish to donate his eyes but “it wasn’t pos-sible, there was no time to do it,” said his son.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur,Congress president Sonia Gandhi, veteran journalists Kuldip Nayar,Arun Shourie and M J Akbar, author Vikram Seth and his motherJustice Leila Seth, former Indian cricket team captain Bishan SinghBedi, Union ministers Salman Khurshid, Kapil Sibal and FarooqAbdullah, BJP leader L K Advani, politician Jaya Jaitly, former min-ister M S Gill, former attorney general Soli Sorabjee and Bolllywoodactor Vinod Khanna were among the crowd of Singh’s admirers atthe crematorium.

Noted writer, historian Khushwant Singh passes away

Meanwhile, he quoted Ghalib, “Humko maaloom hai jannat ki haqeeqat,lekin dil ko khush rakhne ko Ghalib ye khayaal achcha hai (We knowthe truth about Paradise: it is a good idea to beguile the mind).”

Perhaps Khushwant Singh now knows the answers to the ques-tions of life and death. We can’t ask him anymore. But just like hewrote his own obituary long before he died, he also left us a hint,courtesy Hilaire Belloc, on how he would like to be remembered: “WhenI am dead, I hope it may be said, ‘His sins were scarlet, but his bookswere read’.”

Indian Music Society of Houston Presents

SAT, April 12 @ 3:00 p.m. Jones Hall, Univ of St. Thomas

3901 YOAKUM Blvd

Accompanied By:Anirudha Deshpande on Tabla;Umesh Purohit on Harmonium

A 501 ©(3) Organization Promoting Hindustani Classical Music

Hindustani Vocal Concert

Programs are subject to change for reasons beyond the control of Indian Music Societyof Houston. IMS Programs are partially funded by a grant from Houston Arts Alliance.

For tickets: Govind 713-922-2501Suresh 281-935-4653 orwww.tickets2events.com

Rajendra Kandalgaonkar(Disciple of Late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi)

Rajendra Kandalgaonkar is one of the most popular exponents of HindustaniClassical music. He has received wide acclaim for his innovative techniquesand dexterity. He has established himself firmly both in quality-consciousinternational music lovers and in the highly demanding, critical Indian musicconnoisseurs.Kandalgaonkar has been trained by some of the most renowned Gurus. At theyoung age of 7 he began his basic training in vocal music from Pandit VishnuA Ghag of the Gwalior Gharana. This spanned an intensive 18 years, from1967 to ’84. He then moved on to train under none other than the maestrohimself, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi of Kirana Gharana.Kandalgaonkar is also reputed teacher of music. He has performed at manywell known concerts all over India, along with regular performances onDoordarshan (Indian Television) and AIR (All India Radio).

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COMMUNITY NEWS

‘Chitram – A Portrait of India’– a grand multimedia musical the-ater production will be performedat the Cullen Performance Hall,University of Houston on Satur-day, April 26, 2014 at 6:30 P.M.

Chitram promises to be a spec-tacular performance. The IndianAmerican community of GreaterHouston is engaged in bringing thisproduction to life under the lead-ership of the award-winning vi-sionary composer and artistic di-rector Kanniks Kannikeswaran ofCincinnati, Ohio. Chitram pre-miered in 2005. This will be the10th performance of Chitram inthe United States.

What is Chitram? “It is aneighty-minute theater productionthat tells the story of India’s cul-tural history using choral music,dances and powerful visuals,”says the composer KanniksKannikeswaran who has severalother such productions and re-cordings to his credit. Chitram willbe performed by a cast of over 90singers and dancers all from theGreater Houston area. Chitramhas touched and moved large au-diences in various venues in Ohio,Michigan and Florida, Toronto andMinnesota and has been hailed asa ‘must see’ for those who wantto learn more about India.

A 30-member Indian commu-nity choir is at the core of this pro-duction. They will be performingan original music score that cutsacross cultural traditions. The en-tire music is choreographed tomultimedia and multi-genre

dances from various parts of In-dia. This choir is accompanied byan ensemble of Indian and West-ern instruments.

Dance forms and choreogra-phers will include Bharatnatyam(Dr. Ratna Kumar), Odissi (Ms.Supradipta Datta), Kathak (Ms.Uma Nagarseth), Folk (Ms.Pallabita Bhuyan) and Yoga (Dr.Shiram Sarvottam).

Kanniks Kannikeswaran(www.kanniks.com) is a rare vi-sionary composer who has suc-cessfully built bridges across di-verse cultures through his path-breaking creations.

Producing a performance onthis scale from a distance, is noth-ing new to Kanniks, who had hismagnum opus ‘Shanti – A Jour-

ney of Peace’ performed by theLehigh Valley community first in2006 and 2008 and then by theHouston community in 2010.Kanniks has also worked thricewith the National University ofSingapore in remotely producingsuch major creations.

His new work ‘Sharad’ wasperformed at The Hague in 2013.Kanniks is hailed as a pioneer ofthe Indian American choral move-ment; he has founded many In-dian diaspora community choirsthroughout the United States. Hischoir won two silver medals in thejust concluded World ChoirGames – the Olymics of ChoirMusic. Kanniks also teaches In-dian Music Theory and History atthe University of Cincinnati as anAdjunct Faculty Member. He isthe recipient of several awardssuch as the Ohio Heritage Fellow-ship and the McKnight Fellow-ship. 2014 marks the 20th yearsince his first choral productionand the 10th year since the pre-miere of his magnum opus ‘Shanti– A Journey of Peace’.

Proceeds from Chitram willbenefit EYS (Education, Youth,Service), an initiative of the HinduTemple of The Woodlands.

EYS’s mission is to educatechildren in Indian teachings; instillIndian culture, heritage and val-ues in youth; and provide serviceto the community including seniorcare.

For tickets contact PrabhakarCentala at 281-450-9227 or KiranEmmi at 281-844-3420.

Chitram – A portrait of India presented by EYS

Indian Music Society of Houston PresentsA Concert of Late Morning and Afternoon Ragaas By

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande

Sat, April 26 @ 2 p.m. Jones Hall, Univ of St. Thomas

Ticket: $25 3901 Yoakum Blvd

Programs are subject to change for reasons beyond the control of Indian Music Society of Houston.IMS Programs are partially funded by a grant from Houston Arts Alliance.

For tickets: Govind 713-922-2501Suresh 281-935-4653 orwww.tickets2 events.com

With Sanjay Deshpande on TablaMilind Kulkarni on Harmonium

Born in Mumbai into a family with strong musical traditions, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande started her early classical training under the guidance of NarayanraoDatar. She then completed her Sangeet Visharad from the GandharvaMahavidyalaya. She was under the tutelage of her mother, Smt. Manik Bhide,who instilled in her the intricacies and traditions of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana.Dr. Bhide-Deshpande also received guidance from one of the stalwarts of theJaipur-Atrauli Gharana, Pt. Ratnakar Pai until his death in 2009.She holds a Masters degree in Microbiology and a doctorate in Biochemistryfrom the University of Bombay.It was not until she completed her doctorate, when Dr. Bhide-Deshpande evenconsidered a professional career in music. Since the late 1980s, she has been onconcert tours to every continent and frequently performs at prestigious musicconferences around the world, including the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsavin Pune.Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande has created her own musical style that respects thevocal culture and presentation aesthetics of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. Sheholds a strong command over the three primary saptaks.Dr. Bhide-Deshpande has an intimate understanding of Bandish and bandish-composition and has created many of her own bandishes, which she has pub-lished in her book, Raag Rachananjali (2004). A sequel titled "Ragarachananjali2", containing 98 more bandishes (compositions) was published in 2010.

Kanniks Kannikeswaran’s 80-minute theater production tells thestory of India’s cultural historyusing choral music, dances andpowerful visuals.


INDIANS ABROAD

Swati Dandekar, who hopes tobecome the first Indian Americanwoman in the U.S. House of Rep-resentatives, was in Houston fora fundraiser organized by theHindu American Political ActionCommittee and the Indian Ameri-can Political Committee.

The event was held at MadrasPavilion in Sugar Land on Satur-day, March 22.

Dandekar, who will face fourother candidates in the Demo-cratic primary in June, seemedconfident of her success in therace given her track record as alawmaker in the state — sheserved her Marion, Iowa constitu-ency from 2002 to 2009 when shewas elected to the State Senate.Before her election to the IowaGeneral Assembly, Dandekarwas a two-term member of theLinn-Mar Community School Dis-trict Board from 1996 to 2002.

This is an open seat with theincumbent, Bruce Braley, decid-ing to run for the U.S. Senate.

Dandekar said she decided torun for Congress on the strongbacking of her friends and con-stituents who are confident that“she will do the right thing the firsttime and every time.”

Dandekar lives in a mostlywhite American community that

has just seven Indian families, and a total of 75 Indians in the nearbymajor city, Cedar Rapids.

Dandekar said if elected her focus will be energy, especially re-newable energy, infotech, biotech and excellence in education. Thereis great need to stress on the STEM disciplines that will provide good,high paying jobs to Americans, leading to a strong economy, she said.

Dandekar said she was very proud that like Texas and Iowaarevying for the number one spot in wind energy production and that sheenjoys the friendly rivalry. She urged robust support for her campaignfrom Houstonians because spreading the word in her district, which isspread over 20 counties, is going to be challenging. “Television is veryexpensive,” she said. “We will have to have our presence in five me-dia markets” for an effective campaign.

Dr Sulekh Jain, a close friend of the Dandekar family, introducedSwati Dandekar. He said that during the ten years that he has knownSwati, she has impressed him as a humble, passionate and dedicatedperson. He went on to talk of her career path and the many awardsshe has received for her work.

Dandekar holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry fromNagpur University and a post graduate diploma in dietetics from BombayUniversity. She has served on the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy,Iowa Math and Science Coalition, Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation,Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted and Talented, Iowa Inno-vation Council, and Iowa Public Health Commission.

Honors bestowed upon Dandekar include the 2000 J.C. PenneyEducation Golden Rule Award, India Abroad 2002 Person of the Year,2003 Pillar of the Community Award from Waypoint, Asian Allianceof Iowa 2003 Person of the Year, 2004 Flemming Institute Fellow,Iowa’s 2006 Passport to Prosperity Award, and Asian Week’s 2008Asia Pacific American Person of the Year.

Rishi Bhutada of the newly formed Hindu American PAC, saidDandekar is the first candidate supported by the PAC because it isimpressed with her credentials and winnability. He urged more donorsto join the PAC as its contributions to candidates are dependent on thenumber of donors.

Earlier, Jagat Kamdar and Gitesh Desai of the IAPAC welcomedthe audience. Desai gave a brief account of IAPAC’s activities overthe years in supporting Indian American and Indian issues and sup-porting Indian candidates running for public office. Kamdar told IndiaHerald that nearly $16,000 was collected from Houston for Dandekar’selection campaign. — R.G.

IAPAC and Hindu American PACmembers with Swati Dandekar(back row, 4th from right) at thefund-raiser on March 22.

The Hindus of Greater Houston will be celebrating the com-munity through their annual “Hindu Youth Awards” at Arya Samajof Greater Houston (14375 Shiller Rd, Houston, TX 77082) thisyear, on May 10.

The highlights of the evening include inspiring stories of thewinning youth, recognition of the donors and organizations whohave made this event possible, and speeches from past awardeesthat will tell the gathering what they have made of themselvesafter winning the prestigious honor.

The Board of Advisors made the decision to host the HinduYouth Awards at the venue of a different Hindu Temple or orga-nization every year, to inspire solidarity. This year the function is atArya Samaj, and next year it will be at Chinmaya Mission.

“This set up will not only reduce cost and efforts by HGH butalso provide the opportunity to the host organization to show casetheir temple and activities to the whole community” said DevMahajan, chairman of the Board of Advisors.

“We are indeed very proud of the achievements of our Hinduyouth and their contribution to the Hindu community. We celebratethem as torch bearers of tradition in upholding our Dharma andbeing proud of their heritage. It is pertinent we encourage themand recognize their contribution. We dedicate the evening to theircelebration. This year we will recognize six youth that have pro-vided outstanding contribution in education and development ofyouth” said gala co-chair Richa Dixit.

With the help of generous patrons in the community, the Hindusof Greater Houston hosts and supports a variety of events in thecommunity. For more information visit Hinudusofhouston.orgor call Richa Dixit at 832-451-7206. The next event that the Hin-dus of Greater Houston are looking forward to is the 25th annualcelebration of Janmashtami, on August 23.

Hindu Youth Awards 2014

Since 2009, the GreaterSharpstown Management Districthas hosted its signature event,"Crime Law Enforcement Appre-ciation Luncheon."

The first event in 2009, everyyear the luncheon has been heldat Houston Baptist University.

This year's luncheon featurednearly 20 awards -- to Officersand Captains as well as HBU andSharpstown Civic Association forco-sponsorship of this year's lun-cheon, and to community partners.

Crime Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon

The luncheon was attended bynearly 300 hundred people andincluded State RepresentativeGene Wu, Harris County JudgeTheresa Chang, Council MemberRichard Nguyen, Assistant PoliceChief John Chen, representativesfrom the FBI and Sheriff AdrianGarcia's office, Major Wong.

Throughout the month ofMarch, Houston Police Depart-ment has community activitieswhich help build public awareness,such as safety for convenience

stores, safety for senior citizensand small business.

Rahman Moton is a supporterand a sponsor for "Crime LawEnforcement Appreciation Lun-cheon".

Along with Moton, Police ChiefChen (HPD), Major Wong(HSCO) and Executive membersand past Persident of ICC (IndiaCulture Center) attended the pro-gram.

Alief ISD recognition for Sewa

Sewa representatives withcertificate of thanks from AISDsuperintendent L-R: Umesh Kapur,Kiran Bhatia, Alexis Angelo, andLaura Fry

On Tuesday, March 18, SewaInternational was recognized bythe Alief Independent SchoolDistrict’s Board of Trustees attheir monthly School Board meet-ing. Delores Jones, AISD Busi-ness Partner Specialist, presentedan extensive list of Sewa activi-ties and accomplishments in thedistrict. Sewa representativesKiran Bhatia and Umesh Kapuralong with Sewa AmeriCorpsVISTAs Alexis Angelo and LauraFrye then stepped forward to ac-cept a certificate of thanks fromthe AISD superintendent, H.D.Chambers.

Sewa’s relationship with AliefISD was first developed summerof 2013 when many of Sewa’ssummer interns served as tutorsfor Alief’s Summer Language In-stitute. These interns worked withintermediate and high school stu-dents many of whom were learn-ing English language and Ameri-can culture for the first time.

Sewa’s Public Health team ofinterns also helped plan and coor-dinate an immunization drive withTexas Children’s Mobile ClinicProgram providing over 154 chil-dren with proper immunizationsover the course of the summer.

The partnership between Sewaand Alief’s LINC program con-

tinued into the school year whenSewa helped coordinate an after-school program for LINC studentsat the Hastings Annex who werestruggling in their English coursework. This program, held twice aweek, serves between 20-25 stu-dents on a weekly basis. Sewa hastirelessly worked to recruit volun-teer tutors to assist in this programso students can receive more per-sonalized one-on-one attention.

In January 2014 Sewa coordi-nated and facilitated a College Ca-reer Day for LINC students in theAnnex where bilingual speakerspresented to LINC students abouttheir careers, college, future plan-ning, and motivation. Eight bilin-gual speakers from the commu-nity spoke to over 150 LINC stu-dents who have been in theUnited States for less than twoyears and speak a collective sev-enteen different languages.

The Sewa team of AmeriCorpsVISTA volunteers has committedboth time and effort to programsin AISD and hope to expand pro-grams further in the upcomingschool year.

Sewa works with Alief LINCstudents weekly in an after-schooltutorial program and plans to de-velop a mentorship program to fur-ther benefit LINC students in theFall of 2014. To get involved withSewa and programs impactingrecent refugee and immigrant stu-dents please [email protected]

Fund-raiser for Iowa Congressional hopeful Dandekar

INDIANS ABROAD

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Today, 25.8 million chil-dren and adults in the United States—8.3% of the popula-tion—have diabetes. 1.9 mil-lion new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010.

According to the ADA, Texans are increasingly feel-ing the effects of diabetes as thousands of people suffer from the disease, and many others may have diabetes and not know it! It is estimated that one out of every three children born after 2000 in the United States will be directly affected by diabetes.

An inactive life, which in-volves lack of exercise and poor calorie management, is one of the biggest contributors to the dreaded disease of dia-betes.

Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health prob-lems, including skin, eye and foot complications and Kid-ney, Heart disease and Stroke. But there is good news. Dia-betes can be managed with a series of diet and lifestyle changes.

To this end, VYASA-USA (Vivekananda Yoga Anusand-hana Samsthana) Houston center, has partnered with Houston Chapter of Sewa In-ternational to fi ght against Diabetes by offering 20 hour yoga therapy sessions to pre-diabetic and Diabetic patients in Houston Area.

This program is offered completely free as a service to the community. The fi rst of series of 6 camps started to-day in Katy, a western suburb of Houston, where 11 partici-pants undertook yoga therapy sessions by trained yoga thera-pist under the guidance of Dr. Sudha Rajan, President of VYASA-USA.

Dr. Sudha Rajan lit the lamp and inaugurated the camp in the presence of Shri Arvind Thekdi, Arun Kankani of Sewa and Shri Vishwarupa of VYASA who are jointly coor-dinating the efforts in Hous-ton.

Dr. Bala Prabhakar, a medi-cal doctor from Katy area also graced the occasion. Dr. Sudha Rajan succinctly explained the source of Diabetes, presented current research on the pre-vention/management of Dia-betes and the role of Yoga therapy as an effective tool to fi ght this menace. The presen-tation was followed by an hour of specially designed practices for managing Diabetes.

Stop Diabetes Movement originated at S-VYASA Yoga University in Bangalore, In-dia. Through systematic re-search of 30 years, compre-hensive yoga modules have been established that have shown measurable improve-ment in the various complica-tions associated with Diabetes. The program has been proven

SEWA International and VYASA launch campaign to combat diabetes through Yoga

to reduce cholesterol and re-duce dependence on medicines as well as reduce anxiety and depression associated with the disease. VYASA centers in Houston and Los Angeles have started similar programs on a pilot basis this month. Based on the effi cacy and success of this program in these cities, it will be expanded to other cities in USA.

Sewa International in the USA is a 501(c)(3) Hindu faith-based nonprofi t charity with a chapter in Houston, as well as 37 other chapters in 20 metros and 21 states in the United States. For more infor-mation about this program at various locations in please con-tact [email protected] or visit www.sewahouston.org


COMMUNITY CALENDAR

or call for info.(713) 665-4665

Chandra & David Courtney Tabla and Vocal

Classes in Houston,Mission Bend,& Sugar Land

Visit www.chandrakantha.com

Classesnow ongoing

Swami MadhavanandSat., March 29 @ 4 p.m.Musical presentation and dis-

course of episodes of Ramayanin Marathi by Swami Madhav-anand. Singers are ShreyasBedekar, Ashwin Rode and Atuland Tejashri Dixit. At Vedanta So-ciety of Greater Houston, 14809Lindita Dr (77083). Admission isfree. Call Anil Rode 281-795-8934for info. On March 30 at 3:30p.m. Swami Madhav-anand willgive a discourse in Marathi on thework and writings of GondavlekarMaharaj. At Harris County MUD#81, 805 Hidden Canyon Rd,Katy, Texas 77450. For info, callShobha Kulkarni 281-575-0094 orNilima Mandke 281-395-4591.

Sundar Kand PathSun., Mar 30 @ 5 p.m.Sundar Kand Path at Shri

Radha Krishna Temple, 11625Beechnut (77072).

April 4: Mata Ji Ki Chauki byMahant Ravi Puri from 7 - 10 p.m.

April 5: Shri Ram CharitManas Akhand Path starts at 5:00p.m. and continues till 7 p.m. onSunday, April 6. Prasad will beserved at each program after 7:30p.m. For info, visit srkt.org or call281-933-8100.

Musical discoursesSun., Mar 30 @ 3:30 p.m.Meenakshi Kalyanam by

Vishakha Hari, noted Carnaticvocalist and exponent of Hari-katha. A BKM event at Meena-kshi Temple, 17130 McLean Rd,Pearland. Tickets $5 to $90 avail-able at www.tickets2 event.comor www.bkmhouston.org.

Kanya SutraSat., April 5 @ 5 p.m.

Kanya Sutra: Journey ofWoman, explores parallels be-tween a woman's life hundreds ofyears ago and now. Through po-

COMMUNITY CALENDARetry, music and Bharatnatyamdance by Dr. Gopika Balakrishna.Narrative by Dr NeetaPatwardhan. At the Youth Gym,Crosspoint Community Church,700 S. Westgreen Blvd. Katy, TX77450. Program to benefit EkalVidyalaya. Admission is free, butdonations to Ekal Vidyalaya arewelcome.

HWS Temple DaySun., Apr 13 @ 7 a.m.Hindu Worship Society cel-

ebrates its annual Temple Day.from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The high-light of the event is HanumanYagna and cultural programs.Devotees are invited to participatein Havan by becoming a host(Yajman) or joining in the chant-ing in the Yagna. At 2223 WirtcrestLane (77055). Morning snack andlunch prasad after program. Forinfo, call Bibhudutt Mishra 832-331-5375; Prabhat Sharma 281-496-4828.

Carnatic music festApril 11 & 12Two-day Carnatic music festi-

val beginning at 7 p.m. on Fiday,April 11, at Meenakshi Temple.Featuring Ranjani and Gayathri.

On Sat, April 12, At Asia Soci-ety Texas Center, 1370Southmore Blvd, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.Featured are: a panel discussionon Ravikiran’s concept of“Melharmony”, opera music byHGO artists and a grand finalejugalbandi by Chitravina N.Ravikiran and MandolinSnehasish Mozumder, 6 p.m. to 8p.m. Info at www.classicalartssocietyhouston.org Emailclassicalartssociety @gmail.comor call 281-242-4914

Math, spelling,vocabulary bee

Houston Chapter of NorthSouth Foundation (NSF) an-

nounces annual contests for Math,Science, Spelling, Vocabulary,Geography, Essay Writing, andPublic Speaking Bee competitionsfor children of 1st grade to 8thgrade. The contests will be heldon April 5 and April 26, 2014,at Lone Star College - UniversityPark Campus (Compaq) at SH249 and Louetta Road, Houston.Parents may register their childrenat www.northsouth.org. For infor-mation, contact [email protected]. Contests are open tochildren whose parents (or at leastone parent) are of Indian origin.

Chinmaya MissionSunday satsangs for adults,

youth and children. Unique BalaVihar program for each grade,from PreK to Grade 12. Satsangsin two sessions between 8:35 a.m.to 10:15 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. -1p.m. Bala Vihar students cantake shloka, bhajan and orchestraclasses or classes for Hindi,Telugu, Marathi, and Gujarati. At10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land(77498) New members visit wel-come desk bet. 8 to 8:45 a.m. or10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Visit www.chinmayahouston.org or contactBharati Sutaria 281-933-0233.

Arya Samaj SatsangWeekly Havan Satsang every

Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.DAV Sanskriti School Sundays 10a.m. to 12 noon. - Havan, Hindiand Naitik Shiksha classes. DAVMontessori School for ages 2 to 7years. Call Arti Khanna 281-759-3286. Free Yoga classes on Sat.Sanskrit & Upanishad classes Tue.6-8 p.m. At 14375 Schiller Rd. (betWestpark & Bellaire off Hwy 6).281-752-0100.

Vedanta SocietyVedanta Society of Greater

Houston, 14809 Lindita Drive(77083) has classes every Sundayfrom 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. onGospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 1st &3rd Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, 2ndSunday; on works of SwamiVivekananda, 4th Sunday; HolyMother Sarada’s Gospel, 5th Sun-day. Swamis of Ramakrishna Or-der visit to conduct retreats andtalks. www.houstonvedanta.orgor 281-584-0488.

Durga Bari TempleDurga Bari temple is open from

9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Mon.thru Sat. Sandhya aarti at 6:30p.m. Temple closes at 7 p.m. Sun-day special from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Puja services - Priest BishnupadaGoswami 281-597-8100 Temple islocated at 13944 Schiller Rd (offHwy 6 bet. Bellaire & Westpark).Call Ganesh Mandal at 713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541.

Telugu FellowshipTelugu Christian Fellowship

meets every third Saturday of themonth at Triumph Church, 10555W. Airport Blvd., Stafford TX77477 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for atime of praise, worship and fellow-ship. Worship is in English. CallChris Gantela 281-344-0707, orRev. V. Gurrala 281-997-0757.

Sahaj Marg Meditation

Author Amitav GhoshThurs., April 10 @ 7 p.m.The India Studies Program at the Univer-

sity of Houston (UH) has invited award-win-ning author Amitav Ghosh to deliver a lec-ture, “From Bombay to Canton – Travelingthe Opium Route to 19th Century China,” atthe Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 South-more Blvd. Free event open to the public.Chitravina N. Ravikiran

Sahaj Marg (Natural Path) Meditation and Spirituality (www.sahajmarg.org) A natural, simple system of Raja Yoga meditationand spiritual practice. Weekly satsangs held in the Houston area. EmailRadheshyam Miryala, MD at meditate_ houston@yahoo. com ormeditate.galveston @gmail. com.

Hare Krishna DhamHouston’s original Vedic temple, ISKCON of Houston. At 1320 W

34th St. (77018). Daily Darshan & Arati Times: 4.30am, 7am, 8.30am,12noon, 4.30pm, 7pm, 9pm. Sunday Festival: 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.Weekly Gita classes for adults; 281-433-1635 or [email protected]

Heritage ClassesAshirwad’s Heritage Classes in Katy, Cypress and Sugar Land for

kids 4 to 18 yrs - meditation, Yoga, slokas, stories from scriptures,Vishnu Sahasra-nam, bhajans, competitions and fun activities. Adultmeditation classes by appointment only. Register at www.ashirwadablessing.org or Sri Ravula 281-995-0930.

Gandhi LibraryMahatma Gandhi Library Book Club: Meets 2nd Sunday of each

month; 12:30 PM at Arya Samaj Greater Houston, 13475 Schiller Rd.Join the discussion of the great man’s autobiography – The Story ofMy Experiments with Truth. Call Manish Wani 713-829-6979.

Saumyakasi SivalayaSri Saumyakasi Sivalaya is located at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353

Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Temple timings: Monday to Fri-day: 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon and 5:00 - 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunday:8:30-2:00 PM and 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Contact 281-568-1690 or JayDeshmukh at 832-541-0059 or visit www.saumyakasi.org.

Veerashaiva SamajaVSNA Houston is a group of families who believe in Veera-shaiva

dharma (Basava dharma). Monthly Mahamane program for prayerand discussion on Vachana Sahitya followed by Prasada. Contact:vsnahouston@gmail. com 832-545-1185 (Jyoti Biradar).

Shiv Shakti MandirSanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, 6640 Harwin. Open daily 7 a.m. to 8

p.m. All major festivals, as well as birthdays, naam karan, engage-ment and other ceremonies. Call Pandit Virat Mehta 713-278-9099 orHardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or other ceremonies.

Guruvayurappan TempleHours: Mon to Fri 6 a.m. -8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Week-

ends & Holidays: 6 a.m. to noon and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. BhajansSaturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Special poojas(weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids,Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara. Temple is located at 11620Ormandy St (77035) Tel: 713-729-8994 email: temple@ guruvayur.us

Mar Thoma ChurchTrinity Mar Thoma Church every Sunday at 5810 Almeda Genoa

Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. Malayalam service at 9:30 a.m. on1st & 3rd Sunday. Adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m. English service at10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th Sunday. Call 713-991-1557 or 281-261-4603.

Arsha Vidya BharatiSanskrit classes and special worship sessions for all ages. At 2918

Renoir, Sugar Land, TX 77479.Call 281-606-5607 [email protected]. Web-site: https://sites.google.com/site/avbtexas/classes

Sadhu Vaswani CenterSadhu Vaswani Center of Houston holds regular Satsang on 3rd

Thursday of the month and daily Arti at 7.30 p.m. Call 281 463 0379or e.mail ramolaj@ aol.com

Sat., April 12, 3 pm; Free, Asia Society TX CenterHailed as the “Mozart of Indian Music,” Chitravina N. Ravikiran

is the innovator of “melharmony,” that combines diverse melodicconcepts not common in the west and vertical harmonic dimen-sions unusual in many systems in the east.

Open Forum Radio ProgramSaturdays, 4 to 6 p.m. on AM 1480

Featured guest on Saturday, March 29, is Dr KotaJagdish Reddy, cardiologist. Call 713-784-1480

with your questions.


INDIA

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Tel/Fax: (212) 242-1677Dakshini R. Senanayake, B.S., LL.M.Licensed by the Supreme Court of New York

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H-1B, L1, P3, TN, O1, R1 and other non immigrant visasGreen Card thru Employment: PERM / I-140

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Off: 713-984-4852 • Cell: 832-283-1677• Fax: 713-278-1656Email: [email protected]: sharma-cpa.com

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* Business & Personal Tax Preparation* Maintain Books of Accounts for Businesses* Project Evaluations and Feasibility Studies* Payroll, Payroll Taxes and Statutory Filing

Email: [email protected]

Bookies ‘excited’ over AAP chancesNEW DELHI: Surprised by the AAP dark horse during the Delhi

elections, bookies in Delhi and the National Capital Region are pre-dicting the Arvind Kejriwal-led party will give a similar winning encorein the Lok Sabha elections.

Though the betting books have not yet opened, bookies appear moreinterested in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and predict the one elec-tion-old party has a "chance" of bagging a "good number" of seats inthe April 7-May 12 general elections.

The bookies are looking to bet on AAP candidates on seats acrossIndia. They feel the contest would be interesting on some seats, in-cluding Varanasi where BJP's prime ministerial candidate NarendraModi is fighting, Chandigarh where two Bollywood actors are giving afight to the Congress's Pawan Kumar Bansal and the New Delhiconstituency where several big names are fielded, including Ajay Makenof Congress.

According to a bookie who did not wish to be named, they werewaiting to open the rates and are hoping to reap a windfall with bettingon AAP. "The bookies as well as punters are excited on the chancesof AAP in the elections," a bookie who did not wish to be named toldIANS.

He said the bookies believe that AAP will make a "major dent" inthe Bharatiya Janata Party's prospects even though anti-incumbencyfavours the BJP. Once the betting rates open, the punters, or thosewho place bets, will favour the AAP as they may get "good returns",said the bookie.

The AAP made an unpredictable debut by winning over 28 seats inthe capital in the December assembly elections. The party ruled for 49days before quitting on the issue of passing the Jan Lokpal Bill in thestate assembly.

During the Delhi elections, the capital's bookies had not been verytaken in by AAP. They had had pegged the BJP the lowest at 2.25paise, and the Congress at 2.40 paise as a close second. They peggedAAP at 3.40 paise, as they thought its chances of winning were dim.In betting, the lowest returns promised means the party is a clearfavourite and likely to win.

The logic of placing the lowest money on the favourite party is toattract more punters in the betting market. The more money that comesin means more business, and also larger profits to be divided. Puntersplace money in lakhs and if their party wins then they are paid accord-ing to the price fixed.

For example, if a punter places Rs 1 lakh bet on BJP, and if theparty wins the punter will get Rs.2.25 lakh. When AAP won, thosewho placed bets on the party got Rs.3.40 lakh for every one lakhrupees they betted. A tidy profit!

The high-profile constituencies like Varanasi, Chandigarh, Amethi,New Delhi, Chandni Chowk and Ghaziabad would see separate bet-ting with special rates fixed for each constituency, revealed anotherbookie. The rates are likely to fluctuate as polling day nears, keeping inmind last-minute political developments.

As betting is illegal, police are keeping a tab on the activities ofbookies in and around the city. The officials said they would take ap-propriate action against any betting activity. Police usually arrest abookie or a punter under section 420 (cheating) of the Indian PenalCode. It is a non bailable offence and the offender can be jailed forseven or more years.

Modi says “3 AKs” helping PakistanVARANASI/JAMMU: Hit-

ting back at Narendra Modi forhis 'AK49' and 'Pakistani agent'jibe at him, AAP leader ArvindKejriwal said such comments donot suit a prime ministerial candi-date.

Interacting with reporters atKardhana village here, Kejriwal,who announced his candidatureagainst Modi on Tuesday, said,"He (Modi) should talk on issuesand not get into bad mouthing.Such words do not suit a man whois a prime ministerial candidate."

Kejriwal said Modi did not evenmeet him when he wanted to talkabout development in Gujarat.

Earlier addressing a rally inJammu, Modi called defence min-ister A K Antony and Kejriwal"agents of Pakistan and enemy ofIndia".

Narendra Modi on Wednesdaytargeted defence minister AKAntony and Arvind Kejriwal, call-ing them "agents of Pakistan andenemy of India" and speaking itslanguage.

"Three AKs have emerged asa unique strength for Pakistan.One is AK-47 which has beenused to cause bloodshed in Kash-mir. The second is AK Antony,

who informs Parliament thatpeople wearing the dress of Pakarmy beheaded our soldiers whileour Army says Pakistanis hadcome. Who do you want to ben-efit with your statement...," heasked.

Addressing a BJP meeting, hetook a dig at Kejriwal, who re-signed after 49 days as chief min-ister in Delhi, as the "Third AKwhich is AK-49 who has just givenbirth to a new party".

"The map on his party's websitehas shown Kashmir in Pakistan.A senior member of his party isshouting himself hoarse demand-ing plebiscite in Kashmir. Pakistanis dancing over their statements.These agents of Pakistan, enemyof India, you are speaking the lan-guage of Pakistan," he said.

Invoking the name of JanSangh founder Shyama PrasadMookerjee, Modi accused themof speaking the language of Paki-stan while Mookerjee had sacri-ficed his life for Jammu and Kash-mir. More Indian soldiers havesacrificed their lives here than inany war, he said.

He was attacking Antony overhis statement made in Parliamentlast year when Pakistani

USINPAC launchesIndia election website

WASHINGTON: US IndiaPolitical Action Committee(USINPAC) announced thelaunch of 2014 Indian ElectionSite: http://www.usinpac.com/In-dia-Elections 2014.

Sanjay Puri, Chairman ofUSINPAC, stated, “As has beenwidely acknowledged the currentstate of the US India relationshipis at best mediocre and at worstcontentious. The upcoming elec-tions will decide the future direc-tion of this relationship. Given thatthere are many other news sites,this site is uniquely focused on theIndian diaspora and giving them aplace to place to be informed andengaged in a non-partisan man-ner. This site takes a US Presi-dential style perspective on theupcoming elections. The focus ison the key candidates for thePrime Minister position and latestand breaking information relatedto them.”

Puri continued, “For the nexttwo months, the USINPAC elec-tion site will provide you a singledestination for election discussion,news, polls and editorials. We arealso launching a weekly call-inwith to hear and engage fromIndia’s leading experts on the up-coming elections starting withMarch 22nd with YashwantDeshmukh the leading pollster ofIndia.”

US India Political Action Com-mittee is the political voice of 2.7million Indian-Americans. As a bi-partisan organization we work toimpact policy on issues of concernto the Indian-American commu-nity in the United States.

armymen had intruded intoMendhar sector in Jammu andKashmir and killed two Indiansoldiers, beheading one of them.

Balloon will burst, says RahulNEW DELHI: Expressing

confidence that UPA will form thegovernment again, Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi onWednesday asserted that BJP’scampaign “balloon” will burst like‘India Shining’ in 2004 as hewarned that Narendra Modi’scoming to power would be dam-aging for the country.

Gandhi, along with Congresspresident Sonia Gandhi and PrimeMinister Manmohan Singh, cau-tioned that Modi’s ideology wasagainst the idea of India and theCongress will fight in a determinedmanner to ensure that this ideol-ogy is defeated.

Releasing the party’s manifestohere, they debunked the opinionpolls which are predicting a dis-mal show by the UPA in the up-coming Lok Sabha polls and saideverybody will be “surprised”when the election results come in.

On the upbeat campaign ofNDA, Gandhi said, “just like the’India Shining’ balloon exploded...I can say certainly the balloon willexplode.”

He said this will be particularlytrue in Uttar Pradesh where 80

seats are at stake.He said BJP has the ability of

carrying out campaigns like ‘In-dia Shining’ but all should keep inmind that that campaign “evapo-rated” when the results came in2004.

Attacking Modi, the BJP’sprime ministerial candidate,Gandhi said he had nothing againsthim as an individual but was op-posed to his ideology which isagainst the idea of India. “Modirepresents an ideology which isexclusive,” he said.

COMMUNITY NEWSPAGE 10 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Immigrant & Non-Immigrant Visas

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Consular Matters

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IMMIGRATION

3730 Kirby Drive, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77098Ph: 713-834-1169/1160 Fax: 713-834-1144 www.gjpclaw.com

Frank GuerraAttorney at Law

Brian JohnsonAttorney at Law

750B Street, Suite 3300, San Diego, CA 92101Ph: 619.961.4169 Fax: 619.961.4101

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By SESHADRI KUMARAn opera on an Indian theme

may sound like an oxymoron. Conjure up a soprano, a female opera singer, loudly singing a verse of Tulsidas, “Sri Ramach-andra Kripalu Bhaja Mana…” in Hindi.

As the Houston Grand Opera ventured into unchartered wa-ters with its latest production, River of Light, a mixed feeling of eager anticipation, indescrib-able apprehension and great ex-pectation crisscrossed my mind.

The world premiere perfor-mance at Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland on March 23 easily belied any fears and exceeded expectations. It was an aes-thetically pleasant, educational experience as well, where an audience uninitiated into the fi ne art of opera could enjoy the experience and give a standing ovation to the performers.

The River of Light is a suc-cess at different levels. It is the culmination of HGO’s East + West series celebrating eight different cultures, including In-dia.

Taking the opera out of the realm of Italian or Greek, and English, telling the story of an

immigrant community, with the musical and storytelling tradi-tions of the alien culture, the HGO has pioneered a new genre for the rest of the art world to emulate.

Simple, yet evocative stage settings, and juxtaposition of the Indian epic, with Ram and Sita, parallel to the contempo-rary couple Meera and Burton, are examples of clever and cre-ative stage production.

That a ladder could be used as a prop for Lord Ram and Sita, to watch the earthlings from another world is a notable lesson in stagecraft.

Chitra Diuvakaruni, an award-winning author and poet, an India-born creative writer in English, has successfully writ-ten the “libretto”, the short, suc-cinct words, which are sung and not spoken by the actors.

That she could, or must, compress an epic as well as the drama in an immigrant house-hold in Houston into a few doz-en monosyllables and phrases is proof positive that she aced the challenge.

The synopsis of the story is the challenge faced by Meera, who recently moved to Houston

from India, with her husband. Immersed in the Houston life-style, with her newborn daugh-ter, Meera suddenly feels the pangs of celebrating Diwali at her home.

That she misses the tradition-al lamps and the popular Indian sweet of Gulab Jamun, quintes-sentially conveys the craving

River of Light has a smooth ride

Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, far right, congratulates the cast of River of Lights after a successful performance at Sri Meenakshi Temple on March 23. Aaron Green, left, Meera Kherani, Alissa Anderson, Chitra Divakaruni, Samuel Levine, Michael Sumuel and Kusum Sharma.

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for Indian tradition and culture.Today, where trade and tech-

nology has shrunk the world, fi reworks, Indian lamps and Gulab Jamun are as common as the Apple Pie in America.

To that extent one could feel the dilemma of the artists a lit-tle out of date. But, fl ash back the days to two or three decades and the symbolic message of an immigrant missing home is ever green.

Maya Kherani as Meera and Michael Sumuel as Burton, with Samuel Levine and Alissa Anderson as the man and wom-an play their roles, while Aaron Green and Kusum Sharma as Ram and Sita dance to the de-votional song of Tulisdas in praise of Lord Ram.

The show begins with the singing of another famous In-

dian devotional song, Raghu-pati Raghava Raja Ram… The music is by Jack Perla.

The chamber ensemble in-cludes Shantilal Shah on the table, Arjun Verma on he sitar, Rasa Kalesnykaite on the vio-lin, Wendy Smith-Butler on the cello and Eki Isomura on the piano.

“When I wrote the libretto,” says Divakaruni, “I began to examine my own life as an immigrant from India. What emerged is a contemporary immigrant story with a Hous-tonian fl avor, situated in what is statistically the most diverse city in the U.S.”

The show will be staged at Asia Society, Texas Center on March 29, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and March 30, Sunday, at 2 p.m.


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Chaitri Navaratri - Ashtami Pooja & Havan of Mataji Shree Durga

& Bahucharaji

Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir of Houston Inc. 6640 Harwin Dr, Houston, TX 77036

A Hearty Invitation to all Hindu Devotees on the occasion of the celebration of Chaitri Navaratri Mataji’s Pooja & Havan

Sanatan Shiv Shakthi Mandir is located at 6640 Harwin Dr. Please Note we do not have any other Temple at 5645 Hillcroft Ste: 701

Monday, April 7, 2014Pooja Starts at 1.00 PM. Havan Starts at 4.00 PM, Purnahuti at 5.30 PM (Nariyel O ering) Arti at 7.00 PM** Garba from 8 to 10 p.m. Mahaprasad will be served after Aarti

Devotees willing to sit in Havan & Pooja may give their names to our

Priest Shri Hardik RavalTel: 361-243-6539 or 713-278-9099


INDIANS ABROAD

Holi/Rangapanchami is a spring festival also known as the festival of colors and the festival of love. On 16 March, 2014 the Houston Maharashtra Mandal (HMM) celebrated Holi/Rangapanchmi for the fi rst time. Almost 200 people attended this event at Bear Creek Park in Houston. Organizers greeted guests by applying drycolors on their faces and wishing them “Happy Holi”. Despite the cold weather, adults and kids enjoyed the Holi event using dry colors and water. Attendees par-ticipated in exciting games and dances. Attendees danced on popular Bollywood songs while children were busy playing with water. Puran Poli was offered to allattendees along with tasty thali. Some attendees commented that this was their fi rst time playing Holi after several years. They said that it just felt like playing Holiin India. For more information about HMM, please visit www.hmmhouston.org. -Ravi Ozarker

ANNUAL HASYA KAVI SAMMELANShri Pradeep Choubey of Gwalior is the younger brother of famous Hasya Kavi (late) Shail Chaturvedi. He is a gifted poet and an exceptional performer, Pradeep Choubey is a maestro of humor who is known for his unique style. As a poet of distinction he has been felicitated by President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Shri Aalok Srivastav of Vidisha is one of the leading poets (gazalkar) in India. His poetry has touched the hearts of millions of his fans in India and abroad. He has won numerous awards, including M.P. Sahitya Academy’s ‘Dushyant Kumar Award’ and Russia’s ‘International Pushkin Award’.

Shri Sarvesh Asthana of Lucknow is a famous satirist who has been participating in national and international Kavi Sammelans and Mushairas since 1989. He is a highly celebrated Hindi Poet of ‘Hasya Vyang’. A receipient of numerous awards, he is also associated with many charitable organisations in India. He has published many books and is a regular on radio and TV.

India Culture Center, Houston (ICC)&

International Hindi Association – Houston Chapter (IHA)Presents Annual ‘Hasya Kavi Sammelan’

on Saturday May 3rd, 2014At India House

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Come and enjoy the event with internationally renowned artists.Buy/Reserve your Tickets

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Houston Maharashtra Mandal celebrates Holi

Indian-American in immigration

scam settles with US body

WASHINGTON: An Indian-American businessman and two Chicago based organisa-tions will pay $15 million to settle charges of raising $158 million dollars from close to 300 investors as part of an im-migration scam.

The US Securities and Ex-change Commission had charged Anshoo R Sethi, A Chicago Convention Centre, LLC (ACCC) and Interconti-nental Regional Centre Trust of Chicago, LLC (IRCTC) for their roles in the scam.

The US SEC had in Feb 2013 complaint accused them of targeting foreign nationals who sought to invest in the US economy and gain a legal path-way to citizenship through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Pro-gramme.

The fi nal settlement entered by a US District Court last week provides for joint-and-several liability for over $11.5 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest, subject to offsets for certain amounts re-funded or credited to investors.

It also provides permanent injunctions against future vio-lations of securities law and restrains defendants for twenty years from offering or selling securities issued by any of them or issued by any entity owned or controlled by Sethi, accord-ing to an SEC media release.

In April last year, the Court granted the Commission’s mo-tion to return to investors the entire $147 million of principal that had been frozen pursuant to the SEC’s motions.

The agreed upon settlement resolves, among other things, the disposition of approximate-ly $11 million in administrative fees paid by investors, which are the only funds remaining to be returned in order to make the investors whole, SEC said.


COMMUNTIY NEWS

Fourth Annual Hindu Youth Awards Gala Saturday, May 10 @ 6 p.m. at Arya Samaj of Greater Houston 14375 Schiller Road, Houston, TX 77082

6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Social Hour 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Awards program followed by dinner

2013 Hindu Youth Award honorees with U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (4th from left)

For More Information, callRicha Dixit 832-451-7206 • Kavita Pallod 713-562-4524Sanjay Jajoo 713-614-9286 • Sanjay Jain 281-989-0532

Highlights of the evening in-clude the inspiring stories of the Hindu Youth Award win-ners, recognition of the donors and organizations who have made this event possible, and speeches from past awardees that will tell the gathering what they have made of themselves after winning the prestigious honor.

The Indo-American cancer Network (IACAN) recently held a program to help women cancer patients and survivors improve their appearance and self-image, by teaching them hands on beauty techniques to manage side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments on their appearance.

On March 12, The Survivors Group of IACAN came together for a Make up class by Lynn Hill of Mary Kay Cosmetics.

There was lively discussion on different types of moisturizers, toners, cleansers, foundations and cosmetics. Participants learned how to match various cosmetics with skin type, color and tone. Each member had a make over where they played with primers, foundations, eye shadows, lipsticks and the works.

One doting husband also accompanied his wife to the meeting. And as the only male present was very happy to give his critical appreciation with much humor.

The session was lead by a beauty professional, Lynn Hill from Mary Kay who volunteered her time graciously through a practical, hands-on experience.

Each participant got a free makeup kit to use during the

session.There is so much to learn

about makeup, skin care, nail care, and ways to deal with hair loss such as with wigs, turbans, and scarves that one session is never enough!

The American Cancer Society also has these programs on an ongoing basis.

For patients or survivors and families who are unable

to go to a group workshop, a free, one-time individual salon consultation with a volunteer cosmetologist might be available in their area.

Trained beauty experts help each patient manage her skin, nail, and hair needs and also help her fi nd ways to feel better about how she looks during treatment.

Survivors are the strength.

One of IACAN’s goals is to enhance their quality of life and build a strong network of cancer survivors from the Indian subcontinent so that they may connect with other survivors of the same cultural origin, discover new resources, draw strength from each other, cope better and support one another.

Studies show that attending

support groups make a huge impact on reducing stress, strengthening coping and improving quality of life.

Volunteers will strive to expand the IACAN Survivor Group and work together to reach out, strengthen and support as many Indian American/ South Asian people touched by cancer.

IACAN encourages every cancer survivor from the Indian subcontinent to join the IACAN Survivor Group and take the lead on some initiatives to make this a uniquely supportive program for patients and families from South Asia.

Self-help resources:Free self-help materials can

be ordered through the Look Good Feel Better toll-free number, 1-800-395-LOOK (1-800-395-5665). Or visit the Look Good Feel Better website at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.

IACAN is a cancer resource network that educates and supports Indian American community. Please contact IACAN for more information.

Email: [email protected] or by calling 713-370-3489.

Visit www.iacannetwork.org

IACAN cancer survivors ‘Look good, Feel better’

A makeup call for cancer survivors is in progress, courtesy of IACAN.


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gains for BJP, recognizing volunteers traveling to India with sole intention to galvanize the voters in favor of NaMo, and facilitating the hard work of its core group members who have been working hard for this cause since January, 2014.

Enduring harsh winter conditions, volunteers of

these organizations have been distributing fl yers/hand-outs in Indian markets and convincing NRI’s about the need for a BJP government under NaMo in India. These fl yers describe Modiji’s vision of India, BJP’s agenda for elections, Gujarat Model of Development and all-round prosperity. Hundreds of volunteers are reaching out to NRI’s here and urging them to talk to their families and

friends in India and convince them to vote for BJP during the next elections.

As the elections are nearing, volunteers from several organizations are coming together this coming weekend (March 29th/30th) and organizing 100 Chai Pe Charchas/Chai Parties across major cities and towns in US under the slogan ‘Vote for India’ and ‘Namo for PM’.

Chai parties will be organized across US in the following cities: Edison, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Parsippany, Mahwah in New Jersey, Washington D.C, Tampa and Orlando in Florida, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas in Texas, Chicago in Illinois, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, Boston in Massachussets, New York and other cities and States where there is considerable Indian population.

So far over 100 chai parties have already been organized since start of 2014.These Chai parties have been a big hit; be it North-East, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kashmir, Bihar or UP, everyone wants a BJP government with Modi as the Prime Minister.

NRI’s have voluntarily formed their own NaMo groups cutting across their language, region or state and organizing chai parties in support of NaMo.

Hundreds of volunteers have already signed up to travel to India to participate in the election campaign.

With the country in dire situation under UPA rule , and AAP being a big letdown with their anarchist agenda and no vision but only television strategy, several sympathizers of these parties are joining

the Mission 2014 activities launched by OFBJP and GIBV.

NRI’s feel that the current situation in India is so grave that there is only one hope and that is Narendra Modi and by supporting this cause they want to serve mother India.

Several NRI’s are of the opinion that a BJP government under Modi is not only in the interest of India but also for the NRI’s living abroad.

We need a government that provides Voting rights for NRI’s, Improve the consular services, Better investment opportunities and provide a secure feeling that every NRI’s looks forward to and they feel this is possible only with a BJP government.

The Vote of India program is a fi nal push before the start of general elections wherein volunteers and organizations cutting across their affi liations want to come out in support of BJP and Narendra Modi and send a message to their brothers and sisters in India to Vote for BJP and make NaMo the next PM.

The organizers have requested NRI’s to participate in this program at their nearest location and register as a volunteer and help spread the message.

For infomation visit india272.com ofbjp.org or gibv.org.

A section of the audience watching “Chai pe Charcha” at India House on March 20.

ChaiFrom Page 1

The Indian Amrican community in the Pearland area held a fundraiser in support of Pearland Mayor Tom Reid on March 15, at the West Side Event Center, Pearland. The event was hosted by Somarajan Nair. Sam Kannappan and Dr. S.G. Appan helped with the event. Many Indo American families attended the event and contributed over $ 5,000 to the campaign. More than 500 Indo Americans live in the city of Pearland. Mayor Tom Reid in his speech addressed the many issues vital to the quality of life in Pearland City, important to those who call Pearland home. Brazoria County Commissioner Stacy Adams also addressed the group at the event. For more information, contact Somarajan Nair at [email protected]

Pearland Mayor Tom Reid gets Indo-Americans’ support


There is always work for fi lm star lookalikes in the southern In-dian state of Tamil Nadu. But in a state where politics and show business are intertwined, demand for their services massively in-creases during election season.

The heart-throbs of Tamil Na-du’s booming fi lm industry don’t just sell fi lms; some campaigners in Tamil Nadu fi rmly believe they help shift votes.

That is because in this south-ern state nostalgia is a powerful force.

During the campaigning sea-son lookalikes of the late M. G. Ramachandran (popularly known as MGR), a fi lm star and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu for the All India Anna Dravida Mun-netra Kazhagam (AIADMK), can be seen on the election trail.

Vijayakanth, a notable Tamil actor and now the leader of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Ka-zhagam (DMDK), also has a doppelganger campaigning for candidates.

“I have already been booked by fi ve people,” Thyagarajan, 59, a lookalike for MGR, told BBC Hindi.

“It’s election time so once cam-paigning picks up, the demand for our presence also goes up,’’ says Tand Kumar, 42, a lookalike for Vijayakanth.

Invariably their work involves accompanying candidates to their constituencies.

“I stand beside the candidates

Movie star lookalikes fi nd work in election season

Thyagarajan, an MGR lookalike, has been booked by fi ve camn-paigners.

when they go in their open jeep. I wear the red tie that MGR, invari-ably, wore. I wear the dark glasses that MGR always wore. I wave at the crowd that gathers. If people come and shake hands with me, it means that I have made my pres-ence felt,” Thyagarajan says.

Both are also professional sing-ers and Mr Thyagarajan says he “belt[s] out popular songs... at po-litical rallies”.

The men are managed by Satish Kumar, whose company Every Second provides lookalikes to candidates.

“As the demand increases dur-ing elections, we provide not just Thyagarajan but others too. We have three MGRs,” said Satish Kumar.

Kumar said his company also had lookalikes of major politi-cians such as Muthuvel Karunani-

dhi, the DMK chief, as well as Ja-yaram Jayalalitha, the AIADMK leader and current chief minister.

The demand and their rates dif-fer. They take part in live music shows and even perform at wed-dings.

“I used to earn 2,000 to 3,000 rupees ($33-50; £20-30) per ap-pearance. Because of television shows, the rates have gone up. Nowadays, we earn about 5,000 rupees for a 09:00-18:30 canvass-ing event,” said Thyagarajan.

For both of these mimics, ca-reers began in their living rooms as children. They decided to go professional and have been doing this work for the best part of two decades.

MGR died in 1987 and as Vi-jayakanth leads a powerful politi-cal alliance he has little time for entertaining. But their legacy as entertainers-turned-politicians, adored by the Tamil masses, is now being exploited by candi-dates on the election trail.

Vijayakanth’s lookalike is also campaigning for candidates

Yesteryear actress Nanda who is best known for fi lms like Hum Dono (1961), Teen Deviyan and Kanoon (1960), passed away on Tuesday morning, March 25, fol-lowing a heart attack. She was 75. She made a hit pair with Shashi Kapoor in movies like Char Di-wari (1961), Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain (1965), Jab Jab Phool Khilen (1965) among oth-ers. Nanda started her career in 1956 with (her paternal uncle) V. Shantaram’s Toofan Aur Diya. After playing supporting roles in Bhabhi, Dev Anand’s Kala Ba-zar and Dhool Ka Phool, Nanda rose to stardom with L.V. Prasad’s Chhoti Bahen (1959), where she played the title role. Her other sig-nifi cant fi lms include Gumnaam, The Train (1970) and Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972). She won Film-fare Best Supporting Actress Award for Anchal (1960).

Nanda was born in a Maha-rashtrian show-business family

to Vinayak Damodar Karnataki (Master Vinayak), a successful Marathi actor-director. Her father died when Nanda was young. The family faced hard times and she had to take up acting as a child star in fi lms such as Jaggu in the early 1950s. Her brother is Marathi fi lm director Jaiprakash Karnataki and Jayashree Talpade is her sister-in-law.

Yesteryear actress Nanda passes away

Son Luv camapaigns for dad Shatrughan, daughter Sonakshi

stays awayWhile ‘apolitical’ Sonakshi will

be busy with her movies, Sha-trughan Sinha’s son Luv Sinha is all set to campaign for his father.

“It’s our duty to be there for him and with him. The support for the party is quite strong in India at the moment. Even in Bihar, we don’t look out only for the party, but for our father too. Obviously, a win for him is a win for the BJP,” says Luv, who will be by his fa-ther’s side for the majority of the campaigning time. “I will have to come back to Mumbai for some commitments in between,” he adds.

The Sinha family has its roots in Bihar, so Luv has an emotional attachment with Patna. “It’s not only because my father is cam-paigning from here. As a family, we are very attached to the state and we stay aware about the po-litical developments there. We all want to see Bihar progress and for things to get better for the people who live there,” says Luv.


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Gang of Ghosts

Cast: Sharman Joshi, Mahie Gill, Parambrata Chatterjee,Jackie Shroff and Anupam Kher. Direction: Satish Kaushik

A dilapidated bungalow is home for a group of ghosts with theirown idiosyncrasies. When a builder threatens to bring it down, thespirits turn mean.

Satish Kaushik's Gang of Ghosts is a remake of the Bengali socialsatire, Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012). So as such, the plot that commentson how land-grabbing sharks in cities like Mumbai have torn downbeautiful bungalows and breathing spaces to accommodate ugly mallsand modern monstrosities is convincing.

The narrative in-film style is entertaining, told as it is by a buddingscriptwriter (Sharman Joshi, always good) to an aspiring filmmaker(Parambrata Chatterjee, fresh). The ghosts — Anupam Kher, JackieShroff, Rajpal Yadav, Mahie Gill, Meera Chopra, Asrani and SaurabhShukla -- have some endearing (often irritating) character traits.

Yet, the ghosts' attempts to mess with one another and even theirneed to serenade the alcoholic actress (Mahie) feels funny initially.

If you're feeling indulgent, you may even guffaw at filmi referencesto Ragini (MMS), Ram Gopal Varma and Makarand (pronouncedMaa ka rand). But the jokes get too sidey and the jest is short-lived. Infact, when proceedings are interrupted with an unspirited item song bythe dusky Paoli Dam, in a hotspot called Bhoot Bar, where only ghostsare invited, you want to shoot some more people dead.

Post-interval, the real plot of a tycoon (Rajesh Khattar) who hasacquired the disputed property with the intention of turning it into amall is introduced. And the ghosts vow to seek revenge. But theirhare-brained plan to bring the tycoon down to his knees is so amateur,that it fails to amuse.

Clearly, makers like Kaushik, who had a formidable box office recordin the '90s remaking South Indian films, need to borrow modern-daytechnique and storytelling tactics to keep the ever-evolving viewerengaged.

In the case of Gang of Ghosts, the only ones who seem to havehad a blast are the actors - Mahie, Anupam, Saurabh and Jackie, all ofwhom ham.

Ankhon DekhiCast: Sanjay Mishra, Rajat Kapoor, Seema Bhargava. Direc-

tion: Rajat KapoorLife passes you by when you are too busy making plans for tomor-

row. In times when the art of survival has overtaken the art of living,can you manage to live in the moment?

Societal norms often dictate our actions and beliefs. Day in, dayout, you try hard to fit in. Who would want to come across as ignorant,odd and a prude to the judgmental lot after all?

It's easier to agree with the majority, hold our heads high and egohigher. In order to safeguard this pretence, we lose out on discoveringwho we really are. Right from our childhood, we are trained to followwhat's been told to us. No questions asked, no risks taken.

The film's protagonist Bauji (Sanjay Mishra) faces this dilemma.Trapped by the burden of duties and responsibilities forever, an inci-dent in his daughter's life directs him to a path of self-discovery andforces him to only believe in what he sees. But can you sustain theseidealistic visions in the real world without being tagged either 'crazy'or 'saintly'?

Rajat Kapoor's film is thought-provoking and as a storyteller, hetouches a chord. His satirical take on how everyone conforms to theherd mentality is relevant and praise-worthy. It inspires us to unlockthe shackles of mediocrity and standard behavior - comprising of what'sright and wrong, true or false.

What we liked the most about this film is its old Delhi setting. It is asauthentic as it can get and contributes immensely to the film's emo-tional quotient. The intricacies of a joint family have been exploredbeautifully. In fact, this track works better than the one revolving aroundBauji's spiritual epiphany. Sadly, the latter gets more prominence.

The performances are another asset. Sanjay Mishra and SeemaBhargava (as Bauji's wife) are flawless. They infuse life into the story.The younger actors are impressive too and thankfully, not a singlecharacter's loud and Bollywoodised Punjabi, unlike many Delhi-ori-ented films.

What however doesn't work for the film is the fact that it borderson abstract at regular intervals and lacks continuity, making a fewscenes and conversations seem out-of-context.

India made it two comfortablewins out of two at the WorldTwenty20 with a seven-wicketvictory over defending championsWest Indies in Mirpur.

West Indies scored a pedestrian129-7 with Chris Gayle taking 33balls for 34 and spinner AmitMishra claiming 2-18.

Shikhar Dhawan fell in the firstover of the India reply but ViratKohli hit five fours and a six in astylish 54.

He shared 106 inside 14 overswith Rohit Sharma who was un-beaten on 61 as India won withtwo balls remaining.

It was a mystifying perfor-mance from the highly-regardedWindies, on the same surfacewhere earlier in the evening UmarAkmal and Glenn Maxwell hadstruck 10 sixes between them inPakistan's 16-run victory againstAustralia.

The big-hitting opening partner-ship of Dwayne Smith and Gaylehad no answer to some swingfrom the Indian seamers and 28of the opening 36 deliveries weredot balls, Bhuvneshwar Kumarmoving it in both directions in con-ceding just three singles from histhree overs.

Gayle, dropped on nought in thesecond over, thumped Mishra'sopening delivery for six but lookedincreasingly frustrated by his rareinability to dominate the bowlers.

The powerful left-hander wasspilled again on 19 before he gotbarely halfway in his attempt of aMarlon Samuels quick single tobackward point in the 13th over.

Mishra bowled 13 dot balls outof 24 and although there werethree sixes as 21 came off the fi-nal over, the total was never likelyto test the powerhouse Indian bat-ting line-up.

"We were disappointed withWest Indies but India did not al-low them to play the way theywanted to. West Indies need tocome up with a plan B."

There was some confusionover whether the target was 130or 131 which caused a lengthydelay to the Indian reply and mayhave affected Dhawan, who waslbw for a duck.

But it was of little relevance asKohli immediately found his flu-ency in a nonchalant fifty partner-ship from 33 balls with Sharma.

Kohli reached his fifth T20 halfcentury from 34 balls, while Rohitrecorded his sixth, and though theytook 10 balls to score the final fiveruns, India further improved theirposition at the top of Group Two.

"Let's take it one game at atime," skipper Mahendra Dhonisaid. "There is no point thinking

too far ahead. We could have finished it an over earlier but that wasup to the batsmen in the middle.

On March 21, India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets. Pakistan scored130 for 7 in 20 overs (U. Akmal 33, Shehzad 22, Maqsood 21). Indiascored the required runs in 18.3 overs (Kohli 36, Dhawan 30, R Sharma24, Raina 35)

West Indies 129 for 7 in 20 overs (Gayle 34, Simmons 27,Samuels 18; Jadeja 3 for 48, Mishra 2 for 18)

India 130 for 3 in 19.4 overs (R. Sharma 62 n/o, Dhawan 0,Kohli 54, Yuvraj 10; Samuels, Russell and Badree 1 wkt each)

Pakistan beat Australia by 16 runs

India 2-0 with wins over Pakistan, West Indies

Pakistan recordedtheir first victory ofthe 2014 WorldTwenty20 with a 16-run win over Austra-lia in Mirpur.

The Pakistan totalof 191-5 was builtaround a scintillating94 off 54 balls fromUmar Akmal,dropped on 22, whostruck nine fours andfour sixes.

Aaron Finchmade 65 off 54 ballsbut no other batsmanexcept Glenn Max-well reached double figures as they were all out for 175 off the lastball. "It was the best knock of my career simply because we wereunder tremendous stress having lost our first match," said Umar, whopassed a fitness test earlier in the day after struggling with a hamstringproblem. "The management backed me to go out and express myselfwith the bat and I played my natural game."

Following their seven-wicket defeat against India, Pakistan knewanother reverse would almost certainly spell the end of their chancesof being one of the two teams to progress into the semi-finals fromGroup Two and their mercurial side produced a greatly improved per-formance. They lost two early wickets, however, and it needed thestylish Umar to revive them in a 96-run partnership from eight-and-a-half overs with his brother Kamran, who made 31.

Pakistan opened the bowling with left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar,the 35-year-old who only made his international debut last year, and heknocked back David Warner's off-stump and turned one away to catchShane Watson's edge.

However, Maxwell dramatically changed the context of the matchwith some sensational hitting in his maiden T20 fifty from a mere 18deliveries.

He obliterated the medium pace of Bilawal Bhatti, who conceded30 from his first over, and the 100 partnership with Finch arrived in 51balls, containing eight fours and eight sixes, Maxwell contributing 65.

Pakistan 191 for 5 (U. Akmal 94, K Akmal 31, Afridi 20; Coulter-Nile 2 for 36) Australia 175 al out (Finch 65, Maxwell 74; Babar,Gul, Afridi and Bhatti 2 wkts each)

Umar Akmal

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma put up a 106-run 2nd wicket stand.

RELIGION / SPIRITUALITYINDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 • PAGE 17

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By Dr Deepak M Ranade

The World Cup in Brazil in June2014 will begin with a simple sci-entific demonstration.

A paralysed teenager will makethe ceremonial first kick accom-plished through an “exoskeleton”directly controlled by theteenager’s thoughts through a hel-met-mounted EEG machine.

Thoughts can be transducedinto electrical impulses that canactivate mechanical devices tosimulate paralysed or lost append-ages.

That kick will forge an unprec-edented synergy between the in-tangible and the tangible, betweenmind and matter.

Where and how do thoughtsarise in the brain? Are they merelymicro-electric impulses initiatedand perpetuated within thedensely intricate neuronal net-works? Are thoughts just neuro-chemical alchemy?

In the early 1990s, CandicePert, chief molecular biologist forthe National Institute of Health,discovered that thoughts are real,physical things.

Your thoughts become mol-ecules the instant you think. Thehypothalamus -- a “control cen-tre” near the base of your brain -- transforms that thought into mil-lions of neuropeptides.

These are amino acids whichare generated and which mediatethe dominant emotion associatedwith that thought and are releasedinto the blood.

Thought triggers molecularmessengers that combine with aspecific receptor on cell mem-branes. Over time, Dr Pert foundthat cells develop more and morespecial receptors for the neu-ropeptides to which they are mostexposed.

The body redefines its homeo-static protocols and gets addictedto certain thought patterns andemotional states irrespective offeeling good or bad.

This explains the psychosomaticaxis that is implicated in many ill-nesses such as hypertension, coro-nary insufficiency and malignancywhich are leading causes of mor-tality.

Our thoughts, despite being in-tangible and subtle, have tangibleeffects that impact the gross body.Thoughts are energy waves witha domino effect which eventuallycascade into measurable physicaleffects.

Masaru Emoto, also in the 90s,showed that the shape and physi-cal structure of water crystalschanged under the influence ofpositive emotions and thoughts likelove, concern and prayers, but thecrystals were disfigured in the

Mind, matter connection in competitive sportpresence of negative emotions andthoughts.

Thoughts consume energy. Thebrain has the highest metabolicrate of all organs and has the high-est blood supply in terms of cc pergram. Thoughts fall in both volun-tary as well as involuntary do-mains -- somewhat akin to ourbreathing which continues evenwhen we are not aware of it butwe can control its rate, depth andeven hold our breath for varyingperiods of time.

Fleeting thoughts may havetheir origins in the subconsciousmind. They seem to appear on thehorizon of consciousness likeclouds in a clear sky and theystream through.

Conscious thought processesare more proactive and entirely inour control. Anxiety and apprehen-sion are a pattern of negativethought processes. Despiteknowing the futility of such unpro-ductive endeavours, these pat-terns are prevalent in anxiety-prone individuals. Such thoughtsmight be altering the molecularstructure at the cellular level andmay even impact the geneticstructure as the emerging field ofepigenetics indicates.

Our genetic code may no longerbe as rigid and impervious as wasbelieved. The genotype was theblueprint of the phenotype but nowresearch reveals that they are bothin a dynamic equilibrium and thephenotype is empowered as wellto alter the genotype.

Every great achievement andtask begins as a thought and thisvery subtle, intangible force mightbe found to be mediated by'thoughtons,’ a type of masslessBoson like the predicted gravitonsand might mediate the ceremonialKick-Off at the popular WorldFootball event.

— Dr Ranade is a consult-ant Neurosurgeon based inMumbai

By Suman Bhattacharya

In an interview, the Dalai Lamasaid that he can't rule out the pos-sibility of one day reincarnating asa computer!

Recently, an NRI techie em-ployed in a global firm, wanted tobe a part of a Kashi Yatra and asa part of the ritual he had to giveup on one of his biggest innerweaknesses. And he gave up onhis Facebook account.

Strange as it may sound, barri-ers between science, technologyand spirituality are breaking downeveryday.

Experts have started regardingtechnology as spiritual. This maysound like an attempt to bring twocompletely different Poles to-gether. Technology is experiencedby us. It is used to accomplish anend result.

Spirituality is more emotional –an awareness of who we are andwhere we want to be.

Oddly, with time, we’re gettingemotionally attached to technol-ogy. Does technology serve a big-ger purpose than just to make ourlives easier?

People are still looking for a de-finitive answer.

The recent Hollywood movie,‘Her’, depicts the story of a lonelyman who falls in Love with hisoperating system. Artificial intelli-gence is a grey area, most ofwhich is still unchartered. But itdoes raise a few valid questions.Can you fall in love with a deviceor a piece of technology? What ifyou’re loved back? If you believethe Dalai Lama, he says it’s pos-sible.

According to him, we are alsoa machine with a consciousness…When a man-made machine gainsthe same consciousness and canfeel basic emotions, its purpose forbeing on earth – it’s not just amachine anymore.

It’s a living entity like all of us.But can we love it like we loveanother human? That’s a ques-tion only time can answer.

Spirituality is differently per-ceived by each of us. For some,it’s a religion – worshipping theAlmighty.

For others, it’s an awarenessof what and where we are in thisuniverse and where we are go-ing. For yet others it’s just a con-nection with a higher being tobring peace and sanity in life.

We have moved from the timewhere religion and science wereenemies and you could be a fol-lower of only one of them.

Technology & spirituality —Friends or foes?

There still are believers whothink technology and spiritualityare incompatible.

Some psychics say they try tostay away from a mobile phoneor computer as they feel a nega-tive energy from these devices.

But there are those like HelenCrosbie -- who thinks she isbrought up with a computer like asibling and an iPhone is a part ofher existence just like her friends,family and workplace.

If we think about it - there’s noreason why technology isn’t spiri-tual. We all are spiritual beings, andeverything in this world comesfrom the same universal source.So technology and science mustbe just as spiritual as everythingelse.

If we go by definition, spiritual-ity should include and encompasseverything in life. There is morein both science and spirituality thatwe don't completely understandyet. You can be a technologyjunkie, and you can be a spiritualperson as well.

As of today we have someanswers, and we’ll find the restwith time.

To all modern, spiritual peopleall over the world – it’s time tobring out your smart phone andlisten to your inner call. The an-swers will follow.

— Suman Bhattacharya isauthor of Error Code Love,published by Srishti.

Good thoughtsEverything is the Supreme Be-

ing, which is existence-conscious-ness-bliss. I am That. By con-stantly cultivating this purethought, get rid of impure thoughts.

— Ribhu GitaDoing is very good, but that

comes from thinking…fill thebrain, therefore, with highthoughts, highest, ideals; placethem day and night before you;and out of that will come greatwork. — Swami Vivekananda

We are shaped by our thoughts;we become what we think. Whenthe mind is pure, joy follows like ashadow that never leaves.

— Gautama BuddhaYou deserve to be called a hu-

man being only when you developgood feelings in you. Let yourthoughts, words and deeds be suf-fused with sacred feelings.

— Sathya Sai BabaDrag your thoughts away from

your troubles... by the ears, by theheels, or any other way you canmanage it.

— Mark Twain

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Chidamabram slams “ignorant” JayalalithaaBARMER: Defying the party,

Jaswant Singh on Monday, March24, filed his nomination papersfrom Barmer Lok Sabha constitu-ency as an independent andlaunched a veiled attack onNarendra Modi saying the"NaMo-NaMo tamasha" and thedecision-making process in BJPshows the "arrogance" of theEmergency era.

He also attacked party presi-dent Rajnath Singh and Rajasthanchief minister Vasundhara Raje,accusing them of "betraying" himand fielding a defector from Con-gress Col Sonaram Chaudhury.

"The NaMo-NaMo tamasha,the decision-making process (inBJP) reminds me of 1975. Thereis more of arrogance and less oftaking everyone along," Singh tolda press conference shortly afterhe filed four sets of nominationpapers before the collector, whois also the returning officer.

After defying the party whichdecided not to give him ticket fromBarmer, the 76-year-old leadersaid it was for the party to decidewhether he should continue in itor not. "They can sack me," hesaid.

Singh, one of the founders ofBJP, said the denial of ticket wasa "huge humiliation" for workersin the constituency.

"I was informed by RajnathSingh over telephone that theticket from Barmer is not pos-sible," he said.

He said the people who havehurt him were the BJP President“who has hit me for the second

Jaswant mocks BJP’s “NaMo-NaMo tamasha”

time. The conspiracy was hatchedby Vasundhara Raje.”

"I say with regret and pain thatthese two persons have sort ofbetrayed me, cheated me. Thebetrayal is not with Jaswant Singhalone but with BJP's principles andideologies," he said while address-ing his supporters after filing thenomination.

As BJP president in 2009,Rajnath Singh had expelled himfrom the party in a manner inwhich even a "peon" is not sacked,Singh said, adding that he got car-ried away by emotions when hejoined back the party.

He recalled that he had heldseveral portfolios in the UnionCabinet and was, in experience,next only to President PranabMukherjee having held portfoliosof defence, finance, external af-fairs at the Centre and had beendeputy chairman of the PlanningCommission.

Jaswant Singh said he had in-formed L.K. Advani almost 18months back of his wish to con-test his last election from home-

town Barmer and then toldRajnath Singh and Advani a fewweeks back.

"No announcement was madeabout Barmer in first few meet-ings (of CEC). I called up RajnathSingh. He informed me the nextday that I won't be given a ticket....Who was given ticket? Not a BJPworker but somebody who joinedBJP from Congress and had beenabusing us till recently. I was veryhurt,” he said.

There were several red facesin the Bharatiya Janata Partywhich on Sunday threw out con-troversial Hindutva leader PramodMuthalik, within five hours of hisinduction into the party.

The right-wing Hindu leader,who has more than 45 casespending against him, was namedKarnataka unit’s vice-presidentdesignate and welcomed into theBJP fold at a ceremony in Hubliby former CM Jagadish Shettarand state unit chief Pralhad Joshiat noon. Muthalik’s Sri Rama Seneorganization had molested womenin a Mangalore pub in 2009.

The party leadership, whichclaimed to be taken by surpriseby the “unilateral” decision of theKarnataka unit, swung into actionas social media buzzed with thenews over its latest recruit, whois also wanted by the police in 12districts of Karnataka.

Muthalik’s fate was sealedonce BJP’s prime ministerial can-didate Narendra Modi expressedhis displeasure.

“My single point agenda is I willnot entertain this,” Modi is under-stood to have told party chiefRajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar,the BJP national general secretarywho hails from Karnataka.

Muthalik, also notorious forhounding youngsters onValentine’s Day, had in Novem-ber last announced his intention tocontest the Lok Sabha electionagainst Pralhad Joshi fromDharwad.

Joshi reportedly wanted

Muthalik in the fold to avoid a splitin the BJP votes. Muthalik cam-paigned against the BJP in theassembly polls, hurting it signifi-cantly in some pockets in thecoastal areas.

Muthalik, once the South Indiaconvener of the Bajrang Dal, ear-lier walked out of the press con-ference called to announce hisreturn to the Sangh Parivar. Hewas upset with reporters’ “hostileline” of questioning.

But before walking out, he an-nounced that the Ram Sene,which had fielded six candidatesin Karnataka, had been dissolved.“I want Narendra Modi to be-come prime minister. I joined toprevent a split in the Hindutvavote,” he had said.

Goa Chief Minister ManoharParrikar also spoke to RajnathSingh, requesting him not to ap-prove the decision of theKarnataka unit. Parrikar fearedthat Muthalik, also facing chargesof promoting enmity between twocommunities in the BJP rankswould create a suspicion in theminds of Christians who havevoted for the party in recent times.

Muthalik fired with hours of joining BJP

Pramod Muthalik

Jaswant Singh

PUDUKOTTAI: In a blisteringcounter attack against Tamil Naduchief minister J Jayalalithaa a day af-ter she questioned his victory in the lastelection and slammed his economicpolicies, Union finance minister PChidambaram accused her of making'sweeping charges' and being ignorantof cases pending against herself.

“It is nothing but ignorance, whenJayalalithaa, who has a long history of dragging the cases pendingagainst her, talks about me,” he said at an election meeting inTirumayyam in support of his son Karthi Chidambaram, fielded inSivaganga constituency held by him.

Referring to Jayalalithaa's assertion that AIADMK would not ac-cept his victory from Sivaganga in 2009 and as to why he did not agreeto a recounting, he said: “This is the time for me to reveal status of my(election) case. The case was filed in 2009. The petitioner (losingAIADMK candidate) in the case is the first witness, and he shouldhave been examined as the first witness on January 31, 2013. How-ever, he did not turn up at trial examination, leading to ten adjourn-ments.” He did not show up for cross examination and the case had tobe adjourned eight times.

“She is making such sweeping charges forgetting cases pendingagainst herself," he said referring to the TANSI case and the onerelated to filing of nominations from four constituencies.

Jayalalitha has dragged her disproportionate wealth case in a Ban-galore court for 17 years on various grounds; even the special publicprosecutor had been fined (for delaying the trial) he said.

On Jayalalithaa's style of campaigning (hopping by choppers) hesaid she was not aware of the ground realities. She could be one chiefMinister "whose feet have not touched the Tamil Nadu soil. Compareher to the late Kamaraj, who visited every nook and corner on foot.”

Ink and eggs thrown atKejriwal in VaranasiVARANASI: Eggs and ink

were thrown at AAP leaderArvind Kejriwal during a roadshow in Varanasi on Tuesday,March 25, following his visit to theKal Bhairav and Kashi Vishwa-nath temples.

Kejriwal’s face and shirt weresplattered with ink by unidentifiedpeople. The U.P. in-charge of theparty Sanjay Singh and formerDelhi Law Minister SomnathBharti were also targeted by thesepeople. The AAP leader alsofaced sporadic protests while un-dertaking the road show.

Earlier, according to supporters,eggs were thrown at Kejriwal’scar outside the Kashi VishwanathTemple in Varanasi.

The egg-throwing incident oc-curred when Kejriwal was exit-ing the temple after offeringprayers ahead of his rally in thecity, they said. However, police atthe spot denied that any such in-cident had taken place.

Earlier, he took a dip in theGanga after arriving in Varanasiby the Shiv Ganga Express fromNew Delhi. The Aam AadmiParty leader is scheduled to ad-dress a public rally at which he isexpected to seek support for tak-ing on Modi, the BJP nomineefrom Varanasi. Smeared with san-dalwood paste as he exited fromthe Vishwanath temple, Kejriwaldid not speak to journalists andmerely smiled even as the vocalprotests continued.

Rahul’s promise:Right to health

Congress vice-president RahulGandhi on Tuesday said if a thirdUPA government is installed at theCentre, right to health will beimplemented in the country.

“It is one of our promises thatpeople’s right to health will be en-sured if the third UPA governmentcomes to power. We have ensuredfood security for all andMGNREGA to ensure employ-ment. Now we have to implementpeople’s right to health,” Gandhisaid while addressing a publicgathering in Koroimura, Tripura.

He said women in the countryneed to be properly empoweredfor a strong nation. “We haveempowered women to some ex-tent by introducing the PanchayatiRaj system. We need to do more.We are trying to bring the womenleadership in our party to the fore,”he said. Gandhi charges thatwomen in Tripura are the mosttortured in the country. “They areintimidated, molested and gangraped, but do not get justice.”


INDIA

AHMEDABAD: The Telugufilm industry is writing its ownpolitical script. After “Power Star”Pawan Kalyan, it was superstarAkkineni Nagarjuna who metNarendra Modi. Nagarjuna, whohas acted in over 85 films, calledon Modi at his Gandhinagar resi-dence Monday evening, March24. While Nagarjuna has so farstayed away from politics, evenrefusing to hobnob with politicians,he is learnt to have decided to sup-port the BJP and Modi this time.

Nagarjuna, however, is knownto be close to Y. S. JaganmohanReddy and had even met him injail. He dismissed notions that hehad met Modi as an emissary ofJagan.

“I have been reading aboutModi. He is an inspiring leader andso when Venkaiah Naidu invitedme to meet him I jumped at theopportunity.

“We just exchanged ideas andthere was no political agenda. Ilike his leadership and I think hewill be the next PM and will bringabout a change in this country.While speaking to him I realizedthat all his ideas are self-sustain-

Nagarjuna is impressed with Modiing. I wanted to find out about thedevelopment in Gujarat that ev-eryone talks about.

“I am impressed with what Ihave seen; the Sabarmatiriverfront, the model village whichhas WiFi and 24-hour power sup-ply. I was told there are many vil-lages like that in Gujarat.

“I live in Jubilee Hills inHyderabad where we have athree-hour power cut daily. Iwould like to see this kind of de-velopment all over the country,”Nagarjuna said after his hour-longmeet with Modi.

Pawan Kalyan, who launcheda Jana Sena Party recently, hadmet Modi on March 21 and de-clared his support.

Meanwhile, Telugu comedianand K Brahmanandam is also try-ing to join the BJP.

Recently, star couple DRajasekhar and JeevithaRajasekhar joined the BJP. An-other actor, Kota Srinivasa Rao,is meeting state BJP leaders, in-cluding M Venkaiah Naidu, and islooking forward to joining theparty.

Sources said that many filmstars are disappointed at the man-ner in which the Congress dividedthe state.

Former actor and former Unionminister U V Krishnam Raju, whohad joined the BJP in 1990 andquit to join K Chiranjeevi’s PrajaRajyam Party, has returned to theBJP.

Chirajeevi dismissed specula-tion about Nagarjuna’s visit toModi: “Maybe Nagarjuna hadsome personal work. I don’t thinkit has anything to do with politics.”

Congress veteran Tiwari, 89, tests Nainital waters He needs a physiotherapist’s

help to get going every morning,and has to be spoonfed his break-fast. Once lodged in the front seatof his SUV, he finds it difficult toget off to meet people.

N. D. Tiwari, 89, is no longerthe leader he once was. He is nowtrying to gauge if the man he re-cently recognized as his biologi-cal son could be the heir to hispolitics. With Rohit Shekhar, 35,by his side, 89-year-old Tiwari ison a tour of Nainital, to introducehis son to his people.

Tiwari is on a 10-day tour ofNainital parliamentary constitu-ency along with Rohit Shekhar. Hesaid his visit is meant to find out ifpeople want him or his son torempresent them in Parliament.

“It is people of the area whowill decide whether my son or Ishould contest the parliamentaryelection from the seat, I will beable to say anything only afterknowing their view,” the formerUttar Pradesh and Uttarakhandchief minister who hopes to get aCongress Party ticket.

After years of denial and a longbattle in court, Tiwari acknowl-edged Rohit as his son earlier thismonth. Rohit and his mother,Ujjwala Sharma, have been trav-elling with him on a 10-day tourof Nainital since Friday.

As the day began, Tiwari sat inthe front seat of the SUV, withRohit at the back. The entourage,which included local CongressMLA Sarita Arya, rolled throughMall Road, the vehicles stoppingat several places to allow Tiwarito meet people.

At the Bhowali Sanatorium,

Tiwari askedwhether allthe modernequipment hehad orderedduring his ten-ure as chiefminister ofUttarakhandhad arrived.“No,” said theorganizers ofthe function,and Tiwariasked his OSD Bhawani Bhatt to try to get him on the phone with thestate’s DG of Health.

Next was a public meeting on the Sanskritik Manch premises. Rohitdelivered his first speech here. “I do not need to tell you about myfather,” he said. “If he contests the election and wins, he will sit in thefront row in Parliament. This is my first visit to this constituency. Mujhebhi apna aashirwaad dein.”

Tiwari did not give a speech. Instead, he interacted with the gather-ing through the public address system. On the way to Bhimtal, Tiwarigot nostalgic at a board announcing Padampuri, his ancestral village.Rohit helped him get off the vehicle, as local people raised slogans inhis praise.

On Monday, Rohit travelled alone to Padmapuri; his father was notfeeling well, he explained to villagers. At the leader’s ancestral home,he was offered tea and snacks. Rohit touched the feet of Durga DuttTiwari, N. D Tiwari’s cousin.

At a public meeting, Rohit said, “I am here on the instructions of myfather. I will tell him about your sentiments for him in the evening.“Mujhe jeene ka maqsad chaahiye (I need a goal in my life). Bless meand send my father to Lok Sabha.” The people of the village, whichTiwari has not visited since 2003, applauded. He would bring his fa-ther over soon, Rohit promised.

N.D. Tiwari with son Rohit Shekhar

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DMK EXPELS ALAGIRI: Cracking the whip, the DMK onTuesday, March 25, expelled a defiant M.K. Alagiri as his rancouragainst the party and its leadership continued unabated, threatening toderail its prospects in the Lok Sabha elections.

Party chief M. Karunanidhi announced the expulsion of Alagiri, hiselder son, who targeted the party even after a warning and suspen-sion. This is not the first time Alagiri has faced action as the party hadacted against him in 2000 but he was reinstated later only to growexponentially in Madurai, his base.


INDIA

NEW DELHI: BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modiattended the Yog Mahotsav organised by yoga guru Baba Ramdev atRamlila Maidan on Sunday, March 23.

Touted to be an apolitical event, organized to pay homage to mar-tyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, however failed to remaincompletely apolitical with the presence of the Gujarat Chief Ministerbefore an ever enthusiastic crowd and the speakers, barring Modi,talking about “nation building by exercising the right choice in the up-coming general elections”.

Addressing the gathering before offering the mike to Modi, theyoga guru said: “I hear people say that there is gloom all over. But Ifeel that India is all set to come out of a bad phase.”

While Modi refrained from making a political speech, he heapedpraise on the yoga guru stating “the issues raised by him [black money,corruption and misgovernance] were his own and these have becomea cause of worry for many”.

Asserting that the yoga guru was not affiliated to any party or anindividual, Modi said: “He is pained due to the state of the system. Hehas a fire within himself as to why bad things are happening in thecountry, why there is black money, why this corruption, why this badgovernance? His issues are such, which are liked by people like me.But there are many people whose sleep vanishes when he rakes upthese issues.”

Without naming the Congress or the UPA government, Modi saidthe previous governments “failed to promote yoga which has the po-tential to become an ambassador of the country before the world”.

Modi also tried to lay down his vision for the country over the nextdecade by stating that the “country needs to take a pledge on themartyrs' day to transform India into a country that provides employ-ment, housing, power, drinking water and toilets etc. to the poorest ofthe poor”.

Modi also complimented Ramdev for organising the event in whichtechnology was utilised in a big way. The programme was transmittedto 600 districts simultaneously.

The BJP leader and the yoga guru honored the family members ofthe Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandrasekhar Azad.

Modi at Ramdev’s Yog Mahotsav

BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Baba Ramdevduring Yoga Mahotsav at Ramlila ground, in New Delhi on March 23.

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NEW DELHI: As if the fightbetween the incumbent Congressparty and the challenger BharatiyaJanata Party was not enough, theentry of Arvind Kejriwal’s AamAadmi Party has made the battleseven more interesting by adding athird dimension in almost all theimportant constituencies.

As the election fever heats upbefore the first round of polling,here is a look at some of the high-profile clashes that will not onlybe instrumental in deciding thefuture Prime Minister of the coun-try but will also spice up the pollseason.

After BJP’s Prime Ministerialcandidate Narendra Modi choseto contest from Varanasi, all eyesare on this temple town in UttarPradesh. With AAP convenorArvind Kejriwal clearing indicat-ing that he wanted to defeat Modiin Varanasi, the theatre of thebattle has shifted to what is oneof the oldest cities of the world.With 80 Lok Sabha seats at stake,victory in Uttar Pradesh is impera-tive for the saffron party toachieve its 272+ target.

The BJP has won five of thelast six elections in the city sinceits rise on the back of the RamTemple movement, barring a Con-gress win in 2004. Murli ManoharJoshi, who wrested back the seatin 2009 defeating BSP’s MukhtarAnsari with a victory margin ofmore than 17,000 votes, has nowbeen shifted to make way forModi and create a “ripple effect”in the Hindi heartland. They feelModi’s candidature could result inas many as 24 wins in eastern UPalone. Varanasi, with 16 lakh vot-ers, has an 18 per cent Muslimpopulation. Modi remains the fa-vorite, but Kejriwal has his shareof admirers. And Mukhtar Ansariis still in the race. If Congress toodecides to field a big name fromthe seat, Battle for Benares willbe the battle of Elections 2014.

THE CLASH INAMRITSAR

From one holy city to another.Punjab’s Amritsar is winding upfor an interesting battle betweenCongress leader and former chiefminister Amarinder Singh and BJPheavyweight Arun Jaitley, who isfighting his maiden electoral battle.Amarinder is the sitting MLA fromPatiala and was chief ministerbetween 2002 and 2007.

BJP roped in Jaitley snubbingNavjot Singh Sidhu, the sitting MPsince 2004. But Sidhu has beenvocal against the Akali leadershipin the past, and it seems the allieshave decided to back someoneelse this time. It was supposed tohave been a cakewalk for Jaitley,till Congress nominated Amarinder,clearly its biggest leader in Punjab,for this race. Despite his reluc-tance, Amarinder’s early Akaliroots as well as royal lineage, willstand him in good stead in the ho-liest city of the Sikhs. AmritsarParliamentary seat has more than60 per cent sikh voters and nineAssembly constituencies.

KANPUR With BJP shifting veteran

leader Murli Manohar Joshi to

Union Coal Minister SriprakashJaiswal’s turf Kanpur, the resultsfrom this industrial town will bewatched keenly. Surendra MohanAgarwal of SP, Dr MahmoodRehmani of AAP andMohammed Saleem of BSP arethe other major contenders. Joshiwas not all that happy making wayfor Narendra Modi, but BJPworkers in the city seem to berallying around the prominentBrahmin leader and see an oppor-tunity to break Jaiswal’s strangle-hold. But the three-time CongressMP seems unruffled by the chal-lenge. Incidentally, the seat has a35 per cent Brahmin vote andequal ratio of Muslim votes.

STAR-STUDDED CLASHIN CHANDIGARH

The stars have descended onChandigarh, with actors GulPanag (AAP) and Kirron Kher(BJP) taking on sitting MP andformer Railway Minister PawanKumar Bansal. The Congressleader has tried to downplay theimpact of what he calls “dimpledbeauties”,but local girl Gul Panagseems to have some ground in CityBeautiful.

On the other hand, BJP’s Kheris finding the going tough as shehas been brought in ignoring toplocal leaders like former MP SatyaPal Jain, Chandigarh BJP presi-dent Sanjay Tandon and formerUnion minister HarmohanDhawan.

Former Miss India Gul Panagwas given the Chandigarh seatafter Savita Bhatti, widow satiristJaspal Bhatti, opted out of therace. Bansal won’t have it as easyas before, given the fact that hehad to resign from the Cabinet inthe wake of Rs 10-crore cash-for-post bribery scam allegedly in-volving his nephew Vijay Singlaand nine others.

With nearly six lakh voters, the46 per cent women electoratecould be key in Chandigarh.

TWO DAUGHTERS INSOUTH MUMBAI

The Mumbai North Centralconstituency will witness a clashof the daughters with PoonamMahajan, daughter of late BJPleader Pramod Mahajan taking onsitting Congress MP Priya Dutt,daughter of late actor-politicianSunil Dutt. The battle between thedaughters will be an interestingcontest since both are trying tocarry their father’s legacy for-ward.

Names of actor Nana Patekarand former IPS officer SatyapalSingh were doing rounds, but fi-nally the party chose PoonamMahajan. Poonam, a BJP secre-tary, has a tough task on her handsas Dutt, had won comfortably lasttime from this constituency witha margin of 1.77 lakh votes.

Dutt had secured 48 per centof the total votes polled in 2009when she drubbed BJP’s MaheshJethmalani who managed to se-cure just 21 per cent votes. TheMNS candidate came in third with19 per cent votes.

With nearly 19 lakh voters, theNorth Central seat coversMumbai’s affluent suburbs like

Vile Parle, Juhu, Bandra andKurla.

STARWATS IN DELHI’SCHANDNI CHOWK

In the Capital, it will be a trian-gular battle for prestigiousChandni Chowk as Delhi BJPchief Harsh Vardhan will contestagainst Union Minister Kapil Sibaland the AAP’s Ashutosh. In a seatwhere Muslims form a fair shareof the electorate, the BJP hopesthe minority vote will either splitbetween the Congress and AAPor even help the BJP since HarshVardhan is considered acceptableover other BJP candidates.Vardhan, who was the party’sChief Ministerial candidate in theAssembly polls, seems confidentof wresting the seat from Sibalwho has held Chandni Chowksince 2004. Journalist-turned-poli-tician Ashutosh will be making hiselectoral debut here.

SOMETHING NEW INNEW DELHI

Another interesting contest willbe in New Delhi, where Con-gress’ Ajay Maken, BJP’sMeenakshi Lekhi and journalistAshish Khetan of AAP are pre-paring for another triangular fight.It was here that three-time chiefminister Sheila Dishit was de-feated by AAP chief ArvindKejriwal in the Assembly electionsand that seems to have addedsome spice to what will otherwisebe a fight between BJP spokes-person Lekhi and sitting CongressMP Maken. Maken has won theseat two times before, while hischallengers are both debutants.

THREE-CORNEREDBATTLE IN EAST DELHI

East Delhi Lok Sabha constitu-ency is gearing up for another in-teresting contest where two-timeMP Sandeep Deikshit is beingchallenged by AAP candidateRajmohan Gandhi and BJP’sMahesh Giri. The saffron partyhas tried to win votes from themiddle-class by fielding socialworker and Art of Living expo-nent Giri. The AAP on the otherhand seems confident about theseat, given its performance in theAssembly elections here. It hasfielded Mahatma Gandhi’s grand-son Rajmohan from this seat.

GHAZIABAD The electoral fight in

Ghaziabad will undeniably be in-tense with BJP’s V K Singh pit-ted against Raj Babbar of theCongress and Shazia Ilmi of theAAP. The BJP has named formerArmy chief V K Singh as its can-didate for Ghaziabad, the constitu-ency vacated by Rajnath Singh infavour of Lucknow.

PATLIPUTRA It is an emotional fight in

Patliputra constituency, whereRJD chief Lalu Prasad’s daugh-ter Misa Bharti will take on her‘uncle’ and for RJD leader RamKripal Yadav who has since joinedthe BJP. Yadav quit the RJD andLalu after it became clear that hewill not get to contest fromPataliputra. — Indian Express

Ten keenly watched election contests

SOUTH ASIA INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 • PAGE 21

Ban on rival countries’ flags at World T20DHAKA: The Bangladeshi hosts of cricket’s World Twenty20

threatened to ban local supporters from stadiums if they are seencarrying the flags of any of the other teams competing in the tourna-ment. The order on Tuesday, March 25, came after an outcry overimages of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recently concludedAsia Cup, also held in Bangladesh.

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman said the boardhad issued a directive after it “noticed that some local fans were flyingforeign flags flouting the country’s flag rules”.

“We’ve received instruction in this regard. As such we've orderedsecurity officials and guards to make sure Bangladesh fans cannotcarry or fly flags of foreign nations in the stadiums,” the spokesmantold AFP, without clarifying.

Polio vaccinator kidnapped, killedPESHAWAR: A female polio vaccinator kidnapped from her house

in Gulozai village in the suburbs of Peshawar on Sunday night, March23, has been killed. Her bullet-riddled and severely tortured body wasfound in a field on Monday morning.

Salma Farooqui, 30, played an active role in the ‘Sehat Ka Insaf’anti-polio campaign recently launched by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwagovernment despite threats from militants.

Salma’s father, Abdul Ghani, told Dawn that about 12 armed menbarged the house at about 12.45am on Sunday night. Some of the menfirst entered the house by scaling the boundary wall and forced amember of the family to hand over keys of the main gate. Their ac-complices entered the house and tied hands of all members of thefamily and covered their eyes. Salma’s husband Mohammad Karimtried to resist but the intruders warned that they would kill him and hisfive children.

Ghani said the family was initially under impression that the assail-ants might be robbers because they collected Rs10,000 cash and somejewellery from the house. But they also took away Salma, he added.

Boy kept in chainsat seminary

LAHORE: Police took ateenage boy in protective custodyon Monday after he fled a semi-nary with a heavy steel chain tiedto his feet. Umair Ramzan, 15, toldpolice that he had been in chainsat the Madressah Faizul Quran inWaheed Park of Amar Sidhu vil-lage.

According to the FIR lodged byASI Liaqat Ali, of Factory Areapolice, he and his team were pa-trolling Ghazi Road, Shaukat Town,when a Rescue 15 call alertedthem that a boy with a chain tiedto his feet was present at a hair-dresser’s shop near Bodhi grave-yard.

The caller, Sajjad Ahmad,handed over the child to policewho identified himself as UmairRamzan of Amar Sidhuvillage.The boy told police that hehad escaped from the FaizulQuran Madressah where he hadbeen in chains for the last six days.

Umair, who has an unusual eyedefect, told Dawn he had man-aged to escape from the seminaryby pretending to go to the wash-room. Once out, he kept walkingwhen two people approached himasking about the chain.

Talks with TTPput off

ISLAMABAD: Negotiatorsfor the government and theTehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)Shura did not meet on Tuesday,March 25, to pursue peace talkson account of bad weather con-ditions. Jamaat-i-Islami KhyberPakhtunkhwa chief and a mem-ber of the Taliban talks commit-tee Prof. Mohammad Ibrahimconfirmed that talks between thetwo sides were postponed as itwas not possible to travel due tobad weather.

Speaking to reporters outsidethe Al-Markaz-i-Islami inPeshawar, Ibrahim said the nego-tiation on prisoners between thegovernment and the Taliban wouldbe very beneficial for peace talks.

He said the situation in Paki-stan was still perilous with hiddenhands taking advantage of it.

Ibrahim said the ceasefire be-tween the government andTaliban was a major breakthroughand a proposed meeting of thegovernment’s negotiators with theTaliban Shura would be a secondmajor breakthrough.

Ibrahim said the governmentnor the Taliban had presented anylist of demands. He, however, saidthe Taliban had assured the gov-ernment that groups opposing dia-logue would be encouraged to jointhe peace process.

13 NABBED IN RAIDS:Rangers personnel conducted tar-geted raids in Karachi’sMohammad Khan Colony andIttehad Town on Tuesday, march25, and arrested 13 suspects andrecovered weapons. The raidswere carried out after the Rang-ers received a tip-off. All entry andexit points of the two localitieswere sealed as the Rangers raidedvarious locations and made sev-eral arrests.

Bangla tribunal asks for totalban on Jamaat-i-Islami

DHAKA: Bangladesh war crimes investigators moved Tuesday,March 25, to outlaw the country's largest Islamic party, accusing it ofgenocide and other atrocities during the 1971 bloody struggle for inde-pendence. Government investigators handed a report detailing warcrimes allegations against Jamaat-i-Islami to prosecutors, in the latestmove against the party which has banned from contesting Januaryelections.

“We want total dissolution of the party,” the government's chiefwar crimes investigator Abdul Hannan Khan told reporters.

“Jamaat and its wings took the decision to act as auxillary forces ofthe Pakistani army in committing atrocities in the 1971 war. So theparty cannot avoid its superior responsibilities,” Hannan said.

Hannan said prosecutors from the country's controversial war crimestribunal would now proceed with charges against the party which wouldlead to a trial in the same tribunal.

“The whole nation has been waiting for this trial. It is the first timeafter the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials that a party is to be prosecutedfor war crimes,” Hannan said, comparing Jamaat to the Nazi party.

The tribunal, set up by the secular government in 2010, has alreadyconvicted more than a dozen of Jamaat's leaders over crimes alleg-edly committed during Bangladesh's war against Pakistan for inde-pendence.

A senior Jamaat leader was executed in December after his con-viction, sparking fresh waves of deadly protests by his supporters.

Kumaratunga takes onreligious bigotry

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has since her graceful re-tirement from office more than eight years ago after the completion ofa constitutionally mandated two term limit, busied herself with an im-pressive portfolio of issues internationally, issues which are also cru-cial to our South Asia region. Her status as an elder stateswomanallows her to address these issues with moral authority and at thehighest levels of opinion and policy making. These issues have in-cluded the education of the girl child, HIV/AIDS prevention, universalaccess to potable drinking water, participation of women in conflictresolution, prevention of domestic violence and a range of other gen-der issues. She has done these through several institutional frame-works, all with the highest impeccable credentials, including the worldrenowned Clinton Global Initiative, the Club de Madrid, an exclusiveassociation of former heads of state and government and her ownColombo based regional policy think tank, the South Asia Policy Re-search Institute (SAPRI).

Sri Lanka has sadly seen the rise of neo fascist religious extremistgroups, which hate monger with impunity against religious minoritycommunities in Sri Lanka. Strengthened through sympathetic propa-ganda in the state media and emboldened by near impunity from thelaw, these groups which started their anti minority campaign, againstHallal certification on commercial products have since expanded it toinclude minority businesses, mosques and Christian churches.

It is in this context, that President Kumaratunga has taken a publicstand and brought the issue to the forefront of the public debate. Blan-ket denials by the government of existential ground realities are notcredible. Reining in the extremist attackers (identities clearly availableon YouTube and their own well publicized press conferences) andengaging with the excellent recommendations of the inter faith dia-logue brought together by the former head of state, would be a goodway to address the situation.

The Rajapakse Administration’s official response to religious intol-erance in Sri Lanka has been as predictable, as it has been sad. Theyhave officially denied the existence of any religious intolerance prob-lem in the country. This despite the fact that incidents like the assaulton the Dambula mosque, the No Limit and Fashion Bug attack and theassault on the Kottawa and Hikkaduwa Christian churches are allcaptured on video, shown on the local evening TV news and eventoday is safely stowed in cyber space and shown to the world onYouTube. The list of incidents are generally reported to the police,carefully documented and presented to authorities. Still the govern-ment response is no, this doesn’t happen. — Harim Peiris ingroundviews

THE HAGUE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked the US onMonday to play its role in normalising ties between Pakistan and Indiaand said issues between the two neighbouring countries should beresolved. Talking to reporters after a meeting with US Secretary ofState John Kerry, he said India was hesitating to resolve the Kashmirissue bilaterally.

If India is not willing to include a third force in resolving the Kash-mir issue then the United States will have to play its role in ensuring anormal situation in the region. The prime minister said peace in Af-ghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and the region.

He said Pakistan wanted to talk to the Afghan Peace Council tomaintain peace in the region, adding that improved relations betweenPakistan and Afghanistan should not be derailed.

The prime minister praised the US policy of discontinuing dronestrikes in Pakistan and said this policy must be carried on.

During the meeting held on the sidelines of the two-day NuclearSecurity Summit, Pakistan and the US reaffirmed their desire to con-tinue their strategic dialogue, covering a wide range of areas.

The US secretary said his country had great confidence in Pakistan’snuclear security and would continue to work with Pakistan in fightingterrorism. In brief remarks to the media, he said the US would coop-erate with Pakistan to help meet its energy needs.

Kerry said the two countries were “deeply engaged” and wouldfocus on the issues of terrorism and global energy, besides Afghani-stan and the bilateral relations. He said he was looking forward to hismeeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar soon.

Prime Minister Sharif, in his speech at the Nuclear Security Sum-mit, said Pakistan attached the highest importance to nuclear securitybecause it was directly linked to the country’s national security. Hesaid: “Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapons state and pursues apolicy of nuclear restraint, as well as credible minimum deterrence.”

Leaders from 53 countries, the United Nations, European Union,International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Interpol are attend-ing the summit. “Our region needs peace and stability for economicdevelopment that benefits its people. That is why, I strongly advocatenuclear restraint, balance in conventional forces and ways to resolveconflicts,” the prime minister said.

Pakistan-India detente: Sharifseeks U.S. role

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, with President Obama. Sharif praised theUS policy of discontinuing drone strikes in Pakistan.

Hotel attack: Kabul accuses PakistanKABUL: Afghanistan accused Pakistan's intelligence service on

Monday of staging last week's attack on a hotel in Kabul in which ninepeople including foreigners were shot dead by militants. Afghanistanusually speaks of unnamed foreign powers when it wants to hint at asuspected Pakistani role in an incident, but the statement byAfghanistan's NDS intelligence agency pointed its finger directly atIslamabad.

Pakistan's foreign ministry rejected any responsibility for the gun-men who managed to smuggle pistols past the Serena hotel's heavysecurity cordon last Thursday. They then waited for a hotel restaurantto fill up for an Afghan New Year dinner before emerging to shootdiners. Three children between two and five were found with bulletsin the head and four of the nine dead were foreigners.



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