Indiapost 08 02 2013

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Telengana decision willopen floodgates?

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CONTENTSBollywood ---------------------- 28-29

Classifieds ------------------------- 52

Community Post -------------- 16-26

Date Book -------------------------- 36

Edit Page --------------------------- 54

HealthScience Post --------- 32-35

Horoscope ------------------------- 47

Immigration Post ------------- 44-46

Life Style ----------------------- 50-51

Philosophy ------------------------- 53

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4

Real Estate -------------------- 30-31

TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15

Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 39-43

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TOP SCIENCE AWARDSFOR 4 INDIANS IN U.S.

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Jimmy Shergill isFestival of IndiaGrand Marshal

Ro Khanna talksChina, India, USpartnership

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WASHINGTON: Four Indian-American professors areamong 13 mathematicians, theoretical physicists and theo-retical computer scientists selected for the Simons Inves-tigators awards for their cutting edge research.

The four professors - Kannan Soundararajan, RajeevAlur, Salil P Vadhan and Senthil Todadri - will receive USD100,000 a year for five years for long-term research, withthe possibility of renewal for five additional years.

The awards for 2013 were announced by Simons Foun-dation, a New York-based non-profit organization with amission to advance the frontiers of research in mathemat-

ics and basic sciences.Soundararajan, a professor of mathematics at Stanford

University, "is one of the world's leaders in analytic num-ber theory and related areas", the Foundation said in astatement.

The India-born professor represented the country atthe International Mathematical Olympiad in 1991 and wona silver medal. A Sloan Foundation Fellow, Soundararajanhas an undergraduate degree from University of Michi-gan and a PhD from Princeton.

Details on page 5

BIRTH PANGS: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi with other leaders during the CWC

meeting at 10 Janpath in New Delhi on July 30 which approved statehood for Telengana

Telangana to be 29th state of IndiaNEW DELHI: Brushing aside opposition after dith-

ering for nearly four years, the Congress and the UPAcoalition has unanimously endorsed creation of a sepa-rate Telangana state from out of Andhra Pradesh. It willbe the 29th state of India.

"It is resolved to request the Central government tomake steps in accordance with the Constitution to forma separate state of Telangana ......within a definitetimeframe," said a resolution of the Congress WorkingCommittee, the highest policy-making body of the party,after over an hour-long meeting.

The Congress also decided to recommend to thegovernment that Hyderabad be made the joint capital ofthe newly-proposed state and the other regions -Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra - for a period of 10years.

The momentous decisions by the CWC and the UPAcame after hectic consultations for the last over a weekon creation of the 29th state of the country that willhave a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts ofundivided Andhra Pradesh.

Details on page 6

Youth front inUS to helpbuild new India

Encyclopediaof Hinduismlaunched

Industry asksPM to removehurdles

India Air Chiefdiscusses spaceplan with US

NAK Browne

MPs' letters toObama on Modivisa 'authentic'

Republicans tofield 10 Indian-Americans

Batla Houseencounter: Lifeterm for Shazad

US has little concern for Indiaover Taliban fears?

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Bollywood:Out in the openAn online photo shows Katrina Kaif ina skimpy bikini having fun with boyfriendRanbir Kapoor in Spain

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With no dramatic pictures coming out of Kedarnath and Rishikesh anymore,the Indian media seems to have moved on to wetter pastures in politics,

but there are still many dedicated voluntary organizations that are working inthe flood-hit areas of the Indian north where more than 10,000 people are stillreportedly missing.

Among those working to provide relief by way of basic necessities to thoseaffected is the US-based humanitarian voluntary organization, United Sikhs.The United Sikhs, after weeks of relief efforts, has now established a missingpersons' hotline and a webpage to assist flood victims in finding their loved oneswho are still missing.

Anyone here with local contacts, friends, relatives living in the affected re-gion, may pass on the Helpline number for Uttarakhand victims: 91-882-636-9335.

Please also share the webpage "Search4Missing" that has been establishedon the United Sikhs website, where one can find information on missing persons.Victims are still facing the need for food, water, and refuge.

The United Sikhs has urged volunteers to join the efforts to rebuild andrestore homes and businesses, and life in these damaged areas.

Now, I just want to say something here. While what United Sikhs and theother such organizations that are working in the disaster areas are doing istruly commendable, maybe every one of those involved in these efforts shouldnow bring the local authorities round to come together to rebuild the region witha little more planning and a lot more conscience.

Disasters, however natural, tend to be more damaging to life and property,where human negligence is involved. Everyone knows that commercial develop-ment is not warranted in the higher reaches of the Himalayan region, but greedhas driven many to callously ignore the fragile environment and build entiretowns where there is not supposed to be any habitation at all.

Devotees visiting these holy places must realize that these are not touristresorts and expect commercial comforts when they go there. Of what value faithif it results in ravaging the environment that is holier than any perceived bless-ings of a pilgrimage.

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Top science awards for 4 Indian AmericansWASHINGTON: Four Indian-

American professors are among13 mathematicians, theoreticalphysicists and theoretical com-puter scientists selected for theSimons Investigators awards fortheir cutting edge research.

The four professors - KannanSoundararajan, Rajeev Alur, SalilP Vadhan and Senthil Todadri -will receive USD 100,000 a yearfor five years for long-term re-search, with the possibility of re-newal for five additional years.

The awards for 2013 were an-nounced by Simons Foundation,a New York-based non-profit or-ganization with a mission to ad-vance the frontiers of research inmathematics and basic sciences.

Soundararajan, a professor ofmathematics at Stanford Univer-sity, "is one of the world's lead-ers in analytic number theoryand related areas", the Founda-tion said in a statement.

The India-born professor rep-resented the country at the In-ternational Mathematical Olym-piad in 1991 and won a silvermedal. A Sloan Foundation Fel-low, Soundararajan has an un-dergraduate degree from Univer-sity of Michigan and a PhD fromPrinceton.

"His work is focused on un-derstanding the zeros and valuedistribution of L-functions, andon analyzing the behavior ofmultiplicative functions," it said.

Two of three computer sci-

ence awards were given to In-dian-Americans Alur andVadhan.

Alur, the Zisman Family Pro-fessor in the department of in-formation and computer scienceat the University of Pennsylva-nia, "is a top researcher in for-

mal modeling and algorithmicanalysis of computer systems".

"A number of automata andlogics introduced by him havenow become standard modelswith great impact on both the

theory and practice of verifica-tion," the Foundation said.

Alur has bachelor and PhDdegrees in computer sciencefrom IIT-Kanpur and StanfordUniversity.

Vadhan, the Vicky Joseph Pro-fessor of Computer Science and

Kannan Soundararajan Salil P Vadhan Senthil TodadriRajeev Alur

Applied Mathematics at HarvardUniversity, was recognized forhis "original and influential pa-pers on computational complex-ity and cryptography".

He has a PhD in applied math-

ematics from MIT and a certifi-cate of advanced study in math-ematics from Churchill College atCambridge University.

Todadri, a professor of phys-ics at MIT and DistinguishedResearch Chair at the PerimeterInstitute of Physics, was one of

six Simons grant-winners in thatdiscipline.

"Senthil Todadri's work...onZ2 topological order in modelsof spin liquid states providedkey insights and initiated the

systematic investigation ofgauge structures in many-bodysystems, now a vital subfield ofcondensed matter physics," theFoundation said.

Todadri has a PhD from Yaleand an undergraduate degreefrom IIT-Kanpur. -PTI

MPs' letters to Obama on Modi visa 'authentic'WASHINGTON: The contro-

versy over Indian MPs' lettersto President Barack Obama fordenying visa to Narendra Modihas taken a new turn with a Cali-fornia-based Forensic Docu-ment Examiner certifying that thesignatures of the lawmakers are"original and authentic" and nota cut and paste job as claimed.

"Using accepted principlesand methods of forensic exami-nation, it is my opinion that theQ1-Q3 (three pages of RajyaSabha MPs' letter) documentwas created in a single event,and that the signatures foundupon it are original/authenticwet ink signatures," said the re-port after a forensic examinationof the letter.

A similar finding was madein respect of the letter by LokSabha members.

The forensic examination ofthe handwritings on the two let-ters to Obama by members ofRajya Sabha and Lok Sabha onNovember 26 and December 5last year respectively, whichwere re-faxed to the WhiteHouse on July 21, was done byNanette M Barto, approved Fo-rensic Document Examiner, in

California.The examination was prepared

at the request of Coalition AgainstGenocide (CAG) campaigningagainst Modi after some parlia-mentarians, notably CPI (M)leader Sitaram Yechury, M PAchutan (CPI) and K PRamalingam (DMK) denied hav-ing signed the letter to Obama.

CAG, a broad alliance of about40 Indian American organizations,has been campaigning against USvisa for Modi.

When contacted for reaction tothe forensic examination report,Achutan maintained that he did

not remember to have appendedhis signature to a memorandumlike this.

All that he remembered wasthat he had signed a representa-tion expressing anguish at thedetention of Muslim youths indifferent parts of India, especiallyin northern states, by brandingthem as terrorists on flimsygrounds, he said.

Ramalingam said this was aprivilege matter which has to begiven to Chairman Hamid Ansari."I have already said I have notsigned the letter," he said.

Yechury, who had earlier saidthat he had not signed the letterand his purported signature on thedocument, was a "cut and pastejob" is away in Pyongyang on avisit as part of a parliamentary del-egation to North Korea. He couldnot be reached for his comments.

Raja Swamy of CAG claimedthat the forensic examinationproved that the documents "areauthentic, without any cut andpaste operation done on either thepaper copy or the electronic ver-sion and that each of the signa-tures is distinct individual".

"Since the authenticity of theseletters has been called into ques-

tion by some members of parlia-ment who either do not recollector deny having signed the letters,CAG decided to engage a profes-sional forensic examiner, to verifythe authenticity of the two letters.

"The forensic examiner we en-gaged is Ms. Nanette Barto, acourt qualified Forensic Docu-ment Examiner and Handwriting

Analyst," Swamy, a CAG spokes-person, told PTI.

Notarized copies of the re-ports, which are admissible asevidence in a court of law, wereprovided to PTI by the CAG.

"To summaries, the forensic

examination proves that thedocument is authentic, withoutany "cut and paste" operationdone on either the paper copyor the electronic version, andthat each of the signatures isfrom a distinct individual,"Swamy said.

In her forensic report, one foreach of the letters, Barto saidthat font, leading, and kerningare consistent between eachpage indicating that the docu-ment was created all at one time.

"Staples impressions are con-sistent with the three-page docu-ment having been stapled to-gether at the same time. The jpegscan was scanned in at 300 dpiand in color. Examination of thehandwriting revealed that thisdocument was the original wetink document scanned in at ahigh resolution," the report said.

"Careful examination of thedocument blown up to 400 percent revealed that each entrywas crisp, smooth, and fluidhandwriting in various colorand types of inks. Natural pool-ing, breaking, and feathering ofink can be easily seen to sup-port that this is a scan of an origi-nal document," it said. -PTI

"Using acceptedprinciples and meth-ods of forensic ex-amination, it is myopinion that the Q1-Q3 (three pages ofRajya Sabha MPs'letter) document wascreated in asingle event,

"Careful examinationof the documentblown up to 400 percent revealed thateach entry was crisp,smooth, and fluidhandwriting in vari-ous color and typesof inks”and thus anoriginal document


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Telangana to be 29th state of IndiaNEW DELHI: Brushing aside

opposition after dithering fornearly four years, the Congressand the UPA coalition has unani-mously endorsed creation of aseparate Telangana state from outof Andhra Pradesh. It will be the29th state of India.

"It is resolved to request theCentral government to make stepsin accordance with the Constitu-tion to form a separate state ofTelangana ......within a definitetimeframe," said a resolution ofthe Congress Working Commit-tee, the highest policy-makingbody of the party, after over anhour-long meeting.

The Congress also decided torecommend to the governmentthat Hyderabad be made the jointcapital of the newly-proposedstate and the other regions -Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra- for a period of 10 years.

The momentous decisions bythe CWC and the UPA came afterhectic consultations for the lastover a week on creation of the 29thstate of the country that will havea geographical area of 10 of the 23districts of undivided AndhraPradesh.

Contrary to speculation thatthe new state could be named

Rayala Telangana, including acouple of districts ofRayalaseema, the districts thatwill be part of the new state willbe Adilabad, Karimnagar,Khammam, Mahaboobnagar,Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad,

Rangareddy and Warangal be-sides Hyderabad.

At the moment the idea is tohave 10 districts in Telangana butit will be for the Group of Minis-ters to consider demands for in-

clusion of more areas, AICC Gen-eral Secretary Digvijay Singh, incharge of Andhra Pradesh affairsin Congress, told a press confer-ence after the CWC meeting.

Out of 42 Lok Sabha seats and294 Assembly seats in Andhra

Pradesh, Telangana is likely tohave 17 Lok Sabha seats and 119Assembly seats.

The process of creating a newstate - which will include a vote inParliament - will take about four

to five months. Congress leaderDigvijaya Singh said that the reso-lution on the issue, adopted bythe Working Committee, acknowl-edges the difficulty of its deci-sion.

Part of the problem lies in the

opposition to the bifurcationamong Congress leaders who be-long to the non-Telangana regionsreferred to collectively asSeemandhra. But over the last fewdays, the party has worked to

blunt extreme protests and thepossibility of resignations, includ-ing that of Andhra Pradesh ChiefMinister Kiran Kumar Reddy.

The Congress said that thegovernment will be asked to en-sure that the concerns of the resi-dents of Telangana andSeemandhra are addressed andresolved within "a specified timeframe" - these include how to di-vide water, electricity and revenuebetween the old and new states.A new capital will be identifiedeventually for Seemandhra, MrSingh said.

"We are drinking poison forthe sake of the Congress," saidRudraraju Padma Raju, the chiefwhip of the Congress in AndhraPradesh. But like others, he agreedthat resigning from the state as-sembly will not yield any benefits,except to the opposition.

The decision to create aTelangana state was first taken byCongress president Sonia Gandhi.With national elections justmonths away, the Congress wantsto leverage the fact that half ofAndhra Pradesh's parliamentaryseats are located in Telangana. Byagreeing to the popular sentimentthere, the party is counting on anelectoral windfall. -PTI

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Sushilkumar Shinde,

Kamal Nath and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi during the UPA meeting on Telangana

Gorkhaland, Bodolandagitation to be intensified

NEW DELHI: Protagonists ofGorkhaland and Bodoland havethreatened to intensify their agi-tations for statehood, saying withthe creation of Telangana, theCentre cannot deny them their"old and justified" demands.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha(GJM) general secretary RoshanGiri and BodolandPeople's Front (BPF)MP Sansuma KhunggurBwiswmuthiary saidthey have no option butto intensify their move-ments for separatestates to be carved outof West Bengal andAssam respectively.

"After Telangana,the central government will nowhave to give us Gorkhaland. Theycannot deny our old and justifieddemand. We will intensify our agi-tation," Giri told PTI.

The GJM leader said Darjeelinghills and its adjoining areas werenever part of West Bengal andtherefore there was no reason "toforcefully keep us with West Ben-gal".

"We do not want to remain withWest Bengal. It is a mystery howwe were attached with West Ben-

gal. We want Gorkhaland," Girisaid.

The GJM has threatened thatthe ongoing three-day strikewould be converted into an indefi-nite one to press for Gorkhalandin case statehood was conferredon Telangana.

BPF Lok Sabha member

Bwiswmuthiary said they havecalled a public rally in Kokrajhar,Assam, on August 5 to renewtheir demand for separateBodoland.

"Demand for Bodoland is sev-eral decades old. If the Centre cangive Telangana, why notBodoland. We will soon meetPrime Minister Manmohan Singh,UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhiand Home Minister SushilkumarShinde to press our demand," hetold PTI.-PTI

"After Telangana, the centralgovernment will now haveto give us Gorkhaland. Theycannot deny our old andjustified demand. We willintensify our agitation”

2008 Batla House encounter:Shazad gets life term

NEW DELHI: Suspected IndianMujahideen (IM) terroristShahzad Ahmed, convicted in the2008 Batla House encounter case,has been sentenced to life impris-onment by a Delhi court, whichsaid the case does not fall un-der the rarest of rare categorywarranting death penalty.

Additional Sessions Judge(ASJ) Rajender Kumar Shastrihanded down life term toShahzad for killing decoratedpolice officer Inspector M CSharma and injuring two othercops.

Shahzad was also slappedwith a fine of Rs.95, 000 ofwhich Rs.40, 000 will be givento Sharma's family.

Shahzad, 25, was convictedin the September 19, 2008 en-counter when a team of DelhiPolice Special Cell raided theBatla House flat in Jamia Nagarin south Delhi following a tip-off that terrorists allegedly in-volved in the September 13,2008 serial blasts in the capitalwere holed up there.

The court denied police's pleafor death penalty saying the casedoes not fall under the rarest of

rare category as the mitigating cir-cumstances outweigh the aggra-vating ones.

"Ruminating on the facts of thecase and also the circumstances

of the convict, I find mitigating cir-cumstances more than aggravat-ing ones and hence the case in

hand is not a 'rarest of the rarecase', which warrants death pen-alty upon the convict," the judgesaid.

The aggravating circum-stances cited by the court wereobstructing police officersfrom doing their job by attack-ing them and in this case kill-ing one--Inspector M CSharma-- and attempting to killothers.

One of the several mitigat-ing circumstances enumeratedby the court were that the inci-dent at Flat No.108, L-18, BatlaHouse, was not premeditatedand occurred on the spur ofthe moment.

"Police is an integral part ofour life. While in any peril, werely upon the police. When wesleep, police awakes.

It ensures our safety dayand night... Law obliges everyperson to assist the police inapprehending the suspect,whom the police is authorizedto arrest.

"There can be no deeperwound on rule of law than to at-tack a police officer, while dis-charging his official duty. -PTI

Suspected IM operative

Shahzad Ahmed


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Browne discusses spaceand cyber command in US

Indian Army most influentialin Asia Pacific: US Gen

WASHINGTON: India and theUS discussed a host of issues,including the security situation inSouth Asia, East China Sea, anti-piracy operations and America'shelp in developing two new com-mands - space and cyber, duringa recent visit of Air Chief MarshalN A K Browne here.

Commander of US Pacific Air

Forces and Air Component Com-mander General Herbert Carlislesaid the "relationship is great withIndian air force."

Describing Browne as his"good friend", Carlisle said dur-ing the Indian Air Chief's four-dayUS visit they talked about a vari-ety of things and regional issues.

"The other things that he talkedabout that the Indian Air Force,the Indian military is trying to de-velop a space command on themilitary side, because right nowalmost everything that is done inIndia in space is on the civilianand commercial side," Carlislesaid.

"They are trying to develop anIndian military space capability, aswell as cyber capability," headded.

Browne went to Colorado tomeet the Space Command, duringwhich he was briefed on how theUS Space Command works, theorganizational structure, tech-nologies available, and the les-sons that the US has learned fromits experiences, Carlisle said, add-ing the two forces are likely to do"subject matter" exchanges withexperts in this field in the near fu-ture.

They also talked about the se-curity situation in South Asia andwhat the two forces can do aspartners to continue to work inthat region.

"It is everything from west

side, piracy going into Maldives,to East side what happening in theEast China Sea and how we cancontinue to maintain security andstability in the region. We hadvery good discussion," Carlislesaid.

Responding to a question,Carlisle said, "China was verymuch discussed" during Browne's

US visit."I think, every nation in the

Asia Pacific region has relation-ship with PRC (People's Republicof China) and we have to be cog-nizant about. We talked abouttheir issues and commonality withthe PRC, they have border issues,but they also have trade," he said.

"We talked about the fact thatthe US-China relationship is so

important to the entire region. Iheard that in Singapore, when Iwas there, I head from the IndianAir Chief that you hear everywhereyou go, how the United States andPRC manage and build their rela-tionship which is critical to theentire region. He reiterated that.

"And again I think, the fact thatevery nation has a complex andmany times challenging relation-ships. It is important that we USstay cognizant to the challengesthat those nations face in dealingwith the PRC," Carlisle said, add-ing that they had "very good dis-cussions."

"We did not talk much about

Afghanistan. We talked a littleabout his concerns. I think manynations there are concerned withwhat it looks like post 2014 and ofcourse, the proximity of the bor-der gives him (the IAF chief) con-cerns with potential for terrorismand other things," he said.

As such Browne spent time inColorado talking to Gen Charles

Jacoby, Com-mander of USNorthern Com-mand and theNorth AmericanAerospace De-fense Com-mand about se-curity andhomeland de-fense and someof the things"potential ifthings wentbad" in Af-ghanistan.

Carlisle saidthe Asia Pacificregion is a pri-ority area forthe UnitedStates.

"Expandingengagement is one of the primetenants of our strategy," he saidin response to a question.

Carlisle also extended "an apol-ogy" for canceling the Red Flagexercise due to sequestration - orautomatic budgetary cuts in theAmerican armed forces.

"We did make a commitmentabout having Red Flag next yearthis time and they (Indians) are

going to participate," Carlisle saidin response to a question, duringa Defense Writers Group break-fast meeting.

"The sequestration had an im-pact wherein we had to cancel theRed Flag (exercise). Actually theIndian Air Force was going tobring Su-30 and participate in it,"he said.

Carlisle described as howBrowne had worked hard to getpermission from the Indian Gov-ernment to have IAF Su-30 par-ticipate in this exercise, which wasscheduled to be held at the NellisAir Force base in Nevada thisJuly. -PTI

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne at a meeting with US Air Force Chief

General Mark Welsh at Pentagon, Washington DC

"I think, every nation in the Asia Pacificregion has relationship with PRC (People'sRepublic of China) and we have to be cog-nizant about. We talked about their issuesand commonality with the PRC, they haveborder issues, but they also have trade"

WASHINGTON: The IndianArmy is by far the most influen-tial in the Asia Pacific region, atop American General has said ashe stressed on the importance ofbuilding military-to-military rela-tionship between the two coun-tries.

"As is in many of the Asia-Pa-cific countries, the army is thedominant service in those coun-tries. India is a prime example. It isby far the largest service. It is by

far the most influential," US ArmyChief of Staff General Raymond TOdierno said.

"It is important for us to buildarmy-to-army relations as we con-tinue to re-balance the Asia- Pa-cific region," he told a Washing-ton audience.

Odierno recently returned from atrip to India during which he met hisIndian counterpart and held a widerange of discussions with the topIndian military leadership.He also traveled to theNorthern Command.

"The first commentsabout India, specifi-cally, is, one of thingswe have to remember is,we have to make surethey maintain their ownstrategic autonomy.And we do things inline with them to helpbuild capacity, helplearn from each other,"he said.

"One thing we realizedwe have so much in com-mon, the two largest de-mocracies in the world, we are twovery professional armies, and thereis much we can do to learn from eachother," Odierno said in response toa question at the American Enter-prise Institute (AEI) - a Washing-ton-based think tank.

"We talked a lot about the wayahead in the region, the impor-tance of operations in the region.They took me up to their northern

command, which is their most im-portant command, which is re-sponsible for the borders of Paki-stan and China," he said.

"I had the chance to meet withtheir staff and their commanders,and what really caught me was thefact that, what they have beendoing for the past 20 years, iswhat we have been doing for thepast 12, counter-insurgency, pro-tecting their space, there's a lot oflessons learned that they have

that we have. And so, there is alot of knowledge that we canshare," the US General said.

"So I think that will be the ba-sis of the continued relationship,is the sharing of information aboutwhat they face on a day-to-daybasis up in the Kashmir area, withPakistan, as well with China, asyou just talked about with a mi-nor incursion not too long ago...,"he said.

He added that the two coun-tries have a lot in common, in shar-ing lessons, in professional devel-opment, a lot in developing futureleaders, a lot in understandingtechniques on what they see willbe potentially prominent as theydeal with future problems, notonly around the world, whether itbe there or the Middle East, there'ssome commonality. -PTI

US Army Chief of Staff General Raymond T Odierno

"One thing we realized wehave so much in common,the two largest democraciesin the world, we are twovery professional armies,and there is much we cando to learn from eachother," Odierno said in re-sponse to a question at theAmerican Enterprise Institute(AEI) - a Washington-basedthink tank


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Republicans to field 10 Indian-Americans in 2014WASHINGTON: As part of its effort to

change the face of the party, diversify itsbase and gain the support of this cash rich

community, the Republican Party is work-ing to field 10 Indian-Americans in the 2014Congressional elections.

Around half a dozen Indian-Americans- from various field and States - have beenidentified and currently undergoing train-ing, before their names could be announcedand made public, said Shalabh Kumar, whohas been closely associated with such aneffort initiated by the Republican Party.

The seats identified by the RepublicanParty are two each in Illinois (Congressionaldistricts eight and 11), New Jersey (Congres-sional districts six and 12), New York (Con-gressional districts three and four) and Cali-fornia (Congressional districts 15 and 17).

Other seats are in Virginia and Maryland.According to Kumar, so far about half a

dozen Indian-Americans have been identi-fied, who are undergoing training and avetting process, before their names couldbe announced.

Of the more than 3.5 million Indian-Americans, an overwhelming majority ofthem support the Democratic Party.

Two of the only Indian-American Gov-ernors - Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley - arefrom the Republican Party and the onlyCongressmen in the current Congress, DrAmi Bera, is from the Democratic Party.

Kumar heads the Indian-American Ex-ecutive Council of the National RepublicanCongressional Committee. -PTI

Tata on jury toselect Zayed FutureEnergy Prize

DUBAI: Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritusof India-based Tata Sons, will be a part ofthe jury that will select winners of ZayedFuture Energy Prize this year, an award forinnovation in renewable energy andsustainability.

Besides Tata, Virgin Group founder SirRichard Branson will also be a part of thejury, according to a statement released here.

The USD 4 million Zayed Future EnergyPrize is awarded annually in five categories- large corporation, small and medium en-terprise, non-governmental organization,lifetime achievement and high schools - forsignificantc o n t r i b u -tions to thefuture of en-e r g y ,sustainabilityand climatechange.

In the lastfive years,the awardhas recog-nized 21 in-n o v a t o r s .Winners ofthe sixthedition will be announced on January 20next year.

Ratan Tata was the Chairman of TataSons, the holding company of the TataGroup, for 21 years until his retirement in2012.

"Through their bold initiatives and in-novative thinking, Sir Richard and Tata havealready created a legacy that will serve toenhance the world we live in; this is whatlies at the heart of the legacy left to us bythe Prizes namesake and founding fatherof the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan AlNahyan," Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Direc-tor General of the Zayed Future EnergyPrize, said in the statement.

Chaired by Olafur Ragnar Grimsson,President of the Republic of Iceland, the2014 judging panel will also includeMohamed Nasheed, former President ofthe Republic of the Maldives; Dr HanSeung-soo, former Prime Minister of Ko-rea; among others. -PTI

Ratan Tata


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Tata Steeleyes UK firm'sIndian assets

LONDON: India's largest steel giant,Tata Steel, has set its sights on the Indianiron ore assets of one of Britain's largestindependent steel trading companies -Stemcor, according to a media report.

The British firm has run into trouble as aresult of a global slowdown in the steel in-dustry and is in rescue talks with banksafter de-faulting on more than USD 1 bil-lion of loans.

The cash crunch has forced the com-pany to offload some of its physical as-sets, including its iron ore mine in Orissawhich could fetch an estimated USD 800million.

According to 'The Sunday Times'sources, Tata Steel is keen to grab the ironore to feed its Indian steel mills.

The company, which bought over Brit-ish steelmaker Corus back in 2007, facesstiff competition for the iron mines fromanother Indian rival Jindal Steel and Power.

Stemcor has been granted a paymentholiday by banks on its unpaid debt untilSeptember 16.

It presented a recovery plan that pro-posed shrinking the business. The movewould slash revenues by about 30 per cent.

Stemcor is to present a full debt restruc-turing plan to lenders by the end of Au-gust.

The company's Indian beneficiationplant takes low grade iron ore fines fromvarious local mines and refines them whilethe pellet plant, located near localsteelmakers, converts low-grade iron finesinto value-added pellets.

Iron ore is a key ingredient to producesteel and India is a main supplier of spotcargoes to China, the world's largest buyerof the metal. -PTI

Reliance assails court's order summoning Anil, TinaNEW DELHI: Reliance Telecom Ltd has

assailed in the Supreme Court the order ofthe special court allowing CBI plea to makeAnil Ambani and his wife Tina as witnessesin 2G spectrum case saying it was aimed at"covering the lacunae" of the agencywhich has been "groping in dark".

Reliance Telecom Ltd, one of the threecompanies named as accused in the case,contended that the trial court wrongly ex-ercised its power allowing CBI plea to makeAmbani couple along with 11 others wit-nesses in the case which would prejudicethe case of accused.

"There is nothing to discover from AnilAmbani. He has already given his state-ment (to CBI) under section 161 of Code ofCriminal Procedure on February 16, 2011.The reason for filing the application (byCBI) is to camouflage its own lacunae.

"It (CBI) is groping in dark and fishingfor something. It is nothing but to cover upits lacunae," RTL's counsel and senior ad-vocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted before abench of justices G S Singhvi and K S

Radhakrishnan.Rohatgi made it clear that the petition

challenging the July 19 order of the trialcourt on the issue was not filed by Ambanibut by the RTL as it was passed on themisconceived application of the CBI at thefag end of the trial when 140 witnesses havebeen examined.

He also questioned the reasoning of thetrial court that the order summoning freshset of witnesses was in sequence to theorder of November 19, 2012 when the CBI'splea for placing additional documents re-lating some banks was allowed.

The senior advocate assailed this ordersaying "when prosecution has been unableto prove its case after examination of 140witnesses it should be the funeral of thecase".

He submitted that the trial court judgeshould not give "helping hand" to the CBIfor its shoddy job as section 311 of theCrPC under which the agency's plea wasallowed "is not a handle to help prosecu-tion" more so when the whole trial proce-dure has gone for toss.

At the outset, Rohatgi also raised ob-jection over the apex court's April 11, 2011

order barring Delhi High Court or any othercourt from entertaining the appeal againstthe special CBI court's order.

He agreed to the suggestion that he willfile a separate application contending thatthe apex court order takes away the consti-tutional right of the accused.

Rohatgi got support on the issue by se-nior advocate Ram Jethmalani, who wasappearing for other accused challengingthe trial court order making fresh set of wit-nesses. Jethmalani said the order was com-ing in way of fair trial which the accuseddeserve.-PTI


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Proposal for learning kiosksmooted at UN conferenceGENEVA: A proposal to build

learning kiosks equipped withcomputers and latest technologyin rural areas has been made to aUN conference here.

A high-level expert group meet-ing organized by the United Na-tions Department of Economicand Social Affairs here heard thisproposal from Shanu Hinduja,Chairperson of the Hinduja Foun-dation, USA.

Experts from several countriesincluding the US, Netherlands,Colombia, Spain and Italy dis-cussed empowerment of peoplethrough Information Communica-tion Technologies (ICT) withspeakers emphasizing that the

world cannot afford to leave be-hind those who could not benefitfrom the knowledge revolution.

Calling for "global equaliza-tion", Hinduja told the conferencethat simple incentives should becreated to enable the disadvan-taged to participate and make thebest of the knowledge revolution.

She pointed out that in Indiacreation of basic infrastructure fa-cilities could open up investmentopportunities worth USD one tril-lion.

Unveiling the concept of ruralkiosks, Hinduja said that as an alter-native to building an entire school,kiosks could be built as "communalplaces" for learning.-PTI

GOPIO women conferenceto be held in Australia

WASHINGTON: The GlobalOrganization of People of IndianOrigin (GOPIO) will hold its 2ndWomen's Conference in Australialater this year, to address criticalissues confronting women of allages globally.

On the theme "Women of theIndian Diaspora - Challenges, Em-powerment & Opportunities", theconference is being held as an in-tegral part of GOPIO's BiennialConvention preceding RegionalPravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013(PBD2013) in Sydney on Novem-ber 9.

In a statement, GOPIO said theWomen's Conference seeks to ad-dress critical issues confrontingwomen globally as evidenced bythe recent revelations of abusesagainst women in many countries.

There are several sessions ofthe conference designed with

specific sub-themes on these cur-rent issues, highlighting the his-tory, aspirations, challenges andachievements.

These topics of discussion arewithin the context of the relationsof women, including Indianwomen, in politics, government,private sector, NGOs and womenempowerment; and the prominentroles of Indian women, it said.

A prominent, international ad-vocacy organization that monitorsand addresses the issues and in-terests of persons of Indian Ori-gin living outside of India, GOPIOInternational recognizes the tan-gible and meaningful contribu-tions of the over 25 million PIOsall over the world in various coun-tries, their sense of patriotism andnational loyalty while making sig-nificant progress in all segmentsof society. -PTI

FIPB nod for Jet-Etihaddeal with riders

NEW DELHI: The controver-sial Rs.2058 crore deal underwhich Abu Dhabi based Etihadwill hold 24 per cent stake in JetAirways has got the approval ofthe Foreign Investment Promo-tion Board (FIPB) with major rid-ers to maintain effective Indiancontrol over the airline.

"Jet management has to workas per the Indian law. They wouldhave their headquarters inMumbai. They would be gov-erned by the Indian AircraftRules," Civil Aviation MinisterAjit Singh told reporters here.

Serious concerns had beenraised regarding the effective con-trol and ownership of Jet Airwaysafter Etihad picks up stake in theIndian airline. Some MPs had alsoraised questions whether the op-erational base of Jet would shiftto UAE after the deal.

Under the conditions set byFIPB, Jet will have to seek priorgovernment approval to make anychanges in the Share HoldersAgreement (SHA) with Etihad orany change in share-holding ofthe company.

"We have approved (the Jet-Etihad deal) with some condi-

tions," Economic Affairs Secre-tary Arvind Mayaram said.

The conditions also includethat all shareholder disputes anddisputes under SHA would haveto be adjudicated under Indian lawas opposed to English law as wasproposed in the revised SHA sub-mitted just before the FIPB meet-ing. Any other arbitration can hap-pen under English law.

Besides agreeing to thesechanges, Jet and Etihad wouldhave to submit new Articles of

Association before the deal is putbefore Finance Minister PChidambaram for approval andthen to the Cabinet Committee onEconomic Affairs.

Maintaining that the FIPBclearance would restore confi-dence of investors on India, theCivil Aviation Minister said theissues raised by some MPs andothers were "politically moti-vated" and all their concerns havebeen resolved.

Etihad would now have twoseats on the 12-member Jet Boardinstead of three previously pro-posed. The Indian partner, Naresh

Goyal, besides appointing fourboard members, would have theright to nominate the Chairman,whereas Etihad would appoint aVice Chairman.

The 12-member Board wouldhave four Directors from Jet, twofrom Etihad and six independentdirectors.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey saidhe would raise the issue in Parlia-ment and Janata Party chiefSubramanian Swamy threatenedto move court if the Jet deal was

not put on hold on grounds ofnational security.

"The deal approved by theFIPB with riders is more alarming.Though it is yet to be cleared bythe Cabinet, I will raise the issuein the forthcoming Monsoon ses-sion of the Parliament," Dubeysaid.

Dubey, who has written severalletters to the Prime Minister as wellas the Chief Vigilance Commis-sioner on the issue, said the pro-posed deal was "against nationalinterest".

Swamy too reiterated his threatof moving court if the deal wascleared by the Cabinet Committeeon Economic Affairs.

"We knew it (FIPB approval).But Sebi, CCI and Cabinet has yetto clear it. Despite all the cut andpaste job (tweaking of the share-holders agreement), the illegalitiescontinue and its fundamentals re-main unchanged," he said.

The Janata Party chief, whoshot off another letter to the PrimeMinister, claimed that the deal had"serious national security" impli-cations.

"I expect that you would put ahold on both the India-UAE bilat-eral and the Jet-Etihad proposeddeal until a thorough independentinvestigation is made. But I findinstead enormous and unbecom-ing haste in the manner in whichthe entire transaction has beensought to be railroaded."

However, major consultancyfirm KPMG expressed the hopethat government clearance to thedeal would lead to more such dealsin the coming months.

Noting that the deal was "im-portant to Jet which is facing sig-nificant financial challenges," se-nior KPMG official Amber Dubeysaid it would "also help the In-dian aviation industry by enhanc-ing capacity, increasing competi-tion and bringing down airfares.We may also see some more dealsin the coming months." -PTI

Dubey, who has written several letters to thePrime Minister as well as the Chief VigilanceCommissioner on the issue, said the pro-posed deal was "against national interest".Swamy too reiterated his threat of movingcourt if the deal was cleared by the CabinetCommittee on Economic Affairs.

Indian, held in Dubai foruploading video, to be freedDUBAI: The high-profile case

against an Indian man who wasarrested by the police for upload-ing online a video of a seniorEmirati official assaulting anotherIndian has been dropped, officialshave announced.

The cases against a govern-ment official accused of assault-ing a van driver and the 22-year-old Indian who videoed the inci-dent have been dropped, Dubai'sAttorney General was quoted by7Days newspaper as saying.

Essam Eissa Al Humaidan,head of Dubai Public Prosecution,said the two men, an Indian expat

and an Emirati, will be releasedafter the complaints against themwere withdrawn.

The Emirati suspect, whoworks as a manager at a govern-ment department, was arrestedafter footage of a road rage inci-dent was posted on YouTube.

The Indian was later arrestedafter the Emirati's family com-plained that the expat had actedillegally by filming people in apublic place without their permis-sion. They also said the video foot-age defamed their relative.

The men have been in custodyfor more than 10 days.-PTI


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AAPI to hold healthcare summitin Ahmedabad

WASHINGTON: The influential Indian American doc-tors' community has announced holding their "GlobalHealthcare Summit" in Ahmedabad next January for bring-ing affordable world class healthcare for Indians.

"The Association of American Physicians of Indian Ori-gin (AAPI) would like to make a positive and meaningfulimpact on the healthcare in India," said the AAPI presi-dent, Dr Jayesh Shah, on his return from India along withother members of the organization.

Shah said Global Healthcare Summit 2014 which will beheld in Ahmedabad from January 3-5 next year and is aimedat advancing the accessibility, affordability and quality ofworld-class healthcare to the Indian people.

Among other areas, the Summit will focus on prevention,diagnosis, treatment options and share ways to truly im-prove healthcare transcending global boundaries, he said.

Noting that healthcare in India is one of the largest sec-tors in terms of revenue and employment, Shah said "AAPIhas been engaged in harnessing the power of IndianDiaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost ef-fective healthcare solutions to India."

So far AAPI has organized seven Indo-US GlobalHealthcare Summits and has developed strategic allianceswith various organizations. -PTI

Indian studentspresent researchin Australia

MELBOURNE: Four Indian doctoral students studyingin Australia have presented their research to key industrystakeholders in the fields of chemistry, physics, biotech-nology and bioinformatics under a scholarship program toattract India's best and brightest students.

The high quality of the research presented at the Knowl-edge Exchange event demonstrated the success of theVictoria India Doctoral Scholarships (VIDS) in attractingIndia's best and brightest students to Victorian universi-ties, Innovation, Services and Small Business MinisterLouise Asher said.

"This exciting scholarships program is playing a keyrole in strengthening education links between India andVictoria," Asher said.

Indian doctoral students participating through the VIDSprogram gain access to Victoria's world-class research fa-cilities and make a significant contribution to the state'sresearch and academic knowledge, she said.

Established in 2012, VIDS provides scholarships of Aus-tralian dollars 90,000 over three years to outstanding In-dian doctoral students, and Victorian host universitieswaive their tuition fees.

Twenty scholarships have been awarded till now, with10 students commencing studies in 2012 and another 10commencing this year.

The program is being delivered by the Australia IndiaInstitute on behalf of the Coalition Government, and inpartnership with Victoria's nine universities.

Four Indian students, who were chosen for the scholar-ship last year, shared their research with key industry stake-holders as part of the 'VIDS Knowledge Exchange Series'.

Abishek Suresh of RMIT University presented his re-search on 'Computational Design of Neuroactive Peptides'while another presentation by Sayali Shah of The Univer-sity of Melbourne was made about 'Dissecting the mecha-nism of N-glycan processing enzyme endomannosidase'which aims at developing new ways to synthesize immu-nogenic natural products that can be used to provide adetailed insight into how this organism causes disease, anofficial statement said.

Research by Debabrata Sikdar of Monash Universitywas on 'Engineering the plasmonic response ofnanoparticle systems' focusing on how tailoring the size,shape, and composition of a sub-wavelength noble metal-lic nanoparticle contributes to resonance states in aparticle's optical response.

Jyotsna Nagpal of Latrobe University, whose study ison 'Molecular Dissection of Mycobacteria ClpP: Assem-bly, Activation, Cofactors and Physiological Targets' in-volved studying novel proteins believed to be involved inthe recurrence of the disease tuberculosis.

Jyotsna plans to characterize these proteins and targetthem with a wide range of known drugs. -PTI

"This exciting scholarships program isplaying a key role in strengtheningeducation links between India andVictoria," Asher said. Indian doctoralstudents participating through theVIDS program gain access toVictoria's world-classresearch facilities and make asignificant contribution to the state'sresearch and academicknowledge, she said

12 India Post August 2, 2013www.indiapost.com

TechBizTech News

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Force Motors Limited at the unveiling

of their new variant Force One EX in Chennai on July 30

Industry asks PM to removehurdles to investment

NEW DELHI: India Inc hasasked Prime Minister ManmohanSingh to clear hurdles facing largeprojects and create an environ-ment for investment driven growththat has taken a battering due toexternal and internal factors.

Reliance Industries chairmanMukesh Ambani, ICICI Bank MDand CEO Chanda Kochhar, HDFCChairman Deepak Parekh, alongwith heads of leading industrychambers brainstormed with thePrime Minister on the problemsfacing the country and theeconomy.

Others who attended the meet-ing include Rahul Bajaj, NarayanaMurthy, Azim Premji, SwatiPiramal, Deepak Parekh, JamshydN Godrej, Venu Srinivasan, SunilKant Munjal, S Gopalakrishnanand Sunil Bharti Mittal, amongothers.

The high-level meeting of thePrime Minister's Council on Tradeand Industry was attended by Fi-nance Minister P Chidambaram,Commerce and Industry MinisterAnand Sharma and Prime Minis-ter Economic Advisory Committee(PMEAC) Chairman C Rangarajan,among others.

Prime Minister wanted a reportwithin a month on what could bedone in the next 2-3 months to re-vive growth.

"We have given suggestion intwo categories, one for near termand one for longer run. For near

term, we have suggested clearingof large projects and thoseprojects which were clearedshould now be executed," FICCIPresident and HSBC India head

Naina Lal Kidwai said after themeeting that lasted 160 minutes.

The business communities intheir deliberation with Singh dis-cussed current account deficit,reviving economic growth, indus-

trial corridors and skill develop-ment.

Kidwai said industry expectssome decisions on the sugges-tions within a week.

ASSOCHAM demanded in-crease in FDI limit in insurancesector from 26 per cent to 49 percent and raising the foreign invest-ment cap in the multi-brand retailsegment to 100 per cent from the

existing 51 per cent.The meeting took place against

the backdrop of decelerating in-dustrial production and the liquid-ity tightening measures under-taken by RBI to arrest decline inrupee. RBI initiatives are intendedto squeeze out excess liquidityfrom the market.

Industry, Kidwai said, wantedto know by when the RBI's mea-sures on liquidity tighteningwould be reversed.

CAD last fiscal was 4.8 per centand the government intends to bring

it down to 4.2 per cent this financialyear. The rupee slide is another con-cern for the government.

Earlier this month, it plummetedto all-time low of 61.21 against theUS dollar. -PTI

Business leaders during a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 7RCR in New Delhi on July 29

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Dy Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia during

a meeting with business leaders of India in New Delhi on July 29

The meeting took place against the back-drop of decelerating industrial productionand the liquidity tightening measures under-taken by RBI to arrest decline in rupee. RBIinitiatives are intended to squeeze out ex-cess liquidity from the market.

Pfizer, Boeinglobbying hard onIndian issues

WASHINGTON: At least twodozen American companies andindustry groups are lobbying hardwith the US lawmakers on issuesrelated to their Indian businessinterests and bilateral trade issuesbetween the two countries, evenas retail giant Walmart has haltedsuch activities.

According to latest lobbyingdisclosure reports filed with the USSenate and the House of Repre-sentatives, Pfizer, IBM, Boeing,Dow Chemicals, Yum Brands andColgate Palmolive are among themajor companies that lobbied withthe US lawmakers in the secondquarter on issues related to India.

Besides, a host of businesschambers and industry bodies in-cluding those representing UScompanies in sectors like pharma,telecom, information technologyand dairy, have also disclosed hav-ing lobbied on India-related is-sues.

The lobbying issues for thesecompanies and groups in the lastquarter included issues related tointellectual property, patent, mar-ket access, trade and investmentissues related to their individualbusinesses, as also the bilateraltreaties and trade issues betweenthe US and India.-PTI

PepsiCo to enterpremium watermarket with 'Om'

NEW YORK: PepsiCo plans tojump into the premium bottledwater market with a drink calledOm, following the popularity ofCoca-Cola's Smartwater.

The soda and snack food com-pany, which also makes Aquafina

bottled water, plans to launch theline next year, according to thetrade publication Beverage Digest.PepsiCo Inc. has so far been onthe sidelines when it comes to thepremium water segment, which in-cludes brands such as Evian andFiji.

A representative for PepsiCo,based in Purchase, New York, de-clined to comment or provide anydetails. -AP

13India PostTechBiz PostAugust 2, 2013

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MEA launches app toend passport woes

NEW DELHI: Have an androidor iOS platforms phone? Thentracking your passport applicationwill be just a matter of pushingsome buttons with Ministry ofExternal Affairs launching a mo-bile application.

In the next couple of months,people will be able to even applyfor passport through their phone.

For the first time in the world, acountry's Foreign Ministry hasbeen able to integrate and consoli-date its entire digital presence inone's hand, thanks to 'MEAIndia'app.

The MEA envisages the appli-cation be a "one-stop shop" foryou.

From getting updates from allthe 124 Indian missions in theworld, to getting information forconsular access in case you areabroad, to booking yourself for theKailash Manasarovar Yatra, every-thing is now available on your fin-gertips.

"It's a one stop shop to giveyou all you need to know," saidoutgoing Foreign SecretaryRanjan Mathai after inauguratingthe app at an event here.

And in what could be a recordof sort, the mobile applicationproject was completed in just alittle under six months.

The MEA is the first govern-ment department to have a mobileapp for smartphone users.

It will provide details of all citi-zen-centric services of the MEA

like passport, visa for those trav-eling to India and Haj related de-tails among others.

"We were a little reticent whenwe started this process about sixmonths ago... and it is over in littleless than six months," Ministry ofExternal Affairs spokespersonSyed Akbaruddin said.

The main people behind thecreation are two young techiesfrom Silver Touch Technologies -Prakash Srivastava and SarlaMeghnani - and young IFS officer

Vishnu Vardhan Reddy besidesAkbaruddin and Foreign SecretaryRanjan Mathai.

Besides providing vast infor-mation on India's foreign policiesand activities, one can even takepart in quiz and win Rs 1000 e-vouchers for buying books.

Not only that, you can eventhrow a question at the External

Affairs Minister and he will an-swer two of the most voted que-ries every month.

One can even follow PrimeMinister on his official visitsabroad and get updates as theyhappen on his programs, meeting,outcomes among others.

Users can also download andwatch pictures and documentarieson India, share and contributetheir own pictures and sugges-tions.

In case a person is travelingabroad and is in need of emer-gency consular assistance, theapp will help him to find the near-est India Mission/Post and estab-lish contact with officials there.

Also, in case you are planningto travel abroad for work or studyand you need to legalize yourdocuments, the app simplifies thesteps involved for you and helpsyou identify the authorized agen-cies for attestation of your docu-ments.

"The requirements of commu-nications have changed andevolved and so have we in theMinistry of External Affairs.

"We have adapted andadopted to these new demands oftechnology and means of commu-nications," Mathai said.

He said the Ministry is poisedto take the audio route and hasagreed with Prasar Bharati to tieup for a regular program on FMRadio on India's foreign relations.-PTI

ISRO, Tata Motors developIndia's first fuel cell bus

BANGALORE: For the first timein the country, a Hydrogen-pow-ered automobile bus has been de-veloped by Tata Motors Limited(TML) and Indian Space ResearchOrganization after several years ofresearch.

The hydrogen fuel-fitted bus wasdemonstrated at Liquid PropulsionSystems Centre, an ISRO facility inMahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.

It's a CNG-type bus. Hydrogenin bottles at high pressure is storedat the top of the bus and therewould be zero pollution.

The hydrogen cells were aspin-off of the cryogenic technol-

ogy that ISRO had been develop-ing for the last few years, the Ban-galore-headquartered ISRO offi-cials said.

"That's not exactly the cryo-genic technology...(It's) liquid hy-drogen handling and that's whereISRO has some expertise," theysaid.

ISRO has a very rich technol-ogy in producing, storing andhandling gaseous and liquid hy-drogen in the last three decades.Its expertise is also in safety. An

ISRO team had generated techni-cal specifications for all the ele-ments and general specificationsfor the bus.

According to Honorary Ad-viser of ISRO V Gnana Gandhi,who led the technical team in thisproject, ISRO and TML enteredinto an MoU in 2006 to design anddevelop an automobile bus usinghydrogen as a fuel through fuelcell route.

Gandhi, a Padmashree awardeeand retired scientist from ISRO,and Dr M Raja, DGM of TML madethe announcement the two orga-nizations have developed fuel cell

bus for the first time in India, whichwill run on Hydrogen.

"This is a leap for automobileindustry for future transportation.In this vehicle there will be zeropollution since the product of coldcombustion is water. This is a re-sult of great team work of TataMotors and ISRO specialists withcontributions from DSIR (Depart-ment of Scientific and IndustrialResearch) and PESO (Petroleumand Explosive Safety Organiza-tion)," Gandhi told PTI here. -PTI

In case you are plan-ning to travel abroadfor work or study andyou need to legalizeyour documents, theapp simplifies thesteps involved for youand helps youidentify the authorizedagencies forattestation of yourdocuments.

Amazon.com looks to fill 7,000 jobs in 13 statesNEW YORK: Amazon.com

Inc. says it is adding 7,000 jobsin 13 states, beefing up staff atthe warehouses where it fillsorders, and in its customerservice division.

The company says it willadd 5,000 full-time jobs at itsU.S. distribution centers,which currently employ about20,000 workers who pack andship customer orders.

The world's largest onlineretailer has been spendingheavily on order fulfillment, astrategy meant to help thebusiness grow, but one thathas also weighed on profitmargins. The company saidthat it lost money in the sec-ond quarter, even as revenueincreased.

Distribution center jobs areavailable in Phoenix;Middletown, Del.; Patterson, SanBernardino and Tracy, Calif.; In-

dianapolis and Jeffersonville, Ind.;Hebron, Ky.; Breinigsville, Pa.;Charleston and Spartanburg, S.C.;

Chattanooga and Murfreesboro,Tenn.; Coppell, Haslet and SanAntonio, Texas and Chester, Va.

Amazon said President BarackObama is scheduled to visit the

Chattanooga facility. No publicschedule was yet posted on theWhite House website, but the

president made what was billedas a major speech on theeconomy and brought the topicup again in his weekly Internetand radio address. -AP

India Post TechBiz Post August 2, 2013

www.indiapost.com

14

Tandem unveils latest portfolio of startupsIndia Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Tandem, SiliconValley's first and largest mobileaccelerator, has announced thelaunch of its latest fund, TandemHabit Fund III, and unveiled itslatest portfolio of startups includ-ing India-based Shoptimize, andAcceptPay and PacketZoom,which are based in the US.

As the third fund from Tandem,the Habit Fund speaks to theaccelerator's continued success.It will preserve the fund's focuson disruptive mobile products andplatforms, and will concentrate onhabit-forming businesses - thosethat have the potential to becomean integral part of people's daily

lives.It will also allow Tandem to

bring its unique approach, called"muscle capital," to an increasednumber of early-stage startups.Muscle capital delivers acombination of cash andstrategic/operating sup-port from seasoned com-pany builders to Tandemcompany founders fromthe very beginning, sub-stantially increasing theodds of success forTandem's portfolio com-panies.

Responding to wide-spread demand from en-trepreneurs across theglobe, Tandem has be-gun to scale globally.Adding to its base in Sili-con Valley, it recently opened anoffice in Bangalore, India. As Tan-dem continues to grow its teamand operations, it will be workingwith more international companieswith the intent to bring many ofthese to Silicon Valley.

We are very excited to launchTandem Habit Fund III," said RohitBhagat, Tandem partner and man-aging general partner of the HabitFund. "It allows us to scale

Tandem's proven muscle capitalapproach and track record, andtakes the model global, particu-larly focusing on regions that arerich in talent but lack a valley-like

ecosystem."Details on the first set of port-

folio companies out of Tandem IIIare below:

• Shoptimize: a mobile com-merce platform for tradi-tional merchants inemerging markets. TheShoptimize team based inPune has developed aninnovative content-curation approach thatgenerates and directshigh potential consumertraffic to merchant sites,and is currently workingwith over 20 businessesoutside the U.S., in-stantly making theirproducts and servicesavailable on mobile de-vices to engaged con-

sumers.• AcceptPay: a cash-on-deliv-

ery platform to support e-com-merce in cash-centric economies.They have a core technology teamin Silicon Valley with business op-erations that work closely withbanks and merchants outside theU.S.

• PacketZoom: a mobile contentdelivery network started by ex-Google engineers. They accelerate

mobile application performancesubstantially across the last mileof mobile networks, substantiallyimproving the user experience.About Tandem:

Started in June 2007 by veterantechnology entrepreneurs DougRenert and Sunil Bhargava, Tan-dem utilizes its "muscle capital" tochampion the next billion dollarbusiness in the mobile market. Tan-

dem backs founders with a uniquemix of cash investment and hands-on support in areas such as strat-egy, product design, technologyarchitecture, user acquisition, em-ployee recruiting and channel de-velopment. Tandem is based inBurlingame, CA and Bangalore,India.

Sunil Bhargava Rohit BhagatThe Shoptimize teambased in Pune hasdeveloped an inno-vative content-curation approachthat generates anddirects high potentialconsumer traffic

US to probe India for selling steelpipe at unfairly low price

WASHINGTON: The US De-partment of Commerce has openeda probe into allegations that Indiaand eight other countries are ille-gally selling steel pipe at an un-fairly low prices in America.

"Domestic steel pipe producersare being crippled by an onslaughtof foreign competitors ille-gally dumping imports in theUnited States," SenatorSherrod Brown said, daysafter the Commerce Depart-ment launched a probeagainst South Korea, India,Vietnam, the Philippines,Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thai-land, Turkey, and Ukraine ofunfair and illegal trade prac-tices.

Brown and Senator RobPortman called on the US In-ternational Trade Commis-sion (ITC) to protect domes-tic producers of Oil Country Tu-bular Goods (OCTG) from foreigncompetitors that use unfair and il-legal trade practices.

"The International Trade Com-mission must commit to Ohio'sworkers and businesses and crackdown on countries that sell theirproducts at unfair prices. As ourtrade deficit widens, leveling the

playing field is the only way toprotect local jobs, and in the fu-ture, create them," Browne saidafter sending the joint letter to USITC.

Noting that Ohio-based compa-nies that produce Oil Country Tu-bular Goods (OCTG) support many

good-paying jobs in the state,Portman said if the ITC does notstand up for these American manu-factured goods and punish foreigncompanies who are flooding USour markets with unfairly importedcheap products, businesses andthousands of American workersare at risk.

"American manufactured

goods must be allowed to com-pete with their global competitorson a level playing field," Portmansaid.

OCTG are used for domestic oilexploration, particularly in theshale industry, and are producedin Ohio by companies including

US Steel in Lorain, WheatlandTube Company in Warren,Vallourec Star in Youngstown, andTMK IPSCO in Brookfield.

Each is among the plaintiffs ac-cusing South Korea, India, Viet-nam, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia,Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, andUkraine of unfair and illegal tradepractices. -PTI

Walmart halts India-specificlobbying in US

WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI:Global retail giant Walmart hasstopped its lobbying with the USlawmakers on India-specific is-sues, after continuously seekingtheir support for about five yearsto facilitate its entry into the highgrowth Indian market.

The disclosure incidentally

comes at a time when Indian gov-ernment is preparing a report tobe presented in Parliament nextmonth based on findings of aprobe into Walmart's US lobbyingactivities for getting an access toIndia.

According to the latest lobby-ing disclosure reports filed byWalmart and its registered lobby-

ists with the US Senate and theHouse of Representatives, thecompany spent close to USD twomillion (about Rs 12 crore) on vari-ous lobbying activities during thesecond quarter ended June 30.

However, no India-specific mat-ter figures among close to threedozen issues discussed by

Walmart and itslobbyists with thelawmakers in theUS during thisperiod.

This has comeas a major depar-ture from the priorperiod lobby dis-closure reports,including that forthe precedingquarter (January-March 2013)wherein 'Discus-sions related to

FDI in India' figured as one of thelobbying issues, the Congres-sional records show.

The company had spent a simi-lar amount of about USD two mil-lion in the previous quarter as wellon its lobbying activities, whichare being undertaken by it directlyas also through close to ten otherregistered lobby firms.-PTI

15India PostTechBiz PostAugust 2, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Your student loans cannot be canceledUnderstanding the repay

ment process for yourfederal student loans can

go a long way toward building asolid financial foundation.

Remember, federal studentloans are real loans, just like carloans or mortgages. You must re-pay a student loan even if yourfinancial circumstances becomedifficult. Your student loans can-not be canceled because youdidn't get the education or job youexpected, or because you didn'tcomplete your education (unlessyou couldn't complete your edu-cation because your schoolclosed).Making Payments

You need to make payments toyour loan servicer. Each servicerhas its own payment process, socheck with your servicer if youaren't sure how or when to make apayment. You are responsible forstaying in touch with your servicerand making your payments, evenif you do not receive a bill.Loan Servicers

The U.S. Department of Edu-cation (ED) uses several loanservicers to handle the billing andother services on loans for theWilliam D. Ford Federal Direct

Loan (Direct Loan) Program andfor loans originally made underthe Federal Family EducationLoan (FFEL) Program but nowowned by ED.

Choosing a RepaymentPlan

You have a choice ofseveral repaymentplans that are de-signed to meet yourneeds. The amount

you pay and thelength of time to repay

your loans will vary depend-ing on the repayment plan you

choose.Loan ConsolidationLearn what it means to consoli-

date your loans, how to apply forloan consolidation, things to con-sider before consolidating yourloans, the types of loans that

qualify for consolidation, andwhat happens after you consoli-date your loans.Deferment and Forbearance

Deferment and forbearance of-fer a way for you to temporarilypostpone or lower your loan pay-ments while you're back in school,in the military, experiencing finan-cial hardship, or in certain other situ-ations.Forgiveness, Cancellation, andDischarge

In circumstances such as cer-tain kinds of teaching service, totaland permanent disability, or theclosure of the school where youwere studying, your obligation to

repay your federal student loanmay be removed.Understanding Default

NEVER ignore delinquency ordefault notices from your loanservicer. If you don't make yourmonthly loan payments, you willbecome delinquent on your studentloan and risk going into default.Contact your servicer immediatelyif you are having trouble makingpayments or won't be able to payon time.Resolving Disputes

If you have a dispute about yourloan, you may be able to resolve itby simply contacting your loanservicer and discussing the issue.

Should one finance through a car dealership?

Are you planning on pur-chasing a car soon?When purchasing a car,

there are so many factors to con-sider about your purchase. Oneof the biggest factors involvesfinancing your car. Just whereshould you finance your car at?Some people would recommendthat you finance your car straightthrough the dealership. However,

this can be a bad idea, especiallyfor those with poor credit. Let meexplain a few of the reasons whyyou should avoid dealer financ-ing based upon my own personalexperiences.

First, let's start with the obvi-ous reason. Dealerships have fi-nancial managers not for the con-venience of the customer, but forthe added income they earn.

Many car dealerships spend a lotof money on their financial man-agers. These financial managerswill do whatever it takes to smoothtalk you into agreeing to an autoloan at a higher price through thedealership. They are not "on yourside", and you should look to re-ceive a loan from a place that hasyour best interests in mind.

Second, obtaining bad credit

auto loans through a dealershipmay very even worsen yourcredit. A friend of mine had poorcredit and felt his options werevery limited. When he went tothe dealership to purchase a car,he was offered a car loan throughthe dealership. Because he felthis options were limited, hejumped at the chance of this carloan.

www.indiapost.com August 2, 2013

COMMUNITYACROSS AMERICA

Details on page 26

16 India Post

Desi NewsUttarakhand

Fundraiser receivesbig response

Details on page 25

Details on page 20

Details on page 23

Ro Khanna joins local leaders todiscuss US-China-India partnership

India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: RoKhanna, candidate for Congressand former Obama administrationofficial, joined community leadersEugene Zhang, CEO ofInnoSpring, and Don Sun, Chairof the Cupertino Planning Com-mission on July 28 for an in-depthexploration into relations betweenthe U.S., China, and India andwhat it means locally for the 17th

district.The China-India-US: Silicon

Valley Roundtable took place atInnospring, Inc., 2901 Tasman Dr.

In a globalized 21st centuryeconomy, it is increasingly impor-tant for countries with dynamiceconomies to unite together topromote strong economic partner-ships, allowing well-balanced do-mestic manufacturing to grow, andfacilitating innovation and the de-

Eugene Zhang - CEO of Innospring, Ro Khanna, Don Sun - Chair of Cupertino

Planning CommissionDr Romesh Japra speaking on the occasion

velopment of new technologies.The panelists discussed how

an expanded partnership will im-pact Silicon Valley's high technol-ogy and skilled manufacturingsectors over the next 20 years, andreflected upon the opportunities,challenges, and possibilities foreconomic growth that will beopened when these countries worktogether.

"I am excited to have the op-portunity to come together with

two economic experts in our localcommunity to discuss this impor-tant and pressing international re-lationship," said Khanna. "Thevibrant Indian and Chinese com-munities here in the 17th districthave made incredible contribu-tions to our economy by creatingjobs, fostering innovation and tak-ing risks to start new companies.

"Not only do I believe thestrengthening of our economic

partnership with India and Chinais possible, I know that it is im-perative for America to have aprosperous and peaceful 21st cen-tury. I am thankful for the supportof Eugene Zhang and Don Sun asI run for Congress to bring a newtype of forward looking vision forSilicon Valley."

A Bay Area resident formore than a decade, Ro re-turned home to Silicon Val-ley after spending two yearsin the Obama Administra-tion, where he took a practi-cal, hands-on approach topublic service.

As Deputy AssistantSecretary at the U.S. Depart-ment of Commerce, Ro regu-larly traveled around thecountry meeting with Ameri-can manufacturers of all sizesto better understand theirneeds and the best ways forgovernment to promote andsupport them.

In this role, Ro managed 108domestic Commerce offices dedi-cated to helping companies in theUnited States innovate and in-crease their exports to consumersaround the world. Ro's book onmanufacturing, EntrepreneurialNation: Why Manufacturing isStill Key to America's Future, has

won widespread praise for itsstrategies for keeping the bestcompanies, jobs, and opportuni-ties in America.

"As CEO of InnoSpring, I rec-ognize the vital importance of en-couraging cross-cultural innova-tion between China, India, and theUS - three of the world's fastest

developing technology indus-tries," said Zhang. "InnoSpring,home to startups from all threenations, is a technology startupincubator that is committed to help-ing startups expand internation-ally and take advantage of globalmarket opportunities.

Kansen Chu

The vibrant Indian and Chinese communitieshere in the 17th district have made incrediblecontributions to our economy by creatingjobs, fostering innovation and takingrisks to start new companies

Cont’d on page 19

Youth movementto build new Indiareaches USRAMESH SOPARAWALA


CHICAGO: CHICAGO: Volun-teers for a Better India (VBI), anorganization inspired by Sri SriRavi Shankar, has come up with anovel idea of rejuvenating Indianot by blaming any person, groupor organization but by creatingawareness among the masses. Themasses can bring about majorchanges by themselves, withoutlooking up to the government orhelp from outside sources.

This movement has gainedhefty ground in India, saysDarshak Hathi, the Chief architectof VBI, currently on tour of USAfor enlisting the support of seg-ments of NRI community, princi-pally the youth.

Mamta Joshiperforms at FremontHindu TempleRITU MAHESHWARI


FREMONT, CA: On Sunday,July 28 worshippers of FremontHindu Temple were treated to me-lodious Sufi songs. Dr MamtaJoshi, an accomplished Sufi Singergave Bhajan performance at thetemple.

Dr Mamta Joshi is on a worldtour to promote Sufi music andraise funds for victims of recentUttarakhand tragedy, where hun-dreds perished in flash floods atKedarnath pilgrim center. She istraveling under the banner of"Beats of Life", an organizationheaded by Dr Harmesh Kumar.

Huge supportfor Indian IconAudition-3Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Singing auditionscan be challenging even for themost seasoned singer and one hasto present the best to have achance to progress to the nextlevel. In this case it was the semi-final round of Chicago Indian Icon(CII) competition.

The CII karaoke competition isalready making history for it is thefirst of its kind in the US and theresponse from the Indian commu-nity has been positively abun-dant, exploding every imaginablebench mark, and propelling itselfto the forefront of music-lovers'dream of a unified musical plat-form that is provided in Chicago.

India Post 17August 2, 2013 Community Across Americawww.indiapost.com

100 Silicon Valley innovators, entrepreneurs,tech leaders endorse Ro


FREMONT, CA: Ro Khanna, candidate for Congress inCalifornia's 17th District, has received the emphatic endorse-ments of many of Silicon Valley's most influential tech leadersand job creators. These leaders have joined together in callingfor a new type of thought leadership that eschews specialinterest money and is less focused on ideological entrench-ment and finger pointing, and more focused on results.

The endorsements are a strong validation of Ro's for-ward looking vision for fostering innovation and keepingAmerica as the most entrepreneurial and dynamic economyin the world.

Ro's technology policy priorities include:1. It is imperative that America reforms the immigration

system to attract and retain the best and brightest fromaround the world. We need policies to make sure that entre-preneurs, technology leaders, and skilled engineers cometo the United States and start businesses here instead of inCanada, Europe or China.

2. America needs a 21st century approach to educationthat uses technology to improve educational outcomes byexpanding broadband to every classroom, introducing codeinto the curriculum in elementary school, and supportingMassive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to democratizeaccess to education.

3. Promote a comprehensive strategy for increasing thenumber of women working in STEM fields. This includesspecial STEM and entrepreneurship classes for youngwomen, so they learn, engage and become excited about

potential STEM careers from an early age. We must alsopass laws that require family and children friendly workpolicies and make sure there is equal pay for equal work.

4. Support small businesses by simplifying bureaucraticred tape, and having a one-stop shop to help startups navi-gate regulatory regime. Promote programs that partner withorganizations like The Indus Entrepreneurs to help teachthe skills of entrepreneurship.

5. Support entrepreneurs through student loan defer-ment, tax deductions for software purchases, and applyingthe Research and Development Tax Credit to employer taxesinstead of income. We should also make technology licens-ing easier for startups from universities and our nationallaboratories.

6. Ensure that America leads in household high-speedbroadband availability and mobile high-speed coverage ataffordable rates. We also should make sure our schoolshave access to high-speed Internet by making that a prior-ity of the federal E-Rate program.

7. Reform a tax code written in the 1960s to bring it up todate for the 21st century globalized economy. The currentcode incentivizes companies to park cash offshore and hasnumerous unjustifiable loopholes written by special inter-ests. We need a tax regime that incentivizes companies toinvest in the United States, and create good paying jobshere in California's 17th district.

"I am humbled that so many leading innovators and jobcreators are supporting my message of bringing Silicon

Valley solutions to Washington," said Khanna."People across the district - from those that started com-

panies to those who work hard every day to develop thenext big idea - are calling for a new type of thought leader-ship that has been absent from our political discourse. Notonly do these incredible technology leaders keep SiliconValley at the forefront of innovation, they also create andsustain hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs for ourcommunity.

These leaders have joined togetherin calling for a new type of thoughtleadership that eschews specialinterest money and is less focusedon ideological entrenchment andfinger pointing, and more focusedon results. The endorsements area strong validation of Ro'sforward looking vision

Cont’d on page 19

August 2, 2013India Post18 Community Across Americawww.indiapost.com

Ro outlines Platform atMeet & Greet function

From Left: Niket Patwardhan, Nipun Vaidya, Ro Khanna, Charu Vaidya,

Nita Vaidya, Divyang Vaidya & Chaitanya Vaidya

From Left: Niket Patwardhan, Anil Pandya, Mr Dharmani, Mrs Dharmani,

Ro Khanna & Chaitanya Vaidya


SAN JOSE, CA: Ro Khanna,candidate for Congress inCalifornia's 17th District, is partici-pating in several Meet and Greetfunctions to mobilize grassrootsvoter support. One such functionwas organized by Charu Vaidyahere on Saturday July 27.

The turnout was amazing withover 50 San Jose area Indo Ameri-

cans attending. Ro delivered a verypassionate speech outlining hisPlatform.

This was followed by a livelyQuestion and Answer session thatlasted almost 45 minutes. Eventhough Ro Khanna had to leaveat 6:00 pm however, due to over-whelming interest in him, he stayedand interacted with everybody till6.45 pm. Ro and his staff agreedthat it was a very successful event.

Jimmy Shergill to be Festival of India Grand MarshalRITU MAHESHWARI


FREMONT, CA: For the 21stFestival of India and Parade, FIAhas invited Bollywood star JimmyShergill to be the Grand Marshal.Jimmy Shergill is known for hisBollywood and Punjabi movies.Some of his hit movies are "MunnaBhai MBBS", "Dangerous Ishq","Saheb Biwi aur Gangster" and"Mohabbatein".

Keeping with the FIA Festival

tradition, Sniti Mishra, Sa Re GaMa Pa sensation will be the ChiefGuest and lead the Bollywood mu-sical extravaganza.

For past 20 years, FIA orga-nized Festival of India has cometo symbolize the unity, integrity,culture and best of the things thatare hall mark of Indian communityin Bay area. Celebrated over twodays, this festival coincides withIndian Independence day celebra-tion and has many popular andwell sought after segments such

as health fair, grand parade,Bollywood celebrity as GrandMarshal, kids talent programs, cul-tural programs representing crosssection of India and a Mela thatfeatures best of offers for Indiancommunity.

Visitors can enjoy mouth-water-ing chaat, instantly made Jalebis,attractive jewelry, trendy clothes,and discounted local merchan-dise.

Cont’d on page 20


"I have seen our partnershipsstimulate innovation, and I believethat the U.S. should jump on theopportunity to increase marketopportunities on a grand scale. Ienjoyed the opportunity to dis-cuss these issues with Ro, some-one who truly understands theinnovation economy and the rolethat foreign partnerships play inthe success of the Valley."

"Silicon Valley is such a uniquearea because we are a hub for in-novation, and we also have a great

Ro Khanna joins local leaders todiscuss US-China-India partnership

potential for high tech manufac-turing," said Don Sun. "As theChair of the Cupertino PlanningCommission, I firmly believe thatthe government could do better bythe middle class if it worked tostrengthen the economic partner-ship with China and India. Thatwould create good paying jobs byexpanding our capacity for domes-tic manufacturing. Ro and Eugeneare leaders on this issue who havepragmatic proposals for expand-ing markets, and I am encouragedthat we are engaging the commu-nity in this important discussion."

Cont’d from page 16

"I share their commitment tocreating a better future, and I willstand by the issues that mattermost to Silicon Valley so that wecan continue to push the bound-aries of innovation, and to bolsteremployment opportunities for ev-eryone here in our district andacross the country."

A Bay Area resident for morethan a decade, Ro has dedicatedmuch of his career to workingwithin the technology and manu-facturing industries. Like many ofthe technology and entrepreneur-ial leaders in the Valley, Ro is theUS born son of immigrants whocame to this country to give theirchildren an opportunity at theAmerican dream. As an intellectualproperty attorney at both WilsonSonsini Goodrich & Rosati andO'Melveny & Myers, Ro hasworked closely with numeroushigh technology companies.

Ro is a member of the Califor-nia Workforce DevelopmentBoard, serving as chair for theAdvanced Manufacturing Com-mittee-a position he was appointedto by Governor Jerry Brown. Roreturned home to Silicon Valleyafter spending two years in theObama Administration, where hetook a practical, hands-on ap-proach to public service.

As Deputy Assistant Secretaryat the US Department of Com-merce, Ro regularly traveledaround the country meeting withAmerican manufacturers of allsizes to better understand their

100 Silicon Valley innovators, entrepreneurs,tech leaders endorse Ro

needs and the best ways for gov-ernment to promote and supportthem. In this role, Ro managed 108domestic Commerce offices dedi-cated to helping companies in theUnited States innovate and in-crease their exports to consumersaround the world. Ro's book onmanufacturing, EntrepreneurialNation: Why Manufacturing is

Still Key to America's Future, haswon widespread praise for itsstrategies for keeping the bestcompanies, jobs and opportunitiesin America.

"Ro understands that govern-ment needs to invest in technol-ogy to spur our future progressas a nation," said Garry Tan, Part-ner at Y Combinator. "I have hadtremendous opportunities that al-lowed me to work my way up -from growing up in a middle classneighborhood in Fremont, to at-tending Stanford University, andfinally to pursuing my dream ofbeing an entrepreneur. But not

everyone is as lucky as me, andRo will help young startups geton their feet. That's something mybusiness is committed to, and Ihave seen firsthand how invest-ing in technological innovationhas a great potential for growingour economy."

"Ro represents what is bestabout the Silicon Valley: he is for-ward thinking, hard working, andalways focused on how the gov-ernment can work more intelli-gently and efficiently for the tax-payers who fund it," said SteveWestly, managing partner at theWestly Group and former Comp-troller of California. "He also em-braces the idea that dynamism anddisruptive innovation are good forgovernment and good for society.

"He is a champion of clean tech-nology, and I applaud his vocalsupport of increasing governmentinvestment in the type of researchand design that has fueled world-changing inventions across theValley. His knowledge of the glo-bal economy and dedication topublic service are exactly what weneed in the next generation of Sili-con Valley leadership."

"Ro Khanna is a new genera-tion of leader who truly under-stands the needs of the high techindustry and the leadership roleSilicon Valley plays on the globalstage," said Penny Herscher,President & CEO, First Rain. "Iknow he will partner with constitu-ents across Silicon Valley to cre-ate more jobs - and more qualifiedSTEM employees for those jobs. Isupport Ro Khanna for Congress."

"Ro represents whatis best about theSilicon Valley: he isforward thinking,hard working, andalways focused onhow the governmentcan work more intel-ligently and effi-ciently for the tax-payers who fund it"


Local business owners endorse Ro & his visionIndia Post News Service

FREMONT: Ro Khanna's can-didacy and platform for support-ing small business has received

the endorsement of many localsmall business owners. Ro forCongress will also be announcingthe formation of its Small BusinessAdvisory Council, which will pro-

vide insight and counsel to Ro onthe interests of small businessesin California's 17th district. Ro'sfive small business priorities in-clude:

1. Hiringcredit for busi-nesses in areaswith high unem-ployment andpoverty rates thathire long-term un-employed work-ers, unemployedveterans, andpeople receivingthe federal earnedincome tax credit.

2. Help busi-nesses navigatefederal regulationsby providing re-sources that helpthem estimatecompliance costsand streamline

implementation.3. Access to capital for small

businesses, especially early on, sothey can set up the infrastructureto begin expanding and exportingtheir products overseas.

4. Incentivize establishedbusiness owners to mentor thenext generation of small businessleaders because the greatest de-cline in entrepreneurial activity inthe recession occurred in the 18-24 age group.

5. Increase funding for theManufacturing Extension Projectand the Small Business Adminis-tration to provide vital support forsmall manufacturers as they try toexpand their business and accessmarkets overseas.

"I am extremelygrateful to receive thesupport of so manysmall business leadersin our community," saidKhanna. "My campaignis about bringing thevibrancy and ingenuityof Silicon Valley toWashington. Part ofthis is recognizing thatsmall businesses playan enormous part in cul-tivating and sustainingSilicon Valley's forwardthinking culture.

"I am proud to release my setof five priorities for supportingsmall business, and I will continueto seek common-sense solutionsaimed at helping new businessesget a start, expanding good pay-ing jobs, and supporting busi-nesses as they compete in today'sglobal economy."

"I am so excited to support Roin his run for Congress," said Pe-ter Lim, S L Carter Press & Ser-vice. "As a proud small businessowner in San Jose, all I want is theopportunity to keep serving myloyal consumers. Sometimes it'sfrustrating to hear all the grand-standing in Congress when nor-

mal people are struggling to makeends meet - to make payroll andensure that our employees aren'tlaid off. Ro has a vision that I be-lieve will help me stay in businessand help other aspiring businessowners get their ideas off theground."

"I own a business that is com-mitted to hiring returning veteransand providing them with stablejobs so that they can play an inte-gral role in growing our economy,"said Dave Hoemberg, owner ofUSA Reclamation and Recycling."Ro understands that supportingsmall businesses is critical to ad-dressing our country's pervasiveunemployment. To small businessowners, growing the economy' is

not just a talking point. It meanscreating real jobs and real incomesfor the people who need themmost."

"These days I wonder if morebusinesses like mine will be ableto get started," Garry Singh, ownerof Chaat Bhavan. "It might meanmore competition down the road.But at the end of the day, I havehad the opportunity to live out mydreams by starting and running abusiness and Ro will fight to makesure others can do the same. If youown a business, Ro is your candi-date. If you are yet to start yourdream company, Ro will fight tomake sure it happens."

Small business owner Dave Hoemberg supports Ro Khanna

"Ro understands that sup-porting small businesses iscritical to addressing ourcountry's pervasive unem-ployment. To small businessowners, growing theeconomy' is not just atalking point. It meanscreating real jobs”


This year the festival is cel-ebrating Centenary of Gadar move-ment, 150th anniversary of SwamiVivekananda and 100 years ofBollywood. Some of activitiesplanned are kids' contests and ex-hibitions.

Parade floats are getting ready,participants are practicing to givebest performance at cultural pro-grams, sponsors and booths areexcited to give their best dealsand best names in Bay Area aregetting their best recipes readyfor 21st Festival of India and Pa-

Jimmy Shergill to be Festivalof India Grand Marshal

rade to be held on August 17 andAugust 18 at 39439 Paseo PadreParkway, Fremont, CA.

Given above events, thisyear's Festival of India is turn-ing out to be a pan south Asianevent. FIA has invited everyoneto come together and make thisa grand success. There are sev-eral opportunities to get in-volved: Booths, Events, Floats,Showcases, Cultural programs,Sponsorships and raising com-munity awareness and participa-tion.

Visit fiaonline.org or call510-565-9993 for more details!


Rep. Honda convenes meetingof STEM advisory board


SANTA CLARA, CA: At thecampus of high-tech manufactur-ing supplier Applied Materials,Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) con-vened the first meeting of hisnewly formed STEM AdvisoryBoard. The group will meet quar-terly to advance STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math)school programs throughout thecountry to ensure that the childrenof today have the educationalbackground to become the techinnovators oftomorrow.

The boardcomprises ex-perts from thee d u c a t i o nsector - in-cluding thepresidents ofSan JoseState Univer-sity and DeAnza College- as well non-profit boardmembers ande x e c u t i v e sfrom Intel,IBM, Apple,Cisco Sys-tems, andother techfirms. WhiteH o u s eDeputy Di-rector of Sci-ence andTechnologyPolicy Tom Kalil gave the keynotespeech at the launch event.

Rep. Honda explained the needfor forming the STEM AdvisoryBoard in his remarks: "The chil-dren of Silicon Valley, the state,and indeed the country are at adisadvantage if we do not con-

tinue to give them the educationaltools they need to grow and suc-ceed in a global, high-techeconomy.

"I have long fought in Con-gress to ensure that every studentin our public schools has accessto an equitable education from pre-K to college, and a structured cur-riculum of math and science pro-grams must serve as its founda-tion."

Over 40 members of the advi-sory board attended the kickoff.

It was claimed by his team that

Rep. Honda has been the leader inadvancing STEM education inCongress, having introduced theSTEM Innovation Networks Actearlier this month, which aims tocreate public-private partnershipsthat fund science and math pro-grams across the country.

Rep. Mike Honda

Mamta Joshi performs atFremont Hindu Temple

RITU MAHESHWARI


FREMONT, CA: On Sunday,

July 28 worshippers of FremontHindu Temple were treated to me-lodious Sufi songs. Dr MamtaJoshi, an accomplished Sufi Singergave Bhajan performance at thetemple.

Dr Mamta Joshi is on a worldtour to promote Sufi music andraise funds for victims of recentUttarakhand tragedy, where hun-dreds perished in flash floods atKedarnath pilgrim center. She istraveling under the banner of"Beats of Life", an organizationheaded by Dr Harmesh Kumar.

She sang many heartwarmingSufi Kalams & Bhajans of differ-ent variety and enthralled the au-dience and had them dancing. Herone and half hour rendition left theaudience craving for more. Shewas welcomed by CFO ManoramaJoshi on behalf of the temple.

After the program she along

with her family and accompanistsand Dr Harmesh and his family,was honored by Temple ChairmanRajesh Verma, Leela Mathur ( Re-

ligious Chair), Manorama Joshi (CFO & Trustee), Veena Birla(Trustee), Sunita Japra and DeepakChhabra (Chair Event).

Dr Mamta Joshi being honored by Fremont Hindu Temple trustees. Pics Neeloo Kapoor

Dr Joshi with dignitaries

Dr Joshi performing on stage

India Post 21August 2, 2013www.indiapost.com


Shirdi Sai Darbar celebratesGuru Poornima

VIDYA SETHURAMAN


FREMONT, CA: Guru Poornimais celebrated on the full moon daythat falls in July-August and is ob-served as an auspicious daywhere pujas are performed to the

Guru. On the auspicious occasion,Shirdi Sai Darbar in Sunnyvalecelebrated Guru Poornima on Sun-day July 21 with offering ofChappan Bhog. All devotees wereinvited to bring their favorite food

for Baba and about 3000 devoteescame in for Baba Darshan. BabaPalki ceremony was performed inthe evening around 6:00 pm.

Sai Baba of Shirdi, also knownas Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indianguru, yogi, and fakir who is re-garded by his Hindu and Muslimdevotees as a saint. He taught a

moral code of love, forgiveness,helping others, charity, content-ment, inner peace, and devotionto God and guru. Sai Baba's teach-ings combined elements of Hindu-ism and Islam: he gave the Hinduname Dwarakamayi to the mosquehe lived in, practiced Hindu and

Muslim rituals, taught usingwords and figures that drew fromboth traditions, and was buried inShirdi.

Shirdi Sai Darbar is a non-profitorganization. It is based in Bay

Area, California. It is a 100% vol-unteer base organization. All ac-tivities are managed by SSD vol-unteers. SSD new and currentBaba temple location is at 255Geronimo Way, Sunnyvale, CA-94085. This new location is lo-cated at the intersection of Wolfeand Arques Ave.

The landlord has given SSDlimited time buying option withlease. The total area is 20,000 sq.ft. They would be allocating 10,000sq ft for the main prayer hall andthe rest for meditation and diningfacilities. The facility has about 200parking spaces. The space is al-ready pre-approved for religiousactivities by the City of Sunnyvale.The estimated total cost for thisproject is $6 million. The immedi-ate requirement is 3 million so thatthe rest can be approved througha lending institution.

The organization welcomes do-nations for the construction of newtemple complex. They have intro-duced a unique donor programcalled "Donor Recognition Wall,"which will give you a chance tocontribute towards building of Saitemple and have your name in-scribed on the wall. Due to limitedspace, the wall will be filled quicklyand thus they encourage the devo-tees to make the donations as soonas possible. The program will endon January 31, 2014 or when fullcapacity is reached.

Donation options: Cash/checkin the name of "SHRIDI SAIDARBAR" at Baba Temple. Mailcheck in the name of "SHRIDI SAIDARBAR" to temple address 255,San Geronimo way, Sunnyvale, CA94085. Paypal/Google checkout(Details onwww.shirdisaidarbar.org)

Muslim student appointedUC student regent


LOS ANGELES: The Californiachapter of the Council on Ameri-can-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA)has congratulated the first obser-vant Muslim student ever to beappointed as the new Universityof California (UC) student regentfor 2014-2015. Sadia Saifuddin wasconfirmed in a nearly unanimous

vote by the UC Board of Regents,during its meeting recently.

A UC Berkeley senior majoringin social welfare, Saifuddin partici-pated in CAIR-CA's flagship Mus-lim Youth Leadership Program(MYLP) in 2008, and also servedas an advisor for this year's co-hort of MYLP participants.

MYLP is an annual political im-mersion and leadership buildingretreat in Sacramento, which aimsto equip high school studentswith an understanding of the leg-islative process, as well as train-

ing in the areas of civic engage-ment and media advocacy.

In late June, nearly 40 Ameri-can Muslim students from acrossCalifornia were selected to partici-pate.

Throughout the four-day pro-gram, participants attended work-shops and presentations on com-munity organizing, public speak-ing, and the political process inCalifornia.

This year, the program beganwith a welcome address deliveredby Imam Luqman Ahmad on lead-ership from an Islamic perspective.Imam Ahmad's discussion on thecharacter of a Muslim leader al-lowed participants to understandhow their identities as Muslimscan positively impact their roles

as leaders.Participants also got to listen

to Lori Soraya, executive directorof CAIR-Minnesota, who deliv-ered a presentation on her experi-ence working with CAIR. Throughher inspiring stories, participantslearned about the various skillsneeded to be an effective orga-nizer in order to make a positiveimpact on the American Muslim

community and the broader soci-ety.

To that end, participants en-gaged in an interactive workshopon community organizing whereinthey worked together to find so-lutions to various scenarios re-garding discrimination and preju-dice. The participants were givenscenarios that have not only oc-curred in the Muslim community,but also in other religious commu-nities to promote an understand-ing of diverse viewpoints.

Participants also learned thateffective communication ispart of effective organizing;knowing how to speak elo-quently and confidently is animportant leadership skill.During this workshop, partici-pants fine-tuned their publicspeaking skills by discussingthe importance of publicspeaking, and learning tipsand tricks on how to speak ef-fectively. Participants put thelessons they learned from thediscussion into practice by

writing and presenting a shortspeech to their fellow participants.

In addition to these presenta-tions and workshops, MYLP par-ticipants took part in a mock legis-lature session at the CaliforniaState Capitol, in which they de-bated public policy issues relat-ing to education, elections, as wellas health and human services.

Throughout their time at theCapitol, participants also had theopportunity to listen to senators,assembly members, Capitol staffmembers and lobbyists with manyyears of experience.

Since its inception in 2004,MYLP has helped empower over350 youth, like Saifuddin, with theskills necessary to grow into com-munity leaders.

Participants in CAIR-CA's 9th annual Muslim Youth Leadership Program

taking part in a mock legislature session where they debate bills

One of the participants speaking

Utility Bill scams continue to targetEdison customers


ROSEMEAD, CA: SouthernCalifornia Edison (SCE) is advis-ing customers to be aware of a tele-phone scam that demands imme-diate payment for allegedly pastdue electricity bills.

Imposters have been callingSCE customers telling them theymust make immediate payment onpast due bills or have their electricservice disconnected. The callersare also demanding that payment

be made through a prepaid cashcard. Other forms of fraud involvecustomers being asked to purchaseprepaid debit cards. Scammers askfor the debit card number and col-lect the value deposited on the card.

SCE customers have reportedabout 800 instances of phone scamsthis year. About 150 residential andcommercial customers have beenvictimized by some form of bill scamwith the incidents costing them anaverage of $800 to $1,000.

"We ask our customers to be

alert to these calls that demand im-mediate payment and threaten ser-vice disconnection," said MarlynDenter, SCE manager of consumeraffairs. "Customers suspecting afraudulent call should ask for thecaller's name, department and busi-ness phone number. If the callerrefuses to provide this information,customers should terminate the calland report the incident immediatelyto local police or SCE at 800-655-4555."

Cont’d on page 25


Hathi has traveled to 21 cities in USA andplans to go to New York, New Jersey, Wash-ington, Houston, Bay Area and few morebefore flying back to India. He said that hewas overjoyed with the amazing response

Darshak Hathi (right) with Vinesh Virani, an activist associated

with Art of Living

Encyclopedia of Hinduism launched in ChicagolandRAMESH SOPARAWALA


CHICAGO: It is one of the mostunique books on Hinduism thattook twenty-five years in the mak-ing with contributions from well

over 1000 esteemed scholars fromacross the world. The Encyclope-dia of Hinduism with 11-volumesand approximately 7000 entries

formally saw the light of the dayat a glittering event at Manav SevaMandir (MSM) on Saturday July27.

It is for the first time in historythat the depth and breadth ofIndia's great spiritual culture

has been made available in au-thentic, academic and scholasticform for generations to come. Asput by DP Prajapati of Manav

Seva Mandir, it is "a great boon tothe second and third generationsof Indians living abroad to learnand understand the true meaningof Hinduism."

The launch was at the hands ofone of the saintly persons fromIndia, Swami Chidanand Saraswatiin the presence of four hundredplus scholars and priests of Hin-duism, representatives of varioussocial and religious organizationsand followers of Sanatan Dharmawhich is popularly known as Hin-duism.

The Encyclopedia was con-ceived, inspired and blessed bySwami Chidanand Saraswati andis published by India HeritageResearch Foundation. Swamijiwon the hearts and minds of allthose present with his soul-stir-ring speech which underlined theuniversality of Sanatan Dharma.He explained that the basic prin-ciple of this Dharma was to seeDivinity in all and practice Ahimsain thought, word and action.

Launch of Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Pics Asian Media USA

Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati

Audience at the launch ceremonyCont’d on page 24

Youth movement to build new Indiawith self-help reaches US

RAMESH SOPARAWALA


CHICAGO: Volunteers for aBetter India (VBI), an organizationinspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,has come up with a novel idea ofrejuvenating India not by blamingany person, group or organizationbut by creating awareness amongthe masses. The masses can bringabout major changes by them-

selves, without looking up to thegovernment or help from outsidesources.

This movement has gainedhefty ground in India, saysDarshak Hathi, the Chief architectof VBI, currently on tour of USA

for enlisting the support of seg-ments of NRI community, princi-pally the youth. Hathi was in Chi-cago and met representatives ofIndian ethnic media last week andsought to explain the basic phi-losophy behind this new move-ment which has no political bear-ings.

In his brief address Darshaksaid that one may hold an Ameri-can citizenship or may have spent

years away from India but one stillhas a deep connection to thecountry of origin. We still get af-fected by the current situation inthe country of birth be it the newson corruption and scams, terroriststrikes, women's issues or suicide

by farmers or the continuing wa-ter shortage or power cuts or ca-lamities and disasters, but blam-ing the government is not the rightsolution, he said.

Not content to watch passively,over 100,000 youth from all overIndia gathered together at the RamLila Maidan in New Delhi on Feb-ruary 3 to participate in the launchof the Volunteer for a Better India(VBI) movement inaugurated bySri Sri Ravi Shankar.

They had a very simple goal -to inspire millions of Indians togive just one hour a day for thenation. This call for action resultedin implementation of severalprojects all over India and finallyreached NRI youth. Many UNagencies, Indian Medical Associa-tions and many Not for Profit or-ganizations have joined handswith VBI to become a party totransform India.

A few NRI and PIO youth, notwilling to be left behind, decidedto start the Overseas Wing of theOverseas Volunteers for a BetterIndia (OVBI). Over 1800 youthshave already joined OVBI since itslaunch in May 2013. "We foundto our utmost happiness that be-ing Indian goes beyond the geo-graphical boundaries of the coun-try and there are many overseas

Indians who want to be part of re-building and strengthening of In-dia," Hathi pointed out.

Hathi has traveled to 21 citiesin USA and plans to go to NewYork, New Jersey, Washington,Houston, Bay Area and few morebefore flying back to India. He saidthat he was overjoyed with theamazing response among the In-dian community in USA. Duringthe brainstorming session withleaders of the community the fol-lowing key points were identified:To support the projects related to

rebuilding India; the need to or-ganize and mobilize the NRI com-munity; effectively highlight is-sues that concern the NRIs in USAin their day to day life; rectify theincorrect projection of India andIndians in the mainstream; Needto voice the issues of the home-land India in USA.

OVBI seems to bring a ray hopefor development and transforma-

tion of India and Indians.Darshak Hathi, the socio-spiri-

tual activist, previously a coremember of 'India Against Corrup-tion' (IAC) movement led by AnnaHazare, spent two days withAnnaji in Tihar jail in August 2012.Darshak has initiated and partici-pated in various service projectsand civil society movements suchas conflict resolution, rehabilita-tion, a peace initiative program inNorth East India, the creation ofmodel villages in various districtsof Maharashtra, child protection

in Uttar Pradesh with UNICEF,Bharat Jagao Abhiyan, Meri DilliMeri Yamuna and Jal JagritiAbhiyan.

He is the strategic advisor for 'To-gether Reform India', a Times Foun-dation initiative. Based on his self-less service to rural India, Darshakwas awarded the 'Servant of thePoor' award by the confederationof NGOs of Rural India, in 2010.


He said that it is "we who makeheaven or hell with our own actsof commission and omission" andthat it was essential that we setthe goal of our life merging withdivinity.

He formally launched the En-cyclopedia inviting leaders of vari-ous organizations on the stage andblessing those who really workedhard for promoting the cause oftrue religion and Manav SevaMandir.

Earlier, Sadhvi BhagawatiSaraswati, PhD made a really aninspiring speech explaining in herbeautiful way with lot of examplesthe real meaning of religion. Medi-tation, puja, worship and ritual are

Encyclopedia of Hinduism launched in Chicagolandall good in a way but while prac-ticing all these, we should neverswerve away from the basic con-cept of Hinduism which is tosearch divinity thru seeking divin-ity in all the creation.

An American graduate ofStanford University who hasspent the last 17 years living inIndia, studying and serving underSwamiji, Sadhvi BhagawatiSaraswati is the Managing Editorof the Encyclopedia. She givesdiscourses, lectures, question-an-swer sessions and leads medita-tion at Parmarth Niketan and trav-els around the world.

She said that the Encyclopediais not limited to Hinduism as a re-ligion, but rather provides all in-clusive treatment of India's spiri-

tual culture (including in-depthcoverage of Sikhism, Jainism andBuddhism, and aspects from Is-lamic and Christian traditions inIndia). The Encyclopedia was pre-viewed and blessed at a huge cer-emony in India by His Holinessthe Dalai Lama and hundreds ofIndia's most revered spiritual, so-cial and national leaders.

The launch ceremony was pre-ceded by Yagya which was part ofthe two-day celebrations of MSMPatosav. Dahyabhai Prajapati saidthat MSM library will house all theeleven volumes of the Encyclo-pedia and anybody interested inreading them or learning moreabout Hinduism was welcome tocome the facility and avail of allthe volumes of Encyclopedia.

Devotees at the Aarti after Launch ceremony


Entertainers to bring cheerto kids during FIA Parade

SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: To make the IndiaIndependence Day parade a grandaffair, FIA is deploying clowns,jugglers, tall-stiletto walkers andother entertainers colorfullydressed to criss-cross the paraderoute in order toprovide added fil-lip and excitementto the grand pa-rade.

I f t e k h a rShareef, FIATrustee Chair, pro-viding this updatesaid it was impor-tant that we offerto the childrensome gleeful ex-citement and thebest way we cando it is to employentertainers whocan bring lot ofcheer to the youngchildren. Headded this sideshow with clownsand jugglers willprovide a whole-some family enter-tainment on a dayfilled with patrio-tism and Indianpride.

Banquet Chair Veenod Patelsaid they were working hard tomake the August 16 IndependenceDay Banquet at India House inSchaumburg a very successfulevent. He said Bollywood ActressSoha Ali Khan will make specialappearance. Program will be filledwith cultural programs co-ordinateby Bhavana Modi.

Awards will be presented tofour selected community/business

leaders recommended by Trusteesof FIA. Banquet will be attendedby over 800 people along withguests from India including UnionMinister of Transportation SarveSathyanarayana, the new Consul

General of India, Dr Ausaf Sayeed.Other VIP guests will be Mr World,Mr India and many more.

Minhah Akhtar, Treasurer ofFIA-Chicago, said Flag Hoistingceremony will be held on August15 at 11.55 am in front of DaleyPlaza (Dearborn & WashingtonAve) Downtown. It will be fol-lowed by cultural program. Re-freshments will be served at theevent he said.

Soha Ali Khan

Guru Purnima celebrated atGayatri Shaktipeeth

ATUL PATEL

CHICAGO: GlobalGayatri Pariwar Chicagoand Gayatri ShaktipeethChicago celebrated GuruPurnima festival with 108Kundi Gayatri Yagya onSunday July 21 from11am to 2 pm inDesplaines, a north sidesuburb of Chicago.

Chief Guest MrsSantosh Kumar, CEO ofMAFS, inauguratedGyan Mashal souvenirbook. She spoke aboutGurudev Pandit ShreeRam Sharma's divinework and teaching thateveryone should readhis literature to solveday-to-day problems.Main Yajman were Chetanbhai andManishben Patel and Varshabenand Shaileshbhai Gadani. InPushpanjali ritual, Natubhai Patelannounced quitting his Pan Paraghabit. Minaben Poorohit andSohanbhai Joshi appealed to

devotees not only to participatein this program but regularly helpthe Gayatri Shaktipeeth Chicagofor day-to-day expenses.

Pushpaben Parikh and BhaminiAcharya sang melodious songsalong with Kusum Patel, Harsha

Thakkar and Bhanu Darji. Duringthe pious event, the organizersdistributed 108 Tulsi plants. Morethan 300 devotees offered Aahutiin Gayatri Yagya. Aabh Contrac-tor chanted Gayatri Mantra onstage.

Kusum Patel and RajnibhaiModi performed Gaytari Yagya anddevotees chanted Gayatri Mantra,Mahamurtunjay Aahuti was of-fered for the departed souls atUtttarakhand and also for Mrs PearlCooper, 84, an ardent devotee ofGayatri Mata and selfless worker.She passed away on June 21.

The function was a great suc-cess. Ayurvedic Dr Varma an-nounced giving his lecture andfree service on Sunday August 4at 11am at Gayatri ShaktipeethChicago. "Gayatri Upasna" CD isavailable at Gayatri ShaktipeethChicago.

Devotees performing Aarti at Guru Purnima celebrations by Gayatri Shaktipeeth

Chief Guest Ms Santosh Kumar with guests Sohan Joshi, Meena Purohit

and organizer Dr Kusum Patel


Utility Bill scams continueto target Edison customers

Los Angeles County DistrictAttorney Jackie Lacey, whose of-fice prosecutes crimes in about 80cities within SCE's service territory,joins the utility in warning con-sumers about telephone scams.

"SCE and the Los AngelesCounty District Attorney's Officeshare a common interest in keep-ing Los Angeles County residentssafe from bill scams and other fi-nancial crimes," Lacey said.

"A first step to preventing fi-nancial scams - particularly amongthe elderly and in ethnic commu-nities - is to educate the public,"she said. "When these crimes dooccur, the Los Angeles CountyDistrict Attorney's Office is fullycommitted to prosecuting them tothe fullest extent of the law."

SCE also reminds customers toask for identification when astranger comes to the door or callsclaiming to be a utility worker. SCEutility workers will provide verifi-cation, including their departmentand phone number, when asked.

In most cases, home visits by

SCE are scheduled by the cus-tomer and SCE will confirm theappointment in writing. If there areany concerns, SCE and law en-forcement officials suggest hav-ing the utility worker wait outsideuntil their identity can be verified.

SCE customers should alsonote that:

• An SCE employee will neverask for money in person.

• Never reveal your credit card,ATM or calling card numbers (orPIN numbers) to anyone.

• If someone calls and requestsyou leave your residence at a spe-cific time for a utility-related cause,call the police. This could be aburglary attempt set up by thecaller.

• Be suspicious of anyone whoarrives at your house without anappointment asking to check anappliance, wiring or suggestingthat there may be some other elec-trical problem inside or outsideyour residence.

• For more ways customers canstay safe, please see sce.com/safety and read the safety tips sec-tion.


Huge support for Indian Icon Audition-3Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Singing auditionscan be challenging even for themost seasoned singer and one hasto present the best to have achance to progress to the nextlevel. In this case it was the semi-final round of Chicago Indian Icon(CII) competition.

The CII karaoke competition isalready making history for it is thefirst of its kind in the US and theresponse from the Indian commu-nity has been positively abun-dant, exploding every imaginablebench mark, and propelling itselfto the forefront of music-lovers'dream of a unified musical plat-form that is provided in Chicagoby the five founding members ofIndian Event Management (IEM).

The third and final audition ofthe CII was held on Sunday July21 at the Ashyana Banquet Hall.The program commenced with

and Nehali Dhutia and the fun,energetic group item was fromthe movie 'Dil Chahta Hai', per-formed by Ravi Dudeja, GautamKhanna, Gaurav Khurana andSanjeev Arora.

Pratibha Jairath, the Vice Presi-dent of IEM, said that the semifinals will give an opportunity tothe audience to be involved inthe decision making process.The 'audience votes' and 'judgesvotes' are equal at fifty percent.

Top six performances will beselected from each category toenter the semi finals. The firstsemi final is scheduled to be heldon August 4 at the WaterfordBanquets in Elmhurst and thesecond semi final will be held onAugust 25 at the Ashyana Ban-quets in Downers Grove.

Sharan Walia, the Director ofManagement and Planning, saidthat the audience voting wastested in the third audition togive people a flavor of "what iscoming ahead."

Raju Bankapur, Director of Ex-ecution and Planning, congratu-lated his team for a spectacular jobof complicated execution process.

The Judges included ManiMajumdar, Kalyan Pathak,Hitesh Master and ManjiriVaihampayan. The singers andaudience both enjoyed their valu-able feedback.

Harvard trained ophthalmic sur-geon and cornea specialist ofIndian origin. The contestantsstarted lining up two hours aheadof time and the audition contin-ued until midnight.

Highlights of the day werePriyanka Khanna and SurajPatnaik getting standing ovationfrom the audience. Equally favor-ites in different categories wereRahul Jain, Gautam Khanna andMona Malhotra. The top duetitem was performed by Bharat

Brij Sharma, the IEM president,updating the audience about the

significant progress made by CIIin a short time since inception

three months ago. Hesaid that TV Asiawould broadcast 30-minute episodes ofCII Karaoke compe-tition from the be-ginning to the finalcrowning of the CIIon September 21.

The Chief Guestfor the event was DrThomas John,wor ld - r enowned

Chicago Indian Icon Management Team L to R Brij Sharma, Pratibha Jairath, Sharan Walia,

Raju Bankapur and Anoop Walia

Some of the singers Priyanka, Rahul and Suraj participating in the third audition

Guru Purnima celebrated byhonoring elders

GEETHA PATIL

CHICAGO: Hindu Mandir ofLake County celebrated GuruPurnima on July 21. It became morespecial when the Executive Com-mittee of the Temple honored al-most hundred Varishta Vyaktis (el-der citizens) of Illinois.

The function started with regu-lar Ganesh Abhishekam performedby Pandit Ganeshji followed byGuru Poojan of Shankaracharya,R a m a n u j a c h a r y a ,Madhavacharya, Maha PrabhuVallabhacharya and JagadguruLord Krishna with the Vedic Man-tra chanting.

This day is celebrated as VyasaPunima also. As a mark of respectto Maharishi Veda Vyasa, thetemple priest offered turbans totwo senior Brahmins after clean-ing their feet. The priest also pre-sented them Tilak, Prasad andAarti for the Vyasa Pooja withVedic mantras. Bhajans were sungby Rita Patel, Atul Soni and VasuChoksi.

President Irshad Khan of Is-

lamic Foundation North alongwith other dignitaries attended thewhole ceremony with open hearts.This is an example of interfaith fel-lowship. Vaseem from the IFN sang

a devotional bhajan. PresidentHarsh Kumar honored them withSanman Patra and Uttariya. Thisspreads the color of friendship be-tween religions.

According to Pandit Anil Joshiji,Varishta Vyaktis are living gurus of

our family. They play importantroles in building well-balanced fami-lies and society. Our Indian Identityis standing out in the world becauseof their guidance and directions to

lead a spiritual life. In this connec-tion youngsters honored almost 100seniors by washing their feet, andpresented them with Tilak, Uttariya,Sanman Patra, Prasad and Aarti.

Cont’d on page 26

Honoring Varisthas at Hindu Mandir of Lake County


Uttarakhand Fundraiser receives big responseRAMESH SOPARAWALA & JODH SINGH

Guru Purnima celebratedby honoring elders

The Templepresident honoredSmt VandanaJhingan of TV Asiafor her dedicated,sincere and honestservices to the In-dian community.The program endedwith vote of thanksby Dr Harsh Kumar.He thanked all theattendees and vol-unteers for theirsupport to make thisfunction a grandsuccess. More thanthree hundredpeople attended thefunction. TheLangar Prasad wasarranged in a beau-tifully decorateddining hall of thetemple by templevolunteers.

Honoring Vandana Jhingan for her

community services

Honor to the president and others of Islamic

Foundation North, IL


CHICAGO: It was a heartwarm-ing sight to see the elites of In-dian community flocking to IndiaHouse Schaumburg on SundayJuly 21 to show their support andsympathy for the victims ofUttarakhand (Dev Bhumi) disas-ter by participating in fundraisingefforts organized by a group ofcommunity activists led byJagmohan Jayara and Ravi Rawat.

Many who could not make it tothe event still showed their sup-port thru on line and Pay Pal do-nations resulting in a hefty collec-tion of over $61,000 in a single daythat would be used with no over-head expenses for the rehabilita-tion and providing relief to thevictim families. Ravi Rawat, one ofthe main organizers, was so opti-mistic that he told this paper hewould not be surprised if the totalcrosses $100,000 mark before long.

Jagmohan Jayara and RaviRawat, both hailing fromUttarakhand, were hugely upsetat the natural disaster wreckingthis Dev Bhumi a month go andwanted to enlist the support ofthe community at large to extendall possible help. They hosted avery successful a fundraiser withover 400 guests attending a nearthree hours program. It startedwith a short film presentation that

depicted the plight of devoteesand local residents and endingwith a fervent appeal for help.Showing appreciation to thosewho came for the event, besidessmall speeches, it culminated in asumptuous dinner and music

program by local artistsKey volunteers like Mrs

Vandana Dalal, Mrs Sudha , DrHans Upadhyay, Pritesh Gandhi,Paresh Patel, Jassi Parmar, NileshPatel, Mrs Shree Mohanty, AmitPatel, Mrs Shirley Hathaway,Raman Patel, Bob Shah, AshokShah, Suryakant Patel were activeand collective efforts resulted inraising nearly $ 61,000 for rebuild-ing Char Dham Uttarakhand,where the devastation and de-struction has been beyond beliefand comprehension.

Desi junction Radio Host JassiParmar and Mrs Sudha Upadhyay,a native of Uttarakhand, emceedthe program adroitly. The startwas with a "Ganesh Stuti" fol-lowed by national anthems of In-dia and USA. A moment of silencewas observed for the departedsouls

Main organizers Ravi Rawat,Jagmohan Jayara and VandanaDalal welcomed the guests. RaviRawat shared his feelings and ex-perience while he was inUttarakhand during his child-hood and the respect he got fromthe people all over the world forbeing a native of Devbhumi. Heurged the community to stayunited in times of national emer-gency as people from all States

of India were present at the event.Jagmohan Jayara thanked the

community and said thatDevbhumi Uttarakhand belongsto all Indians. He assured all thosepresent that every penny will beused to benefit the affected indi-

viduals at grassroot level. He wasconfident that "our collective ef-forts will lead to the rebuilding ofChar Dham Uttarakhand."

Vandana Dalalexecutive direc-tor of MAAC(Midwest AsianAmerican center)earlier had intro-duced RaviRawat andJagmohan Jayaraby highlightingtheir help for theorganization.

Mrs Rita Shahsung a beautifulprayer appropriate for the

occasson. "Ai maliktere bande hum." MrsShree Mohanty sang"Vaishnav Jan to tenekahie".

A heart touchingvideo presentationfeaturing Char DhamUttarakhand, the dev-astation and destruc-tion in theUttarakhand and therescue operations byIndian Army compiledby Nilesh Patel wasfollowed by a keynote

speech from Jodh Singh Rawat, acommunity activist hailing fromUttarakhand.

JS Rawat spoke about howPanch Pandvas went to Kedarnathon their way to Vaikunth and alsonarrated how the Char Dhams

Gangotri, Yamnotri, Badrinath andKedarnath were established byAdi Shankarachayra. He addedthat Uttarakhand was founded on

November 9, 2000 as the 27th stateof Republic of India, having itscapital in Dehradun.

Mrs Anuradha Negi (Vice Con-sul, Indian Consulate Chicago)

The fundraiser organizers Ravi Rawat, Vandana Dalal and Jagmohan Jiyara

Volunteers with organizers of Devbhumi fundraiser

Speakers J Rawat, Ravi Rawat and Jagmohan Jiyara

native of Uttarakhand and SanjivPandey a Chicago entrepreneurwho spent his childhood inJoshimath, addressed the gathring.Sunil Shah founder president ofnew FIA , pitched for funds andhis emotional appeal moved theentire audience and inspired themto donate generously.

The checks were flowing anddonor names were announced.Om Dhingra pledged to adopt 2orphan kids till their college edu-cation. Mrs Shree Mohanty wasjoined by Ajai Kumar in singingfavorite Bollywood numbersmesmiring all those present.

Those who desired to make adonation are requested to Log onto: www.uttarakhandrelief.org(PayPal: visa/MC/ Amex/Dis-

cover) Or Write checks to: MAAC(memo: Uttarakhand relief fund)and mail to India House 1521 WestSchaumburg Road Schaumburg IL-60194.

Some of the Community leaders at the Fundraiser


www.indiapost.com

TOP TENHINDI FILM SONGS

1 Maston Ka Jhund:Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

2 Tum Tak: Raanjhnaa3 Sawaar Loon: Lootera4 Bhaag Milkha Bhaag:

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag5 Ay Saki: Raanjhnaa6 Mera Yaar: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag7 Manmarziyan: Lootera8 Ek Ghadi : D-Day9 Murshid Khele Holi: D-Day10 Ghanchakkar Babu: Ghanchakkar

India Post28 August 2 , 2013

A photo was leaked online which shows Katrina Kaif in askimpy bikini having fun with boyfriend Ranbir Kapoorduring their Spanish holiday. Both were totally into each

other with nobody around them. They were clicked beside thebeach side. Katrina was spotted wearing a white and red two-piece.

The picture was posted in the latest edition of Stardust.Editor Ram Kamal Mukherjee says, "I think it's great that Ranbirand Katrina are coming out into the open with their romance

now. It's great to be in love."They have been going on holidays and visiting rock shows

together. Recently at Katrina's birthday during a screening ofShip Of Theseus, Ranbir got up and started singing HappyBirthday to Katrina, in front of everyone else. So yes, the coupleare in love and they want the world to see that!"

Ranbir is shooting in Sri Lanka for 'Bombay Velvet' thesedays and guess what, Kat accompanied him!

“BOTH WERE TOTALLY INTO EACHOTHER WITH NOBODY AROUND THEM.THEY WERE CLICKED BESIDE THE BEACHSIDE. KATRINA WAS SPOTTED WEARINGA WHITE AND RED TWO-PIECE”

By now, we all knowthat Salman Khan andShah Rukh Khan huggedat politician Baba Siddiqui's

Iftaar party recently.However, according to sources it would be

foolhardy and utterly unrealistic to presume thatthat the cold war between the two Khans is over.

"Far from it," says a source close to Salman, "Bhaihas said many times in the past that he would never againbe friends with Shah Rukh. Their differences are irreconcil-able. And that's how it remains. The hug at the Iftaar party justhappened because of circumstances. Neither Bhai nor Shah Rukhcould say no to their host when he led Salman to Shah Rukh.They've the highest regard for him. And that's why they were boththere at the same place at the same time. It was only because of thehost that Bhai made that gesture. There is nothing more to it."

Adds Salman's brother Sohail who was present at the suppos-edly historic patch-up. "They just greeted each other. There is noth-ing more to it."

“BHAI HAS SAID MANY TIMES IN THE PAST THAT HEWOULD NEVER AGAIN BE FRIENDS WITH SHAH RUKH”

India Post 29August 2, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Bollywood

Vidyut Jamwal who madean action packed debut

alongside John Abraham inForce seems to be fast be-coming the next action star ofBollywood. With his film Com-mando getting rave reviews;Vidyut is all set to join the leagueof international action legends likeJet Li and Lee Byung-Hun.

Vidyut's work and his action willsoon be showcased at the Fanta-sia International Film Festival - theultimate large screen action ex-travaganza in Montreal, Canada.Says Eric S. Boisvert, one of themembers on the board of the filmfestival, expressing his faith andbelief in Vidyut, "Fantasia hasalways been a turning pointfor emerging Asian actors.Over the past 17 yearsFantasia has introducedcountless action stars,such as Jet Li and LeeByung-hun, long be-fore they explodedonto Americanscreens. Thisyear is no excep-tion. We con-f i d e n t l yguaranteeyou thatV i d y u tJamwal willsoon earn his well-deservedspot among the great namesof action cinema."

Issaq' movie is based onShakespeare's Romeo &Juliet. Its lead pair, Prateik

and Amyra, were askedwhether true love exists in

today's world?Amyra: At 20, I am yet to experience it. At

the moment, I want to have fun and focus onmy career. Falling in love would be a burdenas it will hold me back from so many things.

Prateik: It does exist. Watch Issaq andyou will know (laughs).

Amyra: I think in today's time, guys aremore into commitment, while girls just wantto have a good time.

Prateik: Well, we shall let love slap youin the face.

Amyra: That's what I am scared of. I don'twant that to happen.

On a different note, Amra went on to re-veal something about Prateik. "He is terrifiedof bugs. Once, in the middle of a kissingscene, a moth landed on his shoulder. In-stead of giving the shot, he started scream-ing at me saying, 'Get it off... get it off...' Healmost pushed me and ran!"

Australian Celeste Geer, 40, studied art andlaw before taking the plunge with docu-mentary filmmaking. Her latest work,

Then The Wind Changed, was recently screenedin Indian capital, New Delhi. The film is aboutAustralia's worst natural disaster, a bushfire inthe state of Victoria that claimed 173 lives in 2009.

Geer says, "People have been very movedby the film and I think what people respond tomost is the sense of community. I am really in-

terested to see how audiences react here. Espe-cially because the scale of disaster on one level issmaller than what happened here (Uttarakhand)but at the same time, the loss of one child or theloss of 1,000 children is still awful."

Asked about her favourite Indian director, filmor actor, she said, "I like watching Mira Nair'smovies. I loved Monsoon Wedding. My favouriteIndian actor is Om Puri. My husband and I are inlove with the movies of Om Puri."

I THINK IN TODAY'S TIME, GUYSARE MORE INTO COMMITMENT,

WHILE GIRLS JUST WANT TOHAVE A GOOD TIME

India Post August 2, 2013www.indiapost.com

Real Estate30

Realty Tidbits Mahindra forms housingJV with StanChart

Home Office Remodel

6 worst home fixes for the moneyDANA DRATCH

It's the magic phrase uttered byalmost anyone who's ever considered the cost of home re-

modeling: "We'll use our home eq-uity and get it back when we sell."

Unless you keep those projects

practical, though, you might justbe kidding yourself.

For example:• Steel front door: Good.• Master suite addition costing

more than the average Americanhome: Bad.

Every year, Remodeling maga-zine looks at the hottest home up-grades and renovations and cal-culates just how much owners getback when they sell.

Upkeep is more popular thanupgrades these days, says SalAlfano, editorial director for Re-modeling. These are the projectsthat often recoup the biggest sliceof expenses at resale. But prices andreturns do vary regionally, he says.

Ever wonder what brings thelowest return when you plant that"for sale" sign? Think high-dollar,high-end and highly personalizedadd-ons that make you drool. Likea totally tricked-out garage builtfrom the ground up. Or a super luxe

master suite addition. Or the homeoffice redo designed just for you.

Here are the six improvementsthat, in their 2010 report, rankeddead last nationally when it comesto getting those renovation dol-

lars back at resale.

HOME OFFICE REMODELWant to get an idea what

today's office-away-from-the-of-fice looks like? Walk intoStarbucks.

These days, a home office con-sists of a multiple-choice combi-nation of wireless laptops,smartphones, PDAs and touch-screen tablets. And that workerbee might be toiling anywherefrom a home patio or a favorite res-taurant to a park bench.

The standard home office reno-vation, meanwhile - complete withplenty of built-in storage and high-tech wiring - is this year's biggestloser in the resale value sweep-stakes. Nationally, homeownersspent an average of $28,888 and canexpect to recoup about 45.8 percentat resale, according to the report.

Return on investment doesn'treflect your enjoyment of the

space, Alfano says.He offers two tips for home-of-

fice remodelers when they sell.First, opt for something that canbe easily converted back into abedroom or den for (or by) the next

buyer.Second, when you're selling,

call it a study, den or hobby room."There's lots of call for multipur-pose space. Don't lock yourselfinto that one use," Alfano says.Don't use words that invoke im-ages of actual work. Or the office.

BACK UP POWERGENERATOR

You see a backup generatorand imagine all of the comforts nomatter what the weather.

But potential buyers hailingfrom outside your local area maynot share that vision. (And ahandful of those who do mighthave watched too many zombiemovies.)

On average, when homeownershave a heavy-duty backup powergenerator installed, they spendabout $14,718, according to the re-port. Going with a slightly less ex-pensive model or having a less

complicated installation could cutthe costs significantly, Alfano says.

Average amount of the price re-covered at resale time: 48.5 percent.

SUNROOM ADDITIONReal estate agents will tell you

that potential buyers want squarefootage, pristine condition and lotsof light. So a brand-new room thathas the word "sun" in it, it has tobe great for resale value, right?

Not necessarily.Your first clue: The word "ad-

dition" - which means expandingthe footprint of your home - indi-cates that this is not a renovationfor the faint of heart (or wallet)."It's one of the more expensiveprojects," Alfano says.

While it seems simple enough,the national average for a sunroomaddition is $75,224, according tothe report. Homeowners can ex-pect to recoup about 48.6 percentwhen they sell.

That doesn't mean that addinga sunroom is always a bad move.

If your home needs anothercommon area, a sunroom could bethe answer, says Katie Severance,co-author of "The Complete Idiot'sGuide to Selling Your Home." Anaddition is best considered in thecontext of the whole home, shesays. "The doctor has to treat thewhole patient. You have to look atthe house and say 'What's out ofbalance?'"

UPSCALE MASTER SUITEADDITION

Who doesn't want to wake upin a five-star-hotel-quality suitewith an attached spa bathroomand a kitchenette that affords youcoffee and pastries before facingthe world?

Back Up Power Generator Upscale master suite addition

UP to raise Rs 400cr by sellinghouses for laborers

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradeshgovernment plans to sell nearly30,000 houses situated in laborcolonies across 18 different cities,including Lucknow, to raisearound Rs 400 crore. Those livingin these houses, including non-laborers, will have the option topurchase their houses.

A proposal in this regard willbe soon tabled before the statecabinet for its approval.

UP has 30,643 houses in laborcolonies. Most of them - 18,015 -are situated in 22 labor colonies inKanpur, which is the industrialcapital of the state. These colo-nies were constructed for peoplewho worked in factories.

The construction was com-pleted in 1952 with Centralgovernment's assistance. At mostplaces, since the land was pro-vided by the state government,their ownership was transferred toit. Laborers living in these colo-nies were allotted houses on nomi-nal rent with their maintenanceand upkeep managed by the La-bor Department.

Now most of the factories haveshut down and those who wereallotted these houses have eitherdied or left the city.

Most of the houses are now inpossession of illegal occupants,who acquired them from the labor-ers in lieu of money. Descendantsof laborers are living in some ofthe houses. The rent is Rs 125 fora one-room set and Rs 235 for atwo-room set. The total rent fromthese houses is Rs 5 crore annu-ally, which is deposited with theLabor Department.

Indiabulls RealEstate Q1 netup 92%

NEW DELHI: Indiabulls RealEstate Ltd has reported jump of92.36 per cent in consolidated netprofit at Rs 72.6 crore for the quar-ter ended June 30 on account ofhigher sales.

It had posted net profit of Rs37.74 crore in the yearago pe-riod, according to the company'sfiling to the Bombay Stock Ex-change (BSE).

Total income from operationsjumped more than two-fold at Rs508.33 crore during April-Junequarter of 2013-14 fiscal, asagainst Rs 214.66 crore in Q1,2012-13.

Profits in the first quarter rodeon 2-fold increase in sales to Rs507.30 crore, from Rs 214.19 crorein the corresponding period of lastfiscal.-PTI

NEW DELHI: Realty firm Mahindra Lifespace Devel-opers has announced setting up of equal joint venturewith an arm of UK's Standard Chartered Bank for devel-oping housing projects in India with proposed invest-ment of about Rs 1,000 crore.

Mahindra Lifespace, part of USD 16.2 billion MahindraGroup, has entered into a joint venture arrangement withSCM Real Estate (Singapore) Pvt Ltd, an investment armof Standard Chartered Bank.-PTI

Sunroom addition

Cont’d on page 31

India Post 31August 2, 2013 Real Estate Postwww.indiapost.com

Once you see the price tag, itwon't just be the coffee keepingyou up at night.

For a super-deluxe master suiteaddition - which adds square foot-age and uses only top-dollar ma-terials - the average cost is about$232,062, according to the report.

That's 460 nights at a posh re-sort with enough left over to raidthe minibar.

In years past, this project was"sort of a trend in vacation homes"that migrated to primary dwellings,Alfano says. Sellers can expect torecover about 52.7 percentat resale.

Your buyer can pur-chase a newer house withthe same features as partof the original floor planthat "probably lays outbetter anyway," saysLoren Keim, author of"How to Sell Your Home inAny Market."

So while the next buyermay appreciate yourluxury accommodations(which could even tip theirdecision in your home's favor),chances are they won't want topay the full tab for your remodel.

BATHROOM ADDITIONUnless you're a hermit who

never entertains, you've probablywished for an extra bathroom nowand then.

But bathroom additions requireserious coin. For a moderatelyoutfitted addition with syntheticstone or plastic laminate surfaces,figure parting with about $21,695,according to the Remodeling re-port. Go upscale, with finishes likepremium marble or fine tile, andyou can easily spend in the neigh-borhood of $40,710.

Either way, you get about thesame return: 53 cents on the dol-

lar. "In the buyer's mind, the addi-tional bathroom isn't worth thatadditional $20,000 to $40, 000,"Keim says.

Investigate a less-expensiveway to get the same result withoutflushing quite as much cash. Whileadditions usually cost more, prosmight be able to reconfigure yourexisting space to add a bathroomfor less, Alfano says.

UPSCALE GARAGEADDITION

Instead of cleaning out the ga-rage, how much would you pay tohave a new one built from scratch?

This time, it would have all the

organizational built-ins, and a du-rable, easy-to-clean floor to ensureit would never be messy again.And windows for natural light.

Oh yeah, and you could store acouple of cars in there, too.

The price tag for a top-of-the-line detached two-car with all thetrimmings is about $90,053, ac-cording to the report. You can ex-pect to recover about 53.6 percentof that when you sell.

"This one is completely deckedout on the inside," says Alfano."It's a dream garage."

And that's likely some of theproblem with recovering the valueat resale. Says Keim, "You've gota very small target audience outthere that wants an upscale ga-rage."-Courtesy Bankrate.com

NRI interest in Gurgaon realty upas rupee touches new low

GURGAON: The fall of Rupeehas raised speculations of in-creased NRI investments in thereality sector. Builders and ana-lysts say that Gurgaon continuesto be a popular destination forNRIs buying property mainly forthe purpose of investment.

The Indian Rupee (INR) has

seen 12.0% depreciation againstthe US dollar since the start ofMay till June, thereby forcing itsvalue go down against all othercurrencies pegged to US dollar,including the UAE Dirham (AED).As a result, the Rupee has alsodepreciated against the AED by12.0% during the same period.

Builders maintainthat this slip mightprove a good oppor-tunity to tap the po-tential offered by theNRIs.

According to RaviSaund, COO, CHDDevelopers Ltd, mostdevelopers are takingcue from this situa-tion and coming upwith products prima-rily targeted at the

NRI segment. "We, at the CHD,are coming up with high-end stu-dio apartments in our upcomingcommercial tower CHD Sky One.This will majorly be targeted at ourNRI customers," he said.

Gurgaon has emerged to be oneof the most lucrative investmentoptions for NRIs since it ensuresa good return on investment. Theareas most preferred by the NRIsegment are Golf Course Exten-sion, Sohna Road and the upcom-ing Dwarka Expressway.

"If the rupee maintains its cur-rent levels, real estate developerscould see more NRI investmentsduring the period. On the down-side, cost of construction maymarginally go up as we will haveto pay more in rupee in order toprocure raw materials," Saundadded.

Bathroom


6 worst home fixesfor the money

HDFC's Rs 100-cr propertydeal for Axis Bank

MUMBAI: In one of the big-gest office rental transactions inrecent times, private lender AxisBank is believed to have enteredinto a property lease deal worthabout Rs 100 crore for housing itsback office operations.

The property is being taken ona nine-year lease from RahejaGroup and the deal has been ar-ranged by HDFC Realty, sourcessaid.

The deal was finalized at a rateof Rs 39 per square feet a monthfor an office space having area ofover two lakh square feet. AxisBank has agreed to pay a rent ofRs 82.4 lakh per month and appli-cable taxes for the property situ-ated in a building at Airoli in NaviMumbai area.

This is one of the biggest of-fice property rental deals in thisarea as also in the entire Mumbairegion.

Axis Bank has taken this prop-erty on a nine-year lease from KRaheja Corp for housing its backoffice operations.

Both the parties were repre-sented by HDFC Realty in the deal.

HDFC Realty, a real estate ad-visory services company, is a 100per cent subsidiary of financialservices giant HDFC Ltd and ispresent in more than 23 citiesacross the country.

It offers advisory services inresidential properties, commercialspaces and land to individuals,landlords, developers, occupiers,MNCs and financiers.

The deal comes at a time whenthe office rental business in Indiahas been in mostly a stagnantmode.

According to a latest report byreal estate consultancy JonesLang LaSalle, the office rents "heldgenerally flat" in India during thefirst quarter of 2013, and slow ex-pansion by MNCs was partly off-set by steady demand from IT/ITES firms.

However, the supply has re-mained robust. According toCBRE, key cities across the coun-try witnessed supply of over 20million square feet of prime officespace in the first half of 2013, whiletotal absorption for the period wasless than 14 million square feet. -PTI

Mafia involved in procuringgovt contracts

BALLIA, UP: Mafia in easternUttar Pradesh are strengtheningtheir hold over the real estate busi-ness and running their writ in pro-curing government contracts, ac-cording to a letter by a senior of-ficer.

IG, Varanasi zone, G L Meena,in a letter sent to all the police of-ficers of his zone on July 17, saidmafia dons are pulling strings forprocuring government contractsfor sand mining, liquor, among oth-

ers and are also involved in thereal estate business, policesources said.

In the letter, Meena has writtenthat this is a matter of concern andin view of recent criminal incidents,there is a need to rework the strat-egy to check the activities of mafiagangs, the sources said.

The IG has asked police offic-ers to keep a lookout on the ac-tivities of alleged mafia MukhtarAnsari, Brijesh Singh, Munna

Bajrangi, Haider Ali, VishwasSharma, Abhishek Singh, KaushalChaubey, Guddu Singh and GulabSingh, the sources said.

In the 13 points mentioned inthe letter, he called for secret in-quiry into the involvement of mafiain government contracts, locatingtheir gang members and those pro-viding them shelter, collecting in-formation about properties ac-quired through wrong means andinitiating steps for its seizure.-PTI

www.indiapost.com32 India Post August 2, 2013

Health ScienceHealth Line

5-year survivalafter lung cancer

treatment remainslow

Details on Page 34

US FDA asks Indian drugmakersto comply or face action

NEW DELHI: As many Indiandrugmakers find themselves onwrong side of American rules, theUS health regulator FDA saysthey are finding contaminants likefilth, pesticides and insect partsin drugs manufactured here, butsimilar problems exist in manyother countries as well.

The US Food and Drug Admin-istration (FDA) also warned of"appropriate action" against thecompanies who fail to implement"Good Manufacturing Practices".

The health watchdog said thatmany Indian drugmakers are well-compliant with the rules in the US,to whom India is the second larg-est drug exporter, while it is readyto provide guidance to others that"present problems and chal-lenges".

The comments follow variousinstances of Indian pharma com-panies facing regulatory actionslike drug recalls, warning lettersand penalties from the FDA forviolating the US rules.

At least two firms, Wockhardtand Fresenius Kabi, have receivedwarning letters this month alone,while Hospira Healthcare India

and RPG Life Sciences got suchletters in May. These warningshave been issued by FDA mostlyfor lapses in good manufacturingpractices.

Besides, the FDA last weekclamped down on 15 companies

globally, including Gujarat-basedAmrutam Life Care, for illegal saleof drugs labeled as dietarysupplements and Ayurvedic prod-ucts for treating diabetes.

Others having faced FDA ac-tion for non-compliance with vari-ous US regulations includeRanbaxy, Dr Reddy's Labs, SunPharma, Cadila, AurobindoPharma and Glenmark.

Asked about the spate of such

actions, an FDA spokespersonChristopher C Kelly told PTI inreply to emailed queries that In-dia has been "a consistent pro-vider of low-cost and quality medi-

America's NIH suspends clinical trials in IndiaWASHINGTON: America's

top medical research center, theNational Institute of Health(NIH), has suspended its clini-cal trials in India in the wake ofthe country toughening itsregulatory norms.

An arm of the US health de-partment and considered as oneof the world's best health-re-lated research institutions, NIHis not the only one to take sucha decision.

Many in the private sectorhave taken similar decisions inrecent months and have beenwithdrawing their clinical trialsfrom India.

A month before the NIH con-firmed its decision, a McKinseyreport prepared for the Boston-based USA India Chamber ofCommerce had identified India's

clinical trial policies as one of thebiggest hurdles to the country'sbooming pharma sector, which asper current projections is ex-pected togrow to USD45 billion by2020 from theUSD 18 bil-lion today.

" W h i l eboth globaland Indian in-dustry lead-ers opinethat India'sintel lectualproperty (IP)s i t u a t i o nneeds to beaddressed and clarified, theyhave highlighted that in fact clini-cal trials infrastructure and policy

are the biggest obstacle for Indiato meet its potential of drivingR&D innovation at scale," saidthe report.

Express-ing concernabout thenew regula-tions, theNIH in a re-cent state-ment said itlooks for-ward to hear-ing clarifica-tions from In-dia on thisimportant is-sue.

"The NIHhopes that future changes willenable studies to resume, andthat we will be able to continue

collaborations with colleaguesin India for the mutual benefitof our citizens," a NIH spokes-man said.

Similar views were ex-pressed, by industry experts ata recently held US-India Bio-Pharma and Health Care Sum-mit 2013 in Boston organizedby the USA India Chamber ofCommerce, wherein they saidthat the current policy and en-vironment is not conducive toclinical trials in India.

An industry expert said un-der the present policies, "clini-cal trials in India would be im-possible to conduct" as com-panies could be held liable if apatient receives a placebo or ifan investigational product failsto provide its intended thera-peutic effect. -PTI

$3.2 million grantaimed at smokingcessation

ROANOKE, Va.: A VirginiaTech addiction expert has receiveda $3.2 million grant to help peoplequit smoking.

The Roanoke Times reportsthat the grant to psychology pro-fessor Warren Bickel is one of thelargest in the history of Tech'sCarilion Research Institute inRoanoke.

The grant from the National In-stitute of Drug Abuse will supportBickel's work over the next fiveyears.

The research will require the re-cruitment of hundreds of smokers.

The study will try to answerthe question: why does the brainof a smoker ignore the long-termbenefits of not smoking for the in-stant gratification of having asmoke?-AP

Beware of blue-green algae,expert warns

MANHATTAN, Kan.: Bewareof the blue-green algae contami-nating lakes in Kansas and acrossthe nation.

That's the message of KansasState University toxicologistDeon van der Merwe. The associ-ate professor of diagnostic medi-cine and pathobiology says healthproblems can arise when animalsand people come into contact withvarious toxins produced by thetoxic algae.

The most prominent probleminvolves a toxin calledmicrosystin. It affects the gas-trointestinal tract and liver. Whenanimals are exposed to this toxin,they may experience vomiting ordiarrhea. If the exposure is severe,it can be lethal and cause liver fail-ure in animals. -AP

Creightonprofessor to discusshow brain works

OMAHA, Neb.: How the brainworks is the focus of the Aug. 6Omaha Science Café.

Dr. Sanjay Singh will discusstelepathy, memory and other as-pects of the brain. He is chairmanand professor of the Departmentof Neurology at Creighton Univer-sity School of Medicine and medi-cal director of neurosciences atCreighton University MedicalCenter.

In 2009 Singh gave a similarpresentation, and Science Cafeorganizers say his presentation onAug. 6 will pick up where the firstone left off.-AP

cal products for many countriesof the world".

"FDA seeks to ensure that In-dian manufacturing facilities im-porting to the US understand therisks associated with theirproduct's processes and assurethey remain compliant to FDA'sregulations," he said.

Listing out the problems en-countered by its investigators inIndia, FDA said these were simi-lar to those seen around the worldand include issues associatedwith quality systems implementa-tion, data integrity, and validationof various processes used inmanufacturing or testing.

"FDA also encounters adultera-tion with contaminants thatshouldn't be there, like microbio-logical agents (such as salmonella,listeria), or products identified withunapproved chemicals or pesti-cides, or presence of filth (such asforeign bodies, insect parts).

According to estimates, originaldrugmakers across the world wouldlose patent over products worthover USD 100 billion in the nextfive years, thus opening furthermarket for generic versions. -PTI

"FDA seeks to ensure that Indian manufactur-ing facilities importing to the US understandthe risks associated with their product's pro-cesses and assure they remain compliant toFDA's regulations," he said.

India Post 33Health Science Postwww.indiapost.com

August 2, 2013

Indian doctors give newlife to African patient

GURGAON: Afflicted with a rare cancerthat affected a large part of his face, leav-ing intact only the eyes and a 10 per centsurvival chance, a 22-year-old from Congohas now received a new lease of life from acity-based hospital, which reconstructedhis facial structure.

Several hospitals in India and abroadhad given up hope for Nkosi who suffered90 per cent cancer in mouth, lip, cheeks,jaw bone and part of his tongue which lefthim unable to speak and eat since pastfour years.

"This is the sixthsuch case of i tskind in the world.

When Nkosi ap-proached us f ivemonths ago, hiscondition was hor-rific and his motherhad lost all hopesafter her son was denied treatment ev-erywhere," Rakesh Durkhure, who led ateam of surgeons who operated on Nkosiat Gurgaon based Paras hospital told PTI.

"The poor guy had not been able toeven speak, chew and eat for four years.His mother used to feed him in drops,"he said.

Several hospitals in India and abroadhad denied him treatment due to the riskof death involved.

Durkhure performed the surgery in threestages with the final surgery slated in sixmonths time.

"We have performed his surgery inthree stages and finally been able to bringback his voice. A third surgery will be per-formed after six months when we will carveout his lips and mouth" the doctor said.

The schedule in the first stage of theoperation involved four sessions of che-motherapy to decrease the bulk of cancer.

Holes were drilled in the front in theneck to enable temporary breathing andhigher dose of antibiotics given to reduceinfection.

"In the second stage, we removed bothhis cheeks, upper jaw, lower jaw-bone,and half of the tongue. Our team usedtwo flaps - pedicle skin from his chest tomake his oral cavity and another from

thigh (free flap) tocover his face. Thethird round com-prises a surgeryafter six monthswhen his mouthand lips will becarved," said thedoctor.

Only last weekNkosi's teeth were brushed for the firsttime in four years. "He got emotional andwas in tears," said the doctor.

Nkosi, who is now able to speak, al-beit with some difficulty is going back tohis native country next week with newhopes of life and is scheduled to comeback for the fourth stage surgery.

"Nkosi's relatives used to send somemoney from his village. We also here inour capacity, tried to help him in what-ever way we could, charged only one-fourth fee", Durkhure said.

From a person who had 10 per centchances of survival, to having regainedhis voice and looking forward to get com-pletely cured after six months, 22-year-oldNkosi couldn't have hoped for more. -PTI

WHO warns against complacencyin fight against leprosy


BANGKOK: The fight against leprosyhas made great progress in the past twodecades but complacency may now bethreatening the last push towards a worldfree of this debilitating disease, the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) warned on theopening day of the International LeprosySummit.

The three-day summit (24-26 July), or-ganized by WHO and the Nippon Founda-tion, brought health ministers from eightcountries and global experts to discuss thecurrent leprosy situation and strategies forfurther reducing the disease burden and re-alizing a leprosy-free world.

The development of multidrug therapyin the 1980s effectively cured 16 millionpeople in the past 20 years. But in manycountries where the disease is endemic, newcase-detection rates have been either staticor showing increases. Globally, every 2 min-utes, a new case of leprosy is detected and 7out of every 10 cases is a child. Misinforma-tion about leprosy is common and the dis-ease continues to be shrouded in stigma withcommunities shunning patients even afterthey are cured.

"Our challenge is to sustain the qualityof leprosy services and to ensure that allpersons affected by leprosy, wherever theylive, have an equal opportunity to be diag-nosed early and treated by competent health

workers," says Dr Samlee Plianbangchang,Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia."While we've covered a lot of ground in re-ducing the disease burden in all endemic coun-tries, there is no room for complacency. Thefinal battle against leprosy is yet to be won."

Mr Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of theNippon Foundation and WHO GoodwillAmbassador for Leprosy Elimination, agreedwith Dr Samlee and cautioned that the re-maining challenges are becoming increas-ingly more difficult and complex.

"The target populations are living in dif-ficult to reach areas such as urban slums,border areas and ethnic minority areas.Moreover, available resources in each coun-try have declined," Mr Sasakawa said.

He called on all parties involved to makepolitical commitments and contribute re-sources and expertise to the fight againstleprosy. To this end the Nippon Foundationwill be committing US$20 million for the nextfive years, Mr Sasakawa announced.

Since 1995, WHO has been providing freemultidrug therapy (MDT) to all patientsworldwide. This was initially funded throughThe Nippon Foundation and, since 2000,through the MDT donation provided by theNovartis Foundation for Sustainable Devel-opment. Nearly 16 million people have beencured of leprosy using MDT and more than10 million people have been prevented fromdeveloping visible deformities.

Holes were drilled in thefront in the neck to enabletemporary breathing andhigher dose of antibioticsgiven to reduce infection.

Cont'd on Page 35

Blame bad night's sleepon full Moon

LONDON: Can't sleep? Blame it on theMoon!

Scientists have found evidence that hu-man sleep patterns are timed to the phasesof the Moon, and that people sleep 20 min-utes less on average during a full Moon.

Many people complain about poor sleeparound the full Moon and the study offerssome of the first convincing scientific evi-dence to suggest that this really is true.

The findings add to evidence that humans- despite the comforts of our civilized world- still respond to the geophysical rhythmsof the moon, driven by a circa-lunar clock.

"The lunar cycle seems to influence hu-man sleep, even when one does not 'see'the Moon and is not aware of the actualMoon phase," said Christian Cajochen ofthe Psychiatric Hospital of the Universityof Basel.

In the new study, the researchers stud-ied 33 volunteers in two age groups in thelab while they slept. Their brain patterns

were monitored while sleeping, along witheye movements and hormone secretions.

The data show that around the fullMoon, brain activity related to deep sleepdropped by 30 per cent. People also tookfive minutes longer to fall asleep, and theyslept for twenty minutes less time overall.

Study participants felt as though theirsleep was poorer when the Moon was full,and they showed diminished levels of me-latonin, a hormone known to regulate sleepand wake cycles.

"This is the first reliable evidence that alunar rhythm can modulate sleep structurein humans when measured under the highlycontrolled conditions of a circadian labo-ratory study protocol without time cues,"the researchers said.

Cajochen said that this circalunar rhythmmight be a relic from a past in which theMoon could have synchronized human be-haviors for reproductive or other purposes,much as it does in other animals.-PTI

India Post Health Science Post34

www.indiapost.com

August 2, 2013

5-year survival after lung cancertreatment remains low

BOBBY RAMAKANT

Lung cancer is lurkingaround along with knownrisk factors such as tobacco

smoke. Although with recent ad-vancements in medical science 5years survival rate for other formsof cancer has increased consid-erably yet the same remains as lowas 14% for lung cancer patientssince past two decades. Profes-sor (Dr) Rajendra Prasad, Direc-tor of Vallabhbhai Patel Chest In-stitute (VPCI) was speaking toCitizen News Service - CNS be-fore a lung cancer update in Delhi.

Lung cancer has reached epi-demic proportions. It is the lead-ing cause of cancer death in de-veloping countries and is risingalarmingly in developing coun-tries. Five year survival rate forlung cancer has improved onlymarginally from 5% in the late1950s to 14% by 1994. This is incontrast to the 5 years survival of52% for other forms of cancers.

Prof Prasad said that males aremore likely to get lung cancer thanfemales in India with ratio: 4.5: 1.Up to 40 years of age small celltype of lung cancer predominatesand has less association withsmoking. After the age of 40 yearssquamous cell type of lung can-cer is commonest in smokers andadeno-carcinoma in non-smokers.

In India, 40% of lung cancerpatients are less than 50 years ofage and 11% are less than 40

years. In younger age group lungcancer is commonly misdiag-nosed as tuberculosis.

Nonsmall cell lung cancer con-stitutes 75-80% of lung cancers.More than 70% of them are instages III and IV when diagnosedmaking curative surgery difficult.The 5 year survival is only 14%

and it has not changed dramati-cally in last two decades. Small celllung carcioma which constitutes20% is in the extensive stagewhen diagnosed in 70% of pa-tients.

Tobacco smoking is the singlelargest risk factor for lung cancerin both males and females. His-tory of passive tobacco smokingexposure is found in 3% cases.Thus 90% of all cases result fromtobacco exposure. Smoking of bidiand hookah as well as cigarettes

had similar lung cancer risks.Environmental tobacco smoke

is a known lung carcinogen. Oc-cupational exposure to chemicalssuch as asbestos, arsenic, chro-mium, among others, has beenshown to cause lung cancer. Somedietary factors such as b-carotineand retinoids may be protectiveagainst lung cancer.

The symptoms like fever,cough, expectoration, hemopty-sis, fever, weight loss and anor-exia are common to both tubercu-losis (TB) and lung cancer and inIndia since TB is rampant it is notuncommon to find a lung cancerbeing treated a TB initially.

But age of the patient, smokinghistory, mediastinal symptoms likehoarseness of voice, SVCobsctruction and dysphagia etcwill favour lung cancer, said Pro-fessor (Dr) Rajendra Prasad. Physi-cal examination should look forsigns of collapse or mass clubbing,metastatic and non-metastaticcomplications of lung cancer.

Countries such as India wheretobacco smoking, the biggest riskfactor for lung cancer, is alarm-ingly high, and implementation ofcomprehensive tobacco controlmeasures weak, must listen to thisalarm. Protecting people from riskfactors such as tobacco usewhich increases their risk for life-threatening ailments is a respon-sibility of the state.-CNS

Countries such asIndia where tobaccosmoking, the biggestrisk factor for lungcancer, is alarminglyhigh, and implemen-tation of comprehen-sive tobacco controlmeasures weak, mustlisten to this alarm.

Bipolar disorder evolves differentlyin those who binge eat

WASHINGTON: Bipolar disor-der evolves differently in patientswho also binge eat, a new studyhas found.

Binge eating and obesity oftenare present among bipo-lar patients, but the mooddisorder appears to take adifferent path in thosewho binge eat than itdoes in obese bipolar pa-tients who do not, re-searchers from MayoClinic, the Lindner Centerof HOPE and the Univer-sity of Minnesota found.

"Up to 4 per cent ofAmericans have someform of bipolar illness, andof those, just under 10 percent also have binge eat-ing disorder - a higher rate ofbinge eating than seen in the gen-eral population," said co-authorMark Frye, a psychiatrist and chairof the Department of Psychiatry/

Psychology at Mayo Clinic inRochester.

Bipolar patients who binge eatare more likely to have other men-tal health issues such as suicidal

thoughts, psychosis, anxiety dis-orders and substance abuse, thestudy found.

People with bipolar disorderwho are obese but do not binge

eat are more likely to have seriousphysical problems such as arthri-tis, diabetes, high blood pressureand heart disease.

It was more common for womenthan men with bipolar disorder tobinge eat or to be obese, thestudy showed.

"The illness is more compli-cated, and then by definition howyou would conceptualize howbest to individualize treatment ismore complicated," Frye said.

"It really underscores the im-portance of trying to stabilizemood, because we know whenpeople are symptomatic of theirbipolar illness their binge fre-quency is likely to increase. Wewant to work with treatments thatcan be helpful but not haveweight gain as a significant sideeffect," Frye said.

The findings are published inthe Journal of Affective Disorders.-PTI

Man fined for giving awaybaby turtles as prizes

PASO ROBLES, Calif.: Cali-fornia Mid-State Fair carnivalgame operator has been fined forgiving away baby turtles as prizesbecause the tiny creatures areconsidered a health risk.

The San Luis Obispo Tribunereports 41-year-old Steve JohnLopez was fined $1,000 and couldface probation.

The tiny turtles were givenaway at a game where contestantstry to throw ping pong balls into

floating rings.Turtles and other reptiles can

pose a threat of salmonella withtheir droppings, but baby turtlesare considered more of a healthrisk because they're handled morefrequently.

It's illegal to distribute turtlessmaller than 4 inches long.

Department of Fish and Wild-life Lt. Todd Tognazzini says thedepartment is pursuing a criminalcomplaint. -AP

Utah boy survives nailto heart

MIDWAY, Utah: Young AbeTullis was considering starting ayard work business with hisfriends this summer so he decidedto first learn how to mow lawnsby cutting his family's grass.

He had only mowed one rowwhen a loose nail got caught inthe lawn mower blade, and shotout into his chest. Abe Tullis, 12,said the pain felt like a ``stingingbruise'' when it happened on June4, KSL-TV and the Deseret Newsreport.

His father heard the lawnmower stop and his son yell. Atfirst, David Tullis didn't think hisson was seriously injured - untilhe lifted up his shirt and saw a 2.5inch nail.

``There was just a little tinyhole,'' David Tullis said. ̀ Ì pulledit up and I remember just seeingthis curved end just stickingslightly out of the skin. As I pulledthe shirt up and watched himbreathe, as his chest expanded thenail pulled in a little bit and it

looked like it could be deep.''His wife got the car as his son's

condition quickly worsened.``His color was changing, his

eyes rolled back and he was hav-ing a real hard time breathing,'' saidMyndie Tullis, his mother.

Abe Tullis says he thought hemight be dying.

At the hospital in Midway,doctors discovered the nail hadpierced the left ventricle of theboy's heart. He was flown to Pri-mary Children's Medical Center inSalt Lake where surgeons didopen heart surgery.

Surgeons stitched around thenail and then like, a drawstring,they pulled the nail out and closedthe hole in his heart, the familysaid.

`Ìt was still plugging the holethat it went through, and he wasable to form a clot around that,and I think that is what saved him,''said David Tullis, a family prac-tice and emergency room doctor.-AP

Dr Batra's Healthcare toopen 78 homoeopathy clinics

NEW DELHI: Dr Batra'sHealthcare has said it will open atotal of 78 homoeopathy clinicsacross the country and abroad inthe ongoing financial year as partof its expansion plans.

"We will open 76 clinics in In-dia and one each in Dubai andUnited Kingdom by the end of thecurrent fiscal year," Dr Batra'sHealthcare Founder ChairmanMukesh Batra told PTI.

The clinics in India will be in amix of company owned and fran-chise models, he added.

"Out of the total new clinicsplanned in the country in this fi-

nancial year, 20 will be companyowned while 56 will be throughfranchising," Batra said.

When asked about the invest-ments, the company will incur forthe expansion, Batra said the in-vestments will be only for the clin-ics that will be company owned,while on others investments willbe made by the franchisees.

"In tier I and tier II cities theclinics will be owned by companywhile clinics in tier III and tier IVcities they will be franchised,"Batra said. Overseas the new clin-ics will be in Dubai and UK, headded. -PTI

India Post 35Health Science Postwww.indiapost.com

August 2, 2013

Nevada's insurance exchangework in progress

CARSON CITY, Nev.: Nevada's healthinsurance exchange won't have all the bellsand whistles initially hoped for when itlaunches Oct. 1.

But state officials said the glitchesshould be minimal for consumers and theall kinks worked out by early next year.

CJ Bawden, spokesman for the SilverState Health Insurance Exchange that wascreated by the 2011 Legislature to set upNevada's online health insurance market-place, said there are some ``nice to haves''that won't be available when enrollment be-gins.

``We'd like to have a virtual assistant inthere,'' Bawden said. ̀ Ìt's not going to makeit on Oct. 1.''

For people not Internet savvy, an onlinevirtual assistance is a tool with almost un-canny qualities - the ability to comprehendsentences and answer questions. It popsup on a website and helps users navigatetheir way around.

Another feature not yet up to snuff is afunction to sort insurance plans based onspecific prescriptions covered.

``You're going to be able to search each

plan but we don't have a sort function whereif you type in a certain prescription it showsyou every plan that has that,'' Bawden said.

Instead, at least initially, people will haveto click on each plan individually to see ifspecific medications are covered and atwhat price and take their own notes to do acomparison.

Bawden said those setbacks will be tem-porary and won't compromise the overallgoal of the exchange, which is to make find-ing affordable health insurance in Nevadajust a mouse click or two away.

`Ìn 2014 we will have outstanding sup-port functionality,'' he said. ``But wewill not be missing any required func-tionality and will have a lot more thanmany other exchanges out there.''

Nevada has been ahead of the curvewhen it comes to planning for imple-mentation of President Obama's PatientProtection and Affordable Care Act en-acted in 2010 and upheld by the U.S.Supreme Court last year. Under the law

states could set up their own online healthinsurance marketplaces to make findingcoverage easier; form exchange partner-ships; or let the federal government handleit.

Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, whileopposed to the law, in 2011 supported cre-ation of a state exchange, saying it was inthe state's best interest to set up its ownprogram rather than cede control to the fed-eral government, which would then bill thestate. -AP

Nevada has been ahead ofthe curve when it comes toplanning for implementation ofPresident Obama's PatientProtection and Affordable CareAct enacted in 2010

The number of highly endemic countrieshas gone down from 122 in 1985 to lessthan 20. However, despite significantprogress, leprosy continues to be a healthconcern in these endemic pockets.

In 2012 there were 232 850 new cases ofleprosy reported, with 94% of these casesrestricted to 15 endemic countries - many ofthem in South-East Asia and Africa. This rep-resents an increase of 6224 cases since 2011.Additionally, the number of people with lep-rosy who sought treatment only once they'dalready developed visible deformities in-creased from 13079 in 2011 to 14409 in 2012.This is indicative of the need to detect casesearly to prevent deformities among new cases.

Significant gender inequities remain inreaching leprosy-affected persons, espe-cially when it comes to case detection. Al-though the distribution of disease is likelyto be even between women and men, lep-rosy is detected in a lower percentage ofwomen.

In order to bridge these gaps, and ensurethat leprosy work continues on the path tofurther reduce the global disease burden,more work needs to be done. WHO is ad-

Illinois mental health centermay lose funding

ANNA, Ill.: A mental health facility in farsouthern Illinois risks losing millions ofdollars in federal funding after regulatorssaid workers failed to keep two patients fromharming themselves, state officials said.

The Clyde L. Choate Mental Health andDevelopment Center inAnna came under fireearlier this month after in-vestigators said employ-ees didn't do enough tokeep two developmen-tally disabled womenfrom eating items such assnaps, batteries, coins,necklaces and pen clips.Both women suffer frompica, a disorder wherethey eat inedible objects.

If Choate is decerti-fied, it'd lose federalmoney. The facility, which is disputing thefindings, has until mid-August to be recer-tified by the state - a requirement to getfederal Medicaid money.

The Illinois Department of Human Ser-vices is getting the facility's roughly 350employees additional training. Seventeennew workers have also been hired.

``We are committed to bringing the fa-cility into compliance,'' agency spokes-

woman Januari Smith told The Springfieldbureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers.

Cary Quick, president of the local unionrepresenting Choate workers, tells WSIL-TV that the type of patient living at thefacility has changed in recent years as more

people need more intense care and treat-ment.

``Some of the people that we now have,that we didn't have so much in the past,require constant supervision along thelines of one-to-one staff,'' he said.

Smith said officials at the 168-residentfacility 19 miles south of Carbondale arealso exploring whether to create a separateresidential unit for pica patients. -AP

vocating prompt treatment with MDT andallocating more resources to facilitate earlycase detection. This can be accomplishedby training existing health workers to rec-ognize and treat leprosy, which will helpdetect new cases earlier and removeleprosy's status as a "special" or "feared"disease. Community awareness is also im-portant in encouraging health seeking be-havior among the general public.

Lastly, discrimination and stigma remaina huge issue for leprosy-affected persons.Many countries still have outdated laws fromthe 1800s which, for example, list leprosy asgrounds for divorce or forbid persons withleprosy from running for office or obtain-ing a driver's license - even after they havebeen treated. Several countries, however,have led the way in repealing these laws.

In 2011 Bangladesh enacted a bill repeal-ing discriminatory laws directed against per-sons with leprosy and the United Kingdomremoved visa restrictions in time for the 2012Olympic Games. "Discriminatory laws andregulations against leprosy-affected peoplecontinue, depriving them of many legal rightsand social entitlements, and in fact jeopar-dizing their basic human rights," cautionsDr Samlee.

WHO warns against complacencyin fight against leprosy

Cont'd from Page 33

Choate Mental Health and Development Center

August 2, 201336 India Post

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DatebookNORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sat, Aug 3• Jaane Kahan Gaye Won DinVenue: Royal Delhi Palace, 22323 ShermanWay, Canoga Park, CA 91303Time: 6:30 to 8:00 pmContact: 805-404-9836

Sun, Aug 11• Silent River Film & LiterarySocietyVenue: Irvine City Council, 1 Civic CenterPlaza, Irvine, CA 92606Time: 4:00 pmContact: 949-394-5148

Sat, Aug 17• 21st Festival of India andParadeVenue: Corner of Paseo Padre and WalnutAve., 39439 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont,CA 94538Time: 10:00 amContact: 510-565-9993

Sun, Aug 18• Satsang with SwamiPremodayaVenue: Bhakti Yoga Shala, 207 ArizonaAve, Santa Monica, CA 90401Time: 7:30 pmContact: 310-497-1899

Sat, Aug 24• MISS INDIA AMERICA w/ Mr.& Mrs. India AmericaVenue: LAX Sheraton Hotel, 6101 W Cen-tury Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045Time: 6:00 pmContact: 310-994-9500

SUN, Aug 25• Pankaj Udhas Live inConcert - LAVenue: Jordan High School, 6500 AtlanticAve, Long Beach, CA 90805Time: 6:00 pmContact: 310-753-8990

ATLANTA

Upcoming

Wed, Aug 7• DJ Shaan's Chand RaatEid MelaVenue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 VentureDr, Duluth, GA 30096Time: 6:00pmContact: 404-993-2060

Sat, Aug 10• Pankaj Udhas Live In AtlantaVenue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 VentureDr, Duluth, GA 30096Time: 8:30pmContact: 404-934-9991

Sat, Aug 24• Festival Of India 2013Venue: Gwinnett Center, 6400 SugarloafPkwy, Duluth, GA 30097Time: 8:00 pmContact: 404-317-5474

Fri, Age 2• “Cbazaar Style Bash –Clothing Exhibition”Venue: Holiday Inn Express, 5925 Lusk Blvd,San Diego, CA 92121Time: 10:00amContact: 314-258-3117

Fri, Age 2• The Moment of Calm - GlobalForgiveness MomentVenue: Place of work or residence , 100 SouthMain Street, Carson, CA 90745Time: 2:00 pm

Sun, June 24-August 8• Ohlone for Kids (and Teens)Summer Enrichment ProgramVenue: Office of College AdvancementOhlone CollegeContact: 510-742-2304

• J K Yog Satsang and Bal

Mukund Hindi Classes are held

every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of

Month

Chicago Satsang Information:

J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda

Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets,

Board Room, 933 South Riverside

Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126

Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm

Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok

@ 630-561-4807

Website: www.jkyog.org

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month• Chicago Children's

Bal Mukund

Character Building Program

and Hindi Literacy Classes

Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins

Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next

to Nissan Dealership)

Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @

630-561-4807

Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund

Sat, Aug 3• Sathwaro Shri Radhe

Shyamno

Venue: Coppernicus Center (Gateway

Theatre), 5216 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago,

IL 60630

Time: 8:00 pm

Contact: 708-408-2488

Fri, Aug 9• FIA independance day Gala

Banquet Dinner

Venue: India House Banquet, 1521 W

Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193

Time: 7:00pm

Contact: 630-251-5843

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

NEW JERSEYUpcoming

NEW YORKUpcoming

Sat, Aug 3• NKC Eid ExhibitionVenue: Holiday Inn Westbury, 369 Old Coun-try Rd, Carle Place, NY 11514Time: 12:00 pmContact: 631-456-7335

Aut, Aug 10• Salute 66: An Indian Indepen-dence Day BashVenue: Cellar Bar at Pranna Restaurant, 79Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016Time: 9:00 pmContact: 419 855 2742

Thu, Aug 15• DJ Rekha Presents BasementBhangra August 15Venue: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 BleeckerStreet, New York, NY 10012Time: 7:00 pmContact: 718-207-0058

Sun, July 28• Shri Krishna MadhuraSathvaro Shri RadheShyamnoVenue: Union County Performing Arts Cen-ter, 1601 Irving St, Rahway, NJ 07065Time: 8:00 pmContact: 718-639-9200

Sun, Aug 4• Chand Raat Eid FestivalVenue: The Rose Garden, 911 Arena Dr,Hamilton Township, NJ 08610Time: 4:00 amContact: 6098884141

Sun , Aug 4• Satinder Sartaaj Live in NYVenue: Colden Center , 65-30 Kissena Blvd,, NJ 11367Time: 7:00 pmContact: 516-852-2222

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India Post39 www.indiapost.com August 2, 2013

Renowned for its beautiful landscapes and sa-lubrious climate, Horsley Hills is a hill stationlocated in the Nallamalai range in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Situated at an altitude

of 4,100 ft, the climate remains pleasant and cool through-out the year making Horsley Hills an all-season destina-tion.

The hill station was earlier called Yenugu MallammaKonda. It is said that a small girl named Mallamma used

to reside in the hills and treat the tribals. A templededicated to her is a popular pilgrimage site. Otherprime attraction of the hill station is the Rishi ValleySchool.

The hills got its present name after it was renamedafter W D Horsley, the collector of Cuddapah dis-trict. He got impressed with the beauty of the hillsduring his visit in1840-43 and made the hill stationhis summer residence.

The surroundings comprising lush green plainsspread all over and the forest, though not dense,add to its beauty. You can see various species ofplants stretching along the narrow roads. Trees likeEucalyptus, Jacaranda, Allamanda, Gulmohar andflowering plants like Reeta, Shikakai, Amla, Beedileaves, Bay leaves, Red Sanders and Blue gum arefound in the forest.

There are sandalwood trees all over Horsley Hills. In thedense forests of the shady slope hills, wooded with luxuriousvegetation, you can find animals like bears, wild dogs, junglefowls, sambar and panther.

THE HILL STATION WAS EARLIERCALLED YENUGU MALLAMMA KONDA. IT

IS SAID THAT A SMALL GIRL NAMEDMALLAMMA USED TO RESIDE IN THE

HILLS AND TREAT THE TRIBALS.A TEMPLE DEDICATED TO HER IS A

POPULAR PILGRIMAGE SITECont’d on page 40

India Post August 2, 201340 Travel & Hospitality Postwww.indiapost.com

Horsley HillsLush green with cool climate throughout year

The Chenchu tribes dwell in these for-ests. They rear their famous Pungannurcows, which eat less food and yield moremilk. There is also a 150-year old Eucalyp-tus tree called Kalyani and a colonial stylehouse, known as the Horsley Bungalow.

The hill station also offers several ad-venture sports activities like bungee run,rappelling, rock climbing, trekking and manymore. There are various nature trails thatpass through hills and valleys.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONSMallamma Temple: Devoted to Goddess

Mallamma, Mallamma Temple is an oldshrine which is situated atop Horsley Hills.

The Legend goes that a little girl namedMallamma living on the hill used to cure thelocal tribal people. One day she vanishedsuddenly and from that time the people ofthe region started believing her as a god-

dess and made a temple in her name.Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary: Situated

at Palamaner in the state, Kaundinya Wild-life Sanctuary is spread over an area ofaround 358 square kms. Ficus bengalensis,Ficus tomentosa, Ficus religiosa; Albiziaamara and bamboo are the various speciesof trees which are found in the sanctuary.Sloth bear, Himalayan black-bear, junglefowl, wild boar, cheetal, mouse, jackal, pan-ther, jaguar, starred tortoise, porcupine,puma, hyena, jungle cat, hippopotamus andfour-horned antelope are the mammalsfound in the sanctuary.

HOW TO REACHThe hills can be reached by either road

or rail. The nearest airport is located at Ban-

galore at around 160 km. Tirupathi Airportis another option located around 165 km fromthe hills. Taxis are available.

The nearest railway station is atMadanapalle, around 43 km from the town.


India PostAugust 2, 2013 41Travel & Hospitality Postwww.indiapost.com

Online visa application systemto boost tourism: Chiranjeevi

Patrol hours for Goa beaches extended till midnightIn the last tourist season, IRB

personnel were stationed atbeaches until 9 pm.

It has also been decided thatthe number of IRB personnelwould be increased from thepresent 160 to 235 for the purposeof guarding the 105km-long shore-line, he said.

The state tourism ministry hasalso decided to give three-year li-censes for shacks on beaches asagainst the earlier policy of per-mits valid only for a year, he said.

Tourism ministry officials willbegin consultations with shackowners from August 1 about thenew policy, which will be an-nounced on August 15, he said.

One of the new proposals forshack owners would be that theyhave to install CCTV cameras attheir establishments, although that

PANAJI: Goa's beaches will bepatrolled till midnight by a specialpolice division when the tourismseason begins in September thisyear, a minister said here.

Goa Tourism Minister Dilip

Parulekar told reporters that the In-dia Reserve Battalion (IRB), whichhas been guarding Goa's beachesin the absence of a tourist police,would now maintain vigil till mid-night to curb crimes.

would not be mandatory, he said.The state-run Goa Tourism De-

velopment Corporation has, mean-

while, decided to set up and operatea "model shack" at Baga from theforthcoming tourist season. -PTI

NEW DELHI: The recently-in-troduced online visa applicationsystem by the Home Ministry hasbeen welcomed by Tourism Min-ister K Chiranjeevi who said itwould go a long way in boostingtourism in the country.

"The progressin the standard-ization of visa ap-plication formsand the inte-grated online ap-plication systemin 120 Indian Mis-sions abroad isyet another majormilestone to-wards making theIndian visa appli-cation processtourist-friendlyand a boost to In-dian tourism,"Chiranjeevi said.

The facility of the IntegratedOnline Visa Application Systemunder the Immigration Visa andForeigners Registration and Track-ing (IVFRT) is now operational at120 Indian Missions abroad. Thesystem is operational at Indianembassies of Brazil, Ireland, SouthAfrica, Sri Lanka, the Phillipines,Ukraine, Bulgaria, Mexico andNew Zealand among others.

Besides helping foreigners getvisa quickly and sharing informa-tion about travelers with other In-

dian agencies, the IVFRT will helpin 'software-aided passenger pro-filing to identify 'risky' travelers atmissions, integrated checkpostsand foreigners registration officesand generate automated alerts ontheir overstaying.

The system enables the authori-ties to maintain a databank of alltravelers from those countries ap-plying for Indian visa and also keepa track of their movement after theirarrival in the country.

Government is implementing aMission Mode Project on IVFRTproject which has a global out-reach since its scope seeks to net-work 169 Indian Missions abroad,immigration check posts in Indiaand FRROs/FROs.

The project is expected to costapproximately Rs 1011 crores. -PTI

Adventurers ate Indian desserts,Persian bread on Silk Road

BEIJING: Persian bread, Indiandesserts and Arabic naan weresome of the exotic delicacies ad-venturers relished on the ancientSilk Road as evidenced by fres-coes found recently in China.

The frescoes found at theMogao Caves at Dunhuang inGansu province, have revealed aculinary side of the travelers inthose days.

Dunhuang was a trading hubon the ancient trading route.

Grottoes along the ancient SilkRoad are home to roughly 70,000square meters of frescoes.

These murals and about 50,000ancient books that have been un-earthed in the same areas offervivid accounts of what adventur-

ers ate on the grand trade routethat linked the Chinese city of Xi'anwith Rome from about 110 BC tothe late 1400s.

"Many paintings portraypeople eating doner kebab, a foodthat has swept the world nowa-days," Gao Qi'an, a Dunhuang re-searcher at Lanzhou University ofFinance and Economics told state-run news agency Xinhua.

Researchers also found some ofthe cookware used to make thesedishes, and they are as same as thepans and griddles still used bypeople living in Gansu's rural HexiCorridor. Zhao Chang'an, deputychairman of the Gansu Institute ofDunhuang Studies, is breathing newlife into these ancient delicacies.-PTI

Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi

India Post August 2, 201340 Travel & Hospitality Postwww.indiapost.com

Tourists to Gujarat expected to go up by 20%BANGALORE: Tourism Corpo-

ration of Gujarat Limited has saidthe number of tourists traveling toGujarat is expected to grow by 20per cent during 2013-14.

"We have seen 13.6 per centgrowth in number of tourist visit-ing Gujarat last year that is around2.5 crore, we are optimistically tar-geting the growth to be 20 per centin 2013-14," TCGL, Managing Di-

rector Sanjay Kaul told reporterson the side lines of an event here.

Aiming fori n v e s t m e n tinto tourismsector TCGLhas identified39 locations inthe state andhas called forbids from largeoperators toput up theirprojects.

"We haveidentified 39 locations in the statethat include beaches, ecotourism

projects; we have called for bidsfrom large operators, many of themare interested to put up star hotelsand resorts. Basically it is underprocess," Kaul said.

Stating that things have startedtaking shape in the tourism sectorof the state, that includes devel-opment of basic infrastructure hesaid, only in last 3 to 4 yearsGujarat tourism has come in to rec-ognition, investor will only put inmoney when he or she feels thatthere is some thing workable, nowthings have started coming. "

"We have managed to maketwenty thousand rooms in lastthree years," he added.

TCGL said the state has grownas a major tourist destination totravelers from neighboring statesof Maharashtra and MadhyaPradesh, specifically from the cityof Bangalore- down south.

According to TGCL, out of Rs385 crores budget allocated for the

year, Rs 200crores hasbeen setaside for in-frastructuredevelopmentand approxi-mately Rs120 crore forcostal tour-ism develop-ment.

"There isalso Government of India funds,as and when they come in. Alongwith this we also have temple de-velopment related funds gettingallocated to the corporation," headded.

Sanjay said third phase of'Khushboo Gujarat ki' campaignwith Amitabh Bachchan as thebrand ambassador is expected tostart in September. -PTI

India becomes Abu Dhabi'slargest overseas tourist marketDUBAI: India has toppled Brit-

ain to become Abu Dhabi's largestoverseas tourist market, accordingto latest figures released by UAEauthorities.

Abu Dhabi Tourism & CultureAuthority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said80,179 Indian na-tionals stayed in thecity's hotels fromJanuary until theend of June, regis-tering a 22 per centrise on last year.

They accountedfor 334,238 guestnights, which is up43 per cent on 2012and stayed an aver-age of 4.17 nights,an increase of 17 percent, said a TCAAbu Dhabi state-ment.

However, do-mestic tourism con-tinued to be thedestination's larg-est single catchment.

Abu Dhabi has reported a 12per cent rise in the number ofguests staying in its 145 hotels andhotel apartments for the first halfof this year compared to the first

six months of last year."We are benefiting from in-

creased destination awareness inIndia following the opening a yearago of a dedicated promotions of-fice there and also of increased airaccess from the country following

Etihad Airways' equity stake in JetAirways and the move by the In-dian carrier of its Middle East hubto Abu Dhabi," said Mubarak AlMuhairi, Director General of theTCA Abu Dhabi. -PTI

India PostAugust 2, 2013 43Travel & Hospitality Postwww.indiapost.com

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Vegas casino expansion pushes out 9/11 memorialLAS VEGAS: The city known

for detonating its past to makeway for gleaming new develop-ment on the Las Vegas Strip is pre-paring to push out its Sept. 11memorial.

The shrine on the Las VegasStrip sprung up spontaneouslyunder the ersatz skyline of the NewYork-New York casino in the daysafter the terrorist attacks. For morethan a decade, a rotating collec-tion of first responder T-shirts fromacross the country, many bearinghandwritten notes, has decorateda wrought-iron fence near the fauxfireboat below the casinos' 47-story replica of the Empire StateBuilding.

Now, MGM Resorts Interna-tional is starting a $100 millionrenovation of the promenade infront of 16 year-old Manhattan-

Dumont said in a statement.In 2003, the University of Ne-

vada, Las Vegas began collectingthe T-shirts, hats and handwrittennotes left at the memorial. It nowstores nearly 6,000 of the artifactsin plain office boxes at the univer-sity library. Curators rotate thememorabilia through a permanentdisplay case that MGM opened in2003 at the foot of the resort's 150-foot model Statue of Liberty.

Professor David Schwartz, whooversees the university's involve-ment with the memorial, said hehopes MGM will relocate the dis-play somewhere equally visible.

`Ìt would be nice to have thepublic be able to view the shirtsstill. It's something unique to Ve-gas, though of course the tragedyaffected everybody,'' he said.``When we first got the shirts andwe were going through them, justseeing the messages people whohad lost someone had written kindof drove the horror of the wholething home.''

MGM is in the process of trans-forming the congested sidewalksin front of its New York City andEuropean-themed casinos into anoutdoor plaza featuring trees,benches, food trucks and shops.The new promenade is intendedto recall Madison Square Park. -AP

themed casino and the adjoiningMonte Carlo. The memorial willhave to go.

MGM says it will relocate theshrine, which has remained a heart-felt marker amid the plastic artificeof the desert playland.

``We are working with represen-tatives of the First Responder com-munity in Las Vegas to identifyand determine an appropriate andpermanent placement of the memo-rial to the victims of September11th,'' MGM spokesman Clark

Pedestrians walk along the edge of a renovation site outside the New York-New York casino where demolition has

already begun on a Sept. 11 memorial which once drew visitors

NJ shore sees drop in beachrevenue after Sandy

TRENTON, N.J.: New Jerseymay be ̀ `Stronger than the Storm,''as the state's promotional jinglegoes, but towns up and down thestretch of shore that took the big-gest whack from Superstorm Sandynine months ago are seeing de-clines in beach revenue despiteracing to rebuild, the best theycould, in time for tourist season.

The drop in the number ofbeachgoers is being blamed on anumber of Sandy-related factors -early decision-making by someregulars to book trips elsewhereduring this season of rebuilding,fewer available rental units, de-layed beach openings andchanges in the school calendar tomake up for storm days.

But some resort towns say itwas an old boogeyman that didthem in: rain.

All eight shore towns respond-ing to a survey by The AssociatedPress reported a drop in beach at-tendance and beach revenues asof the third weekend in July, andmost said that even if blessed withgreat weatherthrough the re-mainder of theseason, theydoubt they'll beable to make upfor the earlydrop-off in atten-dance.

Manasquan isone town whoserevenue declinecan be attributedto just about ev-ery problem expe-rienced along the

shore. Beach revenue, includingfrom parking, was down $290,000through July 21.

Part of the loss is due to a two-

week delay in opening the beachduring the week because studentswho staff lifeguard jobs were mak-ing up school days lost afterSandy, resulting in 5,000 fewerbeach badges being sold, or$40,000, said beach departmentmanager Wally Wall.

Seasonal beach badge pur-chases were also down, in part be-cause about 100 rental units were

destroyed or uninhabitable, Wallsaid.

Then there was the weather.Manasquan had some days when

no beach badges were sold at all,including the wet, cold Saturdayduring Memorial Day weekend.

``We had our beaches open andready to go,'' Wall said. ̀ Ùnfortu-nately, everyone cooperated ex-cept the weatherman.''

In Avon, total beach attendanceand revenue was down more than$213,000 - with consequences forthe courts.

While parking in town is free,when beachgoers pack the area,people tend park in handicap oryellow zones, according to admin-istrator Timothy Gallagher. Withample parking because of low at-tendance, money generated fromthose tickets is lost, Gallagher said.

Gallagher said the town expectsto make up the lost revenue nextyear when more concessionstands will be up and running.

`Ì don't see us coming outeven (this year),'' Gallagher said.``You're not going to catch up to$213,000.'' -AP

44 India Post August 2, 2013www.indiapost.com

In Brief ImmigrationDetails on page 45

Immigrationreformers rally

at Boehner'sOH office

Nasscom hires lobbyist, PR & law firmsNEW DELHI: With the USD 87

billion software export industrybeing hit by the new US immigra-tion law, IT services industry bodyNasscom has hired influential lob-byist, public relation and law firmsto plead the case of Indian firmswith Congressmen.

Last month, US Senate passedan Immigration Bill that changedrules governing H-1B and L-1 em-ployment visas intended for high-skilled workers. Nasscom is how-ever confident that the Bill may notbe adopted in the current format,as it will now be sent to the USHouse of Representatives, whichis working on a similar Bill, minusthe negative provisions.

"We (now) have two lobbyists.We have a PR firm and we have alegal firm," Nasscom PresidentSom Mittal told PTI.

While one of the lobbyists ispublic affairs firm BGR, the "otheris a person who is a specialist inimmigration area and he runs hisown... But he doesn't do lobbyingon the Hill... So we do not call hima lobbyist", he said.

Mittal however refused to dis-close either the identity of the lob-

byist or the PR and law firmsNasscom has hired to help IndianIT industry understand the US

immigration bill and approach theconcerned people in the US.

"We have a law firm and we alsohave a PR firm. We need these re-sources. We need to analyze theBill, what words need to change,etc," he added.

The legislation passed by USSenate allows more H-1Bs whilealso increasing their cost and bar-

ring some companies from placingholders of the visa with custom-ers.

Indian software-export giantslike Tata Consultancy, Infosys andWipro rely on an army of suchguest workers to service clients inthe US, its biggest market. US con-tributes 65 per cent of the revenueof these firms.

Non-immigrant H-1B visa al-lows companies in US to tempo-rarily hire workers in specialist

Final immigration law may not haveharmful clauses: Wipro

BANGALORE: IT majorWipro has said it expects that thefinal version of the proposed USImmigration Reform law will nothave "harmful" provisions thathave been passed by the Sen-ate.

"There are certain provisionsin the Senate bill that in someform are harmful and not neces-sarily in the nature which en-courages international trade andcommerce," Wipro CFO SureshSenapaty told reporters after an-nouncing the first quarter results(April-June) here.

"Our expectation is that someof those provisions will not finda place in the final bill," he added.

The bill, which was recentlypassed by the US Senate, and isbefore the House of Represen-tatives, proposes several

changes, including higher visacosts and increase in wages for

H-1B visa holders.Most Indian IT service provid-

ers depend on visas to send theiremployees to client sites in the US,

and their operations are expectedto be impacted if the new law

comes into force.Another IT major Infosys re-

cently said that it was in discus-sion with clients for a contingency

plan to ensure business conti-nuity in the event of the US im-migration reforms bill becominga law.

When asked if Wipro's cus-tomers are worried over the pro-posed law, the company's CEOT K Kurien said: "Customers arenot particularly worried over thebill...haven't given their state-ment that they are worried."

He said that it would be a chal-lenge to pass the bill in both thehouses.

"I don't see a big secularchange happening in terms theway business is done or thecompetitive advantage goingforward," he said.

Wipro has announced 11 percent rise in June quarter profitto Rs 1,623.3 crore on back ofincrease in large contracts. -PTI

Paul Ryan lays outimmigrationproposals

RACINE, Wis.: U.S. Rep. PaulRyan laid out his proposals toachieve a consensus in Congressand push through immigration lawreform during a Racine town hallmeeting.

The recent vice presidentialcandidate has been working asbridge-builder between fellow Re-publicans in Congress.

The U.S. Senate has alreadypassed an immigration reform billthat included a 13-year path to citi-zenship for the estimated 11 mil-lion people who are in the countryillegally.

He said in the House, whereRepublicans are in the majority, theintent is to create five or six billsand vote on them possibly in Oc-tober.

Under one proposal, those whoare here illegally would have towait a minimum of 15 years to gaincitizenship. But he says theywould be eligible to receive a ̀ `pro-bationary visa.'' -AP

Bloomberg: USneeds immigrationreform now

NEW YORK: Mayor MichaelBloomberg, kicking off a weekendof events dedicated to America'simmigration heritage, said thatnow is the time for immigration re-form.

Bloomberg told a bipartisandelegation of more than 70 politi-cal and community leaders fromacross the country that Americaneeds a modern immigration sys-tem that ̀ `welcomes the entrepre-neurs and the hard workers thatwill grow our nation's economy.''

The independent mayor madethe remarks at Gracie Mansionduring the Becoming AmericaCongressional Pilgrimage, a three-day event organized by the non-profit Faith & Politics Institute.Attendees include DemocraticReps. Joseph Crowley, of NewYork, and Mario Diaz-Balart, ofFlorida.

Bloomberg said almost half ofNew York City's small businessowners are immigrants.

`Ìmmigrants really are the keyto the future of New York _ and tothe prosperity of our nation,'' hesaid.

The forum will convene at vari-ous historical sites across the city,including Ellis Island, the Sept. 11memorial and the Museum of Jew-ish Heritage.

At a naturalization ceremony fornew citizens, Crowley talked abouthow his grandfather came from Ire-land in 1912. -AP

Nasscom President Som Mittal

fields. Indian firms apply for thevisas and often locate the recipi-ents at a client's company to sup-port the software.

The Bill's provisions detrimen-tal to Indian IT companies includerestriction on a company withmore than 15 per cent of itsworkforce on H-1Bs (job visas),from placing more H-1B workerson client premises. Also, from2016, any company with more thanhalf of its staff on such work per-mits will be unable to apply formore visas, effectively creating acap on temporary immigrant staff.

Mittal said he was "very hope-ful" that US House of Represen-tative will not pass the legislationas approved by Senate.

After Congressmen pass theirversion of immigration bill, a finalreconciliation conference betweenthe two versions will take place,he said.

"We also work with industrybody USIBC, which is lobbyingthere. They have taken up lobby-ing firm Patton Boggs to lobby.

Patten Boggs is also helping us.There are a lot of people like thathelping us," he said. -PTI

Mittal said he was"very hopeful" that USHouse of Represen-tative will not passthe legislation asapproved by Senate.After Congressmenpass their version ofimmigration bill, afinal reconciliationconference betweenthe two versions willtake place, he said.

India Post 45August 2, 2013 Immigration Postwww.indiapost.com

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Immigration reformers rally atBoehner's OH office

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio: Hun-dreds of activists for immigrationreform rallied at an Ohio office of

the speaker of the U.S. House ofRepresentatives to urge his sup-port for a plan that includes a path

to U.S. citizenship.Civil rights activists, labor lead-

ers, religious leaders and othersheld the rally at JohnBoehner's congres-sional office inSpringfield, in west-ern Ohio. They wantBoehner to push forimmigration changesthat include a``roadmap'' for citizen-ship that they say willhelp the economy andfamilies.

Boehner and otherRepublican leaders inthe House have beentrying to decide howto move forward onimmigration after theSenate passed a com-prehensive bill that in-cluded a path to citi-zenship for 11 millionpeople already in the

country illegally.The rally drew people the local

area and from out of town, The

Cincinnati Enquirer reported.``We're here to ensure that path-

way to citizenship is part of a billthat emerges and gets voted onquickly,'' the Rev. Troy Jackson,director of Ohio Prophetic Voices,told the crowd.

Ester Arteaga, 41, of Louisville,also attended the rally.

Arteaga, a U.S. citizen natural-ized from Guatemala two yearsago, said she attended in an effortto help ease the path for otherswho want to live peacefully andwork in America.

``We're so happy to be citizensand we want others to have it,'' shetold the newspaper, referring toherself and her husband and twosons.

Some Republicans have fa-vored a narrower path to citizen-ship. Boehner is among those whohave embraced legislation to offercitizenship to some immigrantsbrought here illegally as childrenby their parents. Opponents of thatplan have said it would split offamilies.-AP

John Boehner

Immigration activists remainheld in Arizona

PHOENIX: Nine activists re-mained in custody in Arizonanearly a week after attempting tocross the border from Mexico intothe U.S., asking to be allowed toremain on humanitarian grounds ina protest against American immi-gration policies, their attorney said.

Margo Cowan, a Tucson-basedlawyer who works for the office ofthe Pima County Public Defender,said she is asking the U.S. gov-ernment to allow the detainees toremain in the United States onwhat's known as humanitarian pa-role, essentially to permit admis-sion to the country because ̀ `theirpresence in America will serve animportant public interest.''

She said all nine have been de-tained since crossing the borderin Nogales and remained held atthe Eloy Detention Center, about

70 miles south of Phoenix.`Ìt's shameful that they're hold-

ing them,'' said Cowan, who is rep-resenting the detainees as a pri-vate attorney and not in her ca-

pacity as a county employee.She said they are currently on

a hunger strike because authori-ties are limiting their telephoneprivileges.

``Their calls are being blocked,''Cowan said.

She is also seeking asylum inthe U.S. for all nine should thegovernment deny their requestsfor humanitarian parole. U.S. offi-cials are expected to interview theactivists, Cowan said.

U.S. Customs and Border Pro-tection, meanwhile, declined todiscuss specifics of the case.

``The United States has beenand continues to be a welcomingnation,'' CBP spokesman MichaelFriel said. ̀ Ùnder U.S. immigrationlaw ... applicants for admission bearthe burden of proof to establish thatthey are clearly eligible to enter theUnited States. In order to demon-strate that they are admissible, theapplicant must overcome allgrounds of inadmissibility.''

She is also seekingasylum in the U.S. forall nine should thegovernment denytheir requests forhumanitarian parole.U.S. officials areexpected to inter-view the activists

Cont'd on Page 46

California denies complaintfrom Carlos Slim's firm

SACRAMENTO, Calif: A Cali-fornia political watchdog agencysaid this week that an immigrantrights group didn't violate lobby-ing laws, contrary to allegationsfrom a company owned by theworld's richest man, Mexican bil-lionaire Carlos Slim.

Telephone tycoon Slim'sTracFone Wireless Inc., a unit ofAmerica Movil, filed a complaintalleging Two Countries, One Voiceused phony grass-roots organiza-tions to influence the Americangovernment.

The California Fair PoliticalPractices Commission notified thecompany that there's insufficientevidence to support that allega-tion of a Political Reform Act Vio-lation.

``We will continue to pursueevery avenue to make sure thefunders of this group are properlyidentified,'' TracFone spokesmanJose Fuentes told the Times.

The rights group said Slim hasretaliated over their accusationsthat Slim and his companies usemonopolistic business practices.

Juan Jose Gutierrez, a co-founder of Two Countries, OneVoice, told the Times he waspleased that ``the FPPC did notallow itself to be used byTracFone and Carlos Slim to dotheir dirty work.''

For the fourth consecutiveyear, Slim was named the world'srichest man by Forbes in March,when his net worth tallied $73 bil-lion. -AP

India Post46 August 2, 2013Immigration Postwww.indiapost.com

Mohammad Abdollahi, co-founder of the National ImmigrantYouth Alliance, said all nine of thedetainees will remain on a hungerstrike until their release.

He said officials at the deten-tion center warned them theywould be placed in solitary con-finement if they don't start eating.

Protests of the detentions werebeing staged across the country.

Supporters spoke during anews conference and prayer vigilin Wichita, Kan., demanding therelease of the detainees.

Among those in attendancewere the sisters of Claudia Amaro,37, who they say was brought ille-gally into the U.S. as a child afterher father was murdered inMexico. The sisters said thewoman lived in Kansas for morethan 17 years but returned toMexico after her husband's depor-tation, and now wants to comeback to America.

In Chicago, a small group of ac-tivists has been staging a sit-in atU.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez' office. Theprotesters are demanding the re-lease of the detained activists asthey try to draw awareness to theincrease in deportations.

Gutierrez and U.S. Rep. JaredPolis, of Colorado, sent a letter ofprotest to President Barack Obamaexpressing concern over the de-tainment of the activists.

``We urge you to release theDREAMers detained on the U.S.border in Arizona and allow themto rejoin their families,'' the con-gressmen wrote.

``While we are aware that the

White House received it, we havereceived no reply,'' Rivlin said.

The so-called DREAMers arepushing for legislation being con-sidered in Congress to offer even-tual citizenship to some immigrantsbrought illegally to the U.S. as chil-dren.

House Republicans took a ten-tative step toward offering citizen-ship to some unauthorized immi-grants this week who fit into thiscategory, but they hit an immedi-ate wall of resistance from theWhite House on down as Demo-crats said it wasn't enough.

The dismissive reaction to theRepublican proposal to offer even-tual citizenship to some immigrants

brought illegally to the U.S. as chil-dren underscored the difficultiesof finding any compromise in theRepublican-led House of Repre-sentatives on the issue of immi-gration reform.

The so-called DREAM Act,which aimed to provide just sucha path to citizenship for those chil-dren, passed the House in 2010when it was controlled by Demo-crats, but was blocked by SenateRepublicans.

``Legalizing only theDREAMers is not enough,''Gutierrez, who is a leading Demo-cratic advocate for immigration re-form in the House, said earlier thisweek in Washington. `Ì cannotimagine for one minute that Re-publicans, who also honor thesanctity of families, want to legal-ize the children, but leave the restof the family vulnerable.''

Cowan said U.S. government of-ficials have yet to respond to anyof her letters or filings on behalf ofthe detainees.

Three of the activists left theU.S. and traveled to Mexico ex-pressly to participate in the protest.All of them were apparently raisedin the United States after havingbeen brought to the country bytheir parents who entered illegally.

Still, Cowan said, due to theirlong-standing ties to the U.S. andlack of any cultural connection toMexico, they should be allowedentry. -AP

UK yet to finalize controversial visa bond scheme

British officials have been holding discussionswith their Indian counterparts on the matter,with the meeting on July 25 here the mostrecent one to look into the issue. It is nowexpected to take a few weeks before furtherdetails on the scheme are released.

LONDON: Britain's controver-sial 3,000 pounds visa bondscheme proposed for visitors fromcertain "high risk" countries, in-cluding India, could take weeks tofinalize after a high-level meetinghere, officials said.

The UK Home Office has pro-posed a pilot scheme to tackle visadodgers by issuing the hefty re-fundable financial bonds to"tightly targeted" tourists.

The six countries initiallyshortlisted for the pilot includedIndia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, SriLanka, Nigeria and Ghana.

"The details of this scheme arestill being worked out and the listof countries has not been finalizedyet. The meeting in London ad-dressed the visa bond and offi-cials from the Indian side madetheir stand very clear.

"All these concerns will betaken on board before the detailsare worked out," a spokespersonfor the British High Commissionin New Delhi told PTI.

The scheme, due to begin withtourist visas this November andexpected to run for a year beforebeing extended to other visatypes, is part of a series of mea-sures being used by the Conser-

vative-led British government tocut illegal immigration into thecountry.

However, the idea of demand-ing such bonds from Indian visi-tors, who bring in huge financialbenefits to the British economy,had triggered widespread outrageamong ministerial circles in Delhiwhen it was announced last

month.Indian minister for commerce

and industry Anand Sharma hadraised his concerns with his coun-terpart, UK business ministerVince Cable, during a visit to Lon-

don at the time and was assuredthat no such decision had re-ceived British government ap-proval.

"We are seriously concerned.How can a country that is a stra-tegic partner be categorized as ahigh-risk country, in the bracketwith some of the others. If thatwere to be true, that would be

taken as an affront...," Sharma hadsaid.

"Any such scheme will be de-signed in a way that does not cutacross the UK's wish to be openfor business, students and tour-ists," the UK government hadclarified soon after.

British officials have beenholding discussions with theirIndian counterparts on the mat-ter, with the meeting on July 25here the most recent one to lookinto the issue. It is now expectedto take a few weeks before fur-ther details on the scheme are re-leased.

Financial Times newspaper re-ported that India's anger at theproposals spurred DavidCameron into action, with the Brit-ish prime minister insisting hewould not sanction a policy thatundermined efforts to boost tradelinks with India.

His aides said Cameron "hadnot signed off" details, and hisoffice appeared to put the scheme

into the deep freeze.Indian industry bodies such as

the Confederation of Indian In-dustry (CII) and Federation ofIndian Chambers of Commerceand Industry (FICCI) had alsovoiced uproar on such visabonds, given the UK's enhancedbusiness relationship with India.

Nigeria had gone as far as toterm such a proposal as racial dis-crimination.

The Nigerian Ambassador toBritain had written to British In-dian MP and chair of the parlia-mentary Home Affairs SelectCommittee, Keith Vaz, saying hiscountry is "not favorably dis-posed to the proposal as it willaffect a good number of Nigeri-ans visiting the UK, even inspite of assurances to the con-trary".

"We view it as discriminatoryand targeted at only non-whitemembers of the Commonwealth,"ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafidawrote. -PTI

Immigration activists remainheld in Arizona

The so-calledDREAMers are push-ing for legislationbeing considered inCongress to offereventual citizenshipto some immigrantsbrought illegally tothe U.S. as children.

Cont'd from Page 45

Husband ordered to trial inIraqi-American's death

EL CAJON, California: A Cali-fornia judge has ordered an Iraqiimmigrant to stand trial in the kill-ing of his wife, whose fatal beat-ing prompted international con-demnation because it originallyappeared to be a hate crime.

Kassim Alhimidi's lawyer hadurged the court to let his client go,saying there is no forensic evi-

dence linking him to the death of32-year-old Shaima Alawadi.

Attorney Richard Berkon Jr.noted no blood or glass was foundon Alhimidi's body or clothing. Hesaid his client does not speak En-glish, raising doubts he was ca-pable of staging the killing as ahate crime by planting the notefound in the next room that read:``Go back to your country, youterrorist.''

Alhimidi has pleaded not guiltyto murder. He also has cooperated

with police throughout the inves-tigation, even voluntarily return-ing from Iraq after burying his wifein their homeland.

`Ìt doesn't make sense, yourhonor,'' Berkon told Lewis. ``Thereal killer is still out there.''

The mother of five, who immi-grated to the United States in 1994to flee her country's violence, was

found by her el-dest daughter in apool of blood onthe kitchen floor.She had multipleskull fractures anddied two dayslater.

Berkon ques-tioned whyAlhimidi wouldchoose to kill hiswife when theirdaughter was up-stairs, sleeping.

A l h i m i d i ' sdaughter, identi-

fied only as Fatima, testified thather father could not accept thathis wife wanted to get divorcedand move to Texas, where her fam-ily members lived.

The teen said her parents hadloud arguments but she never sawher father strike anyone.

She said her father told herabout a month after the killing thathe had thrown out his wife's shoesand another unidentified object ofhers because he feared policewould ̀ `suspect it was him.'' -AP

Kassim Alhimidi, left, looks on alongside his son,

Mohammed Alhimidi


www.indiapost.com

Horoscope

Your Weekly FutureAUGUST 2ND - AUGUST 8TH, 2013

by Pandit Parashar

(March 21 to April 20)

Jupiter's aspect on house of luck is really helpful. Your efforts and

courage will turn the table in your favor and all you will overcome

all previous fears and uncertainty in life. Money wise it looks like a

rewarding week and the rewards will be more than expectations.

People in business will experience better sales and feel like cel-

ebrating.

(November 23 to December 22)

Continuous reminders will help you recover at least part of Loan

made to a friend. Some cracks could start appearing in a new

relationship, have patience if you want to make it materialize. Ex-

penses will not leave you alone but you will be successful in putting

some money in savings. Try to re connect with old friends and rela-

tives.

(December 22 to January 19)

Issue involving a child will cause some serious concerns and the

solution will be hard to find. You may a have a chance to spend

some quality time with a well known politician. Some one will send

or bring you some gifts. Money wise you will stay comfortable. Sale

of profit making Stocks will give you some extra money to enjoy.

(January 20 to February 18)

Don't pay attention to conflicting feedback others have been giv-

ing you and just listen to your own instincts if you really want to

make it happen. Little sacrifice on your part will fill some one's life

with happiness. Some one in family will be going on a short trip. You

may have to keep checking on an elderly person's health.

(February 19 to March 20)

You will get a lucky break in career. the news will come this week

and the implementation could take few more days. You may be

traveling to a considerably warm area to attend an event with the

family. Money wise you will stay comfortable but still looking for

additional income. Ongoing legal matters will take a dramatic turn.

(May 21 to June 20)

Mars will make you impulsive but Jupiter will hold you back very

tight. This is not to time to show your anger and react. Only

patience will get to out of a muddy situation you are in because of

some bad choices made in the past. You may also give final shape

to a short vacation to an exciting place. Children will continue to well

in their lives.

(July 23 to August 22)

It's the positive attitude which will help you hit the bulls eye. Initially

you will be shaky but success will bring confidence back. Mind will

turn towards religion and you may pay a visit to a holy place with

family this week. Just avoid consuming too much liquor at the party.

You may be asked for more paper work to buy the new business.

(September 23 to October 22)

You will be assigned an important position or project by boss. Do

not get too friendly with the associates or the work will not get

done. You will be paying several bills this week but will have enough

leftover. There will be last minute change in your earlier plans and

you will end up attending a party thrown by a close relative.

(April 21 to May 20)

And of course the expenses will not leave you alone. People in

business will need to pour in more money in order to stay well

ahead of competitors. You may develop a taste for hot and spicy

food. Eye sight need to be tested again. Drink more clear fluids in

order to stay calm other wise you will loose some one close be-

cause of bad choice of words.

(June 21 to July 22)

You may not like the way things are shaping up in career. Some of

you may be assigned a position away from home but with added

bonus. Move is almost imminent. Expenses will stay under control. You

may completely drop the idea of buying a running business not doing so

well. You will attend a wedding or big party with family this week.

(August 23 to September 22)

You will continue your search for more avenues to increase your

revenues. Things may keep getting tough at existing place and

you may be under the pressure because of approaching deadline.

Some of you will be traveling long distance in near future for a reunion.

You may have little work done in or around your home this week.

(October 23 to November 22)

There is absolutely no harm in being ambitious but take expert

opinion before you make any big financial commitment this week.

Watch out a female co worker who's been asking too many personal

questions lately. You may try some over the counter or home made

remedy to counter an health issue. You may visit a close relative this

weekend.

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individualconsultations. He can be reached at: [email protected]

510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com


August 2, 201348


NEW DELHI: A hand painted car 'Maximum Nano' signedby Malayalam megastar Mohanlal and previously displayedat the Kochi-Muziris art bienalle is one of the highlights ofthe upcoming Saffronart auction.

The car, a white colored Tata Nano, painted in vivid col-ors by contemporary artist Bose Krishnamachari is beingauctioned to collect funds for the bienalle, whose next edi-tion is scheduled to take place in December 2014, accordingto the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).

"We had chosen the Nano because it is the commonman's car," said Krishnamachari, co-curator of the 96-daybiennale which showcased works of 90-odd artists fromwithin India and abroad at 14 venues around Kochi before

John F. Kennedy

BEVERLY HILLS, California: Weeks before the 50thanniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassina-tion this fall, a TV network will take another look at thekilling in a docudrama that suggests a Secret Serviceagent fired one of the bullets that felled Kennedy.

ReelzChannel's ̀ `JFK: The Smoking Gun'' is based onthe work of retired Australian police Detective ColinMcLaren and the book ``Mortal Error: The Shot thatKilled JFK'' by Bonar Menninger.

McLaren spent four years combing through evidencefrom Kennedy's death on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas. Heand Menninger also relied on ballistics evidence from anearlier book by Howard Donahue.

The two-hour docudrama airs Nov. 3 in the U.S.,Canada and Australia. It suggests that agent GeorgeHickey fired one of the bullets that hit Kennedy. Hickey,who is now dead, was riding in the car behind Kennedy'slimo that day.

``What we're saying is that we believe it was a tragicaccident in the heat of that moment,'' McLaren told theTelevision Critics Association.

When Lee Harvey Oswald fired his first shot, McLarensaid Hickey responded by trying to fire back on

TV channel to re-examine Kennedy killing

www.indiapost.com50 India Post August 2, 2013

Oswald's position using his Secret Service-issued rifle.But because he was inexperienced with the weapon andthe car lurched forward, McLaren said the shot went awry

and accidentally hit Kennedy, who was struck in theneck but quite possibly not fatally wounded byOswald's second shot.

``We don't suggest that he was in any way involvedin a conspiracy,'' McLaren said of Hickey.

The Warren Commission report in the 1960s con-cluded that Oswald was the lone gunman in officiallyexplaining the assassination.

The program is ReelzChannel's second Kennedy-related offering. In 2011, the cable channel aired ̀ `TheKennedys'' after History Channel dropped the mini-series amid reports that the real-life Kennedy familywas unhappy about the project. -AP

The two-hour docudrama airsNov. 3 in the U.S., Canada andAustralia. It suggests that agentGeorge Hickey fired one of thebullets that hit Kennedy.

it ended on March 17.Krishnamachari, a Mumbai-based artist from Kerala said

he had used "maximum number of colors possible" to paintthe car in the four-day exercise that began on February 14.The 50-year-old artist included the work, titled "MaximumNano", under his renowned series "Stretched Bodies".

Art on cars have been a phenomenon across the world.Late English musician John Lennon and US singersongwriter Janis Joplin have driven in painted cars. Ameri-can artist Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol as well as Englishpainter-photographer David Hockney have painted cars.

"I used automotive paint. That will ensure the longevityof the work. We have got it laminated as well, adds 50-year-

old Krishnamachari, who is also president of the 2010-reg-istered KBF.

Proceeds from upcoming auction would be a means toraise funds for the first chapter of the biennale that beganon December 12, 2012, according to Shwetal Patel, Head ofPrograms and Digital Development, KBF.

The 2000-founded Saffronart which has in its cataloguelabeled the "art car" as an installation introduces the carwith a zero reserve price. "The bidding starts at a mere Rs100," said Shivajirao Gaekwar of Saffronart.

"This was keeping in line with Bose's well-known ab-stract idiom, this vivid, drivable installation evokes themyriad colors and emotions of India," he said.

The vehicle was donated to the KBF by Coffee Beanz,Kochi and the La Gallery 360 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Meanwhile, other highlights at the Saffronart's Traveland Leisure sale include objects from the estates of the lateartist Jehangir Sabavala and silverware from the Nawab ofMurshidabad.

Campaign furniture, vintage luggage, sporting goods,collectible watches and vintage travel posters are amongthe offerings set to go under the hammer. -PTI

August 2, 2013 India Post 51

www.indiapost.com

Dark lips, powder bindis make stunning divasNEW DELHI: Ace fashion de-

signer Tarun Tahiliani, who hasintroduced bridal jewellery andnude-shaped drapes in his recentcouture expo, tips dark lips, bindis

and kohl eyes as evergreen stylestatements for women.

"Always wear dark lipsticks andpowdered bindis. Be contempo-rary, use your kajal beautifully andone can look stunning," Tahiliani

told PTI during the three-day fash-ion extravaganza at the DLFEmporio here which began July 18.

Titled "4Cs - Couture, Crystal,Craft and Carat" the annual fash-

ion event bythe designer isalso set to beheld in Mumbaiin August firstweek.

Tahiliani, re-nowned for hissignature bridaldesigns anddrapes has inhis latest col-lection incor-porated newstyles whichcontain shim-mering goldand soft pas-tels hues. Thecolor palette ofthe couture haspinks, ivory re-

strained beige and bridal reds."The new bridal wear is much

younger and modern. There's afluidity to the couture. As opposedto heavy, over the top bridal wearthese clothes are flexible yet

simple," says Tahiliani.The range of bridal wear in-

cludes dhotis, paneled kurtas withopals and pearls with Swarovskicrystals, Tahiliani's long-time as-sociation.

Others include saris with a hintof golden and silver work gener-ously smattered with zardosi andbrocade.

The designs also have gota,chikankari and bandhini indul-gences making the couture com-fortable yet stylish.

"To have beautiful lightnessand comfortable designs is mod-ern for me," says the designer whohas over two decades expertise inthe Indian fashion industry.

Tahiliani has also panned theuse of neon colors that had be-come a trend with several design-ers last season.

"I don't like neon colors otherthan the green malmal kurtas whichlook stunning. But neon bridalwear to be worn in cities is so outof place," says Tahiliani, the firstIndian designer to have show-cased his work in Milan fashionweek and whose designs havebeen worn by celebrities likeShilpa Shetty, Deepika Padukone,

Mehr Jesia and Lisa Haydon.The space where the Delhi expo

is held, Tahiliani decked it up withfloor to ceiling drapes and lit itwith dim yellow lights.

"The exposition is how a wed-ding must be. Lightness inclothes, comfortable designs or-namented with golden drapes and

royal interiors," he says.Revealing his personal favor-

ites, Tahiliani says, "I love dress-ing Mehr, Deepika Padukone butGauri Khan carries clothes beauti-fully. She has a unique sophisti-cation."

For this year's couture exhibi-tion, Tahiliani also enters the worldof bridal jewellery inspired byMughal designs with the Azvabrand.

He has also teamed up with

Mass. girl, 9, becomes youngest US chess expert

Carissa Yip

CHELMSFORD, Mass.: Onlythree years or so since first pick-ing up the game of chess, 9-year-old Carissa Yip can already lookdown at 93 percent of the more than51,000 players registered with theU.S. Chess Federation.

She has risen so far up therankings that she has reached theexpert level at a younger age thananyone since the chess federationbegan electronic record-keepingin 1991, a new level she reached inrecent weeks.

Her father, Percy, who taughther until she began beating himwithin a year, said she could reachmaster level in as soon as a year.

``Some never reach masterlevel,'' he said. ``From expert tomaster, it's a huge jump.''

But Carissa, who will be a fifth-grader at McCarthy MiddleSchool this fall, has improved by

leaps and bounds.She first played competitively

at the MetroWest Chess Club and

Wachusett Chess Club, at the lat-

ter of which she's the top-rankedplayer. Last fall, she competed inan international competition in

Slovenia, and in December,she'll play the World YouthChampionships in the UnitedArab Emirates.

Carissa is hesitant whenasked about her accomplish-ments, saying she doesn't spendmuch time thinking about them.

But she also set a goal forherself this year to reach 2,100;an expert is anyone over 2,000.Anyone at 2,200 is a master.She also wants to one day be-come the first female to win theoverall championship _ not justin the female category, her fa-ther said.

`Ìt's not like the rating mat-ters,'' Carissa said.

She later demonstrated herability by playing with her back to

the board, reading her moves toher father and keeping track of thewhole board in her head. She hasbeen called an intimidating playerin an ironic way, because she's farshort of even 5 feet tall.

Her U.S. Chess Federation rank-ing places her in the top 7 percentof all players registered with thegroup and the top 2 percent of fe-male players.

Closer to home, Carissa hasimpressed others who have been

playing chess for far longer thanshe has been alive.

``This was not a record she wonby a few days,'' said NathanSmolensky, the president of theMassachusetts Chess Associa-tion. ̀ Ìt was a significant margin.So it's very impressive.''

Among other younger stars atthe Boylston Chess Club inSomerville, where Yip has played,most are in their teens and areboys, Smolensky said.-AP

Mumbai-based antiques storeAncestry to outfit the space show-casing wedding masterpieces withosler chandeliers, rare osler crys-tal furniture, crystal candelabrasand other artefacts.

To celebrate his associationwith a diamond brand, Tahilianihas designed an iridescent black

gown in jersey material with aslight trail whose silhouette ismodern with dhoti drapes in thebottom and a plunging V-neckline.

Tahiliani is also set to be thefinale designer at the upcomingIndia Bridal Fashion Week.

Talking about his contributionhe says, "We are showing thesame collection with some newadditions. However, the style andmovement will be on the ramp." -PTI

Revealing his personal favorites, Tahilianisays, "I love dressing Mehr, DeepikaPadukone but Gauri Khan carries clothesbeautifully. She has a unique sophistication."For this year's couture exhibition, Tahiliani alsoenters the world of bridal jewellery inspired byMughal designs with the Azva brand.

52 August 2, 2013India Post

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Philosophy

Most important is awarenessof what is happening

In true meditation, no effortis made to focus

Nirmala

Adyashanti

If you assert that the world

exists, it is your burden to

prove that it does.

-Atmananda Krishna

Menon

Even when covered in

our own shit and without

a tomorrow, we are noth-

ing less than divine.

-Jeff Foster

Beware; your actions in

the present determine

your future.

-Mata

Amritanandamayi

It is no measure of health

to be well adjusted to a

profoundly sick society.

-Jiddu Krishnamurti

When you give it all up,

you get it all. You end up

losing absolutely nothing,

other than some well

cherished opinions and

ideas.

-Dennis Genpo

Merzel

Remember: if you can

cease all restless activity,

your integral nature will

appear.

-Hua Hu Ching

Nothing makes man more

unhappy than the untruth

appearing as the truth.

-Barry Long

Your medicine is in you,

and you do not observe

it. Your ailment is form

yourself and you do not

register it.

-Hazrat Ali

What if what really matters is both the ultimatenature of awareness and also the specificquality of our awareness in this moment?This is the 900 pound gorilla in the room thatnobody is talking about.

In true meditation all objects (thoughts, feel-ings, emotions, memories, etc) are left to theirnatural functioning. This means that no effortshould be made to focus on, manipulate,control, or suppress any object of awareness.

NIRMALA

What is this moment'streasure? There is somuch happening right

now as you read these words.Thoughts, feelings, desires, sen-sations, and the whole world ofobjects and events are all takingplace in this very moment. Andyet we often look outside of thismoment for happiness, satisfac-tion, freedom, and ultimately ourtrue nature.

When you look outside of whatis actually happening, all you canever find is an idea or fantasy. Thatis what is meant when we say some-one is not in the present moment.

It is not that they actually aresomewhere else, it is just that theyare looking somewhere else andthe only other place to look is intheir own mind at a story aboutanother time.

The tricky thing is that our sto-ries about the future or past arevery convincing. The mind is agood storyteller. And every nowand then, one of our storiescomes true: the thing we wereimagining in one moment actuallyhappens. If we are honest, wehave to admit that this is quite rare.

If our present moment experi-ence is always present and real andtrue, why do we pay so little atten-tion to it? Why aren't we filled withwonder and curiosity about thisendless parade of true, real experi-

ADYASHANTI

True meditation has no di-rection or goal. It is purewordless surrender, pure

silent prayer. All methods aimingat achieving a certain state of mindare limited, impermanent, and con-ditioned. Fascination with statesleads only to bondage and depen-dency. True meditation isabidance as primordial awareness.

True meditation appears inconsciousness spontaneouslywhen awareness is not being ma-nipulated or controlled. Whenyou first start to meditate, younotice that attention is often be-ing held captive by focus onsome object: on thoughts, bodilysensations, emotions, memories,sounds, etc.

This is because the mind is con-ditioned to focus and contractupon objects. Then the mind com-pulsively interprets and tries tocontrol what it is aware of (the ob-ject) in a mechanical and distortedway. It begins to draw conclusionsand make assumptions accordingto past conditioning.

In true meditation all objects(thoughts, feelings, emotions,memories, etc) are left to theirnatural functioning. This meansthat no effort should be made tofocus on, manipulate, control, orsuppress any object of aware-

ences showing up in every mo-ment?

It's not a lack in the presentmoment. It's our simple misunder-standing that what matters is whathappens, when what makes a mo-ment satisfying and worthwhile isthe awareness of what happens.

If what matters is what hap-pens, then it makes sense to payattention to what we want to hap-pen. If the important thing is thecontent of our experience and byextension the content of our

thoughts, then of course we willpay attention to that.

But what if the most importantthing is what is aware of what ishappening?

What if what really matters isboth the ultimate nature of aware-ness and also the specific qualityof our awareness in this moment?This is the 900 pound gorilla in theroom that nobody is talking about.The awareness of the present mo-

ment is a constant feature of ev-ery present moment.

The awareness is a completemystery, and yet it is the sourceof every experience of joy, peace,happiness, satisfaction, and lovethat we have ever had. The onlydifference when something wewant to happen happens is thatwe usually pay full attention tothose experiences.

And in that full flow of aware-ness there is always a quality ofour Being which is satisfying. The

satisfaction is not in the contentof our experience; it is in the flowof awareness.

Recognizing this fundamentaltruth about the source of our joy,peace, and love can dramaticallysimplify our lives. It turns out itdoesn't matter that much what ishappening.

The real treasure in this momentis always to be found in the aware-ness of this moment, and not in

the content of our experience. Soit's not that important if somethingbetter is happening or not. Dis-covering this simple perspectiveis like finding out you live in acandy store. Everywhere you turnis another goodie!

Beyond that, is the recognitionthat this endless supply of good-ies is what you really are. You arenot the content of your experience;you are the awareness that bringslife and joy to every experience.

Talk about not having to worry

about what happens! Nothing thathappens can change what you are,and what you are is the biggest trea-sure. It is hidden in plain sight rightin front of you, always in the expe-rience you are having right now.

After experiencing a profoundspiritual awakening in India,Nirmala has been writing spiri-tual poetry about awakening andoffering spiritual teaching andmentoring in the U.S.

ness. In true meditation the em-phasis is on being awareness; noton being aware of objects, but onresting as primordial awarenessitself. Primordial awareness is thesource in which all objects ariseand subside.

As you gently relax into aware-ness, into listening, the mind'scompulsive contraction aroundobjects will fade. Silence of beingwill come more clearly into con-sciousness as a welcoming to rest

and abide. An attitude of open re-ceptivity, free of any goal or an-ticipation, will facilitate the pres-ence of silence and stillness to berevealed as your natural condi-tion.

As you rest into stillness moreprofoundly, awareness becomesfree of the mind's compulsive con-trol, contractions, and identifica-tions. Awareness naturally returnsto its non-state of absolute

unmanifest potential, the silentabyss beyond all knowing.

QUESTIONS ABOUTMEDITATION

Q. It seems that the central in-struction in True Meditation issimply to abide as silent, stillawareness. However, I often findthat I am caught in my mind. Is itOK to use a more directed medi-tation like following my breath,so that I have something to fo-

cus on that will help me to notget lost in my mind?

A. It is perfectly OK to use amore directed technique such asfollowing your breath, or using asimple mantra or centeringprayer, if you find that it helpsyou to not get lost in thought.But always be inclined towardless and less technique. Maketime during each meditation pe-riod to simply rest as silent, still

awareness. True Meditation isprogressively letting go of themeditator without getting lost inthought.

Q. When I meditate I some-times experience a lot of fear.Sometimes it overwhelms me andI don't know what to do.

A. It is useful when experienc-ing fear in meditation to anchoryour attention in something verygrounding, such as your breathor even the bottoms of your feet.

But don't fight against the fearbecause this will only increase it.Imagine that you are the Buddhaunder the Bodhi tree, or Christ inthe desert, remaining perfectly stilland unmoved by the body-mind'snightmare.

Adyashanti is an Americanspiritual teacher from the SanFrancisco Bay Area who givesregular satsangs in the UnitedStates and also teaches abroad.

54 Edit Pagewww.indiapost.com

August 2, 2013India Post

India PostSen vs Bhagwati

A debate has been ignited on the economic model for India.On one side of it is Nobel Laureate and Harvard ProfessorAmartya Sen. Challenging him is another Indian in the US,

Professor Jagdish Bhagwati of Columbia University. Both are non-resident Indians and probably do not have a vote. But their viewsare going to decide which way the average Indian should vote in2014.

Prof Bhagwati is an advocate of free trade. He believes that freemarkets deliver high growth and high growth solves issues of eq-uity and justice. The job of the State is to create the climate for highgrowth. His economic ideas are being linked with the politics ofNarendra Modi who holds himself up as an icon of high growthwhich he has demonstrated in Gujarat and wants to replicate it forIndia as a candidate for a future government at the Center.

Prof Sen is not against high growth but his priority is that thestate should focus on education and health care. This will improvethe living condition of the people and they will end up having ahigher rate of growth. According to Prof Sen, education and healthcare creates human capability to be more productive in industry, inagriculture, to be more informed in political debate, more demand-ing about the accountability.

The critics of Prof Sen point out that the Indian state is alreadyinvolved in healthcare and education. There are dispensaries invillages but there are no doctors. Hospitals are ill-equipped.Healthcare in villages is so bad that even the poor have to rush tocities for treatment. In education, the schools are there but no teach-ers. The buildings housing the schools are dilapidated and at timesthe teaching has to be done in the open. There are mid-day mealschemes but the quality of food served is bad due to corruption bymiddlemen in the way. The recent example of 23 kids dying aftertaking mid-day meals in a Bihar village is a case in point. This is theoutcome of the Prof Sen like socialist ideas being tried out since thetime of Nehru.

Tavleen Singh in her column in Indian Express has asked ProfSen to explain, "Why he believes that all that is needed to save ourabysmal public schools and hospitals is more investment? Why hethinks economic growth is somehow in conflict with higher stan-dards of education and healthcare? Why he believes that pouringthousands of tones of foodgrain into a broken public distributionsystem is the solution to malnutrition in Indian children."

In answer to this criticism, Prof Sen says, "You don't want to talkabout power subsidy, fertilizer subsidy, cooking gas subsidy, whyis it that you only want to cut MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi Na-tional Rural Employment Guarantee Act)? Only those subsidies thatbenefit the relatively poor seem to be on the chop for comparison,never the subsidies that benefit people like you and me?"

Prof Bhagwati counters that growth pulls people out of poverty,enabling them to also spend on education and health care; so dothe increased revenues from growth. "These are surefire ways ofimproving their well-being - the terminology of 'capabilities' addsnothing to these phenomena! Sen should exchange his terminol-ogy for concrete progress in poverty reduction and human well-being!"

Reviewing Prof Sen's latest book, 'An Uncertain Glory: India andits Contradictions' Prof Ashutosh Varshney of Brown University,asks, "Should the project of capability enhancement be led by gov-ernments, by non-governmental organizations funded by govern-ments, foundations and/or businesses, by private market-basedorganizations, or by a combination of these? The book heavily fa-vors government intervention, but that leads to questions aboutwhether beyond Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, stategovernments have the capacity to deliver education and health, orwhether such capacities can be created."

While the two professors have offered their reasoning, furtherdebate on this issue is needed.

Doha collapse has onlystrengthened the Taliban

D SUBA CHANDRAN

What was touted asthe Doha process- negotiations withthe Afghan Taliban

- appears to be dead now. Therewas a parallel initiative within Pa-kistan, between the governmentand the Teherik-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP), which also appears to be inlimbo.

Why have the much talkedabout negotiations with theTaliban - Afghan and Pakistanivarieties - not yielded substantiveresults, either in terms of the pro-cess, or in terms of the outcome?Are the objectives totally differ-ent between the stakeholders? Isthere no meeting point? Or arethese processes a chimera, to

hoodwink public opinion, and buymore time?The 'Moderate' Taliban: Ameri-can Discovery or Invention?

With the Afghan Taliban, theDoha process is not the first ini-tiative. Ever since the Americansdiscovered (or perhaps invented)the "Moderate Taliban" (referredalso as the "Good Taliban") therehave been multiple attempts innegotiating with them.

While some of these attemptsdid result in establishing contactwith the Taliban, there were alsoinstances of being fooled by thosewho projected themselves as hav-ing reached into the Taliban lead-ership, especially Mullah Omar.

In retrospect, it appears thatnone of the above attempts hadthe approval of the Afghan lead-ership, especially the QuettaShura led by Mullah Omar. It isclear now, that unless the AfghanTaliban leadership is directly in-volved, any attempt to negotiatewould be futile.PAKISTAN'S ROLE

Besides the involvement of thetop leadership of the AfghanTaliban, Pakistan has been play-ing a role (perhaps until the Doha

process last month) in scuttlingwhatever was taking place with theTaliban.

Two primary reasons could beidentified for Pakistan playing anegative role in the previous at-tempts. First, the US or whoeverled the initiative on behalf ofWashington, did not keep Pakistanin the loop, especially the militaryleadership and the ISI. Despite the"close" US and Pakistan relation-ship, the former did not trust thelatter, and hence kept Kayani andPasha outside the loop. Nor didthe Taliban leadership, despite itsown "close" relationship with asection of Pakistan's military andits ISI, inform the latter.

As a result, Pakistan has not

only been apprehensive, but it hasalso been angry with any dialogueprocess with the Taliban behindits back. The GHQ would preferthat it either leads the show withthe US and the Afghan Talibanpresent, or is kept totally informedand a close observer in the pro-cess. It appears now that the lat-ter was the reason behindPakistan's comfort level in thefailed Doha process.KARZAI AND KABUL

Where do Karzai and Kabulstand in the dialogue process withthe Taliban? In principle, Karzai hasalready agreed to a dialogue pro-cess with the Afghan Taliban. TheHigh Peace Council has the popu-lar mandate of the Afghan people,Karzai and his administration.

Why did then Karzai play aspoilsport in the Doha process?The reasons are similar to whyPakistan did. Karzai, his adminis-tration and the rest of countrywould like to see this dialogue withthe Taliban as "Afghan Ownedand Afghan Led", instead of be-ing dictated or decided by others.There is a general fear in Kabultoday that the dialogue process(in Doha) was being completely

hijacked by outsiders and the Af-ghan government absolutely side-lined.

Worse, there is a bigger fear thatthere might be a larger collusionbetween the US and Pakistan inimposing a solution on Kabul onthe Taliban.The Million Dollar Question:Is the Taliban Interested in a Dia-logue?

The primary reason for the fail-ure of all earlier attempts to dia-logue with the Afghan Taliban'sleadership seems to be the latter'sinterest in such an attempt.

Why should the AfghanTaliban leadership negotiate withthe US? The Afghan Talibanseems to be playing a waitinggame. With the 2014 deadline ap-proaching fast, the Taliban lead-ership seems to be well aware ofthe international fatigue over Af-ghanistan; it is unlikely that theinternational community will beengaged in Afghanistan, espe-cially on economic and investmentsectors.

The US, as has been clearly in-dicated by Obama, is winding upits military operations. WhileObama's "Zero Option" may havetotally surprised the Taliban lead-ership, this is what they are expect-ing. On other side, there are hugeexpectations from the Afghanpeople and Karzai is seen as a hugedisappointment.

Clearly, the Taliban is not in ahurry. Why would it hurry or en-ter into a dialogue with the US?All it has to do is to sit tight andwait till December 2014.

If the above is the case, whywould the Taliban agree to theDoha process? Perhaps, it hasnothing to lose. Perhaps, it is mak-ing a statement; the fact that itused its flag and the "Emirate ofAfghanistan" in Doha much be-fore the dialogue could start -clearly projects the Taliban's stateof mind.

Perhaps, the Taliban did thatdeliberately to ensure that the pro-cess fails. Has the collapse ofDoha process affected Taliban?Rather, the subsequent develop-ments and statements from Kabuland Washington lead one to con-clude, that the Doha collapse hasonly strengthened the Taliban.

There could be a few more pro-cesses, perhaps in Paris or inIstanbul. But none would succeed.The Taliban is playing a waitinggame. Americans should keepwatch, for time is on Taliban's side.

The writer is Director, Instituteof Peace and Conflict Studies,New Delhi.

The new office of the Afghan Taliban in Doha, Qatar



August 2, 201356

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