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Vol.6 No. 19 August 31-September 6, 2013 60 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
The Mahatma Gandhi of Modern India mesmerizes with his simplicity at a grand reception to welcome him to Nassau County, Long Island.
By Parveen Chopra
Hicksville, NY: Calling the Manmohan Singh government deceitful for not bringing the Jan Lok Pal (ombudsman) bill despite committing to him to pass it two years ago, the world renowned anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare said here Tuesday that he has restarted his campaign earlier this year, to build solidarity for which he is traversing the length and breadth of India. Anna Hazare was speaking at a reception given in his honor at Antuns by Minar by the Indian community of Nassau County in Long Island the day before he Continued on page 2
My anti-corruption crusade Britain will continues: Anna Hazare not join US in strike onSyria
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano is joined by the host committee members as he presents a citation to Anna Hazare.
(Photo: Yagnesha Shah/Freelance US Media)
Protests started in Washington DC (pictured) and in London against military action in Syria.
London/Washington, DC : President Obama was still prepared to move ahead with a limited military strike on Syria, administration officials said Thursday, despite a stinging rejection of such action on Thursday by ally Britain and mounting questions from Congressmen. But fears of imminent turmoil eased as the diplomatic process was seen playing out into the next week, and the White House emphasized that any action would be "very discrete and limited" and in no way comparable to the Iraq war. The British Parliament narrowly voted against military action in Syria, clearly mindful of the shameful episode a decade ago when Prime Minister Tony Blair backed US invasion of Iraq over WMDs which were never found in Saddam Husseins lair. Prime
Limited US action also delayed as officials concede no smoking gun linking Assad to poison gas attack.
Minister David Cameron said hell act according to the Parliament decision. The vote came on a day that the Obama administration postponed disclosure of the intelligence that led it to conclude the regime of Bashar Assad was to blame for the Aug. 21 chemical attack that killed hundreds of people near Damascus. The British government released its intelligence findings Thursday. Continued on page 4
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Spiritual Awareness 30
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Vivekananda and the meaning of life dawned upon him: You are given this life to serve others, and that service is worship of God. The rest is history. He never married, has no bank balance, and lives in a small room in a temple in his village. But I am always in bliss and the entire mankind is my family, he said. Tracing his journey, Anna said, Heeding Mahatma Gandhis advice, I first transformed my own village, Ralegan Siddhi, hitherto good for nothing, starting with increasing irrigation through water conservation, etc. In the next stage, beginning in 1991, he stared an anti-corruption organization, which forced the sack of half a dozen ministers and 400 officials involved in scams and corrupt deals. The non political, non-religious event in Annas honor was invitation only, historical banquet, rare and first of its kind in Long Island. It was attended by a spectrum of community leaders, the most elite and powerful gathering a rarity to see such diverse groups together at one place. Missing, however, were leaders from INOC (I) and NCP, who perhaps didnt want to be seen near an anti-establishmentarian like Anna. The event was well organized with an immaculate flow except for the throng of people wanting to get themselves photographed with the main guest after his speech. It was a house full event in a beautifully decorated grand ballroom in the newly renovated catering facility now managed by Nitu Singh of Minar Group. Emcee Nagendra Gupta was very precise and eloquent; he was also the key person who put together the whole affair. Indian national anthem was led by Jagdish Sewhani, who also introduced Anna ji as an epitome of courage committed to eradicating corruption in India. Vande Matram was sung by Jerry Kohli, who also supervised the sumptuous vegetarian delicacies. Sushil Goyal recognized the dignitaries in attendance. Nitu Singh presented the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the host committee. Raja Amar was also a sponsor but could not attend.A beautiful brochure was produced to mark the event, worked on, in the service of the community, by Parveen Chopra, Roopsi Narula, Nishant Arora, Subin Varghese, Donnie Superville and Jay Mandal. Renowned photographer Jay Mandal accompanied Anna. Antun's by Minar was catering sponsor. Decoration was sponsored by Fern n Dcor. Among the prominent attendees were Bobby Kumar, Zahid Syed, Haridas Kotahwala, Jack Poola and Dr Narinder Kukar. Leading media was in attendance too. The world famous Hotel Oheka Castle in Huntington was reserved for Anna and his team by the host committee, but he left for New Jersey the same night to catch his flight home the next day.
By Parveen Chopra Continued from page 1 returned to India from a two-week visit to the US. We started from Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab, and we have already covered six states and after I return to India, we move to Bihar, Jharkhand and so on to raise public sentiment supporting our demand to the UPA government: Implement Jan Lok Pal or quit , he told over 250 prominent members and leaders of the Indian community. Alluding to his fast unto death in Delhi that galvanized the nation in 2011, Anna Hazare said, I will again bring together crores of people in solidarity and again hoist the tricolor at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi and push for Right to reject and Right to recall (corrupt or incompetent legislators). The spellbound audience burst into applause in admiration and encouragement. Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was thrilled to rub shoulders with the Indian hero of anti-corruption movement and a selfless humanitarian. Before felicitating him, Mangano welcomed him to the county with these words, Anna Hazare has shown the strength and wisdom to represent his people. It is difficult to force change, which is subjected to criticism and mistruths. But it is comforting to know that there are people in the world who stand up for the common man, for all good people. And I learn that Anna Hazare is referred to as modern day Mahatma Gandhi. And that is so powerful when somebody has taken that responsibility upon themselves to help others. Mangano was introduced as the best friend of the Indian community in Nassau County by Harendra
Singh, who was a member of the host committee, others on the committee being Kamlesh Mehta, Nagendra Gupta, Jagdish Sewhani, Sushil Goyal, Jerry Kohli, Nitu Singh, and Raja Amar. Kamlesh Mehta, the overall coordinator of the event, welcomed Anna Hazare with these moving words, We have not known Mahatma Gandhi, but we see him in you and implore you to guide our people on the right and truthful
path. People like you are incarnated but rarely. May God give you long life and may you be successful in your endeavors. Listening to the living legend and meeting him in person is a revelation. Even when Anna Hazare visited Capitol Hill in Washington DC, he was attired in his customary dhoti-kurta-Nehru jacket and Gandhi cap. There are no oratorical flourishes in his speech, no high flown concepts or jargon. On
Tuesday particularly, he mesmerized all by his simplicity. Speaking in Hindi, the Maharashtra born recounted his personal transformation that inspired him to take a vow to devote his entire life in the service of the nation. Anna said that around the age of 26 he was struck by the mundane nature of everyday life and contemplated suicide. Just then he chanced upon an inspiring book by Swami
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Gen. VK Singh blames Indian govt India not going through 1991-like crisis: Washington's CFO for weakening army
By Ashok Ojha/ SATimes North Brunswick, NJ: General Vijay Kumar Singh, former Chief of Indian Army, who is better known as the first serving Indian Military chief to take the Government of India to court and a leader of social activist Anna Hazares Jantantra Morcha, didnt surprise many when he took the stage of Overseas Friends of BJP, aligned with the main opposition party of India. Singh is rumored to have been picked up by the BJP to contest from Rae Bareilly Lok Sabha seat against the Congress President Sonia Gandhi in next year s Lok Sabha election. OFBJP accorded a warm reception to General Singh in North Brunswick on August 24 where he appealed to NRIs to prevail upon their family and friends in India to support non-corrupt persons in the 2014 parliamentary election. As a patriot of Indian origin, you have an important role to play in reconstructing the nation, he told the gathering. Please impress upon your people in India to discard such leaders who were engaged in weakening the nation with corrupt practices. Alluding to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said it was okay to project him as Indias next prime minister, However, it was more important to work for making the nation stronger and united. He also advised the BJP to field more
New Delhi: Excessive self-criticism is sending wrong signals to foreign investors and the current economic scenario in India is not comparable with the 1991 crisis when the country was forced to pledge its gold to pay import bills, an Indian-American money manager has said. "I don't think India is going through the 1991 like crisis. That situation was different. It's not comparable," said Natwar Gandhi, 72, chief financial officer of Washington DC, who is credited with the fiscal turnaround of the US capital from near bankruptcy in 2000 to a surplus budget today. "Foreign investors are withdrawing money not because something has suddenly gone wrong with the Indian economy. This is more to do with the US central bank's move," the Gujarat-born Gandhi, on a visit to Delhi for sharing his experience on urban governance, said. An alumnus of the Louisiana State University, Gandhi was alluding to the US Federal Reserve's hints at easing the fiscal stimulus that has been in force since 2008 to ward off the economic crisis, which experts say have hit currency markets in a host of countries, including India. Foreign funds have pulled out over $12 billion from Indian debt and equities markets since the US Federal Reserve hinted at tapering stimulus in late May. This has led to almost 20 percent slump in the value of Indian currency against US dollar and a sharp drop in stock markets. Gandhi said the huge pulling out of money by foreign funds from the Indian markets was linked largely to the US Federal Reserve's comments.
youthful leaders in the forthcoming election. The former Indian Army Chief, who was the mastermind for mobilizing troops on the border during the standoff with Pakistan in 2002, asserted that the Indian Army, which was capable of dealing with a possible joint assault by Pakistan and China, was considerably weakened by political interference in decision-making. He alleged the so-called food security bill brought by the ruling UPA government was likely to be another scandal in the series of many. He added that the only way to getting rid of the current mess in India was to elect representatives who thought beyond political considerations and were committed to uniting India. Jayesh Patel, president of OFBJP, introduced General Singh to the audience as a man of integrity and a crusader against corruption.
He said excessive self-criticism and political compulsions were adding to the volatility in the currency markets. "There are problems, but I see a great deal of self-criticism. Excessive self-criticism sends wrong signal to the foreign investors," he said. Gandhi said India is passing through very difficult economic situation, even though the condition is not as critical as it was in 1990s. In 1991, India was forced to pledge its gold in order to pay its bills as the country's foreign exchange reserve had fallen to $3 billion, not enough even to cover three weeks of imports. Today, the foreign exchange reserve is nearly $280 billion that can cover seven months of imports. Besides, the central bank has more tools to manage volatility in the currency markets.Gandhi pointed out the 1991 crisis had acted as a trigger for economic liberalization, and the Indian government must take similar bold reform measures to emerge stronger out of the crisis. "You have to liberalize more. This is the only long lasting solution to these kind of economic problems," he said.
level. It is our hope that you will accept this invitation and appear prepared to address those in attendance and answer questions that will be asked in a controlled forum. Im looking forward to this discussion about the issues that matter most. I will be there early and stay until the community has
asked all their questions, said Haber. In case Tom happens to have a tight schedule, Ill be there for a while, so there in no chance we miss out on the opportunity to deliver the debate Democratic voters deserve. On August 1, Democrat Adam Haber called out Tom Suozzi for ducking debates.
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Britain will not join US... Continued from page 1 The vote was a setback for Obama, who has given up hope of getting UN Security Council authorization for the strike in the face of objections by Russia, Syrias longtime backer, and is struggling to cobble a coalition of allies against Syria. Pentagon officials said that the Navy had now moved a fifth destroyer into the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Each ship carries dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles that would probably be the centerpiece of any attack on Syria. Although administration officials cautioned that Obama had not made a final decision, a strike could occur soon after UN investigators charged with scrutinizing the Aug. 21 poison gas attack leave Syria. They are scheduled to depart Damascus on Saturday. The White House presented its case for military action to Congressional leaders on Thursday evening, trying to head off growing pressure from Democrats and Republicans to provide more information about the administrations military planning and seek Congressional approval for any action. In a conference call with Republicans and Democrats, top officials from the State Department, the Pentagon and the nations intelligence agencies asserted that the evidence was clear that Assads forces had carried out the poison attack. While the intelligence does not tie Assad directly to the attack, officials said, the administration said the US had both the evidence and legal justification to carry out a strike aimed at deterring the Syrian leader from using such weapons again. A critical piece of the intelligence, officials said, is an intercepted phone call between Syrian military officials, one of whom seems to suggest that the chemical weapons attack was more devastating than was intended. It sounds like he thinks this was a small operation that got out of control, one intelligence official said. Domestic, global factors... Continued from page 1 uncertainties, he said. Oil prices have surged in the international markets in the recent weeks on fear of a USled attack on Syria that would disrupt supplies from the Middle East and India depends for 80% of its oil on imports. The prime minister assured the lawmakers that he would make a statement on the current economic situation Friday. Several opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley, sought PM statement, saying there was a panic situation in view of the huge volatility in currency and equities markets coupled with slow growth and persistent high inflation. The Indian rupee has lost almost 20 percent of its value against the US dollar since the beginning of the current financial year, largely due to pulling out of money by foreign funds from the Indian markets after the US central bank hinted that it would lower fiscal stimulus as the economy shows sign of recovery. Foreign funds have pulled out nearly $12 billion from Indian debt and equities markets since the US Federal Reserve hinted at tapering stimulus in late May.
Fast-food workers New York AG sues Trump, 'Trump University', claims fraud nationwide strike
Albany, NY: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sued Donald Trump for $40 million Saturday, saying the real estate mogul helped run a phony "Trump University" that promised to make students rich but instead steered Real estate mogul Donal Trump them into expensive and mostly useless seminars, and tion and celebrity status to take even failed to deliver promised advantage of consumers who apprenticeships. Trump shot back believed in the Trump brand." But Trump's attorney accused that the Democrat's lawsuit is Schneiderman of trying to extort false and politically motivated. Schneiderman says many of the campaign contributions from the 5,000 students who paid up to real estate mogul through his $35,000 thought they would at investigation of Trump. Attorney least meet Trump but instead all Michael D. Cohen told The they got was their picture taken Associated Press on Saturday that in front of a life-size picture of Schneiderman's lawsuit was filled with falsehoods. Cohen "The Apprentice" TV star. "Trump University engaged in said Trump and his university deception at every stage of con- never defrauded anyone. He said Trump University prosumers' advancement through costly programs and caused real vided nearly 11,000 testimonials financial harm," he said. "Trump to Schneiderman from students University, with Donald Trump's praising the program and said 98 knowledge and participation, percent of students in a survey relied on Trump's name recogni- termed the program "excellent."
over wages
New York: Fast-food workers across the country staged their largest strike to date Thursday in an almost year-long campaign to raise wages in the service sector. Employees of McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and others walked off their jobs in 50 cities from Boston, Mass., to Alameda, Calif., organizers say. They were expected to be joined by retail employees at stores owned by Macy's Inc, Sears Holdings Corp and Dollar Tree Inc in some cities. The workers want to form unions and bargain higher wages with their employers without facing retaliation from franchisees or their parent companies. They are demanding $15 an hour, up from $7.25, which is the current federal minimum wage. The median wage for front-line fastfood workers is $8.94 per hour, according to an analysis of government data by the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group for lower-wage workers. Virtually all private-sector fast-food jobs are non-union, and organizers say retaliation against workers who try to organize is common.
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Cardiologist Kapil Parakh named White House fellow Gas station worker shot dead in NJ
Washington, DC: Kapil Parakh, an Indian-origin cardiologist working in Washington area, is among a dozen people chosen by the White House for its prestigious fellowship program for 2013-14. A Zambia University graduate, Parakh is the director of heart failure at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Centre and assistant professor in the Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Behavior and Society. He edged out two other IndianAmericans among the finalists -Shilpen Patel, associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Washington, and Jay Bhatt, geriatric medicine fellow at the University of Michigan Health System. Starting with Indian-American neurosurgeon and CNN's chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, who was a 1997-98 fellow, Parakh is the latest person of Indian origin to join the White House Parakh leads heart failure quality improvements in collaboration with the Joint Commission's Centre for Transforming Healthcare, using entrepreneurial techniques to cost-effectively improve outcomes, the White House announcement said. Parakh's research focuses on understanding the increased mortality in patients with depression after a heart attack. Passionate about teaching, Parakh is a clinician-educator and has mentored trainees in award winning research. Parakh is the co-founder of Health for America, a non-profit that mobilizes youth to improve the health of communities through innovation while shaping the next generation of leaders. In recognition of his contributions to public health, Parakh was recently inducted into the Delta Omega Public Health honor society. Washington, DC: A Sikh man working at a gas-station in New Jersey was shot dead over the weekend in an attempted robbery case. The local police in New Jersey has announced an award of $8,000 for information leading to arrest of those responsible for the murder of Surinder Singh. A native of India, Singh,40, worked at a gas station as an attendant at Garden State Fuel in Woodbury for 14 years. A massive manhunt has been launched in New Jersey for the two persons allegedly responsible for the killing of Singh. The police also released sketch of one suspect.One of them was described as a black male weighing 150 pounds, 5-feet, 7-inches tall, armed with a small handgun.
Surinder Singh
Kapil Parakh
Fellows Program created in 1964 by then president Lyndon Johnson. The program is designed to give promising American leaders "first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the federal government, and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs," according to the White House.
They fled scene in a small, silver vehicle north on Broad Street. According to the police, Singh was shot twice, once in upper chest, which went straight in and a second time near the right arm pit. In a statement, North American Punjabi Association alleged that the US law enforcement agencies have failed in protecting the lives and property of Sikh Community in the country.
Washington, DC: An Indian American has admitted his role in widespread foreign student visa fraud that took place in New Jersey, the US Department of Justice said. Manamadurai Somalingam, 64, from New York pleaded guilty before US District Judge Freda Wolfson in Trenton Federal Court in New Jersey to information charging him with one count of conspiring to commit visa fraud and one count of conspiring to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for private financial gain. He now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a fine of $250,000. The sentencing is scheduled for December 5. According to court documents, Somalingam admitted that from March 2011 through May 2012, while he was the owner of a school
called PC Tech Learning with campuses in Iselin and Jersey City, he engaged in a conspiracy to obtain student visas for foreign citizens who were not eligible for such visas. Somalingam admitted that he falsely certified that a woman he hired to work for him at the Jersey City campus of PC Tech was eligible for a student visa even though he knew that she would be working fulltime and was not eligible. Besides, Somalingam admitted he never terminated a foreign citizen's student status as long as that individual paid his tuition fees, even though Somalingam, as the primary designated school official for PC Tech, was required to terminate any student who failed to make proper progress in his studies, the Department of Justice said.
rallied for this cause. Says OVBI president Suresh Vasu, We are delighted with the enthusiastic responses at each of the OVBI Independence Day functions and with the interest people have shown to become OVBI members in support of ourinitiatives for India. In the cities of Ocala and Gainesville in Florida, events featured presentations on strategies to educate the public on democratic processes, highlight development initiatives driven by principles of personal empowerment, and emphasize the creation of capable future leadership through a school of good governance. In Mercer County New Jersey, OVBI members took part in a 5K walkathon to raise funds for relief ef-
forts in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand. In Northern California, the Festival of India drew thousands of participants and onlookers, with the OVBI contingent marching strong in their midst. Within the broader framework of the festivals cultural offerings and historical exhibits, OVBI raised public awareness around the social climate of present-day India with an emphasis on how those based in the US can make relevant contributions to Indian society. Launched in May 2013 by members of the Indian diaspora in the US, OVBI has gained considerable momentum as a major cause for the expatriate community and its supporters. For more information, please visit www.overseasvbi.org
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USA. Saigal will spearhead EVFs ambitious agenda of community outreach programs in USA, streamline its fund-raising activities, promote Ekals cause and interact with support system in India. A graduate of IIT Mumbai and University of Florida in Engineering & Computer Science, Ranjani Saigal has 25 yrs of experience in Education Technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she facilitated development and deployment of several teaching tools and gained accolades along the way. She is a co-founder of popular e-magazine
Lokvani.com and serves on the board of several social enterprises. Hailing the appointment, Subhash Gupta, Chairman of board of EVF, not only complimented Saigal for her passion and commitment for education and mentoring of several non-profit organizations in the past, but also, expressed his trust in her leadership. According to Ranjani Saigal, her immediate task at EVF, will be to closely work with Ekals Executive branch, various Chapter Presidents, and its key Volunteers across USA and enhance interaction, cooperation between the central body and satellite chapter-teams.
Divya Mehta (president) along with Edison Mayor Ricigliano and other club members: Emily Wexler, Ayan Ahmed, and Alex Rappold
New York: The 2-day Sikh Games New York event was a resounding success with over 800 participants and 4000 spectators. The event was a joint effort of a team led by Manmeet K Lamba & Jatinder Singh, Glen Cove Gurdwara Team, participants, parents, supporters, spectators, sponsors, the Glen Cove High School, volunteers and the Sangat of Tri-States. This year's Games were held at the Glen Cove High School premises over the weekend, on Sat & Sunday 24th & 25th August 2013. Children, teens, youth & adults both boys and girls participated in basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis, track, long jump, shot-put, tug of war and elementary track. Guru ka langar, with wide variety of food items and stalls (provided generously by Satguru), water, juice, refreshments were provided free to all, throughout the two days. Children and families enjoyed a festive and fun atmosphere in true Sikh spirit of Chardi Kala. The Glen Cove Town Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi graced the occasion, witnessed the events and was felicitated
and honored as a Special Guest. Tom Souzzi the former Nassau County Chief was also a Special Guest, graced the event & was felicitated. One of the stars of the event was Lester Prosper, who is a promising young basketball player from Old Westbury & was one of the NBA Draft Player for 2011. Lester is picked-up BB as a young student in USA, at 17 and now is poised for a chance to be part of a NBA Team. He has played in European and Canadian Leagues. Lester was at the event and actively involved in the basketball event on both days. Lester provided tips and explained finer points of the game to eager young Sikh boys. He was extremely happy to be part of the Sikh games and contributed significantly to the grand success of the basketball event which had over 40 teams play over the two days and compete to be the best in their groups. All individual, team winners and finalists were recognized and awarded medals and trophies by sponsors Apna Bazaar.
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against the dollar? 3. What is your take on the Immigration Bill being worked in Congress? How is it going to affect you personally? Are you for or against it?
Ashrita Furman, holder of the most Guinness Records at the same time (currently 163), with Nikhil Divekar of Panaji,Goa, India light the world's largest incense stick. The fifty-eight year old health food store manager of New York set the new Guinness World Record together with twenty other friends to honor the 82nd birth anniversary of the spiritual Guru Sri Chinmoy (1931 2007). The incense stick has a height of 31 feet (9.45 meter), a circumference of 76 centimeter and its fragrance is Nag Champa.
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Satya Nadella
Web search and Apple in mobile devices." Nadella, 44, as head of Microsoft's $19 billion Server and Tools Business, is credited with the transformation of the business and technology from client-server software to cloud infrastructure and services.
Tamil version of 'Madras Cafe' pulled from Canadian theaters Indian Americans accuse bank of discrimination
Toronto: Less than a week after its release, the Tamil version of controversial political thriller "Madras Cafe" was pulled from two theaters here due to protests and poor ratings. The movie, which was released across the world Friday, is based on the Sri Lankan civil war and also shows the 1991 assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Actor John Abraham, who has coproduced the film, also features as an Indian Army intelligence agent sent to Sri Lanka. The film sparked protests across the world even before it got released as Tamil groups claimed that the film portrays the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in poor light. In Canada, the movie was released in six theaters in Surrey, Montreal and Toronto. Though the company representing the film claimed that it was being pulled from theaters in Canada due to protests, spokeswoman for Cineplex Entertainment, Pat Marshall, said that it was being pulled from only two Toronto theaters screening the Tamil version,
Washington, DC: A Michigan judge has ruled that an unusual lawsuit alleging discrimination against a bank set up by members of the local Indian and east Asian business community by two of its Indian customers can proceed. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford Morris Wednesday ruled that the case against Novi-based Lotus Bancorp Inc. and three of its senior officers can proceed. She, however, denied a motion to establish it as a class-action lawsuit. According to crainsdetroit.com, what makes the lawsuit unusual is that Lotus Bancorp, the holding company for Novi-based Lotus Bank, was founded in 2007 by members of the local Indian and East Asian business community. Most of those who invested in the bank were of Indian descent. Most of its board members are Indian. And yet two of the bank's Indian customers, Jasit Takhar and Anil Gupta, last March filed the case alleging discrimination when they fell behind on payments on a nearly $1.5 million loan from Lotus to buy a Travelodge motel in Jackson. The lawsuit is based on a series of emails in 2010 and 2011 by the bank's president, Neal Searle, and one of its executive vice presidents, Richard Bauer, who is also the bank's CFO,
the Vancouver Desi reported. "Its the way that our business works, its our guests who decide what movies stay on the screen and what movies come off by buying the ticket, she was quoted as saying. According to Marshall, the film was received well in four of the six theaters screening the Hindi version, while the two Toronto theaters screening the Tamil version could not work. The Hindi version
opened well. The two locations in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), in the Tamil version, did not open well, Marshall said. Of those six locations, given the performance, the two Tamil version movies will come off but the other four will continue on because theyve done well, she added. A group of around 50 people protested outside Torontos Eglinton Town Centre theater.
crainsdetroit.com said. Both are named as defendants, as is chief lending officer John Westerheide, the recipient of some of the emails, which contain highly derogatory comments about Indians. One, by Bauer, as cited by the website, said that "the only good Indian is a dead Indian", and another by him, when asked if he wanted free tickets for his Indian customers to attend a concert by an Indian singer, said he was "only interested if someone is going to detonate an incendiary device." A brief in the lawsuit quotes Searle as saying, in reference to others associated with the bank: "I don't care what your Indian buddies told you, I make the decisions. I know how you Indians operate. You like to deal with someone you know in upper management but this does not work like that. Do you understand English?" Takhar and Gupta eventually got current on their loan after repeatedly being threatened with foreclosure, crainsdetroit.com reported. Arguing to have the case dismissed, the Lotus bank's lawyer Patrick McCarthy Wednesday agreed that the emails by Searle and Bauer were wrong, but said they had nothing to do with the bank's actions regarding Takhar and Gupta.
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Official launch of the international Encyclopedia of Hinduism inspired and guided by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati at USC.
mind is quiet and happy, people allow themselves to heal. Medical marijuana helps that happen," Kless claimed. Gupta Kush is an indica strain with its origins in the Hindu Kush mountains of South Asia, the reported birthplace of some of the world's oldest and most potent cannabis strains, according to the release. It has a rich green color hidden beneath a deep layer of trichomes, and a thick, hashy, floral taste. Onset is immediate and effects are long-lasting, it said. Since publicly announcing his changed views on medical marijuana earlier this month, Gupta has inspired a more serious look at weed and even generated some pressure on Obama to re-examine his position on marijuana laws. However, the White House last week indicated Obama isn't looking to change current federal laws relating to marijuana anytime soon in the light of Gupta's views.
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US AFFAIRS
President Obama addresses the crowd gathered on the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday, August 28. Fifty years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his watershed "I Have a Dream" speech during the historic March on Washington.
Washington: President Barack Obama hailed Martin Luther King Jr Wednesday for saving America from oppression but said "constant vigilance" was needed to keep the civil rights icon's dream of equality alive. Fifty years after the "I have a dream speech," America's first black president stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, where King made an appearance in 1963 which changed American history. "He offered a salvation path for oppressed and oppressors alike. His words belong to the ages, possessing a power and prophecy unmatched in our time," Obama said. Obama also remembered the thousands of African Americans who joined King's March on Washington to demand their rights and to wake their country's "long slumbering conscience." The president, who has faced some criticism for not doing more to help the African American community, which remains plagued by poverty and barriers to advancement, dismissed arguments that little had changed for blacks since King spoke. "To dismiss the magnitude of this progress, to suggest, as some sometimes do, that little has changed -- that dishonors the courage and the sacrifice of those who paid the price to march in those years," he said. But he also argued that much work remained to be done for King's dream to be
fulfilled. "We would dishonor those heroes as well to suggest that the work of this nation is somehow complete. "The arc of the moral universe may bend towards justice, but it doesn't bend on its own. "To secure the gains this country has made requires constant vigilance, not complacency," Obama said. The president was joined at the ceremony on the National Mall in the center of Washington by former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Carter bemoaned the "racist bullet" that claimed King's life in 1968. Clinton said that it was time to open the "stubborn gates" barring wider opportunity. "The choice remains as it was on that distant summer day 50 years ago. Cooperate and thrive or fight with each other and fall behind." Before Obama addressed the throngs gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, civil rights leaders past and present remembered the decades-long movement to secure equal treatment and rights for African-Americans. Celebrities and entertainers at the event included Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey, who star as husband and wife in one of the summer's hottest movies, "Lee Daniels' The Butler," about life in the White House through the eyes of the (mostly black) hired help.
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US AFFAIRS
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McCain stubbornly believes the Wildfire 25% contained but spreads House can pass immigration reform deeper into Yosemite
Mesa, AZ: Senator John McCain still hopes the Republican controlled House will pass real immigration reform, but the clock is clicking away as 2014 is election year. Its very important that we try to act before the end of this year, McCain said at a town hall in Mesa, Arizona, on Tuesday. Waiting any longer will run into campaign season. But given looming battles over funding the government and increasing the debt ceiling, passing immigration legislation before 2014 may be unrealistic. I remain guardedly optimistic that our friends in the House of Representatives will agree to their legislative process and then we can get to conference, McCain, who was joined by fellow Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake, told the audience. He cited the array of interests backing reform, including major business groups, labor unions, and evangelical organizations, as evidence of its momentum. House leaders are moving forward with a series of bills on border security and visa programs, but theyve yet to decide howand Groveland, CA: The Rim fire spread deeper intoYosemite National Park on Tuesday with flames racing unimpeded to the east even as firefighters shored up defenses for communities on the western edges of the blaze. The fire was 25% contained by Wednesday, with almost all of the containment coming on the fire's southwest edge. On the east, the fire has a relatively flat, clear path farther into Yosemite and the 3,700 firefighters battling the blaze have fewer options to control it. "They're in scouting mode," Dick Fleishman of the U.S. Forest Service said of fire crews. "There's not a lot of real good areas to get out in there and do a lot of work." The blaze has destroyed 111 buildings, including 31 residences, and is now the seventh-largest fire in state history, having spread across 281 square miles. "It's burning its way into the record books," said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. On Tuesday, firefighters bolstered defensive perime-
US Senator John McCain speaks to reporters after attending a Conversation On Immigration during a town hall event in Mesa, Arizona on August 27.
whetherto offer legal status and a path to citizenship to the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in America today. McCain is still hoping the House will support a citizenship component in a final deal. I dont accept your premise that the House of Representatives will absolutely reject a path to citizenship, McCain told a reporter at the forum. I think well know more in two or three months. The Senate bill would require undocumented immigrants to meet a variety of requirements, includ-
ing paying a fine and learning English, in order to obtain citizenship. The process would take at least 13 years for most eligible applicants. But among House Republicans, its not clear that the caucus supports even limited legal status for undocumented immigrants. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chair of the House Judiciary Committee overseeing immigration legislation, recently suggested that even immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children should not get a new path to citizenship.
ters to the south and west using bulldozers to clear brush and vegetation from strips of land up to the Tuolumne River to protect homes near California 108, Berlant said. "We've burned back down the mountain so that if the fire makes the river, jumps the river, that side of the hill is already burned," he said. "We're coming around the corner, catching the western portion of the fire and we'll continue to pinch it off as it goes up to the northern flank." Officials consider about 4,500 homes north of the fire and two groves of giant sequoias and other historic landmarks still in danger. The Stanislaus National Forest is taking the brunt of the blaze, with the
Groveland Ranger District making up most of the southern flank. The region has been hit hard by fires in the past, the most significant in 1987, which claimed the life of a firefighter. This week's fire has brought sorrow among the district's employees, who not only recall the past devastation but also begrudge the current damage. The fire burned though an area that had a pending $1million timber sale, said Maggie Dowd, district ranger in the Groveland Ranger District. "The economic impacts are real, but we haven't begun to estimate them yet," Dowd said Tuesday from her office in a building shrouded in smoke.
formance: "MTV continues to sexually exploit young women by promoting acts that incorporate 'twerking' in a nude-coloured bikini," it wrote. "How is this image of former child star Miley Cyrus appropriate for 14-year-olds?" However the council also underlined that sexually provocative pop stars aren't the object of its indignation MTV's parental ratings are.
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INDIA
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Yasin Bhatkal is the second big catch for Indian security agencies after the arrest of Abdul Karim Tunda
New Delhi/Patna: Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, wanted for a string of bombings in India, and another suspected terrorist have been arrested from the India-Nepal border, officials said. This is the second big catch for Indian security agencies after the arrest of Abdul Karim Tunda, a key Lashkar-e-Taiba operative and expert bomb-maker, also from the India-Nepal border on Aug 16. Announcing the arrest of Bhatkal, one of India's most wanted terrorists who was on the run for five years, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said: "Yasin Bhatkal has been arrested last (Wednesday) night. "He is in the custody of Bihar Police and the interrogation is going on," Shinde told reporters outside parliament. He said Bhatkal, one of the founders of Indian Mujahideen, was arrested on the India-Nepal border. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was briefed by the minister about the arrest. Hyderabad police chief Anurag Sharma identified the other suspected terrorist who was arrested as Asadullah Akhtar. He said they will be examined by the Andhra Pradesh police about their involvement in Feb 21 blasts at
Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad that claimed 18 lives and injured scores. Bihar Police officials said the operation to arrest Bhatkal was done in secrecy. In his mid-30s, Bhatkal, also known as Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Zarrar Siddhibappa, belongs to Bhatkal district in north Karnataka. Police said he was involved in 11 bomb attacks across India including in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune and Surat. Bhatkal co-founded IM in 2008 along with his brothers Riaz and Iqbal and four others. Bhatkal is also wanted for the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune Feb 13, 2010 that killed 17 people. The terror group was outlawed by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2011. Bhatkal along with others were also said to be behind three coordinated bomb blasts at Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar and Dadar West in Mumbai July 13, 2011 that killed 27 people/ In 2011, Delhi Police announced a reward of Rs.15 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Bhatkal. The terrorist, said to be responsible for IM activities across India, had married before the 2008 Delhi bomb attack.
Washington: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has said that he would be "happy to endorse" Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi if he left the BJP, an American media outlet has reported. Hazare, who left for India from New York after a nearly two-week US trip, made the remarks during an interaction with the IndianAmerican community, academicians and think-tanks at an event organized by the Hindu temple in Delaware on August 20, the Huffington Post reported. "Anna Hazare did not endorse Narendra Modi. He said he did not believe in political parties and since Modi was a member of BJP, a political party, he could not endorse him. "When pressed to endorse Modi as an individual, he responded by saying that if Modi left the BJP, he would be happy to endorse
him," Muqtedar Khan, Associate Professor at the University of Delaware and a Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, wrote in the Huffington Post. Anna was not available for comments when approached by the over phone through his US person of contact. Khan, who moderated the question and answer session at the Delaware event, wrote that for an ethical activist, it was a very political answer. "Anna was trying to get out of endorsing Modi without offending Modi's supporters. But I suspect he offended the Hindu secularists by not condemning Modi and disappointed Hindu nationalists by not clearly endorsing him," said Khan. According to Khan, Anna's activism and his stature have put corruption on the national agenda.
Srinagar: It's a bizarre case of a concert becoming controversial in a land known for poets, singers and musicians for ages. But, those opposing the September 7 concert here of the Bavarian State Orchestra conducted by the Indiaborn and world-renowned Zubin
Mehta believe they have valid reasons to do so. German ambassador to India Michael Steiner announced that the concert would be held in the famous Shalimar Garden on the banks of the Dal Lake. And, for a concert of this standing, Kashmir
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INDIA
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Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Jain leaders
New Delhi: The world today needs to adopt Bhagwan Mahavir principles of non-violence, peace and live and let live, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He was addressing a seminar organized on the occasion of Shri Vir Chand Raganv Ji's 150th birth anniversary celebrations. The seminar was organized by Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti in the presence of Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, founder, Mrs. Chandresh Kumari, Minister of Culture, and Jain leaders from India and abroad. Prime Minister released a book written by Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni and Shri Pankaj Hingan on Shri VRG Gandhi. In his address, the prime minister Shri VRG Gandhi has not only played important role in spreading the Jain philosophy but also promoted India in different parts of the world. He gave assurance of his support to give minority status to
Jain community and establish Chair for Jain Studies at Claremont Lincoln University, Claremont, Los Angeles, California, USA. Reading Congress President Sonia Gandhi's message, Minister Kumari said: I am happy to know that a seminar is being organized to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi. An outstanding figure of the nineteenth century, Virchand Raghavji Gandhi spread the message of Jainism and brotherhood. He captivated the Worlds Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893, interpreting Indian culture and religion in its true spirit and content." Acharya Muni said "the Indian culture of unity in diversity where others views and personality are respected, is the foundation for development in India. Shri VRG Gandhi promoted this principle which forms healthy, happy and prosperous society internationally."
Asaram Bapu is allegedly charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram in Jodhpur
which had served him notice at Indore. In the letter, he has sought extension of the date for questioning," the police officer said. Police, however, have decided to turn down the request, the official added. "The reprieve cannot be granted on the reasons cited by Asaram. He is facing serious charge of sexual assault on a minor girl," said the official. A notice was also served Monday at Asaram Bapu's ashram in Ahmedabad. Asaram Bapu has been booked under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Indian Penal Code. Rajasthan Police also initiated formalities to get a look-out circular issued against the spiritual guru so that he can't leave the country. A police official in Jodhpur said a letter has been sent to the immigration department in New Delhi to get the look-out circular issued against Asaram Bapu. "We have initiated the process to get a look-out notice issued against Asaram as a precautionary exercise, so that he could not leave the country," the police official said.
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INDIA
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The bill proposes subsidized foodgrain for up to 75 percent of the rural and up to 50 percent of the urban population.
said after the passage of the bill: "It is yet another step of the UPA government's pro-poor policies." In an earlier speech heard in silence in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi, 66, declared: "The food bill is meant for the less fortunate sections of our society. It is a historic step to eradicate hunger. "It is time to send out a big message that India can take the responsibility of ensuring food security for
all its citizens," she added, to loud thumping of desks by ruling coalition members. The bill is her pet welfare legislation, which many feel may prove to be a game-changer in the next Lok Sabha election. In part in Hindi, Gandhi explained the significance of the legislation. "Our foreseeable future must be to wipe out hunger and malnutrition from our country.
Country faced with difficult Missing Sidhu to be back within fortnight: wife economic situation: PM
Amritsar: Parliamentarian from Amritsar Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has been missing from his constituency for almost a year, will be back within a fortnight, his wife has claimed. A local NGO had put up posters across the city declaring him lost and announced a reward of Rs. 2 lakh for information on him. Stung, his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, chief parliamentary secretary and legislator from Amristar East, has promised that Sidhu will soon be back in his constituency. I have advised him to visit the constituency at least once a week, and tell people where things are stuck regarding his projects, she said on Wednesday. Asked when the once-a-week visits would begin, Navjot said it would happen by the next fortnight. At least the people should know why he was
Navjot Singh Sidhu
away. He should tell them what projects he took up with the Central and state governments, even if these were never started, she said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the "country is faced with difficult economic situation" and several domestic and international factors have contributed to it. "The country is faced with the difficult economic situation and there are several causes," Manmohan Singh said during question hour in the Rajya Sabha in response to repeated demands from the opposition for a statement on the subject. "I do not deny if there are some domestic factors but there are also international factors arising out of the changes in the US monetary stance," he said.
"There were also problems created by the tensions that are on the horizon in Syria and there have been several inevitable consequences of oil prices," he said. The Indian rupee had touched a new low of 68.80 against the dollar. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley demanded a statement from the prime minister, saying there is a panic situation and the house wanted to know what the prime minister had in mind to deal with this. "In a democracy, the buck stops with the prime minister," said Jaitley. Manmohan Singh said the country has to deal with all these uncertainties.
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeted the nation on Janmashtami festival, saying it was an occasion to remember Lord Krishna's teaching of performing one's duty without thought of reward. Vice President Hamid Ansari also extended his greetings. In his message, the president said Lord Krishna's teachings have been an inspiration to follow the path of virtue. "Let us, on this sacred day, recall the teachings of Lord Krishna which have for centuries been an inspiration to us to follow the path of virtue and righteousness in thought, word and deed," said Mukherjee. "On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend heartiest
greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens." He added, "May Lord Krishna's noble message of 'Nishkama karma' or duty without thought of reward, motivate all of us to work in unity
and with selfless dedication for peace, prosperity and progress in our country." In his message, the prime minister said Janmashtami celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
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LENS EYE
15
Devotees throng to pay obeisance to Lord Krishna at Sri Krishna Janmasthan temple on the occasion of Janmashtmi festival in Mathura on Aug 28.(right) Blind students create a human pyramid while celebrating Dahi Handi festival on the occasion of Janmashtmi in Mumbai on Aug 28.
Models display the Halloween dishes at a news conference in Hong Kong, Aug 27.
Writers Building, the 233-year-old British era edifice from where the colonial power once ruled India and which now houses the West Bengal secretariat, is set for restoration to make it safer and more modern. The secretariat would shift to Howrah across the Ganges from Oct 12 to enable the restoration exercise.
Nuns of Missionaries of Charity celebrated the 103rd birth anniversary of Mother Teresa in Kolkata on August 26.
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ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Om Puri goes 'Satyagraha' brings common missing, faces man's power on big screen arrest
Om Puri with her estranged wife Nandita
onam Kapoor, Dalip Tahil and singer Sona Mohapatra joined hands with other artists to stage a silent protest in the city in the wake of the recent gang-rape of a woman photojournalist. "I am really shocked and taken aback with the recent shameful incident that took place in Mumbai. A sheer act of cowardice," Sonam said. Dalip called it "a shameful, extremely disturbing event and very shocking". "We want justice and to punish them," he added. The 22-year-old photojournal-
ist was raped by five men in an abandoned textile mill complex in central Mumbai on Aug 22. All five accused have now been arrested. Other celebs who joined the march included Kannada actress Reshma D'Souza, Karanveer Bohra and his wife Teejay Sidhu, Kushaal Punjabi, Aparnaa Bajpai and legislator Baba Siddique. They started the protest march from the Joggers Park and went to Amphitheater, Carter Road carrying banners and placards expressing their anger against rising crime against women.
ctor Om Puri faces arrest as the Mumbai police has been "on the look-out" for him after his wife allegedly filed a complaint against him. Officers from the Versova Police Station in the western suburbs of the city said that the actor's second wife Nandita had accused him of domestic violence. According to the police, Nandita in her statement has alleged that Om Puri had beaten her with a stick and threatened her.
"We have registered the complaint and booked the actor for voluntarily causing hurt by a dangerous weapon or means," said Harishchandra Parmale, senior police inspector of Versova police station. Cracks in their marriage appeared after the launch of the biography, 'Unlikely Hero: The Story Of Om Puri,' penned by Nandita in 2009. The book had intimate revelations which included Om's affair with his maid.
e has a knack for making political thrillers and with his next film "Satyagraha", coming out this week, director Prakash Jha will focus on the common man and highlight his aggression, struggle and demand for justice. If the promos are anything to go by, there will be intense performances by the ensemble cast led by Amitabh Bachchan. Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Amrita Rao and Manoj Bajpayee also feature in the movie, which will be the solo Bollywood release this Friday,
The scenes might remind the audience of social activist Anna Hazare
giving the political thriller an edge at the box office. The scenes might remind the audience of the 2011 incident when social activist Anna Hazare went on a similar strike against the government. However, Jha has denied that Big B's character is modeled on Hazare. In an interview, he said: "The film is not based on Anna
Hazare and has nothing to do with the movement. The entire process of 'satyagraha' comes from Gandhiji. Mr. Bachchan plays the role of a 'satyagrahi' who believes in truth." Primarily shot in Bhopal, "Satyagraha" has been produced by UTV Motion Pictures and it has reportedly been made on a budget of Rs.50 crore.
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ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
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Over 1,100 Punjabis had signed a petition to stop his performance at 'Punjabi Virsa Day 2013'
n o i t i s o p p o e t i p s de s m r o f r e p h g n i Honey S
espite strong objections from the members of the Punjabi community in Ontario, Canada, rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh finally performed there to a crowd over 20,000 people. The members had opposed the show, calling Singh violent and obscene. Its now become a usual practice. Im mastering the art of fighting against all odds and coming out victorious by performing in front of thousands
of fans, says the 29-year-old rapper. Earlier, over 1,100 Punjabis had signed a petition to stop his performance at Punjabi Virsa Day 2013, that was finally held at Wonderland theme park in Vaughan, Ontario. We dont think a singer like him has any place in a peaceful country like Canada, Gurmukh Singh, co-founder of Guru Nanak Mission Canada, was quoted as saying.
hah Rukh Khan has his fingers crossed for Rohit Shetty's next offering "Singham 2" and hopes that it surpasses the box office success of "Chennai Express". "Singham 2", a sequel to one of the biggest hits of 2 0 1 1 , "Singham", will have Ajay Devgn reprising the role of Bajirao Singham. The first one had crossed Rs.100 crore mark. "I would pray that Inshallah his (Rohit Shetty) next 'Singham 2' does much more business than 'Chennai Express' because he deserves it," Shah Rukh said here in an interview. SRK teamed up with Shetty for the first time in romantic comedy "Chennai Express", which is still running superfast
at the box office. The Rs.75 crore film not only earned over Rs.100 crore within first weekend, but it also crossed Rs.200 crore mark in just two weeks.
Review
ctor-producer John Abraham is thrilled by the box office collection of his second production venture Madras Cafe. He thanked everyone for "putting faith in my vision for cinema to get progressive". The audience and even fellow filmmakers have described the film, which is about the civil war in Sri Lanka, as an "intelligent" attempt. If reports are to be believed, the movie was made on a budget less than Rs.10 crore. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, it earned over Rs.20 crore in its opening weekend.
players. But then this is India. Here, secrecy and stealth are the founding fathers of any political expose. But you can't escape the clutches of history's tyranny. Sircar's skillful interweavement of fact and fiction leaves little room for scepticism. We know as we watch with helpless astonishment, that the 'Prime Minister' will die, that the hero in this case
won't be able to save him. "Madras Cafe" is a dark deep and satisfying film about the politics of separatism. The film doesn't take sides. If it is against anything, it is the culture of violence that nations often feed into neighbouring countries for their own gains. This film opens up the hitherto unexplored genre of political drama in Bollywood.
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Actor Nargis Fakiri with designer Ritu Kumar at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013 in Mumbai
Actor Aditi Rao Hydari walks the ramp for Anita Dongre`s Global Desi collection
Several B'wood leading ladies dazzle the ramp at the Lakme Fashion week 2013 in Mumbai
Mumbai: The Lakme Fashion Week 2013, billed as India's biggest annual show on fashion, showcased some of India's best designers and their works in Mumbai. Several designers showcased their collections made with traditional textiles and handlooms during the event. Designers who contributed to the revival of Indian handlooms included Krishna Mehta, Rahul Mishra, Shravan Kumar and Soumitra Mondal, to name a few. The five-day extravaganza which was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here, ended on August 27. The show also witnessed several lead-
ing stars of Bollywood appearing for their favorite designers. The star attractions of the show included Karishma Kapoor, Sister Kareena, Juhi Chawla, Mahie Gill, Neha Dhupia, Adhuna Akhtar, Mugdha Godse, Aditi Rao Hydari and several others. Dressed in a gold gown with a neverending trail, elder sister Karisma did the showstopping act for Phadnis. Younger sister Kareena showed off her svelte figure in a figurehugging lime green dress that featured a thigh-high slit. Punjabi 'kudi' Juhi Chawla, who appeared for designer Shruti Sancheti, flaunted the Marathi 'Mulgi' look on August 26 at the show. Dressed in a bright sinduri pink floorlength anarkali with green hemline, green dupatta and traditional 'nath' (nose piece) as well as neck piece, Juhi brought the
Maharashtrian flavor on the ramp. "It was a pleasure walking the ramp. I really loved her work and the fall of all her attires," Juhi told reporters after the show. Describing Juhi's attire, Shruti said: "Her outfit is an amalgamation of various Maharashtrian styles. It's an anarkali with detailed embroidery work and typical Maharashtrian jewellery." Even the show began with a girl donning traditional Nauvari sari and performing on the song "Gananayakaya" from the film "Viruddh". Shruti's collection was very Indian that included saris, ghaghras and anarkalis, among others. The other act that captured the attention was the Amit Aggarwal showcase. The designer's structured dresses and bodycon silhouettes were an instant hit.
Actor Genelia D'souza and Ritesh Deshmukh at the Lakme Fashion Week
Mumbai: Ace designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee showcased an absolutely royal collection full of velvet and satin for his comeback show at the Lakme Fashion Week. He presented a line at the extravaganza after five years, and what a grand finale it was! The show, sponsored by Lakme Absolute Royal, was inspired by the royal era of queens, and it was indeed classy. The apparels were heavily embroidered with gold and copper threads, giving them a regal touch. The designer showcased unique saris with distinct designs on the pleats and pallu. There were also floor-lenth anarkalis, short kurtas with churidars, while the men's collection included heavy sherwanis with turbans. The colors used for the collection were also majestic - cream, red, black, cream and even peach. The clothes were royal indeed, but even the ramp and the stage were aptly decorated with grand chandeliers suspended from the cieling, and flowers adorning the entry of the ramp. The show also began on a different note, with a woman singing live. Thereafter, two to three models walked simultaneously to showcase attires of a similar kind together. Celebrities including actors Shraddha Kapoor and Milind Soman, as well as designer Rohit Bal attended the show, which turned to be a fitting end to the LFW Winter/ Festive 2013.
Piyanka Chopra walks the ramp as showstopper for Bisou Bisou show
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra gave a flying kiss as she walked the ramp for International designer Michelle Bohbot's brand, "Bisou Bisou." The actor revealed that she was asked to do so by the designer as this is a tradition which she follows. "This is a standard for all of Michelle's shows. She had told me that it is their signature statement to blow a flying kiss to the audience," Priyanka told the media post the show. The actress looked smart in a one shoulder black top, which was well fitted from the waist, and black pants. She had tied her hair and wore contemporary earrings to match her outfit. "I am very excited to be here. Bisou Bisou is my favourite brand. I am so excited that Bisou Bisou has associated with my film, Zanjeer. My character is very fashionable" she said. The line included a wide range of trendy clothes for women including skirts, shorts, halter neck tops, summer dresses, jumpsuits, gowns, pants, jackets among others. The colours used for the collection were fresh like blue, pink and black.
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OP-ED
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he way the TV channels tell it, only two men are in the race to become the next prime minister of India. The general election will be a gladiatorial battle between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi. Nobody else stands a chance. In recent weeks, however, this characterization has begun to seem more and more flawed. It is fair to conclude that Narendra Modi will be BJP's prime ministerial candidate. But it is by no means certain that Rahul Gandhi wants to be prime minister. And the evidence suggests that neither man may make it to Race Course Road. Nearly all of the polls published recently put the BJP ahead of the Congress, which has slumped to a spectacular low. The problem for the BJP is that most polls suggest that it is only 20 to 30 seats ahead. And even generous estimates usually conclude that it will win no more than 150-160 seats, over a hundred short of the halfway mark. If the polls are right, then this figure is not enough. A party led by Modi will find it difficult to garner the allies it needs. The BJP's best hope in such a situation is to look for a less controversial candidate. The party is not short of well-qualified alternatives Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and even Rajnath Singh. But will Modi allow any of these people, who are roughly from the same generation as him, to come to power? If Rajnath Singh becomes prime minister then it will be difficult to oust him from the leadership of the party even when a situation more favourable to Modi arises. In these circumstances, would Modi be
better off with an elderly figure who will be happy to build the coalition and spend a couple of years at Race Course Road before fading away? LK Advani supporters certainly think so. That is why many others in the BJP are also reluctant to write Advani off. He may not be the best option for the Modi camp. But he may well be the most convenient. In the Congress, the situation is even more complicated. If the party gets around 20 to 30 seats less than Modi's BJP it stands a chance of cobbling together a 'secular' coalition and forming a minority government. But who would be the Congress's prime ministerial candidate? When Rahul Gandhi first announced that his priority was not to be prime minister, his protestations were dismissed as insincere. But his behavior over the last month suggests that he might have meant it. Even as the battle for the mandate enters a decisive phase, Rahul continues to keep a low profile, sticking only to party work. He has made few significant speeches or public appearances. Could it be, Congressmen are now asking, that like his mother, he doesn't really want the job? And besides, even if a battered and shrunken Congress came to power at the head of a fractious coalition, would Rahul want to lead such a government? He has age on his side. So, isn't he better off waiting for a more substantial mandate? In that case, who will be the Congress's choice? One possibility is that Manmohan Singh could return for a third term. But the prime minister does not seem keen to hang on and the party might also want the revi-
Nearly all of the polls put the BJP ahead of the Congress. The problem for the BJP is that most polls suggest that it is only 20 to 30 seats ahead.
talising benefits of a new face. Several candidates would then be considered. P Chidambaram is Manmohan Singh's favourite. But despite Chidambaram's firstrate intellect and his record of competence, the party might opt for a non-technocratic prime minister after a decade of Manmohan Singh. AK Antony is one choice but his religion might work against him. Sushilkumar Shinde has the advantage of being a Dalit but his health has not been good. All this suggests that the Congress may end up selecting somebody from outside this Cabinet. Meira Kumar, who is both a woman and a Dalit and has done a good job as Speaker, will rank as a strong candidate. This time around, the Congress seems less willing to support a Third Front government. Sonia Gandhi's antipathy to such
arrangements is well known. In 1999, when AB Vajpayee lost a confidence vote, Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to accept a Congress prime minister and proposed Jyoti Basu instead. Sonia Gandhi rejected the idea, stating publicly "We are not interested in any Third Front or Fourth Front", and opted for a fresh election. The signs are that this remains her position. A Third Front government could also materialize if the BJP agreed to support it from the outside. It is not entirely inconceivable that Narendra Modi would back somebody like J Jayalalithaa as prime minister. But will the RSS go along with this? The only time the BJP has backed a Third Front-type government was in 1989 when it supported VP Singh. But that experiment ended acrimoniously and the scars and bitterness endure.
Trimming of stimulus by the US may lead to further outflow from India's equity and debt markets.
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the rupee is undervalued and has overshot its reasonable limit due to "unwarranted pessimism" in the markets.
Some analysts also see the recent volatility as a result of speculation. "It is more of hype and overdone," says Siddharth Shankar, advisor at brokerage firm
KASSA. "There was no such economic development in the past couple of months to justify this volatility." The US Federal Reserve recently indicated that it may resort to quantitative easing by trimming the $85-billion-amonth debt purchases later this year and eventually end it by next year if the economy performs in line with estimates and the job situation improves. These comments led to a broad rally in the dollar, while currencies of other emerging markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand hit multi-year lows. But the Indian rupee was the worst hit. It has depreciated more than 15 percent in three months. Foreign funds have also sold over $11.5 billion of Indian debt and equities since the Fed hinted at cutting the stimulus in late May. Trimming of stimulus by the US may lead to further outflow from India's equity and debt markets and put more pressure on the current account deficit - and ultimately the rupee. A foreign exchange reserve of $275 billion could prove little to stave it off..
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
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DIASPORA
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Beverly Singh
Bloodhound are the best in the world in their fields. I always wanted to do something like this," the Times Live quoted Singh as saying. Singh said she heard of the Bloodhound project at a talk by Andy Green, the pilot-driver of the car. Singh gained a national diploma in mechanical engineering in 2009 and a BTech degree in 2012 from South Africa. Trial of the car will start next year in the South African province of Northern Cape.
Prakash Lohia
On August 26, 2013, the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, Moscow, organized a dance presentation Odissi an art to unite by Omkara Dance Theatre, Moscow. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation was the Guest of Honor on the occasion. The evening began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Ambassador Malhotra and the three Odissi artistes, Ms. Irina Komissarova, Ms. Elena Knyezeva and Ms. Maria Laura Valdez.
for General John Burgoyne, who is blamed for helping Britain lose its US colonies after a disastrous military campaign during the American War of Independence. In the last century the property was used as offices, but by the time it was bought for Lohia in 2008 it had fallen into disrepair and was on English Heritage's register of properties at risk. Lohia and his wife have spent nearly five years turning back the clock and reviving its 18th-century opulence. Lohia is not the first Indian to restore one of London's architectural gems. The billionaire Hinduja brothers have spent 100 million pounds transforming four adjoining historic properties near Buckingham Palace into a family home a few years ago.
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SUBCONTINENT
21
This is Hamid Karzai's first visit since Nawaz Sharif's swearing in in June
president for lunch. Sharif also underlined Pakistan's commitment to fight extremism and terrorism, which remained a formidable challenge faced by both countries and the region. Karzai extended felicitations on behalf of the Afghan people to Sharif on his reelection for the third time. He underlined the importance Afghanistan attached
to its relations with Pakistan, continued cooperation to address common challenges including extremism and terrorism, and efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields. Karzai also underlined the importance of Pakistan's endeavors to support the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, said the statement.
said he was unsure how long the trial would take. Musharraf was not present in court as he was exempted from personal appearances because of security reasons. If convicted, he can be
sentenced to death or life imprisonment. Apart from Musharraf, seven more persons, including members of the Taliban and two senior police police officials, have been indicted.
Lama told Suu Kyi that just as her late father had shown great dedication, he was confident that she too would be of great service to humanity. The globetrotter monk visited Prague in December 2011 at the invitation of Havel and attended the forum, just a few days before Havel died. The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan administration in exile is based in this northern Indian hill town.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ruled out accepting the proposed Land Boundary agreement with Bangladesh in the present form under which 161 adversely held enclaves are to be exchanged between the two countries. In a hard-hitting Facebook post, Banerjee said it was difficult to "accept the present proposal of giving away land to Bangladesh without agreement from the state government" and consent of the locals living in the transferable areas. "It must be noted that our state of West Bengal will get only about
7,000 acres of land but will have to recede nearly 17,000 acres of land to Bangladesh. This cannot be accepted without taking into confidence and consent of the local people who live in the transferable areas," she said. "Though we maintain friendship and good relations with Bangladesh, but it should not be at the cost of the people of West Bengal," she wrote. Accusing the central government of leaking a letter regarding the proposed agreement to the media, the chief minister said she has discussed the issue several times with the ministers of external affairs during the last two years.
he UN's top rights official has begun a fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka after the government dropped public hostility towards her and promised access to former war zones. Navi Pillay, who has previously been accused by Colombo of overstepping her mandate, arrived in the capital for a weeklong mission that will include talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse and visits to the former war zones in the north and east. The government's U-turn came as Canada leads calls for a boycott of a Commonwealth
UN rights chief in Lanka to Malala gets 2013 International Children's Peace Prize probe war crimes T
summit scheduled to take place in the Sri Lankan capital later this year. Sri Lanka has resisted pressure from the UN and Western nations for a credible investigation into allegations that up to 40,000 civilians were killed in the final months of its separatist war, which ended in 2009. A no-holds-barred military offensive crushed Tamil Tiger rebels who at the height of their power controlled a third of Sri Lanka's territory. Rajapakse has since been dogged by claims of indiscriminate killing of ethnic Tamils. Amsterdam: Teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, shot in the head by a Taliban militant last October after campaigning for girls' right to education, has won the prestigious International Children's Peace Prize, KidsRights announced. The Pakistani 16-year-old will receive the award from 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights campaigner TawakkolKarman at a glittering ceremony in The Hague on September 6, the Amsterdam-based organization said. Malala "risked her life in the fight for access to education for girls all over the world", KidsRights said in a statement. "By awarding the 2013 International Children's Peace Prize ... KidsRights shines the spotlight on a brave and talented child who has demonstrated special dedication to children's rights," it added. The passionate advocate for girls' education was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while on a school bus near her home in Pakistan's Swat valley last year. She was given life-saving treatment in Britain where she now lives, but the attack galvanized her campaign for greater educational opportunities for girls. Malala's brave fight-back from her injuries, and her speech at the United Nations in July, have made her a
Teenage activist Malala Yousafzai with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
leading contender for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. But the response to her in Pakistan has been mixed, with many hailing her as a national heroine while others have criticised her for promoting a "Western" agenda. The International Children's Peace Prize, an initiative of the Dutch-based KidsRights Foundation, was launched in 2005 by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, when he chaired the Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome. It carries a cash value of 100,000 euros ($133,000) that is invested in projects relating to the winner's cause.
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INTERNATIONAL
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final steps that the administration is taking before Obama makes a decision on a US military strike against Syria, which now appears all but inevitable, it said. Meanwhile, more than three
dozen lawmakers - among them a handful of Democrats - demanded the Obama administration consult them, saying taking action without congressional approval is unconstitutional, according to CNN.
Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi that imposing a military solution to the Syria crisis would only destabilize the country and the Middle East, the foreign ministry said. "Lavrov said that a political and diplomatic settlement in Syria has no alternative, underlining that the attempts of a forcible solution will result only in further destabi-
lization of the situation in the country and the region," Xinhua quoted the ministry as saying. The two sides agreed that "at this critical moment", all parties, including foreign players, should "act with absolute responsibility and not repeat mistakes of the past". The situation over Syria deteriorated gravely due to moves and statements made by several countries recently, the ministry said.
Damascus/London: Syria challenged Western nations to provide evidence on the involvement of Syrian troops in chemical weapons use even as Britain's armed forces started working on contingency plans in case of military action in the Middle Eastern country. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid AlMoallem said at a press conference in Damascus that his government has interest in revealing the reality of the chemical attack that supposedly took place in Damascus's countryside, stressing that the Syrian government has lived up to its part of the deal with the UN but the rebels hindered the mission of the UN inspectors, Xinhua reported. The Syrian opposition claimed that some 1,300 people were killed in a chemical weapon attack carried out by the government army on militant strongholds in the suburbs of Damascus on Aug 21. The Syrian government strongly denied the accusation. "Syria has evidences about the alleged chemical incident in the countryside of Damascus and will present it in due time," Al-Moallem stressed at the press conference. Regarding a possible US military
attack on Syria, the Syrian top diplomat said that any possible military strike would not affect the government troops' advancement against the rebels. "Syria will defend itself with all available means if the US decides to attack the country," he stressed. Cameron will continue talks with international leaders to agree a "proportionate response" that will "deter" Bashar Assad's regime from using toxic agents on the Syrian population, 10 Downing Street said. Number 10 indicated that a decision could be taken before the results of a report by UN weapons inspectors into the attack, Sky News reported. Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague has already said the West could act on Syria even without full UN Security Council backing. The British parliament would vote Thursday on a government motion on how to respond to last Wednesday's suspected gas attack near Damascus, Cameron was quoted as saying. In another development, Iran Tuesday reiterated that no authorisation by the UN Security Council has been issued for military intervention in Syria.
Berlin: Germany's former President Christian Wulff, who resigned amid a scandal last year, will face court on charges of accepting a favor while in office, justice officials said. Wulff, 54, who was Germany's youngest president and served less than two years in the largely ceremonial job, will become the country's first former head of state to answer charges in court. He is accused of having allowed a film producer friend to pick up part of his Munich hotel bill during a 2008 Oktoberfest visit in return for lending support to a film project when he was Lower Saxony's state premier.
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BUSINESS
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The growing demand for the US currency from importers is one of the key reasons for the depreciation
said it will inject $1 billion in the market. Low Forex Reserves: India's foreign exchange (Forex) reserves are enough to cover imports of seven month only. The forex reserves have declined in the recent months. Due to low reserves, the RBI can't intervene aggressively in the currency markets. Economic Growth Slowdown: India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell to a decade low
of 5 percent in 2012-13. The situation is unlikely to improve much this year. Foreign investors are pulling money out of the Indian markets due to slow growth. Dependence on Foreign money: India's current account deficit was financed by foreign money for the last many years. Withdrawal of money by overseas investors is leading to the weakness in the rupee. Recovery in the US: The slow
The last time oil closed above $112 a barrel was on May 2, 2011
oil exporter, but traders worry that the violence could spread to more important oil exporting countries or disrupt major oil transport routes. "Syria's political-economic-military links to Iran, Hezbollah (Lebanon) and
Russia underline the threat of unintended chain-reaction resulting in wider regional instability. Threat of supply disruption is not insignificant," said Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho Bank Ltd in Singapore in a market commentary.
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SPORTS
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The archers (center) arrived to a tepid welcome after stunning London Olympics gold medalists South Korea
New Delhi: It is creditable for the Indian recurve trio of Bombayala Devi, Deepika Kumari and Rimil Buriuly to have shot their second straight Archery World Cup title with equipment they used at the London Olympics. What tilted the scales in their favour in Poland was the presence of Korean coach Lim Chae Woong. The archers arrived to a tepid welcome after stunning London Olympics gold medalists South Korea in the World Cup Stage 4 final in Wroclaw, Poland. They had defeated China in Stage 3 of the tournament in Medellin, Colombia last month. Bombayala, the senior-most member of the team, said that Lim made a big difference for them in standing up to a champion side like
Korea. It was a blessing to have him by our side during the tournament. It was very windy in the final and his tips made us shoot really well. Most of the top teams have Korean coaches as they are the best in the business, Bombayala said after landing in Aurangabad. He told us how to shoot adjusting to the wind direction, where to aim and things like that. The womens team's remarkable success in the last two months has raised expectations besides erasing the disappointment of the London Games. Bombayala, Deepika and Rimil have been getting support from Olympic Gold Quest, but they expect more from the Archery Association of India (AAI).
52nd, 59th) hit a hat-trick. Nikkin Thimmaiah (24th) and Mandeep Singh (47th) scored a goal apiece. The consolation goal for Bangladesh came from Mamunur Rahman Chayan in the 34th minute. India preferred to rest some of the players and it was a pleasant surprise to
see skipper Sardar Singh among the starters. Sardar has been used intermittently by high performance manager Roelant Oltmans since he was down with fever. With the win, India also increased their win-loss record against Bangladesh to 7-0.
Somdev Devvarman
to the circuit after a shoulder injury kept him out for more than a year, is ranked 114 as against the Slovak's 84. But Somdev had a better season with a 21-8 win-loss record whereas Lukas struggled to 12-18. Somdev was steadier of the two Wednesday as he served well, landing a greater percentage of his
first serve, and importantly he was in command of the net, winning 27 points in his 29 forays. When it came to hitting winners, Lukas was far ahead with 49 to Somdev's 30, but in going for ambitious shots the Slovak had committed double the number of unforced errors (73) than his opponent who logged in 36.
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New Delhi: Twenty five-year-old Vrinda Kapoor often travels by train to meet her parents in Mumbai. However, she is unable to eat the insipid train food and is forced to binge on chips and biscuits. But not anymore, thanks to food portals that deliver to her favorite chicken pizza at her seat, guaranteed hot and fresh. "Travelling is easier now as I can now eat whatever I like instead of the watery dal and bland subzis served by the pantry and are a sorry excuse for food," Kapoor, a student of Jawaharlal Nehru University here says. Continental, Chinese, Italian, Mughlai and even fast food, varied cuisines are on offer by portals like comesum.com, travelkhana.com and merafoodchoice.com. These portals, who have partnered with restaurants across the country, give their customers the freedom to order food from any famous eatery along the route. The meals can be booked online or through phone by submitting train details or the passenger name record (PNR) number. The customer can then choose any restaurant en route the destination and the meal is delivered at a pre-decided station. Payment can be made online as well as on delivery. While Comesum offers food prepared at its own outlets, travelkhana.com and merafoodchoice.com have partnered with restaurants and eateries. Travelkhana.com, which started operations in Aug 2012, has tied up with over 200 restaurants and caterers at over 80 stations and has delivered food to about 60,000 passengers. The Indian Railways ferries 23 million travelers and 2.65 million tonnes of goods daily on 12,000 passenger and 7,000 freight trains. The network is spread over 64,000 route km and has 7,083 stations. At present, only 302 trains have pantry cars. Meanwhile, Nashik based merafoodchoice.com, which started in Nov 2012 offers only vegetarian meals and specializes in thalis from different states.
LIFESTYLE
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"We are trying to promote the Indian food culture and offer thalis of various states," said founder Piyush Kasliwal adding that the portal is offering its services at 145 stations across the country and has so far catered to over 30,000 clients. "The vegetarian thali, is priced between Rs.100 and Rs.200 and the customers don't mind the pricing because they know that they are getting quality food," added So, the next time you travel on a train, remember that your favorite butter chicken or masala dosa or chicken manchurian is just a call or a click away.
Larson, a marketing professor at the university. Larson and co-author Darron Billeter discovered that anything that forces your mind to focus on balance affects your shopping choices as well, Science Daily reported. The results of the study show that influential cognitive processes are at play as people stumble through life, regardless of whether those stumblings are literal or metaphorical, the authors said.
London: Supermodel Naomi Campbell doesn't give her fitness session a miss - even when she is on board a luxury yacht! She was spotted practicing a yoga session with her actor friend Adrien Brody during a Mediterranean cruise. Both are guests on designer Roberto Cavalli's yacht. They were spotted having a yoga session with a yoga teacher. Campbell was up early morning and was seen practising yoga postures with her personal trainer and Brody, reports dailymail.co.uk. Dressed in a purple bikini and a matching wraparound skirt, the supermodel followed instructions carefully and displayed her flexibility. The 43-year-old even tried a head upside down posture.
New York: American fashion designer Marc Jacobs is not a big fan of online shopping and prefers to physically go and pick clothes. The 50-year-old says that he gains pleasure from the traditional form of shopping, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "The idea of actually enjoying shopping for clothes, to touch fabrics to try things on, to have a conversation with a sales person," fashion magazine Vogue quoted Jacobs as saying. "All of that to me, it feels like it's becoming archaic when I hear people saying, 'Oh I'd rather order it online, who wants to stand inline at a store?' 'Who wants to spend their Saturday going shopping?'," added Jacobs.
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HEALTH
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recent study published online in the American Journal of Public Health says obesity is the cause of nearly one in five American deaths. This study emphasizes the importance of preventing childhood obesity, as the risk of health consequences are greater the more years a person is in an obese state, comments Nutritionist and HungerShield co-founder Elizabeth DeRobertis, MS, RD, CDE, CDN. This research supports the fact that recent efforts to address childhood obesity are focusing in the right place, she adds. We see in our practice daily the negative health consequences of obesity, including diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and even some forms of cancer. We also see that weight loss can help to reverse or prevent many of these conditions. It is not surprising to us, as Registered Dietitians, that obesity is linked to higher mortality rates, given the health risks it creates. We also see that with the right education, much of this can be reversed, DeRobertis comments. Earlier risk of obesity comes partially from the food environment in which we live, which includes super sized portions, high calorie processed foods, and easy access to caloric drinks and high calorie meals and snacks. There are things that a family can do to help address or prevent obesity, as well as help their children to form habits for a lifetime of healthy weight management. We are in a society that craves quick fixes. The practice of living a healthy lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint and it involves the whole family and starts at a young age. Many folks don't have the tools to live healthier and then they are surrounded by temptation like inexpensive fast food or choose the wrong thing when they are over hungry. DeRobertis suggests some key strategies:
Strategic snacking - Going too long without eating puts most people at risk of overeating, or grabbing a less healthy quick-fix. A great tactic is to always carry a few healthy snacks with you, especially when you are on-thego. Snacks should be about 100 calories each, and provide some protein or fiber to feel full longer: eg, 0% Greek yogurt, fruit, or a high fiber granola bar. Plus, a HungerShield, an all-natural appetite control stick pack, is easy to carry on-the-go. You simply add to water the pre-portioned drink mix to curb your appetite in between meals. Stay hydrated Many people think they are hungry when they are actually thirsty. Making sure to drink enough water during the day is important. Often kids and adults will drink high calorie drinks, especially after playing sports, and they rarely need those extra calories. They certainly don't need them on a day they are not active. MPD - Calculate the maximum potential damage or MPD of the food packages you buy. This means calculate the calories of the whole package. If you feel you may be at risk of eating 800 calories in one sitting (which is the amount of calories in a large bag of Pita Chips), make sure to only buy packages that are 100 calories, especially when it comes to snack foods, like nuts or popcorn. Meanwhile, stay well stocked with healthy and convenient options . Keep them in plain sight. Skip. If there is a bowl of fruit or some crunchy veggies out, your family will be much more likely to grab that.
weight could fluctuate because of hydration level, water weight or muscle loss. *Water retention: Proper hydration is critical to fat loss and overall health. However, too little or too much water can cause problems. Intake will depend on weight and activity levels. Consume 1/2 ounce of water per pound of your body weight. Drink 16 ounces of water first thing in the morning. * Too much exercise: Excessive exercise creates stress and can be counterproductive when youre restricting calories, causing loss of muscle mass. Low-intensity activities like walking -- along with minimal strength training to retain muscle mass -- is all thats needed. *Too much of the wrong thing: Diet is the most efficient way to create a caloric restriction, maintain blood sugar levels, which are conducive to fat loss, and provide all the nutrients you need for optimal health. Wrong diet is usually the culprit. *Stress and lack of sleep: Chronic stress can have an adverse effect on hormonal balance, which can hinder fat loss and cause loss of essential lean body mass. Stress and lack of sleep disrupt many delicate physiological functions. Regularly practicing some method of relaxation and getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night will make a big difference in your fat loss efforts.
and maintenance of body. It gives structure and shape to all the cells, organs and connective tissues. Proteins also help your body fight infection. Malnutrition, weight loss, thinning of hair, muscle soreness, weakness and lethargy, are among other things that you will experience if there is less amount of protein present in your body. Fat: Ghee, butter, cream, cheese, nuts, seed, egg, fish, chicken, pork and beef are all rich in fat. 15 to 25 percent of calories requirement is the right quantity. It provides energy, helps in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K. It is important for the development of brain and central nervous system. There will be poor vitamin absorption and depression, if you don't have fat in your body. Overeating food items rich in fat will lead to obesity, stroke and many more. Vitamin A: Sweet potato with
peel, carrots, spinach, liver, fish are the sources of this vitamin. 700 to 900 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A per day strengthen immunity against infection and help in vision. Lack of it can cause night blindness and rough skin. Excess of it can affect the bone, which increases the risk of fracture. Vitamin D: 15 mcgs of vitamin D rich food items like egg yolks, liver help to form and maintain your teeth and bones. Rickets (long, soft bowed legs), flattening of the back of the skull, osteomalacia (muscle and bone weakness), and osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) are some of the major diseases that one can suffer from, if vitamin D is not taken. Too much of it leads to slowed mental and physical growth, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting. Vitamin E: This acts as an antioxidant and protects vitamins A and C, and red blood cells from destruction. So have 15 mcg of vegetable
oil like soybean, corn and cottonseed. Egg yolks also contain vitamin E. Vitamin K: All leafy vegetables are said to be good for health. Turnip greens, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli, soybean oil, canola oil and olive oil are all rich in vitamin K. The vitamin is required for proper blood clotting. Just have 120 mcg every day. Vitamin C: Citrus fruits like orange and lemon are known for being source of this vitamin. 75 to 90 mg per day is the right quantity required by your body. It heals wounds, helps in bone and tooth formation, increases absorption and utilization of iron, and acts as an antioxidant.
If you don't take vitamin C rich food, you can be a victim of scurvy, causing a loss of collagen, which results in loose teeth, bleeding and swollen gums, etc. Excess leads to formation of kidney stones and you may even suffer from diarrhoea. Iron: Have beans, lentils, beef, eggs to stay away from anemia, dizziness or fainting. Men should have 8mg per day. For women 18 mg per day is sufficient. Calcium: Milk, yoghurt, spinach are rich in calcium. 1000 mg per day of calcium is essential for bone growth and strength, blood clotting, muscle contraction, and the transmission of nerve signals. Absence of calcium can lead to thinning and weakening of bone.
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SELF HELP
27
Math understanding is key to Weathering hurricane season: Insure your home now success for girls in future
Homeowners insurance does not usually cover flood damage only flood insurance can ensure your financial protection against the devastating effects of flooding.
The ratio of boys to girls enrolled in STEM courses is a staggering six to one, putting girls at a severe disadvantage to excel in these fields in the future. STEM jobs require strong mathematical aptitude.
urricane season has arrived and it is time to take steps to financially insure your home against flooding. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an extremely active season with a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms, of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes. You dont have to live right on the coast to face significant loss from hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricanes can produce severe flooding on the coast and inland. Some of the most damaging and dangerous floods occur when the remnants of a hurricane or tropical storm system travel inland, producing above average rainfall hundreds of miles from the coast. Preparing before the storm is critical. Homeowners insurance does not usually cover flood damage only flood insurance can ensure your financial protection against the devastating effects of flooding. Also, there typically is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance goes into effect. If you wait for the storm to form, it will probably be too late. If we didnt have flood insurance, I would be homeless, says Bertie Midgett, whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Irene. If youre not sure if you need flood insurance, here are some things to consider: Maintaining flood insurance coverage can make for a faster, more cost-effective flood recovery compared to relying on federal disaster assistance which usually comes in the form of a loan that must be paid
n epidemic is sweeping the nation. Girls are at a disadvantage when it comes to success in math and science, and the future does not look bright if parents dont act now. In the next ten years, 80 percent of all jobs will require technical skills, according to Labor Department statistics. And jobs in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields are expected to grow twice as fast as all jobs. But currently, the ratio of boys to girls enrolled in STEM courses is a staggering six to one, putting girls at a severe disadvantage to excel in these fields in the future. STEM jobs require strong mathematical aptitude. So when it comes to your daughters math classes, these statistics should motivate you not to let her off the hook. From design to computer science, studying math now means enjoying a world of professional options later. How do you steer your daughters toward classes that can help them develop the skills and interests necessary to pursue these careers? Find math role models: Leverage your own professional network to educate your daughters about these fields. Do you have a friend who works in math, science or engineering? Ask her to talk to your kids about her job, what she studied in school, and how math applies to her everyday work and life. This discussion can be a great inspiration. Take a field trip: Show girls that math can be fun through weekend field trips. Visit a science museum or take a tour of an architecturally impressive building to learn how it was designed. Take
your daughter s interests into account to plan outings that will spark a deeper interest in real world mathematical applications. Gear up: Its not enough to sign up for higher level math courses. Be sure your young mathematicians are equipped to succeed in their classes. A high-quality graphing calculator is crucial. Look for models with a high-resolution color LCD and full textbook-style display that includes features and functions that enhance the understanding of lessons and bring math to life. For example, PRIZM, a graphing calculator from Casio, enables students to experiment by creating their own graphs over pictures, from a library of real-life scenes. The fx-9860GII Pink provides built-in spreadsheets, probability functions and many types of regressions, and works three times faster than previous models. Be musical: When youre listening to your favorite tunes, dont forget that music and mathematics go hand-in-hand. Understanding the fundamental principles of music may help your daughter strengthen her visuospatial reasoning and succeed in her math courses. In a study published by Nature, the science journal, students improved their mathematics test scores significantly after several months of musical training. Encourage her to join the school band or take piano lessons. In todays economy, having a solid mathematical foundation is becoming increasingly important. So dont let historical gender imbalances in these fields hold your daughters back. With a little encouragement, getting girls hooked on math can be easy as pi.
back with interest. For example, a $50,000 loan at four percent interest requires a monthly payment of about $240 a month ($2,880 a year) for 30 years. The average flood insurance premium of $640 per year covers up to $250,000 in building coverage and $100,000 in contents coverage. Just a couple inches of water can cause tens of thousands of dollars of damage. Learn how much a flood in your home could cost you by using the interactive Cost of Flooding Tool on FloodSmart.gov/dontwait. You can also listen to home and business owners share their personal stories and why theyre glad they had flood insurance or why they wish they had purchased a policy. Anyone can be financially vulnerable to floods. In fact, those outside of Special Flood Hazard high-risk areas file more than 20 percent of National Flood Insurance Programs (NFIP) claims and receive onethird of disaster assistance for flooding. And just because youve never experienced a flood before does not mean you wont experience one in the future. Factors such as new land development can increase your flood risk, especially if the construction changes natural drainage patterns. Flood insurance is sold by insurance agents and backed by the federal government. Rates are set and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent. Visit FloodSmart.gov/dontwait or call 888-226-9499 to locate an agent serving your area.
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HUMOR
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have looked like a hideous, repulsively wrinkled member of the Rolling Stones, or, to put it another way, a member of the Rolling Stones. I can imagine the phone conversation she had with her brother. "Hi, this is Ganga. How are things at home?" "Fine, except for the fact that you're dead. Wait." Another link led to a report about a young man who disappeared. His parents got the police to round up his six best friends, charge them with murder and put them on death row. Then the boy returned from a jaunt. Let this be a lesson to all males. CALL HOME. Had he returned later, it could have turned out badly. Mother: "You should have phoned. We had all those people killed." Boy: "Sorry, Amma, next time." How do cops identify bodies? Police: "We found a corpse. It has two arms, two legs and one head." Parent: "So did my daughter!" (Collapses) Parallel news stories often pop up. Earlier this week, one reader emailed me a report about guys making guns using 3D printers in the US. The next email was
about scientists in China using 3D printers to make live human organs. I see a horizontally integrated business opportunity. People can blow bits off each other using the US invention and then grow new body parts using the Chinese one. But I'm not looking forward to standing in the doorway of the copying room hollering to colleagues: "Okay, who left 25 copies of their internal organs in the photocopier?" By lunchtime, a reader had sent in another "dead person alive" story, this time from China. A street vendor in Zhejiang province was said to have died of harassment by officials. A huge protest was organized around his corpse. Three hours of angry shouting followed. And then the "dead man" threw off the sheet covering him and said: "It's so hot. I need a drink." His workmates glared crossly at him for spoiling the scam. They should have smiled and said: "Hallelujah, he's risen from the dead!" Then it really would have seemed like an earthshaking Holy event, such as the coming of the Last Days or even the launch of a new iPhone.
by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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ASTROLOGY
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Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874 Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899 psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
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SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
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soul is sent to a life in the human body for a certain period of time. During that time the soul is confined in the human form like a prison cell. When the soul inhabits a body, the soul is still a part of God and is still one with God. The soul, however, is now overpowered by some very powerful forces, such as the mind, the body, and the outer world, which cause the soul, over time, to forget itself. The soul slowly begins to identify itself with the body and mind and world outside. It suddenly begins to think that it can only receive information from the outer world through the senses. Thus, the soul has become attuned to only one channelthe channel of the world. If we think about our life as watching a television program, we have multiple choices as to what to watch. Just as there are a dozen network stations and then dozens if not hundreds of cable stations from which to choose, so, too, there are many activities in this world that we can engage in. Now, let us take a look at the other choices available to us. This physical planet is not a separate offshoot from all of creation and God. Most religions believe that there are higher regions of existence to which the soul goes after it dies. Scientists and doctors have tried to verify this by documenting accounts of people who were declared clinically dead but had near-death experiences and described something beyond this world. The question is, where are these realms? They are not zones in outer space delineated by borders. All these realms exist concurrently with this one. The reason we are not aware of them is because they operate on a different frequency or vibration. The saints and mystics tell us that we have the choice to either stay tuned to this physical world, or to tune into the channels of God. God wants us to watch Gods programming. God is available twenty-four hours of the day, three hundred sixty-five days a year. Gods programming does not turn off at three a.m. like some networks do. It is a free station broadcasting all the time without any cable fees. We only need to know
how to tune into Gods station. The hook-up to God is not hard. It is just a matter of making the choice that this is what we want to do. The steps to do this are simple. Step one is to stop identifying with the body, mind, and world outside, and identify with the soul. Step two requires that when we identify with our soul that we shift our attention to the frequency of the higher realms and ultimately to God. That is all we must do. God did not make it hard for us to become aware of our true Home. It is we who have made it complicated. So how do we accomplish step one and step two? To accomplish step one, we must withdraw our attention from our body, mind, and
state of consciousness to the other. The other state of consciousness does not exist in time or space. They are operating concurrently. We are simultaneously in the other realms and in God at the same time but we are not aware of it because our attention is only focused on one regionthe physical. So, for step one, the Masters who have learned to be attuned to the realm of God, teach us that we can withdraw our attention from the world, the body, and the mind by sitting in meditation. If we meditate accurately we will experience ourselves as soul. Once we identify with the soul, then we will also be aware of the inner Light and Sound that is the radiance and
vibratory sound of God within us. If we absorb ourselves in the Light and Sound within, we can then attain step two. We can shift our attention into the Light and Sound, which attracts our soul to higher levels of vibration. The Light and Sound function at different vibratory rates in the different regions. As we shift our attention we find ourselves conscious of being in the different regions. Ultimately, the Light and Sound function at their highest vibratory rate, which is the power of God itself. When we shift our attention to that, we have come to the state of consciousness where we are at one with God and merge with God. It is simply a matter of choosing
where we want to put our attention. That is the true meaning of the anecdote about Bulleh Shah and Inayat Shah. When Bulleh Shah asked his Master, Inayat Shah (who was a gardener by profession), How can I find God? Inayat Shah pulled up a plant and replanted it in another place. When Bulleh Shah questioned what that demonstration meant, Inayat Shah said, To find God it is merely uprooting your attention from one place and planting it in another place. That is the simplicity of spirituality. God did not make things complicated. It is simple. It is only we who have to choose to transplant the flower of our attention from the world into Gods garden.
If we meditate accurately we will experience ourselves as soul. Once we identify with the soul, then we will also be aware of the inner Light and Sound that is the radiance and vibratory sound of God within us.
the world outside. We must decide to turn off the outer programming. When that programming is in the off mode, then in the silence we will experience ourselves as soul. That is the step that we call selfknowledge. Once we identify with the soul, we will be able to pick up frequencies that the soul is capable of receiving. We can do a gradual shift in which we go from the consciousness of one region to consciousness of the spiritual realms. Once someone asked the great saint, Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj, how long it took to get from here (the physical region) to Sach Khand (the highest spiritual region). Hazur closed his eyes, and then opened them. He told them, I have just been there and back. He was showing that the shift of attention from the physical realm to Sach Khand could be done in the twinkling of an eye. Why? Because we are not going anywhere physically. We are merely shifting our attention from one
pizza, or pasta. Today, one finds many vegetarian, vegan, organic, and raw food options served at restaurants in the city, and there are many that feature only such foods. Awareness of the benefits of a vegetarian diet for the health and wellness of the body, mind, and soul is greater than ever. Medical researchers and doctors are promoting the value of the vegetarian and vegan diets for physical health. They cite the reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, cancers, and other ailments when living on a plant-based or vegetarian diet. The list of famous vegetarians continues to grow, and this helps bring plant-based diets into the limelight. These people become inspirational to others in their circles, and more people realize we
can live without meat, fish, fowl, and eggs and remain healthy. Throughout history, there have been vegetarians from all walks of life, from founders of various religions, to philosophers, humanitarians, authors, civic leaders, musicians, artists, athletes, and others. From a spiritual perspective, the vegetarian diet has many benefits. First, it is consistent with leading a life of nonviolence. Further, a vegetarian diet contributes to the inner peace needed for meditation. Vegetarian and vegan foods are calming, so when we meditate we tend to be in a greater state of mental quietude. This helps us focus within ourselves. The peace we find in meditation emanates to others whom we meet, contributing to a peaceful, loving world.
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