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New York Edition

NY Jain group completes yearlong Varsitap fasting

New York: In a first on American soil, 35 Jain Tapasvis performed the rigorous 13-month Varsitap, in which meals adhering to prescribed rules are allowed on alternate days and fasting on the rest. The entire event was initiated, organized and sponsored by one family Kishore and Ranjann Mehta - at their home. On May 2, Varsitap Parna (breaking the fast) celebrations for these Tapasvis is being hosted at Gujarati Samaj Hall in Fresh Meadows, Queens, to be attended by hundreds of people. See details on pages 15-18.

Modi's security beefed up after Chennai blasts

Modi behaving as if he is already the PM: Sonia Gandhi

The 35 Varsitap Tapasvis were introduced at Bhakti Bhavna event at the Jain Center of America in Elmhurst, Queens, on May 1.

Celebrating our 6th Anniversary

Dear Friends, n April 2008, The South Asian Times was founded with a simple aim, To provide a family oriented, clean weekly newspaper with excellence in journalism, and value based content, display and advertising. Bringing the Global India at your doorstep and on desk top as well as playing a major role as a bridge between Indian-American community and mainstream communities were our other objectives. Today, with this edition in your hand, we are successfully entering our 7th year of serving the community. Within a short span of time, we have become one of the leading national newspapers of Indian diaspora in the USA. We have established ourselves as a trendsetter in the Indo-US media fraternity. We feel pride and great sense of satisfaction that we have successfully maintained Continued on page 4

TIME honors social entrepreneur Muruganantham

By Parveen Chopra New York: Arunachalam Muruganantham was honored at the TIMEs 100 most influential people in the world gala held at the Lincoln Center on April 29. This social entrepreneur from Coimbatore has devised a simple machine to produce affordable sanitary pads for poor A. Muruganantham, from Coimbatore, women. In its citation, the magazine noted, Instead was chosen among of selling his idea to the TIME magazines 100 Most Influential highest bidder, People in the Muruganantham supplies World of 2014. his low-cost machines to rural communities. Now millions of poor Indian women can avoid painful urinary-tract infections and Continued on page 4 create their own
BJPs PM candidate Narendra Modi surrounded by his security detail

Hyderabad: Security was stepped up for BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi ahead of his rallies in Seemandhra Thursday in the wake of twin bomb blasts in a train in Chennai the same morning. "Modi is on the hit list of terrorists... and in view of the blasts in Chennai, additional security was provided to him - on the request of his security detail -- during his visit to Andhra Pradesh today. Security was also tightened in the areas where he addressed rallies (in Seemandhra). Certain areas were cordoned off," a senior police official said. The BJP leader addressed

five election rallies - at Madanapalle (Chitoor district), Nellore, Guntur, Bhimavaram (West Godavari district) and Visakhapatnam. He left for Gandhinagar late in the evening. Meanwhile , Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday fired a fresh salvo against Modi. Campaigning in Faizabad, UP, she said, Modis tone shows as if the election results are in and he has become the Prime Minister. He has forgotten that it is the people who will decide the fate and not him," she said adding that Modi was hungry for power.

Book Extract 25

Bollywood 26

Astrology 29

Spiritual Awareness 30

excellence in journalism

May 3-9, 2014

INDIAN ELECTIONS

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Election scene approaching a climax

Latest and hottest pictures from the greatest show on earth.

Women queue up to cast their votes at a polling booth during the sixth phase of 2014 Lok Sabha elections at a village in Dausa district of Rajasthan on April 24. Gujarat Chief Minister and prime ministerial candidate of the BJP displaying his partys lotus symbol after casting his vote at a media interaction near a polling booth in Gandhinagar on April 30. FIR was filed against him for violating the poll code, so speculation arose whether he did it purposely or by mistake.

Actor Manish Kumar Jhangra - look alike of Narendra Modi with actress Mandira Bedi during promotions of new TV soap Gangs of Haseepur in New Delhi on April 23.

Minorities have reason to fear Narendra Modi, Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen (top) has said; while Columbia Professor Jagdish Bhagwati (above) argues that Gujarat CM has vision of where he will take us, and offers to be an adviser to Modi.

YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy addressing a massive rally in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh on April 30.

Security personnel deployed on the streets of Srinagar as separatist groups call for a strike during the seventh phase of 2014 Lok Sabha polls on April 30.

National Conference president and Union minister Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrive at a polling booth to cast their votes in Srinagar on April 30, 2014.

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May 3-9, 2014

Satire show targets US media for ignoring Indian election

By Arun Kumar Washington: A video of British comic John Oliver taking a swipe at the American media for ignoring India's election, "the largest democratic exercise in the world and in history," has gone viral. The premiere of Oliver's new HBO news satire show, "Last Week Tonight" Sunday featured a ten minute segment starting with a clip of debates on American news channels about the Indian elections. Here a guest is seen saying: "India is not even in the same hemisphere and there's no point of discussing it." Mocking the unidentified channel with a cut globe showing only its western half, Oliver, who was earlier a guest host on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" points out that: "The India election is not even that complicated." "Just like an American election, all it really comes down to is two people," he says describing it as essentially a contest between Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. "Let's begin by dealing with Gandhi first. I know, I know, it's not the first time that's been said in a British accent," Oliver says as he calls Gandhi 'Indian Hans Solo' with his handsome looks and political lineage who is likely to lose to a "tea-seller". "Modi sold tea in a railway station, and now he's the most popular man in the country.. don't pretend you're not interested in this, America. Last time you heard a rags-to-riches story about a tea-selling Indian kid, you threw a [expletive] Oscar at it," he said, as the poster for "Slumdog Millionaire" appeared. He also mocks the Indian media for taking too many cues from the West. CNN in India is targeted for titling an election story

Rep. Grimm from Staten Island indicted for fraud, tax evasion
New York: A 20-count indictment unsealed Monday charged Rep. Michael Grimm (RNY),with an alleged tax evasion scheme involving the concealment of more than $1 million in receipts from his New York restaurant where he employed an undisclosed number of undocumented immigrants. Grimm surrendered to federal authorities and pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, obstruction, mail fraud and perjury related to the alleged scheme involving his restaurant Healthalicious. But he said he would not resign his seat in Congress. "In total, Grimm concealed over $1 million in Healthalicious gross receipts alone, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars of employees' wages, fraudulently depriving the federal and New York state governments of sales, income and payroll taxes,'' court documents state. From 2007 to 2010, according to the court documents, Grimm also "intentionally'' hired undocumented immigrants and engaged "in a pattern and practice of such

"Just like an American election, all it really comes down to is two people, the satirist John Liver said tongue-in-cheek on the new HBO show.

Congressman Michael Grimm (R-NY)

"One Billion Votes" when India actually has only 800 million plus voters, saying: "Their own graphic is wrong by the entire population of Brazil." Turning to Times Now's Newshour debate, he suggests it has come close to American media and exclaims in mock horror. "Do you have a ludicrous number of people shouting at each other in a TV debate? Check." Commenting on the segment, the New York Times said it "seemed to speak for the legions of Indian journalists who actually are covering the story, as well as the political junkies here who are avidly tracking every development." The Washington Post called it "a smart, protracted segment on the western media market's stubborn disinterest in the current Lok Sabha polling in India - the biggest election in history, by sheer numbers".

hiring and continued employment.''Grimm, a former FBI agent, was released on $400,000 bond, and outside of court called the case a 'political witch hunt.' Grimm made national headlines in January when he threatened a TV reporter on camera who attempted to ask him about the long-running federal investigation. Grimm later apologized to NY1 reporter Michael Scotto. Grimm represents a swing district based on Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

US court dismisses 1984 riots case against Congress

New York: A US court has 'touched and concerned' the US to establish jurisdiction under the dismissed a lawsuit against India's Congress party relating ATS and dismissal is appropriate under 12(b)(1)," Sweet ruled. to the November 1984 antiCommented Ravi Batra, attorSikh violence, saying it did not sufficiently "touch and conney for the Indian National Congress, We are thrilled that the cern" the US court to exercise jurisdiction. rule of law reigns supreme and Judge Sweet has put SFJ out of However, even as he disbusiness of filing meritless lawmissed the case filed by the suits that only seek publicity and US based rights group Sikhs Ravi Batra, who have no chance of getting meritfor Justice (SFJ), Judge Robert represented the Congress party W. Sweet of US District Court based justice. here ruled April 24 that corpo- in the case, is thrilled Undeterred, the SFJ said it will rate entities like the Congress that the Judge has challenge the dismissal of the case party of India can be sued put SFJ out of busi- against the Congress party before under Alien Torts Statute ness of filing merit- the US Court of Appeals within 30 less lawsuits that (ATS). days as required under the rules. On the other hand, "plaintiffs' only seek publicity. SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant combined facts, even if credited, are insuffi- Singh Pannun said the SFJ will argue that cient to establish that the conduct sufficiently since India's Congress party commands, controls and directs the New York based Indian National Overseas Congress, the requirement of "touch and concern" is met. Pending cases remain against Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Regarding the case against Mrs. Gandhi, in which a judgment could be expected in a few weeks, Batra said that the defense argument was even stronger because we have included an anti-suit injunction, to stop them from filing further cases. Batra pointed out that in his decision to close the case against Congress aprty, Judge Sweet acknowledged in a footnote that contrary to SFJ's false assertions India has acted to address the hurt caused by the 1984 events. The case against Manmohan. Singh has not been served yet, and hence the timeframe for resolution is likely to be longer, according to Batra.

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May 3-9, 2014

TURN PAGE

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TIME honors social entrepreneur... Continued from page 1 pad-manufacturing businesses. The invention has sparked interest around the w o r l d . Muruganantham was inspired to devise the machine around year 1998 by his wife Shanthis hoarding dirty During his New York stay A. rags for use dur- Muruganantham was met with by Kanchana Poola of New ing menstruation. York Tamil Sangam. Speaking to The South Asian Times while in New York, Muruganantham, 50, said that he is a school dropout and used to work as a welder. Raised by a single mother, he is now harnessing his invention to empower women. He is spreading awareness particularly among students to become solution providers. We dont need more businessmen, we need social entrepreneurs, he says emphatically. Among the many honors he has received is the Best Innovation Award from The President of India in 2009. From India three other people were on the TIME 100 unranked list: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and writer-activist Arundhati Roy. More details about the work of Murugananthams Jayashree Industires at the website new inventions.in. Celebrating our 6th Anniversary... Continued from page 1 high standards of an ideal publication. We refrain from sensationalizing news, nudity, promotion of casinos, nightclubs, tobacco and alcohol, psychic readers, fortune makers, black-magic removers and other kinds of fraudulent/misleading advertising. We allow only up to 35% space for ads so more space is devoted to useful and informative reading material. Our website is updated round the clock with latest news and lifestyle stories. We sincerely thank our patrons, advertisers and readers for their continuous support and cooperation. You are encouraged to communicate with us for all complaints and compliments. Without you, we wont be the most read and admired newspaper in East Coast USA. Thank you for all your love & support, With warm greetings, Team@The South Asian Times Editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Two Indian doctors launch Southern Calif. Medical School

California: Two Indian American physicians are combining forces to launch a medical school in San Bernardino County, Calif, reports India West. The California University of Science and Medicine Cal Med would admit the first 50 students in 2016, medical school founder, president and CEO Dr. Dev Gnana Dev said in a press release. This is an exciting and much-needed opportunity for medical students in the Inland Empire and California, said the Indian American physician, the former medical director of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, Calif. The medical center is being funded by a $40 million grant from the nonprofit Prime Healthcare Foundation, a family foundation led by cardiologist Dr. Prem Reddy, founder, CEO and chairman of Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare Services. Prime Healthcare owns 25 acute care hospitals in San Bernardino, San Diego, has more than 30,000 employees and 4,657 patient beds. The foundation also operates six nonprofit hospitals in Southern California and Texas. Cal Med has made an offer on a 21.5acre lot in Colton to house the school, the Riverside, Calif.-based PressEnterprise reported. The site is owned by Coltons former redevelopment agency and is about a half-mile from Arrowhead Regional, where students would serve their clinical rotations, GnanaDev said. He added, Because of many factors, including the extremely limited medical school spots in our state and severe shortage of doctors, we believe this project will have a significant positive impact on the economy, education and health for many decades. Reddy will chair Cal Meds four-member board. Other board members are GnanaDev, Cal State San Bernardino former president Albert Karnig and California Medical Association CEO Dustin Corcoran.

Dr. Dev GnanaDev will head the planned medical school, The California University of Science and Medicine. Los Angeles, Orange County and Shasta counties in California, and in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Kansas, Rhode Island and Texas. The hospital network

Prank goes very, very wrong for NJ High Schoolers

New Jersey: What probably started out as a good old senior-class prank went sideways on Thursday when more than 60 students from Teaneck High School in New Jersey were arrested for breaking into the school and engaging in acts that ranged from gross (peeing in the hallways), annoying (flipping over desks), and uninspired (Vaseline on doorknobs). The pranksters set off the burglar alarm, which brought 17 surrounding police departments to the school to round everyone up. Twentyfour students were charged with burglary and criminal mischief. The remaining 38 juveniles were released to deal with the wrath of their parents. The school district is also contemplating disciplinary action against them.

The entire Varsitap event for 35 Jain Tapasvis in New York was initiated, organized and sponsored by Kishore and Ranjan Mehta at their home. Here the couple is seen with their family.

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First ever Indian musical reality Indo-US ties important for India's development: S Jaishankar show produced in the US
Contestants on Sur Taal aur Sanskar show will be nurtured by Shankar Mahadevan Academy
By Jinal Shah New York: On Monday New York based Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) announced a new reality show, a voice hunt contest along with Shankar Mahadevan Academy to encourage and support talents in the field of Indian music. The announcement comes close on the heels of the recently concluded International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Tampa Bay, Florida that showed Bollywoods growing imprints in US. The show titled Sur Taal aur Sanskar will be a 13 episode program televised on TV Asia. Participants will be picked from across Northern America by Shankars Academy to make it to the finals. They will be selected from each genre- Hindustani Classical and Hindi movie songs. Our (Shankar Mahadevan academy) association with BVB is twofold- first combining technology (virtual classes) with traditional way of teaching and second launching an Indian music based reality show in a 13 episode program with BVB and TV Asia, said Mahadevan at the press conference held at the Indian Consulate. I am excited to be part of Sur Taal and Sanskar. My academy will be involved in filtering out talent and mentoring and I will be here for the finale and if there is a spark in any of the contestants, we will absorb him or her in my coming films, said Mahadevan adding, I always had a passion to educate people our rich Indian music so as an experiment we started first virtual Shankar Mahadevan music acadeWashington, DC: Calling the India-US re- this book represents much of today's interlationship "an important factor in the future nal Indian conversation," Jaishankar said. development of India" Ambassador S JaisNoting that "the overarching theme of the hankar says the relationship is awaiting "its volume is of India's passage into moderninext quantum leap patiently. ty" the ambassador said: "Today, it is just as The Indian envoy was speaking on Tues- important to realize our shortcomings, as it day at the launch of the book "Reimagining is to wake up to how the world perceives India: Unlocking the Potential of Asia's us." "At the end of the day, we will be Next Super Power" by McKinsey & Com- judged by how we pass the twin tests of ampany at the Brookings Institution, a Wash- bition and performance," he said."Finally, if ington think tank. we are re-imagining India, perhaps we Jaishankar described the collection of 62 should also re-imagine the India-US relaessays by "leading thinkers from around the tionship," the ambassador said. world to explore the challenges and oppor"It is an important factor in the future detunities" faced by India as "a full specvelopment of India. And it trum effort, spanning a wide variety awaits its next quantum of issues and challenges." leap patiently." "The issues of this book are the "Since all successes very debates of India's 16th Genneed a sequel, in Hollyeral Elections that are still unwood as much as in folding," he said. Bollywood, McKinsey "And if you look at what our pomight wish to give this litical parties are doing, they are a thought," suggested actually asking the voters to reimagJaishankar. ine India, locally, regionally or nationally." "So whether it is the distribution of power or the nature of growth, vision or implementation, the material or intangible, Ambassador S Jaishankar
Event Promotion

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Shankar Mahadevan Academy have collaborated for the program

my. Started as a pilot project for free with just 15 students three years ago the academy has teaches students across 47 countries. We are expanding into 35 weeks courses. Mahadevan, who won IIFA award (along with Ehsaan and Loy) for best background score in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, is hopeful that the popularity of Indian films and songs especially Bollywood songs will make younger generation more. Also present at the conference was the consul general of India, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, H R Shah, chairman, BVB, Dr Navin Mehta, president trustee committee BVB. Online registration begins May 5.

Are You a Spiritual Person?

Then the International Guru Poornima is a 'Must-Attend' event for YOU.
The International Guru Poornima in New Jersey is such an important event that it is drawing over 400 attendees from India and overseas. The International Guru Poornima will be celebrated in the divine presence of Brahmrishi Sri Guruvanand Ji Swami Gurudev who has reached the pinnacle of spirituality by invoking all Chakras of his Kundalini. Invoking Kundalini unleashes immense divine energy. Gurudevs divine energy is at its peak on Guru Poornima and Gurudev gives his personal blessings to everyone present. His blessing will uplift your soul and bring long-lasting peace for you and your family.

American flag flown over Capitol in honor of BJP President Rajnath Singh
Washington, DC: On a day when the BJP President Rajnath Singh was contesting his election from the city of Lucknow for the parliament of India, the American flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor. We are thankful to have the cooperation of friends of India in the U.S. Congress who today honored Mr. Rajnath Singh by flying the American flag on U.S. Capitol. This important symbol recognizes the leadership of Mr. Singh in building the BJP party from strength to strength, the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) said in a statement. Ranking Member Eni Faleomavaega of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, which has broad jurisdiction for U.S. foreign policy affecting the region, including India, had requested that a flag be flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Rajnath Singh. The flag was flown on April 30. The certificate accompanying the flag reads as follows: This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United States Capitol on April 30, 2014. At the request of the Honorable Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, Member of Congress, this flag was flown for Shri Rajnath Singh, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), born in a farmer's family, educated in a village, a brilliant student who completed his MSc Physics, entered politics in 1974, and together with Shri Narendra Modi and the love and affection of the people of Lucknow is taking forward the historic work of transforming India. I especially commend BJP Party President Rajnath Singh for encouraging people to vote in large numbers for a strong government, Faleomavaega said. Indias elections now underway are the most historic the world has seen, and Shri Rajnath Singh is to be commended for the important role he has played in calling for good governance, development and security. As the people of Lucknow choose their candidate of choice, I applaud the work of Shri Narendra Modi and Shri Rajnath Singh. Together, they are building the nations peace and prosperity and, by extension, the promise of deeper U.S.-India ties, Faleomavaega concluded.

Prasad (dinner) will be served following the event. Registration is required to receive your complimentary admission pass. Over 60% registrations already received, so register today to avoid The South Asian Times disappointment.
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DATE AND TIME:

JULY 12, 2014 FROM 3 PM-8 PM

VENUE:

New Jersey Performing Arts Center 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07172

To register visit:
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May 3-9, 2014

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IN BRIEF

New diabetes, obesity drug: Indian-American's promising research

wo researchers at Indiana University, including an Indian-American, are leading the way towards developing a new potential non-insulin drug for diabetes and obesity, which needs to be taken only once a week. Dr. Arnab De, who has a PhD from Columbia University, and Prof. Richard DiMarchi of Indiana University have worked on developing a pro-drug or an inactive substance that is converted to a drug within the body, to stabilize a sugar reducing peptide hormone called GLP1. Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation (IURTC) have applied for international patents for these pro-drugs and they are currently being licensed to leading biotech/phar-

The winners

The enthusiastic runners

Vaisakhi 5K Run 2014 draws 500 participants

n April 27after weeks of anticipation and virally growing interesta first-of-its-kind race took place at the beautiful Forest Park in Richmond Hill, NY. Crowds arrived from across the tri-state area for a day of competition, community, faith, and fun. The Vaisakhi 5K Run drew more than 500 participants of all backgrounds and levels of fitness. Runners aged 14 through 76 ran their own victory laps from a track aptly called Victory Field. Out-

fitted with the official golden-colored race tshirt, runners lit up the park with their enthusiasm and positive mood. Prabhnoor Singh Bandesha (BIB# 860) was the firstplace male winner, and Jasvinder Kaur Braich (BIB# 931) was the first place female winner.The race was organized by long-time marathoner Dr. Avtar Singh Tinna and India Association of Long Island President Satnam Singh Parhar in association with The Sikh Cultural Society.

maceutical companies for optimization, said De. But it may take five years or so before the new drug hits the market after optimization and clinical trials, said De who was one of the winners of 2009 Young Investigators' Poster Competition by the American Peptide Society. Talking about his research, De said: "Patients often have to take an insulin injection after every meal. An overdose of insulin may drastically reduce blood glucose leading to life-threatening diabetic coma." "Hence we wanted to develop a non-insulin drug, which would hopefully act for a prolonged period of time so that patients do not need to take it every day," he said.

Gov Cuomo warns of scams targeting NY businesses

overnor Andrew M. Cuomo last week alerted New York State business owners of a scam targeting corporations. Businesses are receiving misleading notifications through the mail advising them of their corporate responsibilities and requesting a processing fee for providing a service that they are led to believe is required by New York State law. Business owners should be vigilant of scams like this that use deceptive tactics to get them to pay unnecessary fees, Governor Cuomo said. My administration will not tolerate anyone who tries to swindle New Yorks businesses and I urge any companies that receive these notices to report them to the States Division of Consumer Protection. We will work aggressively with law enforcement agencies to prosecute any instances of fraud against New York businesses. The document, titled 2014 Annual Corporate Minutes, selectively quotes sections of New Yorks Business Corporation Law regarding a corporations obligations to hold annual corporate meetings and maintain corporate records. The official-looking document

Scam Alert
asks the recipient to send $125 to the Dept. of Business and Compliance to fulfill their corporate obligations under New York State law. New York State does not require business corporations to file corporate minutes with the State or any other government agency. The only document a business corporation must routinely file with the New York Department of State after registering a corporation is a biennial statement. Businesses that have received these offers should ignore the solicitation and report fraudulent activity to the Department of States Division of Consumer Protection at 518-4748583 or www.dos.gov/consumerprotection. The Department will work closely with lawenforcement authorities to refer complaints and to assist in the prosecution of any act of fraud committed by these scammers. To obtain information on corporate filing requirements visit the Department of States Division of Corporations at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

Punjab Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa with an NRIs group led by the Indian National Overseas Congress (I) USA President Shudh Parkash Singh and Inder Musafir, Chair, NRI cell of the state. The NRIs campaigned for Bajwa in Gurdaspur constituency.

Documentary on Dalip Singh Saund to open Sikh Film Fest on weekend

he Sikh International Film Festival, set to take place this Friday and Saturday in Manhattan, will feature a lineup of seven short films, seven short documentaries, and a feature-length film entitled Empty Inside. The opening night film will be Dalip Singh Saund: His Life, His Legacy, an hourlong documentary profile of the historic Sikh man who became the first Asian, Indian, and Sikh American in history to be elected to the US Congress. It is written and directed by E. Samantha Chang, and is described as the inspiring story of an ethical and passionate man who rose above prejudice and racism during one of this Nations most challenging times, all

Ekal Vidyalaya events raise $225,000 in NJ

the while living the American Dream. Saund is featured prominently in the Smithsonians Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation exhibit, in which a full wall is given to a famous picture of Saund chatting with then-Congressmen (and future Presidents) John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Short films and documentaries will be screened on Saturday, prior to the evening showing of Empty Inside. The short films this year are: Rab da Vaasta, Message from Satwant Kaur, Kush, Kirpa, Baggage, One Day, and Onkar. The short documentaries are: Kaur, A Sacred Journey, Niam, Wrinkles of Life, Raw Conversations, and The Last Killing.

or past 25 years, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation has been dispensing literacy, health care and integral development in rural and tribal areas of India uplifting the lives of countless neglected isolated masses. Recently, 'Ekal' hosted three fund-raising concerts in New Jersey by renowned Kathak dancer Aditi Bhagwat and her equally talented musical group for the same cause. The events, headlined as "Avartan", took place at various locations in NJ where it was spearheaded by respective Chapter Presidents - Mohan Khanna in Glen Rock, Harshad Mehta in Blackwood and Satish Karnik in Edison. The events raised over $225,000. Ekal has yet to host one more fund-raising concert at 'Mahatma Gandhi Center', Wayne,

Aditi Bhagwat rendering Kathak performance at an Ekal event

N.J. This unique concert will feature Gujarat's nightingale Vibhavari Yadav & her group which will be completely devoted to old nostalgic Bollywood melodies. With this last concert for NJ region, the total fund-raising amount for NJ is likely to reach to a quarter of million dollars, this year. To donate visit www.ekal.org. To volunteer for this cause, call 732-672-8071.

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May 3-9, 2014

US places India on IPR Priority Watch List

India and nine other countries put on the list to highlight growing concerns w.r.t environment for IPR protection and enforcement.
Washington, DC: The US In the last 25 years since USTR Wednesday put India and nine published the first Special 301 other countries on its Priority 'Fact Sheet', "we have achieved Watch List to highlight what it dramatic changes in the internacalled "growing concerns with tional intellectual property landrespect to the environment for Inscape", he said tellectual Property Rights (IPR) USTR said it reviewed 82 tradprotection and enforcement." ing partners for this year's SpeReleasing its annual Special cial 301 Report and placed 37 of 301 report on IPR, the US Trade USTR Michael Froman them on the Priority Watch List Representative (USTR) said it released annual Special or Watch List. 301 report on IPR will conduct Out-of-Cycle reBesides India, Algeria, Arviews to promote engagement and progress on gentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, IPR challenges identified in this year's reviews Russia, Thailand, and Venezuela too have been of India, Kuwait, Paraguay and Spain. placed on the Priority Watch. These countries, "The Obama Administration is committed to according to the USTR, "present the most sigmeaningful and sustained engagement with nificant concerns regarding insufficient IPR trading partners -- from China to India to Cana- protection or enforcement, or otherwise limitda -- with the goal of resolving intellectual ed market access for persons relying on intelproperty-related concerns so that Americans lectual property protection." These countries and American firms can compete on a level will be the subject of particularly intense bilatplaying field in those markets," said USTR eral engagement during the coming year, Michael Froman. it said.

India hard hit by terrorism from Pakistan: US report

Washington, DC: India remained severely affected by and vulnerable to terrorism, including from Pakistan-based groups and their affiliates as well as left-wing violent extremists, last year, according to a new US report. In response, Government of India "continued to undertake efforts to coordinate its counterterrorism capabilities more effectively" said the State Department Country Reports on Terrorism 2013 submitted to the US Congress Wednesday. India also "expanded its cooperation and coordination with the international community and regional partners", said the annual report released by Tina Kaidanow, the state department's coordinator for counterterrorism. Describing South Asia as a frontline in the battle against terrorism, the report said: "Although Al Qaeda's (AQ) core in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been seriously degraded, AQ's global leadership continued to operate from its safe haven in the region." "AQ maintained ties with other terrorist organizations in the region, such as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Haqqani Network (HQN)," it said. "These alliances continued to provide the group with additional resources and capabilities." The report said while "Pakistani military undertook operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan such as TTP, but did not take action against other groups such as Lashkar-e-Taeba (LeT)", held responsible for the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. LeT, it said, "continued to operate, train, rally, and fundraise in Pakistan during the past year." In 2013, Indian sources continued to attribute violence and deaths in Jammu and Kashmir to transnational terrorist groups that India alleges are backed by Pakistan, the report said. "Continued allegations of violations of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan (the border along Jammu and Kashmir), Pakistan's failure to bring the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks to justice, and activities of Pakistan-based terrorist groups remained serious concerns for the Indian government," it said. "Afghan Taliban and HQN leadership and facilitation networks continued to find safe haven in Pakistan, and Pakistani authorities did not take significant military or law enforcement action against these groups," it said. The report cited the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), to say that about 400 people were killed as a result of terrorist attacks in India in 2013. "This figure is somewhat higher than in 2012, demonstrating that India remains subject to violent terrorist attacks and continued to be one of the most persistently targeted countries by transnational and domestic terrorist groups." The US and India maintained counter terrorism capacity building efforts and cooperation, the report said.

Obama names 3 Indian-Americans to Asian advisory body

Washington, DC: President Barack Obama plans to name fourteen individuals, including three IndianAmericans, to a commission charged with working to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Members of the President's Shekar Narsimhan, Maulik Pancholy Advisory Commission on and Lt.Col Ravi Chaudhary AAPIs will advise him on innovative ways to engage AAPIs across the Business at the University of Pittsburgh. He has been Managing Partner at Beekcountry and to improve their health, educaman Advisors since 2003 and chairman of tion, environment, and well-being. Indian-American nominees are: Shekar Papillon Capital since 2012. Pancholy, a film, television, and stage acNarasimhan, Maulik Pancholy and Ravi tor, is the voice of Sanjay, the title character Chaudhary. Narasimhan is co-founder of the Emergent in the Nickelodeon animated series Sanjay Institute (formerly known as the Indian In- & Craig, as well as the voice of Baljeet in stitute for Sustainable Enterprise) in Banga- the Disney animated series Phineas and lore, India, a nonprofit institution training Ferb. He worked closely with the Smithsonian entrepreneurs to build social ventures. Narasimhan received a BS from the Indi- Asian Pacific American Centre on its exhian Institute of Technology-Delhi and an bition "Beyond Bollywood: Indian AmeriMBA from the Katz Graduate School of cans Shape the Nation," which opened at the National Museum of Natural History in February 2014. Pancholy is widely known for playing the role of Jonathan for six seasons on NBC's award-winning series 30 Rock. He received a BS from Northwestern UniMidtown Jewelry Firm versity and an MFA from Yale University. Lt. Col. Chaudhary is an Air Force officer, requires currently serving as executive officer to the commander, Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Chaudhary has logged over 3,000 flight hours as a pilot and flight test engineer, including over 700 combat hours. Previously, to manage Chaudhary served as commander of the US Accounting Department. Air Force's 317th Recruiting Squadron from Must have 7+ years of 2011 to 2013. Accounting Experience. From 2009 to 2011, he served as Chief of Strategy Integration in the Air Force StrateCompetitive Salary. gic Plans and Programs division as well as Benefits & Health speechwriter in the Secretary of the Air Insurance offered. Force Executive Action Group at the Pentagon. Chaudhary's awards include the NASA Stellar Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Please email resume to Air Medal, and Iraq and Afghanistan hr@ashidiamonds.com Campaign Medals.

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IN BRIEF

Google+ chief Vic Gundotra departs after 8 years

umbai-born IIT Madras alum Vic Gundotra, the mastermind behind Google's social network Google+, has abruptly resigned putting a question mark on the future of his creation. Making the announcement via a posting on his own Google+ page Thursday, Gundotra, 45, who was Senior Vice President, Social for Google said he was proud of his eight year tenure with the online search giant but felt that now was the time to look ahead. However, he didn't say much about his future plans. His departure follows a rumor posted two days ago on the app Secret that, "Vic Gundotra is interviewing," according to technology site CNet. Citing a person familiar with the matter, it said that Gundotra had problems with Google's management team. CEO Larry Page praised Gundotra in his own Google+ post, thanking him for "a tremendous almost eight years at Google" and for building Google+ "from nothing." In addition to spearheading the development of Google+, Page congratulated Gundotra for his work on guiding the teams that

Lata Krishnan to receive Haridas & Bina Chaudhuri Award

T
Vic Gundotra

introduced turn-by-turn navigation to Google Maps, and improving Google's developer relations, which Page described as "disparate efforts" before Gundotra fixed them. However, his tenure was also a rocky one, according to CNET. Soon after the launch of Google+, Gundotra came under heavy criticism for insisting that Google+ users must display their real names, as opposed to pseudonyms. Gundotra came to Google in 2007, following a 16-year stint at Microsoft as a general manager and a year off working on charitable causes.

he California Institute of Integral Studies will present the 2014 Haridas and Bina Chaudhuri Award for Distinguished Service to Indian American entrepreneur Lata Krishnan at a ceremony April 26 at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto. Krishnan is receiving the award in recognition of her leadership, insight, philanthropic perseverance, and dedication to improving the quality of lives in the Bay Area and worldwide, said a press release. The Chaudhuri Award is named for the universitys co-founders, Haridas and Bina Chaudhuri. Previous recipients of the award include Deepak Chopra, Kavita N. Ramdas, and Mani L. Bhaumik. Krishnan is the CFO of Shah Capital Partners and a board member of Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group. She is chair of the American India Foundation, an organization with a long-term com-

Entrepreneur Lata Krishnan is chair of America India Foundation

mitment to accelerating social and economic development in India and to strengthening the bonds between the United States and India.

Company board fires Gurbaksh Chahal for assaulting girlfriend

ndia-born Silicon Valley serial entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal has been fired as CEO of company he founded, Radium One, by the company's board following charges of battering his girlfriend, even as he alleged that racial bias has colored the case. Chahal, a Tarn Taran-born school dropout who founded and sold two advertising companies for $340 million before he was 25, reportedly kicked and battered his American girlfriend over a domestic argument concerning her alleged infidelity.

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj was on a tour of Australia and New Zealand recently. While in Perth, he was honored by the Western Australian Parliament and presented with an Award of Honor. Also seen in the photo is his wife Mata Rita ji.

He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence and battery charges last week, dodging 45 felony counts for the beating that was captured on videotaped. The video was ruled to be inadmissible in court because of the nature of the way in which the police obtained it, and the victim later declined to testify and cooperate with prosecutors. However, in a controversial ruling, Chahal was sentenced to three years' probation, 52 weeks in a domestic violence training program, and 25 hours of community service, but was spared jail time.

Influential Indian-Americans ask US to allow Sikhs to serve in army

ixteen influential Indian-Americans from across the country have asked US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to allow Sikhs to serve in the armed forces with their religious faith intact. According to the copy of the letter dated April 25, the 16 Indian Americans - all of whom are major fund raisers and wield considerable influence in the nation's political circle - praised the recent efforts of 105 bipartisan members of the US House of Representatives, who recently had also sent a letter to Hagel expressing their support for Sikh-Americans in the US Armed Forces. That letter was led by Congressman, Joseph Crowley, who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, and Rodney Frelinghuysen, who chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. The letter was signed by Shekhar Narasimhan, Ranvir Trehan, Shefali Razdan Duggal, Rajeev Sharma, Parag and Usha Saxena, Reshma Saujani, Frank Ismail, Raj Goyle, Anju Bhargava. Among other signatories to the letter are -- M R Rangaswami, Mahinder Tak, Sunita Leeds, Aneesh Chopra, Vinod K Shah and Parag V Mehta.

Shah brothers charged with insider trading

wo Indian American doctors are among six people charged by the US federal regulator with insider trading in advance of eBay's acquisition of an e-commerce company to reap more than $300,000 in illegal profits. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged that Suken Shah and his brother Shimul Shah received confidential tips from Christopher Saridakis, the CEO of the marketing solutions division of GSI Commerce, an e-commerce company. To settle the SEC's charges, Saridakis agreed to an officerand-director bar and must pay $664,822, which includes a penalty equal to twice the amount of his tippees' profits. Shah earned insider trading profits of $9,838 and provided the non-public information to his brother and another individual, SEC alleged. Shah agreed to settle the SEC's charges in an administrative proceeding by paying disgorgement of $10,446, which includes $609 in trading profits made by the other individual he tipped. Shah agreed to pay prejudgment interest of $1,007 and a penalty of $64,965 for a total of $76,418. Shah's penalty is three times the amount of his and his tippees' trading profits. In a separate settled administrative proceeding, the SEC charged Shimul Shah, a doctor who now resides in Cincinnati, with insider trading on the non-public information he received from his brother. Besides trading himself, Shah tipped others with the nonpublic information during a group dinner he attended with several friends from his medical residency, SEC alleged.

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US AFFAIRS

May 3-9, 2014

'Osama's death didn't quench Americans' desire for revenge'

Washington: The killing of Al Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden did not fully quench Americans desire for revenge. Instead, according to a research study, US citizens have a stronger desire to take further revenge against those who were responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As the third anniversary of bin Ladens death falls May 2, a team of social psychology researchers has questioned whether this instance of vicarious revenge led to feelings of satisfaction and re-established justice within the American public - including whether bin Ladens assassination ignited craving for more revenge. Vicarious revenge, where the need for justice is felt not by the victims, but by people in the same group, has been shown to feel similar to personal revenge. Mario Gollwitzer of Philipps University of Marburg developed two studies designed to test the notion that Americans vengeful desires in the aftermath of 9/11 predicted a sense of justice achieved after bin Ladens death The data suggest that those Americans who believed that bin Ladens assassination sent a

NBA team owner banned for life over racist remark

New York: Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life by the National Basketball Association (NBA) for his racist remarks recorded in his conversation with his girlfriend. Sterling was banned from any association with the Clippers and the NBA and was fined $2.5 million Tuesday, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution, reports Xinhua. "Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver here. Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its au-

message to the perpetrators (Dont mess with us) were also the ones who thought that his death balanced the scales of justice. The second important finding from the study is that bin Ladens death did not fully quench Americans desire for revenge. Although justice might be achieved, the avengers might not feel psychological closure. Re-establishing justice, successfully asserting ones message, does not necessarily close the chapter in the case of revenge, the researchers maintained.The study titled Vicarious Revenge and the Death of Osama bin Laden has been published online in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his girlfriend V. Stiviano, to whom he said in a taped conversation to not bring black friends to NBA games.

Kerry apologizes for Israel 'apartheid' remarks

Washington: US Secretary of State John Kerry, has apologized for warning that Israel risked becoming an "apartheid state" if it did not reach a peace deal with the Palestinians, following a barrage of criticism in America. In a statement, Kerry said that in retrospect he would have chosen a different word. He said that apartheid was "a word best left out of the debate [in the US]" despite the fact that there have been similar warnings from senior Israeli politicians. Kerry insisted his remarks were only an expression of his firm belief that a two-state solution was the only way to end the long-running conflict. Kerry's reported comments, and his retraction, come at a sensitive time for the peace process, suspended by Israel last week after the agreement between the Palestine Liberation Organisation and Hamas to reconcile and try to form a unity government.
Secretary of State John Kerry

thority to force a sale of the team. "The owners have the authority subject to three quarters vote of the ownership group, of the partners, to remove him as an owner. I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners to remove him," said Silver, adding that Sterling acknowledged it was his

voice on the tape. Magic Johnson, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan and Miami Heat player LeBron James had condemned Sterling and wanted the NBA to do the most to punish him. Twelve companies had suspended their sponsorship with the Clippers since the scandal.

Boehner assures Republicans he won't push immigration reform

Washington: House Speaker John Boehner on Tuesday reassured fellow Republican lawmakers that he will not push them to pass immigration reform and said he was just teasing last week when he criticized his caucus's reluctance on the issue. Boehner held a closed-door meeting with Republican House members to cool their anger over remarks he made last Thursday at a Rotary Club luncheon in his Ohio district. In that widely reported speech, Boehner described the attitude of other House Republicans as: "Don't make me do this." After Tuesday's meeting in Washington to address the issue, Boehner told reporters: "You all know me. You tease the ones you love, but some people misunderstood what I have to say and some members misunderstood." Some congressional aides and immigration reform advocates viewed Boehner's comments last week as a possible signal of a renewed drive to pass an immigration bill in the House. But Republican House members emerging from Tuesday's meeting said the speaker played down that prospect.

House Speaker John Boehner said he was just teasing last week when he criticized his caucus's reluctance on immigration issue.

Boehner has long talked of his interest in getting an immigration bill through Congress to address concerns such as border security. The Senate last year passed a sweeping measure that included a path to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants. But some House conservatives oppose that measure, which they view as amnesty for lawbreakers. Some Republicans have suggested the possibility of legalizing some undocumented residents instead of establishing a specific pathway to citizenship.

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BATTLEGROUND 2014

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Record voting continues in India

An FIR lodged against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for showing off his party symbol close to a polling booth
New Delhi: Some 83 million voted in 89 Lok Sabha constituencies across India, a day an FIR was slapped against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for showing off his party symbol close to a polling booth. Braving the scorching summer, about 60 percent of the 139 million electorate trooped to over 150,000 polling stations in seven states and two union territories to pick 89 MPs from among 1,200 candidates including Congress president Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli), BJP president Rajnath Singh (Lucknow) and BJP patriarch L.K. Advani (Gandhinagar). Wednesday marked the end of the eighth phase of 10-phased balloting that ends May 12 to elect a 543 members to the Lok Sabha, in which two members are nominated. The votes will be counted May 16. Polling is now over in 438 constituencies and wholly in 21 states. Modi, the Gujarat chief minister, courted a controversy when he displayed a lotus symbol near the polling booth in Gandhinagar where he voted. He also clicked a selfie. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the AAP, were quick to complain that this violated the model code of conduct. On the urging of the poll panel, the Gujarat authorities filed a police complaint against Modi. Congress general secretary Ajay Maken said: "We appeal to the Election Commission to ask the Gujarat government not to come under pressure of the chief minister." The complaint was lodged at the Ahmedabad City police station. Polling was brisk in most places, barring Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar seat, where balloting was sluggish amid a boycott call by separatists. West Bengal as well as Andhra Jaitley, fighting a Lok Sabha election for the first time, is pitted against former chief minister Amarinder Singh of the Congress. In Andhra Pradesh, nine of the 10 districts which constitute the Telangana region recorded brisk voting. Prominent among the contestants include union cabinet Minister S. Jaipal Reddy (Mahabubnagar), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao (Medak) and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi (Hyderabad). TRS chief Rao said he was confident of his party forming a government on its own strength in the proposed state of Telangana. Heavy polling took place in West Bengal, following which the Communist Party of India-Marxist alleged "widespread rigging, violence and capture of polling booths" by the Trinamool Congress. "Hundreds of polling booths were affected in Bolpur, Birbhum, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Howrah and Uluberia Lok Sabha constituencies," it said, demanding a re-poll. "Polling agents of the CPI-M and the Left Front were driven out in a number of booths and blatant false voting has taken place in the presence of polling personnel," the party added. Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said polling was peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported, "except a few cases of boycott in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat".

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi clicks a 'selfie' after casting his vote in Ahmedabad

Pradesh's Telangana region, which also voted for a legislature for the proposed state, saw a huge voter turnout. Apart from Srinagar where the voter turnout barely crossed 25 percent, heavy polling took place in Punjab (73 percent), Daman and Diu (76 percent) and Andhra Pradesh (70 percent). West Bengal saw a staggering 81 percent voter turnout. Polling in Uttar Pradesh was around 57 percent, while in Bihar and Gujarat, it crossed the 60 percent mark. Vadodara, from where Modi is contesting, recorded 70 percent turnout, while Rae Bareli, the constituency of Sonia Gandi, saw just over 51 percent of electors casting their ballots. Balloting took place in Gujarat (26 Lok Sabha seats), Andhra Pradesh (17), Uttar Pradesh (14), Punjab (13), West Bengal (9), Bihar (7) and Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (one constituency each). After voting in Gandhinagar, Modi flew to Bihar where he addressed a rally in Ujiyarpur Lok Sabha constituency calling for "a strong government in the country".

"It is certain a new government led by the BJP will be formed," he said, predicting a defeat for the Congress-led UPA government. All 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and all 13 in Punjab voted Thursday. Punjab is witnessing some high-profile electoral battles. The most keenly watched contest is in Amritsar where the BJP's Arun

FIR against me shows panic in Congress: Modi

Tirupati: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said that the FIR booked against him in Gujarat shows the panic in the Congress. Addressing an election meeting in this temple town in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, he said that the Congress was staring at defeat. "They are worried because a tea seller has challenged their dynasty," he said. The Gujarat chief minister said he would not forget April 30 as for the first time in his life, a FIR was registered against him. "Not a single FIR was registered against me. I was not even booked for driving a scooter on the wrong side or for wrong parking," he said "One can understand if an FIR is registered for showing a knife, pistol or a gun but I was booked because I showed a lotus," Modi said. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader was booked for showing off his party symbol close to a polling booth in Gandhinagar where he voted. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, complained that this violated the model code of conduct. On the urging of the poll panel, the Gujarat authorities filed a police complaint against Modi.

BJP slams Pakistani minister's remarks on Modi

New Delhi: The BJP has denounced Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's comments that Narendra Modi's election as prime minister will destabilise the region, saying Islamabad should not interfere in India's internal affairs. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said her party will tell Pakistan to "mend their ways". "Anybody who is democratically elected has every right to represent his country internationally," she said. Referring to Chaudhry Nisar's statement, Lekhi said Modi did not make any remark about attacking Pakistan to bring back fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. She said Modi had questioned Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on the need of making public remarks about India's talks with the US on tracking Dawood Ibrahim. Lekhi asked if the Pakistani minister was admitting that Dawood Ibrahim, wanted in India for the 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai, was based in Pakistan. "We will tell Islamabad to mend their ways. The manner in which they have been functioning (vis-avis India) will not work. India is very clear about not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. "Similarly, we expect Pakistan to respect the same sentiments of the Indian people and not to intervene in the internal matters (of India)." According to Pakistani media, Chaudhry Nisar said Modi had crossed "all limits" in his display of enmity towards Pakistan and Muslims and his election as India's prime minister would destabilise the region. He said Modi's alleged remark on attacking Pakistan to bring back Dawood Ibrahim, widely believed to be living in Karachi, was "irresponsible and shameful".

Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan

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BATTLEGROUND 2014

May 3-9, 2014

11

One dead, 14 injured in Chennai train blasts

Chennai: A young TCS employee was killed and 14 injured when twin blasts in quick succession tore through two coaches of an express train that had chugged into the Chennai station, authorities said. The explosions triggered panic at the busy railway station, with the bloodied and wounded crying out in pain. The blasts came barely two days after a Sri Lankan, Mohammed Zakir Hussain, was arrested here on the charge of plotting to damage vital installations in the state and about a week after the state voted for all its 39 parliamentary constituencies April 24. "The blasts occurred in two coaches - S4 and S5 of the Bangalore-Guwahati train around 7.15 a.m," Inspector General of Police (Railways) Seema Agarwal said. She said the injured have been admitted to a government hospital and the two coaches have been separated from the train for investigations. A person at the station

I am Rajiv's daughter, Priyanka tells Modi

Amethi: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has brushed aside Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modis reported description of her as like his daughter. I am Rajiv Gandhis daughter, Priyanka said at a rally. The brush-off came amid reports that Gujarat chief minister Modi had made his remark during an interview to state broadcaster Doordarshan. Controversy engulfed Modis interview to Doordarshan amid talk that parts of it, including the remark about Priyanka, were edited out before it was aired on Sunday. A Times of India report quoted an unnamed source as saying, "As a measure of abundant caution it was decided to edit out the part where Modi refused to attack Priyanka Gandhi in response to a question, saying she was like his daughter and not a political rival like her mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi." Barely hours before Priyankas retort, Union finance minister P Chidambaram said, I am happy that Modi considers Priyanka Gandhi as his daughter, but am not sure if she will be happy to consider Modi a father figure.

Kashmir Pakistan's 'jugular vein': army chief

Islamabad: Pakistan Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif has said Kashmir was Islamabad's jugular vein and it was an international dispute over which UN resolutions existed, the media reported. Pakistan Army chief Addressing a Gen Raheel Sharif ceremony at the army headquarters in embraced 'shahadat' Rawalpindi, he said the (martyrdom), he was resolutions were crucial quoted as saying, referfor peace and stability ring to soldiers killed in in the region, Geo News action. "We, as a nation, will said. The military chief also continue to stand with said that the army sup- their families. The Pakistan Army p o r t e d e v e r y e ff o r t directed towards elimi- will continue to play its role towards the nation of terrorism. Gen. Sharif said the progress of prosperity a r m y w a s k e e p i n g a n of the country." The army chief also eye on both internal and external challenges and e x t e n d e d s u p p o r t t o added it had the capa- talks between the govbility to deal with "dan- ernment and the Taliban for putting an end to gers". Fortunate are those terrorism and restoring among us w h o peace in the country.

The cause of explosion is yet to be ascertained

said: "The blast sound was not very loud. On seeing people running away from the train, we learnt something was wrong." He said there was not much of a damage to the rail coach and only a seat was damaged. Inside the compartment, the passenger baggages were strewn around. The Chennai Central Railway Station handles a staggering 200 trains every day. Railway porters told reporters they were moving towards the train on its arrival when they heard the blast and passengers rushed out of the bogies in panic.

The porters ran to the illfated coaches and helped the injured passengers and others to get out. Southern Railway general manager Rakesh Mishra told reporters that 22-yearold Swathi from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh was killed and two other passengers have suffered serious injuries. The other injured are not in a serious condition. The train scheduled to arrive at 5.40 a.m. was running late by around an hour and a half. A top Tamil Nadu Police official said the cause of explosion is yet to be ascertained.

SEP.

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BATTLEGROUND 2014

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Poor show may see Kejriwal's Burden of high expectations from Modi worries RSS men deserting party
Varanasi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may have gone big this Lok Sabha election by fielding more than 400 candidates, but leaders in states where it is in disarray are jittery about the rookie party's future. In Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat where the AAP is not likely to make much impact on its general election debut the party could face a split or an exodus after results are announced on May 16, according to state leaders. Some of them feel dissent over ticket distribution, gap between the central and state leaderships, and opportunists joining the AAP after its stellar assembly poll debut in Delhi last year could hurt the party. "We could see upheaval in the state unit after the results on May 16," Ajit Kumar Singh, an office-bearer in the Bihar unit, said. "The central leadership should have kept a close watch on state units," he New Delhi: The high voter turnout in the seven phases so far is being construed as a vote for change and tilt towards the BJP and its prime ministerial choice Narendra Modi. Surely a matter of jubilation and elation for the RSS, one would assume. But there is the flip side, too. The widely-perceived wave has left the RSS brass worried on account of the high expectations from Modi to deliver if the BJP forms the government at the Centre. The pressure emanating from such expectations is the main reason for the saffron fountainheads worry. I have no doubt that a BJP-led NDA government will come to power at the Centre. The people have shown unprecedented belief in the BJP. But will it be able to fulfil all these expectations? RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reportedly told some swayamsevaks recently in Nagpur. During the interaction, Bhagwat who was instrumental in steadfastly projecting Modi as the BJPs

Some of them feel dissent over ticket distribution, gap between the central and state leaderships,

added. The AAP is contesting all 40 seats in Bihar. If Singh is to be believed, the party does not hope to win any of them. In Madhya Pradesh, an AAP office-bearer said there was no check on the people who came on board. "Many joined the party to milk its popularity after the Delhi assembly results, and if the results (of the Lok Sabha elections) are not favourable, they would not stay," he said. State convenor Abhay Verma admitted if the party failed to win any seat, the

going will be tough. "We are hoping to win one seat, but if that does not happen, we will have a difficult time." The AAP has fielded candidates in all 29 seats in MP. The situation is not very different in Rajasthan. Ashok Jain, AAP's state convenor, said the party could have chances of winning a few seats if the central leadership had devoted more time. In Gujarat, the AAP is hit by a tug of war between activists-turned-politicians and leaders with political background.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat with Narendra Modi

PM candidate made it clear that the hopes notwithstanding, the BJP government will have to function within a specific framework and limited leg room. Besides, the RSSs reputation was tied to the BJPs performance, he said. According to sources, the RSS chief told the swayamsevaks that they should not expect the Modi government to immediately scrap Article 370 or build a Ram temple at Ayodhya. We should allow the government to function smoothly. After the elections, the swayamse-

vaks should return to propagating the RSS ideology and conducting shakhas, he said. When a swayamsevak asked whether the Modi wave had spawned more RSS branches, Bhagwat retorted: If the wave increased the Sanghs shakhas, we would have engaged him as a pracharak instead of sending him to the BJP. Meanwhile, nearly 1 lakh RSS group leaders and 6 lakh swayamsevaks from 42,000odd units spread across the country are working tirelessly to ensure the BJPs victory.

Bookies betting on coalition govt led by BJP

s polling for the Lok Sabha elections nears conclusion, punters have started offering bets on what they are calling the worst-case political scenario: a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the helm and regional political parties playing a significant role in New Delhi. While this scenario has the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the AIADMK as important allies, the BJP is still the bookies favourite to wrest power at the Centre but projects a different Prime Minister: the BJPs president, Rajnath Singh. However, in totality, the number of seats that the BJP will be able to muster nationally, according to punters, has gone up from previous projections of around 200 and 225 seats to 244 and 246. The Congress is now supposed to get only around 70 seats as opposed to the previous projection of 72 and the Aam Aadmi Partys is still supposed to get just 3 to 4 the same as previous estimates. These new rates presuppose a scenario where Narendra Modi somehow loses both Vadodara and Varanasi or at least one of these

Priyanka campaigns for brother Rahul

Amethi: With Amethi set to vote in a week from now, Congress star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi continued to campaign for Congress vice president and her brother Rahul Gandhi. With Rahul Gandhi facing the heat from BJP's Smriti Irani and AAP's Kumar Vishwas, Priyanka Gandhi told election meetings that her family had abiding links with the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. "Rahul understands that people are the final arbiter. I know he sincerely works for you," she said. Without taking names, she added: "Different candidates come to your area, different types of campaigning takes place and a lot of criticism takes place. "They (rival candidates) come here because it is Rahul's constituency and not to work (for you)," Priyanka Gandhi added. Wednesday was the second straight day of Priyanka Gandhi's campaigning in Amethi, from where Rahul Gandhi has been elected to the Lok Sabha twice. He is seeking a re-election. Amethi votes May 7. Aam Aadmi Party's candidate, Kumar Vishwas, has been furi-

in addition to losing substantially down south and in the east, a bookie was quoted as saying. In this case, given the fact that Modi as PM would be unacceptable to the leaders of the TMC, the LJP and the AIADMK, the BJP will be forced to put up another candidate for the post of PM. This will be Rajnath Singh, the bookie added. According to these new rates, every Re 1 bet on BJPs Rajnath Singh for can fetch returns of Rs. 2.50, which makes him most likely to become PM in case Modi fails, a Re 1 bet on the TMCs Mamata Banerjee can earn Rs. 6 in this sceneario, the AIADMKs Jayalalitha can fetch Rs. 12 on a Re 1 bet and a bet of Re 1 on the Lok Janshakti Partys Ram Vilas Paswan can earn Rs. 18. Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress is the second least-likely candidate to become PM with the odds of Rs. 20 on a Re 1 bet and the AAPs Arvind Kejriwal remains the least likely to become PM with a Re 1 bet on him offering a return of Rs. 650. Believe it or not, punters, according to these new national rates, have also assigned specific ministries to regional satraps in this worst-case coalition government.

Congress star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi in Amethi

ously campaigning against Rahul Gandhi for several weeks. The BJP has fielded Smriti Irani, a popular actor-turned-politician, in Amethi. Priyanka Gandhi insisted that no other party would be able to bring about development in Amethi as none of them will come to power nationally or

even in Uttar Pradesh. "The other candidates who come here have no capacity to bring about development. If someone else were to win from here, they can just use Rs.5 crore from the MP fund... "With that money, they can only build five kilometres of roads at one time."

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

OP-ED

May 3-9, 2014

13

Is Congress banking on a Third Front to keep out BJP?

By Abhimanyu Singh Kumar he Congress is increasingly coming around to the view that it is unlikely to win the 16th general election on its own and that it may have to work with a Third Front to stop the BJP from coming to power. At least four Congress leaders have already hinted that allying with the Third Front, or a coalition of parties not allied to either the United Progressive Alliance or the National Democratic Alliance, is a possibility for the party in order to stop the BJP from coming to power. The latest to do so is Ahmed Patel, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's closest aide, who told a leading national daily that the party was willing to consider the possibility of working with a Third Front. Others like Prithviraj Chavan, Salman Khurshid and Jairam Ramesh have already spoken of this option. While not all Congress leaders are willing to say so in public yet, in private the view has been doing the rounds for at least a couple of months. At a lunch he hosted for journalists in the capital some time earlier this year, a union minister from the south was categorical in stating that the party would not come to power on its own this time.

If the NDA gets around 230 seats, they will be able to draw more allies. But if they fail to reach that mark, a Third Front government is a possibility.
"Any party will start to stink if it spends 10 years in power," he stated in a matter-of-fact way. Another union minister averred that the party was set to lose the elections but may still continue to be in power. "We are not going to win this time. But you may still see another UPA government at the centre," he said. A union minister in the outgoing UPA-2 government said allying with the Third Front was a distinct possibility for the Congress as it was unlikely to get a majority on its own. "We are keeping our options open and will take a call on allying with the Third Front once the results are out," the minister said, not wanting to be identified because of the delicate nature of these issues. Aware of the situation, the Left, which has played a part in forming a Third Front government at the centre each time in the past, is working towards the formation of another such government without making much noise about it. Admitting that a Third Front government cannot come to power without support from the Congress, the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M) is actively working towards the victory of candidates belonging to non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA), nonUnited Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalitions, a well placed CPI-M source said. In Delhi, for example, the CPI-M asked its cadre and sympathizers to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), except in South Delhi from where a Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate was in fray. Although the AAP has not yet shown an interest in the Third Front, the CPI-M considers it a potential ally. In Bihar, the CPI and the ruling Janata Dal-United are contesting together. In Telangana, the CPI has an alliance with Congress. In other states like Odisha, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the Left Front is working towards the victory of candidates belonging to Biju Janata Dal, Janata DalSecular, and YSR Congress respectively except a few seats where its own candidates are contesting, said the CPI-M source. Manindra Thakur, a political science professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said that "the possibility of a Third Front government will arise if the BJP fails to cross the

Elections
tally of 200 seats. In that case, the Congress may be able to stitch together a group of allies to form a next government". Thakur also opined that a Third Front government this time may not be unstable. "A good number of experiments in coalition politics have been done since the Janata Party government came to power in 1977. A Third Front government may run for a good number of years this time," Thakur argued. Nisar Ul Haq, professor of political science at Jamia Millia Islamia, felt a Third Front would come into picture only if the NDA failed to cross the tally of 230 seats. "If they get around 230 seats, they will be able to draw more allies. But if they fail to reach that mark, a Third Front government is a possibility. The number of seats regional allies get in UP, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Odisha will be crucial to its formation," he said.Haq also said that due to past experiences of having formed such governments, the parties may do a better job this time. "The stability will also depend on the number of seats the Congress gets. If it gets more than 100 seats, it will be in its favor to keep the alliance and the government," added Haq.

Bond market's take on Indian election outcome

By Vatsal Srivastava

s the world's largest democracy braces itself for the results of the ongoing general elections, due May 16, Indian equities already seem to be pricing in the verdict of the nation's 1.3 billion people. This, on expectations that Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP, will head the next federal government. The benchmark equity index, Nifty, has rallied more than 14 percent to an all-time high since early February. Although, the market is at all-time nominal highs, in inflation adjusted terms we are still below the pre-credit-crisis levels unlike equity indices in the West such as the S&P 500 and the German DAX. Till recently, the move-up was largely driven by blue chip stocks. It is only in the past few weeks of this "pre-election rally" that we have seen money being churned out of IT and pharma names into beaten down infrastructure and financial stocks. The mood is supremely bullish in the equities market and the common joke doing the rounds on Dalal Street is that the fair value of the Sensex is the number of seats secured by the NDA multiplied by 100. At this juncture, it would be unwise to be a contrarian and not place bullish bets. If the next government is, indeed, successful in

Elections

reviving the investment cycle, we could very well find ourselves in the midst of a new secular bull market. The swiftness with which the anticipated next NDA government will introduce policy reforms will only be seen in the coming months. But one must also keep a close watch on how the bond market has been behaving in the run-up to the election results. Looking through the prism of another asset class in the prevailing bullish market, the context tells a different story. There has been a stark divergence in the performance of bonds versus equities. The yield on the 10-year benchmark Treasury bond is hovering around 9 percent, only half-percentage-

The mood is supremely bullish in the equities market and the common joke doing the rounds on Dalal Street is that the fair value of the Sensex is the number of seats secured by the NDA multiplied by 100.
point away from a 10-year high. The bond market, it seems, is still not buying the "Modi rally". Concerns still loom over prices (recent retail inflation data saw an unexpected uptick) and the sustainability of the correction in the fiscal deficit. JP Morgan has correctly pointed out in a recent report: "It is difficult to envisage a situation where growth revives meaningfully, driven by the investment cycle, with the Government of India borrowing long-term funds at interest rates in excess of 9 percent. Over the past, restrictive monetary policy and elevated treasury yields have coincided

with growth moderation and have not been supportive of equity market performance. This underpins the relative attraction of bonds, particularly adjusted for risk." Thus, as the report points out, either the bond market can join the rally on expectations of an improved macro outlook or the equities will eventually correct as investors shed their enthusiasm if corporate earnings do not justify the recent multiple expansion. Historically, according to JP Morgan, long bonds seem to be more attractively valued than equities. The ratio of the 10-year yield to the earnings yield is now close to 1:4. According to this historical valuation metric, equities are now in an overvalued zone. This ratio was higher than the current level only at the peak of the credit crisis of 2008. According to JP Morgan analysts, this relative valuation favoring debt holds good for the five-year and one-year bonds as well. The price action in the bond market points out that equities may have over stretched themselves in the short-term. But there is no near-term catalyst that would prompt an immediate sell off - unless the BJP's tally is far worse than the current projections on May 16. This is not the time to fight the upward momentum and every dip in Indian equities should be used as a buying opportunity for the near-term.

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

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May 3-9, 2014

OP-ED

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

How BJP changed election campaign paradigm

Elections
By Sanjoy Narayan

n a visit to Mumbai two days before the city would vote, I did the clichd thing of talking to Nithyanand, my cab driver, on a slow ride from the airport into town. A second-generation Tamil migrant in Mumbai, Nithyanand is 32. I asked him whom he was going to vote for. He smiled: Ab ki bar, Modi sarkar, sir! He said hed be voting for Rahul Shewale, Mumbai South Centrals candidate from the Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP. The Marathi chauvinism of the Sena, which in its early days targeted south Indian immigrants, especially Tamils, in Bombay (as it was then known) didnt seem to faze him although he admitted that his parents had suffered during those years. He said it was to Narendra Modi that his vote would go and that if things had to change and his future turn brighter there was

The BJP has turned the polls into a presidential form of elections like in the United States, pitching Narendra Modi as the PM candidate all across its campaign verticals.

only one man in these elections who could do that. As it happened, on voting day, Mumbaikars did better than they traditionally do the turnout was the highest in 25 years and everyone said this was in keeping with the high voting in most large cities because urban Indians want to plump for

change. A few hours after my chat with Nithyanand, Maharashtras articulate and well-respected chief minister, Congressman Prithviraj Chavan, told me how the BJPs campaign had not only turned the polls into a presidential form of elections, pitching Modi as the PM candidate but it was also the

first time that product marketing principles had been used in elections and that regardless of whether it created a tsunami, a wave or a ripple, there was a lesson in this for the future. He is right. How successful Modis singular campaign is will be known less than three weeks from now, but the contrast between his and the Congress campaign couldnt be starker. Modi revved up his campaign long before the election dates were announced. In six months, hes addressed more than 400 rallies; the BJPs advertising, all of it focusing sharply on one man, has been like a relentless series of carpetbombings; theres been copious use of hi-tech aids such as simulcasts of his campaigns using 3D holography and real-time feedback analysis from key constituencies; and, not to forget, an eager media has generously covered the blitz, particularly the TV news channels, which have lapped up feed from every meeting hes addressed and telecast it live. In contrast, the Congress cam-

paign has been tepid. Its star campaigner and vice-president Rahul Gandhi can hardly match the demagogic yet arresting oratory of Modi, who skilfully customizes his messages for the audience hes addressing with appropriate tweaks depending on whether hes at a Google Hangout or hes speaking at a rally of Dalits. It is almost as if the two parties are fighting two different elections one here and now and the other in the past. The BJP has been quick to adopt technology, modern marketing and new media tools to take things to a new level, while the Congress campaign has been retro-styled and old-fashioned. Elections arent won solely on the strength of rallies or advertising. The vast majority of peoples votes, like Nithyanands, are decided by who they think will make their lives better. But, if the BJP strikes success when the results are announced on May 16, it may well have changed the way elections will be fought in the years to come.

RSVP, toffee, jijaji...elections add to political lexicon

By Prashant Sood

SVP model", "toffee model", "AK49", "news traders", "jijaji", "maabeta government", "shehzada",... the Lok Sabha slugfest has contributed much to the political lexicon, spicing it up but also causing a fair degree of heartburn. These expressions are unlikely to be forgotten in a hurry. BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is way ahead in hitting out against his adversaries. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has also framed new epithets but these appear to be few and far between. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has thrown up a few to enhance his image as an anti-corruption crusader. This is perhaps the first Lok Sabha election where tea sellers have hogged some limelight due to Modi's references to his origins as a tea-seller. The Bharatiya Janata Party has sought to capitalise on Modi's humble origins by launching "chai pe charcha (discussion over tea)". TV anchors are also peppering their election shows by talking to people at teashops - a traditional neighbourhood hub for political gossip. The 2014 Lok Sabha elections have also seen a thrust on marketing and branding, terms which are otherwise identified with management. It is also an election in which political attacks have involved the names of some leading industralists. The elections have seen "personalised" accusations from leading contenders. Issues of women's empowerment and security also appear to

Elections
he has given the key of Gujarat to an industrialist. Modi has sought to reply to each barb thrown at him by Gandhi and has often alluded to the Congress leader as a prince. "Shahzada would be busy with his balloons and toffees...the nation wants mature politics and wants to win as many trophies," Modi said in an election speech. Modi has also sought to pitchfork his model of development as a mark of his ability as an administrator. Modi has referred to Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra as "jijaji" in some of his speeches. "They ask for RSVP in big functions. In India's politics, we have RSVP too and a media house threw light on their activities...Rahul, Sonia, Vadra and Priyanka... this is the RSVP model. Rahulji, you talk of the Gujarat model but the nation wants to know this model," Modi said at an election rally. Modi has termed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government as "mabeta (mother-son) government" and the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh as " baap-beta (father-son) government." Modi's reference to Kejriwal as "AK-49" appeared as much an effort to take a dig at the AAP leader over his rapid-fire style of accusations as an attempt to revive memory of a controversial statement about Kashmir by a senior AAP leader.

Narendra Modi has referred to Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra as "jijaji" in some of his speeches.

be more in focus during the campaign than in earlier general elections. Many of the new political epithets have arisen from the debate around the Gujarat model of development - one of the central themes of the Lok Sabha election. While Modi has tom-tomed his model of development, many parties, including the Congress, Communist Party of IndiaMarxist, AIADMK, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party, have slammed it. Rahul Gandhi has termed the Gujarat

model a "toffee model", saying it has benefited only one industrialist in the state and ignored the interests of the farmers and the poor. Gandhi also used "20-20 match" to hit out at Modi over the Gujarat model. "They have given 45,000 acres of land to one single person. This is their 20-20 match, not ours," Gandhi said in an interview. Gandhi also targeted Modi over his remarks that he wanted to be the "chowkidar (watchman)" of the country, saying that

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

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

RELIGION

May 3-9, 2014

15

arsitap is a rigorous fast in Jainism not for the weak of stomach. To eat on alternate days and Upvas on the rest, for a whole year, while following the prescribed rules like not eating in the evening after sunset, not eating root vegetables (like potatoes, onions, ginger), and various other rules. In Swetamber sect of Jainism, Varsitap entails eating once a day (Ekasanu) on alternate days and fasting on other days. So 34 devout souls completing Varsitap in New York is noteworthy and a first for North America. What is more remarkable, may be a first in the world, is that one single family, Shri Kishorebhai and Smt. Ranjanben Mehta, sponsored this event for all 13 months at their residence. Now austerities are over, and it is celebration time. On May 2 morning, Jains first Tirthankar, Adinath Rishabha Dev, Parna for the 35 drinking sugarcane juice for his Varsitap Parna. Tapasvis (breaking of the fast) is being hosted at Gujarati Samaj Hall in Fresh Meadows, Queens. This event Tritiya from that time. Akshay Tritiya has thus special meaning for the Jain comshould be attended by hundreds may be a thousands of Jains. This celebration is traditionally held on the third day munity, as it marks the celebration of the end of a Tapsavis alternate day of strict fasting of 13 months, and the Parna is of the month of Vaisakh. The Varsitap Parna celebration is associated with Jains traditionally done with sugarcane juice. Fasting in Jainism first Tirthankar Adinath Rishabha Dev. After his Varsitap is for self-purification of body and mind, ridding it of earthhe went to many houses to get the proper food (Gochari) for ly sins. The more rigorous Varsitap is for atonement of the him, but no one could understand his desire for food. The soul for any wrong deed that one may have committed even people were ready to give him elephants, horses, jewelry or unconsciously. For those living in India, a majority of Jains prefer to do even brides. But they could not offer any food. Karma has its ways! In his previous birth, Rishabha Dev had tied a net the Parna celebration in the holy city of Palitana and on the mouth of a cow and acquired the sin of starving the Hastinapur, both in Gujarat, rather than in their hometown. Traditionally Varsitap begins on the eighth day of the dark cow. Finally, Shreyans Kumar, with special power of knowing previous births, recognized that Rishabha Dev wanted half of a lunar month of Falgun and ends on the third day of to break his fast. So he gave him the juice of sugarcane and the bright half of a lunar month of Vaisakh. The total duraRishabha Dev broke his fast. This day is known as Akshay tion of Varsitap is around 13 months and 13 days.

Message of Mehta family on Varsitap

ith the blessing of our Kuldevi Shree Nandevi Ma, we got the opportunity to do Biyasana for Varsitap. During the Pratishtha of Shree Ashtapadji at Jain Center of America in Elmhurst, NY, in 2010, we Ranjan & Kishore Mehta family - thought about sponsoring Varsitap aradhana. We found the opportunity in 2013 to not only sponsor it, but also invited all 35 Tapasvis to Biyasana (eat only twice a day) with Pacchakhana (fasting) on every other day. Ranjanben cooked at home every other day twice a day with the help of 4 volunteers and two paid workers. All the meals cooked were home made. All snacks and sweets were made at home with complete adherence to Jain rules. We are grateful to Lord Adinath and Shree Nandevi Ma for blessings. We also thank the Jain Sangh of New York and every Sadharmik for their support. We are grateful to volunteers for standing by us for all 13 months. Finally, we ask Micchaami Dukadam (forgiveness for any mistakes).

Ranjan & Kishore Mehta initiated, organized and sponsored the Varsitap at their home in New York.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Message from Jawahar A. Shetti, Chairman, Jain Center Of America, NY

he historic Jain event of Varsitap on this scale is taking place for the first time in New York and North America. There are 35 Tapavsis from New York doing Varsitap together. This event is initiated, organized and sponsored by one Sadharmik family, namely Kishorebhai and Ranjanben Mehta on their own at their own cost and at their home for 13 months. They are members of Jain Center of America, NY (JCA). The Tapasvis also are members of JCA. The Center takes great pleasure to see Sadharmiks doing such an honorable religious work away from their original home in a new home United States of America. On behalf of Jain Center of America members I thank Kishorebhai and Ranjanben Mehta for initiating, organizing and completing this Varsitap event very successfully in a historic way and all Tapasvis who have done Varsitap for 13 months and completed it successfully. Kishorebhai and Ranjanben Mehta and family will be remembered forever among Jain community in North America and in India. Our hearty Anumodana to all Tapasvis, their families, Kishorebhai and Ranjanben Mehta family and all volunteers helping them. This event is covered in many newspapers in North America, India and other counties. The Parna (breaking the fast) event is taking place at Gujarati Samaj of New York on Friday, May 2, on Akshay Tritiya, which is an auspicious occasion in Jainism. Jain devotees who observe the fasting on alternate days throughout the year conclude their Tapasya (Observance of fasting) on Akshay Tritiya. The first Jain Tirthankar, Lord Shri Adinath Bhagwan, concluded his year-long fast (Varsitap) on Akshay Tritiya and he did his Parna with sugarcane juice (Ikshu Ras). Parna is thus celebrated in honor of Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara. Jain Center of America, NY thanks all those participating in this auspicious event of Varsitap and Parna

Message from Rajesh Shah, President, Jain Center of America, NY

t is a great honor to the Members, Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of Jain Center of America in New York (JCA), that 35 of its members have done "Varsitap" over the last 13 months. In this process, members alternate a day of fasting with a day of eating twice a day in one sitting, with a restriction of pure Jain food only to be consumed. This process involved doing almost 200 days of fasting. It is a privilege to see the members of our community coming together and doing this in a group for the first time in New York. During this entire year, many people have taken "laabh" of serving these "Tapasvis" and it is an honor to do this in our religion. Special mention has to go to our member Shri Kishorebhai Mehta and his wife Mrs. Ranjanben Mehta, who have been organizing the meals on non-fasting days for all these tapasvis over the last year. As their fasting comes to a close, it is a moment to reflect on the purity of the process and how these souls have come closer to the renunciation of their karmas. I have been privileged as a President of JCA, New York to honor all these individuals and provide assistance wherever needed. In doing so, if me individually or we as JCA members have hurt somebody, we seek forgiveness and we send our heartfelt wishes and "Anumodna" to all tapasvis.

All the 35 Tapasvis are members of the Jain Center of America, NY. The sponsoring family, Kishorebhai and Ranjanben Mehta, are also members of JCA. The Jain Center of America is located on Ithaca Street in Elmhurst, NY.

Message from Harshad Lakhani, Chairman, Jain Temple of New York

would like to congratulate Kishorebhai and Ranjanben for their efforts, discipline, and courage in undertaking the task of taking care for 35 Tapasvis doing Varsitap tapascharya. Two records have been created. For the first time on US Soil, 35 Jains in New York observed Varsitap, 13-month long fasting on alternate days, and only

two meals on the other days. Nowhere in the US among the over 70 Jain centers, have so many Jains ever come together to observe the Varsitap. The second record has been established not only on US soil but globally. One single family has hosted this 13month event on their own. This includes sponsoring the event not only in terms of

money but a firm commitment with Mind and Body as well. Any appreciation is twofold. One can be categorized as General and the other is From the heart. In this case, my heart reaches out not only to these 35 Tapasvis but to their sponsors Shri Kishore bhai and Smt. Ranjanben Mehta. As Chairman of the Jain Temple of New York, New Hyde Park, I take pride not only on behalf of my Sangh but also personally. Going forward, this will pro-

vide a great deal of "Anumodana" to all Sadharmik Jains not only in North America but in the entire world as well. I, on behalf of the Jain Temple of New York, New Hyde Park, congratulate the 35 Tapasvis for their Apurva Siddhi, to their host the Mehta family as well as all the volunteers who worked selflessly during these Tapascharya. Lastly I like to wish best of health and spirit to all Tapasvis during and after Parna.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

RELIGION

May 3-9, 2014

17

Message from Naresh Shah, President, Jain Temple of New York

The 35 Tapasvis
These New York Jains fasted for 200 days on alternate days over 13 months.

ay 2, Akhatrij Day, will make history for all Jains in New York. On this particular day, 35 devout Jains who are observing Varsitap aradhana for the last 13 months will perform Parna (breaking of fast). This is the first time ever in North America that such as large number of people are performing this great "Tap " (austerity). On May 2, the ceremonies will start with Abhishek at the New Hyde Park Jain Temple and at 10AM, Parna program will begin at Gujarati Samaj Hall in Fresh Meadows, Queens. On behalf of all Jains we congratulate not only the 35 Tapasvis but also the sponsors Mehta family.

The Varsitap Parna (breaking of fast) ceremonies will start with Abhishek at the Jain Temple of New York, which is located in New Hyde Park, Queens.

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RELIGION

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Message from Kanubhai Lakhani, one of the 35 Tapasvis

arsitap is a great tap and it is not easy to do it especially in foreign countries. But this become so easy for 35 people because ranajanben and kishorebhai who took a lead in a strong positive way and work hard for 413 days this is not an easy task tapasvi got all facilities what ever they needed during their tapashrya in india usually this tap is done

either by individual at their own home or at temple location facilities are provided only one time eating during their eating days where here twice a day during their eating days i bow my head to this couple whos name will be written in jaion history book whithout them it was not possible at all also

entire sangh and community were with us their blessings also has given us great boostings we are in in good health due to good food and great help from all vouleneters who were stand by to serve food with their good heart and great bhav no one got sick during 413 days this is not possible without their great afforts and love given by them not even thinkg of their family their routine life their holidays enjoments pranam and we pray lord to give

them very long and healthy life. Kanubhai Lakhani is a leader of Jain Samaj of Long Island in Plainview. Coordinated by : Hemant Shah Past President, Jain Center of America and Trustee of Jain Temple of New York, New Hyde Park Edited by Parveen Chopra Managing Editor, The South Asian Times

Emphasis on non-violence makes Jainism distinct

ainism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Jains traditionally trace their history through a succession of 24 propagators of their faith known as tirthankara with dintha as the first tirthankara and Mahvra as the last of the current era. For long periods of time Jainism was the state religion of Indian kingdoms and widely adopted in the Indian subcontinent. Jainism is a religious minority in India, with 4.2 million adherents, and there are small but notable immigrant communities in Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the United States. Jains have the highest degree of literacy of any religious community in India (94.1 percent), and their manuscript libraries are the oldest in the country. Jainism, traditionally known as Jaina dharma, is one of two Indian non-Vedic religions (the other being Buddhism). Jainism prescribes a path of non-vio-

lence towards all living beings and emphasizes spiritual independence and equality between all forms of life. Practitioners believe that non-violence and self-control are the means by which they can obtain liberation. C u r r e n t l y, Jainism is divided into two major sects Digambara and vtmbara. The word Jainism is derived from a Sanskrit verb Jin which

means to conquer. It refers to a battle with the passions and bodily pleasures that the jaina ascetics undertake. Those who win this battle a r e termed as Jina (conqueror).

The term Jaina is therefore used to refer to laymen and ascetics of this tradition alike. Mahatma Gandhi, revered by Indians as Father of the country, was influenced by Jainism in honing his concept of truth and non-violence. He wrote: "No religion of the world has explained the principle of non-violence so deeply and systematically, with its applicability in life as in Jainism.... Bhagwan Mahavir is sure to be respected as the greatest authority on non-violence".

The 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavir, was a contemporary of Gautam Buddha. Mahatma Gandhi called him the greatest authority on non-violence".

Jains now enjoy national minority' status in India

arly this year, the Indian government granted the Jain community followers of an ancient faith often confused to be a sect of Hinduism the status of a national minority. This fulfills a long-standing demand by the over 4 million-strong community that has sought to maintain its religious and cultural identity. Jains, according to the 2001 Census, make up 0.4 per cent of the countrys population Under the Constitution, religious minorities enjoy special rights. For example, under Article 30, they can manage their own educational institutions without interference or opening them up for reservation for students from other communities. They also become eligible for funds under the governments minority welfare programs. Jains, an otherwise affluent minority, were fighting for national minority status mainly to protect and promote Jainism as a distinct faith and culture. Along with Hinduism and Buddhism, it is one of the

three most ancient religious faiths in the world. A national minority status allows us to enjoy fundamental rights under Article 25 and Articles 26 to propagate our religion and also freedom to manage our religious affairs. Without this, our identity was eroding, said Sanjeev Jain, an advocate of the cause. Although Jainism has many shared concepts with Hinduism and Buddhism because of a common cultural background, scholars agree that the Jain tradition constitutes an independent faith. Jains already enjoy minority status in 11 states. In 2005, the communitys representatives had moved the Supreme Court seeking a similar status nationally, a proposal backed by the National Minorities Commission. However, the top court had left the decision to the Centre. Jains have now become the sixth designated minority community of the country after other such religious minority groups: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis.

A rally organized by the Jain community in Mysore focused on ahimsa and environment conservation.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

DIASPORA

May 3-9, 2014

19

Australian gallery will not contest Rajiv Suri named Nokia CEO India's antique idols claim
Canberra: The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) would not contest the Indian government's request for return of antique idols, the Indian high commission said Tuesday. Tarun Kumar, first secretary in India's high commission in Australia, said he expected a decision to be made regarding the return of the artifacts within a month, Canberra Times reported Tuesday. He added that the deadline has now passed and it has been reported that the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) and the Art Gallery of New South Wales will not contest the Indian government's request for the return of the idols. In March, the Indian government formally requested the return of a 900-year-old Dancing Shiva statue from the national gallery and a stone sculpture of the god Ardhanarishvara from the art gallery of NSW, the report said. Both the artefacts were bought from the New York-based disgraced Indian-origin antiquities dealer Subhash Kapoor, currently on trial in India. The artifacts are in the care of the Australian federal government under the Moveable Cultural Heritage Act, a law which allowed the galleries 30 days to challenge India's claims. With those claims uncontested, the decision on the future of both statues rests with the Commonwealth, the report said. The NGA paid $5 million for the Dancing Shiva statue in February 2008. The statue was one of the 22 items it bought from Kapoor's Art of the Past gallery for a total of $11 million between 2002 and 2011.
Rajiv Suri

Helsinki: Finnish technology giant Nokia Tuesday named India-born Rajeev Suri as its chief executive officer (CEO). "As Nokia opens this new chapter, the Nokia Board and I are confident that Rajeev is the right person to lead the company forward," said Risto Siilasmaa, chairman of the Nokia board of directors, in a statement Tuesday. "He has a proven ability to create strategic clarity, drive innovation and growth, ensure disciplined execution, and deliver re-

sults. We believe that his passion for technology will help ensure that Nokia continues to deliver innovations that have a positive impact on people's lives," Siilasmaa added. Siilasmaa, who has also been serving as an interim CEO, will return to focusing exclusively on his role as chairman of Nokia's board of directors from May 1. "I am honored to have been asked to take this role, and excited about the possibilities that lie in our future," said Rajeev Suri. "Nokia, with its deep experience in connecting people and its three strong businesses, is well-positioned to tap new opportunities during this time of technological change. I look forward to working with the entire Nokia team as we embark on this exciting journey." Suri was born in 1967 in India and joined Nokia group in 1995. He held a wide range of leadership positions 1995-2007. He has been CEO of Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) since 2009.

Indians 'second largest' international student group in Australia

Sydney: Students from India reportedly form the second largest group of international students studying in Australia. According to the most recent figures from Universities Australia, more than 30,000 international students are studying across the country, out of which, China, India, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam are the top five countries with largest student groups. An increasing number of students from Pakistan, Colombia and the Philippines are also enrolling for different courses in the country.The most recent data published by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship showed that, in the last six months of 2012, there was a 27 per cent growth in higher education student visas granted to offshore applicants, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Meanwhile, Sydney proved to the world's most popular destination for international students, beating more than 83 cities including London, Paris and New York to the desirable spot, according to a new global ranking. Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore said the council's figures showed about 35,000 international students studied on campuses in Sydney and more than 10,000 lived in the local government area. Moore said that the community of international students improves the city's prosperity and livability. He added that being the world's most popular destination for international students helps build Sydney's cultural diversity and strengthen its regional and global connections.

India social worker in UAE goes from real to reel

Dubai: A Malayalam film director has proposed a movie on an Indian social worker in the UAE who has helped in the repatriation of over 2,000 dead bodies of Indian expatriates, a media report said Saturday. Ashraf Thamarassheri, a social worker based in United Arab Emirates's Ajman, has been assisting expatriate families with documentation work for repatriating dead bodies of their loved ones and was reportedly chosen as the best social worker by the Malayalam TV channel Media One, Emirates24|7 reported Saturday. TA Razak, an acclaimed screenplay writer in the south Indian state of Kerala who has now turned to film direction, is in talks with city-based social workers, film personalities and technicians in Dubai. This will help him with the new venture which will be shot mostly in UAE. Razak, who started as a clerk at the Kerala Road

Arson behind T&T Indian expo fire: Organizer

Port-of-Spain/New Delhi: An arson vestigation. Alagh, who is married to attack is being suspected of being the a Trinidadian, said arson was suscause of a major fire pected as remnants of a Thursday that razed the There has been a Molotov cocktail were venue of the upcoming total estimated loss retrieved from the Festival of India expo in of $6.5 million. The smoldering ruins by inTrinidad and Tobago's vestigators. Festival of India borough of Chaguanas. "We had taken care of The fire that engulfed has been annually all the security guidethe Divali Nagar site in organized by the lines at the expo but the central Trinidad at 2 a.m. India-Caribbean security around the Thursday, led to an estiexpo was not up to the mated loss of around Company for the mark," he told. past 10 years. $6,000,000. Alagh, an Indian tradAround 50 Indian parer based in New Delhi, ticipants lost all their trade items, in- said they did not get any response cluded clothing, furniture and jewel- from the Indian high commission in ry, in the fire, said expo organizer the country despite such a huge loss. Amit Alagh. According to Alagh, there has been a The entire venue was gutted in 15 total estimated loss of Rs.40 crore minutes, even as five fire tenders (around $6.5 million). were sent to the spot. "I am penniless, and what can I do, Also, 150 local workers from how can I start over?" Alagh said. Trinidad and Tobago were rendered Local fire officials too have conjobless. The Festival of India is a cluded that the fire was not accidenwell-known trade expo that has been tal. Police later reached the venue annually organized by the India- and launched a probe into the inciCaribbean Company for the past 10 dent. years. The festival has been licensed Sales of Indian wear spiral as the by the trade ministry of Trinidad and Indian diaspora here celebrates the Tobago. Alagh claimed that it was a 169th anniversary of the arrival of pre-planned attack aimed at causing Indians from Uttar Pradesh and Bithe maximum damage. har states between 1845 and 1917 However, he declined to name the May 30. They were brought here to attackers as the matter was under in- work on the sugarcane plantations.

Ashraf Thamarassheri has been helping families with documentation work for repatriating dead bodies

Transport Corporation (KSRTC), hoped that the Indian audiences would appreciate the touching stories from the Gulf - and especially the movie based on a selfless community worker like Thamarassheri. "It is a good gesture to send the right message to the community. It is an incentive to other social workers, too, in the Gulf. My work will continue irrespective of whether books or cinema are made about it," the news report cited Thamarassheri as saying.

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May 3-9, 2014

SUBCONTINENT

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India turns to Russia to get arms supply to Afghan forces

deepening role in Afghanistan aimed at preventing it from slipping back into the hands of the Taliban and other Islamist groups that are hostile to India. It comes as China, another big player in the region which borders Afghanistan via a small, remote strip of land, is preparing for a more robust role in Afghanistan, also concerned that the withdrawal of NATO troops will leave a hotbed of militancy on its doorstep. An Afghan National Army officer stands among tanks before a military Like China, India is exercise on the outskirts of Kabul on April 30 unlikely to put boots on the ground to reinforce New Delhi: India has signed an that the Afghans have been asking its strategy in Afghanistan. agreement under which it will pay India for since last year. "Involving a third party is the Russia to supply arms and equipIndia has already been training officers from next best option," an Indian forment to the Afghan military as military foreign combat troops prepare to Afghanistan, hosted a 60-member eign ministry official said, referleave the country, in a move that Special Forces group last year in ring to plans to source military risks infuriating Pakistan. the deserts of Rajasthan and sup- supplies from Russia for Afghan Under the deal, smaller arms plied equipment such as combat forces. The lack of direct access to such as light artillery and mortars vehicles and field medical support Afghanistan poses additional hurwill be sourced from Russia and facilities. But the decision to meet some dles to arms transfers. moved to Afghanistan. An Indian team visited Moscow But it could eventually involve of Afghanistan's military hardthe transfer of heavy artillery, ware demands - albeit sourcing in February to firm up the deal, tanks and even combat helicopters them from Russia - points to a the official said.

Pakistan eager to work with new Indian government

High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit

Mumbai: Pakistan is closely watching the unfolding parliamentary elections in India and is eager to work with whichever government come to power, its High Commissioner Abdul Basit said. "We are keen to resume the engagement process between he two countries, as comprehensive and meaningful as possible," he said. "Whoever becomes the next prime minister of India, whichever government comes to power, we are all for having a meaningful engagement," Basit declared, interacting with media persons informally during his three-day visit to the country's commercial capital here. He pointed out that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is committed to the "Region

First Vision", which is not only timely, but also long-lasting. "Peace through a peaceful process is very important. We (India-Pakistan) have had wars in the past, but it did not help much," Basit said, adding that the dialogue must be "comprehensive, uninterruptable and uninterrupted". "Let us not re-invent the wheel every time we meet. We share a history. Why hype around disagreements... We need to deal in a peaceful manner," he urged. Basit said that India and Pakistan have been talking now for decades, but now they need to "walk the talk". He however conceded that neither side had "a magic wand to fix everything overnight".

Rich-poor divide in China Sri Lankan opposition vows surpasses US, study finds protests over casino bill
Beijing: Income gap between the rich and the poor in communist China has surpassed that of the US by a big margin, a new study said, warning of increased social unrest as the growth slowed in the world's second largest economy. Although the government has shown it is serious in dealing with the issue, observers warn the severe inequality is undermining China's economic development and risks triggering more social unrest, a study by Xie Yu and Zhou Xiang, scholars at the University of Michigan in the US, said. The study said China's Gini coefficient a gauge of income gap has reached very high levels in the range of 0.53-0.55. In 2010, the Gini coefficient was about 0.55, while the figure in the US was 0.45. A reading above 0.4 usually marks strong inequality, which could be an indicator of social unrest. However, China's official Gini coefficient was 0.481 in 2010, already higher than the US level, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Most experts agree that China's Gini coefficient is about 0.5, Li Shi, director of the Institute for Income Distribution and Poverty Studies at Beijing Normal University, told state-run Global Times. Experts say while Africa and Latin America have the highest level of income disparity, China's Gini coefficient is among the highest in Asia, the newspaper said. Economists believe the severe income inequality, among the highest in the world, is taking a toll on the Chinese economy, which has been experiencing slower growth.

Colombo: Sri Lanka's opposition staged a protest outside the proposed building site for three proposed casinos valued at $1.3 billion, including one from gaming mogul James Packer, an official said Wednesday, as parliament prepares to push through legislation delayed since last year. The three projects are a $350-million casino project by Australian casino mogul James Packer, a $300-million gaming facility by local tycoon Dhammika Perera called Queensbury and the largest venture of $650 million by local conglomerate John Keells Holdings (JKH) that will also have a casino. The government has already twice rolled back attempts to push through legislation in parliament that will make casinos legal. Strong protests from the opposition United National Party (UNP) and Buddhist hardline group Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), which is part of the ruling coalition, have stalled the attempts. The government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has a twothirds majority in parliament and the latest presentation of the projects Thursday is expected to have a high chance of success, Xinhua reported. Last year, following protests, the government removed the word "casino" from the draft bill and inserted the phrase "mixed development projects", which the UNP claimed was just a euphemism for casinos. The government had previously stated existing casino licenses could be transferred to the three projects and opposition politicians have charged that loopholes exist in the regulations to establish casinos at a later date. Packer's casino in particular has been severely censured by the UNP for being given sweeping tax concessions for 12 years. The Australian Financial Review has estimated that the tax holiday will add up to as much as $1 billion.

Hamid Mir, a Geo News anchor, was shot by gunmen

Amnesty urges Pakistan to probe threats to media

Islamabad: Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to investigate threats to journalists and probe its military and intelligence agencies for stifling freedom of media. The watchdog says in a report that Pakistani journalists often face threats to their lives from the country's spy and military agencies, political parties, Islamic militants, sectarian outfits, separatist insurgents and al-Qaida-linked groups. The report follows a shooting earlier this month of Hamid Mir, a Geo News anchor shot by gunmen. Mir is recovering in hospital from multiple gunshot wounds. His brother has blamed the shooting on the military's InterServices Intelligence, or ISI. Amnesty alleges that the service is implicated in abductions, torture and killings of journalists. The report documented cases of 34 journalists killed in Pakistan since 2008.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

INTERNATIONAL

May 3-9, 2014

21

Washington: The US has put India and nine other countries on its Priority Watch List to highlight what it called "growing concerns with respect to the environment for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection and enforcement". Releasing its annual Special 301 report on IPR, the US Trade Representative (USTR) said it will conduct Out-of-Cycle reviews to promote engagement and progress on IPR challenges identified in this year's reviews of India, Kuwait, Paraguay and Spain. "The Obama Administration is committed to meaningful and sustained engagement with trading partners -- from China to India to Canada -- with the goal of resolving intellectual property-related concerns so that Americans and American firms can compete on a level playing field in those markets," said USTR Michael Froman. In the last 25 years since USTR published the first Special 301 'Fact Sheet', "we have achieved dramatic changes in the interna-

US places India on IPR Priority Watch List Ukraine developments

United Nations: The UN political chief has said that the developments in Ukraine "should alarm us all," calling for concerted and expeditious efforts towards putting the crisis-torn country on the path to stability. In a briefing to the Security Council at a meeting on Ukraine, Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman noted that the situation continued to deteriorate in eastern and southern Ukraine, including the seizure of European observers, the takeover of government buildings by pro-Russian protesters and the shooting of the mayor of a major eastern city, Xinhua reported. "These developments should alarm us all," he warned. Furthermore, he said "the implementation of the Geneva Statement has stalled as parties have sought to give different interpretations of what has been agreed

should alarm us all: UN

upon", adding "unhelpful rhetoric" on the part of many has further escalated tensions. Feltman said he was asked to return to Ukraine next week by the UN secretary-general in the spirit of "helping bring about a return to diplomacy and a peaceful resolution." "We must find a way back to the spirit of compromise exhibited on April 17 in Geneva. A diplomatic and political solution to this crisis is both imperative and long overdue," he said. Tensions continue to rise in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russia militants are in conflict with government troops and have detained military observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Pro-Moscow demonstrators have staged protests in eastern Ukraine since early April, demanding a referendum on autonomy and closer ties with Russia.

The US Trade Representative Michael Froman

tional intellectual property landscape", he said USTR said it reviewed 82 trading partners for this year's Special 301 Report, and placed 37 of them on the Priority Watch List or Watch List. Besides India, Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, and Venezuela too have been placed on the Priority

Watch. These countries, according to the USTR, "present the most significant concerns regarding insufficient IPR protection or enforcement, or otherwise limited market access for persons relying on intellectual property protection". These countries will be the subject of particularly intense bilateral engagement during the coming year, it said.

Newspaper apologizes for 'world is fukt' headline

Sydney: The Australian financial newspaper which accidentally published a front-page headline reading "World is Fukt" apologized to its readers for the errorridden edition. The respected Australian Financial Review, in a message from editor in chief Michael Stutchbury, said the mistake was due to a production and printing error. "The Australian Financial Review apologizes to Western Australian readers for the obviously unacceptable state of the newspaper's front page on Thursday," he said in an apology in newspaper. The accidental front page quickly found fans on Twitter, who approved of the headline which read in full: "Arms buildup Buys planes, World is Fukt". They also enjoyed the fact that the headline for a story about a major budget speech by Treasurer Joe Hockey was empty of meaning, reading "Three lines to come here". Using the hashtag #WorldisFukt, readers described the mistakes as a "tremendously great publishing error" and "journalism that tells it like it is". "It is an extreme one-off and we are going through our processes to make sure it does not happen again," he said in an email.

The United States unveiled a new round of sanctions aimed at business leaders and companies close to Vladimir Putin,

Putin sees no need to sanction West

Minsk: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow saw no need for counter sanctions against the West, but could reconsider the participation of Western companies in its economy, including energy projects. "We would very much wish not to resort to any measures in response. I hope we won't get to that point," he told reporters after meeting with the leaders of Belarus and Kazakhstan. "But if something like that continues, we will of course have to think about who is working in the key sectors of the Russian economy, including the energy sector, and how." The United States unveiled a new round of sanctions aimed at business leaders and companies close to Putin, while the European Union followed up on Tuesday by naming 15 Russians and Ukrainians to its blacklist, moving to freeze assets and deny visas. "Regarding the second package, it's not clear at all what this is linked to, because there is no cause and effect link with what is happening now in Ukraine and Russia," he said. Though some Western oil companies left Russia in recent years because of a difficult business climate, US companies Exxon Mobil and Chevron Corp , along with British major BP , have significant ties there. Igor Sechin, the head of state-controlled Rosneft , was named in the latest US sanctions, though not his company, in which BP holds an 18.5 percent stake. In Russia, Exxon Mobil's net acreage holdings in Sakhalin at the end of 2013 totaled 85,000 acres, all offshore, and its net acreage in the Rosneft joint venture agreements for the Kara and Black Seas was 11.3 million acres. The two companies also have a joint venture to evaluate the development of tight-oil reserves in western Siberia.

The possible wreckage was found in the Bay of Bengal

Exploration firm claims to have sighted MH370 wreckage

Canberra: An Australian exploration firm has claimed sighting wreckage from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, a media report said. "We identified chemical elements and materials that make up a Boeing 777. These are aluminium, titanium, copper, steel alloys and other materials," Pavel Kursa, spokesman for Adelaide-based exploration company GeoResonance, told 7News. The company surveyed over 2,000,000 sq.km of the probable crash zone, using images obtained from satellites and aircraft. The possible wreckage was found in the Bay of Bengal, 5,000 km away from the current search location in the southern Indian Ocean off Perth. GeoResonance started its own search March 10 by using top technologies. "The technology that we use was originally designed to find nuclear warheads and submarines. Our team in Ukraine decided we should try and help," another company spokesman, David Pope, was quoted as saying. Pope said they had on March 5 taken images of the site they are searching now and what they are claiming to have found now wasn't there earlier. The MH370 disappeared March 8. "Were not trying to say that it definitely is MH370. However, it is a lead we feel should be followed up," Pope added.

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May 3-9, 2014

BUSINESS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Court to rule on ED chargesheet against Raja, Kanimozhi

New Delhi: A court has reserved its order on taking cognizance of the chargesheet against former telecom minister A. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and Dayalu Ammal, the wife of DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, among others for money laundering in the 2G spectrum allocation case. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini fixed May 2 for delivering his order on the chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against 10 people and nine companies. On April 25, the ED filed the chargesheet naming Raja, Kanimozhi, Dayalu Ammal, Swan telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd. Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Bollywood producer Karim Morani, Kalaignar TV director Sharad Kumar and P. Amirthan as accused in the case. The companies named are Swan Telecom Pvt. Ltd. (STPL), Kusegaon Realty Pvt. Ltd., Cineyug Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Cineyug Films), Kalaignar TV (KTV) Pvt. Ltd., Dynamix Realty,

Sun-Ranbaxy merger runs into legal wrangle

Hyderabad: Slamming the brakes on the blockbuster $4 billion Sun PharmaRanbaxy deal, the Andhra Pradesh high court has directed the bourses and regulatory authorities not to give their nod to the deal till it decides on a petition alleging insider trading in the all-share transaction. Based on a writ petition filed by a group of individual investors, the AP high court has issued notices to market watchdog Sebi, bourses BSE and NSE, the companies involved in the deal, namely Sun Pharma and its wholly-owned arm Silver Street Developers, Ranbaxy as well as Daichii Sankyo to maintain "interim status quo" in the matter. The order comes in the wake of allegations that the Ranbaxy stock witnessed heavy trading just prior to the announcement of its buyout by Sun Pharma, which prompted the investors to approach the high court urging it to direct Sebi to investigate the insider trading charges and restrain the bourses

Former telecom minister A. Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi

Eversmile Construction Company Private Limited, Conwood Construction and Developers (P) Ltd., DB Realty Ltd., and Nihar Construction Pvt. Ltd. The accused have been booked under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. "The investigation revealed that amount of Rs.200 crore was paid by promoters of the

STPL, using their group entity Dynamix Realty, to KTV, through KFVPL and CFPL (Cineyug Films) in the garb of legitimate financial transaction, i.e. as loan/share application money," the ED counsel said. The ED said the payment was illegal gratification for and on behalf of Raja and his associates in lieu of illegal favors given to the STPL for grant of UAS license.

from giving the merger scheme of the two drug giants the green signal. The petitioners alleged that by virtue of trading based on this unpublished price sensitive information, the people who were privy to the information benefited to the tune of nearly Rs 284.15 crore at the expense of retail investors. Though the market has been abuzz about foul play in the bigticket deal ever news of the deal broke out, Sun Pharma has even earlier denied the insider trading charges against Silver Street Developers LLP by clarifying the purchase of Ranbaxy shares by its arm did not "violate any insider trading" norms.

Switzerland, Norway world's most expensive economies

Washington: Switzerland and Norway are the world's most expensive economies, followed by Bermuda, Australia and Denmark, according to a new ranking by the World Bank. The economies with the lowest prices are Egypt, Pakistan, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Laos, according to a review of economic data which seeks to compensate for exchange rate effects and measure spending power across countries. The United States, the world's largest economy, was in relatively affordable 25th place, lower than most other high-income countries. The richest countries, or those with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita on a purchasing power parity basis, were Qatar, Macao, Luxembourg, Kuwait, and Brunei. Eight countries, including Malawi, Mozambique and Liberia, had GDP per capita of less than $1,000. Almost half the world's $90.6 trillion in total economic output in 2011 came from low- and middleincome countries, the World Bank said.

SC given 26 names with foreign accounts

New Delhi: The government has disclosed to the Supreme Court the names of 26 people who had accounts in banks in Liechtenstein, revealed to India by German authorities. A bench of Justice H.L.Dattu, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice Madan B. Lokur were given these names by Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran in two sealed covers having 18 and 8 names respectively. The 18 names that were disclosed by the government are of those in respect of whom the investigations have been completed by the Income Tax Department and prosecution launched against 17 as one of the account holders has expired. The court was told that second sealed cover has the names of eight account holders against him no there is no evidence of tax evasion in terms of Indian tax laws. As senior counsel Anil Divan urged the court that even these eight names should be disclosed, Justice Dattu said that he along with Justice Desai and Justice Lokur will deliberate on the matter and take a call on this issue. Taking the court through the Indo-Germany Double Taxation Avoidance Convention and the Reciprocity Agreement, Solicitor General Prasaran said India could get these names after a lot of effort and was under an obligation to maintain confidentiality. Eighteen names and they trusts associated with them are: Mohan Manoj Dhupelia, Ambrish Manoj Dhupelia, Bhavya Dhupelia (now Bhavya S. Shanbag), Manoj

The 18 names that were disclosed by the government are of those in respect of whom the investigations have been completed

Dhupelia, Rupal Dhupelia (all Ambrunova Trust reg. & Marline Management S.A), Hansmukh Ishwarlal Gandhi, Chintan Hansmukh Gandhi, Madhu Hansmukh Gandhi, Late Mirav H. Gandhi (all Manichi Trust reg.), Chandrakant Ishwarlal Gandhi, Rajesh Chandrakant Gandhi, Viraj Chandrakant Gandhi, Dhanalaxmi Chandrakant Gandhi (all Ruvisha Trust reg.), Arunkumar Ramniklal Mehta, Harshad Ramniklal Mehta (both Dainese Stiftung and Dryade Stiftung), K.M.Mammen (Webster Foundation), Arun Kochhar (Urvashi Foundation) and Ashok Jaipuria (Raj Foundation).

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

SPORTS

May 3-9, 2014

23

Woods holds on to number SC reserves order on spot-fixing probe panel one spot
London: Tiger Woods has stayed atop the world rankings despite his continued absence from competitive golf following back surgery. The 38-year-old US superstar was treated for a bulging disc in his spine in late March and subsequently pulled out of the Masters, the first of the year's four majors. He is in serious doubt for the US Open at Pinehurst in mid-June with reports saying he could be targetting a return to action at the British Open which starts at Hoylake, near Liverpool, on July 17. In the meantime his main rival
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone at Indian GP

for the top spot, Australian Adam Scott, took time off, while thirdplaced Swede Henrik Stenson closed the gap slightly with a tie for fifth in the China Open.
Tiger Woods

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has reserved its order on setting up a panel to probe allegations of spot-fixing and betting against some of the cricketers playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) and inaction by BCCI president N. Srinivasan. A bench of Justice A.K. Patnaik and Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla reserved the order after it was told that Justice (retd) Mukul Mudgal has consented to head the panel to investigate these allegations. When Srinivasan's counsel Mukul Rohtagi contended that his position should be restored if the court was entrusting the investigation to an outside agency, the court, not inclined to budge from its position to have an independent investigation, asked: "Do you think till investigations are over he (Srinivasan) should stay (as the head of the cricketing body?" "Since BCCI itself is not probing (the allegations) then the man-

BCCI president N. Srinivasan

agement of the cricketing body should be restored with a rider that he (Srinivasan) will not interfere into the probe," he said. As Rohtagi said there was no finding in the report against Srinivasan, Justice Patnaik said: "It is all in your interest and Srinivasan that we should not read

it (allegation given to the court in sealed cover by Mudgal Committee) out in the open court." "I have not spoken to the secretary general (of the apex court). What you say may not be entirely correct," he said as Rohtagi told the court that audio recording of the Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni, Srinivasan and IPL's chief operating officer Sunder Raman's interaction with Mudgal Inquiry Committee nowhere recorded their having described Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan as a "cricket enthusiast". "To find out what you are saying is right or what the probe committee (has said) then we will have to go to the video room to see," Justice Patnaik said. Rohtagi said the court was hearing the plea by the Cricket Association of Bihar which is not even affiliated to BCCI but was allegedly a front for A.C. Muthiah and (Lalit) Modi.
Former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi

Indian-American leads charge against racist NBA team owner

Washington: Mumbai-born Vivek Ranadive, the first and only IndianAmerican owner of an NBA team, is leading the charge against fellow team owner Donald Sterling accused of making racist comments. Sacramento Kings owner Ranadive expects his fellow NBA owners will vote unanimously to force Sterling, who has been banned by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for life and fined $2.5 million, to sell the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN reported. Ranadive, who emphatically supported Silver's ruling Tuesday, reiterated his stance Wednesday morning on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike." "I would be surprised if this was not a unanimous vote," Ranadive was quoted as saying. "The owners are amazing people - they're colour-blind -- and I fully expect a unanimous vote." Ranadive said he was shocked and outraged by Sterling's comments, which were revealed over the weekend as part of an audio recording. In the taped conversation with his girlfriend, Sterling specifically objected to photos that the woman posted of herself with Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. "I have had overwhelming support for this position," Ranadive was quoted as saying. "People were outraged by these comments.

Sort out money matters: Ecclestone on Indian F1

New Delhi: Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has promised the return of Indian Grand Prix in 2015 provided the race promoters, Jaypee Group, fulfill the financial requirements of the existing five-year contract. Ecclestone said from his London office that he is expecting a meeting with the Jaypee officials soon to sort out the contractual matters which has put the future of the race in doubt after it was dropped from the 2014 calendar. "It is all very clear. They just need to come here (London) and sort out the existing contract. Though the race promoters have not said when they will come over, we are constantly talking and they look very eager to get the race back. I am also confident that all financial issues will be sorted out and India will be back on the calendar," said Ecclestone, making it amply clear that India's rigid tax and bureaucratic set-up were not the only hurdles facing the race. Jaypee Sports International CEO Sameer Gaur had earlier said that he would meet Ecclestone in April to work towards getting the race back next year. Though no Jaypee official was available for a comment, the meeting between Formula One Management and owners of Buddh International Circuit is likely to be held post the outcome of the general election on May 16. Gaur had also said last month that he expected more support from the next government at the centre. The history shows it is tough for a race to return on evercrowded calendar but Ecclestone said he will "make space" for India after the important issues are resolved. "As I have said in the past, India is an important market for Formula One. I really want to see the race return," said the 83-yearold. The F1 Czar had also made it clear earlier that Jaypee will have to give financial guarantees for the remaining two races of the contract.

Lalit Modi grateful to Supreme Court

New Delhi/Jaipur: Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi hailed the decision of the Supreme Court which ordered the opening of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) election ballots by May 6. "Extremely grateful to honorable Supreme Court for allowing the opening of RCA elections ballots. Looking forward to results now being opened," tweeted Modi, also thanking his fans. "Thank you 4 your continued support & well wishes during this trying period. Could not have done it without u all. Now final leg need 2win it." Amidst the allegation of the fudging of the voters list, the Dec 19 elections were held under the supervision of former apex court judges Justice N.M. Kasliwal and Justice S.P. Pathak, who were appointed observers by the Supreme Court. The elections had become contentious since Modi, who is living in self-exile in London, is expected to win the ballot for the post of RCA president. An apex court bench of Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh directed the registry to send the results in a sealed cover back to Kasliwal, the principal observer for the elections, for release. Meanwhile, RCA representative in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Mehmood M. Abdi also hailed the order. In a statement, he termed the decision of the court as a disappointment for the BCCI which has all along tried to stall the return of Modi.

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive

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May 3-9, 2014

SELF HELP

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Ten tips for parenting teens today

pendently. Restrain yourself from being chief problem solver, so they can make good choices even when youre not around. Try not to ask a zillion questions. You won't get the answers you want anyway. Engage them in a conversation on a neutral topic before you start the interrogation. Refrain from going on the "lecture circuit." Model what it means to be a good person so you don't need to tell them. They will "get it." As uncomfortable as it may be, you have to talk about sex. Do it with honesty, and understanding, not judgment. Talk about your own experiences when you were a teen, especially those moments of which you are the least proud so that they will feel freer to share their questions and worries. When it comes to alcohol and drugs, make your house safe. Again, have honest discussions, sans judgment. Help them to anticipate new situations and problem solve about ways to stay safe. Dont rule with an iron fist. This may have worked when the kids were younger, but teens need to be part of the rule making. Most kids are actually pretty reasonable when given the opportunity to have some control. With their input, set limits with phones, computers and video games. Just like you let them eat only a few pieces of Halloween candy a night when they were younger, you need to see these devices in the same way. Express your appreciation and pride in your teens. Not for the good test scores or grades necessarily, but for moments of kindness and hard work. Theres nothing more important than an out of the blue "you're a good kid, and maybe I don't tell you that enough." Find some fun with your teen. Hang out, watch TV, order pizza, go to the driving range, play a video game, listen to music, go get manis and pedis, bake a cake, take the dog for a walk, go shopping -anything that may give you a moment, maybe just a moment, of sweetness with your kid. More parenting insights and information about the book can be found at http://joanigeltman.com/. When it comes to teenagers, the stakes can be high, with scary, emotional and even legal consequences. By being open and receptive, you can help navigate these treacherous waters.

Dont rule with an iron fist. This may have worked when the kids were younger, but teens need to be part of the rule making.

arenting a teenager can be an uphill battle. In addition to the problems you may have faced in your youth, a new host of issues are presented by texting, sexting, social media and cyberbullying, point out experts. Say the right thing and youll open up lines of communication. Say the wrong thing and it could lead to a fight or silent treatment,

says Joani Geltman, child development and parenting expert and author of A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens: Talking to Your Kids About Sexting, Drinking, Drugs, and Other Things That Freak You Out (AMACOM). Geltman offers her Top Ten Parenting Tips. Encourage teens to think inde-

Quick and tasty lunch ideas to 5 quick fixes for big improvements around your home take to work
he work week can be busy and stressful, from shuttling the family around to packing everyones lunch. If youre constantly taking care of others, ask yourself, are you taking sufficient care of yourself? At mealtime, its important to take a minute to re-energize, particularly during a long work day. Rather than ordering heavy meals or packing the same old thing day in and day out, find yourself other quick and tasty lunch ideas that are satisfying and have nutritional value.

hen it comes to home improvement, you dont need to do a complete overhaul to make a big impact. A less is more approach may serve you better, say experts. Sometimes quick fixes are the ones you need most, says Lou Manfredini, host of HouseSmarts TV and home improvement contributor on NBCs The Today Show.

According to Manfredini, there are five small projects you can do yourself that can make a huge difference in your home: Clean the Disposal: Your kitchen sink and disposal work hard, but sometimes they can stink. Every few months, eliminate odor and freshen things up by pouring half a cup of general purpose disinfectant cleaner down the drain. Using a small nylon pipe cleaning brush or clean toilet brush, reach in between the sink drain assembly and scrub the sidewalls of the pipe below it, paying special attention to the underside of the rubber flap on the disposal. Patch in a Snap: Unsightly holes in walls can ruin the look of a room. Luckily, patching those holes doesnt have to be time-intensive. For holes smaller than a dime, apply wall spackle with a putty knife. For larger holes, you may need to use a self-stick metal patch to cover it, and then apply spackle to smooth it out. Achieving professional looking results quickly and on-budget requires the right products, says Manfredini. Use a high-quality wall patch like 3M Patch plus primer spackle and primer in one, now available in a kit for holes up to three inches wide. It applies smoothly and has a built in primer, so once the wall is dry and sanded, you can paint immediately, cutting the repair time in half. Peace and Quiet: Plagued by squeaky wood flooring? Try pouring baby powder over the noisy area. Then, wrap a block of wood in a dish rag and tap the boards down with a hammer to drive the powder between the tongue and groove of the flooring and tighten the nails holding it in place. It may not work in all instances but Ive had great success with this process, says Manfredini. Accent with Paint: To update a room without investing much time or money, paint one wall an accent color. Half of all paint sold in the US is white, so why not add bold color to your home like blue, red or even tangerine? Prep by lightly sanding the entire surface. Patch any holes and then paint using a paint and primer in one. Two coats will give you the depth of color you want and should take only an afternoon. Light it up: To save money and help the environment, switch to LED light bulbs. With all the improvements in color, they can now mimic the warm lighting associated with incandescent bulbs, using two-thirds less electricity. You dont have to spend lots of time or money to spruce up your home this spring. Small projects can go a long way towards make it look great. StatePoint

Here are some things to keep in mind. Whats possible? When planning your meals, consider the amenities of your work environment. Do you have access to a refrigerator? If not, think shelf stability. Heat it Up: Tired of cold sandwiches? You dont need to spend all afternoon lingering in a bistro for a quality Italian lunch. Single-serve, portable pasta meals can be ready in one minute. For example, Barilla Italian Entres are shelf stable and easy to eat on the job. Since the pasta

and sauce are stored separately, the taste and texture of the ingredients are maintained until youre ready to eat. At 350 calories or less, they contain 10-13 grams of protein and six and 11 grams of fiber per meal. They come in a variety of options for meat lovers or vegetarians, such as Vegetable Marinara Whole Grain Fusilli and Meat Sauce Gemelli. For lunch ideas, visit www.barilla.com/italianentrees. Nutrition: Some meals can offer a quick burst of energy only to cause you to crash soon after. To truly take care of yourself throughout the day and get through that afternoon slump, make sure your meals are packed with pro-

tein and fiber to help you feel full. Look for a wholesome way to stay fueled. Be Balanced: Its important to eat wellbalanced meals as much as possible. Eating pasta or a sandwich at lunch? Try incorporating vegetables and fruit on the side to add valuable vitamins and nutrients. All you need is a bag of baby carrots or celery sticks and youre set. No matter what you choose, you neednt resign yourself to forgoing meals or getting bored. If youre juggling work, parenting duties and chores, challenge yourself to find ways to prepare tasty, nourishing lunches in just a minute or two, so you dont go hungry or renege on important responsibilities.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

HEALTH

May 3-9, 2014

25

Wamp it up!
Processed Foods = Bad Whole and Minimally Processed Foods (WAMP) = Good
animals. Juice needs to be squeezed out of a fresh orange in a similar way to how olive oil needs to be extracted from the olive. All of these are great examples of minimally processed foods. We dont find them as is in nature, but theyre changed only in small ways for us to better consume them. With just a little common sense and some thinking about the origins of foods, knowing whats minimally processed becomes simple. Keep It Real Another key attribute of WAMP foods is their deep-rooted connection to the history of food, culture, and ancient ways of cooking and eating. WAMP foods tend to be key ingredients in authentic recipes of traditional cuisines. For example, when our ancestors made some of the very first breads, they did so with WAMP ingredients: wholewheat kernels crushed using millstones (minimally processed), unrefined sea salt, wild yeast (sourdough starter, not bakers yeast), and water. Same with yogurt: A traditional food of the Balkans, it was likely made from the milk of pasture-raised animals (goat, sheep, or cows) and wild bacteria (not a manufactured strain as is the case today in most of the Dannons and Yoplaits). Even the first pizzas were likely made using minimally processed flours, fresh herbs, fresh cheese from pasture-fed animals, handmade olive oil, and tomato saucenothing like the kind of pizza pies we eat at Pizza Hut. WAMP ingredients and dishes tend to be those that have been around for the longestthrough generations. Theyre old school. Okay, so you must be thinking at this point, Why arent we talking about organic or non-GMO? If WAMP foods are organic, local, sustainable, or otherwise produced in a healthier way for us and the planet (i.e., without pesticides, without antibiotics, without genetic modification, etc.), theyre superioror what I like to call Super WAMP. Whole Food Almonds he idea that eating whole foods is good and processed foods is bad may seem selfevident, but its not as obvious as you might think. In fact, pinpointing WAMP foods isnt simple. Processed foods can be sneaky and disguise themselves as healthy foods without our noticing. For example, we all know that chips, fries, and doughnuts are processed junk-type foodsthats obvious. But what about bagels, cereal, and yogurt? Maybe notit all depends on the ingredients that make them what they are. Most bagels are full of refined, processed wheat, and mainstream cereals are stuffed with processed sugar theyre certainly not WAMP foods. The fact is there isnt a standard, regulated definition of the words whole or minimally processed. Youll need to learn what makes a food WAMP and what doesnt because labels on packages wont tell you. Luckily, there are a few key attributes that flag a food as WAMP.

An organic banana is a better WAMP food than a conventionally grown banana. Sustainably grown rice is a better WAMP food than genetically modified rice. Eat Super WAMP foods when you can, especially when choosing foods from animal origins. Remember, though, that a food labeled organic doesnt make it WAMP. Doughnuts, table sugar, cookies, and potato chips can be organic, but WAMP? Usually not. The Science Now we get to the part about why WAMP foods are the best foods for us, and why theyre so good. Science loves WAMP. Researchers agree that whole and minimally processed foods are more nutrientdense than processed foods, and therefore healthier. WAMP foods contain more fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and so on more of the disease- and cancerfighting good stuffthan processed foods. The case for WAMP foods is only getting stronger each year. Study after study reveals that these foods, especially plant-based WAMP foods, can help prevent certain cancers, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The idea that the whole is better than the sum of its parts, a quality described as synergy, takes WAMP foods to the major leagues. Scientists have realized that whole foods have a certain je ne sais quoi that foods made by humans dont, a characteristic that is best exemplified by what happens when you eat a whole carrot versus ingesting a pill that contains beta-carotene. You dont get the same benefits from the pill; eating the carrot is better. Science has found that theres a special synergy among nutrients in whole foods that humans cant replicate. When we take a bite out of a carrot, hundreds of nutrients within that bite of carrot work together to ensure they function optimally and provide us with the nourishment Processed Food Almond Joy Candy Bar Chocolate Chip Muffin White Bread The Flavor Ready for the best news about WAMP? This food is t-a-s-t-y! And its no wonder, since our species is biologically hardwired to find WAMP foods pleasurable. In fact, scientists have found that humans acquired a sense of taste to help them stay aliveedible, nourishing WAMP foods generally tasted sweet (signaling we may eat them) while poisonous foods tasted very bitter (signaling the opposite). The sweet flavor of ripe summer

Direct From Mother Nature Lets start by defining whole foods. Whole foods are foods that come directly from Mother Nature, period. What this means is that these foods look pretty much the same whether you find them at a grocery store or on a farm. Whole foods, for the most part, come from the plant, animal, or fungi kingdoms. Carrots, whole chickens, mushrooms theyre all considered whole. Take cinnamon sticks, for example. Theyre bark, from plants, and we find them essentially as is, direct from nature. Same with coconuts, apples, lettuce, and hundreds of other foods. Once those foods are processed, though, they lose their nutrient power and goodness theyre no longer WAMP. The key here is that whole foods are unaltered from the way youd find them in the wild. Minimally Touched by the Human Hand With minimally processed foods, a little common sense goes a long way. For example, minor alteration by the human hand is necessary for some whole foods to be stored, shipped, preserved, and consumed. Some fish are smoked to prevent them from going bad. Whole chickens are skinned, deboned, and fit into convenient packages for us to pick up from the supermarket. In the preparation of chocolate, cacao beans need to be extracted from the pods they came in, fermented, and dried prior to consumption. Butter needs to be made by humans from the milk of

WAMP (Whole and Minimally Processed Foods) offers a bulletproof definition of healthy food, superseding the terms organic, natural, and local. Here is an extract from natural food chef and healthy living expert Pooja Mottls new book, The 3-Day Reset: Restore Your Cravings For Healthy Foods in Three Easy, Empowering Days (Seal Press).
were meant to have from that carrot. Its for this same reason that taking fish-oil pills (a product of extracting and isolating oils from whole fish and then encapsulating them) doesnt give you as much benefit as eating fresh, whole fish; why drinking apple juice just isnt as healthy as munching on a whole apple; why enriched white bread isnt as nourishing as wheat berries. The bottom line is that WAMP foods have a quality that trumps the duplicative powers of modern medicine and nutrition science. We know theyre uniquely healthy, yet we cant figure out how. But we do know that WAMP foods are the true definitionthe par excellenceof healthy food. strawberries is euphoric. Oysters are deliciously salty. Mushrooms have the perfect touch of umami. These kinds of foods give us incomparable pleasure. Composed of hundreds of flavor compounds with beautiful hues, tantalizing textures, and heavenly aromas, WAMP foods deliver on many levels. And in their freshest state (harvested at the peak of ripeness and used shortly thereafter), nothing can beat the multisensory experience we can obtain from them. Similar to the special synergy in their nutrient value, WAMP foods are made up of complex combinations of chemicals that affect their taste and smellcombinations that humans have a hard time replicating as well. For example, the potent oils found in an orange peel contain a mind-boggling combination of over 200 chemicals alone. The distinct flavor of pure maple syrup cannot be reproduced, the science behind its flavor a secret of Mother Nature. Excerpted from The 3-Day Reset: Restore Your Cravings for Healthy Foods in Three Easy, Empowering Days, by Pooja Mottl. With permission from Seal Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group. Copyright 2014.

Minimally Processed Food Unsweetened Almond Milk

Raw Cacao Pod 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate Wheatberries Orange Whole-Wheat Pasta

Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice Packaged Orange Fruit Drink Frozen Chicken Tenders Brand-name Peanut Butter with Additives and Preservatives

Whole Chicken Homemade Chicken Soup

Peanuts

Peanut Butter made of fresh peanuts and salt

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May 3-9, 2014

ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Nick Cannon supports Priyanka in NY

A
ctress-singer Priyanka Chopra, who premiered her new video I Can't Make You Love Me in New York, was excited with the support of her "awesome friend", rapper Nick Cannon. So excited to be premiering the video for 'I Cant Make You Love Me' in NYC...the Tribeca Grand is going be glorious tonight.. I'm nervous, the National Award winning actress tweeted. Thank you Nick Cannon for coming to support me... You are an awesome friend, she added, along with a photograph with the multi-faceted musician. I Cant Make You Love Me is Priyanka's third song after her last two hits, In My City and Exotic featuring Will.I.Am and Pitbull, respectively.

'US biggest overseas market for Indian cinema'

Rapper Nick Cannon with actor Priyanka Chopra The Bollywood diva received praise for her new song during its New York premiere. Thanking her fans, she posted: It's been a wonderful night... Thank you everyone for supporting 'I Cant Make You Love Me'. Blessed."

Actor John Trovolta

Trovolta approached for Shekhar Kapoor's "Paani"

merican actor John Trovolta said he has been approached by filmaker Shekhar Kapoor for "Paani". "Yes, I have been offered a film that I am considering doing. I believe it's an honest Bollywood film and its called "Pani". Shekhar Kapoor has asked me to be a part of it," Trovolta said. Shekhar Kapur has been planning to make "Paani" for a while now and Hrithik Roshan was earlier approached for this film.

People must stop voting for criminals: Aamir

ctor-filmmaker and host of socially-relevant TV show "Satyamev Jayate", Aamir Khan says he is "sad like every Indian" due to the state of the country's political system, but stressed that change will only come when people stop voting for criminals contesting elections. "I wish and hope that political parties rise above this and stop giving tickets to criminals. Ultimately, the change will come when people stop voting for criminals," Aamir said here during the NDTV Indian of the Year Awards. He does not like the way people end up voting, but he said that he does understand why they end up casting a vote for the people they do. "What I don't understand is that why political parties give a ticket to criminals," he said.

Aamir Khan

Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

'2 States' continues to be favorite of audiences

A
rjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt-starrer "2 States" is in its second week and it has raked in about Rs.70 crore at the domestic box office. Close on its heels is Revolver Rani, which came out this weekend. Samrat & Co. and Subhash Ghais Kaanchi haven't struck the right chord yet. According to sources, 2 States, which released April 18, has earned Rs.69.83 crore net in the country. Based on a bestseller by author Chetan Bhagat, it is directed by first-timer Abhishek Varman. 2 States is still leading. Among the new releases, Revolver Rani is doing the best. It has minted approximately Rs.3.25 crore in two days. Kaanchi has collected about Combines said. Though Kangana Ranaut-starrer Revolver Rani has done relatively better than the other two films that released April 25, the movie's performance at the box-office is not as good as her previous film "Queen". The buzz wasnt that great. Even the songs are not good and promotions didnt create much hype, said Thadani. Tagged as a complete B-grade entertainment by its producer Tigmanshu Dhulia, the film presents Kangana shooting guns and acting more like a male hero. While Samrat & Co. shows Rajeev Khandelwal as an investigator in the detective movie, women empowerment-based Kaanchi is Ghais directorial after six years.

Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in '2 States' Rs.1.25 crore and Samrat & Co. must have earned not more than Rs.50 lakh, Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia

he footprint of the over $2 billion Indian cinema industry is rapidly growing overseas, says National Award-winning filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. He stresses that while non-traditional markets are vital, the US, powered by a three-million strong Indian diaspora, remains the biggest international market for Indian moviemakers. "America is an important market for us. It is important for us to have a (wide) presence there as it is the final frontier for the business of films and the biggest market for us overseas," Mehra said. "I remember taking 'Rang De Basanti' (in 2006)...the market in the US is most certainly growing. Now we have our films in the US, the UAE, Australia and Britain, but we need a stronger presence in the US, and we need to go beyond the diaspora to explore more non-traditional markets," he said. Mehra's last entertainer, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", a biopic which was recently named the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment by the National Film Awards jury, was released in multiple territories abroad the US, Australia, Britain, Fiji, Singapore, Thailand, Malasiya, Hong Kong, East Africa, South Africa, Indonesia, the UAE and New Zealand.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD

May 3-9, 2014

27

'Revolver Rani': Kangna goes beyond 'Queen'

ail the female. Kangna Ranaut plays the quirky queen of all she surveys.She lords over her doomed anarchic and wretched kingdom like a doped and excitable "Pan Singh Tomar". It is a dangerous world out there in the Indian heartland. Specially for women who have to fight prejudices and betrayals on so many levels. In a scene straight out of a street play, Kangna, playing what seems like a cross between Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill" and Seema Biswas in "Bandit Queen", Kangna tells the mother of a young girl: "Teach her how to shoot a gun . It's the only way she can survive." "Revolver Rani" is a deeply satisfying tribute to many things at the same time. Director Sai Kabir (who has previously made an unreleased film) pays a hefty homage to many filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, Quentin Tarantino, Mehboob Khan and Shekhar Kapoor. And yet for its derivative aspirations, "Revolver Rani" is a fiercely origi-

nal piece of cinema, crafted with compelling concentration and impassioned intuition. The mayhem is meticulously executed. It serves as the evocative backdrop for the life of an outlawed banditpolitician. Kangna plays a woman of substance who, going by her highoctane energy level, seems to be guilty of substance abuse. And that's the least of her crimes. Alka Singh, as played by Kangna in her second powerhouse performance this year, is the female goon who speaks most eloquently with the nozzle of her gun. There is an awkwardness to her 'Chambal ki boli' that dissolves when she has to converse with a 'bandook ki goli'. Kangna's askew personality and her lisping halting dialogue delivery give her character that cutting edge with distinguishes a remarkable performance and takes a potentially powerful performance into the realm of the truly inspired. I wonder what Alka Singh would

Review

Kangna Ranaut in a scene from 'Revolver Rani' have been if Kangna had not played this feisty women! Alka's epic saga is partly cartoonish, partly a documentary on bandit-politics spliced together to make the woman an outrageously endearing outlaw. At heart, "Revolver Rani" is a heartbreaking love story of a crass, powerful female politician who falls for a sleazy selfish Bollywood aspirant. We can see what a jerk he is. She can't. As she goes through a sham marriage and a very real pregnancy with the certifiable asshole, Kangna's character's blind love turns into frustration and fury in front of our eyes.

"Revolver Rani" is a film of baffling contradictions and anomalies. It starts with 10 minutes of dreadfully self-conscious political humour and then steers adroitly into Alka's love life with a cocky contempt for conventional signposts of female empowerment. The feminist hoardings all all bypassed in favour of creating untried rules of unorthodox womanhood. More than the political intrigue, I was enthralled by Kangna's growing love for the thoroughly undeserving "Cham-cham" (yup, that he cheesy nickname for her toy boy). The desperate passion she feels for this cad is so palpable as to make love appear as the greatest crime in Alka Singh's world of pervasive outlawry. Like Kangna's Alka Singh, there is no artifice in the technique applied to the proceedings. "Revolver Rani" is as real as comic book heroines can get. And if that seems like an irreconcilable merger of two separate worlds, then so be it. Commercial Hindi cinema has come of age.

Ghai unfazed with initial response to 'Kaanchi'

ubhash Ghai is unfazed with the slow start of his latest directorial "Kaanchi" at the box office. The movie stars newcomer Mishti in the lead role and the filmmaker says patience is needed to accept films with a new cast. "Whenever you (a filmmaker) make a film with a newcomer, you don't need the initial response. In fact, the day you script the film, you already make up your mind that in the first two or three days of its release, the film will not do good," Ghai told reporters here at an event. "But if anything is good, it picks up," he added.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg

"Kaanchi" hit the theaters April 25 and it has got a lukewarm response, both from the audience and critics. It minted Rs.1.25 crore in two days since its release. However, Ghai is hopeful the film will pick up in the coming days. "A little bit of patience is needed for a film made with a new cast, so just wait and watch, everything will be fine in a few days. I know people are enjoying it," the filmmaker said. The film chronicles the story of an innocent rural beauty and her fight against power and features Kartik Aaryan, Mithun Chakraborty and Rishi Kapoor in key roles.

Retrial begins in Salman Khan hit-and-run case

Steven Spielbergs next to be shot in India?

ilmmaker Steven Spielberg and Hollywood star Tom Hanks have teamed up for several hits in the past Saving Private Ryan (1998), Catch Me If You Can (2002) and The Terminal (2004). Now, theyre set to come together again for an untitled thriller based on the Cold War, and if insiders are to be believed, this film to be produced by Spielberg and industrialist Anil Ambanis company may have an Indian connect. The director is said to be keen on shooting some parts of the film in the country. Nothing is confirmed yet, but it (shooting in India) has been part of the internal discussions, says an insider. Last year, while he was in Mumbai, Spielberg had shown great interest in using India as a shooting destination. At that time, he had even spoken about a movie that he planned to shoot in India. Part of it will take place on the India-Pakistan border in Kashmir. But were still trying to figure out the casting, locations, he had reportedly said. The last time Spielberg filmed in India was in 1977, when he was working on Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. After this film with Hanks, Spielberg will helm another project an adaptation of Roald Dahls The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) again, in partnership with Ambanis company. The spokesperson from the company confirms the news.

sessions court has begun the retrial in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Bollywood actor Salman Khan, with the partial deposition of witnesses. The witnesses included Samba Gowda who had drawn the list of articles (panchnama) seized by police on the day of the incident, Sep 28, 2002. Gowda informed public prosecutor J. Kenjalkar that the car involved in the accident was a big vehicle that rammed into a laundry and its bumper hit the shop's shutters. He said he saw glass pieces, number plate and bits of the bumper lying at the scene of the accident that were collected by police and a list was made. He expressed readiness to identify the articles. Two other witnesses were discharged as they had already admitted the lists recorded by them. The prosecution said it had submitted a list of 64 witnesses but would not examine all of them in the retrial. Salman Khan

Actor Mishti in a scene from 'Kaanchi'

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May 3-9, 2014

HUMOR

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Bone by Nury Vittachi

Why I'm giving up being politically correct

D
on't you think that everyone who has to listen to sermons should be supplied with a button that says "Skip to end and agree", like on websites? I know that's a politically incorrect thing to say, but it is becoming increasingly hard to be PC these days. Consider this true story: A teacher recently took out a lawsuit complaining that school bosses sacked her because of her disability. How mean! Or at least that's what I thought until I read that her official disability was "fear of children". It seems this is an actual disease now, not just any intelligent person's reaction to being swarmed by sticky irrational creatures which emit astonishing amounts of biochemical acids from both ends. You'd have thought that somewhere along the line this woman might have thought "schoolmarm" was not her ideal career, but no. It happened, of course, in the US, where you can sue anyone for anything, including saving your life, giving birth to you, glancing momentarily in your direction and the like. The reader who sent me the story, Margie K. Chen, commented: "I'm opposed to discrimination, but it's getting hard to be politically correct." I so agree. For example, people-smugglers are among the baddest of bad guys, right? But a reader sent me a report about cops in Madhya Pradesh, India, struggling to close down a mobile shop selling brides. Police located two outof-town brides who had been sold to men in a village but the women refused to be rescued, saying they were happy. Husbands applauded the human-traffickers for their flexible pay plans. One bachelor couldn't afford the "recommended retail price" of a bride; so the trafficker accepted a used buffalo as part-payment. Try that in your local department store; see where it gets you. I used to be politically correct in parenting matters until a reader sent me a report about police using pepper spray to subdue an out-of-control child. The kid in question, an eight-year-old Colorado boy named Aiden, was smashing down a door to fulfill his declared aim of slaughtering the staff of his school. Afterwards, a TV reporter asked little

Aidan whether he really intended to kill his teachers. "A little," the child admitted. Personally, I don't see a lot of difference in being killed a little or a lot; you're dead either way, right? One TV host in New Zealand was criticized for being non-PC after he said on air that reasoning with toddlers was "like trying to explain bad behavior to drunken rugby hoons (louts) with the language skills of chimpanzees". I was shocked. How could he get away with insulting chimpanzees like that?

Personally, I never use pepper spray when my children get out of control. I keep totally calm and we come to a compromise. I compromise by giving them what they want and they compromise by shutting up. This is known as "good parenting". Meanwhile, I am seriously considering getting myself diagnosed with fear of children as an official disability so that the government will be forced to relieve me of the stress of parenting. I'll have a miraculous recovery as soon as they've graduated from university. Sounds like a plan?

Laughter is the Best Medicine

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.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

ASTROLOGY

May 3-9, 2014

29

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: May 3-9, 2014
ARIES: Calculated risks would enable to complete the project on time. An auspicious week for family functions and important ceremonies. Finances will definitely get a boost. But at the same time there will be rise in expenses too. Prepare yourself to face the onslaught of cupids arrows. You must realize your true potentials to regain self-confidence. It is important to delve into your desires before you plan to travel. Are you longing to buy a farmhouse, try for it? You put mind to test by playing chess/crosswords or writing a story/poetry. TAURUS: Mental clarity gives a decisive edge over all competitors at professional front. Family members appreciate the changes made in & around the house. Speculation coupled with some unexpected gains improves financial health. Enjoying the company of partner in a lively restaurant would bring immense romantic pleasure. A sparkling laughter filled week when most things proceed, as you desire. Planning for traveling requires advice of persons whom you travel with. Plans for commercial loans might be postponed. Dont forget to listen to the voice of wisdom and dont jump to conclusions. GEMINI: Cooperative nature brings desired results at professional front. Friends and family members would encourage working harder. A new source of income will generate through influential contacts. Love life brings some memorable moments that you could cherish rest of your life. A very healthy week filled with happiness & vitality. Adventurous holidays, the best way to experience with your friends, time to enjoy. Selling your home privately can be an excellent way of saving on costs. Charity & social work will attract you. CANCER: A firm commitment will not only enable to achieve professional targets but also to realize your dreams. A unilateral decision could create some problems at family front. Investment without proper advice/guidance will bring financial losses. The presence of love would make you feel life meaningful. Your enormous confidence would help in enjoying a healthy life. Finally you have found the time for your deserving break, travel will be favourable. If you want to invest on property, then go for residential one. A promising week to follow issues that you have neglected earlier. LEO: Your inner values coupled with a positive attitude will bring success at work. A week for renewal of bonds and family ties. You will be presented with many new financial schemes. However you must weigh them considering all pros & cons before making any commitment. Your flashing smile would work as the best antidote for romantic partners unhappiness. Yoga and meditation would help in keeping in shape and mentally agile. Take a trip, as there is some place waiting for you. Older properties tend to suffer more than the new ones. Honest and to-the-point approach would be needed to succeed this week. VIRGO: For some change of job would bring mental satisfaction. You are likely to hear good news from close relatives. Rise in expenses will put unnecessary burden on budget. You might find it hard to express true feelings to dream prince/dazzling beauty. Pleasure trip would help in maintaining sound health. When preparing to travel with a family be humble and patient. Reduce your property loans otherwise you will be in great trouble. Dont get surprised if some of you have to shoulder the legal problems. LIBRA: Responding positively & quickly to new ideas in business will go in your favor. An old friend makes a pleasant visit later in the week. Investment made this week would enhance prosperity and financial security. Love is a serious business; therefore dont take it for granted. Your `lack of will might make it difficult to achieve your goals. Great time for perfect family vacation to an exciting destination. Shopping for a commercial real estate loan can be tricky. Blindly following others could land in some troubles. SCORPIO: To bring a bloom in professional life you will have to formulate new strategies. If possible undertake the projects that would benefit the whole family. Investment needs to be made keeping longterm perspectives in mind. If possible make sure you enjoy the lovely romantic journey to cement the bond. Blessings of a saintly person give peace of mind. Its high time to visit a relatives place otherwise relationships can be ruined. Your plan for a personal loan might not work out. As far as possible avoid unnecessary risks. SAGITTARIUS: Calculated risks at professional front will be rewarded with success. Evening enjoyed with family and close relatives brings immense pleasure. An improvement in financial position would enable to make important purchases. Finding faults in love partner would not only waste time but also ruin relationship. Body pain and stress related problems cant be ruled out. If youre planning a vacation, be sure to consider your work does not effect. Your plan to buy a plot, may lead to bankruptcy. You find it a little difficult to change old habits and views. CAPRICORN : You will be successful in regaining your professional touch. You are likely to plan a short trip with family. Do not make rash decisions, especially when negotiating major financial deals. Sharing candy floss and toffees with lover/beloved would bring unlimited joy. Chances of recovering from physical ailment are high. Travel opportunities full of challenges are often the beginning of great enterprises. Off-plan property investment is one of the easiest and most profitable methods to maximize gains in the real estate market. Construction work undertaken will finish to your satisfaction. AQUARIUS: Self-confidence helps in making an impact at professional front this week. Unexpected visit by old friend could give you a pleasant surprise. You are likely to earn monetary profits through most unexpected sources. Love works like a panacea as you find sanity. You attain a bloom in health on sharing happiness with others. A trip that is unconventional and adventurous will be favorable enjoy every minute of it. Your property prices will boost in the coming period. If possible, avoid giving unnecessary importance to minor issues otherwise. PISCES: Engineers are likely to find it very difficult/hard to complete the work on time. Encourage children to engage themselves in household activities in their spare time. You seem to know exactly what people need and want from you, but dont try to be too lavish in your spending. Company of love partner would inspire to take initiatives. Inexhaustible energy enables to participate in outdoor activities. You will discover travel destinations that are unique and magical. Plan your budget first, and then try for a property. Make sure you restrain yourself from any kind of temptation.

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

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

3rd May, 2014 Ruled planet: Jupiter Ruled by no: 3 Traits in you: As your governing planet is Jupiter, you are intelligent, dignified, dynamic, simple, ambitious, and optimistic. You are very whimsical towards your work. However, you need to eradicate few negative characteristics such as jealousy, rude, irresponsibility. Health this year: You will be going through a not so very good health this year around. You might need to take proper care of your health by frequently visiting your doctor for medical checkups. You need to adhere to the medications prescribed by the doctors for your betterment. Finance this year: You may be in a very good financial groove this year as you will find profit everywhere you go for investment. You may start few new ventures if you are into hardcore business. You might have to take few important decisions to go for the opportunities provided. You may invest on real estate and stocks this year. Career this year: If you are a very keen learner, then you may get the chance to prove yourself at a higher level. You will enhance your skills and impress your employer to get better professional benefits. You may get a good performance appraisal or a promotion, which will encourage you to work even hard. Romance this year: If you are yet to be in a marital relationship, there is a healthy chance for you to get into one. Your romantic life may take a leap this year if you are married. You should not get involved in any kind of confrontation or argument with your beloved as it may weaken your relationship. Lucky month: July, September, January, March and April 4th May, 2014 Ruled planet: Uranus Ruled by no: 4 Traits in you: With the influence of Uranus, you are born active and lucky. By nature you are dynamic, reliable, honorable, dignified, enthusiastic, decisive, and very cooperative. However, you need to work on your stubbornness and frequent mood swings. Health this year: You would not remain satisfied as far your health is concerned as minor illness may disturb you throughout this year. To avoid these health issues, you need to take care of your health by taking healthy food and medicines at time. You may go for yoga and meditation. Finance this year: You will be among ample financial benefits throughout this year. You will find new source of income and it will bring you lot of money and scope to expand your business. You may try your hands in various investment plans as you may get enough returns due to your favoring star movement. Career this year: You are destined to get plenty of good fortune and fame. Your dedication towards your work and efficiency may bring you exceptional success. You may get promoted to a managerial position and that will of course result in a handsome hike in your salary. Romance this year: You may get into matrimonial alliance towards the last few months of the year. If you are married, you will enjoy a blissful romantic relationship with your partner. You should plan for surprise outings to make your relationship grow stronger. Lucky month: August, September, January and April 5th May, 2014 Ruled planet: Mercury Ruled by no: 5 Traits in you :As your ruling planet is the Mercury, you are born realistic, intelligent, simple, focused, caring, determined, and courageous. As you are very helpful, people trust you very soon and you enjoy a good impression in your friends circle. However, you need to work on your stubbornness and jealousy to become a better individual. Health this year: Your health may remain the same as it was during the last year. You may improve a bit with medication and diet control. You may practice meditation and yoga for better results. Do not neglect the health of your family members as well as they may fall ill frequently this year and you may remain bothered for the same. Finance this year: You may find yourself in financial benefits. However, you need to take enough toil to make this happen. You may go for various new proposals and assignments, which would improve your income and prosperity. There may be a huge rise in expenses, but you will be able to meet those with your increased earnings. Career this year: You will be successful in every project you take up this year. You may be adjudged the best employee by your higher management because of your efficiency, hard work, and timely delivery. You may need to negotiate with different types of customer and learn a lot about handling a project independently. Romance this year: Your marital relationship will move on smoothly. If you are yet to marry, you may fall into a romantic relationship this year. You may get into a marital alliance if you are already into a relationship. You will be leading a blissful romantic life with your spouse or partner with lots of love, care, and concern. Lucky month: May, July, December, February and April 6th May, 2014 Ruled planet: Venus Ruled by no: 6 Traits in you: As you are ruled by Venus, you are simple, generous, cheerful, friendly, humble, honest and peace loving. You are pretty interested to stay in harmony with each and everyone in your surroundings. You need to work on your nature of being restless and pessimistic. Health this year: Your health would be moderate this time. You may not have the privilege to take the diet of your wish as the doctor would prescribe to avoid that. You may practice yoga and meditation along with your prescribed medicines for better results. Finance this year: Your expectations for financial gains may not convert to reality as you have to spend a moderate financial life this year. Do not invest huge amount on anything as you may go in loss. You should wait for the right time to invest on anything. You should not lend money to anyone as it may create financial crisis for yourself. Career this year: As far as your professional life is concerned, you are expected to get a lot of opportunities throughout this year. However, you have to work hard and efficiently to convert those opportunities. Being a quick decision maker, you may have to decide on many critical matters in your professional circle. Romance this year: You may try and convert your long time romantic relationship to a married one. You will be enjoying a great life with your spouse with lots of understanding, love, and care. You need not get into any kind of argument with your beloved this year. Lucky month: June, September, November and March 7th May, 2014 Ruled planet:Neptune Ruled by no: 7 Traits in you: Your ruling planet Neptune makes you intelligent, adaptable, charming, independent, humble, decisive, courteous, and courageous. Along with many positive characters, you also have few negatives. You need to work on your carefree and dominating attitude towards others to get respect and attention in your friend circle. Health this year: You need to take an appropriate care of your health. You may fall sick in the middle months of the year though those will not be serious. If you are a sportsperson, you need to be very careful for your diet and nutrition to perform better in your sporting events. Finance this year: You will be financially profited from you long term past investments. Your legal issues will be solved to give you a huge amount of money. You may end up spending a lot of money on your family members this year though you will earn a handsome amount. You may go for investments to get benefited in future. Career this year: Professionally, you are a very smart and efficient worker. So you may need to clarify doubts and help you peers and juniors in their work. People in your professional circuit will seek your help at every crucial situation. You may get promoted as a result of your spectacular performance throughout the year. You may be assigned a new responsibility this year. You may go for a job change as well as there will be plenty of opportunities available. Romance this year: You will be spending a peaceful and content life with your beloved. During the last few months of the year, you may have few misunderstandings, which can be cleared and sorted out if you both sit and try to listen each other. Lucky month: June, August, December and April 8th May, 2014 Ruled planet: Saturn Ruled by no: 8 Traits in you: The influence of the planet Saturn makes you creative, realistic, helpful, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and optimistic. You should take care of your impatience and jealousy to excel as an individual. Health this year: You may fall sick often this year if you do not take required preventive measures. You should see your doctor once a month to check your health conditions and supplements if required. You should also take care of the health of your family members by providing them medical attention. Finance this year: You may prosper financially with the opportunity to earn as much as possible with new sources of income. You may go for long distance business trips if you want success in your business. Be aware of fraud investment agencies as you may end up losing a huge amount of money. You are advised not to lend money this year. Career this year: Your hard work, dedication, and efforts in your work will get reflected in your professional hierarchy as you may go a step further towards your promotion. You will be admired by your peers and seniors this year for your performance and decision making capabilities. Treat your ordinates respectfully and try to help them in difficult situation as it would help you in getting a better appraisal towards the end of the year. Romance this year: Your relationship with your partner may reach to new heights this year as your love, trust, care and concern will develop towards your beloved. You may get married towards the end of this year if you are yet to marry. Lucky month: July, November, January and February 9th May, 2014 Ruled planet: MarsRuled by no:9 Traits in you :Your ruling planet Mars makes you strong, determined, courageous, enthusiastic, intelligent, ambitious, and motivated. You have a strong dislike towards fake people and fake emotions. You are a huge fan of truth and cleanliness. You need to work on your nature of showing dictatorship and being rude and stubborn at times. Health this year: As far as your health is concerned this year, you may not remain healthy throughout the year. There will be few hiccups in your health as you may suffer from many minor diseases. If you want to stay healthy, you should go for proper medication and a healthy diet plan. You have to leave consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Finance this year: You may go through sudden gains and losses this year. However, you will be capable enough to find out the source to earn ample amount of money. Your financial condition will be improved for a long term. If you are into business, you may enhance your business to gain better profits. You should invest in real estate this year as the chances of return are high. Career this year: You will face huge challenges in your professional field this year. There will be a lot of changes in your professional life. You may remain disturbed about your profession. You may go for a new job change as you would find the current work disgusting and monotonous. Romance this year: You will enjoy an improved life with your partner with lot of love, care, and concern. You should give time to your spouse or partner. If you are not married, you might have to wait as the movement of your planets does not suggest a marital alliance this year. Lucky month: August, September, November and January

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May 3-9, 2014

SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Peace of mind, heart & soul

peace. When we review what we did all day long, we find that there were a lot of disturbances, whether we had problems at our jobs, in our families, or in any other activities. Underlying all other disturbances is the fact that most human beings have an ongoing fear of death. We are afraid of dying, and that fear is always nagging us, always keeping us from being peaceful. There are only a few people in the world who can go beyond these disturbances, who can rise above them and see life from a higher angle of vision. When we learn about the spiritual science, it gives us insight into true peace of mind. When we start to know about the spiritual way, we realize that death is just an illusion. We learn that our real existence is not this human body, but in reality we are the soul that inhabits this body. There is no doubt that our body will perish one day, but the soul gives the body life and never dies. It just changes its state. Just as we change our clothes, the soul changes one body and goes to another. The seat of the soul is located between and behind the two eyebrows. It is the place from which the soul leaves the body and enters the worlds within. Once we go into the worlds within, we see the divine Light of God. We see the inner sky, the stars, the moon, and the inner sun until we ultimately reach our true spiritual home and have union of our soul with God. Each of us is capable of enjoying this spiritual flight through the process of meditation. When we enter the worlds within, then the fear of death leaves us. We realize that we are not the body but are the soul, and the soul is immortal. Spirituality and meditation not is beyond time and space. The love that we get from our universal Father, which can be experienced through meditation on the inner Light and Sound, is not subject to change. Being receptive to divine love is like taking a dip in the ocean of intoxication. Our hearts are filled with peace. When we are loved by of God calls us. It tries to awaken the soul, and we have an experience which is stirring, which changes our life. That experience could be the haunting music of the violins. It could be the verses of a poet that speak of God or the divinity we see in nature. It could also be the shock we experience when we lose a loved one and realize that this body is not our real home. It is when we understand that we are neither the body nor the mind that our soul yearns to go back to its True Home, and it knows no peace until it is again united with its Creator. We may gain peace of mind. We may gain peace of the heart. Peace of the soul, however, only comes when our soul merges with God. When we enter those states in which we experience peace within us, then that peace radiates from us to others. It goes from us to everyone else that we come in contact with. If you have peace in your heart, if you have peace of mind, if you have peace in your soul, then that peace is going to radiate from you to so many people, and you will become very effective in spreading joy and peace all around you. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is head of Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission / Science of Spirituality with international headquarters in Delhi, India. For more information contact www.sos.org.

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

any people want to take some time off from their day-to-day jobs so that they can take a vacation. They want to get away from the drudgery of their day-to-day life to relax and find some peace of mind. They wish to get away from the daily troubles and worries of life and experience happiness by being in a place where they can enjoy themselves. Most people, however, want to experience peace not only for a few fleeting moments, but for all times. There are three levels of peace that occur simultaneously. There is peace of mind, peace of heart, and peace of soul. Peace of mind is not only essential to our daily lives, but it is very helpful in our spiritual journey back to God. When we analyze what happens during the day, we know that there are countless occurrences that keep us from experiencing

Spirituality and meditation not only provides us with peace of mind, but it also gives us peace of heart. Each human being needs love and each human being can give love. The spiritual path provides us with a means of lasting love and happiness because the love of God is beyond time and space.

only provides us with peace of mind, but it also gives us peace of heart. Each human being needs love and each human being can give love. The spiritual path provides us with a means of lasting love and happiness because the love of God

God and we really feel it, then our heart is dancing with joy. It is filled to overflowing with the divine nectar of Gods love. There are no bounds to its ecstasy. Every so often our soul awakens to its true nature. The sweet voice

Pearls of wisdom from Sant Rajinder Singhji's teachings

Lifes awakening moments

The need for a living master

A competent teacher speeds our progress. It's a common sense principle of life: studying with one who has mastered the subject we wish to learn accelerates our learning. That's why seekers throughout history have turned to spiritual Masters. By virtue of their own inner awakening, these Masters awaken others. As much as we revere Masters of the past, Sant Mat stresses the importance of a living guide.

Sant Mat ideal for modern seeker

ant Mat, the Path of the Saints, reflects the core teachings of saints and mystics through the ages. People new to this path often say they are attracted by its simplicity, integrity, and effectiveness in fostering spiritual growth. Although Sant Mat was born centuries ago in India, it is in many ways ideal for the modern seeker. Followed under the guidance of a living spiritual Master, these teachings couple meditation on the inner Light and Sound with an inclusive, positive way of living. At the heart of Sant Mat are these simple principles: There is one God of all creation, though people worship the Lord by different names and through different practices. While Sant Mat respects all faiths, it stresses that religion

n each persons life a moment comes when we have a transcendent experience or a revelation in which we become aware that we have a higher purpose in this world. Suddenly, amidst the daily rituals of waking up, getting dressed, going to work, eating, and sleeping, we get a glimpse that there is something more to this life. That moment may come when we are a child. It may come to us while a teenager, or it may come in adult life. Some may have it when they are young adults, and some have it in their senior years of life. Whenever it comes, it leaves us transformed. Suddenly, we begin to question who we are, why we are here, where we go when we die,

and what our purpose in life is. Read about the life of any of the great saints and mystics and you will find some life-transforming experience that awakened their quest. Once these burning questions arise, there is no turning back. We are restless until we find the solution. Before our awakening, it is like we are sleeping. Our soul has been asleep for aeons. We started out in the lap of God but became lost in the attractions of the world. We have forgotten our true Home. We are in a state of slumber or forgetfulness that we are souls, a part of God. We think we are the mind and the body and have forgotten our true essence as soul, as a part of the Creator.

has two dimensionsouter and inner. Sant Mat focuses on the inner dimensionthe deep spiritual essence known as mysticism. Mysticism looks beyond rites, rituals, and scriptural knowledge and pursues spirituality as a matter of personal inner experience. Sant Mat expresses the deepest values of every great spiritual traditionlove for God, compassion for Gods creation, and a daily life grounded in ethical values. Sant Mats unique contribution is distilling these noble ideals into a simple, universal spiritual path and then providing the tools and techniques to make them a personal reality. Sant Mat does not demand that we renounce our families or societies. Instead, we can pursue our spiritual goals while leading normal lives.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

May 3-9, 2014

The Seventh Year of Leadership & Legacy. Our Gratitude for your Continuous Love.