The South Asian Times

e x c e l l e n c e

Vol.8 No. 47 80 Cents

April 2-8, 2016

i n

j o u r n a l i s m

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A prolific run-getter and

match-winner, Virat Kohli has
become the sheet anchor of
the Indian cricket team in all
three formats of the game. His
latest heroics with the bat took
India to the semi-final in the
T20 World Cup. Already
captaining the Test side, he
is the true inheritor of the
mantle of Sachin Tendulkar.
(Photo: BCCI)

8 For more on Kohli, pages 4 & 23

PM Modi in Brussels
& Washington DC
8 See pages 3 and 15

US AFFAIRS 9

PLANET EARTH 14

BOOKS 25

SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30

excellence in journalism

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April 2-8, 2016

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TRISTATE COMMUNITY

After visiting terrorhit Brussels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in

Washington DC on March 31 for the Nuclear Security Summit
and was hosted by President Obama at the White House. (Photo: PIB)

April 2-8, 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was met by enthusiastic NRIs outside his hotel in Washington
DC on March 31. (Photos: PIB)

India to become
At Obama dinner, Modi urges
central to LIGO project world to unite against terrorism
Washington: India
is set to become a
central point in
Albert Einstein's
recently proved
gravitational
waves theory fol
lowing an agree
ment
signed
between India's
department of
PM Modi met and urged Indian scientists involved
atomic energy
in the LIGO project to visit Indian universities.
and the US's
National Science Foundation on merger of two black holes to pro
Thursday. According to the agree duce a single, more massive spin
ment, signed during the course of ning black hole. This collision of
PM Narendra Modi's visit here, two black holes had been predicted
India will have a new Laser but never observed.
"Historic detection of gravitation
Interferometer GravitationalWave
al waves opens up new frontier for
Observatory (LIGO).
LIGO shot to fame earlier this understanding of universe," an
year after its scientists proved the excited Prime Minister Modi stated
gravitational waves theory of on February 11 following the
Einstein. In February this year, sci announcement.
"Hope to move forward to make
entists observed ripples in the fab
ric of spacetime called gravitation even bigger contribution with an
al waves, arriving at the earth from advanced gravitational wave detec
a cataclysmic event in the distant tor in the country," he added.
"What was signicant about this
universe.
"This conrms a major prediction project was that now India has
of Albert Einstein's 1915 general agreed to be a part of this project,"
theory of relativity and opens an Indian spokesperson Viaks Swarup
unprecedented new window onto said in the brieng on Thursday.
"The possibility is likely to be
the cosmos," the LIGO website
states. Gravitational waves carry central to this project partly on
information about their dramatic account of geography favouring
origins and about the nature of us." T he Indian cabinet has
gravity that cannot otherwise be approved Rs. 12,000 crore for the
obtained. Physicists have conclud project. The spokesman said that
ed that the detected gravitational NSF's Francis Cordova said that
waves were produced during the India would become central to the
(IANS)
nal fraction of a second of the LIGO project.

Washington: Prime Minister

Narendra Modi on T hursday
made a strong plea for the world
to unite against terrorism and
said "without prevention and
prosecution of acts of terrorism
there is no deterrence against
nuclear terrorism."
"Drop the notion that terrorism
is someone else's problem and
that "his" terrorist is not "my"
terrorist," Modi said at the din
ner hosted by US President
Obama at the Nuclear Security
Summit.
"Terrorism is g lobally net
worked. But, we still act only
nationally to counter this threat,"
PM Modi said. Urging greater
cooperation between nations,
Modi said, "Terror has evolved.
Terrorists are using 21st century
technology. But our responses
are rooted in the past."
"The reach and supply chains
of terrorism are global; but gen
uine cooperation between nation
states is not," he said.
"Nuclear security must remain
an abiding national priority. All
States must completely abide by
their international obligations,"
the PM said.
The Prime Minister highlighted
three contemporary features of
terrorism that needed world's
immediate attention.
"First, today's terrorism uses
extreme violence as theatre," the
PM said.
"Second, we are no longer look
ing for a man in a cave, but we

At summit, India to
stress on steps to ght
nuclear terrorism
New Delhi: Amid the rise of IS
and presence of terror groups
in AfPak region, India will lay
emphasis on creating an effec
tive mechanism to address the
threat of nuclear terrorism at
the fourth and last Nuclear
Security
Summit
in
Washington on March 31 and
April 1.
New Delhi hopes that the
participants will uphold con
dence in the safe and secure
expansion of nuclear power.
"The Summit would deliber
ate on the crucial issue of
threat to nuclear security
caused by nuclear terrorism,"
Prime Minister Mo di said,
before arriving in Washington
from Brusse ls on early
Thursday.
"Leaders would discuss ways
are hunting for a terrorist in a
city with a computer or a smart
phone," he said.
"Third, State actors working
with nuclear trafckers and ter
rorists present the greatest risk,"
PM Modi said.
PM Modi said that Brussels ter

and measures to strengthen

the global nuclear security
architecture, especially to
ensure that nonstate actors do
not get access to nuclear mate
rial," he said.
The Nuclear Security Summit
(NSS) process since 2010 has
been focusing on the global
threat posed by nuclear terror
ism and urgent measures
required to prevent terrorists
and other nonstate actors
from gaining access to sensi
t ive nuclear materials and
technologies.
The 2016 Summit is expect
ed to take sto ck of the
progress of the previous NSS
Communique and work plan
and outline the future agenda.
(Agencies)
ror attacks show how real and
immediate is the threat to
nuclear security from terrorism.
He said President Obama has
done great service to g lobal
security by putting spotlight on
nuclear security.
(Agencies)

April 2-8, 2016

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TURN PAGE

India gets a 'Virat' moment

By SATimes Team
o matter that India lost to
West Indies in the World
Twenty20 semifinals, there
is hope for the future laurels the
men in blue can win so long as
Virat Kohli wields the willow on
the pitch as he has done in the
tournament, winning key matches
on his own.
A hardhitter who hates to give
away his wicket, Delhi born Virat
Kohli, 27, has taken batsmanship
to a whole new level. Invariably,
comparisons have begun. The
only batsman Kohli, in such impe
rious form, could be compared
with is Viv Richards in whose
time there was no Twenty20.
Both played their strokes with
beautiful hands, wrists being key

in guiding the ball wherever they

pleased to place it. The big differ
ence is that Richards could hit
with savage power, too.
There was a time when tem
peramental and behavioral issues
often snatched the spotlight away
from Kohlis undoubted talent.
But years on, his icecool tem
perament in pressurecooker situ
ations is not only consistently
winning matches for India, but
also provoking comparisons with
cricket's alltime greats.
T he masterclass batsman is
making the most difficult of run
chases look simple.
The flamboyant Indian captain
(in Tests) and vicecaptain (in
ODIs) came to the forefront after
the Under19 World Cup in 2008
where he was instrumental in

India's triumph.
His determination and guidance
from some of the senior team
members allowed the then
teenager to bounce back in some
style.
Cricket pundits and commenta
tors are now busy comparing
him, besides Richards, to Sachin
Tendulkar, whose mantle of God
of Cricket, he is rightfully heir to.
India's World Cup winning cap
tain of 1983, Kapil Dev has even
gone on to say Kohli is a step
ahead of the Sachin and Viv
Ricahrds. The man is certainly a
'Virat' moment in the history of
Indian cricket.
(See page 23 for Kohlis exploits)

Virat Kohlis knocks took India to the

semifinals of T20 World Cup.

Despite Kohli heroics, West Indies stun India to enter T20 final
Mumbai: Star batsmen Lendl
Simmons smashed an unbeaten
83 alongside Johnson Charles's
52 as a spirited West Indian side
chased down a challenging total
to outclass India by seven wick
ets in the second semifinal at
the Wankhede Stadium here on
Thursday to enter the final of the
World Twenty20 cricket tourna
ment.
Batting first, India posted a
competitive total of 192/2 in 20
overs, thanks to Virat Kohli's 89.
In reply, a brave Windies side
chased down the total posting
196/3 in 19.4 overs, thanks to
Simmons' 51ball 83 and
Charles' 36ball 52. West Indies
will now face England, who earli
er beat New Zealand in the first
semis on Wednesday, in the final
at the Eden Gardens on April 3.
Chasing a challenging target of

West Indies will now face England, who earlier beat New Zealand in the
first semis on Wednesday, in the final at the Eden Gardens on April 3

West Indies' players celebrate the victory during ICC WT20 Semi Final
match against India at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Their womens
team has also reached the T20 final. (Photo courtesy AP)
194, West Indies got of f to a
worst possible start losing hard
hitting opener Chris Gayle (5) in
the second over. Young pacer
Jasprit Bumrah cleaned the left
handed batsman to have West

Indies at 6/1. A turning point

was Simmons caught twice but
of f no balls. He kept Windies
alive in the game.
Earlier put into bat, openers
Rohit Sharma (43) and Ajinkya

Chairman and Co-Founder

Kamlesh C. Mehta

Associate Editors:
Hiral Dholakia-Dave

Co-Founder: Saroosh Gull

Contributing Editors: Meenakshi Iyer,

Nilima Madan, Melvin Durai,
Dr Prem Kumar Sharma, Ashok Vyas,
Dr Akshat Jain, Ashok Ojha

President: Arjit Mehta

Rahane (40) got India off to a fly

ing start scoring 55 runs without
losing a wicket in the powerplay.
But as Rohit was cruising after
striking three boundaries and
three sixes, legspinner Samuel
Badree brought the muchneeded
breakthrough, dismissing him
leg before wicket to have India at
62/1 in 7.2 overs. Incoming in
form batsman Kohli along with
Rahane played sensibly, stealing
quick singles, twos, and a couple
of boundaries to keep the score
board ticking and he lp team
reach 86/1 in 10 overs. But as
the home side was cruising to
take on the Windies bowlers,
Russell struck in the 16th over to
dismiss Rahane and have India at

128/2. Next up, Dhoni (15 not

out) who promoted himself up
the batting order gave good sup
port to Kohli as the duo piled on
some useful runs with bound
aries and sixes at regular inter
vals to bring up an unbeaten 64
run partnership for the third
wicket and thus help the team
post a competitive total.
Brief scores: India 192/2 in 20
overs (Virat Kohli 89 not out,
Rohit Sharma 43, Ajinkya Rahane
40; Samuel Badree 126, Andre
Russell 147) vs West Indies
196/3 in 19.4 overs (Lendl
Simmons 83 not out, Johnson
Charles 52; Virat Kohli 115,
Ashish Nehra 125, Jasprit
Bumrah 142)

Jaipur (India) Bureau

Prakash Bhandari
Prakash@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IANS Washington Bureau

Arun Kumar
arun.kumar@ians,in

Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/

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Pooja Jain,
Pooja@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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Bhagwati Creations,
Dhiraj Kumar

Managing Editor: Parveen Chopra

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TRISTATE COMMUNITY

April 2-8, 2016

Indian scientists in US develop technology Nikki Haley, Reshma Saujani among

for effective cancer treatment
Fortunes Top 50 Global Leaders
Washington, DC: A team of
Indian scientists from the
prestigious Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and
Harvard Medical School has
made an important break
through by developing a
nanotechnology which will
help monitor the ef fective
ness of cancer therapy with
in hours of treatment.
"We have deve loped a
nanotechnology, which first
delivers an anticancer drug
specifically to the tumor, and
if the tumor starts dying or
regressing, it then starts
lighting up the tumor in real time,"
said Shiladitya Sengupta, a principal
investigator at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology's (MIT )
Brigham and Women's Hospital
(BWH). "This way you can monitor
whether a chemotherapy is working
or not in real time, and switch the
patients to the right drug early on.
One doesn't need to wait for months
while taking a toxic chemotherapy
only to realize later and after side
ef fects that the drug hasn't
worked," Sengupta, a cocorrespon
ding author of the breakthrough
research published online this week
in 'The Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences', told news
agency PTI.
The first author of the paper is
Ashish Kulkarni, who comes from a

Shiladitya Sengupta
(Image: MIT.edu)
small village in Maharashtra. A jun
ior faculty at Harvard, Kulkarni
trained as a Chemical Engineer at
ICT Mumbai, then did a PhD in
chemistry at the University of
Cincinnati. Kulkarni said by using
this approach, the cells light up the
moment a cancer drug starts work
ing.
"We can determine if a cancer
therapy is effective within hours of
treatment. Our longterm goal is to
find a way to monitor outcomes
very early so that we don't give a
chemotherapy drug to patients who
are not responding to it," he said.
"We've demonstrated that this
technique can help us directly visu
alize and measure the responsive
ness of tumors to both types of
drugs," Kulkarni said.

Other members of the

research team are Poornima
Rao, Siva Natarajana, Aaron
Goldman,
Venkata
S
Sabbisetti, Yashika Khater,
Navya
Korimerla,
V i n e e t h k r i s h n a
Chandrasekara
and
Raghunath A Mashe lkar.
Except Goldman, all are
Indian researchers.
"Current techniques, which
rely on measurements of the
size or metabolic state of
the tumor, are sometimes
unable to detect the ef fec
tiveness of an immunothera
peutic agent as the volume of the
tumor may actually increase as
immune cells begin to flood in to
attack the tumor," Kulkarni said.
He said reporter nanoparticles,
however, can give "us an accurate
read out of whether or not cancer
cells are dying".
The technology developed by the
group can be used for monitoring
the ef fectiveness of immunothera
py, a report said.
Using a nanoparticle that delivers
a drug and then fluoresces green
when cancer cells begin dying, they
were able to visualize whether a
tumor is resistant or susceptible to
a particular treatment much sooner
than currently available clinical
methods, said a statement from
BWH.

New York: South Carolina

Gov. Nikki Haley and Girls
Who Code founder and
chief executive Reshma
Saujani both Indian
Americans were named
among Fortune maga
zines 50 Greatest World
Leaders. The third annu
al list was announced
Nikki Haley, Reshma Saujani
March 24, and also
included New Delhi Chief Minister against the siren call of the angriest
Arvind Kejriwal and Bangladesh voices in a nationally televised
State of the Union response, no
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Fortune list sought outstand less.
Coming in at No. 20 on the list
ing leaders in all sectors of society
around the world. It recognized was Saujani. Fortune explained that
those who are inspiring others to at a TED talk in February 2015, the
act, to follow them on a worthy 40yearold Saujani stressed teach
quest and who have shown staying ing girls to be brave rather than
perfect. The video of the talk she
power.
Haley, 44, came in at No. 17 on gave has accrued just shy of 1 mil
the list. In the summer of 2015, fol lion views.
Shes wellqualified to preach
lowing the massacre of nine people
in a Charleston, S.C., church, Haley that message: It took the former
was instrumental in the removal of Wall Street attorney three tries to
the Confederate flag from the state get into Yale Law School, Fortune
capitol grounds. T hat removal wrote in its piece of the New York
sparked a movement throughout based GWC chief.
Saujani's organization aims to get
the South to remove the charged
more women into computer science
symbol, Fortune said.
It added that the Republican and has shown signs of success. The
Haley is proving that Trumpism magazine wrote that by the end of
isnt the only way. South Carolinas the year, more than 40,000 girls
Indian American governor was will have gone through the GWC
among the earliest in her party to training and internship programs.
call out GOP presidential frontrun By the summer, GWC will dole out
ner (Donald Trump), warning $1 million in scholarships, it added.

IndianAmerican creates doll to reect ethnic diversity

New York: An IndianAmerican
Harvard University graduate has
come up with a new series of
seven dolls that represent com
mon girls with ethnic diversity
and ce le brate them for their
brains, talents and leadership.
Neha Chauhan Woodward, 29,
has given each of the seven dolls
unique personalities, which girls
can relate to.
The doll collection created by
her startup toy company
Willow brook Girls and story
series is based on the similarly
ambitious childhood friends she
grew up with on Willowbrook
Road.
"The toys I played with had such
an impact on me, but they weren't

Neha Chauhan Woodward (Image courtesy:Wedeside.com)

a great reflection of me or my
friends, who were so smart and so
diverse in their interests and
backgrounds. I knew we needed
to do better," said Ms Neha, who

now lives in Manhattan.

Neha said the idea came to her
while she was a Stanford MBA stu
dent a degree she pursued after
studying economics at Harvard

and then working as an invest

ment banking analyst at
JPMorgan.
"Next door to the coffee shop I
studied in was a very popular doll
store," she said, declining to name
the shop.
"The emphasis on appearances,
with these doll hair salons and
doll tea parties that parents were
expected to bring their kids to
really upset me. If anything, this
company had a huge opportunity
to empower girls," a local newspa
per quoted her saying.
After years of working for suc
cessful ecommerce sites like Blue
Apron and Diapers.com, Neha
turned her tech marketing experi
ence into a concept for a doll com

pany that would more accurately

entertain the modern girl: one
who will lead businesses, make
medical breakthroughs, build
apps and reform policies.
Though Willowbrook Girls dolls
aren't for sale yet, Neha is nearing
the end of her 'Kickstarter
Campaign' to raise money for the
first doll, Cara, a halfLatina with
brown eyes and long blond hair.
After that, Cara will be sold online.
Neha hopes that sales from that
and other sources will enable her
to release more of the dolls.
Other dolls include Bailey, who
wants to be a math teacher and
dreams of education reform, and
Maya, who wants to be a neuro
scientist.

April 2-8, 2016

Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Sunidhi,

Aditya for AAPI meet in NY
New York, NY: Shankar Ehsaan
Loy, the musical trio, Sunidhi
Chauhan, Aditya Narayan and In
dian Idol Juniors, are all set to
take the delegates by storm dur
ing the 34th annual convention
organized by the American Asso
ciation of Physicians of Indian ori
gin (AAPI) at the Marriott Mar
quis, Time Square in New York
from June 30July 4, 2016.
In addition to live entertain
ment by famous Bollywood stars,
the 2016 AAPI Annual Conven
tion & Scientific Assembly offers
an exciting venue to interact with
leading physicians, health profes
sionals, academicians, and scien
tists of Indian origin, said Dr.
Seema Jain, President of AAPI.
Physicians and healthcare pro
fessionals from across the coun
try will convene and participate in
the scholarly exchange of medical
advances, to develop health poli
cy agendas, and to encourage leg
islative priorities in the coming

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TRISTATE COMMUNITY

IAF honors
women achievers

The honorees with IAF members and dignitaries

The musical trio of Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy performing during AAPIs
Nine City Tour & Regional Conferences in 2013
year. Dr. Seema Jain, who as
sumed charge of this premier eth
nic organization representing
100,000 physicians and resi
dents, gave credit to the support
of AAPI executive committee,
hard work of local Chapter mem

bers, and the organizing commit

tee chaired by Dr. Rita Ahuja.
Success of credit goes to the en
tire national organizing commit
tee, AAPI executive committee,
and Board of Trustees and all the
AAPI members, she said.

Hicksville, NY: Indian American

Forum (IAF) presented on March
25th the Fifth Annual Outstand
ing
Womens
Achievements
Awards, as part of Womens His
tory month, in recognition of the
contributions made by women in
the TriState area
Five women honored were:
Dr Manjeet Chadda, Professor
of Radiation & Oncology at the Ic
ahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, for dedication in Medicine
and Community Services. Dr Runi
Mukherji Ratnam for dedication

in Education & Social Services.

Sunita Sadhnani for dedication
in Business Development and
community services. Meera T
Gandhi for dedication as Humani
tarian and Social promotions.
Jyoti Gupta for her dedication
in Music and Cultural promotions.
Dignitaries at the event includ
ed Judi Bosworth, Supervisor for
the Town of North Hempstead,
Councilwoman Hon. Dorothy L
Goosby, and Town Clerk from
Town of Hempstead Nasrin
Ahmed.

Holi celebrated at Wayne Hindu Temple

New Jersey: India Cultural Socie
ty and Mahatma Gandhi Center
organized Holi celebration pro
gram at Wayne Hindu Temple, NJ
on March 22nd.
The celebration was attended
by well over 600 devotees, com
mittee members, volunteers and
puja yajmaan.
The volunteers worked for two
weeks to put together the event.
The event started at 6:00 PM
with Satyanarayan Katha and
chanting of bhajans and Holi
songs by Hetal Patel, devotees
and musical team.
All the devotees enjoyed the
Holi puja performed by ShashtriJi
Arvind Maheta and committee
members and devotees took part
in this celebration with dry col

The Holi bonfire, (right) Devotees offering their prayers.

ors. The chairman of the institu
tion Jyotindra Patel addressed
the gathering wishing all the
devotees and ShashtriJi explained

the significance of Holi. There

was significant presence of chil
dren and youth from all walks of
life. After the devotional songs of

Holi and aarti, all the devotees

went outside the temple for Holi
Pragatya. After the holi puja, the
holi was lit up and the devotees

offered coconut, dates, and other

of ferings. Every one enjoyed the
mahaprasad sponsored by Satish
and Asha of Jyoti Restaurant.

New Yorkers raise funds for Senator

Pramila Jayapals run for Congress

Town Clerk Ahmad guest of honor at Pacony Celebration:

Hempstead Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad was the Guest of Honor at the
PACONY Pakistan Resolution Day Celebration held in Antuns by Minar,
located at West Old Country Road in Hicksville. Pictured (left to right)
are Honoree Hamid Malik, PACONY Finance Secretary Adnan Rasool,
PACONY President Tahir Mian, Nassau County Comptroller George
Maragos, Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad, Honoree Ali Rashid, Consulate
General of Pakistan Raja Ali Ejaz, Talib Hussain of Levittown, PACONY
Senior Vice President Parvez Riaz and Honoree Zia Qureshi.

New York: New York: Indian Ameri

cans joined hands with the larger
community in New York to raise funds
for Washington State Senator Pramila
Jayapal (37th District in Seattle, Wash
ington) who is running for the seat be
ing vacated by long term Congress
man Jim McDermott in Washington
7th Congressional District. The event
was hosted by socialite Claire White in
Manhattan. There was a good pres
ence of Indian Americans for the
fundraiser. Jayapal moved from India
to the United States as student when
she was sixteen. Jayapal founded Hate
Free Zone after the September 11 at
tacks in 2001 as an advocacy group

Indian American com

munity supporters with
Washington State
Senator Pramila Jayapal
at a New York
Fundraiser. From l. to r.:
Dan Nainan, Appen
Menon, Senator Jayapal,
Dr. Thomas Abraham
and Saji George.
for Arab, Muslim, and South Asian
Americans targeted in the wake of the
attacks. The group went on to become
a political force in the state of Wash
ington, registering new American citi
zens to vote and lobbying lawmakers
on immigration reform and related is

sues. It changed its name to OneAm

erica in 2008.Jayapal stepped down
from leadership in the group in May
2012. A year later, she was recognized
by the White House as a "Champion of
Change" for her work on behalf of the
immigrant community.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Texas Governor appoints

Arun Agarwal to Small
Business Board
Dallas, Texas: Texas Governor Greg Abbott
recently appointed Arun Agarwal, CEO of Nextt,
the Dallasbased leader in the U.S. home textile
industry, to the Product Development and Small
Business Incubator (PDSBI) Board for a term set
to expire on February 1, 2019. This is the rst
time an Indian American has been bestowed
this honor in the state's history. The PDSBI is a
revolving loan program, administered by the
Ofce of the Governor, and overseen by a nine
member board appointed by the Governor. The
PDSBI Fund provides nancial aid for the devel
opment, production and commercialization of
new or improved products and to foster the
growth of small businesses in the State of
Texas.
It is such a huge honor for me to serve on
one of the Governors boards, said Agarwal. As
global business owners, it is our responsibility
and civic duty to help other local small busi
nesses survive and thrive in this global econo
my, and I am excited to do my part.
Nextt is a $500 million revenue, privately
held company that provides textiles to all of the
major U. S. retailers including Dillards, Belk,
WalMart and Kohls. Nextt also has a robust
portfolio of leading celebrity brands, such as
Beautyrest, Ellen Tracy, Jessica McClintock and
Royal Sateen. T he company was recently
awarded the patent for alpha cotton, a luxuri
ous fabric that will make sheets 30 to 40 per
cent cheaper than 100 percent cotton.
Nextt CEO Arun Agarwal was awarded NRI

April 2-8, 2016

NATIONAL COMMUNITY

Nextt CEO Arun Agarwal with

Texas Governor Greg Abbott
of the Year by TIMES NOW and ICICI Bank in
2015 and was selected as a 2014 Minority
Business Leader by the Dallas Business Journal,
while Agarwals company was ranked 17th in
the 2014 Dallas 100 list of fastest growing
companies selected by the Caruth Institute for
Entrepreneurship of SMU.
Nextt has its headquarters and distribution
facilities in Dallas, while also operating a state
oftheart design studio and showroom in New
York.

3 SIKH SOLDIERS FILE

LAWSUIT AGAINST
US DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Washington, DC: Three Sikh soldiers on
Tuesday led a lawsuit against the
Department of Defence seeking to serve
in the US armed forces without being
forced to compromise with their articles
of faith like turbans, unshorn hair and
beards. In the lawsuit, Specialist Kanwar
Singh, Specialist Harpal Singh and Private
Arjan Singh Ghotra demand that the Army
accommodate their religious articles of
faith, including turbans, unshorn hair and
beards, so that each can begin Basic
Combat Training with their various units
in May.
T he lawsuit was led by the Sikh
Coalition, the Becket Fund for Religious
Liberty, and McDermott Will & Emery,
after the US Department of Defence
ignored a written demand letter that was
sent on March 23.
"We had hoped that we would not have
to le a second lawsuit on behalf of three
more Sikh American soldiers, who simply
want to practice their faith freely while
serving their nation," said the Sikh
Coalition's legal director, Harsimran Kaur.
"However, the Defense Department has
remained unresponsive to their requests
for accommodation and the clock is tick
ing. Action must be taken," she alleged.
The new lawsuit follows the March 4
federal court ruling that the Army was
prohibited from subjecting a decorated

Sikh American soldier, Captain Simratpal

Singh, to discriminatory testing.
A nal Army decision regarding CPT
Singh's landmark religious accommoda
tion request is due by March 31.
"We would like the opportunity, like
every other American, to proudly serve,"
said Kanwar Singh, who enlisted in the
Massachusetts Army National Guard.
"I look forward to joining my battalion
for training and making the diverse state
of Massachusetts proud," he said.
SPC Harpal Singh, a California
Te lecommunications
Engineering
Specialist, was recruited by the US Army
Reserve for his foreign language skills.
PVT Arjan Singh Ghotra, who is 17,
enlisted in the Virginia Army National
Guard and is slated to attend basic train
ing before attending George Mason
University this fall, the statement said.
"It is unfortunate that in the face of
overwhelming evidence that Sikhs should
be permitted to serve, we are once again
asking whether our nation's largest
employer will embrace religious freedom
and diversity or continue to aggressively
thwart progress. It is a sad day for all
Americans when our military is on the
wrong side of common sense, the law and
our shared American values," said
Amandeep Sidhu, Partner at McDermott
(PTI)
Will & Emery.

Hindus oppose proposed textbook changes In California

Washington, DC: Hindus in the US
are strongly opposing against
suggest ions
mooted
by
California's Department of
Education to make changes in
textbooks which they allege not
only distort India's history but
ignore facts on Hinduism.
Following protests from Hindus
across the nation, the California
Education Department has decid
ed not to go ahead with some of
the suggested changes like replac
ing 'India' with 'South Asia' in
state text books.
Bill Honig, Chair of the Subject
Matter Committee of the
Commission, said at a public hear
ing that they reject the suggestion
for removal of India but agreed to
add "South Asia" in parenthesis
after most mentions to ancient

Narrating different incidents of stereotypes

they encounter, the students demanded that
Hinduism and India be portrayed in proper
light. The students also demanded that the
suggestions that Vedas belong to "ancient
Indian religions" and not to Hinduism amounted to stripping them of their Hindu identity.
India. New recommendations will
be forwarded to the State Board of
Education for their consideration
and the nal draft of the frame
work is to be accepted later this
year. But HinduAmericans contin
ue to oppose some of the pro
posed edits like removing mention
of Hinduism's acceptance of reli
g ious diversity, relinking
Hinduism with caste, and remov
ing mentions of the contributions

of Hindu sages of different back

g rounds such as Valmiki and
Vyasa.
"We question the move to insert
a large number of adverse edits
on India and Hinduism at the last
minute at the instance of a few
Leftist scholars," said the Hindu
Educat ion Foundat ion (HEF),
which has been working with
commission for the past many
years.

"While some important inaccu

racies have been rolled back, a
large number of adverse edits
these academics submitted have
still found their way into the rec
ommendations and need to be
scrutinised," it said.
It also protested the removal of
the mention of nonBrahmin sages
like Valmiki and Vyasa from the
textbooks at the suggestion of
these academics.
"It is strange that while claiming
to represent the underprivileged,
the Leftist professors of South
Asian faculty group have sought
the removal of the mention that
these sages came from lower
castes which had specically been
added at the suggestion of Hindu
groups to give fair representation
to all communities," the statement

said.
A large number of students and
parents testied at the public
hearing of the commission held in
Sacramento on March 24 seeking
the rejection of these changes.
"India is not just a landmass but
a living civilization. By removing
the mention of India as a civiliza
tion, my identity as an Indian
American is sought to be erased,"
Vidhima Shetty, a student study
ing in 9th grade in San Ramon,
said during her testimony at the
Department of Education.
The community's ef forts were
also supported by a coalition of
20 government leaders and elect
ed
ofcials,
including
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
and California State Senator
Steven M Glazer.

April 2-8, 2016

NATIONAL COMMUNITY

IndianAmerican student helping

bridge Indias digital divide
New Delhi: Echoing Prime Minister Narendra
Modi's call to bridge the "digital divide" in
the country, a young IndianAmerican stu
dent has begun on her journey to empower
rural youth in learning computer program
ming technology in a small yet picturesque
town in Himachal Pradesh. Through "Pi A La
Code" a project that began in 2014
Californiabased Sonia Uppal is helping
young talented minds at the Saraswati
Niketan Senior Secondary School in a village
in Kasauli learn computer programming.
"The experience of using immersive tools
to build software that people loved to learn
with always excited me and I decided to take
computer science to the rural people in
India," Uppal told IANS in a telephonic inter
view from California.
Born and brought up in California, she
stumbled upon a $35 computer developed
by Raspberry Pi the makers of tiny and
af fordable computers for kids at the Bay
Area Maker Faire an exhibition showcasing
invention, creativity and resourcefulness in
the Silicon Valley. The mere sight of the cost
ef ficient Pi computers brightened up her
mind and she initially thought of taking the
Pi device to India to The International
School Bangalore (TISB) in Bengaluru where
she was studying computer science during
the period when her father was transferred
to India.
She realised that students at her school did
not need this basic computer device. But
what about students in rural India, she
thought, for whom this simple device can

Sonia Uppal
(Image: twitter)
become a useful learning tool?
Thus, the "Pi A La Code" idea took shape. "I
realised it would be much useful if I take this
Pi device to schools in villages which will
have much more impact," Sonia told IANS.
In the meantime, she raised money to buy
10 Raspberry Pi teaching sets. She first
taught herself Python a widely used high
level, dynamic computer programming lan
guage while being selected as a Stanford SHE
fellow a social enterprise that empowers
women to make their mark in the technology
industry. Here, Uppal met people who
inspired as well as helped her to take up the
noble cause of teaching computer program
ming to students in rural India.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Nandita Bakshi named President,

CEO of Bank of The West
Houston:
Indian
uesdriven philosophy
American Nandita
will serve us well in
Bakshi has been
taking Bank of the
appointed
the
West to greater
President and Chief
heights," head of inter
Executive Of ficer of
national retail banking
Bank of the West, a
for BNP Paribas
unit of French banking
Stefaan Decraene said.
giant BNP Paribas.
Bank of the West's
Bakshi, 57, will
parent company BNP
replace
Michae l
Paribas is revamping
Shepherd as Bank of
its US operations to
the
West's
next
meet new regulations.
President and Chief
"I am very pleased
Executive
Of ficer
that Nandita Bakhshi
(CEO) and is expected
is joining Bank of the
Photo Credits: Nandita Bakshi via
to join the bank as a
West. Her energy,
PRnewswire.com
CEOintraining on
innovative ideas and
April 1 and will take the helm officially proven record of accomplishments are a
on June 1.
great combination with our strong fran
She earned a bachelor's degree in chise and corporate culture," Shepherd
History at the University of Calcutta and said. Bakhshi previously held several
a masters in International Relations and leadership roles at TD Bank, the most
Affairs at Jadavpur University.
recent being executive vice president
"I am excited to join Bank of the West, and head of North American direct
one of America's most reputable banks. channels where she was responsible for
Bank of the West is well positioned in driving innovation in direct and elec
the US market, and I am thrilled at the tronic channels to improve digital adop
prospect of leading an organisation tion and provide customers a unified
with such a strong focus on customer banking experience.
service," Bakhshi said in a statement.
She also held executive positions at
"We are pleased to welcome Nandita Washington Mutual in Seattle which is
Bakhshi to Bank of the West. Her exten now JP Morgan Chase; FleetBoston,
sive experience in product and distribu which is now Bank of America; First
tion, coupled with her visionary think Data Corp, Home Savings of America
ing, relentless customer focus and val and Banc One Corp.

'America's Doctor' to address UA graduates

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

(Image courtesy: apaics.org)

Washington, DC: The keynote address for

the 152nd Commencement of the
University of Arizona will be delivered by
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy May
13. The nation's leading spokesman for
public health, Murthy is a champion of
improving care and building coalitions,
having devoted his career to the enhance
ment of global public health through edu
cation, service, clinical care and entrepre
neurship.
Murthy, 38, was nominated by President
Barack Obama in November 2013 and
then confirmed as the 19th U.S. surgeon
general in December 2014, becoming the
first Indian American and the youngest
person to hold the position.
Murthy believes that the nation's great
est asset always has been its people. As
surgeon general, he has fought to educate
and inspire his fellow Americans around a
key set of priorities: mental health and

emotional wellbeing, healthful eating,

active and tobaccofree living, chronic dis
ease prevention, and the country's growing
opioid epidemic.
Murthy has helped establish several
organizations dedicated to expanding pub
lic access nationally and internationally
to quality health care and scientific
information related to personal and public
health and safety. He is cofounder of
VISIONS Worldwide Inc., an HIV/AIDS edu
cation program that operates in the U.S.
and India. He also helped establish the
Swasthya project ("health and wellbeing"
in Sanskrit), a community health partner
ship that trains women as health providers
and educators, working through centers
and villages in rural India. Murthy also is
cofounder of Doctors for America, a
Washington, D.C.based nonprofit organi
zation comprising 16,000 physicians and
medical students across the U.S. T he

organization advocates for access to

affordable, quality health care.
Also, Murthy cofounded and chaired
TrialNetworks, a software technology com
pany that improves research collaboration
and enhances the efficiency of clinical tri
als around the world. In seven years,
Murthy and his team took the company
from conception to an international enter
prise that powers dozens of clinical trials
for more than 50,000 patients in more
than 75 countries. As "Americas Doctor,"
Murthy is responsible for communicating
the most advanced and relevant scientific
information to the public. He oversees the
operations of the U.S. Public Health Service
Commissioned Corps, which includes
approximately 6,700 uniformed health
of ficers serving in nearly 800 locations
globally. The of ficers work to promote,
protect and advance the health and safety
of the nation and world.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

US AFFAIRS

Donald will not support

nonTrump as GOP
nominee
When CNN's
Anderson
Cooper asked, all
three candidates
including Trump
went back on
their pledge to
support any can
didate who was
nominated.

Washington: Donald J. Trump said on

Tuesday night that he no longer vowed to
support the Republican nominee if it isnt
him, despite a loyalty pledge that all
Republican primary candidates signed last
year.
No, I dont anymore, Mr. Trump said at a
town hall forum on CNN when prompted by
the moderator, Anderson Cooper. No, well
see who it is.
When Mr. Cooper pointed out that Senator
Ted Cruz of Texas, Mr. Trumps chief rival for
the nomination, had walked up to the line but
not crossed it in terms of saying he wouldnt
support the nominee, Mr. Trump replied, He
doesnt have to support me.
The senator whose wife Mr. Trump
threatened to spill the beans about after a
super PAC formed to stop his candidacy ran
an ad featuring an old photograph of his wife,
Melania, a former model stopped short of
saying he wouldnt support Mr. Trump.
Instead, Mr. Cruz said that such a situation

would not come to pass because he will be

the nominee.
Gov. John Kasich of Ohio was more explicit,
saying that if the nominee is someone who is
really hurting the country and dividing the
country, then he just wasnt sure. Pressed by
Mr. Cooper as to whether he was saying he
thinks that is what Mr. Trump is doing, Mr.
Kasich declined to elaborate.
Last September, the Republican National
Committee chairman, Reince Priebus, asked
Mr. Trump to sign a loyalty oath at a time
when he left open the possibility of bolting
from the party and running as a thirdparty
candidate. Mr. Trump said he would sign, so
long as all of the other candidates did the
same. So they all did.
But Mr. Trump, amid intense ef forts to
derail his march toward the nomination in a
race in which he has a large lead among dele
gates to the Republican National Convention,
said at the forum that he did not believe he
was being treated fairly.

April 2-8, 2016

Sanders sweep Berns Clinton

Washington: Hillary Clinton felt the
'Bern' as rival Bernie Sanders swept all
three Democratic presidential nomina
tion contests, giving the frontrunner a
warning that the race for the party's
nomination is far from over.
The selfstyled Democratic Socialist
dominated the Pacific Northwest on
Saturday, routing Clinton in Washington
state by 72.3 percent to 27.5 percent,
smoked her in Alaska by 80.7 percent to
19.3 percent and won in Hawaii by 70.6
percent to 29.2 percent.
While Washington had 101 delegates
up for grabs, Hawaii and Alaska were rel
atively small prizes with just 25 and
16 delegates at stake respectively.
As all three states allocate delegates
proportionately, Sanders would likely
corner three fourths of them.

Sanders called the results of the

Western caucuses a "resounding" win
and proclaimed his campaign has a "path
toward victory".
"We knew things were going to
improve as we headed West," Sanders
said at a jubilant rally before 8,000 peo
ple in Madison, Wisconsin a state that
will hold the next major contest in 10
days. "We have a path toward victory."
But as of Saturday evening, Clinton was
maintaining a 278delegate lead over
Sanders and a 469to29 advantage
among super delegates, party of ficials
and functionaries who are free to vote
for any candidates.
Clinton did not address the results
publicly and tweeted on Saturday: "We
need serious leadership, shouting and
chestbeating are not a strategy."

Rubio bid to keep delegates

for contested convention
Washington: Despite suspending his
campaign, Sen. Marco Rubio is attempt
ing to keep every delegate he won while
running for President.
The unusual move reflects prepara
tions for a contested convention this
summer and comes as Donald Trump
backed away from an earlier pledge to
support the Republican party's nominee
if he is treated unfairly after winning
more delegates than his rivals.
Rubio aide Alex Burgos told MSNBC
that while the Florida senator is "no
longer a candidate," he "wants to give
voters a chance to stop Trump."
When presidential candidates suspend
their campaigns, typically their delegates
become free to support the candidate of
their own choosing at the convention.

Rubio, however, has quietly been reach

ing out to party officials with a different
approach.
He is personally asking state parties in
21 states and territories to refrain from
releasing any of the 172 delegates he
won while campaigning this year,
MSNBC has learned.
Rubio sent a signed letter to the Chair
of the Alaska Republican Party request
ing the 5 delegates he won in that state
"remain bound to vote for me" at the
Republican National Convention in
Cleveland in July.
Rubio copied Nat ional Chairman
Reince Preibus on the letter and sent
the same request to all 21 states and ter
ritories where he won de legates, a
source working for Rubio confirmed.

Fears over users security as FBI hacks into terrorists iPhone

Washington/New Delhi: As the news spread
of the FBI hacking into the encrypted Apple
iPhone of one of the terrorists involved in
California shooting, a top US security firm
has expressed fears of backdoor approach to
put users' security at hackers' mercy.
In a statement shared with IANS on
Tuesday, US software security firm Symantec
Corporation said that while it understands
the concerns expressed by some members of
law enforcement, the firm does not support
any initiative that would intentionally weak
en security technologies.
"Putting backdoors or introducing security
vulnerabilities into encryption products
introduces new avenues of attack, and
reduces the security of the broader Internet.
We are committed to supporting law
enforcement efforts to protect citizens and
organizations online, without compromising
the integrity and security of encryption tech
nology," the firm said.
According to media reports, a third party
helped the FBI crack the security function
without erasing contents of the iPhone used
by Syed Farook. Farook, along with his wife
Tashfeen Malik, planned and executed the
December 2, 2015, shooting that left 14 peo
ple killed at San Bernardino, California.

"T his case should never have been

brought. We will continue to he lp law
enforcement with their investigations, as we
have done all along, and we will continue to
increase the security of our products as the
threats and attacks on our data become
more frequent and more sophisticated,"
Apple said in a statement.
"This case raised issues which deserve a
national conversation about our civil liber
ties, and our collective security and privacy,"
the statement said.
From the beginning, "we objected to the
FBI's demand that Apple build a backdoor
into the iPhone because we believed it was
wrong and would set a dangerous precedent.
As a result of the government's dismissal,
neither of these occurred," it added.
Apple believes deeply that people in the US

and around the world deserve data protec

tion, security and privacy. Sacrificing one for
the other only puts people and countries at
greater risk. In an earlier report released this
year, Symantecs security intelligence team
had predicted that the opportunities for
cybercriminals to compromise Apple devices
will grow in 2016.
Apple devices have experienced a surge in
popularity in recent years. This increase in
usage has not gone unnoticed by attackers. A
rising number of threat actors have begun
developing specific malware designed to
infect devices running Mac OS X or iOS, the
report said.
Although the number of threats targeting
Apple operating systems remains quite low
when compared to the companys main com
petitors (Windows in the desktop space and
Android in mobile), the amount uncovered
has grown steadily in recent years.
In tandem with this, the level of Apple
related malware infections has spiked, par
ticularly in the past 18 months, the report
predicted. Apple users should not be compla
cent about security and change their percep
tion that Apple devices are free from mal
ware this perception opens up opportuni
ties for cybercriminals to take advantage of

these users, Symantec said.

Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook, referring to
the ongoing battle with the US government
over encryption to unlock an iPhone, reiter
ated the company's commitment to protect
its users' data and privacy.
Addressing a packed auditorium at its
Cupertino, Californiabased headquarters,
Cook said: "We have a responsibility to help
you protect your data and your privacy. We
will not shrink from this responsibility."
With the FBI hacking, the US Department
of Justice (DOJ) scrapped its request for
Apple Inc.'s assistance to hack into the phone
of a terrorist killer.
It is now Apple's turn to figure out, and for
iPhone users to wonder, how secure is the
phone and data on the device.
In this scenario, top US companies Google,
Facebook and Snapchat are also expanding
encryption of user data in their services.
While Whatsapp is set to roll out encryp
tion for its voice calls in addition to its exist
ing privacy features, Google is investigating
"extra uses" for encryption in secure email.
Social networking giant Facebook too is
working on to better protect its Messenger
service.
Stories: IANS

10

April 2-8, 2016

INDIA

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

'Jio will rank India among top Probe sought into

10 nations in digital world' Chidambaram's role in
Mumbai:Calling Jio the world's
largest startup, Reliance Industries
chairman Mukesh Ambani said the
rollout of its 4G services will lift
India from a mobile Internet rank
ing of 150th to the top 10 slot. But
he did not specify the actual date of
commercial launch.
"As the world goes digital, India
and Indians cannot afford to be left
behind. Today, India is ranked
around 150th in mobile Internet
rankings out of 230 countries. We
have a responsibility. To digitally
empower India. To end this digital
poverty," Ambani said.
"It is this opportunity to trans
form the lives of our 1.3 billion
Indians that motivated Reliance to
enter and transform the entire digi
tal ecosystem. I have no doubt that
with the launch of Jio, Indias rank
will go up from 150 to among the
top 10 of mobile Internet rankings
in the world."
Speaking at the FicciFrames
media and entertainment conclave
here, Ambani said Relaince Jio has
four strategies: Expand country's
coverage from 1520 percent now
to 70 percent, give broadband
speed that is 4080 times faster,
increase data availability and make
the services affordable.
"With these four interventions,
India will leapfrog to being amongst
the top ten of the Digital revolution
sweeping across the world."
Ambani, who is betting big on the

Hashimpura massacre

Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar

Prasad, Star India CEO Uday Shankar and filmmaker Ramesh Sippy at
FICCI FRAMES 2016 in Mumbai. (Photo: IANS)
latest venture of the refiningto
retail group with an initial invest
ment of over Rs.150,000 crore, said
Jio will not be a mere telecom net
work but bring to its customers an
entire ecosystem to allow a "Digital
Life" to the fullest. This ecosystem
will comprise devices, broadband
network, powerful applications and
offerings such as live music, sports,
live and catchup TV, movies and
events, he said. "Jio is not just about
technical brute force. It is about
doing things in a smart, simple and
secure way." Ambani said five mega
trends were emerging in the digital
world: Shift in communications
from the oral to visual, transition
from linear to exponential, true con

vergence of telecom, entertainment

and media, abundance of choice in
every sphere and demonstrated
potential transform human lives.
"The true power of technology is
its ability to make human life better.
The future belongs to a creative
empathisers, pattern recognisers,
meaning makers. Because technolo
gy changes, but humanity evolves.
And any transformation is eventual
ly about humanity," he said.
"If you are not digital, and if you
dont have globally competitive dig
ital tools and skills, you will simply
not survive. You'll get disrupted.
You will be outcompeted. You will
be left behind. You will become
irrelevant."

New Delhi: Bharatiya

2013, decision dis
Janata Party (BJP)
missing his plea to
leader Subramanian
probe the role of
Swamy asked the
Chidambaram in
Delhi High Court to
the case.
direct the Uttar
T he court was
Pradesh police to
also hearing a
probe the role of
bunch of other
Congress leader P.
appeals filed by
Chidambaram, who
National Human
was union minister
R i g h t s
of state for home at
Commission
the t ime of 1987
(NHRC), the Uttar
P. Chidambaram
Hashimpura mas
Pradesh govern
(File photo)
sacre. Swamy told
ment as we ll as
the division bench
survivors and kin
of Justice G.S. Sistani and Justice of the victims against the acquit
Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that tal of 16 PAC personne l on
Uttar Pradesh Police should March 21 last year.
investigate all aspects in the
T he bench asked the Uttar
case.
Pradesh government to file doc
"It's a case of genocide," said uments related to the case as
Swamy. He claimed that accord sought by the NHRC and also to
ing to newspaper reports, "Uttar file reply on the pleas. The mat
Pradesh government has started ter has been posted for May 19.
destroying documents relating
During the hearing, Swamy
to the case".
said that there should be court
Fortytwo people were killed in monitored CBI probe into the
Hashimpura village in Meerut case. The court, however, said
district of Uttar Pradesh on May that additional application would
22, 1987, when they were unnecessarily delay the case.
allegedly shot by the Provincial
On March 21 last year, a trial
Armed Constabulary (PAC) per court here gave the benefit of
sonnel and their bodies were doubt and acquitted 16 former
thrown into a canal.
PAC personnel, saying lack of
Swamy in his appeal chal evidence has failed to establish
lenged the trial court's March 8, their identification.

EXPUNJAB TOP COP TO BE

India has important
role in nuclear weapon QUESTIONED BY PAKISTAN JIT
stewardship: US
Washington: As leaders from 50
nations began arriving for the
Nuclear Security Summit here, the
US said "India has a very impor
tant role to play with respect to
responsible stewardship of
nuclear weapons and nuclear
materials."
Meeting in the shadow of
Brusse ls and Lahore terror
attacks, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and other leaders will over
the next two days discuss how to
prevent terrorists and other non
state actors from gaining access to
nuclear materials and technolo
gies.
President Barack Obama, host
ing the fourth and last such gath
ering, "obviously" is "delighted
that Prime Minister Modi is able
to be in Washington for the
Nuclear Security Summit,"
Secretary of State John Kerry said
before a meeting Wednesday with

Indian National Security Advisor

Ajit Doval.
Doval, in turn, said India
attached "considerable value" to
this "very, very important summit
and Modi "is deeply interested in
seeing and ensuring that the safe
ty and security of the radioactive
material must be ensured."
"India has a long record of being
a leader, of being responsible,"
said Kerry. "And it is particularly
important right now at a time
when we see in the region some
choices being made that may
accelerate possible arms construc
tion, which we have serious ques
tions about."
"We've raised them with various
partners in the region. So our
hope is that this Nuclear Security
Summit will contribute to every
body's understanding about our
global responsibilities and choic
es," Kerry said.

New Delhi: Suspended Gurdaspur

Superintendent
of
Police
Salwinder Singh arrived at the
NIA headquarters here to be
quest ioned by the Joint
Investigation Team from Pakistan
on the Pathankot terror attack.
Singh, his cook Madan Gopal
and friend Rajesh Verma reached
the NIA office where the JIT will
question the three in the pres
ence of National Investigation
Agency (NIA) of ficials, informed
sources told IANS.
The three were questioned by
the NIA on March 26 in the
national capital and have been liv
ing under the agency's supervi
sion since then, the sources said.
Sing h has claimed that he,
Verma and cook Gopal were
abducted by four or five heavily
armed terrorists near Punjab's
Kolia village on January 2.
The terrorists later attacked the
Pathankot Indian Air Force base
in which seven security personnel
were killed. The Pakistani terror

Suspended Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh. (Photo: IANS)

ists were later killed in a
shootout.
The Pakistani team is in India to
probe the Pathankot attack,
which New Delhi says was mas
terminded by JaisheMohammed
chief Maulana Masood Azhar.
The NIA submitted evidence to
the fivemember Pakistani team
on the terror attack.

According to NIA sources, the

evidence show that the Pathankot
operation was planned by ele
ments in Pakistan.
The visiting team comprises
among others Inter Services
Inte lligence (ISI) of ficial Lt.
Colonel Tanvir Ahmed and mili
tary inte lligence of ficer Lt.
Colonel Irfan Mirza.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

INDIA

April 2-8, 2016

11

KOLKATA FLYOVER CRASH KILLS 14

Kolkata: Fourteen people were killed when a

flyover under construction crashed in a
crowded market area here on Thursday,
crushing scores of unsuspecting people and
vehicles, police and witnesses said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee, who rushed to Kolkata after can
celling election rallies in West Midnapore
district, said 70 others had been injured in
the ghastly disaster which occurred around
12.30 p.m.
A Nat ional Disaster Response Force
(NDRF) official put the number of injured at
around 100.
Hundreds of locals were the first to reach
the site at Posta area in the city's northern
part to see how best they could rescue those
buried in the heaps of debris before official
rescue workers and police joined them.
The army too deployed dozens of medical
teams and engineers. Police and military
ambulances raced to the site and transport
ed the badly injured as as well as nearly
dying to hospitals.
The soldiers are using specialized equip
ment to rescue those trapped under tonnes
of steel and concrete, a defence ministry
spokesman said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed
"shock" over the tragedy. "My thoughts are
with the families of those who lost their
lives," he tweeted. "May the injured recover

The site where a part of a portion of Vivekananda Flyover collapsed in Kolkata

on March 31. (Photo: IANS)
at the earliest."
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he had
spoken to NDRF Director General O.P. Singh
to coordinate relief work.
A police officer at the site said he saw 10
to 12 people being taken out from the
debris but was not sure if they were alive.
The accident spot represented a horrific
site. Body parts were strewn in the debris.

Teesta, CPIM MPs

denied entry into
Hyderabad varsity
Hyderabad: Civil rights activist
Teesta Setalvad and two
Communist Party of India
Marxist MPs were not allowed to
enter University of Hyderabad,
evoking protest from students.
The university security person
nel stopped Teesta and MPs
from Kerala, T. Rajesh and
P.Sampath, at the main gate.
They were invited by the stu
dents' groups to address a public
meeting as part of the ongoing
agitation against last week's
Teesta Setalvad (centre). (Photo: IANS)
police crackdown and the
demand to remove P. Appa Rao
The unrest on the campus began on
as vice chancellor.
January 17 after Rohith, one of the five
Teesta and the two Lok Sabha members Dalit students suspended for allegedly
lodged strong protest over the denial of attacking a leader of ABVP, committed sui
entry. They condemned the curbs imposed cide. This triggered a massive protest by
by the university on entry of political lead students, who demanded action against
ers, activists and media into the campus.
vice chance llor and central minister
The students, who were waiting from on Bandaru Dattaetrya who were named in
the campus, also rushed to the main gate First Information Report.
and raised slogans against the university
Appa Rao, who went on leave on January
authorities.
24, resumed charge last week, triggering
Joint Action Committee for Social Justice, huge protest. The students ransacked the
an umbrella grouping of various students' vice chancellor's lodge on March 22 and in
groups, has condemned the university's the subsequent police crackdown 25 stu
action and called it an attempt to stifle the dents and two faculty members were
movement for justice to Rohith Vemula, a arrested and jailed.
Dalit research scholar who committed sui
T hey were all re leased on bail on
cide in January.
March 29.

Blood was splattered on the streets.

A video of the disaster showed the
Vivekananda Flyover whose foundation
was laid in 2008 and where work began in
February 2009 suddenly crashing with a
roar, giving no time for anyone under it to
escape.
"There was a sudden thundering noise" as
the flyover crashed, a witness said. He said

he saw the flyover collapse over taxis, auto

rickshaws and other vehicles besides people
who were walking under it.
Among the vehicles which were caught up
in the disaster were a mini bus, two taxis
and three autorickshaws.
"More than 100 people must have been
(buried) beneath it... It is a huge loss," the
witness said.
With the collapsed flyover covering the
entire road, rescue operations were badly
hampered as cranes found it dif ficult to
reach the spot. Later, people formed human
chains to regulate the flow of soldiers.
The chief minister announced a compen
sation of Rs.5 lakh to the families of the
dead, Rs.2 lakh each for the critically injured
and Rs.1 lakh for those who suffered minor
injuries.
The longdelayed 2.5km flyover was
expected to tackle congestion in Burra Bazar
area the location of one of the largest
wholesale markets in Asia up to the
Howrah station, the gateway to the city.
It was scheduled to be ready in 2012 but
land acquisition issues delayed its comple
tion. The implementing agency too ran into
financial troubles.
The state government has opened an
Emergency Operations Centre, which is
functioning at the state secretariat. The con
tact number is 1070.

Summons to Kangana
illegal: Lawyer

Mumbai, March 31 (IANS)

The whole dating saga started
Responding to reports about
with Kangana's silly ex comment,
Kangana Ranaut and her sister
to which Hrithik responded by
being summoned after Hrithik
tweeting: "There are more chances
Roshan's complaint, the actress's
of me having had an affair with the
lawyer said witness summons sent
Pope than any of the (I'm sure won
to the siblings by the police officer
derful) women the media has been
is patently illegal as no woman can
naming."
be called to the police station to
Kangana's lawyer said: My client
record their statements as per
who is shown to be a victim as per
Kangana Ranaut.
Indian law.
the claims of Hrithik has herself
(Photo: IANS)
"No police of ficer can summon
willingly expressed her desire to
my client or her sister to any police station to cooperate with the officers in accordance to
record their statement as a witness under the provisions of law, as well as in her reply
Section 160 of CRPC. The witness summons to the summons she has duly reserved her
sent to my client and her sister by the police rights to file an appropriate criminal com
of ficer is patently illegal, as no woman can plaint against Hrithik and his associates for
ever be called to the police station to record hacking two of her email accounts, which
their statements as per the provisions of law," includes the email from which Hrithik admit
Kangana's advocate Rizwan Siddiquee said in tedly claims to have personally received
a statement.
about 1,439 emails from my client on his cor
According to media reports, Mumbai rect email id as well the email from which my
polices cyber crime police station in Bandra client was communicating with the alleged
Kurla Complex, following Hrithik's FIR, sum imposter."
moned Kangana and her sister. The summons
The crux of the matter is simple. Hrithik
said that both have to appear before the had admittedly full knowledge of the socalled
police and record their statements within a imposter in the month of May in 2014.
week.
However, he did not wish to take any action
The controversy between the two actors, against the socalled imposter for good seven
who were rumored to have been dating in the months nor did he as a responsible citizen,
past, took another ugly turn after they then bother to take the required details of the
slapped legal notices against each other.
imposter from my client during those seven
Several reports also suggested that the months," the lawyer said.
cyber police station recently registered an FIR
"Thereafter sometime in December 2014
against an unknown person for allegedly Hrithik filed an informal complaint with the
impersonation Hrithik by creating a fake cyber cell, with full knowledge that no investi
email ID in his name and using it to chat with gation shall be carried out by the police on an
the actor's fans (which refers to Kangana).
informal complaint.

12

April 2-8, 2016

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

OP-ED

Centre's action in Uttarakhand a

throwback to Congress culture
By Nirendra Dev
he state of Uttarakhand has been
placed under President's Rule, within
two months of dismissal of the
Arunachal Pradesh government on January
26. Dismissing Harish Rawat's regime in
Dehradun under Art icle 356 of the
Constitution appears to be yet another
addition to the catalogue of constitutional
sins committed by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's government at the Centre.
By doing so, Modi has followed the foot
steps of the Congress reign at the centre.
Yet, he had promised a dif ferent kind of
polity.
The provisions of the Article 356 giv
ing sweeping powers to the central govern
ment is essentially aimed at restoring
constitutional propriety after breakdown of
governance in a state, Justice V.R. Krishna
Iyer had once observed.
But settling partisan scores seems to
have become the order of the day under
the present disposition.
Abuse of Article 356, though, is nothing
new in Indian politics. A few BJP leaders
have tried to build up an argument that the
Congress had no business to talk about
constitutional decorum as the grand old
party had several times dismissed non
Congress governments across the country
and era.
"Congress is forgetting how many state
governments it has dismissed in the last 60
years," Bharatiya Janata Party leader

Legislators led by former chief minister Harish Rawat come out after meeting
Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul in Dehradun. (Photo: IANS)
Kailash Vijayvargiya said.
In 199293, the P.V. Narasimha Rao gov
ernment at the Centre dismissed four BJP
governments in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh
following the demolition of Babri Masjid
on December 6.
After the Rao regime dismissed the
Nagaland government led by Vamuzo in
1992, the chief minister said that the impo
sition of President's Rule did not surprise
him. "After all, the Congress has always
considered itself as imperial power and
treated the states as colonies," the late
Vamuzo was quoted as having said.
In 2005, during Manmohan Singh's

reg ime, Goa Chie f Minister Manohor

Parrikar now the Defence Minister was
dismissed by Governor S.C. Jamir.
Incidentally in 1990, Jamir, then
Nagaland Chief Minister, was himself dis
missed by Governor M. M. Thomas after 12
ruling Congress legislators defected from
the Congress camp.
Like Rawat, Jamir had demanded trial of
strength in the assembly and had managed
the backing of the Speaker, late T.N.
Ngullie.
However, Governor Thomas, during the
V.P. Singh regime at the Centre did not
summon the assembly and had even
declined to meet two Congress observers,

Rajesh Pilot and S.S. Ahluwalia, saying the

views of Congress MPs were not required
on a political situation in Nagaland.
Even a government led by hardcore
socialist Chandrashekhar at the Centre was
no different. In 1990, it dismissed the DMK
ministry of M. Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu,
despite lack of any adverse report from the
state governor, to seek support from Rajiv
Gandhi's Congress which was wooing
Karunanidhi's rival, J. Jayalalitha of the
AIADMK. Ironically, the Congress party is
now at the receiving end of the imperial
character of governance, protesting "mur
der of democracy".
That brings to fore the debate whether
Article 356 allowing the Centre to dismiss
state governments should have some legal
restraints.
By its action, the Modi government and
the Bharatiya Janata Party have put other
Congress governments in Manipur,
Himachal Pradesh, Meg halaya and
Karnataka on notice that it will practice
the same art that the regime before it did.
Modi may do well to recall that the 2014
the mandate was also about ushering in
change in way of politics.
Voters may have hoped that a proponent
of development would care about constitu
tional propriety since the BJP is fond of
talking about "Cooperative Federalism"
with the states.
But their action in Uttarakhand, and
Arunachal Pradesh, seems to have belied
that hope.

Donald Trump & BJP hawks: Birds of a feather?

By Amulya Ganguli
he similarities between the
views of Donald Trump, the
Republican Party hopeful in
the US presidential campaign, and
the BJP hawks in India are too obvi
ous to be ignored.
Like all those belonging to the
ultraright, their primary animus is
against the "outsider" in terms of
ethnicity or religion. In venting
their anger against the menacing
"alien", they arouse the primordial
fears which guided primitive com
munities living in isolated ghettos.
These herd instincts have survived
centuries of social and scientific
progress. The followers of Trump
and the BJP hardliners share a deep
dislike for Muslims, bordering on
paranoia. If, for the Republican
(who, ironically, is an outsider in
his own party), the antipathy for
the Muslims is a fallout of 9/11, for
the BJP extremists, it is a builtin
feature of their worldview, dating
to the formation of the RSS nine
decades ago.
The aversion for outsiders is also
reflected in tirades against immi

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. (Photo: IANS)

g rants, especially nonwhites,
which is a feature of other right
wing parties in Europe like Marine
Le Pen's National Front in France
and Alternat ive for Germany
(Alternative fur Deutschland).
In Trump's case, Mexicans are the
primary villains; for BJP it is the
intruders from Bangladesh. Related
to this influx is the fear that in
course of time, the demographic
composition of the two countries

will change with the present major

ity communit ies the WASPs
(White AngloSaxon Protestants) in
the US and the Hindus in India
being supplanted by the Browns
(Mexicans, Puerto Ricans) in
America and the Muslims in India.
Supporters of Trump point out that
he reflects the anger at the grass
roots against an insensitive estab
lishment, whose striving for politi
cal correctness leads to handling

the newcomers with kid gloves in

keeping with America's 19th centu
ry pledge "give me your tired,
your poor, your huddled masses"
although the invitation was for
White refugees from Europe.
Similarly, both the hardliners and
the moderates in the BJP accuse
the Congress governments of the
past with following a policy of
minority "appeasement" to coddle
the Muslims to use them as a vote
bank. According to them, it is this
favouritism which has made the
longsuf fering Hindus turn in
increasing numbers to the BJP.
Critics of Trump and the BJP
hardliners see in these attitudes
disturbing signs of fascistic tenden
cies which see k to reduce the
minorities to the status of second
class citizens. What is noteworthy,
however, is that while the BJP as a
party and Narendra Modi as the
prime minister have recognized the
need to tone down an antiminority
outlook, Trump shows no such
inclination. Indeed, it is very likely
that in the aftermath of the
Brussels outrage, he will harden his
stance against the Muslims.

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

The reason why the Muslims

and somet imes also the Sikhs
because of their beards are target
ed in the US is that they have never
constituted an integral part of
American society unlike in India
where the Hindus have lived
together with various minorities
Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains,
Parsis and others for centuries.
In contrast, America's WASP
mindset is dif ferent. Having very
nearly exterminated the Native
Americans or Red Indians, they
foug ht a long battle w ith the
African Americans or the Blacks in
order to keep them in virtual
bondage. To this day, when the US
has a Black President, the commu
nity's legitimacy as true Americans
is questioned by the red necks.
The activist can be said to have
trumped even Trump with his viru
lence. But he is unlike ly to be
allowed to run for an official posi
tion in a saffron outfit, let alone be
a presidential candidate. That is
India's saving grace, thanks to the
nation's long history of tolerance
dating to Emperor Asoka (273232
BC).

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

April 2-8, 2016

OP-ED

13

INDIA NURSING ITS BANKING SYSTEM BACK TO HEALTH

he facts are well known. The Indian

banking sector is grappling with non
performing assets (NPAs, or loans
that have not been serviced for at least two
quarters) of about $60 billion (Rs 4 lakh
crore). A theoretical, though not necessari
ly the most practical, way of dealing with
this would be for the Indian taxpayer,
through the medium of the finance minis
ter, to write out a check for this amount
and clean up the balance sheets of Indian
banks.
Apart from being unaf fordable, such a
step would also mean utilizing public
money to underwrite the private loot and
inef ficiency (in several cases) of Indian
industry. Obviously, a judicious mix of mul
tiple measures is required by the govern
ment, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), indi
vidual banks and the troubled borrowers.
It is now evident that this is, indeed,
being done and that the finance ministry
and RBI are working in tandem to resolve
this legacy issue that is proving to be a
huge drag on growth.
Shortly after the Budget, the RBI allowed
banks to shore up their Tier1 capital by
including in it a part of the gains from
revalued real estate, subject to some pru
dent conditions, foreign exchange and
gains arising out of setting off the losses at
a later date. This can add about $5.5 billion
(Rs 35,000 crore) to the Tier1 capital base

Is the $3.8 billion recapitalization for banks

provided in the third Budget enough,
given the scale of the problem? Most
analysts say the amount is too little.
of banks, bringing the total recapitalization
to about $9 billion (Rs 60,000 crore).
The Indian banking system needs total
recapitalization of about $27 billion (Rs 1.8
lakh crore) by 201819 to meet the strin
gent Basel III norms.
The Economic Survey this year had sug
gested that the RBI dig into its own
reserves to fund the recap needs of the
banking sector. About 32 per cent of the
RBIs balance sheet size of $472 billion (Rs
31,64,856) crore is capital and reserves.
This means it has more than $149 billion
(Rs 10 lakh crore) in equity capital. Many

experts have questioned the need to main

tain such high levels of equity among the
highest in the world. T he US Federal
Reserve has an equity base that is only
about 2 per cent. The European Central
Bank, considered one of the worlds most
conservative, has an equity base that forms
about 20 per cent of its balance sheet. The
median ratio for central banks across the
world is 16 per cent.
Even if RBI were to maintain its equity
ratio at the ECB level, it would free up
about $60 billion (Rs 4 lakh crore), or the
size of the NPA problem, to allow banks to
make a fresh start. But for a variety of rea
sons, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan might
baulk at the thought of writing out such a
large cheque.
The most obvious reason is that it would
amount to rewarding the banks for profli
gate, and, in some cases, even criminal,
behavior. So, it is fairly safe to assume that
this step will only be taken as a last resort
and that, too, only after all other options
have been exhausted.
However, it is imperative that the health
of the banking sector be restored quickly.
Struggling with mounting NPAs and large
losses because of RBImandated provision
ing norms, banks have been unable to
extend loans to the corporate sector to
make fresh investments. This is one of the
factors holding back a broadbased indus

trial revival, which is a necessary precondi

tion for the economy to grow faster.
A more practical and feasible option
would be to allow banks recapitalize up to
$9 billion as discussed above. Then, the
slowly recovering economy and the govern
ments steps to get stalled projects back on
track are expected to turn many of the
loans given to such companies viable once
again. This would reduce the size of the
NPA problem and, consequently, the stress
faced by the banking sector.
Further, the newly launched Bank Board
Bureau (BBB), with former Comptroller &
Auditor General Vinod Rai as its chairman,
is likely to be the first step towards the for
mation of a holding company for all public
sector banks. The BBB is expected to facili
tate consolidation of public sector banks in
order to improve their functioning and also
to strengthen their balance sheets.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley has prom
ised more banking reforms in the days to
come but has not specified what these
might be. A combination of these measures,
along with the issue of capital to the public,
an improvement in overall economic condi
tions and the RBIs diktat to banks to make
provisions for all bad loans in order to
clean up their balance sheets by March 31,
2017, could help nurse the banking sector
back to health.
Courtesy India Inc News

WHEN URBANIZATION DRIVES CONCRETIZATION

Indian cities are
being shorn of
trees, with dire
implications
By Deepa Padmanabhan
t Kolkatas tree cover fell from
23.4% to 7.3% over 20 years; built
up area up 190%. By 2030, vegeta
tion will be 3.37% of Kolkatas
area.
t Ahmedabads tree cover fell
from 46% to 24% over 20 years;
builtup area up 132%. By 2030,
vegetat ion w ill be 3% of
Ahmedabads area.
t Bhopals tree cover fell from
66% to 22% over 22 years. By
2018, it will be 11% of citys area.
t
Hyderabads tree cover fell
from 2.71% to 1.66% over 20
years. By 2024, it will be 1.84% of
citys area
These are the findings of a new
Indian Institute of Science study
that used satelliteborne sensors,
compared images over decades
and mo de led past and future
growth to reveal the rate of urban
ization in four Indian cities.
T V Ramchandran, a professor,
and his team at the Energy &
Wetlands Research Group, Centre
for Ecological Sciences, studied

Activists camp on a tree to protest tree cutting in Bengaluru, the city that
has undergone the biggest urbanization in India.
agents of change and drivers of
growth, such as road networks,
railway stations, bus stops, educa
tional institutions and industries;
defense establishments, protected
regions, such as reserve forests,
valley zones and parks.
The researchers classified land
use into four groups: Urban or
builtup, which includes residen
tial and industrial areas, paved
surfaces and mixed pixels with
builtup area, meaning builtup
areas which contain areas from
any of the other three cate
gorieswater, which includes
tanks, lakes, reservoirs, and
drainages; vegetat ion, which
includes forests and plantations;
and others, including rocks, quarry
pits, open ground at building sites,
unpaved roads, cropland, plant
nurseries and bare land.

Here is what they found

in each city.

Kolkata: T he populat ion of

Kolkata is now 14.1 million, mak
ing it Indias thirdlargest city.
Urban builtup area, as we said,
increased 190% between 1990
and 2010.
In 1990, 2.2% of land was built
up; in 2010, 8.6%, which is predict
ed to rise to 51.27% by 2030.
Hyderabad: With a population of
7.74 million in 2011, Hyderabad is
poised to be a mega city with 10
million people in 2014. Urban
builtup area rose 400% between
1999 and 2009.
In 1999, 2.55% of land was built
up; in 2009, 13.55%, which is pre
dicted to rise to 51.27% by 2030.
Ahmedabad: With 5.5 million in
2011, the city was Indias sixth

largest by population and third

fastest growing city. Ahmedabads
builtup urban area grew 132%
between 1990 and 2010.
In 1990, 7.03% of land was built
up; in 2010, 16.34%, which is pre
dicted to rise to 38.3% in 2024.
Bhopal: One of Indias greenest
cities, it is 16th largest by popula
t ion w ith 1.6 million people.
Bhopal is better of f than other
cities even today, but the con
cretizing trend is clear: In 1992,
66% of the city was covered with
vegetation (in 1977, it was 92%);
that is down to 21% and falling.
Indias urban population rose
26% over the decade ending 2010
to 350 million, according to UN
data, and is projected to rise 62%
between 2010 and 2020 and
108% between 2020 and 2030.
Indias fastest growing city has
tradit ionally been Bang alore.
There are no recent estimates for
its concretization, but in 2012,
Ramachandran and his g roup
found a 584% growth in builtup
area over the preceding four
decades, with vegetation declining
66% and water bo dies 74%,
according to this study.
The highest increase in urban
builtup area in Bangalore was evi
dent between 1973 and 1992
342.83%. Decadal increases since,
between 1992 and 2010, have
averaged about 100%: 129.56%
from 1992 to 1999; 106.7% from

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

1999 to 2002; 114.51% from

2002 to 2006; and 126.19% from
2006 to 2010
Bangalores population rose
from 6.5 million in 2001 to 9.6
million in 2011, a growth of 46.68
% over a decade; population densi
ty increased from 10,732 persons
per square km in 2001 to 13,392
persons in 2011.
This
2013
study
by
Ramachandra listed implications
of unplanned urbanization:
t
Loss of wetlands and green
spaces.
t Floods: As open fields, water
bodies, wetlands, and vegetation
are converted to residential lay
outs, roads, and parking lots,
absorption of rainfall reduces.
Encroachment of natural drains,
alteration of the topography, such
as construction of highrise build
ings, causes flooding, even during
normal rainfall.
t Decline in groundwater table.
t
Heat island: Increased con
sumption of energy causes energy
discharges, creating heat islands
with higher surface and atmos
pheric temperatures.
t
Increased carbon footprint:
High consumption of electricity,
building architecture, more vehi
cles and traf fic bottlenecks con
tribute to carbon emissionsa sit
uation aggravated by mismanage
ment of garbage.
Source: Indiaspend.org

14

April 2-8, 2016

PLANET EARTH

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

17 young Indians, including eight women, return

spellbound from Antarctica, more committed to
save earth from ill-effects of greenhouse emissions,
rapid urbanization, excess consumption of
natural resources and changing lifestyles.

The earths
last great
wilderness
By Fakir Balaji
eventeen young Indians
have
r e t u r n ed
from
Antarctica with breathtak
ing stories of its icebergs, icy
winds, weather and inhabitants
penguins, seals, whales and
sharks.
Its an out of the world expe
rience. Its like being to another
planet, where nature opens up
i t s t r e a s u r e s a n d b ec k o n s
humans to discover the earths
last
great
wilderness,
International
Antarctica
Expedit ion (IAE) member D.
Chandrika said.
Chandrika cruised back to
Ushuaia in Argentina last week
from the 12day adventurous
trip, with 149 other members
from 26 countries.
T he 17 Indians, including
eig ht women, in midtolate
20s, are university students,
techies, researchers, executives
a n d g r ee n s w i t h a c o m m o n
cause to save earth from ill
ef fects of greenhouse emis
sions, rapid urbanization,
excess consumption of natural
r e s o u r c e s a n d ch a n g i n g
lifestyle.
Organized by the USbased
2041 Foundat ion under the
l e a d e r sh i p of ve t e r a n p o l a r
explorer and British environ
mentalist Robert Swan, the
expedition studied the impact
of climate change due to global
warming for promoting renew
able energy sources, sustain
ability and preserve the earths
fragile ecosystem.
Swan, 60, the first person to
set foot on North Pole and
South Pole in 1989, set up the
Foundation in 1991 to preserve

Antarctica by promoting recy

cling, renewable energy and
sustainability to combat af fects
of climate change. Setting of f in
Ocean Endeavour, the luxury
sh i p n a v i g a t ed b y 5 0 c r e w
members, from Ushuaia, the
worlds southernmost town, the
expedition sailed on March 14
towards
the
Antarctica
Peninsula crossing the stormy
Drake Passage and entering the
blue waters of the ocean with
no land in sight anywhere.
In the midst of the ocean, we
spotted the first iceberg near
Land Ahoy Island, making
everyone hit the deck and brave
the icy winds to watch the float
ing spectacle, with huge twisted
forms of ice in many layers and
markings, revealing their age
and origins, the 28yearold
a s t r o ph y s i c i s t f r o m P u n e
r ec a l l ed w i t h a w e. C r u i s i n g
along the edge of the world, the
sh i p r e a ch ed t h e D ec e p t i o n
Island, sitting on a dormant vol
c a n o a n d w h e r e t h e i l l eg a l
whale industry once thrived.
Covered with ash and other vol
canic remnants, the desolate
place is home to hundreds of
penguins and seals amidst
floating g laciers around the
island.
I found it surreal to walk
next to those wild animals,
which are not used to humans.
They showed no interest in us
or fear as they were in their
own rightful place, French pho
tographer Josselin Cornou, a
part of the 2016 expedition,
posted in the of ficial blog.
On the following day, the ship
entered Port Forester Island
throug h Neptunes Be llows,
where a volcanic craters walls

A team of 150 members from 26 countries on board Ocean Endeavour cruise before sailing
to Antarctica from Ushuaia in south Argentina. (Photos: 2041 Foundation/IANS)

Cruising along the edge of the world, the ship reached the Deception Island, sitting on a
dormant volcano and where the illegal whale industry once thrived.
were breached by the mighty
sea. The island was discovered
in 181920 by explorer William
Smith.
The expedition also landed at
Telefon Bay, a stunning land
scape made of ash and snow.
About 100 and odd members of
dif ferent nationalities disem
barked from the ship and head
ed i n z o d i a c s t o t h e s n o w
c a p p ed i s l a n d , s w a r m ed b y
Gentoo penguins, a napping
Weddel Seal and the territorial
fur seals. The lifetime expedi
tion is educative as we saw the

impact of climate change on

Antarctica due to emissions
from industries and power
plants on other continents and
the need to combat them with
technologies like carbon cap
ture and storage, another IAE
member, Aarthi Rao, a green
activist from Hyderabad, said.
According to Swan, decorated
the British Order of Empire, the
purpose of the expedition was
to engage and inspire the next
generation of leaders to take
responsibility to build resilient
communities
and
save

Antarctica. We have seen hun

dreds of Humpback, Minke, Fin
and even Orca whales on the
Petermann Island, a lowlaying
island surrounded by blue ice
bergs. Every new creature
revealed the beauty of these
i n c r ed i b l e a n i m a l s , E i t a n
RoveroShein, a 25yearold
Mexican, wrote in the blog with
amazing pictures.
On the final leg of the expedi
tion, some members, including
Indians from a tropical land,
p l u n g ed i n t o t h e f r ee z i n g
waters at subzero temperature.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

MODI IN BELGIUM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the EUIndia Summit in Brussels on March 30.

April 2-8, 2016

15

Modi and Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel inspect the troops march past before a bilateral
meeting at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on March 30. (AP Photo)

Modi strikes sympathy chord

with terrorhit Brussels
We feel your pain, the Indian Prime Minister told
his Belgian counterpart, Charles Michel
Brussels: Visiting the Belgian
capital that is yet to recover from
the horror of the March 22 terror
attacks, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Wednesday said that
India shares the depth of sorrow
and grief of the Belgian people
as it has itself experienced ter
rorist violence on countless occa
sions.
Modi, who laid a wreath at the
Maalbeek metro station that had
been hit by a massive suicide
bombing on March 22, of fered
deepest condolences to the fami
lies of those killed in the terror
strikes in Brussels last week.
In his press statement after
holding talks with Belgian Prime
Minister Charles Michel, Modi
said: Having experienced terror
ist violence ourselves on count
less occasions, we share your
pain. In this time of crisis, the
whole of India stands in full sup
port and solidarity with the
Belgian people.
Modi also proposed resuming
bilateral talks on a Mutual Legal
Assistance Treaty. Negotiations
o n E x t r a d i t i o n Tr e a t y a n d a
Treaty on Exchange of Sentenced
Prisoners could be concluded
expeditiously, he said.
Indian
Infosys
t ech i e
R a g h a ve n d r a n G a n e s a n w a s
among the many killed when a
bomb ripped through a train car
riage at Maalbeek station, locat
ed in the heart of Brussels and
close to the EU headquarters.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister Didier

Reynders accompanied Modi to

the Maalbeek station and briefed
him about the attack.
Seeking to enhance bilateral
business ties, Modi also met busi
ness leaders of Belgium. In his
address, Modi said that while dia
monds remain India's ageold
link with their nation, new oppor
tunities have opened up in India,
notably in IT and infrastructure.
Around 2,500 Indians are
based in Antwerp, dealing mainly
in the diamond trade.
"Today we live in an interde
pendent world. India of fers a
huge opportunity not just a
market, but also as a huge talent
pool," Modi said, and gave the
examples of ports and inland
waterways as areas that can of fer
them attractive opportunities.
In the morning, the prime min
ister arrived to a red carpet wel
come and was warmly greeted by
a large crowd of Indian diaspora,
who waved the Indian tricolor.

Later, the two prime ministers

jointly remote activated Asia's
largest optical telescope, ARIES,
located in Nainital, Uttarakhand
in India.
ARIES project is not just a gov
ernmenttogovernment initia
tive, it is a winwin collaboration
between private sectors as well,
he said after the inauguration.
L o c a t ed a t t h e A r y a bh a t t a
R e s e a r ch
Institute
of
Observational Sciences (ARIES) at
Devasthal near Nainital, it is a
3.6metre telescope.
India has collaborated with a
Belgian company called AMOS to
produce this infrared steerable
optical telescope which is the
first of its kind in the whole of
Asia. After Brussels, the Pm was
s ch ed u l ed t o t r a ve l
to
Washington to attend Nuclear
Security Summit and then visit
Riyadh for a bilateral visit to
Saudi Arabia on April 23.
(IANS)

PM Modi meeting selected members of the

European and Belgian parliaments. (Photos: PIB)

PM Modi addressing the Indian community reception in Brussels.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Belgium Prime Minister during
the Remote Technical Activation of IndiaBelgium Aryabhatta Research
Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) Telescope, in Brussels.

16

April 2-8, 2016

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD

Actor Sunny
Leone.

ctress Sunny Leone is ecstatic to be part of the super

star Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Raees" and says she is
"happy" to be also part of the 100th day of the film.
The former adult film star will reportedly be seen doing an
item number for "Raees", which is slated to release on Eid.
"So happy I got to be a part of the 100th day of 'Raees'
with Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Dholakia and Ritesh
Sidhwani. The good life," Sunny tweeted on
Tuesday.
This is the first time that Sunny, who was
last seen onscreen in director Milap
Zaveri's "Mastizaade", will be sharing
screen space with the "Chennai Express"
superstar.
"Raees" also stars actor Nawazuddin
Siddiqui and Pakistani actress Mahira
Khan.

Farida
Jalal,
Kulbhushan
Kharbanda
make short
film debut

Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora.

Arbaaz KhanMalaika
Arora separate,
request for privacy
rbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora have announced their
separation through a joint statement. Ending months
of speculation over the state of their marriage, the
Bollywood star couple have confirmed that they have sepa
rated and are taking out time to figure out their lives. The
couple have been married for 17 years and also have a son,
13yearold Arhaan. Seeking privacy after announcing sep
aration, Arbaaz today requested one and all to leave them
alone. Humble request to the media, stop speculating and
leave us alone. Will talk when ready, please respect our pri
vacy, wrote Arbaaz on his twitter timeline.
An irate Arbaaz lashed out at some speculative news arti
cles also, saying, You got to be dumb and bankrupt for
news to write the same over and over again. Get a life
guys, show some respect. Its not a joke.
The couple, who got hitched in December 1998, men
tioned in their statement that they are separated and have
taken a break to figure out their lives. The duo also rub
bished speculations about other affairs and talks of them
having consulted a divorce lawyer.

Farida Jalal.

British
royal couple
to attend
Bollywood
gala
in Mumbai
Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton.

Bollywood gala awaits Britain's

Prince William and his wife Kate
Middleton during their upcoming
India visit next month.
The couple will be present at a special
evening with stars of India's flourishing
Hindi film industry. The event on April 10
will be held at a hotel in Mumbai, and will
raise money for charities helping street
children, reports mirror.co.uk.

In Mumbai, which is India's financial

capital, they will stay at the same hotel
which was one of the targets of the devas
tating 2008 terror attacks. On their
weeklong visit to India and Bhutan, they
will also meet children from the Mumbai
slums during a game of cricket.
They will also visit the iconic Taj Mahal
in Agra, recreating Princess Diana's visit
to th wonder of the world in 1992.

eteran actors Farida Jalal

and Kulbhushan Kharbanda,
who have spent decades in
filmdom, have made their short
film debut with a naughty movie
titled "Scandal Point" in which
they are seen romancing each
other.
Directed by Ankur Tewari, the
film tells the story of a senior citi
zen couple reliving their romantic
college days when they used to
drive up to a favourite love point
when they're rudely accosted by a
policeman.
"After over five decades of being
in the industry and having acted in
virtually every format including
films, television and advertising,
it's incredible to still have a chance
to debut in a new digital format
and work with such a young crew
in such a fun film," Farida Jalal,
who started her career as a child
actor in 1963, said in a statement.
"Scandal Point" is part of Yash
Raj Films youth wing YFilms's
short film anthology "Love Shots".

'Angry Indian Goddesses' to

be screened in Finland

an Nalin's "Angry Indian Goddesses" will have its pre

miere in Finland at the Helsinki Season Film Festival
2016, to be held from March 31 to April 4. Touted as
India's first 'female buddy' film, featuring an ensemble cast
of SarahJane Dias, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anushka
Manchanda, Sandhya Mridul, Rajshri Deshpande and Adil
Hussain among others, the movie earned rave reviews in
India post its release, and has been lauded at international
film festivals. "We have received an amazing response from
all territories of Europe wherever we have shown the film
so far. Its really exciting to have a prestigious festival like
Helsinki Season Film Festival invite our film and we are
eagerly looking forward to bringing 'Angry Indian
Goddesses' to both the Finnish audience and media at the
festival," Gaurav Dhingra, the film's producer, said in a
statement.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD

April 2-8, 2016

17

Bollywood stumps regional cinema

at National Film Awards
New Delhi: It was Bollywood and
Kangana, who has won National
box office biggies all the way at the Awards twice earlier for "Fashion"
63rd National Film Awards. and "Queen", has this time been
Southern
magnum
opus lauded for her superlative dual act
"Baahubali: The Beginning" was in "Tanu Weds Manu Returns". For
named Best Feature Film, while the the actress, who turned 29 last
Best Actor and Best Actors awards week, it is the "best birthday gift"
were taken by Hindi film stars ever.
Amitabh Bachchan and Kangana
T he team of "Baahubali: T he
Ranaut, leading many to question Beginning", which was a box office
why regional cinema and talent wonder, was "overwhelmed" with
was sidelined.
the win, which was further laced by
Twitter was abuzz with users the Best Special Effects Award.
commenting and questioning the
While some other marvels of
credibility of the awards, the southern cinema have found a
process of which is coordinated by place in the list of winners,
the Directorate of Film Festivals.
Bollywood clearly stole the lime
"According to the National light with "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" win
Awards, only people associated ning the Best Popular Film
with Hindi cinema need recogni Providing
W holesome
tion. Regional cinema doesn't mat Entertainment; and Sanjay Leela
ter," one user shared, while another Bhansali getting the Best Direction
wrote: "And how come all of the Award for "Bajirao Mastani", which
major
winners
are
from also won the Best Supporting
Bollywood? Whatever happened to Actress award for Tanvi Azmi.
regional cinema? National awards
The period drama even emerged
seriously losing credibility."
victorious
in
the
Best
Amitabh Bachchan received Best Actor award for 'Piku' while 'Baahubali' was adjudged 'Best Feature' film.
In fact, even director Gurvinder Cinematography category, while
Ghose's rerecording of the final Indira Gandhi Award for Best the Tamil drama "Visaranaai", for
Singh, whose internationally Remo D'Souza won the Best
mixed track for"Bajirao Mastani", Debut Film of a Director for "his which late Kishore T.E.'s editing
acclaimed Punjabi film "Chauthi Choreography honour for "creating
have been honored.
perceptive approach to filmmaking work has also been lauded.
Koot" has been honored with a enchanting moves" for the track
Neeraj Ghaywan, whose unusual in handling a layered story of peo
This year, a special honour, Film
National Film Award, has called the "Deewani mastani", and Shriram
drama "Masaan" found critical ple caught up in changing social Friendly State Award was given for
winners' list a "complete farce".
Iyengar, Saloni Dhatrak and Sujeet
acclaim nationally and internation and moral values".
the first time, and it went to
"All the main awards have gone Sawant won for the movie's pro
ally, has been encouraged with the
As for regional cinema, actor Gujarat. Among the winners in the
to commercial films. 'Baahubali', duction design. In the audiogra
filmmaker Samuthirakan was Best Music Direction category are:
which is a totally crap film has got phy section, Biswadeep
given
the
Best M. Jayachandran won Best Song
the Best Film award. I think it is a Chatterjee's sound
Supporting for "Kaathirunnu kaathirunnu"
BJP award and not National d e s i g n
A c t o r ("Ennu Ninte Moideen") and
Award," Singh told IANS.
ing and
a w a r d Ilaiyaraaja won in the Background
However, that didn't deter the Justin
f o r Score subcategory for "Thaarai
winners from rejoicing over their
Thappattai". "Nanak Shah Fakir",
victory.
which has been named for the
Amitabh, who has earlier won
de
Nargis Dutt Award for Best
the National Film Award
vivre.
Feature Film on National
thrice
for
films
Fawad
"Kapoor
Integration, has even won
like"Agneepath","Black"
Khan as the
& Sons" is a
for its costume design
and "Paa", was hon
successful nov
saga of a dys
ing (Payal Saluja)
ored this time for
elist and older
functional family,
and
makeup
his role in "Piku",
sibling essays Rahul
which makes you
(Preetishee l G
and he thanked
with restraint and yet,
laugh and cry with its
Singh
and
his fans for
has his moments when
members, as you
C l o v e r
congratulat
he lets his guard down, if
become an intrinsic part
Wootton).
ing him.
only to express his anger,
of their lives. It is a com
disappointment and hurt.
plete family entertainer with
Ratna Pathak Shah plays the
a universal appeal.
complex mother and wife with
Arjun (Siddharth Malhotra)
A scene from 'Kapoor & Sons'
aplomb. Whether it is uninten
and Rahul (Fawad Khan) are two
tionally hurting her son or accus
siblings based in New Jersey and
complex lives of the characters.
"second best" of the two broth
ing her husband of an affair, her dis
London respectively and arrive at
His dealing of human emo
ers, portrays his angst and
play of emotions, though, a bit the
Coonoor to visit their ailing grandfa
tions along with the treat
resentment, in an under
atrical and dramatic, is a treat to
ther (Rishi Kapoor) who lives with
ment of the subject is
stated manner. He is
watch. Rajat Kapoor plays the under
their parents Harsh (Rajat Kapoor) and
what makes the film
every inch the son who
dog to perfection, constantly under
Sunita (Ratna Pathak Shah). Their com
stand apart. The charac
tries hard to prove his
scrutiny by his wife, being taunted for
plicated relationships, replete with mis
ters are etched to perfec
worth to his parents to
his failed business attempts and relation
understandings, accusations, lies and yet,
tion, their lives almost
make them proud.
ship with his former bank colleague Anu.
bound by love, form the crux of this film.
unfolding before our eyes
Playing his love interest,
Rishi Kapoor, of course as the doyen of the
Clearly, the film is on a dysfunctional
in the two hours. The screen
is Alia Bhatt as Tia Malik, a
family, is an absolute delight in his genial
family, and some realistic elements inter
play is taut and full of unexpect
Mumbaibased girl who is an
avatar, complete with a new get up.
woven in its narrative add to its effective
ed twists which keep you riveted to
orphan and misses having a family.
Overall, "Kapoor & Sons" reflects William
ness in being relatable to the audience.
the screen, never letting your interest wane.
As always, she renders a zesty performance
Blake's
poem "Joy and woe are woven fine"
Writerdirector Shakun Batra can take a
Performancewise, "Kapoor & Sons" is
with oodles of spontaneity and panache and
and
is
definitely
bound to make you emo
bow for his astute handling of a simple
impressive too.
is equally the heart stealer in emotional
(Photos: IANS)
tional.
story, with a complicated plot owing to the
Siddharth Malhotra as the "runner up" or
scenes. She lights up the screen with her joie

Review

'Kapoor
& Sons': Joy
and woe are
woven fine

18

April 2-8, 2016

SPIRITUALITY

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Three days of Guru Gyaan

TO CELEBRATE ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY, LIFE POSITIVE MAGAZINE
ORGANIZED TALKS BY RENOWNED SPIRITUAL TEACHERS,
HELD PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND LEC DEMS LAST WEEKEND IN DELHI.
By Parveen Chopra in New Delhi
New Delhi: It was so fulfilling to attend the
Life Positive Expo a week ago in Delhi
marking the 20th anniversary of Life
Positive, Indias first spiritual magazine that
I am proud to have founded as editor in
1996. It was heartening to note that with
continued backing by its chairman, Aditya
Ahluwalia, the magazine has spawned a
Hindi version and Life Positive Jr in English
and Hindi, besides publishing books on
related subjects.
Life Positive Expo at India Habitat Center
has actually become a much awaited event
in the capitals spiritual calendar. So a
galaxy of Spiritual Masters and Gurus
Anandmurti Gurumaa released the 20th anniversary issue of Life Positive magazine,
accompanied by (from left) Aditya Ahluwalia (Chairman of LP),
descended upon the dais of the threeday
D.R. Kaarthikeyan (President), sound healer Shruti,
gala event from March 2527 organized
Anandmurti Gurumaa giving a discourse at
Suma
Varughese
(Editor), and Parveen Chopra (founder editor of LP).
by the Life Positive Foundation .
the event
The first day started with Anandmurti
Pieces to Peace where
Gurumaas inaugural address. She charmed
she explained how the
the audience with an evocative discourse
world outside lures us
on how to live a happy life. Armed with
into see king fake
her usual witty repartees, Gurumaa
happiness, and how
explained how each one of us is an
one can move away
ananda swaroopa we just have to
from the six vices
lift the veil of ignorance. Yahijaanana
of anger, ego,
hi muktihai (Becoming aware of this
g reed, tempta
itself is liberation), she said.
t ion, attach
A panel discussion on Has the
ment, and
New Age arrived? followed next.
stress. She
Noted scholar Dr Ramesh Bijlani
is a disciple
from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram,
and close
Sister Rama from Brahma
associate of
Kumaris, and
S w a m i
Parveen
Chidanand
Chopra,
Saraswati of
now editor
Rishikesh.
of
T he
Buddhist master Tai Situ and BK Shivani speaking at the event.
T h e
S o u t h
third day
A s i a n
Sadhvi Bhagwati addressing the audience
of the fes
Times in
New York, were the eminent panelists who tival started with celebrated media profes
discussed amongst themselves and with the sional Rajiv Mehrotras talk on What we
audience how the New Age has definitely can learn from the Dalai Lama. A disciple
planted its firm feet in the global conscious of HH the Dalai Lama for more than 30
years, Mehrotra recounted the spiritual
ness.
Followed Kathak exponent Padma Shri Dr masters aspirations and leanings, while
Shovana Narayans lecdem on Dance as a extolling the contemporary and dynamic
path to Spirituality, and another session on approach of Buddhism. Reason and logic
Sound and Vibration Healing by Shruti are the main tenets of Buddhism, he main
tained. This was followed by a panel discus
Nada Poddar.
The second day of the festival saw mystic sion on the topic Religion A Common
master Mohanji expound on the importance Meeting Ground, graced by esteemed pan
of awareness in connecting with ones true elists educationist, visionary and states
Self. He answered an array of questions man Dr Karan Singh and noted Islamic
from the audience and busted many a myth scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Both
the panelists agreed upon the importance
confounding the seekers minds.
Discussion on Religion A Common Meeting Ground with Dr Karan Singh and Maulana
Renowned Sister BK Shivani, an endear of sifting the core teachings of all religions
Wahiduddin Khan, moderated by Suma Varughese (Photos: Ashwani Chopra/Life Positive)
ing constant at every LP expo in Delhi, was of the world from the chaf f of ignorance
her usual pristine and calm self. She held a accumulated over them throughout the gentsia too have to wake up to rise of Monast ic Seat in the Kang ra Valley,
Himachal Pradesh. To achieve innate
loving and peaceful space as the audience centuries as a pertinent step towards creat extremist elements in the faith.
An exhaustive discourse on Awakening potential, one must embrace realistic
basked in her serene radiance while she ing a harmonious world. Ever the optimist,
explained practical ways to vibrate positivi the Maulana said Muslims have to and will the innate potent ial by HH the approach without expecting too much
ty for the Self and others. The day ended wake up to the issue of Islam being seen as 12thChamgon Kenting Tai Situpa brought from oneself, and by embracing the middle
with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatis dis a religion of violence, while it is a religion the festival to a befitting end. Tai Situpa is path as suggested by the Buddha, he
course on undertaking a journey From of peace. Dr Karan Singh said Hindu intelli the present head of the Palpung Sherabling remarked.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

April 2-8, 2016

DIASPORA

19

PM addresses Indian community in Brussels

Brussels: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi addressed the Indian commu
nity in Brussels. He described the
Indian Community as the Lokdoot
of India.
The Prime Minister recalled the
horrendous terror attack in
Brussels last week, and of fered
condolences to the families of the
victims. He described terrorism as
a challenge to humanity. He said
the need of the hour is for all
humanitarian forces to join hands
to fight it.
T he Prime Minister said that
despite the huge threat, the world
is not able to deliver a proportion
ate response to terror and terms
such as good terrorism and bad
terrorism end up strengthening it.
Modi described how India has
faced this scourge for forty years,
which many described as a mere
law and order problem for a long
time, until 9/11 happened. He
declared that India would not bow
to terror.
Modi said he has spoken to many
world leaders and emphasized the
need to delink religion from terror.
He recalled the Global Sufi
Conference in New Delhi recently,
where liberal Islamic scholars had
denounced terrorism. He said this

TERROR ATTACK UNITED

ALL INDIANS IN BELGIUM

PM Narendra Modi being warmly welcomed by the people of Indian

community, on his arrival at Brussels, Belgium on March 30, 2016.
approach was essential to stop rad
icalization. The right atmosphere
had to be created to end terror, he
added.
The Prime Minister regretted
that the United Nations had not
been able to come up with a struc
tured response to terrorism. He
said the UN has not been able to
fulfill its responsibility in this
regard, and had not come up with a
suitable resolution. He warned that
institutions which do not evolve
appropriate responses to emerging
situations, risked irrelevance.

The Prime Minister also men

tioned that the whole world which
is passing through an economic cri
sis, had recognized India as a ray of
hope. He said India has become the
fastest growing large economy in
the world, and this is not because
of good fortune. He said this has
happened despite two successive
drought years. He said that this is
the result of good intentions and
sound policies. Talking about
2015, the Prime Minister said he
wished to give an account of the
work done by the Government.

Sushma holds meet on consular

services for diaspora
New Delhi: External
Indian diaspora's suc
Af fairs
Minister
cess and deliberated
Sushma Swaraj on
on issues confronting
Tuesday led a pane l
them.
discussion on deliver
However, from this
ing consular services
year, with the merger
to Indians abroad as
of the MOIA with the
part of the Pravasi
external af fairs min
Bharatiya Divas (PBD).
istry, the celebratory
"Brainstorming dias
event has been turned
pora engagement. EAM
into a biennial af fair
@SushmaSwaraj leads
with the intervening
2nd PBD panel discus
year being devoted to
External Affairs Minister
sion on De livering
"a lot of thinking and
Sushma Swaraj
Consular Services,"
a lot of thoug ht
ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup pro cess," according to Sushma
tweeted. The PBD, a conclave of the Swaraj.
Indian diaspora organised by the
"People would study the various
ministry, has undergone a change issues and come up with various
from this year onwards.
recommendations so that the prob
Started in 2003 and anchored by lems of the diaspora could be
the erstwhile ministry of overseas solved," she said in her keynote
Indian af fairs (MOIA), it was an speech at the signature 14th PBD
annual event that celebrated the event held here on January 9.

New Delhi: Eight days after a hor

rific terror attack in Belgium left
34 people dead, an Indian work
ing at the Brussels airport says
the country is yet to recover from
the trauma. But the carnage has
brought together Indians of all
hues living in the country.
And those who survived the
twin explosions at the Zaventem
Airport departure lounge, with or
without injuries, feel their lives
have changed forever, Andre
Pierre Rego said.
Mumbaiborn Andre came to
Brussels in 1983 to pursue stud
ies. He ended up staying on in the
country, and now works at the
Brusse ls Airport with the
Swissport Lost and Found
Baggage Tracing Service.
Andre was on duty when suicide
bombers detonated themselves in
a crowded section of the airport
on the morning of March 22.
Andre escaped unscathed but the
deafening blasts have af fected
him deeply and changed forever

the lives of those who were at the

departure hall. "The departure
area was thronging with passen
gers checking in for international
flights out of Brussels when all of
a sudden (there was this massive)
bang," he said. "You cannot
explain in words the actual effect
of a bomb exploding," said Andre,
who has previously worked with
Jet Airways. The first explosion
itself triggered chaos.
"(There were) bags everywhere,
people (were) running towards
the two remaining exits, scream
ing in shock and pain, through
thick smoke," Andre said. "And 20
seconds later there was a second
bigger explosion at the other end.
T hat's when the ceiling came
crashing down.
"There was more screaming as
panic stricken passengers and air
port staf f ran towards the only
available exit in the middle of the
departure hall. While the injured
ran, the lifeless and panicstricken
lay still," said Andre."

Indianorigin woman
restaurateur is a hit in Ghana
Accra: Surinder Kaur Cheema
came to Accra four decades ago
from her nat ive Baro da in
India's Gujarat state to support
her businessman husband.
Today, she is a hugely success
ful entrepreneur in her own
right with two popular Indian
restaurants, is often called on
by the diplomatic community
to provide catering services on
special occasions and is an
active social worker.
"Surinder Kaur Cheema must
be saluted for singlehandedly
building one of the most suc
cessful Indian restaurants in
Ghana," said Amar Deep S. Hari,
the Indianorigin CEO of promi
nent IT firm IPMC.
Cheema arrived in Ghana in
1974 to join her awardwin
ning farmerexporter husband

Harcharan Cheema. From a

housewife she later turned to
teach at the Ebenezer
Secondary School in Accra for a
while, and has now settled on
se lling India throug h her
restaurants.
"It was after 13 years that I
started my first restaurant,
Kohinoor Restaurant at Osu (an
Accra suburb). I have now been
able to add another one, Delhi
Palace at Tema (a port city
some 25 km from Accra)," says
Cheema.
Her success as a restaurateur
has become acclaimed as she
not only serves Indian delica
cies on her premises but has
now become the caterer of
choice for most diplomatic
receptions and private events.
Cheema, who now employs

about 35 people, said she

would love to increase the
number of restaurants she runs
"but it is not easy because of
my numerous commitments."
She divides her time between
running her restaurants and
ensuring that women af fected
with breast cancer get treat
ment, some rural communities
get schools and water.
"T hrough the work of the
Indian Women's Association,
we have been able to raise
money to get women in the
country treated for breast can
cer. Among other similar proj
ects, we recently provided a
school at Nima in Accra and
provided a borehole for water
to the people of Abanta near
Koforidua in the eastern
region," Cheema said.

20

April 2-8, 2016

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

SUBCONTINENT

Will seal IndiaBangladesh border: Rajnath

Duliajan (Assam): Blaming the Congress
for illegal infiltration into Assam, Home
Minister Rajnath Singh said the central
government will seal the IndiaBangladesh
border.
"The Congress was never bothered about
the infiltration into Assam. They have
destroyed the state for their vote bank pol
itics. We are going to seal the border com
pletely so that no infiltrators can enter
Assam," Sing h told a public rally at
Duliajan in Assam's Dibrugarh district.
"Ever since Bangladesh was created,
there has been infiltration in Assam. I want
to ask them (Congress), why didn't you
seal the borders? Why didn't you stop
them from entering into our land?
"The fact remains that they are not even
bothered. The Congress never paid any
attention to the issue of infiltration since
beginning," he said.
"I have visited the IndiaBangladesh bor

Home Minister Rajnath Singh. (Photo: IANS)

der areas and held talks with the authori
ties in Bangladesh. Our government is

POSTLAHORE BLAST
Five terrorists killed,
over 600 arrested

At least 74 people, including 29 children, were killed in the blast

that hit the crowded GulshaneIqbal park. (Photo: IANS)
Islamabad: At least five terrorists
were killed and over 600 suspects
arrested in an extensive operation
launched by security forces across
Pakistan's Punjab province follow
ing Sunday's suicide blast in
Lahore, media reports said.
At least 74 people, including 29
children, were killed and over 300
others injured in the blast that hit
the crowded GulshaneIqbal park
on Sunday evening. A splinter
group of the Pakistani Taliban,
JamaatulAhrar, claimed respon
sibility for the attack.
Citing Urdu TV channel Dunya,
Xinhua said the five terrorists,
belonging to a banned militant
group, were killed in two separate
shootouts with security forces
during search operations in
Rajanpur and Muzaf fargarh dis
tricts in southern Punjab.
According to reports, at least
250 suspects were detained in
Sialkot, 200 in Gujranwala, 80 in
Faisalabad, 34 in Rahim Yar Khan,

18 in Kasur, 10 in Bhakkar, six in

Attock and one in Bahawalpur,
while several others were arrested
from other parts of the province.
Security forces launched the
operation on Sunday night after
army chief General Raheel Sharif
chaired a highlevel meeting of
military officials and directed the
commanders to start a quick oper
ation to bring the terrorists and
their facilitators to justice.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in
an address to the nation on
Monday had reiterated the gov
ernment's resolve to wipe out the
menace of terrorism from the
country.
A spokesperson of the Inter
Services Public Relations said a
huge cache of arms and ammuni
tion were recovered during the
operations.
Punjab's Law Minister Rana
Sanaullah told the media on
Tuesday that at least 160 opera
tions have been conducted so far.

committed to solve the infiltration prob

lem. We need some time to seal the border

complete ly," he added. T he veteran

Bharatiya Janata Party leader added that
Prime Minister Narendra Mo di had
pledged to curb corruption.
"The whole world knows that there is not
a single case of corruption in the centre
since the BJPled took power," he said,
adding that the BJP, if it wins the Assam
assembly elections, will ensure zero cor
ruption. "We are not going to tolerate cor
ruption," he said. The elections will be
held in the state on April 4 and 11.
Singh also slammed the Congress gov
ernment in Assam for failing to address
the issues of drinking water, road and elec
tricity, and said that 60 percent of villages
in the state were yet to get electricity.
"The condition of adivasis and tea gar
den workers is pathetic in Assam. If the
government had implemented the
Plantation Labour Act, their lot would
have been better," he said.

No threat to national security,

says Sri Lanka

Colombo: Sri Lanka said there was

no threat to the country's security
though a suicide jacket and explo
sives were found from a house in
north where the Tamil Tigers once
held sway.
T here was no threat to the
national security despite allega
tions by the opposition that the
Tamil Tiger rebe ls may try to
regroup, Xinhua news agency
quoted
de fense
secretary
Karunasena Hettiarachchi as say
ing. "We recover various kind of
ammunition very often as these
were all hidden by the LTTE dur
ing the war. So the question of our
national security being threatened

does not arise," Hettiarachchi said.

Opposition parliamentarian and
former president's son, Namal
Rajapakse on Wednesday tweeted
that recovery of a suicide jacket
and explosives in the former war
torn north earlier in the day raised
questions if the Tamil Tiger rebels
were trying to regroup in the
island nation.
However, Hettiarachchi said that
the recovery was "nothing extraor
dinary" as such explosives and
ammunition were hidden by the
rebels during the war period.
In addition to the suicide jacket,
police also discovered a stock of
explosives and bullets which were

hidden
in
a
house
in
Chawakachcheri, in the north.
Police had reportedly raided the
house on a tipoff that the owner
had in his possession drugs and
marijuana and the suspect had fled
the area during the raid.
The opposition has called on the
government to take responsibility
for the "breakdown in security"
and take control of the escalating
crime rate.
The now vanquished Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) liber
ally used suicide bombers to target
opponents during the armed con
flict in Sri Lanka that ended in
2009.

Nepal should attract Chinese

investment to achieve growth
Kathmandu:
T he
Asian
Development Bank (ADB) has
suggested that Nepal should
grab the opportunities from
China to achieve the targeted
economic growth rate for the
next two years.
Launching Asian Development
Outlook 2016 here, the ADB
said Asia's leading economy
China's structural change in
imports can create immense
opportunities for the border
sharing Nepal, Xinhua reported.
"China's structural change is a
golden chance for Nepal. Thus,
it's perfect time to attract direct
foreign investment from the
northern neighbor to strength
en
economy,"
Kenichi
Yokoyama, ADB country direc
tor for Nepal, said while
addressing the program. ADB

ADB has projected a 1.5

percent economic
growth rate of the quake
ravaged Nepal for the
fiscal year 2016 after a
three percent growth
last year.
has projected a 1.5 percent eco
nomic growth rate of the quake
ravaged Nepal for the fiscal year
2016 after a three percent
growth last year.
It projected a slow growth
pace for this year in regard to
slow postearthquake recon
struction, trade and transit dis
ruption followed by months
long economic blockade and
unfavourable monsoon creating
troubles in agriculture sector.
However, the growth rate is

expected to pick up to 4.8 per

cent in 2017 through stabiliza
tion of political climate, acceler
ation of reconstruction and nor
mal monsoon favoring agricul
tural growth.
ADB is of view that there is an
urgent need to accelerate recon
struction and implementation of
development programmes to
prevent a further slowdown in
economic growth.
T he economic g rowth of
Himalayan country is possible
only through the speedy recon
struction drive and focusing on
sectors of energy, tourism and
agriculture, the bank said.
Nepal witnessed an inflation
rate of 7.2 percent in 2015
whereas it was significantly
higher in January this year,
standing at 12.1 percent.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Love spurs Egyptian

man to hijack plane
Cairo/Nicosia: An Egyptian man
who hijacked an EgyptAir ight to
Cyprus was arrested, ending a ve
hour drama during which most pas
sengers were freed early on and the
last of the seven passengers and
crew simply escaped.
Cyprus
President
Nicos
Anastasiades announced that the
hijacker, identied as Seif El Din
Mustafa, had personal motives to
hijack the jet and that it was not
terrorism linked. Ofcials said
Mustafa's action was linked to his
exwife, who is a GreekCypriot and
lives in Larnaca.
Witnesses told Cyprus Mail news
paper that he threw a letter out of
the airport in Larnaca, written in
Arabic, asking that it be delivered
to his former wife.
Asked if the hijacker was motivat
ed by love, Anastasiades laughed
and said: "Always there is a woman
involved."
T he Cyprus foreign ministry
announced the arrest of the hijack

April 2-8, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

British man Benjamin Innes

(right) taking a selfie with the
hijacker Seif El Din Mustafa.
(Photo: Twitter)
er, who had taken charge of the
Airbus 320 when it was on its way
from Alexandria to Cairo saying he
was armed with explosives. The
plane was own to Larnaca in
southern Cyprus. Cyprus ofcials
who had held intense negotiations
with the man said he would be

interrog ated at length. One

Egyptian ofcer dubbed him "men
tally unstable".
The Flight 181 carried 56 pas
sengers 30 Egyptians and 26 for
eigners and six crew members.
Soon after it reached Cyprus, all but
seven passengers and crew were let
off. The foreigners on board includ
ed eig ht Americans and four
Britons. Soon after it landed in
Cyprus, the hijacker freed most of
the passengers, holding back only
four crew members and three pas
sengers whose nationality was not
disclosed by ofcials.
As the negotiations continued
with the man, the seven escaped
six of them simply walking out of
the step ladder and the seventh
hurling himself out of the cockpit
window.
Earlier, the hijacker was mistak
enly identied as Ibrahim Samaha,
also an Egyptian. Samaha, however,
turned out to be an innocent pas
senger.

21

BRUSSELS ATTACK
One Indian among
15 foreigners killed
in Brussels
Brussels: An Indian man was
among 15 foreigners killed in
the terror attack in Brussels
that also claimed the lives of
17 Belgians.
All the victims of the March
22 terror attacks in the
Brussels airport and a major
metro station have been identi
ed, Xinhua news agency quot
ed the Belgian public prosecu
tor as saying.
Mag istrate
Ine
Van
Wymeersch conrmed that 17
Belgians and 15 foreigners
were killed in the bloodbath.
Among the foreigners were
four Americans, three Dutch,
two Swedish, an Indian, a
Chinese, a Briton, a Peruvian, a
French and an Italian.
As many as 94 people

Raghavendran Ganeshan, killed

in the Brussels attack.
remained in hospital undergo
ing treatment. About half of
them were in intensive care
and another 30 in a specialist
burns unit.
About half of the injured
were foreigners with 20 differ
ent nationalities.

U HTIN KYAW MYANMAR'S

NEW PRESIDENT

NLD chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi became the country's new foreign minister.
(Photo: IANS)

Nay Pyi Taw: U Htin Kyaw of the National League

for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel Peace Prize
winner Aung San Suu Kyi, was sworn in as
Myanmar's new president.
Militaryassigned First Vice President U Myint
Swe and second vice president U Henry Van Thio
of the NLD also took the oath of ofce in the pres
ence of parliament Speaker U Mann Win Khaing
Than, Xinhua reported.
The swearingin of the president and the vice
presidents was followed by that of a ninemember
Constitutional Tribunal, led by U Myo Nyunt, a
vemember Union Election Commission, led by U
Hla Thein, and 18 cabinet ministers named by
President U Htin Kyaw. Among the ministers, six

were from the ruling NLD, two from the Union

Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), three
were military members of parliament and seven
were nonparliamentarian experts.
NLD chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi became the
country's new foreign minister, who will concur
rently hold three other portfolios in the new gov
ernment. In addition to the foreign ministry post,
the 70yearold Suu Kyi will be the president's
ofce minister, education minister and minister of
electricity and energy.
President U Htin Kyaw de livered his rst
address to parliament before heading to the presi
dential palace for a ceremony of transfer of power
from his predecessor U Thein Sein.

US looks at India as key player for maritime security

Washington: The US looks at India, a
regional power that is committed to
advancing the rulesbased international
order, as "a key player and an important
partner in advancing maritime security
in the IndoPacific."
"By far the area of greatest potential is
in maritime security, especially as we
engage in unprecedented cooperation
with India, the region's largest maritime
power," Nisha Desai Biswal, assistant sec
retary of state for South and Central
Asia, said here Monday.
"As the economies of Asia continue to
rise, so too will the need for greater mar
itime security in the IndoPacific region,"
she said dilating on US policies and pri
orities for 2016 in South and Central
Asia at Centre for a New American
Security.

"So as a regional power that is commit

ted to advancing the rulesbased interna
tional order, India has become a key
player and an important partner in
advancing maritime security in the Indo
Pacific," she said.
"As such, our bilateral cooperation is
increasingly taking on trilateral and mul
tilateral aspects," Biswal said noting last
year, US annual naval exercise with
India, MALABAR, also included ships
from Japan's worldclass navy
Maritime security was also a central
focus of the inaugural USIndiaJapan
ministerial in New York last September.
And last summer, for the first time
Indian vessels joined the US, China, and
twenty other nations in the RIMPAC
exercise, the world's largest internation
al maritime exercise.

Defence trade between India and US

has increased substantially, from a mere
$300 million just over a decade ago, to
close to $14 billion today, Biswal noted.
And through the USIndia Defence
Technology and Trade Initiative, for the
first time ever the two countries are
working together with another country
on its indigenous aircraft carrier devel
opment programme.
"In the nottoodistant future, we hope
to see the day when the US and Indian
navies, including our aircraft carriers,
are cooperating on the high seas, pro
tecting freedom of navigation for all
nations," Biswal said.
"T here is no question that a rising
India, now the world's fastestgrowing
large economy, is and will continue to be
the engine of South Asia's growth."

"So looking across the entire spectrum,

I think a picture emerges of a South and
Central Asia region of rising importance
in Asia, as well as to the United States,"
she said.
"The biggest factor is of course India,
and the economic resurgence that is
underway there."
According to the USIndia Business
Council, almost 30 US companies have
invested over $15 billion in the last year
and a half, with over 50 US firms expect
ed to ink more that $27 billion worth of
deals over the next year.
"Much of the focus has been on the
economic partnership, and while there
continue to be challenges, we have seen
a dramatic rise in US investment in India,
which today outpaces US investment in
China," Biswal said.

22 April 2-8, 2016

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

SPORTS

WORLD TWENTY20
Afridi apologizes for Pak's
England
World T20 debacle

beat Kiwis to
enter World T20 final

Shahid Afridi. (Photo: IANS)

Karachi: Pakistan's T20 skipper
Shahid Afridi of fered apologies
after admitting his failure to meet
the nation's expectations.
Pakistan failed to qualify for the
semifinals after losing three con
secutive group matches in the
World T20, including a humiliat
ing loss to archrivals India.
The team, including Afridi, and
the management was heavily criti
cized for their dismal performanc
es. Afridi took to Facebook to con
vey his anguish.
"I am here to answer to you,"
Afridi said in a video post, Dawn
reported. "And today I seek for
giveness from you because the
hopes you had from me and my
team, I could not live up to them.

"W hen I wear this uniform,

when I walk onto the pitch, I carry
with me the sentiments of my
countrymen. This is not a team of
just 11 players, it is made up of
every Pakistani," he added. Afridi's
apolog y comes a day after
Pakistanis head coach, Waqar
Younis, also offered an apology to
the nation during a "factfinding"
inquiry conducted to probe the
team's performance during the
series.
"Ive been very hurt by the situa
tion (surrounding Pakistan crick
et) and my comments show it. I
apologize to the nation. If my leav
ing makes things better, then I
will do it without delay," Afridi
said.

New Delhi: England produced a

dominant performance to outclass
New Zealand by seven wickets in
their World Twenty20 semifinal at
the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium here.
Needing 154 runs to book their
tickets for Sunday's title clash,
England overhauled the target in
17.1 overs.
Opener Jason Roy played a star
ring role with the bat for England,
plundering 78 runs of f 44 balls.
The 25yearold righthander hit
11 boundaries and a couple of
sixes during his innings.
England, who won the World T20
in 2010, are thus in line for their
second title in the shortest format
of the game.
In the final, they will meet the
winner of the second semifinal
between India and West Indies.
New Zealand were the only
unbeaten team in the group stage
and were expected to put up a
strong fight. But England were far
superior with both bat and ball on
a pitch which was not too easy to
bat on.
The former winners were boost
ed by a quick opening partnership
of 82 runs in 50 deliveries between
Roy and Alex Hales (20). Hales

England celebrates after winning the first WT20 semifinal match against
New Zealand in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
departed when he mist imed a
Mitchell Santner delivery into the
hands of Colin Munro at longon,
but the early momentum kept
England in good stead.
Legspinner Inderbir Singh Sodhi
gave the Kiwi fans a glimmer of
hope by sending back Roy and
England captain Eoin Morgan of f
consecutive deliveries in the 13th
over. But that did not prove to be
enoug h to carry New Zealand

through. Earlier, asked to bat first,

New Zealand posted a competitive
total of 153/8 in their 20 overs.
The Kiwis should have got a big
ger total, but England did well to
take wickets regularly in the latter
half of the innings to restrict their
opponents.
Munro put in a useful knock for
New Zealand with the bat, scoring
46 runs of f 32 balls with seven
boundaries and a six.

India beat Australia in thriller to enter World T20 semis

Mohali: Virat Kohli led the way with a sub
l i m e h a l f c e n t u r y a s I n d i a d e f e a t ed
Australia by six wickets at the Punjab
Cricket Association Stadium here to enter
the World Twenty20 semifinals.
The inform Delhi lad remained unbeat
en on 82 runs of f 51 balls as the Indians
survived a few early setbacks to overhaul
a dif ficult target of 161 with five deliver
ies to spare.
Sunday's match, the last in Group 2, was
a virtual quarterfinal as the winners qual
ified the semifinals. India finished their
group engagements with three wins in
four matches. Australia will go home with
two wins and an equal number of defeats.
New Zealand had earlier qualified for
the semifinals from Group 2, while
E n g l a n d a n d We s t I n d i e s h a ve go n e
through to the lastfour stage from Group
1. Shane Watson put in a superb allround
ef fort for Australia, finishing with figures
of 2/23 in his four overs. Nathan Coulter
Nile (1/33) and James Faulkner (1/35)
bagged a wicket each.
The Indians were of f to a shaky start
with openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit
Sharma going back to the dugout without
too many runs on the board. Watson
snared Suresh Raina with a welldirected
shortpitched delivery in the eighth over
to leave the hosts in trouble at 49/3.
Kohli and Yuvraj Singh tried to script an
Indian comeback, adding 45 runs
between them in 38 balls. Yuvraj picked

Virat Kohli led the way. (Photo: IANS)

up a niggle in his left leg while attempting
to glance a CoulterNile delivery to fine
leg.
The experienced lefthander was clearly
in some discomfort as he was hobbling
while running between the wickets. But
he battled bravely to post 21 runs of f 18
balls with one boundary and a powerfully
six of f Adam Zampa.
But just as it seemed that Kohli and
Yuvraj could take India to a safe position,
the latter was undone by an excellent
piece of fielding from Watson when he

mistimed a slower one from Faulkner.

Yuvraj's dismissal seemed to prod Kohli
into action as he unleashed the big shots.
The 27yearold righthander hit the hap
less Faulkner for two boundaries and a six
of f successive balls in the 18th over to
bring the target within India's reach.
H e t h e n s m a sh ed f o u r c o n s ec u t i ve
boundaries of f CoulterNile in the next
over to virtually wrap up the issue. With
four runs needed in the final over, India
captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni dispatched
Faulkner's low full toss to the longon
fence to complete a thrilling win for India.
Earlier, Australia posted a competitive
total of 160/6 in their 20 overs.
Opener Aaron Finch was the highest
scorer for Australia with 43 runs of f 34
deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a
couple sixes during his innings. Glenn
Maxwell contributed 31 of f 28 balls.
For India, allrounder Hardik Pandya
(2/36) copped some initial punishment
before bagging a couple of crucial wickets
while Yuvraj Singh (1/19), Ashish Nehra
(1/20), Ravichandran Ashwin (1/31) and
Jasprit Bumrah (1/32) also bagged a
wicket each.
The Indians did not help their cause by
conceeding as many as 14 extras.
Electing to bat first, Australia were of f
to an explosive start with openers Usman
Khawaja and Aaron Finch producing a 54
run partnership in just 26 balls. Bumrah
copped a lot of punishment in his first

over with Khawaja hitting him for four

boundaries.
But Nehra gave India the breakthrough
when Khawaja went after an outgoing
delivery only to see the ball nick the top
edge on the way to Dhoni behind the
stumps.
The dangerous David Warner perished
when he came down the track to Ashwin.
The lefthander could not connect as the
ball spun away from him and Dhoni
pulled of f an easy stumping.
Australia captain Steven Smith lasted
for just six balls before Yuvraj had him
caught behind with his very first ball.
T hat saw the Australian run rate fall
slightly with Finch and Maxwell struggled
on a pitch which was of fering a fair bit of
turn.
Finch was deprived of what would have
been a welldeserved halfcentury when
he perished while trying to prop up the
run rate. He tried to pull a slightly short
pitched delivery from Pandya into the
stands, but did not connect properly as
the ball looped up for a fairly simple catch
to Shikhar Dhawan at deep midwicket.
Maxwell was looking set for a big score.
But he virtually gifted away his wicket to
Bumrah when he went for a crossbatted
heave only to be outfoxed by a slower
delivery.
Peter Nevill and Watson hit a couple of
fours and a six of f Pandya in the last over
to give Australia a strong finish.

SPORTS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

April 2-8, 2016

23

WORLD TWENTY20

Trust Virat to win matches

on his own

By Veturi Srivatsa

hether India will be the

first country to win the
World Twenty20 a sec
ond time or not, there is hope so
long as Virat Kohli wields the wil
low on the pitch, as he has done in
the tournament, w inning key
matches on his own. In the 2016
edition, he batted superbly to set a
decent target to beat Pakistan and
on Sunday night he made a taut
target against Australia look like a
stroll in the park.
Who says Twenty20 is all inven
tive hitting, far removed from con
ventional strokeplay. Its balder
dash. You can possess more than
one stroke to a particular delivery
to confuse the fielding captain and
the bowler, but thats sheer art
exhibited by a Viv Richards, a
Brian Lara or a V.V.S. Laxman,
though he had few chances to play
Twenty20.
These greats could hit a delivery
pitching at the same spot any
where from coverpoint to fineleg
in conventional, pure art form.
They could bludgeon any attack
just as Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers,
Kevin Pietersen or Glenn Maxwell
do in such a thrilling fashion in
shorter formats with sheer power
and scrumptious timing.
Kohli took batsmanship to a dif
ferent level in this tournament,
more so stroking the ball in the

18th and the 19th over against

Australia at Mohali. A knock even
he may not, perhaps, be able to
repeat. What makes it so special is
that he produced his magic in a
doordie match of a major inter
national tournament. The strokes
and the boundaries flowed from
his bat when 39 runs were needed
from the last three overs and that,
too, as the Australians appeared to
have covered all the bases in the
field.
Kohlis majestic strokeplay will
forever be etched in the memories
of all those who saw the match live
at the Inderjit Singh Bindra Punjab
Cricket Association Stadium at
Mohali and others who bit their
nails nervously watching the
drama unfold on the telly. Many
jogged their memory to recapture
the two thunderous knocks of
Sachin Tendulkar at Sharjah, also
to beat the Australians, albeit in
50over matches, 18 years ago to
compare with Kohlis knock.
Mind you, this was not blind or
crossbatted hitting, all classical
strokes that would have been gra
ciously applauded in a Test match.
Rig ht throug h the Indian
innings, it appeared there were
more than eleven men in the field
as every stroke seemed to find a
fielder. On this big ground, only
the batsmen with strong legs
could convert ones into twos, not a
Yuvraj Singh helplessly hobbling

with a twisted ankle. He was the

first to realise it by throwing his
wicket away.
Suddenly, Kohli started finding
the ropes with unerring regularity
with no fielder anywhere near. It
was said he hit through the gaps,
though the areas were heavily
policed. Yet, he found huge gaps to
shoot through seven fours and a
six from the barrel of his machine
gun in those two frenetic overs
and the match was over as he left
the winning stroke for his skipper
Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The only explanation for finding
the gaps could be that the fielders
were stricken by a fear psychosis
seeing Kohli at his smashing best
and that left them immobilised.
They could not stop Kohli and
Dhoni from converting one into
twos. And what understanding and
running between the wickets by
the two!
India had a tough time right
through the tournament and Kohli
was the man to give the side some
runs to bowl against Pakistan and
against Bangladesh, and Dhoni did
the same with smaller yet vital
contributions.
Invariably, comparisons have
begun and the players from each
era had their favourites. The only
batsman Kohli, in such imperious
form, could be compared with is
Viv Richards in whose time there
was no Twenty20. Both played

Virat Kohli took batsmanship to a different level in this tournament.

(Photo: IANS)
their strokes with beautiful hands,
wrists being key in guiding the
ball wherever they pleased to
place it. The big difference is that
Richards could hit with savage
power, too.
Dhoni did not forget to ask his
teammates after the Australia
match that how long would they
depend on one man to carry the
side with his bat. T he skipper
rightly wants the top order and
the middleorder to take some

responsibility and provide relief

for Kohli so that he could bat a lot
freely to make thing easier for the
team in the semis and the final.
W hat should not escape the
mind is that both Dhoni and Kohli
are on the same page, each
acknowledging the others role in
shouldering the team. There is a
nice feeling about it and this spirit
should motivate their other "class"
teammates to carry India to the
summit.

VIRAT one who makes steep runchases look easy

By Debdoot Das

Kolkata: There was a time when tem

peramental and behavioral issues often
snatched the spotlight away from his
undoubted talent. But years on, the ice
cool temperament of Virat Kohli in pres
surecooker situations is not only con
sistently winning matches for India, but
also provoking comparisons with crick
et's alltime greats.
The masterclass batsman is making
the most dif ficult of run chases look
simple. He remains unfazed if wickets
fall in a heap at the other end amid a
mounting asking rate. Trust him to
steer his side home at the end. With his
conventional cricketing shots and tat
tooed hands guiding the ball slowly but
surely, Kohli has already emerged as a
phenomenon, a part of cricketing folk
lore in India.
In the latest instance where he got a
step closer to perfecting the art of a run
hunt, Kohli pulled of f a brilliant win
against Australia to pilot his side to the
World Twenty20 semifinal.
India needed to overhaul the visitors'
challenging 160 in a virtual quarter

final of the World T20. With the other

batsmen struggling at the other end,
Kohli ran hard between the wickets,
converting the singles into twos and
pounced upon the loose balls with
aplomb.
By the time skipper Mahendra Singh
Dhoni hit the winning runs, Kohli was
unconquered with a fairy tale 51ball
82.
Retired Australian leftarm pacer
Mitchell Johnson, who had questioned
Kohli's big match temperament on
Twitter before the highvoltage game,
couldn't but laud his efforts. The great
Australian legspinner Shane Warne
tweeted that Kohli's innings reminded
him of a knock from Sachin Tendulkar.
A few days back at Eden Gardens
against Pakistan it was Kohli again who
proved to be a messiah after a stutter
upfront. Anchoring a brilliant chase,
Kohli stayed put on 55 till the end of the
innings with Dhoni again hitting the
winning run.
"Not the first time I have seen Virat
bat like that. I have seen him evolve as a
player. He has kept improving his
game," Dhoni said after the win against

Australia.
The flamboyant Indian vicecaptain
came to the forefront after the Under
19 World Cup in 2008 where he was
instrumental in India's triumph.
But he struggled to balance his career
and the adulation that came with the
success. However, his determination
and guidance from some of the senior
team members allowed the then teenag
er to bounce back in some style.
After a brisk 35 in the final of the 50
over World Cup in 2011, Kohli stole the
limelight a year after in Hobart where
he scored a brilliant 133 not out against
Sri Lanka. He followed it up with anoth
er sparkling hundred (183) against
Pakistan in the Asia Cup that year.
Kohli mastered the art against
Australia in 2013 when he tonked two
tons to chase down two totals in excess
of 350.
Cricket pundits and commentators are
now busy comparing him to the likes of
Tendulkar and legendary West Indies
cricketer Viv Richards. India's World
Cup winning captain of 1983, Kapil Dev
has even gone on to say Kohli is a step
ahead of the duo.

24

April 2-8, 2016

BUSINESS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India allows conditional foreign equity in eretail

New Delhi: India permitted condi
tional foreign equity in the retail
ecommerce segment when the
products sold are also manufac
tured in the country, as also for
singlebrand foreign entities with
physical retail chains that want to
go for online merchandise.
The move is expected to benefit
not just foreign multibrand retail
entities like Amazon and eBay,
but also singlebrand overseas
chains like Adidas, Ikea and Nike.
Exist ing Indian players like
Snapdeal, Myntra, BigBasket and
Flipkart can also now opt for for
eign equity tieups.
Currently, global ecommerce
giants like Amazon and eBay are
operating online marketplaces in
India, while domestic players like
Flipkart and Snapdeal have for
eign investments.
The guidelines, issued under
Press Note 3 of the Department of
Industrial Policy and Promotion

The move is expected to benefit not just foreign multibrand retail

entities but also singlebrand overseas chains. (File photo)
(DIPP), came after numerous sub
missions from stakeholders that
the current policy had no clarity
on the issue of foreign equity in e
commerce where the sales were
made directly to customers.

"In order to provide clarity to

the extant policy, guidelines for
FDI on ecommerce sector have
been formulated," DIPP said.
It has also come out with the
definition of categories like "e

ADB lowers India's growth

forecast to 7.4 percent
New Delhi: With the global slow
down continuing to weigh on
India's exports, the Asian
Deve lopment Bank (ADB) on
Wednesday pegged downwards
the country's growth rate for the
next fiscal to 7.4 percent, from
7.6 percent this year, saying fur
ther re forms w ill he lp India
remain one of the fastest grow
ing economies in the world.
"India's economy will see a
slight dip in growth in FY (fiscal
year) 2016 (from April 1, 2016,
to March 31, 2017). The econo

my will again accelerate in FY

2017 as the benefits of banking
sector reforms and an expected
pickup in private investment
begin to flow," ADB said in a
release in Hong Kong.
ADB's growth forecast of 7.4
percent for 201617 is lower
than its earlier projection of 7.8
percent. "In its latest Asian
Development Outlook, ADB proj
ects India's gross domestic prod
uct (GDP) to grow 7.4 percent in
FY2016, slig htly be low the
FY2015 estimate of 7.6 percent.

In FY2017 growth is forecast to

rise 7.8 percent," the statement
added.
ADB said the weak global econ
omy will continue to weigh on
exports in the next fiscal, offset
ting a further pickup in domestic
consumption, partly due to an
impending salary hike for gov
ernment employees.
"India is one of the fastest
growing large economies in the
world and will likely remain so in
the near term," ADB's chief econ
omist ShangJin Wei said.

INDIA'S MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT

REVENUES SEEN AT $33 BN BY 2020
Mumbai: The media and entertain
ment industry will grow at 14.3
percent annually to touch earnings
of Rs.2.26 trillion ($33 billion) by
2020 led by a fast g rowth in
advert ising revenues, a study
released here.
The report prepared by Ficci and
KPMG says advertising revenue is
expected to grow by a 15.9 per
cent annually to Rs.994 billion

($14.8 billion), with digital adver

tising expected to retain its strong
run, having grown by 38.2 percent
in 2015 over the previous year.
"We are going through a phase
of rapid, sustained technological
innovation that will permanently
change the way consumers will
access and consume content," said
Ficci director general A. Didar
Singh, releasing the report at the

FicciFrames conclave on media

and entertainment here.
"Changing user habits will dis
rupt existing business models as
content providers and brands will
need to match consumer expecta
tions. While this will pose multiple
challenges, we believe there are
significant opportunit ies for
media, entertainment firms to
leverage the digital ecosystem."

commerce", "inventorybased
model" and "marketplace model".
As per the current FDI policy,
foreign capital of up to even 100
percent is allowed under the auto
matic route involving businessto
business ecommerce transac
tions. No such foreign equity was
permitted in businesstocon
sumer ecommerce.
But now, a manufacturer is per
mitted to retail products made in
the country through foreign
owned entities, even as single
brand foreign retail chains that
currently have brick and mortar
stores can undertake direct sale
to consumers through ecom
merce.
As regards the Indian manufac
turer, 70 percent of the value of
products has to be made inhouse,
sourcing no more than 30 per
cent from other Indian manufac
turers. But no inventorybased
sale is allowed that is, such for

eign retailers cannot stock prod

ucts. For such sales, the ecom
merce model will include all digi
tal and electronic platforms such
as networked computers, televi
sion channels, mobile phones and
extranets. The payment for such a
sale will be in conformity with the
guidelines of the Reserve Bank of
India.
The Boston Consulting Group
has estimated that India's retail
market will touch $1 trillion by
2020 from $600 billion in 2015.
Various other agencies have said
that the eretail component in
that will reach $55 billion by
2018 from $14 billion now.
According to industry chamber
Assocham, the ecommerce indus
try will be looking over the next
12 months to add to add around
between 58 lakh people to the
existing staff of around 3.5 lakh,
thanks to the fast pace of growth
in this segment.

Mallya offers to pay up

Rs.4,000 crore, SC told
New Delhi: T he
Supreme Court was
told that be lea
guered liquor baron
Vijay Mallya has on
Wednesday morn
ing of fered to pay
Rs.4,000 crore for
settling outstanding
dues ag ainst the
g r o u n d e d
Kingfisher Airlines
on account of loans
extended to it by a
consortium of 13
banks headed by
the State Bank of
India.
T he apex court
bench of Just ice
Kurien Joseph and
Rohington
F.
Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Mallya. (Photo: IANS)
Nariman was also
told that Mallya has of fered manager of the State Bank of
another Rs.2,000 crore that he India (SBI).
The SBI told the court that it
expects to get, if he succeeds in
needed
a week's time to consid
his suit against multinational
er
the
proposal
made by Vijay
General Electric.
Mallya's counsel said that the Mallya, and submitted that way
proposal for the payment of back in 2013 the bank had filed
Rs.4,000 crore by September a suit claiming Rs.6,903 crore
was made to the chief general plus interest thereon.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

April 2-8, 2015

BOOKS

25

Tracing rise of Hindutva to four icons

By M.R. Narayan Swamy
hat was the common thread that
united
Hindu
nat ionalists
Dayananda
Saraswat i,
Sri
Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Vinayak
Damodar Savarkar? With their thinking, dis
course and writings, all four influenced new
thinking among Hindus that eventually
paved the way for the Hindutva as we know
today.
Savarkar was no doubt the most vocal
votary of Hindutva. But the other three con
tributed no less even as the world viewed
them largely as Hindu reformers. With
admirable academic research, Jyotrimaya
Sharma, who is no Marxist historian, brings
alive the intellectual traditions that have
helped to nourish Hindutva ideology.
Dayananda (182483) founded Arya Samaj
with a missionary's zeal: There had to be
rigid adherence to the Vedas, there could be
no compromise on that. The Jains, Buddhists,

Shaivites and Vaishnavites had perverted the

Vedic idea. Dayananda also rejected the rein
carnat ion theory the very basis of
Hinduism. The divine origins of the Vedas
rested on the fact that they were free of error
and axiomatic. All other "snares" had to be
re jected including Bhag avat and Tulsi
Ramayan. He did not spare Christianity and
Islam either. "Dayananda's extreme vision of
a united, monochromatic and aggressive
Hinduism is an inspiration to votaries of
Hindutva today," says Sharma, a professor of
polit ical science at the University of
Hyderabad.
For Aurobindo (18721950), Swaraj was to
be seen as the final fulfillment of the
Vedantic ideal in politics. After once taking a
stand that 'Mother' should not be seen as the
Mother of Hindus alone, he changed gears
and began to take an aggressive stand visa
vis Muslims. His prescription to make the
Muslims 'harmless' was to make them lose
their fanatical attachment to their religion.

Social selling is the

new marketing tool
By Aparajita Gupta
iming to cope with the changing world,
sales methodology has evolved across
the world.
This book delves
into the pros and
cons of social sell
ing and its vari
ous aspects and
provides a holis
tic view of the
subject.
Saying that the
laws of microeco
nomics find a
direct correlation between demand and sup
ply, the authors add: "I would throw sales as
a game changer in this classic economics
equation." "Social selling is the use of social
media to interact directly with prospects,
answer queries and offer thoughtful content
until the prospect is ready to buy. Social sell
ing is a dynamic process. However, even in
that, not all aspects are completely new.
Social selling is also not a formula that can
be implemented by anyone, but at the same
time, it isn't complex enough to demand spe
cialised skills."
"Social selling aims to cultivate oneonone
relationships, rather than broadcast oneto
many messages done by social marketing."
Of the two authors, Apurva Chamaria is
the vice president and head of global brand,
digital, content marketing and marketing
communications for HCL Technologies
(HCL), a $7 billion global IT major, and
Gaurav Kakkar is the head of the company's
digital marketing team.
They write: "When it comes to social sell
ing, sales and marketing do not work in com
plimentary terms, but converge in their exer
cise to generate more awareness, engage
with potential customers and convert them
to possible leads." Describing modern

You Are The Key

by Apurva Chamaria and
Gaurav Kakkar; Bloomsbury;
Pages: 256; Price: Rs.399.
human beings as more social than their
ancestors, the authors sy: "Sales methodolo
gies have evolved over a period of time, and
there is a reason for that. Mainstream sales
methodologies began to appear in the late
1970's, and were in fact, a byproduct of the
technology boom and early years of the
information age. Technology was making
bold inroads into businesses, and those
deploying in their businesses were looking
to make the most of their position."
The book also provides a lucid diagram on
evolution of sales methodology. It also cites
some case studies of big corporates which
engaged themselves with social selling.
But the internet has melted boundaries
and restrictions on the human mind, making
it easier to interact with people from differ
ent cultures. "Today it is the internet and the
power of social selling that has transformed
the sales methodologies of modern trade.
The world has opened up, markets have
opened up, transparency is the buzz word
and almost everything under sun is open to
scrutiny." "Today, what an organization sells
is no longer the product or service alone. It
is an idea; a belief; a statement; a thought. At
the heart of it, every selling is social."
Long before the influx of social media and
technology, people relied on word of mouth
before they bought any product. A buyer
always want to know about the product
before buying it. That decisionmaking
process still remains. People still want to
know about the firsthand experiences of
people who have engaged with the company
before. "As a salesperson looking at the
social construct of the buyer, your aim
should be to convert that 'spectator' into a
real customer," the authors say.

Hindutva: Exploring the Idea of

Hindu Nationalism
byJyotirmaya Sharma;
HarperCollins Publishers India;
Pages: 240;
Price: Rs.299

Placating Muslims would amount to aban

doning the greatness of India's past and her
spirituality. By 1939, Aurobindo was sound
ing more like a Savarkar. No wonder, Sharma
is clear that Aurobindo's contribution to the
rise of political Hindutva is second to none.
"The maharshi turned into a pamphleteer of
the Hindu rashtra concept without being con
scious of it."
Vivekanada (18631902) was, according to
Sharma, a proponent of a strong, virile and
militant ideal of the Hindu nation. He was
clear that Hinduism had to be cleaned of all
tantric, puranic and bhakti influences and

rebuilt upon the solid foundation of Vedanta.

Overcoming physical weakness was more
important; religion could wait. ("You will
understand Gita better with your biceps, your
muscles, a little stronger.") Hinduism knew
tolerance; most other faiths were given to
dogmatism, bigotry, violence and fanaticism.
Vivekananda was far away from the oneness
of faiths unlike Sri Ramakrishna, his guru.
"India to him was always the Hindu nation."
Savarkar (18831966) politicized religion
and introduced religious metaphors into poli
tics. His singular aim was to establish India
as a Hindu nation. In that sense, Savarkar
"remains the first, and most original, prophet
of extremism in India". His worldview was
nonnegotiable, strictly divided into 'friends'
and 'foes', 'us' and 'them', 'Hindus' and
'Muslims'. His commitment to Hindu rashtra
superseded his devotion for India's independ
ence. Independent India, he felt, "must ensure
and protect the Hindutva of the Hindus". As
he would say: "We are Indians because we
are Hindus and vice versa."

26

April 2-8, 2016

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

SELF HELP

Why it's important to carve your own identity

A

s a society, we sometimes tend to put

people in boxes and narrow an indi
vidual's character to a single label
especially if he or she is different from us.
While accepting the labels people apply
to us seems only natural at times; doing so
can be limiting. However, when you defy
labels, you can set the tone for your own
life, say experts. Here are a few things to
consider:
Labels Start Early
As early as kindergarten, labels are used
at school to define children. Teachers label
students according to skills, abilities and
behavior. Children label other students
according to social status.
At such a young age, children often inter
nalize these general ideas about them
selves; and overcoming the idea that one is
a slow learner or a dork can be an uphill
battle. Without a bit of will, a label can be a
selffulfilling prophecy.
Descriptions vs. Labels
Describing people, places and things is a
big part of how we communicate. But

Stories and pix: StatePoint

theres a dif ference between providing
valuable or specific information about
someone, and simply labe ling them.
Evaluate your words and see if you can
stick to facts and insights. You can help
others define themselves but not partici

pating in labeling.
Defying Labels
Most everyone has been labeled at some
point. However, labels are not only applied
to people, but also to the cars we drive and
the homes we live in. For example, ever

since the first MINI car was built in 1959,

it has been called many things.
People have put labels on the MINI
brand for years. We`ve been called the
small car or the cute car, says Tom
Noble, department head, MINI Brand com
munications.
Noble says that while the brand has
acknowledged those labels, theyve also
sought to innovate and have defied them in
certain ways and this has led to product
innovation.
Shedding Labels
Whether youre with friends or foes, fam
ily or strangers, youll likely have to deal
with being labeled by others. And the
longer youve known someone, the harder
it can be to shed the oneword conceptions
they have about you.
In the face of having others define you,
being true to oneself isnt always easy, but
it can be done. Consider the labels assigned
to you. If you dont agree with them, defy
them. It may take others time to notice the
change, but it can be worth the effort.

Hints for tackling tough Tips to get more nutrients

household chores
in your daily diet
long todo list can seem daunting.
But it doesnt have to. A few strate
gies can help you be more produc
tive and get tough household chores tack
led in record time.
Organize As You Go
The longer you leave certain organiza
tional chores to build up, the more over
whelming they can be to complete. A few
key organizational systems can help you
stay on top of things.
For example, try getting yourself in the
habit of sorting mail as soon as you walk
through the door. Its satisfying to check
off an item on your todo list and this is a
low hanging fruit. Streamline mail received
by signing up for paperless electronic
banking and removing your name from
unwanted mailing lists. Reduce clutter by
spending just five minutes each evening
before bed putting things back where they
belong. A shoe rack by the foyer, a big bin
for kids toys simple solutions such as
these can help you consolidate mess and
make the entire home feel cleaner.
Simplify Laundry
Did you know that dif ferent stains
require dif ferent cleaning agents? For
example, milk and grass stains require
enzyme cleaners, while ink or wine stains
require peroxides. Of course, clothes need
brighteners and detergents to come out
looking their best.
Many laundry boosters dont contain all
of these stain fighters. You can save time
and extend the life of your clothes by
choosing a cleaner that can tackle multiple
types of stains. For example, Biz has more
stain fighters than other brands, while also
brightening clothes.
Stained clothing should be pretreated
with a tough, multifaceted solution. Rub
in pretreatment gently and wait three to
five minutes. Dont allow it to dry on the

etting all the nutrients you need each

day to function or even thrive can be
a challenge. After all, there are only
so many meals in a day.
Here are some creative ways to pack the
necessary nutrients into your day, without
going over your tight calorie budget.
Make Each Bite Count
Its tempting to sneak in empty calo
ries, with foods and beverages that have
little in the way of nutritional value. Dont
give in to sugary treats or easy fixes. You
will ultimately feel more satisfied by foods
that work to fuel your body.
Plan meals ahead to ensure they each
include a healthful balance of proteins, car
bohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and min
erals. Eating colorfully with each meal can
help, because fresh fruits, vegetables,
beans, nuts and seeds of dif ferent colors
can provide a rich mix of these valuable
nutrients and antioxidants.
Also, dont let unhealthy snacking be
your downfall. Snacking doesnt have to
carry the connotation of mindless con
sumption in front of a television. Carefully
planned bites between meals can be just
what the nutritionist ordered.
For instance, consider a cup of high fiber
cereal mixed with a few nuts or pumpkin
seeds to tide you over between meals, A
piece of whole wheat toast with a little nut
butter also can do the trick, as can a piece
of fruit with a slice of cheese.
Get to know the healthful options on
restaurant menus and take the time to
chew and enjoy your food.
Easy Replacements
Some of the most essential nutritional
components include protein, good carbo
hydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals,
fiber, enzymes and probiotics. While many
foods contain some of these important
nutrients, landing on the right formula can

fabric. While its working its magic, multi

task fold laundry, iron a garment or com
plete another simple chore. If a garment
needs a longer treatment, add the solution
to water and soak it in a bucket. Then
wash as usual.
Use a stain fighter as an additive in loads
of laundry to brighten garments and take
care of tougher stains. Independent, third
party tests prove that Biz works 80 per
cent better than detergent alone.
Cooking and CleanUp
Its takeout time...again. If youre order
ing that pizza pie for the third time this
week, consider why. Is it because the
thought of cooking and cleaning sounds
too tiring at the end of a long day?
Save energy by preparing one large meal
at the beginning of the week that can be
eaten as leftovers for a few days. Soups
and stews age well as the spices really
infuse the dish. Also, you can get creative.
For example, if you roast a chicken on day
one, shred it and use it in tacos on day two
and in a chicken salad on day three.
A watched pot never boils. So while the
pasta cooks or the cake bakes, use the
time wisely. Unload the dishwasher to
make way for new items. Set the table.
Answer an email.
Dont let chores get you down. Apply
timesaving strategies to make these nec
essary tasks a cinch.

be an ongoing and timeconsuming chal

lenge. It doesnt have to be.
Consider fast tracking your way to all
eight of these core nutrients with a high
quality meal replacement. For example,
Illumin8, a plantbased USDA Certified
Organic powder from Sunwarrior goes well
beyond a traditional protein supplement
and can be used as a meal replacement,
snack or pre/post workout shake. Available
in three flavors, Vanilla Bean, Aztec
Chocolate and Mocha, clean eating can
also taste good.
Healthy Lifestyle
Match your nutrientfilled diet with a
healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of sleep each
night, at least eight hours, and move more
during the day, with at least 20 minutes of
activity.
Be sure to stay hydrated all day long with
glasses of clean, clear liquids. Water aids
digestion and helps you skip the sugary
soft drinks, which are high in calories but
of fer no nutritional value. Opt for water
and green tea instead.

LIFESTYLE

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

April 2-8, 2016

27

Sitting more than three hours leads to

four percent of deaths globally: Study
New York: Sitting for more than three
hours per day is responsible for nearly
four percent of deaths in the world,
shows an analysis of surveys from 54
countries around the world.
Reducing sitting time to less than
three hours per day would increase life
expectancy by an average of 0.2 years,
the researchers estimated.
In order to properly assess the damag
ing ef fects of sitting, the study analysed
behavioural surveys from 54 countries
around the world and matched them
with statistics on population size, actu
arial table and overall deaths.
Researchers found that sitting time
significantly impacted allcause mortali
t y, a c c o u n t i n g f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y
433,000, or 3.8 percent, of all deaths
across the 54 nations in the study.
They also found that sitting had high
er impact on mortality rates in the

(Image courtesy: spike.com)

Western Pacific region, followed by
E u r o p e a n , E a s t e r n M ed i t e r r a n e a n ,

Vegetarian diet makes Indians

more prone to colon cancer
New York: A vegetarian diet has
led to a gene mutation that may
make Indians more susceptible
to inflammation, and by associa
tion, increased risk of heart dis
ease and colon cancer, says a
study.
Researchers from Corne ll
University analysed frequencies
of the mutation in 234 primarily
vegetarian Indians and 311 US
individuals.
T hey found the
gene variant associ
ated with a vege
tarian diet in
68 percent of
the Indians and
in just 18 per
cent of Americans.
The findings appeared in the
online edition of the journal
Molecular Biology and Evolution.
By using reference data from
the 1000 Genomes Project, the
research team provided evolu
tionary evidence that the vege
tarian diet, over many genera
tions, may have driven the high
er frequency of a mutation in the
Indian population. The mutation,
called rs66698963 and found in
the FADS2 gene, is an insertion
or deletion of a sequence of DNA
that regulates the expression of
two genes, FADS1 and FADS2.
These genes are key to making
long chain polyunsaturated fats.
Among these, arachidonic acid is
a key target of the pharmaceuti
cal industry because it is a cen
tral culprit for those at risk for
heart disease, colon cancer, and

many other inflammationrelated

conditions, the study said.
The genetic variation called
an allele that has evolved in the
vegetarian populations popula
tions of India is also found in
some African and East Asian
population that have historically
favoured vegetarian diets.
The vegetarian allele evolved
in populations that have eaten a
plantbased diet over hundreds
of generations, the
researchers
said.
"Our analy
sis points to
both previous
studies and
our results being
driven by the same insertion of
an additional small piece of DNA,
an insertion which has a known
function. We showed this inser
tion to be adaptive, hence of high
frequency, in Indian and some
African populations, which are
vegetarian," said colead author
of the study Kaixiong Ye.
The adaptation allows these
people to ef ficiently process
omega3 and omega6 fatty acids
and convert them into com
pounds essential for early brain
development and if they stray
from a balanced omega6 to
omega3 diet, it may make peo
ple more susceptible to inflam
mation, and by association,
increased risk of heart disease
and colon cancer, the study said.
(Image courtesy:
irandaily.com)

American, and Southeast Asian coun

tries, respectively.

The findings were published in the

American Journal of Preventive
Medicine.
While researchers found that sitting
contributed to allcause mortality, they
also estimated the impact from reduced
sitting time independent of moderate to
vigorous physical activity.
"It was observed that even modest
reductions, such as a 10 percent reduc
tion in the mean sitting time or a 30
minute absolute decrease of sitting time
per day, could have an instant impact in
allcause mortality in the 54 evaluated
countries, whereas bolder changes (for
instance, 50 percent decrease or two
hours fewer) would represent at least
three times fewer deaths versus the 10
percent or 30minute reduction scenar
ios," explained lead investigator Leandro
Rezende from the University of Sao
Paulo School of Medicine in Brazil.

Writing my memoir was

therapeutic: Tommy Hilfiger
Los Angeles: Ace designer
Tommy Hilfiger found it "thera
peutic" to pen his memoir.
The 65yearold, who launched
his selftitled fashion house in
1985, found it "interesting" to
r e f l ec t o n h i s o ve r 3 0 y e a r
career in the fashion industry as
he penned "American Dreamer",
reports femalefirst.co.uk.
"'American Dreamer' is a
reflection on my experiences in
the fashion industry from the
last 30plus years. It has been
incredible to look back on the
moments that have defined both
my career and my personal life
from my childhood and origins
i n t h e f a sh i o n w o r l d t o m y
enduring passion for pop culture

and America.
"It's been months and months
of writing. It's like therapy,"
Hilfiger told fashion industry
trade magazine WWD.com.
The book documents Hilfiger's
beginnings in Elmira, New York,
in a family of nine children to his
first foray into the fashion busi
ness with his store The People's
Place, bankruptcy at 25 and the
creation of his multibillion dol
lar brand. In the book, Hilfiger
also discusses his life with his
former wife Susie with whom he
has four children, Alexandria,
31, Elizabeth, 23, Kathleen, 20,
a n d R i c k y, 2 6 a n d c u r r e n t
spouse Dee and their young son
Sebastian.

(Image: wikipedia)
R e l e a s i n g i n N o ve m b e r,
"American Dreamer" has been
written in collaboration with
Peter Knobler.

People everywhere use same facial

expression for disapproval
New York: Researchers have iden
tified a single, universal facial
expression that is interpreted
across cultures whether one
speaks Mandarin Chinese or
English as the embodiment of
negative emotion.
This facial expression that the
researchers call "Not face" con
sists of furrowed brows of "anger",
raised chin of "disgust" and the
pressedtogether lips of "con
tempt", the study said.
"To our knowledge, this is the
first evidence that the facial
expressions we use to communi
cate negative moral judgment
have been compounded into a

( Image courtesy of The Ohio State University)

unique, universal part of lan
guage," said Aleix Martinez, cogni
tive scientist and professor of
electrical and computer engineer
ing at the Ohio State University in
the US.
The look proved identical for
nat ive speakers of Eng lish,

Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and

American Sign Language (ASL),
the researchers said.
The study, published in the jour
nal Cognition, also revealed that
our facial muscles contract to
form the "not face" at the same
frequency at which we speak.

28

April 2-8, 2016

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

HUMOR

Humor with Melvin Durai

SAILING THROUGH AIRPORT

SECURITY WITH A TURBAN
I

f youre wearing a turban, it isnt always

easy to go through airport security in
North America, as two recent incidents
involving Sikh celebrities showed.
In one incident, IndianAmerican actor
and model Waris Ahluwalia was asked to
remove his turban in a public place before
being allowed to board a flight from
Mexico to New York City. Ahluwalia
refused and the flight left without him,
which was not only unfair to him but also
to all those passengers who missed an
opportunity to brag to their friends: I
shared a flight with the Sikh guy from the
Gap ads.
In another incident, IndoCanadian come
dian Jasmeet Singh was forced to remove
his turban at San Francisco International
Airport. Putting Singh through a bodyscan
machine and patting him down from head
to toe with a metal detector did not satisfy
security personnel. They led Singh to a pri
vate room, where he had to remove his tur
ban, so it could be Xrayed. They did not
find any weapons hidden in the turban; nor

did they find copies of the banned pam

phlet A Comedians Guide to Hijacking a
Plane.
These two incidents received plenty of
media coverage because they involved
highprofile members of the Sikh commu
nity. But hundreds, if not thousands, of
ordinary Sikh and Muslim men have proba
bly endured the indignity of having their
turbans removed at airport security. And
even more have had to stand calmly while
their turbans were prodded with a metal
detector, while the pretty woman with the
50pound blond wig sailed through securi
ty. Thankfully, renowned inventor Hemant
Shah of New Delhi has come up with a
solution to this problem: the Turban Seal.
You may not have heard of Shah, but Im
sure youve heard of some of his previous
inventions, such as the selfdrumming
tabla, the Velcroenhanced sari, and the
semiautomatic Holipowder gun.
Shah is a very busy man, but allowed me
to interview him by phone about his latest
invention.

Me: Congratulations on the Turban Seal.

Can you tell me how it works?
Shah: Well, its a special seal that you
can put on a turban once it has been tied. It
lets everyone know that the turban is safe
and nothing has been hidden inside. Its
similar to the seals that you might find on
official envelopes or prescription medicine.
When the seal is broken, everyone knows.
Me: How would this work? Would a Sikh
man put a seal on his turban himself?
Shah: No, we would have Turban Seal
booths inside every major airport. These
would be private enterprises, independent
of airport security. Before boarding a
plane, a turbaned man would come to our
booth. We would treat him with utmost
dignity, ensure that his turban is perfectly
safe, and then place a seal on his turban.
After that, he can just glide through airport
security like one of the Kardashians.
Me: Would there be a fee for this serv
ice?
Shah: Yes, but it would be nominal. We
would get the airlines to help subsidize our
service.
Me: Why would they be willing to do
that?
Shah: Well, it would allow their other
passengers to relax. Some of them mistak
enly believe that theyre at greater risk
when a man wearing a turban is flying with
them. The Turban Seal would help put
them at ease. And it would allow turban

wearing passengers to relax too. Theyd be

able to get up to use the washroom without
someone whispering, Oh no, were gonna
die!
Me: Do you think youd be able to get
enough revenue to make Turban Seal a
viable operation?
Shah: In some airports, like Toronto and
Vancouver, there will be an abundance of
turbanwearing passengers, so revenue will
not be an issue. But in other airports, we
may have to of fer several more services,
such as Shoe Seal and Underwear Seal.
Me: What would those involve?
Shah: Well, youve probably heard of the
shoe bomber and the underwear bomber.
By having your shoes and underwear
sealed, youll be able to go through airport
security much faster. You wont have to
remove your shoes or have your under
wear patted down with a metal detector.
Me: Youre going to check peoples
undergarments?
Shah: Yes, we would gently pat it down
to see if they have a package in there or
something. More than the usual package,
of course.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

BEST
RATE
FOR
INDIA
AND
PAKISTAN
New York Head Quarter
422S Broadway
HICKSVILLE
NY 11801

5168271010

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

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

April 2-8, 2016

29

Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874

Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899
psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

APRIL 28, 2016

ARIES: Professional attitude at work
brings success. New relationship at fam
ily front will be long lasting & highly
beneficial. Hard work of previous weeks
brings good fortune enabling to fulfill mone
tary promises. Romantic imagination occupies
mind forcing to go out of the way to please
partner. Meditation and yoga prove beneficial
for spiritual as well as physical gains. Take
some time to travel with your spouse for
romance and seduction. A good deal for your
new property is ready to be made. A promis
ing week when personal expectations are like
ly to be fulfilled.
TAURUS: Seniors colleagues are likely
to lend a helping hand. Guests visit
would make it a pleasant & wonderful
week. You succeed in making some extra cash
on playing your cards well. Cupids arrows
would make your heart flutter high. A very
healthy week when your cheerfulness gives
the desired tonic and confidence. You can
make your vacation extra special by planning
it with your family and friends. Buying over
seas property will be beneficiary for you.
Choice of activities would keep you busy.
GEMINI: Hard work & dedication would
win the trust of seniors at work. You
will be in the mood to celebrate with
family and friends this week. An auspicious
week to invest money on items that would
grow in value.
You are likely to enjoy a pleasure trip that will
rejuvenate your passions. You are likely to
maintain good health that would also give you
success. Spiritual vacation is a quest for life,
plan it and enjoy it with your family. You can
apply for your home loan. You are likely to
find many takers for unique & innovative
ideas.

CANCER: Mental clarity would remove

past business confusions. Good advice
from family members brings gains.
Investment on longterm plans would pave the
way for earning financial gains. Romantic entan
glement would add spice to your happiness. A
continuous positive thinking gets rewarded as
you succeed in whatever you do this week.
Vacation full of beauty and history as well as
exciting is waiting for you. Your search for a
house is towards its final destination. Taking
independent decisions would benefit you.
LEO: Travel undertaken for establishing
new contacts and business expansion
will be very fruitful. The company of
family friends will keep you in a happy &
relaxed mood. Improvement in finances makes
it convenient in clearing long pending dues &
bills. Chances of your love life turning into life
long bond are high on the card. Creative hob
bies are likely to keep you relaxed. Traveling
on your own, with a friend or with the whole
family will be exciting and comfortable too.
Your personal loan plans for property could be
in progress. Sharing the company of philoso
phers/intellectuals would benefit.
VIRGO: Your artistic and creative abili
ty would attract a lot of appreciation.
Parental guidance in your decision
would immensely help. Successful execution of
brilliant ideas would help in earning financial
profits. Exciting week as your long pending
wait for af firmation is going to materialize.
With a positive outlook & confidence, you suc
ceed in impressing people around you. Travel
in comfort with kids to an adventurous place
might be possible. Your dream for new house
might be full filed now. An auspicious week to
engage yourse lf in social and re ligious
functions.

LIBRA: A long pending decision gets

finalized at professional front. A week
when misunderstandings at family
front are sorted out with ease. A very success
ful week as far as monetary position is con
cerned. Enjoying the company of partner in a
lively restaurant would bring immense roman
tic pleasure. Mental alertness would enable to
solve a tricky problem. A trip that stimulates
and gives opportunity for work is coming
ahead. Getting your dream home will be the
greatest pleasure for you. Revealing personal
& confidential information to friends proves a
blessing in disguise.
SCORPIO: Plans for new ventures get
streamlined with the help of seniors.
Believe it or not someone in the family
is watching you closely and considers you a
role model. Indications of earning financial
profits through commissions, dividends or roy
alties. The presence of love would make you
feel life meaningful. A cheerful state of mind
brings mental peace. A luxurious getaway type
vacation with your spouse waiting for you.
Selling a plot might be profitable as property
rates tend to rise sooner. Friends encourage in
developing an interest in social service.
SAGITTARIUS: Female colleagues lend
a helping hand in completing impor
tant assignments. An important devel
opment at personal front brings jubilation for
entire family. Important people will be ready
to finance anything that has a special class to
it. Love life brings some memorable moments
that you could cherish rest of your life. Good
time to divert attention to spirituality to
enhance mental toughness. Thrilling experi
ence is on your way, as your trip is full of
excitement Lifestyle home is what you are
looking for?

CAPRICORN: At work you will be a part

of something big, bringing apprecia
tion & rewards. A happy time in the
company of friends and relatives as they do
many favours to you. Property dealings would
materialize helping in bringing fabulous gains.
Your flashing smile would work as the best
antidote for romantic partners unhappiness. A
pleasure trip gives the muchneeded tonic to
health. Pack your bags as a happy, funfilled
holiday is looking forward. Deals on commer
cial property can tend to be at full boom.
Decisions going in your favour will put on the
top of the world.
AQUARIUS: You are likely to establish
yourself a good manager on managing
people and situation without any prob
lem. Enjoying the company of close relatives
will brighten your evening. You are likely to
earn monetary gains through various sources.
Sharing candyfloss and tof fees with
lover/beloved would bring unlimited joy.
Cutting down the number of parties and pleas
ure jaunts would help in keeping in good mood.
An enriching vacation full of fun is what you
need. Investing residentially is one thing you
can rely on. Patience coupled with continuous
efforts & understanding will bring success.
PISCES : You will be successful in realis
ing your targets at professional front.
Shopping with family members will be
highly pleasurable and exciting. Increase in
income from past investment is foreseen.
Company of love partner would inspire to take
initiatives this week. A beneficial week to work
on things that will improve your health. Time
to make your vacation a dream come true.
Investment on overseas property has to be
considered seriously. Legal battle will be sort
ed out with friends timely help.

ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK

2nd April, 2016
Ruled planet: Moon Ruled by no: 2
Traits in you: You are blessed with a lively, cre
ative, practical and trustworthy nature. You epit
omize simplicity and leadership. You possess
enough capability to perform your job that
requires huge responsibility and courage. You
have to work on your nature of becoming impa
tient and spending unnecessarily.
Health this year: You might undergo tension and
nervousness as your spouse might fall sick. You
need not bother for a long time as your spouse
would recover soon.
Finance this year: You may find yourself in a
busy schedule as you may have to solve various
matters related to property, business, and new
business initiatives. This may make you earn lot
of money if you succeed. You may concede a
huge amount of money on renovation or con
struction activities during the ending months of
the year.
Career this year: Your efforts are not destined to
go unnoticed and unrewarded this year should
you to concentrate on your goals and put quali
tative effort. Your skills will get recognition and
appreciation from your colleagues.
Romance this year: Your romantic life would be
filled with love and affection by your partner.
Overall your romantic life would remain blissful
forever.
Lucky month: October , December and March
3rd April, 2016
Ruled planet: Jupiter Ruled by no: 3
Traits in you: You are blessed with positive
traits like confidence and optimism. You are
independent as you have high ambitions in your
life. You enjoy your dignity whatever the situa
tion may be. You are quite religious by nature
and you trust on God.
Health this year: Backache, stiff neck or body
pains will prove to be obstacles for you to spend
a healthy life.
Finance this year: You may help your earning
improve by implementing new plans in your
business. You may start various new and prof
itable ventures. You may find your speculations
worthy enough to improve your financial status
you may get a chance to travel foreign countries
for business purpose or you may plan a personal
trip with family to spend your holidays.

Career this year: Being a perfectionist in your

profession, you will get ample recognition.
However, you need to control your emotions of
being extravagant, dominating and ficklemind
ed to forward your career. You may take fre
quent critical decisions in your professional life
this year.
Romance this year: Your partner may expect you
to spend more time at home. However, this may
create disturbances as you will be busy through
out this year.
Lucky month: May, July and October
4th April, 2016
Ruled planet: Uranus Ruled by no: 4
Traits in you: You are the owner of a responsi
ble, disciplined, sociable, organized and creative
personality. You hold religious beliefs and phi
losophy at high esteem. You should avoid being
jealous, stubborn and self centered at times to
improve your personal traits.
Health this year: You may undergo stress for
your parents health. However, your health will
remain good.
Finance this year: You will earn a handsome
amount of money from your previous invest
ments. The legal issues will be solved in your
favor to provide you with monetary benefits.
You may plan for a business trip to a distant
place to enhance the territory of your business.
Career this year: If you are a sportsperson or
artist or writer, this year will be fruitful for you.
You would be oozing with confidence to make
tough tasks easy.
Romance this year: You will enjoy a blissful rela
tionship with your partner with ample love, care
and support.
Lucky month: June , July and September
5th April, 2016
Ruled planet: Mercury Ruled by no: 5
Traits in you: As you are guided by Mercury,
you are gifted with strength, intelligence, diplo
macy & practicability. You are physically & men
tally active with an intelligent business mind.
Health this year: To attain peace of mind, you
should plan a pilgrimage during the end months
of the year.
Finance this year: You may undergo financial
crisis in the first couple of months this year. You
may get carried away by new ventures. However,

you need to do enough research on the market

before investing. You will find your past invest
ments paying off in the latter half of the year.
You will be able to solve the property related
matters during the middle months of the year to
receive extra monetary gains.
Career this year: Your effort and commitment in
your professional life is appreciated by your
peers and higher authorities. Your will be criti
cized hugely at times for your nature of being
extravagant and reckless.
Romance this year: Some of you may find your
new love interests and some may tie their knots
this year.
Lucky month: July , August and October
6th April, 2016
Ruled planet: Venus Ruled by no: 6
Traits in you: Being under the guidance of
Venus, you are bestowed with simplicity. You are
philosophical, cooperative, and a talented. You
are inclined to literature and witty discussions.
You are able to memorize lot of things as you
will be the master of a sharp memory. However,
you need to work on your erratic and careless
behavior to become a better person.
Health this year: You may remain concerned
over the health of your family members.
Finance this year: You may find new sources to
earn money. However, you will end up spending
lot of money, which would make you unable to
save money. You may travel a lot during this
year to find new opportunities and to enhance
your business relationships.
Career this year: You may find this year to be a
mixture of good and bad experience as far as
your professional life is concerned. You may not
get expected credit for your hard work.
Romance this year: Your partner will be under
standing enough to support you during your
emotional break downs. You will enjoy a mature
relationship with your partner.
Lucky month: June , July and November
7th April, 2016
Ruled planet: Neptune Ruled by no: 7
Traits in you: Being under the influence of
Neptune, you are born to be responsible, affec
tionate, creative, reliable and highly emotional.
You possess the quality and courage to brave
any unfavorable condition to adapt with it or

win over it. You need to work on your stubborn

ness to enhance the charm in your personality.
Health this year: You may undergo various
health related issues. You have to take enough
stress regarding you law matters as they will not
be solved easily. However, you will find peace &
happiness because of financial improvements,
improvement in life style, and spiritual beliefs.
Finance this year: You may receive cash as gifts
this year from your guests and relatives. Your
financial condition would be mediocre with not
much loss.
Career this year: You need to listen to others
opinions to get benefited professionally. You will
find new and exciting job of fers, which will
prove instrumental in improving your financial
position this year. You will be able to fulfil your
long cherished dreams. You may find your sub
ordinates difficult to handle.
Romance this year: You will find your life
romantic enough and it would add some extra
spice to your life style.
Lucky month: May, September and November
8th April, 2016
Ruled planet: Saturn Ruled by no: 8
Traits in you: As Saturn guides you, you have all
the characteristics to be a lively, reliable, ef fi
cient, and temperate person. You are the owner
of an attractive and charismatic personality.
Health this year: you may undergo few minor
health issues. However, your overall health
should remain fine.
Finance this year: You will be able to accumu
late enough money this year as you will be mov
ing towards a successful future. You will be ben
efitted from any new venture or association.
Career this year: You are appreciated by your
colleagues and ordinates for your hard work and
ef ficiency. You will prove to be an excellent
resource in your professional life as you are pro
ductive. However, you need to work on your
nervousness and laziness at times. You may
require a technology upgradation or renovation
to improve your efficiency at work in the middle
months of the year.
Romance this year: You will gain lots of love and
care from your spouse or partner. Some of you
may find this year romantic enough to be in a
good spirit. Some may tie their knots.
Lucky month: June , October and April

30

April 2-8, 2016

SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

This article has been selected and reprinted from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharajs book,
Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened Living (Radiance Publishers) an inspirational
collection of stories from the worlds great wisdom traditions.

THE STRONGEST ENEMY

and said, Fight! I ran away from
my worldly life for fear of my one
great enemy. I came here to hide
in the woods from this enemy. My
soul shudders in fear when I hear
the sound of my enemys name.
Just to think of this enemys name
causes my heart to quiver.
The king listened carefully as
the rishi continued to describe his
feared enemy. Finally, the king
became angry and shouted, Is
your enemy stronger than me?
T he rishi replied, Even the
thought of this enemy destroys
my soul. I le ft every thing to
escape from this enemy.
T he king said, Tell me the
name of this enemy of yours.
The rishi said, There is no use
in telling you who it is. You will
never be able to conquer him.
The king replied, If I cannot
conquer him, I w ill consider
myself a failure.
The rishi then told him, This
great enemy of whom I am speak
ing is the mind.
From that day on, the king tried
everything to overcome the mind.
He tried all kinds of techniques to
gain control over his own mind.
Years passed and still he could not
conquer the mind. Finally, the
king had to admit that he had
failed and that the mind is truly
the strongest enemy.
The mind is powerful and will
try every means possible to gain
control over our soul. Many yogis
and rishis have tried to gain con
trol over their minds but failed. If
such is the fate of those who have
given up the world to conquer

By Sant Rajinder Singh

Ji Maharaj

uring the t ime of Guru

Gobind Singh, there was a
great rishi who gave up
everything to go to a forest to
meditate. There was also a king
who had already conquered many
other territories and their people.
One day, the king set his ambition
on conquering the rishi to make
him obey his commands. People
thought it was strange that the
king would focus on conquering a
rishi who had no property, king
dom, or wealth. But it turned out
that the rishi had previously been
a king before giving up his king
dom for the spiritual life. This
made the present king have an
obsession with wanting to con
quer the rishi. So the king gath
ered his entire army to prepare
for battle.
T he army marched into the
deep forest. T he army finally
reached the rishi, who was sitting
in the woods, deep in meditation.
The king waited for the rishi to
come out of meditation, but he
kept on sitting there. Finally, the
king became restless and shook
the rishi out of meditation.
The king shouted, Prepare for a
fight. I have come to do battle
with you.
The rishi surveyed the scene
calmly. He saw the great army

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji

Maharaj

The mind is the obstacle our soul must

deal with to return to God. The mind is
like a soccer goalie, guarding the goal.
It will try everything to keep the ball
from reaching the goal. If even devoted
rishis had trouble overcoming the
mind, how can we do it?
their own mind, then what is the
fate of the rest of us who are
immersed in the world?
The mind is the obstacle our
soul must deal with to return to
God. The mind is like a soccer
goalie, guarding the goal. It will
try everything to keep the ball
from reaching the goal. If even
devoted rishis had trouble over
coming the mind, how can we do
it? The fact is that we cannot con
quer the mind on our own. The
only way to conquer the mind and
still it is through the help of some

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

is an internationally recognized
spiritual leader and Master of
Jyoti Meditation who affirms the
transcendent oneness at the heart
of all religions and mystic traditions, emphasizing ethical living
and meditation as building blocks
for achieving inner and outer
peace. www.sos.org.

FINDING FULFILLMENT IN THIS WORLD

ost people are trying to

fulfill their desires. We
might have a desire to buy
a car; we might have a desire to
buy a house; we might have a
desire to study history or the sci
ences, or we might desire any
objects of this world. Our emphasis
is on being able to fulfill those
desires.
Life goes on in a way in which
we are always trying to fulfill one
desire after another after another.
What happens is that desires do
not end. When one is fulfilled, then
we have another desire. As we try
to fulfill that one, then we have
another desire, then another.
Life just keeps on passing by. We
are searching for happiness all
over the world.Little do we realize
that the true wealth, true happi

one who has conquered the mind.

Such enlightened beings give us a
lift to contact the Light and Sound
within us. The Light and Sound
help uplift our soul beyond the
realm of mind.
The rishi found that doing spiri
tual practices alone in the jungle
did not help him overcome the
mind. The mind still tempted him
with the countless desires of the
world.
The mind knows that contact
with the soul will render it harm
less. Thus, the mind will find all

kinds of excuses to keep us from

meditation. It will make us think
of the past. It will make us think
of the future. It will make us wig
gle around instead of sitting still.
It will make us feel sleepy just
when we sit to meditate. It will
make us feel hungry. It will make
us feel jealous. It will make us feel
depressed. It will make us feel like
doing work instead of meditating.
It will find a million excuses.
How do we overcome the minds
tendencies to distract us? We
must use the tendency of the
mind to form positive habits. The
mind likes habits. If we tell our
mind that we need to sit for medi
tation each day at the same time
and place, a habit will form. Soon
we will find ourselves compelled
to sit for meditation at that time
each day. If will miss meditation,
we will start to feel like something
is amiss. Soon we will find our
selves meditating regularly.
When we learn to concentrate
fully, wholly, and solely into the
Light and Sound, we will experi
ence bliss, peace, and joy. We will
want to repeat meditation again
and again because of the wonder
ful experience we receive.

We are searching for happiness all over

the world. Little do we realize that the
true wealth, true happiness, and true love
are waiting within us. We think that
happiness is outside ourselves. We think
it lies in wealth, name and fame,
possessions and relationships.
ness, and true love are waiting
within us.We think that happiness
is outside ourselves.We think it lies
in wealth,name and fame,posses
sions and relationships.
Since our human system is set up
to focus on fulfilling our desires,
what is needed is the right kind of

desire. First, we need to choose a

goal. And the rig ht goal is to
choose God, to have the merger of
our soul in the Lord.God lies within
us.God's love is within.There is
nothing in the outer world that can
compare to that. We spend our
precious life breaths pursuing the

fulfillment of our every wish in the

worldly sphere. In the end we find
that none of those wishes brings
us the happiness, love, and con
tentment we really want.Instead of
seeking the true treasures outside
ourselves ,we should sit in medita
tion and find the true wealth with

in. If we would stick to being con

scious of our true self, as soul, we
would find more love and happi
ness than we can have from the
fulfillment of any desire in the
world. Then we will find our lives
filled with love,bliss,and eternal
peace and happiness.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

April 2-8, 2016