The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e
Vol.12 No. 28 November 9-15, 2019
Sikh pilgrims start trek to Kartarpur
for Guru Nanakʼs 550th
India wants Pak to remove Khalistani
material from promotional video
Lahore/New Delhi: Sikh pilgrims
from across the globe are pour‑
ing into Lahore to mark the
550th birth anniversary of Guru
Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the
Sikh religion. The famous pil‑
grimage place of Sikh religion,
Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in
Kartarpur, believed to be built at
the site where Guru Nanak died,
is in Punjab province of Pakistan
and most of the Sikh pilgrims
coming from foreign countries
Continued on page 4
Meera Gandhi turns cover girl
for luxe London magazine
The Giving Back Foundation diva splashed
on the cover of Mayfair Times.
London: To celebrate the philanthropic work of Meera
Gandhiʼs Giving Back Foundation over the past
decade, Mayfair Times magazine of London has fea‑
tured her as cover story in their November issue. The
magazine will be unveiled on November 19 at a luxe
venue with celebrities galore including Martha
Fiennes, Sir Philip Bonn, Continued on page 4
US AFFAIRS 10 BUSINESS 22
i n j o u r n a l i s m
80 Cents New York Edition
Imran Khan
should step down
as PM: JUI‑F chief
The dharna led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman
has entered 9th day.
Islamabad: Jamiat Ulema‑i‑Islam‑Fazl (JUI‑F)
chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan should ten‑
der his resignation, as there was no need of any
further negotiations on the issue of his anti‑gov‑
ernment ''Azadi March''. He made it clear on
Thursday that the government team should stop
going and coming without any meaningful dia‑
logue, The News International reported. "You
should bring resignation Continued on page 4
JAINISM 26 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30
Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Deep anxiety
builds up over
Ayodhya verdict
New Delhi: Ahead of the crucial
Supreme Court verdict in the Ram
Janmabhoomi‑Babri masjid dis‑
pute case, political leaders cutting
across party lines have appealed
for maintaining harmony. A verdict
by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi‑led
bench of the Supreme Court in the
case is expected next week before
the CJI retires. Security measures
have been stepped up in many dis‑
tricts including Ayodhya in Uttar
Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has asked Union ministers to be
measured in their statements on
matters related to Ayodhya case.
He told the ministers to refrain
from making unnecessary remarks
on the issue and help in building
an atmosphere for welcoming the
Supreme Court verdict irrespective
of the judgment in the contentious
case.
The Union Home Ministry has
cautioned the Yogi Adityanath‑led
Uttar Pradesh government to
ensure all security preparedness in
the temple town, which would be
turned into virtual fortress to
thwart any untoward incident pos‑
8 Supreme Court
panel to give 4 key
rulings from Nov
13 to 15 on Ram
Janmabhoomi‐
Babri masjid
dispute
8 Center cautions UP
government on law
and order situation
ing a threat to the law and order
situation.
UP Police is preparing itself for
the security challenge. Police vehi‑
cles are being repaired. T he
armory is being inspected to
ensure that there are no last‑
minute glitches and even the pub‑
lic address system is being tested.
Section 144 has been imposed in
Ayodhya till December 28. The
district magistrate has issued
Continued on page 4
RELATED STORIES
ON PAGE 12 AND 19.
excellence in journalism
 2 November 9-15, 2019 CINEMA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Prashantt Guptha
makes his Hollywood
debut with
‘A New Christmas’
N
ew York is no stranger to
Bollywood Dreams (the Co‐produced by the talented and versatile
Broadway show),
Bollywood fanfare and
actor who formerly lived in Long Island, the
Bollywood movie shoots. But pos‑ heartwarming movie is going to see its New
sibly the only actor from the Big
Apple to have made strong
York premiere at SAIFF on Nov 21.
strides in Mumbai's tinsel town is
none other than actor Prashantt Festival in Indiana followed by city's very own long running
Guptha. A former resident of The Fort Lauderdale South Asian International Film
Long Island, he made the big International Film Festival, A Festival (SAIFF) on Nov 21, 2019.
shift many years ago after years NEW CHRISTMAS will now have All actors and filmmakers will be
of training in New York's finest its New York premiere at the in attendance.
acting schools. He made his
debut under the legendary
Rajshri Production's banner, with
the film EK VIVAH AISA BHI.
Thereafter, several years later, he
got his next break in the Hindi
adaptation of Romeo & Juliet,
ISSAQ, in which he played the vil‑
lain opposite legendary actress
Smita Patil's son Prateik Babbar.
And after a fairly average stint
with films like IDENTITY CARD
and 6‑5=2, amongst other short
films and singing outings, he was
seen in a pivotal role in this
year's globally acclaimed and hit
film THE TASHKENT FILES.
Now the talented and versatile
actor will be seen as the lead in
his first Hollywood feature, A
NEW CHRISTMAS. The film also
marks his debut as a producer,
along with Los Angeles based
Mulberry Films. Set in New York
City, its possibly the first time
Christmas will be showcased
through the experience of two
vastly different ethnicities,
Indian and African. Prashantt
plays Kabir Bakshi, a grieving
man who faces the holidays for
the first time without his beloved
mother, who died unexpectedly
the previous Christmas Eve.
With the help of friends, family
and a new visitor along the way,
he will learn the true meaning of
Christmas, while trying to figure
out how to put the pieces of his
life back together. The film co‑
stars resident New York actress
Preeti Gupta who starred in the
controversial film Unfreedom,
and marks the debut of Grace
Wacuka. It is directed by Dani
Tenenbaum.
Having recently made its World
Premiere at the prestigious
Heartland International Film
TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY November 9-15, 2019 3

India has received 'fullest' support from US on

Kashmir issue: Ambassador Shringla
Washington: Noting that India has received
the "fullest" support from America on
Kashmir, Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh
Vardhan Shringla said that New Delhi is
happy that the Trump administration has
taken a "very very understanding view" on
the issue.
Shringla made the remarks during a pro‑
gram to celebrate Diwali at his residence on
Nov 1.
The event was attended by eminent Indian
Americans, several senior members of the
Trump administration and members of the
diplomatic corps.
“We are very happy that we have that
understanding and support from our friends
in the US Administration,” Shringla said.
The US said last month that the onus for Amb. Shringla hosts Diwali event: Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla hosted Diwali
Indo‑Pak peace talks lies on Islamabad by
celebrations at India House on November 1. More than 250 dignitaries including
ambassadors, senior officials from US Administration, Think Tanks, media
taking sustained and irreversible actions
and prominent community members attended the event.
against terrorist groups.
“We also have always enjoyed bipartisan House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at an event at the positive in Jammu and Kashmir to under‑ Amb. Shringla meets top lawmakers:
support in Congress. We are very proud of the US Library of Congress to celebrate the stand that the changes that have been Ambassador Harsh V Shringla met many
150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. brought about enjoy the support of the vast
Congressmen and Senators (such as
the fact that our relationship is based on
Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado) to
bipartisan support,” Shringla said as he “We would like to preserve that bipartisan majority of people of India," he said.
discuss US‑India strategic relations. He
referred to the presence of House Majority spirit. We would like to see all members of Addressing the Indian‑Americans on the
also updated them with the latest devel‑
leader Steny Hoyer, who represented the Congress understand and appreciate the occasion, he said, that they, as important opments from Jammu and Kashmir,
Democratic Party in the Howdy, Modi! event compulsions under which we are operating; representatives of the community, would no including the recent successful Block
in Houston in September. appreciate the efforts of the government and doubt carry the message of a unified India Development Councils elections, which
Shringla also referred to the presence of people of India to bring about a change for wherever they go. saw good participation from voters.

Indian-American White House official caught in impeachment crossfire

Washington: An Indian‑American
White House of ficial has been
caught in the crossfire of internal
politics arising from the Ukraine
controversy that has engulfed
President Donald Trump in an
impeachment.
The expertise of Kashyap Patel, the
National Security Council's (NSC)
senior Director of counter‑terrorism,
on Ukraine has been questioned by
another NSC of ficial, Lt Col
Alexander Vindman, during the
impeachment inquiry hearings,
Politico reported on Wednesday.
The sniping brings to the open the
conflicts inside the Trump adminis‑
tration between those like Patel, who
are considered his loyalists, and
those opposed to him.
Vindman told the secret inquiry
that Patel had "misrepresented" his
expertise on Ukraine to Trump,
Politico reported.
He said that he had been prevent‑
ed from participating in a briefing
for Trump on Ukraine because the
Kashyap Patel is senior director
of counter‑terrorism on Ukraine.
Another security official told the
impeachment inquiry that Patel
had "misrepresented" his
expertise on Ukraine to Trump.
President believed Patel was the
expert on that country instead of
himself, Politico reported.
Vindman said that the NSC Senior
Director for European and Russian
affairs, Fiona Hill, told him that she
and then‑National Security Adviser
John Bolton felt that his presence at
the briefing would create "an uncom‑
fortable situation," according to
Politico.
The Washington Post also gave an
account matching it in major details.
Politico had earlier reported that having worked for the House of against Trump and of abusing laws
Hill testified before the impeach‑ Representatives Intelligence to get warrants to conduct surveil‑
ment inquiry that Trump thought Committee when it was chaired by lance of a Trump campaign adviser,
Patel was in charge of Ukraine policy Republican David Nunes. Patel was Carter Page.
for the NSC. the principal author of a memo Patel had earlier worked as a
Vindman, who was born in issued by Nunes that accused the FBI counter‑terrorism prosecutor for the
Ukraine and came to the US as a and the Justice Department of bias Justice Department.
refugee when he was a child, is a
decorated veteran of the Iraq war.
He was on the line listening to
Trump's phone call with Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky in
July during which he asked for help
in investigating former Vice
President Joe Biden' son's connec‑
tions to a Ukrainian gas company
and if his father had interfered in an
investigation of the company.
Vindman has been hailed a hero by
the Democrats and the media for his
testimony against Trump.
He had asserted that Trump had
undermined national security by
asking Ukraine for a favor against Amb. Chakravorty graces Diwali event of Pennsylvania Guv
the Bidens because that could under‑ Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty attended the Diwali
mine the bipartisan support for Kyiv.
celebrations hosted by Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances
Wolf at their residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Oct 30.
Patel is considered a Trump loyalist,
 4 November 9-15, 2019
China reaches agreement
with US to phase out tariffs
Beijing: China on Thursday announced that it
has reached an agreement with the US to phase
out bilateral tariffs imposed during the trade
dispute that began in March 2018.
Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng
told the media here that the two countries only
needed to scrap the tariffs in order to complete
the first phase of a bilateral agreement aimed
at resolving the conflict, reports Efe news.
The cancellation of tariffs will be a condition
for further progress towards a final deal, Gao
said. The spokesman said that Chinese and
American negotiating teams have reached a
consensus following "extensive, constructive
and serious" talks in recent weeks.
"The two parties have agreed to eliminate
tarif fs as they continue making progress. If
China and the US reach a ''phase one'' agree‑
ment, the two parties should eliminate tariffs
simultaneously and in the same proportion," he
added. On October 26, the Chinese government
confirmed the progress of negotiations towards
Bloomberg prepares to
enter 2020 Presidential Race
New York: Michael R. Bloomberg is actively
preparing to enter the Democratic presiden‑
tial primary and is expected to file paper‑
work this week designating himself as a can‑
didate in at least one state with an early fil‑
ing deadline, people briefed on his plans said.
Bloomberg, the former New York City
mayor and billionaire businessman, has been
privately weighing a bid for the White House
for weeks and has not yet made a final deci‑
sion on whether to run, an adviser said. But
in the first sign that he is seriously moving
toward a campaign, Bloomberg has dis‑
patched staffers to Alabama to gather signa‑
tures to qualify for the primary there.
Though Alabama does not hold an early pri‑
mary, it has a Friday deadline for candidates
to formally enter the race.
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TURN PAGE
a partial trade agreement and said that the
technical consultations on part of the text had
already been completed.
US President Donald Trump described the
pact as "phase one" of a process that could
have as many as three stages and suspended
his plans to raise tariffs on imports from the
Asian giant.
Meanwhile, China promised to increase its
purchases of US agricultural products to
between $40 billion and $50 billion.
Neither government has so far released
details of the agreement but Trump stated that
it includes some measures relating to the
devaluation of the Chinese currency and intel‑
lectual property issues although it does not
address the forced transfer of technology in
China, an issue that will be discussed in phase
two. Nor does the agreement resolve the issue
of export bans affecting Chinese telecom giant
Huawei, which is being negotiated in a parallel
process.
Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Consultants
Shomik Chaudhuri P: 646.498.5122
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Contributing Editors:
Shaker Nelanuthala, Prof. Shivaji Sengupta,
Surekha Vijh (Washington, DC),
Suchitra Srinivas (New Jersey),
Melvin Durai, Dr Prem Kumar Sharma,
Ashok Vyas, and Dr Akshat Jain
Current Affairs Columnist
Swadesh Rana
Anxiety builds up over
Ayodhya verdict
Continued from page 1
directives prohibiting people from mak‑
ing defamatory remarks against any reli‑
gion, community, deities, eminent per‑
sonalities on social media platforms.
People have also been barred from hold‑
ing any event reg arding the Ram
Janmabhoomi dispute.
With the entire countryʼs attention
focused on the Supreme Court verdict,
CJI Ranjan Gogoi has chosen the last
three working days in his tenure as the
perfect time to deliver it.
The Ayodhya case has been lingering
since 1858 and litigation on it has been
going on since 1885. There is hope that
the court will render a unanimous ver‑
dict as it would remove any ambiguity
that could arise in case of a 4‑1 or 3‑2
decision.
Sikh pilgrims start trek
to Kartarpur for
Guru Nanakʼs 550th
Continued from page 1
have arrived early. The birth anniversary
of Guru Nanak Dev will be celebrated on
November 12. The Pakistan government
and the Pakistan Gurdwara Management
Committee have made arrangements to
lodge and feed almost 50,000 Sikh pil‑
grims. After many controversies and
posturing, the cross‑border Kartarpur
Corridor is ready to be inaugurated both
on the Indian and Pakistani side, mark‑
ing the realization of the long‑cherished
dream of the entire Sikh community.
Meanwhile, India on Wednesday
voiced concerns over the presence of
three Sikh separatist leaders, including
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, in an of fi‑
cial promotional video of the corridor
released by Pakistan and has raised the
matter with Islamabad. "India has raised
with Pakistan the presence of anti‑India,
objectionable elements in the video, and
asked for removal of the visual," Indian
government sources said.
On his part, Punjab Chief Minister
Amarinder Singh also said the video
clearly endorsed his stand that there
was a hidden ISI agenda behind the his‑
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Jaipur Bureau
Prakash Bhandari
Prakash@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Bharat Bhushan Chopra
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
toric corridor. including him, to pay their
respects at the historic shrine, India
could not afford to ignore the ISI threat
that was attached to it, said the Chief
Minister, stressing the need for extreme
caution.
Imran Khan should step down
as PM: JUI‑F chief
Continued from page 1
of the Prime Minister when you come
for talks," he said while addressing the
participants of the sit‑in.
Addressing the prime minister,
Rehman said: "You are at a dead end
now and now you must decide whether
you want to continue to remain there or
come out and give back the people their
right." The protesters are demanding
Khan's resignation, accusing him of rig‑
g ing the 2018 general e lect ions.
Rehman however, welcomed the state‑
ment of DG ISPR Major General Asif
Ghafoor that role of the armed forces
has always been neutral in general elec‑
tions and political matters. Rehman is
leading the massive ''Azadi March'',
which entered the eig hth day on
Thursday.
Meera Gandhi turns cover girl
for London luxury magazine
Continued from page 1
HRH Prince Edward, Sonia Garware,
Lord Loomba, and the team from Elton
John Aids Foundation.
Mayfair Times is a luxury lifestyle
monthly magazine, which has been serv‑
ing the people of tony areas of Mayfair,
Marylebone and St James for over 30
years. The magazine focuses on the fas‑
cinating people that make these districts
one of the worldʼs most sought‑after des‑
tinations, and is read by those who live
in, work in and are visiting the area.
Meera Gandhi, who maintains homes
in New York and London, launched
Giving Back Foundation in 2010 as a
catalyst to uplift and empower young
women and children – to create a new
generation of leaders and thinkers. It
aims to assist directly in education,
address illness and poverty around the
world.
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Ghazala Hashmi
first Muslim woman
elected to Virginia's
state senate
Indian‑origin Ghazala Hashmi is a
former community college professor
New York: Ghazala Hashmi (D) unseated
Virginia state Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R) on
Tuesday to become the first Muslim woman
elected to the state senate, according to The
Associated Press. Hashmi, a former communi‑
ty college professor, will represent the stateʼs
10th Senate District, which includes
Powhatan County and parts of Chesterfield
County and Richmond. She emigrated to the
US from India as a child and 2019 marked her
first campaign for public office.
Hashmiʼs campaign hit heavily on issues
such as gun violence and education, and she
was a supporter of Gov. Ralph Northamʼs (D)
universal pre‑kindergarten proposals. During
the campaign, she went after Sturtevant, a
two‑term incumbent, over his opposition to
TRISTATE COMMUNITY November 9-15, 2019 5
BJANA celebrates Chhath puja
at Raritan river
New Jersey: Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America widely know as
BJANA celebrated the most traditional and auspicious Chaath puja of the
Sun God on the banks of Raritan river. Twenty five members of the commu‑
nity ‑Vratis‑ observed the three day fast and puja which brought about 800
members of the community together. Chaath puja is very close to the
hearts of all members of the Bihar and Jharkhand community as they have
grown up watching this puja in their families back in India and have missed
it here in USA.The celebration brought back memories and bonded the
community in a very special way. The event was attended by Deputy
Consulate General of India, Shatrughna Sinha and also by FIA President
Alok Kumar. There were many parents visiting from India and attended the
puja of the setting sun and the rising sun,their comments were most pre‑
cious when they said that “it feels like we are in India for Chatth this year!”
The BJANA executive team under the leadership of president Vinay Singh
received accolades from the Vratis and the attendees for their impeccable
Over 800 community members got together for the festival
arrangements for this glorious puja.
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AlbaneseDevelopment Corporation€ȯ ȡˆȯ‘ȡšȣ˜Ʌ Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Inc. (CDCLI):\DQGDQFK9LOODJH%XLOGLQJ(€ȯͧ›f
›ȨŠšȣfǔܛ€ȯž“èȢ€ȡš€šš¡ȡ¡Ȱ @
ǒ–ǔãŒȲ‚_:\DQGDQFKĒȡ˜€ȯ€Ʌġ˜Ʌ  kš:\DQGDQFK/,55VWDWLRQ€ȯ–‚›˜Ʌ  ǔ萏¡Ȱ @èȡ“Ȣ™k ]™ ȯ kš€ȧ€˜ȡ_€š“ȯ ȡ›ȯ
ͪͪ’ ]ͬ[€ ”çǙ ‹—Ǘͧ˜ ȡ›ȯ ”ǐšȡšɉ €ȯ ͧ›f  èȯ ˜Ʌ  ƒš ͩ€šȡ™ȯ ”ȯ Ǒ‘f ‡ȡ“ȯ €ȯ ͧ›f –“ȡ™ȯ ‚f ^  …ȡš ˜ȡ›ȯ €ȧ ^˜ȡš ˜Ʌ  èŠǗ ͫŒ™Ȫ \”ȡŠ[ ˜ɅŠ f€ –ȯŒǾ˜ kš ‘Ȫ –ȯŒǾ˜
Medicaid expansion even as the Republican \”ȡŠ[ ˜ɅŠ€ȧ^€ȡ^™ȡȲ ¡ɉ‚ȯ@ĤȡšȲ ͧ—€›ȣ‡\”€ȯͧ›f`ۓȢ ^€ȡ^™ɉ˜Ʌ  –Ǖ‡‚
Ǖ ɟ€ȪĤȡͧ˜€ȡĤ‘ȡ“€ȧ‡ȡf‚Ȣ@‚ǓžȢ›ȡͪ€›ȡȲ‚ȡĮŽkšǺǔ犖ȡͬ’
presented himself as an independent voice in ›Ȫ‚ɉ€ȯͧ›f—Ȣ^€ȡ^™ȡȲ`”›Þ’¡ɇ@
a state where President Trumpʼs approvals
are consistently low. “This victory, is not mine ͩ€šȡ™ȡ€ȧ Ȣ˜ȡ
alone. It belongs to all of you who believed ^€ȡ^™ɉ€ȧ Ȳəȡ ^€ȡ_€ȡ]€ȡš ۙǗ“˜  \ͬ’€˜
that we needed to make progressive change  èŠǗ ͫŒ™Ȫ     
here in Virginia, for all of you who felt that  f€–ȯŒǾ˜     
you havenʼt had a voice and believed in me to      
‘Ȫ–ȯŒǾ˜
be yours in the General Assembly,” Hashmi
*“ȪŠǒ–‡›ȣ€ȡ—Ǖ‚ȡ“€š“ȯ€ȯͧ›fǓ“ȡ Ȣǔ‡à˜ȯ‘ȡš¡ɇ@`”šȪȏͩ€šȡf`”™Ȫͬ‚ȡ—ƣȯ€Ȫ‘žȡ[ȯ¡ɇ@
tweeted Tuesday evening.
“After flipping the Senate, Iʼll have
]™ Ȣ˜ȡ
Democrats by my side to fight to protect  50% èȡ“Ȣ™k ]™ 60% èȡ“Ȣ™k ]™ 90% èȡ“Ȣ™k ]™ 100% èȡ“Ȣ™k ]™ 110% èȡ“Ȣ™k ]™
Virginians from the climate crisis and sense‑     
”ǐšȡš ۙǗ“˜ \ͬ’€˜ ۙǗ“˜ \ͬ’€˜ ۙǗ“˜ \ͬ’€˜ ۙǗ“˜ \ͬ’€˜ ۙǗ“˜ \ͬ’€˜
less gun violence, and work to expand our
 ‘è™
access to affordable health care and funding
             ›ȡ‚Ǘ“¡ȣȲ  ›ȡ‚Ǘ“¡ȣȲ
for public education. I canʼt wait to work
               
together in the state Senate,” she added.           ›ȡ‚Ǘ“¡ȣȲ  ›ȡ‚Ǘ“¡ȣȲ   

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New York, NY: Twenty four shorts, documen‑
kš“Ȳ–šɇÈ ͬ‚ͪȲ‚€Ȫ–Ȳ‘š¡Ʌ ‚ȯ@
taries and feature films will premiere at the
first‑ever New York City South Asian Film
ĤȪĒȡ˜€ȯǓ“‘ȶ žkš]ȯ‘“€š“ȯ €ȯͧ›f€Ǚ”™ȡ¡˜ȡšȣȯ– ȡ^ŠZZZFGFOLRUJ”š‡ȡfȲ ™ȡ%XLOGLQJ(#FGFOLRUJ”š™ȡfÈ ŠɅ ž“”š Ȳ”€[€šɅ @™¡
Festival (NYC SAFF), presented by Toyota,
ZZZ1<+RXVLQJ6HDUFKJRY”š—Ȣ`”›Þ’¡Ȱ @ĤȪĒȡ˜€ȯǓ“‘ȶ žkš]ȯ‘“\ȲĒȯ‡Ȣkšè”ȯǓ“ž˜Ʌ `”›Þ’¡ɇkš\“ǕšȪ’€ȯ\“Ǖ ȡš\ۙ—ȡŸȡjȲ˜Ʌ `”›Þ’¡ɉ‚ȯ@
between November 15 and November 17,
2019, at various locations around Manhattan.
›ȨŠšȣ˜Ʌ  èȢ€ǙǓͩ€ Ȣ^€ȡ_€ȯͧ›f\“Ǖ˜Ȫ‘“™ȡ”ȡğȡ€ȧ‚ȡšȲ Šȣ“¡ȣȲ ‘ȯ Ȣ¡Ȱ @›ȨŠšȣ]ȯ‘€ɉ€Ȫ–ȯšȢ–Ȳ ‚ ȯ …Ǖ“ȡ‡ȡȡ¡Ȱ  kš›ȨŠšȣ˜Ʌ  `“€ȯ‘‡ȶ €ȯ\“Ǖ ȡšĤȢ¢ȡ
The festival boasts four world premieres,
three North American premieres and 17 New  Ǘ…Ȣ˜Ʌ ` ȢИ˜Ʌ šȡ‡ȡȡ@

York City premieres.

Timely and relevant themes such as immi‑ ›ȨŠšȣǑ‘ Ȳ–š, €ȯ Ǖ–¡–‡ȯ€Ȫ295 Merritt Avenue, Wyandanch, NY 11798˜Ʌ ǔ萏Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp˜Ʌ ]™Ȫǔ‡

gration, surrogacy, police brutality and the €ȧ‡ȡf‚Ȣ@¡˜]ȯ‘€ɉ€Ȫ`”ǔ萏¡Ȫ“ȯ€ȯͧ›fĤȪ× ȡǑ¡€šȯ¡ɇ

aftermath of HIV/AIDS will be explored;
under‑represented communities such as
transgenders, deaf and hard‑of‑hearing and
outcasts will be acknowledged.
"Our programming team has worked incred‑
ibly hard to strike the right balance and show‑
case the most current, ground‑breaking, topi‑
cal independent cinema from various parts of
South Asia at our inaugural festival," said Jitin
Hingorani, founder and festival director.
 6 November 9-15, 2019 LOCAL GOVERNMENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Republicans Steve Bellone

Saladino re‑elected Cuomo wins 3rd continue domination secures a
Oyster Bay Supervisor
term as Governor in Nassau county 3rd term
Gov.
N assau Republicans retained control
of the 19‑member county legisla‑
ture, fending off a challenge from the
S uf folk County Executive Steve
Bellone secured a third term
Tuesday by
Andrew M. county Democratic Party, as all incum‑ defeating GOP
Cuomo
bent lawmakers beat back their chal‑ C o u n t y
celebrates
lengers late Tuesday night. Republicans Comptroller
his win with
Lt. Gov. have an 11‑8 seat majority and John M.
Kathy Democrats needed to win two seats to Kennedy Jr.
Hochul take legislative control. But it was not to The Democrat
be, Newsday reports that Democratic

Supervisor Joseph Saladino
yster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino has
O been re‑elected, he defeated James
Altadonna Jr., a Republican who ran on the
Democratic line. Also winning were incum‑
bent Town Board Trustee Steve Labriola, a
Republican, who received 20 percent of the
vote, and first‑time candidates Vicki Walsh
and Laura Maier, both Republicans, who each
earned 19 percent, besting Democratic chal‑
lengers Erin Guida, Melissa McCardle and Ned
Newhouse. Saladino was appointed supervisor
in February 2017 to lead a town suf fering
from a tarnished image, after federal corrup‑
tion charges led then Supervisor John
Venditto to resign.
A
plans to con‑
ndrew Cuomo easily won his third term as governor County Executive Laura Curranʼs tinue a path Suffolk County
of New York on Tuesday night, wrapping up a cam‑ reassessment of more than 385,000 he charted in Executive Steve
paign season with contentious challenges in both residential properties loomed large in 2011, he said, Bellone
the primary and general election. Cuomo defeated this yearʼs legislative races. Republicans focusing on
Republican challenger Dutchess County Executive Marc had focused on the reassessment, criti‑ development projects to keep mil‑
Molinaro, with 59.02 percent of the vote to 36.79 percent cizing the rollout in news conferences lennials in Suffolk, while continuing
of the vote and 99.4 percent of the polls reporting. Cuomoʼs and during public hearings for more to battle the scourge of opioids and
win means another term for Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul as well. than a year. MS‑13 gangs.
↴⳦ⷊ䣠ㅀㆾ䩿䐴嫸
Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) 䗭 ⅌ 㩢 ᴍ Albanese
Development Corporation ⌇ṛ漓㊤⋖ Wyandanch 㙐 E 㜊䖃 䖃ㆾ䩿䐴嫸ȼ
E 㜊Ṍᶍ
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≔擳Ȼ᳿⭄⪣⎋ᴣ⭄⪣⫒≔Ṍ漢媽媠廘ᶚ⫒䖃䗭䖃㔮媨 媨䷎㱍俋㕮⌃⸁䖃⪵ⶬ尞㇄ ㇄⺖屶漓
廘ᶚ⪵ⶬ䖃㐵⁤⋮ᴹ㘫☯∹㐵⁤ᴬ ᴬἻ漏AMI漐䖃 50%Ȼ60%Ȼ % 90%Ȼ100%⎋ 110%ȼℜ ℜ⣊䣞
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19 ᶋ⭄⪣
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*㯧:⭄㬐旿僩
㬐 坋丳䶲䐴尸ȼᴉ廯䣞
䣞惐⳱∄〉䐧ᶊᴙ㰤尳ȼ

‫ݶ‬ҵਸ֠

Raj Mukherji retains NJ AMI ङ 50% AMI ङ 60% AMI ङ 90% AMI ङ 100% AMI ङ 110%

assembly seat: ‫ڈ؟‬

ы‫ރ‬ ߂௤ ߂Ѻ ߂௤ ߂Ѻ
Ѻ ߂௤ ߂Ѻ ߂௤ ߂Ѻ ߂௤ ߂Ѻ
New Jersey State Rep. Mukherji, first
elected in 2013, won his seat from 1 $ 3
 - $ 43,400 $  - $ 52,0
, 80 $  - $ 78,120 $
 - $ 86,800 ‫ޗ‬ - ‫ޗ‬
District 33, defeating Republican 2 $ 3
 - $ 49,600 $  - $ 59,5
, 20 $ 5 - $ 89,280 $ 
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Holly Lucyk. Mukherji received 3 $ 
 - $ 55,800 $ 49, - $ 66,9
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43 percent of the vote. 4 $ 
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5 $ 
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❬ₚ⪍㑵䖅ㆾ䩿䐴嫸⻆杼ᶏ 2019 ⵵ 12 㘉 16 㓦ᴌ≉ 5 㾺ⅎ(㾺 晟㈈徯ㄴ㓷擵)ᶥ僴 CDCLIȾ

嫸㯩【漕晟☩䷀❬ₚ䖅䐴嫸⻆杼ᶏ⍩ᴁ僴⍩ᶕ䖅㩤ⴹ⳦ṝ㓷 㓷擵(ᴋ≉ 9 㾺僴ᴌ≉ 5 㾺)弓
弓ᶥ漕
㘭↟⪥ 11 㘉 11 㓦(伂⁶冃)Ƚ11 㘉 28 㓦⎍ 29 㓦(〠⽪冃)ᴎ↟Ⱦ

㘈 ⁲ 䐲 嫶 ⋉ 媠 ℑ ㈆ ⸔ 漓 嫶 㱎 壇 ㄐ ᷫ 䖃 乐 䧘 www.cdcli.org 漓ㄕ ⋐ 徭 ᷵ ䷘ CDCLI 徭䪰
BuildingE@cdcli.org漓ㄕ㇧ㅒ 631-471-1215 幫 222漓ᵞ⋮ᷤ☧ www.NYHousingSearch.gov ᴉ
ㅽℯȼ䐲嫶⎋杸䗭㈆≖㒆᷵䖃嫬壿 壿㋏ẚ凰嫬⎋塾䋬䅘嫬漓⢁㘈墀㭁漓ᵞ⬅㋏ẚ⁵ᷕ嫬 嫬壿ȼ

⋁↟ㆼ䩽⵵ᴌ俼Ờ嫀ḙ劶ㅸㄕ㘈屃㜻䣞Ṏȼㆼ䩽䐲嫶ᶹ⬅㈈
ᶹ 斎㘹ㆼ⋕䖃杹ⶎ㊑№☧
№ 䩈
Ἐ⌌≔ᴉȼ

Good show: First timer Ragini ㆾ䩿⬇ᶏ 2019 ⵵ 12 㘉 20 㓦ᴋ≉ 10 㾺☩ Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance
Srivastava who stood for Town of
Corp ᴿ坍
ᴿ 漕嫦⋹Ṏᶏ 295 Merritt Avenue, Wyandanch, NY 11798Ⱦ嫸䐴嫸ᶻ䣰㚂⋃↡漊
North Hempstead Council on a
Republic ticket lost to incumbent
Peter J. Zuckerman, but had a
good showing bagging
over 33% of the vote
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY November 9-15, 2019 7

NJ road covered in trash Resolution introduced to honor

post Diwali celebration,
Twitter enraged
Jersey City: Diwali was celebrated
with much joy and festivity on
October 27. However, it seems the
festival of lights celebrations in
New Jersey turned out to be a
messy affair, with garbage cover‑
ing the streets and smoke filling
the air.
A video going viral online shows
India Square ‑ a commercial dis‑
trict in the Journal Square and
Marion Section neighborhoods
Jersey City ‑ le ft covered in
garbage after Diwali celebrations.
In the video, scores of people are
seen standing on the roadside as
water is used to clean the huge
amount of trash littering the road.
A police car is also seen patrolling
the area, where paper packaging,
empty boxes and cans can be seen
covering the road.
The video was posted to Twitter
on Monday by a Tw itter user
named Sandhya. "Ashamed to be
called an Indian," she wrote,
adding that the video was filmed at
Indian Street near Journal Square,
New Jersey.
"Hats of f to NJ Police handling
the mess Very professionally," she
said.
Since being shared online, the
video had collected over 76,000
views (till we went to press) and a
number of outraged comments,
w ith many calling the scene
"shameful" and "unfortunate."
"T hanks for the video. It's a
shame people standing (gawking)
and not cleaning their mess,"
wrote one person. "When are we
planning to learn? Or we never
learn at all?" asked another.
Many Twitter users also shared
angry comments criticizing the
mess.
"This place felt like a war zone
w ith all the noise and smoke
before the administration has to
stop it," he wrote.
(Source: ndtv.com)
Sikh cop shot dead in Texas
Washington, DC: A congressional
resolution has been introduced in
the US House of Representatives to
honor Indian‑American police offi‑
cer Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, who
was shot dead on duty during a
traffic stop in Texas in September.
Mourning Sandeep Dhaliwal's
tragic death, the resolution
described him as a remarkable and
selfless hero who represented the
very best of American ideals.
The 42‑year‑old Harris County
sheriff's deputy was shot dead on
September 27 while conducting a
routine mid‑day traffic stop in the
northwest of Houston.
He was the first Sikh in Texas to
receive a policy accommodation to
practice his religion while serving
as a police officer.
"Dhaliwal served admirably
while maintaining his Sikh articles
of faith, including his turban (das‑
taar), steel bracelet (kara), and
unshorn hair (kesh) without
Officer Sandeep Singh
Dhaliwal was shot dead on
September 27 while conduct‑
ing a routine mid‑day traffic
stop in northwest Houston.
impediment, which have deep spir‑
itual and moral significance," said
the resolution introduced by
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.
Sandeep Dhaliwal improved law
enforcement's cultural under‑
standing of Sikhs by helping to dis‑
pe l stereotypes about what
Americans look like. He served
with distinction as an example of
the tireless contributions that reli‑
gious minorities and marginalized
communities make to the US, stat‑
ed the resolution, which was co‑
sponsored by 15 other
Congressmen.
Sandeep Dhaliwal was widely
regarded as a role mode l for
Americans of all faiths wishing to
serve their communities in law
enforcement and the armed servic‑
es, it said.
Extending condolences to
Sandeep Dhaliwal's family and
loved ones, the resolution said the
House stands in solidarity with the
people of Houston, Harris County
and the Sikh community across
America, as they celebrate the life,
and mourn the loss, of the
"remarkable and selfless hero who
represented the very best of
America's ideals." (PTI)

Vedic Heritage Dipawali Over 500 Indian-Americans

celebrate Chhath Puja in Washington
program highlights Indian Washington, DC: Over 500 Indian‑ the Potomac, the Singh couple decided
Americans gathered on the banks of the to pursue the idea of ce lebrating

classical music, dance Potomac River in Washington to cele‑

New York: The Pandit Jasraj
Auditorium at Vedic Heritage
Inc in Hempstead on Nov 2 ‑3
witnessed some amazing per‑
formances by Indian classical
musicians and dancers. T he
instrumentalists, vocalists and
the dancers brought the audi‑
ences on a higher plane, in a
meditat ive stage, even in a
trance.
Her Holiness Sri Sri Anant
Vibhusit Pratham
Parvatyacharya Gurumaa
Jyotishanand Saraswati was a
pioneer in introducing the rich
Indian classical music and
dance to the NY audiences
nearly four decades ago, and
has broug ht maestros and
upcoming artistes, and maes‑
tros of today who were once
upon a time upcoming artists.
The stage at Vedic Heritage has
become a pilgrimage destina‑
tion for the classical music and
Volunteer team at Vedic Heritage Inc with GuruMaa
Jyotishanand Saraswati Ji (center)
dance performers from India.
This year the Dipawali Mela
had vocalists Aarti Ankalikar
Tike kar and Pandit Rattan
Mohan Sharma, instrumental‑
ists Vijay Ghate on tabla and
Subhendra Rao and Saskia Rao‑
De Haas on sitar and ce llo,
Kathak dancer Uma Dog ra
and Odissi dancer Madhavi
Mudgal.
The Mayor of Hempstead Don
Ray who was scheduled to
attend for a few minutes stayed
back for the entire program,
mesmerized by the perform‑
ance of the artists. The master
Of ceremony, Sunita Buddhiraja
helped the audience under‑
stand the entire program.
Every performance was greet‑
ed with a standing ovation.
brate the Chhath puja, with several
women dressed in colorful sarees wor‑
shipping the rising sun.
Chhath Puja, which is mainly
observed in the eastern and northern
parts of India and Nepal, is dedicated to
the Sun God and the ancient Vedic
Goddess Usha.
With Chhath falling on a weekend ‑
Saturday evening and Sunday morning ‑
the banks of the Potomac river in the
Virginia suburb of Washington attract‑
ed more than 500 Indian‑Americans,
several of whom drove a few hundred
kilometers to celebrate this popular
Indian festival.
Over the past few years, Indian‑
Americans are being joined by the
Nepali‑American community, giving a
unique dimension to the Chhath cele‑
brations overseas.
Kripa Shankar Singh, a software engi‑
neer who migrated to the US from
Patna said it all started in 2006 when
he and his wife Anita started looking for
a place to celebrate the Chhath puja.
One day while camping at a park near
Chhath the traditional way on a river
bank. Days later, he approached the
park officials for permission. After ini‑
tial hiccups and a little bit of explana‑
tion, the Loudon County granted him
the permission.
From observing the Chhat by a small
group of family and friends of Singh in
2006, it has now emerged as one of the
largest celebrations of the festival out‑
side India and Nepal.
The number of people participating in
the festival is increasing every passing
year, said Singh, who has been organiz‑
ing the event for over a decade now.
"This year was the largest one," he
said, adding that the entire event is a
volunteer‑driven celebration.
Singh opens his home every year for
the pooja performers and for cooking of
the ''prasad'' (offering).
"This is our attempt to keep our cul‑
ture alive in a foreign land," Singh said,
adding that he is surprised by the
turnout of the people for this festival.
"When we started this a decade ago,
we never thought it can go this far," he
said. (PTI)
 8 November 9-15, 2019
THREADS 2019: WHC conference
tells story of Hindu Americans
Boston: The Threads 2019 confer‑
ence, organized by World Hindu
Council of America concluded Nov 3
after three days of thought‑provok‑
ing and captivating deliberations.
Hindu‑American thinkers, artists,
educators, writers, public policy
makers, scientists, medical profes‑
sionals, technologists, entrepreneurs,
business leaders came together on
one platform to share their stories
and journeys, celebrate their accom‑
plishments and share ideas for
brighter and better America for
future generations.
The conference opened with cere‑
monial Shankh Naad, Ganesh Stuti,
lighting of the lamp by dignitaries
and beautiful renditions of Indian
and American national anthems.
Dr. Jai Bansal, the convenor,
opened the conference by welcom‑
ing the 400+ delegates and digni‑
taries, traveling from more than 30
US states and Canada. Dr. Bansal
talked about how Hindu Americans
have integrated into the fabric of
American culture while retaining
their own identity. Welcoming the
delegates, Mayor Scott Galvin of the
host city Woburn, in a written state‑
ATEA forum meet - Mentoring Tamil entrepreneurs
By Suchitra Srinivas
The South Asian Times
I
f you have any doubts about the
business acumen of the south
Indian diaspora particularly
those from Tamil Nadu itʼs time to
change the impressions. No pomp,
no fanfare but there is a substantial
presence of Tamil entrepreneurs in
wealth creation space in the US.
T hanks to the platforms like
American Tamil Entrepreneurs
Association (ATEA) for its efforts in
showcasing these businesses and
offering a platform to network, the
environment resonates with busi‑
ness ideas now more than ever. One
such event, ʻHear from Industry
Expertsʼ was organized by ATEA‑
north eastern chapter on Oct 19 at
Watchung Hills High school as a
parallel session, commemorating the
New Jersey Tamil Sangamʼs 30th‑
anniversary celebration.
Businessmen from different gen‑
res gathered to share their experi‑
ences with a focused audience.
Speaking at the forum, Raj Valli,
founder, and CEO of Thinkster Math,
a New Jersey‑based knowledge
acceleration company urged that the
commitment of an entrepreneur is
not time‑bound. The work targets
never end, in fact, one leads to
another. Just as the sun would be
working 24 hours across the globe,
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
More than 400 Hindu‑Americans from different walks of life shared
ideas for better and brighter future
ment, said, “Our Hindu‑American
neighbors have strengthened our
community in many ways, including
our economy, knowledge, culture
and community engagement.” In a
written statement, Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker and Lt.
Governor Karyn Polito welcomed the
delegates as well and said, “The con‑
ference is an excellent opportunity
for Hindu Americans from various
backgrounds to share their stories
and journeys and to discuss ways to
further increase recognition of their
contributions.” Rajiv Malhotra,
Founder of Infinity Foundation, in
his keynote address, explained how
As part of the youth entrepreneurʼs academy,
ATEA also organized ʻKids Can Code' workshop.
successful businessmen have to
commit their time was the message.
Thinkster Math, a digital math learn‑
ing program led by Raj has grown
manifolds in recent years reaching
thousands of students across the
world competing successfully with
those of Kumon, Mathnasium, and
host of other promising players in
the space. Raj added that the digital
space in the education business was
huge and can be an ideal platform
for innovating startups.
Dr. Dhritiman Banerjee, who has
been successfully mobilizing funds
for community projects back in
India through his non‑profit venture,
Kolkatta Foundation observed that
running a nonprofit too called for
strictly adhering to the business pos‑
tulates. Non‑profit status does not
mean you could denounce the cor‑
porate rules of running the show.
Hindu Americans have contributed
to the American society at large. He
summoned the delegates to take a
leadership role in defining and inte‑
grating authentic Hindu values in
the American mosaic.
T he second day started with
Morning Ragas, followed by a capti‑
vating panel discussion about the
pursuit of Indian arts and aesthetics
in the Americas. The experts from
the world of performing arts, culi‑
nary, music and literature collaborat‑
ed in telling the story of their per‑
sonal journey as the carriers of their
Vedic heritage. In an absorbing
panel discussion, successful entre‑
Giving back through a corporate
model is a new way to look at things
that many immigrants are fancied
about.
Dr. Banerjeeʼs first successful
startup, Internet Photonics, pio‑
neered the concept of low‑cost opti‑
cal networking and was acquired by
Ciena in 2004. In 2017, he
launched a nonprofit Kolkata
Foundation, which works to bring
together Kolkatans under a global
platform to fight poverty through
interventions designed to maximize
impact.
Dr. Banerjee observed that the
urge among the immigrants to give
back to the country was always
strong and non‑profits like his can
be used to channelize their contribu‑
tion back home towards funding
sustainable charity projects.
Following this was an interesting
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
preneurs from Hindu American com‑
munity explored opportunities in the
U.S. – India commercial relationship
as well as the impact of this commer‑
cial relationship on the rest of the
global economy. The session on
Public Services and Advocacy gener‑
ated inspirational discourse among
three state congressmen and two
public policy advocates, with a focus
on mechanisms to expand the role,
visibility, and the influence of Hindu
Americans in public policy domains.
The panelists in the session on
Holistic Living provided a deep
insight into how a holistic lifestyle
benefits us physically, emotionally,
mentally and spiritually.
The panel on Innovation, com‑
prised of highly accomplished entre‑
preneurs, investors and eminent sci‑
entists shared their own life stories
and discussed how all of them
believe in risk taking and outside‑
the‑box thinking. The panel on the
ethics of emerging lifesaving thera‑
pies and technologies engaged in a
refreshing discussion on the innova‑
tion in Healthcare. The last panel
session of the day focussed on the
science of consciousness and lessons
presentation by Vivek Krishnan, of
Vivek Flowers on Floriculture, a
blooming industry. He shared how
his business was driven by the dire
demand of the Indian diaspora.
Narrating how a request for the
delivery of 10 yards of jasmine for a
pooja was the trigger force, he said
his business called for more process
planning the delivery and meeting
demand. Acknowledging that his
wife stands by him, cheerleads, man‑
ages the business, Krishnan narrated
how his business could spread to
many locations across America.
Dealing with his product having a
short shelf life was a real challenge.
From genetic engineering, the prod‑
uct to withstand the flight journey to
specializing the package was all part
of the challenges in the business.
Touching upon the business
potential of the artificial intelligence
industry Prof. Rajarathnam
Chandramouli presented a useful
version about the alternative
sources of funding that the business
community should explore. He
brought to light the opportunities
available for seeking government
funding and grants that can help the
entrepreneurs to kick start the ven‑
ture. Usually, startups find funding a
tough nut to crack and it is here one
should look at avenues of govern‑
ment funds. The US government
annually invests around 10 billion
from modern science and Vedanta.
The second dayʼs proceedings
ended with a riveting series of 5‑6
minutes long lightning talks by 12
enterprising speakers on the varied
topics of arts, music, advocacy, medi‑
cine, artificial intelligence, financial
literacy, and holistic living.
The concluding day started with
melodious and soothing morning
Ragas, followed by a thoughtful dis‑
cussion about how a societyʼs ability
to prosper and growth depends
upon its peopleʼs edification.
T he session on philanthropy
focused on thoughtful, effective and
joyful philanthropy. In the final ses‑
sion of the conference, the founder
of Canadian Thinkers Forum Tahir
Gora and International Director of
Art of Living Darshak Hathi deliv‑
ered the concluding keynote
addresses. Mr. Gora talked about his
identity as a Bhartiya and how he
has been influenced by Hindu values
and ethos. Mr. Hathi while talking
about the Vedic Hindu way of living ‑
religious tolerance, solidarity, and
brotherhood implored the delegates
to find the focal point within our‑
selves and focus on consciousness.
on small business and startups he
said and added that resorting to gov‑
ernment funding should be the tar‑
get for a startup. This non‑diluted
funding source will not show up in
the equity and this can be handy in
developing prototypes and attract
angel investors. Prof Chandramouli
has three startups to his credit in AI
in 5G and human analytics space
and he is the Chair Professor in the
ECE Department at Stevens Institute
of Technology.
As part of the youth entrepre‑
neurʼs academy, ATEA also organ‑
ized ʻKids Can Code.ʼ Naren
Ashokraju, founder of
Dreambigbuddy.com along with his
team conducted a coding workshop
for children of 8 ‑15 years. Arushi
Agarwal, a sophomore at West
Windsor‑Plainsboro high school,
founder of Unknown16.com a non‑
profit organization dedicated to sup‑
port and educate female and racial
minorities in computer science pre‑
sented at the workshop. True to
ATEA's motto of Link.Learn.Lead,
the sessions were aptly designed to
link entrepreneurs with varied inter‑
ests and connect them on the
thought process of how to take the
leap in their businesses. There was
indeed a lot of take‑home learning
for all. Anu Seshadri, chair of the
event introduced the speakers and
welcomed the gathering.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL November 9-15, 2019 9

New York: Judge Sri Srinivasan

made history when he became the
first Indian‑American to become a
federal appellate court judge.
Later he was one of the two final
candidates selected by the Obama
White House to succeed Supreme
Court Justice Antonin Scalia after
his unexpected passing in
February 2016.
Srinivasanʼs D.C. Circuit Court of
Appeals colleague, Merrick
Garland, ultimately got the nod,
but the United States Senate would
not consider his nomination, citing
the upcoming presidential elec‑
tion. Donald Trumpʼs victory in
November 2016 meant that he
now would choose Scaliaʼs replace‑
ment, one of the first decisions of
his nascent presidency. Judge
Amul Thapar, then of the Eastern
District of Kentucky, was among
the finalists under consideration.
T hapar had become the first
Indian‑American confirmed to a
federal district court judgeship
several years earlier. President
Trump ult imate ly nominated
Thapar to the Sixth Circuit Court
of Appeals in April 2017 and the
Senate confirmed him the follow‑
ing May.
T hat two dif ferent Indian‑
American judges were under final
consideration for appointment to
the United States Supreme Court,
by two dif ferent presidents, from
two dif ferent parties, illustrating
the extent to which the community
is achieving historic representa‑
tion across the U.S. judiciary.
After strong representation in
Rising representation of Indian‑
Americans across US judiciary
members are being e lected or ing since 2003.
appointed to judgeships. Third and most simply, Indian‑
According to data cited in The Americans elected or appointed to
Other One Percent, an authorita‑ judgeships are exceptionally quali‑
tive history of the Indian‑American fied for the posts. A closer exami‑
diaspora, hardly 0.4% of first‑gen‑ nat ion of the pool of current
eration Indian‑Americans became Indian‑American judges reveals a
attorneys. By contrast, 4.6% of sec‑ group of relatively young men and
ond‑generation Indian‑Americans women with sterling legal creden‑
have become lawyers, a significant t ials, diverse personal back‑
increase. grounds and oftentimes pioneer‑
Second, and related, the number ing work in private practice, acade‑
of Indian‑Americans pursuing mia and public service.
careers in public service more Several Indian‑Americans names
broadly has skyrocketed in recent are commonly circulated for judge‑
Indian American Sri Srinivasan created history in 2013 when he years. Although exact numbers ships across the country. Some of
became the first South Asian to be appointed to the US Circuit remain uncertain, community these include Preeta Bansal, trail‑
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of members are achieving unprece‑ blazer and former Solicitor General
Columbia Circuit, considered as the second highest court dented success in virtually every of New York, Pratik Shah, co‑head
in the US after the Supreme Court.. arena of the public sector. Indian‑ of Akin Gumpʼs Supreme Court and
the medical, engineering and sci‑ appeals level, the community also Americans constitute approximate‑ Appe llate pract ice, Kannon
ence fields in the US, the judicial boasts at least five federal district ly 1% of the U.S. population, and Shanmugam, head of Paul Weissʼ
arena is another addit ion for court judges and more than two now comprise 1% of the U.S. Supreme Court and Appe llate
Indian Americans. dozen state and county judges Congress. They are being appoint‑ practice, Neal Katyal, Srinivasanʼs
Most recently, the Senate con‑ throughout the country. In total, ed to U.S. ambassadorships and predecessor at the Solicitor
firmed Neomi Rao to replace Brett there are at least 35 Indian‑ cabinet posts while also being Generalʼs Of fice and appellate
Kavanaugh on the D.C. Circuit Americans presiding in court‑ elected to state and local of fice partner at Hogan Lovells, and
Court of Appeals following his rooms across the U.S., the highest among other countless positions. Vanita Gupta, legal powerhouse
ascension to the Supreme Court. number ever recorded. T he rise in Indian‑American who most recently served as the
President Trump has also nominat‑ Several factors account for this judges is part of this larger trend countryʼs top civil rights attorney
ed at least three more Indian‑ surge. of success. The Circuit Court in during the Obama Administration
Americans to federal judgeships in First, more Indian‑Americans are Cook County, Illinois, for example, and is now the President and CEO
recent months. becoming lawyers than ever has nine Indian‑Americans on its of the Leadership Conference on
In addition to Judges Srinivasan, before, creating a growing pool of benches alone, including Judge Civil and Human Rig hts.
T hapar and Rao at the federal talent from which community Sanjay Tailor who has been serv‑ (Courtesy: forbes.com)

Rutgers students curate full-scale India Books Corner debuts at

exhibit from one of America’s Bronx Community College
New York: An event to commemorate the for developing an interest in India for BCC stu‑

largest Indian art collections establishment of India Corner, book collection

New Brunswick: During your next visit to an
art museum, consider the years of planning
that went into arranging each artwork while
weaving the artistsʼ unique visions into an
exhibit that tells a coherent story.
Art history students at Rutgers
University–New Brunswick, working toward a
curatorial studies certificate that will help
them stand out in the art worldʼs increasingly
competitive job market, recently arranged an
exhibit of more than 100 artworks by con‑
temporary Indian artists in just one semester
– the equivalent of curatorial boot camp.
Their exhibit, Paper Trails: Modern Indian
Works on Paper, occupies six rooms of the
Gaur Collection gallery in Franklin Park, New
Jersey. The Gaur Collection holds one of the
largest collections of modern Indian art in the
U.S. The Paper Trails exhibit seeks to chal‑
lenge traditional views of Indian art with
works by Anish Kapoor, M. F. Husain, Atul
Dodiya, Zarina Hashmi and many others.
For graduate students in the seminar, the
learning experience included every aspect of
the exhibitionʼs planning, from the conceptu‑
alization of key themes to the juxtaposition of
artworks within in the gallery – a process typ‑
ically takes far longer than a single semester.
“Every detail from the wall color, text
descriptions and how each piece of art relates
Anju Dodiya's "Self Portrait"
(Credit: Umesh and Sunanda Gaur)
to the art next to it – this delicate process can
take museums up to five years to plan,” said
Tamara Sears, associate professor of art his‑
tory at School of Arts and Sciences who led
the six students through their curation work
during the Spring 2019 semester.
“New Jersey has a very robust Indian popu‑
lation, and a lot of the community here does‑
nʼt know about this artwork. This collection
can show them a new aspect of India. For
example, Atul Dodiyaʼs work mixes the con‑
temporary and the traditional – something all
Indian‑American families can relate to.”
Paper Trails: Modern Indian Works on
Paper will remain on display at The Gaur
Collection through 2020.
gifted by the Consulate General of India to
dents," said Amb Sandeep Chakravorty shortly
after the ribbon cutting for the India Books
Bronx Community College was held on October Corner on the Library's third floor. "We have
22. India's Consul General in New York Amb developed this wonderful relationship with
Sandeep Chakravorty, Bronx Community BCC. We have done a study abroad program
College President Dr. Thomas A. Isekenegbe with BCC and other CUNY students in India,
and BCC faculty and staf f inaugurated the and are trying to start a faculty exchange. We
"India Books Corner" in North Hall and Library. are also inviting your college to more events at
The addition of 51 books on Indian history, the Consulate. Everyone can benefit from learn‑
politics, culture and related topics will expand ing about India, which is an ancient country
the Library's collection and reflect the more but a modern nation becoming important for
global perspective the College hopes to encour‑ the world economy, with many opportunities
age. The gift will benefit students in courses for Americans." Addressing the attendees in the
and degree programs that touch on the topic of Thurgood Marshall Law Library Collection,
India and its place in the world. "This is a seed BCC President Thomas A.
New India Lecture
Series (Season 2)
organized by the Indian
Consulate in New York
featured journalist,
political analyst and an
editor at The Times of
India Aarti Tikoo Singh
on 'Jammu, Kashmir, &
Ladakh ‑ The Way
Ahead' . The lecture was
moderated by Ankit
Panda, senior editor at
The Diplomat. Also seen
in the photo Amb
Sandeep Chakravorty.
 10 November 9-15, 2019
House Dems release first
impeachment probe transcripts
Washington: House Democrats
have released the first two tran‑
scripts from the closed‑door
interviews in an impeachment
inquiry into President Trump's
dealings with Ukraine.
The move marks a new public
phase of the inquiry, which has
been a closed‑door affair so far.
The transcripts are interviews
with former US Ambassador to
Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch and
top State Department of ficial
Michae l McKinley, Xinhua
reported. "As we move towards
this new public phase of the
impeachment inquiry, the
American public will begin to
see for themselves the evidence
that the committees have col‑
lected," the chairs of the House
Trump felt he had never arrived in NY, grew
up in area steeped in racism & bigotry
New York: President Donald
Trump might have announced he
was switching his permanent
residence from the Big Apple to
Florida ‑ earning a caustic "Good
riddance" from Governor
Andrew Cuomo ‑ but the fact of
the matter is that not only did he
grow up in an area "steeped in
racism and bigotry" but always
felt like an outsider, try had as he
might to ingratiate himself into
the city, a book that traces his
rise to the US presidency says.
"To understand Trump, in
some ways a quintessential New
Yorker, one needs to understand
the psychology of New Yorkers.
In particular, one needs to
understand the way New Yorkers
from Manhattan tend to look
down at New Yorkers who come
from the city's other four bor‑
oughs ‑ the Bronx, Staten Island,
Brooklyn and Queens," veteran
journalist and Author Alan
Friedman writes in "Democracy
In Peril ‑ Donald Trumps's
America". Trump came from the
outlying borough of Queens,
from a suburban neighborhood
called Jamaica Estates. He grew
up in a spacious house on a tree‑
lined hill in this little enclave of
Queens, the son of a wealthy
real‑estate broker‑turned‑proper‑
ty developer named Fred Trump.
"Trump, unsurprisingly for a
kid from Queens, had a chip on
his shoulder about the glamour
The latest poll has Americans
almost evenly split on
impeachment and removal
of Trump as President.
Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and
Oversight and Reform commit‑
tees said in a joint statement on
Monday. "With each new inter‑
view, we learn more about the
President's attempt to manipu‑
late the levers of power to his
personal political benefit," the
statement said.
"The transcripts of interviews
with Ambassadors Yovanovitch
and McKinley demonstrate
Trump has changed his permanent residence from New York to Florida.
and social acceptance of
Manhattan's Upper East Side. It
was not so much an inferiority
complex as a drive to arrive, a
desire for acceptance. Even
though he was driven to a pri‑
vate school in nearby Forest Hills
in one of his father's chauffeured
limousines, he felt he had not
arrived," Friedman writes.
He might have been from a
wealthy enclave but it was still
Queens, an outlying borough,
and his father might have been a
rich property developer but he
was still an outsider. Jamaica
Estates was a very white neigh‑
borhood, and as Trump's father
put up apartment buildings else‑
where in the borough, he found
himself accused of racial dis‑
crimination.
"In other words, both father
and son were accused by prose‑
cutors of refusing to rent or sell
to black people, a charge the
Trump family has always denied.
US AFFAIRS
clearly how President Trump
approved the removal of a high‑
ly respected and effective diplo‑
mat based on public falsehoods
and smears against Ambassador
Yovanovitch's character and her
work in support of long‑held US
foreign policy anti‑corruption
goals," the statement added.
Republicans have called for
the immediate release of all the
transcripts, instead of a select
few, since the inquiry started in
late September.
Trump is accused of abusing
his power by using a military
aid to pressure his Ukrainian
counterpart Volodymyr
Zelensky to open investigations
into Democratic presidential
hopeful Joe Biden.
T he court records from the
1970s showed that they paid set‑
tlements to avoid any admission
of guilt," the book says.
In the 1970s, Queens was the
location for what was for a time
America's most popular televi‑
sion show, a dark comedy called
"All in the Family". The program
featured a bigoted and racist
white man without a college
degree who was named Archie
Bunker. He lived in a working‑
man's house in a workingman's
neighborhood ‑ Queens.
"Today, Trump is President of
the US after running an election
campaign steeped in the lan‑
guage and mindset of Archie
Bunker's Queens. So, among the
many influences that shaped and
formed the young Trump, he
happened to grow up in an area
of New York City steeped in
racism and bigotry, an area
where each new immigrant
group becomes the lowest rung
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
US FORMALLY QUITS
PARIS CLIMATE
CHANGE AGREEMENT
United Nations: The US has
formally served notice that it
is w ithdraw ing from the
Paris Agreement that was
drawn to fig ht climate
change.
Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo announced on
Monday that the US sent the
notification to the UN start‑
ing the year‑long process of
ending Washington's partici‑
pation in the climate deal.
The US, which put out 5
billion ton of carbon dioxide
(CO2) last year, ranks behind
China as the second biggest
producer of the gas that is
responsible for global warm‑
on the social ladder in the great
American melting pot," Friedman
writes. Manhattanite snobs tend
to use a disparaging term ‑
bridge and tunnel crowd ‑ for
New Yorkers from other bor‑
oughs and for even those who
live across the Hudson River in
New Jersey. In 1971, aged 25,
Trump, "finally shed his bridge
and tunnel skin and moved into
an apartment on the Upper East
Side for the first time...The sub‑
urban outsider had arrived", the
book says. To understand
Trump, Friedman writes, "one
needs to understand the impor‑
tance for him of penetrating
what he perceived to be the
inner sanctums of the very
power elite that as a politician he
has railed against. The word ''ar‑
riviste'' refers to someone who
craves applause and social
acceptance because they have
arrived in New York City; Trump
has always been considered an
arriviste developer from Queens.
He has been pretty much
shunned by Old Money and by
Old Families, as seems fitting for
a man who has shamelessly sold
the public on the glories of how
he made money, a man who for
decades has showcased his own
gaudy lifestyle as a model of con‑
spicuous consumption. In
Trump's world, opulence is a
value and the more something
shines, the better it is."
ing. But on a per capita
basis, Americans are the
world's biggest polluters,
putting out 15.3 tonnes of
the gas each.
T he pullout from the
agreement fulfils President
Trump's election pledge to
his base which is wary of
international agreements.
Pompeo said: "President
Trump made the decision to
withdraw from the Paris
Agreement because of the
unfair economic burden
imposed on American work‑
ers, businesses, and taxpay‑
ers by US pledges made
under the Agreement."
In a series of tweets last
Thursday, Trump said: "1600
Pennsylvania Avenue, the White
House, is the place I have come
to love and will stay for, hopeful‑
ly, another five years as we Make
America Great Again, but my
family and I will be making Palm
Beach, Florida, our permanent
residence.
"I cherish New York, and the
people of New York, and always
will, but unfortunately, despite
the fact that I pay millions of dol‑
lars in city, state and local taxes
each year, I have been treated
very badly by the political lead‑
ers of both the city and state.
"Few have been treated worse.
I hated having to make this deci‑
sion, but in the end it will be best
for all concerned. As President, I
will always be there to help New
York and the great people of
New York. It will always have a
special place in my heart."
Trump has been at odds with
Governor Cuomo and NYC
Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Cuomo took to Twitter, saying:
"Good riddance. It's not like
@realDonaldTrump paid taxes
here anyway... He's all yours,
Florida." The Mayor said: "Don't
let the door hit you on the way
out or whatever...
"Our deepest condolences to
the good people of Florida as
Trump attempts to outrun his
past (and near future)."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info US AFFAIRS November 9-15, 2019 11

New York: Kentucky Governor Matt

Bevin lost re‑election very narrowly
on Tuesday by less than half‑a‑per
cent or about 5,100 votes, but the
Republicans suffer setbacks in state polls
loss is significant because Trump
had won Kentucky in the 2016 pres‑
In Virginia, Democrats have flipped both houses; yet no clear sign of any danger to Trump’s re‐election.
idential election with a 30 per cent
lead. The defeat of Bevin, for whom
Trump campaigned, was tempered
by the victory of Republican candi‑
dates in five other state‑wide offices
like secretary of state and attorney
general, though with smaller mar‑
gins compared to Trump's showing
an erosion of Republican support.
In Virginia both the upper and
lower chambers of the state legisla‑
ture flipped to the Democrats giving
them full control of the government
for the first time in many decades.
Democrat Governor Ralph Northam
was already in office. Democrat Andy Beshar has declared victory, but incumbent GOP Governor Matt Bevin has not conceded because of the slender margin.
The Republicans kept the gover‑ It had become the most watched race this election day as Trump stumped to boost an unpopular Bevin.
norship of Mississippi with under a year away, Tuesday's elec‑ the governorship in Mississippi. He avoided involving Trump in their major parties looked to of f‑year
Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves tions showed that Trump's margins even claimed that he had boosted campaigns unsure of his ef fect on elections in four states to gauge
winning with a 6 per cent lead, of victory in 2016 had been shaved the votes for Bevin 15 points for the electorate. Elections were also voter enthusiasm and party organi‑
much lower than Trump's 17.8 per significantly even when his party whom he had campaigned. He he ld in some other states on zation amid impeachment proceed‑
cent. candidates won. Looking ahead, added, "Fake News will blame Tuesday, but they were referendums ings against the president. There
New Jersey was a silver lining for according to RealClearPolitics, the Trump for Bevin's loss." or at local level or for individual leg‑ were fresh reasons for Republican
Republicans. Complete results were authoritative aggregator of polls, as Democrat Andy Beshar, who islature seats. concern about the party's standing
not in by early Wednesday morning of now all the five front‑runners for defeated Bevin, concentrated on In Virginia, Democrats used among suburban voters who helped
but NJ.com reported that the the Democratic Party nomination ‑ local issues in his campaign and increasing suburban support to flip Democrats flip control of the U.S.
Republicans were set to gain at least Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie avoided making it a referendum on control of the state Senate and state House and who will be critical in the
four seats. That won't be enough to Sanders, Kamala Harris and Pete impeachment. Bevin has not conced‑ House and gain outright control of general election next November. On
switch control of the legislature now Buttigieg ‑ lead Trump by between ed defeat and is expected to contest state government in a presidential the flip side, a Democratic nominee
held by Democrats with a 28‑seat 4.5 and 10 per cent. Trump in a the results because of the slender battleground. for President like Elizabeth Warren
margin in the 80‑member Assembly. tweet claimed credit for the five margin. In Virginia, the Republican Those outcomes could deal a con‑ may not be a likeable enough option
With the presidential election just Republican wins in Kentucky and candidates for the state legislature siderable blow to Trump as both for suburban voters.
 12 November 9-15, 2019 INDIA NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Pak video exposes ISI plan: Amarinder Singh

Chandigarh: Reacting strongly to
the use of pictures of Khalistani
separatist leaders in the Pakistani
video song on the Kartarpur
Corridor, Punjab Chief Minister
Amarinder Singh on Wednesday
said this clearly endorsed his
stand that there was a hidden ISI
agenda behind the historic corri‑
dor.
Talking informally with media
persons on the sidelines of the
special session of the Assembly
here to mark the 550th Prakash
Purb of Guru Nanak Dev, he said
he had been warning against the
ISI role in the Pakistan decision to
open the corridor since the day
their Prime Minister announced
it.
Even thoug h the corridor
marked the realization of the
long‑cherished dream of the
entire Sikh community, including
him, to pay their respects at the
historic shrine, India could not
af ford to ignore the ISI threat
that was attached to it, said the
Chief Minister, stressing the need
for extreme caution.
"This is what I have been cau‑
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate
the Kartarpur Corridor on Saturday.
tioning against all along: they (the
ISI) has a negative agenda behind
it. We have to be very careful," he
said, in response to a question.
The video, he said, had only
exposed the true intent of the ISI.
"On the one hand, they are
seemingly showing us compas‑
sion and humanity, and on the
other, they seem intent on using
the corridor to woo the Indian
Sikhs to promote the ISI‑backed
2020 Khalistan Referendum and
creat ing sleeper ce lls here",
Amarinder Singh said.
T he controversy over the
Pakistani video song has been
triggered by the use of a picture
showing three Khalistani sepa‑
ratist leaders, who were killed
during Operation Blue Star in
June 1984.
The Chief Minister also lashed
out at the Akali leaders for play‑
‘Remove anti-India elements
from Kartarpur visual’
New Delhi: Ahead of the highly‑
anticipated inauguration of the
cross‑border Kartarpur Corridor,
India on Wednesday voiced con‑
cerns over the presence of three
Sikh separatist leaders, including
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, in an
official promotional video of the
corridor released by Pakistan and
has raised the matter with
Islamabad. The video shows
posters by Sikhs for Justice group
featuring photographs of Pro‑
Khalistan leader Bhindranwale
and his military adviser Shabeg
Singh, who were killed during
Operation Blue Star in 1984. Sikhs
for Justice is a banned outfit,
ing into the hands of the ISI with
their politically motivated com‑
ments on the Kartarpur Corridor
issue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
will inaugurate the Kartarpur
which is pushing for Sikh
Referendum 2020.
"India has raised with Pakistan
the presence of anti‑India, objec‑
tionable elements in the video,
and asked for removal of the visu‑
al," Indian government sources
said. In fact, India is worried that
Sikh separatists should not misuse
the corridor to leverage their
2020 separatist agenda, sources
said. India will be watching "very,
very closely" the Kartarpur
Corridor inauguration and the
next few days' developments.
"We have to see if Pakistan con‑
tinues to keep our concerns in
mind," the sources added.
Corridor on Saturday and dis‑
patch the first batch of pilgrims to
visit the Kartarpur Sahib
Gurdwara on the occasion of the
birth anniversary celebrations of
Guru Nanak Dev.

Centre cautions UP govt Air emergency worse than

ahead of Ayodhya verdict 1975 Emergency: SC
New Delhi: As the Supreme Court is
expected to deliver its judgment in the
Ayodhya land dispute case next week,
Union Home Ministry has cautioned the
Yogi Adityanath‑led Uttar Pradesh govern‑
ment to ensure all security preparedness
in the temple town, which would be
turned into virtual fortress to thwart any
untoward incident posing a threat to the
law and order situation.
Citing intelligence inputs on terror
threat, the Ministry has alerted the Uttar
Pradesh government through a circular
issued last week on the orders of Union
Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, direct‑
ing maximum deployment of police force
on the ground and keep tabs on rumours
on social networking sites and through
SMS when the apex court would announce
its verdict over the Ram Janmabhoomi‑
Babri Masjid land dispute.
It is learnt through intelligence inputs
that over half‑a‑dozen terrorists have
The
terrorists
may enter
Ayodhya
disguising
them‑
selves as
Hindu
men.
entered Uttar Pradesh through the Nepal
border to carry out terror attacks in the
state on direction of their Pakistani‑based
handlers linked to Lashkar‑e‑Taiba and
Hizbul Mujahideen terror groups.
The intelligence inputs warned that the
terrorists could be hiding in Ayodhya and
nearby towns. Some of them have been
reportedly ident ified as Mohammed
Yakub, Abu Hamza, Mohammed Shahbaz,
Nisar Ahmed and Mohammed Qaumi
Chaudhary.
The terrorists may enter Ayodhya dis‑
guising themselves as Hindu men, the
input said.
A five‑judge Supreme Court bench had
heard the Ayodhya case on a day‑to‑day
basis for 40 days and reserved its verdict
on October 16. The apex court is expected
to deliver its verdict on a dispute over the
ownership of 2.77‑acre of land in Ayodhya
before November 17, when Chief Justice
Ranjan Gogoi retires.
New Delhi: "Why do you call it air emer‑
gency? This is worse than 'The Emergency'.
Emergency days were better," said a shocked
Justice Arun Mishra at the appalling state of
affairs where the Center and state govern‑
ments were at loggerheads instead of acting
together in curbing air pollution, especially
in the case of stopping stubble burning.
In 1975 on June 26, then President
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed a national
emergency across India which lasted for 21
months. As a consequence, elections were
suspended and civil liberties were curbed.
This period is considered one of the most
controversial times in the history of inde‑
pendent India. Then Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi's opponents were imprisoned and
the press was censored.
Justice Mishra said the time has come to
fix accountability and stop the violation of
Art icle 21 of the Const itut ion, where
"Protection of life and personal liberty is pri‑
oritised and no person shall be deprived of
Onion prices cross Rs 100 per kg in Delhi
New Delhi: Onion prices which have been
rising for weeks now have crossed the psy‑
chological mark of Rs 100 a kg in Delhi.
Despite various measures having been put in
place by the Central government, onion
prices have been on fire and imports are
now being made to cool down the retail level
spike. In the light of public concern over
high prices of onions in the market, the
Ministry of Agriculture today decided to
allow relaxation from the condition of fumi‑
gation and endorsement on PSC as per the
Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 for onion
The air quality, although, had begun
improving after ʻsevereʼ pollution levels.
his life or personal liberty except according
to procedures established by law."
The court's observation came during the
argument on the actions of farmers which
has caged the Delhi‑NCR in an envelope of
smog having severe health impact.
A public health emergency was declared in
Delhi‑NCR region in the backdrop of deplet‑
ing air quality, where the air quality index
(AQI) has breached the severe+ category.
Justice Mishra also emphasized that no
farmer, who is engaged in stubble burning,
has the right to violate other people's rights.
imports up to November 30.
The Agriculture Ministry said that condi‑
tions to be met are that such consignments
of imported onions which arrive in Indian
port without fumigation and endorsement to
that effect on the PSC, would be fumigated
in India by the importer through an accredit‑
ed treatment provider.
The Congress today seized the issue to
attack the BJP government at the Center,
objecting to the government plans to import
onions which it is resorting to increase the
supply.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA NEWS November 9-15, 2019 13

Priyanka's meeting with Delhi SIT files charge sheet

leaders suggests enhanced role in Chinmayanand case
New Delhi: In a significant devel‑
opment, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
he ld a meet ing w ith De lhi
Congress leaders in connection
with the upcoming Assembly
polls in the capital, suggesting
that her role in the party's affairs
is being expanded.
Priyanka, who is party General
Secretary in‑charge of eastern
Uttar Pradesh, chaired the meet‑
ing in which party Treasurer
Ahmed Patel, General Secretary
K.C. Venugopal and General
Secretary in‑charge of Delhi PC
Chacko were also present,
besides newly‑appointed Delhi
unit chief Subhash Chopra and
his team.
Priyanka took stock of poll
preparations and directed Delhi
Congress leaders to start a public
interaction programme, said a
leader who attended the meeting.
Assembly elections in Delhi are
due in a few months.
Priyanka asked Delhi Congress
Priyanka Gandhi is the general secretary of All India Congress
Committee in charge of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
leaders to raise the issue of price
rise, including soaring prices of
the onion.
She was also concerned about
the rising pollution levels and
asked Delhi Congress to connect
the with people on the issue.
Priyanka's expanding role
assumes significance since her
brother Rahul Gandhi is virtually
out of scene and mother Sonia
Gandhi, who is Interim President
of the party, is not keeping well.
A source said Priyanka has
been part of several internal
meetings as Rahul Gandhi is
keeping away from active role
within the party.
Shahjahanpur: T he Special
Investigation Team (SIT) probing
the sexual harassment case
against former Union Minister
Chinmayanand and the extortion
case against the alleged victim, a
law student, filed charge sheets in
both the cases. After a two‑month‑
long investigation, the SIT filed the
20‑page charge sheets in both the
cases. The case diary runs into
4,700 pages.
The SIT also submitted 79 evi‑
dences and told the court that it
had cross‑examined 105 people
during the investigations.
The SIT field the charge sheet in
the court of Chief Judicial
Magistrate Om Vir Singh
All the accused, including
Chinmayanand, the law student
and her male companions Sanjay
Singh, Vikram Singh and Sachin
Sengar, were present in court.
They were brought from jail under
tight security and a heavy police
deployment had been made in the
district court too.
According to SIT chief Naveen
Arora, the charge sheet also men‑
Former Union Minister
Chinmayanand.
Shahjahanpur district cooperative
bank chairman and a BJP leader.
His aide Ajeet Kumar is the broth‑
er‑in‑law of one of the accused in
the extortion case according to
Arora. Rathore and Kumar have
been charged under various sec‑
tions of the Indian Penal Code for
extortion, causing disappearance
of evidence and criminal intimida‑
tion. The SIT has yet not arrested
them but has included their name.
The SIT recorded statements of
105 people and added 24 pieces
of physical evidence, and 55 docu‑
ments in the charge sheet. The SIT
has concluded the probe and will
file a final status report on

Will Gadkari be consensus CM tions that D.P.S. Rathore, a BJP

leader, was also involved in an
attempt to extort Rs 1.25 crore
November 28.
The High Court will hear the bail
plea of Chinmayanand on

candidate in Maharashtra? from Chinmayanand. Rathore, is November 8.

New Delhi: A fortnight after the

Maharshtra verdict, and as many
days of verbal spats between the
Shiv Sena and BJP, an alliance
government of the two is very
much on the horizon. W hat's
interesting is that the Sangh may
sacrifice its blue‑eyed boy, Chief
Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in
the power tussle. And the political
grapevine has it that another of
their charmed sons ‑‑ Union Road
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari ‑
‑ may be the likely replacement.
Both Fadnavis and Gadkari are
from Nagpur and in spite of the
apparent cordial relationship in
front of the camera, the friction
between the two is an open
secret.
The RSS has apparently put out
a roadmap to install Gadkari as
the new CM of the state, say
sources. This could give a window
to Shiv Sena to scale down its
demand of chief ministership on a
rotation basis.
Nitin Gadkari maintains good
relations with Sangh chief Mohan
Bhagwat. It was Bhagwat who cat‑
apulted Nitin Gadkari in national
polit ics and made him BJP
President despite opposition from
many veteran leaders. Also, dur‑
ing 2014 when Gadkari threw his
hat in the fray, it was Bhagwat's
intervention that convinced him
to withdraw and restrict himself
to the national politics. The Shiv
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Sena has been upset w ith
Devendra Fadnavis on his rigid
stand. RSS top leaders sent feelers
to the Sena advising it against
jumping the ship, amid its parleys
with the NCP. The Sangh is also
believed to have assured the Sena
that all "issues" will be "amicably
resolved".
It assumes even more signifi‑
cance, as Sena leader Kishore
Tiwari wrote to Bhagwat asking
him to bring in Gadkari in the pic‑
ture, saying only he can end the
impasse in "two hours".
Gadkari is known to be Sangh's
favorite: he hails from Nagpur,
where the RSS headquarters is
located. Earlier, Fadnavis was
called by the Sangh chief and they
With most demands met,
Delhi cops call off protest
New Delhi: After a day‑long protest The protest was called off after
which caught the eye of the entire the Delhi police announced an ex‑
nation, thousands of Delhi police gratia of Rs 25,000 each for the
personnel called off their agitation cops injured in the clashes with
tonight after seniors assured them lawyers at the Tis Hazari court
that most of their demands would premises on November 2.
be met. Addressing the agitating cops at
T he police personne l staged the police headquarters here,
protest against the assault on Special Commissioner Sat ish
some of their colleagues by Golcha said, "We will provide the
lawyers at Tis Hazari court premis‑ best treatment to the cops injured
es and outside Saket court recent‑ in the clashes and also give an ex‑
ly. "Most of the police personnel gratia of Rs 25,000 each to the
who came here have dispersed injured cops."
peacefully and are more or less The agitating cops also booed
had a 90‑minute‑long discussion,
satisfied with the course of action and jeered several top officers as
but the outcome is not known.
which the Delhi police is taking," they sought to placate them during
Even senior RSS functionaries are
said Joint Commissioner of Police, their protest against the assault on
tightlipped about the meeting.
Northern Range Manish Kumar some of their colleagues by the
Fadnavis had met Nitin Gadkari
Aggarwal. lawyers.
and Amit Shah in Delhi.
The RSS activated its political
management to broker peace
within BJP and Shiv Sena after
the NCP refused to lend support
to any formation. The Sangh had
to move quickly as the tenure of
the state Assembly expires this
week. The BJP‑Shiv Sena will have
to relent before November 9. On
the Cong ress front, Sonia
Gandhi's close confidante Ahmed
Patel met Nitin Gadkari, before
NCP's refusal to facilitate any
government formation.
Family members of Delhi police personnel protest at India Gate.
 14 November 9-15, 2019
Congress must bid farewell to Gandhis
By Mark Tully
T
he better‑than‑expected per‑
formance of the Congress in
Haryana, and of both the
Cong ress and the Nat ionalist
Congress Party in Maharashtra, has
led commentators to declare that
their brand is not beyond its sell‑by
date. After the disastrous perform‑
ance of both parties in the general
election, it was widely assumed that
voters were no longer attracted to
the Congress.
Improved performances in two
state elections donʼt mean that the
Congress is back on its feet. But the
elections have driven home the
realization that killing off a historic
party, with a presence across the
country, isnʼt quite as easy as the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) thinks.
So what should the Congress do to
get back in business?
Many in the Congress yearn for
Priyanka Gandhi to come to their
rescue, but she has shown no sign
of being willing to oblige. Sonia
Gandhi has formed a new group to
bring some clarity to Congress poli‑
cies. But such initiatives are fre‑
quently an excuse for inaction,
rather than a prelude to action.
I believe the Congress needs to
bid farewell to the Gandhis, and
Many uses of al‑Baghdadi: Why did they kill him?
By Saeed Naqvi
I
n these dark days when ter‑
rorism has become a strategic
asset, to bump off a superior
practitioner like Abu Bakr al‑
Baghdadi has implications. Had
he begun to serve the interests
not of his original handlers but,
possibly, their rivals? Has he
been eliminated at all? Does his
disappearance leave unprotected
those oil wells, which his gang or
his patrons profited from? Is the
drama in murky light, a bait to
drag President Trump back to
the West Asian arena, which he is
militarily withdrawing from?
From the very beginning, Syria
was at the heart of the conflict
between Trump and the Deep
State, which is now accepted
even by the New York Times.
In fact, NYT's Establishment
columnist T homas Friedman,
while applauding the killing of
the ISIS leader, reveals which
side he is on in the Trump‑Deep
State conflict. He notes, satirical‑
ly, how "ef fusive Trump was of
the intelligence agencies who
found and tracked al‑Baghdadi to
the lair in Syria where he blew
himself up to avoid being cap‑
tured."
There will be many difficulties in converting the Congress into a federation.
Who will tell the Gandhis that their time is up?
reconstitute itse lf as a federal
party. That would be a party which
allows for the emergence of strong,
self‑reliant leaders.
Both the Lok Sabha and the
assembly elections have shown the
ability of strong leaders to with‑
stand the BJPʼs onslaught. In the
general election, Amarinder Singh
was the only Congress chief minis‑
ter of a major state to resist the
BJP. In the Harayana assembly
Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi was killed in a US attack.
Friedman then gives vent to the
bile he has accumulated against
Trump for having been at cross
purposes with the Deep State
Friedman so obviously adores.
"Well, Mr. President, those are
the same intelligence agencies
who told you that Russia inter‑
vened in our last election in an
effort to tip the vote to you and
against Hillary Clinton." What
does this line of reasoning mean?
When history is written, Trump
will be faulted on a hundred
counts, and severely. But it would
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
polls, it was Bhupinder Sing h
Hooda who pulled the Congress fat
out of the fire, saving the party
from a widely forecast humiliating
defeat.
In Maharashtra, it was Sharad
Pawar who prevented the BJP from
achieving its target of an absolute
majority. Significantly, these three
leaders have defied the Gandhis.
Both Hooda and Amarinder Singh
threatened to form their own par‑
be uncharitable not to note one
truth about him: Trump is the
only President in recent history
who tried to end military con‑
flicts the US was involved in and
who did not start a conflict.
There have been 13 military con‑
flicts in recent decades costing
$18 trillion, by some estimates.
The Baghdadi image did have
its uses.
The last time his photograph
appeared on front pages of news‑
papers was after the Easter
Sunday massacre in Colombo, Sri
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ties if they were not given leader‑
ship of the Congress. Sharad Pawar
has retained the Congress name but
been on his own now for 20 years.
In the general election, the BJP
did make inroads in the East, but in
all the states from Bengal down to
Tamil Nadu, strong independent
regional party leaders still won the
largest number of seats.
If they were to be guaranteed
autonomy in a federal party, some
Lanka on April 21. On TV too,
Baghdadi was shown claiming
the massacre as a "revenge" for
the attack on a mosque in New
Zealand. French experts, among
others, soon established that it
was a fraudulent clip ‑‑ a voice
had been super imposed on his
visage.
Which outfit would like to stir
up a conflict between Sri Lanka's
two frail minorities ‑‑ Muslims
and Christians? New Delhi alert‑
ed Colombo as early as April 4,
that a major terrorist attack can
be expected. How did New Delhi
know?
A puzzle remains. The island
nation is at the center of fierce
competition between a rising
China and a retreating US for
influence in the Indian Ocean.
Over 300 people are killed; 500
injured. Among those killed are
Chinese Marine eng ineers.
Hotels attacked have Chinese
links. Whodunit?
Looking for simple answers
would not help. A small island
nation, just recovering from a
vicious civil war, would be shak‑
en up by the sheer scale of the
massacre, warranting the appear‑
ance of intelligence agencies
from everywhere ‑‑ US, UK,
of those leaders might be willing to
merge with the Congress. After all,
Mamata Banerjee was a a
Congresswoman and Jaganmohan
Reddyʼs father was a highly suc‑
cessful Congress chief minister.
In my scheme of things, there
should be a way to institutionalize
the voice of the state leaders, and
g ive it due importance, at the
national level. The national leader
could well be chosen from among
them. There would be an end to the
present darbari culture and central‑
ization of power.
There will be many difficulties in
converting the Congress into a fed‑
eration. Who, for instance, will tell
the Gandhis that their time is up?
How will the party be held together
when they depart? W ho w ill
emerge as the strong leaders in
states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
where the party barely exists?.
What will prevent the state leaders
being riven by rivalry?
Yet, there is no doubt it needs
strong state leaders with autonomy.
T hat is demonstrated by the
Congress failure to recover in any
of the states where it has been oust‑
ed by a strong regional leader.
(The article appeared in The
Hindustan Times)
Israel, Australia, India.
Friedman has not cooked up
the theory of terrorism as a
strategic asset on his own. He
has acquired this wisdom from
leaders, including US Presidents
like Barack Obama. In the course
of a lengthy interview in August,
2015, he asked Obama a very
pertinent question. When ISIS
first reared its head in Mosul a
year ago, why did the President
not immediately bomb it out of
existence?
Obama stated quite plainly:
"We did not just start taking a
bunch of air strikes all across
Iraq because that would have
taken the pressure of f Iraqi
Prime Minister, Nouri al Maliki."
Obama's priority was not the
elimination of the founder of the
Caliphate. His priority was to
exert pressure on Nouri al Maliki
to vacate the Iraqi Prime
Minister's office. Why?
Because Maliki was "brazenly"
pro‑Shia and had refused to sign
the Status of Forces Agreement
with the US. Obama's "one‑two"
(to use a term from boxing)
worked. US pressure, and al
Baghdadi's menacing presence at
the gates of Iraq's capital, helped
ease Maliki out.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Jackson Heights Merchant
Association Grand Diwali
Mela at Kalpana Chawla Way
Audience enjoying entertainment program during Diwali Mela
(Picture Courtesy: Chander Shekar)
New York: In an unending stream
of Diwali Me las in New York,
Jackson Heig hts Merchantsʼ
Association held its 25th Diwali
Mela on October 13. The Mela, as
usual, had a fair presence of offi‑
cials that included the Consul
Brooklyn Borough President Eric
Adams, Councilmember Daniel
Dromm, Assemblywoman Catalina
Cruiz, Former Deputy Comptroller
of Nassau County Dilip Chauhan,
District Manager of Community
Board 3 Giovanna A. Reid.
Representat ives of business
org anizat ions, including the
NYC Comptroller Scott M
Stringer hosts Diwali celebration
Comptroller Stringer with honorees
N
ew York City Comptroller
hosted Diwali celebration
on October 28 at Agra
Palace Restaurant, Forest Hills, NY
with more than 300 people in
attendance. “The story of Diwali is
the story of New York City. Our
diversity – our collective humanity
– makes us strong. And itʼs that
diversity that gives us so much to
ce le brate in New York City –
including right here, right now.
Today, we are all family. We all
have the power to build a commu‑
nity that is full of hope and
light…unity and compassion…for
our fellow neighbors,” he said. In
his speech, the Comptroller batted
for Diwali public school holiday
and lauded Swami Harish Chander
Puri Jiʼs compassion for forgiving
his attacker. Swami Ji, a priest of
the Shiv Shakti Peeth temple in
Bang ladesh Merchantsʼ
Association were also present.
Then there were the honorees that
included Brooklyn Boroug h
President Eric L. Adams, former
Deputy Comptroller Dilip Chauhan,
who was honored by President of
Jackson Heig ht Merchant
Asso ciat ion president Kamal
Kumar for their outstanding con‑
tribution to the South Asian com‑
munity of New York. Brooklyn
Borough President Eric Adam hon‑
ored president Kamal Kumar,
chairman Amar Singh and commu‑
nity activist Sherry Dutta.
Glen Oaks, Queens, NY was brutal‑
ly assaulted in a racial crime.
Comptroller Stringer then hon‑
ored Simran Jeet Singh, an educa‑
tor, writer, and act ivist who
speaks regularly on issues of
diversity, equity, race, and reli‑
g ion. Simran is the author of
"Covering Sikhs," a guidebook to
help journalists accurately report
on the Sikh community; Abha B.
Roy, Founding Director at Srijan
Dance Center. Abha has spent the
last 35 years perfecting her art
form while constantly looking for
new evolutions of Kathak, melding
it with everything from opera, jazz
music to modern dance; Tamang
Samaj America, a not‑for‑profit
community‑based organization
founded to advance the issues and
concerns of Nepali American com‑
munity in Queens.
DIWALI TRISTATE November 9-15, 2019 15
NYC City Council hosts Diwali
celebration at City Hall
New York: Council Member Rory
I. Lancman, Council Speaker
Corey Johnson, and 15 other
Council Members Oct 29 hosted
a Diwali Celebration in Council
Chambers that featured a lamp
lighting ceremony, dance per‑
formances, and the presentation
of pro clamat ions to dist in‑
guished South Asian leaders.
Democratic District Leader Dr.
Neeta Jain said in we lcome
remarks: "Let's celebrate this
Diwali with lights of Love and Democratic District Leader Dr. Neeta Jain (5th from left) at the event. She
has requested all council members to sign Resolution of Diwali Holiday
Peace, removing darkness of
in NYC public schools introduced by Councilmember Daniel Dromm.
hatred.”
Council Member Rory I. Honorees included the NYPD Matteo, I. Danee k Miller,
Lancman said: “Diwali is a special Desi Society, Dr. Samin Sharma, Donovan Richards, Ydanis
t ime when millions of South and Rajeev Pandya. Ro driguez, Eric Ulrich, Paul
Asians all across the world The City Hall event was organ‑ Vallone, and Kalman Yeger.
rejoice and fill the world with ized in conjunction with Council Neeta Jain has requested all
light and love. I am honored to Members Adrienne Adams, council members to sign
join the many Hindus, Jains, Daniel Dromm, Mathieu Eugene, Resolution of Diwali Holiday in
Sikhs, and Buddhists in our city Barry Gro denchik, Robert NYC public schools introduced
who celebrate this important hol‑ Holden, Peter Koo, Karen by Councilmember Danie l
iday.” Koslowitz, Alan Maisel, Steven Dromm
Diwali festival at BAPS
Hindu Temple, Melville, LI
Melville, NY: On October 28, the
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
here celebrated the festival of
lig hts Diwali. Over 4,000
Nassau, Suf folk, and Queens
county residents attended
throughout the day.
This year's celebration includ‑
ed the Annakut Thaal, a unique
and awe‑inspiring sight of devo‑
tion wherein numerous vegetari‑
an food dishes are prepared by
devotees and of fered to the
Mandirʼs sacred idols. T he
events for children and fami‑
lies provided an opportunity
for community members to
engage with spiritual and cultur‑ Over 4000 Nassau, Suffolk and Queens county
al themes, thereby bringing posi‑ residents partook the festivities
tive energy into the New Year,
learning about scriptural narra‑
tives related to Diwali, and par‑
ticipating in rangolis and other
traditional decorations.
Special guests that attended
the Diwali Festival were Suf folk
County Executive Steve Bellone,
Huntington Town Supervisor
Chad Lupinacci, Suf folk County
Police Commissioner Geraldine
Hart, Suf folk County Sherif f
Errol D. Toulon, New York State
Assemblyman Steve Stern, NY
State Assemblyman Andrew Raia,
NY State Senator James
Gaughran, Commanding Of ficer Several County and State officials attended the functions
of the Second Precinct Inspector
William Scrima, Receiver of Legislator and presiding of ficer Highway Superintendent Kevin S.
Taxes of the Town of Huntington DuWayne Gregory, Suf folk Orelli,and many other communi‑
Jillian Guthman, Suf folk County County Legislator Susan Berland, ty leaders.
 16 November 9-15, 2019 ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Mainstream Bollywood embraces the imperfect look

R
oop tera mastana" seems
to be old school now.
Bollywood, which once
exponentially spotlighted well‑
chiseled bodies in men and per‑
fectly fair belles in cinema, has
taken to celebrating imperfections
and age on the mainstream screen.
Moving away from classic fairy‑
tale‑ish stories, Bollywood, over
the past half a decade or so, seems
to have undergone a transition of
sorts, as cinephiles lap up authen‑
ticity, ageism and flawed off‑track
characters more than make‑belief.
One cannot go wrong in credit‑
ing actor Ayushmann Khurrana to
a large extent for this. He feels that
Bollywood is now a place where
colour, appearance and age does‑
nʼt matter anymore.
"We have been used to mani‑
cured perfect heroes over the
years. And for a common man it is
difficult to achieve that. Maybe
fighting with 10 goons is not easy
and not practical at the same time
or maybe having those six‑pack
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana.
abs for somebody who is doing a masses otherwise they will get
nine‑to‑five job and is a lower‑mid‑ complexes seeing these actors on
dle class person struggling to screen," Ayushmann told IANS.
make a living. You don't expect "And probably somebody had to
that person to have a six‑pack. It is do that..." The actor, who will be
important instil confidence in the seen playing a young man suffer‑
ing from premature balding in his
forthcoming film "Bala", says he
aspires to give confidence to the
"aam aadmi" through his films.
"It's important to give that confi‑
dence to the common man and
that's what I aspire to do. Because
imperfections are beautiful.
Nobody is perfect and you always
have that imperfections. (It) could
be in personal life or maybe in
your body, or in life in general," he
said. Actress Bhumi Pednekar, who
will be seen playing a dusky girl in
"Bala", has always managed to
experiment with her roles.
She played an overweight
woman named Sandhya in "Dum
Laga Ke Haisha", for which she
gained over 30 kilos. Recently, she
underwent a complex prosthetic
process for her role of one of
India's two oldest sharpshooters in
"Saand Ki Aankh".
Actress Yami Gautam, too, feels
the industry is opening up.
But is age still a detrimental fac‑
tor for an actor's career in
Bollywood?
Veteran actor Boman Irani, who
took the bold step of doing a film
dealing with the topic of a man
falling in love and getting married
at the age of 45 in "Shirin Farhad
Ki Toh Nikal Padi", says age does
not matter anymore.
"It (age) is not detrimental to an
actor's career. I think there is a
right time in everyone's life to do
the right thing. I am never unhap‑
py that I took my time. I am almost
60 (and) I am now a student learn‑
ing to be a screenwriter. Who
made the rule that you can't learn
something new at the age of 60?
There are no rules and timelines
for dreams and wishes," Boman
told IANS.
As musician John Legend said in
the song "All of me" that "love your
curves and all your edges, all your
perfect imperfections", Bollywood
finally seems to be taking the line
seriously and is celebrating imper‑
fections and age perfectly on
screen.

'Terminator: Dark Fate': Akshaye‑starrer

An enjoyable fare 'Sab Kushal Mangal'
to release in January
A
direct sequel to
the first two films
of the franchise,
this sixth instalment of
Review
the Terminator series hunting a future leader
which began way back in and a protector trying to
1984, is all about karma save humanityʼs future
and karmic connections. salvation. So except for a
It leverages two key slight variation in the
ingredients that have telling there is no major
been missing since 1991; take‑home or originality
series creator James in the film.
Cameron (he is the Natalia Reyes is charm‑
Producer and shares ing as the bemused Dani.
writing credits with three She appears to be a per‑
others) and his magnetic fect fit into the stereotypi‑
leading lady Linda cal, defenceless character
Hamilton. that lacks energy, aura
Dark Fate ignores years and spunk of a leader.
of intervening sequels to Linda Hamilton, who is
pick up the continuity barely seen on the big
from Judgement Day. It screen in years, brings
is August 29, 1997, three the weight of time to her
years after defeating the portrayal of Sarah. With a A poster of 'Sab Kushal Mangal'.

S
T‑1000 and we hear mix of bitter cynicism and
resigned weariness she ab Kushal Mangal", star‑ The makers of the film prom‑
Sarah Connor (Linda
slips into the skin of her ring Akshaye Khanna ise it to be quirky, crazy and
Hamilton) say, "I know it
character with natural will hit the screens in romantic.
happened, everybody is Arnold Schwarzenegger is back, looking fit and
ease. Arnold January next year. Presented by Nitin
gone like leaves and there younger, in a smaller but enjoyable role as Carl.
Schwarzenegger is back, The movie slated to release Manmohan's One Up
is a future without hope.”
she is being targeted. Meanwhile, looking fit and younger, in a on January, 3 will star debutant Entertainment, Akshaye
And a year later, as she and her
to protect her, the humans send smaller but enjoyable role as Carl, actors Priyaank Sharma and Khanna and Abhishek Jagdish
teenage son John are relaxing on
Grace (Meckenzie Davis) a human an evolved machine that has its Riva Kishan, son of actress Jaiswal, the film also marks the
a beach in Guatemala, a T‑800
resistance fighter with cybernetic own life. He is now a fully domes‑ Padmini Kolhapure, and daugh‑ debut of Prachi Nitin
Terminator (Arnold
enhancements. How Grace and ticated person who happens to ter of actor Ravi Kishan, respec‑ Manmohan as a producer.
Schwarzenegger), sent from the
Dani join hands with Sarah have been the Terminator of all tively. Prachi said: "The film is ready
future arrives and kills John.
Connors and destroy the Rev‑9, Terminators long ago and is now The new poster of the film and we thought why not to be
Twenty two years later in
forms the crux of the narrative. on a repentant mode. directed by Karan Vishwanath the first film to release in New
Mexico City. The new target of
So technically, Dark Fate pos‑ Visually, the film is spectacular Kashyap, has Akshaye with a Year. It's a film with lots of
the newest Terminator Rev 9
sesses the same premise as the with brilliant visual effects. But gun pointed towards Priyaank laughter. I hope the audience
(Gabriel Luna) is an auto worker,
films that preceded its in‑movie the snappy edits during the while offering a red rose to enjoys watching the film as
Daniella Ramos aka Dani (Natalia
continuity: a killing machine action sequences is a kill‑joy. Riva with his other hand. much we enjoyed making it."
Reyes), who is unaware of why
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
SHAH RUKH AT 54:
Where to from here?
H
is smile, the dimples on
his cheeks, expressive
eyes, and that signature
romantic posture with his arms
stretched on either side, are just
a few traits that have contributed
to fans declaring him as
Bollywood's King Khan.
Throughout his 27‑year career,
Shah Rukh Khan has also been
described variously as India's
greatest superstar and the King
of Romance
If you looking back at his
career over the past few years,
however, SRK has been trying to
get out of the staple shell of
image‑driven superstardom. He
has been experimenting with
roles and his image in films such
as "Zero", "Fan" and "Raees".
Experiments however don't
always impress fans, who like to
see their favorite star in their
favored image, and SRK's recent
releases have underperformed
considering his stature. Bad
reviews to films such as "Happy
New Year", "Dilwale" and "Jab
Harry Met Sejal" have not helped
either.
Looking at SRK strike dapper
form on David Letterman's show
recently, however, one realizes
the game is far from over. Life
perhaps only begins at 54 for the
actor. If contemporaries Salman
Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir
Khan and Ajay Devgn are still
going strong with their innova‑
tive ideas and smart choices of
The decline of film music as we knew it
By Vinod Mirani
W
hile, technically, quite a
few aspects of the film
industry in general
have improved, one aspect ‑ vital
to many films ‑ that has died a
slow death is music.
Music has been a part of Indian
tradition, whatever the occasion,
good or bad, from birth to death
and every event in‑between. And
this culture was adopted by film‑
makers.
To this end, a lot of help came
from the rich Indian folk culture
as well as classical ragas. Almost
all film music composers were
well‑versed with ragas and were
inspired by the local folk music of
the place they hailed from. The
routine was to involve the lyric
writer and the music director in
the story, which was narrated to
them.
Wonder how many so‑called
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
script, SRK is all set to make mul‑
tiple mega announcements soon,
as actor and as film entrepre‑
neur, to take his game to the next
level, if sources are to be
believed.
SRK's superstardom was wholly
based on an out‑of‑the‑box strat‑
egy in his early phase. He shot to
superstardom in the early
nineties playing the antihero in
"Baazigar and followed it up with
"Darr", at time no other main‑
stream hero would. Just when his
detractors started saying his
image as an antihero had started
looking jaded, SRK took to play‑
ing Bollywood's new‑age lover
boy ‑‑ and image that stood in
One of the biggest musical hits, ʻAashiqiʼ, happened
because of Gulshan Kumar's music bank.
music directors today can make
sense of musical notes or even
know ragas or folk songs!
A good musical score not only
helped a film become popular
Life perhaps only
begins at 54 for
the actor and
Shah Rukh Khan
is no different.
good stead for years to come,
since "Dilwale Dulhania Le
Jayenge" (DDLJ) opened in 1995.
From 1993, when "Baazigar"
released, to 2019, how has Shah
Rukh's journey been?
Abbas of Abbas‑Mustan direc‑
tor duo told IANS: "His journey
has been fantastic. He is working
till now and is one of the best
actors around. Nobody would
easily agree to play a character
that Shah Rukh played in
'Baazigar'. I doubt whether
youngsters of today would agree
to do such a role. He also worked
with us in 'Baadshah'. He has
delivered huge hits like DDLJ and
is extremely popular even today”
much before its release, but also
inspired the choreographers
when it came to filming these
songs.
There were many examples but
November 9-15, 2019
Trump impeachment row:
Reel life plays out in real life
House of Cards.
U
S President Donald
Trumpʼs impeachment
probe is gaining steam in
the political domain of the United
States, and the moment seems to
be a reckoning of numerous reel‑
life dramas playing out in real
world. "The Good Fight",
"Roseanne", "Our Cartoon
President", "Saturday Night Live"
and "Veep" delved into the politi‑
cal world to entertain people. In
fact, Alec Baldwin's impersonation
of Trump has been a hit since
long. Shows like "House Of Cards",
"Designated Survivor", "Madam
Secretary", "Saturday Night Live"
and "The President Show" tackled
the complexities, conflicts and
fickle nature by going deep inside
the politics involved.
Robin Wright and the disgraced
actor Kevin Spacey's "House Of
Cards" brought forward the play
of manipulation to strip people in
position of power, first by target‑
ing the Vice President and then
ones that come instantly to mind
are: The song "Vaada tera vaada"
from the film "Dushmun" (1971),
or "Jhoom barabar jhoom
sharaabi" from "Five Rifles"
(1974), or "Khaike paan Banaras
wala" from "Don" (1978) or
"Bindiya chamkegi" from "Do
Raaste" (1969).
These songs, which drew the
repeat audience, worked magic.
So, where has the film music
gone, the music which is said to
have no language barriers across
states or countries!
It all started in mid 1980s when
the South producers remade their
local hits in Hindi but preferring
to shoot in the South studios.
They had no time to come to
Mumbai for music sittings. They
were known to complete their
films within a tight schedule and,
finally, Bappi Lahiri turned out to
be their favorite composer. He
delivered instant music, some‑
17
planning an impeachment cam‑
paign to remove the President,
making him eventually resign on
his own.
There was an impeachment‑
themed episode in "Madam
Secretary", which pondered over
whether 25th Amendment of the
US Constitution creates a passage
to remove a President from office
if the Cabinet deems that the
President is mentally unfit.
Long before "House Of Cards",
"The Handmaid's Tale" and
"Designated Survivor", the audi‑
ence got an inside look at the
world of politics, presidential cam‑
paigns with shows like "Yes,
Minister", "The West Wing", "The
Good Wife", "Scandal" and "Tanner
'88".
The subject will continue to be
explored, with Ryan Murphy soon
coming out with the next chapter
of "American Crime Story", which
is based on the 1998 impeach‑
ment of President Bill Clinton.
thing their first choice hero,
Jeetendra, could shake his legs
on. The era of relevant film music
was coming to an end and func‑
tional music was taking over.
Though, one can say that
Nadeem‑Shravan and Anu Malik
did try to revive melody. But,
there was no consistency there.
The other thing about music in
those days was that, the lyric
writers were versatile and,
notwithstanding the religion,
could write ghazals, qawwalis,
romantic and comic songs, and
even bhajans.
Gulshan Kumar, the founder of
T Series, created a music bank
and used songs so collected for
films for which he owned the
rights. In fact, one of the biggest
musical hits, "Aashiqi", happened
because of Gulshan Kumar's
music bank.
Today, the creativity has gone
out from music composing.
 18 November 9-15, 2019
Amityville paves
the path to peace
Welcome address by
School Superintendent Dr. Mary Kelly
Amityville, NY: Mahatma Gandhiʼs philoso‑
phy of peace and nonviolence was the inspi‑
ration for the Amityville Union Free School
Districtʼs Pathways to Peace program on
Oct. 28, presented in partnership with the
Shanti Fund. Students, teachers, administra‑
tors, board of education trustees and com‑
munity members came together to celebrate
the 150th anniversary of Gandhiʼs birth in
the evening event at the high school.
The lobby was filled with artwork and
messages of peace created by the districtʼs
elementary, middle and high school stu‑
dents. Jayne Grassoʼs drawing and painting
students at Amityville Memorial High School
made chalkboard designs inspired by
Gandhiʼs quotes. Peace posters were drawn
by high school artists in Heather Rickardʼs
class and by Northwest Elementary School
students with art teacher Lydia Robinson.
On each side of the auditorium stage was a
banner – one from Northwest and one from
Northeast – with 150 handprints in the dif‑
ferent colors of the rainbow.
In their social studies classes, students
from Edmund W. Miles Middle School and
the high school wrote messages about how
they would change the world for the better,
which were attached to large banners that
were hung in the library. Peter Paternostro,
administrator for pupil personnel services
and the Pathways to Peace emcee, noted
that the program featured student contribu‑
tions from all five schools.
Musical performances included the “Star‑
Students, teachers, administrators and members of Shanti Fund.
(Photos: Amityville Union Free School District)
GANDHI 150
Master of Ceremony and Coordinator of the
entire program Mr. Peter Paternostro
Spangled Banner” and “Dona Nobis Pacem”
by the middle school and high school chorus
under the direction of Debra Koraus, “Crank
It Up” and “Pressure Point” by the high
school band conducted by Jolene
Maccarone, and “Ribbons in the Sky” by the
Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School
chorus led by Megan Ashe. The program
concluded with the high school and middle
school chorus returning for “Let There Be
Peace on Earth,” with all guests invited to
sing along.
In a pair of video presentat ions,
Northwest, middle school and high school
students shared their thoughts on what
peace means to them, while children from
Park Avenue spotlighted books that have
messages of peace.
Guest speaker Arvind Vora, from the
The Amityville Union Free School
District and the Shanti Fund partnered
for the Pathways to Peace program on
Oct. 28 in honor of Mahatma Gandhi’s
150th birth anniversary.
Shanti Fund, spoke about the history and
purpose of the organization. He discussed
how Gandhi has been memorialized locally
in Suffolk County, in the United States and
throughout the world.
Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly said that
Gandhiʼs commitment to peace and nonvio‑
lence has been emulated g lobally and
inspired other leaders fighting against injus‑
tice including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and
Nelson Mandela. She explained how grass‑
roots, non‑violent movements have brought
people together for the common good and
created meaningful change in the world. Dr.
Kelly praised the work of the Shanti Fund to
How a fifth grader portrays Gandhi
M
y name is Joel Biju,
and I am a 5th grade
student at Park Av Elementary
School. I am here to tell you
about a famous man impor‑
tant to my culture. Yes,
Mahatma Gandhi.
At the age of 18, Gandhi left
India alone to study law in
London. He tried to become an
English gentleman, learning
French, and taking music lessons.
The British established India as a colony.
They took raw fiber, turned into clothes and
sold them to Indians. Gandhi turned the
independence movement into massive boy‑
cott of British goods.
The British government put him in jail
many times. He fought them through
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Arvind Vora of Shanti Fund
Members of
Amityville
Memorial High
Schoolʼs Warrior
Awareness Club
(Wac Pac)
presented peace
rocks to those
who have made
a positive
difference in
their lives
spread the message of peace and nonvio‑
lence through education.
Park Avenue fifth grader Joel Biju spoke
about Gandhiʼs leadership in advocating for
Indiaʼs independence from Great Britain.
High school students from the Warrior
Awareness Club presented peace rocks,
which they created with messages and sym‑
bols of peace, to people who have made a
dif ference in their lives. Advisor Jason
McGowan said that the recipient of each
rock should then pass it on to someone
important. “Our goal,” he said, “is for these
rocks to keep going and going throughout
the year.”
hunger strikes in jail.
As World War II progressed,
Gandhi drafted a resolution
calling for the British to “Quit
India”.
With the Labor Party in
power in Britain, negotiations
took place between the British,
the Congress Party and the
Muslim League and in 1947
India was granted independ‑
ence but split into two dominions: India and
Pakistan. Gandhi strongly opposed the par‑
tition.
Sadly on January 30, 1948, Gandhi was
assassinated. His work continues to live on
in those of us who seek peaceful and nonvi‑
olent ways to attain social justice and
protest actions we believe are wrong.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Have faith in judiciary: Chief Justice-
designate Bobde on Ayodhya case
“Ayodhya matter of faith but needs to be addressed legally”
By Sumit Saxena
New Delhi: "Have faith in the judi‑
ciary. We will do our job." This is
the message of Justice Sharad
Arvind Bobde, the Supreme Court
Chief Justice‑designate, on the
Ayodhya title dispute on which a
judgement is expected shortly
from the top court.
Justice Bobde, the senior‑most
judge who will take over as Chief
Just ice of India from Just ice
Ranjan Gogoi who ret ires on
November 17, is a member of the
five‑judge bench which conducted
day‑to‑day hearing in the
Ayodhya case for 40 days from
August 6 to October 17. T he
bench is headed by Justice Gogoi.
Describing the Ayodhya hearing
as "epic", Justice Bobde, in an
Pak backs Afghan Taliban as 'reliably anti‑India element''
By Arul Louis
New York: Pakistan backs the
Afghan Taliban as a "reliably anti‑
India element in Afghanistan" to
counter New De lhi's influence
there, according to a background
document produced for the US
Congress.
Pakistan is also impeding India's
"ef forts to establish stronger and
more direct commercial and politi‑
cal relations with Central Asia
through Afghanistan", the policy
brie f pro duced by the
Congressional Research Service
said.
Pakistan's security establishment
is motivated by its fear of strategic
encirclement by India if its influ‑
ence grows in Afghanistan, the
brief said.
This fear has been exacerbated
interview to IANS, said that he
was privileged to be its part.
During the hearing, Just ice
Bobde asked some piercing ques‑
tions to both Hindu and Muslim
sides, especially on the aspect of
divinity and its legal justification
in this case.
He had asked probing questions
Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde will
take over as Chief Justice of India
from Justice Ranjan Gogoi who
retires on November 17
by US "rhetorical support" for
India's diplomatic and commercial
presence in Afghanistan, it added.
The rhetorical support that the
brief referred to was a statement by
US President Donald Trump. "We
want them (India) to help us more
with Afghanistan, especially in the
area of economic assistance and
development," Trump had said.
The brief spoke of Pakistan's role
in fomenting trouble in Afghanistan
because it "may view a weak and
destabilized Afghanistan as prefer‑
able to a strong, unified Afghan
state".
It said that "Afghan leaders, along
with US military commanders,
attribute much of the insurgency's
power and longevity either directly
or indirectly to Pakistani support;
President Trump has accused
Pakistan of ''housing the very ter‑
INDIA FEATURES
to Muslim side in connection with
the birth‑spot of Lord Ram.
Initially, the Muslim counsel con‑
ceded Lord Ram was born in the
outer courtyard, but later retract‑
ed. Justice Bobde queried the
Muslim side on the essence of
be lief on one of their holiest
places.
He also questioned the Hindu
side on the legal justification of
attaching divinity to the birth‑
place of Lord Ram.
While speaking to IANS, Justice
Bobde acknowledged that the
Ayodhya dispute is largely a mat‑
ter connected with faith of mil‑
lions.
"Ayodhya title dispute has legal
issues, which should be addressed
throug h a leg al system," he
added.
"I don't know of any similar dis‑
rorists that we are fighting''."
The US has been holding negotia‑
tions with the Afghan Taliban to
facilitate a peace settlement in
Afghanistan that would enable
Trump to eventually bring home
most of the 14,000 troops
deployed there and bring a sem‑
blance of an end to the 17‑year
war. But the talks got stalled after a
US soldier was killed in a Taliban
attack in September.
President Ashraf Ghani has
expressed reservations about a set‑
tlement as the democratically elect‑
ed government has been sidelined
in the negotiations.
The brief prepared for Congress
said, "Going forward, it remains
unclear what kind of polit ical
arrangement could satisfy both
Kabul and the Taliban to the extent
that the latter abandons its armed
November 9-15, 2019
There will be no riots post
Ayodhya verdict: RSS leader
By Navneet Mishra
New Delhi: Asserting that Indian
citizens irrespective of their reli‑
gion believe in peace and harmo‑
ny, Senior leader of Rashtriya
Swayamsewak Sang h (RSS)
Indresh Kumar has said that
there will be no riots whatever
be the Supreme Court's verdict in
the Ram Janmabhoomi‑Babri
Masjid land dispute case.
Kumar, a member of RSS
National Executive Committee,
said the apex court's verdict is
not linked to faith or religion and
shouldn't be seen as anyone's
victory or defeat.
"W hen the triple talaq law
came into effect, it ensured pro‑
tection of rights of 8.4 crore
Muslim women. It also saved
8.62 crore men from going to
jahannum (hell). Even though it
was an internal matter of
pute (Ayodhya matter) that has
ever been heard by any court. It is
a very important matter," he said.
He also spoke on pressing legal
issues and the road ahead, espe‑
cially on aspects pertaining to
access to justice for people in
rural areas.
The Chief Justice‑designate said
once he takes over, he will be
strengthening the legal apparatus
for enabling easy access to justice
for people in rural areas. "NALSA
(Nat ional Leg al Services
struggle."
It added, "Many Afghans, espe‑
cially women, who remember
Taliban rule and oppose the
group's policies and beliefs remain
wary."
Trump has had to re ly on
Pakistan to get the Afghan Taliban
based there to negotiate.
The brief did not spell out the
extent of India's involvement in
Afghanistan's development or the
price it has paid for it.
The Afghan Taliban has attacked
Indian development projects in
Afghanistan, among them the par‑
liament house it built in Kabul.
T he org aniszt ion has also
attacked India's road building and
electrical projects in that country.
Scores of Indian workers have died
in the attacks and engineers and
workers have been kidnapped.
19
Muslims, few people tried to
make it a Hindu‑Muslim conflict.
However, no riots happened,"
said Kumar.
"Likewise, attempts were made
to incite communal fee lings
when the high court divided the
land in Ayodhya case. However,
the public couldn't be deluded.
The matter went under the legal
process, peacefully. There are
several such decisions that estab‑
lish the country's citizens believe
in peace, harmony and prosperi‑
ty." Kumar is associated with
Muslim Rashtriya Manch, an RSS
affiliate that works to reach out
to Muslims.
"Even Muslims want a dialogue.
The 20‑year old dialogue is near‑
ing maturity," said Kumar.
He said that the top court's ver‑
dict will be a "beautiful way to
reduce the communal bitterness"
over the issue.
Authority) is doing a great job on
the issue of access to justice. I am
a part of it. We will bring some
positive changes in the system",
said Justice Bobde.
Justice Bobde referred to for‑
mer Justices R.M. Lodha, B.M.
Srikrishna and C.K. Thakkar as
the judges whom he considers to
be his role models.
He also stressed on balancing
between privacy and transparen‑
cy. "Balance has to be struck
between them," he said.
New Delhi has committed more
than $3 billion in aid to Kabul and
one of its major projects has been
the 220‑km Zaranj‑Delaram high‑
way.
The road built at a cost of $100
million connects Chabahar port
developed by India in Iran to the
Afghan network of highways.
T he US has exempted India's
involvement in the Chabahar port
from its sanctions on dealings with
Iran because of its importance to
Washington's object ives in
Afghanistan.
India has sent 1.1 million tons of
wheat it has donated to
Afghanistan through the port.
New Delhi's security assistance to
that country includes training for
over 4,000 Afghan military and
security personnel and supply of
helicopters.
 20 November 9-15, 2019 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Kartarpur ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims: Imran

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime
Minister Imran Khan said that
Kartarpur was ready to welcome
‘Terror camps near Gurdwara
the Sikh pilgrims from India to Darbar Sahib in Pak’
mark the 550th birth anniver‑
sary of Guru Nanak Dev ‑ the New Delhi: Just days ahead of the Punjab to the Ministry of Home
founder of Sikhism. opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, Af fairs (MHA) to take necessary
"I want to congratulate our Indian intelligence agencies have steps to ensure safety and security
govt for readying Kartarpur, in appraised security forces about a of pilgrims.
record time, for Guru Nanak jee's spurt in terror camps near "These terror camps indicate
550th birthday celebrations," Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal that Pakistan has started their
Khan said in a series of tweets district of Pakistan, sources said. nefarious plan to activate their 'K2'
along with pictures of the set up India has asked Pakistan to plan, which stands for Kashmir and
at the Pakistani side for the restore the surrounding land of Khalistan," said a senior IPS offi‑
incoming Sikh pilg rims at about 100 acres in the name of cer. Sources said, "The designated
Kartarpur. "Kartarpur ready to Guru Nanak Dev, currently under global terrorist Hafiz Mohammed
Construction work in progress at the Pakistani side of the encroachment or acquisition, to Saeed, founder of terror outfits
we lcome Sikh pilg rims," he
International border for the Kartarpur Corridor. the Gurdwara. "The response and Jamaat‑ud‑Dawa ( JuD) and
added. Earlier, Khan announced
waiving conditions of carrying a approach of Pakistan has so far Lashkar‑e‑Toiba (LeT), is running
age to Kartarpur from India, I added.
passport for identification and been, to say the least, disappoint‑ these camps." It has also been
have waived off 2 requirements: The corridor will be inaugurat‑
prior registration for the visitors. ing," said a senior IPS of ficer found that women are being
i) they won't need a passport ‑‑ ed on November 9.
It also exempted the Indian pil‑ adding that "terror camps have trained in the terror camps.
just a valid ID; ii) they no longer The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara,
grims from paying a $20 entry been spotted in these regions". These developments have raised
have to reg ister 10 days in originally known as Gurdwara
fee on the day of inauguration of The agencies have also alerted fresh concerns in India about the
advance," Khan tweeted. Darbar Sahib, is a highly revered
the corridor and Guru Nanak about the increasing terror activi‑ safety and security of pilgrims
"Also, no fee will be charged on Sikh shrine where Guru Nanak
Dev's birthday. ties across Muridke in from India and misuse of the corri‑
day of inaugurat ion and on Dev spent 18 years of his life and
"For Sikhs coming for pilgrim‑ Sheikhupura district in Pakistani dor for anti‑India activities.
Guruji's 550th birthday," he is his final resting place.

India, ASEAN for maintaining SL polls: Premadasa invites

peace in South China Sea Rajapaksa for open debate
Indian PM Narendra Modi with other leaders at the ASEAN Gala Dinner in Bangkok.
Bangkok: T he India‑ASEAN summit
attended by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi saw ASEAN countries appreciate
India's contribution towards maintain‑
ing peace and stability in the Southeast
Asian region as both sides discussed ter‑
rorism and the need to maintain peace,
security and stability in the Beijing‑con‑
trolled South China Sea.
Briefing reporters on the summit
meeting between Modi and the leaders
of the 10‑member bloc here, Vijay
Thakur Singh, Secretary (East), Indiaʼs
Ministry of External Af fairs, said the
summit saw the two sides highlight the
convergence of their "respect ive
approaches to the Indo‑Pacific".
T he leaders of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations "Spoke of India
as a long term friend, a dynamic part‑
ner, and acknowledged India's contribu‑
tion in the region for peace and stabili‑
ty".
The ASEAN leaders also spoke of the
"many commonalities" they have with
India's vision of the Indo‑Pacific, includ‑
ing Sagar, which is security and growth
for all, she added. "Terrorism, counter
Colombo: New Democratic Front (NDF) Premadasa asked Rajapaksa to take the
presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa challenge of facing the nation together and
has written to his rival Sri Lanka Podujana putting their respective policies and vision
Peramuna's (SLPP) Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to the test on a public stage, reports the
inviting him to an open debate aimed at Daily Financial Times.
giving voters an opportunity to weigh the "Let us show the public that we value the
abilities of the two contenders ahead of the democratic tradition of spirited debate and
November 16 election. that we encourage voters to asses us criti‑
"I hope you would agree with me that cally. Let us show them we have nothing to
this is the democratic right of our citizens hide and we are not afraid," Premadasa
to be well informed about their choices. said.
There is no better opportunity for candi‑ A record 35 candidates have filed their
dates to weigh candidates' abilities, charac‑ nominations for the island nation's eighth
ter and vision," Premadasa said in the let‑ presidential election, with incumbent
ter, copies of which were released to the President Maithripala Sirisena's term com‑
media. ing to an end in January 2020.
terrorism, violent extremism, cyber
"Indeed, the way candidates respond to Rajapaksa and Premadasa have already
security, the South China Sea" were dis‑
their opponents on their feet is often seen emerged as the two favorites in the fray.
cussed, and both sides stressed on the
as an indication of how they would govern Gotabaya, who served as the Defense
need for "promoting a rule‑based order,
under adversity or respond in a crisis. Minister in his brother, Mahinda
including adherence to international
"On Wednesday (October 30), I invited Rajapaksa's administration, oversaw the
law" in the sea, especially the 1982
you to take up the challenge of facing the end of Sri Lanka's brutal 25‑year civil war
United Nations Convention on the Law
nation at such a debate. Unfortunately, I in 2009.
of the Sea (UNCLOS).
am yet to receive a response. Some of your Sajith is the son of late President
The statement is significant, as in
advisers have alluded to the absence of a Ranasinghe Premadasa, who ruled the
2013 the Philippines had accused
formal written invitation, even in this age country with an iron fist before he was
Beijing of violating the UNCLOS with its
of technology and digital communication," assassinated by a Tamil suicide bomber on
aggressive actions on the Scarborough
he added in the letter. May 1, 1993.
Shoal, a reef located about 225 km off
the Philippine coast.
In July 2016, the UN arbitration court
had dismissed China's territorial claims
in the South China Sea, saying it has "no
historic title" to the vast maritime
region.
China, which considers the entire Sri Lankan
presidential
South China Sea as its territory, had
candidate
rejected the ruling, terming it as null
Sajith
and void. Premadasa.
India and the ASEAN discussed "main‑
taining and promoting, peace, security
and stability and safety in the South
China Sea, in particular freedom of navi‑
gation and overflight", Singh said.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
IS names Abu Ibrahim al‑
Quraishi as its new leader
Cairo: The Islamic State terror
organization named Abu Ibrahim
al‑Quraishi as its new leader after
it confirmed the death of Abu Bakr
al‑Baghdadi who was killed in a US
raid in northern Syria.
A spokesperson for the terror
org anizat ion, Abu Hasan Al
Mohager, was also killed, the
group said in a voice message on
Telegram, Efe news reported.
Addressing the United States, the
spokesperson said: "Do not be
thrilled w ith the death of
Baghdadi. Do not forget the death
you have suffered at his hands."
"Your destiny is controlled by a
stupid elder who changes his mind
overnig ht," the spokesperson
added.
Baghdadi became one of the
world's most‑wanted terrorist
leaders when he proclaimed the
Islamic State terror organization's
so‑called caliphate from a pulpit of
the Great Mosque of al‑Nuri in the
Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014.
At that time, IS had conquered
HK politician's ear reconstructed
after attacker bit it off
Hong Kong has been racked by violence since
the anti‑govt protests erupted in June 2019.
Hong Kong: Surgeons have
reconstructed a Hong Kong
politicianʼs ear after part of it
was bitten off by a knife‑wield‑
ing man outside a shopping cen‑
tre here, a media report said.
District Councillor Andrew
Chiu Ka‑yin, who was recovering
after an overnight operation,
was among four people seriously
injured in the frenzied attack
which took place after the
alleged attacker had a heated
discussion over political issues
outside Cityplaza in Tai Koo, the
South China Morning Post said
in the report.
After injuring the four victims
with a knife he had in his back‑
pack, the suspect, who was
heard speaking Mandarin, was
then beaten by an angry crowd
before he was arrested.
Two victims were said to be
critical. Eric Lee, one of Chiu's
assistants, said the councillor,
who represents Tai Koo Shing
INTERNATIONAL
The real identity of the new ISIS
chief is unknown to the world.
half of Syria and around a third of
Iraq. It had under its control not
only the historic city of Mosul,
where it filled a power vacuum left
by an Iraqi army in retreat, but
also Raqqa across the border in
Syria.
Five years later, the so‑called
caliphate all but collapsed when
US‑backed Kurdish militias seized
its last outpost in southeast Syria
in March. Baghdadi was a ruthless
leader who oversaw the murder of
thousands of civilians.
He was erroneously reported
dead on several previous occa‑
sions.
West on Eastern District Council,
had the surgery at about mid‑
night to reconnect severed parts
of his left ear.
"His condition is stable," he
said. The bloody violence broke
out on the day hundreds of pro‑
testers took to the streets in
unauthorized citywide demon‑
strations against the govern‑
ment. The streets of Hong Kong
have been racked by violence
and destruction since the anti‑
government protests erupted in
June, initially over the now‑with‑
drawn extradition bill.
But the protests have now
mutated into a movement that
seeks to improve the democratic
mechanisms that govern Hong
Kong and safeguard the region's
partial autonomy from Beijing.
However, some demonstrators
have opted for more radical tac‑
tics than peaceful civil disobedi‑
ence and violent clashes with the
police have been frequent.
November 9-15, 2019 21
Johnson's new manifesto
to abandon no‑deal Brexit
London: UK Prime Minister Boris
Johnson's new manifesto is set to
abandon the threat of a no‑deal
Brexit as he attempts to gain sup‑
port from the centre ground, a
media report revealed.
In a direct contrast with his ini‑
tial "do or die" vow to leave the
European Union (EU) with or
without a deal on October 31,
Johnson w ill now fo cus on
achieving Brexit "immediately"
through his "fantastic" deal, The
Daily Mail said in its report.
Details of the manifesto
emerged as Johnson revealed he
would reject Brexit Party leader
Nigel Farage's of fer of a Leave
Alliance at the December 12 gen‑
eral election, telling voters the
only way to guarantee Brexit UK PM Boris Johnson will now focus on achieving Brexit ʻimmediatelyʼ.
would happen was to support the Scotland and Wales on December side".
ruling Conservative Party at the 12 unless Johnson ditched his EU "It's about making people's
ballot box. According to the out‑ "divorce accord" and agreed to lives better. And that means tak‑
going Culture Secretary Nicky strike a non‑aggression pact. ing steps to ensure people can
Morgan, Johnson's new mani‑ Meanwhile in an interview with keep more of what they earn.
festo means a no‑deal Brexit "has The Daily Mail, Michael Gove And that people can deal better
ef fectively been taken of f the declared that the election mani‑ with some of the cost of living
table". In an interview with the
Times, she said: "If you vote
festo would promise tax cuts to
leave people with "more of what
challenges that we face, but also
making sure that we have proper
Conservative at this election,
you're voting to leave with this
they earn".
He said that there would be
investment in public services,"
Gove added.
deal." "significant new policy in a num‑ The UK is going to the polls on
T he manifesto reve lat ions ber of areas, designed to ensure December 12 following a further
came after Farage announced that people who are worried delay to the country's departure
that his Brexit Party would con‑ about the cost of living know from the EU, to January 31,
test every seat across England, that the government is on their 2020.
Venezuela expels Salvadoran
diplomats in retaliatory move
Caracas: The Venezuelan govern‑
ment has expelled El Salvador's
diplomatic personnel to leave the
country in a retaliatory move
based on the "principle of reci‑
procity".
The move came a day after the
El Salvador government ordered
the expulsion of Venezue lan
diplomats as it recognized oppo‑
sition leader Juan Guaido as the
interim president of the South
American country.
President Nayib Bukele in a
statement said that his govern‑
ment has given 48 hours to the
entire diplomatic corps to leave
the country.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
"Applying the principle of reci‑
procity, Venezuela is expelling which the Salvadoran diplomatic else than supplying a tiny oxy‑
the diplomatic personnel of El personnel were all declared per‑ gen balloon to the ebbing US
Salvador in Caracas. Bukele offi‑ sona non grata by the regime of strategy of intervention and eco‑
cially assumed the sad role of a Nicolas Maduro and given 48 nomic blo ckade ag ainst
pawn of US foreign policy, giving hours to leave the country. Venezuela".
oxygen to (Washington's) strate‑ T he Venezue lan Foreign Maduro said that "it's shameful
gy of aggression against the Ministry called the announce‑ to see how a person who came to
Venezuelan people," Efe news ment by the Bukele government the presidency with some hope
quoted Foreign Minister Jorge "unprecedented", adding that it for the Salvadoran people melts
Arreaza as saying on Twitter. was "clear" that Salvadoran in the face of imperialism", refer‑
Arreaza shared a statement in authorities "are doing nothing ring to Bukele.
 22 November 9-15, 2019 BUSINESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India will not accept data imperialism: IT Minister

New Delhi: Indicating the Centre's
unhappiness over the latest
reports of security breach in
WhatsApp that also compromised
Indian users, IT Minister Ravi
Shankar Prasad on Wednesday
said India takes the issue of priva‑
cy, especially informational priva‑
cy, seriously and data imperialism
would not be tolerated.
Addressing the Commonwealth
Law Ministers' conference in
Colombo, Prasad art iculated
India's approach and stand with
regard to data protection, accord‑
ing to an official statement.
"We are living in the age of
Information Technology (IT) and
data is going to play a very cru‑
cial role in the digital economy
discourse. In India we view priva‑
cy seriously and informational
privacy is also integral to that. It
means a person must have con‑
IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
trol over his data and its commer‑ government is looking at tabling
cial usage". Bill on the matter in Parliament.
He elaborated on the entire evo‑ Prasad emphasized that any data
lution of data law in India, the protection law must be technolo‑
recommendations of the Justice gy agnostic, must be based upon
Shri Krishna Committee, the pub‑ element of free consent, no abuse
lic consultations and said that the of consent beyond the permissi‑
ble limits, requisite data protec‑
tion authorities and a fair mecha‑
nism for data processing.
There is a need to balance inno‑
vation and enterprise in data but
with due regard to privacy, the
Minister said, adding that data
economy both in terms of com‑
mercial use and employment will
play a crucial role.
According to the statement,
Prasad noted that while a large
amount of data is being generated
in developing and underdevel‑
oped countries, but the claim for
processing it is being emphasized
only by the developed world.
The Minister cautioned against
any attempts at data monopoly.
He said that any attempt to create
monopoly on data by few compa‑
nies and few countries, or data
imperialism, will not be accept‑
able.
Prasad also articulated India's
initiatives of Digital India, Direct
Benefit Transfer (DBT) and digital
inclusion.
The Commonwealth Secretary
General Patricia Scotland appreci‑
ated India's stand and endorsed
the country's approach for equity
in data management.
After messag ing company
WhatsApp recently disclosed that
an Israeli spyware had targeted
Indian users as well, an irate
Indian government asked the
company to explain the breach
and why the Indian government
had not been informed.
WhatsApp sources countered
this by saying the Indian govern‑
ment had been alerted twice, in
May and September.
IT Ministry of ficials, however,
had said that the WhatsApp infor‑
mation was general and patchy.

Exploring trade deals IDBI Bank issues public notice

with US, EU: Goyal
New Delhi: Asserting that India decided not
to be part of the RCEP in view of larger inter‑
ests of the domestic economy and huge
deficit trade balance, Commerce Minister
Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said India is explor‑
ing trade agreements with USA & European
Union and also reviewing Free Trade
Agreements with Japan, Korea & ASEAN.
"Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Japan,
South Korea and ASEAN countries are being
reviewed. The review of the FTA with South
Korea which began three years back is being
fast tracked. India has already secured agree‑
ment in ASEAN for a review of the FTA and a
Joint Working Group (JWG) is discussing the
issues to be addressed in Japan FTA," Goyal
said in a media meet called to hail the deci‑
sion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's deci‑
sion to not to be part of the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP). Earlier this month Prime Minister
Narendra Modi had said review of FTA with
Asean will help balance trade. Government
think tank, Niti Aayog, had said India's trade
deficit with Asean, Korea and Japan has
widened post‑FTAs.
RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement
(FTA) between the ten member states of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its five
(formerly six) FTA partners (China, Japan,
South Korea, Australia and New Zealand).
He said India's key demands were bal‑
anced trade deficit, better market access of
the Indian goods and services and protection
of the industries from unfair trade practices.
Goyal said that as of now the decision of
not to be part of RCEP is final but if all our
demands are met that will strengthen the
Indian industry and of fer more scope for
growth, better local markets to the Indian
industry without adversely affecting India's
interests, without allowing surge of imports,
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
without allowing India to be dumping
ground for other countries but will open up
opportunities for our goods and services and
our investments in this region and the bal‑
ance of trade deficit that India is suffering,
every government is always open to discus‑
sions and negotiations.
Assuring that India will never finalize any
trade agreement in a hurry. During trade
negotiations the focus will be on India first,
the Minister said.
He said that India's economic interests and
national priorities come first and the con‑
cerns of the farmers, dairy sector, MSMEs
and domestic manufacturing will be
addressed and these sectors will be protect‑
ed. Throughout the seven year long negotia‑
tions in RCEP India has consistently stood its
ground to uphold its demands particularly
over controlling trade deficit, stronger pro‑
tection against unfair imports and better
market opportunities for Indian goods and
services, he said.
"The opening up of the Indian market must
be matched by openings in areas where our
businesses can benefit and India will not
allow its market to become a dumping
ground for goods from other countries," said
the Minister.
on Mallya as 'wilful defaulter'
New Delhi: IDBI Bank has
declared Vijay Mallya a wil‑
ful defaulter and issued a
public notice on Wednesday
with his old passport size
photograph for default on
payments worth Rs 1,566
crore in respect to
Kingfisher Airlines.
IDBI Bank NPA
Management Group in
Mumbai issued a public
notice about wilful defaulter
w ith the now de funct
Kingfisher Airlines as the Vijay Mallya (left) is currently hiding in London.
borrower and Vijay Mallya
as the director and guarantor. The notice proceedings to seek his extradition.
carries an old black and white photograph IDBI Bank has informed and cautioned
of Vijay Mallya with his address given as the public through the notice that "no per‑
UB Tower, Bangalore. son shall deal with any of the properties of
Vijay Mallya is currently in London and the borrower/guarantor as huge dues are
the Indian government has initiated legal to be recovered from them".
Amazon to e‑tail
Haldiram's delicacies in US
Bengaluru : Indian savory and confec‑ offer them (Haldiram's) end‑to‑end solutions
tionary major Haldiram's signed up for for quality made in India products among
Amazon's global selling program to e‑tail its global consumers," said Amazon India global
delicacies in the United States. trade head Abhijit Kamra. Kamra said
"We want to further expand our presence Amazon's global selling program facilitates
amongst our g lobal customers. e‑commerce exports with global customer
Collaborating with Amazon's global selling access. Amazon launched its global selling
program allows us direct access to the program in India in 2015, which currently
American market," said Haldiram's snacks clocks cumulative exports of $1 billion.
managing director Pankaj Agarwal in a According to Amazon, nearly 50,000
statement. The agreement with the e‑com‑ Indian manufacturers, brands and traders
merce powerhouse will catapult the Indian are currently making use of its global e‑com‑
snacks major to expand and make inroads in merce exports channel to sell 150 million
the American market, and discover millions products, across 12 Amazon international
of new buyers. Interestingly, the United marketplaces. Starting as a small entity in
States accounts for 40 per cent of the com‑ Bikaner in Rajasthan in 1937, Haldiram's
pany's exports. products are now available in more than 80
"Through the global selling program, we countries.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SPORTS November 9-15, 2019 23

Mushfiqur hands Bangladesh Shooter Deepak

first T20I win over India wins bronze, bags
New Delhi: Wicketkeeper‑bats‑
man Mushfiqur Rahim scored a
brilliant half‑century as
Bangladesh registered their first
ever T20I victory over India here.
In what was the 1000th T20
international, Bangladesh came
out with an all‑round perform‑
ance as they defeated India by
seven wickets at the Arun Jaitley
Stadium to take 1‑0 lead in the
three‑match series.
Needing 149 to break the
streak of eight straight losses
against India, Bangladesh rode
on an unbeaten 60 (43 balls,
4x8, 6x1) by Mushfiqur to chase
down the target with three balls
to spare.
T he match looked evenly
poised when Bangladesh needed
22 runs of f the last two overs.
However, Mushfiqur collected 18
runs off the 19th over bowled by
Khaleel Ahmed and tilted the
game in the visitor's favour.
Skipper Mahmudullah then fin‑
Wicketkeeper‑batsman Mushfiqur Rahim.
ished things of f in style, hitting
debutant Shivam Dube for a six
over long‑on in the third ball of
the final over to script a historic
victory.
Earlier, put into bat, India got
of f to a poor start as they lost
stand‑in skipper Rohit Sharma in
the opening over.
Rohit (9), who on Sunday went
Olympic quota
Doha: Deepak Kumar won the
men's 10m air rifle bronze medal
at the 14th Asian Championships
here on Tuesday, and in the
process ensured India's 10th
Tokyo Olympic quota in shoot‑
ing. Deepak shot 227.8 in the
final of the event on the tourna‑
ment's opening day and qualified
Shooter Deepak Kumar
for the eight‑man final in third
place with a score of 626.8. the senior, junior and youth cate‑
After Divyansh Singh Panwar, gories across rifle, pistol and
Deepak is the second Indian shotgun disciplines in the 10‑day
shooter to earn an Olympic continental championship which
quota in the event. of fers 38 Tokyo Olympic quota
past Virat Kohli to become the
Indian shooters have already places across 12 of the 15
leading run‑scorer in T20Is,
secured nine Tokyo quotas in Olympic shooting events.
couldn't take his Test form into
rifle and pistol and lie behind As per the rule, there can be a
the shortest format as Shafiul
China (25 quotas) and Korea (12) maximum of two Olympic berths
Islam trapped in front of the
in the Asian region. won from a single event and
stumps in the fifth delivery of the
There will be plenty of expecta‑ India will thus not be eligible for
match.
tion from the strong Indian con‑ quotas in those events where
The second match of the series
tingent here. A team of 63 men they have already secured two
w ill be played in Rajkot on
and 45 women are taking part in quotas.
November 7.

ʻWomen soccer in India needs constant visibilityʼ

Kolkata: The fact that India is
hosting the FIFA U‑17 Women's
World Cup next year is a step in
the right direction, but for the
sport to grow in the country
there needs to be continued visi‑
bility, feels two‑time World Cup
winning former American for‑
ward Kristine Lilly. "I think the
visibility of the Indian U‑17 team
is going to make an impact and
for the culture (it) is going to
make an impact. You had the
boys (play the 2017 U‑17 World
Cup when India hosted it) and
now the girls, with the same
respect, (this) will change peo‑
ple's views," Lilly told IANS in an
interview. "There needs to be
cont inued visibility for the
women's team. I think a lot of
people in India don't know that
can know and come to watch and
make their own decisions about
whether they like or not. And
majority of them will like it. But
they need to be visible. They need
support and given the opportuni‑
ty to train more so that they can
compete at a higher level," said
the 48‑year old who has scored
130 goals for the United States
between 1987 and 2010.
Kristine was in Mumbai recent‑
ly for the official emblem launch
of the tournament scheduled to
be held from November 2‑21 at
different venues across India.
Former American soccer player Kristine Lilly. Lilly said, like in India where
football is not the No. 1 sport, US
they have a women's team," said ances by any football player. has the same problem. But that
Lilly who has played 354 times "What is needed is to highlight has never stopped their national
for the United States ‑‑ a record them. When they have games, let team from scaling new heights.
number of international appear‑ that be highlighted so that people The US women's team is the
most successful in the world, hav‑
ing won the World Cup four
times, their fourth title coming in
the 2019 edition of the competi‑
tion in France.
"In Europe football is the No. 1
sport. In America, it's not. But our
women's team does really well.
So I don't think that's the
answer," said the Lilly who has
won gold medals at the 1996 and
2004 Olympic Games.
"But more visibility for the
game (is the solution). The men's
games are on TV. So you add the
women's games and make them
compete more. Have the team
playing other top countries and
it's going to draw attention. May
not be the same level wise but it's
going to get your attention," she
suggested.

Anushka in tug of war with Farokh Engineer

Mumbai/New Delhi: Bollywood actress and
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli's wife,
Anushka Sharma, posted a long tweet, react‑
ing to claims by India cricket legend Farokh
Engineer that all that the BCCI Selectors did
during the World Cup in England earlier this
year was fetch "cups of tea" for her.
"The latest version of these ill intended lies
is that I was being served tea by selectors at
matches during the World Cup! I came to
one game during the World Cup and sat in
the family box and not the selectors box as
reported but when has the truth mattered
when it's about convenience!" wrote
@AnushkaSharma on Twitter. She also said
Anushka Sharma celebrating her
husband Virat Kohliʼs 31st birthday
in Bhutan. (Photo: Instagram)
her name should not be used by anyone to
criticize the selection committee. "If you
want to have a comment on the selection
committee and their qualifications please do
so as it's your opinion but don't drag my
name into it to substantiate your claim or
sensationalize your opinion. I refuse to allow
anyone from using my name in such conver‑
sations," Anushka wrote.
Being captain Kohli's wife, Anushka is often
seen accompanying him on tours and also
spotted at stadiums during matches. She has
been trolled heavily whenever India or Kohli
flop on the field.
“My name was used for false stories to
make it look like the board was being both‑
ered for my tickets or security, etc when in
reality I bought my own tickets for matches
and flights and I still kept quiet. “I was asked
to stand in a group photo by the High
Commissioner's wife despite my hesitation to
be in it, and a huge issue was created over
this blaming me for intentionally wanting to
be part of it and the said event, even though
I was invited for it. An official clarification
was issued by the board on the same and I
still kept quiet," Anushka wrote.
The 81‑year‑old Engineer also said that
Kohli had a "major impact" on the selection
process and even went on to call the MSK
Prasad‑led selection panel a "Mickey Mouse
selection committee". Engineer, who played
46 Tests for India, even questioned the quali‑
fication of the selectors for the job.
 24 November 9-15, 2019
How destiny designed women heroes
By Suchitra Srinivas
C
elebrating the lives of achieving
women is the norm in any
womenʼs day event. Often achieve‑
ment is tied to career and monetary suc‑
cess. So for a Tamil like me, it is not a
wonder to see names like Indra Nooyi and
Kamala Harris in the list of inspiring
women living in the US.
True, it is inspiring to hear their success
stories but there are yet others who have
bravely fought the twists and turns in life
as lone fighters, just to keep their routine
life intact in a foreign land and these
women will remain our heroes forever.
COLUMN
Tragedy like losing your husband can strike women in
India as well, but the complications that challenge
many women in the US are different and compelling to
be told. The very first action even before the cremation
formalities can be to check the visa papers and count
the days one is legally allowed to stay in the country.
Losing a spouse at the prime age while
living the dream life abroad; the shocks
and shakes that it brings to the young
women immigrants, the ef ficacy with
which they handle their situation bundling
away the emotions of love make them all
the real heroes.
At 7 pm he takes the children to the soc‑
cer field as usual and the 36year old lady
of the house is busy preparing dinner and
an hour later a call comes home confirm‑
ing that her husband suf fered a heart
attack and is no more alive.
Imagine another day just as usual calm
and happy, the couple retire for the day
only for the wife to wake up alone in the
morning, and find that her 48‑year‑old
husband is not breathing anymore. A
happy husband walks into his car, gets
shot by a stranger and the wife holding
her 2‑year‑old child helplessly see him col‑
lapse.
These are not movie scripts but real‑life
happenings. Tragic news like these have
become almost recurring ones in this part
of the world. The stressful jobs and mod‑
ern lifestyles take the blame. Whatever
could have made this moment come true,
the challenges that these minutes throw
on a lone woman are beyond words to
explain.
It is true that incidents like these can
happen in India as well but the complica‑
tions that challenge women in the US are
quite different and compelling to be told.
The very first action even before one com‑
plies with the cremation formalities is to
check the visa papers and count the days
one is legally allowed to stay in the coun‑
try.
If on a H4 visa the woman loses her
legal status with the demise of her hus‑
band with immediate ef fect. Questions
like house and assets to be disposed of
before leaving the country is a concern for
the mourning wife. No family around.
There are calls to be made to get things
rolling. If one is lucky to live in states
where Indian immigrant population is
strong, friends throng the place, but the
woman is still alone to make the decisions.
There are cases of a woman from a
small town in remote India, thus far well
pampered by the husband, laden with the
responsibility of leading the childrenʼs life
in the foreign land. In many families non‑
sharing of important details comes to
haunt the lady. The hard‑earned saving
that is due for the manʼs family has to be
of ficially claimed. With no knowledge
about such things, the lonely widow is left
puzzled.
Many women start from scratch like
learning to drive the car, talking in
English, venturing to find the passwords
and bank account details of their deceased
husbands, figuring out ways to pay the
mortgage dues and insurance coverage
for the family. Usually the immigrants
show less inclination to buy a life insur‑
ance policy mainly because of the uncer‑
tainty of their stay in the US, at least in the
initial years.
Unlike in India the insurance premiums
do not beget tax breaks and so there is
less incentive to invest. The coverage is
usually limited to what the employer
of fers. For people with less significant
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
benefits from the employer the family of
the deceased suffers. School education is
state funded in the US but providing for
the college education is way more expen‑
sive and in situations where a woman has
college going kids, the adjustments to be
made are huge.
Finding the right job becomes the priori‑
ty if one is unemployed. It is not like old
movies that the husbandʼs employer
offers one for the widow. The job search
for her begins with equipping herself.
Many do not hesitate to set up home busi‑
nesses such as catering home cooked
meals or selling Indian dress materials.
Lives for the first generation immigrants
revolve around the fortnightly pay check.
Quite often there are no sizeable savings
to fall back on.
The lone womanʼs priority is to get it
back on track. Going back to India is usu‑
ally not an option with the children set‑
ting their foot in the country. So the
woman is forced to look at way forward.
When they enter the country as young
immigrant couples, they make every pos‑
sible due diligence to make their lives
smooth in the foreign land. They discuss
and plan for the future contingencies
including a preparedness plan for winding
up as well, but never would there be a
plan for the funeral expenses and the life
after. It comes as a surprise to the young
women heroes who are forced by destiny
to handle the point of no return all by
themselves.
Here is saluting these women who rise
to the occasion to uphold the American
dream of their deceased husbands!
Suchitra Srinivas is a
journalist based at New
Jersey. She can be contacted
at suchitrasrinivas
@hotmail.com.
Column first published in
DTNext newspaper.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info LIFESTYLE November 9-15, 2019 25

Designing your dream Do Indian travelers

kitchen fake wheelchair need,
T asks Anand Mahindra
odayʼs
kitchen

areas are
transgressing
from a place just
for cooking
meals and mor‑
phing into
becoming the
heart of any
home. In many
houses, a kitchen
wears multiple
hats – from family huddle to banter over
coffee, from creating new recipes to cook‑
ing meals together – itʼs become a place
for fun family activities.
Contemporary kitchens have been more
about utilities due to space constraints.
Modern‑day designs have eradicated the
old age idea and have inculcated trends
that make kitchens look larger than life. A
growing trend in the kitchen space is per‑
sonalization, where ideas and creativity go
beyond appliances and customary cabi‑
nets to incorporate a hoard of interesting
design elements.
New colors, modular kitchens, mono‑
chromatic designs are few of the things
people consider while refurbishing their
homes.
Whereʼs space?
An aspect nearly every kitchen faces
issues with – storage! It is the most impor‑
tant element while considering a renova‑
tion. By capitalizing every spare inch,
restructuring areas that donʼt work and
adding extra solutions where necessary
can turn a tiny room into an elegant
space.
Whatʼs cooking in the kitchen?
A fresh coat of paint on the walls, an
artistic wallpaper or pop colors will help
go a long way to give a new lease of life to
the kitchen.
Open shelves
Kitchen is considered the heart of the
home, similarly are cabinets for the
kitchens.
Open shelves add zeal to the ambience
of the overall space. Glass doors instead of
closed doors enhance the look and design
aspect. Installing flexible shelves which
can be used as a multi‑purpose shelf is the
modern age solution for smarter
kitchens.
Light up the room
Adequate lighting is inevitable for per‑
forming kitchen tasks. Lighting gives an
opportunity to be creative, with a blend of
task lighting and ambient lighting it
strikes the right balance of purpose and
style. Ceiling lights have always been a
decorative element in any space, hence
false ceilings help create a warm environ‑
ment. (IANS)
M
ahindra
Group chair‑
man Anand
Mahindra in a tweet
on Saturday won‑
dered if many Indian
travelers fake the
need for wheelchairs
at airports, sparking
a heated debate
among his followers.
"Only flights to and
from India at most
airports have so
many wheelchairs
pre‑ordered. Trying
to figure out why.
"1) Do elderly (Image courtesy: tripsavvy.com)
Indians travel more
than others? 2) Do we have more They don't really need it but take it as it is
infirm/unfit people? 3) Are we just jugaadus free. US airports charge even for a trolley
who order wheelchairs to get faster access may be charging wheelchairs in India will
through queues!?" Mahindra tweeted. bring their usage down," said one user.
In response, some users termed the use by "International terminals are notorious for
wheelchairs by many Indians a "scam", oth‑ their long walk to the gates. 15‑20 minutes
ers pointed out that the wheelchair assis‑ sometimes or more and difficult for the eld‑
tance is a boon to the parents of children erly to walk that long. Yes, they are not com‑
who are settled outside the country. pletely disabled and they can walk on their
"Most of these are parents of folks settled own to buy at duty‑free shops," said anoth‑
in the west and many times are not well er.
versed with navigating airports, their chil‑ But not everyone appeared happy with
dren hence ask for wheelchair assistance so the suggestion that many people fake the
that they don't miss connecting flights. It's need for wheelchairs."This is a boon to my
opportunity for airlines to make money 83‑year‑old father who uses it when he
from what is complementary" said one user. crisscrosses our country thrice a year to
Suggestions on how the misuse of wheel‑ visit me and my siblings in Hyderabad,
chair assistance can be cut were the point of Delhi, and Bengaluru. He has chronic arthri‑
focus for some tweets. tis and also suffered hip fracture a few
"Most of the wheelchairs are just scam. months ago," tweeted a user.

Airbnb bans ʻparty housesʼ

Walk on a glass floor, after US Halloween shooting
100 stories up in NYC G
lobal travel company
Airbnb announced that it
would ban "party houses"
the party, according to Airbnb.
Three people died at the house
and two more died later in hospi‑

T
ourists will soon be able to experience New
York like never before, thanks to the opening
of an observation deck 1,131 feet above the
ground. Edge at Hudson Yards, the outdoor observa‑
tion deck, will rise up 100 stories above the Big
Apple, offering panoramic views of the city's sky‑
line.
According to Curbed New York, Edge at Hudson
Yards bills itself as the highest outdoor observation
deck in the Western Hemisphere. Jason Horkin,
director of Hudson Yards Experiences, says the deck
has "multiple, built‑in thrill elements", including a
glass floor that will make for dizzying selfies and
nine‑foot glass walls that angle outward from the
deck, allowing visitors to lean out for the thrill of it.
A champagne bar on the 100th floor of Edge at
Hudson Yards will offer drinks and snacks to visi‑
tors.
"You've never experienced New York like this
before," Mr. Horkin tells ABC News. "Stepping onto
Edge is like walking out into the sky."
Weighing over 3.4 lakh kilograms, the deck is
being touted as a modern marvel of engineering
with 15 sections bolted together and anchored to
Image courtesy: hudsonyardsnewyork.com
the east and south sides of the building.
Edge will open to the public on March 11, 2020,
although Hudson Yards offered a preview on
Thursday. Tickets are already available to buy on
their website. (Source: ndtv.com)
after a mass shooting at a
California home rented through
the firm left five people dead.
"Starting today, we are banning
'party houses' and we are redou‑
bling our efforts to combat unau‑
thorized parties and get rid of
abusive host and guest conduct,
including conduct that leads to
the terrible events we saw in
Orinda...," the BBC quoted CEO
Brian Chesky as saying in a series
of tweets on Saturday.
We must do better, and we will.
This is unacceptable," he added.
The house in the city of Orinda,
near San Francisco, was reported‑
ly booked under pretense for a
small group, before being publi‑
cized on Instagram as the venue
for a Halloween party on Friday
night which eventually drew a
crowd of more than 100 people.
But the host did not authorize
tal.
As of Saturday, the police were
yet to arrest or identify any sus‑
pects. Officers said they found
two guns at the house.
In his tweets on Saturday,
Chesky added that Airbnb would
create a dedicated "party house"
rapid response team and expand
manual screening of high‑risk
reservations, the BBC reported.
The company would also take
action against users who violated
its policies, he said.
Responding to the mass shoot‑
ing, California Governor Gavin
Newsom called for Congress to
pass gun control legislation.
"This will barely make the news
today. That's how numb we have
become to this," he said. "Our
hearts are aching for the victims
and all those affected by this hor‑
rific tragedy." (IANS)
 26 November 9-15, 2019
THE ART OF DYING:
Jain Philosophy of Sallekhana
The news quickly spread through the Jain diaspora that two well-known monks embraced Sallekhana in
just 2 months in India. Significantly, Sallekhana is NOT similarto euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.
It is the pious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids.
By Prof Shailendra C. Palvia
P
hilosophers have dif fered on the
subject of Life after Death or rein‑
carnation. Aristotle holds the sci‑
entific version while Plato and his mentor
Socrates believed in the religious version.
Scientific premise asserts that after death,
there is no life; it ends in eternal oblivion.
Religious premise states that only body
perishes, soul survives forever; soul has
eternal existence through countless cycles
of birth and death. Sallekhana is relevant
more in the context of religious premise
due to the implication of afterlife better‑
ment.
What is Sallekhana
Salle khana, also known as
Samadhimaran, is a controversial reli‑
gious practice in which a Jain starts fast‑
ing with the intention of preparing for
death. Among the many practices of Jains,
such as vegetarianism, meditation, for‑
giveness, and fasting, Sallekhana is the
most austere and it is practiced primarily
by strict adherents, Jain monks and nuns.
Sallekhana literally means thinning out of
the bo dy (Kaya) as we ll as passions
(Kashaya). According to Acharya
Samantbhadra in the 6th chapter of
Ratnakarnda Shravakachar:
Sallekhana is embracing the death
voluntarily when both householders and
ascetics foresee that the end of the life is
very near either due to old age, incurable
disease, or severe famine and there is no
other opt ion but to embrace death
peacefully.
W hile observing Salle khana, one
overcomes all the passions and abandons
all the worldly attachments by observing
austerities such as gradually abstaining
from food and water and simultaneously
meditating on the true nature of the Self
until the soul departs the body. The
principle behind the special vow of
Sallekhana is that a person ‑‑ while giving
up this body with complete peace of mind,
calmness, and patience, without any fear
at all ‑‑ not only prevents the influx of the
new karmas but also purges the old
karmas which are attached to the soul,
ultimately liberating the soul from the
cycle of birth, death and rebirth. An
approximate assessment of the remaining
span of the life is necessary in order to
adjust to the nature of the fasting. It is the
religious practice of voluntarily fasting to
JAINISM
Acharya Vidyanandji
Last day of Sallekhana: September 19, 2019
A
charya Vidyanandji took samadhi‑
maran at the age of 95. He was a
monk of except ional caliber,
vision, knowledge, and managerial skills.
Many historical and landmark projects
were undertaken by him to help the Jains
to come together cutting across the sec‑
tarian barriers. His command over many
languages (current and ancient), depth
Chinmayasagar Muni
Last day of Sallekhana: October 18, 2019
C
hinmayasagar Muni Jungle
Wale Baba (A forest Monk)
lived deep inside forests,
doing his meditation amongst wild
animals. Many times wild animals
were sitting around him in a calm
and quite mood due to the positive
power of his deep meditation[1]. On
taking deeksha (embracing monk‑
hood), the saint travelled barefoot in
several places including Uttar
Pradesh, Uttarkhand, De lhi,
Rajasthan and Karnataka. Unlike
other religious leaders who live in
posh ashrams, Chinmay Sagar chose
to meditate in forests so as to be
accessible to everyone. He said,
“Forests are open spaces and all are
welcome irrespective of their religious
leanings.” He tirelessly worked on several
projects for betterment of humanity
including helping millions get rid of their
bad habits like drugs, alcohol and tobac‑
of know ledge and g reat amount of
research in old scripts was reflected in his
actions, thinking, discourses and many
books written by him.
He trave led across the length and
breadth of India covering thousands of
miles on barefoot including visit to ice
covered Amarnath Caves in Himalayas
accessible only for a few days in a year.
co. His yeomen services earned him doc‑
torates from the universities of Sri Lanka,
United Kingdom and the US and visits
from world leaders to get his blessings
and guidance.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
death by gradually reducing the intake of
food and liquids. T his person should
endure all the hardships, but if he/she
falls ill or is unable to maintain the peace
of mind, then he/she should give up
Sallekhana and resume taking foods and
other activities. Sallekhana is considered
a pious death and is always voluntary,
undertaken after public declaration, and
never assisted with any chemicals or tools.
The fasting causes thinning away of body
by withdrawing by choice food and water
to onese lf w ith full know ledge of
colleagues and spiritual counsellor. In
some cases, Jains with terminal illness
undertake this vow with permission from
their spiritual counsellor. For a successful
sallekhana, the death must be with "pure
means", voluntary, planned, undertaken
with calmness, peace and joy where the
person accepts to scour out the body and
focuses his or her mind on spiritual
matters.
After the sallekhana vow, the ritual
preparation and practice can extend into
years. The sixth part of the Ratnakaranda
śrāvakācāra describes Sallekhana and its
procedure as follows: Giving up solid food
by degrees, one should take to milk and
whey, then giving them up, to hot or
spiced water. [Subsequently] giving up hot
water also, and observing fasting with full
determination, he should give up his body,
trying in every possible way to keep in
mind the Namokar mantra. During the
ent ire pro cess of Salle khana, five
transgressions must be avoided: (a) the
desire to be reborn as a human, (b) the
desire to be reborn as a divinity, (c) the
desire to continue living, (d) the desire to
die quickly, and (e) the desire to live a
sensual life in the next life. Other
transgressions include: recollection of
af fection for friends, recollection of the
pleasures enjoyed, and longing for the
enjoyment of pleasures in the future.
Sallekhana is a vow available to both
Jain ascetics and householders and both
men and women, including queens in Jain
history. The inscriptions on rocks dating
back to the 7th century in South India
suggest sallekhana was originally an
ascetic practice which later extended to
Jain householders. Its importance as an
ideal death in the spiritual life of
householders ceased by about the 12th
century. The practice was revived in 1955
by the Dig ambara monk Acharya
Shantisagara. It is estimated that some
200 Jains fast to death each year, many of
them monks. But the fast can be ended at
Continued on page 27
TheSouthAsianTimes.info JAINISM November 9-15, 2019 27

Continued from page 26
any point if the person has a change of
heart. Recent happenings in India confirm
the continuation of this practice in spite of
legal challenges.
Between 1800 and 1992, at least 37
instances of Sallekhana are recorded in
Jain literature. There were 260 and 90
recorded Salle khana deaths among
Svetambara and Dig ambara Jains
respectively between 1993 and 2003.
Statistically, Sallekhana is undertaken
both by men and women of all economic
classes and among the educationally
forward Jains. It is observed more often
by women than men.
Is Sallekhana similar
to euthanasia, assisted
death, or suicide?
Is Sallekhana similar to euthanasia or
physician‑assisted suicide? Assisted death
is a model that includes both what has
been called physician‑assisted "suicide"
and voluntary act ive euthanasia.
Physician‑assisted suicide entails making
lethal means available to the patient to be
used at a t ime of the pat ient's own
choosing and provides the opportunity for
the patient to change his or her mind up
to the last moment. By contrast, voluntary
active euthanasia entails the physician
taking an active role in carrying out the
patient's request, and usually involves
intravenous delivery of a lethal substance.
Euthanasia contains a much smaller
chance for mistakes and may be necessary
in cases where a patient is too sick for
self‑administration, or no longer capable
of swallowing, holding down food, or
absorbing oral medication.
Netherlands became the first country in
the world to formally legalize euthanasia
when the lower house of parliament
approved a "Mercy Killing" Bill by a two‑
thirds majority in year 2000. Assisted
suicide is legal in Switzerland, Germany,
Netherlands, and the US states of
Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii,
Vermont, Montana, Maine, New Jersey,
and California, as also Washington, D.C.
By comparison, Sallekhana is a natural
death since it is not induced by lethal
injection or medication.
Is Sallekhana similar to suicide? No, it is
not because it is not an act of passion, nor
does it deploy poisons or weapons.
According to Jainism, Sallekhana is a non‑
violent and peaceful way of leaving the
world when bo dily funct ions had
significantly deteriorated and no
meaningful living was possible. Instead of
it being a mournful end, Jain philosophy
views death as a welcome gateway to the
next birth. Like many of India's great
religions, followers of Jainism believe in
reincarnation and karma. Not eating is a
nonviolent way to detach from this life
and prepare for the next while purifying
the soul. All religions emphasize the art of
living.
Jain religion goes beyond and also
teaches the art of dying. The preparation
for sallekhana must begin early, much
before the approach of death, and when
death is imminent, the vow of Sallekhana
is observed by progressively reducing the
body and the passions.
One can argue that a person who kills
himself by means like poison, weapon,
hang ing, drowning is swayed by
attachment, aversion or infatuation. But
he who practices holy death is free from
desire, anger and delusion. Hence it is not
suicide. Sources: Internet, Wikipedia, and
India's Supreme Court considered a ʻAagam ke aalok mein, samadhimaran ya
ruling by Rajasthan state court that sallekhanaʼ (in Hindi) by Dr. Hukmachand
Sallekhana practice was a form of suicide Bharill.
and must be banned.
It can be construed as an attempt to
commit suicide and thus punishable under
Section 309 of Indian penal code. Also
those who facilitate Salle khana are
culpable under Section 306 on account of
aiding and abetting an act of suicide. The
Supreme Court overruled and stayed the
Rajasthan court ruling until a full hearing
can be scheduled.
Essent ially, these penal co des
criminalize suicide. Are eastern religions
being judged by the standards of Western
law inherited from Britain, including the
statute that makes suicide a crime?
Nobody knows how the Supreme Court
will ultimate ly rule. Jain community
argued that prohibiting the practice is a
violation of their freedom of religion, a
fundamental right guaranteed by Article
15 and Article 25 of the Constitution of
India. Dr. Shailendra C. Palvia is
Some w ill argue that choosing Professor of MIS at Long Island
Sallekhana for death is an evil similar to University (LIU) Post. An invited
sati (when a widow used to jump over the speaker to several countries, he
burning pyre of her dead husband).
has led several initiatives
Clearly, there was no free will of the
including a world class journal
widows in such cases and they became
victims of the cruel tradition perpetrated
and annual international
and perpetuated by men. conferences. He was Fulbright‐
Finally, it is important to note that 25% Nehru Senior Research Scholar
of Medicareʼs annual spending in USA is 2016‐17. Dr. Palvia is an ardent
used by the 5% of patients during the last follower of Jainism and has
12 months of their lives. Re lig ious attended several biennial JAINA
philosophies like Salle khana can
conventions. e‐mail:
drastically cut down such astronomically
high medical expenses in aggressive
shailoo.palvia@gmail.com;
measures undertaken to prolong the lives Ph: 732‐983‐7034.
of the dying.

Immigration
By Michael Phulwani,
Esq. and Dev B.
Viswanath, Esq. When petitioner dies after petition approved:
Humanitarian Reinstatement
I
f an individual applies for a
green card through a relative

VISA
who is a Lawful Permanent from a substitute sponsor or Form 4 If the beneficiary had waited cannot be appealed and therefore
Resident or US Citizen, but the I‑864W, for an exemption. The an unusually long time for the if denied the beneficiary will need
Petitioner passes away before the substitute sponsor must meet the case to be processed and the delay to find a different way of getting

application process is complete,
the individual may still receive
their green card, in some circum‑
stances. The principal beneficiary
may request humanitarian rein‑
statement of a petition only if the
petition had already been
approved before the death of the
petitioner. Humanitarian reinstate‑
ment is a discretionary form of
relief which means the positive
factors for granting the petition
must be significant.
There is no form or fee required
when asking for humanitarian
reinstatement. The primary bene‑
ficiary must make a written
request with supporting evidence
to the USCIS office that had origi‑
nally approved the petition. If the
beneficiary had already properly
filed an application for adjustment
of status with USCIS then the
request for reinstatement should
be sent to the USCIS office that
has jurisdiction over the adjust‑
TALK
ment application. The request
would normally include the follow‑
ing documents (but this is at a
minimum):
4 The name of the primary
beneficiary and the deceased peti‑
tionerʼs name;
4 The receipt number of the
petition;
4 Death certificate of the
deceased petitioner;
4 A substitute sponsor;
4 Proof of the substitute spon‑
sorʼs relationship to the benefici‑
ary; and
4 Any evidence showing that a
favorable exercise of discretion
should be given to the beneficiary.
If the beneficiary was required
to have Form I‑864 and the peti‑
tioner dies, the beneficiary must
either have a new Form I‑864
following requirements:
4 A U.S. citizen, national, or
lawful permanent resident;
4 18 years old or older; and
4 Be the beneficiaryʼs spouse,
parent, mother‑in‑law, father‑in‑
law, sibling, child, son, daughter,
son‑in‑law, daughter‑in‑law, sister‑
in‑law, brother‑in‑law, grandpar‑
ent, grandchild, or legal guardian.
When deciding on whether or
not to grant request humanitarian
reinstatement USCIS considers
many factors such as:
4 If the beneficiary is elderly or
in poor health;
4 How long the beneficiary had
resided in the U.S.;
4 If the beneficiary has strong
ties to their home country;
4 The impact of revocation on
the family living in the U.S., espe‑
cially on the family who are U.S.
citizens or lawful permanent resi‑
dents or other relatives lawfully
living in the U.S.; and
is because of the government. an immigrant visa or green card.
If the humanitarian reinstate‑ But it also does not preclude the
ment request is granted USCIS will beneficiary from filing for rein‑
notify the beneficiary and send its statement again, if more equities
decision to either the Department are discovered or if they have new
of State or to the USCIS officer legal counsel who may have the
processing the beneficiaryʼs ability to present a stronger case
adjustment case, if they are out‑ than previously submitted. This is
side the U.S. If the humanitarian a great form of relief for people
reinstatement request is not grant‑ and families when they have
ed USCIS will notify the benefici‑ already suffered the loss of a loved
ary in writing. USCISʼs decision one.
Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal Attorney of The
Banad Law Offices PC in the United States,
and Banad Immigration in India for which Attorney
Michael Phulwani is also affiliated as Of Counsel. With
Offices in Manhattan, Queens, Bangalore, and Mumbai,
the firm is able to assist clients with all facets of the
immigration process, including Employment Visas,
Consular Visa Assistance, Student Visas, Removal &
Deportation, US Citizenship and Green Card
Applications based on Family or Employment. Dev B.
Viswanath can be reached at Dev@Banadlaw.com and
718‑361‑5999. Dev will be working from the India
offices from November 5th to November 20th for any
assistance or consultations.
28 November 9-15, 2019 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Humor with Melvin Durai
Laughter is the Best Medicine Why gift when
you can regift?
I
f someone gives you a handbag
you don't particularly like, what
should you do with it? If you
have a gift receipt or know which
store it came from, you might be
able to return it. But if you don't,
you have three options: (1) Donate
it to a thrift store or charity; (2)
Regift it to a friend or relative; or
(3) Keep it in a closet and take it
out whenever you need to swat a
fly. Thankfully, no one gives me
handbags, but I have received a few
gifts I didn't like. And though I hate
to admit it, I've regifted a couple of
them fairly successfully. I say "fair‑
ly," because my California friend
wasn't too crazy about the long
underwear. But at least his wife
seemed to appreciate the mustache
trimmer.
You may think that regifting is
tacky and improper, that it should
be done only under extreme cir‑
cumstances, such as when your
pantry is overflowing with fruit‑
cake and there just aren't enough
dogs around. But regifting has
By Mahendra Shah become more common these days,
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and partly because it solves two prob‑
humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immi- lems at once. It allows you to get
grant Indians for the past many year in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in rid of the unneeded gift while also
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. saving you the trouble of going to
the store and searching for a gift
for a friend who doesn't really need
anything and ought to be satisfied
with the Anna Kournikova calen‑
dar, so what if he's gay. (Hey, I'm
straight and I have a picture of
Clay Aiken on my wall. No, wait, it's
Meg Ryan.)
Regifting is far more common
than you think. In fact, if you hap‑
pen to receive one of those Chia
Pets as a gift, keep in mind that it's
probably been in circulation since
1979, probably been tossed out of
more homes than an Amway rep.
Some gifts have traveled across
the world and back. You give a
white hat to Aunt Rani, who doesn't
care for it and gives it to her cousin
Shilpa, who gives it to her friend
Anita, who takes it to India and
gives it to her grandma, Archana,
who gives it to her maid, Priya,
who gives it to her mother, Raji,
who glues a few shells on it and
sells it for 2,000 rupees to an
American tourist, who returns to
New York and gives it to her moth‑
er, who is rather thrilled to have a
replica of the Taj Mahal.
As you can see, regifting may
result in some happiness down the
line, even if it does cause a lot of
grief along the way. But before you
regift, you need to follow a number
of rules. Here are just a few:
1. Do not give a gift to the same
person who gave it to you. If you're
not sure who gave you a certain
gift, then don't give it anyone you
know, except perhaps that middle‑
aged friend who's as forgetful as
you.
2. Do not regift something that's
been monogrammed. If your ini‑
tials are "M.C.D." and they're print‑
ed on a cap, don't regift the cap to
a friend, unless you can convince
him that "M.C.D." stands for "Merry
Christmas, Dude."
3. If an item is scratched or dent‑
ed, do not regift it. The gift should
look brand new, with no more than
a few dozen fingerprints. Whatever
you do, don't try to take advantage
of any friends who are visually
impaired. Just remember: They've
got feelings. And they'll catch you.
4. Don't regift anything with a
company logo printed on it, unless
it has four wheels and an exhaust.
Don't even think of regifting mugs,
key chains and pens that say
"Republican National Convention."
Friendships have been lost on far
less.
5. Do not reuse the card you
received with a gift. This is a bad
idea, even if you have a convenient
name and can change the words
"Love, dad" to "Love, Soledad."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY November 9-15, 2019 29

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

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899
psharma@premastrologer.com; w.premastrologer.com

NOVEMBER 9‑15, 2019

Aries: Donʼt leave anything pending
on the work front. You are likely to
gain popularity on the social front
because of something unique that you have
achieved.A property is likely to be yours
soon.The week may find you socialise with
your near and dear ones.You can feel
attracted to someone and the good part is
that this attract ion w ill be
mutual!Conserving money at this juncture
is advised, but do spend money on
essentials.
Taurus: Your romantic endeavours
are likely to bear fruit as the one you
love sends positive signals.Some of
you are likely to enjoy a long drive as the
week begins, maybe to meet someone relat‑
ed to you.Your interest in spirituality is like‑
ly to be awakened. Possibility of visiting a
pilgrimage site cannot be ruled out for
some.You are likely to be much sought after
on the social front.
Gemini: Self‑control and an active life
are likely to have positive fallout on
your health.You can make plans with
friends to organise a beat up on the social
front. Love life promises to be exciting as
partner gives his or her support.This is a
good time to visit someone who can be of
help to you in the future. You will have to
be sweet, but firm, in saying no to someone
asking for monetary help as his or her need
appears unjustified.
Cancer: Certain steps may have to
be taken before you become totally
comfortable with a project or a task
on the professional front.Self‑control and
an active life are likely to have positive fall‑
out on your health.A relation or a family
friend can come and stay with you for a few
days. Repayment of a loan can keep your
financial position a bit tight, but you will
get used to it.Those seeking love can get
attracted to someone soon.
Leo: At work, you are likely to give a
good account of yourself through
your efficiency and dedication.It is
better to get certain things approved by
higher ups before going ahead with a proj‑
ect on the professional front.
Your concern about current financial situa‑
t ion w ill be unfounded as money
flows in.You will manage to free yourself
from all ailments and lead a happy and
healthy life.
Virgo: Someone may be taking an
inordinate interest in you, so decide
whether you want to get romantical‑
ly involved or not.
A lot of legwork will be required to get an
approval or a sanction on the business
front, but you will manage it. Performance
on the academic front can remain below
expectations. It may be difficult to get your
money back from someone you had loaned
to.
Libra: You will be able to maintain
your popularity on the so cial
front.Love begets love, more so on
the romantic front! So, give love and expect
to have a scintillating time in the company
of lover.
You will manage to free yourself from petti‑
ness and narrow‑mindedness, and look at
the broader picture.You are likely to distin‑
guish yourself on the professional front
through your talents and expertise.
Scorpio: Someone who secretly
admires you may need a push from
your side to express love.Plans for
buying a second vehicle may put some on
the saving mode.
Dif ferences with spouse over some issue
are foreseen towards the mid of the
week.Employees may demand a pay hike
and put you in a spot.Resuming health‑
related activities the coming week will find
you regaining your old form.
Sagittarius: You will seize the oppor‑
tunity to enjoy some romant ic
moments with lover this week.You
are likely to become health conscious and
give a higher priority to your fitness.Those
setting out on a long journey will need to
be adequately prepared for emergencies.A
side business or a hobby will start getting
good monetary returns.
Health requires care, so donʼt take any
liberties.
Capricorn: A secret admirer may
express his or her fee lings for
you.Doing a good turn to someone is
likely to boost your image on the social
front.Professionally, you are likely to
remain on a solid wicket and will add to
your reputation.
Opportunities of making money are likely
to be seized by some. Some turbulence on
the family front is foreseen, but staying
cool will help overcome it.
Aquarius: Avoid overcrowded pub‑
lic transport this week as stars are
not favourable.Keep your sugges‑
tions and opinions to yourself on the social
front, unless asked for.Things may not go
right for you on the professional front.
Donʼt leave things unattended at work
as it may create problems for you
with higher ups.
Excess of junk food and little exercise can
tell on your health.
Pisces: Accompanying a friend on a
journey will be most entertaining.
You are likely to bounce back with
full vigour on the professional or academic
front. Some more searches may be required
by those looking for a suitable accommoda‑
tion.Someone is likely to hurt your feelings,
but it will not be deliberate, so take it in
your stride.A bad investment may not give
the expected returns, but you wonʼt be able
to do much about it.

November 9, 2019 partners and colleagues, would

Ruled by number 9 and the
planet Mars. You are intelligent,
energetic, confident, enthusiastic
and courageous person. You pos‑
sess a sharp memory and amaz‑
ing technical skills, but you need
to check your tendency to behave
short tempered and vindictive at
times.
This year professional advance‑
ment would depend on your abil‑
ity to handle important responsi‑
bilities. Your significant other
would be a real asset to you. This
person would make your daily
life comforting and enjoyable.
Distant pilgrimage is certain later
in the year. Be extra careful while
lending money and take extra
care of your jewelry, precious
gifts and items. The months of
February, April, September and
November will be important.
November 10, 2019
Influenced by number 1 and
the Sun, you are authoritative,
confident, determined, responsi‑
ble and creative person. You
have a very fine sense of color
and style. Your clothes represent
your elegant personality, but you
need to curb your tendency to
behave careless and spendthrift
at times.
You would be dedicated to your
job and make a good impression
on your boss. You might not
receive expected financial gains
for your hard work, but apprecia‑
tion and seniority are certainly
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
yours. Foreign trips are likely for
some later in the year. Your
spouse w ill be cooperat ive
through out the year and would
shower love and af fect ion.
Marriage proposals would mate‑
rialize for some. The months of
March, June and October will
prove to be important and signifi‑
cant.
November 11, 2019
Ruled by number 2 and the
Moon, you are highly imagina‑
tive, practical, emotional, honest,
simple and generous person. You
love to have things of beauty
around you. You might not be an
artist, but you are fond of collect‑
ing things of artistic value. You
are inte lligent and have an
except ionally goo d g rasping
power, but you need to check
your tendency to behave lazy and
timid at times.
T his year you would enjoy
meeting new people and visiting
new places. Your creativity would
be at its best and you would have
energy to solve any problem with
conviction and dedication. Your
beloved would be your major
source of inspirat ions. You
should do things that you both
enjoy to strengthen the existing
bond. Family members will stand
by you and provide you with love
and af fection. The months of
January, July and September will
be highly eventful.
November 12, 2019
Governed by number 3 and the
planet Jupiter, you are highly
energetic, dignified, ambitious,
and an intelligent person. You
are a person who enjoys a small
but trustworthy group of friends.
You are confident and bold, but
your need to check your tenden‑
cy to behave hypocrite, over
ambit ious and dictatorial at
times.
This year try to stay away from
business partnerships or any new
joint ventures. Partnerships will
be very alluring but definitely not
recommended for the first six
months. You need to be extra
caut ious be fore making any
financial commitments or signing
new contracts. Benefits in cash
and kind will accrue later in the
year. New romance will develop
throug h so cial act ivit ies.
Relationship with your spouse
will be healthy and highly cor‑
dial. Some tension and anxiety
due to health of your parents
cannot be ruled out. The months
of March, July and October will
be significant.
November 13, 2019
Influenced by number 4 and
the planet Uranus, you are smart,
confident, energetic, systematic,
reliable and a studious person.
Your efficiency and determina‑
tion makes you achieve the maxi‑
mum and stay ahead of others,
but you need to control your ten‑
dency to behave stubborn, jeal‑
ous and vindictive at times.
This year you would start a
brand new phase in your career,
which might not be very creative
but promises to bring good finan‑
cial rewards. Long lasting con‑
tacts would build through social
get‑togethers and trave ling.
Unexpected help from a relative
would give a major boost to your
career. Your spouse will be quite
cooperative and shower her full
love and af fect ion upon you
despite your erratic behavior at
times. The months of February,
June and November will prove to
be highly significant.
November 14, 2019
Ruled by number 5 and the
planet Mercury, you are active,
smart, sensible, practical, system‑
atic and highly diplomatic per‑
son. People admire you for your
ability to take quick decisions,
but you need to curb your ten‑
dency to behave moody, jealous
and careless at times.
This coming year sees new ven‑
tures and plans materializing to
your benefit. You would enter
new partnerships and your
income would be from more than
one source. Support from your
boost your morale and confi‑
dence. Family members would be
understanding to your concern
and extreme ly he lpful. Your
spouse especially would be a
major source of emotional sup‑
port. A distant journey later in
the year cannot be ruled out. The
months of March, July and
September will prove to be high‑
ly eventful.
November 15, 2019
Ruled by number 6 and the
planet Venus, you are generous,
practical, cooperative, accommo‑
dating and a broad‑minded per‑
son. You have a large social circle
and many acquaintances, but you
like to share your personal life
with only few. You are highly sin‑
cere to your friends, but you
need to control your tendency to
behave moody, dominating and
jealous at times.
This year your income would
see an upswing primarily due to
extra work that you do at your
spare time. Home front would be
peaceful with family members
extending all possible help and
cooperation. Growth opportuni‑
ties would arise from new con‑
tacts you develop. Wedding bells
for some in the last quarter of the
year while others would find
romance to keep them in the
right spirit and good mood. The
months of March, October and
December will prove to be impor‑
tant and eventful.
 30 November 9-15, 2019
By Sant Rajinder Singh
Ji Maharaj
M
any people live and die
without ever realizing
the full power and
potential of their soul. At some
time in their life, they may won‑
der about the soul, about God,
and about the purpose of their
existence. Many people pass
through life never realizing who
they are and never certain about
the purpose of their existence. In
times of trouble or in the face of
death, they may raise these ques‑
tions, but may not follow them
through to a fulfilling conclusion
or else may abandon the process
when the bad times pass. But
those who have a burning desire
to find the answers to the myster‑
ies of life can find them.
This search for meaning and
purpose‑ the spiritual quest‑ is
one that people pursue in differ‑
ent ways. Some seek answers in
scripture while others search in
places of worship. Some go
beyond their own religion to find
answers of fered in other faith.
Whichever method one adopts,
the direction one follows to find
answers to lifeʼs questions is
known as the spiritual path. It is
the spiritual path that leads to the
realization of the inner self, to the
soul.
There are two ways to view our‑
selves with regards to the soul.
The first is to view ourselves pri‑
marily as a body and mind that
“have a soul.ʼ The second is to see
ourselves primarily as a soul who
“ has or wears a mind and body.”
If we think that we are a mind
and body, then ours is a journey
to find the soul. If we realize that
we are the soul, which has been
g iven the mind and bo dy to
maneuver through the physical
and the pulls of the physical
world, then our goal is to further
world have placed the soul in a
empower the soul. By empower‑
state of forgetfulness from which
ing the soul we recover its natural
we must awaken. Within us are
control over the mind and senses.
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Empower your true self
The soul is a the riches greater than any we
can ever accumulate on earth. We
source of have inside us a source of knowl‑
edge from which all other knowl‑
tremendous edge flows
wisdom, love, . A love far greater and fulfilling
than any we can know in the
and power, yet outer world is waiting to embrace
us with open arms within. At our
we remain core is a strength and power that
ignorant of its can enable us to overcome any
fear. Underlying our separateness
treasures when as individuals is connectedness
and oneness to all life. Awaiting
we allow it to be us inside is bliss and joy so fulfill‑
overpowered by ing that we need no other intoxi‑
cants to make us happy. All these
the mind, the gifts lie within us in the empow‑
ered soul.
senses, and the The soul is a source of tremen‑
physical body. dous wisdom, love, and power, yet
we remain ignorant of its treas‑
When the mind ures when we allow it to be over‑
and body assert powered by the mind, the senses,
and the physical body. When the
power over the mind and body assert power over
the soul, the soul forgets itself.
soul, the soul But the empowered soul is our
forgets itself. true nature, and it is time we
reclaim the soul so that its gifts
But the can enrich our life. There are sim‑
ple techniques for accessing the
empowered soul riches of our soul.
is our true We need not search the four
corners of the earth. We need not
nature, and it is travel into outer space. These
techniques can be practiced in the
time we reclaim comfort of our home. Through
the soul so that meditation, a whole new world
opens for us. By learning medita‑
its gifts can tion, we can gain entry to worlds
enrich our life of bliss, light, and love within.
Tapping into the soul and its pow‑
ers can enrich and transform our
The mind, the senses, the body, life. When we empower our soul,
its wisdom, immortality, love,
fearlessness, connectedness, and
bliss add a new dimension to our
life.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Meditation ‑ find,
the calmer YOU
By Sant Rajinder Singh rest of the day for other activities.
Ji Maharaj This helps us preserve our medita‑
M
tion time only for that purpose.
editation is a simple 2) Have a special place for
process where we sit still meditation.
and concentrate within to By getting into the habit of con‑
experience inner treasures. Two centrating on meditating when in
meditation techniques we use in that spot, we can know to put
Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission/ aside other distractions when we
Science of Spirituality are simple
to do and can be practiced by any‑
are in other places in our home.
When we sit in that place, we natu‑
one of any age in their homes or
wherever they like. It does not
rally will gravitate toward meditat‑
ing.
require difficult postures or 3) Be committed to achieving
asanas, and can be performed any‑
where at any time. One is the
our goals through meditation.
When we have a goal we really
Shabd Meditation, or Meditation
on the Light and Sound. This pro‑
want to attain, nothing can stop us
from achieving it. Whether we
vides us an inner connection to a want to win at sports, reach our
source of happiness, peace, and
bliss within us. It is like having an
financial goals, lose weight, or
improve our relationships, we
internal retreat that we can visit spend time working to achieve
anytime we want to recharge and success. We put in time and effort.
refresh. The second is an introduc‑ It is the same with meditation.
tory technique called Jyoti
Meditation, which involves sitting
People meditate for different rea‑
sons, whether for physical, mental,
quietly, focusing our attention or emotional health and wellness,
within, and experiencing the peace spiritual growth, or other reasons.
and calm within us. When we commit to that goal,
The common question I am often
asked is, “How can I keep my
then we are more dedicated to
spending the time to achieve it.
attention in meditation without This determination will help us
being distracted by thoughts?”
This is a typical problem that peo‑
concentrate and focus better when
we meditate without being side‑
ple throughout the world have
while trying to meditate.
tracked by distractions in our
mind.
Why does this happen? Our Those who practice meditation
minds are active and restless and
do not like to be still to focus on
on the inner Light and Sound as
taught in Science of Spirituality
the wonders within. We have with‑
in us a gateway to peace, joy, and
learn techniques to keep their
mind from distracting them from
happiness. However, to access thoughts. In this way, their medita‑
these treasures we need to medi‑
ate, by sitting in silence and stay‑
tion time is fruitful, and they avoid
distractions that keep them from
ing focused within to enjoy them. attaining success.
Here are three tips
to help us meditate:
1) Set priorities.
When we want to
study for an exam
we set time and
focus only on that.
Similarly, when we
set a time for medi‑
tation, we focus only
on that for that peri‑
od. We then allot
time throughout the
TheSouthAsianTimes.info November 9-15, 2019
TheSouthAsianTimes.info November 9-15, 2019