The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e
Vol.12 No. 32 December 7-13, 2019
NATO downplays divisions as
infighting roils alliance: AP report
Watford, England: NATO leaders
sought Wednesday to paper over
dif ferences like the military
allianceʼs future priorities but
insisted they would respond as
one in the event of an attack on
any of the 29 member countries,
reports Associated Press.
Ending a summit near London
earlier this week to mark NATOʼs
70th anniversary, the leaders
announced that they would set up
a commission of experts to study
political decision‑making. That
appears to be a direct response to
French President Emmanue l
Macronʼs recent lament about the
“brain death” of the trans‑Atlantic
Continued on page 4
Telangana police hailed Kamala Harris
says she’s still
for killing rape accused ‘in this fight’ but
Hyderabad: The killing of all
four accused in the brutal gang‑
rape and murder of a young vet‑
erinarian by the police in an ''en‑
counter'' early Friday was hailed
by people who were demanding
justice for the victim.
Large number of people who
g athered close to the ''en‑
counter'' scene near Shadnagar
town raised slog ans hailing
Telangana police and Cyberabad
LOCAL GOVT 6 SUCCESS STORY 15
i n
80 Cents
President Trump scrapped with Macron and Trudeau at the
summit marking NATOʼs 70th anniversary. (Photo courtesy AP)
Police Commissioner V.C.
Sajjanar. Some of them said the
police delivered "instant justice"
by eliminating the perpetrators
of the gruesome crime.
After committing the gang‑
rape at Shamshabad near
Hyderabad on the nig ht of
November 27, the accused had
dumped the body and set it afire
near Shadnagar, about 50 kms
Continued on page 4
SCIENCE 23
j o u r n a l i s m
New York Edition
exits 2020 race
K
amala Harris, the US sena‑
tor of Indian heritage, has
pulled out of the race for
the Democratic Party's presidential
nomination as she tumbled in the
polls despite a strong start and
was running short of campaign
finance. While informing her sup‑
porters about her decision she
said, “But I want to be clear with
you: I will keep fighting every day
for what this campaign has been
about. Justice for the People. All
Continued on page 4
See detailed story on page 3
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30
Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Countdown
to impeach
Trump starts
4Speaker Pelosi nod 4Trump is relying on
to drafting of articles the GOP‐majority
of impeachment Senate to acquit him
Washington:
Representat ivesʼ
House of
Demo crat
Representatives, making it only
the third time in the 243‑year his‑
Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the
impeachment to pro ceed on
tory of the US that a President
would be impeached. “T he
T hursday with the framing of President leaves us no choice but
charges of jeopardizing national to act, because he is trying to cor‑
security against President Donald rupt, once again, the election for
Trump for a trial in the Senate. his own benefit,” she said asking
T he historic announcement the House Democrat leaders to
came after about two months of proceed with the drafting of the
invest ig at ion by House of Continued on page 4
Google chief Sundar Pichai
now CEO of parent company
G
oogle CEO Sundar Pichai
will take over as CEO of
the parent company. As
Alphabet CEO Larry Page
announced that he is stepping
down from the position. Co‑
founder Sergey Brin will also
step down as president of
Alphabet and the role will be
eliminated.
Pichai is a graduate from IIT‑
Kharag pur who had joined
Google in 2004.
See detailed story on page 3
excellence in journalism
TheSouthAsianTimes.info December 7-13, 2019
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Kamala Harris ends campaign Sundar Pichai to
for presidential nomination replace Larry Page
By Arul Louis
New York: Kamala Harris has
pulled out of the race for the
Democratic Party's presidential
nomination as she tumbled in the
polls despite a strong start and
was running short of campaign
finance.
"It is with deep regret ‑ but also
with deep gratitude ‑ that I am sus‑
pending my campaign today," she
tweeted on Tuesday.
She said in a message to her sup‑
porters that the "truth today" is
"my campaign for president simply
doesn't have the financial
resources we need to continue."
Harris, who is from California is
of partial Indian descent ‑ her
mother is the late cancer
researcher Shyamala Gopalan and
her father, Donald Harris, is
African Jamaican.
Now there are only six serious
candidates left to participate in the
upcoming debate ‑ all of them are
white in a party that trumpets its
diversity and its caring for minori‑
ties. She is the second candidate of
Indian heritage to try for a major
party's presidential nomination.
Bobby Jindal, the former governor
of Louisiana, ran against President
Trump in 2015 for the Republican
Party nomination for the 2016
election. But unlike Harris who
Diwali ‘Power of One’ awards to be presented to 4 diplomats
New York: Diwali Foundat ion
USAʼs "Power of One" awards, aka
“Oscars of Diplomacy,” for year
2019 will be presented to 4 emi‑
nent world diplomats on December
6 at the EcoSoc Council Chamber
of the United Nations here.
The 2019 Exceptional Awardees
are:
4 H.E. Kairat Abdrakhmanov,
former Foreign Minister &
Permanent Representat ive of
Kazakhstan to the United Nations
4 H.E. Nicholas Emiliou, former
Permanent Representat ive of
Cyprus to the UN
4 H.E. Frantisek Ruzicka, for‑
mer CDC to PGA 72 & Permanent
Representative of Slovakia to the
UN
4 H.E. Volodymyr Yelchenko,
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
The first female Indian American
to run for President, Kamala
Harris tumbled in the polls
despite a strong start and was
running short of campaign
finance. (Photo courtesy AP)
was initially a strong contender
getting as much as 15 per cent
support in polls, Jindal polled only
about 1 per cent and quit the race
in less than six months.
Memorably he had called Trump a
"narcissist" and his campaign a
"carnival" act, shutting him of f
from any administration position.
Harris started out strong holding
the third spot in the polls behind
former Vice President Joe Biden
and the socialist Bernie Sanders
from December last year through
April.
After a powerful showing in the
Democratic Party debate in June
The "Power of One" awards were instituted by Ranju Batra led Diwali
Foundation USA in 2017 to celebrate and highlight the important
work done around the world to promote peace and development.
Permanent Representat ive of
Ukraine to the UN
The "Power of One" awards were
inst ituted by Ranju Batra led
she surged to the second spot in
July behind Biden with 15 per cent
support in the RealClearPolitics
aggregation of polls.
By this week she had tumbled to
the fifth place with 3.4 per cent
support.
Harris has identified primarily
with the African American commu‑
nity, an influential segment of the
Democratic Party base. Late ly
though, she had stepped up her
outreach to Indian Americans, who
are a rich source of campaign con‑
tributions.
Biden told reporters that he had
"mixed emotions" about her quit‑
ting the race, calling her a "first‑
rate intellect, a first‑rate candidate
and a real competitor."
But he did not answer a reporter
who asked if he would consider
her for vice president on his ticket.
Harrisʼ decline started after Tulsi
Gabbard, the Hindu American can‑
didate, challenged her role as pros‑
ecutor in the debate in July accus‑
ing her of locking up people for
the minor marijuana offences and
insisting on cash bail ‑ both of
which af fected African American
and Latino communities dispro‑
portionately.
Harris had earlier served as the
attorney general of California and
as the local prosecutor in San
Francisco.
Diwali Foundation USA in 2017 to
celebrate the important work done
around the world to promote
peace and development, especially
December 7-13, 2019
as Alphabet CEO
Mountain View, CA: Alphabet CEO
Larry Page announced Tuesday
that he will step down from the
position and Google CEO Sundar
Pichai will take over as CEO of the
parent company in addition to his
current role. Co‑founder Sergey
Brin will also step down as presi‑
dent of Alphabet and the role will
be eliminated. Alphabet Inc. was
created through a corporate
restructuring of Google in 2015,
and became the parent company
of Goog le and several former
Google subsidiaries.
“With Alphabet now well‑estab‑
lished, and Google and the Other
Bets operating effectively as inde‑
pendent companies, itʼs the natu‑
ral time to simplify our manage‑
ment structure,” Page and Brin
wrote in a blog post announcing
the change. “Weʼve never been
at the United Nations. It followed
after a historic number of 24
nations, led by Belarus and India,
and USPS celebrated “The Diwali
Forever Stamp” at the US and to
honor Ranju Batra, Chair of the
Diwali Stamp Project, for her 7
years' successful journey. T he
event "Power of One" Award is co‑
hosted by the Permanent Missions
of Belarus, Georgia and India to
the UN, and Diwali Foundation
USA. The 2019 event is co‑spon‑
sored by the Permanent Missions
of Albania, Algeria, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bulg aria, Cyprus,
Dominican Republic, Estonia,
Greece, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia,
Malta, Moro cco, Oman,
Philippines, Republic of Korea,
3
The
Chennai
born
Sundar
Pichai will
now head
not just
Google but
also its
parent
company.
ones to hold on to management
roles when we think thereʼs a bet‑
ter way to run the company. And
Alphabet and Google no longer
need two CEOs and a President.”
Alphabet may need to lean more
heavily on its other bets, which
include companies like Waymo
and Verily, as its core digital
advertising business run by
Google shows signs of slowing
down. Google showed slowing ad
revenue in its first quarter of
2019 and lower profit compared
to the previous year during the
third quarter. The company has
still struggled to generate signifi‑
cant revenue in hardware,
although its cloud business is
growing. Pichai, whose full name
is Pichai Sundararajan, grew up in
Chennai, and came to America in
1993.
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South
Africa, Tajikistan, T hailand,
Turkey,
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam,
and Permanent Observer of State
of Palestine.
The moderator at the prestigious
event on Dec 6 w ill be H.E.
Valent in Rybakov, Permanent
Representative of Belarus to the
UN. Speakers include: H.E. Syed
Akbaruddin, Permanent
Representative of India to the UN,
ambassadors to the UN of Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco,
Slovakia and Slovenia. Ranju
Batra, Chair, Diwali Foundation
USA, Inc, and Ravi Batra, Chair,
National Advisory Council South
Asian Affairs, will also address the
august gathering.
 4 December 7-13, 2019
RBI sharply cuts Indiaʼs
GDP growth forecast
from 6.1% to 5%
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on
Thursday went against majority expectations and
kept repo rate unchanged at 5.15 per cent in its
fifth bi‑monthly policy review of the year. However,
the central bank already cut repo rate ‑‑ at which
banks lend from the RBI ‑‑ five times since January
without any improvement in growth. It seems that
the central bank will now explore other options to
revive growth. In what seems to be another set‑
back, the central bank also lowered its GDP growth
forecast for the entire year to 5 per cent from 6.1
per cent. In a statement released after the
announcement, RBI said, "GDP growth for Q2
turned out to be significantly lower than projected.
Various high‑frequency indicators suggest that
domestic and external demand conditions have
remained weak. Based on the early results, the
business expectations index of the Reserve Bank's
industrial outlook survey indicates a marginal pick‑
up in business sentiments in Q4."
RBI also added that overall sentiments are muted
in several key sectors including manufacturing and
construction. It expressed concern over contraction
in the output of eight core industries as well.
Saudi oil giant Aramco
announces world's
largest IPO
Riyadh: The company plans to sell 3 billion
shares, or 1.5 per cent of its total shares, at a
price of 32 Saudi riyals ($8.53) per share.
This IPO's size gives Aramco a market valua‑
tion of $1.7 trillion, pushing it ahead of Apple
($1.17 trillion) as the world's most valuable pub‑
licly traded company, Efe news reported.
Trading of Aramco's shares is expected to
begin next week pending an announcement by
Riyadh's stock exchange.
Aramco had previously announced that its
shares would not be offered in the United States,
Australia, Canada or Japan.
Proceeds from the IPO are needed as the king‑
dom aims to diversify its economy away from oil
and implement domestic socio‑economic
reforms. The company suf fered a damaging
drone and missile attack on some of its oil‑pro‑
cessing facilities in September of this year.
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TURN PAGE
Countdown to impeach Trump
starts
Continued from page 1
Articles of Impeachment, which is a charge
sheet for the Senate to try Trump.
“The President has engaged in abuse of
power undermining our national security
and jeopardizing the integrity of our elec‑
tions,” Pelosi said in a Washington press
conference. Before her announcement,
Trump threw a challenge at her in a tweet:
“if you are going to impeach me, do it now,
fast, so we can have a fair trial in the
Senate, and so that our Country can get
back to business.” Trump is relying on the
Senate, where his party has a majority to
throw out the charges and acquit him.
The Republicans will be able to call the
witnesses blocked by the Democrats in the
House panelsʼ hearings to testify.
Trump tweeted that they would call for‑
mer Vice President Joe Biden and his son
Hunter, House Intelligence Committee
Chair Adam Schiff, and Pelosi.
He added that this “will reveal, for the
first time, how corrupt our system really is.
I was elected to ʻClean the Swamp,ʼ and
thatʼs what I am doing”.
Pe losiʼs announcement sets the
Democrat‑controlled House firmly on the
path to early impeachment, with a vote
likely before it adjourns for the Christmas
vacation. A Senate trial would then follow
in January in an election year.
Only two Presidents, Andrew Johnson in
the 19th century and Bill Clinton in the
last have been impeached and both were
acquitted by the Senate.
The nationʼs polarization is reflected in
the impeachment issue with an almost
even split in public opinion. According to
the latest RealClear Politics aggregation of
polls, there is 48.3 per cent support for
impeachment and 44.6 per cent against,
with a narrow spread of 3.7 per cent.
She likened Trumpʼs conduct to the late
18th century British monarch George III
against whom Americans rose in revolt
because he was considered above the law.
The founders of the US established the
impeachment process to ensure that the
President was not above the law like a
king, she said.
The House Judicial Committee held a
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
public hearing on Wednesday where four
law professors testified on the constitu‑
tional and legal aspects of impeachment.
The three summoned by the Democrats
made the case for Trumpʼs impeachment
while the one called by the Republicans
opposed it. The Judicial Committee picked
up the impeachment process from the
Intelligence Committee, which delivered a
300‑page report on Tuesday outlining the
charges against Trump.
The Intelligence Committee accused him
of placing “his own personal and political
interests above the national interests of
the United States.”
NATO downplays divisions as
infighting roils alliance: AP
report
Continued from page 1
alliance. “We stand together, all for one
and one for all,” NATO Secretary‑General
Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after chair‑
ing the meeting at a luxury hotel and golf
resort. “Our commitment to Article 5, the
collective defense clause of our alliance, is
iron‑clad.”
Ahead of the summit, Macron had com‑
plained about a lack of U.S. leadership.
President Trump branded his remarks as
“very disrespectful,” while Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested
that Macron himself was “brain dead.”
The infighting is mostly due to Turkeyʼs
offensive in northern Syria, which began in
October. Macron has complained that
Trump pulled U.S. troops out of the region
without warning his NATO allies; a move
that Turkey saw as a greenlight to send its
troops in.
Countries across the European Union are
particularly concerned as to what may
transpire. The worry in many EU capitals is
that some extremist fighters escaped dur‑
ing Turkeyʼs offensive, and that the fight‑
ing could spark a new wave of refugees.
After three summits in consecutive
years, the leaders decided that they would
take a year of f and meet again in 2021.
That means there wonʼt be another one
until after the next presidential election in
the United States, which is by far NATOʼs
most powerful and influential member
country. Summit host Prime Minister Boris
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
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Johnson ̶ also busy with a divisive British
election campaign ̶ was upbeat, saying
“there was a mood of very great solidarity
and determination and a willingness to
push NATO forward, not just for the next
few years but for the next 70 years.”
There were a few sour notes though.
Erdogan didnʼt speak to waiting media.
Trump arrived via a dif ferent entrance,
away from media, and said he would leave
without holding a news conference. He
also called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“two‑faced” after a video emerged showing
the Canadian leader gossiping about
Trump. Macron refused to apologize for
his remarks, saying they had ignited a
debate at NATO about important strategic
issues. He said NATO “debates should be
about other things than budgets and
finances.” Stoltenberg noted that European
allies and Canada have added $130 billion
to their defense spending since 2016, even
as Trump has complained that they are too
slow to boost their military budgets.
Kamala Harris says sheʼs still ʻin
this fightʼ but exits 2020 race
Continued from page 1
the people.” She is the first Indian
American woman to run for President. Her
exit takes away from the diversity of the
presidential candidate field Democrats
were boasting.
Telangana police hailed for
killing rape accused
Continued from page 1
from Hyderabad. The police gunned down
all the four accused at the same place,
where they were taken by the investigat‑
ing of ficials to recreate the crime scene.
The four accused killed in the encounter
while they were trying to escape have
been ident ified as: lorry drivers
Mohammed Arif (26) and Chintakunta
Chennakeshavulu (20), and lorry cleaners
Jollu Shiva (20) and Jollu Naveen (20).
Shadnagar town had witnessed massive
protest on November 30, a day after the
accused were arrested. The protesters who
had gathered outside the police station,
had demanded that the accused be handed
over to them so that they could be dealt
with.
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY December 7-13, 2019 5

Jews of India exhibit in NJ Dr Bhayani is

Freehold, NJ: T he Jew ish
Heritage Museum of
the fall 2018 issue of the
Museumʼs newsletter,
president‑elect of
Monmouth County is to open
its new exhibit, Jews of India:
Heritage Highlights.
Family photographs, books,
AAPI‑QLI
The History and Practices of and objects will be on dis‑ Melville, NY: Dr.
the Bene Israel, Cochin, and play, as well as a 1965 first Raj Bhayani is the
Baghdadi Jews. The Opening day cover showing the stamp president‑elect of
Recept ion w ill be he ld in honoring the Co chin A m e r i c a n
Mount Corners Drive here on Paradesi Synagogue, which Asso ciat ion of
December 15 from 2‑4 pm. houses a set of copper plates Physicians of
Guests will have an opportu‑ dating from 1000 CE, given Indian Origin of
nity to hear from Monmouth to a Jewish leader from the Queens and Long
County residents who are Hindu ruler, outlining special Island (AAPI‑QLI),
descendants of Jewish Indian privileges which would forev‑ it was announced
families, as well as other guest er be granted to the Jewish at their annual
speakers. T he Museum has community convention at the
also received recordings of Funding has been made H i l t o n
some of the Bene Israel liturgi‑ possible in part by a general Hunt ington on
Dr. Raj Bhayani is also
cal melodies, which will be operating support grant from Nov 23.
The exhibition comprises artifacts books treasurer of
played during the reception. the New Jersey Historical Dr Bhyanai,
and family pictures. national AAPI
The history of the Jews of Commission, a Division of the who is also treas‑
India is complex and shrouded in mys‑ could date between the eighth century Department of State, through grant funds urer of national AAPI, expressed gratitude to
tery. There are three groups: Bene Israel, BCE and the sixth century CE. The Cochin administered by the Monmouth County the participants of the convention who came
Cochin, and Baghdadi, each with a differ‑ and Baghdadi Jews arrived in India later Historical Commission. The afternoon from across the nation. He shared his vision for
ent origin story. The Bene Israel has been and settled in different areas of the coun‑ will include refreshments of wine, cheese, the upcoming year and his commitment to take
the largest of the groups, with an oral tra‑ try. naan, and hummus. AAPI‑QLI to newer heights.
dition that they are descended from This exhibit was prompted by the dona‑ For more information or to make a paid The honorees of the gala this year included:
seven couples who were the sole sur‑ tion of books and artifacts by community reservation Dr. Sharwan Bagla, Dr. Neil Mandava, Dr. Dilip
vivors of a shipwreck of f the Konkan members Yochanan and Sophie Perry. (non‑refundable), call the Museum at Patel, and Dr. Bhuvanesh Singh.
coast, south of Bombay. Their arrival Their personal story was highlighted in 732‑252‑6990 or visitwww.jhmomc.org.

Lions of Nassau Emirates & SpiceJet seal codeshare deal

County will make
700 kids smile
Bellmore, NY: Lions
Club District 20K2
of Nassau County
& Bermuda is
holding its 5th
annual holiday
“Polar Express”
train‑themed
event on Dec 7
at the Brookside
School in Merrick,
NY where 700 gifts
will be distributed to
local children in need.
Train themed tickets, costumed characters and Lions
Club members will greet the kids at the event that
includes arts and crafts, games, food, books and toys, as
well as a place to receive warm hats, gloves and scarves.
Musical entertainment will be provided by local school
groups in the Bellmore, North Bellmore and Merrick area.
And of course, there will be a visit with Santa himself,
who will distribute wrapped gifts and pose for pictures.
“There are families in our area struggling just to put
food on their table every day, and by creating this event,
we ensure that every child who attends will have a holi‑
day celebration to remember,” stated Nina Lanci, who is
directing the 9:00 am‑ 2:00 pm event with no cost to
families.
Lanci, who served as past District Governor for the
Lions Club 20K2 of Nassau County & Bermuda, states the
holiday party is the perfect venue for Lions to aid others
in their community, especially children. Although gifts
and many items for the event are donated by generous
businesses and members of the community, the Lions
fund the majority of the event.
Lions Club District 20K2 is part of the Lions Club
International which has over 1.4 million members and
over 46,000 clubs worldwide.
Travelers to and from India to get seamless
access to wider route network
Dubai, UAE: Emirates has signed a code‑ Officer said: "Emirates has historically even more in the coming months."
share and interline agreement with shared a close and collaborative bond Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing
SpiceJet to give travelers to and from with India. In the last decade, we have Director, SpiceJet said: "We are very
India seamless access to a wider and flown more than 50 million customers pleased to partner with Emirates for
stronger route network. This is the first‑ on our Indian routes, which we now this new codeshare agreement which
ever codeshare agreement signed by serve with 170 weekly services from will offer a seamless travel experience
SpiceJet. Dubai. Our partnership will help us and the widest possible travel options to
From early 2020, customers traveling leverage SpiceJet's extensive route net‑ our passengers traveling to and from
to India can take advantage of many work so that our customers who are vis‑ Europe, America, Africa and the Middle
more flight options on routes common iting friends and family can fly closer to East. T his codeshare will further
to both airlines – Ahmedabad, Mumbai, their hometowns, while tourists can strengthen our position in the region
Cochin and Delhi. Emirates' customers more easily access many of the incredi‑ and complement our international
can conveniently book and connect ble sights and sounds India has to offer. expansion strategy."
seamlessly in Dubai on direct services to This will also have a significant and pos‑ The codeshare agreement follows the
Amritsar, Calicut, Mangalore, Madurai, itive impact on businesses in both coun‑ signing of a Memorandum of
Jaipur and Pune – routes served by tries and globally. We look to strength‑ Understanding (MoU) by both airlines in
SpiceJet. The codeshare agreement ening our partnership with SpiceJet April 2019.
means travelers from across
the globe can book a single
ticket with attractive fares
to any of Emirates' nine
points across India and con‑
nect onwards to 172 domes‑
tic routes that are part of
SpiceJet's network.
SpiceJet's domestic network
includes popular destina‑
tions like Goa, Dehradun,
Dharamshala, Jaisalmer,
Jammu, Srinagar, Leh,
Guwahati, Pondicherry, Port
Blair, Shirdi, Tirupati,
Udaipur, and Varanasi.
In this first phase of the
interline agreement, cus‑
tomers can book flights for
travel starting December 15,
2019. Adnan Kazim,
Emirates' Chief Commercial
 6 December 7-13, 2019 LOCAL GOVT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

NYC school kids go on NYC "coercing" homeless

‘strike for integration’
New York, NY: NYC students at an
e lite hig h school in Midtown
Manhattan walked out of class
Monday as part of what they called
a “strike for integration.”
The walkout occurred at Beacon
High School on W. 44th St., a high‑
ly selective liberal arts school with
a long history of academic excel‑
lence, and where 45% of students
are white, compared with about
15% in city schools overall.
Hundreds of students marched
in front of the building and chant‑
ed “Hey, hey, ho, ho, segregation
has go to go,” and “End Jim Crow,"
as they carried signs that said
“Student Voice is great but we pre‑
fer adult action.”
The students blocked off a block
of W. 44 St. during the half‑hour
walkout in freezing rain.
The protest was part of a stu‑
dent‑led push for greater diversity
at city schools and the end to
selective admissions high school
admissions practices that concen‑
trate the highest academic achiev‑
The protest was part of a student‑led push for greater diversity
at city schools.
ers in a handful of schools.
Students from the group Teens
Take Charge say theyʼll continue
organizing the Monday walkouts
until Mayor de Blasio and schools
Chancellor Richard Carranza put
an end to the high school screens.
Students said they were marked
as absent by teachers for partici‑
pating in the morning walkout.
(Source: New York Daily News)
to move to New Jersey
New York: The city of Newark, New
Jersey, filed a federal lawsuit on
Monday against New York City and
Mayor Bill de Blasio over their pro‑
gram that relocates homeless people
west over the Hudson River.
New Jersey's largest city claimed
New York's "Special One‑Time
Assistance" (SOTA) program ̶
which pays for a year's rent up front
for participants ̶ is so poorly run
that homeless people are coerced
into moving into Newark and forced
to live in "illegal and/or uninhabit‑
able housing."
"Defendants, however, failed to
inspect, or failed to adequately
inspect, the apartments where
defendants are coercing SOTA recipi‑
ents to move into," according to the
civil action filed in Newark federal
court.
Newark is asking for a temporary
restraining order and then a perma‑
nent injunction against New York
City from "further implementation of
the SOTA program in Newark," the
civil action said.
A representative for Mayor de
Blasio accused Newark of heartlessly
targeting homeless people.
“In the face of a regional housing
crisis, the City of Newark has inexpli‑
cably taken a page from the Trump
playbook, building a wall to single
out and prevent families from seek‑
ing housing where they want to live,"
according to a City Hall statement on
Tuesday.
"This is wrong, hypocritical, and
amounts to nothing short of income‑
based discrimination. We will contin‑
ue to fight to ensure that families
have the right to seek stable and safe
housing.”
In a separate legal filing asking for
the preliminary injunction, Newark
city officials said their beef is with
New York City officials administer‑
ing their housing plan and not with
homeless people themselves.
"To be clear, this application is not
an indictment of homeless people,"
according to the New Jersey city.
"Newark does not blame the victims
of the actions of the defendants."
In that court filing, Newark said
homeless New Yorkers were being
pressured with an "offer they can't
refuse." (Source: nbcnews.com)

AG James urges FTC to

protect consumers from
deceptive marketing practices
New York: New York Attorney General
Letitia James co‑led a coalition of 23 attor‑
neys general from around the nation urging
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to
adopt greatly needed regulations to prevent
consumers from being deceived by negative
option marketing schemes. In a letter to the
agency, the coalition argues for the FTC to
use its rulemaking authority to further
expand existing negative option regulations.
“Weʼre urging the FTC to take action and
use its power to protect consumers from the
harm of predatory marketers,” said Attorney
General James. “Deceptive marketing hurts
us all, which is why I will continue to use
every tool in my officeʼs arsenal to protect
consumers and stop marketers from target‑
ing consumers.”
With negative option marketing, a mar‑
keter presents consumers with an offer and
the consumersʼ silence or failure to take
action in response to that of fer is deemed
acceptance or approval of the of fer. One
especially problematic type of negative
option offer involves a so‑called “free” trial,
where consumers are of fered a free trial
period of a product or service. To receive the
free trial, consumers are required to submit
their credit or debit card number. However,
the free trial has additional terms and condi‑
tions ̶ which are not clearly or conspicu‑
ously disclosed to the consumer ̶ stating
that unless consumers cancel the goods or
services they are agreeing to continue to
receive and pay for them. Companies are not
required to remind consumers before their
free trials come to an end, which could
result in some consumers being charged
automatically once the free trial comes to an
end. The Of fice of the New York Attorney
General reminds consumers to proceed care‑
fully before submitting billing information
to a marketer. To avoid ending up with
unauthorized charges, consumers are
encouraged to scrupulously review the
details of any of fer ̶ including the fine
print ̶ which may contain important
details of an offer.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
More than 2,27,000 Indians AAPI to take obesity awareness campaign
awaiting family‑sponsored to Antarctica & South America
Green Cards: Report
Washington, DC: More than
2,27,000 Indians are waiting
in line for family‑sponsored
Green Card or legal permanent
residency, according to the lat‑
est of ficial data.
Currently, there are about
four million people waiting in
l i n e f o r f a m i l y ‑ s p o n s o r ed
G r ee n C a r d s a g a i n s t a
Congressional cap of 226,000
per annum.
The largest number of 1.5
million waitlist is from
America's southern neighbor
Mexico, followed by a distant
India with 227,000 and China
with nearly 180,000.
Majority of those in the fami‑
ly‑sponsored Green Card wait‑
ing list are siblings of US citi‑
zens.
Under current law, US citi‑
zens can sponsor their family
members and blood relatives
for Green Cards or permanent
legal residency.
President Donald Trump is
Indian American teen choked before 90 more Indian
being sexually assaulted: Prosecutors students arrested from
Washington, DC: The teenage Indian‑
American university student sexually
assaulted in Chicago was placed in a
chokehold by the accused until she
passed out, prosecutors said. The
gruesome details emerged during a
bail hearing of the 26‑year‑old
Donald Thurman, charged with first‑
degree murder and criminal sexual
assault.
The prosecutors told the court on
Tuesday that Donald Thurman had
confessed to the crime and it ordered
he be held without bail.
The teen, Ruth George, a long‑time
resident of Naperville and a student
at the University of Illinois in
Chicago, was found dead in family‑
owned car in a campus garage
Saturday. The medical examiner has
ruled her death a homicide by stran‑
gulation. Cook County prosecutor
James Murphy said the accused
became angry after the girl did not
respond to his catcalls when she was
walking from the campus to the
parking garage early Saturday. He
Over 13,000 complaints received from
Indians working abroad: Center
New Delhi: Over 13,000 complaints
were received from Indians employed
abroad over non‑payment of wages
and cheating, the External Af fairs
Ministry said on Wednesday. Out of
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
against such a provision which
he calls as chain immigration
and wants to abolish this. The
opposition Democratic Party is
vehemently opposed to abol‑
ishing family‑sponsored immi‑
gration system.
In addition to four million
family‑sponsored Green Card
applicants, another 827,000, a
sizeable number of whom are
from India, are waiting in line
for permanent legal residency.
The waiting line for employ‑
ment‑based green card appli‑
cants is painstakingly running
into more than a decade for
Indian IT professionals.
According to DHS, the major‑
ity of Indians waiting in line
for family‑based Green Cards
are siblings of US cit izens.
They number over 181,000.
T his is followed by 42,000
married children of US citizens
and over 2,500 spouses and
minor children of permanent
residents. (PTI)
Ruth George
then followed her to the garage. The
accused "thought she was pretty"
and wanted to talk to her. She did
not respond. This made him angry.
He allegedly came behind her and
put her into a chokehold until she
was unconscious, the prosecution
said during the bail hearing. Then, he
102 countries, the highest number of
complaints ‑‑ 3,844 ‑‑ were received
from Indians working in Saudi
Arabia, it said. In response to a query,
Minister of State for External Affairs
New York: During the historical visit
to the White Continent, Antarctica,
with brief stays in Brazil and
Argentina, the American Association
of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI),
the largest medical organization in
the United States, will organize obe‑
sity awareness campaigns in the
southernmost parts of the world, Dr.
Suresh Reddy, President of AAPI
announced.
Dr. Ravi Kolli, Secretary of AAPI,
who has been coordinating the his‑
toric tour to Antarctica, said, “Nearly
200 AAPI leaders and supporters
from across the United States have
embarked on a voyage to the
Seventh Continent starting
November 28th. During the two‑
week‑long expedition to Antarctica,
AAPI has planned several events in
Brazil and Argentina championing
the cause of Obesity Awareness
across South America.”
Dr. Reddy lauded Vandana
Aggarwal, Chair of the Family CME
Cruise for developing the entire pro‑
gram, and Dr. Krishan Kumar, Chair
of CMEs, who is coordinating the
CMEs for Physicians during the
cruise. According to Dr. Uma Koduri,
Chair of Obesity Awareness
dragged her to the back seat of her
car and sexually assaulted her.
In a statement, the teen's family
said they hold no hatred towards the
perpetrator. "But our hope is no
other girl would be harmed in this
way and for a mother to never expe‑
rience this type of heartache." (PTI)
V Muraleedharan gave data accord‑
ing to which as many as 13,665 com‑
plaints were received till October 31,
while 17,379 complaints were
received in 2018. (PTI)
December 7-13, 2019
AAPI leaders planned several Walkathon events in Brazil & Argentina
Campaign, the Walkathons planned
in Brazil and Argentina will have the
traditional anti‑obesity walks with
participants wearing yellow shirts
with caps, the unique theme repre‑
senting energy, motivation, hope,
optimism, joy, and happiness.
Consequences of obesity include
high blood pressure, high choles‑
terol, and Type 2 diabetes, which can
shorten the lifespan of children.
American society has become char‑
acterized by environments that pro‑
mote increased consumption of less
healthy food and physical inactivity
leading to this childhood obesity epi‑
demic. Subsequent to the Obesity
Awareness Campaigns in Hyderabad,
India during and after the Global
Healthcare Summit 2019, AAPI has
fake US university
Washington, DC: US Federal
law enforcement agencies
have arrested 90 foreign stu‑
dents, mostly from India,
enrolled in a fake university
e s t a b l i sh ed b y t h e U n i t ed
States government to check
immigration fraud, a media
report has said.
The US Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE)
has so far arrested more than
250 students, who were lured
to enroll in the now‑closed
University of Farmington in
the Detroit metropolitan area
by the Department of
Homeland Security.
The ICE had in March arrest‑
ed 161 students from the fake
university established by it.
When it was closed in March,
there were 600 students,
mostly Indians, enrolled in it.
The latest news of the arrest
of additional 90 students in
recent months, first reported
on Tuesday by the 'Detroit
Free Press', has resulted in
o u t r a g e w i t h # A b o l i sh I C E
hashtag gaining ground on
Twitter and other social media
platforms on Wednesday.
According to an ICE
spokesperson of the 250 stu‑
7
been organizing such Obesity
Walkathon events with the goals to
have them organized in at least in
100 schools in India and eventually
the world across, making it an
Obesity Revolution to educate and
empower everyone to prevent obesi‑
ty and lead healthy lives and make
positive contributions to their com‑
munities. Dr. Reddy and his leader‑
ship team at AAPI believe that AAPIʼs
Obesity Awareness Campaign
Walkathons will go a long way in
educating the public and in con‑
tributing to the prevention of obesity
now, and thus translating into lower
health care costs in the future. For
more details on AAPI and its several
healthcare initiatives, visit:
www.aapiusa.org
dents arrested so far, "nearly
80 percent were granted vol‑
untary departure and departed
the United States."
Of the remaining 20 percent,
about half of them have
r ec e i v ed a f i n a l o r d e r o f
removal, the of ficial was quot‑
ed as saying.
Federal prosecutors claim
that the students knew that
this was a fake university as
there were no classes.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a
leading Democratic presiden‑
tial candidate, described the
move as "cruel.”
"This is cruel and appalling,"
she said in a tweet. "These stu‑
dents simply dreamed of get‑
ting high‑quality higher educa‑
tion America can of fer. ICE
deceived and entrapped them,
just to deport them," Warren
said.
I C E h a d f i l ed a c r i m i n a l
ch a r ge sh ee t a g a i n s t e i g h t
recruiters. Seven of them have
pleaded guilty. T hese eight
recruiters have been indicted
for conspiracy to commit visa
fraud and harboring aliens for
profit by the US Attorney for
the Eastern District of
Michigan. (PTI)
8 December 7-13, 2019
Houston Endowment makes $ 500,000
grant to Eternal Gandhi Museum
H A
ouston Endowment, one of Houston's
largest and oldest foundations has
made a grant of $ 500,000 towards
the construction of Eternal Gandhi Museum
Houston (EGMH). This endorsement of
EGMH by Houston Endowment is a milestone
for EGMH as it works towards the opening of
EGMH in 2021.
Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones established
Houston Endowment on September 25,
McDonaldʼs commits $500,000 in
scholarships to Asian and Pacific
Islander American students
M
cDonaldʼs announced that it has
committed $500,000 to establish
the first‑ever McDonaldʼs/APIA
Scholarship program in partnership with
APIA Scholars. Fifty‑five Asian and Pacific
Islander American (APIA) college students
will benefit from the program, furthering
McDonaldʼs longtime support of providing
educational and career resources to bright
future leaders. The McDonaldʼs/APIA
Scholarship program will award 15 four‑
year scholarships and 40 one‑year scholar‑
ships to rising college freshmen through
APIA Scholars, which will be awarded in
Spring 2020. According to APIA Scholars,
half of all APIAs have a college degree, com‑
pared to a third of all Americans, but there
are tremendous disparities within the APIA
community, economically and educationally.
Only 25% of Native Hawaiians, Pacific
Islanders, and Southeast Asian Americans
have college degrees and the top 10% of
APIAs earn more than ten times the bottom
10% of APIAs, which is why scholarship pro‑
grams like the McDonaldʼs/APIA
Scholarship program are so crucial to the
community. Emphasis will be placed on stu‑
dents who are first‑generation college atten‑
dees and demonstrate high financial need.
“McDonaldʼs is very excited to launch the
McDonaldʼs APIA Scholarship program to
give a platform for APIA students to achieve
Ambassador Harsh V Shringla visited Delaware and met Governor John Carney.
They discussed the enhancement of the sister state relations between Gujarat
and Delaware. Ambassador also met and spoke to the representatives of the
vibrant Indian‑American community on the sister‑state agreement with Gujarat
and stronger ties between Delaware and India. In the photo: Ambassador Harsh
V Shringla with Governor John Carney (2nd from right)
NATIONAL
IN BRIEF
1937. They both believed they would pros‑
per only if their community thrived. Toward
that end, they helped to create and develop
institutions and organizations that would
nurture Houstonʼs people and encourage the
cityʼs growth. Starting from making $ 15,000
to charitable organizations in 1938, its first
full year of operation, Houston Endowment
has grown to make more than $60 million in
charitable contributions annually.
their higher education dreams,” said William
Cho, a Seattle McDonaldʼs Owner/Operator.
“We believe everyone deserves the chance
to go to college, regardless of finances, and
McDonaldʼs is committed to making that
happen.”
Founded in 2003, McDonaldʼs partner,
APIA Scholars, is the nationʼs largest non‑
profit organization that provides college
scholarships to APIAs with financial need
and has distributed more than $150 million
in scholarships with the support of partners.
“We are grateful to McDonaldʼs for their
longstanding support and partnership in our
mission to make a difference in the lives of
APIA students,” said Noël S. Harmon,
President and Executive Director, APIA
Scholars. “There are tremendous disparities
within the APIA community, both economi‑
cally and educationally, that are often over‑
looked. As a founding sponsor of APIA
Scholars, McDonaldʼs has supported our
efforts to address these disparities. We are
grateful to McDonaldʼs for recognizing the
need and working with us to make a differ‑
ence.”
APIA Scholars is currently accepting
online applications for the McDonaldʼs/APIA
Scholarship at www.apiascholars.org/. The
application will be available for the 2020‑
2021 academic year until January 22, 2020
at 5:00 PM EST.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Mysuru student shot dead in CA,
San Bernardino man surrenders
US national has surrendered to
the police in San Bernardino and
been arrested on charges of
killing Indian national Abhishek
Sudhesh Bhat early this week, the police
said on Sunday. The suspect Eric
Turner, 42, turned himself in on
Saturday, the San Bernardino Police
Department said.
He has been arrested on charges of
killing Sudhesh, 25, outside a motel
where he was working part‑time.
Mysuru resident Abhishek Sudhesh
A resident of Mysuru, Abhishek was a
student of a masterʼs degree in comput‑
Bhat was pursuing MS in Computer
Science at California State University
er science at California State University
San Bernardino. He was shot at by tigated. The reason why Turner shot at
Turner outside the motel Thursday Sudesh was not immediately known.
afternoon. He was pronounced dead by Meanwhile, friends and family of
the police which reached the scene soon Sudesh have set up a GoFund page. Till
after. The San Bernardino Police Sunday more than 1,000 people had
Department said the case is being inves‑ helped raised more than $39,000.
Verma attacks critics of Medicaid
work requirement
S
eema Verma, the Trump administra‑
tionʼs top Medicaid official, has
sharply attacked critics of her plan
to force some Medicaid enrollees to work, a
policy that led to thousands of people losing
coverage in Arkansas.
“We cannot allow those who prefer the
status quo to weaponize the legal system
against state innovation,” the administrator
of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services said in a fiery speech to the nationʼs
56 state and territorial Medicaid directors in
Washington, D.C.
A federal judge shut down the short‑lived
work requirement initiative in Arkansas and
Seema Verma, administrator of the
stopped it from launching in Kentucky last
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
spring. Several states including Indiana,
Services
Arizona and New Hampshire that had won
federal approval have put their implementa‑ Affordable Care Act. Verma first announced
tion plans on hold pending an appellate plans to open the door to work require‑
court ruling. Advocates for the poor argue ments in a speech to Medicaid directors in
work requirement policies are illegal and 2017. Medicaid – like Medicare – is an open‑
unfairly add hurdles to people who qualify ended entitlement program, which means
for coverage in the federal‑state health pro‑ federal funding increases as costs and
gram. But those opponents are seeking “to enrollment rise. In addition to doubling
manipulate Medicaid into the prototype of a down on the controversial work require‑
single‑minded, single‑payer nirvana – a ments, Verma renewed her interest in letting
utopia of open‑ended government run states get Medicaid funding through a block
health care,” Verma said. “Part of my mission grant system. Block grants would give states
is to fight such under‑handed tactics and more flexibility to limit enrollment and
preserve the right of states to shape your enforce eligibility rules, she added.
programs in ways that are consistent with Critics have said such a change would cut
the needs of your residents, your cultures Medicaid funding, limit coverage, hurt bene‑
and your values. Anything less stifles inno‑ ficiaries and lead to lawsuits.
vation.” That would be “a disservice to the But Verma said CMS would soon publish
millions of people on Medicaid today and guidance to states to allow them to get block
those who will need it in the years and grant funding for “certain optional adult
decades to come,” she added. populations.” “Many states have expressed a
The federal government has approved willingness to be held accountable for
improving outcomes in exchange for greater
work requirement plans in 10 states and
flexibility and budget certainty,” Verma said.
requests are pending from 10 others. Most
of those initiatives are directed at the low‑ “Block grants and per capita cap proposals
income adults who gained coverage through are two such alternative financing
the Medicaid expansion initiated by the approaches.” (source: khn.org)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL December 7-13, 2019 9

US Military makes bold statement in Kaling hosts Harris to cook

first-of-its-kind exercise with India
Washington, DC: A new milestone
was reached last week in the grow‑
ing U.S.‑India partnership when
nearly 2,000 troops from the two
countries completed a military
exercise in the Bay of Bengal.
About 500 Marines and sailors
aboard the do ck landing ship
Germantown joined roughly 1,200
Indian troops for Exercise Tiger
Triumph. It was the first time all of
India's military services, including
the army, navy and air force, par‑
ticipated in a training exercise
with U.S. troops.
The nine‑day exercise ended on
Nov. 21. The U.S. and India signed
a defense agreement last year.
Then‑Defence Secretary Jim Mattis
said at the time the two countries
would "work together for a free
and prosperous Indo‑Pacific."
Military leaders and defense
experts have stressed the impor‑
tance of a strong partnership
between the U.S. and India as
China's influence in the Asia‑
Pacific region expands. A January
Pentagon news release calls the
U.S.‑India defense relationship
"indispensable in promoting peace,
US Marines and Indian soldiers prepare to depart Kakinada,
India at the conclusion of exercise Tiger TRIUMPH,
Nov. 21 (Image courtesy: military.com)
prosperity, and stability in the Asia
Pacific and Indian Ocean region."
The U.S. declared India a major
defense partner in 2016. During
Tiger Triumph, U.S. troops sailed
aboard Indian ships and Indian
troops on the Georgetown to
"[gain] exposure to their partners'
naval capabilities," according to a
Marine Corps video on the exer‑
cise. T he ships sailed from
Visakhapatnam along India's east
coast about 100 miles south to
Kakinada.
An Indian UH‑3H Sea King heli‑
copter landed aboard the USS
Germantown during the exercise,
and there was live‑fire training on
the ship. The troops also practiced
moving ashore to respond to a
humanitarian crisis.
President Donald Trump spoke
about the exercise during a
September rally in Houston where
he appeared alongside India's
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The event was billed as "Howdy,
Mo di: Shared Dreams, Brig ht
Futures."
(Source: military.com)
masala dosa, talk Indian
American experience
New York: US Sen. Kamala Harris,
who is running for the Democratic
Partyʼs nomination for president in
next yearʼs election, joined actor,
comedian and writer Mindy Kaling
to cook masala dosa and talk about
their South Asian Indian heritage as
South Asians at “the Mindy Project”
starʼs home in Los Angeles this past
Wednesday.
In the nearly 9‑minute video,
Harris appeared to embrace her
Indian roots ̶ her mother is Indian
and her father black – as the pair
discuss common family themes,
such as their kitchenʼs having many
spices in coffee jars.
“Can I just tell you something?
Iʼve never made dosa,” Harris said
in the video.
Harris and Kaling took to social
media to release the video of the
meeting, which featured an appear‑
ance by Kalingʼs father, Avu
Chokalingam, and others, and the
Harris campaign routed the video
on a press release.
The senator and the actor also
discussed Indian cooking, their par‑
ents and the Besant Nagar neigh‑
borhood in Chennai where Harrisʼs
mother and Kalingʼs father lived.
Kamala
Harris and
Mindy
Kaling
embraced
their Indian
roots on the
show

At 17.5 Million, Indian
diaspora largest in the
world: UN report
United Nations: India continues
to be the largest country of ori‑
gin of international migrants
with a 17.5 million‑strong dias‑
pora across the world, and it
received the highest remittance
of $78.6 billion from Indians
living abroad, the UN migration
agency said.
T he International
Organisation for Migration said
in its ''Global Migration Report
2020'' that the number of inter‑
national migrants in 2019 is
now estimated at 270 million
and the top destination remains
the US, at nearly 51 million.
In its latest global report, the
IOM noted that the overall fig‑
ure represents just a tiny frac‑
tion of the world's population,
although it is a 0.1 percent
increase on the level indicated
in its last report, published two
years ago. "This figure remains
a very small percentage of the
world's population (at 3.5 per‑
cent), meaning that the vast
majority of people g lobally
(96.5 percent) are estimated to
be residing in the country in
which they were born," IOM's
Global Migration Report 2020
said. According to the UN
agency, more than half of all
international migrants (141
million) live in Europe and
North America. An estimated 52
percent are male, and nearly
two‑thirds of all migrants are
looking for work; that's around
164 million people.
India continued to be the
largest country of origin of
international migrants. It had
the largest number of migrants
living abroad (17.5 million), fol‑
lowed by Mexico (11.8 million)
and China (10.7 million). The
top destination country
remained the United States
(50.7 million international
migrants). T he report also
noted that international remit‑
tances increased to $689 billion
in 2018. The top three remit‑
tance recipients were India
($78.6 billion), China ($67.4
billion) and Mexico ($35.7 bil‑
lion). T he United States
remained the top remittance‑
sending country ($68.0 billion)
followed by the United Arab
Emirates ($44.4 billion) and
Saudi Arabia ($36.1 billion).
(PTI)
DIASPORA
Indian-origin researcher turns banana
plant into packaging material
Sydney: An Indian‑origin researcher‑
led team at the University of New
South Wales (UNSW ) on Friday
announced it has discovered a novel
way to turn banana plantation waste
into packaging material that is not
only biodegradable but also recycla‑
ble. Associate Professor Jayashree
Arcot and Professor Martina Stenzel
looked at ways to convert agricultural
waste into something that could
value‑add to the industry it came
from, while potentially solving prob‑
lems for another.
"What makes the banana‑growing
business particularly wasteful com‑
pared to other fruit crops is the fact
that the plant dies after each harvest,"
Arcot from UNSW School of Chemical
Engineering, said in a statement.
"We were particularly interested in
the pseudostems ‑ basically the lay‑
ered, fleshy trunk of the plant which is
cut down after each harvest and most‑
ly discarded on the field. Some of it is
used for textiles, some as compost, but
other than that, it's a huge waste," she
added.
According to Arcot, the banana‑
growing industry produces large
amounts of organic waste, with only
12 percent of the plant being used
(the fruit) while the rest is discarded
Jayashree Arcot
after harvest.
Using a reliable supply of pseu‑
dostem material from banana plants
grown at the Royal Botanic Garden
Sydney, the duo set to work in extract‑
ing cellulose to test its suitability as a
packaging alternative.
"T he pseudostem is 90 percent
water, so the solid material ends up
reducing down to about 10 percent,"
Arcot noted.
The team brought the pseudostem
into the lab and chopped it into pieces,
dried it at very low temperatures in a
drying oven, and then milled it into a
very fine powder. The team then took
this powder and washed it with a very
soft chemical treatment.
"This isolates what we call nano‑cel‑
lulose which is a material of high
value with a whole range of applica‑
tions. One of those applications that
interested us greatly was packaging,
particularly single‑use food packaging
where so much ends up in landfill,"
informed Stenzel.
When processed, the material has a
consistency similar to baking paper.
Depending on the intended thick‑
ness, the material could be used in a
number of dif ferent formats in food
packaging.
"What makes bananas so attractive
in addition to the quality of the cellu‑
lose content is the fact that they are
an annual plant," said Arcot who has
been at UNSW since 1990 after com‑
pleting her education from Bachelor's
and Master's from the University of
Madras and Ph.D. from AP
Agricultural University, Hyderabad.
"If the banana industry can come on
board, and they say to their farmers
or growers that there's a lot of value
in using those pseudostems to make
into a powder which you could then
sell, that's a much better option for
them as we ll as for us," said the
researchers.
The UNSW has more than 52,000
students from nearly 130 countries,
and the highest are from India.
 10 December 7-13, 2019 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Washington: Democrats in the

House of Representatives on
Tuesday laid out their impeach‑
ment case ag ainst President
Donald Trump, accusing him of
using the powers of his office to
solicit foreign interference in the
2020 election.
T he Demo crat ic‑led House
Intelligence Committee, which
has spearheaded the impeach‑
ment probe that formally began
in September, also said in a
report that the Republican presi‑
dent had obstructed the investi‑
gation.
The committee also voted on
its findings, forwarding the mat‑
ter to the House Judiciary
Committee, which will open its
proceedings on Wednesday and
eventually draft the articles of
impeachment.
If the full House eventually
votes to approve formal impeach‑
ment charges, a trial would be
held in the Republican‑led U.S.
Senate, where a two‑thirds major‑
ity of those present would be
required to convict and remove
Trump from office.
At issue is whether Trump mis‑
used the power of his of fice to
pressure Ukraine to investigate
former Vice President Joe Biden,
a leading contender for the
Democratic nomination to face
Dems’ impeachment report
accuses Trump of abusing power
Not deserve censure nor impeachment: Trump
Trump in the 2020 election.
Trump has denied any wrong‑
doing and accused Democrats of
using the impeachment process
to overturn the results of the
2016 president ial e lect ion.
Opinion polls show Americans
are bitterly divided over whether
to impeach Trump.
Lawmakers and the public have
heard testimony from current
and former officials that military
aid was withheld from Ukraine
and that a White House meeting
w ith Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky was condi‑
tioned on Kiev conducting the
probe as we ll as one into a
de bunked conspiracy theory
about Ukraine interference in the
2016 U.S. election.
Blasting Democrats and their
investigation of him from over‑
seas, President Trump said
Tuesday he does not deserve cen‑
sure or impeachment for his
actions with regard to Ukraine.
“Unacceptable," Trump told
reporters during a meeting in
London with NATO Secretary
General Jens Stoltenberg. "I did
nothing wrong ... You donʼt cen‑
sure somebody when they did
nothing wrong."
GOP embraces a debunked
Ukraine conspiracy
to defend Trump
M
uch of the Republican
Party is pressing
ahead with debunked
claims about Ukraine as they
defend President Trump from
possible impeachment,
embracing Russian‑fueled con‑
spiracy theories that seek to
cast blame on Kyiv rather than
Moscow for interference in the
2016 U.S. e lection, reports
Washington Post.
The increasingly aggressive
GOP efforts continued Tuesday
on Capitol Hill and were ampli‑
fied throughout conservative
media, as House Republicans
released a 123‑page document
that insisted that Trumpʼs han‑
dling of Ukraine was founded
on “genuine and reasonable”
suspicions ̶ despite mounting
evidence rejecting that asser‑
tion and warning of its conse‑
quences.
“I am not,” David Hale, the
No. 3 of ficial at the State
Department, said Tuesday at a
Senate Foreign Re lat ions
Committee hearing, when
asked whether he was aware of
any evidence of Ukrainian
interference in the U.S. presi‑
dential election.
Haleʼs statementʼs echoed
last monthʼs test imony by
Fiona Hill, a former W hite
House adviser on Russia, who
dismissed claims of Ukrainian
interference as “a fictional nar‑
rative” spun by Russian intelli‑
gence.

TRUMP CAMPAIGN Appeals court rules Deutsche

CONGRATULATES GABBARD Bank must turn over Trump
ON HARRIS DROPPING OUT financial records to House
"Don't worry, Mr. President. Trump’s lawyers are bound to take
I'll see you at your trial": Kamala Harris the matter to the Supreme Court
Washington: President Trumpʼs Washington: Deutsche Bank and Capital One a George W. Bush appointee, joined for the
of ficial 2020 campaign “War must comply with a House subpoena seeking a majority decision. Judge Debra Ann Livinston,
Room” Twitter profile congratu‑ broad range of financial documents related to another Bush appointee, issued a partial dis‑
lated Rep. Tulsi Gabbard after President Trump and his businesses, a federal sent.
Sen. Kamala Harris officially exit‑ appeals court ruled on Tuesday. A three‑judge The ruling is the latest blow to the presi‑
ed the crowded Democratic presi‑ panel of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals on dent's efforts to fight off congressional over‑
dential primary field Tuesday. Monday ruled 2‑1 in favor of ordering "prompt sight of his business dealings and personal
Gabbard and Harris went head‑ compliance" with the subpoenas from the finances.
to‑head in mult iple 2020 House Financial Services and Intelligence com‑ The 2nd Circuit and the D.C. Circuit have
Democratic primary debates. In mittees. "The public interest in vindicating the both ruled that Trump's accounting firm must
last month's debate, Gabbard Committeesʼ constitutional authority is clear comply with separate subpoenas from the
force fully crit icized the and substantial," the judges wrote in the deci‑ Manhattan district attorney and House investi‑
Though disliked by the Democratic party
Democratic Party, saying it “is sion. "It is the interest of two congressional gators. The president has asked the Supreme
establishment, Hindu American
not the party that is of, by and for committees, functioning under the authority of Court to intervene in some of those cases.
Tulsi Gabbard is still in the 2020 race.
the people,” remarks that were a resolution of the House of Representatives And Trump's lawyers have already suggested
later shared by the Trump campaign them as cheap labor for the state of authorizing the subpoenas at issue, to obtain appealing this decision to the high court.
account. Harris accused Gabbard of California." information on enforcement of anti‑money‑ “We believe the subpoena is invalid as
spending “four years full time on Fox Trump, who in the past has expressed laundering/counter‑financing of terrorism issued," Jay Sekulow, Trump's personal attor‑
News criticizing President Obama,” and glee when would‑be Democratic oppo‑ laws, terrorist financing, the movement of illicit ney, wrote on Twitter. "In light of the Second
later shared the War Room tweet with nents exit the 2020 race, had some fun funds through the global financial system Circuit decision, we are evaluating our next
Gabbardʼs criticism. at Harris' expense on Tuesday evening including the real estate market, the scope of options including seeking review at the
In an earlier debate, Gabbard attacked after his former campaign manager, the Russian governmentʼs operations to influ‑ Supreme Court of the United States.”
Harrisʼs record as a prosecutor in Corey Lewandowski, tweeted about ence the U.S. political process, and whether the The president has seven days to file for a
California, saying she was “deeply con‑ Harris leaving the race. Lead Plaintif f was vulnerable to foreign review of the decision.
cerned” about her record. "Too bad. We will miss you Kamala exploitation," they continued. Last month, the Supreme Court ordered a
"She put over 1,500 people in jail for Harris!" Trump tweeted. The subpoenas are part of a congressional temporary stay of a House Oversight
marijuana violations and then laughed Moments later, Harris shot back. probe into the president's dealings with Committee subpoena of Trump's financial
about it when she was asked if she ever "Don't worry, Mr. President. I'll see you Deutsche Bank, which is reportedly being records from the accounting firm Mazars. The
smoked marijuana," Gabbard said, at your trial," Harris told Trump, refer‑ investigated for its role in a $200 billion stay will be in place while the justices deliber‑
adding that the senator "kept people in ring to a potential impeachment trial of money‑laundering scheme involving Russia. ate over whether to grant the president's
prison beyond their sentences to use the president in the Senate. Judges Jon Newman, who was appointed by request for a review of the appellate court
former President Jimmy Carter, and Peter Hall, decision.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info US AFFAIRS December 7-13, 2019 11

Trump decries
Drop impeachment, censure Trump
impeach hearing Op Ed by Ali Fleischer
during NATO meeting White House spokesman under George W. Bush

I
f the Democrats' drive to impeach and convict President
White House will not take part in Donald Trump is going to be successful, they need to per‑
impeachment hearing suade Republicans who have misgivings about the presi‑
dent to support their bid to remove him from office.
Washington: President Trump on Monday slammed
They have failed.
Democrats for scheduling impeachment hearings
I know, because Iʼm one of those Republicans. I voted
against him when he is attending the NATO Summit in
against Trump in the primary and left my ballot blank in the
the UK.
general.
"This is one of the most important journeys that we
There is much about Trump that I donʼt like or support.
make as President. And for them (Democrats) to be put‑
There is much about his policies and what he has accom‑
ting an impeachment on the table, which is a hoax to of his presidency, and they see the Ukrainian phone call as
plished that I do.
start of f with," Trump told reporters before boarding incontrovertible proof that the president should be thrown
From the start I said, often on Fox News, that Trump's July
Marine One plane. out of the game.
25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was
"The Democrats, the radical‑left Democrats, the do‑ I, on the other hand, heard nothing that rises to the level of
inappropriate. No president, or member of Congress, should
nothing Democrats, decided when I'm going to NATO ‑‑ impeachment.
ask a foreign nation to investigate political opponents.
this was set up a year ago ‑‑ that when I'm going to If the Democrats were smart, they would drop impeach‑
Over the course of the House impeachment hearings, the
NATO, that was the exact time," he said. ment and instead vote to censure the president for his phone
witnesses called by Democrats successfully made the case
The House Congressional committee began Monday call and his attempts to link an investigation to the receipt of
that the president and his top aides wanted Ukraine to inves‑
reviewing the investigation report of Trump's impeach‑ military assistance and/or an Oval Of fice visit. I suspect
tigate the Bidens.
ment inquiry setting the stage for charges to be filed. many Republicans would vote for it.
Of course he did. He said so in his “perfect” July 25 phone
The committee is expected to consider and vote the That would be a bipartisan outcome.
call. He also, unwisely, publicly called on China to do the
report on Tuesday evening, which would then head to But the Democrats canʼt stop themselves. Their hatred of
same. He once, also unwisely, publicly called on Russia to
the House Judiciary Committee for it to frame impeach‑ the president, driven by their growing liberal base and short‑
release Hillary Clintonʼs emails if it had them. The problem
ment charges. The White House was invited to attend age of conservative or moderate members, has led to this
the Democrats have is that their impeachment hearings
the Wednesday hearing of the Judiciary Committee, but gigantic waste of time that will result in a one‑party, partisan
proved a point that almost everyone knows: Trump did it.
its counsel declined in a fiery letter released Sunday impeachment.
The Democrats, and much of the news media, say the hear‑
evening. The Democrats fail to understand how anyone, especially
ings were full of bombshells and smoking guns. But the
“This baseless and highly partisan inquiry violates all those who have misgivings about the president, canʼt support
smoking guns were BBs and the bombshells were duds.
past historical precedent, basic due process rights, and impeachment. They donʼt accept the point of view that elec‑
In football terms, Trump deserves a flag for a false start, or
fundamental fairness,” said White House counsel Pat tions are the superior remedy to issues like this. Weʼre a
maybe unnecessary roughness. But the Democrats want to
Cipollone, continuing the West Wingʼs attack on the pro‑ republic if we can keep it, they like to say. Courtesy USA Today
add up all the penalty flags Trump has earned in three years
cedural form of the impeachment proceedings.
 12 December 7-13, 2019 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Not a single charge framed against me: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Former Finance
Minister and senior Congress
leader P. Chidambaram, released
from the Tihar jail, here on
Wednesday, after granted bail by
the Supreme Court, said there was
not a "sing le charge framed
against me" in the last 106 days.
After stepping out of the jail,
Chidambaram said, "I can't com‑
ment on the case. I am going to
obey the Supreme Court order."
"But the fact is in the 106 days
of pre‑trail incarceration not a sin‑
gle charge was framed against me.
I will speak all about that tomor‑
row ( T hursday)," the senior
Congress leader said.
Chidambaram came out of the
Tihar jail around 8 p.m. after the
jail authorities received the court
orders.
He was received by his son and
Lok Sabha member Kart i
Chidambaram outside the jail
premises. Besides his son, hun‑
dreds of Congress activists wel‑
comed the former Finance
Minister and raised slogans in his
favor.
After the release, Chidambaram
along with his son drove straight
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram arrives at his residence
after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in the
INX Media case, in New Delhi.
to Congress interim president
Sonia Gandhi's residence, while
several Congress workers gath‑
ered outside his residence in the
Jor Bagh area to welcome him.
Some Congress activists were also
spotted playing guitar and singing
'Nyay do, nyay do' (Deliver justice)
outside his residence.
While in jail, Chidambaram was
visited by the top Congress brass,
including Sonia Gandhi and for‑
mer Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, former party chief Rahul
Gandhi and his sister and party
General Secretary Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra.
Chidambaram was arrested on
August 21 from his residence by
the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) in connection
with a probe into granting of the
Chidambaram worried, says
voices being 'suppressed'
New Delhi: A day after the
Supreme Court granted bail to
former Finance Minister and
senior Cong ress leader P.
Chidambaram, the Rajya Sabha
member reached Parliament and
expressed his concern that voic‑
es are being "suppressed" by the
government.
"I am worried. Our voices are
being suppressed,"
Chidambaram said while speak‑
Foreign Exchange Promot ion
Board (FIPB) approval to the INX
Media, now known as 9X News,
when he was Finance Minister.
He was sent to the judicial cus‑
tody on September 5. On October
16, while in judicial custody at
Tihar Jail, he was arrested under
sections of the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by
the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Since October 17, Chidambaram
was remanded to the ED custody
ing to the media outside the
House.
He was sent to judicial custody
on September 5. On October 16,
while in judicial custody at Tihar
Jail, he was arrested under sec‑
tions of the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act (PMLA) by the
Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Since October 17, Chidambaram
was remanded to the ED custody
till October 30.
till October 30.
Earlier in the day, Chidambaram
was granted bail by the Supreme
Court. While granting the bail, the
apex court said even if the allega‑
tion was related grave economic
offence, it was not a rule that bail
should be denied in every case
since there was no such bar creat‑
ed in the re levant enactment
passed by the legislature nor did
the bail jurisprudence provided
so.

Maharashtra review RBI cuts GDP forecast

of infra projects to to 5% in FY20
hurt economy
New Delhi: The specter of rollback of
large scale infrastructure projects worth
Rs 2 lakh crore is looming over
Maharashtra which may be a redux of
Andhra Pradesh and in the eventuality
also cause grave damage to the already
faltering Indian economy's growth.
W hile the new Maharashtra Chie f
Minister Uddhav Thackeray has indicated
a review of projects initiated by the previ‑
ous government led by Devendra
Fadnavis, the BJP is now raking up the
issue and insinuating collateral issues.
Kirit Somaiya, Vice President,
Maharashtra BJP, raised this issue On
Wednesday and questioned the intention
of the coalition government of Shiv Sena,
NCP and Congress.
"W hat is the intent ion of New
Maharashtra Govt to stay all infrastruc‑
ture projects of more than Rs 2 lacs
crores?? Sending Signal to Contractors??
Who will be responsible for delay & cost
escalation??," Somaiya said in a tweet.
Somaiya told IANS that ministers of the
government are making statements about
staying the infrastructure projects in
Mumbai like roadways, Metro and
Mumbai‑Nagpur Samrudhi Corridor.
The BJP has said that the government
should not take steps which will cause
delays. "We have asked for a clarification
from the government on this, which is
likely to come soon," he told IANS.
There are reports that Chief Minister
Uddhav Thackeray has directed a review
of all projects approved by the Fadnavis
government in the last six months.
Thackeray is also learnt to have direct‑
ed government officials to not clear pay‑
ments for the projects till clearance is
given.
There has been massive acrimony and
bitterness between BJP on one side and
Shiv Sena on the other as the two parted
ways after the election and now Shiv Sena
is in the driver's seat. Similarly, Congress
and NCP are itching to get back at the
BJP.
Immediately after taking over as CM,
Thackeray announced that the Metro
shed at Aarey Colony has been put on
hold. The project had become hugely con‑
troversial.
The Maharashtra developments are a
sense of deja vu given the recent quash‑
ing of several projects in Andhra Pradesh
by Chief Minister Jagan Reddy. In some
cases, these were projects with foreign
participation and investments which has
caused ripples among the fraternity.
The go slow in Maharashtra will also hit
the slowing Indian economy. Maharashtra
is among the largest contributors to the
GDP of the country and derailing there
will also hit the large ecosystem.
New Delhi:
With the sec‑
ond quarter
GDP slipping
to a six‑year
low of 4.5 per
cent and
expected to
remain muted,
the Reserve
Bank of India
(RBI) on
Thursday cut
GDP growth
forecast for
the current fis‑
cal to 5 per
The RBI, however, sees a marginal
cent. In its October monetary policy, the
pick up in business sentiments in the
RBI had estimated the GDP to grow at
Q4 of the current fiscal.
6.1 per cent in financial year 2019‑20.
"On the positive side, however, mone‑
The central bank said that the July‑
tary policy easing since February 2019
September GDP growth had turned out
and the measures initiated by the gov‑
turned out to be significantly lower
ernment over the last few months are
than projected and various high fre‑
expected to revive sentiment and spur
quency indicators suggest that domes‑
domestic demand," the RBI said.
tic and external demand conditions
The Monetary Policy Committee
have remained weak.
(MPC) noted that economic activity has
"While improved monetary transmis‑
weakened further and the output gap
sion and a quick resolution of global
remains negative.
trade tensions are possible upsides to
"However, several measures already
growth projections, a delay in revival of
initiated by the government and the
domestic demand, a further slowdown
monetary easing undertaken by the
in global economic activity and geo‑
Reserve Bank since February 2019 are
political tensions are downside risks,"
gradually expected to further feed into
the RBI said in its monetary policy
the real economy," the RBI said.
statement.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Fugitive godman sets up own 'Hindu sovereign nation'
New Delhi: Even as the Gujarat
Police is looking for self‑styled
godman, Swami Nithyananda, in
an alleged case of kidnapping and
wrongful confinement of children
to make them collect donations
from followers to run his ashram
in Ahmedabad, a website named
Kailaasa.org has popped up sug‑
gesting that he has founded his
own country and designed its flag,
constitution and emblem.
The website declared that the
fugitive godman has declared a
'Hindu sovereign nation' and even
has a cabinet along with a Prime
Minister.
It has also called for donations
for the country and through it, an
Self‑styled godman Swami Nithyananda
opportunity to gain citizenship of
the "g reatest Hindu nat ion", According to cyber experts, the
Kailaasa. website was created on October
We located crashed Vikram
lander first, says ISRO chief
Jaipur: Indian Space Research Org anisat ion
Chairman K. Sivan has said that its own orbiter had
located the crashed Vikram lander on the lunar sur‑
face. However, "ISRO will not refute the claims
made by the NASA," he said, speaking to media on
the sidelines of the sixth convocation of the Central
university of Rajasthan in Ajmer.
"You can see on our website that we have already
identified the crashed lander, however, "We don't
want to refute the claims made by NASA," he added
further.
Sivan was speaking with reference to NASA's
claim made on twitter saying: "The #Chandrayaan2
Vikram lander has been found by our @NASAMoon
mission, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. See the
first mosaic of the impact site."
However, later in the day, it was revealed that a
Chennai‑based techie Shanmuga Subramanian had
Sensitive personal data 'can be processed
overseas with explicit consent'
New Delhi: The Data Protection Bill, which has been
cleared by the Cabinet, envisages "sensitive" person‑
al data to be stored in India but it can be processed
outside the country with the explicit consent of the
individual concerned.
The sensitive personal data will include health
records, financial data, sexual orientation, biomet‑
rics, genetic data, transgender status, religious or
political beliefs or af filiations, said the of ficial
source.
However, "critical" personal data, which is another
classified data, can only be stored and processed in
India and will not leave the country. What consti‑
tutes "critical' data" will be defined by the govern‑
ment at the time of framing regulations.
Sources said the data protection Bill does not
require companies to store and process "all" person‑
al data in India. The Bill will be introduced in the
current session of Parliament, said a source.
The Bill will let government to request non‑per‑
sonal data from any company for "planning". The
social media platforms will have to develop a verifi‑
cation mechanism that is voluntary for users but will
decrease anonymity.
Companies may face a penalty of up to Rs 15 crore
or 4 per cent of global turnover for major violations
INDIA NEWS
21, 2018 and it was last updated
on October 10, 2019.
Indian Space Research Organisation
Chairman K Sivan
discovered the debris of the crashed lander while
using NASA pictures.
Sivan further informed that ISRO is scheduled to
complete 13 space missions by March 2020.
The sensitive personal data will include health
records, financial data, biometrics etc.
under the proposed Personal Data Protection law,
according to the official source.
"In case of major violations, Personal Data
Protection Bill proposes penalty of up to Rs 15 crore
or 4 per cent of global turnover (whichever is high‑
er). For minor violation, penalty of Rs 5 crore or 2
per cent of global turnover is proposed," a source
said.
"The data privacy law exempts processing of data
without consent in case of issues around sovereign‑
ty, national security and court order," the source
said.
December 7-13, 2019
The website has been regis‑
tered in Panama with its IP locat‑
ed in US's Dallas.
However, it is yet not clear
where the 'Kailaasa' nation is
located. But the website explains:
"Kailaasa is a nation without bor‑
ders created by dispossessed
Hindus from around the world
who lost the right to practice
Hinduism authentically in their
own countries."
"T hough the Kailaasa move‑
ment is founded in the United
States, and spearheaded by mem‑
bers of the Hindu Adi Shaivite
minority community, it is created
for, and offers a safe haven to all
the world's practising, aspiring or
persecuted Hindus, irrespective of
race, gender, sect, caste, or creed,
where they can peacefully live
Nirav Modi
proclaimed 'fugitive
economic offender'
Diamantaire Nirav Modi was arrested in London in March 2019.
Mumbai: In a big boost for Indian
investigating agencies, a special
PMLA court has proclaimed
absconding diamantaire Nirav
Modi, one of the prime accused in
the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab
National Bank scam of 2017, as a
'fugitive economic offender'.
"With this, he becomes only the
second accused so far under the
Fugitive Economic Of fenders Act
(FEOA) to have been declared a
'fugitive economic of fender' after
another accused, Vijay Mallya,"
Special Counsel for Enforcement
Directorate (ED) Hiten Venegaonkar
told IANS.
Liquor baron and former chief of
Kingfisher Airlines, Mallya, was
declared a 'fugitive economic
offender' by a Mumbai special court
in January this year.
The huge setback to Nirav Modi
came a day after special PMLA
judge V.C. Barde said that "the
proclamation envisaged by Sec. 82
of the CrPC shall be issued as the
accused absconded and concealing
themselves to avoid execution of
13
and express their spirituality, arts,
and culture free from denigration,
interference and violence," it read.
The website also proclaims that
it has its own passport and one
can apply to be a cit izen of
Kailaasa.
Swami Nithyananda is also
accused of allegedly raping his
former disciple under the garb of
spirituality.
Last month, Gujarat Police
arrested two of his associates, and
also booked him under charges of
abduction, wrongful confinement,
voluntarily causing hurt, inten‑
tional insult to provoke breach of
peace and criminal intimidation
under the Indian Penal Code as
well as charges under the Child
Labour (Prohibit ion and
Regulation) Act.
warrant."
Besides Nirav Modi, his brother
Neeshal Modi and an accomplice
Subhash Parab are directed to
appear before the Special Court by
January 15, in a plea filed by the
CBI in August to declare the trio as
'fugitive economic offenders'.
If the two others also fail to hon‑
our the special court's summons,
then they are liable to be pro‑
claimed as 'fugitive economic
offenders' and the CBI can initiate
measures to attach all their known
assets/properties under the FEOA.
W hile Nirav Modi ‑ who was
arrested in London in March 2019 ‑
is currently cooling his heels under
judicial custody in a London prison,
the whereabouts of the other two
are not known, though non‑bailable
arrest warrants have been issued
against the trio (Nirav, Neeshal and
Parab).
India is currently making efforts
to extradite Nirav Modi from the UK
and his uncle Choksi from Antigua
and Barbuda where he is now a citi‑
zen, to come and face the law here.
 14 December 7-13, 2019
Why India should close trade deal with the US
By Frank Islam
D
uring Prime Minister Narendra
Modiʼs visit to the United States
(US) in September, in which
President Donald Trump made a cameo
appearance at the “Howdy Modi” event in
Houston, the two leaders were expected to
announce a trade deal. But, the two sides
could not agree on the contours of such a
deal before that landmark trip ended.
Media accounts suggested that, over sub‑
sequent weeks, New Delhi and Washington
appeared to be near a trade deal several
times. Nonetheless, as 2019 draws to a
close, India and the US are still without a
deal.
Two recent bilateral visits give hope,
however, that the two countries might
reach an ag reement soon. In mid‑
November, Indiaʼs commerce and indus‑
tries minister Piyush Goyal visited
Washington to hold discussions with the
US Trade Representative (USTR), Robert
Lighthizer. And, subsequently, a USTR dele‑
gation was in India to continue the talks.
Reports say that the two sides are nearing
a breakthrough. At a time of general eco‑
nomic slowdown, a trade deal with the US
in the waning days of the year would end
the economic news for India on a high
note.
It is worth noting that since India opened
up its economy, the US‑India bilateral trade
has grown at a spectacular rate. The trade
in goods increased from $5 billion in 1991
to nearly $88 billion last year. In 2018,
Uddhav’s biggest challenges are in-house
By Shailesh Gaikwad
N
ow that Uddhav Thackeray led
Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi gov‑
ernment has won the trust vote,
the focus will be on the new chief minis‑
terʼs performance. It is time for Chief
Minister Uddhav Thackeray to show what
he can do. The question, however, is: Will
he be able to do it?
As he starts his tenure, challenges are
staring at Chie f Minister Udd hav
Thackeray.
To begin with, there is an atmosphere
of uncertainty about his government.
Forget the opposition BJP, nobody in the
three ruling parties is willing to place
bets on the possibility of the MVA gov‑
ernment surviving full five years. Most
are saying that it will last a year or two.
The government has in‑built contradic‑
t ions. Shiv Sena has t ied up w ith
Congress and NCP that believes in secu‑
lar ideology. Sena believes in hardline
Hindutva though it has put its Hindutva
on backburner now.
There has always been an uneasy tussle
between Congress and NCP since the two
parties share the same support base.
Congress leaders are always suspicious
about NCP chief Sharad Pawarʼs inten‑
tions. In private conversations, many of
them do raise lingering doubts whether
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
Donald Trump made a cameo appearance at the
“Howdy Modi” event in Houston in September.
India was Americaʼs ninth largest goods
export market. When trade in services is
also included to the mix, the volume of
bilateral trade last year was $142 billion.
This huge increase in the trade volume
does not mean that the two countries were
or are on the same page on every trade
issue. The US continues to voice its long‑
standing concerns in primarily two areas:
Lack of adequate market access and pro‑
tection of US intellectual property rights in
India. Over the years, India has listened to
these concerns and has made concessions.
The result is there for all to see: Last year,
American companies exported goods
exports worth $33.5 billion and services to
the tune $25.2 billion to India.
Uddhav Thackeray is the first from the Shiv Senaʼs first family
to become chief minister of the Maharashtra.
Pawar would pull down the government
in a year or two and go with the BJP. A
significant section of Shiv Sena leaders
also have doubts over Pawarʼs intentions.
On the other hand, the threat of BJP woo‑
ing a section of MLAs is always looming
large.
There are a lot of expectations from
The concerns about market access and
intellectual property rights have never
become wedge issues in the US, except dur‑
ing presidential election cycles. For exam‑
ple, President George W Bush imposed tar‑
if fs on Indian steel to woo voters in the
critical battleground state of Ohio, ahead of
his 2004 campaign. Not to be outdone, his
challenger Senator John F Kerry vigorously
went after the Indian outsourcing industry.
President Donald Trump has stated that
he believes trade wars are good for the US
economy. W hile trade disputes w ith
Canada, Mexico and China have attracted
most of the headlines, Trump has opened
new battlefronts with a number of coun‑
tries, including India.
Uddhav Thackeray, the first from the
Senaʼs first family to become chief minis‑
ter of the state. Thackeray will have to
deliver now. Criticizing a person occupy‑
ing the chair of chief minister is easy but
showing performance by running the
government is a tough job. Shiv Sena has
been demanding complete loan waiver
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
In May, his administration escalated the
disputes with India, when it ended Indian
participation in the Generalized System of
Preferences (GSP), which had allowed India
to export a number of goods to the US at
low tariffs for decades. In retaliation, India
increased tariffs on 28 US goods.
In the latest rounds of talks, the two
countries have reportedly agreed on tariff
concessions on dozens of fruits and nuts
products, and are close to a deal on med‑
ical devices. The major remaining chal‑
lenge seems to be finding common ground
on agricultural products. This is because
Trump is very sensitive about the loss suf‑
fered by farmers in the US midwest, after
China imposed huge tarif fs on American
agribusiness products as a retaliatory
measure. The trade deal has become even
more important after Indiaʼs decision to
stay out of the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP). The size of
the economies of RCEP partners, in the
aggregate, rivals the combined economies
of the US and Europe.
It is in Indiaʼs interest to conclude the
ongoing trade talks with the US produc‑
tively. That does not mean giving away the
store, but it does mean being flexible and
keeping the larger economic story in mind.
As the axiom goes ̶ and contrary to
what the US President believes or says ̶
there are no winners in a trade war.
Similarly, a sound trade agreement has no
losers.
(The article appeared in The Hindustan
Times)
for farmers. It had criticized the farm
loan waiver implemented by the BJP‑Sena
government. A complete loan waiver
would cost above Rs 30,000 crore. Then
there are several promises such as meal
for Rs 10 for the poor. This will need a lot
more money. The debt burden on the
state government is expected to reach Rs
4.71 lakh crore this fiscal.
The three parties ‑ Shiv Sena, NCP and
Congress ‑ have come together primarily
to keep the BJP out of power. They did
not contest the election on a common
plank. The functioning of the three par‑
ties is different.
There are chances that the government
would get pulled in dif ferent directions
by the three parties. In several cases, tak‑
ing decision on key issues could take
time as all three partners will have to
come on board.
The BJP is an altogether different party
when it is in Opposition With a block of
105 MLAs in the assembly of 288, the
BJP will be a strong opposition.
It would make functioning of the legis‑
lature difficult and launch an aggressive
campaign against the government that
isnʼt going to remain limited to the leg‑
islative assembly. If Thackeray fails to
fulfill his promises, he will face sharp
criticism from the BJP which will try to
damage his credibility.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SUCCESS STORY December 7-13, 2019 15

With TellaTina app, Chanda Surana has

created a supportive world family
TellaTina, the trendsetting mobile app launched by Chanda Barjatya Surana (scion of the Rajshri dynasty),
is more like a trusted global community of like‐minded friends to share resources and contacts.
By Parveen Chopra 'Sudhasugandh', aimed to empower the
ʻIndian housewifeʼ by facilitating the

B
elonging to a proud dynasty like
Rajshri has been for Chanda
Barjatya Surana an inspiration and
a source of strength to do something
classy and big and meaningful and useful.
For the uninitiated, Chanda is the grand‑
daughter of Tarachand Barjatya, the
doyen of Hindi film industry who founded
Rajshri Productions in 1947 that became
a gold standard for family oriented, clean
entertainment. Her father late Rajkumar
Barjatya continued the tradition as pro‑
ducer. Her brother Sooraj R. Barjatya took
Rajshri to the blockbuster league with
ʻHum Aapke Hain Kounʼ and ʻMaine Pyar
Kiyaʼ without sacrificing on the Rajshri
family values. Her brotherʼs strong work
ethic and humility have always inspired
Chanda.
Super success notwithstanding, for
Barjatyas traditions are as basic as being
that the appʼs reference‑only admission
simple, compassionate and honest.
system ensures that this airtight network
Chanda is a proud flagbearer of this 72‑
remains a trusted circle of friends, com‑
year‑old tradition. Sheʼs not just living it,
prising those in the know as well as influ‑
sheʼs taking it forward with her work, her
encers.
ambition and her zeal.
Chanda launched TellaTina in 2018 as
Enter TellaTina, born out of the enter‑
an app for Android and Apple. It is a
prising homemaker Chanda Suranaʼs end‑
unique idea that achieves ef ficiency and
less WhatsApp threads and her fervor to
comfort for almost anything that one may
make a mark for herself. This internation‑
need assistance with. It helps people pro‑
al app is like a carefully curated bulletin
cure resources and contacts at the time
board that hopes to tackle everything
they need it the most. W hat makes
from nutrition to styling. Whatʼs special is
TellaTina stand out is the personal touch
that Chanda has given it.
Itʼs literally like asking
trusted friends for their
first‑hand experience to
help in whatever way
needed. What began as
her dream is now help‑
ing the thousands
around the world who
comprise the exclusive
TellaTina community.
Te llaTina recently
launched global interest
g roups such as: • The journey of finding her own wings
Spirituality • Dream
Analysis • Image
Consultancy • Finance
and Investments • Pets
• Fashion and Styling •
Nutrition • Travel.
TellaTina has also
introduced
After living in New Matrimony which is
York for 14 years, an exclusive plat‑
the desire to go back form offered only to
to her roots brought their members.
Chanda Surana back
Creativity is best at its
to Mumbai
versatility and Chanda
where she is making
a mark for herself in highlights this notion
enterprises not time and again by work‑
ing on platforms, genres
related to the
and means that are all
Barjatyas or Suranas.
expression of their homemade culinary
skills to the world in beautifully cus‑
tomized packages. It was a tribute to her
late mother Sudha, who had been one
such homemaker all her life. The products
were traditional Indian savories and
sweets, all homemade and natural. These
beautiful packages made excellent gifts,
along with elevating the self‑confidence
and financial standing of the Indian
housewife and bringing to everyday life,
long forgotten Indian recipes.
Always inclined towards spirituality,
Chanda is an ordained spiritual teacher
and counsellor by the Oneness University
and conducts weekly meditation sessions
in Mumbai. From Sud hasug and h to
TellaTina, Chandaʼs journey has all been
about helping others. Milestone after
milestone, sheʼs someone who is leading
by example. When asked, with a sparkle in
so distinct in form and yet so similar in
her eyes and a smile that emits grace, all
their goal, which always has been to make
she says is, “I am only a channel for that
the world a better place. Born and brought
Grace which has been kind enough to
up in Mumbai, she did her Bachelorʼs in
choose me, to work through me and which
Commerce from Sydenham College. Love
takes care of me and mine.”
for art and a creative bent of mind runs in
Today, within one year of its launch,
the family. Chanda herself is a trained
TellaTina has emerged as an application
Kathak and Odissi dancer and plays the
with a membership count in thousands
tabla and piano like a pro.
and growing by the minute.
Chanda is married into the Suranas, a
Letʼs TellaTina.
family name synonymous with jewelry.
website: www.tellatina.com
They pioneered the ʻJaipur Jadauʼ style of
jewelry making and also own the iconic
Raj Mandir Cinema in Jaipur. That makes TELLATINA
her the bridge between two proud dynas‑
ties ‑‑ the Barjatyas and Suranas. ADVISORY BOARD
After her marriage to Pankaj Surana, she Dr. Milind R. Bhatt
moved to New York to take up the multi‑ Dr Milind R. Bhatt, a world renowned
faceted role of a homemaker, wife and Dream Analyst and Classical
mother but one who contributed proudly Homoeopath
and efficiently to her family's business. since 1991,
After living in New York for 14 years, has been
the desire to go back to her roots brought known to heal
diseases
her back to Mumbai. She is an accom‑
deemed incur‑
plished Creative Jewelry Designer for the able by main‑
House of Surana. stream medi‑
cince. His
led her to launch her first initiative ‑ radio shows
and TV shows
in Dubai and on FM 91, Mumbai, have
been a great success along with his
weekly column in Mumbai Samachar,
a Gujarati newspaper. TellaTina
offers Dr Bhatt's Dream Analysis
services.
Mukesh Vasa
Mukesh Vasa
is Founder &
CEO of
Designscape,
which
empowers its
clients world‑
wide with
customized
Chanda Surana with her TellaTina team ‑
technology
Technical Head ‑ Neha Vasa and Head solutions.
Admin ‑ Veena Nevatia.
 16 December 7-13, 2019 ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info

How Hollywood adds sheen to Bollywood biggies

D
id the trailers of "Panipat"
and "Tanhaji: The Unsung
Warrior" remind you of
"Game Of Thrones"? Or the action of
"War" and "Saaho" bring memories
of "Mission Impossible"? Well, that's
because the canvas of Bollywood is
getting glossier, with the creative
geniuses of Hollywood increasingly
working on Bollywood projects.
From action gurus, stunt directors,
VFX experts, cinematographers,
musicians, make‑up experts, techni‑
cians to physical trainers, talent from
the West is being roped in to deliver
world‑standard content in Hindi
films.
The trend of roping in experts
from Hollywood is not new, but
something which is growing popular
with filmmakers acquiring global
sensibilities, and the Indian audience
getting receptive towards foreign
content.
With larger‑than‑life Hollywood
movies, backed up with advanced
make‑up and technology techniques,
high on breathtaking action
sequences and on point cinematog‑
raphy, winning hearts in India,
Indian filmmakers are updating the
Akshay Kumar's "Kesari" and Rishi
Kapoor's "Kapoor & Sons" are
infused with Hollywood mastery.
"Now that we are used to watching
global content, from films to content
on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video,
people have more expectations. They
want everything to look good. It
makes a difference. The production
value, the look and lighting has to be
on par with the Hollywood standard.
It works well for all as it improves
the whole get up of the project,"
trade expert Rajesh Thadani told
IANS.
According to Thadani, historical
projects such ad Sanjay Leela
Bhansali's "Padmaavat", Ashurosh
Gowariker's "Panipat" and the Ajay
Devgn‑co produced "Tanhaji: The
Unsung Warrior" need to be credited
for driving the trend forward.
Some notables projects with for‑
eign twist include "Kesari" with "Mad
Max: Fury Road" stunt coordinator
Lawrence Woodward, "Bang Bang"
Ashutosh Gowariker‑directed ʻPanipatʼs trailer is grand and majestic. with "Thor" stunt coordinator Andy
Armstrong, Sunny Deol's "Ghayal
look of the project to match up with Salman Khan's "Tiger Zinda Hai", Once Again" with Hollywood stunt
their foreign counterpart. "Race 3", "Bharat", Hrithik Roshan coordinator Dan Bradley, "Krrish"
Star‑driven vehicles such as and Tiger Shroff‑starrer "War", franchise, Prabhas' "Saaho" with
Hollywood stuntmaster Kenny Bates,
Taapsee Pannu's "Naam Shabana"
with Hollywood stuntman Cyril
Raffaelli and Rishi Kapoor's "Kapoor
& Sons" with makeup artist Greg
Cannom.
Hollywood action director Paul
Jennings, who has worked in movies
such as "The Dark Knight" and "San
Andreas" among many others, says
the action spectacle in "War" is on
par with films like "Mission
Impossible" and "Fast and Furious".
"What I love about Bollywood is I
believe you can push the action a lit‑
tle bit further. You can do things
which push the boundaries of believ‑
ability right to the edge and it means
you can end up with more spectacu‑
lar sequences," Jennings said, who
designed jaw‑dropping action
sequences for "War", which is his
first Bollywood film.
Famous action director Tom
Struthers, who has choreographed
action for Christian Bale in "The
Dark Night", for Tom Hardy in
"Dunkirk" and Salman in "Tiger
Zinda Hai" and "Race 3", is also
impressed with the world of
Bollywood.

Rishi Kapoor: Budding actors

Anil Kapoor: I'm a simple should focus on mind building
man with a simple plan
F
rom the time of his
debut in 1970 with

A
"Mera Naam Joker" to
ctor Anil Kapoor
his upcoming release "The
doesn't want to
Body", iconic actor Rishi
get comfortable
Kapoor has lived his
with his position in the
Bollywood career transform‑
industry, and says he has
ing from a child actor to a
a simple plan, which is to
top star to a character
be better than yesterday.
artiste. In the course of his
"I don't think I ever
journey, he believes he has
want to be completely
managed to stay relevant
comfortable for fear of
with time because he builds
complacency. It's only
his mind as an actor, and not
when you put yourself in
the body.
uncomfortable situations
Asked what would be the
that you grow and
one advice he would give to
learn," Anil told IANS. Actor Rishi Kapoor.
budding actors, Rishi told
"So when you find
IANS: "These days, budding actors are (Having muscles won't ensure you will
yourself getting too com‑
more interested in grooming and build‑ be an artist, you'll only waste money in
fortable and too much at
ing their body. They focus on building the gym). (Amitabh) Bachchan saab ko
ease, kick yourself out of
muscles than emotional exercise, which dekho (look at Mr Amitabh Bachchan),
your comfort zone and
is important for actors. Build your he did not have muscles. But even
try something new," he
mind rather than your body when you today, he is the original angry young
added.
prepare for acting, because if you have man of Hindi cinema!"
Anil entered the indus‑
the acting skill, you will surely become Quite interestingly, Rishi changed his
try with a small role in
Actor Anil Kapoor. an actor. If you don't have that, you are image from a romantic hero of films
1979 with Umesh
replaceable. Look at me, do I have the like "Bobby", "Khel Khel Mein" to films
Mehra's "Hamare Tumhare", and then went on "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" and "Total
body? But I am still working, because like "Love Aaj Kal", "Do Dooni Chaar",
to carve his niche by balancing his stature as a Dhamaal".
in every film I try to create a charac‑ "Agneepath", "Kapoor & Sons", "102
respectable actor and his popularity as a Have your goals changed with time?
ter." He added after a pause: "Okay, I Not Out" and "Mulk".
saleable star, with performances including "Strangely enough, my goals haven't
maybe old, I do not inspire youngsters. In Jeethu Joseph's "The Body", Rishi
"Woh 7 Din", "1942: A Love Story", "Mr. India", changed much at all! I'm a simple man with a
But look at Ayushmann (Khurrana), co‑stars with Emraan Hashmi, Sobhita
"Tezaab", "Ram Lakhan", "Lamhe", "Beta", simple plan ‑‑ to be better than I was yester‑
Rajkummar Rao, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Dhulipala and Vedhika. The film is slat‑
"Taal", "Nayak: The Real Hero" and "Pukar". day. So that's what I continue to strive
(Kaushal) and ‑‑ I'm not taking his ed to open on December 13.
His versatility is proved by the fact that he towards," said the actor, who recently became
name because he is my son ‑‑ but During his recent stay in the US for
was equally at home in these international part of a panel discussion by Royal Stag Barrel
Ranbir too is a talented actor! None of health treatment, Rishi says he got a
projects as he was in out‑and‑out Bollywood Select Large Short Films in Kolkata to decode
them have 'dole‑shole' (muscles). chance to see how his films still hold
outings as "No Entry", "Welcome", "Race", "Dil "what makes films powerful", as part of a six‑
Kyunki dole rahne se, kalakar nehi relevance among the international
Dhadakne Do", "Mubarakan", "Fanney Khan", city tour.
banoge. Bus gym mein paise phukega audience.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Gowariker: Watch 'Panipat' 'Hotel Mumbai' : is a relevant film
before forming perceptions A
F
ilmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has
urged people to watch his upcoming
historical drama "Panipat" first,
before forming perceptions about the film.
Controversies have been piling up ever
since the trailer of "Panipat" was launched
a while back, and Gowariker on
Wednesday evening said while promoting
the film: "I think people need to watch the
film. After watching this film, they will get
all the answers of their questions, curiosity
or aggression. When they watch the film,
they will realise that it has been made with
honest intent and it is all good in the film."
His words don't seem to have had much
impact because on Thursday, Nawabzada
Shadab Ali Bahadur ‑‑ an eighth generation
descendent of Peshwa Bajirao ‑‑ served
notices to the film's producers Sunita
Gowariker and Rohit Shelatkar, and direc‑
tor Ashutosh Gowariker over a certain dia‑
logue that actress Kriti Sanon as Parvati
Bai delivers in the film. The problematic
dialogue features in the trailer of the film,
and it goes: "Maine suna hai Peshwa jab
akele muhim par jaate hain to ek Mastani
Salman: My father Intention and context
told me not to worry matter, says Emraan on
about 'Dabangg 3' portrayal of women
A T
ctor Salman Khan says that his father
and veteran screenwriter Salim Khan,
who is usually critical of his work, has
advised him not to worry about the outcome
of his upcoming cop‑action film, "Dabangg 3".
"My father is very critical about our movies.
Most of the times, he straight away tells us,
this film has gone Beta, forget about it. He
used the same words for this film ("Dabangg
3") but in a positive manner, saying, forget
about it, don't take stress over this film, don't
let the success of this film get to your head,
and work hard for the next film," said Salman.
"Dabangg 3" will release in multiple lan‑
guages, including Hindi. On this, Salman said:
"I dubbed in Tamil for the film's trailer. I
showed it to him (Prabhudheva), he heard it
and he said, "Sir, what language (are you
speaking in)?' He said we would get a good
dubbing artist for the Tamil version, and I
said he should let me try. He told me, ano sir,
you concentrate on Hindi dubbing' (laughs).
But, yes, it is releasing in Tamil, Telugu and
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
Actors
Arjun
Kapoor,
Kriti Sanon
and direc‑
tor
Ashutosh
Gowariker
to promote
their film
ʻPanipat,ʼ in
Mumbai.
ke saath laut te hain (I've heard that when‑
ever the Peshwa goes to the war alone, he
returns with a Mastani)."
This dialogue is the latest in line of many
storms that the film has been facing.
Earlier, sections of the Afghan community
expressed displeasure with the portrayal of
Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan emperor.
Then, many people complained that the
look of the film, going by the trailer,
seemed cloned from Sanjay Leela
Bhansali's blockbuster, "Bajirao Mastani".
The film, which is based on the third bat‑
tle of Panipat, was fought between the
Marathas and Abdali in 1761, is slated for
release on December 6. It stars Arjun
Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt.
On the comparisons with "Bajirao
Mastani", he said: "Normally, people tend
to compare films that are made in the same
genre, be it historical drama, comedy or
any other genre. A new film of a certain
genre is always compared with previous
films of that genre. We have shown a peri‑
od in our film that is 20 year after the
events of ʻBajirao Mastani'.
Salman Khan.
Kannada." Asked if he would work as an item
boy for other producers, now that he has
done the job in the "Munna badnaam hua",
Salman replied: "It's doubtful. It will be only
be possible if I will work for free."
n Australian filmmaker has delivered
the definitive manifesto on what must
surely rank as one of India's most
tragic carnages in history and, come to think,
that should be a sobering thought for
Bollywood. In the 11 years that have passed
since the Mumbai attacks, the Hindi film
industry has approached the subject only
once ‑‑ with Ram Gopal
Varma's 2013 effort, "The
Attacks Of 26/11". But then, Review
Varma has always been a
Bollywood non‑conformist, and his film
seemed too much like a documentary for
impact. Anthony Maras' "Hotel Mumbai"
chooses to be a slow‑burn suspense drama
rather than a frenetic thriller. Setting aside
the socio‑politics of the tragedy and its after‑
math, the film solely focuses on taking us
right into the plush Taj Mahal Palace hotel in
Mumbai's Colaba area, through the fateful
night that culminated the heinous 26/11
massacres in Mumbai.
Actor Dev Patel.
he conversation on the projection of
women in cinema, and the glorification
of misogyny and toxic masculinity,
continues even after six months that "Kabir
Singh" released, with many actresses slam‑
ming such portrayal and questioning the
moral responsibility of actors and filmmak‑
ers. Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, who
has been known to work in films that often
deal with bold themes and characters, says
that as an actor all that matters to him is the
intent of the character. As long as no wrong‑
doing is glorified, he is okay with it.
"I do not have any preset notion on what I
should or should not be doing on screen.
When we play a character on screen, it is
about the journey of the character. There is
an intention behind the portrayal of the char‑
acter. Even if it shows that a woman is ill‑
treated, and the offender is not glorified but
punished, it is all okay. I always look at the
intention with which a story is told. Because I
think the intention defines the film," Emraan
December 7-13, 2019 17
In structure and spirit, "Hotel Mumbai"
could remind you of contemporary films on
terror attacks such as "United 93", "World
Trade Center" and "Munich". It is about the
cold suspense that is evoked watching inno‑
cents trapped in a situation borne out of ter‑
ror attack. "Hotel Mumbai" balances fact and
fiction well, to create a cohesive whole.
Anupam Kher, for instances, plays
renowned chef Hemant Oberoi but
Dev Patel's ever‑helpful waiter
Arjun Singh bears a slice of imagi‑
nation.
As a taut narrative of around 125 minutes
plays itself out, "Hotel Mumbai" virtually
takes you into those corridors, with those
hotel guests. Smart cinematography (Nick
Remy Matthews) and editing (Peter McNulty)
create scope for such an impact.
"Hotel Mumbai" tells an extraordinary story
in a down‑to‑earth manner. It does justice to
the facts it chooses to portray, and weaves in
the fiction without disturbing the facts.
Actor Imran hashmi
told IANS. The actor is now gearing up for his
upcoming release "The Body" that also fea‑
tures Rishi Kapoor.
The film releases on December 13. Starting
as an unconventional romantic hero, Emraan
has also tried a few issue‑based films in the
recent past. He said that he prefers to utilize
cinema to express his opinion on matters that
matters to society.
 18 December 7-13, 2019 TRAVEL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Offbeat Indian T
ravel is not just a means of
escaping a busy lifestyle, but
an end in itself. It’s an essen‐
tial part of life, not a break away
destinations for from it. Millennials are considered
to be seekers of wholesome expe‐
riences according to various stud‐
rich on adventures and experiences
than pile on tons of money with
nothing substantial to spend it on,
case in point ‐ yourself. In sync with
the new taste and preferences of
young adventure‐seekers, the follow‐
ing places are rising up to the occa‐

budget travelers ies and travel trends over the

years. It’s always necessary to be
sion by enhancing their travel
experiences:

Bibi Ka Maqbara Auli

is 2 miles from Auli is a lesser‑known but a
Aurangabad. It beautiful winter destination
is the burial where thick snow blankets
mausoleum the entire town and paints it
of Emperor
, white. It is an offbeat retreat
Aurangzeb's wife
lras Banu Be gu m , for those looking for skiing
Di
itatio n opportunities. Auli, situated
and is an im
of Agraʼs Taj Mahal in Uttarakhand, offers
and is popularly tourists a chance to truly dis‑
of
known as the "Taj connect by offering
the Decc an". panoramic views of the lofty It is a retreat for
Himalayan peaks, such as those looking
for skiing
Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat and Kamat Kamet. While in Auli, one
opportunities.
can also visit Joshimath, a place of deep religious significance.

Aurangabad
An exquisite confluence of history and culture,
Aurangabad is home to the renowned Ajanta
and Ellora Caves, a lot of old forts, art galleries,
and museums. Besides this, the place is a bub‑
bling, simmering pot of a
range of dishes that no food‑
lover can afford to miss. e of the
A statu
Buddha in Ellora
caves near
Aurangabad.

Pokhara
Pokhara is often called
the tourism capital of
Nepal ‑ and it is not in
vain that it has received ʻVenice of the
this moniker. It serves as Alleppey Eastʼ also boasts
a gateway to the It is only when one has explored the intricate network of water‑ the unique snake
renowned Annapurna ways which can only have been knitted by Mother Chaos that boat races.
Circuit, is among the one realizes that the tag ʻVenice of the Eastʼ does Alleppey injus‑
most exciting paraglid‑ tice. Perpetually carrying the fascinating look of a forest having
ing destinations the world over, and offers the entrancing sight of just emerged from a spell of rain, the region is famous for its toddy shops, punted
the beautiful lake framed by sky‑piercing mountains. What crys‑ Pokhara is often boats, coir industry, paddy fields, the floating villages, and houseboats!
tallizes its reputation as the ultimate ʻAdventure Land of Nepalʼ is called the tourism
capital of Nepal.
that it cuts a less busy version of Kathmandu while holding on its high‑altitude
The Sela Pass is a
own as a must‑visit backpackerʼs paradise. ated on the
mountain pass loc
e Tawang
border between th
en g districts of
and West Kam
l Prad es h
Arunacha

Wayanad has
scenic setting
Wayanad punctuated with
Wayanad is another treat for nature‑lovers who also seek unique dams, lakes, and
cultural experiences. Situated at a distance of 76 km from the hike trails.
beaches of Kozhikode, the region is popular among backpackers on
account of its near‑perfect weather and scenic setting punctuated with dams, lakes, and
hike trails. The town paints a quaint and soothing picture with the lush green of moun‑
tainous plateaus, picturesque jungles, and idyllic valleys dominating. Squatting atop the
Western Ghats and enclosing part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Wayanad is not con‑
sidered the most beautiful district in Kerala in vain.
Tawang
Tucked away in the pristine untouched beauty of northeast India, Tawang in Arunachal
Pradesh is a must‑visit travel destination. Nature speaks to you in her own ways in this
location. From gushing waterfalls to snow‑clad peaks, Tawang has it all. During win‑
ters, Tawang dawns a shade of white and mesmerizes its visitors with its spellbinding
beauty and magnificence. Make a visit to the 400‑year old Tawang monastery while
you are here. ‑ IANS
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ʻDawood still operating from Karachiʼ What Bajwa's extension
New Delhi: India's most wanted
don Dawood Ibrahim has been
meticulously avoiding using any
phone device for over three years.
Dawood's last phone call was
intercepted by the Delhi Police in
November 2016. The phone call,
recorded for 15 minutes, was
intercepted by Delhi Police sleuths
after placing a Karachi based num‑
ber, provided by the central agen‑
cies, under surveillance.
Sources said that the boss of
South Asia's notorious crime syn‑
dicate known as D‑Company was
speaking with one of his aides
who could not be identified.
Later, the matter was discussed
at the highest level, including with
the top heads of the Intelligence
Bureau (IB) and the Research and
Analysis Wing (RAW), the official
added.
While RAW is in possession of
several telephonic intercepts of
Dawood, the underworld don's
most talked about conversation
was recorded by Neeraj Kumar,
the then Police Commissioner of
Delhi, in June 2013.
"We heard Dawood while we
were investigating the spot fixing
case in which several IPL crick‑
eters were accused," said Neeraj
Kumar, who had trailed Dawood
since 1994.
Taliban wants deal: Trump
President Trump made a surprise visit to US troop in Afghanistan for Thanksgiving. (Photo courtesy NYT)
Kabul: US President Donald Trump
paid a surprise visit to
Afg hanistan to spend
Thanksgiving for the first time in
that country with the American
troops present there and assured
those deployed that the Taliban
have been engaged in talks.
"The Taliban wants to make a
deal," Trump told troops at the
Bagram Air Base, where he also
met Afg han President Ashraf
Ghani.
The visit follows a prisoner swap
with the Taliban aimed at resum‑
ing peace negotiations. Trump
also said the US was "substantial‑
ly" reducing troop.
Some 13,000 US troops remain
The last recorded voice sample of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Sources said that after a pro‑
active approach taken by National
Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval
to corner D‑Company's nefarious
operations in the Middle East and
Europe, Dawood and his brother
Anis Ibrahim have been avoiding
using cellphones.
"He may be avoiding using the
phone... But it doesn't mean that
the Don has shifted his base from
Karachi. We have sufficient inputs
to prove that Dawood and his
close gang members are still oper‑
ating from Pakistan," said the
Delhi Police officer. Earlier around
2014‑15, Indian agencies had laid
their hands on Dawood's series of
in Afghanistan ‑‑ even 18 years
after the US intervention to oust
the Taliban following the 9/11
attacks of 2001.
During the meeting at the mili‑
tary air base some 50 km north of
here, both sides underscored that
"if the Taliban are sincere in their
commitment to reaching a peace
deal, they must accept a cease‑
fire", Xinhua news agency report‑
ed.
T he US president said that
American and Afghan soldiers
were making the Taliban more
eager to reach a peace agreement.
"In our bilateral meeting, we dis‑
cussed the important progress we
have jointly made in our military
SUBCONTINENT
telephonic conversations where he
was discussing land deals in Dubai
with his aide Javed and one other
acquaintance.
Sources said that Dawood had
been calling from his Karachi
number to his aides in Dubai.
Indian agencies were helped by
the western intelligence agencies
in procuring the D‑tapes which
were later leaked to a section of
media. The fact that the under‑
world Don is maintaining radio
silence has surprised Indian intel
agencies which are fully aware of
Dawood's close strategic links
with Pakistan's notorious C Wing
of the ISI.
efforts in the battlefield, including
crushing the Daesh (Islamic State
or IS g roup) in eastern
Afghanistan. President Trump
appreciated the tireless efforts of
the Afghan security forces in this
fight," Ghani also tweeted.
The two presidents joined the
US troops in of fering
T hanksg iving g reet ings. "We
thanked them and their Afghan
counterparts for their continued
efforts and sacrifices in combating
terrorism," Ghani said.
T he death toll of US service
members has surpassed 2,400
since America under President
George W Bush invaded
Afghanistan in 2001.
December 7-13, 2019
means for Pakistan
New Delhi: The term extension to
the 10th Chief of Army Staf f of
Pakistan General Qamar Javed
Bajwa carried a lot of meaning
for Pakistan.
Though Pakistan government
said the extension to the Army
Chief has been given in the view
of the regional environment but
there is a domestic aspect to his
extension too.
Apart from tensions running
high on Eastern borders, cross‑
border attacks on the Western
borders even though Paksitan
made considerable strides to
fence the Durand Line coupled
up with expansion of Islamic
State (ISIS) in Afghanistan and
the potential alliance among
other anti‑Pakistan extremist
groups such as Tehreek‑e‑Taliban
Pakistan and Baluch insurgent
g roups have complicated
Pakistan's security woes.
T he extension to the Army
Chief in Pakistan are been given
in two conditions:
* When an army chief and his
core team are interested in such
an outcome and governments
believe that an approval in this
regard is likely to coagulate their
rule and ability to govern;
* T he extension is granted
when an army chief and his team
are interested in such an out‑
come and governments have to
calibrate their position to accom‑
Want to take ties with India
to very high level: Rajapaksa
New Delhi: Sri Lankan President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he
would strive to take his country's
bilateral relationship with India
to a "very high level". Speaking to
reporters after a ceremonial wel‑
come at the Rashtrapati Bhavan,
he also said both India and Sri
Lanka need to work together on
issues relating to security and
overall welfare of the people of
the two countries.
Rajapaksa arrived in Delhi on a
three‑day visit, in his first over‑
seas tour after taking over the
reins of Sri Lanka 10 days back
in reflection of importance he
attaches to ties with India. The
19
General Qamar Javed Bajwa
is the 10th Chief of
Army Staff of Pakistan.
modate such a scenario.
The case of Bajwa comes under
both the category. Domestically,
Prime Minister Imran Khan and
Army Chief Bajwa have worked
closely avoiding major frictions
that may have been the case dur‑
ing previous tenures. Moreover,
the duo has brought much need‑
ed political stability domestically
and introduced changes to the
country's reg ional security
policy.
With General Bajwa securing
another three years as the Chief
of Army Staf f, the current gov‑
ernment is likely to gain more
political strength in the coming
months.
However, the suspension of the
extension of the army chief 's
tenure adds volatility to the
charged‑up political atmosphere
in Pakistan where the Imran
Khan government faces troubles
on many fronts.
Sri
Lankan
President
Gotabaya
Rajapaksa
with
Indian
PM
Narendra
Modi.
Sri Lankan leader said his expec‑
tation from the visit was very
high. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and Rajapaksa are holding
talks covering the entire expanse
of bilateral ties. "During my
tenure as president, I want to
bring the relationship between
India and Sri Lanka to a very high
level.
We have a long‑standing rela‑
tionship historically as well as
politically," Rajapaksa said. Both
the countries need to work
together on key issues like securi‑
ty, economic development and
welfare of the people of India and
Sri Lanka, he said. (Agencies)
 20 December 7-13, 2019
Who is Usman Khan, the London Bridge attacker?
London: The London Bridge attack‑
er who killed two persons on Black
Friday attack was a British citizen
born in the UK. Usman Khan was a
terror convict who had been out on
parole and targeted a gathering
where students and other former
convicts had assembled.
According to T he Te legraph,
Khan left school with no qualifica‑
tions after spending part of his late
teens in Pakistan, where he lived
with his mother when she became
ill.
On his return to the UK, he start‑
ed preaching extremism on the
Internet and attracted a significant
following, Dawn News quoted The
Telegraph report.
In January 2012, Khan pleaded
guilty to engaging in conduct in
preparation for acts of terrorism
violating the UK's Terrorism Act
2006.
Khan was among nine men
charged with conspiracy to bomb
high‑profile London targets in the
run‑up to Christmas in 2010. At
the time, the men were described
as an Al Qaeda‑inspired group that
wanted to send mail bombs to vari‑
Hong Kong protesters
return to streets
Smoke bombs were hurled in recent wave of protests in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong pro‑
democracy activists have returned
to the streets, a week after it
swept the local elections, accord‑
ing to media reports. After two
relatively quieter weeks, the pro‑
testers were out in force again for
three authorized marches in dif‑
ferent parts of the city, each big‑
ger than the one before, Efe news
reported.
They hurled smoke bombs and
bricks during a protest on after‑
noon, reports Xinhua. The city‑
state has been witnessing social
unrest for almost six months.
According to the Hong Kong
Police, hundreds of rioters gath‑
ered near Empire Center in Tsim
Sha Tsui. Some of them hurled
smoke bombs, stirring up public
fear and causing chaos. Some pro‑
testers also threw bricks at cops
while passing by Mody Road
London Bridge attacker Usman Khan spent his late teens in Pakistan.
ous targets and launch a "Mumbai‑
style" atrocity.
A hand‑written target list found
at that time at one of the defen‑
dant's homes listed the names and
addresses of then London Mayor
and current British Prime Minister
Boris Johnson, the American
Embassy and the Stock Exchange.
Khan was sentenced to detention
Garden via Salisbury Road. Cops
used minimum necessary force to
stop the illegal acts and warned
rioters to stop illegal activities, the
police said. Thousands thronged
Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon for a
march organized under the theme
"Never forget why you started,"
designed to reiterate protesters'
five demands in the ongoing anti‑
government movement, including
an independent body to probe
alleged police brutality and intro‑
duction of universal suffrage. "The
movement is not going to end any‑
time soon. There are lots of issues
the government has yet to deal
with. I'm worried about the long‑
term ef fects of tear gas on my
children," a young mother of two,
who identified herself as Ho, told
Efe in between raising slogans,
like "Children don't need tear gas
but poison‑free playgrounds."
INTERNATIONAL
for public protection with a mini‑
mum custodial term of eight years.
The judge who had examined the
2010 bomb case sentencing
appeals of Khan and the other con‑
victs in 2013 had said: "T hey
wished to support and commit acts
of terrorism in furtherance of their
religious beliefs. They came to the
attention of the security services
Israel PM Netanyahu indicted
for fraud, bribery
Jerusalem: Israeli PM Benjamin
Netanyahu has been indicted for
fraud, bribery and breach of trust
in three separate corrupt ion
cases. Israeli Attorney General
Avihai Mende lblit publicly
released an of ficial indictment,
allowing a period of 30 days dur‑
ing which the long‑time leader
may request the parliament to
grant him immunity from stand‑
ing trial, Xinhua reported.
The 77‑page indictment charges
Netanyahu with bribery, fraud,
and breach of trust in three sepa‑
rate corrupt ion scandals.
According to the indictment, the
trial will be held at the Jerusalem
Putin signs law to label
journalists as ʻforeign agentsʼ
Moscow: Russian President
Vladimir Putin has signed a con‑
troversial law allowing independ‑
ent journalists and bloggers to be
labelled as “foreign agents”, a
move that critics say will violate
media freedom.
T he term foreign agent was
used neg at ive ly during the
Stalinist era in the 1970s and
1980s for opponents accused of
being paid by the West.
Russian legislation passed in
2012 already gave authorities the
power to brand media organiza‑
tions and NGOs as foreign agents.
The new law, which now extends
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ʻLondon Bridge terrorist
planned to carry out
attacks In Kashmirʼ
C
onvicted terrorist Usman
Khan was also planning
to "perform acts of terror‑
ism" in Kashmir, a UK judge had
said in his judgment in 2012.
"Usman Khan and Nazan
Hussain (an accomplice) attended
Madrassa and were themselves
keen to perform acts of terrorism
in Kashmir. When they and oth‑
ers, who had been recruited and
trained in the Madrassa and had
experience in Kashmir, they may
return to the UK and perform
acts of violent terrorism here,"
who monitored them using covert
surveillance techniques and
devices and were able to ef fect
their arrest prior to advanced steps
having been taken to implement
their plans."
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
has repeatedly denied
any wrongdoing.
District Court. The date of the trial
has not yet been published.
The document contains a list of
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
to individuals, will come into
effect immediately, according to a
do cument published on the
Russian government website.
the British judge had said in
2012.
Usman was also planning to go
to Kashmir to participate in a
camp of jihadist militants to
sharpen his skills, including
firearms training and to carry out
attacks in Kashmir.
"It was envisaged by them all
that ultimate ly they, and the
other recruits, may return to the
UK as trained and experienced
terrorists available to perform
terrorist attacks in this country,"
the judge had said.
On December 15, 2010, Khan
had been monitored by UK authori‑
ties in conversation about how to
construct a pipe bomb from a
recipe referred to in an Al Qaeda
publication.
333 witnesses the prosecution
may call to test ify ag ainst
Netanyahu, including Sheldon
Adelson, an American Jewish busi‑
ness magnate and one of US
President Donald Trump's major
donors, and Arnon Milchan, an
Israeli billionaire and Hollywood
producer, and other businessmen
and politicians.
Netanyahu has repeatedly
denied any wrongdoing, saying
the indictment is part of "an
orchestrated witch hunt".
He is the first Israe li Prime
Minister, who has been served
with an indictment while being in
office.
Foreign agents, de fined as
involved in politics and receiving
money from abroad, must register
with the justice ministry, label
publications with the tag and sub‑
mit detailed paperwork or face
fines.
Nine human rig hts NGOs,
including Amnesty International
and Reporters Without Borders,
have expressed concern that the
amendments may be aimed not
only at journalists, but also at
bloggers and internet users who
benefit from scholarships, funding
or revenues from a relevant media
outlet. (Agencies)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info BUSINESS December 7-13, 2019 21

Trump says China trade deal may

have to wait till 2020
Washington: President Donald

US threatens to slap tariffs

Trump said on Tuesday a trade
deal with China might have to
wait until after the U.S. presiden‑
tial election in November 2020,
denting hopes that the two largest
economies would soon reach an
initial deal to ease their damaging
trade war.
“I have no deadline, no,” Trump
told reporters in London, where
he was due to attend a meeting of
NATO leaders.
“In some ways, I like the idea of
waiting until after the election for
the China deal. But they want to
make a deal now, and weʼll see
whether or not the dealʼs going to
be right; itʼs got to be right.”
Trump's remarks sent stock
prices tumbling and triggered a
rush into safe assets such as U.S.
Treasury debt. MSCI's measure of
global stock performance slid
0.9%, while the U.S. benchmark
S&P 500 Index .SPX dropped
1.22%, its largest fall in nearly
President Donald Trump said a trade deal with China might have to
wait until after the U.S. presidential election in November.
two months. Trumpʼs comments
came as sources in Beijing and
Washington familiar with the
talks said that the two countries
have made progress, but are still
wrangling over whether existing
U.S. tarif fs will be removed and
over specific levels of Chinese
purchases of U.S. agricultural
products as part of a “phase one”
trade deal.
Trade experts say the most like‑
ly tariffs to be removed would be
15% duties imposed on Sept. 1 on
on France over digital tax
Washington: The US government
has announced that it will impose
tariffs of up to 100 per cent on
$2.4 billion in imports of French
products in response to France's
tax on online services, which
Washington claims discriminates
against US tech firms.
US Trade Representat ive
Robert Lighthizer on Monday
said the companies impacted by
the France's tax include Google,
Facebook, Apple and Amazon, Efe
news reported. "T he United
States will take action against
digital tax regimes that discrimi‑
about $125 billion of Chinese
consumer goods, including smart
speakers, Bluetooth headphones,
television sets and footwear.
nate or otherwise impose undue
burdens on US companies," said
Lig hthizer, adding that the
Donald Trump administration
might investigate similar taxes
imposed by Austria, Italy and
Turkey. A total of 63 tariffs have
been suggested, valued at about
$2.4 billion per year in French
imports.
The US move was announced
on the same day that the Trump
administration also reimposed
tarif fs on Brazil and Argentina,
two countries historically allied
with Washington.
But Trumpʼs most recent trade
actions may leave Chinese of fi‑
cials concerned about whether he
would uphold an initial deal.

DELIVERY ONLY: Hinduja Group

The rise of restaurants with no
diners as apps take orders
San Francisco: Inside a bright red building in Redwood City,
just south of San Francisco, cooks plunge baskets of french
fries into hot oil, make chicken sandwiches and wrap falafel
in pita bread.
If you've been in a restaurant kitchen, it's a familiar scene.
But what's missing here are waiters and customers. Every
dish is placed in a to‑go box or bag.
Delivery drivers line up in a waiting area ready for the
name on their order to be called.
Behind the counter, racks of metal shelves hold bags of
food. Each bag sports a round, red sticker with the logo of
DoorDash, America's biggest food delivery app.
DoorDash manages this building, the drivers, the counter
staf f ̶ everything but the food, which is made by five
restaurants that are renting kitchens here, reports NPR.
"Rather than having to build a physical brick‑and‑mortar
store, we do that on their behalf. And then they move into
our DoorDash kitchen and then overnight they're live on
the DoorDash platform," said Fuad Hannon, DoorDash's
head of new business verticals. He oversees the new kitchen
venture.
Not long ago, food delivery in many places was limited to
pizza and Chinese takeout.
But now, thanks to apps like DoorDash, Grubhub and
Postmates, customers can summon their favorite dish with
a tap on a smartphone screen, whether they live in a city or
the far‑flung suburbs.
"Your customer is just like, at their living room, watching
Netflix," said Min Park, an investor in DoorDash tenant
Rooster & Rice, a chicken chain with six locations in the Bay
Area.
U.S. diners spent almost $27 billion last year ordering
food for delivery by app, website or text message, according
U.S. diners spent almost $27 billion last year ordering
food for delivery by app, website or text message.
DoorDash has become America's biggest food
delivery app. (Picture courtesy NPR).
to the NPD Group, a market researcher. Online delivery is
still a small slice of the $800 billion restaurant industry, but
it's growing fast.
And money is pouring into delivery‑only kitchens. They
go by a variety of names, including ghost kitchens, virtual
kitchens and dark kitchens.
Kitchen United, based in Pasadena, Calif., has raised $50
million from investors including Google.
Uber co‑founder Travis Kalanick has reportedly raised
hundreds of millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia for his
new business, CloudKitchens.
DoorDash's tenants include national chains, including
Chick‑fil‑A, as well as Bay Area brands, like the diner
Nation's Giant Hamburgers.
offers to lift
paddy stubble
from Punjab
Chandigarh: The Hinduja Group on Wednesday offered to
help Punjab in addressing the stubble burning problem by
lifting all the paddy straw from the fields for use in
ethanol plants.
The offer came during a meeting here between Hinduja
Group Chairman, Prakash Hinduja, and Chief Minister
Amarinder Singh.
During the meeting, Hinduja, who was leading a high‑
level delegation, also showed interest in partnering the
state's progress through investments in agriculture, trans‑
port, banking, healthcare and automobile sectors.
Offering transport and technology solutions to mitigate
the menace of stubble burning, Hinduja, who was to dis‑
cuss investment opportunities as part of the Progressive
Punjab Investors Summit, assured Amarinder Singh that
the tippers of the Group could ensure timely lifting of
stubble from fields to support the state government's
efforts to eliminate the problem.
The Chief Minister asked his Chief Principal Secretary to
look into the Group's proposal, said an official spokesper‑
son after the meeting.
The Group, said Hinduja, could also make investments in
the banking sector to facilitate loans for unemployed
youth, self‑help groups and progressive entrepreneurs to
establish their ventures.
Acceding to a proposal from Amarinder Singh, the Group
also agreed to join hands with the state in its flagship pro‑
gram ''Yaari Enterprises'', under the Rozgar Mission, to
provide easy loans to skilled drivers to run buses,
for which permits would be allotted by the state
government.
 22 December 7-13, 2019 SPORTS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Australia thrash Pakistan, clinch Test series 2‑0

Adelaide: Veteran of f‑spinner
Nathan Lyon picked up a five‑
wicket haul as Australia defeated
Pakistan by an innings and 48
runs in the second and final Test
of the two‑match series at the
Adelaide Oval on Monday.
With the w in, the Aussies
clinched the two‑match series 2‑0
and increased their victory tally
in Day/Night Tests to 6‑0.
Pakistan, who were bundled
out for 302 in their first innings
in reply to Australia's 589/3
declared, couldn't last long in
their second innings either as
they got bowled out for 239 in
the 82nd over. Shan Masood and
Asad Shafiq contributed with 68
and 57 respect ive ly while
Mohammad Rizwan made a use‑
ful 45. However, their ef forts
couldn't help their team make
Australia bat again.
Lyon starred with the ball in
the second innings as he
returned with figures of 5/69
while Josh Hazlewoo d and
Mitchell Starc scalped three and
one wicket respectively.
Australia's Nathan Lyon reacts after the team won against Pakistan.
Opener David Warner, who
scored a record breaking 335*,
was adjudged the Player of the
Match. He amassed 489 runs in
the two innings he played in the
series and was fittingly named
the Player of the Series as well.
The hosts had won the first
Test by an innings and five runs
at The Gabba in Brisbane.
It turned out to be a disappoint‑
ing tour for Pakistan as they
failed to register a win in the five
matches (three T20Is and two
Tests) they played. Australia will
now host New Zealand for a
three‑Test series beg inning
December 12 while Pakistan will
be playing against Sri Lanka in
two Tests back home.
Only India can beat
Australia at home: Vaughan
London: Australia thrashed
Pakistan in both T20Is and Tests as
the Green Brigade looked helpless
against a lethal pace attack.
Speaking on their convincing show
at home, former England captain
Michael Vaughan felt it is only the
Virat Kohli‑led Indian team which
can defeat the Australian unit in
their own backyard.
Australia had defeated the Green
Brigade 2‑0 in the three‑match
T20I rubber before whitewashing
them 2‑0 in the Test series.
After the result, Vaughan took to
Twitter and wrote: "This Australian
Team in these conditions are going
to take some beating ... Only India
have the tools to do so at this
stage... #AUSvPAK."
Veteran off‑spinner Nathan Lyon
picked up a five‑wicket haul as
Australia defeated Pakistan by an
innings and 48 runs in the second
and final Test of the two‑match
series on Monday.
With the win, the Aussies
clinched the two‑match series 2‑0
and increased their victory tally in
Day/Night Tests to 6‑0.
Speaking after the match, Aussie
skipper Tim Paine said: "Really
happy. Barring few slip‑ups in the
field yesterday, we played excellent
cricket over the last two matches.
We came back from England, we
felt, we were getting better all the
time. We wanted our batters to
score big runs, when your six seven
and eight are not facing lot of balls
then your top‑order is doing fine.
David ( Warner) and Marnus
(Labuschagne) have been unbeliev‑
ably good."

Davis Cup: India take unassailable
3-0 lead against Pak
Nur‑Sultan: India took an unassailable 3‑0
lead in the ongoing Davis Cup tie over
Pakistan as old warhorse Leander Paes
along w ith de butant Jeevan
Nedunchezhiyan won the third rubber here.
T he Indian duo of Paes and Jeevan
defeated Pakistani teenagers Mohammed
Shoaib and Hufaiza Abdul Rehman 6‑1, 6‑3
in just 53 minutes. With the win, Paes bet‑
tered his own Davis Cup record by winning
his 44th doubles match. Hufaiza and Shoaib
began with a hold of serve in the opening
game of the match, but the Indians broke
the teenagers in the third game before
holding their own for a 3‑1 lead. The Indian
pair then took control of the match from
the start and didn't allow their opponents
to put any kind of pressure. Simply put, the
Pakistani teenagers were no match against
the Indian duo. Last year, Paes had become
the most successful doubles player in the
Tennis
player
Leander
Paes in
action.
history of Davis Cup when he won his 43rd
doubles match after he went past Italy's
Nicola Pietrangeli during the tie against
China.
Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sumit Nagal
toyed with Pakistan to give India a 2‑0 lead.
While Ramkumar swept aside 17‑year‑old
Muhammed Shoaib in just 42 minutes in
the opening singles encounter, Sumit Nagal
earned his first‑ever Davis Cup win after he
beat Hufaiza Mohammed Rehman 6‑0, 6‑2
in the second rubber.
The tie was first supposed to take place
in Islamabad but after India expressed
reservations over travelling to Pakistan due
to security issues, it was moved to a neutral
venue by the Internat ional Tennis
Federation (ITF).
India will now travel to Croatia for the
World Group Qualifiers, to be held on
March 6‑7.
USA announce squad for World
Cup League 2 ODI tri‑series
Los Angeles: USA Cricket on
Monday announced a 14‑mem‑
ber squad led by Saurabh
Netravalkar for the World Cup
League 2 ODI tri‑series, also
involving UAE and Scotland, in
Dubai.
T he 16‑member squad that
played the Super50 Cup was
reduced to 14 members for the
tri‑series, with Sagar Patel and
Jasdeep Singh the ones to miss
out. The side won two out of
their eight games in the tourna‑
ment in Trinidad, an ICC state‑
ment said. Ian Holland, Cameron
Stevenson, Akshay Homraj and
Nosthush Kenjige are in line to
make their ODI debuts.
Speaking on the selection, USA
Saurabh Netravalkar.
Cricket chairman of selectors
Ricardo Powell was quoted as taking that momentum immediately into
saying by ICC: "There were some pleas‑ the matches in the UAE." Squad: Saurabh
ing individual performances [in the Netravalkar (c), Steven Taylor, Karima
Super50 Cup], and we were well led Gore, Ian Holland, Akshay Homraj (wk),
throughout by the leadership group. Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones,
"It was brilliant to finish with probably Nosthush Kenjige, Xavier Marshall,
our most complete performance in the Monank Patel, Nisarg Patel, Timil Patel,
win over Guyana and we look forward to Cameron Stevenson and Rusty Theron
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Deepak Chopra and John Hagelin headline
conference on science and consciousness
Los Angeles: A two‑day conference
on Consciousness, organized by the
Nalanda Consciousness Network
and co‑sponsored by Chapman
University, Loyola Marymount
University (LMU), the Center for
Urban Resilience, the Wallis
Annenberg Pet Space and Navin and
Pratima Doshi, was held on October
18 and 19 in Southern California.
The conference was organized in
honor of Dr. Henry P. Stapp, nona‑
genarian quantum physicist, who
has worked closely with the first
generation founders of the disci‑
pline such as Heisenberg, Wolfgang
Pauli and John Wheeler and made
original contributions to conscious‑
ness‑based interpretations of quan‑
tum physics. The organizing com‑
mittee consisted of Professors
Menas Kafatos, Eric Strauss and
Debashish Banerji, along with Mr.
Navin Doshi.
The event on October 18, titled
Copenhagen Interpretation and
Beyond, focused on Physics and
Consciousness and was held at
Chapman University in the city of
Orange. The event featured speak‑
ers such as Dr. Jose Acacio De
Barros of San Francisco State
University, Dr. Menas Kafatos and
Dr. Yakir Aharonov, both of
Chapman University, and Ulrich
Mohrhof f, Sri Aurobindo
International Center of Education,
Pondicherry. The talks were of a
high academic standard and revisit‑
ed the conundrums of Quantum
Physics, of fering a variety of con‑
Understanding Quantum Mechanics
T
he Copenhagen
Interpretation (CI) of quan‑
tum mechanics was first pro‑
posed by Niels Bohr in 1920 and
mostly developed from 1925 to
1927 by Bohr and Werner
Heisenberg. According to CI, physi‑
cal systems or objects do not gen‑
erally have definite properties
prior to measurements made to
determine properties. As such,
quantum mechanics can only pre‑
dict the possible results of a given
measurement, which causes the set
of probabilities expressed by the
wave function of the quantum sys‑
tem to reduce to only one set of
possible outcomes, termed the
state reduction or collapse of the
wave function.
There are several other interpre‑
tations of the meaning of quantum
phenomena, including the Many
Worlds Interpretation, the Pilot
Wave Interpretation, and the
Transactional Interpretation.
Today, even though CI in a sense
remains the gold standard of quan‑
Many scientists who founded Quantum Mechanics came to the conclusion
that consciousness was a key part in the fundamental fabric of reality.
(from left) Dr Eric Strauss, Navin Doshi, Deepak Chopra, John Hagelin, Dr. Menas Kafatos
and Debashish Banerji at the conference. (Photo: Surendra Prakash/Photomagicroom)
sciousness‑based solutions. The
event on October 19, was titled
Reimagining Consciousness: A
Conversation Across the Natural
Sciences, and he ld in Loyola
Marymount University, Los Angeles.
This event broadened the scope of
the consideration to include
philosophers, biologists, ecologists,
animal behaviorists and scholars in
the field of animal studies. The
event was introduced and framed
by Dr. Eric Strauss, and bookended
by two keynote addresses, one at
the start by Dr. John Hage lin,
Quantum Physicist and President of
tum mechanical interpretations, it
is not by any means universally
accepted and its implications are
being debated by scientists,
philosophers, writers, etc. The con‑
ference in October consisted of two
distinct but connected approaches
to understanding and engaging this
issue. Here are some observations
from the key speakers:
JOHN HAGELIN
New research is showing that the
human mind, through scientifical‑
ly‑based meditation methods, can
experience its own source in “pure
consciousness” (Samadhi).
In that state, one would experi‑
ence that pure consciousness̶the
SCIENCE
the Maharishi University of
Management and the other at the
end by Dr. Deepak Chopra of the
Chopra Institute, San Diego.
Between these two keynotes, there
were two panels, the first one on
the relation between consciousness
and matter, and the second on the
implications of a new model of con‑
sciousness for the world of the life
sciences.
The first panel featured philoso‑
phers Prof. Sanjay Kumar of
Chapman University and Prof.
Debashish Banerji of the California
Institute of Integral Studies, quan‑
source of mind̶is the source of
matter.
NAVIN DOSHI
In the words of physicist
Schrodinger, “we are all various
facets of the One”. The One he
refers to is the conscious self, also
known as Atman in Upanishads.
Facets are analogous to our
somatic and psychic se lf, also
known as the garment of the soul.
Like our soul, photons, though they
are many, are identical and show
the attribute of oneness. For pho‑
tons, like Brahman, space and time
are non‑existent.
HENRY STAPP
Many of the eminent scientists
who founded Quantum Mechanics
came to the conclusion that con‑
sciousness was a key part in the
fundamental fabric of reality. Yet
even today, almost 100 years later,
there is still debate in the scientific
community over basic questions
December 7-13, 2019
tum physicist Ulrich Mohrhoff and
philanthropist‑thinker Dr. Navin
Doshi. The panel was moderated by
Prof. Menas Kafatos. There seemed
to be consensus on this panel that
at the individual level, conscious‑
ness was primary and that the
objective material world was cog‑
nized only because there was con‑
sciousness. The cosmological ques‑
tion of whether consciousness arose
from matter or matter was a form
of consciousness led to arbitrary
assumptions as starting points for
investigation, where science had
chosen to start with matter but
about consciousness such as "What
is consciousness?" Our limited sen‑
sory apparatus provides us access
to only an infinitesimal portion of
the universe in which we live, and
so we go through our lives with our
awareness constrained, as if look‑
ing through a keyhole into a broad‑
er reality.
NEIL THEISE
We used concepts of molecular
biology, chemistry, and physics, but
wove them together, and the study
of "self‑organizing systems", to
show how the universe is a self‑
organizing system. This approach
correlates biological to quantum
mechanical features such as com‑
plementarity, non‑locality, and
uncertainty, just as many founders
of quantum mechanics intuited.
Implications is that the universe is
conscious, born from Pure
Fundamental Awareness.
MENAS KAFATOS
Besides a rich discussion of
23
soon, made its assumption into a
dogma. Eastern thought, on the
other hand, investigated conscious‑
ness subjectively and arrived at
experiences of universal conscious‑
ness.
The second panel, on conscious‑
ness in the life sciences included Dr.
Carolyn Ristau of Columbia
University, Dr. Kathleen Weaver of
LMU, Dr. Ian Barnard of Chapman,
Dr. Neil Theise of NYU, and Dr. J.J.
Rawlinson of the Wallis Annenberg
Pet Space. The panel was moderat‑
ed by Dr. Eric Strauss. This panel
was unanimous about the advanced
properties of consciousness such as
sentience, thinking, strategizing and
emotional feeling in animals and by
extension in plants and more ele‑
mentary life‑forms. The implica‑
tions of this for human‑animal rela‑
tions and co‑evolution was dis‑
cussed.
The two keynotes, were appropri‑
ately symmetrical, as the first one,
by Dr. John Hagelin, discussed sup‑
posed corre lations between
advanced theories of mathematical
physics and ideas of consciousness
found in Indian spirituality, and the
second by Dr. Deepak Chopra, dealt
with the primacy of consciousness
as expressed in all sentient things,
and experienced in states of spiritu‑
al experience by humans.
physics and biology topics as they
relate to quantum mechanics, the
conference approached issues of
consciousness and the mind as
they relate to nature. I asked the
panelists at LMU whether con‑
sciousness is secondary (i.e. a by‑
product of physical processes) or
primary (beyond the physical uni‑
verse). The clear choice of the pan‑
elists was the second one.
DEBASHISH
BANERJI
The cosmological question of
whether consciousness arose from
matter or matter was a form of
consciousness led to arbitrary
assumptions as starting points for
investigation, where science had
chosen to start with matter but
soon, made its assumption into a
dogma.
Eastern thought, on the other
hand, investigated consciousness
subjectively and arrived at experi‑
ences of universal consciousness.
 24 December 7-13, 2019 BOOKS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

How Trump impacts the world 'Black Warrant':

A compilation of
T
rumped: Emerging arguing that the solution to a with‑
Powers in a Post‑
American World'', a new
drawing and isolationist US is not a
return to a single global order but unheard stories of Tihar
book authored by international new ''post‑American'' regionally‑
affairs academic and commenta‑ based multiple orders. By Vishnu Makhijani
tor Dr. Sreeram Chaulia was Speaking during the book launch

S
launched in the capital on at the United Service Institution unil Gupta, who retired as law officer of Tihar Jail in 2016,
T hursday. Published by (USI) in Delhi, Dr. Arvind Gupta, has penned down unheard stories of the prison in his book
Bloomsbury and I.B. Taurus, the Director, Vivekananda International "Black Warrant", which was
book challenges liberal pre‑ Foundation and former Deputy officially released on Tuesday in
sumptions that America has National Security Adviser of India, New Delhi.
done tremendous good in the said that there was a need to devel‑ Co‑authored by Sunetra
world, and that it is bound to op an Indian narrative on global Chaudhary and published by Roli
lead the world or else there issues. "Dr. Chaulia's book gives us a Books, "Black Warrant" is a compi‑
would be chaos and collapse. very confident and bold assertion lation of experiences of Gupta
Chaulia is Professor and Dean, that countries like India can take while serving at various posts in
Jindal School of International advantage of the emerging world Tihar Jail, which is said to be the
Affairs (JSIA), O.P. Jindal Global Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, Professor at Jindal order. What will be the shape of this biggest and most secure jail of
University in Sonipat, Haryana. In School of International Affairs in Sonipat, new multi‑polar world?" he added. Asia, for 35 years.
his latest work, he argues that US has argued that President Trump's disrup‑ Following the release of the book, Gupta has penned down
President Donald Trump's disrup‑ tive, populist and isolationist foreign Meera Shankar, Ambassador of India accounts of the eight death sen‑
tive, populist and isolationist for‑ policy has opened the door for rising pow‑ to the United States (2009 to 2011), tences which were executed in
ers in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America Tihar Jail during his tenure ‑ of
eign policy has opened the door Dr. Harsh Pant, Professor, Kings
and Africa to replace the US leadership.
for rising powers in Asia, the College London, United Kingdom, Billa‑Ranga, who had kidnapped
Middle East, Latin America and American polity is impacting the rest Smita Sharma, Foreign Af fairs and murdered the Chopra kids,
Africa to replace the US and take over of the world. Journalist and Editor and Marc Reyes, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's
A compilation of experiences
leadership of these regions. It reviews how foreign policymak‑ Fulbright Scholar and Researcher, assassin Satwant Singh and con‑ of a law officer while serving
The book delves deep into Trump's ers in key rising power centers of the participated in a panel discussion. The spirator Kehar Singh, Kashmiri ter‑ at various posts in Tihar Jail.
approach to international issues, his world are looking at America under discussion was moderated by Dr. rorist Maqbool Butt and the sui‑
trademark foreign policy style, the Trump and adjusting their national Mohan Kumar, Vice Dean, Jindal cide of Ram Singh ‑ the main accused in Nirbhaya rape case.
divisions within his ''two‑track presi‑ security and economic strategies and School of International Af fairs and The book also talks about the situation after 1984 Sikh riots and
dency'' and how the struggle between also provides fresh thinking about the former Ambassador of India to France the historical reforms which then Director General Kiran Bedi
''nationalists'' and ''globalists'' in the future of the international order by (2015‑2017) introduced.

Had to make strong statement on present times: M.G. Vassanji

By Vishnu Makhijani have a whiskey or something," said 1981 and started working at the
Vassanji, the author of eight previ‑ University of Toronto, I suddenly

A
ward winning Canadian
author M.G. Vassanji says
he has ended his new
novel, "A Delhi Obsession", abrupt‑
ly because he wanted to make a
"strong statement" on the present
day happenings in India.
"I wanted to make a dramatic
statement, no subtleties, no
epiphanies. In my usual mode, I
would have had a quiet ending
with just some thoughtfulness,
some mystery maybe, but I was
aware that I had to make a strong
statement. At my age (69), I didn't
want to hedge this way or that
way. I wanted to write about some‑
thing that could happen and, in
fact, is happening in places. So I
wanted to make that statement
and that's how I ended it dramati‑
cally," Vassanji, who was on a visit
to Delhi, told IANS in an interview.
Set in contemporary Delhi, the
book is a sensitively written
account of an illicit love affair
between a Hindu woman and a
Muslim man.
Munir Khan, a recent widower
from Toronto, meets the charming
and witty Mohini Singh, a married
liberal newspaper columnist, in the
bar of the high‑brow Delhi
Recreational Club. An enigma sur‑
rounds the Kenya‑born, western‑
ized and agnostic Munir, and an
inexplicable attraction takes root.
Delhi's streets, monuments and
ruins become the settings of their
ous novels, two short story collec‑ realized that I might not be able to
tions and three non‑fiction collec‑ go home because of the political
tions. situation in Tanzania and Kenya.
Born in Kenya and raised in That gave me a greater impulse to
Tanzania, Vassanji is two‑time win‑ keep writing and just recreating
ner of Canada's Giller Prize for fic‑ what was lost," Vassanji explained.
tion, the Governor General's Prize The rest, as they say, is history.
for best work of non‑fiction, the His first novel, "The Gunny Sack",
Commonwealth First Book Prize appeared in 1989.
and the Bressani Prize. "When you are doing conven‑
"A Delhi Obsession" (Penguin) is tional science, you are building on
Vassanji's second India‑centric what others have done, unless you
novel after "The Assassin's Song". are a genius. Then you start a
There are undercurrents of ''love jihad'' in ʻA Delhi Obsessionʼ, the
Vassanji attended the trend. So it became tedious after a
new novel by the Canadian author of Indian descent.
Massachusetts Institute of while. Whereas when I wrote a
passionate affair. Parallel to this is of ''love jihad'' as well as ''gau rak‑ Technology and the University of story and it was complete, there
the story of Jetha Lal and his sha''. "She is torn between her Pennsylvania, where he specialized was a certain feeling of accom‑
acolytes, self‑proclaimed protec‑ background, like many women I in nuclear physics before moving plishment. I felt I had done some‑
tors of cows and Hindu women, have met who are liberal but to Canada and realizing that hat thing, created something that no
who raises the decibel levels at the attached to their roots. They still his calling lay elsewhere. one else can do. It almost seemed
Club ‑ even threatening Munir and go to the mandir and then go and "When I reached Toronto in readymade for me," he concluded.
sneering at Mohini. The lovers
meet for the last time on the day
before Munir is to fly back to
Toronto on the conclusion of his
second visit to Delhi. Two days
later, Munir's body bearing multi‑
ple stab wounds is found in the
sprawling gardens behind the club.
Two weeks later, Mohini meets a
tragic end as her car catches fire.
"I had built up to it. Towards the
end, they are very blatant in their
behavior. She's the one who takes
the big risk, morally and in terms
of what the society around
demands and what the politics
demand ‑‑ that certain things are
not done. There are undercurrents
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SELF HELP December 7-13, 2019 25

T
he definition of an over‑

Secrets to overachievement,
achiever is someone who
goes above and beyond
their daily responsibilities to
make a positive impact on the
world.
Celebrated actor, author and
humanitarian Priyanka Chopra
Jonas is a true overachiever. As
the new G2 Overachievers
from Priyanka Chopra Jonas
spokesperson, she is sharing tips award the G2 Overachievers You may know overachievers
for discovering the overachiever $100,000 grant ‑‑ double the from your job, school or neigh‑
in all of us: amount of last yearʼs grant ‑‑ to borhoo d, making posit ive
8 Think Bigger: Look for sim‑ someone who goes above and changes, big and small.
ple ways to maximize the impact beyond his or her 9‑to‑5 role to Make sure they know their
of your everyday activities. When make the world a better place. work matters. “So much of phi‑
donating to charity, investigate She will also help select and lanthropy is a thankless job,”
matching programs to make your award the winners of the 2018 Priyanka shares. “Most people
dollar go further. Planning to vol‑ $50,000 G2 Overachievers Grant who do it donʼt expect much
unteer at a food pantry? First, and $15,000 G2 Overachievers back.” Ce le brate these goo d
talk to staf f to determine what Student Grant. works and encourage an over‑
days of the week youʼre needed 8 Have the Right Tools: What achieverʼs mission by nominating
most. Picking up groceries for are your goals? What issues mat‑ them for next yearʼs G2
dinner? Ask an elderly neighbor ter most to you? Overachievers Overachievers Grant or Student
what he or she needs from the know itʼs helpful to jot down Grant, which is now of ficially
store. With a little planning, thoughts, ideas and solutions. As open for submissions. To learn
seemingly small tasks can have a Priyanka Chopra has joined Pilot Pen to help select and award the G2 Priyanka says: “I have to have a more or submit a hand‑ written
big impact. Overachievers $100,000 grant this year. Overachievers go above and pen in my hand when I think.” nomination for yourself or some‑
8 Lead by Example: For
beyond their daily responsibilities to make a positive impact on the world. The written word is powerful and one you admire, visit
Priyanka, the goal is to “inspire capturing ideas as they arise G2Overachievers.com.
Overachievers Grant, which is and founder of Brown Bag Lady,
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sionate.” For the past several any time and have great tools on With courage, perseverance, and
and their projects. resources and compassion to the
years, Pilot Pen has recognized hand, like Priyankaʼs favorite, the the right tools, anyone with a
Previous honorees include cityʼs homeless.
exceptionally inspiring individu‑ Pilot G2 gel ink pen. vision can make a posit ive
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als throug h the annual G2 8 Recognize Unsung Heroes: impact on the world.
legal secretary, single mother Pilot Pen to he lp se lect and

Mental practice improves Home decor ideas

golfers’ performance: Study
for micro homes
R
esearchers have found that

kinesthetic ability ̶ which
is an individualʼs ability to
feel an action without actually per‑
forming it, may improve their golf
game. “Our results indicate that a
form of mental practice, i.e, the com‑
bination of action observation and
motor imagery, may enhance the
golf putting ability of experienced
golfers,” said researcher Niall
Ramsbottom from University of
Limerick in Ireland.
Kinesthetic imagery ability – an individualʼs ability
Putting ability is crucial in golf as
to imagine the feel of an action without actually
approximately 40 per cent of golf performing it – may have an important role in
strokes are taken with the putter. The determining the effectiveness of the exercise on
research, published in the journal
Psychology of Sports and Exercise,
shows that golfers who already had a good
ʻfeel” for putting, may benefit the most from
this mental practice.
In undertaking the research, 44 right‑hand‑ kinesthetic imagery (KI) ability benefited
ed, skilled male golfers from Limerick were
recruited.
In a laboratory environment, the golfers
completed 40 putts with instructions to
ʻmake the ball stop as close to the target as
possibleʼ.
A three‑dimensional ultrasound camera
was used to record the putting and statistical
analysis was conducted, using specialized
software.
A subset of golfers looked at an action
observation video which consisted of an
expert golfer performing the putting task in
the same lab environment.
They did so while listening to a motor
imagery script consisting of short sentences
describing key visual and kinesthetic feelings
putting performance.
associated with performing the putting the
task. “Having completed these simple exercis‑
es, the golfers who were found to have better
more from the mental practice intervention
than those with poorer KI ability,” explained
Ramsbottom.
“We found, kinesthetic imagery ability – an
individualʼs ability to imagine the feel of an
action without actually performing it – may
have an important role in determining the
effectiveness of the exercise on putting per‑
formance,” Ramsbottom added.
Putting is a feel‑based motor skill and the
research suggests that those with good kines‑
thetic imagery ability may perform better fol‑
lowing this mental practice technique.
“The findings suggest that simply viewing a
video of another performing an action may
bolster oneʼs ability to imagine and subse‑
quently perform that action,” he said.
W
ant the illusion of more space in
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Light colors can make the room appear
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Multi‑functional furniture pieces can Mirror frames create the illusion of
come handy here. Consider installing sofa more space. A trick here is to place the
that turns into a bed, trunks and blanket mirror frame across the window to give
the space of a more open feel.
boxes, benches and stool with storage, and
5. Cut the clutter
foldable furniture.
Adding too many decorative pieces clut‑
3. Lighting is key
Natural lighting proves to be a key ele‑ ter space. Instead, limit the decor items to
a grouping of 3 or 5. This is one of the
ment in opening up space. Use sheer cur‑
important tips to maintain a sense of spa‑
tains for windows and doors to let the nat‑
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 26 December 7-13, 2019 HEALTH TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Pamela Anderson writes to PM

All you need to know Modi to promote vegan food
about HIV and AIDS B aywatch icon and
former Bigg Boss
guest star Pame la
Expressing concern
over climate change she
wrote, "My heart goes out
Anderson on Friday wrote a to everyone af fected by
December 1 is observed as World AIDS Day letter on behalf of People the severe air pollution

W
orld AIDS Day is celebrat‑
ed on December 1 every
year to raise awareness
about the incurable AIDS caused by
the spread of HIV infection. World
AIDS Day, which was first observed
in 1988, was the first among the
eight of ficial global public health
campaigns marked by the World
Health Organization (WHO).
According to WHO, approximately
37.9 million people were living with
HIV at the end of 2018. Of these, only
79% received testing, 62% received
treatment and 53% were able to sup‑
press HIV with no risk of infecting oth‑
ers. In June 2019, 24.5 million people
were accessing antiretroviral therapy
in an attempt to control HIV infection.
What is HIV and how is it different
from AIDS?
Putting in the simplest terms, AIDS is
a disease and HIV is the virus that
causes it. HIV or human immunodefi‑
ciency virus targets the immune sys‑
tem and weakens people's defense sys‑
tems against infections. Victims lose
for the Ethical Treatment of plaguing Delhi. I worry
Animals (PETA) to Prime about the residents as
Minister Narendra Modi, well as the animals who
urging him to serve only can't wear face masks or
vegan food at all govern‑ stay indoors."
ment meetings and func‑ She said that according
tions. to the latest reports, 36
In this letter, she urges million Indians could face
Modi to lead India's fight the threat of annual
against climate change by coastal flooding by 2050.
serving only delicious vegan The World Bank has pre‑
(wholly plant‑derived) food dicted that at least 21
their inbuilt ability to fight disease at all government meetings cit ies in India are
though the immune system and highly and functions. The animal Pamela Anderson approaching zero ground‑
rely on medicines. rights group and the actor water levels for next year
It is not necessary that a person who explained that raising animals for meat, and that 40 percent of Indians may not
is HIV positive is AIDS positive as well. eggs, and dairy causes nearly one‑fifth of have water to drink by 2030.
When HIV infection reaches the high‑ all human‑induced greenhouse‑gas emis‑ Anderson in her letter praised India's cui‑
est or most advanced stage due to no sions. sine that made it the ''easiest place on
treatment, it is called acquired immun‑ "With your country's innovation and agri‑ earth'' to be vegan. "India is the easiest
odeficiency syndrome or AIDS. cultural history, I'm sure that India‑pro‑ place to be vegan... I still remember the
As per the of ficial website, World duced soy and other versatile foods can beautiful color of saffron rice and the allur‑
A I D S D a y i s i m p o r t a n t b ec a u s e i t easily replace these damaging foods," she ing aroma of veggie biryani. India's foods
reminds the public and government writes. PETA Director urged Modi to adopt are so fantastic and varied that it's the easi‑
that HIV has not gone away – there is pro‑vegan steps taken by other countries est place on earth to be vegan", she added.
s t i l l a v i t a l n eed t o r a i s e m o n e y, such as New Zealand, China and Germany. Last month, she had written to Canadian
increase awareness, fight prejudice and "I appeal to you to show that India can Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him
improve education. equal or best them," the 52‑year‑old actor to serve nutritious vegan meals in correc‑
added. tional facilities. (IANS)

Turning vegetarian US life expectancy is still

helps Kohli prepare for
rigours of Test cricket
on the decline
A
new medical study shows that dropping for three consecutive years ‑
after decades of increasing life from 78.9 years in 2014, to 78.6 in 2017.

I
ndian cricket team captain Virat Kohli is
among the fittest athletes in the world of
sports and therefore, it came as a huge
surprise when the ace cricketer revealed in
2018 that he had turned vegetarian.
But as it turns out, there was a perfectly
logical explanation behind this move which
Kohli himself revealed to Boria Majumdar
on his new show, India Today Inspiration. A
couple of months ago Kohli had even tweet‑
ed about how he has "never felt better in
life after turning vegetarian" and once
again highlighted the improvements he has
witnessed after he decided to quit eating
meat.
Talking about how and why he turned a
vegan, Kohli said that after the 2016 IPL he
decided to stop having meat and consume
more carbohydrates instead to prepare for
the rigours of Test cricket and credited
Team India's fitness trainer Shankar Basu
for his improved fitness levels.
"For the last year and a half I have been
vegetarian. Before that I was consuming
meat which was working well for me. In a
phase it worked really well for me. I think
from 2016 January to about the end of the
IPL. Before we started playing Test cricket,
we only had 5‑6 months of T20 cricket so I
was just doing lifting and I was eating a lot
of red meat, you know consuming a lot of
meat. "So I became a very explosive athlete
and I was able to play the power game real‑
Cricketer Virat Kohli
ly well but then Test matches came along. I
had to put on a bit more fat, consume more
carbohydrates. I think having Basu sir
around was the biggest help for me. Like he
would understand my body precisely the
way I do and he would tell me what to eat
when. How to train and how not to train.
When to take rest, what to do while resting,
how to recover. And I just followed every‑
thing to the T.
"I would just listen to him and then I start‑
ed understanding it myself,”
Kohli told Boria Majumdar in the first
episode of India Today Inspiration on
Saturday.
expectancy across the country,
people are living shorter lives. Life
expectancy has been decreasing since
2014, according to a study, published
Tuesday.
Based on these findings, Steven Woolf,
the researcher urged policy‑makers at the
local, state and national level to consider
implementing some of the same "support
systems" used in other parts of the world,
where life expectancy among working‑age
adults is still on the rise, such as in
Scandinavian countries.
This study isn't the first to suggest that
role of drug overdoses and suicide‑which
typically af fects younger people more‑in
lowering USA life expectancy in recent
years. Life expectancy rose from 69.9
years to 78.9 years between 1959 and
2016 but started falling in 2014. "We
have known for years that the health of
Americans is inferior to that of other
wealthy nations, but our research shows
that the decline in USA health relative to
other countries began as early as the
1980s." The largest relative increases in
midlife mortality rates occurred in New
Hampshire, 23.3%, West Virginia, 23.0%,
Ohio, 21.6%, Maine, 20.7%, Vermont,
19.9%, Indiana, 14,8% and Kentucky,
14.7%.
After 2010, USA life expectancy
plateaued and in 2014 it began reversing,
But he said the causes of death are "so
diverse that it makes us think something
systemic is responsible and is expressing
itself in our health in many dif ferent
domains." This lag, stagnation, and even‑
tual decline in life expectancy, the authors
found, could clearly be linked to an
increasing mortality rate among people
between the ages of 25 to 64.
The researchers checked out info from
the US Mortality Database and the US
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's WONDER database. T he
study added that fatal drug overdoses for
people in midlife increased 386.5 percent
between 1999 and 2017. The increased
mortality rate between 2010 and 2017
came with over 33,000 "excess deaths", a
third of them occurring in just four states.
While there are public health initiatives
to address these disorders, the negative
traits in existence expectancy are no
longer going to substitute any time soon,
because the underlying drivers remain.
According to the CDC, about 80 percent
of adults don't meet physical activity
guidelines, studies show, and almost 71
percent of American grown‑ups are over‑
weight or obese. This excess weight in
adulthood can then raise the risk of devel‑
oping high blood pressure and other con‑
ditions that could send people to grave
earlier. (source: hilltopmonitor.com)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info IMMIGRATION December 7-13, 2019 27

Employment Based US Immigration

The I‑140 Petition and Adjustment of Status

By Dev Banad Viswanath, Esq.

VISA
tification. the application and the applicant The new interview requirement
& Michael Phulwani, Esq. When visa numbers are avail‑ will soon after receive an Interview will cause more delays in all adju‑
able, filing concurrently can speed Notice from USCIS stating where dications and it is possible that

F TALK
orm I‑140, Immigration
Petition for Alien Worker, is
a form used by U.S. employ‑
ers who would like to sponsor for‑
eign nationals to work in the U.S.
permanently. Before filing an I‑
140 most employers are required
to file a labor certification. Labor
certifications verify that there are
not enough workers who are able,
willing, qualified, and available at
the time and place where the for‑
eign national is to be employed
and that employment of the for‑
eign national will not negatively
affect the wages and working con‑
ditions of similarly employed U.S.
workers.
Form I‑485, Application to
Register Permanent Residence or
Adjust Status, is used when a non‑
immigrant would like to apply for
lawful permanent resident status
while they are in the U.S. An I‑485
can be concurrently filed with an I‑
140 when a visa number is imme‑
diately available and both forms
are filed at the same time. When
deciding on concurrent filings, the
decision on eligibility for the immi‑
grant visa petition is made first.
The Labor Certification Process
is between the Petitioning
Employer and the US Department
of Labor, certifying that there are
no US workers able, willing, and
minimally qualified as per require‑
ments, to take perform a job. But,
the I‑140 petition is between the
Petitioning Employer and the US
Citizenship and Immigration
Services and is a petition to
declare that as certified by the
Labor Certification, there are no
US workers for the particular job,
and that the employer has found a
foreign national which is ready,
willing and qualified to handle the
job, and that the employer has the
ability to pay the prevailing wage.
The priority date which deter‑
mines when visa numbers are
available and current, will be final‑
ized upon approval of the I‑140
petition and are usual pegged to
the first date of filing the labor cer‑
up the process of a nonimmigrant
receiving a green card, but, as of
last year, unlike previous proce‑
dural policy of waiving interviews
for employment based cases,
USCIS announced a new policy
where all employment based green
card applicants will need to under‑
go an in‑person interview before
their green card is approved. This
mandatory interview requirement
is for all employment based appli‑
cant whoʼs I‑485 application was
filed on or after March 6, 2017 in
the EB‑1, EB‑2, and EB‑3 cate‑
gories. Before this new policy usu‑
ally only applicants with a criminal
history or unlawful presence were
called in for an in‑person inter‑
view. Now all EB‑1, EB‑2, and EB‑3
and their dependents will have to
undergo an in‑person interview
with USCIS so that an officer can
confirm and ask questions about
the applicantsʼ background.
After the I‑140 is approved, the
Service Center will send the appli‑
cantʼs adjustment package to
USCISʼs National Benefits Center
(NBC). There the NBC will review
and when the interview will take green card applications may take
place. An applicant is allowed to one year or longer to adjudicate.
have their attorney present at the Since the adjudication process is
interview and if needed an inter‑ longer applicants are encouraged
preter. At the interview the officer to always update their application
can ask questions related to the if there are any material changes
applicantʼs job and job responsibil‑ such as transfer of employment,
ities, questions related to the appli‑ change of employer, or change of
cantʼs educational background, job titles or duties. Applicants
questions related to the applicantʼs should also continue to extend
admissibility, and/or questions their underlying nonimmigrant
related to the applicantʼs status until the green card is
eligibility. approved.
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.

ENVIRONMENT

DiCaprio responds after Brazil's President

blames actor for Amazon forest fires
New York: Brazil's President blamed an
unusual candidate this week as a cause of
the Amazon forest fires: actor and environ‑
mentalist Leonardo DiCaprio.
President Jair Bolsonaro made the claim
Thursday on a webcast, arguing that non‑
governmental organizations (NGOs) con‑
tributed to the forest fires that ravaged the
Amazon rainforest earlier this year.
"The NGO people, what did they do?
What's easier? Set fire to the bush," he said,
providing no evidence to support the accu‑
sation. He continued, "Take photo, film,
send it to an NGO, the NGO spreads it out,
does a campaign against Brazil, gets in
touch w ith Leonardo DiCaprio and
Leonardo DiCaprio donates $500,000 to
this NGO. One part went to the people who
were setting the fire, right?
"Leonardo DiCaprio, you are assisting
with the burning of the Amazon, that can't
be," Bolsonaro said.
The Brazilian president doubled down on
his claims Friday, talking to supporters out‑
side the Presidential Palace in Brasília.
"Leonardo DiCaprio is a great guy, isn't
he? Donating money to set the Amazon on
fire," he said.
DiCaprio responded to the claims
Saturday on Instag ram, re fut ing
President Jair Bolsonaro and (right) actor and
environment advocate Leonardo DiCaprio
Bolsonaro's accusations while maintaining
his support to the Brazilian people working
to save the forest, CNN reported.
"The future of these irreplaceable ecosys‑
tems is at stake and I am proud to stand
with the groups protecting them," he wrote.
"While worthy of support, we did not fund
the organizations targeted."
Global Wildlife Conservation and IUCN
Species Survival Commission are two of the
largest environmental groups working in
the Amazon. Both organizations released
statements condemning Bolsonaro's accu‑
sations, though neither mentioned him by
name. The GWC said it remains concerned
with the destruction of the Brazilian
Amazon and reaf firmed its stance along‑
side those protecting it.
"The Amazon rainforest is in crisis. Brazil
has historically made impressive progress
towards protecting its unique ecosystem,"
GWC's statement read. "However, we are
alarmed by recent events that seek to
undermine this progress. In the past few
days, false accusations have been made to
undermine environmental defenders and
distract the general public from policies
that directly lead to environmental disas‑
ters like those across the Amazon earlier
this year."
The IUCN similarly af firmed their sup‑
port to those protecting the forest, while
expressing concern toward the recent com‑
ments.
"As an umbrella organization committed
to biodiversity conservation, we are con‑
cerned that there are increasing and target‑
ed attacks on people and groups working
to protect nature in the Amazon," its state‑
ment read. "Environmental defenders,
whether in local communities, NGOs, or
government agencies, should be af forded
with the highest protection of the law in
Brazil."
 28 December 7-13, 2019 LIFESTYLE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

You can reach Ed Sheeran Kylie Jenner spends $400k

only through email, on security per month
doesnʼt have a phone estimates Caitlyn Jenner
C
aitlyn Jenner, who In 2017, Kris Jenner,

P
is currently contest‑ the momager of the
hotograph singer Ed it's so much less stress. I
ing in reality TV Kardashians and
Sheeran doesn't don't wake up in the morn‑
show ʻI'm a Celebrity… Get Jenners, had revealed
have a phone and ing and have to answer 50
Me Out of Here!ʼ revealed to that after the attack on
can only be contacted via e‑ messages of people asking
her fellow contestants that Kim Kardashian West,
mail. for stuff. It's just like, I wake
the family has a security security became a top
T he singer decided to up and have a cup of tea."
team with them “every‑ priority for the family.
ditch his electronic devices He even cut his friendship
where” they go. When actor Kim was a victim of
and social networking sites group to just four people as
Cliff Parisi asked, “Do you armed robbery as she
back in 2015 when he took he deals with his own social
guys have to have security was robbed at gunpoint
a year‑long break from the anxiety.
everywhere you go?” 70‑ and tied up during Paris
spotlight to "trave l the Speaking on his YouTube
year‑old Caitlyn replied, Fashion Week in
world." channel, Sheeran said, "It
“Everywhere.” October 2016.
In an episode of Britain's creeps up on you. I've been
The singer ditched his She further estimated that Following this inci‑
'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me working on it for eight years
electronic devices and social her youngest daughter and dent, Kris had told
Out of Here, Roman Kemp, and I closed off from reality.
networking sites in 2015 beauty mogul Kylie Jenner People, “It really
who is friends with Sheeran, Whether it's getting rid of
spends close to $400,000 a changed all of our lives
said, "Ed doesn't have a phone, you email your phone or only looking at e‑mails twice a Kylie Jenner
month on her security, and the way we live. Not
him," reports femalefirst.co.uk. day. Or cutting down my friendship group to
which she agreed is “a ton of money.” The only do we now have an enormous amount
Back in 2017, Sheeran revealed his deci‑ the bare minimum just so I can trust every‑
former Olympian also added that her chil‑ of security ̶ everyone is armed and
sion to get rid of his phone has helped lower one. I let people in from a, 'Let's hang out
dren are well used to the fact that wherever licensed; itʼs legit companies that protect all
his stress. He said at the time, "I bought an place'. There is letting in and then there is
they go, their security staff will follow them. of us.”
iPad, and then I just work off of e‑mail, and letting in."

Twitter CEO to shift to Africa for 6 months next year

T
witter CEO Jack Dorsey is in
love with Africa and will
move to the continent for
three‑six months next year to
"define the future."
Tweeting his farewell to Africa,
Dorsey said: "Sad to be leaving the
continent for now. Africa will define
the future (especially the bitcoin
one!). Not sure where yet, but I'll be
living here for 3‑6 months mid‑
2020. Grateful I was able to experi‑
ence a small part."
He had earlier said that he would
tour the continent in November,
exploring Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria,
Jack Dorsey recently also
finished 10‑day Vipassana
meditation
and South Africa.
Famous for his eccentric lifestyle,
Dorsey also performed a 10‑day
Vipassana meditation.
"Finished my 3rd Vipassana 10
day at Dhamma Pataka in South
Africa. It continues to be the tough‑
est and best thing I do for myself.
Grateful for all those who enable
me to make time for it. And thank
you to Pataka for being so incredi‑
ble," he tweeted.
Dhamma Pataka, meaning the flag
of Dhamma, is the first Vipassana
center to be established in Africa.
Located in 7.5 hectares of land that
is abundant with trees and water,
the Center rests amid a mountain
range that has its impressive peak
Audenberg as the rear view of the
property. The site was originally a
holiday resort known as 'Rustig'
(meaning 'peaceful'). Offering regu‑
lar new and old students courses
since being operational from
February 2005, Dhamma Pataka is
130 km from Cape Town, Western
Cape Province.
According to Dorsey, ice‑cold bath
in the morning "unlocks" his mind
and he can take on any challenge
while a 15‑minute "sauna" in the
evening, followed by another three‑
minute ice‑bath, relaxes him.
On his birthday on November 19
last year after visiting India, Dorsey
did a 10‑day silent meditation in
Myanmar.
"For my birthday this year, I did a
10‑day silent Vipassana meditation,
this time in Pyin Oo Lwin,
Myanmar. We went into silence on
the night of my birthday, the 19th,"
he tweeted. In Myanmar, the
Twitter CEO lived in a single room.
"During the 10 days: no devices,
reading, writing, physical exercise,
music, intoxicants, meat, talking, or
even eye contact with others," he
tweeted. (IANS)

This startup will pay Laughter is the Best Medicine

you Rs.1 lakh to sleep
for 9 hours daily
G
et paid Rs 1 lakh to sleep
for nine hours in the com‑
fort of your own home? It
sounds too good to be true, doesn't
it? That is exactly the deal that
startup Wakefit will of fer a few
lucky interns. The sleep solutions
company has announced an intern‑
ship program called the 'Wakefit
Sleep Internship', through which
selected candidates will be asked to
sleep for nine hours a day for 100
days.
"Think you can avoid binging on
your favorite shows every night and
just sleep for 9 hours instead? Then
you could be the ideal candidate we
are looking for," Wakefit writes on
its website, inviting applications for
the internship program.
The job description, they say, is
"just sleep." Ideal candidates should
be able to fall asleep within 10‑20
minutes of hitting the pillow and
possess the "innate ability to fall
asleep at the slightest given oppor‑
tunity."Preferred qualifications for
this internship also include the abil‑
ity to resist binge‑watching shows
at bedtime and "the ability to bliss‑
fully ignore phone notifications at
night." According to Business
Insider, Wakefit will monitor the
sleeping patterns of their interns,
who will be sleeping on the compa‑
ny's mattresses. Interns will be
given a sleep tracker that will moni‑
tor their sleep before and after
using the mattress. They will also
be offered counseling sessions. By Mahendra Shah
Candidates se lected for the
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist
internship will be paid a stipend of and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many year in his
Rs 1 lakh after the data is shared cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
with Wakefit.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY December 7-13, 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

DECEMBER 7‑13, 2019

Aries: You are likely to earn some
favours on the professional front.
Take cue from others, instead of
guessing and going wrong. Good news
awaits some on the marriage front. A com‑
petitive environment on the academic front
can unsettle some, but wonʼt af fect
preparation. Some of you are likely to
become more fitness conscious. Driving off
someplace to chill out with friends may hit
some hurdles, but you will pull it through.
Taurus: Your premonition regarding
something important will prove
right. A chance encounter may
result in a budding romance. Property and
other assets may be put up for sale by
some. Watch your step on the social front
as someone is out to undermine your pop‑
ularity. Cashing in on a deal is possible for
some professionals. An initiative on the
health front is likely to keep you refreshed
and rejuvenated.
Gemini: A shopping spree with your
loved ones is foreseen. Improved
performance will get you a lot of
praise on the academic front.
Compromising on certain things is likely
to benefit you in future. Some of you are
likely to enhance your career by remain‑
ing in the notice of those who matter.
There is no shortcut to good health and
you will realise it much sooner and do
something about it.
Cancer: Progress on the academic
front remains most satisfactory.
Wedding bells may not be immi‑
nent for the eligible, but they should not
lose heart.
Those appearing for an exam or competi‑
tion will manage their time well. Financial
front will remain stable and new opportu‑
nit ies may kno ck at your door. You
become more socially in by taking the ini‑
tiative of meeting people.
Leo: Some struggle is foreseen in
getting your winning edge back on
the professional front.If you are
travelling for a vacation, the journey is
likely to add to your excitement. You may
find yourself in a position of advantage on
the monetary front. Advice of a family
elder will help in tackling a contentious
issue on the family front. You will strive to
regain focus on the academic front and
succeed.
Virgo: Your thoughtfulness and
he lpful att itude w ill he lp g ain
instant popularity on the social
front. Distractions and interruptions
threaten to make work suffer, so take ade‑
quate steps. A minor ailment is likely to get
cured through a home remedy. You need to
pace your progress on the academic front
and for you it will not be too difficult.
Eliciting a positive response from someone
you have a soft corner is indicated.
Libra: Organising a party or an
event can have its share of hassles,
but it will eventually turn out to be
a success. Progress of work on the profes‑
sional front is likely to pick up speed.
Some of you can be extra sensitive to
someoneʼs remarks.
A tiff with someone you love is possible.
Those unwell are likely to show a quick
recovery. Favourable period on the aca‑
demic front is likely to give students a
morale boost.
Scorpio: A gap in communication
may create misunderstandings, so
remain in contact and handle every‑
thing carefully. Health issues may crop up,
but you will manage to take care of them
successfully. Those thinking of a business
venture must weigh all the pros and cons
carefully. You will need to carry out a job
entrusted to you satisfactorily, if you want
to make your mark.
Sagittarius: For those in job, a pro‑
motion or raise can be expected. A
change of plan will help you in
accommodating all, which you had not
catered for before. Joining a gym or yoga
classes is likely for some. Job market
seems rosy for those looking for suitable
employment. A set routine at home will
help students concentrate better in stud‑
ies. Good investments are likely to come
your way.
Capricorn: You will manage to
establish yourself on the profes‑
sional front. You may feel frustrat‑
ed by not having your complete say in a
relationship, but things are set to improve.
Some of you may plan to buy a new vehi‑
cle. This is a good period to finish time
consuming jobs, as you have the time on
your hands. Something achieved on the
academic front is likely to hold you in
good stead in the job market.
Aquarius: You will need to be more
concerned about someone close to
the family, as he or she expects
much from you.Beware of wrong advice
on the health front. Equally lucrative
investment options may seem confusing,
so take advice from someone knowledge‑
able. Homemakers w ill find t ime to
achieve much on the domestic front and
may even organise a family get‑together.
Pisces: Domestic front can cause a
bit of a worry for some but things
will turn out well. Your practical
approach will bring you to the notice of
superiors and facilitate professional
achievements. Successfully completing
something that you had started a long
time back is indicated.
It is best not to involve yourself in some‑
bodyʼs private affairs. Chances of a friend‑
ship blossoming into romance cannot be
ruled out for some.

December 7, 2019 will bring in good profits. Matters

Dominated by number 7 and the
planet Neptune, you are highly cre‑
ative, affectionate, trustworthy and
emotional person. You possess
strong determination and willpower
to fight against any adverse condi‑
tions with courage and conviction,
but you need to control your ten‑
dency to behave arrogant and domi‑
nating at times.
Favorable planets will shine
brightly bringing you immense fame
and fortune. You shall gather knowl‑
edge, information and make new
and long lasting contacts.
Businessmen will expand their ven‑
tures into new and more profitable
avenues. During this period you will
do very well if you deal in real
estate, but expect some opposition
to arise from people you live with.
Meditation and Yoga should be
practiced for spiritual as well as
physical gains. Some exhilarating
news from your children will bring
happiness later in the year. The
months of November, January, May
and July will be highly eventful.
December 8, 2019
Influenced by number 8 and the
planet Saturn. You are ambitious,
authoritative, systematic, sober and
commanding personality. You are
always interested in a steady roman‑
tic relationship and the thought of
being alone can result in you being
unhappy. You are very sincere to the
person you love but you need to
control your tendency to behave
erratic and stubborn at times.
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
T his year your magnetic and
charming personality will attract
people around you. You will have
abundance of energy, which if prop‑
erly used can bring you overwhelm‑
ing results. Financially it will be a
good time to invest in stocks and
property, but all investments should
be made for a long‑term basis. A dis‑
tant journey seems likely later in the
year, most probably for attending
some auspicious occasion. Friends
and relatives will not be very helpful
and should not be depended upon.
T he months of September,
November, January and April will
prove to be beneficial.
December 9, 2019
Ruled by number 9 and the planet
Mars. You are active, energetic,
trustworthy, systematic and quick in
taking decisions. You always wel‑
come new ideas and are fond of
reading to increase your knowledge
and discover new and unknown
things, but you need to control your
tendency to behave shy, arrogant
and moody at times.
This year financial gains will be
there, but rise in expenses will make
it impossible for you to save. You
should put maximum ef forts into
career improvement, as it will soon
yield desired results. Businessmen
will build beneficial contacts. You
will do well socially if you travel and
get involved in clubs and social
events. Overseas travel for business
purpose is on the cards for some of
you. Spouse and children will be
supportive but highly demanding.
Minor health ailments such as back‑
ache, stiff neck or body pains will
pose problems. T he month of
November, February and July will
bring in the desired result.
December 10, 2019
Influenced by number 1 and the
Sun, you are smart, energetic, practi‑
cal, dignified and highly sensitive
person. You like an independent and
free lifestyle for yourself which
allows you to move gradually
towards your goals, but you need to
check your tendency to behave
spendthrift, dominating and restless
at times. This year you will establish
new contacts and sign new partner‑
ships that will go a long way in your
career. Monetary benefits will
accrue from past investments.
Pleasure trips or friendly get‑togeth‑
ers will be exciting and intellectually
stimulating. Family members will be
supportive and friends will be help‑
ful. Minor tensions and stress will
bother you especially concerning
the health of your parents and
increase in household expenses. The
months of October, January, March
and June seem to be highly produc‑
tive.
December 11, 2019
Ruled by number 2 and the moon,
you are an honest, responsible,
trustworthy, intelligent and broad‑
minded person. You are fond of
intellectual conversation and sooth‑
ing music, but you need to control
your tendency to behave extra nerv‑
ous and restless during difficult
times. This year you will benefit
immensely if you listen to what your
family members have to say. New
sources of income will improve your
financial position and your confi‑
dence will be at its peak. Career
changes if any will prove to be bene‑
ficial. Your outgoing nature will
work to your advantage. Spouse and
other female members will do their
best to keep you happy. Avoid stand‑
ing surety or a guarantee for others,
as it would lead to embarrassment
and legal problems. Real‑estate
transaction towards the yearend
should bring monetary gains. The
months of November, December,
May, July will be eventful.
December 12, 2019
Dominated by number 3 and the
Planet Jupiter, you are energetic,
charming, ambitious, talented, digni‑
fied and highly methodical person.
You are independent by nature and
people admire you for your ability
to take bold decisions, but you need
to curb your tendencies towards
stubbornness, extravagance and dic‑
tatorial nature at times.
This is the right time to take
important business decisions.
Investments made during this phase
related to property will bring gains.
Distant travel, may be overseas,
brings joy and happiness along with
a possible reunion with an old con‑
tact. Renovation of the house or con‑
struction related activities will also
be high on your agenda. Chronic
patients definitely need to be more
careful about their health.
Preventive medicines should not be
avoided at any cost. The months of
October, January, March and August
will prove to be highly significant.
December 13, 2019
Influenced by number 4 and the
Planet Uranus, you are talented,
bold, reliable, energetic and system‑
atic individual. You always aim high
and work with complete dedication
towards your goals, but at times you
receive a setback after coming
extremely close to your goals
because of your changeable, incon‑
stant and stubborn nature.
This year although productive but
results will be slow and will require
you to give in your best. Your inabil‑
ity to gather support on your pre‑
vailing project will create a sense of
dissatisfaction and frustration.
Period in the second half of the year
will be better for financial dealing,
though partnership and joint ven‑
tures should be completely avoided.
Romance will flourish and some
lovebirds will even go for a matri‑
monial alliance. Despite tensions
and stress your health will be fine.
The month of February, March and
August will be eventful.
 30 December 7-13, 2019
By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj
T
he search to either or disprove the
soulʼs immortal nature has been an
ongoing quest for humanity through
the ages. Evidence in support of the soulʼs
immortality has appeared in two forms: The
first consists of statements and accounts
given by saints, prophets, and mystics who
claimed to have passed through the gates of
the Beyond in their mystic travels; the second
consists of the accounts of people who have
gone through near‑death experiences.
The worldʼs main religions all recognize the
By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj
M
any feel each of us is alone in the
universe. We wonder if there is a
God, and, if there is, how could God
even know about us, given the billions of
people in the world.
In this age of science, we may find it hard
to believe in a power such as God who could
create all of us and love us. We feel that the
only love that is possible in the universe is
what we know as human beings, such as
between parents and children, lovers and
beloveds, spouses, or families. We think that
because we cannot see God with our physical
eyes that such a power could not really exist.
Yet, we have multiple instances that show
love in this world, a love of which the recipi‑
ent may not even be aware, that still exists.
We cannot see God at our physical level.
We assume that because we cannot see the
Lord, that there is no God. However, God is
there, and embracing us with love at all
moments. Just because we are not aware of
that love does not mean it is not there. We do
not know that God has immeasurable love
for us.
Yet, we are always wrapped in Godʼs pro‑
tective embrace.
How can we experience Godʼs love and
know for certain there is a God?
We may get a sense there is a God when
we look at the wonders of creation. When we
see how the sun and the planets keep their
place in the solar system without colliding
into each other, we wonder at how that could
happen. We see how out of all the planets,
few are habitable enough to support human
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Immortality of the soul
immortality of the soul. The descriptions in
the scriptures of the soulʼs journey after life
differ from religion to religion, but one com‑
mon thread runs throughout them: the soul
survives the death of the physical body. Some
people view this aspect of religion that deals
with soulʼs immortality as a hopeful wish, a
fairy tale, or a pipe dream. Atheists may not
believe in the soul or its immortality, agnos‑
tics may be unsure, and skeptics may ques‑
tion its validity, but all search for proof one
way or the other.
How do various traditions describe the
soulʼs immortality?
Ancient Egyptians believed that after death
the soul lived on in an underworld region
close to the earth. From this belief arose the
rituals of burying the dead with their worldly
possessions in case the dead needed them in
the beyond. Some early African societies also
believed in the soul immortality. In ancient
Greece, people believed that the soul of a
dead person was ferried across the dark
waters of the river Styx. The Greek philoso‑
Realizing we are never alone
We may get a sense there is a God when
we look at the wonders of creation.
When we see how the sun and the plan‑
ets keep their place in the solar system
without colliding into each other, we
wonder at how that could happen.
life because they are either too hot, too cold,
or lack an atmosphere for breathing. We
marvel at the earth and how it is just the
right temperature to support life, has just the
right mix of elements for breathing, and just
the right amount of land surface on which to
live, otherwise it would just be a planet of
water.
We marvel at life itself, the human body,
animals, and plants, and how they have been
created to survive generation after genera‑
tion for millions of years. We marvel at the
various systems in the human body that
allow us to eat, breathe, grow, reproduce,
and repair themselves when injured. We
wonder at the miracle of the human brain
and how we take in information, learn, plan,
analyze, and create.
The cycles of the earth are incredible with
the water cycle to supply the planet and its
inhabitants with a fresh supply of water for
phers Socrates and Plato also believed in the
immortality of the soul. As Socrates told those
around him before drinking the poison given
to him by the authorities. “[When] I have
drunk the poison I shall remain with you no
longer, but depart to a state of heavenly hap‑
piness…” Hindus also believe in the immortal‑
ity of the soul, which transmigrates from one
life to another. The soul returns to life to
work through its karmas, a collection of the
thoughts, words, and deeds it experienced in
its current and previous lives.
Kabir Sahib of India gave a detailed account
of the various planes of existence to which a
soul goes after death. The three lower regions
billions of years for drinking and washing.
We wonder at the rock cycle in which rock is
broken down to form new soil or is built up
to create land, hills, and mountains on which
to live. We marvel at how plants provide
food for people and animals, as well as oxy‑
gen given off as waste for us to breathe. The
more scientists learn about the workings of
the universe, of physics, chemistry, biology,
astronomy, and geology, the more they con‑
clude that some super intelligent power
must have designed all this.
Beyond the scientists, we have scientists of
the soul, or saints and Masters, who have
explored the inner workings of creation.
They have been in touch with the non‑mate‑
rial aspect of life, the spirit or soul, through
firsthand personal experience. They have
come in all the ages, in all cultures and time
periods, and have all concluded the same
thing̶there is a Power who created all that
is, whether we call it God or by any other
name, and that Power is a loving one that
brought us all into being. It is loving and pro‑
tective of the creation that sprouted into
being from its power of love. Just as parents
decide to bring a child into this world as an
expression of their love and a desire to cre‑
ate offspring, so did God bring all creation
into being out of love and the same desire to
create.
Godʼs love came into expression and the
result is the existence of all the realms of
existence, this physical universe, human
beings, animals, plants, and everything that
is. God started alone and from Godʼs love
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
include the physical, astral, and casual
regions that are made of mixtures of matters
and consciousness and are subject to dissolu‑
tion; the higher spiritual regions, which are
eternal, include the supercausal plane and a
spiritual plane known as Sach Khand or True
Realm, from where God emanates. The soul
transmigrates through a series of lives until it
escapes the cycle. Guru Nanak and the Sikh
Gurus also believed in the same journey of
the soul after physical life. The Buddhist
Tibetan Book of the Deed, describes the
immortality of the soul and its journey after
death. Christian and Jewish mystics also
speak of the soulʼs immortality and regions
beyond this world. These accounts of the
soulʼs immortality are not coincidental.
There is a truth behind the revelations of all
the saints, mystics, prophets, and enlightened
ones who have come through the ages. The
question now is whether there is any evi‑
dence that can be confirmed today by modern
science to validate the findings of the reli‑
gious founders of the past.
countless souls were created. It may seem
like God cannot know all the souls God creat‑
ed, but God does, and loves and protects each
one. Similarly, we may not know it, just as an
infant is not aware that it exists because of
its parents, but that Power is there, loving us
and protecting us.
In this age of science and rationality, few
want to believe in God, as this Power cannot
be seen with the physical senses. Yet, God is
there. Saints and Masters who have found
God tell us that if we truly want to believe in
God, we need to experience it for ourselves.
Thus, they give us a way to prove Godʼs exis‑
tence for ourselves. Once we do so, we will
also realize Godʼs love for us is like the love
of the parent for a child.
How can we prove Godʼs existence and love
for us? The way we can do so is through
meditation. If we sit in silence and focus our
attention within, we will find the manifesta‑
tion of God in the form of the inner Light and
Sound. We can travel on this source back to
God and merge in that divine Power. This
inner journey through meditation will lead
us to the realization of God and the embrac‑
ing love that God has for each of us.
God is not far. God is within us. God has
protective arms around us. Our soul is con‑
nected to God. Our problem is that we are
not aware of our soul, so we do not realize
God. Our first step is to achieve self‑realiza‑
tion or knowledge of our true self. Once we
do so, we will find that we are one with God
and will achieve God‑realization.
(For more visit www.sos.org)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info December 7-13, 2019
TheSouthAsianTimes.info December 7-13, 2019

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