The South Asian Times

e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol. 12 | No. 36 NEW YEAR SPECIAL
January 4-17, 2020
80 Cents

New York Edition

Follow us on
www.thesouthasiantimes.info

I
RANJU
n the Indian community, dip-
lomatic circles and on Capitol
Hill, Ranju and Ravi Batra are
known as the power couple who
channel their standing and influ-

& RAVI
ence for the good of the com-
munity and the world. Ravi Batra
is an eminent lawyer who has
become the voice of concerned
citizens everywhere against ter-
rorism. Ranju Batra’s determined

BATRA
campaign secured the release of
the USPS Diwali FOREVER stamp.
That success morphed into her
founding the ‘Diwali - Power of
One’ awards, now called the ‘Os-
cars of Diplomacy’.

THE SOUTH ASIAN TIMES

TSATimes

PERSONS OF THE YEAR 2019

NEWSMAKERS | 2019 ROUND-UPS | VISION 2020 | SILVER LININGS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020

We’re open in
Hicksville and
ready to serve.

12-Month
CD or IRA CD

00
2. $5,000 minimum deposit
%
APY1*

Stop in and meet

Sandy Bhatia
Branch Manager,
Flushing Bank’s Hicksville Branch

To qualify you must have or open any Flushing Bank Complete Checking account2 which provides you
with access to over 55,000 ATMs, ATM fee rebates, mobile banking, and mobile check deposit. Plus, you
can qualify for additional cash bonuses.3 Visit our new Hicksville branch located at 268 North Broadway.
You can also call us at 516.209.3611 or visit www.FlushingBank.com.

Free gift with any new account.*

Small enough to know you.

Large enough to help you.®
* Offer available only at 268 North Broadway, Hicksville branch. 1) New money only. APY effective December 2, 2019. Annual percentage yield assumes principal
and interest remain on deposit for a full year at current rate. Minimum deposit balance of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing
Flushing Bank account. Premature withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. 2) Certain
fees, minimum balance requirements and restrictions may apply. Fees may reduce earnings on these accounts. A checking account is not required for IRA
accounts. 3) The Customer Value Program bonus is limited to one (1) account credit per new Complete Checking customer. New money only. Existing checking
account customers are not eligible. A new checking account is defined as any new checking account that does not have any authorized signatures in common
with any other existing Flushing Bank checking account(s). An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank
checking account within the last 24 months. New money is defined as money not currently on deposit with Flushing Bank. The Customer Value Program bonus
will be based on the three-month average account balance of the first three (3) calendar months after account opening. The Customer Value Program bonus
will be posted to the account on or about the end of the subsequent month following the account’s three (3) month anniversary. A 1099 will be issued in the
amount of the account bonus. The new Complete Checking account must remain open, active, and in good standing for six months. The bonus will be forfeited
if the account is closed prior to six months. Other fees and restrictions may apply. The minimum three-month average balance to qualify for the
Customer Value Program is $1,000. A minimum deposit of $25 is required to open the Complete Checking account. The offer is subject to change
or termination without prior notice at any time. Speak with a branch representative for details. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
 The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e
Vol.12 No. 36 January 4-17, 2020
Stage set for Trump's Senate
trial as Pelosi relents
By Arul Louis
New York: The stage has been
set for the historic trial of
President Donald Trump before
the Senate after Speaker Nancy
Pelosi ended her standof f with
the Republican‑controlled upper
house and announced that she
w ill be forwarding it the
impeachment documents.
Pe losi said in a letter to
Democratic members of her
caucus on Friday that she would
hold a vote next week on send‑
ing the Articles of Impeachment,
as the chargesheet framed
against Trump is called, to the
Senate.
The President is charged with
abuse of power and obstruction
Indian Americans honored by the
Consulate to mark Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty posing with members of the Indian American community who were
recognized for their contributions in the fields of politics, social work and service to the community to
mark the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in New York, Jan. 9, 2020.
New York: The Consulate General
of India in New York recognized
many prominent members of the
Indian community here on the
occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas on January 9.
The live telecast of the PBD cele‑
bration in New Delhi was a high‑
INDIA-US TIES 38 ANNUAL FORECAST 77
80 Cents
Speaker Nancy Pelosi could not outwit Senate Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell any longer.
of Congress.
The Republicans in the Senate
have geared up for the trial
which can start as early as next
week. The trial will be purely
light. Eight dif ferent locations
including New York were connect‑
ed live to New De lhi where S.
Jaishankar, Minister of External
Af fairs, delivered the keynote
address.
Among the 21 individuals recog‑
nized for their contributions in the
i n j o u r n a l i s m
New York Edition
symbolic because the
Democrats will not be able to
muster the two‑thirds vote need‑
ed to convict and oust Trump
Continued on page 6
fields of politics, social work and
service to the community were:
Ohio State Representative Niraj
Antani; attorney Sanjay Chaubey;
Lal Motwani, past chairman of
NFIA; Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, for‑
mer Connecticut State Rep and
Continued on page 6
BEST CARTOONS 80
Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
More escalation
averted with Iran
President Trump addressed the nation saying Iran was backing
down, so he wonʼt order retaliation for Iranʼs missile
attack on US bases in Iraq.
Washington: President Trump
declared Wednesday that Iran 4 Trump claims 4 US
embassies were
“appears to be standing down,” in
the wake of missile strikes on
American bases in Iraq that he said
targeted by Iran when
he ordered Soleimani
resulted in “no casualties.”
“The American people should be
to be killed
extremely grateful and happy,” 4 US denies Iraq's
Trump said, in an address to the request for troop
nation from the White House the
withdrawal
morning after the attacks. “No
Americans were harmed in last 4 Iran accepts it
nig htʼs attack by the Iranian "unintentionally" shot
regime.” down Ukrainian airplane
Some news outlets said that
Iranʼs strikes were to save face
with their domestic audience; they
had sounded out Iraq and USA also
had an idea what was coming. In
any case, it was good for both
sides and the world.
Meanwhile in an important
development, Iranian state TV, cit‑
ing a military statement, said the
country "unintentionally" shot
down a Ukrainian Airlines passen‑
ger jet early Wednesday, killing all
176 people aboard, according to
AP. T he statement came early
Saturday morning local time.
See pages 8‐27.
Continued on page 6
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 82 excellence in journalism
 4 January 4-17, 2020 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Presenting Persons of the Year 2019

tributed so much impacting the peace. Year special issues have been
lives of many thousands. Letter from the Earlier as Chair of the Diwali read by well over half a million
We congratulate and admire all
those who keep contributing to
Publisher Stamp Project, Ranju Batra cam‑
paigned for 7 long years to get
people all over the world, and
they are proudly displayed by
make the community shine and the historic FOREVER Diwali many families on their coffee
humanity move forward. We're stamp released by USPS. That led tables and kept in their col‑
proud having featured Pramukh to the ʻOscars of Diplomacyʼ, the lectibles.
Swami ji Maharaj, Navika Group, prestigious Diwali ʻPower of Oneʼ Since its inception, The South
Dear Friends, Chintu & Chirag Patel, Mayor Bill Awards at the United Nations, Asian Times has earned an
de Blasio, Federation of Indian under the aegis of her Diwali immaculate reputation for its

W
arm greetings for a joy‑
ous, healthy, peaceful
and prosperous New
Year. Hope the year 2020 brings
more happiness in everyone's life.
The Team @ The South Asian
Times is proud to present our
New Year Special issue.
With your esteemed support,
your favorite newspaper has com‑
pleted 11 years of its glorious
publication, soon entering in the
12th year.
As every year, we start our New
Year with a very special edition
concluding the year gone along
with featuring The South Asian
Times ‑ Person of the Year.
Zeroing in on and finalizing the
Person of the Year is never an
easy task ‑ there are always so
many people who really have con‑
Associations‑NY‑NJ‑CT, Amb. Foundation USA, which year after excellence in journalism: value
Hardeep Singh Puri and many year brings dozens of countries based content, clean display and
more in the previous year as "The together favoring India as a qualitative advertising.
South Asian Times ‑ Person of the nation. Our unique vision has continu‑
Year. A powerful advocate against ously set new trends and stan‑
This year, it was somehow much global terrorism, Ravi Batra has dards in South Asian media frater‑
easier to select a powerful duo, become the voice of concerned nity of America, both in print and
who have truly made difference citizens worldwide as he testified online.
in the lives of the Indian‑ on Capitol Hill and addressed We, the team at The South Asian
American Diaspora, and continue many international forums. The Times, sincerely thank all our
Kamlesh C. Mehta
to do so, so quietly that many of extraordinary and courageous readers and supporters who have
Chairman & Publisher
us don't even notice the impor‑ vision of Ravi has created a posi‑ been integral partners in our gra‑
tant impact of their contributions. that is not the reason behind hav‑ tive impact on national and inter‑ cious success.
We are proud to present Mrs. ing them as Persons of the Year; it national lawmakers. He is also an Hope you enjoy the hard work
Ranju & Mr. Ravi Batra as The is because of their achievements indefatigable votary for strength‑ put in by our editorial team in
South Asian Times ‑Persons of the and decades of service to the ening India‑US relationship. New Year Special issue. Your
Year 2019. The dynamic & pow‑ community at large at the highest Forsythe Multimedia Group is comments and suggestions are
erful couple also happen to be possible forums & platforms. pleased and honored to have the always welcome,
long time friends of mine. Each of Ranju Batra is Chairperson of accomplished duo as "The South
the them individually or together the Diwali Foundation USA, and Asian Times ‑ Persons of the Year Kamlesh C. Mehta
has frequently graced the pages Ravi Batra, the eminent attorney 2019". Chairman@
of The South Asian Times, but and loud & clear voice for global Our New Year & Person of the TheSouthAsianTimes.Info

Cover pages of our previous New Year

& Person of the year Special Issues
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

The South Asian Times The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m NEW YORK EDITION
Excellence In Journalism
Vol. 5 | No. 37 | January 5-11, 2013 | 60 Cents

Robin
R obin Ra
Raina
ina has built
built a repu-
repu-
tation
tation aass a tturnaround
urnaround a artist.
rtist .
Taking
aking over
Ta ovver Ebix Inc
Inc as CEO
CEO at
age
age 32
32 when
when it it was
was b bleeding
leeding
millions,
millions, heh turned the Atlanta
based company
compan
m y into profits
profits and
toda
todayay thiss supplier
supplier ofof software
software
and
and E-commerce
E-commerce sservices
er vices tto
o
TheSouthAsianTimes.info

the
the insurance
insurance industry
industr y isis one
one
the fastest
fastest growing
growing co companies
mpanies
www.thesouthasiantimes.info

with offices
ces in several
offic coun-
several coun -
tries including g India.
India .

Turnaround
Turna
around artist
turnss to charity
But w
But what
hat mmakes
akes R Raina
aina oour
ur P Person
erson ooff
tthehe YYear
ear 22012
012 iiss hhis
is eexemplary
xemplary zzeal eal ffor
or
helping the underprivileged.
u His Robin
Raina Foundation
Founddation runs the largest largest pri-
pri-
vvate
ate iinitiative
nitiative iinn tthe
he IIndian
ndian ssubcontinent
ubcontinent
worth
w orth $$1515 m million
illion tto o bbuild
uild 66,000
,000 ffree
ree
h
homes for
f the h slum
thhe l dwellers
d ll off Bawa-
Bawa-
nna, Delhi.
a, D The
elhi. T he ccharity
harity hhasas aalso
lso aadopted
dopted
3,500 children,
childreen, providing them educa- educa-
tion, food, shelter
shhelter and medical aid.

Man of the
Man of the Year Ed Mangano
Year 2012
Vol. 2 | No. 37 | January 2-15, 2010 | 60 Cents

Edward P. Mangano always looks cool and composed, but he has engineered
one of the biggest upsets in politics by defeating a confident incumbent in
the election for Executive of Nassau County, which in terms of importance
Robin Raina
Chairman & CEO, Ebix Inc
and budget is bigger than a dozen American states.

Founder, Robin Raina Foundation

See exclusive interview with
Robin Raina on pages 6-11.
Se
eee p ag
a g es
e s 3 and
a n d 26-
2 6 - 30
3 0 for
f o r his
h i s inter
i n t e r view,
v i e w , r elated
e l a t e d stor
s t o r ies
ies
an
andd exclusive
ex cl usiv v e pictures
p ictur es of the SATimes’
S A Times’ Man of the he Year.
th Y ear .
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020

YOU DESERVE
AFFORDABLE
HEALTH CARE
NY State of Health is here to help you find a high-quality plan with:
Free preventive care.
Low premiums.
Low out-of-pocket costs.
Get free one-on-one help from a health insurance counselor near you to
compare plans and apply for financial assistance to lower your costs.

TEXT: HEALTH TO 917-905-7422 OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS ON JANUARY 31ST

FIND YOUR PLAN AND ENROLL TODAY!

Call: 1-855-355-5777 or TTY: 1-800-662-1220

Visit: nystateofhealth.ny.gov

Get free in-person help available in your language

 6 January 4-17, 2020
More escalation averted with
Iran
Continued from page 3
The admission comes after Iranian of fi‑
cials vehemently denied claims that they
mistakenly shot the jet and accused the
US of "spreading lies" about intelligence
suggesting they did. Of the 176 people
killed in the crash, most were Iranian and
Canadian nationals.
While Iranʼs missile attacks on US bases
in Iraq marked the latest escalation with
Tehran in the precarious aftermath of a
U.S. drone strike that killed the top
Iranian general, they appeared to open
the door to reducing tensions after it
became clear that no American forces
were killed. Trump indicated Wednesday
that he indeed considers the nature of the
strikes as a sign that Tehran has taken an
of f‑ramp. “Iran appears to be standing
down, which is a good thing for all parties
concerned,” he said.
He added: “No American or Iraqi lives
were lost.”
At the same time, he said the U.S. contin‑
ues to evaluate options. Trump said he
would immediately impose economic
sanctions "until Iran changes its behavior,"
called on other world powers to break
away from the Iran nuclear deal and
called on NATO to become more involved
in the Middle East.
The president's statement, while stress‑
ing American military might and marking
new sanctions, nevertheless represents a
move toward de‑escalation after days of
fiery threats from both sides. It was the
latest in a series of world‑altering devel‑
opments that began with an Iran‑linked
strike that killed an American contractor,
escalated with an American retaliatory
strike and went into uncharted territory
when militia supporters stormed the U.S.
Embassy in Baghdad ‑‑ ultimately leading
to the stunning strike ag ainst Gen.
Qassem Soleimani. Global fears of a new
war in the Middle East had built in recent
days, as Washington was gripped by new
partisan fights ‑‑ this time, over the
Soleimani strike.
Trump continued to stand by that deci‑
sion Wednesday, saying: "Soleimani's
hands were drenched in both American
Chairman and Co-Founder
Kamlesh C. Mehta
Kamlesh@thesouthasiantimes.info
Co-Founder: Saroosh Gull
President: Arjit Mehta
Arjit@thesouthasiantimes.info
Managing Editor: Parveen Chopra
P : 516.710.0508
parveen.chopra@gmail.com
Associate Editor
Hiral Dholakia-Dave
hiral@thesouthasiantimes.info
Printed Every Saturday by: Forsythe Media Group, LLC, ISSN 1941-9333, 95 Broadway, Suite 2, Second Floor, Town Center Building, Hicksville, NY 11801 P: 516.390.7847
Website: TheSouthAsianTimes.info Updated Daily
Notice: The South Asian Times is published weekly by The Forsythe Media Group, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send all address notices, subscription orders/payments and other inquiries to The South Asian
Times, 95 Broadway, Suite 2, Second Floor, Town Center Building, Hicksville, NY 11801, USA. Copyright and all other rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the
consent of the publisher. The views expressed on the opinion pages and in the letters to the editor pages are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of The South Asian Times. The editor/
publisher does not warrant accuracy and cannot be held responsible for the content of the advertisements placed in the publication and/or inaccurate claims, if any, made by the advertisers. Advertisements of
business or facilities included in this publication do not imply connection or endorsement of these businesses. All rights reserved.
TURN PAGE
and Iranian blood." On Friday he said that
"imminent threat" from Iran might involve
planned attacks on four US embassies.
"We will tell you that probably it was
going to be the embassy in Baghdad,"
Trump said in an interview with Fox News
when asked about what had been specifi‑
cally targeted by Iran.
While all sides appeared to be pulling
back from the brink of a greater military
confrontation for now, Trump again
pressed to block Iran's nuclear path. "As
long as I am president of the United
States, Iran will never be allowed to have a
nuclear weapon," he vowed.
Meanwhile, US State Department said
that any US officials going to Iraq would
not discuss US forces withdrawal, reject‑
ing the Iraqi government's earlier request
that the two sides start to work on such a
process.
Stage set for Trump's Senate
trial as Pelosi relents
Continued from page 3
from office. The nation is equally divided
on whether the Senate should convict him.
According to RealClear Polit ics, the
authoritative aggregators of polls, 47.2
per cent of Americans want him removed
from of fice, while 47.4 per cent are
against it.
The offer to send the impeachment doc‑
uments signals a setback for Pelosi's
attempts to force Republican Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to intro‑
duce new evidence and witnesses at the
Senate trial and to break the GOP in
majority on the trial procedures.
Although the Democrat‑majority House
had impeached Trump last month, Pelosi
held on to the documents in order to
delay the trial as she and Chuck Schumer,
the Democratic Party leader in the Senate,
bargained with McConnell and tried to
build pressure against him.
McConnell rejected their requests and to
pressure Pelosi to send the impeachment
chargesheet, he backed a Republican reso‑
lut ion in the Senate to dismiss the
impeachment if she did not send the docu‑
ment within a specified time.
Meanwhile, Trump taunted Pelosi saying
that she was "afraid" to send the impeach‑
Consultants
Shomik Chaudhuri P: 646.498.5122
shomik@shomikchaudhuri.com
Ginsmon P. Zacharia P: 516.776.7061
ginsmon@hotmail.com
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
ment documents for trial because it was
"phony." His supporters took up the call.
The House managers for the Senate
trial, who will act as prosecutors, will also
be appointed next week Pe losi said.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts
will preside over the trial and the Senators
will act as jurors.
Although the Senators are supposed to
be neutral like jurors in a court trial, the
Senate impeachment trials are political
with most Senators following the party
line. Republicans hold 53 seats in the
100‑member Senate and on procedural
matters they have the majority to set the
rules, even if a couple of Republicans
defect.
Two Republican Senators, Susan Collins
and Lisa Murkowski, have expressed con‑
cern over how the party leaders want to
hold the trial. Collins has said that
Senators should remain neutral and not
prejudge the case.
Trump has said that he wants a full‑
fledged trial with witnesses, which Pelosi
also wants, but McConnell has indicated
that he prefers a quick trial. This will be
only the third time that a US president
would be tried after impeachment in the
nation's 243‑year history and Trump can
expect to be acquitted like his two prede‑
cessors, Bill Clinton in 1998 and Andrew
Johnson in 1868, because there won't be
a two‑thirds majority to convict and
remove him from office. The House voted
to impeach Trump after proceedings
spread over three months that included
secret and public hearings by House com‑
mittees. The charges against Trump stem
from a July phone call he had w ith
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky
in which he asked him as a "favour" to
investigate former Vice President Joe
Biden and his son Hunter.
Democrats say that this was an abuse of
power and amounted to inviting foreign
interference in US elections as Biden is
the leading candidate for the Democratic
nomination to run against Trump in this
year's election.
They also say that he withheld crucial
military aid to Ukraine, a US ally against
Russia, to pressure Zelensky and this
endangered US national security. Trump
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Jaipur Bureau
Prakash Bhandari
Prakash@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Photographs
Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com
Cartoonist: Mahendra Shah
Art and Design: Dhiraj Kumar Showaan
Bharat Bhushan Chopra
Senior Designer: Vladimir Tomovski
Consultants
Shomik Chaudhuri, Inc.
Ginsmon Zacharia & Family Inc
Sai Creations Inc, Bhagwati Creations
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
said he delayed the aid to make sure the
new government stomped out corruption.
Trump's refusal to provide documents to
the House investigation and allow wit‑
nesses to testify brought the obstruction
charge.
Indian Americans honored by
the Consulate to mark Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas
Continued from page 3
gubernatorial candidate; Ankur Vaidya,
member, FIA Board; Dr. Neeta Jain,
Democratic district leader in New Yorkʼs
25th Assembly District; Jagdish Sewhani,
president, American India Public Af fairs
Committee; Sushma Kotahwala, past presi‑
dent of AIA‑NY, broadcast journalist
Renee Mehrra; Mohan Nannapaneni,
founder and volunteer, Team Aid Inc.;
Jitendra Muchhal, Friends of MP ‑ NY NJ;
and Minesh Patel who raised over $1 mil‑
lion for vict ims of Pulwama attack
through a Facebook fundraiser.
Since 2003, the Government of India
has been celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas on Jan. 9 to recognize the contribu‑
tion of the overseas Indian community
toward the development of India as well
as their contributions to their adopted
country. T he day commemorates the
return of Mahatma Gandhi from South
Africa to India on Jan. 9, 2015.
Jaishankar began his address by remem‑
bering his predecessor, the late Sushma
Swaraj, for whom PBD was a particularly
special occasion. “I would like to begin by
recognizing her unique contribution and
tireless work for the Indian diaspora and
those working and traveling abroad. We
all miss her very much,” he said.
Lauding the 17.1 million strong Indian
disapora for its success in science, cre‑
ative arts, technology, medicine, enter‑
prise, engineering or in spreading Indian
values, traditions, habits and soft power,
Jaishankar said the “members of the dias‑
pora have achieved great success in dif‑
ferent walks of life and by doing so, define
both Indiaʼs capabilities and branding.” He
said the Indians settled abroad, have,
“each in their own way, like drops of water
coming together, have created a vast
reservoir of goodwill for India.”
News Service
IANS News Service
HT Media Ltd.
Printing: Five Star Printing, NY
Contacts
Editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Subscribe@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Advertisements
Advertise@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
P: 516.390.7847, F: 360.323.0036
NYC office: Forsythe Multimedia Group,
30 W 47 th Street, Suite 503
New York, NY 10036. Mr. Karan Jain
Website
www.TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Updated Daily
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020
 8 January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY

Messages
Kudos to the Power Couple

Hon. Andrei Dapkiunas

T here are people around us whose impact
on the world far exceeds whatever their
formal social status, life story, wealth or con-
and Ranju Batra nections may prompt. Ranju and Ravi Batra
are in this wondrous league. The secret of
what makes this magnificent couple stand out
in the community this starkly could be elusive
and manifold. For me, it lies in their ability to
care about the higher things that really matter
in life like few of us do and in their courage to
put their boundless soul into so many extraor-
dinary initiatives they undertake for common
good – selflessly and wholeheartedly.
As Diwali – for me and, I am sure, for many
of diplomats at the UN and all over the world
lucky to call Ranju and Ravi friends – has be-
come almost synonymous with the Batra family,
the great festival’s motto ‘light over darkness,
good over evil’ explains best the unusually cor-
dial and touchingly emotional response of the
often buttoned-up diplomatic community of
New York to Ranju’s and Ravi’s inimitable pres-
ence and lasting accomplishments.
Rightfully called ‘Manhattan’s power cou-
ple’, Ranju and Ravi Batra show the admirable
example of thoughtfully founding this power
Andrei Dapkiunas on Love – to each other, their children and
many friends blessed with the light of their
Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus kind and benevolent attention. Amb. Shringla is India’s Foreign Secretary (Designate)
 January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY 9

Presenting the power couple who channel their standing

& influence for the good of the community and the world.

Eminent New York attorney and

Chair of National Advisory
Council for South Asian Affairs,
Ravi Batra addressed a high
level UN conference on counter
‑terrorism held in Minsk,
Belarus in September 2019,
which brought together member Supported by Ravi, Ranju Batra’s determined campaign
states of the OSCE (Organization secured the release of the USPS Diwali FOREVER stamp.
for Security and Co‑operation in That success morphed into her founding the ‘Diwali - Power
Europe) and ASEAN regions. of One’ awards, now called the ‘Oscars of Diplomacy’.

America’s connection to India is, and

history compels and destiny beck-
ons. But it is even more important
to South Asia, the Indo-Pacific and

must remain, indivisible : Ravi Batra

Free Navigation, and globally, to
enhance peace and security for
all humanity as we jointly make
the world Terror-Free. After all,
everyone wants to enjoy Thomas
Jefferson’s recipe of “life, liberty
Ravi and Ranju Batra hosted a celebratory reception for - “US Congress, Democracy’s Bipartisan Jewel, House and the pursuit of happiness.”
Leadership, House Foreign Affairs Committee and India Caucus, and a Strong US - India Relationship, and H.E. I’m happy to note that to-
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India’s Ambassador to US and Foreign Secretary Designate” - on Capitol Hill in day in India a 16 nation am-
Washington DC on January 9. Here are some pictures from the prestigious event and Ravi Batra’s Remarks: bassadorial delegation, includ-
ing our own ambassador Ken

“ On behalf of Ranju, chair

of the Diwali founda-
tion USA, and in my own
capacity, I’m glad our
miracle daughter Angela
and our Precious son Neal
are present - Let me first
thank each of you, our
distinguished guests - for
making the effort to be
here at this short-noticed
Reception, and wish us all
a happy & blessed 2020.
Today we celebrate
American exceptional-
ism, especially the United
States Congress, which
is democracy‘s bipartisan
Amb. Shringla & Ravi Batra enjoying the coming together jewel. In addition, we also
of US & India, that Columbus is smiling! celebrate the largest de-
mocracy in history, India, and her
exemplary and distinguished am-
bassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
In fact, India owes us big time,
because they sent us a distin-
guished ambassador, and we’re
sending back to India her latest
distinguished foreign secretary.
While today is not Colum-
bus Day, I can see Christopher
Columbus smiling in heaven
and telling everyone: look, look,
I not only see land, I see Indi-
ans! I was right! But, maybe, I
got to America a bit little early.
A strong US-India relationship
is vital for the both of us, United
States and India, as it is the most
important bilateral relationship
for the 21st Century - one that
Juster, is on an overnight stay-
visit to Kashmir, which means
law & order is being restored
and normalcy is close behind.
Today, all of us, including
Ranju, Angie & Neal, honor the
great & distinguished gentleman
from New York, our dear friend
and part of our family, the hon-
orable chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot
Lawrence Engel - along with his
distinguished colleagues of the
House, Republicans & Democrats,
for their tireless efforts to keep us
and the world safer, as they work
“to form a more perfect union.”
I now invite Chairman Engel
for his remarks, and to invite his
colleagues for their remarks.

Ravi Batra shares his vision of indivisibility between US & India, with 3-way comfortable handshake that permits “sunlight” between
Ranju Batra, Chairman Engel, Amb. Shringla and Congressmen Raja 2 sovereigns, even as the goal is freedoms across the world,
Krishnamoorthy & Juan Vargas, and Amb. Sandeep Chakravor and “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” for all.

Many more pictures from this prestigious event will be published in the next week’s issue of The South Asian Times.

By Parveen Chopra
L ike an iceberg, nine-tenth of
the work Ravi Batra does quiet-
ly is hidden from pubic view. But as
some of the top diplomats who sent
messages for this Special Person of
Year Feature told us, he is passion-
ately making a great contribution
to global understanding and peace,
sustainable development and jus-
tice. Addressing a high level UN
conference on counter‑terrorism in
Belarus in September last year and
then testifying in US Congress soon
after, he has emerged as a very
forceful voice against terrorism.
This American of Indian an-
cestry and Chair of the National
Advisory Council for South Asian
Affairs has also worked to shine a
light on the contributions and ac-
complishments of Indian Ameri-
cans and enhance the vibrancy
of the Indian American commu-
nity, all while seeking to further
Ravi Batra was received in Astana in June 2018 by Foreign
Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, and later gave his remarks at
the “Astana 20 - City of Peace” Ministerial Conference.
strengthen the bond between the
United States and India.
In an interview with The South
Asian Times the eminent New York
attorney said that indeed he has
been moving away from “individu-
al good,” for one victim at a time, to
serving the “greater good.” Follow-
ing excerpts are from the interview
Ravi Batra gave last week even as
he and Ranju Batra were prepar-
ing to host a celebratory reception
for - “US Congress, Democracy’s Bi-
partisan Jewel, House Leadership,
House Foreign Affairs Committee
and India Caucus, and a Strong US -
India Relationship, and H.E. Harsh
Vardhan Shringla, India’s Ambas-
sador to US and Foreign Secre-
tary Designate” - on Capitol Hill in
Washington DC on January 9. Sym-
bolic of their “special relationship,”
Chairman Eliot L. Engel assigned
10 January 4-17, 2020
RAVI BATRA Finding New
Modes to Serve the Greater Good
the Batras the House Foreign Af-
fairs Committee Room, which is not
available for receptions and where
Ravi Batra had testified in October
2019, as an invitee of Chairman
Engel, at the “Kashmir Hearing”
held by the Sub-Committee chair
Brad Sherman.
The South Asian Times: From
fighting legal battles, you have
in recent years become a forceful
voice against terrorism . . .
Ravi Batra: Like everybody else,
9/11 changed me. Before 9/11 I
never wore the American Flag on
my lapel. It was not that I was any
less patriotic; rather I felt those who
wore the pin, what are they trying
to prove, that they are more Ameri-
can? On the morning of September
11, 2001, I was on my way to fed-
eral court and was near the Water
Club, just next to the FDR Drive. I
was driving and heard on the radio
about what had happened, and saw
it too. I continued to go down until
I couldn’t go down, because the po-
lice had shut things off.
That day I saw
New Yorkers who
can climb the highest
mountain - as zombies
-- walking with this
“look” on the face I did
not recognize. On First
Avenue there were
no cars, only people
walking all the way up
from Downtown, be-
cause transportation
had been shut down.
I saw people with the
World Trade Center
dust – with the dead
look in their eyes, not fear but bewil-
derment; lost, because of complete
chaos in the mind and soul. 9/11
changed my life, as it changed the
world forever.
Several things happened as a
result. One is, I now know the ge-
nius of Thomas Jefferson, the hid-
den sequence in that very famous
phrase – “Life, Liberty and the Pur-
suit of Happiness.” Everybody says
it, but how many people realize that
the genius is in the sequence built
in there (Life comes first, etc). This
is very relevant to Kashmir, where
Indian PM Modi’s action makes
perfect sense. Because when there
is cross-border or home-grown ter-
ror, there are no human rights. You
have to first get rid of the terror, re-
store public safety, restore law and
order. The rights, when violated,
can then be vindicated in court and
COV E R S T O RY
the wrong-doers held responsible.
So, the sequence of Thomas
Jefferson is alive and well today,
and needed to better inform the
US Congress when making policy,
as with Reps Pramila Jayapal and
Ilhan Omar (who has not apolo-
gized sufficiently for her ‘some
people did something’ comment).
I have seen the horrors of 9/11,
seen images of people jumping out
of WTC to certain death, while on
fire or to escape death-by-fire, and
spoken to survivors, and families
that will never be whole again. In-
deed, 9/11 changed Mayor Rudy
Giuliani into a hero, and Speaker
Peter F. Vallone into Saint Pete.
Terror is illegal, and even a
war crime: targeting civilians. Ev-
ery Terrorist who hasn’t realized
the evil of Terror, ought meet his
Maker sooner. But, every person
who others seek to weaponize into
a Terrorist, but who can be saved
from evil ought to be - much like
we rehabilitate criminals. We need
to be steely-spined to beat Terror-
ists by all means necessary, and at
the same time become like a nur-
turing parent of a lost child, sucked
into the frenzy of drug-induced
madness. Two things are certain:
we must defeat the Terrorist ASAP;
and we cannot afford everyone to
become a Terrorist. The tension be-
tween these two truths provides the
bifurcated paths our policymakers
must walk, and govern from. Ter-
ror is a genie that has to go back
into the bottle, to be sealed forever.
It used to be that an “insult” was
a Terror-Trigger. Then, a mentally
deranged man killed innocent God-
fearing worshipers in New Zealand
- and this was a horrible enhance-
ment and enlargement of the “tra-
ditional” war-on-terror, because it
was just as bad, if not worse, than
what a Terrorist does. And, it im-
plicated religious sentiments in ad-
dition to death. Then, it got worse.
Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka proved
it: when a billionaire’s children,
who had everything anyone can
ask for in life, decided to become
“pro bono” suicide bombers. We
cannot allow “war on terror” to turn
into a “holy war,” the unholiest of
all! These are the stakes that face 8
billion people on Earth - every day;
not just this month.
Terror is the one issue that
unites every one of the 193 coun-
tries in the world, except those
who sponsor terror - as part of
Statecraft. Statecraft well tolerates
assassins, even if not as enjoyable
as “James Bond” and his signature
drink: Vodka Martini; shaken, not
stirred. But it cannot tolerate Ter-
rorist as Government Employees
or Government Contractors. Any
country that sponsors terror, I
humbly submit, is an outlaw coun-
try. When it comes to terror, we
don’t need R2P -- Responsibility to
Protect, a UN principle that came
Ravi Batra addressed a high level UN conference on
counter-terrorism in Minsk, Belarus last year.
out of guilt for not doing anything
in Rwanda’s genocide -- because
every sovereign nation has a right
to defend itself. Fighting terror
is Job No. 1 for the head of every
government and I believe its Job
One for every citizen in defense of
one’s nation or family; and I work
daily on Job One as a patriot must.
So, I find great satisfaction and
great validation in spending my
time and my efforts, entirely pro
bono, engaged in trying to defuse
Terror is one vital
track, but there
are others in global
affairs, where I try
to add value: help
governments avoid
malpractice, driven
by bad fact or bad
judgment.
terror, not just trying to beat it and
to prevent it from becoming a holy
war. Fighting terror has pulled me
away from fashioning “individual
justice,” one case at a time, to
serving the “greater good,” which
affects millions and billions of peo-
ple and generations yet unborn.
Terror is one vital track, but
there are others in global affairs,
where I try to add value: help gov-
ernments avoid malpractice, driv-
en by bad fact or bad judgment.
You have also taken up India’s
cause on terror . . .
Ravi Batra: When on November
26, 2008 Mumbai terror attack
occurred, I joined the parade of
people in America to argue for In-
dia exercising restraint. It is during
the recent Kashmir issue when I
testified to Congress in Washing-
ton that I apologized to India for
having given the wrong advice: be-
cause New Delhi should not have
exercised restraint on its 26-11.
When you have such a direct as-
sault on one’s citizenry and tour-
ists, especially because they are
Jewish, the sovereignty-cocoon has
been breached and violated, and
you must respond and take out the
owners of the “roots of Terror.”
So my evolution has been mov-
ing away from exercising restraint
for other countries (albeit, never
for the USA after 9/11, as we had to
bring OBL to justice), because I saw
fighting terror as an American issue
and I wanted other nations to get
out of the battlefield. But the prob-
lem is, every nation, whose innocent
citizens are being terrorized and
killed, has a right to defend herself.
Going further, I’d rather the United
States partner with every country
who wants to rid the world of Ter-
ror. That means if Russia will join us,
the “Freedom Team,” then let them
join NATO (and Ukraine gets Crimea
back), and make NATO focus on de-
feating Terror. Sooner or later, we
have to come together and see Terror
as a war crime & criminal Statecraft.
You are a known Democrat,
so where do you stand on
US politics and policies?

Ravi Batra: I have a been a Demo-
crat all my life except once when I
flirted with the Republicans. I was
invited by the New York Repub-
lican Chairman Tony Colavita in
1988 and I went to New Orleans
as an honorary delegate for Bush
One. I know that both Republicans
and Democrats are patriotic Amer-
icans first, and they both want to
do good for their fellow Ameri-
cans. And while they agree on a
lot of things, there are a few things
they disagree on. So, it’s a matter
of choice – which road you take to
get to the same destination: to help
form a more perfect union.
Yet, I understand that this
hyper-partisan politics can either
give us the “nectar of dissent” or
be corrosively destructive. I al-
ways found that power rules better
The entrance
ramp - left, right
or center - to power
is different for the
two main political
parties in United
State, but the road
of power is the
same and when it
is not, our country
is being ill-served.
from the center. You get elected
from a party and where the party
position is - center, left or right of
center, ultra-left or ultra-right. But
once elected, you must drive on
the same road. The entrance ramp
to power is different for the two
main political parties, but the road
of power is the same and when it is
not, our country is being ill-served.
So, as a Democrat, I have main-
tained honest and candid relations
with both parties. When Newt Gin-
grich was Speaker, or later, John
Boehner, we texted on important
topics; sometimes, even silly ones. I
have little interest in domestic poli-
tics which is where the two parties
differ the most. My primary inter-
est is America’s foreign policy - as
I want our allies and adversaries
to treat us with respect - and, on
that score, I am saying we need to
protect the homeland, we need to
protect America from terror, from
unfair trade, and from enemies for-
eign and domestic. America must
remain the strongest, and wisest,
with calibrated proportionality - as
we are Humanity’s last best hope,
enabled, like none other, due to
January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY 11
American Exceptionalism.
ed, then decide, if they still want
So, terror and trade make you Trump’s Impeachment to lawfully transmit the Impeach-
ment Articles to the Senate. This
supportive of President Trump.
conundrum, created by Mitch
Ravi Batra: I was supportive of
President Obama’s unifying mes-
Let voters decide in November McConnell, who has stronger
family ties to China’s oligarchs
than Joe Biden’s son Hunter had
I
sage of Hope (Yes we can!) and saw
mpeachment by the House House members complained that with Ukraine’s oligarch, was ob-
in him great talent and intellect.
of Representatives of a sit- the House Impeachment process viously a move seen and fully ap-
Grateful that he finally brought
ting president, and removal of was unfair - as they repeatedly preciated by Speaker Nancy Pe-
Osama bin Laden to Justice on
the impeached president by the compared it to the legal process losi, and who then preemptively
Law Day, May 1st. I, however, op-
US Senate is authorized by Sec- in courts for criminal cases - the armed herself legally - with the
posed him on Benghazi and the
tion 4 of Article Two of United Senate GOP Leader now, in stark power to decide - when to
impotent Red Line. The Lakshman
States Constitution. contradiction, says Impeachment is transmit Impeachment Articles.
Rekha was potent; it was Sita who
The Trump Impeachment, a political process, he isn’t an im- It will better serve the Repub-
violated it. President Trump has
given nearly-equal split of the partial juror and is fully coordinat- lic not to have President Trump
grown into being our President -
voting-public in our nation, is ing with President’s lawyers. The stand trial in the Senate, when
as he tries to do the right thing, in
essentially a Mexican standoff - American voters are confused, as recalcitrant witnesses - from
an unusual way. But, he does act.
when subpoenas get objected-to that smacks of a “fixed trial.” It is of Bidens to all the President’s men
Nobody, especially me, wants Mi-
and courts have to decide - from no moment that Impeachment is a - will need court orders to com-
chelangelo’s David - The Thinker
district court, appeals court and political process, authorized by the pel, with their attendant lengthy
- as our leader, as actions speak
Supreme Court - if a Witness highest law of the land - the Con- delays for judicial review gaunt-
loudest, not unlimited thinking.
can be compelled to appear and stitution. Mitch McConnell’s public let to run its course, that “Let the
spill his guts, or spill something admission of being a biased juror Voters Decide” is simpler and
What is your stance on BJP vs
less due to confidentiality, na- for the Senate Trial has made him fairer to all Americans. Indeed, it
Congress issues in India, such as
tional security and inter alia,
the Citizenship Amendment Act
lawful privileges-based omertà.
(CAA) which drew a big backlash?
Singularly honoring my oath
to defend the Constitution from
Ravi Batra: I don’t meddle in the
enemies foreign and domestic, I
internal affairs of India. I am an
acted on Thanksgiving. Given my
American. It is true that my father
legal representation of Ukraine
was an influential Congress party
and her crown jewel, Antonov,
leader in Delhi in the 1950’s at
and after conducting an internal
nation-building time. That reminds
privileges review, consistent with
me, when I was about five years
old, I was at an election rally in
principles of consent and pre-ex-
isting public record, I wrote on
Delhi, where hundreds of thou-
Thanksgiving Day to House For-
sands of people showed up - noth-
eign Affairs and House Judiciary
ing unusual for India. I was on top
of a big truck with my father, and
Chairmen Engel and Nadler, re-
spectively, warning them that
people were chanting his name
there was a substantial question
even though he was not the can-
raised by facts I knew to be in
didate that year. And with him, I,
the public record in Ukraine - if
too, waved back to the supportive
the $391 million holdback of se-
crowd. Leadership is about being
curity aid to Ukraine was due to
an honest and effective fiduciary,
an unrelated China-Ukraine 1B
as my late great Dad was.
dollar deal that was stopped (re-
So, I have seen how democracy
is in the DNA of every Indian - even
call, China has a history of buy-
ing a carrier ship from Ukraine
way back then. Critically, it is the
under false pretenses, and and Sen. Lindsey Graham the focal will unify the nation rather than
ultimate jewel of India. It does not
then using it to jump-start her point, rather than the Impeached continue the fraying. “E Pluribus
matter which party is in power to-
navy’s carrier-based capacity). President. That’s bad, as neither Mc- Unum” has a new meaning, with
day or tomorrow. Each party tries
If this is true, then the July Connell nor Graham are as popular added value, a la Impeachment.
to do their best and they should
25, 2019 Trump-Zelensky call as President Trump, and the Court As an American, I don’t see
be given due credit for doing what
could be “perfect,” as the hold- process being impartial is well gifting - directly or by omission
they do right, and they should be
back would not be “pressure” known to the American Voter. That - Ukraine to President Putin as
given respectful opposition, when
being applied by POTUS for is why, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has being consistent with any le-
you disagree with them. But bring-
a non-governmental purpose. legally - consistent with the House gitimate policy of these United
ing chaos is not helpful to any-
Chairman Nadler after receipt Rules passed by Chairman Jim Mc- States; especially, after the testi-
body, because then you unleash
of my email, very next day is- Govern - delayed sending the Im- mony of inter alia Fiona Hill, the
something that’s really bad: exces-
sued yet another letter to PO- peachment Articles to the Senate. coal miner’s daughter. Ukraine
sive police force; as the police ev-
TUS inviting more information Last week I suggested to a mem- is stuck in political limbo as she
erywhere have a very simple menu
and presidential participation in ber of the House leadership that cannot, and must not, pick sides
to restore law and order.
the Impeachment proceedings. they do a “reverse Merrick Garland” in America. Since we are the No
The opposition of a country,
That, was then. Now, after to Mitch McConnell, and “let the 1 Superpower, our actions - right
any country, and am I not picking
President Trump stands im- voters decide” who the next Presi- or wrong - have much impact,
on India, owe loyalty to the country
peached - during which the GOP dent, and only if Trump is re-elect- not all of which we wanted.
by having a civil discourse. Promot-
ing violence on the streets and (un)
civil disobedience is not OK. This is Law,” because when you are legal- of India,” who went on to become time trying to make India America’s
not Gandhian philosophy. This is izing illegals who came to India be- the President of India: Hon. Abdul best friend. I don’t care who is in the
not Martin Luther King, nor Nelson cause they were persecuted from Kalam (hat tip to Sir Elton John’s White House and who is the Prime
Mandela. Indeed, while politically three countries, well, India should “Rocket Man”). In the final analy- Minister. Each one offers a unique
opportunistic, its dishonorable. get a medal for that. You should sis, it is the problem of people, and opportunity because human dy-
not get beat up for that. But if you parties, not serving the greater namic is unique to each character.
Maybe the Citizenship Bill was are getting beat up, it is because of good honestly and wisely. So, when Modi is with Obama, or
wrongly named by the Modi misinformation - that Indian Mus- Modi is with Trump, they are two
government . . . lims are now going to become non- You watched growing US-India different relationships. When In-
Indians. Well, that doesn’t com- relations over five decades . . . dira Gandhi came here, I was there.
Ravi Batra: I think it should have pute. Indian Muslims are proud to
been called a “Refugee Welcome Continues on page 12
be Indian. Recall the “Missile Man Ravi Batra: I have spent my life-

Continued from page 11
When Rajiv Gandhi came, I
was on larger-than-life Speaker
Tip O’Neill’s Club. I received Nara-
simha Rao in the South Portico of
Congress along with Harry Barnes,
then US ambassador to India.
I was in puppy love with the
American Congress - Democracy’s
Bipartisan Jewel - and would go
down to DC every two weeks or so
to meet with the Speaker or chair-
persons of various committees. It
started, when I was a business law
professor at Pace University in the
1980s. I was never a lobbyist, never
got paid for doing any of that; more
importantly, not seeking to be paid
gives freedom to be a better patriot.
That’s why FARA is an important
law to prevent sovereignty breach
and catch treasonous people.
I want Indians in India, and
particularly the Indian govern-
ment, to be the best friend of, and
to, the United States - as deserv-
ing of family ties, for the dura-
tion of the human family.
But yes, I have always wanted
to see India having a ‘special re-
lationship’ with the United States,
which otherwise is a term used be-
tween the US and England. I see In-
dia as an appropriate counter-par-
ty to the special relationship. We
are closer to that goal today than
we’ve ever been. The fact that the
6th Fleet has been re-christened as
Indo-Pacific is wonderful. It says
to the world that we are partners.
We share democracy, we share the
freedoms, we share the problems
of democracy, which is, you know,
inept leaders who like to get 15
minutes of fame by pandering to
one ethnic group or another.
As an eminent lawyer, you have
famously fought corruption.
Ravi Batra: Corruption is a hu-
man characteristic. Corruption is
a battle that each one of us need
to fight, starting within ourselves.
I was a founding commissioner
of the Joint Commission of Public
Ethics (JCOPE) of New York State
- the enabling law was pushed by
my friend, blue-blood Prince of
Power, Governor Andrew Cuomo,
who, to paraphrase Mark Twain,
“never cracked walnuts with the
Great Seal of New York.” I resigned
in 2012 after one year. I quit, be-
cause by watching my father in
honest-power I know what people
in power must do; I know the rules
they must live by. So, I just decided
12 January 4-17, 2020
to get out of the sweeping-the-gut-
ter business because that is the job
I had at JCOPE as an anti-corrup-
tion NYS Commissioner. The gutter
will never run out of sewage. Some
years ago, having a discussion
on public corruption with a dear
friend, the late great Wayne Bar-
rett, I said, “I am exhausted by all
this’. He said, “Ravi, it’s a perpetual
battle.” Literally, the message of
Diwali is “good over evil,” but, it’s
a perpetual battle. You can never
say, good won permanently; good
must beat evil every day, because
evil never goes away. It’s the good
that gets tired of fighting evil; evil,
as in Terror, never gets tired of get-
ting up to fight another day.
I also quit as special counsel
to then Nassau County Executive
Ed Mangano because I was not
comfortable that everything was
OK. Life has taught me that being
“kosher” is not enough, as its not
self-authenticating; so, only Glatt
Kosher will do, as it is.
In my full-time practice since
1986, I have done the legal topi-
cal waterfront, from criminal to
civil, and in civil from commercial,
matrimonial, malpractice, estate,
sovereignty, torture, to fraud, with
fraud upon the court the worst
of all cases. Fighting fraud upon
the court is protecting the court’s
sanctity and honoring the noble
bench, like the scholar Justice Ste-
phen G. Crane is. Exposing fraud,
is the same as fighting corruption.
Ranju & Ravi Batra had attended PM Manmohan Singh visit at Obama White House in 2009.
Here, Ravi Batra is with PM Singh at UNGA.
Why did ‘Law and Order’ TV
program take a swipe at you?
Ravi Batra: In real life, a 2nd judge
on Supreme Court in Brooklyn had
gone rogue and was indicted for
corruption. It was really an upheav-
al for the courts system because for
the justice system to work, we need
respect and confidence of the pub-
lic: so that when a person loses in
court, and in every case there is a
loser, that loser must feel that they
got a fair and honest shake in court,
COV E R S T O RY
and that it was not a fixed fight;
otherwise our system, any system,
would break down. Corruption in
the courts is the one place which is
akin to child molestation, you just
can’t tolerate it in court. It is one
thing for a bureaucrat or an elected
to be corrupt; but never the court.
The Court, like a stove, must cook
every pot without fear or favor - to
paraphrase my late great friend
and mentor, the Hon. Robert Mor-
ris Morgenthau - one of America’s
The sequence built in ‘Life, Liberty and
the Pursuit of Happiness’ is very relevant
to Kashmir, where Indian PM Modi’s action
makes perfect sense. Because when there
is cross-border or home-grown terror,
there are no human rights. You have to
first get rid of the terror, restore
public safety, restore law and order.
finest sons, from one of America’s
finest dynasties.
The crooked judge in the case,
Jerry Garson, admitted to being
crooked. He was hand in glove
with a crooked lawyer named
Paul Siminovsky, both of East Eu-
ropean descent. At the time ‘Law
& Order’ was in New York; they
are no longer here, because of my
case, but still a profitable fran-
chise, given its creative genius:
ripped from the headlines, and
rushed to the viewers to see their
late night news come to life.
We alleged that for the episode
called ‘Floater,” based on the real-
life Jerry Garson-Paul Siminovsky
case, they maliciously and pur-
posefully targeted me by scripting
and casting the role of the crooked
lawyer, when they knew that I had
nothing to do with any of this. This
was like a targeted Hit & Run, as if
you can pick on a “meek & timid”
Indian-American, because they
won’t fight back. They made the
Siminovsky character “Ravi Patel,”
and for the crooked Jerry Garson
character, they even changed the
gender to cast a woman so as
not to defame an admitted crook.
Had they cast a “Robert Redford”
to play “Ravi Patel,” there would
have been no lawsuit. But they
rejected the Redfords, and chose
Erick Avari, my look-alike, so as to
target their reckless and malicious
animus. The Complaint is a public
document, as are the many mo-
tions, and the reputation-validat-
ing Stipulation of Discontinuance.
So, I sued ‘Law & Order,’ its
executive producer Dick Wolf and
NBC for libel (in fiction) and I said
there’s only one Ravi, the lawyer
in New York, and none other. The
courts agreed as everybody knows
me, and it was clearly aimed at me
and you can’t do that.
In the end, I’m delighted that
there was mutually satisfying vin-
dication; the resolution was con-
fidential, so I can’t get into that.
“Law & Order” may have target-
ed me, because Indian-Americans
have a reputation of not fighting
back. But this time, they picked on
the wrong Indian; because I am not
that Indian. (Laughs), Pun intended.
The Indian American community
remembers you for winning
the Krittika Biswas case.
Ravi Batra: Yes; and I also won
the dismissal of Sikhs for Justice
cases against Indian National
Congress and Hon. Sonia Gandhi,
who were both my clients, in re
the shameful 1984 Anti-Sikh Ri-
ots. India saved billions of dollars.
As a result of my pleadings and
argument in court, Rahul Gandhi
gave an interview to Arnab Gos-
wami admitting that “some Con-
gressmen” were involved. India,
like us here, has a right to identify
her misdeeds, and remedy them.
And to your question, Krittika
Biswas was accused of cyberbul-
lying and arrested criminally in
the jurisdiction of the late great
Queens District Attorney Richard
Brown. It was early 2011. I got a
call from Consul General Prabhu
Dayal that one of his consul’s
daughter had been arrested the
day before. Several members of
the consulate along with Kritti-
ka’s mom had tried and could not
even meet or see her. They were
not getting the rights of consular
access guaranteed by the Vienna
Convention on Consular Rights of
1963, Article 36 in particular.
Prabhu asked me for help. I ar-
rived at the Criminal Court at 12
noon, and there were nine of them
sitting there since the day before,
including, DCG Ajay Gondane. I said
I want to see Judge Brown (RIP), as
the DA was fondly known. He was
a real American hero throughout
his life of public service - including,
as counsel to Governor Mario Cuo-
mo, and all New Yorkers are in his
debt. Within five (5) minutes, we
were all ushered into a conference
room, and then I was taken to see
Judge Brown. We had a very warm
meeting; and a mutually respectful
meeting befitting our joint love of
law and justice. I told Judge Brown
that this was a problem case as Krit-
tika, a diplomat’s daughter, was ac-
tually innocent and I don’t want it
mushroom into a problem - locally,
or bilaterally between two friend-
ly nations. He asked me if I was
aware of her unhappy comments
on Facebook. I said, yes I was, but
she didn’t do the cyber-bullying. On
the strength of my statement, he, a
man of honor who comprehended
mine, issued orders to administra-
tively dismiss the case. So, Krittika
Biswas never had to even appear
in court to say, “Not Guilty, Your
Honor.” Moreover, her arrest was
sealed so she could legally say, she
has never “been arrested.” Pre-
cisely two hours after I arrived, I
walked out of the Criminal Court’s
holding cell with a dazed Krittika,
a free girl, and turned her over to
her adoring parents and CGI team.
The next day, the arrogant
Howard Kwait, Principal of the
John Bowne High School in Flush-
ing, called me up and said, “I don’t
care who you are, I don’t care who
you know, but Krittika is not al-
lowed to come back; she is sus-
pended and I am sending her to
“reform school,” where “criminals”
go, as a disciplinary matter.”
So, I was sucked back into a
case I had just finished.
Continues on page 15
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020

The ambassador with Ravi Batra
Kairat
Abdrakhmanov
Former Foreign Minister & PR of
Kazakhstan to the UN
Currently Ambassador of
Kazakhstan to Sweden
We learned with great pleasure
about the high recognition conferred
on our dear friends, Ranju and Ravi
Batra by the South Asian Times as
Couple of the Year 2019!
I and my wife Maira feel privileged
to know and work together and to be
close friends with the Batras who are
passionately making a great contri‑
bution to global understanding and
peace, sustainable development and
justice.
The interactions we have been en‑
joying with Batras since our arrival
in New York in 2013 were deeply
fulfilling and rewarding.
As diplomats we wish the distin‑
guished readers of this very rep‑
utable paper to know that both Ran‑
ju and Ravi are highly respected in
the UN community and their voice
counts. That is why so many Ambas‑
sadors to the UN call on the servic‑
es and advice of Ranju and Ravi.
They can get things done as all coun‑
tries respond to them with respect
and follow the solution they offer.
It is important that we have en‑
gaged people of the caliber and ded‑
ication of Ranju and Ravi Batra, be‑
cause their efforts are vital for
achieving peace and security, sus‑
tainable development goals, human
rights, gender equality and women's
empowerment, and youth and chil‑
dren's advancement, as in UN agen‑
da. Kazakhstan values unstinted sup‑
port on behalf of Ranju and Ravi for
our own initiatives at the national,
regional and global levels and thank
them for it. In particular, we aspire
today to achieving a world free of
wars and conflicts by 2045, the UN
centenary. The international com‑
munity is resolute in its effort to
fight terrorism which can never rob
us of our noble ideals. Kazakhstan is
ready to work shoulder‑to‑shoulder
14 January 4-17, 2020
Admiring the Power of Two
in addressing all other transnational
threats and challenges.
From personal experience, there is
genuine warmth in the hearts of
Ranju and Ravi that we feel always
which binds us all to one another in
the UN and beyond. They have por‑
trayed to their friends that human
bonds are the most meaningful in
our lives ‑ far more than profession‑
al accomplishments that by nature
are transient.
Volodymyr
Yelchenko
Ambassador of Ukraine to the US
Truly privileged to know and to en‑
joy real friendship with the fantastic
family of Ravi and Ranju Batra, and
their children: true American patri‑
ots yet caring a lot about their Indi‑
an descent. As a successful and wide‑
ly respected lawyer, Ravi volun‑
teered, after Russia took Crimea in
2014, to become advisor of the
Ukraine delegation at the UN and
since then he has spared no effort to
assist Ukraine with his good advice
in countering the Russian aggression
in the UN and beyond. Ravi has
learned a lot about Ukraine and he
used this knowledge wisely in many
ways for the benefit of my country.
His outstanding skills are widely rec‑
ognized and appreciated throughout
the UN family and in Ukraine. I con‑
tinue to rely on Ravi and Ranju to
further enhance the strategic part‑
nership between Ukraine and the US.
Kairat Umarov
Permanent Representative of the
Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN
Persons of the Year in any catego‑
ry are very special. This time we re‑
joice and felicitate Ranju and Ravi
COVER STORY
Batra for holding this distinction for
the year 2020, conferred on them by
The South Asian Times.
They are an exceptional couple
with many outstanding attributes.
We admire them for their untiring
outreach and embrace of the diplo‑
matic community in New York, en‑
riching not only their own lives, but
also bonding all of us together as a
global family. Their personal quali‑
ties of true sincerity, warm embrace
and loyalty set them apart from all
others, as they warmly welcome us
when we arrive in New York and bid
us fond farewell with lavish generos‑
ity when our tour of duty ends. Even
though our paths traverse in differ‑
ent directions, they keep in touch
with us as their treasured friends.
They gather and expand the friendly
circle even wider by including those
who have left and return to NYC,
even for brief visits. Their unfailing
loyalty and respect for us is demon‑
strated by their presence at national
receptions or other events organized
by us.
Our first encounters with the Ba‑
tras turn almost immediately into
lasting friendships; there is an in‑
stant chemistry and synergy through
a meeting of souls, hearts and minds.
Their joviality, dynamism and ever
readiness to assist us always tran‑
scend all concepts of separation. We
become each otherʼs families for life,
and soon there are concentric inter‑
weaving circles of families. This
beautiful couple truly exemplifies
what human connection means and
this is what I, and all others who
know them, personally appreciate
and marvel about them. Though hail‑
ing from India, Ranju and Ravi be‑
long to all of us, and each nation can
claim these two beautiful souls as its
own.
We also honor this inspiring duo
for instituting the “Power of One”
Award, which recognizes distin‑
guished dignitaries for their laudable
contribution to further the noble
mandate of the United Nations and a
new vision for humankind at large.
This impetus and acknowledgement
are necessary to foster dialogue, co‑
operation, peace and understanding
in a world fraught with divisive ten‑
sions stemming from irreconcilable
political ideologies and narrow na‑
tional interests. The Batras are at the
forefront of all the worthy causes the
UN stands for, yet they are always
showing us how just the two of them
can achieve so much.
It is also to the credit of Ranju that
the Diwali has reached the status of
a Forever Stamp, which with its ex‑
quisite aesthetics will be highly
treasured by philatelists. Diwali also
exemplifies the highest aspirations
of the UN – the victory of light over
darkness, knowledge over ignorance,
and hope over despair.
Ranju and Ravi by their own lives
remind us not just to carry that tiny
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
little flame with us wherever we go,
but in fact, be that flame itself, trans‑
forming the world, similar to what
Mahatma Gandhi enjoined us to do –
to be the change we want to see in
the world. We learn to walk in their
footsteps of solidarity, compassion,
grace and dignity as the simplest
and yet the mightiest of all means
for human wellbeing and progress.
The Batras truly deserve to be des‑
ignated as Persons of the Year, not
best a human being can have. One
just for this year, but all times, as
can only admire and marvel their en‑
their deeds of goodness will always
ergy, dedication and professional‑
continue to inspire and ennoble all
ism.
of us.
What Ranju did through her cam‑
paign for the Forever Diwali stamp
was a manifestation of the true pow‑
er of one, and that human potential
is unlimited. Ravi's accomplishments
are numerous and one can simply
Google them, but probably the most
important ones are those that are
not seen, that he worked on quietly
and diligently behind the scenes,
with his astonishing perseverance
for the triumph of justice and for bet‑
terment of the world we have. Every
Valentin Rybakov meeting with Ravi is a real feast of
wit and wisdom.
Ranju and Ravi inspired the Diwali
Permanent Representative of Belarus
Power of One Award, and many Am‑
to the UN
bassadors see it as a great honor to
Recognizing Ranju and Ravi Batra
receive it as an acknowledgment of
by The South Asian Times is a bril‑
their service to UN ideals.
liant idea. They are both dear friends
I'm delighted to learn that Ranju
and passionate individuals behind,
and Ravi are "The South Asian
among other things, celebration of
Times" Couple of the Year for 2019.
Diwali in New York. Being a symbol
of charity, kindness and peace, Di‑
wali is fully in lockstep with the
goals and principles of the United
Nations.
Following the successful launch of
the Diwali Stamp in 2016, the Diwali
celebration at the UN has been ele‑
vated to the “Power of One” award,
acknowledging the role an individual
can play for the success of the inter‑
national community in symbolically
illuminating the way forward to a
more perfect, peaceful and secure
world for all. Ranju and Ravi Batra František Ružička
are the inspirers and architects of
this award.
Slovakia’s State Secretary
The Permanent Mission of Belarus
For any UN diplomat in New York,
to the UN has proudly participated in
it is virtually impossible not to know
Diwali Stamp and the Power of One
Ranju and Ravi.
celebrations in New York since
I was privileged to meet them
2016.
soon after I assumed the position of
We are deeply grateful to Ravi and
Slovak Ambassador to the UN in
Ranju Batra for their tireless and
2013. Ingrid, my wife and I soon be‑
selfless efforts to promote peace,
came friends with both of them.
friendship, empathy and love in the
They both care for diplomacy and
UN as the only path leading to fair,
thanks to their vast network of con‑
just and sustainable world for all.
tacts they have the skill to develop
productive ideas into reality. They
Kaha Imnadze do care for the United Nations and
thanks to their immense energy they
Permanent Representative of Georgia
are able to drive forward many peo‑
ple, who are happy to consult them
to the United Nations and seek their guidance. They confer
My wife Lika and I met Ravi and
the “Diwali ‑ Power of One” awards,
Ranju in New York when I got post‑
but nobody could be more deserving
ed as Georgia's PR to UN. Our of it than Ranju and Ravi, since they
friendship started instantly. This fas‑ already have mastered the “Power of
cinating couple simply radiates the Two”.

Continued from page 12
I told Kwait that if Judge Brown,
a brilliant jurist, was comfortable
enough to dismiss the case, then
you are barking up the wrong tree,
and I’m gonna bite you. He proceed-
ed to do what he did, and I proceed-
ed to do what I had to do. I cracked
the case, and solved it. Krittika
never did the cyberbullying; it was
another kid, a Chinese-American,
threatening a Chinese-American
Teacher! Out of compassion, I re-
fused to release the actual guilty
kid’s name, so as not to ruin his
life forever. Every kid is entitled
to make a mistake, and not suf-
fer the problems, like now-Justice
Brett Kavanagh so famously did.
Krittika was allowed back into
the school. (Subsequently some sa-
lacious details came out about Prin-
The melting pot
was the correct
recipe for America,
the mosaic is not.
President Trump is
not wrong when he
says, “When I go to
France, I want to
hear French.”
cipal Kwait.) I sued the City of New
York, I sued Principal Kwait, and a
whole bunch of people. After defeat-
ing the City of New York in SDNY,
and later, the Second Circuit Court of
Appeals, we settled for a whopping
$225,000, when the normal settle-
ment is between $1,500 to $7,500
for a night-in-jail without injury -
10 times the price of a hotel stay.
I also did Prabhu’s crazy maid
case, the first leg: getting the plain-
tiff drop the fraudulently fabricat-
ed sexual harassment claim. We
have legally represented various
countries’ missions and their PRs
in the diplomatic corps, as reputa-
tion to persons-of-honor is every-
thing, and I repel with extreme
prejudice those who frivolously
commit fraud upon the court.
The Krittika Biswas case boosted
Indian Americans’ pride . . .
Ravi Batra: Along the way, a very
experienced federal magistrate
judge said to me, I will get you a
hundred thousand, way more than
five thousand. I said not enough.
Because I want to make American
January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY 15
blood, of Indian ancestry (recall spectfully lived the recipe. Not ev- Ravi Batra: It is unlimited, so long Unum. The mosaic has caused the
“N.I.N.A.” - No Irish Need Apply, ery conquering invader may have. as we embroider America, and nev- great dissension, other than the
then No Italians, and then No Indi- er, ever, seek to conquer her. My American Dream being in the ICU
ans) the most expensive. No more How much of an Indian-American biggest worry for any immigrant of history for most Americans, that
NINA-third class citizens, but First you think you are? community, and not just the Indi- resulted in President Trump being
Class all the way to Heaven. an-Americans, is that America is a elected in 2016 (apart from foreign
There is a footnote to this. In Ravi Batra: I didn’t change my unique country. Generally, America unlawful meddling). Trump is not
2012, Ranju is in her second year name to Robbie or Robert. It’s Ravi, is where people came to, when they wrong when he says, “When I go
as AIA President, and she’s walking like Ravioli; just cut off the “oli.” I’m were unhappy in their own land. to France, I want to hear French.”
around with a gaggle of reporters an American of Indian ancestry. I And they cut the umbilical cord Globalization has always existed
and her team. I am there in a sup- have nothing against people who with their home country to become for commerce. People always loved
porting capacity. After a while, I are hyphenated, but I don’t see my- an American. But since the 1960s Chinese silk or Indian spice or In-
peeled off and Ranju went on. While self as hyphenated because I have civil rights laws, and when in 1965 dian silk; indeed, that’s why Colum-
standing alone, a Sardarji, with a
flowing beard, comes up to me and
says, “Are you Ravi Batra?” When I
confirmed, he shakes my hand, and
tells me, “I’m a taxi driver, and every
day I drive by your office (in Man-
hattan) and I salute your office - be-
cause I know if anybody messes with
me, there’s someone here to protect
me.” A person I don’t know and nev-
er met before, has full faith in me:
that I will move heaven and earth
to get justice done in full measure.
That’s the biggest award I’ve
ever received in my life; while the
biggest honor I’ve ever had was to
be loved by my late great parents,
Mama San & Daddy Jee, and my
family: Lovingly supportive & tire-
less Ranju, and our kids, Miracle
Angela and Precious Neal. That I’ve
been lovingly nurtured and sculp-
tured with love from so many - fam-
ily, friends, strangers, history, law
and God - is why I am so Blessed.
You see India as the birth
mother of America . . .
Ravi Batra: I want Americans, and
especially in government of the
United States, to realize that with-
out India, Columbus would never
have discovered America. Without
India there would be no tea in the
Boston Harbor in 1773 and that
without India, Lord Cornwallis
would have come back to America
to reargue with George Washing-
ton. Instead, he went to India and
Indians paid the price - in terms
of 5,000 people being killed-by-
mandate upon Cornwallis landing
there to rule with an iron fist.
I have always seen India as the
birth mother of America. What
makes American Exceptionalism is
the Separated Powers regime and Ambassadors to UN are at the 2019 Holiday Party hosted by Angela, Neal, Ranju & Ravi Batra at
their Manhattan Townhouse, who were felicitated by NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYS Attorney
the Bill of Rights. What is most im-
General Tish James, HFAC Chair Eliot Engel, and Rep. Yvette Clarke and Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
portant in the First Amendment is
not freedom of speech, but freedom different clarity. I have adopted this immigration was permitted from bus was looking for India. It is the
of religion, and the separation of country almost like an intellectual Asia, people came on a plane and migration of people that’s a prob-
Church and State. Well, guess what, graft. I consider myself an intellec- there was a telephone. Forget about lem. As long as everybody stays in
India, as a Hindu nation or Hindu tual descendant of Thomas Becket WhatsApp now, with its no separa- their own home and they do com-
kingdoms 2000+/- years ago, was and Sir Edmund Burke, Thomas tion at all. But with the plane and merce, this is welcomed by every
secular. There is 2000-year-old Jefferson as well as of C. Rajagopal- with the telephone – AT&T at the country, in every millennium.
synagogue in Cochin. Buddhism achari (the last Governor-General of time – new immigrants never cut off When people start moving, now
and other faiths were born there. India) for his version of Ramayana the link; they took legal citizenship you are challenging sovereignty in
Some people believe that even Jesus and Mahabharata. I am at home with of America but never became 100% different ways. You’re challenging
Christ was there for a while in Kash- Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. I un- American emotionally. And this is it culturally, and you can take over
mir. Christianity has flourished in derstand the issues that existed with a problem I have with every dias- with just making babies who vote.
India. Hinduism is a very absorbing Julius Caesar and Cicero. The prob- pora, including the Indian diaspora. Movement of people is a pregnant
culture, a very welcoming culture lems of humanity have not changed problem, because of which Angela
- just look at the happy Muslims over time. And that is a comprehen- But times change - from a Merkel has lost Germany, and the
there. So, Hindus need not feel any sion I have thanks to my great Dad, melting pot to a mosaic . . . European Union is falling apart:
shame when it comes to separation and the adoration of my mother. Brexit. Trump got elected, in part,
of Church and State or freedom of Ravi Batra: The melting pot was because of this.
religion. I think Indians wrote the How do you see the rise of the the correct recipe for America, the
governance recipe; and they re- Indian American community? mosaic is not - it violates E Pluribus Continues on page 16

Continued from page 15
Modi got elected, in part, be-
cause of this. In the current fight
going on in India, on the CAA and
the NRC, Modi is absolutely cor-
rect because no country can ex-
ist with porous borders, and not
knowing who her citizens are.
Have you ever heard of a mother
who didn’t know her kids?
People being legal and not
emotional Americans can make
them unregistered foreign agents
- potentially, either treasonous, or
spying. And that is why on my la-
pel pin, I don’t have the joint flags
of USA & India.
Some countries like Australia
will have their economies falter
without immigration.
Ravi Batra: Right, so we’ll have
immigration that will allow the
people to come in and work, with-
out offering them citizenship; no
voting rights. Japan does not give
citizenship, or UAE. Sovereignty is
something that must be protected.
The wave you are seeing across
the world is going in the direction
we’re talking. When social media
was unleashed, this is the natu-
ral consequence. While the Arab
Spring occurred, the American
Spring is saying. “Hey, stop it, who
are you? Are you really an Ameri-
can? Ilhan Omar’s ‘some people
did something’ is that said by an
American? Or should we want to
send you back to Somalia?” How
can any American, let alone an
American Leader elected to Con-
gress, minimize 9/11 like that?
Similarly, it is only fair that if
India is a Hindu majority nation,
Hindus should not feel unwelcome
in their own country. However, In-
dia has a glorious history, which
has been its crown jewel, that it
was always welcoming of other
religions and faiths. So, I don’t see
a contradiction in Hindustan, and
still, respectfully, secular.
I don’t have a problem with the
big percentage of Indian population
being Muslim. My dad’s best friend
was Haji Meih Meherali in Delhi af-
ter the needlessly bloody Partition
of 1947. “Judge a man by his char-
acter; not his tailor,” my Dad would
say, quoting Swami Vivekanand.
When I was 9 years old and visiting
India, Meih Meherali would rock
me on his knee, like a baby, rubbing
my head and tell me: “When I am
dead, if my skin could be of some
use to you, my soul will have ‘su-
16 January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY
koon’ (peace).” This is love and af- great pride. President Richard Nix- Little John, when Richard the Li-
who are still looking to go higher
fection of the highest order. I reject on called her a bitch. Worse, when onhearted was away, gave some
can stay on the same drumbeat of
this holy war / clash of civilizations he was told that Hindus were being of the sovereign’s, the King’s, ab-
how they got there; but those who
nonsense, because it is practiced slaughtered in then-East Pakistan solute rights to the Barons and the
have already achieved the highest
and taught by people who were (recall, Blood Telegram) in commu- Counts. So, there was some devolu-
position -- once on the Supreme
never really loved - wow, never nal riots, he said, “What do I care..” tion of power. The next big leap
Court you can’t go any higher -
loved - and don’t know the real pow- I, however, look at it from the came with the birth of America.
their soul settles down, and they
er of living is in “love,” not “hatred.” American lens and as an American, What does “We the people” mean?
start to commune with God “to do
I support whoever is leading I find it wrong of Nixon to say that It is separation of powers: the leg-
justice” that is worthy of God.
Pakistan. I have no problem with - as it was a missed opportunity for islative branch, the executive, and
For example, “Roe v Wade”
the ISI or the army of Pakistan, be- American leadership to help form a the noble judiciary; and “we the
(making abortion legal) was done
cause the country has had too many more perfect world. people,” have our Bill of Rights.
by Justice Harry Blackmun, a con-
lousy leaders since its birth. But for servative Republican. So, the labels
So, you got to live it to know
the army, there will be no Pakistani How can more Indian are applicable upon appointment
it. Until immigrants don’t find the
sovereignty. So, give them their due. Americans break into the or election, but lose their efficacy
real America, the new America, the
The fact that they are on the Indian mainstream like you did? and value as a judge stays longer
new mainstream America, which is
border, well that is a problem be- on the bench. For they are serving
post-2016, America will not accept
tween India and Pakistan. I want Ravi Batra: Love America. You God in a very unusual way of Amer-
them. America now demands more
to see the subcontinent terror-free see, not until one become Ameri- ican Exceptionalism of separated
purity of one’s soul, as no one ought
powers. Faith doesn’t
touch everybody the
same way, but it touch-
es. It was Chief Justice
Roberts, no liberal, who
found Obamacare law-
ful. It was the late great
Justice Scalia, the King of
conservative judges, who
in “Washington vs Craw-
ford” overturned the de-
portation of an admitted-
criminal immigrant, as
he was wrongly advised
to accept a criminal plea
deal, which made him de-
portable - bad lawyering.
So here you have a judge,
who killed the living con-
stitution and went back
to original intent, giving
non-citizens migrants
accused of crimes more
rights to avoid deporta-
tion. But since reason-
able minds can differ
(something that Jethro
told Moses), we have ap-
peal courts. If you think
that your judge made a
mistake, take an appeal
– win, lose or draw. But
just because you lost
doesn’t mean that you
In 2009, Amb. Hardeep Singh Puri met Ravi Batra and his family, and they become inseparable friends.
are wrong, and the court
and prosperous, maybe an EU type can; it is not enough to wear an lie to a priest in a confessional. is right. “Plessy vs Ferguson” said
of arrangement where goods can American flag on your lapel, and it “separate, but equal” was legal, un-
come and go, and people can come is not enough to pledge allegiance What do you think of the Supreme til decades later, it wasn’t. Which
and go with visas too. The Kartar- to the American flag. America is an Court being packed with conserva- means, sometimes you could lose in
pur corridor could be the entire idea, and if you have not digested tive judges by President Trump? court and simply be slightly ahead
line of control. I have great hope the idea and made it your own, you of your time - like Columbus look-
in Imran Khan, a world class rules- may be an American, but America is Ravi Batra: The makeup of the ing for India, or Panasonic.
based athlete with a fan following not you. I have no sunlight between court is the ultimate fruit, the
all over, including, India. An asset, me and the idea that is America, as ultimate jewel of being elected a How did you come to make
not to be wasted on the altar of we have between us the love of the President or a state Governor be- Law your Lord, and what next?
hate, or worse, cross-border Terror. ages and civilizations. cause you get to pick judges - gen-
erally, with advice and consent of Ravi Batra: Life is a puzzle, and
Much before Ranju Batra came And what is that ‘Idea of America? the Senate. People speak through who we are allows us to open cer-
on the community scene, you were the people they elect, as to the tain locks, and unable to go past
active in Indian community . . . Ravi Batra: A chance at self-de- kind of people who end up on the certain other locks. My father
termination. America is the next bench. It is no accident that you wanted me to go into business.
Ravi Batra: Well, my father was step after Magna Carta in the have during this time in American By age 12, I told him I want to
involved in starting/supporting the progression of humanity. United history, conservative judges com- be a lawyer and no more a gen-
Hindu Center and Gita Temple Man- States or Western civilization is ing. In the 1960s and 70s, after eral (not a soldier, because I was
dir in Queens. Do you know one of Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian. Nixon-Watergate, more liberals exposed to power being my fa-
the founding meetings of AIA (As- Most of the laws that are now uni- got appointed. But you know, ther’s son). I became a lawyer be-
sociation of Indians in America) in versal, and which we follow are Chief Justice Earl Warren was cause Mark Twain said, “the pen
1968 was in my father’s basement. Jewish laws and they come from a Republican conservative, who is mightier than the sword,” and
And in 1981-82 I served as Nation- the Torah. I could tell you a story turned out to be very liberal. partially, because of Raymond
al AIA’s executive vice president. I about Rabbi Samuels, with heavy Who you are when you go on Burr played “Perry Mason” so
was also part of Indian Overseas packages, trying to board a ferry... the bench, has almost nothing to do well on TV in the sixties.
Congress as EVP. We hosted Indira another time, perhaps. with what you become once you are
Gandhi, the Iron Lady of India, with Magna Carta: in 1215, King on the bench. This is because those Continues on page 18

Continued from page 16
So, aside from Twain and Burr,
it was Thomas Becket (in 1163,
separation of church and state
from a Norman King Henry II) and
Sir Edmund Burke (“all that neces-
sary for evil to triumph, is for some
good men to do nothing”). To serve
Justice, is to serve God.
I see law as the very frame-
work of society. The freedom
for men and women, and corpo-
rations, is that they can fill the
structure - be it the contradiction
of “no-death” by pro-lifers at birth,
but “death penalty” for those liv-
ing. This, and ineffective counsel,
may have contributed to Justice
Blackmun’s refusal to tinker with
the machinery of death. Nothing
makes it clearer in the age of im-
peachment than the Constitution
gives America structure. The Con-
stitution is our skeleton, the stat-
utes that are passed by Congress
or states is the muscles, if you will.
Then you got case law, which al-
lows you to do “individual justice,”
which is 99% of the job of the 3rd
branch of government. The job of
the first and second branches of
the government is enhancing the
18 January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY
“greater good,” not the “individual good.” humanity. Because after all, what does every prosecu- the good for the most of human-
The judicial branch has to take care of the “individual tor do - prosecute a murderer, a rapist, a robber and ity in one fell swoop.
good” that got left behind by the first two branches, not these days, the corrupt ones too. It’s a constant coming It’s befitting that my favorite
because they wanted to screw the individual good - but together of the best and the worst of humanity in court. song is Paul Anka’s “My Way,”
when you’re trying to do maximum good, some people Yes, I’m getting tired of this. Law has given me much sung by the Chairman of the
are left behind. So, lawyers make it fair for everybody. joy and validation for living. But when life itself starts Board, Frank Sinatra, even as I
So, I went to law, like Perry Mason, to protect the to dim out, I am less and less willing to give it all to the cherish “The Impossible Dream,”
victim or falsely accused, and to get a full measure of law. As a young man, I was blessed to love and worship sung by Robert Goulet (to right
justice - often by cracking the case. To be protective of the law. With less and less time in front of me, I am de- the unrightable wrong, ... to try
someone else, permits one an enhanced joy of living, be- lighted to still be blessed to love and worship it, but not when your arms are too weary...
cause none of us can really live just for ourselves. When to spend all of my limited time on this mortal soil in its to reach the unreachable star).
we live for somebody else, even a little bit, the joy we service. Now I want to serve the “greater good,” not one All this, when I’m at equally at
get from that far exceeds anything we do for ourselves. “individual good,” for one victim at a time. Think of it as home with Steppenwolf ’s “Born
But as life has progressed 40 years later, and I say going from retail, to wholesale or manufacturing. Deal- to be Wild.” I am contradictions,
that with great joy, and not sour grapes -- because as ing with nations and geopolitics, is seeking to maximize living in peaceful harmony.
much as I love the law, and the law has loved me back
– that I’m essentially a monk in the monastery of law,
but too often the practice of law can be like a brothel.
And the monk in me now tires. I remember the scene
in a movie on Jesus Christ, where He in a synagogue
Ravi Batra, along with the Ukraine ambassador
Volodymyr Yelchenko, visiting then Secretary
of State Rex Tillerson and then US
ambassador to UN, Nikki Haley.
and there are all these money lenders and their stuff.
Jesus walks in and starts kicking them, “Get out of My
Father’s house.” Because that’s not what a house of wor-
ship should be for. Well, the purity of law happens to
exist, perhaps because it is the antidote to the worst of

BUSINESS VISAS FOR

BUSINESS INVESTORS
Business Visas for repeated
entries into the U.S.A.
Invest in:
• Hotels / Motels • Commercial Real Estate
• Films • Retail businesses
EB5 Investor Visas to bring family to the U.S.A.

David Dhillon
(760) 353-6666
david.eb5visa@gmail.com
www.daviddhillon.com

Grace Meng
Congressional Caucus on India
and Indian Americans
I am thrilled Ranju and Ravi Ba-
tra are being recognized as The
South Asian Times Couple of the
Year! I worked very closely with
both of them to advocate for the
approval and issuing of the first
ever commemorative Diwali stamp,
and celebrate the virtues Diwali es-
pouses - light over dark, goodness
over evil and knowledge over ig-
norance. The US Postal service did
not make it easy to get the stamp,
but Ranju and Ravi never stopped
advocating alongside me. I had to
introduce three separate Congres-
sional resolutions in support of the
FOREVER Diwali stamp. All of our
hard work paid off and now Diwali
has its rightful place among the
USPS Holiday Stamp collection. I’m
truly delighted Ranju and Ravi are
receiving this high honor.
Scott M. Stringer
New York City Comptroller
January 4-17, 2020
Bringing US and India closer
C ongratulations to Ranju and
Ravi Batra for being selected
as the 2019 Couple of the Year by
The South Asian Times.
I am proud to have known Ranju
and Ravi for many years and I com-
mend and thank them for all their
tireless work and advoca-
cy on behalf of the Indian
American community.
They have worked
to shine a light on the
contributions and ac-
complishments of Indian
Americans and enhance
the vibrancy of the In-
dian American commu-
nity, all while seeking to
further strengthen the
bond between the United
States and India. As a
member of the Congres-
sional Caucus on India
and Indian Americans,
I also applaud Ranju’s
campaign to convince
the U.S. Postal Service to
issue a postage stamp commemo-
rating Diwali, an initiative that I
was pleased to work on with her.
Carolyn Maloney
Chair of the House Oversight
Committee
I t is my pleasure to congratulate
Ranju and Ravi Batra as The
South Asian Times’ 2019 Couple of
the Year. For years, they have been
dedicated to representing and
serving South Asian communities
in New York and across the coun-
try. Together, Ranju and Ravi have
made exceptional accomplish-
ments throughout their careers.
From Ranju’s leadership as Chair-
person of the Diwali Foundation
USA to Ravi’s work as an attorney
and advocate, the Batras’ commit-
ment to the South Asian commu-
nity is evident in all they do.
Thank you to The South Asian
Times for recognizing Ranju and
Ravi Batra. Please accept my best
wishes for continued success.
COV E R S T O RY 19
G reetings to all the readers of
this special edition of The
South Asian Times celebrating the
Persons of the Year award. Based
in New York, the paper has devel-
I congratulate my dear
friends Ranju and Ravi Ba-
tra on this award. Their in-
oped a sterling reputation for its
detailed and insightful coverage of
the lives, challenges, achievements
credible contributions to the and aspirations of the global In-
Indian American community dian and South Asian communities.
in New York and the United Special congratulations are due
States, including championing to this year’s honorees: Ranju Batra,
the issuance of a U.S. Postal Chair, Diwali Foundation USA, and
Service Diwali stamp in 2016, Ravi Batra, attorney and peace advo-
deserve our admiration and cate. Their outstanding leadership,
respect. I look forward to service and accomplishments are
working with them in the com- truly worthy of your recognition.
ing years to further serve our I am proud to join The South
communities, support strong Asian Times in applauding the Ba-
ties between the U.S. and In- Eliot Engel tras’ exceptional contributions to
dia, and wish them continued Chairman on the House the community and to New York
success in their endeavors. Foreign Affairs Committee State, and I would also like to com-
mend the dedicated management
and staff of the Times for their
M
hard work and professionalism.
y congratulations to
Ravi Batra and his
lovely wife, Ranju, for the
wonderful honor being be-
stowed upon them. It has
been a privilege knowing
this couple for over 30 years.
As a former Speaker of the
City of New York, I know
how important Ravi Batra
was during the 9/11 tragedy
in the city. Similarly, Ravi
was there and helped dur-
ing the Safe City Safe Streets
Program that turned this city
around to become one of the
safest cities in our beloved
country. We look forward to
Peter F. Vallone Sr. hearing more about Ravi and
Thomas P DiNapoli
Former Speaker of the New Ranju Batra in the future of
York City Council this great country. New York State Comptroller
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
T
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, NY 10007
January 2020 January 2020
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, NY 10007
Dear Friends: Dear Friends:
It is a great pleasure to join
It is a great pleasure to join with the readers of The South Asian Times in congratulating
January 2020 my dear friends, Ranju and Ravi B
my dear friends, Ranju and Ravi Batra, as they are named Couple of the Year 2019.
I am proud to lead a city tha
I am proud to lead a city that embraces the incredible diversity on values whichthe it rises
hard and
work and commitm
values the hard work and commitment to service that has long-defined its decades residents.thatInI have
the two
known them, th
decades that I have known them, the Batras have always embodied these ideals,
Dear Friends: gratefuland I have
for their been and leade
support
grateful for their support and leadership in our shared efforts to keep the five boroughs
forward. From moving
Ranju’s efforts to es
forward. ItFrom
is a great pleasure
Ranju’s to join
efforts with the readers
to establish the Diwaliof The South Asian
Foundation Times
and in congratulating
her create a Diwali
successful Foreverto
campaign stamp with
my dear friends, Ranju and Ravi Batra, as they are named Couple of the Year 2019.
create a Diwali Forever stamp with the U.S. Postal Service, to Ravi’s advocacy against global to buildin
terrorism and dedication
terrorism and dedication to building a safer, more peaceful future for people the around
Batras arethechampions
globe, of progre
I am proud to lead a city that embraces the incredible diversity on which
the Batras are champions of progress and they have both left an indelible mark on our it rises
communities. and I am delighted to tak
values the hard work and commitment to service that has long-defined its residents. In thefor
thank them twomany years of wond
communities. I am delighted to take this opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and to
decades that I have known them, the Batras have always embodied these ideals, and I have been
thank them for many years of wonderful friendship.
grateful for their support and leadership in our shared efforts to keep the five boroughs Onmoving
behalf of the City of Ne
forward. From Ranju’s efforts to establish the Diwali Foundation and her successful campaign
Ranju and Ravi onto this tremendous
createOn behalfForever
a Diwali of the stamp
City ofwith
NewtheYork, I onceService,
U.S. Postal again offer my sincere
to Ravi’s advocacycongratulations
againstare
Yorkers global toachieve in the y
sure to
Ranju and Ravi on this tremendous honor, and look forward to all that these outstanding
terrorism and dedication to building a safer, more peaceful future for people around the globe, New
Yorkers areare
the Batras sure to achieve
champions of in the years
progress and to come.
they have both left an indelible mark on our
communities. I am delighted to take this opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments
Sincerely, and to
thank them for many years of wonderful friendship.
Sincerely,
On behalf of the City of New York, I once again offer my sincere congratulations to
Ranju and Ravi on this tremendous honor, and look forward to all that these outstanding New
Bill de Blasio
Yorkers are sure to achieve in the years to come. Mayor
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Sincerely,

By Parveen Chopra
R anju came to the USA in 1975
after getting married to Ravi
Batra. She was barely out of her
teens then, and credits her father-in-
law, Hon. Sada Nand Batra, for help-
ing her realize her potential. Remi-
nisces she, “He told me, ‘you are like
an unpolished diamond.’ He then
taught, and trained, me in business
and put me to work. So, I ran the
family business in saris and fabric
from Manhattan, till around 1987.”
By the time Ravi Batra started
his practice, after his 5 year stint
teaching business law at Pace, she
was no-stay-at-home type of wife,
and was ready to join him in man-
aging his law firm. She then trained
as a paralegal, and since then, has
been managing the administration
and finance of the Law Firm.
Ranju is a verb,
not a noun, for Ravi...
Ravi Batra gives due credit for
his success to Ranju: “Ranju is a
mother who has made our mira-
cle daughter Angela blossom and
reach unimaginable heights, and
our precious son Neal knows how
much he is loved. With all this lov-
ing, Ranju is driven to success - as
she has a thirst for knowledge, just
like my Dad, and a determination to
excel that she will learn and learn
on her own, until she has mastered
it. So, her becoming the Law Firm’s
administrator - is having the most
honest fiduciary, who won’t allow
fraud, waste or abuse. As a result of
my total confidence in her, I have no
idea as to how the needs and wants
of the firm are managed, but they
are wonderfully. Before her, it was
both a nightmare and consuming of
my time. Now, zero time of mine. So,
At the 3rd Diwali - Power of One awards event held last month in United Nations by Diwali Foundation USA
chaired by Ranju Batra: awardees H.E. Volodymyr Yelchenko (Ukraine), H.E. Nicholas Emiliou (Cyprus) by
H.E. Mavroyiannis, H.E. Frantisek Ruzicka (Slovakia), H.E. Kairat Abdrakhmanov (Kazakhstan), Ranju Batra,
Ravi Batra, all speakers’ 32 co-sponsors present from Turkey on left to Kuwait on Right.
January 4-17, 2020
RANJU BATRA Engaging in
Higher Orbits of Public Life & Service
I’m only in production - literally - I
work each case as a sniper would -
due diligence into the “weeds,” - so I
can be like a bullet going through a
keyhole. But the secret of how I and
Ranju have been able to excel to-
gether, is that I don’t interfere with
her end of it - she’s the boss when it
comes to the office and its function-
ality. And I get to focus on digging
up hidden evidence and dragging it
to court, or get lost davening into
law seeking its fuller meaning. It’s
like trying to figure out the mean-
ing of God’s word. Since Ranju is so
capable, I get to daven and disagree
with myself, until I don’t.
Ravi says, “I am handling big-
ger and bigger matters; but the
bigger they are, they require more
and more of my time exclusively.
For it is only what I know that
counts in court, as litigation is a
gladiatorial sport, where big legal
teams, with many lawyers, have no
one person who knows their case
‘inside out, and outside in.’ Guess
it’s kind of like making a very com-
plicated watch - better to have one
creator, from soup to nuts.”
For Ranju Batra, the public
life and community service phase
began at the turn of this century.
She joined AIA (Association of In-
dians on America) in its New York
chapter. “I was the arts and culture
chair from 2001 to 2010 and I be-
lieve I did a good job as everybody
was happy with me,” says she.
AIA Presidentship
She liked the community ser-
vice AIA was doing and was ready
to take on greater responsibility
and leadership role. That came in
2011 when she was elected Presi-
dent of the NY chapter. She recalls
her first year as President was
tough to put together the massive
Deepavali mela on South Street
Seaport, which has a big footfall,
COV E R S T O RY 21
and a budget exploding with in-
flation. Through sheer will, some
out of the box thinking, un-broad-
casted personal contributions, and
The true Spirit of Diwali
doggedness she pulled it off.
By a happy coincidence, the
second year of her 2-year term Extract from a speech Ranju
was the 25th year of the AIA Deep-
avali mela, and she organized it
with gusto as a grand Silver Diwali.
Batra gave at the UN
Along the way, Ranju Batra intro- “Diwali Stamp’s celebration is not of a
duced many firsts and innovations religion, not of a nation, but it is of the spirit
in managing the AIA show. Recalls of harmonious inclusiveness and cultural
she, “I would personally meet the understanding that all religions deserve.
potential sponsors with a proper
presentation, putting on paper the While my journey took 7 years, Diwali Stamp is
benefits to them, which inspired here FOREVER, and it will be a matter of pride
them to donate more. We also in- for generations to come, not only because it is
troduced the tradition of hosting
a Forever Stamp, but because we did it together
a pre-Deepavali mela Gala Dinner.
- with the support of every faith - because all
For the Silver Diwali it was held at
The Pierre. And I got sponsors for
of us are entitled to a better and peaceful
that added event too.” tomorrow, no matter where we were born,
Over 200 invitees, including and no matter how we pray.
corporate heads of sponsoring
companies, attended the glittering
In this digital age a small piece of paper called -
event, including India’s then-UNSC Diwali Stamp - celebrates the living heritage of
PR Hardeep Singh Puri, Pakistan’s over 1 billion people (- actually, has brought to-
Then-UNSC PR Hussain Harroon, gether all 7 billion of us as one human family!)”
and many members of Congress, In-
cluding, HFAC Chairman Engel, Rep. - Ranju Batra, Chair, Diwali stamp Project,
Carolyn Maloney (who presented 3 and Chair of Diwali Foundation, USA
flags flown over the Capital in their
honor: Minister Puri, Minister Ha-
roon, and Ravi), Rep. Greg Meeks
and many other elected and diplo-
matic leaders. This was a “special
thank you, celebrating those who
support both the Indian-American
community and the exposure of
the culture,” said Ranju Batra. New
attractions she introduced in the
Deepavali fair, a New York Calendar
event, included the Kids Zone, en-
abling families to enjoy more things.
Needless to say, because of her,
and Ravi Batra’s position and rela-
tionships, many high placed dig-
nitaries, over 30, including many
Members of Congress graced the
Silver Diwali stage on October 7, presidential remarks, Ranju noted so that it increases understanding,
2012 at the South Street. In her the historic nature of celebrating leading to more social and cultural
Diwali for the 25th year and that it harmony. The Deepavali festival
was the largest in North America, was a lot of work to put together,
as well as the history made the but I’m pleased that so many people,
night before at the Pierre. Her Vice of every age and ethnicity, joined
President Sunil Modi told the audi- the celebrations and enjoyed this
ence that Ranju Batra was a “very festive window into Indian culture.”
hard-working president who has Ranju considers AIA leadership
given her all to AIA and the results a great learning experience for
show - bigger and better than ever her: set your goal, keep your eye
before Diwali.” Even The New York on the goal, and not let anything or
Times took notice, reporting that anyone get in the way of achieving
an estimated 200,000 people at- it. With that success behind her,
tended the Silver Diwali that Ranju she thought at the time, “I can do
worked on to be a history-making anything I put my mind to.” As the
milestone that it was. song says, “If you make it in New
Basking in the success of the York, you can make it anywhere.
Silver Diwali, Ranju Batra told The So, it’s up to you, New York, New Y
South Asian Times at the time: “My o r K!” Well, Ranju loves New York,
main objective for AIA has always and New York loves her.
been to heighten exposure of the
Continues on page 23
rich Indian culture in New York
 January 4-17, 2020
ambassador to the UN, was positive,
‘You can succeed if you put your
mind to it.’ Shiv Dass, leader of the
Jackson Heights Indian Merchants
Association, told me I could count
on him any time and always, and
he did help and guide all the way.”
Since the stamp had to be ap-
proved by USPS, a federal agency,
one critical decision Ranju Batra
made was to bring a Congress
member on board. They turned
to Rep Carolyn Maloney (D-New
Continued from page 21
York), a friend of the Batras, who
agreed to provide national political
Diwali Stamp – leadership, and introduced three
such a long journey House resolutions in support of
- before and after the Diwali stamp. Some other Con-
AIA presidency gress members Ranju approached
for support were: Rep. Eliot Engel
What she ended up dealing with (D-New York), Rep. Greg Meeks
next turned out to be a tough cookie. (D-New York), Rep. Grace Meng (D-
She took it on because it was a long- New York), Ami Bera (D-California)
cherished wish and dream of the and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii)
Indian American community. Ranju also helped. Ranju, and her family,
recalls that she would often hear including, Angela and Neal, went
many people talk about the Diwali to Capitol Hill seeking out support
stamp, and that for over 20 years from many others, including the Civ-
other well-meaning community il Rights era icon, Rep. John Lewis.
leaders had worked on persuading Ranju and Carolyn had their
USPS to issue it. Making no head- first meeting with USPS in Wash-
way, they would give up. The com- ington where, she says, “we dis-
munity’s argument was that if there cussed and showed them drafts
can be a separate stamp for Christ- of the design of the stamp, not
mas, Hanukkah, Eid and Kwanza, knowing that they themselves cre-
why not one for Diwali too - which ate the final design for stamps.”
is celebrated by a billion people in But after the meeting there was
India, the US and all over the world. complete silence from USPS for a
Ranju dared to take it up as a long time. Why no response and
project around 2010: “I believed what do we do differently now?
myself to be good at improving Ranju wondered. The answer came
things, so I spoke to a couple of that the stamp goes on paper, and
people I knew well for guidance we had to give them paper peti-
and encouragement. Ambassador tions - not online petitions. The
Hardeep Singh Puri, then India’s language she created for the peti-
(Top) Ranju along with Ravi Batra met Indian PM Narendra Modi
at UN to seek support for the Diwali stamp. (Above) Ranju Batra joined
Reps Ami Bera and Carolyn Maloney to present signed petitions
for Diwali stamp to a USPS official on Capitol Hill.
COV E R S T O RY
tion was positive and upbeat, not
whiny or accusatory. It said, we are
happy that USPS has issued stamps
to honor holidays of other major
religions, now it is time for the Di-
wali stamp, for a festival that gives
the message of peace in the world,
an ideal of the UN Charter. She
designed a petition asking for the
Diwali stamp, and like a possessed
woman wherever she went – includ-
ing, at lunch, or even to her grocer
and hairdresser – she would plead
with people to sign the Petitions
she was carrying, and after getting
them signed, mail them to USPS’s
Stamp approval committee herself.
In the second meeting with
USPS, she took along 2,000 signed
petitions, and had in addition to her-
self presenting them, had Carolyn
and Ami Bera do so as well in Caro-
lyn’s Office. The people from USPS
were appreciative. “We thought the
Diwali stamp was almost done, but
nothing happened this time too. So,
to keep the issue from dying, we
held press conferences, got people
to come and support the effort, and
continued to keep the pressure on -
then-Consul General Dnyaneshwar
Mulay even wrote the official Poem
for my Diwali Stamp Project.”
Diwali turns darkness to light,
and Ranju also finally saw light at
the end of the tunnel. Advocacy on
Capitol Hill, letters to the White
House and PM Modi, and over
20,000 paper-petitions and post-
cards written to the postal service
bore fruit. USPS made the announce-
ment in mid-September 2016, it
was to be a Forever stamp, which
means it will be perpetually in print
and is inflation-proof. The design of
the stamp has the Diwali earthen
diya brightly lit. To select the venue
for the first-day-of-issue dedication
ceremony, USPS people came to
New York to meet her and Ravi. Af-
ter initial hesitation, they agreed to
the Indian Consulate as the venue.
One pitch Ranju had made to
the USPS - from the beginning - was
that the stamp will sell very, very,
well. So, she took it upon herself
to individually presell the stamp,
which required many permissions.
She got orders from all over Amer-
ica. To spur sales, Ranju made Van-
dana Sharma, Regional Manager of
Air India in America, announce that
the airline would donate up to 10
round-trip tickets to India, some for
a draw in a Free Raffle, while others
for free when buying $10,000 worth
of stamps. A half dozen generous
people came forward, apart from
the so many persons who bought
a few stamps to a lot of stamps.
Ranju personally sold over 170,000
stamps for Day One, a record for
the most First Day sale of a stamp
in USPS history! The dedication cer-
emony took place on October 5 at
the Consulate, with Amb. Puri and
then Consul General Riva Ganguli
Das, along with Carolyn Maloney,
Grace Meng, and Ranju speak-
ing, and Ravi was Master of Cer-
emonies, in addition to his remarks.
Ranju had under-promised and
overdelivered, paving way for en-
tering a higher orbit of public life.
Diwali - Power of
One awards
Diwali stamp success organi-
cally led to the Diwali - Power of
One awards at the United Nations.
Recalls Ravi Batra, “It was the then-
Ambassador of Belarus (an East
European country) to the UN, An-
drei Dapkiunas, who upon hearing
(Top) At the Silver Diwali in 2012 under Ranju Batra, 3 flags flown
over Capitol Hill dome were presented by Rep Carolyn Maloney to
India’s PR to UN, Amb Hardeep Singh Puri, and Pakistan’s PR Amb
Abdullah Hussain Haroon. (Above) Bill de Blasio, then NYC Public
Advocate, now Mayor, presented a Proclamation to Ranju.
Ranju’s story a few days after the
Stamp Dedication - at a dinner host-
ed by Georgia’s PR Kaha Imnadze,
that he decided, all by himself that
Ranju deserved to be honored, as
well as the Diwali Stamp she suc-
ceeded in getting. Next day, Belarus
confirmed the Trusteeship Council
Chamber for the event that would
honor Ranju. 24 countries signed
on to honor Ranju. During the UN
honorific ceremony on December 5,
2016, then-DFM Valentin Rybakov
said that getting the Diwali stamp
exemplified Ranju’s endless Power
of One, and she was being justly
honored for that. That the lead in
honoring Ranju was taken by the
ambassador of Belarus, an Ortho-
dox Christian country, shows their,
and Christian, big-heartedness.
This, then, is how Diwali became
the ultimate metaphor for United
Nations Charter and its ideals.
It was that “Power of One” ver-
biage that in 2017 morphed and
became the Diwali Foundation
USA, Inc., and since then, under
Ranju the foundation has had an-
nual events to honor world class
diplomats who enhance world
peace and security by their self-
23
less dedication and who have
made exemplary contributions in
upholding the values of the Unit-
ed Nations Charter and standing
up for the timeless spirit of Diwali.
The first Power of One awards
event was held in December
2017, and 6 diplomats were hon-
ored including Lakshmi Puri, then
Assistant Secretary-General at the
UN and Deputy-Executive Direc-
tor of UN Women, Egypt’s Maged
Abdelaziz, Moldova’s Ion Botnaru,
Lebanon’s Nawaf Salam, England’s
Matthew Rycroft and Ukraine’s
Yuriy Sergeyev. In 2018, another
six were honored: Greece’s Cath-
erine Boura, Slovenia’s Andrej
Logar, Azerbaijian’s Agshin Me-
hdiyev, Thailand’s Virachai Plasai,
Tunisia’s Khaled Khiari, and Viet-
nam’s Nguyen Phuong Nga.
In December 2019, the four dip-
lomats honored at the UN Headquar-
ters with the Power of One awards
were former foreign minister and
Permanent Representative (PR) of
Kazakhstan to the UN Kairat Ab-
drakhmanov, former PR of Cyprus
to the UN Nicholas Emiliou, former
Chef de Cabinet to the President of
the 72nd UN General Assembly, and
PR of Slovakia to the UN Frantisek
Ruzicka and PR of Ukraine to the UN
Volodymyr Yelchenko. Meanwhile,
the number of nations kept climb-
ing, and there were over 35 nations
who were now supporting the Di-
wali Power of One awards.
The awards, soon, came to be
known as the “Oscars of Diplo-
macy.” In 2020, the 75th year of
United Nations, the Diwali Power
of One awards will see a historic
tribute, promises Ranju Batra.
 24 January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY

Praise for Friends

I have known both closely for several years
as gems of the Indian community in the
USA. Their flair for helping India and Indian
people in a voluntary manner is exemplary.

of the Community
Individually and together they have tried
to spread goodwill about India and improve
the relations between our two countries. Di-
wali stamp is just one such example.

H
Person of the Year award to both of them eartfelt congratula-
endorses their contribution and recognizes tions to Ravi and
their distinguished work both in the legal Ranju Batra, The South
area as well as in social area. I wish that Asian Times - Couple of
they continue to play their role of bring- Dnyaneshwar Mulay the Year 2019. Ravi Ba-

I am pleased to know that Ravi

and Ranju Batra are the South
Asian Times - Persons of the Year.
Neelam Malhotra Dagia
Family friend
ing India and USA closer. I congratulate
The South Asian Times for finding the most
deserving persons for the award this year.
practices in New York, with
the support of Ranju by his
side. Ranju was running a suc-
cessful Saree business before
joining Ravi as the Law Firm’s
Administrator, while still tak-
ing care of her family. Diwali
stamp seemed an impossible
task but with courage and de-
termination, she was able to
make it a resounding success.
Today, Ravi and Ranju
are one of the most success-
ful and loved couples in our
Member, National Human Rights
Commission and former Consul
General of India in New York
tra is a shining star of
the legal world. He is the
most powerful and com-
passionate Indian Ameri-
C ongratulations to our very own power
couple, Ranju and Ravi. We have ob-
served at close range, your constant dedica-
can lawyer who stands
for peace, harmony and
justice. He wears many
tion to your respective areas that inspires hats in well recognized
those around you. We are confident that this organizations and makes
much-deserved recognition will further drive our community proud.
Harish Thakkar
you to impact the world around you in this I had the honor of
new decade. working with Ranju Ba- President, Association of Indians
We wish you tra for two years, when in America - NY chapter
unlimited suc- she was the AIA NY chap- markable patience and tact. She
cess in the fu- ter President. I developed goes out of her way to help people
ture and, on a enormous respect for her in need. She loves people, works
personal level, dedication. I also saw hard, and always tries to lift the
many more her great knowledge and spirits of those around her. Ranju

I have known Ravi and Ranju
since 1981 when Ravi was
teaching law at Pace, Since then
Ravi has always been a man of im-
mense integrity and substance. I
have watched him grow his love-
of-law into one of the leading law
Indian community, and re-
spected in the legal and dip-
lomatic communities. More
importantly, they have re-
mained kind-hearted friends
who are there for you when
you need them.
good times skills as working long Batra is a true leader and now with
and memories hours with determina- this recognition by a major me-
together filled tion to help our commu- dia group, she has added another
with laughter nity get the Diwali stamp. jewel to her crown. I am sure we
and cheer, as Chummu & Kamal I have seen her resolve will be seeing more and hearing a
our dinners
Dandona conflicts and handle dif- great deal about her new achieve-
usually are! Family friends ficult situations with re- ments in the future.

By Ravi Batra
W
hatever I am and have
achieved is because of
my father. And I am not
saying this because of a sonʼs love,
but my father was the greatest
man I ever met, and I have met
many great men and women in
my life.
My father, Hon. Sada Nand Ba‑
traʼs life had many twists and
turns with outside events inter‑
secting often. But he lived a life of
conviction, on his terms, and was
hugely successful and influential,
but he would give it all up at the
drop of a hat. I was his project
though, and he saw me as a sculp‑
tor sees a piece of marble. Any‑
way, this is not mine but his story.
When my father was only 13
years old, my grandfatherʼs death
shaped his life. He was enjoying
normal life playing cards with
other kids as entitled kids do, with
not a care in the world. They were
living in a place called Jung
Mighiyana near Lahore and after
my grandfatherʼs death several
things happened at personal level
even as the world was moving to‑
wards World War II. He noticed
that at family gatherings where
my grandfather used to sit at the
head of the table, he and his sib‑
lings and our grandmother were
now relegated to a lesser position.
People who had borrowed money
from my grandfather said they al‑
ready paid back. My dad grew up
an angry young man, angry at rel‑
atives, whose respect and af fec‑
tion changed. So, he felt that their
respect was for money and not for
the person.
Growing up, my father trained
to be some kind of an instructor
for public safety and then he went
into business. It was time of
scarcity of commodities and ra‑
tioning, and he ended up with li‑
censes for certain items. He was
doing fine but had a sense that In‑
dia was soon to be partitioned.
So, my father with my mother and
four siblings moved to what is
now India. And they saw all the
vestiges of communal violence
and carnage of the worst kind.
They were on a refugee train
packed like sardines when the
Muslim “soldiers” came and start‑
ed shooting. My father helped
people to use luggage to block
windows to protect themselves; a
real hero. But upon his return,
found my mother bleeding with a
bullet in the foot. The Indian
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
My Father, My Idol, My Hero
forces saved the train. On reach‑
ing Amritsar they were in a
refugee camp. With no medical
help available to remove the bul‑
let, my mom developed gangrene
in the foot. Three months later,
gangrene became intolerable and
my dad found a general practi‑
tioner who performed the surgery
without anesthesia ‑ with a bar‑
berʼs razor, a crochet needle to ex‑
tract the bullet and a sowing nee‑
dle to stitch up. Luckily, she
healed.
The family then moved to Delhi.
My father went into the business
of exporting animal casing
(sausage coverings). He intro‑
duced quality control – something
rare in those times – and got a
good demand overseas. Others
would sell it by weight, he sold it
by diameter and length, a value
addition. He was selling the stuff
at 10 times the price, and the
business grew. By the time I was
born in 1955 he had about
10,000 employees across India.
In India it was the time for na‑
tion building, a special time, as it
is the maternity ward of sover‑
eignty, when corruption takes a
vacation. Because of his success,
my dad too was called upon to
contribute back to society in
building a nation. It was then a
nation by decree, not in fact, as
there were no local, state or fed‑
eral budgets for want of real tax
collection. My earliest memories
are of people in the hundreds
coming to see my dad, who had
the title of municipal commission‑
er ‑ now, a Councilman. He would
give money to people left, right
and center. He hated money be‑
cause of the experience he had as
a 13‑year‑old watching his rela‑
tives not treat his family with the
same respect as when my grand‑
father was alive.
So, he saw money purely as a
tool, as a vehicle, not as a goal.
That was the secret of his success
‑ that he passed on to me. Unlike
him, I donʼt hate money but like
him, money does not dictate what
I do. I see money as gasoline, so I
donʼt need it if Iʼm not going
somewhere.
My dad had the mightiest heart.
He was adventurous and having
survived the Partition and refugee
camps, completely fearless. He
impacted the lives of thousands.
About a hundred thousand people
came to my eldest sisterʼs wed‑
ding ‑ they were from all strata of
society. He was no aristocrat,
more like Mr. Democracy, Mr. Re‑
public.
As his power as a peopleʼs
leader grew, he was meeting oth‑
ers with power all the time, and
would often take me with him. I
have sat in the lap of Pt Nehru, In‑
diaʼs first prime minister. My fa‑
COVER STORY
Whatever Good I do, is what I learnt
from my father, Hon. Sada Nand Batra.
And my mother, Raj Kaur, loved me
as the sky the Sun.
ther was giving me all kinds of ex‑
posure, like making me talk to
powerful people.
Then he saw somebody bad in
me. Son of a great man, I started
to walk with swagger, baby‑tipsy
with power. I had achieved noth‑
ing, yet was clothed by the mantle
of his success and his power.
Heady!
He made a trip to London and
on his return, he said he was
struck by the dignity of labor in
the West. That the socio‑econom‑
ic classifications in Asia ‑ not just
in India ‑‑ are based upon eco‑
nomic strength and power, while
the West is more democratic and
more upwardly (or downwardly)
mobile based upon your ability
and effort and integrity. He found
it very refreshing. In 1961 or 62
he went to Hong Kong. In January
of 63 he had us all leave India to
join him in Hong Kong. I was 7
years old at the time. My dad left
India to become poor, and gave
his business as a gift to his close
friend Haji Mien Meherali ‑‑ ani‑
mal casings is overwhelmingly a
Muslim trade.” He believed that
poverty builds character.
It was several years later, when
we were having a heart‑to‑heart,
that he told me that he had decid‑
ed to leave India because of me,
January 4-17, 2020
because he felt that he could not
discipline me, busy as he was with
everything he was doing for poli‑
tics and the public. He felt nobody
would hold me to the rules, be‑
cause I was his son and they
would give me leeway and that
leeway was going to be my de‑
struction. He wanted to prevent
that. He saw something in me like
a sculptor sees in a block of mar‑
ble.
In Hong Kong we roughed it out
for a few years. And then we had
to leave Hong Kong because Chi‑
na was taking over. Dad gifted his
business to his Chinese friends.
Eventually, he moved the family
to the United States as Green Card
immigrants ‑‑ good for me, other‑
wise I would not have known
American Exceptionalism up
close and intimately. Coming to
New York, I saw a huge super‑
market, where you move around
freely – that showed me the open‑
ness of America.
Within a few months, my father
wrote a check and bought a house
in Elmhurst, Queens. It was the
time of Vietnam war, of flower
children and of questioning au‑
thority. Feeling peer pressure, I,
who was wearing custom‑made
suits and going to Newtown H.S.,
wanted to grow my hair. During
25
our argument, my father said
something stunning which still
rings in my ears. He said, “What
peer pressure? You have no
peers.”
This is a very difficult standard
to live by. It makes you personal‑
ly responsible for every act of
yours. You can't be part of the
herd. You can't say, well every‑
body else was doing that.
Around this time my father
went into textiles and opened the
first saree store, named Uma Sa‑
rees in Queens. I went to Pace,
and then Fordham law school.
Dad was one of few who started
the Hindu Center in Flushing, and
the Geeta Ashram, but he never
took a position ‑ ever. All the do‑
nations he gave was never publi‑
cized for “kovet.”
Even before I could settle down,
in 1979 my father decided to re‑
tire at 65. He donated his fortune
to various causes, donated the
Delhi home I was born in to All‑In‑
dia Institute of Medical Sciences
as a free eye clinic. He moved to
Haridwar as a semi‑recluse, where
my mother and father lived in two
separate cottages. He passed
away in 1996 and my mother in
1998. My dad was the closest
man I know to Saint Francis of As‑
sisi who never accumulated any
property. We also know the ex‑
ample of Mahatma Gandhi, who
had no possessions. (Even as I was
pro bono lawyer for Jim Otis of
Gandhi items auction.)
One advice my father gave me I
still remember and live by: “When
in life you donʼt know what the
right road is, which is often the
case, pick the road which is hard‑
er and with less money and you
will never be in trouble.” I have
used that recipe many times be‑
cause more often than not I'm not
sure which is the right road, and
when I'm not sure, I take the road
which has less money and
tougher. Greed is bad.
My father gave up power, posi‑
tion and money and left India to
protect and make me. A fatherʼs
near‑ultimate sacrifice. So, no
matter what I did or achieved I
never felt worthy of my great Dad.
I felt I never paid off my fatherʼs
mortgage on my soul till some
years ago an intervention I ac‑
complished in international af‑
fairs impacting the lives of 100s
of millions of people ‑ and I did it
with then‑HFAC Chairman Ed
Royce and Ranker Eliot Engel.
That is when I had proven him
right that I was worth saving and
sculpting, and have exceeded the
cost to make me.
There is not a thing that I do
which is not from a lesson from
father. And from my mother, Raj
Kaur, I got love ‑ like the Sky loves
the Sun.
 26 January 4-17, 2020 COV E R S T O RY

Fulsome praise for the Dynamic Duo

of the United States of America,
worked by the rules and achieved
merit-based success, and are liv-
ing the American Dream. They
have blended into the American
ethos, but kept their links with In-
dia and Indians alive and vibrant.
Further, they have proactively
(my husband) Hardeep Singh
Puri (Indian ambassador to UN,
2009-13) to support and later be
part of the launch of the Diwali
Stamp in 2016 - a proud moment
for all Indian Americans and In-
dians everywhere. It stands as a
tribute to multiculturalism in the
the Diwali Stamp - Power of
One Awards, given to those who
made a difference through ex-
ceptional work in diplomacy or
at the United Nations.
The South Asian Times Per-
sons of the Year honor will no
doubt be a befitting recognition

C ongrats to The South Asian

Times for selecting the dy-
namic duo - Ranju and Ravi Batra
- as the Persons of the Year 2019.
Individually and together,
they are shining examples of In-
dian Americans who came from
the great country and civiliza-
tion of India to the great country
promoted Indo-US understanding
and friendship at all levels.
We have witnessed Ranju’s
journey, with Ravi’s support, of
seeking the Diwali Stamp from
the USPS - a journey with clear
eyed dedication and stamina
through 7 years of effort.
It was a privilege for me and
US that the Batras have fostered
and upheld.
They have also been a friend
of the United Nations and pro-
moted awareness and support
for the UN among US lawmak-
ers, legal community, and the
public. Ranju, as chair of Diwali
Foundation USA, has instituted
of what Ranju and Ravi Batra
have done and achieved. It will
also give further encouragement
and vitality to the Power Of Two
Batras to continue their good
work of bringing the two largest Lakshmi Puri
democracies - India and the US - Former UN Assistant Secretary
closer, and supporting the noble - General & Deputy Executive
mission of the United Nations. Director of UN Women

the USPS adopted a few years ago.

Stephen G. Crane
Retired Justice of the New York
State Supreme Court and its
Appellate Division for the
Second Judicial Department
Ravi I have known as an ef-
fective advocate for his clients in
his practice of law. He is a man
of the greatest integrity who has
a profound sense of justice and
the rule of law. His talents were
evident from the beginning of
our friendship. When I was a tri-
al judge I took advantage of his
generosity by appointing him as
a law guardian to a person under
court protection, and what a su-
perb job he accomplished. In one
of his trips to his ward in a re-
mote location, he even took along
his young daughter, Angela, to
share the experience.
In addition to his practice, I
have encouraged Ravi, with the
W e congratulate Mr Ravi Batra and
Mrs. Ranju Batra on being recog-
nized as The South Asian Times Persons
Ash Tewari & Mamta Tewari
of the Year for 2019.
Both Ranju and Ravi have been com-
mitted members of the Hindu Center
community for over 20 years. Their ser-
vice to our community has been invalu-
able. Their contributions and selfless
service are a model for all to emulate.
Our community is especially grateful
to Mrs. Ranju Batra for her service as a
Board Member of the Hindu Center.

T he South Asian Times is to
be congratulated for its wis-
dom in selecting Ranju and Ravi
Batra as your Persons of the Year
2019. I have known and admired
the Batras for decades.
Ranju, besides being a devoted
wife and mother, has been a vital
assistant in Ravi’s law practice. In
addition to her domestic life, she
devoted her energies to the Diwali
Foundation culminating in her
stunning success creating and see-
ing into print a Diwali stamp that
support of Ranju, to look beyond
the law and exercise his talents
in the business and diplomatic
realms. In those pursuits, they
have enjoyed sterling successes
and have earned the approbation
and affection of numerous diplo-
mats, business people and public
officials around the world.
They are the proud parents
of Angela and Neal, who like his
father is a lawyer with a larger
The Hindu Center Board
horizon. I congratulate Ranju and
Ravi with fondness and affection.
Mamta and Ash Tewari, Chairman, Mount Sinai
Department of Urology, with Ranju-Ravi Batra
W e are delighted that Mrs Ranju Batra and Mr
Ravi Batra have been chosen for The South Asian
Times Persons of the Year 2019 honor. The South Asian
community is fortunate to have such a forceful and com-
passionate representation in the couple to defend its
cause or voice its concern at international forums.
Their tenacity and resourcefulness in getting the Diwa-
li Stamp issued by USPS anchored India and its culture as
integral part of American experience. As their friends and
as Americans of Indian heritage we are proud and grateful
of their spirit and their contributions. We applaud and sup-
Flushing, NY port their continued success as champions of South Asians.

Sudhir Vaishnav
Director, Globosat Entertainment,
LLC; President & CEO New Age
Communications and Marketing
having the USPS issue a Diwali
stamp came to fruition. It was
a proud moment for the Indian
diaspora. I had the pleasure of
supporting her for that project
Ukraine Mission at the
UN. Having served on
many prominent commit-
tees and taken on impor-
tant global issues, Ravi
ity to members of Congress and
Senate to bring goodwill & close-
ness in India-US relations. He is a
true patriot and leader.
Ravi and Ranju are both ac-

I have had the pleasure of know-

ing “The Good Samaritans” of
the community, Ranju and Ravi
Batra, for over 15 years now, and
they have become part of our ex-
tended family. I have been hon-
ored to support them and jointly
work with them on various com-
munity events and causes.
Ranju has diligently worked
with non-profit ethnic organi-
zations in various capacities to
raise funds for the needy both
in the US and internationally.
Her hard work and perseverance
paid off as her dream project of
as well as during her presidency
of AIA-NY. With her efforts and
professionalism, she elevated the
organization to reach even great-
er heights. Ranju Batra has also
been a community pioneer, creat-
ing the annual Diwali Power Of
One Awards at the UN - bringing
together several world leaders in
favoring India as a nation with
the international community.
Ravi Batra, an internationally
recognized legal professional, is
also the Chairman and CEO of
Green Star Global Energy Cor-
poration and an adviser to the
has also done pro bono
work for individuals and
organizations in need.
I have personally wit-
nessed his admiration by
his peers, judges, as well
as other law enforcement
officials. His sincerity and
work ethic have earned
him many accolades from
several governmental
agencies, and he is highly
respected by the inner cir-
cle in the US government
and on Capitol Hill. He
has facilitated his proxim-
tively involved in philanthropic
organizations and causes, and I
heartily congratulate and salute
both of them for their selfless
service to mankind.
I would like to thank the For-
sythe Multimedia Group and The
South Asian Times for recogniz-
ing this dynamic duo, Ravi and
Ranju Batra, as the Couple of the
Year 2019. Congratulation to Mr.
Kamlesh Mehta, the Founder and
Chairman of the Forsythe Group,
for bringing excellence in jour-
nalism and felicitating the real
jewels of the Indian community.

T
he world has seen spectac‑
ular success of Ranju and
Ravi Batra. But people who
know the couple share that it is
because the two encourage and
support each other to the hilt. Dit‑
to when it comes to their two chil‑
dren, miracle daughter Angela
and son Neal.
Says Ravi with emotion: “The
most insolvable riddles of life are
made easier to understand and to
grasp and to solve because of An‑
gela. For example, in 1985 I was
of fered nomination to Congress
when Tip OʼNeill was Speaker and
was King of the Hill. I came back
from Washington very excited. I
discussed the of fer with Ranju,
but Angela was then 2 years old
and her baby‑ness we had become
aware was not baby‑ness, it was
to continue. She was the miracle
born barely 1 pound 13 ounces.
So we decided that it was more
important for me to be a father
than a politician. That has been a
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Family values matter for the Batras
saving decision forever. Because
when you take away ambition
from a person voluntarily… and
because of my dad I have no
greed, he had immunized me from
money, and Angela immunized
me from power. The highest posi‑
tion I can ever have is to be An‑
gela and Nealʼs father. And that is
completely satisfying. Had I run
for office, by now I would be in a
leadership position, then Iʼd know
Washington but not my kids.
Along the way various other posi‑
tions were offered, but each time
I kept declining. I came very close
to considering Attorney General
of New York state.”
Adds Ranju, “Angela is a bless‑
ing for us, she is spectacular, her
emotional intelligence is amaz‑
ing.”Neal, the younger son, is also
an attorney, and works with dad
and has his own entertainment
law firm, representing talent – ac‑
tors, musicians. He just an‑
nounced to his parents that he is
executive producer of a new
movie coming out. He has already
been associate producer of a
movie and an off‑Broadway play.
Say Ranju, “He is a son that every
mother will dream of ‑ and is an
amazing brother.”
Ravi too is very proud of their
COVER STORY January 4-17, 2020
Ranju and Ravi with their children Angela and Neal,
and their family pet.
only son: “Neal is blue blood when enhances the public good. So, I
it comes to family honor and per‑ feel enhanced by my son.”
sonal integrity. His compassion What is the secret of Ranju and
knows almost no limits. He is ex‑ Raviʼs enduring marriage? Says
tremely hardworking. The Head‑ Ravi: “Ranju is a go‑getter in her
master of the Prep school at grad‑ own right and very much her own
uation spoke about Nealʼs zest for person. She achieved the Diwali
life, his passion for knowledge Stamp, an impossible dream, and
and to make a mark in a way that which is immortal. Being married
27
to somebody who has such deter‑
mination, vision, and drive, and
then all the characteristics of the
ideal mother, between these two
is the characteristic of the ideal
wife, which is not something easy
to live with. I confess that whatev‑
er social normalcy I have is en‑
tirely because of Ranju. She has
rounded of f many of my edges,
but she does it like a river does to
stones ‑ gently. She holds me to
account for the things she be‑
lieves I do wrong. Yet I acknowl‑
edge that she has the full measure
of love for me and I too have the
full measure of love for her. In
our law building she has a floor
by herself. And I am on a different
floor. So, we are not in each oth‑
erʼs way. Because without that
neither can blossom; only when
you both blossom can you em‑
brace the other.”
Chimes in Ranju: “We even drive
in separate cars even if we are go‑
ing to office at the same time.”
Concludes Ravi: “The founda‑
tion of our marriage is unshake‑
able because of the investment of
her life and her dreams into my
life and my dreams in a very nur‑
turing way and accepting my
dreams as her own. That gives us
two bodies in one soul.”

T
he year 2020 will be
dominated by the Ameri‑
can presidential election
and a global slowdown, says The
Economist, adding that the most
visible ef fects of the slowdown
so far have been declining busi‑
ness confidence, global manu‑
facturing slump and tepid infla‑
tion.
"Two of the world's great cul‑
tures are butting heads. On one
side is USA, Britain, Canada, Aus‑
tralia and New Zealand. On the
other side is China. This battle is
about two dif ferent types of so‑
cieties trying to get along," said
"The World in 2020" report f
The Economist.
Trump's tarif f war with China
is the biggest risk to the Ameri‑
can economy over the next 12
months. Trumpʼs likely win in
the 2020 election will obviously
steer the final outcome of the
tarif f war.
28 January 4-17, 2020
US President election, global
slowdown to dominate 2020
"China and America, the two
largest economies will account
for 40 per cent of the global GDP
of $90 trillion," it added. Ac‑
cording to the report, the global
slowdown is a supply side slow‑
down since it has been primarily
caused by the tarif f war between
USA and China.
"There is further global uncer‑
tainty in 2020 because of new
global of ficials taking over the
world ‑ Christian Lagarde at the
ECB (European Central Bank),
Kritalina at IMF and Andrew Bai‑
ley at the Bank of England," the
report noted.
In a recession, employee costs
get cut first. In the last two re‑
cessions in America, wage bill
was cut by 6 per cent.
"If this had not happened, prof‑
its would have been 24 per cent
lower today. This flexibility is
the hallmark of American capi‑
talism," said the report. The re‑
port also touched upon other
relevant issues that currently af‑
LOOKING AHEAD
fect humanity. increasingly clashing and feed‑
"Across the world, two types of ing of f each other. On the one
identity driven movements are hand you have separatist groups
India to be a bigger
economy than USA in 2040
US’ retreat and China’s rise
remade the world in 2010s
O
ne strand that runs through Americaʼs
history of 100 years is a tussle between
two schools ‑‑ those pushing for a
greater engagement and role in international af‑
fairs, and the isolationalists. The latter have
again regained the upper hand ‑ partially during
Barack Obamaʼs administration, but substan‑
tially during the presidency of Donald Trump.
This manifested itself in the partial retreat of the
US from its role as the international systemʼs se‑
curity provider, as the lynchpin of global com‑
mons, and as the force pushing its own values in
the world ̶ notwithstanding the fact that the
US does remain the most dominant political,
economic and military power in the world.
And this US ambivalence about its global role
will, perhaps, rank as the fundamental change
of the 2010s decade, writes Prashant Jha, asso‑
ciate editor with the Hindustan Times, New Del‑
hi. It has also shaped the rise of economic pro‑
tectionism and end of the globalization dream;
the ascent of nationalism and illiberalism; and
the return of a more uncertain, even anarchic,
international order. And of this order, the most
significant element is the emergence of another
pole in global politics ̶ China, the effort to con‑
strain its exercise of power, and the weakening
of multilateralism at a time when the world
needs it the most, for the world is confronting
its most serious challenge, one that goes beyond
the purview of one nation‑state ̶ the climate
crisis. Chinaʼs outreach in the world changed un‑
der Xi Jinping, the strongest figure since Mao in
modern China. The 2008 economic crisis was a
sign to Beijing that the West was losing its dom‑
inance. The Dragon became more confident of
its strengths. It redefined its interests in Asia,
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
who want to break away and
then there is the assertive and
outraged nationalism," it added.
President Trump and China's
President Xi shake hands.
particularly in the South China Sea and even the
Indian Ocean; it began confronting rivals such
as Japan and India; it invested politically and
economically in South Asia; it became a geopo‑
litical player in Afghanistan and West Asia; it in‑
tervened more energetically in Africa; it even be‑
gan shaping the politics and economy of regions
as varied as Australia and parts of Europe. But
its power projection was most visible with its an‑
nouncement of the Belt and Road Initiative ̶
an ambitious connectivity plan spanning both
land and the water.
Very tentatively, collaboration grew between
the worried nations to constrain China ̶ not
“contain” it, for they all recognized Chinaʼs rise
was structural and inevitable. The Quad ̶ a
grouping of the US, Japan, Australia and India
̶ was quietly revived. But to no avail, for no
one quite has the capability or the intention to
confront China beyond a point. But all of this ̶
the US retreat, the churn in Europe, the Chinese
rise, the constellation of actors who wish to
maximise advantages from Chinaʼs rise yet coa‑
lesce together to prevent its dominance ̶ has
meant that the old multilateral order, with its es‑
tablished power hierarchies, is dead.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020
 30
Indian-Americans who
Abhijit Banerjee
Indian‑American economist Abhijit Baner‑
jee won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics,
along with Esther Duflo of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and Michael Kremer
of Harvard University “for their experimental
approach to alleviating global poverty.”
Banerjee is the only second Indian to re‑
ceive Nobel Prize in economics after Amartya
Sen. He wore a white silk dhoti with a gold
border and a black bandhgala, while his econ‑
omist wife Esther Duflo wore a blue‑green
sari, as they received the Nobel Prize in Eco‑
nomic Sciences in Stockholm setting the so‑
cial media abuzz. The duo along with Kremer
donated their prize money to the Weiss Fund
for Research in Development Economics, ad‑
ministered by Harvard University to support
economic research for the next 15 years.
Sundar Pichai
Google co‑founders Larry Page and Sergey
Brin stepped down from the leadership role
of the parent company Alphabet and ap‑
pointed Google CEO Indian‑American Sundar
Pichai (47) as its CEO, making him one of the
most powerful corporate leaders of the
world. Pichai has been with Google for 15
years now. In 2004, he was interviewed at
Google on the same day that the company
launched Gmail. He is credited with making
Google chrome the world's most‑used web
browser. Pichai was also given a hefty $240
million in performance‑based stock award
over the next three years, the highest ever
promised to any executive of the search giant.
Pichai would also take home $2 million in an‑
nual salary starting 2020.
Satya Nadella
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earned $42.9
million in total pay during the company's fis‑
cal year 2019. This is 249 times more than
that of the median employee at the company
January 4-17, 2020
made headlines in 2019
and up by almost 65% from the year before.
And going by what Microsoft chairman John
Thompson has to say, it's worth every penny.
Kamala Harris
Indian‑origin Senator Kamala Harris
dropped out of the 2020 US Democratic pres‑
idential race. The sudden and surprising an‑
nouncement by Harris, 55, came during a call
with her campaign staffers in December. Har‑
ris, of mixed Indian and African heritage, had
been polling poorly in weeks leading up to
the announcement. According to the latest
poll data, her percentage dropped to a mere
3 per cent indicating that her campaign was
not going in a good direction to make an im‑
pact. Harris was among the first major Dem‑
ocratic Party leaders to announce her presi‑
dential run in last January, which was at‑
tended by a massive crowd of over 20,000
supporters.
Tulsi Gabbard
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the Hawaii
Democrat running for her party's 2020 pres‑
idential nomination, saw her favorability slip
among primary voters after voting "present"
NEWSMAKERS TheSouthAsianTimes.info
on articles of impeachment against President
Donald Trump in December. Gabbard has
said that she won't seek re‑election to her
House seat in order to focus on the primary
race. Former Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie, a
Democrat, called on her to resign from Con‑
gress ahead of the 2020 election in part be‑
cause of her "present" vote.
Kiran &
Pallavi Patel
closed out this yearʼs historic pageant circuit,
marking the first time the titles for all five top
beauty contests were won by black women.
Born to Indo‑Caribbean father Bradshaw
Singh and African‑Caribbean mother Jahrine
Bailey, Singh is a student of women's studies
and psychology at Florida State University
and she aspires to be a medical doctor.
During the competition, she earned a re‑
sounding applause from audiences for
singing Whitney Houston's hit "I Have Noth‑
ing."
Zambia‑born India‑educated cardiologist 7 US Spelling Bee
Kiran C. Patel and his wife, pediatrician
Pallavi Patel gifted $250 million to the Nova co-champions
Southeastern University's (NSU) new region‑
Seven Indian‑origin kids, along with
al campus built with their donation.
an American, were declared co‑champi‑
The single largest donation made by an In‑
dian‑American individual or family in the US
ons of the US National Spelling Bee af‑
ter the tie among the eight couldn't be
included a $50 million gift and an additional
broken even after 20 rounds of the fi‑
$150 million real estate and facility invest‑
nals held in May 2019.
ment by the Patel family foundation.
The unprecedented decision to de‑
The new three‑storey 311,000 square foot
clare eight co‑champions was taken af‑
medical education complex built in just 17
ter the organisers ran out of their se‑
months in Tampa Bay was inaugurated with
lection of difficult words to challenge
a ribbon‑cutting ceremony by the Patels and
them further.
will also serve as a satellite campus for four
The 10‑year monopoly of Indian‑ori‑
other colleges, including Dr. Pallavi Patel Col‑
gin children was finally broken with a
lege of Health Care Sciences, and the D.r Ki‑
non‑Indian girl from Alabama, Erin
ran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Howard, becoming a co‑champion.
Tony Ann Singh The seven Indian‑origin winners were
Rishik Gandhasri, Saketh Sundar,
Toni‑Ann Singh is a Jamaican‑American ac‑
tress, who was crowned Miss World 2019.
Shruthika Padhy, Sohum Sukhatankar,
Abhijay Kodali, Christopher Serrao and
She was previously crowned Miss Jamaica Rohan Raja.
World 2019. And with her crowning, she has
 TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEWSMAKERS January 4-17, 2020 31

Indian-Americans who
made headlines in 2019
Dr. Monisha Ghosh versed the temperate rainforests of Washing‑
ton state. And as part of her most recent ad‑
venture, Nadkarni helped advise Mattel on
the creation of a line of National Geographic
explorer Barbies in an effort to inspire chil‑
drenʼs interest in trees, conservation and ca‑
reers in science. The line of dolls ̶ which in‑
cludes a marine biologist, astrophysicist, na‑
ture photojournalist, wildlife conservationist
and entomologist ̶ is available from Na‑
tional Geographicʼs website, as well as retail‑
ers like Walmart and Target.
dian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
for declining a congressional meeting she
was slated to attend, with the lawmaker call‑
ing the move a "sign of weakness." In a Wash‑
ington Post op‑ed she alleged that the minis‑
ter was slated to meet with a bipartisan
group of lawmakers, but refused to do so be‑
cause Jayapal was part of the group.
Shekhar Mehta
Hudson's Bay Company, Lord & Taylor's par‑
ent company, Le Tote will now effectively op‑
erate all remaining 38 stores and online busi‑
nesses.
Founded in San Francisco in 2012, Le Tote
was an early entrant to the subscription
clothing market, following the debut of com‑
panies like Rent The Runway in 2009.
Jhumpa Lahiri

Neomi Rao

Dr. Monisha Ghosh has been recently ap‑

pointed as the first woman Chief Technology
Officer at the US government's powerful Fed‑
eral Communications Commission. She will
advise Indian‑American Chairman of the FCC
Ajit Pai and the agency on technology and en‑
gineering issues, and work closely with the
Office of Engineering and Technology. Ghosh Princeton Universityʼs Lewis Center for the
will take charge on January 13, 2019. Arts named Pulitzer Prize‑winning writer

Ghazala Hashmi Jhumpa Lahiri as the new director of the Uni‑

versityʼs Program in Creative Writing. Lahiri,
Shekhar Mehta, of the Rotary Club of Cal‑ a Professor of Creative Writing on the Prince‑
Neomi Rao, whose college writings blaming cutta‑Mahanagar, West Bengal, has been of‑ ton faculty since 2015, succeeded 2017‑19
women for date rape raised questions about ficially declared as President of Rotary Inter‑ US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith.
her fitness for the federal bench, was con‑ national for 2021‑22. He will be formally
firmed in March 2019 to succeed Brett Ka‑ elected at the 2020 RI Convention in Hon‑ Anusha
vanaugh on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the olulu, Hawaii. Taking over as President on
D.C. Circuit. Considered the most important July 1st 2021, he will become the 4th Indian Venkataraman
court below the Supreme Court, serving on it to helm the over 100‑year‑old global service
is considered to open a path to the nation's organization.
top court as four of the nine current justices Mehta, an accountant, is chair of the Sky‑
had risen from its bench. Of the 13 courts of line Group, a real estate development compa‑
appeal, the one in the District of Columbia is ny he founded. He is also a director of Oper‑
regarded as the most important as it is based ation Eyesight Universal (India), a Canada‑
in the nation's capital and weighty federal lit‑ based organization.
igation ends up before it. Born in 1959, Mehta has been actively in‑
volved in disaster response and is a trustee of
Former community college professor Ghaz‑ Pramila Jayapal ShelterBox, UK. After the 2004 Indian Ocean
ala Hashmi became the first Muslim woman tsunami, he helped build nearly 500 homes
elected to Virginiaʼs state Senate. Hashmi, a for families affected by the disaster.
Democrat who ran for public office for the Mehta pioneered a program that has per‑
first time, unseated Republican state Sen. formed more than 1,500 life‑changing heart
Glen Sturtevant in November elections to rep‑ surgeries in South Asia. He is also the archi‑ Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed August 12
resent the stateʼs 10th Senate District. tect of the TEACH Program, which promotes Anusha Venkataraman as the new New York
literacy throughout India and has reached City Chief Service Officer.
Nalini Nadkarni thousands of schools. NYC Service, a division of the Mayorʼs Of‑
A professor of biology at the University of
Utah, Nadkarni explores forest canopies
Rakesh Tandon fice, builds partnerships to deepen and ex‑
pand civic engagement through volunteerism
made up of San Francisco‑based clothing subscription and service programs, creating sustainable
the plants service Le change for the cityʼs greatest needs. Its vision
and ani‑ Tote, co‑ is to unite New Yorkers in service to advance
mals that founded by lifelong civic engagement for a more equi‑
live in tree‑ Rakesh Ton‑ table and inclusive city.
tops. Most The Indian American Congresswoman in‑ don, ac‑ Venkataraman brings extensive program‑
of her work troduced a bill in the US House of Represen‑ quired de‑ matic experience to NYC Service. She was a
has fo‑ tatives asking India to end restrictions on partment Senior Advisor in the NYC Office of the
cused on mass detentions and communications in store chain, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic De‑
the tropical Kashmir and ensure religious freedom. It was Lord & Tay‑ velopment, and prior to her role at City Hall
rainforest supported by Republican Congressman Steve lor, for $75 she worked at the NYC Department of Hous‑
of Costa Watkins from Kansas. The Indian American million. ing Preservation & Development as Senior Di‑
Rica, but community came out strongly against the As part of rector of Neighborhood Planning & Preser‑
she has move. the agree‑ vation, and as Director of the Green Light Dis‑
also tra‑ Later the Congresswoman also criticized In‑ ment with trict with the community organization El
Puente in Brooklyn.
 34 January 4-17, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUNDUP TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Most talked about events of 2019

human‑being to a senseless crime.
Another incident that drew
widespread criticism was the un‑
provoked assault on Swami Har‑
ish ChanderPuri, founder of the
Shiv Shakti Peeth temple, in the
Glen Oaks neighborhood of
Queens, New York on July 18,
Howdy, 2019.
The priest was brutally attacked
Modi! draws during his usual morning walk by
50000 Indian- a 52‑year‑old man. The attacker
Sergio Gouveia, reportedly
Americans screamed “this is my neighbor‑
Indian‑American Ghazala Hash‑
mi, a former community college
professor, created history by be‑
coming the first Muslim woman
to be elected to the Virginia State
Senate, while Suhas Subra‑
manyam, who served as the White
House technology policy adviser
to former President Barack Oba‑
ma, was elected to the Virginia
State House of Representative.
Subramanyam, meanwhile, en‑
tered the Virginia State House of
Representatives from the Indian‑

T
he three‑hour “Howdy,
Modi!” event in which Pres‑
ident Donald Trump joined
Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
was organized at Houstonʼs
sprawling NRG Football Stadium,
one of the largest in the US on
September 22, 2019.
A crowd of 50,000 thronged the
Stadium in a patriotic celebration
for both countries.
The Howdy Modi event was the
largest gathering ever for an
elected foreign leader visiting the
US, other than the Pope.
Members of the Texas India Fo‑
rum and other local groups or‑
ganized the event with more than
1,000 volunteers and 650 Texas‑
based organizations helping. The
crowds came despite the city be‑
ing paralyzed the day before by
the tropical storm Imelda.
Trump and Modi heaped praise
on each other in their respective
speeches. They used the platform
to showcase their respective ad‑
ministrationsʼ achievements.
Modi underscored his personal
friendship with Trump.
The duo held hands as they en‑
tered the arena and Modi invoked
the presidentʼs “Make America
Great Again” slogan as he hailed
the state of the US economy and
the US‑India relationship.
First US Sikh
cop shot dead
in Texas, a
priest in NY
assaulted
While there were several racial‑
ly motivated assaults on Indian
Americans across the country, the
death of the first US Sikh law‑en‑
forcement officer, Sandeep Dhali‑
wal, 42, shook the community to
the core.
Dhaliwal was shot multiple
times in the head from behind
during a midday traf fic stop on
September 27, 2019.
Deputy in Houston's Harris
County Sherif f's Department
Dhaliwal had joined the force 10
years ago and became a national
figure after convincing the De‑
partment to allow him to wear re‑
ligious attire and grow a beard
while on patrol.
A father of three young chil‑
dren, he was also very active at
his Gurudwara.
Thousands mourned the loss of
an inspiring of ficer and humble
hood” during the assault.
Representatives Tom Suozzi,
Grace Meng, and Carolyn Mal‑
oney came out in full support of
the local Hindu community. The
office of Mayor Bill de Blasio also
sent community liaison of ficer
Rohan Narine to the temple.
Four Indian
Americans win
US state, local
elections
Suhas Subramanyam was
elected to Virginia State House
of Representatives
Four Indian Americans, includ‑
ing a Muslim woman and a for‑
mer White House technology pol‑
icy advisor, won state and local
elections held in November 2019.
American‑dominated district of
Loudon and Prince William.
In California, Indian‑American
Mano Raju won his election to re‑
main San Francisco's Public De‑
fender.
Raju attended Columbia Univer‑
sity as an undergraduate where
he researched Critical Race Theo‑
ry under Professor Kendall
Thomas.
After an influential fellowship at
the Oxford Center for African
Studies, he relocated to Berkeley
in the 90s to pursue his Masters
in South Asian Studies and later
his JD at Berkeley School of Law,
where he interned in the San
Francisco Public Defender's Of‑
fice. In North Carolina, incumbent
Dimple Ajmera won convincing
re‑election to Charlotte City Coun‑
cil.
A former Certified Public Ac‑
countant, Ajmera immigrated to
the US from India along with her
parents when she was 16. At that
time, she spoke no English.
Proving her tenacity, she went
on to graduate from the Universi‑
ty of Southern California (USC)
and later became a Certified Pub‑
lic Accountant (CPA).

Getting H1B visas Indian students caught in eye of

becomes more difficult Michigan fake university sting
T
he Trump administration's re‑
strictive immigration policies led
to a massive increase in the re‑
jection of petitions for H‑1B visas with
the highest denial rate among major In‑
dian IT companies, according to a study
by an American think‑tank. The study
by the National Foundation for Ameri‑
can Policy, based on data from the US
Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) showed that denial rates for H‑
1B petitions, popular among Indian IT
professionals, quadrupled from just six
percent in 2015 to 24 percent in the
third quarter of the current fiscal.
Meanwhile, more than 2,27,000 Indi‑
ans are waiting in line for family‑spon‑
sored Green Card or legal permanent
residency.
The majority of those in the family‑
sponsored Green Card waiting list are
siblings of US citizens.
Also, the US Citizenship and Immigra‑
tion Services completed the process to
implement the H‑1B electronic regis‑
tration process for the 2021 cap sea‑
son. Companies applying for H‑1B visas
for foreign workers in fiscal year 2021
will have to register online and pay a
processing fee of $10 as a result.
Under this new process, employers
seeking H‑1B workers subject to the
cap, or their authorized representatives,
will complete a registration process
that requires only basic information
about their company and each request‑
ed worker. The USCIS will open an ini‑
tial registration period from March 1
through March 20, 2020. The H‑1B
random selection process, if needed,
will then be run on those electronic reg‑
istrations. Only those with selected reg‑
istrations will be eligible to file H‑1B
cap‑subject petitions.
he Department of Home‑
T land Security (DHS) arrested
250+ foreign‑born students,
many of them Indians, in a sting
operation at a fake Michigan uni‑
versity designed to draw in stu‑
dents who allegedly sought to
stay in the U.S. illegally.
The University of Farmington
advertised a "dynamic business
administration and STEM cur‑
riculum” program, but the stu‑
dents, mostly from India, "knew that they were deported, but some contested their re‑
would not attend any actual classes, earn cred‑ movals.
its or make academic progress towards an ac‑ The students had reportedly arrived legally
tual degree,” according to an indictment. in the U.S. on student visas and later lost their
Immigration lawyers said in March 2019 ‑‑ immigration status after the school was shut
after 161 students were arrested ‑‑ that the down in January.
students did not know it was a fake university Seven of the eight recruiters who were crim‑
at the time. inally charged with trying to recruit students
The university in Farmington Hills, Mich., pleaded guilty and were sentenced in Detroit.
was reportedly operated by Homeland Securi‑ The final defendant will be sentenced in Janu‑
ty since 2015. Many of the arrested students ary 2020.
 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
2019 – A year of many firsts
for Tristate community
NY legislature SUV in the $20 a ticket raffle. Kids enjoyed
free rides at Mini Carnival while the all‑day
declared August 2019 cultural program saw local talents and pro‑
Indian-American fessional DJs and live bands.
Heritage Month India's 73rd
On June 13, 2019, the New York State Independence Day
general assembly passed Bill NY K00555,
by a 45‑20 vote declaring August 2019 as
celebrated in New
Indian‑American Heritage Month. York & Washington
Bill K00555 noted how The Immigration
and Nationality Act, enacted on June 30,
1968, abolished the national origins quota
system replacing it with a preference sys‑
tem focused on skills and family relation‑
ships.
That radical change of 1968, to immigra‑
tion rules which had been in existence
since 1920, increased Indian immigration
to the U.S. from fewer than 15,000 to more
than 200,000 by 1980, it said, adding that
today there are approximately 4 million In‑
dian‑Americans in the country, of whom an
“astounding” 72 percent have a bachelorʼs
degree compared to the national average of
just 28 percent.
“Indian‑Americans greatly contribute to
the leadership, wisdom, and vitality of our
great State and Nation,” the Bill said, and
named achievers in numerous fields in the
text – Miss New York Nina Davuluri to the
first Indian‑American governor of a state,
former Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby
Jindal, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, for‑
mer US Ambassador to the United Nations
Nikky Haley, the first Indian American
elected to the US Senate Kamala Harris; and
the first Indian‑American ever elected to
the U.S. Congress in 1957, Rep. Dalip Singh
Saund, a Democrat from California among
others.
The Bill further added there are nearly
35,000 Indian‑American doctors practic‑
ing in the United States including Doctor
Sanjay Gupta, renowned Neurosurgeon and
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at
Emory University School of Medicine and
Associate Chief of Neurosurgery at Grady
Memorial Hospital.
Biggest ever India
Day Parade of Long
Island held
The 7th India Day Parade of Long Island
was held in Hicksville on August 4, 2019
by IDP USA. The parade which saw un‑
precedented participation started from Pa‑
tel Brothers, went down South Broadway
and culminated at E. Barclay Street Parking
Lot opposite Asa Mai Hindu Temple.
Consul General of India, Amb. Sandeep
Chakravorty, famous Bollywood actor Ra‑
jkummar Rao and Indian American com‑
munityʼs pride, Chintu Patel led the parade
as Grand Marshals.
There were a dozen floats and 40 groups
marching the Golden Indian Mile. A lucky
winner also won the grand prize of a BMW
COMMUNITY ROUNDUP
India's 73rd Independence Day was cele‑
brated in Washington D.C. with a flag‑hoist‑
ing ceremony on August 15, 2019 at the
Embassy Residence. For the first time, the
event was made open to the public which
saw a tremendous turnout of more than
500 members of the Indian American com‑
munity.
In addition, as part of the 150th birth an‑
niversary of Mahatma Gandhi, an exhibi‑
tion on his life and messages was organized
at the Mahatma Gandhi Park in front of the
Chancery building. The exhibition, organ‑
ized in collaboration with the Gandhi Me‑
morial Center, drew hundreds of visitors,
including large scale participation from the
Indian American community. A well known
local band called Baraat Brass played pop‑
ular patriotic songs.
Independence Day was celebrated with
traditional fervor and enthusiasm at the In‑
dian Consulate in New York. The flag hoist‑
ing ceremony saw the presence of several
local of ficials and prominent community
leaders. Consul General Sandeep Chakra‑
vorty unfurled the ʻtirangaʼ and read out
the President of Indiaʼs address to the na‑
tion on the eve of the Independence Day.
Several local leaders including Congress‑
woman Carolyn Maloney and actor Anu‑
pam Kher addressed the crowd briefly. Po‑
etry, music, dances representing the cul‑
tural diversity of India were also presented.
Indiaʼs Permanent Representative at the
United Nations, Ambassador Syed Ak‑
baruddin unfurled the tricolor at the Per‑
manent Mission of India in New York.
FIA held 39th suc-
cessful India Day
Parade in NYC
Tens of thousands of people gathered on
Madison Avenue to celebrate Indiaʼs 73rd
Independence Day and enthusiastically
witnessed the India Day Parade, organized
successfully for 39 years by the Federation
of Indian Associations – NY/NJ/CT.
Bollywood actors‑ Suniel Shetty, ʻBad
Manʼ Gulshan Grover, actresses Hina Khan
and Nargis Fakhri graced the event and
lent the star power.
Marching in the parade were 47 march‑
ing groups including bands, 34 well‑deco‑
rated floats highlighting the diversity of the
Indian American community as well as In‑
diaʼs growth story and 44 booths. The pa‑
rade route down Madison Avenue
stretched from 38th to 24th street.
In keeping with the parade theme of
“Support Our Troops, Salute Our Troops”,
members of the Indian and American
armed forces were present in 17 of the 34
floats.
The parade culminated in a performance
area, which saw 25 items performed during
the 4‑hour cultural program.
Ganesh festival came
to Hicksville mall
The Indian community of Long Island
was thrilled to have the Ganesh Mahotsav
in Hicksville for the first time.
The festivities took place in a tented area
in the parking lot next to Macyʼs in the
Broadway Commons Mall.
A 20‑feet Ganapati idol was installed for
worship from September 6‑8, 2019.
The event featured Ganesh Leela, cultur‑
al programs, 15 stalls for Indian food,
clothes and jewelry, as well as art and
painting competition.
Special holiday in NYC
to mark Guru Gobind
Singh Ji's 550th birth
anniversary
January 4-17, 2020 35
A delegation of Sikh community leaders
had met New York City Mayor Bill de Bla‑
sio, October 2, 2019 to invite him to grand
celebrations on the occasion of the
550thbirth anniversary of their First Mas‑
ter Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to be held in No‑
vember.
Mayor de Blasio accepted the invitation
and some of their demands which included
the renaming of the 118thStreet in Rich‑
mond Hill after Guru Nanak Dev Ji, declar‑
ing Guru Nanakʼs birthday a special holi‑
day, and teaching about Guru Nanak and
Sikhism in New York City schools.
Mayor de Blasio invited the community
leaders to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Jiʼs
birthday at his official residence as well.
Iconic Empire
State Building lit
up for Diwali
New York's iconic Empire State Building
was lit orange in celebration of Diwali in a
ceremony led by a leading Indian diaspora
organization.
The world‑famous structure turned or‑
ange as Indians across the world celebrat‑
ed Diwali.
The Federation of Indian Associations
(FIA), the largest non‑profit umbrella or‑
ganization in the tri‑state area of New York,
New Jersey and Connecticut of the Indian
community, lit up the monument in a spe‑
cial ceremony organized by the FIA in co‑
operation with the Empire State Realty
Trust.
The ceremony was attended by key mem‑
bers of the Indian diaspora. A special dance
performance and cultural show was also
presented on the occasion.
The special event was hosted and attend‑
ed by FIA Chairman Ramesh Patel, Presi‑
dent Alok Kumar, Trustee Ankur Vaidya
and Past President Srujal Parikh and singer
and songwriter Arjun Coomaraswamy, who
flipped the switch to turn on the orange
lights on top of the Empire State Building.
The Empire State Building had been lit up
to commemorate Diwali in 2018 as well.

By Shaker Nelanuthala
W
ednesday the 18th of De‑
cember 2019 will be
etched in the history
books as the day President Donald
Trump was impeached by the US
House of Representatives on
charges of abuse of power and ob‑
struction of Congress. In strict uni‑
son almost all the congressional De‑
mocrats voted for the two articles of
impeachment while all the Republi‑
cans voted against. It is a divided
country!
In laymanʼs terms, an impeach‑
ment is equivalent to an indictment
by a grand jury so that the prosecu‑
tion can advance a case to a court of
law, where a trial will take place
(Senate) and the jurors (US Sena‑
tors) decide if a person should be
convicted or set free. The presiding
judge for the impeachment trial will
be the Chief Justice of the US
Supreme Court Hon. John Roberts.
Impeachment is only an accusation
and does not convict the President.
The US Senate has the sole power
to conduct impeachment trials
based on the articles of impeach‑
ment, after they are transmitted
from the House. The Senate con‑
ducts a trial where all the senators
will vote as jurors to determine if
the President is to be convicted and
removed from office or exonerated
for the crimes he is accused of.
Impeachment not the best thing for America
By Meera Gandhi
M
y humble opinion is that
the Impeachment of Pres‑
ident Trump is taking up
too much energy on Capitol Hill.
This energy should be devoted to
the actual improvement of the
country and the development of in‑
frastructure, prison reform, no cash
bail, employment, upgrade of high
school education, creation of a
ʻhappiness cabinetʼ to address the
level of mental un‑wellness in
America as well as social reform.
Instead, the airwaves and attention
are being diverted to a ʻwitch huntʼ
of sorts.
Whether some people like it or
not, Donald Trump is the current
President of USA and he is trying to
bring about transparent change
through the use of the internet as a
platform as the TV and press have
shown inherent bias.
I am not a political person but am
a peace‑loving Aquarian who ob‑
36 January 4-17, 2020
The Impeachment
of a President –
Donald J. Trump
There should be at least 67 of the
100 senators voting for a convic‑
tion. This is a watershed moment in
the history of this country as only 2
other Presidents were impeached ‑
Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
Subsequently both were acquitted
in the Senate trials (Richard Nixon
resigned before an impeachment).
As far as the impact of governance
by President Trump is considered,
he seems to be very resilient. He
gets high marks for a booming
economy with unemployment
around 3.5%; high home ownership;
low interest rates; low inflation; and
increased real wage growth. He
inked a new deal with Canada and
Mexico called the USMCA. He
brought the Chinese to the negoti‑
ating table with tariff threats for a
new trade deal. On societal issues
his signature issue of criminal re‑
form justice is being applauded by
most Americans. Illegal immigra‑
tion / building a border wall is one
issue where he polarized the coun‑
jects to so much attention on the
form and so little to the detail of
making the human existence for
Americans better.
I am not sure the impeachment of
President Trump is the best thing
for America. I think Democrats and
Republicans would be better off
working together to make an hon‑
est and sincere push for creating
policies and making policies so ALL
Americans can have a better life
than the daily grind which is what
most are putting themselves
through!
Last but not the least, I think
there might be forces from other
countries whose interests might
not be served by current policies
who might also be pushing the im‑
peachment agenda so I think we all
need to take a step back to careful‑
ly assess before following blindly.
Wishing peace and love and pros‑
perity to all readers of The South
Asian Times.
Happy New Year 2020 to all!
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
try completely.
The current political reality is, the
country is extremely divided and is
going towards a road to perdition,
with the left rooting to remove the
President from office and the right
offering unwavering support to
him, despite his shortcomings, idio‑
syncratic and some over the top be‑
havior.
The people that are in the middle
of the political spectrum are evenly
divided on impeachment and re‑
moval. As to the question of impact
in the 2020 elections, the odds are,
that in the Senate trial the President
will prevail with at least 56 to 60
Senators exonerating him, including
a few defections from the Democ‑
rats that are in Red states like Jones
(AL); Sinema (AZ); Manchin (WV).
This trial also puts leading Demo‑
cratic Senatorial Presidential candi‑
dates Warren, Sanders and
Klobuchar in a quandary. If one
should exonerate the President, he
or she would most likely lose the
Meera Gandhi is the
CEO and Founder of
The Giving Back
Foundation. Last year
among many accolades
she won, she was
voted most influential
humanitarian 2019 by
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
primary race and if one should con‑ MPs) of Indian origin conservatives
vict him, he or she very well could got elected. If 30% of Indian Ameri‑
lose the moderates in the general cans should support the President
election. in battleground states, he will win
Since the impeachment, the Presi‑ re‑election easily. As most Indian
dent has been steadily increasing Americans know, Indian PM Modi
his approval ratings currently hov‑ already endorsed the President for
ering around 44%, with an addition‑ the 2nd term. The Indian Diaspora
al 3 to 5 percent silently supporting is no longer a silent, irrelevant mi‑
him. His support in the battle‑ nority. Politicians from both sides
ground states is around 50%. With must compete to win their votes.
numbers like this, it would be very
difficult to beat him in 2020. A lib‑
eral, progressive movie maker
Michael Moore recently predicted
that the President will win re‑elec‑
tion today via electoral college and
that he will lose the popular vote for
the 2nd time. The firewall and the
only way to possibly beat the Presi‑
dent that the Democrats have is, for‑
mer VP Joe Biden with Klobuchar or
Butitgieg or Yang as a running mate.
Since 2015, a bigger slice of the Shaker Nelanuthala, a
Indian origin Americans and British centrist on political views,
have been voting for conservatives. lives in Glen Cove, NY
In 2019, in UK, a record number (17
the ITP Masala
magazine UAE group.
Two weeks ago, she
was in Puerto Rico with
singer Marc Anthony’s
foundation Maestro
Cares, opening a boys
orphanage.
 38 January 4-17, 2020 I N D I A - U S R E L A T I O N S TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India & US: Howdy, Modi! dominated

narrative, not the outcome
More than anything else,
year 2019 will be
remembered by policy
wonks and the public for a
joint‐outreach to the
By Yashwant Raj Indian diaspora by PM
Hindustan Times, Washington Modi and President

I
t was a year when trade tensions between Trump, with a crowd‐size
India and the United States came to a
head. And it was also a year President
that the latter continues
Donald Trump stoked Indiaʼs sensitivity on to marvel at to this day.
the Kashmir issue with his repeated offers to
mediate, and it was also a year that ended President Trumpʼs avowed goal to end Amer‑
with testy showdown precipitated by a law‑ icaʼs trade imbalances by weaponizing tariff.
maker of Indian descent. Failing to get access to Indiaʼs dairy and med‑
More than anything else, year 2019 will be ical‑devices sectors, the Trump administra‑
remembered by policy wonks and the public tion announced in March its intention to ter‑
for a joint‑outreach to the Indian diaspora by minate Indiaʼs access to a US trade program
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President designed to help developing economies ̶
Trump, with a crowd‑size that the American ̶ walking hand in hand around the arena, the American president ̶ was a milestone in called the Generalized System of Preferences
leader continues to marvel at to this day, im‑ with aides and security personnel struggling relations between the two countries that ̶ with zero import duty. But it held off the
pressed and, perhaps, a little envious. to keep up with, and more than 50,000 peo‑ could became the gold standard for the rela‑ announcement till May at the request of the
The image of the two leaders ̶ one of ple cheering was made for history. tionship, along with the 2008 India‑US civil Modi government. India has been the top
them a prickly germophobe who loathes un‑ And it was. The Howdy, Modi! event ̶ as it nuclear deal. It mattered even more, perhaps, beneficiary of this scheme, with $6.3 billion
wanted physical contact (President Trump) was called, with not as much as a tiny nod to to Indian Americans. “This is historic,” M Ra‑ of the total of $54.3 billion in total goods ex‑
maswami, a former tech‑titan who has since ports in 2018 ̶ 9%.
founded an advocacy group called Indiaspo‑
ra, had said then. “Trumpʼs presence here Defense ties on course
mainstreams the Indian community, sends all
Defense ties continued on the upswing un‑
AmericanCommunityBank sorts of signals in all directions.”
disrupted though. The growing convergence
and interoperability between the militaries of
Fake university sting the countries received a significant boost
Year 2019 started badly. Ties were flung with the signing of the Industrial Security An‑
into a crisis in January by the apprehension
Celebrating Our 1 Year Anniversary of Our of more than 600 Indian students of a fake
nex, a foundational agreement that allows US
private sector manufacturers of defense ma‑
US university set up by authorities to bust a
New Hyde Park Branch! pay‑to‑stay scam of people entering the Unit‑
terial to share confidential and proprietary
information with private sector partners in
ed States, or extending their stay, by enrolling India. The two sides also concluded three
as students. India angrily slammed the use of agreements under the Defense Technology
a fake university as “entrapment”, which is
Free Personal and not allowed in India, but worked quietly to
and Trade Initiative and agreed to hold an‑
nually a bilateral tri‑services military exercise
enable the students to go home. “We dropped that first took place in November called
Business Checking everything else,” said an Indian diplomat
closely associated with these efforts.
“Tiger Triumph”.
No minimum balance requirements.
No monthly service charges. Kashmir and CAA
No per check or item charges. Pulwama consensus The second 2+2 ministerial dialogue, which
Unlimited check writing. The sense of panic and despair that hit bi‑ concluded December 18 and delivered these
Unlimited cash deposits and change orders. lateral ties ̶ marked by some testy ex‑ pathbreaking defense outcomes, was also
Free ATM access at 9,000+ 7-11 locations. changes between officials of the two coun‑ marked by growing skepticism and suspicion
tries over entrapment ̶ was dissipated a of the Modi government among the young
fortnight later by unequivocal US support af‑ and emerging leaders of the progressive cau‑
New Hyde Park ter the February 14 terrorist attack in Pul‑ cus of the Democratic party on human rights
799 Hillside Avenue wama that killed 40 CRPF personnel. The issues concerning the situation in Kashmir af‑
(Corner of Hillside & Lakeville) United States threw its full weight behind a ter the abrogation of Article 370 and the en‑
New Hyde Park, NY 11040 French proposal for the UNSCʼs 1267 sanc‑ actment of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act
P: (516) 502-6611 tions committee to designate the founder‑ specifically, and religious freedom generally.
leader of the Pakistan‑based terrorists outfit, Pramila Jayapal, an Indian‑American Demo‑
Jaish‑e‑Mohammad that had claimed credit
For more information about our accounts, for the attack, to quash another attempt by
cratic lawmaker from Washington state, who
please contact us or visit one of our five locations! has been most vocal. An Indian diplomat ac‑
China to kill it by threatening to call a full and knowledged this group as an emerging chal‑
open meeting of the Security Council to ex‑ lenge but expressed confidence in the con‑
pose Beijingʼs egregious defense of a terror‑ tinued support of the partyʼs leaders: Speak‑
- New Hyde Park- Mineola - Glen Cove -East Northport – ist mastermind. er Nancy Pelosi was the chief guest at the
Commackwww.acbalways.com 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma
Trade tensions, GSP gone Gandhi, and Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat
Tensions over trade, in the meantime, were in the House of Representatives, was the sen‑
escalating rapidly, feeding on festering unre‑ ior‑most Democrat at the Howdy, Modi!
Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. Equal Housing Lender
solved issues going back several years and on event.
 40 January 4-17, 2020 OP-ED TheSouthAsianTimes.info

America at the end of a decade

The Best of Times & the Worst of Times
during the French Revolution, a
revolution that happened within
years of the American Revolution.
Americans overthrew the British
By Shivaji Sengupta emperor. Since then, it has often
been said that the Americans con‑
al policy and turned protectionist,
i.e., they fiercely protected their
own interest first.
Donald Trumpʼs superficial for‑
eign policy has succeeded only in
alienating Europe and dangerously
cally significant and long lasting as
President Rooseveltʼs Social Secu‑
rity Act (Grants for States for Old‑
Age Assistance for the Aged ‑Title
I). To me, this was the best part of
the last decade.
the auto industry. The economists
in charge of the Bush administra‑
tion and those working with Oba‑
ma were radically different in their
financial outlooks. Both believed in
economic policies typical of their

W
hen one considers how
America has done in
things that matter to
most readers of this newspaper,
the economy, healthcare and na‑
tional security probably rise to the
top. How has America done in the
last ten years during Presidents
Obama and Trump? For reply, one
may have to come up with the fa‑
mous opening lines of Charles
Dickensʼ A Tale of Two Cities: "It
was the best of times, it was the
worst of times."
The best of times, because Amer‑
ica passed the Affordable Health‑
care Bill by which all Americans
with previous health conditions
qualified for health insurance.
More than half of 41 million of the
hitherto uninsured were able to get
health insurance. The worst of
times, because never before was an
ethnic community like the Muslims
in America discriminated against,
and even targeted, by the Federal
Government, never since the na‑
tional persecution of Japanese im‑
migrants in the Second World War.
President Trump, by the dint of his
Executive Order, forbade the entry
of Muslims from certain Islamic
countries notorious for terrorist
activities into this country. Those
were the darkest of days.
The best of times, because the
country elected the first Black
president after nearly 150 years
when African Americans became
free citizens of America; worst of
times, because that first Black
president was succeeded by one of
the most despotic and racist presi‑
dents in the history of this country.
The best of times, because Amer‑
ica now enjoys the lowest unem‑
ployment rate of 3.5% and a stable
economy with the Stock Market
rising steadily. The worst of times,
because in terms of Americaʼs Eu‑
ropean policy Donald Trump has
alienated our traditional allies in
NATO, refused to take an aggres‑
sive stance against Russia and,
most recently, flirted with danger
withholding over $300 M in mili‑
tary aid to Ukraine who are at war
with Russia, and struggling to
maintain its sovereignty. Worse, by
doing so President Trump has be‑
come only the third president to be
impeached by the Democratic‑ma‑
jority House of Representatives. He
now awaits trial.
Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of
Two Cities, about London and Paris
sciously eschewed the British way flirted with Russia who, traditional The Affordable Care Act had a party. The Republicans, believing
when they drafted their Constitu‑ foreign policy experts believe, will twin in the shape of making Amer‑ in free enterprise, were against
tion and chose their mode of gov‑ sooner or later betray the United icans come out of the Great Reces‑ government bailouts; whereas the
Democrats, while supporting free
market, nevertheless believed it
In 2008, major banks and lender of individual mortgages were about to go belly was governmentʼs responsibility to
up, With the help of excellent economists, President Obama rescued both the step in and help when gigantic
banks and the auto industry. And Obamacare would prove to be as historically businesses, like the auto and the fi‑
nancial industry, get into severe fi‑
significant and long lasting as President Roosevelt’s Social Security Act. nancial crisis affecting the fi‑
nances of the whole country. How‑
ever, middle‑of‑the‑road Republi‑
cans like Bush and McCain also be‑
lieved in governmental interven‑
tion. Bush being lame duck, the
wrath of the extreme Republicans
fell upon poor McCain. They
wouldnʼt vote for Obama but did‑
nʼt support McCain either. Bush did
whatever he could as lame‑duck,
but was left to Obama to pull up
the country.
By some estimates, the Obama
government pumped in 130 billion
dollars which included 80 million
by President Bush. The industry
though paid back most of the mon‑
ey by 2016. Obama is largely cred‑
ited for having saved the auto in‑
dustry from serious, even irrepara‑
ble harm although President Bush
also helped to keep GM and
Chrysler afloat.
The country should be grateful
It is the best of times because America now enjoys the lowest unemployment to President Obama for the Afford‑
able Care Act and restoring the na‑
rate of 3.5% and a stable economy with the Stock Market rising steadily. tionʼs finances. President Trump
It is the worst of times because President Trump has become only the third deserves credit for continuing the
president to be impeached in US history by the House of Representatives. economic improvement although
the nation will one day not too far
ernance, consciously leaning to‑ States. Vladimir Putin, the Russian sion of 200‑9. The financial crisis away will have to pay back the
ward French. The United States, despot has the same ambition for that started during the tail‑end of enormous amount of money the
while maintaining good relations Russia as the Americans have of the Bush administration in 2008 government borrowed in order to
and partnership with the British, themselves: be the single super‑ engulfed the nation and created give the wealthy huge tax breaks.
nevertheless, has always been cor‑ power. Trump doesnʼt seem to be the Recession. Hindsight is always 20/20. But
dial and mutually respectful with aware of that. Late in 2008, even as the two as 2020 approaches, should we
Europe. That is, until now. The sud‑ As America struggled with these presidential candidates, Barak not take stock about the two or
den advent of Donald J. Trump has issues of foreign policy, foreign Obama and John McCain were three most important economic
shaken up many of the traditional trade and the economy, Republi‑ criss‑crossing the country canvass‑ events that happened to our coun‑
foreign policy premises that U.S. cans in Congress continuously ing, the Bush administration an‑ try during these past ten years un‑
presidents up to Obama had ob‑ waged war on trying to repeal he nounced that the country was in a der the stewardship of two presi‑
served. Trump, approaching the Affordable Care Act passed in dire financial crisis, so much so dents. This article is an attempt to
whole thing strictly from “a busi‑ 2010. Ever since 2016, since the that the two candidates had to sus‑ do just that.
ness perspective,” challenged Trump presidency, there have pend their campaigns and rush to
America's European partners, de‑ been numerous efforts by Republi‑ Washington to be briefed by the
Shivaji
manding why this country should cans, spearheaded by the president Bush administration. The auto in‑
Sengupta is
pay more than the European na‑ himself, but it hasnʼt proven easy dustry was already at the point of
VP Academic
tions for NATO, and why in matters to dismantle completely, although bankruptcy. Now the major banks,
Affairs at
of trade should Europe always be some of its features were found to lender of individual mortgages, Boricua
at an advantage in terms of Tariffs, be unlawful by biased courts. The were about to go belly up, plung‑ College: Bronx
the Americans paying consider‑ hope for those who support the ing the nation into a “Great Reces‑ Campus and
ably more than the European al‑ law – such as myself ‑ is that a sion.” regular
lies. strong Democratic Congress would President Obama inherited all contributes
According to him, money is be‑ restore some of them. It is my con‑ this in 2009 and with the help of op-eds to this
ing wasted on Europe. It is time the tention that the Affordable Care excellent economists was success‑ newspaper.
United States abandoned the glob‑ Act would prove to be as histori‑ ful in rescuing both the banks and

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.

By DC Pathak
I
t is good that Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has in his
speech at Ramlila Maidan Delhi
categorically declared that there
was no discussion on a National
Register of Citizens (NRC) so far
and that what had been done in
Assam alone was under the orders
of the Supreme Court. This will be
taken to mean that the recent
statements of Home Minister Amit
Shah in and out of Parliament
about a country‑wide NRC repre‑
sented at best a loud thinking of
the government for the future.
The standalone Citizenship
Amendment Act (CAA) getting
linked to the projected idea of NRC
had, meanwhile, predictably
worked up sections of the Muslim
minority but more than that, it had
given a handle to the opposition to
whip up street protests in a large
number of places across India.
Most of the protesters inter‑
viewed by TV journalists were
Muslims who made no distinction
between the CAA and the NRC, re‑
ferred to their fear of being
thrown out since they would not
Decoding the meaning of Johnson’s election victory
By Mark Tully
T
he New Year will see Britain
leaving the European Union
(EU). How has this happened
and what will it indicate for the fu‑
ture of Britain, India and the rest of
the world? Itʼs happened because
Boris Johnson, the populist leader
of the Conservative Party, has
trounced Labourʼs Jeremy Corbyn
in the election. The nationalist
Johnson fought on one issue: “Get
Brexit done”. Corbyn offered a re‑
turn to old‑fashioned socialism,
with a long list of promises, but few
were convinced that he would ever
be able to find the money to fund
those.
Although Britain will leave the
EU, Johnson will still have to nego‑
tiate a new trade relationship with
Europe. This could be easier than
was being suggested because his
sizeable majority means he can
make concessions to Europe, with‑
out fearing a reaction from hard‑
core anti‑Europeans. But he will
have to walk wearily with the Scots.
Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister
44 January 4-17, 2020
CAA-NRC protests: Too much in one sweep
be able to produce documents of
their birth and background and
parroted the line that the Modi
government was taking to 'uncon‑
stitutional' acts.
They were somewhere driven to
believing that CAA was against
Muslims ‑‑ it cannot be said for
certain that if the government had
stopped at CAA and not made a
reference to NRC in the same
breath, the protests would not
have taken the form of a country‑
wide agitation.
Indian Muslims, who are part of
a sovereign India and who were
supposed to have no political links
with Pakistan, might have even
found a certain degree of accept‑
ance of the Act if there was proper
explaining done about how a 'non‑
communal' India was compelled to
deal with a communal dispensa‑
tion ruling these neighboring
countries.
However, the opposition as it is,
was able to spread the view that
the CAA is only a facet of the NRC
that was a measure designed to
target Muslims alone as illegal mi‑
grants. This triggered the protests
‑‑ the fact that it all started with
Jamia Millia Delhi proved the
point. The community‑based do‑
mestic politics of India has in‑
evitably overtaken the debate.
The NRC is, no doubt, a different
ball game involving a process ‑‑
yet to be fully defined in terms of
policy ‑‑ of a total check out on
every body's citizenship to identi‑
Boris Johnson with Narendra Modi.
of Scotland, and her Scottish Na‑
tionalists party, won all but seven
seats in her country. She has
warned Johnson that he has no
mandate to take Scotland out of Eu‑
rope.
What does this mean for India? It
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
The anti‑NRC stir, if it continues, will deepen the BJP‑Congress‑led opposition divide on the minority issue.
fy the 'illegal' migrants. Since Hin‑
du refugees from Bangladesh are
being given the assurance of citi‑
zenship, the focus would undoubt‑
edly be on Bangladeshi Muslims
present not only in the North East
including Assam and West Bengal
but in the rest of the country as
well.
This is an exercise of astronomi‑
cal scale that could, in effect, make
even the well‑settled Muslims feel
vulnerable. In the light of the clar‑
ification given by the Prime Minis‑
ter himself, the government would
do well to announce that the pa‑
rameters governing the future
screening process for identifying
means that Johnson will certainly
come knocking on the door, asking
for a trade deal. He has sold Brexit
with the promise of wonderful
trade deals Britain will be able to
do, once it is free of the deals Eu‑
rope binds it to. Johnson has shown
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
the illegal arrivals would be de‑
fined in course of time. There
should be an assurance that the
state policy on this matter will be
in keeping with a democratic gov‑
ernance and the yardsticks of a
humane approach.
The anti‑NRC stir, if it continues,
will deepen the BJP‑Congress‑led
opposition divide on the minority
issue. The CAA was ‑‑ even if it had
just referred to the persecuted mi‑
norities instead of specifying the
religion‑based communities ‑‑
bound to produce the same politi‑
cal impact here as it would be in‑
terpreted by the opposition as a
move of the BJP to enlarge its
his concern for keeping India hap‑
py by the concessions he has made
for students to work while studying
in Britain. His trade commissioner
for South Asia has said trade be‑
tween the two countries may not
be affected after Brexit. But the bal‑
ance of trade is currently in favour
of Britain.
Realizing Johnsonʼs vulnerability
because of his need to show that itʼs
better to trade outside Europe than
inside, India may well insist on con‑
cessions that swing the balance the
other way. Recently, a delegation of
British industrialists and business
came here. Among their interests
was the possibility of collaboration
between the two countries to win
lucrative contracts in oil‑rich West
Asia.
What might be the global conse‑
quences of Johnsonʼs victory and
the downfall of Labour? It means
that parties of the Left and the Cen‑
tre have to find more convincing
ways of attracting voters. Corbyn
has shown that Leftwing populism
is not an adequate response to
Right‑wing populism. This election
Hindu constituency.
Some voices heard, meanwhile,
in the UN and the US against the
action of the Modi regime are like‑
ly to encourage Pak agencies to try
to fish in troubled waters here. A
firm and professionally efficient
handling of the anti‑NRC agitation
should combine with a political di‑
alogue with all communities to dis‑
pel any misgivings about the CAA.
Continuance of street protests
with incidents of law and order in
between, would make the situation
look 'disturbed' when seen from
outside and encourage inimical
forces to raise the bogey of 'sup‑
pression' against the regime.
also indicates that the Centre‑Left
ideology is no answer either. The
two prominent world leaders of
that persuasion ̶ Justin Trudeau
of Canada and Emmanuel Macron
of France ̶ may still be more pop‑
ular than Right‑wing populists, but
they are not standing on firm
ground.
So, Johnsonʼs victory adds to the
evidence that there is no challenge
to popularism at present. But
trends in politics donʼt last forever.
When I was young in Britain, so‑
cialism seemed the only moral op‑
tion. Then the socialists went too
far to the Left, and there was the
Margaret Thatcher reaction. Now
the glaring gap between then pros‑
perous and the poor, created by the
neo‑liberal economics of Thatcher
and former United President
Ronald Reagan, has created a back‑
lash, leading to those who have suf‑
fered most voting for Right‑wing
nationalism. So, there is bound to
be a reaction against nationalist
populism when it doesnʼt deliver on
the exaggerated promises its
charismatic leaders make.

Op-Ed by Narinder
Kukar M.D.
W
hat does a man like me
and most of you readers
living in USA for
decades, got to do with this new
Indian law called CAA (Citizenship
Amendment Act) 2019?
A lot! As a caring human being.
The law gives Indian citizenship
to those illegal religious minority
immigrants who have been living
in India illegally since 2014. It pro‑
vides permanent shelter to the dis‑
franchised and persecuted reli‑
gious minority communities (non‑
Muslims) on the basis of their reli‑
gion from three neighboring Mus‑
lim countries of India: Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
What is it that these three Islam‑
ic countries are doing to their non‑
Muslim citizens which made mil‑
lions of educated, financially sta‑
ble Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists,
Christians, Parsis and Jains to
leave everything behind and en‑
ter India illegally.
Physical brutality, subjugation,
forced conversion to Islam, rape,
annexation of property may not
convey the meaning to public at
large. However, fear of living daily
with the prospect of abduction and
rape of your daughter and or wife
based on your religion, if this is
not considered a reason enough to
leave these
countries, then what else would
be. Unfortunately, it has been hap‑
pening for decades and the world
just sat by, giving lip service.
On Nov 1, 1971 late Senator Ed‑
ward Kennedy (D‑Massachusetts)
wrote: “The hardest hit have been
members of the Hindu community
who have been robbed of their
lands and shops, systematically
slaughtered, and in some places,
painted with yellow patches
marked ʻHʼ. All of this has been of‑
ficially sanctioned, ordered and
implemented under martial law
from Islamabad.”
Usually when a nation or an or‑
ganization comes to the aid of the
disenfranchised and the minori‑
ties, they are applauded. When In‑
dia comes to the help of these op‑
pressed Hindus, Sikhs, Christians,
Buddhists, Parsis and Jains, Indian
Government is being castigated as
intolerant and selective.
A brief look at
the history
First and foremost, CAA applies
to illegal immigrants in India, and
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Atrocities committed by
Pakistan & Bangladesh
not Indian citizens of any faith.
The law is meant to save reli‑
gious minorities, who are already
illegally in India, from deporting
them back to Pakistan, Bangladesh
and Afghanistan they ran away
from. The barbaric treatment at
the hands of these neighboring Is‑
lamic countries that they faced
and endured for a long time is for
the horror story books. Why this
Act is only meant to help Hindus,
Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis
and Jains, but not Muslims. Be‑
cause Muslims are not a minority
in these Islamic countries, so no
question of persecution.
The west and the rest of the
world and the demonstrating Indi‑
ans in India should applaud this
humanitarian effort (enacting CAA
2019) on part of the Indian Gov‑
ernment in providing shelter to
millions upon millions of these
persecuted people.
As regards conversions Mahat‑
ma Gandhi pleaded, “Stop all con‑
versions. It is the deadliest poison
that ever sapped the fountain of
truth”.
For Hindus the last couple of
decades have been disastrous in
Bangladesh (Elisa Griswold, NYT
Jan 2005). Islam is becoming a le‑
gitimizing political discussion in
Bangladesh (Christina Fair, NYT
Jan 2005). ʻBangladesh is of great‑
est concern to the Hindusʼ (NYT,
Feb 2005) and plight of "Hindus in
Bangladesh” as per Immigration
and Refugee Board of Canada.
For the open‑minded reader, I
give here a few references
(Bangladesh: A Portrait of Covert
Genocide ‑‑ Sanatech Printing,
Woodside, NY. Pakistan is not far
behind. These atrocities have also
been reported over the past many
years in Time magazine (October
16, 2002), Wall Street Journal,
The Guardian, BBC news and by
Amnesty International.
The following statistics should
convince even the skeptics. Ac‑
cording to the Bangladesh census
of 1951 and of 2001, the Hindu
population declined by 20 million.
Another statistic cites ʻreduction
of Hindu population from 30% of
the total in 1947 to 9% today in
Bangladeshʼ. According to Prof
Sachi Dastidar of SUNY, well over
49 million Hindus are missing to‑
day in Bangladesh as compared to
1971. This was clearly covert
genocide.
The fate of the Hindus is no bet‑
ter in Pakistan. The Hindu popula‑
tion has shrunk from 27% at the
CONTROVERSY
Story Behind the CAA story
Usually when a nation or an organization comes to the aid of the
disenfranchised and the minorities, they are applauded. But when
India comes to the help of these oppressed Hindus, Sikhs, Christians,
Buddhists, Parsis and Jains from Paksitan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan,
Indian Government is being castigated as intolerant and selective.
time of partition in 1947 to a mere
1% today. Let this be an awaken‑
ing call to Indians in India who are
demonstrating against CAA 2019.
Paraphrasing, what President Bill
Clinton said, “one should not be
consumed by history, however
those who ignore history do so at
their own perilʼ.
Quoting Sir Winston Churchill:
"Individual Muslims may show
splendid qualities, but the influ‑
ence of the religion paralyses the
social development of those who
follow it. No stronger retrograde
force exists in the world”.
After the war of Bangladesh Lib‑
eration in 1971 with the help of
India, a new country was estab‑
lished as a secular democracy. The
first CAA (Citizenship Amendment
Act of India) was enacted then to
accommodate millions of refugees
of all religious faiths who had
crossed over into India. However,
in 1988 Bangladesh declared itself
as an “Islamic republic”. (What a
reward to secular India for liberat‑
ing East Bengal from the clutches
of Pakistan!)
Now comes the 2nd CAA.
The public demonstrations, open
discourse and even outright defi‑
ance is the hallmark of any democ‑
racy. Indians and India as a nation
should be proud of the liberties
that its citizens enjoy. Notably,
however, it is only a small per‑
centage of ill‑informed and misled
people in India who are agitating
against CAA 2019. As far back as
1931, in a speech titled “Abandon‑
ing India” Churchill warned
“….While the Hindu elaborates his
arguments, the Muslim sharpens
January 4-17, 2020
his sword.” Does the world and
the demonstrators in India want to
say, “If you give shelter to the op‑
pressed, you must provide the
same shelter and privileges to the
executioner?” In the name of tol‑
erance? Maybe they should
demonstrate against the treatment
of these religious minorities
against Pakistan, Bangladesh and
Afghanistan in front of their em‑
bassies and consulates all over In‑
dia.
Why did the same demonstra‑
tors remain silent on the plight of
close to half a million Hindus of
Kashmir?
Muslims of India are citizens of
India and have the same rights,
privileges and responsibilities like
any other Indian citizen; they
should have nothing to fear. “The
best way for India to integrate
them (Muslims) is to strive to treat
them as individuals, not members
of a group”. (Sadanand Dhume,
WSJ ‑ July 21, 2012)
The Hindu majority India has
over the centuries given shelter to
the oppressed of all religions from
all over the world: the Persians
from Iran, the Jews, and the Bud‑
dhists from Tibet. Needless to say,
Hindus are the most tolerant peo‑
ple. Hinduism respects all reli‑
gions, and we do not convert peo‑
ple of other faiths. Hindus have
been the founders of other reli‑
gions: Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism
and have coexisted as a family In
Hindu households you are likely to
find pictures of reverence to other
religious prophets, including
Christianity. I wonder if in any
Muslim household in Pakistan or
45
Bangladesh, you can find signs of
reverence to any other religion.
Moving forward, the illegal
Bangladeshi and Pakistanis of mi‑
nority religions in India should:
1. Ask for restitution for the val‑
ue of their properties left behind
in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Hu‑
manitarian organizations in India
and the west should help them fi‑
nancially and legally to file class
action suit in the International
Court of Law for restitution and
compensation.
2. The government of India with
the help of human rights group
should file criminal cases against
onsite officials and individuals in‑
volved in crimes against these per‑
secuted individuals in Pakistan
and Bangladesh as collective ac‑
tion.
3. India is secular today because
80% of its population is Hindu. In‑
dia must remain secular for the
benefit not only of India but hu‑
manity at large, especially south
and southeast Asia.
4. However, for India to remain
secular, it must not allow the exis‑
tence of theocratic states around
its borders, forcing Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Afghanistan to de‑
clare themselves to be secular na‑
tions. India should do everything
possible within its power to
achieve these goals for the sake of
humanity.
The moral essence of CAA 2019
has been long overdue, now legal‑
ly it is imperative to implement it
right now.
Dr. Narinder Kukar is
the director of
Endocrinology at a
major teaching
Hospital in New York.
He has served as
national president
and chairman, board
of trustees, of
Association of Indians
in America (AIA).

By Vibhuti Jha
Executive Director
& Board Member
Nalanda International
A s a new decade dawns upon
us it is a perfect time to re-
flect upon the events that impact-
ed us and will indicate what the
future portends in the world we
live in. We cannot predict exactly
what will happen in the decade
ahead but we can definitely assess
the future in relation to seeds that
have been sown by us. We live in a
remarkably interconnected world
and thus events no longer have an
isolated impact in sub local or a
sub-regional context. Everything
has a multilayer, multidimen-
sional impact and implications
for all of us. For once the famous
“butterfly effect” suddenly makes
much more sense now!
PM Modi has singlehandedly
restored India’s standing in the
world and instilled a sense of
pride among Indians and
Hindus the world over.
INDIA – THE
NAMO EFFECT
The year 2014 was a watershed
moment in the history of the coun-
try with Narendra Modi emerging
as its Prime Minister. India had for
long suffered from the “obesity of
corruption” when Congress party
46 January 4-17, 2020
INDIA WILL NOT BE
SERMONIZED AGAIN!
and its allies ruled the country.
It needed a multi-pronged attack
on the evil of corruption that ate
into the vitals of the country. This
fight began with determination by
implementing measures that gave
a shock to the system. People real-
ized how deep was the wound and
how sadly everybody was affected.
Businesses suffered the most since
the art of doing business itself was
impacted. Whether it was demon-
etization or GST or RERA, disci-
plining the financial and banking
system, people of India endured a
lot and benefit of this fight against
corruption will do the country a
great good.
Mr. Modi’s belief system for
transformation of India perhaps
lay in the fact that there is no such
thing as the right answer but there
is always a better answer. The
challenge of taking bold decisions
to solve seemingly intractable and
unsolvable issues became his mool
mantra. That explains how he led
the effort to integrate a seemingly
lost cause of Jammu, Kashmir and
Ladakh into the mainframe of the
country. Barring a few well-known
detractors in the Congress party,
everyone greeted the integration
of JKL whereby the cultural and
spiritual identity of Ladakh and
Jammu got established.
The recent turmoil in relation
to Citizenship Amendment Act
(CAA) showed the true colors of
those opposing it and in a pitiable
situation also showed that many
protesters were misled to riots in-
cluding demand for SPG protection
for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi!
That Hindus who are persecuted
and humiliated in Pakistan, Ban-
gladesh and Afghanistan can’t be
accommodated on a priority basis
is a sham imposed on India’s inter-
nal ability to absorb them.
PM Modi has singlehandedly
restored India’s standing in the
world and instilled a sense of
pride among Indians and Hindus
around the world. With his ag-
gressive foreign policy initiatives
and visits to the world capitals, he
created the “coalition for India” to
attend to most pressing need for
India remaining engaged in mat-
ters of global interest. With the
establishment of International
Solar Alliance he gave a modern
interpretation to Sanatan prin-
ciple “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”
as One Sun, One Earth , One Grid!
The one question Indians must
ruminate and think about is if they
want a country big and strong as
the US, China and Russia or they
LOOKING BACK & AHE AD
wish to be a Euro model steeped
in differences yet trying to call
themselves a Union! Only China
and Pakistan would be happy to
see India step into a suicidal Euro
model. That India has to contend
with a megalomaniac hate mon-
USA and UK, two traditional democracies have veered to come
together due to European extra liberal approach to terrorism.
gering neighbor ought Indians to
recognize that “Strength in Unity
and Unity is strength” must be-
come more than a story in Pan-
chatantra. Modi 2.0 has begun in
a triumphant manner with revoca-
tion of Art 370, 35A, Ram Mandir
win and CAA. Watch out for more
to come despite the new avatar of
Jaichand stabbing BJP in the back
by Uddhav Thackeray. This man
Modi is a karma yogi and he will
not be deterred by the opposition
to his pro India plans.
It appears PM Modi fully em-
braces President Kennedy’s his-
toric speech when he said “we are
not going to the moon because it
is easy, we are going because it is
so difficult to do so”. Mr. Modi is
doing things that seemed impos-
sible only recently.
USA & EUROPE
Ever since 9/11 mass murder
of Americans in Twin Tower at-
tacks and several such tragedies
in the UK by Islamic terrorists,
the two traditional democracies
have veered to come together
rather than drift away due to Eu-
ropean extra liberal approach to
terrorism. Mass migrations from
several Middle East and African
countries threaten the concept of
nation state in Europe. The entire
Western Hemisphere today lives
in uncertainty of terrorism and a
serious trust deficit with Muslims.
In the absence of any reciprocity
from the Islamic world, their “de-
mand” for all things Sharia and
halal in countries they move to,
is creating a cultural and societal
chasm and disrupting the Euro-
pean way of life.
The open real threats to con-
vert Europe to sharia laws by the
hardline fanatical groups can’t
be swept under a carpet. After
all, it’s this extreme vitriol that
drives the essential thought of
those people and their silent sup-
porters! Both US and UK leader-
ship is right of center and it is
likely that these two countries
will witness the laws of physics
play its role - the liberal embrace
of Muslims and their structures
on humanitarian grounds is pro-
ducing equally strong demand
for protecting the European way!
The clash of cultures seems in-
evitable. The Right and the Left
were never so far away.
SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY
AND RELIGION
The discovery in sciences and
seemingly impossible drifts in
technology has made tectonic
shifts in the way we live. It has
forced us to think and act in ways
we live, consume food and con-
duct ourselves, in personal lives
and social settings. Old beliefs
stand bare under the onslaughts
of evidence of science and technol-
ogy that is decimating the “differ-
ences” that forced us to live the
way we were. News travels instan-
taneously including fake news!
Almost everyone can become a
news maker, editor, producer and
presenter of his/her points of view.
Eyeballs matter. Footprints can be
easily tracked and we the people
are not untraceable anymore. That
has brought religion, as we know
it, in direct conflict with technol-
ogy and science. Our smartphones
are our new book of religion where
every information, on any subject,
is in the sanctuary of our palms!
We can access any information we
seek to know about. We can see
anything we wish to see with the
power of anonymity helping us.
We know religion thrives on
ignorance, supposed beliefs and
sheer incredulity of people. Now
we know God didn’t create reli-
gion but people did. We know that
depression, laughter, joy and hap-
piness are not a monopoly of any
one religion. We know that can-
cer, ulcer, migraine, stomach up-
set, cough and cold are universal
illnesses and the medication that
treats us has no religion written
on it! Every woman on this planet
earth takes nine months to deliver
a normal regular child. No one’s
God could change that schedule!
It’s time for people to question
the old beaten beliefs and accept
the universal principles of life as
the way forward. That would be
a great move for mankind as we
know it.
Happy 2020s for all.
Vibhuti Jha is an acclaimed
banker and entrepreneur.
He is active in media as a
commentator on various
platforms, providing insights
on the political, economic and
technology issues that chal-
lenge us in the world, with a
focus on India and the US.
 48
Top 10 India news in 2019
India hits Balakot,
Abhinandan
returns home
India responded to the tragic Pulwama
terror attack with Balakot airstrikes on
February 26. Indian fighter jets crossed the
Line of Control (LoC) to destroy the biggest
JeM terror camp in Balakot, Khyber
Pakhtoonkhwa in Pakistan‑occupied Kash‑
mir. The operation eliminated a large num‑
ber of JeM terrorists and senior command‑
ers.
IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan
Varthaman was captured and held by Pak‑
istan after his MiG‑21 was shot down by
Pakistani fighter jets on February 27. Fol‑
lowing increasing global pressure to abide
by the Geneva Convention, Pakistan re‑
leased Abhinandan at the Wagah border on
March 1.
Article 370
scrapped, Kashmir
bifurcated
The Parliament approved a resolution ab‑
rogating Article 370 for Jammu and Kash‑
mir and passed a bill to bifurcate the State
into two Union Territories ‑ Ladakh and
Jammu and Kashmir. This move by the
Centre led to heightened tensions between
India and Pakistan, with the latter raising
this issue in many international forums in‑
cluding the UN. Kashmir was under grid‑
lock for several days, and prominent sepa‑
ratist leaders remained under house arrest
for days. With the removal of Article 35A,
people from other states will now be able
to buy land in J&K.
January 4-17, 2020
From Balakot strike to scrapping Article 370 in Kashmir,
India under the Narendra Modi government was never
short of news that made global headlines.
Build Ram temple
at disputed
Ayodhya site: SC
In a historic verdict, the Supreme Court
upheld the claim that Ram Janmbhoomi‑
Babri Masjid site is the birthplace of Ram
and mandated that the whole of the dis‑
puted Ayodhya land should be given to the
Hindus for the construction of a Ram Tem‑
ple. The court directed the centre and state
government to allot 5 acres of alternate
land to the Sunni Waqf Board for the con‑
struction of the mosque. A trust has been
mandated to be set up to oversee the con‑
struction of the Ram temple. Nirmohi
Akhara has been allowed representation on
the trustʼs board.
CAA-NRC protests
put nation on
the boil
The Citizenship Amendment Act protests,
also known as the CAA and NRC protests,
put nation under a gridlock. The Amend‑
ment benefits Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist,
Christian and Parsi refugees from
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who
sought refuge in India before 2015; the
Amendment leaves out Muslims and others
from these countries, as well as Tamil
refugees from Sri Lanka, Rohingyas from
Myanmar, and Buddhist refugees from Ti‑
bet.
The protests began in Assam, Delhi,
Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripu‑
ra on December 4. In a few days, the
protests spread across India, especially in
and around major universities of national
importance.
Triple Talaq bill
becomes a law
The Triple Talaq Bill became a law on
July 31, 2019, after it received presidential
assent. The Muslim Women (Protection of
Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 was passed
in the Rajya Sabha through a landmark
vote with 99 in favour and 84 against. The
bill aims to criminalise divorce among Mus‑
lims by simply stating talaq three times. It
makes instant triple talaq punishable with
a jail term of 3 years.
INDIA ROUNDUP
BJP wins 303
seats in Lok Sabha
elections
Any election in India is grand in scale, but
the 2019 general election was one of the
biggest polling exercise in the world. The
seven‑phase extravaganza started on April
11 and ended on May 19. The counting of
votes took place on May 23. Over 10.35
lakh polling stations were established and
about 17.4 lakh Verifiable Voter Paper Au‑
dit Trail machines, including those kept in
reserve, were used in this election.
The BJP won 303 seats in the newly con‑
stituted 17th Lok Sabha, and the NDA got
353 seats. With this massive majority,
Narendra Modi won his second term in of‑
fice.
Chandrayaan 2
a success but
lander a failure
Chandrayaan 2, Indiaʼs second lunar mis‑
sion, was launched on July 22. It was sched‑
uled to be launched on July 15, but it was
aborted 56 minutes before lift‑off due to a
technical snag. The mission was successful,
but it could not achieve one aspect ‑‑ to
land its lander (Vikram) on the moon.
Vikram carried the rover (Pragyan),
which was expected to carry out various ex‑
periments on the moon's surface. On De‑
cember 3, NASA confirmed that its satellite
had found the debris of Vikram lander.
Assembly elections
put BJP on the
tenterhooks
Seven states went to elections this year.
In Andhra Pradesh, YSR Congress Partyʼs
YS Jagammohan Reddy routed Telugu De‑
sam Partyʼs N Chandrababu Reddy in the
elections which was held in April this year.
The month also saw elections in Arunachal
Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand
went to elections in the October and No‑
vember. BJP failed to retain power in two of
these states, despite performing well in the
elections.
In Maharashtra, the BJP was blindsided
by long‑time ally Shiv Sena, who broke
their pre‑poll alliance and formed the gov‑
ernment with the NCP and the Congress.
The BJP (105)‑Shiv Sena (56) alliance col‑
lapsed because they couldn't agree on one
key aspect: who will be the chief minister of
the state.
In Jharkhand, the BJP won only 22 seats,
while JMM emerged as the single largest
party, with 29 seats. The Congress won 15
seats. JMM‑Congress and the RJD has a
pre‑poll alliance, and they formed the gov‑
ernment under Hemant Soren.
PM Kisan Yojana a
hit among farmers
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nid‑
hi or PM Kisan, as it is popularly known, is
a scheme launched by PM Narendra Modi
on February 24 to provide additional in‑
come to small and marginal farmers. It pro‑
vides eligible farmers a total sum of Rs
6,000 in a year. This amount is paid in
three installments of Rs 2,000 each.
Though, the PM Kisan scheme was envi‑
sioned to address the issues faced by farm‑
ers, it has been criticized for not addressing
the problems of landless farmers and farm
laborers.
SC refers Sabari-
mala review pleas
to 7-judge bench
The Sabarimala review petitions were re‑
ferred to a larger seven‑judge bench by the
Supreme Court in November. The SC bench,
which gave the ruling was divided in its
opinion, as two judges felt that when a
judgment is declared, it is final and binds
all. The petitions were filed against the
Supreme Courtʼs landmark judgement of
September 2018, when it allowed women
of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple
in Kerala. The petitioners argue that the
right top worship has to be exercised keep‑
ing in mind the nature of the deity.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020
 50 January 4-17, 2020 INDIA ROUNDUP TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Top 5 Indian diplomacy news in 2019

It was an action‐packed year on the foreign policy front for the
Narendra Modi government and the country took a few more strides
in its journey towards becoming an influential player in world politics.
India-Pakistan While Pakistan has maintained that it arrested Jadhav in
2016 due to alleged espionage activities, India refuted the

diplomatic duel at FATF claim and said that the former Navy officer was kidnapped
from Iran. He was awarded the death sentence by a Pak‑
istani military court in 2017.
Even as India celebrated the verdict, Pakistan said it
would proceed as per the law. India got consular access to
Jadhav only in the first week of September.
While Pakistan ruled out any deal with India to ensure
Jadhav's release, reports emerged that the Imran Khan
government may amend the Army Act to allow the Indian
prisoner to appeal against his death sentence in a civilian
court.

The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering
or FATF became the next stage of the India‑Pakistan duel.
Immediately after the Pulwama terror attack, India ap‑
proached the anti‑terror watchdog to keep its neighbor on
the 'Black List'. The Imran government, in order to save its
skin, allegedly registered fake and weak FIRs in July
against terror groups operating from its soil.
While the Imran Khan government submitted its action
plans against terror groups to FATF during August, Sep‑
tember and October, it didn't help matters as the anti‑ter‑
ror watchdog's Asia Pacific Joint Group first put Pakistan
on the 'Enhanced Expedited Follow Up List' on 23rd August
and then the country was kept in the 'Grey List' till Febru‑
ary 2020 and was told to complete its full action plan
against the terror groups operating from its soil by that
timeframe.
The FATF has again sought more clarifications and data
from Pakistan on actions taken by it against madrassas be‑
longing to the banned terror outfits. At least 150 questions
were posed in response to a Pakistani government report
comprising answers to 22 questions to the FATF, submit‑
ted on December 6.
Big win for India on
Kulbhushan Jadhav
On July 17, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) di‑
rected Pakistan to review the death sentence awarded to
former Navy of ficer Kulbhushan Jadhav and grant him
consular access. The court also nullified the death sen‑
tence given to Jadhav and said that Pakistan informing In‑
dia about the former Navy officer's arrest only after three
weeks was a clear violation of the Vienna Convention. The
court pointed out that Pakistan also deprived India of the
right to communicate with Jadhav and arrange for his le‑
gal representation.
Kartarpur Corridor
brings joy for Sikh
community
On November 9, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the
Kartarpur Corridor, the link between Sikhism founder
Guru Nanak Dev's final resting place Gurdwara Darbar
Sahib in Pakistan and the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Pun‑
jab's Gurdaspur. While he thanked Imran for ensuring the
timely completion of the pilgrimage project, Congress
leaders Navjot Singh Sidhu and Manmohan Singh hoped
that the corridor would forge better ties between the
neighbors.
Pakistan, however, chose to politicize the occasion. Dur‑
ing the corridor launch on the Pakistan side, Imran again
raked up the Kashmir issue, while Foreign Minister Shah
Mehmood Qureshi joined the bandwagon by criticising the
Indian Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict (in which the
court paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple
at the disputed site at Ayodhya and directed the Modi gov‑
ernment to allot a five‑acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board
for building a mosque) which also came out on November
9.
Modi hosts Xi Jinping
at Mahabalipuram
India and China held their second informal summit dur‑
ing October 10‑11 in Tamil Nadu's coastal town of Maha‑
balipuram. PM Modi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jin‑
ping held a series of talks on a range of issues to strength‑
en the bilateral relationship. Both the leaders agreed to in‑
crease bilateral engagement in the defence and security
spheres.
Xi also assured Modi that China will be taking measures
to check the increasing bilateral trade deficit, apart from
forming a new mechanism to discuss trade, investment and
services at an 'elevated level'. The mechanism will com‑
prise Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua and Indian Fi‑
nance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
On December 21, the two countries met again for the
22nd meeting of the special representatives' summit in
New Delhi and agreed to maintain peace at the border ar‑
eas for the overall development of their bilateral ties. The
Indian side was led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval
and the Chinese delegation was led by Minister of Foreign
Affairs Wang Yi.
On the economic front though, the two countries faced a
roadblock in the form of the RCEP (Regional Comprehen‑
sive Economic Partnership) as India, in November, decided
not to join the China‑backed economic grouping, saying
that the proposed trade deal would have an adverse impact
on the lives and livelihoods of Indians.
Kalapani creates a rift
in India-Nepal ties
During the first week of November, India issued its new
political map after the bifurcation of J&K into two Union
Territories. It quickly became a center of controversy as
the Kalapani area, situated in Nepal's far West, appeared
as part of Indian territory.
As per media reports, Kalapani, located in Nepal's
Darchula district, was shown inside Uttarakhand's Pithor‑
agarh, going by the Indian map.
Nepal lodged a strong protest, with its PM K P Sharma
Oli saying that he would ask India to withdraw its forces
from Kalapani, apart from asserting that his government
would not allow anyone to encroach on Nepalese
territory.
However, on December 30, Nepal Foreign Minister
Pradeep Gyawali said that his government would look to
solve the issue diplomatically, adding that he had sought
dates from India for a meeting. India has so far maintained
that the new map accurately depicts its sovereign territo‑
ry and it had in no manner revised its boundary
with Nepal.

By Navneet Munot
Chief Investment Officer
SBI Funds Management
PVT Ltd, Mumbai
L
ike every year, there were
several contenders for Per‑
son of the Year. The planet
recorded its highest ever temper‑
ature and the highest decibels on
climate change. Greta Thunberg,
the young Rebellion against
mankindʼs Extinction was a
strong candidate. How Dare We
let the Amazon burn, Venetian al‑
leys flood, Australian bushfires
rage and Delhi choke? Odds of a
catastrophe may not be Evened by
retiring cars, moving the COP 25
from Chile to Madrid or by chang‑
ing capitals (Jakarta to Kaliman‑
tan).
There are a few good signs –
EUʼs push for a circular economy,
democratic candidatesʼ green new
deal, the rise of green parties and
innovations funded by the likes of
Bill Gates. Christine Lagarde gets
full marks for joining Mark Car‑
ney in making green finance a
central agenda for central banks.
For lasting change, we must stop
flying private jets to inconclusive
Climate conferences. As Yoda
says, Do or Do not, there is no try.
ʻChernobylʼ was the highest rated
TV show, hope the climate story
doesnʼt end like that.
Carrie Lam must be lamenting
the cost of extradition bill. Hong
Kongers are honking loudly, tear
gas canʼt tear apart their Victori‑
an determination. Dealing with
these bulls in China shop may put
Jinping in a soup. Events in Hong
Kong will have repercussion on
Taiwan, Tibet and the mainland.
China is dealing with a slowing
economy, ageing population,
leveraged system, tarif f troubles
and deteriorating international
relations. But, make no mistake,
China is an 800‑pound gritty Go‑
rilla as nimble as a Gazelle with
ambitions taller than its Great
Wall.
Ukraine chose a young comedi‑
an as President. Nancy Pelosi pelt‑
ed Trump for biding with him to
stall Joe Bidenʼs bid. President got
a Hunter of impeachment.
Trumpʼs tweets kept markets on
tenterhooks. Mocking the Canadi‑
an president or UK Ambassador,
leaving Syrian Kurds or the Paris
agreement, picking a fight with
Jerome Powell or Jeff Bezos, deal‑
ing with Government shutdown
or China, he may look like playing
Birdbox challenge, but Don has
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
‘Capitalism with Conscience’
is my Person of the Year
his dongles dialed to the 2020
elections. Democratic Avengers
are searching for their Captain
America.
Tiger Woodsʼ resurrection was
as ʻbreathtakingʼ as Keanu Reeveʼs
Renaissance. Rafael and Djokovic
aced the court. Messi dribbled
with Balls of fame.
Paris saw fumes from Notre‑
Dame on one side and yellow
vests coming out on streets. De‑
spite his falling popularity, my
macro bet is still on Macron. His
manual seems right for Europe.
US Scientists revived brain cells of
a dead Pig, he can do that with
NATO. Multilateralism has been
on the wane, we need leaders who
are sane.
Boris bore the brunt of judges
for bypassing Westminster and
boxing his way into a no‑bargain
Brexit. Now, he is back with a
bang in Downing Street, Labor is
broken under Corbynʼs feet. UK
has entrusted this hairy Tory but
negotiation with EU and SNP may
not be so hunky dory. Baby Archie
brought Pounds of luck, Britain
won cricket world cup.
Jokowi is back in Jakarta while
Rajapaksa Dynasty will run the
Ceylon tea party.
Despite hazy clouds, equity mar‑
kets kept dancing like BTS and in‑
dices rose like their followers.
Commodities are entering the
party. Greece and Italy issued bills
at negative yields. Forget bulls
and bears, even PIIGS made mon‑
ey. Lenders paying bond issuer,
what a bonding orchestrated by
central banks. Inverted yield
curve subverted Fedʼs agenda.
Japanification of developed world
can create risks for pension funds.
Hangover of excessive debt is be‑
ing treated by more monetary al‑
cohol. In a savings glut world, fis‑
cal policy (promoting capex) must
take the reins. Building a sustain‑
able economy with new Infra‑
structure can cure several social
ANALYSIS
and economic ills. I wish Keynes
was around.
I thought of John Bogle, the
Ironman of capital markets, for
being at the Vanguard of democ‑
ratizing equity ownership. Paul
Volcker, the crusader at US Fed
and the paragon of public service,
will always “rule” American
hearts.
Ranting investors demitted
founder Neumann from We‑
Workʼs of fice. SoftBank had a
hard time while Uber and Lyft had
a tough ride on bourses.
Satya Nadella reached Cloud
nine with Microsoft making a tril‑
lion‑dollar Power‑point while Tim
has Cooked an equally large Ap‑
ple pie. Google founders had their
best moonshot in Sundar Pichai.
Can he Doodle the next trillion
With wit and
rhyme and keen
understanding of
geopolitics and
the arena of
business and
finance, the
author looks at
the events and
personalities of
the year gone by
to assert what our
world needs.
dollar Alphabet. You bet. Libra
didnʼt find currency with regula‑
tors. Mark my words, public
wrath on data privacy issues will
continue. Coordination among
scientists brought first images of
black holes. Tides of de‑globaliza‑
tion and cyber risks are dark mat‑
ters. Ask Jack Dorsey.
Boeing facing turbulent weath‑
er deplaned its CEO. United Tech‑
nologies is uniting with Raytheon.
BMS‑Celgene and Abbvie‑Allergen
will create new bio‑concoctions.
Philip Morrisʼs proposed mar‑
riage with Altria went in smoke
while LVMH ringed Tiffany. What
a Juul!
MBS & Co saw Yemeni drones
hitting their wells and ESG‑infect‑
ed investors not taking Aramco
well. Oil apart, Middle east re‑
mains one of the boiling flash‑
points. Will Smith sings rightly in
Aladdin ‑ Arabian nights like Ara‑
bian days are hotter than hot.
Texas – a promising oil‑field was
chosen by Howdy Modi to drill a
well of partnership. Rafale jets
backfired on Rahul in election
WAR as BHARAT voted with Josh
‑ Phir Ek Baar, Chowkidaar. India
January 4-17, 2020
lost stalwarts like Jaitley and
Sushma. Netflix bid adieu to Game
of Thrones. The ultimate Power
(Pawar) game was played in Ma‑
harashtra. Legislators shuttled
like PV Sindhu. Letʼs do 370
prayers and work with an Inner‑
net to build a peaceful, pragmatic
and prosperous India.
The Indian economy needs the
boldness and precision of a surgi‑
cal strike. Rate cuts, liquidity and
now operation Twist, RBI is show‑
ing its fist to take the economy
out of mist. My wish for financial
system ‑ May the Shakti be with
you. A lot that others need to do
what Das Kanʼt do. Corporate tax
cut makes the cut. RCEP or no‑
RCEP, Indian businesses should
build biceps of innovation and ef‑
ficiency to be future‑ready. With
the might of millions of Gully
boys, $5 trillion could be in sight.
I am sure, Apna time ayega.
Nifty axed 12000 walls of wor‑
ries. Those holding mid and small
caps lost their caps. Itʼs time for
bottom fishing. Telecomʼs trunk
call got attended. Time will reveal
whether Essar deal was a steal for
Arcelor. A big leap for bankruptcy
process for sure. Yes, stressed fi‑
nancial entities need faster reso‑
lution. Naresh Goyal lost a Jet
privilege. I sympathize with
lenders, crew and flyers. Corpo‑
rate Dewans need to perk up their
CG power (Corporate Gover‑
nance). Azim Premjiʼs bequest
touched $21 billion, I salute his
Aseem Prem for society.
I wish the barbarous mindset
that wounded us in Pulwama,
Khartoum, New Zealandʼs Christ
Church, Colombo and Congo
learns the message of universal
brotherhood from sages like Guru
Nanak and Gandhi. In a polarized
world, bereft of many true lead‑
ers, Gandhi remains the glowing
lighthouse. His advice on seven
sins are as relevant for business
leaders, especially against “com‑
merce without morality”. He re‑
mains relevant in his 150th an‑
niversary, hence a strong con‑
tender. It has been 30 winters
since Capitalism celebrated the
fall of the Berlin Wall. Many invis‑
ible walls continue to grow taller.
Listen to the loud chorus in
protests in Hong Kong, Gilets
Jaunes, Chile or Extinction Rebel‑
lion. Before we criticize our pre‑
miers, what about the wall be‑
tween those corporate moguls
who can prevent climate change
and the other earthlings who bear
the consequences. Would it be
long before the protests are at
their gates? Millennials and Gen‑
51
Z are wired dif ferently. While
buying, they care as much about
the planet and the people as
about the price and product. Mar‑
keters, rework your 4 Ps. Thank‑
fully, in 2019, the influential US
CEO roundtable turned the tables.
Their new bottom line is ‑ itʼs not
the bottom line alone that mat‑
ters. Be as particular about the
Planet and People as about Prof‑
its. Abhijit and Estherʼs “Poor Eco‑
nomics” may help companies do
as much for sustainable value cre‑
ation as review of “Project Eco‑
nomics”. Investors are future
proofing their portfolios with ESG
(Environmental, Social & Gover‑
nance) screeners. Sustainable in‑
vesting crossed $30 trillion and
counting. Gen‑Z will hasten this
transition. What their money does
is as important to them as what it
earns. Investing bulls of tomor‑
row will charge at Green‑Bonding,
Community‑Binding and Values‑
Abiding businesses. The glowing
story of human prosperity has
been written with the invigorating
ink of capitalism; communism and
socialism were too dull for that.
Challenges like rising inequality
and pompous populism are test‑
ing the tenacity of capitalism.
Businesses need societal permit
to operate, hence, sense of Pur‑
pose will be pivotal to earn profits
in perpetuity. Business as usual
will no longer be usual. ʻCapital‑
ism with Conscienceʼ is my Person
of the Year. Standing ovation!
Navneet.munot@sbimf.com
As CIO of SBI Funds
Management, Navneet
Munot
oversees
invest‑
ments
worth
over
$100bil‑
lion across
various
asset
classes in
mutual fund and segre‑
gated accounts. Earlier
he served as Executive
Director & Head –
multi‑strategy boutique
with Morgan Stanley
Investment
Management. Navneet is
the Chairman of Indian
Association of
Investment Professionals
and Nominee Director
on the board of SBI
Pension Funds.
 52 January 4-17, 2020 WORLD ROUND UP TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Top 5 international news of 2019

Kim Jong-un
meets Trump at
Hanoi Summit
The historic 2019 North Ko‑
rea–US Hanoi Summit, commonly
known as the Hanoi Summit, was a
two‑day summit meeting between
North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un
and US President Donald Trump in
Vietnam on February 27–28. This
was the second meeting between
the leaders, following the first
meeting in June 2018 in Singapore.
The White House announced that
From North Korean leader Kim Jong‐un meeting US President Donald Trump to Boris Johnson
returning back to rule Britain, 2019 has been a year full of tumult and uncertainties.
the summit was cut short and that
no agreement was reached. Trump
later elaborated that it was because
North Korea wanted an end to all
sanctions. Jong‑un also visited Rus‑
sia for a summit with President
Vladimir Putin and other leaders of
the nation.
Boris Johnson
back as UK PM,
Brexit closer
After Theresa May resigned in
June, Boris Johnson was elected
Conservative leader and appointed
Prime Minister of the UK. In August,
Johnson controversially advised
Queen Elizabeth II to prorogue Par‑
liament from September 10‑Octo‑
ber 14 but this action was unani‑
mously ruled to be unlawful and of
no effect by the Supreme Court.
Subsequently, in a snap general
election in December 2019, John‑
son led the Conservative Party to
their biggest victory since 1987.
The UK is scheduled to leave the Eu‑
ropean Union on 31 January 2020.
Christchurch
terror attacks
stun the world
Terror attacks killed 50 in New
Zealand after a gunman opened fire
at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood
Islamic Center in Christchurch. The
assailant, later identified as Aus‑
tralian citizen Brenton Harrison
Tarrant, was arrested and charged
with murder. Prime Minister Jacin‑
da Ardern described the attacks as
"one of New Zealand's darkest
days," and the country passed a
sweeping ban on semi‑automatics
and assault rifles six days later.
WikiLeaks’ Julian
Assange is
arrested, finally
After seven years of taking refuge
in the Ecuadorian Embassy in Lon‑
don, England, the WikiLeaks co‑
founder Julian Assange was arrest‑
ed after he was found guilty of fail‑
ing to surrender to the court. He
also faces federal conspiracy
charges in the US for leaks of gov‑
ernment secrets. Presently, extradi‑
tion hearings are going on against
Assange in the British courts.
Hong Kong
uprising against
extradition bill
Nearly 1.03 million people at‑
tended a march in Hong Kong
protesting a proposed legislation
that allows extradition of individu‑
als, including foreign nationals, to
mainland China to stand trial. After
the protests turned violent, Hong
Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam
announced that the bill would be in‑
definitely suspended. However,
protests have continued so as to en‑
sure the complete withdrawal of
the bill.

Top 5 subcontinent news of 2019

Bajwa: The extension
that nearly wasn’t
InGen Qamar Javed Bajwa, whose tenure
as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in Pakistan
was supposed to end in November, was set
to stay on as the army chief for the next
three years after Prime Minister Imran Khan
approved his extension in August.
In November, only days before Bajwa's re‑
tirement date, came a petition that no one
had paid any attention to. The Supreme
Court, turning down the request to withdraw
the petition, decided to hear it as a matter of
"public interest" and the same day, suspend‑
ed Bajwa's notification for the course of the
hearings.
The court finally decided to let Bajwa stay
on for another six months, but only on the
condition that the parliament would legis‑
late on the matter in that time period.
Musharraf: A case of
explosive outcomes
In a video released following the verdict to
hang him, Pervez Musharraf expressed his
gratitude to the armed forces and the people
of Pakistan for “remembering his services
for the nation”.
The high treason trial of the former mili‑
tary dictator for imposing the state of emer‑
gency on November 3, 2007, had been pend‑
ing since December 2013.
Despite the prosecution's last‑minute peti‑
tions, the court delivered a damning verdict:
Musharraf was found guilty of high treason
and sentenced to death.
For the first time in history, a former mili‑
tary chief and a former president had been
deemed a traitor. The verdict was hailed.
Whatʼs left to be seen now is whether the
judgement, the first of its kind, will hold or
not.
Nawaz Sharif's fight
and flight to London
Perhaps no other news story divided the
nation as much as in the case of convicted
and incarcerated former prime minister
Nawaz Sharif travelling abroad for medical
treatment. Evening talk shows debated ex‑
tensively whether an exception should be
made for Nawaz, who has been convicted in
two corruption cases.
The former prime minister was admitted
to the Services Hospital in October, where he
was diagnosed with an immune system dis‑
order and was recommended by doctors to
go abroad as his condition continued to de‑
teriorate despite treatment.
After much deliberation and meetings, the
government agreed to allow Nawaz to travel
abroad, with the condition that indemnity
bonds amounting to Rs7‑7.5 billion be fur‑
nished.
defeat in January 2015. Their return marks
Nawaz finally departed for the UK on No‑
the end of a fractious governing arrange‑
vember 19, launching yet another debate,
ment in the interim ̶ a cohabitation of Sri
this time on his healthy‑looking appearance.
Lankaʼs two dominant rival parties.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
elected Sri Lankan Easter Sunday
President Bombings shook Sri
Lanka
Sri Lankaʼs much anticipated presidential
election in November 2019 was won con‑ A string of powerful blasts ripped through
vincingly by Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The pres‑ three churches and as many luxury hotels
idential win is expected to boost the fortunes frequented by foreigners on Easter Sunday
of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Sri on April 21, killing more than 250 people
Lanka Peopleʼs Front), the breakaway new and injuring more than 500 others, shatter‑
political party fronted by former president ing a decade of peace in the country follow‑
Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the forthcoming par‑ ing the end of the brutal civil war with the
liamentary elections in early 2020. LTTE. The bombs tore through three five‑
Sri Lankaʼs formidable political dynasty star hotels in Colombo: the Cinnamon Grand,
which ruled the country from 2006–2014 the Shangri La and the Kingsbury.
appears to be firmly ensconced in power The ISIS later claimed the responsibility
once again, less than five years after a shock for the devastating bombings.

US and China
blow hot and
cold on trade
The US and China spent much of
the year playing 'frenemies' over
trade. Relations between the US and
China appeared to warm up in May
when vice premier and economic
adviser Liu He visited Washington
for trade talks.
China agreed to "significantly in‑
crease" its purchase of US goods to
help reduce America's trade deficit
and Treasury Secretary Steve
Mnuchin declared that the trade
war was "on hold". Days later, how‑
Top 5 tech news of 2019
Facebook to
launch its own
crypto-currency
The social media giant unveiled
plans to launch a new digital cur‑
rency, called Libra, in 2020. But
the project immediately ran into
trouble, with the head of the US
House of Representatives' Finan‑
cial Services Committee saying the
company should wait until the US
Congress had examined the proj‑
ect. Other regulators were skepti‑
cal too. It has been called "beguil‑
ing yet treacherous" by European
Central Bank official Yves Mersch
and "a shock" by Simon Potter, an
ex‑head of the New York Federal
Reserve.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg
has warned that if the US does not
get ahead of other global crypto‑
currencies, it will fall behind the
competition.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info B U S I N E S S + T E C H R O U N D U P January 4-17, 2020
Top 5 business news of 2019
The bitter US‐China trade war and the collapse of the world’s oldest travel
company were among the issues that dominated the global business agenda.
ever, it was business as usual.
Finally, US President Donald
Trump on December 31 said he will
sign the first phase of a long‑await‑
ed trade deal with China on January
15, in a move that de‑escalates the
tariff war between the worldʼs two
biggest economies.
FII flows to Indian
stocks hit record
in 2019
Foreign institutional investors
(FIIs) put money into Indian equi‑
ties in substantial volume in 2019,
and overseas investors watching
Dalal Street say that trend is likely
to continue in 2020 as well.
FIIs pumped in a net of more than
Rs 1 lakh crore in Indian stocks
during the year gone by, making it
Amazon blamed
Trump for hurting
Jeff Bezos
In a damning attack against Pres‑
ident Donald Trump, Amazon al‑
leged in its complaint ‑‑ filed
against the US government's deci‑
sion to award $10 billion Pentagon
Cloud project to the "less competi‑
tive" Microsoft ‑‑ that Trump
abused his position to put "im‑
proper pressure" on decision‑mak‑
ers for personal gains and show his
hatred towards Amazon CEO Jeff
Bezos who owns The Washington
Post.
Amazon said the US President
"launched repeated public and be‑
hind‑the‑scenes attacks" against
the company in an effort to under‑
mine its bid and hurt its founder
and CEO Bezos, "his perceived po‑
litical enemy".
Amazonʼs Cloud arm AWS lost
the prestigious JEDI (Joint Enter‑
prise Defence Infrastructure) con‑
tract to Microsoft on October 25.
The Department of Defense (DoD),
however, said that the procure‑
ment process was conducted by
seasoned procurement experts.
their best such infusion in six years.
Prior to this, they had injected a net
of Rs 1.13 lakh crore in 2013.
However, slowing economic
growth and rich stock valuations
may slow down that pace, making
investors to hunt for pockets with
better growth promise.
Boeing halts 737
MAX production
after 2 fatal
accidents
US airplane giant Boeing Compa‑
ny in December announced that it
would temporarily halt production
of the 737 MAX jets beginning in
January 2020 after American regu‑
lators ruled out flight clearance for
the globally grounded aircraft.
The US Federal Aviation Adminis‑
tration (FAA) said that it would not
approve resumption of the 737
MAX airplanes until 2020.
More than 800 jets have been
grounded worldwide since mid‑
March 2019 after investigators
found flawed flight control soft‑
ware on the 737 MAX partially re‑
sponsible for the crashes of two
MAX jets in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
IBM acquires Red
Hat for $34 billion,
Google buys Fitbit
The 108‑year old IBM in July an‑
nounced it has closed the acquisi‑
tion of Red Hat, the world''s lead‑
ing provider of enterprise open
source software solutions ‑‑ a land‑
mark move that positions IBM as
the leading Hybrid Cloud provider
and extend Red Hat''s open source
innovation to a broader range of
clients.
IBM has acquired all of the is‑
sued and outstanding common
shares of Red Hat for $190 per
share in cash, representing a total
equity value of approximately $34
billion.
Google in November announced
it is acquiring Fitbit for $2.1 bil‑
lion. The deal is expected to go
through in early 2020 following all
The two separate fatal incidents
killed a total of 346 people aboard
the ill‑fated jets in October 2018
and March 2019.
Jet Airways shut,
Air India on edge
et Airways on April 17 an‑
J
nounced the temporary suspension
of all flight services as it failed to se‑
cure interim funding to maintain
even the bare minimum operations.
The grounded Jet Airways owes
over Rs 8,000 crore to its lenders.
Besides the lenders, the airline is es‑
timated to have a total liability of
about Rs 25,000 crore which in‑
cludes dues of operational credi‑
tors. The debt‑ridden Jet Airways is
facing insolvency proceedings in
The Netherlands too.
After failing to find a bidder, the
government is working on a war
of the relevant approvals
Facial
recognition
gets stiff
opposition
San Francisco became the first
major US city to ban facial recogni‑
tion technology by local law en‑
forcement and all other city agen‑
cies. The ban was part of a bill that
restricts surveillance technologies.
The Donald Trump administra‑
tion has also set aside its proposed
plan to introduce facial scan for all
travelers entering or leaving the
US.
Microsoft President Brad Smith
said that certain uses of this tech‑
nology can increase the risk of bi‑
ased decisions and outcomes, in‑
trusions into people's privacy and
53
footing to sell Air India to a private
player. Civil Aviation Minister Hard‑
eep Singh Puri reassured employ‑
ees that the passenger carrier will
remain operational till its privatiza‑
tion process is complete.
Biggest drop in
2 decades for
auto sales in India
The Indian auto sector had a for‑
gettable year ‑ 2019 ‑ as the indus‑
try soldiered on despite one of the
worst periods. Sales for passenger
vehicles including cars, SUVs and
even two‑wheelers witnessed a ma‑
jor decline last year, dropping at its
lowest in two decades. Apart from
the economic slump in the Indian
corporate sector, financing issues,
elections and a negative buying
sentiment heavily contributed to
the auto industry sales witnessing a
nosedive in volumes last year.
Almost all established manufac‑
turers were affected by the slow‑
down, whereas the new players in‑
cluding Kia Motors and MG Motor
India managed to secure better
sales figures despite the overall
slowdown.
also encroach on democratic free‑
doms if the technology is used for
mass surveillance.
Quantum com-
puting comes out
of the shelf
Google announced in 2019 it
had completed successful experi‑
ments that led to a major develop‑
ment in quantum computing tech‑
nology.
The team at Google AI has
achieved sort of "quantum su‑
premacy" with developing such
chip ‑‑ a new 54‑qubit processor
named "Sycamore" that is com‑
prised of fast, high‑fidelity quan‑
tum logic gates in order to perform
the benchmark testing.
In one test, the team said its
quantum computer processor was
able to complete a complex mathe‑
matical problem in just 200 sec‑
onds.
Not just Google but several tech
giants like Microsoft, IBM and Intel
have joined the race to build a scal‑
able quantum computer. IBM re‑
cently unveiled its quantum com‑
puter with 53 qubits.

1. Bumrah
terrorizes
West Indies
Jasprit Bumrah produced one of
the most dominating performances
by an Indian on the Test tour of
West Indies over the last week of
August. It was fitting that the great‑
est show by an Indian pacer took
place in the West Indies, the spiri‑
tual home of fast bowling.
In the 1st Test, with the home
team needing 418 runs to win over
the last two days of the match, Bum‑
5 controversies
that dominated sports
1. Hardik and
Rahul at ‘Koffee
with Karan’ show
Featuring in an episode of Koffee
with Karan ‑ Hardik Pandya quickly
went from the rising star of Indian
cricket to facing the heat from his fan‑
base. His accomplice (KL Rahul) ‑ as
he claimed on the show itself ‑ was
dragged in for supporting Pandya too.
Thereʼs a thin line between being
cocky and disgraceful. And Pandya
well and truly crossed it. Unfortu‑
nately, the cricketer only offered a
shoddy social media apology for his
words.
2. R Ashwin
‘Mankading’
Ravichandran Ashwin, then captain
of the Kings XI Punjab, tried to dis‑
miss Jos Buttler, as he tried to run him
out even before bowling the delivery
as Buttler had left the popping crease
– “mankading”. In brief, warning a
54 January 4-17, 2020
Top 5 Indian sport moments of 2019
2019 was a year that had Indians shining on the world stage in many sports.
The Cricket World Cup and the World Championships saw some Indians holding
their own among the best of the world. Here are the top 5 such moments.
rah helped in wrapping things up
early. His haul of 5/7 led West In‑
dies to be all out for 100 in their
second innings.
A few days later, Bumrah was ter‑
rorizing the West Indies batsmen
once again. He dismissed the entire
Windies top order, with a hat‑trick
thrown in, as the home team found
themselves tottering at 22/5.
2. Satwik and
Chirag at
French Open
Not since the heady days of Lean‑
der Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi
have a menʼs pairing generated as
much excitement as Chirag Shetty
and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have
done through their giant‑killing run
in 2019. They claimed their first
Super 500 title at Thailand Open
and then reached the final of
French Open, this year.
In the final at Thailand Open, they
player is accepted by the rule book
but dismissing the player and then
ranting about the dismissal ‑ not so
much. Ashwinʼs ʻmankadingʼ incident
was a huge IPL controversy and
raised a wave among the Twitterati.
3. Russia banned
from global
sports events
The World Anti‑Doping Agency
(WADA) banned Russia for four years
from major global sporting events, in‑
cluding the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in
Qatar, over manipulation of doping
data. The suspension was handed to
Russia over falsifying data from a
dope‑testing laboratory that was
handed to WADA earlier this year as
part of the compliance reinstatement
process.
4. Nikhat Zareen
vs Mary Kom
Mary Kom beat Nikhat Zareen in
the 51‑kg final of the women's trials
for the Indian team that will travel to
China in February for the Asia/Ocea‑
nia Olympic qualifiers. In keeping
with the build up to the bout which in‑
volved both camps exchanging words
in public over several months, it was
followed by dramatic scenes at the In‑
SPORTS ROUNDUP
beat the Chinese pair of Li Jun Hui
and Liu Yu Chen. In Paris, Satwik
and Chirag defeated World No 2
pair Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra
Setiawan, going on to become the
first menʼs doubles pair from the
country to reach a Super 750 final.
3. Mirabai Chanu
creates history
Mirabai Chanu, one of Indiaʼs
most successful sportspersons over
the last few years, will probably sig‑
nify 2019 as the year she returned
from a long injury lay‑off and
breached the 200‑kg barrier. In the
World Championships in Septem‑
dira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex
in New Delhi. Kom came out on top
with a thumping 9‑1 victory over the
23‑year‑old.
5. Anushka and
Farokh Engineer in
tug of war
It was one of the most shocking
and unexpected controversies of
2019. Former Indian cricketer
Farokh Engineer made some shock‑
ing comments in a media interview,
in which he bashed the Indian selec‑
tion committee and said that he had
seen the members of the panel serv‑
ing tea to Virat Kohli's wife Anushka
Sharma during 2019 World Cup in
England. On which Anushka Sharma
hit back on the former player with a
long post on his social media ac‑
count. Anushkaʼs reaction was ap‑
plauded by many on social media
and Farokh took U‑turn on his com‑
ments later.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ber, Mirabai finally crossed the
200‑mark. Could she complete the
arc with a podium place in Tokyo
next year?
4. India vs Qatar in
FIFA World Cup
2019, despite promising a lot,
had precious little to cheer for the
Indian football fan. The FIFA World
Cup qualifier against Qatar offered
a glimpse of what could have been.
Despite playing in front of a rau‑
cous Doha crowd, India held out for
ninety minutes – with Gurpreet
Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhing‑
han playing the game of their lives.
The match ended 0‑0, as India be‑
came the only side to not lose to
Qatar in 2019.
5. PV Sindhu hits
another milestone
PV Sindhu became the first Indi‑
Indian cricket in 2019:
A moment to remember
T
here were a few defeats
during the year but most of
them were account of ex‑
perimenting, resting senior play‑
ers and giving opportunities to In‑
dian players sitting on the bench.
The most significant moment that
humbled the strong Indian cricket
side and the year's performances
was their semi‑final defeat against
New Zealand in the World Cup.
The Indian team had played ex‑
traordinarily well to head their
group in the preliminary stage,
losing only to the ultimate win‑
ners, England. Chasing a moder‑
ate total of 239 runs for victory,
India's formidable top order col‑
lapsed in just 30 minutes and was
tottering at 24 for 4 even before
the first 10 overs were bowled. In‑
dia never recovered from that
blow and their dream of winning
another World Cup faded in the
horizon. The year 2020 has the
an to win the Badminton World
Championships this year, rolling
over old foe Nozomi Okuhara 21‑7,
21‑7 in a one‑sided final.
Saina Nehwal and Prakash
Padukone – two other legends of In‑
dian badminton – had medalled at
the Worlds before, but the gold
medal had always eluded India be‑
fore Sindhuʼs taming of Okuhara.
Pullela Gopichand said Sindhuʼs
Worlds conquest sets her up for a
gold medal at Tokyo 2020. Can
Sindhu do something similarly
groundbreaking at the Olympics?
India lost
to New
Zealand in
the World
Cup's
semi‑final.
World T20 later in the year in
Australia. India will be one of the
likely tournament favorites, espe‑
cially as they have two of the best
T20 batsmen in Rohit Sharma and
Virat Kohli as well as three of the
top pace bowlers in Jasprit Bum‑
rah, Mohammed Shami and Bhu‑
vneshwar Kumar. At present, the
likely Indian T20 team will com‑
prise of a majority of the players
who were part of their World Cup
2019 side. The IPL (Indian Pre‑
mier League) will play an impor‑
tant part in the final composition
of the Indian T20 side, but playing
for a franchise is completely dif‑
ferent from when one wears the
Indian colors.
With more than a billion people
following every step of the teams'
progress and the added responsi‑
bility of playing for the nation, the
pressures are as different as chalk
and cheese.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020
 56 January 4-17, 2020 NATIONAL SPOT NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Mukesh Modi is Hum

Hindustani Personality
of the Year 2019
Hicksville, NY: In their New year special is‑ successful entrepreneur ‑‑ running Yash Im‑
sue, the only Hindi newspaper in New York ports, a garment business from Hicksville –
‑ Hum Hindustani has presented upcoming he has become ubiquitous in the communi‑
community leader Mukesh Modi as their ty affairs in the last few years. He is cur‑
Personality of the Year 2019. rently President of the Rotary Club of
Said Jay Jasbir Singh, Editor in Chief and Hicksville South. As President of IDP USA,
Publisher of Hum Hindustani: “Mukesh he will lead the annual India Day Parade in
Modi was earlier our Personality of the year 2020 in Hicksville, Long Island. He has
Week, and this year while considering oth‑ also been contributing generously to vari‑
er eminent contenders, Mr. Modi was se‑ ous charities like coat drive and school bags
lected on the basis of his outstanding lead‑ for kids through Rotary Club. But many
ership, philanthropic work, his success in were surprised by his Hollywood debut as
business, his involvement in local adminis‑ writer, producer and director. Said Modi,
tration and now his project in Hollywood.” about his movie ʻThe Elevatorʼ, “It is a fami‑
Mukesh Modi is a man of many parts. A ly drama based on real life events, where
one family man with three kids and wife
meets a tragedy in an elevator.”
Mukesh Modi is decorated with many ac‑
colades from local government and many
community organizations. He was also rec‑
ognized as Bharat Gaurav at United Nations
by Yuva Sanskriti Sansthan.
Mukesh Modi has served many organiza‑
tions, including Indian Association of Long
Island, in various positions. He is also a
founder of AAA, Agrawal Association of Mukesh Modi lives in Jericho with his wife
America. He also holds an annual charita‑ Sudha, and two sons Yash and Dhruv. Yash
ble medical camp in his native town Jhun‑ is pursuing his undergraduate in economics
jhunu, Rajasthan helping hundreds of pa‑ and business at Vanderbilt University, Mem‑
tients for their healthcare needs. phis. Dhruv is in Jericho High School.

Indian Americans in LI meet to support CAA

Special to The South
Asian Times
Hicksville, NY: Speaker after
speaker at a meeting here on Dec
28 defended Indiaʼs new Citizen‑
ship Amendment Act (CAA), saying
it welcomes all persecuted minori‑
ties from neighboring Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Jagdish Sewhani, president of
the American India Public Affairs
Committee that organized the
meeting at Arya Samaj of Long Is‑
land, said, “Weʼve gathered here to
say a big Thank You to Prime Min‑
ister Modi and Home Minister
Amit Shah for their bold decision
on CAA.”
Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, a prominent
Kashmiri Pandit (one of 7,000‑
8,000 of the community in the
icans and want to know what is
happening out there (in Pakistan).”
Urmilesh Arya opined that the
CAA doesnʼt discriminate against
Indian Muslims, adding, PM Modi
“is interested in developing all sec‑
tions of the population.”
Dr. Narinder Kukar said that In‑
dia has remained secular because
the country is over 80% Hindu.
Appen Menon, a noted attorney,
said the act clearly states that In‑
dian citizenship is offered to reli‑
giously persecuted minorities
Jyoti Gupta, Charan Singh Gulati, Dr Nirmal Mattoo, Jagdish Sewhani, from the three countries who en‑
Appen Menon, Diyal Singh Vohra; (standing) Sudesh Mukhi, tered India before December 31,
Mulchand Chugh, Kamal Gupta, Narinder Kukar, Gobind Bathija, 2014.
Samir Sarkar, Ashok Vyas.
Though Jawaharlal Nehru want‑
US), clarified that CAA was neither blasphemy law, the physician not‑ ed to chalk out a refugee policy for
against persecuted minorities ed that India has remained secular the country, he never did it. Man‑
from neighbors nor favored them. and democratic since independ‑ mohan Singh, as the opposition
Pointing out that Pakistan has a ence. “Weʼre here as Indian‑Amer‑ leader in the Rajya Sabha, de‑
manded it, but never took up the
issue when he became PM. The
numbers of Hindus in Pakistan
and Bangladesh have “drastically
fallen as the rulers there either
killed or converted them or forced
them to flee,” Menon pointed out.
Kamlesh Mehta, Chairman of The
South Asian Times, strongly sup‑
ported the CAA, adding there
should also be a uniform civil code
in India. Mentioning the scrapping
of Article 370 by the BJP led gov‑
ernment, Sewhani appealed to the
gathering of about 100 prominent
Indian Americans, “Letʼs support
Narendrabhai Modi and bring
back the lost glory of the country.”
Others who spoke at the meet‑
ing included B.R. Patil, Samir
Sarkar, Ashok Vyas, Sunil Hali, Vi‑
jaypal Arya and Deepak Nandi.

Prof. Joseph M. Chalil to chair Publishing legend Sonny Mehta passes away
IAPC board of directors
New York, NY: Prof.
Joseph M. Chalil, MD,
MBA, FACHE, co‑
founder and publisher
of The Universal News
Network, has been se‑
lected to be the Chair‑
man, Board of Direc‑
tors of Indo‑American
Press Club (IAPC), the largest ethnic In‑
dian American media forum, formed to
provide a common platform and to be
the voice for media personnel of Indian
origin, and to help shape the world to be
world that is fair, just and equitable for
the all today and future generations.
Dr. Chalil, an author of several scien‑
tific and research papers in internation‑
al publications, is the Chairman of
Healthcare Advisory Board and an Ad‑
junct Professor at H. Wayne Huizenga
College of Business and Entrepreneur‑
ship, Nova Southeastern
University in Florida and
a member of the Dr. Kiran
C. Patel College of Allo‑
pathic Medicine (NSU
MD) Executive Leader‑
ship Council, in Florida.
Formerly, a Physician
Executive at Boehringer
Ingelheim and a veteran of the U.S. Navy
Medical Corps, Dr. Chalil is board certi‑
fied in healthcare management and has
been awarded Fellowship by the Ameri‑
can College of Healthcare Executives, an
international professional society of
more than 40,000 healthcare executives
who lead hospitals, healthcare systems
and other healthcare organizations.
Dr. Chalil is also the Chairman of Glob‑
al Clinical Research and Trial Network of
the American Association of Physicians
of Indian Origin (AAPI).
New Delhi: A legend at Alfred A.
Knopf, where he was only its
third editor‑in‑chief in its over
100‑year history and which he
considered the "best job in the
world", winner of lifetime
achievement awards for publish‑
ing in India, the US and Britain,
named Person of the Year by
Publishers Weekly, and the
brother‑in‑law of Odisha Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik, whose
sister Gita Mehta he was married
to, Sonny Mehta died in New
York on Dec 31st. He was 77.
The son of Amrik Singh Mehta,
one of independent India's first
diplomats, Sonny Mehta was ed‑
ucated at the Lawrence School
Sanawar and Sevenoaks School
in Britain, where he won a schol‑
arship to Cambridge University,
acquiring degrees in History and
English Literature while also ed‑
Sonny Mehta headed
publishing house Knopf
Doubleday
iting the Granta magazine.
Beginning his career in 1965
in London with editor and pub‑
lisher Rupert Hart‑Davis, Mehta
moved to Granada Publishing in
1966 to co‑found a new publish‑
ing house, Paladin. There, he
commissioned books such as
Germaine Greer's "The Female
Eunuch" and opened up British
readers to American writers with
books like Hunter Thompson's
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"
that set in motion a genre known
as gonjo journalism ‑ written
without claims of objectivity.
Moving to Pan Macmillan in
1972, he published writers like
Jackie Collins and Douglas
Adams who went on to become
household names. At Pan, he also
relaunched the Picador imprint
and published a clutch of Booker
Prize winners, among them
Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan,
Edmund White, Julian Barnes
and Graham Swift.
In 1987 Mehta moved from
London to New York to head Al‑
fred A. Knopf as President and
Editor‑in‑Chief, being hand‑
picked by his predecessor,
Robert Gottlieb. He later became
the Chairman of the Knopf Dou‑
bleday Publishing Group.
(IANS)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020

Locations in New York:

East Meadow Hicksville Poughkeepsie
Flushing Manhattan Scarsdale
Forest Hills New Hyde Park Valley Stream

New Delhi: Unprecedented vio‑
lence was seen in the Jawaharlal
Nehru University recently as sev‑
eral masked individuals, both male
and female, thrashed students, in‑
cluding girls, and teachers inside
the campus with wooden and met‑
al rods, injuring many.
While the number of the injured
in the various clashes which oc‑
curred through the day was not
yet known, at least 20 students
were admitted to the AIIMS with
severe injuries following the
evening clash.
They included two office‑bear‑
ers of the Jawaharal Nehru Uni‑
versity Students Union (JNUSU),
including President Aishe Ghosh ‑
who was reportedly hit over the
eye with an iron rod, received se‑
Delhi goes to
polls on Feb 8,
counting on Feb 11
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
New Delhi: The 70‑member Delhi
Assembly will go to the polls in a
single phase on February 8, while
the counting of votes will
take place on February 11, the
Election Commission said, adding
that the model code of conduct
has come into play with immedi‑
ate effect.
Announcing the poll schedule,
Chief Election Commissioner
Sunil Arora said the poll panel is
committed to hold free, fair and
transparent elections to the Delhi
Assembly before the cessation of
the legislative assembly which is
to expire on February 22.
The Arvind Kejriwal‑led Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) government
58 January 4-17, 2020
Violence sweeps JNU campus;
many students, teachers injured
Securitymen outside the JNU campus.
vere injuries. "I have been brutally
beaten up by masked people. I
don't know who they were," Ghosh
said as she broke into tears while
blood flowed profusely from her
head.
JNUSU Vice President Saket
Moon accused the RSS‑affiliated
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
of leading the attack, which was
bolstered by outsiders.
came to power in Delhi in Febru‑
ary 2015, sweeping 67 of the 70
Assembly seats.
The national poll watchdog has
also published the final electoral
list, informing that 1,47,03,692
electors are eligible to cast their
franchise in the Delhi elections to
decide the fate of candidates of
AAP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
and Congress ‑‑ the three key par‑
ties in the fray.
The date of notification is Janu‑
ary 14, while January 21 will be
the last date of filing nominations.
There are 13,750 polling sta‑
tions in Delhi, a 16.89 per cent in‑
crease over the 11,763 polling
stations in 2015.
INDIA SPOT NEWS
A girl student recounted those
moments in tears: "I was in the
room and I heard loud noises and
I saw many girls coming. I asked
everyone to lock their rooms. We
were in terror. While I was trying
to take a video clip, they hit me
with a stone."
According to intelligence reports
and students, the genesis of the
clashes began in the confrontation
Nirbhaya rapists to hang
on Jan 22: Court
New Delhi: A Delhi court issued death
warrants against all four convicts in
the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and
murder case with the convicts to be
hanged on January 22.
Patiala House Court Additional Ses‑
sions Judge Satish Kumar Arora while
issuing the death warrants directed
the convicts to be hanged on January
22 at 7 a.m. at Delhi's Tihar Jail.
The four convicts are Pawan Gupta,
Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma and Ak‑
shay Thakur. The convicts' lawyers
5% GDP growth as per
advance estimates: India
New Delhi: The growth in real GDP
during 2019‑20 is estimated at 5 per
cent as compared to the growth rate
of 6.8 per cent in 2018‑19, the gov‑
ernment said.
The figures show massive drop in
growth rates following deceleration
in the key sectors of industry and core
sectors and now presage an 11‑year
drop in GDP growth. In Q2, the
growth had dropped to 4.5 per cent.
"The Real GDP or GDP at Constant
Prices (2011‑12) in the year 2019‑20
is likely to attain a level of Rs 147.79
lakh crore, as against the Provisional
Estimate of GDP for the year 2018‑19
of Rs 140.78 lakh crore, released on
31st May 2019. The growth in real
GDP during 2019‑20 is estimated at
5 per cent as compared to the growth
rate of 6.8 per cent in 2018‑19," the
Statistics & Programme Implementa‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Deepika fails to make
'Chhapaak' on JNU campus
Even as Bollywood actor
Deepika Padukone visited JNU
to show solidarity with students,
the JNUSU president was un‑
moved and targeted the actor
for not speaking at the meet.
"When you are in a position
between students seeking to stall
the semester registration process
as part of their agitation against
the hostel fees hike and groups op‑
posing them. Members of the ear‑
lier group were allegedly behind
the disruption of the varsity's Wifi
network.
While eyewitnesses maintained
that the flare‑up could have been
averted if the police had taken ac‑
have said that they will move a cura‑
tive petition in the Supreme Court.
The convicts can also submit a mer‑
cy petition to the President.
A 23‑year‑old woman was brutally
gangraped and tortured on December
16, 2012, which led to her death. Six
accused were arrested and charged
with sexual assault and murder. One
of the accused was a minor and ap‑
peared before a juvenile justice court,
while another accused committed sui‑
cide in Tihar Jail.
The slump in GDP is the lowest
since the 2008 economic crisis.
tion Ministry said.
The National Statistical Office
(NSO), under the ministry, released
the First Advance Estimates of Na‑
tional Income at both Constant
(2011‑12) and Current Prices, for the
financial year 2019‑20, along with
the corresponding estimates of ex‑
penditure components of the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP).
Real GVA (Gross Value Addition) at
Basic Prices is estimated to increase
you should speak up," JNUSU
President Aishe Ghosh said after
the actor left without address‑
ing the meet. Deepika met
Ghosh who received injuries.
She didn't address the meeting
and left after an hour.
tion on time, Special Commission‑
er of Police, R.S. Krishnaiah said
that the police entered the campus
only on the varsity administra‑
tion's request following the clash.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
ordered the Delhi Police Commis‑
sioner Amulya Patnaik to take all
necessary action to control the sit‑
uation in the campus. He also or‑
dered an inquiry.
Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi
happy with the verdict.
from Rs 129.07 lakh crore in 2018‑
19 to Rs 135.40 lakh crore in 2019‑
20. Estimated growth of real GVA in
2019‑20 is 4.9 per cent as against 6.6
per cent in 2018‑19.
The sectors, which registered a
growth rate of over 4.9 percent, are,
'Electricity, Gas, Water Supply and
Other Utility Services', 'Trade, Hotels,
Transport, Communication and Serv‑
ices related to Broadcasting', 'Finan‑
cial, Real Estate and Professional
Services' and 'Public Administration,
Defense and Other Services' at 5.4 per
cent, 5.9 per cent, 6.4 per cent, and
9.1 per cent respectively.
The growth in the 'Agriculture,
Forestry and Fishing', 'Mining and
Quarrying', 'Manufacturing' and 'Con‑
struction' is estimated to be 2.8 per
cent, 1.5 per cent, 2 per cent and 3.2
percent, respectively.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020
 60 January 4-17, 2020 US-INTERNATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump backs down on

New York: An internationally isolated
US President Donald Trump on
Wednesday backed down on immedi‑
ate retaliation against Iran for its at‑
tacks on American bases and ap‑
pealed to Western leaders to join his
campaign against Tehran. While af‑
firming that the US kept its options,
he seemed to be taking a way out of
imminent violent confrontation that
could spiral into a war.
Flanked by military leaders, he said
in an address to the nation from the
White House, "Iran appears to be
standing down which is a good thing
for all parties concerned and a very
good thing for the world."
Equally, his speech signaled he was
also standing down for now despite
his macho rhetoric.
Trump denounced the Iranian Ma‑
jor General Qasim Soleimani, the head
of Iranian Quds Force defended his
killing last week as necessary to pre‑
vent future attacks on Americans and
the nation's interests.
Iran retaliated with a tepid missile
attack on two bases in Iraq with US
personnel on Tuesday that did not kill
anyone or cause major destruction.
Trump said, "No Americans were
harmed in last night's attack by the
Iranian regime. We suffered no casu‑
alties. All of our soldiers are safe and
only minimal damage was sustained
at our military bases."
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei made it a symbolic attack,
retaliating on Iran attacks
US President Donald Trump said more sanctions
were coming the Iran way.
describing it a "slap on the face." Iran‑
ian Foreign Minister Mohammad
Javad Zarif said Teheran "concluded
proportionate" measures in retalia‑
tion for the killing of Soleimani under
United Nations Charter's self‑defense
provisions, indicating that it was a cal‑
ibrated face‑saving move rather than
attempt to raise the level of con‑
frontation.
Isolated by NATO and other West‑
ern allies, Trump appealed to them to
join him in putting pressure on Iran.
"The time has come for the United
Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia
and China to recognize this reality.
They must now break away from the
remnants of the Iran deal or JCPOA."
Trump had withdrawn from the
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA) that was reached by UN Se‑
curity Council permanent members
and Germany to limit Iran's nuclear
weapons program. Iran has said that
it is no longer bound by it and would
go ahead with its nuclear program.
He said that stricter sanctions
would be imposed on it and he would
ensure that it would never develop
nuclear weapons.
Trump also reached out to Teheran,
telling it, "ISIS is a natural enemy of
Iran. The destruction of ISIS is good
for Iran. And we should work togeth‑
er on this and other shared priorities."
The US and militias linked to the
Quds Force worked in tandem to fight
the ISIS in Syria and Iraq leading to its
defeat and rout from territories under
its control. Attacks on the militias and
US dollar rises as fears
over US‑Iran tensions ease
New York: The US dollar rose in
late trading, as investors' fears
over escalating US‑Iran tensions
eased following US President
Donald Trump's remarks on an
Iran attack. Safe‑haven curren‑
cies including Japanese yen and
Swiss franc weakened against
the dollar. The dollar index,
which measures the greenback
against six major peers, was up
0.30 per cent at 97.3000 in late
trading.
In late New York trading, the
euro was down to US $1.1113
Iran could end up re‑empowering the
ISIS, whose operatives and sympa‑
thizers have carried out attacks with‑
in the US. Trump was, however, silent
on the killing of three American ‑‑ a
military personnel and two civilians ‑
‑on Sunday were killed on Sunday in
Kenya on Sunday by a Sunni terrorist
organization, al‑Shabaab.
While Soleimani's killing followed
the attack in Iraq that took the life of
an American by a militia linked to
Shia Iran, there has been no counter‑
attacks on al‑Shabaab or high decibel
rhetoric. US allies in Europe and else‑
where have cautioned the US against
escalating the confrontation against
Iran. Domestically, even Trump's cab‑
inet members like Secretary of State
from US $1.1145 in the previous
session, and the British pound
was down to US $1.3101 from
US $1.3120 in the previous ses‑
sion. The Australian dollar rose
to US $0.6873 from US $0.6869.
The US dollar bought 109.22
Japanese yen, higher than
108.52 Japanese yen of the pre‑
vious session. The US dollar in‑
creased to 0.9737 Swiss franc
from 0.9708 Swiss franc, and it
increased to 1.3029 Canadian
dollars from 1.3003 Canadian
dollars.
Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary
Mark Esper have distanced them‑
selves from the extreme warnings
from Trump of destroying cultural
sites in Iran. Democratic and other
politicians, while relieved at the
killing of Soleimani, who was respon‑
sible for the killing of US troops in
Iraq, were opposed to the manner in
which he was killed in Iraq.
Iraqi parliament has demanded the
removal of US troops from the coun‑
try because of the attack within the
country.
Standing down would also mean
Trump keeps his promise to his base
to avoid foreign military adventures,
while the killing of Soleimani is a
show of strength for them.

50 killed in stampede in Soleimani's funeral

Kerman: 50 mourners have been killed and
more than 200 were injured in a stampede
that broke out at the funeral ceremony for
slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in
the eastern city of Kerman, state media said.
The head of forensic medicine in Kerman,
Abas Amian, said authorities had identified
50 people who were killed in the crush, the
causes of which are as yet unknown, ac‑
cording to Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.
Videos circulating on social media al‑
legedly showed several bodies lying on the
floor, some with their faces purposefully
covered over with jackets, reported Efe
news. The head of Iran's Emergency Center
Hossein Kolivand said hundreds of people
had been injured.
Many thousands of mourners packed the
streets of the late general's home town
ahead of his burial following similar dis‑
plays of mass mourning in Tehran on Mon‑
day. His burial was delayed by the stam‑
pede.
Soleimani's death on Friday in a United
States drone strike outside Baghdad's inter‑
national airport marked a considerable es‑
calation in tensions between Washington
People protesting against the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Tehran.
and Tehran. As the head of the elite Quds
Force, a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary
Guards Corps, Soleimani had for years
wielded his country's influence across the
wider Middle East, strengthening Shia mili‑
tias from Lebanon to Iraq and coming to
the aid of Tehran's allies, like Bashar Al As‑
sad in Syria.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei led
funeral prayers for the man widely regard‑
ed as the country's second most powerful
figure on Monday. Iranian lawmakers on
Tuesday voted to designate the Pentagon
and the US Army as a terrorist organization.
Iran had previously only considered the
US Central Command (CENTCOM) as a ter‑
rorist organization ̶ a measure that came
in response to Washington's designation of
the IRGC as a terror group.
Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani said
Soleimani's killing had been a "brutal act"
by Trump.
"The Iranian people will not pardon him."
There were cries of "Death to America"
when lawmakers approved a financial pack‑
age worth $223 million to the IRGC.
The head of the elite military wing in Iran,
Hossein Salami, said the US would "lament
its error" and vowed to oversee the expul‑
sion of US troops from the Middle East.
There was confusion about the future of
American troops in the US on Monday
when the international coalition against the
Islamic State released a statement suggest‑
ing soldiers would begin to "move out" of
the region. It was later contradicted by the
Pentagon.

By Surekha Vijh
G
oing back to India, the
country of my birth and
where I spent my forma‑
tive years, was unnerving and yet
it was like discovering my roots
all over again. It was shocking as
well as soothing.
I returned to India after over
two decades and found myself al‑
most lost. I expected to find the
places as I had left, but everything
had changed, changed beyond
recognition. When I left it was
simpler, less chaotic and less
noisy. Everything is topsy‑turvy
now, grown beyond recognition.
Arrival at the Indira Gandhi In‑
ternational Airport in Delhi
brought a pleasant surprise. What
welcomed was a spacious, clean,
and world class airport, like any
European or American airport.
People were courteous at the air‑
port, although so many western
brand stores there were a little
disquieting because I wanted to
feel I am back home. An Ameri‑
can, French or German airport
would have their own local sights
and flavors.
Coming out of the airport is
when I met real India. A huge
crowd waited outside for the ar‑
rival of their friends and relatives.
Journey to India from the US was
a long one. The temperatures
were scorching. It was very hot
and humid, although it was Au‑
gust. Wonder how hot it gets at
the peak of summer in May and
June. Living in the United Sates
had changed me to endure cold,
so I had forgotten how hot it used
to be in India. Hot air touched my
face as I got into the aircondi‑
tioned car of a college friend who
had come to pick me up. I felt re‑
lief. Seeing my friendʼs almost fa‑
miliar face after years was sooth‑
ing. I also felt proud that she had
become a judge in the Allahabad
High Court. Most people outside
India still think Indian women are
not emancipated.
As we drove, roads initially were
nicer with two‑way traf fic. Then
the roads got narrower and we
faced traf fic jams. That included
cars, tractors, trucks, two wheel‑
ers, motorcycles, bicycles, cows,
bulls, dogs and more. There were
people walking on both sides,
some rushed, and some just hung
out.
The most alarming reality was
to see cars, cars everywhere and
so many people. And the worst
62 January 4-17, 2020
India Revisited
A Journey to the Roots
A country of contrasts: A village scene in India and the author with
a friend in her sprawling house in Sainik Farms, South Delhi.
was the noise level ‑‑ all the driv‑
ers blew horns constantly and
loudly. It took a while to under‑
stand the culture of horns in In‑
dia. Everybody seemed to be in
competition to get past each oth‑
er. Drivers pushed their way into
little spots, then pitched for an‑
other, and the motorcyclists wind‑
ing their way through any little
space between cars and animals.
There are no traf fic rules, what
matters is whoever can maneuver
better in a mad rush.
I wondered why Indians didnʼt
adopt the better side of western
culture, where people drive in
their lanes, do not honk unneces‑
sarily and follow speed limits. An‑
other new sight for me was peo‑
ple on two‑wheelers and pedestri‑
ans wearing facemasks to keep
out air pollution, and the masks
were black because white one
would turn dirty very quickly in
Delhi, the most polluted place on
earth.
Driving through impossibly nar‑
row lanes with traffic of all kinds,
the driver brought us to a spa‑
cious posh bungalow in Sainik
Farms in South Delhi. If the hous‑
es were big, their yards were the
size of public parks, with street‑
light like lampposts. In their yard,
peacocks and families of monkeys
ran around.
To be inside the compound,
which was quiet, brought relief. It
was a little strange to see ser‑
vants waiting on us and serving
the food, because in the US one
get used to doing oneʼs own
FIRST PERSON
chores. All the same, I welcomed
eating freshly made vegetables,
lentils and chapattis. But I was
told youngsters loved outside
junk food and preferred western
clothes. Most of the food made
was consumed in one meal. Fridge
was used to keep milk, yogurt
and some raw vegetables and
fruits. The leftovers were fed to
Most people outside India still think Indian women are not
emancipated. Not true at all.
their dogs or street dogs.
It was sad to get the news upon
my arrival in India of my oldest
brotherʼs passing away. I expected
to meet family and friends, but
not this way. I took a flight to
Mumbai the next morning and
reached my brotherʼs house in
Andheri and met all my siblings,
nephews, nieces and others in one
go. It was as if my brother, the old‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
est in the family, had staged this
family meet for me as he passed
on. A sad and painful truth.
Mumbai had changed. It was
even more crowded than Delhi.
Every inch of space inside a house
and outside is put to use. Land in
Mumbai is more expensive than
even in Manhattan, Tokyo, Paris
or London. It was overwhelming
to see how people survive there
under excruciating circum‑
stances. The roadside vendors
were packed, including barbers,
fruit sellers, shoe repair, flower
kiosks or the fish market. Many
women vendors jostled for cus‑
tomers.
A short visit to Goa came as a
respite from the crowds and sad
events in Mumbai. Goa seemed
expanding on all sides. Crime rate
had gone up, so friends suggested
only to take government prepaid
taxis and not to venture in un‑
known areas. Beaches were nice
but people stayed away from the
water as there was some oil spill
then.
I returned to Delhi to its crowds,
traf fic, pollution and noise, as
well as to its efficiently run, clean
and ef fective metro rail. Though
each train station was equipped
with metal detectors and handbag
check machines and police pres‑
ence, everything moved fast. Two
decades ago, the only transporta‑
tion available in Delhi was over‑
crowded buses, autorickshaws or
ambassador cabs. Now there were
all makes and models of cars on
the streets.
There were many flyovers with
many new buildings. I didnʼt even
recognize my old The Times of In‑
dia of fice. Some familiar places
were Parliament Street, All India
Radio, Mandi House, India Inter‑
national Center and Inter State
Bus Terminal (ISBT).
Chandigarh, where I did my col‑
lege and university, had changed
too. Many women rode scooters,
motorcycles and cycles around
the city. Its Rock Garden had
grown from a small backyard
haunt to an internationally
renowned tourist place, while its
Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake and
university campus had not
changed much.
Diwali in India was elaborate.
Many tall buildings were illumi‑
nated like here in the US for
Christmas, yet people also bought
diyas, the traditional earthen
lamps. It was fun to find juice and
chaatwalas at street corners be‑
sides many fancy fast food places.
It was fascinating to see extended
families enjoying at such places
or people chatting with the paan‑
walla or chaiwalla.
Mark Twainʼs “India is the cra‑
dle of the human race, the birth‑
place of human speech, the moth‑
er of history, the grandmother of
legend and the great grand moth‑
er of tradition” had changed, You
would hardly see any name plates
outside houses or shop signs in
Hindi. It was my India I left years
ago, and I could not recognize it.
There was a totally different real‑
ity. I wondered if I had changed or
the country.
Poet, writer, and senior journal‑
ist, Surekha Vijh is the Washing‑
ton DC correspondent of The
South Asian Times.

by Parveen Chopra
P arul Deora Somani was an MIT
grad with an MBA from Har-
vard, who once led teams advising
Fortune 500 companies and pri-
vate equity firms, when life threw
her a curveball. Now based near
San Francisco, this mother-warrior-
storyteller has transmuted her ex-
perience as a young cancer patient
and caregiver to focus on champi-
oning health, resilience, and a posi-
tive mindset through her speaking
engagements and written stories.
The South Asia Times:
Having lived cancer free for 5
years, you are ready to write the
next chapter in your story . . .
Parul Somani: Following my diag-
nosis and treatment, I continued
my career as a business executive,
shifting my focus from consumer
retail to mission-driven health-tech
start-ups. Over these past several
years, however, I’ve also been shar-
Parul Somani speaking at a surprise
event celebrating her remission
ing my story to help others. My can-
cer blog (http://cancerat31.word-
press.com) has been read in ~80
countries, I’ve been interviewed for
films on survivorship and mindset,
podcasts, and TV and radio seg-
ments, and have shared my experi-
ences and learnings through public
speaking engagements at the new
Stanford Hospital, the Stanford
School of Medicine, and multiple
healthcare conferences.
Learn more at http://www.
DesigningSilverLinings.com.
Follow Parul on Instagram
(@pdsomani), Twitter
(@pdsomani), and Facebook
(@DesigningSilverLinings).
64 January 4-17, 2020
Parul Somani : Inspiring
others with Silver Linings
But now I realize that what I
was doing on the side is what I
want to focus on full time: sharing
my experiences and learnings to in-
spire and educate others. My inspi-
ration will always be rooted in my
personal cancer journey, but I want
to stand for something bigger than
just a survival story. I want to share
the power of positivity and how re-
silience and the right mindset can
help create silver linings. I want
to build a platform that highlights
other peoples’ stories of resilience,
educates how to develop a positive
and thankful mindset, and inspires
people to find meaning out of their
own life’s hardships.
What kind of platform is this?
Parul Somani: I started Silver Lin-
ings (http://www.DesigningSilver-
Linings.com) with the mission to
inspire others to design their own
silver linings, with an initial focus
on speaking engagements and writ-
ten stories. As a speaker, I aim to
help organizations and individuals
understand the value of patient
advocacy, resilience, and a positive
mindset and can work with them to
design a talk that is of most interest
to their members. For example, I’m
presenting at a healthcare compa-
ny’s offsite this month with a focus
on my patient and caregiver experi-
ence, while also in discussions with
a Fortune 500 company to present
to their employees a talk focused
on the power of positivity.
As a writer, I’m publishing
Stories (http://www.Designing Sil-
verLinings.com/ stories) on my
website that cover my experiences,
perspectives, and learnings, as well
as interviews with other warriors
about their own stories of resil-
ience (health-related or otherwise)
and with academic professionals
regarding the research and science
behind mindset and positivity. Over
time, we will see how the platform
grows - it could include my own
podcast, publishing a book, doing
a TED Talk, or something I haven’t
even thought about yet.
What do you mean by
“designing silver linings”?
Parul Somani: What’s fascinating
about my story is not that I was
diagnosed with cancer as a young
working mother, but how many
lives have been impacted by that
experience over time and the silver
linings that have come out of that
dark cloud. That said, it’s not that
something bad happened to me and
I then sat back and did nothing, and
good things happened and I found
silver linings. It was through spe-
I N S P I R AT I O N
cific actions that I took through
very difficult times that led to the
creation of silver linings. My father
had 25+ years of hearing loss to the
point that he was nearly deaf by the
time I got diagnosed. We had con-
sultations with many ENT special-
ists over the years, but they all said
nothing could be done.
Ashutosh Somani, Parul Somani, and her parents, Nirmala
and Arun Deora, at the opening of the new Stanford Hospital
When I got diagnosed with can-
cer, we got access to a medical ser-
vice to help me find the right doc-
tor and clinical trials that could be
available for my diagnosis. While
outside the scope of their project,
I asked that team for ENT specialist
recommendations. They referred
us to a doctor in Florida who we
would never have come across on
our own. We sent him the medical
records and through remote con-
sultation he told us that my father
had been misdiagnosed for 25+
years and what he had was Oto-
sclerosis (abnormal growth of bone
of the middle ear) which could be
treated with a one-hour outpatient
surgery. Two surgeries later, on his
left and right ears, my dad can hear
fine without any hearing aid. It has
changed his life, my mom’s life and
the entire family dynamic.
Then there is the huge silver
lining that relates to my mom. I
was the first person in my fam-
ily to get genetic testing done to
find that I inherited a mutation
that gave me a high risk of breast
and ovarian cancer. My cancer di-
agnosis and the events that later
followed helped me convince my
mom to get genetic testing done,
which nobody told her to undergo
even though she had breast cancer
30 years ago. We learnt that she
had the same mutation as me. The
high risk of ovarian cancer worried
me because the current screenings
for it are not very effective and by
the time it is detected, it is often at
an advanced, less treatable stage.
I convinced my mom to undergo
preventive surgery to reduce her
risk. The results of the biopsy on
the removed organ indicated that
there was actually already a high
grade tumor growing in her tubes
that we had miraculously caught
at Stage 1. Taking the learnings
from my difficult experience and
proactively using them to help my
mom did not just lead to any silver
lining, it saved my mom’s life.
So, cancer is treatable now . . .
Parul Somani: There is significant
advancement in, for example, breast
cancer detection and treatment over
the past 20 years. Just having the
genetic information and knowing
that I had that increased risk helped
me advocate for a biopsy. I was only
31 years old and pregnant then and
healthcare providers thought it was
likely a clogged milk duct. I actually
With her husband Ash Somani, at her first chemotherapy appointment.
couldn’t feel the lump anymore af-
ter delivery once my milk came in.
Had I waited a year for the biopsy
until I stopped nursing and felt the
lump again, my prognosis would
have been very different.
Any exercise regime you follow?
Parul Somani: I trained in
Bharatanatyam as a child and per-
formed various forms of dance
throughout college and profession-
ally throughout adulthood for years.
Following treatment, I returned to
Indian dance for many years. Now,
I regularly go to a studio that com-
bines dance, yoga and Pilates.
Your husband has been
supportive?
Parul Somani: Most definitely.
Along with my parents, Ash was
my rock throughout my treatment.
He was incredibly supportive dur-
ing those difficult times and is very
supportive of my work with Silver
Linings. His mother had passed
away from breast cancer when
he was young, so it is a cause that
is important to both of us. I am
blessed with a loving support sys-
tem, including my sister and other
close family and friends, who are
all excited for my new mission.
A positive mindset and such things
help in treatment and recovery.
Parul Somani: I naturally had a
positive mindset going through
my experience, which I tried to
reflect in my cancer blog as well,
focusing on what I could change,
accepting what I could not change,
and finding moments of empower-
ment. When my hair started falling
out I did not want it to be another
thing that was happening to me. I
chose to shave my hair off and very
proudly wore my bald head in pub-
lic. It’s a personal decision, but I felt
that was a more authentic repre-
sentation of who I was at the time.
It is said that life is 10% of what
happens to us and 90% of how we
respond to it. Whether facing sig-
nificant life hardships or just daily
frustrations, I strongly believe in
the power of positivity and the im-
pact our mindset can have on our
health and happiness.

By Rakesh Bhargava
I n this modern era, mental
peace is more valuable than it
has ever been. We face enormous
distractions and challenges in our
day-to-day lives? It is said that in
one week we get more informa-
tion than in the entire lifetime of
a person who lived 300 years ago.
So, the question is how do we not
only survive but thrive in this age
of ferment and flux. How do we
adapt and achieve elusive mental
peace and equilibrium?
Start with a solid value system,
I suggest. Values are the bedrock
of our lives. We learn values as
children or in school or with peers
and even as adults. Building good
habits based on great values is a
lifelong endeavor.
To me, first value is Respect.
Respect our elders, teachers, all
living beings and the environ-
ment. Our gratitude for all the
blessings in life can be reflected
by the display of our respect. Be-
lieve that everyone is doing their
best under the circumstances,
which makes you considerate.
Each one is entitled to their opin-
ion and we must respect it. This is
closely related to compassion.
I recall I once took a flight
with my partner to look at a
business in a town upstate. We
planned to return by the after-
Rakesh Bhargava is a serial
entrepreneur and investor
– funded or founded eight
businesses in the US & India.
Currently, he manages
two real estate funds.
He has an MBA from Adel-
phi University, NY, where he
taught Finance as Adjunct
Professor for two years.
Rakesh also serves as
President of Yogalife USA,
an affiliate of Ujjain
YogaLife International.
66 January 4-17, 2020
How to live a peaceful life
in this tumultuous world!
Here are some ways for achieving mastery of the mind
noon. We finished our work,
and reached the airport. About
half an hour before the flight
was scheduled to depart, it got
cancelled. My partner was irate
as we made no arrangement to
stay overnight nor did pack any
clothes as it was a day trip. He
went up to the agent’s desk and
gave her a piece of his mind
like every other traveler on this
flight. He like everyone else re-
turned empty handed as the next
flight was three hours later.
After everyone finished their
yelling and screaming, I walked
up to the agent. I started by say-
ing that it is very unfair of every-
one to make her the target even
though she is not responsible for
the foul weather and flight cancel-
lation. I did not say a word about
the next flight or ask for help. Af-
ter a few minutes of this conver-
sation, she asked if I was on this
canceled flight. I nodded yes. She
asked me how many in my party
and quietly handed me two board-
ing passes for the next flight. My
partner was so bewildered that he
kept asking me till we got to JFK
as to how did I manage this. I kept
quiet as he was not ready that day
to learn the lesson in compassion.
The second value I would like
to emphasize is giving back. Some
call this Giver’s Gain, but to me
it is giving without any expecta-
tion of return. It is our nature to
care and to give. To give does not
necessarily mean money, we can
pay a sincere compliment, we can
lend an ear to someone in need to
share their pain, we can become a
volunteer, or mentor a student or
junior employees.
Next, consider the ancient Hin-
du science of Yoga. Yoga identi-
fies a well-placed / controlled
mind as a pre-requisite for achiev-
ing any goals in life, be it secular
or sacred. The way we experience,
feel, think or act is dependent on
the mental state we are in and we
can transform our life by chang-
ing the attitude of the mind. Yoga
gives us practical methods for an-
alyzing and training our internal
mental processes so that we can
be creative in the external world
and attain the state of tranquil-
ity at the same time. The second
sutra of Patanjali’s Yogasutra de-
fines yoga as the complete control
/ mastery over the mental ac-
tivities, fluctuations, or modifica-
tions. Once we have this mastery,
we achieve peace.
To gain mastery of the mind,
let us review its 4 functional com-
ponents:
SELF HELP
• Manas - Co-ordination and
integration of inputs from 5
sense organs
• Buddhi - Thinking / Rational
•
/ Discriminating faculty
Ahankar – Ego or sense of
“I” ness
• Chitta - Storage, impres-
sions / pre-programming
Chitta is the memory bank, re-
pository of countless impressions
and experiences. If mind is a lake,
Chitta is water in the lake. Mastery
of Chitta is the essence of yoga.
Next is Vrittis -- emotions, thoughts
or contents of mental awareness. If
Chitta is the water of a lake, Vrit-
tis are the waves. Vrittis are a way
for the mind to express a variety of
feelings and emotions.
Chitta determines the Vrittis
of the mind and there are three
kinds of Chitta:
• Sattva – Higher, natural, calm,
creative and peaceful state
• Rajas – Middle, anxious, agi-
tated, hyperactive, worried,
rush state
• Tamas – Lower, inactive,
dull, lack of interest state
The sattvic state is most natural
to achieve peace as well as higher
self; at Rajas level peace is difficult
and at Tamas, peace is not even
considered a goal. Even though the
Self/Consciousness is pure, tamasic
tendencies cover it like rust on iron.
Yoga is the process by which
the individual can flush out tama-
sic tendencies from Chitta and gain
complete control over the mind.
Sage Patanjali in the 29th sutra
gave 8 limbs of Yoga: Yama (Re-
straint), Niyama (Observance), Asa-
na (Posture), Pranayam (Regulation
of Breath), Pratyahara (Withhold-
ing of Senses), Dharana (Concentra-
tion), Dhyan (Meditation) and Sa-
madhi (Well-placed mental state).
Yamas are the universal codes
of restraint, abstinences, self-regu-
lations. These codes are unbroken
by time, place, purpose, and caste.
Niyamas are the observances or
practices of self-training, and deal
with our personal, inner world.
Asana (Postures) prepares the
yogic seeker for the higher practic-
es. Unfortunately, in modern world
this has become synonymous with
Yoga, which is much more power-
ful and higher level of achievement.
For this article, let us focus on
Dhyan or meditation, because that
is a handy, easy way of achiev-
ing peace. An enormous body of
scientific research exists to prove
that meditation is the ultimate
tool for bringing inner peace. Our
monkey mind is truly a wanderer
and a flitterer; this reduce clar-
ity and causes sort of traffic jam
in our mind. When we practice
meditation, we quieten our mind
and the process of thinking stops
and gradually clarity emerges and
ultimately we achieve a tranquility
which allows us to reconnect all
the dots. I compare meditation to
going inside, and within there is
a lake with cool and clear water,
reflecting blue sky and the shining
sun, and looking at the lake you
achieve tranquility. It’s like nectar,
once you drink it, you want more.
The next chapter in this journey
of finding peace is being spiritual.
The question is, are we humans
trying to achieve a spiritual experi-
ence or are we spiritual beings hav-
ing a human experience. It will help
if we adopt the attitude that we are
spiritual beings, we are supreme
soul, and we are going through this
physical body and having worldly
experiences. The world is a stage
and we are part of this drama of
life just as an actor. And when we
leave the stage we take nothing
with us except the good wishes of
the people and our good karma.
So by being kind and generous to
people, we are following higher val-
ues, which will enable us to walk to
a higher place in the end.
If our destination is peace, two
other qualities to inculcate are
reading and Chintan. You read
and then you analyze, and that is
how we learn. Then the doors of
knowledge open, giving us free-
dom and with that freedom comes
inner peace.
Before we go to bed at night,
one exercise we need to do is called
Atmavilokan. Sit quietly in a medi-
tative posture and go through your
day. What did I do? What good did
I do that improved something in
some way? If I didn’t do something
right, why did it happen that way
and how can I make it better now?
By learning and mastering
these points, I believe one can
achieve inner peace and live a hap-
py and healthier life. Take small
steps and celebrate your success
as yard by yard it is hard and inch
by inch it is a cinch.
 68 January 4-17, 2020 WELLNESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Resolving to stay healthy

It is easier said than done, and it holds the truest for new year's resolutions.
But if you are making one, know the minimum that will keep you healthy
By IANS Life tions of fruit and vegetables per more than 9 hours). Donʼt use mo‑
day: bile phones or screens one hour

S
taying fit is a great new
year resolution, but how
much activity, nutrition
and rest does your body require to
remain healthy?
Here are some tips:
Exercise
1. At least 30 minutes of exercise
is required every single day. As per
guidelines, people should exercise
five days a week, be it Yoga, brisk
walk or swimming or any other ex‑
ercise form. Try walking 10,000
steps but positively complete at least
a minimum of 5,000 steps each day.
‑‑ Neha Pathania,
Senior Dietitian, Paras Hospital,
Gurugram, Haryana.
2. It is advisable to combine car‑
dio and strength training exercises
over the course of the week and
break up your exercise routine
into smaller bursts (at least 10
minutes of each). Avoid sitting for
long hours as sitting reduces our
metabolic rate.
‑Dhara Tanna,
Senior Vice President
at Fitternity, Mumbai.
Water and
food intake
WHO recommends eating 5 por‑
“Energy intake (calories) should
be in balance with energy expen‑
diture. To avoid unhealthy weight
gain, total fat should not exceed
30 per cent of total energy intake.
Intake of saturated fats should be
less than 10 per cent of total ener‑
gy intake, and intake of trans‑fats
less than 1 per cent of total ener‑
gy intake, with a shift in fat con‑
sumption away from saturated
fats and trans‑fats to unsaturated
fats, and towards the goal of elim‑
inating industrially‑produced
trans‑fats.
Limiting intake of free sugars to
less than 10 per cent of total ener‑
gy intake is part of a healthy diet.
A further reduction to less than 5
per cent of total energy intake is
suggested for additional health
benefits.”
WHO adds that keeping salt in‑
take to less than 5 g per day
(equivalent to sodium intake of
less than 2 g per day) helps to pre‑
vent hypertension, and reduces
the risk of heart disease and stroke
in the adult population.
1. Healthy diet is a must. Include
fresh fruits and vegetables; whole
grains and cereals. Limit fats, oils,
sugars and refined products. Drink
at least 8‑12 glasses of water
daily.
Junk food and unhealthy food
The mantra to physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual wellbeing is balance and awareness.
should be avoided at any cost. In‑
clude dry nuts, flax seeds and
pumpkin seeds as they are rich in
Omega 3 fatty acids, which are
good for heart health.
‑Shalini Bliss Garwin,
Senior Dietitian, Columbia Asia
Hospital, Bangalore.
2. Two and a half liters of water
is a mandate for everyone. One
should have 6 ‑ 8 servings of fruits
and vegetables. Take 5 ‑ 7 serving
of vegetables and 1 ‑ 2 servings of
fruits.
‑‑ Dr. Manjari Chandra,
Head, Functional and Therapeutic
Nutrition and Nutrigenomics,
Daivam Wellness, Gurugram,
Haryana.
Sleep
1. Give your body enough time
to rest and recuperate during
sleep. Sleep is a vital part of our
life occupying almost one third of
human life. Major restorative
processes in the body take place
during sleep. Our brain and body
normally require 6‑9 hours of
sleep for proper functioning de‑
pending on whether one is a short
sleeper (requires less than 6
hours) or long sleeper (requires
before sleep, instead read a book
or listen to slow soothing music,
taking a bath before sleep may
help, do not sleep in the day time,
avoid vigorous exercises in late
evening rather try meditation or
pranayama.
‑‑ Dr Madhusudan Singh
Solanki, Senior Consultant
Psychiatrist, Max Smart Super
Specialty Hospital, New Delhi.
Inner Calm
Yoga and meditation are forms
of exercise as well and it keeps in‑
ner calm and positivity. One finds
peace while doing yoga. Body or‑
gan function is improved and in‑
culcates a positive attitude. Medi‑
tation should be done 15‑20 min‑
utes every day.
The mantra to physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual wellbeing
is balance and awareness, be it
sleep, food, exercise, yoga or fun.
Never swing to extremes. Wherev‑
er you are always balance your
time to be able to achieve your
goals. –
‑ Dr Witty Raina, Director,
Obstetrics and Gynaecology at
Cloudnine Group of Hospitals,
Bangalore.
Happy resolutions!

Health, wealth, prosperity and ...Food

By Ajay Chaudhry a dish if we use pure, healthy ingredients And when we talk about health, what when you eat it, itʼs not crispy or crunchy,
Hospitality Veteran and then dress them up nicely with tangy could be a better ingredient than Avocado like what an appetizer should be, so we
and Culinary Master and crisp savories and then serve on a which is loaded with fiber, can lower the topped it up with Indian sev. Thatʼs a jug‑
spoon, which itself is edible, how anyone cholesterol and Triglyceride levels, contains glery of ingredients.. and then we served it
Health, wealth and
on a spoon which is edible.
prosperity, as they say. Two innovations of the author: The other dish in the same category is

A
nd why they say this is that whatʼs
the use of wealth and prosperity
without health. But the truth is that
the health of an individual depends a lot on
the food that one eats. While I am writing
this article, I am having very delicious
ʻChicken Hunanʼ ordered from a Chinese
restaurant. But I am also feeling guilty
about it because I can see a layer of oil float‑
ing on it.
In the world of innovative culinary, the
challenge is to create something which is
both tongue and health friendly. For the
Thanksgiving and holiday season I thought
that the best way to say thanks to God for
giving us good health should be celebrated
with some healthy food.
If a human being has a pure heart and on
top of that if heʼs dressed up nicely and
crisply, almost everyone will be attracted
towards him / her. Similarly, while creating
can stay away from such a dish and not
taste it. Well, thatʼs how the Avocado chaat
served on an edible spoon was born in our
kitchens.
Rest is history. We have served almost
21,000 spoons till today in last few months.
Avocado on an edible spoon,
and corn with bell peppers.
more potassium than bananas. But if one
eats avocado in its natural form it is bland.
So I mixed it with very finely chopped
onions, red and green peppers to make it
tangy, sprinkled some taco seasoning to
make it little spicy. Itʼs still not ready as
American corns mixed with red and green
bell peppers, onions, Indian spices, little
lemon juice served in a small transparent
cup so that the healthy and colorful ingre‑
dients are visible before eating.
So here is an appetizer which is healthy,
tangy, tickles your taste buds, crispy and so
presentable and unique that everyone
wants to try it once and then come back for
more.
Says Ajay from Chand Palace. Starting
from October itʼs the season of festivities
for everyone be it Thanksgiving, Christmas,
All Saintʼs Day, Diwali or Dongzhi festival
and then the New year celebration. So
everyone ends up eating lot of sweets and
fat but I am a firm believer that ʻluxury has
to be enjoyed responsiblyʼ.
Contact: Ajay Chaudhry, Martinsville Gar‑
dens & Chand Palace Catering, New Jersey,
chandpalace.com
 TheSouthAsianTimes.info N E W Y E A R C E L E B R A T I O N S January 4-17, 2020 69

World over spectacular

fireworks welcome 2020
Mumbai

New York
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, with his wife Chirlane McCray and guests,
starts the countdown to midnight on stage at the Times Square New Year's Fireworks light up the skies during NY celebrations at Gateway of India,
Eve celebration on Dec. 31, 2019. (Photo courtesy AP) Mumbai on Dec 31st. (IANS)

Sydney
Paris

Sydney decided to press ahead with its fireworks despite

calls by some members of the public for the display to be cancelled in
solidarity with fire‑hit areas in New South Wales, of which the city is the
Spectacular lights capital. Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said planning had begun 15
over the Arc de Triomphe, months ago and that the event also gave a boost to the economy
Champs Elysees avenue, in Paris, (Photo courtesy: telegraph.co.uk)
January 1, 2020. (cbsnews.com)

Georgia Brazil

People view light decorations in Tbilisi, Georgia on Dec 25th, 2019. (IANS) Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (cbsnews.com)
 70 January 4-17, 2020 BOLLY NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Bollywood's Class of 2020

By Ahana Bhattacharya
Mumbai: It is time to take a look at
the new talent that Bollywood will
introduce over the next 12 months.
The mix looks interesting, compris‑
ing outsiders as well as youngsters
with filmi bloodline.
A quick stock of newcomers who
made their debut in 2019 shows
Ananya Panday has surely been the
most impressive.
Chunky Pandey's daughter was
liked for her performance in "Stu‑
dent Of The Year 2", despite the
film's below‑expectation show. In
"Pati Patni Aur Woh", she struck ef‑
fortless chemistry with Kartik
Aaryan.
Others who garnered attention
included Ananya's SOTY 2 co‑star
Tara Sutaria, Amrish Puri's grand‑
son Vardhan Puri (whose debut film
"Yeh Saali Aashiqui" failed to click),
Vardhan's co‑star Shivaleeka
Oberoi, Nutan's grand‑daughter
Pranutan Bahl ("Notebook") and
Bhagyashree's son Abhimanyu Das‑
sani ("Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota").
Sunny Deol's son Karan Deol and
his co‑star Sahher Bambba (in "Pal theatres in Diwali. make his Bollywood debut in an ac‑ such as "Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri
Pal Dil Ke Paas") and Zaheer Iqbal tion flick backed by Yash Raj Films. Behna Hai", "Brahmarakshas: Jaag
("Notebook") were a few other Isabelle Kaif Reports claim that the youngster is Utha Shaitaan" and "Belan Wali
debutants who were hyped. preparing hard to make himself Bahu."
Being Katrina Kaif's sister can be
With every new year, the stakes suitable for the industry, and is un‑
become tougher for Bollywood
an advantage, but there is also the
drawback of expectation. Isabelle
dergoing acting and dance training. Shalini Pandey
newcomers. Can the class of 2020 Looks like YRF might make an an‑
manage to pass the box‑office test
has done a brief role in a 2014
nouncement soon.
Shalini impressed with her per‑
crossover film titled "Dr Cabbie" be‑ formance in Vijay Deverakonda's
with flying colors? Let's takes a
look at the B‑Town entrants who
fore this, and has featured in cos‑
metics brand endorsements. She
Ahan Shetty Telugu superhit "Ar‑
jun Reddy" a cou‑
might create a buzz in 2020. ple of years back,
makes her Bollywood debut in Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya
Manushi Karan Butani's movie "Kwatha", a
drama set against an Army back‑
has already
forayed Bol‑
and went on to
feature in several
Chhillar drop and starring Salman Khan's lywood, and Tamil and Telugu
films includ‑
brother‑in‑law Aayush Sharma. now it is the
Ever since Manushi son's turn. ing the
earned the Miss Alaya F Ahan will critically
Universe crown make his de‑ acclaimed
Unconfirmed reports state Poo‑
in 2017, the but in the "Maha‑
ja Bedi's daughter Alaya F. has
Indian audi‑ Hindi re‑ nati." The
signed a three‑film deal even be‑
ence has been make of the 25‑year‑
fore her debut film releases,
waiting to hear 2018 Telugu old is
with producer Jay Shewakra‑
the news of film "RX now all
mani of Northern Lights Films.
her B‑Town 100". The Milan Luthria directorial set to foray B‑Town as Ranveer
In her debut film, Alaya plays
debut. It's fi‑ is titled "Tadap" and features Tara Singh's heroine in the YRF comedy
Saif Ali Khan's daughter in his
nally hap‑ Sutaria opposite Ahan. drama "Jayeshbhai Jordaar."
co‑production, "Jawaani Jaane‑
pening.
Manushi
man". The slice‑of‑life father‑
daughter story also stars Tabu.
Krystle D'Souza Keerthy Suresh
is all set
Television actress Krystle D'Souza National Award‑winner Keerthy
to make
her Bollywood debut in 2020 op‑
Ahaan Pandey makes her Bollywood debut in the will make her B‑Town debut along‑
psychological suspense drama side Ajay Devgn in the biographical
posite superstar Akshay Kumar. She Even though no official an‑
"Chehre", starring Amitabh sports drama "Maidaan". The Amit
plays Sanyogita in Chandraprakash nouncement has been made, the Sharma directorial is a biopic of
Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi. The
Dwivedi's period drama "Prithviraj", grapevine is abuzz that Chunky football coach Syed Abdul Rahim,
film is directed by Rumi Jaffery.
which stars Akshay Kumar in the ti‑ Pandey's nephew and Ananya Pan‑ who changed the course of the
Krystle, 29, has been a popular face
tle role. The YRF flick is slated to hit day's cousin Ahaan Pandey will on TV thanks to her daily soaps game in India.

Bearing a child and raising it should We failed: Ekta

Kapoor on Kushal
be a collective effort: Akshay Kumar Punjabi's suicide
Mumbai: Indian film and TV pro‑
By Neeru Saluja mental pain associated with pregnancy. But in ducer Ekta Kapoor is devastated
Good Newwz we show that the men also need to with the

H
eʼs an actor with the Midas touch. With 11
hits in a row since his film Airlift in 2016,
the superstar and the box office love each
other. The versatile actor is closing 2019 on a wit‑
ty note with his comedy ʻGood Newwzʼ released
by Zee Studios. Based on the journey of two fami‑
lies undergoing IVF treatment, he is accompanied
on this bumpy ride by Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit
Dosanjh and Kiara Advani.
Excerpts from the interview:
You have been unstoppable in 2019, starting
off with Kesari and now Good Newwz. What good
news will the film bring?
For us, the best news would be getting the audi‑
ence to cinemas and them walking out loving
every minute of what they have seen! We have
had such an amazing response to all the units re‑
leased till now – from the trailers to the songs
Chandigarh Mein, Sauda, Maana Dil and Lal
Gharara – and I am so thankful to our fans. Good
Newwz is high on content, itʼs a new and interest‑
ing concept and luckily for us, the audience is
welcoming such subjects.
Good to see you back with Kareena Kapoor…
I know fans have been waiting for us to reunite
and this film couldnʼt be more perfect for both of
us right now! Bebo is fabulous at everything she
does – even when she goofs up sheʼs enigmatic.
With one click from the Clap board she switches
Akshay Kumar's 'Good Newwz' co‑stars
Kareena Kapoor, Diljit Dosanjh & Kiara Advani
from Mummy, Friend and Co‑star into a profes‑
sional Queen of cinema. Absolutely love working
with Bebo and I know fans will see that on
screens in Good Newwz.
Good Newwz will be your second comedy for this
year after a string of films that have talked about
social issues. What message does this film give?
Whilst Good Newwz is essentially good whole‑
some entertainment and comedy, the film has
several underlying themes, emotions and issues
that it deals with. Sadly, there are still several
taboos associated with child birth and pregnancy.
I would just say that IVF, surrogacy, adoption are
all amazing and incredible ways of giving and
creating life for others. Thereʼs so much that can
be done nowadays that this film I pray gives hope
to those that not only need it, but can lean on
when the time is right. Women definitely do the
hard work of bearing the child in their womb for
nine long months and harboring the physical and
step up and remember the process of bearing the
child to raising it is a collective effort.
Our film may be based on a real goof up, which
of course happens across all fields of science and
humans, but we have incorporated it to bring hu‑
mor to an otherwise stressful situation.
IVF is still a hidden topic in India…
I think itʼs a societal problem. If a couple is not
able to have children, it is considered an issue.
Also some may feel ashamed to admit theyʼre
having issues conceiving naturally and using the
help of technology. Itʼs a mind‑set problem more
than anything and I hope with time it gets better.
I also hope a film like Good Newwz can at the
very least be a conversation starter.
What are the ingredients of a good comedy script?
I think the key ingredients would be comic tim‑
ing and actually being in splits yourself when
youʼre reading a script. Sometimes the situation
itself is so absurd it ends up being funny and if
you have great dialogues along with good comic
timing, itʼs a home run.
What is next after Good Newwz?
In 2020 I have Sooryavanshi directed by Rohit
Shetty, followed by Laxmmi Bomb, which is the
first comedy‑horror for me, and then I will be as‑
saying the role of the fearless leader ʻPrithvirajʼ,
whilst making Bachchan Pandey and Bell Bottom.
Courtesy: The Indian Down Under, Sydney
untimely
death of
actor
Kushal
Punjabi,
and feels
Actor Kushal Punjabi
that she
failed as she could not help him in
his struggle with depression.
"Hope your body joins your soul
in heaven. You have served your
time in hell," said Ekta in an emo‑
tional post on Instagram. Kushal
committed suicide at his home in
Mumbai's Bandra area late on Dec
26th. As per a statement from the
police, the actor "committed sui‑
cide by hanging himself from a
fan with a nylon rope." Kushal was
a popular face on Indian televi‑
sion. He acted in daily soaps such
as "Dekho Magar Pyaar Se", "Hum
Tum", "Aasman Se Aage" and his
last, "Ishq Mein Marjawan". He
was also seen in films such as
"Lakshya", "Kaal", "Salaam‑e‑ishq"
and "A Gentleman", among others.
The actor was 37 and is survived
by his three‑year‑old son.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020
 72 January 4-17, 2020 BOLLY ROUNDUP TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Small films gave biggies

Revenue from Bollywood films jumped more than 30 percent to cross the Rs 4,000 crore‐mark
Hyper machismo, unrealistic storylines and char‐
acters have been ruling the roost in Bollywood
for the longest time, but 2019 established the
fact that the realistic, small‐budget film could
co‐exist with the starry, larger‐than‐life enter‐
tainers. Here are 10 films that ruled the hearts
and mind of Bollywood buffs in 2019.
WAR
This was one of the most anticipated film of
the year as fans wanted to see two Bollywood
two hunks ‑‑ Tiger Shroff and Hrithik Roshan
‑‑ together in one frame. Even though the sto‑
ryline was not as great, the high‑octane ac‑
tioner, directed by Siddharth Anand, still
managed to top the box‑office charts, collect‑
ing a whopping Rs 318.00 crore, according to
koimoi.com.
run for their bucks
for the first time this year, clearly making for a milestone.
KABIR SINGH the military actioner is a dramatised account
of the retaliation to Pakistan's Uri attack of
Another block‑ 2016. Aditya Dhar, who made his directorial
buster of 2019 is debut with the film, won Best Director award
the Shahid at the 66th National Films Award, and Vicky
Kapoor and Kiara was declared Best Actor. According to
Advani‑starrer, koimoi.com it collected Rs. 244.06 crores.
which raked in Rs
278.24 crore. The MISSION MANGAL
romantic drama Akshay Kumar along with Vidya Balan, Son‑
directed by akshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari,
Sandeep Vanga, is Nithya Menen, Sharman Joshi and HG Datta‑
a remake of the filmmaker's Telugu superhit treya played out a determined bunch that
"Arjun Reddy". The film was yet another re‑ takes India to Mars, in this inspiring and feel‑
hash of the classic "Devdas" lore, and was pri‑ good film. The film has netted over Rs 200
marily redeemed by its brilliant music.
crore in India.
URI: THE GULLY BOY
SURGICAL STRIKE At a time when rap music is the main ingre‑
dient of almost every Bollywood film, film‑
maker Zoya Akhtar went a step further and
made a musical drama on the lives of Indian
street rappers Divine and Naezy. "Gully Boy"
starred Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Siddhant
Chaturvedi. The film minted Rs. 149.31 crore.
ARTICLE 15
Ayushmann Khurrana has hit the jackpot
this year with back‑to‑back superhits ‑‑ "Arti‑
Starring Vicky Kaushal and Yami Gautam, cle 15", "Dream Girl" and "Bala". The film re‑
minds us of Article 15 of the Constitution of
India, which prohibits discrimination on
grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place
of birth.
CHHICHHORE
"Dangal" director Nitesh Tiwari's new film,
starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha
Kapoor, takes you back to the college days!
The plot follows the life of seven friends from
1992 to present day. According to koimoi.com,
it raked in a total of Rs. 150.36 crore.
BALA
Ayushmann continued his winning ways
with "Bala", a film that focused on a young
man name Bala who lives in Kanpur and suf‑
fers from premature baldness. The story is
about his lack of confidence and the societal
pressure that comes in the wake. The film, ac‑
cording to koimoi.com, has seen a lifetime
earning of over Rs 116.8 crore till date.
DABANGG 3
Salman Khan's latest release has crossed Rs
100 crore at the box‑office, making it the su‑
perstar's 15th film crossing the
benchmark. The film, an out and out masala
entertainer, sees Salman as Chulbul Panday
fighting baddies and romancing two actresses.

The year non-film Bollywood heads

'desi' songs went viral abroad for New Year
B
ollywood has been topping music with Kriti Sanon's sister, Nupur Sanon, who
charts for long, but 2019 turned out was making her showbiz debut for this song.
to be the year of non‑film songs with It also brought together makers of the icon‑
"Vaaste" by singers Dhvani Bhanushali and ic song "Qismat" ‑‑ singer B Praak and lyri‑
Nikhil D'Souza garnering over 600 million cist‑composer Jaani. No wonder why it man‑
views on YouTube. aged 429 million views in just a few weeks.
Here's a list of the top 5 Hindi songs of 2019.
"O SAKI SAKI"
"VAASTE" Koena Mitra, who featured in the original
It was the recreat‑ song "Saaki" (in the 2004 film, "Musafir"),
ed fastpaced song was left unimpressed with the new version Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are in
"Dilbar" from the and called it "a mess", but people flocked in Switzerland where they met Varun Priyanka Chopra Jonas
2018 movie huge numbers to make it a hit. The recreat‑ Dhawan and his girlfriend Natasha Dalal. with hubby Nick Jonas.

"Satyameva Jayate"
that helped Dhvani
grab the spotlight.
Since its release in
April this year, it has been viewed 654 mil‑
lion times on YouTube.
"SHAITAN KA SAALA"
One of the highlights of "Housefull 4" was
this song, picturised on Akshay. Inspired by
Tony Montana's 2015 song "Bala", its hook
step became popular. The music is credited
to Sohail Sen. It got 201 million views.
"FILHALL"
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar paired
I
ed version, sung by Tulsi Kumar, Neha
t's that time of the year when Bollywood
Kakkar and B Praak and featuring Nora
stars fly out of India on vacation, to usher
Fatehi, got 327 million views.
a brand new year. This year is no excep‑
"APNA TIME AAYEGA" tion. Anushka Sharma with cricketer hubby
Virat Kohli, Varun Dhawan with girlfriend
The song Natasha Dalal, and Parineeti Chopra are
made desi rap among celebrities who are out holidaying.
and hip‑hop cul‑ Switzerland seems to be Bollywood's fa‑
ture cool among vorite destination this year. Anushka and Vi‑
mainstream rat are in the Alpine country, and who should
fans. Composed they bump into but Varun and Natasha!
by Dub Sharma Varun also ran into sisters Karisma and Ka‑
and DIVINE, it reena Kapoor while they were enjoying
was sung by ac‑ "snowy days" in Switzerland.
tor Ranveer Singh for "Gully Boy". The ener‑ Actress Parineeti Chopra is also "chilling"
getic song has been watched 193 million and braving the cold winter, but in different
times on YouTube till now. places.
Her cousin and actress Priyanka Chopra
Jonas is living "life as it should be", with hub‑
by Nick Jonas. The destination of their vaca‑
tion is yet to be revealed. Earlier, they were in
Mammoth Lakes, California.
Priyanka and Nick Jonas have been giving
a glimpse of their vacation by posting photos.
The singer shared a loved‑up photo of the
couple without revealing the destination, and
captioned it: "From the snow to the ocean.
#lifeasitshouldbe."
Actress Taapsee Pannu also hit the beach
during the holiday season.
Bollywood couple Soha Ali Khan and Kunal
Kemmu are seen taking a walk in Sydney,
Australia. "Walks and Talks" Kunal captioned
the pic.

By Suchitra Srinivas
N
ew year is all about the cal‑
endar. Ultimately it is like
counting 365 days all at
once, and when done, declaring
that the year ended and the new
one is about to begin. Is it that sim‑
ple? What about the tummy turns
at the stroke of midnight, the new
year resolutions, taking stock of the
wins and losses in the year gone by,
and the huge shout out for the
grand entry of the new year?
Wait a bit – is it different when
living in other parts of the globe?
Of course not, as new year is all
about what you want the next cycle
of 365 days to be. Where you live
hardly matters, especially when
you are living in the land of oppor‑
tunity.
There are choices aplenty to cele‑
brate the new year in the US. Party
at a friendʼs place or at a favorite
restaurant is the most common
choice for immigrant Indians. It is
also vacat ion season for most
offices and educational institutions.
The last 10 days of December usu‑
ally have light work even if the
offices function. Most people take
of f or prefer to work from home.
Theme parties and planning for
By Dev Banad Viswanath, Esq.
& Michael Phulwani, Esq.
I divorce, termination, or annulment
f an individual applied for a
green card based on their mar‑
riage to a U.S. citizen and they
were married for less than two
years when they were granted resi‑
dence, they will receive a “condi‑
tional” green card that is only valid
for two years. Before the two‑year
mark is up the individual must file
a I‑751 form to remove the condi‑
tions on their green card. If the
conditions on their green card are
not removed, then the green card
and their status and right to stay in
the U.S. will terminate.
Normally to remove the condi‑
tions on a green card, the green
card holder and their spouse would
jointly file Form I‑751, Petition to
Remove the Conditions of
Residence, within 90 days of the
expiration of the green card. There
are a few circumstances where an
individual may file Form I‑751
without their spouse; this is when
the individual applies for a waiver
of the joint filing requirement.
There are three circumstances
where a waiver of the joint filing
74 January 4-17, 2020
The one celebration that is beyond
region and religion
these, from the dress choices to the
potluck menu, keep many people
busy. Some do travel to warmer
destinations.
For the new immigrants the story
is quite different. They have fewer
options for breaks or work from
home, and usually end up covering
for the seniors. “I am one of those
unlucky ones,” says Mathura
Manickkam, an IT professional who
moved to the US a year ago.
For non‑party goers, temples are
open through midnight on new
year eve and activities like bhajans
and cultural events are organized.
“Every year, on 31st night, we
attend the special sahasranama
puja at the Guruvayoorappan tem‑
ple. Itʼs such a divine feeling,” says
Rajalakkshmi Gopinath of New
Jersey.
The college‑going teens come
home for the winter break. They
hang out in malls and theaters with
their buddies. Unlike in India, the
consequences of drunken driving
are serious. Playing safe is particu‑
larly the mantra for H1B visa hold‑
ers for whom any brush with the
law can become a critical concern.
The new year eveʼs ball drop at
the Times Square is of course world
I-751, Waiver of joint filing due to
VISA
TALK
requirement may be granted: the
marriage ended in divorce, annul‑
ment, or death of the U.S. citizen
spouse, the individual will suffer
extreme hardship if they return to
their home country, or the individ‑
ual was abused or treated cruelly
by their U.S. citizen spouse. This
article will focus on waiver of the
joint filing requirement due to
divorce, annulment, or death.
An individual may request a
waiver of the joint filing require‑
ment for Form‑751 only after their
divorce/annulment is final or if the
U.S. citizen spouse died. If the cou‑
ple are just separated or in
divorce/annulment proceedings,
they cannot file under this catego‑
COLUMNS
famous. The crystal ball with LED
lights starts dropping from the top
of the building there during the
last one minute of the year. Every
year, despite sub‑zero tempera‑
tures, over a million people gather
to see the ball drop. Other states
across the US have their own ver‑
sions of the ball drop. The objects
lowered vary: It is a giant replica of
peach in Atlanta, acorn made of
brass weighing 900 pounds in
Raleigh, NC, and ping pong ball in
Strasburg, PA.
But for immigrant Indians party‑
ing among friendsʼ groups is on the
Immigration column
ry. The individual must submit evi‑
dence to establish that their mar‑
riage was a bona fide real marriage
and not just a business transaction
to get a green card. The individual
must also provide evidence that
the marriage is legally terminated.
If the U.S. citizen spouse died than
the individual must provide a death
certificate. Evidence to establish a
marriage was entered into in good
faith would include wedding
records, birth certificates of chil‑
dren, joint financial records, pic‑
tures, among other items.
The following is what must be
submitted to USCIS along with
Form I‑751:
Copy of the permanent resident
card, front and back;
8 Evidence that the marriage
was entered into in good faith and
that the marriage was genuine; and
8 Evidence supporting the
circumstances that ended the mar‑
riage.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
top of excitement list.
“We loved to watch the ball drop
in the first year. The experience
was amazing but not thrilling
enough to see it every year. We
now settle for celebrating with
friends at home,” observes Ramki
Sharma, a long‑time resident of
New Jersey.
Posting the party pictures, essen‑
tially to tell the world how happy
you have been, and making an open
confession on your new year reso‑
lutions is yet another new year tra‑
dition now for many.
With social media groups, the
After the whole I‑751 packet is
filed, the conditional permanent
resident will receive a receipt
notice which also extends their sta‑
tus. The conditional permanent
resident is allowed to continue to
live and work in the US while their
case is being processed, and travel
the same as before. If USCIS needs
more evidence to prove the mar‑
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.
number of parties one attends is
ballooning. “Partying with fitness
pals, kitchen pals, families of pre‑
kindergarten tots, office colleagues,
the walk buddy groups, the school
group, the college gangs – all want
to meet to bid farewell to 2019.
The last 10 days of the year are just
not enough,” feels Seema Bhatia of
Connecticut.
What a big world we have creat‑
ed for ourselves! Staying away
from the motherland, one truly
feels integrated with friends from
dif ferent ethnicit ies at work,
school, college and neighborhood.
New year is one celebration that is
common for all. No restrictions in
choosing whom to w ish. It is
beyond region and religion, and
has so much of integration to offer.
The feeling of happiness, introspec‑
tion and promises for a better
tomorrow is universal and that
underlines the celebrations. Of
course, we are all just the same
irrespective of where we originally
came from! Letʼs celebrate this one‑
ness. Have a wonderful 2020 and
beyond!
Suchitra
Srinivas is a
NJ based
journalist.
She can be
contacted at
suchitrasrinivas@
hotmail.com
Column first published in
DTNext newspaper.
Reproduction by special
arrangement.
riage was entered into in good faith
they will send a request for evi‑
dence, which must be timely
answered. Or an interview may be
scheduled. Once USCIS reviews the
whole I‑751 packet it will deter‑
mine if the conditional permanent
resident qualifies for a waiver of
joint filing and send a letter to the
applicant with their decision.
 76 January 4-17, 2020 ASTROLOGY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

By Dr PremKumar Sharma Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874;

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

January 11, 2020
Influenced by number 2 and the
Moon, you are highly energetic,
imaginative, practical, trustworthy
and a simple person. You are a born
leader and you are known for your
ability to handle jobs, which require
immense responsibility and
courage, but you need to keep a
check on your tendency to behave
impatient and extravagant at times.
Your coming year promises many
new surprises and rewards for you.
Your long desires are likely to be
fulfilled this year. New sources of
income will improve your financial
position and boost your confidence.
Legal matters are likely to be ex‑
tended for much longer than ex‑
pected and also prove highly ex‑
pensive. Children will win laurels in
their respective fields and will be
supportive and understanding to‑
wards you. Journeys undertaken
for work purpose would be benefi‑
cial and highly rewarding. Invest‑
ment in a house and selected stocks
recommended. Later in the year a
distant trip maybe overseas bring
new opportunities for growth and a
chance to meet old associates. The
months of January, May, July and
November will bring prosperity.
January 12, 2020
Ruled by number 3 and the plan‑
Annual Predictions: For those born in this week (January 11-17 2020)
et Jupiter. You are ambitious, digni‑
fied, independent and kind hearted.
You enjoy a good position and re‑
spect at your work place, but you
need to check your tendency to be‑
have extravagant and dominating
at times.
This year takes you through a lot
of good and memorable moments.
Journey to an exotic location along
with your friends provides you with
comfort and pleasure. Elders em‑
bark on a long pilgrimage. Fantastic
returns from business would en‑
hance your living standard and
make you spend much more on lux‑
uries. Monetary benefits for profes‑
sionals. Servants and subordinates
may be cause of worry and tension.
Romance will flourish and matri‑
monial alliances for some. The
months of February, May, July and
November will remain eventful.
January 13, 2020
Influenced by number 4 and the
planet Uranus, you are a responsi‑
ble, methodical, friendly, systemat‑
ic and a creative person. You are
highly religious and philosophical,
but you need to check your tenden‑
cy to behave jealous, stubborn and
self centered at times. A very prom‑
ising and favourable period starts
this year. Investors who speculate
in the stock market will benefit fi‑
nancially. Those involved in art and
other creative profession should ex‑
pect recognition and monetary
gains. This is also a good time to in‑
vest in property. Children will be
supportive and bring in some hap‑
py news later in the year. Pilgrim‑
age or a long journey would be high
on your cards. Sudden help from
some near one or a friend will bring
a major boost to your professional
career. The months of March, June
and November will especially prove
to be significant.
January 14, 2020
Ruled by number 5 and the plan‑
et Mercury, you are strong, practi‑
cal, active, business minded and a
diplomatic person. Your handwork
and sincerity is appreciated by oth‑
ers, but your tendency to be extrav‑
agant and reckless attracts enor‑
mous criticism at times. Donʼt be
hesitant in executing your new
plans in the coming year. Fame and
fortune will be at your doorsteps
provided you are able to grab the
right opportunities. Health will
show improvement despite the hec‑
tic hours that you might put in of‑
fice. Foreign transactions or foreign
trips for some. New relationships
and attachments will develop bring‑
ing you good opportunities through
out the year. Gains from specula‑
tion is also quite likely. People look‑
ing for matrimonial alliances will
find a suitable life partner. The
months of February, May, August
and October will be eventful.
January 15, 2020
Ruled by number 6 and the plan‑
et Venus, you are simple, philo‑
sophical, cooperative, and a talent‑
ed person. You possess a sharp
memory and you are a great admir‑
er of literature and intelligent con‑
versation, but you need to curb
your tendency to behave erratic
and careless at times.
New proposals and assignments
for you this year. Business will
flourish and financial gains will lift
your confidence. Legal matters that
have been haunting your mind will
settle to your satisfaction. Promo‑
tions and increments are likely for
some. Elders and children in the
family will demand a lot of your at‑
tention. Health of your spouse may
cause concern and anxiety. Sports‑
men and artists can look forward to
some fame towards the end of the
year. Relationship with somebody
close might get strained over trivial
issues. Romance and new alliances
look likely for those unattached.
The months of February, June, Oc‑
tober and November will be signifi‑
cant.
January 16, 2020
Influenced by number 7 and the
planet Neptune, you are energetic,
ambitious, independent, honest and
possess a sharp memory. You are
highly innovative and have an in
built talent to impress others, but
you need to control your tendency
to behave impatient and erratic at
times.
This coming year is good for judi‑
cial and govt. favours. Long pend‑
ing disputes will get sorted out and
important contacts will play im‑
mense role in improving your fi‑
nancial standing. Stay away from
strangers who behave extra friend‑
ly and excuse all those who ap‑
proach you for temporary loans
and financial assistance. A sudden
influence of a person from the op‑
posite sex will give a new and inter‑
esting twist to your life. Later in the
year blessing from a saintly person
will provide comfort and peace of
mind. Friends will be helpful but de‑
manding. The months of February,
July & September will prove to be
significant.
January 17, 2020
Ruled by number 8 and the plan‑
et Saturn, you are dynamic, practi‑
cal, responsible, hardworking, au‑
thoritative and highly disciplined.
For you your duties and responsi‑
bilities take precedence over every‑
thing else, but you need to check
your tendency to behave stubborn
and jealous at times.
This period is good for you to
take important decision. You shall
gather knowledge, information and
make new and long lasting con‑
tacts. You shall leave no stone un‑
turned to achieve your desired
goals. Businessmen will expand
their ventures into new and more
profitable avenues. Investment in
stocks would bring spectacular re‑
sults. Health would definitely need
more attention. Meditation and
Yoga should be practiced for spiri‑
tual as well as physical gains. Some
exhilarating news from your chil‑
dren would boost up your spirits
later in the year. The months of De‑
cember, May, September and No‑
vember will be eventful.

Stars Foretell: January 11-17, 2020

ARIES: You are likely to excel on the academic
front & seek what you want. Your
ideas on the professional front may
prove an asset for the organisation
and help make you indispensable.
Someone may sweet talk you into
parting with your money for something
that you donʼt exactly need. Carelessness may cost
you dear on the academic front, so be thorough in
whatever you do. A relationship with the one you
like is likely to blossom.
TAURUS: Money poses no problems, as you con‑
tinue to earn well. Getting medical
check ‑up done is likely to make
you more health conscious. If you
will it, it will happen and you know
what is being hinted at, so take your
call. Your contribution at work will get
due recognition. You are likely to take your time
in giving a decision. Academically, you will be
able to consolidate your position and be better
poised for cracking an important competition.
GEMINI: Some of you may take up meditation
and yoga to retain good health.
Rising expenses may get a bit
alarming, but you will be able to
bring them under control. There
is much that you may be expecting
from someone, but donʼt keep your
expectations high. Spending time with lover is
likely to prove almost therapeutic for your
stressed mind. You may shun someone for rea‑
sons best known to you.
CANCER: A social gathering is likely to find
you in your element and enjoy‑
ing your heart out! Money
from an unexpected source is
likely to come in handy. It is
too soon to predict the outcome
of something that you have recently
launched or initiated.
Your compet it ive spirit w ill see you
through a tough phase on the academic
front.

LEO : Buying a new vehicle cannot be ruled out
for some. Shifting to a bigger house
is possible. Footing someone
e lseʼs expenses may prove
extremely painful, but little you
can do about it. Your ideas on the
professional front may not get the
approval of higher ups and disappoint you. You
will not be in the right frame of mind for taking
up anything complicated. An outing with lover is
foreseen, so get set for an exciting time!
VIRGO: You may need to keep things in perspec‑
tive, while making some crucial deci‑
sions. This is a good week, which
promises to keep you entertained
on the social front. Meeting your
childhood friends and old relations
is possible. Keeping those who matter in
good humour on the professional front will keep
your chances of betterment alive. You will be able
to get the study stream you desire on the academ‑
ic front. A budding romance is possible for some.
LIBRA: A job left half‑done at work may need
to be completed now, for which
you may even have to devote
extra time. Some tensions on
the home front cannot be ruled
out and may prove quite upset‑
ting. Your spiritual pursuits are likely
to benefit you in the long run. Remaining reg‑
ular in your workouts will keep you in a fine
fettle on the health front. Your initiative on
the financial front may be partially successful.
SCORPIO: Calling a spade a spade on the domes‑
tic front will help keep people in
their places. You may shy away
from all the hard work that com‑
ing back in shape entails. Bide
you time, if you find the going
tough in your personal sphere.
Marketing personnel may have to increase their
footwork, if they hope to gain good returns. You
will earn well, but the satisfaction may still elude
you. A change in travel schedule is indicated.

SAGITTARIUS: Someone is likely to impress you
by the way he or she tackles a situ‑
ation. You will be able to hold
your own in a workplace rivalry.
A religious ceremony may take
much of your time, but nothing
you can do about it. Your soft nature
may be taken advantage of. A property matter
may need your full attention. Lending money is
as good as losing it, so be judicious. You may
benefit from holistic approach to life.
CAPRICORN: Getting romantically linked to
someone you had a crush on is pos‑
sible. An opportunity to travel
abroad may materialise for some.
Not keeping anything pending on
your desk will be in your favour.
Donʼt get oversensitive to someoneʼs
comments, as he or she means well. You are like‑
ly to make the family front most happening by
suggesting something exciting. Those in the serv‑
ices sector may find time a bit challenging.
AQUARIUS : Preparing for a major event on the
social front may get you all excited. A
short trip is possible. Despite some
unanticipated expenditure, you are
likely to remain in a strong position
on the financial front. An ailment
that had been recurring in the past is
likely to totally disappear. You will find it difficult
to avoid overstraining and overstretching yourself.
There is practically nothing that can stop you from
excelling on the professional or academic front!
PISCES: Moneywise, you manage to remain com‑
fortable by judicious spending.
Rescheduling your plans someone
you like is possible. You will get
used to a new mode of conveyance.
Health remains good. There is much
that you need to do to make your
career graph rise. Pursuing higher studies may
interest you, so go for it as stars appear favourable.
You will manage to infuse a spirit of bonhomie,
even in the most negative situations.
 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Not all years are the same. While 2019 brought a mix of good and bad overall for the world,
we should all hope for and look forward to a world of peace and harmony in 2020,
ARIES: Year 2020, will bring
many new opportunities and
this year will start on a positive
note. The greatest months for
overall welfare and well‑being will
be May, June, October and November. You
will be involved in an important celebration
towards September till November. Any pend‑
ing property deals will also be completely
with help of a close friend. There are strong
chances of a foreign trip with family. Towards
the mid‑year you may meet someone who
will show you a new path to great health and
fitness. All those of you who are looking to
get a job, 2020 will fulfil your dreams right in
the beginning. Those who are working in IT,
technology and media may get a chance to
travel abroad. All those couples in life will get
family acceptance. Stay away from any un‑
called‑for arguments. Understanding and
trust are the keys to success of every rela‑
tionship.
Lucky Number: 7
Lucky Colour: Red
TAURUS: Year 2020 will bring in
a lot of luck and prosperity. Pro‑
fessional life will prosper and
you will be in pink of health. But
be cautious in January and May for
you do not messing up your digestion. There
will be no financial troubles whatsoever. You
will many chances to advance your career
and take it new heights. February and July
will be most productive months of the year
and you will get suitable recognition and re‑
wards for your efforts. There are chances
that you invest in valuable items. Your repu‑
tation will see new heights and you may even
invest in some new property. Chances of a
new vehicle are also strong.
The best months will be April, July and Au‑
gust. You will enjoy a great married life. The
ones who are planning for marriage will get
suitable offers, but do not jump into decision
and take time to reflect on all aspects.
Lucky Number: 5
Lucky Color: Lemon
Gemini: In the Year 2020, you
will get ample opportunities to
showcase your skills on the pro‑
fessional front. You may have to
relocate for your job or may have
to shift to a new job. But, take heart this will
be entirely in your favour. Chances of a new
house or a new vehicle remain strong. . You
can also expect benefits from your close rel‑
ative or friend. Generally, a great phase
where things will work in your favour. You
will also make many new relations April, Au‑
gust and September will be the most
favourable months.
All those of you in love or in search for life
partners, it will be a great time. Caution is ad‑
vised to not to get into unwarranted argu‑
ments with your partner that can be detri‑
mental to your marital life and ties. Bad
moods often lead to bad arguments. Do not
mix them and be happy.
Lucky Number: 6
Lucky Color: Pink
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
2020– High hopes for a good year for all
maintains our celebrated resident astrologer, Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma.
Cancer: In the year 2020, there
are strong chances that you will
see increase in wealth.
You will also be blessed with
great decision‑making powers on
family front. Best months will be January,
March, April and October. Any new links that
you have made in business will prove highly
beneficial. You may develop a new strategy in
March and April. Also, you will be expected to
shell out more time for your career. April on‑
wards you will see an obvious improvement in
your financial position. You will get awesome
guidance in education that will prove to be
highly beneficial. You will realize the true
meaning of good health. Adopt a healthy ap‑
proach to life which begins with good food and
exercise. You will be able to make great deci‑
sions with the help and support of your part‑
ner. There are chances of minor disagreements
in September and November. Gift your partner,
it will make them happy.
Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Color: Peach
Leo: Year 2020 will be the best
year to invest your time in mak‑
ing things better and do some‑
thing new. Professionally also
you will get good rewards due to
your hard‑work and dedication. You will get
good coordination from your colleagues. There
will be great chance of promotion in Septem‑
ber. Financial aspect will remain strong. Best
months of the year will be March, April, Sep‑
tember and October. September will be the
best month to invest in property.
You will be always active on health front.
This approach will always keep you fit and ac‑
tive in life. Be active and indulge in regular ex‑
ercise. Great time for love related matters. You
will try to attract your par ner in this year.
There are chances of travel to some beautiful
place with your life‑partner. Pay heed to your
parentsʼ advice as it will be very useful in mat‑
ters of importance. Those of you who are work‑
ing in real estate and commission jobs stand a
tall chance of great benefits.
Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Color: Red
Virgo: Year 2020 will be full of dy‑
namism. If you are planning to
invest in property then do not
buy it in your name but in the
name of any of your family member.
You will also receive some good news regard‑
ing your kids. Best months will be June, July
and October. Be cautious in financial matters.
Do not indulge in any kind of extravagance.
Good health is on the cards. If you are suffering
from any disease, there are strong chances that
you will recover. Control your weight. Any kind
of obstacle in your career will be worked out
with help of someone. If you are thinking of any
new venture in life, chances are that you will be
receiving favourable rewards. Chances of in‑
crease in salary remain strong in April and Sep‑
tember. Enjoy this time with your loved one.
You will get a chance to go to an exotic desti‑
nation with your loved ones. Make most of it
and enjoy to the core. You will feel an increase
in love and care towards your life partner.
Lucky number: 3 Lucky Color: Yellow
ASTROLOGY
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874;
Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899;
psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
Libra: You will begin 2020 with
some good news. This will be
most favourable to ge your life
sorted and get everything in place.
You will come across someone really
influential. The best period will begin in Febru‑
ary and last till May. This person will help you
improve your professional graph. You may visit
your relations staying abroad and there are
chances of a family function. It will be a great
year in financial matters and if you are planning
to buy a new office, then March and September
will be most conducive year. Do not be worried
about your expenses. Relations with seniors will
improve. You will also make use of the latest
technology. If you are into sales, you will get a
big project. It is advised that you should spend
time to worry about your health. Keep your
thoughts positive and try to be more kind, lov‑
able, hopeful and progressive throughout. Also,
remember, good thoughts lead to good health.
Love life will remain satisfactory. If you are in a
relation then you might get your wedding fixed.
Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Color: Red
Scorpio: 2020 will take all your
worries away. You will remain
highly satisfied in your profes‑
sional front and the work that you
enjoy doing most will see a continu‑
ous growth. A happy and conducive atmosphere
at home will always keep you stress free and
you will see an increase in income. Pay heed to
every advice on good health. Exercise and do
yoga. Meditation is suggested. The best and
most productive months will be January, March,
April and September. Your finances will remain
strong. It will be a great year in terms of career.
With your hard‑ work and dedication, you will
be able to win hearts of your seniors. Stay away
from being indulgent and extravagance. In
terms of family matters where someone in your
family will be upset with you but eventually
everything will work out in your favour.
Chances of a foreign travel with your life‑part‑
ner or lover are strong. You will always get
strong support and push from your life‑ partner
that will always keep you confident and strong.
Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Color: Green
Sagittarius: Year 2020 will bring
mixed results for you. You will re‑
main highly busy on your profes‑
sional front from March to July. It
will be towards the middle of the year
that you will start getting good results and a vis‑
ible increase in income. Your advice will prove
to be highly beneficial for some of your family
member. Do not mix with strangers while you
travel. You will also be highly benefitted in prop‑
erty matters. July and August will be your most
favourable months. Your hard‑work will show
results. You will have to be highly proactive in
your work to get suitably rewarded. It will be a
great year in terms of health although you will
need to stay away from any kind of mental
stress. If you are taking any medicine since a
long time, there are chances that it will stop.
Marital life will be blissful. There maybe some
minor disagreements. Good time for lovers. Do
not get into arg ments in your personal life.
Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Color: Blue
January 4-17, 2020 77
Capricorn: This year will bring
many new opportunities for
you and bring actually brighten
your life and luck. Most
favourable period will begin in July
and last till September. This will be the best
time to take any important decisions in life.
Any property deals should be made under su‑
pervision of someone influential. Best time
for businessmen as their sources of income
will grow manifold. Even the ones who are in
jobs will find many chances of growth and
raise. It is advised that you should care for
your health. Chances of bad‑health of a fami‑
ly member are strong. You will get a chance
to travel with your life‑partner. If you are
looking for one, you will get a good match.
Also all those in love will think of marriage
and those who are newly married may get
some good news.
Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Color: White
Aquarius: A mixed year awaits
you. There will be times when
you will be busy collecting and
cherishing the most happy and
precious moments while there will
be other times when you might feel that there
is some undue tension. Professionals from
different streams will see great benefits.
Those in sports will be rewarded. Those in
import‑export business should remain care‑
ful in money deals. Students who are prepar‑
ing for various competitions will get good re‑
sults. You are strongly advised to take good
care of your health. So you have to take a
strong decision to maintain a proper health
routine. Eat healthy, home‑cooked food. Do
not let any problem overtake you. Take care
and take heart. Your energy and positive atti‑
tude will help you in every situation. Keep all
your important documents with care. There
will be an increase in responsibility on fami‑
ly front. Marital life will be calm and sweet.
You may also gift something to your partner.
Great emotional support from your life‑part‑
ner will be great help in keeping stress away.
Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Color: Orange
Pisces: This is the year of your
dreams. All your efforts done
last year will bear fruit. You will
be highly active and also get
success in profession. Any long‑
pending property deals will get through. Best
months will be January, February, August and
September. Invest in some commercial prop‑
erty rather than investing in a new home. A
busy year but will prove to be beneficial for
the ones who are in jobs. Businessmen will
make new relationships and ventures. Focus
on your health as well. It is suggested that
you talk to some dietician to get rid of those
extra pounds.
You may face some issues in April. Visiting
relatives can spoil your love life. March to
May is great for romance. Lovers should not
indulge in any kind of indiscipline and
immoral act. Live‑in relationships are not
suggested.
Lucky Number: 10
Lucky Color: Maroon

Arun Jaitley
Former Union minister and sen‑
ior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
leader known for his rational ar‑
guments and wide knowledge,
passed away on August 24. He
served as the Minister of Finance
and Corporate Affairs from 2014
to 2019. He also served as the
Leader of the Opposition in the
Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2014.
Sushma Swaraj
Known for her oratory skills, de‑
termination and exuberance,
Swaraj was active in politics from
student life and became the
youngest cabinet minister of
Haryana at the age of 25 in 1977.
She held several posts during her
prolific political career. Sushma
Swaraj died of a cardiac arrest on
August 6.
Sheila Dikshit
The three‑time chief minister of
Delhi, died on July 20. She will be
remembered for her
development work in the national
capital.
78 January 4-17, 2020
Famous people who bid us adieu
Several towering personalities left us in 2019 leaving
behind their legacy of work for generations to revere and
benefit from. Here’s remembering some of them…..
Ram
Jethamalani
Eminent lawyer and former Law
Minister, Ram Jethmalani passed
away at the age of 95. He was
elected to Lok Sabha twice, on BJP
tickets, from the Mumbai North
West constituency. Jethmalani
was also elected to the Rajya Sab‑
ha. He authored several books in‑
cluding Big Egos, Small Men, Con‑
science of a Maverick, and Maver‑
ick: Unchanged, Unrepentant
among others.
Manohar
Parikkar
BJP leader and former chief
minister of Goa, Manohar Par‑
rikar passed away on March 17.
He also served as the Defence
Minister of India from 2014 to
2017 in the National Democratic
Alliance government under Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
T N Seshan
Tirunellai Narayana Iyer Se‑
shan, a retired 1955 batch Indian
Administrative Service (IAS) offi‑
cer of Tamil Nadu cadre, is best
remembered as the man who
cleaned up elections in India. He
was the 10th Chief Election Com‑
missioner of India (1990–96),
who reformed elections by large‑
ly ending its malpractices in the
country and redefined the status
and visibility of the Election Com‑
mission of India. He passed away
on Nov 10 in Chennai.
Shriram
Lagoo
A seasoned theatre and film ac‑
tor Shriram Lagoo was very much
active in the Hindi and Marathi
film industry, in addition to being
an ENT Surgeon. He worked in
over 250 films – Hindi and
Marathi. The legendary actor
breathed his last on December 17
due to old age. He was 92.
FINAL GOODBYES
Khayyam
Mohammed Zahur Khayyam
Hashmi, better known as
Khayyam was an Indian music di‑
rector and background score
composer who composed music
for more than 50 films and his ca‑
reer spanned seven decades
(1947–2016). The legendary mu‑
sic composer and singer died in a
Mumbai hospital on August 19 at
the age of 92.
Girish Karnad
An award‑winning actor, film di‑
rector, writer, a playwright who is
predominantly known for his
works in South Indian and Bolly‑
wood cinema Karnad made his
acting as well as screenwriting
debut in a Kannada movie, Sam‑
skara (1970). After that, he
worked in more than 100 films
and his career spanned almost 5
decades. The actorʼs last Bolly‑
wood film was Tiger Zinda Hai
(2017). He died after a prolonged
illness in Bengaluru on June 10.
Vidya Sinha
Starting out her career as a
model after winning Miss Bom‑
bay title, Vidya Sinha went on to
star in several hit films such as
Rajnigandha (1974), Chhoti Si
Baat (1975) and Pati Patni Aur
Woh (1978). She acted in several
films after which she took a hia‑
tus. Returning to acting in the lat‑
er part of her life, she acted in sev‑
eral TV serials and the Salman
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Khan movie Bodyguard (2011).
She expired on August 15 due to
respiratory failure at 71.
Karl Lagerfeld
With his signature white pony‑
tail, high starched collars, finger‑
less gloves and black sunglasses,
Karl Lagerfeld was one of the
worldʼs most talented and recog‑
nized designers, revered by mod‑
els, fashion industry elite and Hol‑
lywood stars alike. The German‑
born designer was the creative di‑
rector of his eponymous line, as
well as Fendi and the luxury
French fashion house Chanel. He
is credited with reinventing that
brandʼs iconic looks ̶ the little
black dress, tweed suit jackets
and quilted purses. In 2017, he
was honored with Parisʼ highest
award, la Médaille Grand Vermeil
de la Ville. Known for his tireless
work ethic, support of young de‑
signers and acerbic wit, Lagerfeld
once said, "I design like I breathe.
You donʼt ask to breathe ̶ it just
happens." He passed away on Feb
19 at the age of 85.
Elijah E
Cummings
In 2019, the political world lost
a giant in U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cum‑
mings. He was born the son of a
sharecropper and told by a school
counsellor he would never be‑
come a lawyer because he was too
slow to learn and spoke poorly.
Determined to prove that coun‑
sellor wrong, Cummings not only
became a lawyer but went on to
become an influential congress‑
man and champion of civil rights.
Cummings, who died in October,
was chairman of one of the U.S.
House committees that led an im‑
peachment inquiry of President
Donald Trump and was a formi‑
dable advocate for the poor in his
Maryland district.
Toni Morrison
The death of Toni Morrison in
August left a chasm in the pub‑
lishing world, where she was a
“literary mother” to countless
writers. She helped elevate mul‑
ticulturalism to the world stage
and unearthed the lives of the un‑
known and unwanted. She be‑
came the first black woman to re‑
ceive the Nobel literature prize
for “Beloved” and was awarded
the Presidential Medal of Free‑
dom in 2012.
Luke Perry
Hollywood lost ʼ90s heartthrob
Luke Perry, who played wealthy
rebel Dylan McKay on “Beverly
Hills, 90210.” Perry died of stroke
in March.
Gloria
Vanderbilt
The intrepid heiress, artist and
romantic who began her extraor‑
dinary life as the “poor little rich
girl” of the Great Depression, sur‑
vived family tragedy and multiple
marriages and reigned during the
1970s and ʼ80s as a designer
jeans pioneer. She died at 95 on
June 17.
Doris Day
The sunny blond actress and
singer whose frothy comedic
roles opposite the likes of Rock
Hudson and Cary Grant made her
one of Hollywoodʼs biggest stars
in the 1950s and ʼ60s and a
symbol of wholesome American
womanhood. She died at 97 on
May 13.
80 January 4-17, 2020 HUMOR

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Best of Mahendra Shah in 2019

Mahendra Shah is an architect

by education, entrepreneur by
profession, artist and humorist,
cartoonist and writer by hobby.
He has been recording the plight
of the immigrant Indians for the
past many years in his cartoons.
Hailing from Gujarat, the Pitts-
burgh, PA resident has been con-
tributing a weekly cartoon for The
South Asian Times almost since
the beginning of this publication.
 82 January 4-17, 2020 S P I R I T UA L AWA R E N E S S

NE W Y E AR ME SSAGE 2020
by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
As we enter 2020, I wish everyone a happy New Year. Twenty years--one fifth of the 21st
century—is concluding, and the next 20 years is beginning. As we look ahead to the next phase of
the 21st century, our hopes and dreams focus on how to make it a time of peace and happiness.
Life on this planet always poses challenges. At a personal level, we all go through difficul-
ties. At some time or the other, we may face health issues, financial loss, and relationship prob-
lems. There have always been conflicts in the world. How can we find peace and happiness when struggle is a part of

Meditate plenty In 2020.

human existence?
As we enter the New Year, I would like to offer a way to find peace in a troubled world. This solution is summed
up in a four-word slogan for 2020:

We cannot control what happens to us or others in the outer world. One thing we can control is our inner world.
Meditation provides a key to peace and happiness. Within us is a permanent state of calm and joy. Through medita-
tion, we can find it. We can meditate at any time or place. When life is rough, we can snatch away some moments for
meditation. Outer troubles of life fade as we immerse ourselves in our own peaceful inner retreat.
Meditation on the inner Light and Sound connects us to an ocean of Light, consciousness, and divine love that is
so uplifting, we can forget our outer problems for a while. Just as a vacation helps us take a break from the stress of
daily life, so does meditation offer time away from the outer tension we face. When we emerge from meditation, we
are elevated with a joyfulness that lasts throughout the day. This gives us the strength to face life’s challenges with
balance and equanimity.
When we find the exhilarating joy \within us, we realize there is more to life than just the outer physical world.
Within us are realms reverberating with celestial Music and glowing with radiant Light, filling our hearts with divine
love. We can tap into this inner treasure anytime through meditation. The more we meditate, the more our life is
filled with ecstasy and peace.
We cannot change the outer world or the challenges we face every day. We can choose to find a place free of

Meditate plenty In 2020.

problems through meditation For the New Year, let us practice these four simple words:

May this slogan guide us through the next phase of the 21st century and fill our hearts with lasting peace and joy.

Yours affectionately,

Rajinder Singh

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an inter-

nationally recognized spiritual leader and
Master of Jyoti Meditation who affirms the
transcendent oneness at the heart of all re-
ligions and mystic traditions, emphasizing
ethical living and meditation as building
blocks for achieving inner and outer peace.
For more info visit www.sos.org.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NEW YEAR SPECIAL January 4-17, 2020

SPECIAL
Offer valid through Decemeber 31st 2020

Price Match Easy 24/7 Customer Over 581k

Promise Booking Care Likes