The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e
Vol.12 No. 37 January 18-24, 2020 80 Cents
Trump likely to visit
India in February
New Delhi/Washington:
President Donald Trump is slated
to visit India next month for the
first time since he joined office
and before he goes to elections
for a second term later this year.
New Delhi and Washington DC
are in the process of finalizing
dates. “We are working on mutu‑
ally agreed dates. It is likely to
happen soon,” an official of the
Ministry of External Affairs told
IANS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and President Trump share a
strong relationship, a glimpse of
which was displayed last year in
Houston where the two leaders
Continued on page 4
Flushing Bank opens Hicksville branch
Flushing Bank celebrates the Grand Opening of its newest branch in
Hicksville, NY with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday. Detailed story on page 3
India to invite Pakistan PM Imran Khan for SCO meet
New Delhi: Pakistan prime minis‑
ter Imran Khan will be invited to
India to attend the annual meeting
of the council of heads of govern‑
ment of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO), the Indian for‑
eign ministry said on Thursday.
“As per the established practice
and procedure in SCO, all eight
OP ED 18 WELLNESS 24
i n j o u r n a l i s m
New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Trump’s impeach
trial begins in
Senate Tuesday
Before proceeding to New Delhi to take up his assignment as
Foreign Secretary, Indiaʼs envoy to the US, Harsh V.Shringla, called
on President Trump and thanked him for his steadfast support
forstrengthening the India‑US strategic partnership. President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Sen. Chuck Grassley swears in
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as the presiding officer for the
impeachment trial of President Trump on Thursday. (Source: Senate TV)
Washington DC: T he Senate
opened only the third presidential
impeachment trial in history,
swearing in the chief justice of the
United States, John G. Roberts Jr.,
as the presiding of ficer as sena‑
tors took an oath Thursday to ren‑
der “impartial justice.”
The Senate then issued a formal
summons for President Trump,
informing him of the charges and
invit ing him to respond by
Saturday. Senators set a series of
deadlines for Mr. Trumpʼs team
and the House managers, and
adjourned the trial for a long
weekend. Behind closed doors,
Senator Mitch McConnell and his
aides were working to finish a res‑
olution that would establish the
contours of the first phase of the
trial. Adam B. Schif f, the lead
members of SCO as well as 4 House impeachment manager,
observer states and other interna‑ read aloud the two charges of
tional dialogue partners will be abuse of power and obstruction of
invited to attend the meeting,” for‑ Congress against Mr. Trump in the
eign ministry spokesperson Senate chamber, laying out the
Raveesh Kumar told a weekly case against him:
news briefing on Thursday. Hours before the senators took
India is hosting the meeting of their oath, the Government
Continued on page 4 Accountability Office, a watchdog
INDIA-US RELATIONS 19 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30
agency, determined that Mr.
Trumpʼs administration violated
the law when it withheld aid to
Ukraine, an issue at the heart of
the impeachment case against the
president.
Demo crats allege that Mr.
Trump, a Republican, improperly
withheld the aid to pressure Kyiv
to launch invest ig at ions that
would help him politically in the
2020 election.
Mr. Trump has denied wrongdo‑
ing, calling the case against him a
“big hoax” on Thursday. He is the
third president in U.S. history to be
impeached.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authori‑
ties opened a criminal probe into
whether U.S. citizens placed the
U.S. ambassador to Ukraine under
surveillance, as text messages sug‑
gest, before she was removed from
her post last year by Mr. Trump.
T he information came to light
after House Democrats released
documents Tuesday showing that
an associate of Mr. Trumpʼs per‑
sonal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, was
Continued on page 4
Related stories on page 10 and 11.
excellence in journalism
TheSouthAsianTimes.info January 18-24, 2020
TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY January 18-24, 2020 3

Flushing Bank hosts Grand Opening

reception for its new Hicksville location
Uniondale, NY: Flushing Financial
Corporation (the “Company”) (Nasdaq:
FFIC), the parent holding company for
Flushing Bank (the “Bank”), announced that
the Bank hosted a Grand Opening Reception
on Tuesday at Jani Restaurant in Hicksville
to celebrate its new location at 268 North
Broadway, Hicksville, NY.
John R. Buran, President and CEO of
Flushing Bank, stated: “Our Grand Opening
reception was well attended by community
leaders, real estate developers, business
owners, and professionals from Hicksville
and the surrounding communities. This new
Hicksville location is a natural extension of
our business footprint and expands our
presence on Long Island. We are excited to
introduce our customer‑centric Universal
Banker model with Assisted Service Kiosk
(ASK) and Video Banker services to the
Hicksville community. This highly‑efficient
model gives customers the flexibility to
choose a self‑service option for everyday
transactions or to interact with a Universal
Banker for more complex financial transac‑
tions or problem resolution. Our Video
Bank®, a New York State‑chartered com‑
mercial bank insured by the FDIC. The
Bank serves consumers, businesses, profes‑
sionals, corporate clients, and public enti‑
ties by of fering a full complement of
deposit, loan, equipment finance, and cash
management services through its banking
of fices lo cated in Queens, Brooklyn,
Manhattan, and on Long Island. As a leader
in real estate lending, the Bankʼs experi‑
enced lending teams create mortgage solu‑
tions for real estate owners and property
managers both w ithin and
outside the NYC metropolitan area.
Flushing Bank is an Equal Housing
Lender. The Bank also operates an online
banking division consist ing of
iGObanking.com®, which of fers competi‑
Accompanied by Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Nassau County legis‑ tively priced deposit products to con‑
lator Rose Walker presented a citation on behalf of the county to John R. Buran, sumers nationwide, and BankPurely®, an
President and CEO of Flushing Bank. Sandy Bhatia, manager of the newly opened eco‑friendly, healthier lifestyle community
Hicksville branch, is 3rd from right. brand.
Banker service extends the engagement by About Flushing Financial Additional information on Flushing Bank
connecting customers, face‑to‑face, with Corporation and Flushing Financial Corporation may be
bankers through a video‑chat platform from Flushing Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: obtained by visiting the Companyʼs website
7 a.m. to 11 p.m.” FFIC) is the holding company for Flushing at http://www.flushingbank.com.

GOPIO takes part in the first ʻChalo Consulateʼ event

New York: The Global Organization
of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
Internat ional of ficials, Life
Members and chapter of ficials
from the New York area were invit‑
ed to an interactive meeting at the
Indian Consulate in New York on
Jan 13. This is a new initiative from
the Indian Consulate, ʻChalo
Consulateʼ where community repre‑
sentat ives can interact w ith
Consulate of ficials and discuss
issues of the community and find
solutions to them. Consul General
Sandeep Chakravorty was present
along w ith his team including
Consul for Trade Devi Prasad
Misra, Consul (Political & Press,
Information and Culture) Vipul
Mesariya , Consul (Consular,
Passport, Visa & OCI) Murugesan
Ramaswamy, Consul for
Community Af fairs A.K.
Vijayakrishnan and Head of the
Chancery Jaideep Chola.
GOP IO was represented by
Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham,
International Coordinators Lal
Motwani and Harbachan Singh,
GOPIO‑New York Vice President
Inderjit Singh, GOPIO‑CT President
GOPIO officials presenting to Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty
the First Day Covers released by the USPS in 1989 in New York
when GOPIO was formed.
Ashok Nichani, GOPIO‑Central New
York President Patsy Leopald,
GOPIO North Jersey Vice President
Dhnanjay Desai and others. GOPIO
also invited a few other community
representatives to this meeting
including South Asian Council for
Social Services (SACSS) and The
Kerala Center.
T he Indian Consulate in New
York has launched PRAMIT pro‑
gram through its website where
most of the consular and other
information can be channeled in a
very effective way.
Consul General Chakravorty said,
“To strengthen response manage‑
ment system of Consulate, we have
focused on e‑Governance solutions
and designed in house a web appli‑
cation named PRAMIT (Pravasi
Mitra). Within few months of its
launch it has become popular
among the users. PRAMIT web
application has dashboard based
centralized monitoring and
response system for calls as well as
messages form users. At present
through PRAMIT we are able to
monitor as well as reply every
call/query within one business day.
It is very simple and user‑friendly
web application.”According to the 2.7 million people in 13 months,”
Consul General, on an average the added CG Chakravorty.
Consulate handles 800‑ 1000 GOPIO Chairman Dr. T homas
applications/applicants per day. In Abraham said that GOPIO works
last one year through PRAMIT and closely with all Indian missions
has handled around 16000+ mes‑ worldwide for the benefit of the
sage queries as well as processed Indian diaspora.
around 4000+ misc services appli‑ Participants at the meeting could
cat ions (Aug‑Dec 2019) and also bring out general community
answered/replied around 32,000+ issues at this meeting.
calls (April‑Dec 2019). PRAMIT has At the meeting, GOPIO of ficials
been proven to be an ef fective e‑ presented Amb. Chakravorty two
Governance tool to handle various First Day Covers released by the
issues related to Indian community. USPS at the First Convention of
“Most importantly, we never People of Indian Origin in New
missed a single call/message after York in 1989.
PRAMIT was launched and our “It was a highly productive meet‑
website has been visited by around ing,” said Dr. Abraham.
China‑US phase‑1 trade deal has
bearing on world peace
Washington: Chinese Vice Premier Liu He has said that the phase‑1 eco‑
nomic and trade agreement between Beijing and Washington was more
than an economic deal, as it also had a bearing on world peace and
prosperity. The agreement benefits both countries and the whole world,
and serves the interest of global producers, consumers and investors,
Liu told the media here on Wednesday after he signed the deal along
with President Donald Trump in the White House.
 4 January 18-24, 2020
Newly‑opened California
gurdwara vandalized
San Francisco: A newly inaugurated gurd‑
wara in California was vandalized with
white nationalist graffiti, which included
the phrase "White Power" and depicted a
swastika on a concrete slab at the front
entrance, a media report said
The Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara
Sahib, located in Orangevale, about an
hour from San Francisco, was inaugurat‑
ed on January 12, the San‑Ramon based
Indica news portal said in a report on
Wednesday.
The vandalization took place between
Sunday evening and Monday morning,
the report added.
The gurdwara is still under construc‑
tion, so the front slab was empty, head
Indian immigration to US down 7.5%: Think tank
Washington: Stricter regulations by the
Donald Trump administration ensured
fewer Indians moved to the United States
on a green card during the two years
leading up to 2018, data from the
National Foundation for American Policy
(NFAP) revealed. According to an
Economic Times report, the 7.5% drop in
legal immigration was in line with the
overall decline of 7.3% seen during the
period FY 2016 to FY 2018, the NFAP's
analysis of the Department of Homeland
Security data said.
Recently released figures from the
Department of Home land Security
showed legal immigration declining by
almost 87,000, by more than 7%,
between FY 2016 and FY 2018.
"Much of the decline in Indian immi‑
grants coming to America in 2018 was
due to fewer spouses, children and par‑
ents of US citizens gaining approval to
immigrate," Stuart Anderson, executive
director, NFAP, said.
"That is due to administration policies
that created more extensive vetting of
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Trumpʼs impeach trial begins
in Senate Tuesday
Continued from page 1
sent text messages about tracking Marie
Khalsa said he learned about the inci‑
Yovanovitch in Ukraine.
Democratic and GOP lawmakers continued to
wrangle on Thursday over whether new wit‑
nesses and evidence will be allowed in the trial.
dent when the police visited him after a Those issues arenʼt expected to be decided until
neighbor saw the graffiti and immediate‑ well after the trial begins in earnest on
ly alerted authorities. Tuesday.
"We are not shocked but it bothers us,"
he said, adding that the FBI was investi‑ Trump likely to visit India in February
gating the case. Continued from page 1
In a statement, Orangevale Sikh com‑ endorsed each other before a massive Indian
munity member Dimple Bhullar said: "We diaspora.
were shocked and saddened to discover Though, majority of Indians in the US have
this hateful message, because no group historically and traditionally been Democrat
should ever be the target of this kind of voters, the ʻHowdy Modiʼ event in Texas, may
The Sikh temple opened the day before bigotry. have struck a new political dynamic.
the vandalism was discovered.
"The Sikh community has been an inte‑ Republicans in the US hope to swing Indian
priest Manjit Singh Khalsa told Indica gral part of California for 125 years, and votes in their favor in the next presidential elec‑
news, adding that the assailant used a we won't let this divide or silence us tions.
black spray paint. now." President Trumpʼs visit to India, sources said,
will most likely be finalized after his impeach‑
ment trial begins in the Senate next week
The last US President who visited India was
Barack Obama in 2015.
applications, longer delays and more visa received lawful permanent resident sta‑ New Delhi and Washington DC are expected
denials at US consulates," he added. tus or g reen cards declined from to sign a trade deal pending since 2018, amid
T he US government has tightened 1,183,505 in FY 2016 to 1,096,611 in FY an economic slowdown in India.
immigration norms, especially via policy 2018, a drop of 86,894 or 7.3%.
changes, that have India to invite Pakistan PM
slowed down the Imran Khan for SCO meet
pace at which
g reen card pet i‑
Notification of name change Continued from page 1
the council of heads of government of the SCO
tions were granted. I Shilpa Biswas‐Dutt, daughter of for the first time. The SCO, a China‑dominated
For instance, group, was founded at a summit in Shanghai in
according to the
Nimai Chand Biswas, holder of 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz
public charge rule, Indian passport No. N5809061 Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and
any individual who Uzbekistan.
is dependent on issued at Kolkata on Jul 01, 2016, Officials have said it would be for Pakistan
the government for
cash aid or health‑
permanent resident of India and Prime Minister Imran Khan to decide if he
accepts the invitation and travels to India or
care would not be presently residing at 40‐14 62nd sends a representative. There have also been
eligible for citizen‑ instances of the foreign ministers of countries
ship. This rule, if Street, Apt # 2G, Woodside, NY attending the SCO heads of government meet‑
cleared, will put a 11377, USA do hereby change my ings in the past.
large number of India had been an observer at the SCO since
potent ial immi‑ name from SHILPA BISWAS to 2005 and has generally participated in the min‑
g rants in a t ig ht isterial‑level meetings of the grouping which
spot.
SHILPA BISWAS‐DUTT, with focus mainly on security and economic cooper‑
The total number immediate effect. ation in the Eurasian region. India and Pakistan
of people who became full members of the SCO in June 2017.
Consultants New Delhi Bureau News Service
Shomik Chaudhuri P: 646.498.5122 Meenakshi Iyer IANS News Service
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY January 18-24, 2020 5

Indian American women feature Two Indian‑origin women

in 'Saris to Suits' calendar
Washington, DC: The 2020 edi‑
tion of the uniquely themed ʻSaris
to Suitsʼ calendar features inspira‑
tional Indian‑American women
ranging in age from 18 to 97. The
new edition reflects the same spir‑
it that inspired Patti Tripathi, an
Indian‑American former CNN
news anchor, to initiate the ʻSaris
to Suits' calendar featuring promi‑
nent South Asian women role
mo de ls in 2012, reports T he
American Bazaar newspaper.
Designed as a tool to empower
South Asian women, the 36‑page
glossy calendar includes bios and
empowerment quotes, according
to GOPIO news bulletin.
It also gives holidays and festi‑
vals of major religions and South
Asian communities, and important
dates of women in history, includ‑
ing world leaders.
Appearing in the 2020 calendar
is Seema Verma, the administrator
of the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services and Nina
Radclif f, a board‑certified anes‑
thesiologist in New Jersey from
the princely family of Udaipur in
Saris to Suits face of January is
Seema Verma for Pose
For A Purpose 2020 campaign.
Rajasthan, India.
Also featured from the medical
fraternity are Naina Sachdev, med‑
ical director of Beverly Hills,
California‑based Naina MD Anti‑
Aging and Regenerative Clinic and
Sujatha Reddy, a board‑certified
Obstetrician‑Gynecologist and an
Emmy Award‑winning medical
journalist.
The media world is represented
by Veena Rao, founder, and editor‑
in‑chief of NRI Pulse, and her
mother Frances M. West, who
founded the Ogmobosho School
for the Blind in Nigeria. From the
arena of arts comes Priya Yadav,
an accomplished Bharatanatyam
dancer and a sophomore at Emory
University, who was adopted from
a Pune orphanage when she was
two.
Also featured is Atlanta,
Georgia‑based singer‑songwriter
and performer Movina Nagarajan,
who released her debut single,
"Call Me Baddie", in 2018.
So is Elementary educat ion
teacher Marsha Nicholas‑Nigri,
who also runs Café Amici, an
Italian restaurant in Sarasota,
Florida, with her husband.
This edition of ʻSaris to Suits',
according to Tripathi, focuses on
building awareness and support‑
ing key organizations in a con‑
certed ef fort to break down the
barriers that constrain the
advancement of women and girls.
Calendar boxes have been
donated to several US organiza‑
tions, including Raksha, Apna
Ghar, Sakhi for South Asian
Women and Ascend Atlanta for
Asian business networking. (IANS)
attorneys appointed
judges in New York
New York: Two Indian‑origin
women attorneys have been
appointed as judges to the criminal
and civil courts by New York City
Mayor Bill de Blasio. Judge Archana
Rao has been appointed to the
Criminal Court while Judge Deepa
Ambekar, 43, was reappointed to
the Civil Court in New York.
Judge Rao was first appointed as
an Interim Civil Court Judge in
January 2019 and has been serving
in Criminal Court. Prior to her
appointment, she served with the
New York County District Attorney's
Office for 17 years, most recently as
the Bureau Chief of the Financial
Frauds Bureau.
She is a graduate of Vassar
College and received her Juris
Doctor degree from Fordham
University School of Law.
Judge Ambekar was first appoint‑
ed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in
May 2018 and has been serving in
Criminal Court.
Prior to her appointment, she
served with the New York City
Council as a Senior Legislative
Attorney and Counse l to the
Committee on Public Safety.
Judge Ambekar also served as a
Staf f Attorney with the Legal Aid
Society, Criminal Defence Division.
She is a graduate of the University
of Michigan and received her Juris
Doctor degree from Rutgers Law
School.
T he Mayor made 28 judicial
appointments and reappointments
to Family Court, Criminal Court and
Civil Court. The appointments were
effective January 1.
"These appointees will represent
New Yorkers proudly and work tire‑
lessly to provide oversight of our
courts," de Blasio said.
"Their work is essential in ensur‑
ing that we are creating a fairer city
for all."
Family, Criminal and Civil Court
are part of the New York State
Unified Court System. Family Court
judges hear cases related to adop‑
tion, foster care and guardianship,
custody and visitation, domestic vio‑
lence, abused or neglected children,
and juvenile delinquency. (PTI)

Commemorative event Jan NY Consulate honors

GOPIO International
Coordinator‑at‑large Lal
19 on 30th anniversary of Motwani: The New York
Indian Consulate on Jan 9 as
part of the Pravasi Bharatiya

Kashmiri Pandit Genocide Divas 2020 honored community

Edison, NJ: Indian American organizations
and community leaders are joining Indian
Americans For Kashmir (IAFK) on January
19 at TV Asia auditorium in Edison at 3 pm
to commemorate the Kashmiri Pandit
(Hindu) genocide that began on January 19,
1990, and to recognize the resiliency and
noble spirit of the survivors of that commu‑
nity. Many Indian and American dignitaries,
local politicians and mainstream personali‑
ties have been invited to attend in solidarity
with and recognition of the journey and
struggles of Kashmiri Hindus. This event is
designed to present the truth, data and fac‑
tual stories as well as current events and
progress in the restoration of peace in the
Kashmir state of India. Several hundred
attendees are expected to participate.
Kashmir has been in the news in recent
times due to government actions in the
region designed to replace a medieval State
Constitution with the Constitution of India
leading to the empowerment of Kashmiris.
This has led to a massive disinformation
campaign on the part of Pakistan which has
worked its way into the American media and
also some members of the US Congress.
However, the history and story of Kashmir
has been ignored. The exodus and exile of
Kashmiri Hindus never made the news. The
culpability of Pakistani aggression and ter‑
rorism aided and abetted by its lo cal
Islamist proxies has never been exposed.
IAFK (Indian Americans for Kashmir) is a
platform where data‑based and well‑docu‑
mented news will be brought in the lime‑
light. Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, the
leading voice of the Kashmiri Pandit com‑
munity is a valued partner on this important
IAFK initiative.
The event on January 19 is the 30th
anniversary of that fateful night when the
genocide of Kashmiri Hindus began. TV
Asia is opening its auditorium to host the
event which will begin at 3 pm and end with
a homage to the Kashmiri Pandits who lost
their lives including the brave Indian armed
forces who have sacrificed all to protect the
motherland. This will be followed at 6 pm
by a complimentary dinner for all. The
event is free to attend but registration is
necessary. There will be well‑known speak‑
ers from the Indian and American communi‑
ty. There will be several television channels
and print media reporters covering the
event. This event will be impactful in raising
awareness and allowing its audience to pon‑
der some very important questions.
Event Location: TV Asia Auditorium, 76
National Road, Edison NJ 08817
Event Contact: Indianamericans4kash‑
mir@gmail.com
Event Registration link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/d/united‑
states‑‑new‑jersey/30th‑anniversary‑of‑
kashmiri‑pandit‑genocide/
(via Indian Americans for Kashmir press
release)
leader Lal Motwani. He served in
the founding team of the India
Day parade in New York by the
Federation of Indian
Associations (FIA) in New York in
1981 and continued as an officer
of the FIA in the 1980s. In 1989, he was in the founding team of the GOPIO. Later
he became the president and chairman of the National Federation of Indian
American Associations (NFIA). He also served as the president of the Society of
Indian American Engineers and Architects and as the president of Alliance of
Global Sindhi Associations (2015‑2017). He is also a member of the Multicultural
Audience Development Initiative of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has
coordinated many Indian programs at the MET. Seen in the photo: Lal and Kavita
Motwani with Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty after receiving the honor.
Prominent
Rajasthani doctors
visit SMS Medical
College in Jaipur: Dr.
Sudhir Bhandari, principal,
and controller of the SMS
Medical College, on Jan 3,
received a delegation of US
doctors at Jaipur, promi‑
nent amongst which were
Dr. Vinod Sancheti of
Rajasthan doctors associa‑
tion of North America ( RAAJMAI), Dr. Akshat Jain, director of cancer and blood
disorders, Loma Linda University California, Dr. Raj Modi and Dr. Raj Bhayani of
New York. The principal enlightened the visiting doctors of the remarkable
progress made by the medical college in terms of the development of the organ
transplant program, free drug delivery program and the progress of the
Ayushman Bharat Yojna. A tour of the medical college campus was given. Newly
formed alumni department for past graduates of the college to get involved in
starting new initiatives was also introduced to the delegation. The delegation was
very impressed with the progress made by the college and vowed to support the
institution from the United States in every capacity.
 6 January 18-24, 2020
Maloney introduces bill to ensure Health Committee to review
breastfeeding rights for working moms
Washington, DC: Congresswoman
Carolyn B. Maloney (D‑NY) Jan 13
introduced the PUMP (Providing
Urgent Maternal Protections) for
Nursing Mothers Act. This bill will
close unintentional gaps in the
Break Time for Nursing Mothers
Act to ensure that millions of
working mothers have the access
and protections they need to
breastfeed should they choose to
do so.
“As the first woman to give birth
while serving on the New York
City Council, I know firsthand the
dif ficulties new mothers face in
the workplace,” said Rep.
Maloney. “T hose dif ficult ies
Read the fine
print on your
new gift card
N during February break
e w Yo r k S t a t e C o m p t r o l l e r
Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging New
Yorkers this holiday season to
read the fine print on gift cards for details
about fees
and expira‑
tion dates.
While some
gift card
sellers have
e liminated
inactivity fees, consumers should still ask
whether fees apply.
DiNapoli also reminds recipients to
spend their new gift cards in a timely
manner, otherwise, the money could even‑
tually get turned over to the Of fice of
Unclaimed Funds.
Nassau County to launch
school bus safety program
Mineola, NY: Nassau County
Execut ive Laura Curran
announced Tuesday the county
will be rolling out a program that
will enable school districts to
install new bus cameras to iden‑
tify drivers who illegally pass a
bus stopped to drop off and pick
up children.
The county is launching a pub‑
lic awareness campaign, so resi‑
dents are not caught of f guard
by the new program, of ficials
legislation regulating
e-cigarette products
should not include breastfeeding
and millions of nursing mothers
are still without a clear right to
pump at work. Without these pro‑
tections, nursing mothers face
serious health consequences,
including risk of painful illness
and infection, diminished milk
supply, or inability to continue
breastfeeding – this is why we
must pass the PUMP for Nursing
Mothers Act to strengthen the
2010 Break Time law by making
sure more working moms are
guaranteed the right to pump at
work.”
Carolyn Maloney
Kids week set at Suffolk
County Historical Society
A
dmission will be free
for children and $5
for adults during
Kids Week at The Suf folk
County Historical Society
10 a.m to 4:30 p.m from
W ed n e s d a y, F e b 1 9 t o
Saturday, Feb 22.
D u r i n g t h e w ee k , t h e
museum will have a tempo‑
rary makeover to have fam‑
ily‑friendly exhibits, free
cookie and juice refresh‑
ments, and activities.
T h e m u s e u m s ʼ s i g n a ge
will temporarily be changed
said.
"My main priority is to ensure
the health and safety of our resi‑
dents, especially young people.
The School Bus Safety program
will give Nassau's school districts
the option to install new bus
cameras which will help us stop
the dangerous practice of reck‑
lessly passing a school bus when
the stop sign is extended," said
Nassau County Executive Laura
Curran.
LOCAL GOVT
to be more understandable
b y s ch o o l ‑ a g e ch i l d r e n ,
t o u ch ‑ t a b l e ed u c a t i o n a l
play stations will be imple‑
mented for hands‑on expe‑
riences, the Historical
Playroom will let kids expe‑
rience play t ime the old‑
fashioned way with colonial
clothes, historic role‑play‑
ing, old‑world games, toys,
and crafts and a scavenger
hunt w ith prizes w ill be
held.
For more information call
(631)727‑2881 ext. 100.
Laura Curran
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Albany, NY: A bill to regulate e‑
cigarette products heads to the
Health Committee for review
after a state Supreme Court jus‑
tice struck down the emergency
ban on flavored vaping products.
In a ruling issued this week in
Albany, Acting State Supreme
Court Justice Catherine Cholakis
said regulating the vaping indus‑
try is a job for the state
Legislature, not the executive
branch.
Amid a multi‑state outbreak of
vaping‑related illnesses, State
Senator Kevin T homas intro‑
duced legislation in September to
prohibit the sale of certain refill‑
able e‑liquid products. The prod‑
ucts, often obtained through
unregulated vendors, can be
refilled with illicit or unknown
Free flu shot in
Suffolk County
Suffolk County, NY: With the flu
running rampant across the coun‑
try, Suf folk County of ficials are
giving residents a chance to get
free flu shots. Earlier this month,
the federal Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention revealed
that the latest data from the
agency, current as of the week
ending Dec. 21, showed the virus
was widespread in 39 states,
including New York.
There were about 5,300 labora‑
tory‑confirmed flu reports in New
York, up 62 percent over the pre‑
vious wee k. T he number of
patients hospitalized with lab‑con‑
firmed flu was 520, up 1 percent
over the previous week.
As a result, Steve Bellone, the
Suffolk County executive, and Dr.
James Tomarken, the county
health commissioner, announced
Tuesday the county will offer free
flu immunizations to residents 6
months or older who are unin‑
sured or whose health insurance
does not cover the shot.
"The health and wellness of our
residents is of utmost impor‑
tance," Bellone said. "The flu has
substances that could increase
their potential for harm to the
user. Additionally, e‑liquids can
contain higher concentrations of
nicotine, which can produce seri‑
ous health issues.
“We have a responsibility to
protect our children from unregu‑
lated, unsafe, and potentially dan‑
gerous products,” said Senator
Thomas, who represents NYʼs 6th
Senatorial District in Nassau
County. He presently serves as
chair of the Committee on
Consumer Protection. “E‑liquids
are a hazardous product, and
with the rising popularity of vap‑
ing among minors, our children
have become the test subjects.
My legislation aims to keep these
products off the shelves and save
lives.”
been on the rise and we want resi‑
dents to know it is not too late to
protect yourself and your loved
ones from what can turn into a
debilitating disease by getting
immunized as soon as possible."
First, the county will be offering
free flu shots Thursday from 2
p.m. to 6 p.m. at the county
Department of Health Services
Administration Board Room on
3500 Sunrise Hwy., Suite 124, in
Great River. A second event is
planned at the Riverhead Library
on Tuesday, January 21, from 2
p.m. to 6 p.m. on 330 Court St.
Residents should enter on
Osborne Avenue.
Flu shots are also available at
local pharmacies, pediatricians'
and healthcare providers' of fices
as well at Suffolk County affiliat‑
ed health centers.
Residents who are having diffi‑
culty finding flu shots or commu‑
nity groups serving those who are
in need of flu shots are advised to
contact the Suf folk County
Department of Health Services'
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
at 631‑854‑0333.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY January 18-24, 2020 7

Babson College prof fired Amazon sells bathroom rugs

for joke about Iranian with Golden Temple pics,
bomb list of US sites slapped with legal notice
New York: An Indian‑American professor,
who posted a joke on Facebook about Iran
choosing 52 US cultural sites to bomb, has
been fired by his college.
Babson College said Asheen Phansey was
fired because the post on his “personal
Facebook page does not represent the val‑
ues and culture of the College”, according
to WBZ television.
He had apologized for the post last week
calling it “sloppy humor” that was “read as
a threat.”
His post was a reaction to President
Donald Trumpʼs tweet about targeting sites
“very high level and important to Iran and
the Iranian culture.”
Bombing cultural sites is a war crime
under international law and contradicting
Trump, US of ficials said that Washington
would not target them.
Phansey suggested on Facebook that Iran
selected 52 US sites such as the Mall of
America in Minnesota or the residence of
the Kardashians, a family of American
celebrities made famous by the reality TV
series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”
He was the director of sustainability at
Babson College, an institution that special‑
izes in business and entrepreneurship edu‑
Asheen Phansey had posted
the joke on Facebook
cation. It is located in Wellesley, about 20
km from Boston.
“I am really concerned about what this
portends for our ability as Americans to
engage in political discourse without pre‑
suming the worst about each other,”
Phansey said in a statement quoted by
WBZ.
“People wilfully misinterpreted a joke I
made to my friends on Facebook,” and had
hoped the college “would have defended
and supported my right to free speech.”
The college, however, said that it “con‑
demns any type of threatening words
and/or actions condoning violence and/or
hate.” (IANS)
New York: Amazon.com is facing major
backlash because of bathroom rugs, toi‑
let seat covers and mats with images of
the Golden Temple, the holy shrine of
the Sikhs, being sold on the United
States retailerʼs website.
T he Shiromani Gurudwara
Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) sent a
legal notice to Amazon on Jan 11, 2020.
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal
said that this is an instance of blasphe‑
my and therefore strong action must be
taken against the company. The e‑retail‑
er is facing backlash on Twitter with
numerous users calling for boycott of
Amazon using a #BoycottAmazon hash‑
tag being the top trending topic in the
country.
Condemning the act, De lhi Sikh
Gurdwara Management Committee
(DSGMC) chief Manjinder Singh Sirsa
filed an FIR against the company for
hurting the sentiments of the Sikh com‑
munity.
Taking to Twitter, Sirsa posted a few
pictures showing bathroom rugs printed
with the images of Golden Temple on it.
In his tweet, Sirsa said that Amazon is
showing “recklessness towards Sikh sen‑
(left) The toilet covers with the holy
Sikh temple images, products with
Hindu deities sold earlier (right)
timents”. He also urged Amazon to ban
the seller and asked them to issue a
global apology.
In May 2019, in a similar case, Indian
Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj was
also tagged in certain tweets after which
she threatened to rescind the visas of
Amazon employees if the articles were
not removed from the website.
In 2016, bathroom mats, toilet seats,
shoes and dog tags with images of
Hindu deities were displayed on the
retail we bsite follow ing the
#BoycottAmazon hashtag started trend‑
ing for the first time on twitter, after
people in India found out about it.
(source: lawstreet.co)

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 8 January 18-24, 2020 NATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

NRIs in Sacramento hold rally in support of CAA

Sacramento, CA: NRIs rallied at
California State Capitol,
Sacramento on Jan 5 in support of
the Citizenship Amendment Act
(CAA) and thanked Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and the Indian
government for the humanitarian
help to religiously persecuted
minorities in three neighboring
countries.
“Over 200 Indian diaspora have
come with colorful and meaning‑
ful placards, slogans, banners and
flags of USA and India. Their mes‑
sage was loud and clear,” said
Indian American Shivesh Sinha,
one of the organizers of the rally.
CAA support rally was organ‑
ized by Sacramento for New India
Group. The speakers were from
Indian regions including but not
limited to Beng al, Kashmir,
Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Tamilnadu, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and
Maharashtra.
This rally was aimed at “dis‑
pelling the misinformation and
myths” surrounding the law as
well as to counter the propaganda
of hate, lies and downrig ht
absurdities, the organizers said.
The introduction of the CAA was
g iven by Gururaj Narasimha.
Shivesh Sinha, one of the organiz‑
ers of the Sacramento rally, said
the opponents of the CAA and the
NRC were misinformed and did
not want to talk about facts or lis‑
ten to the facts.
Aparna Malaviya, a Fulbright
The supporters aimed at dispelling the misinformation and myths surrounding the law
Post‑Do ctoral Scholar at the
Department of Asian American
studies at UC Davis, is currently
working on her Postdoctoral proj‑
ect on Afghan refugees. She gave
her insights to the audience based
on her research work on Afghan
refugees in India, and the prob‑
lems that they faced in their home
country. She conveyed that CAA is
a significant positive step in sup‑
porting such refugees, but a lot
more is needed.
“Instead of having civil debate
based on facts, unfortunately,
some organizations are bent on
subverting any discourse or the
truth, by spreading completely
absurd lies about CAA and what is
lost in their discourse is the plight
of those who suffered untold suf‑
ferings since the partition of
India,” said Shivesh Sinha,
spokesperson for the rally.
Inder Kaw, a Kashmiri Pandit
and one of the participants, start‑
ed his speech with Veda Sloka
chanting and said they have come
together to extend their support
to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
T he part icipants demanded
strict punishment for protestors
found involved in destroying pub‑
lic property and targeting police
personnel in India, and to not
spare the mastermind behind
these activities.
Dr. Bhavin Parikh, one of the
organizers, said “There have been
a number of good initiatives taken
by the Government of India like ‑
Clean India movement (Swachh
Bharat), and educate a girl child
(Beti Padao) program that are
showing positive impact now.
NRIs have been actively support‑
ing such initiatives.”
Panduranga Itagi, one of the
participants, said: “NRIs see the
benefits of CAA to the impacted
minorities in the neighboring
countries of India, and hence are
supporting the same.”
Manas Ray – who came from a
Bengali family which migrated
from East Pakistan during parti‑
tion, and has been dealing with
refugee issues for several years
said, “We need to reflect that in
1947 the percentage of
Hindu/Sikh populat ion in
Pakistan was nearly 23% and
today is about 1.5%, similarly in
Bangladesh, it was 30% Hindus in
1947, now reduced to about
10%.”
Abhinav Shukla, a participant
said, “Any person from any coun‑
try, and of any religion, can still
become a citizen of India by fol‑
lowing due processes – just like
any other immigration law in the
world.”
Venkat, one of the participants,
said, “In California to get a State
Real ID, three forms of verification
are a must for residents here. Just
to re‑enroll a child in a local
school district also requires fami‑
lies to submit at least three differ‑
ent address verification forms for
school boundaries. What is the
problem for people living in India
in showing their verification IDs
to confirm they are the legal citi‑
zens of India? India cannot be a
ʻPublic Dharma Satramʼ for all
anymore, as currently people from
neighboring countries come and
live in India illegally, work for
cheap and cause social, political
and security issues for the local
communities over there. T his
must be stopped. Through CAA,
NPR, and NRC they all must be
checked for IDs and whoever does
not possess, they all need to be
sent back.”
Vote of thanks was done by Dr.
Bhavin Parikh, a physician, and an
active leader of several Indian
community organizations over
several years. The event ended
with the rendition of the full ver‑
sion of Vande Mataram by Tushar
Sashittal, an active local communi‑
ty leader.

Indian American medical

student falls to death
in Philadelphia
Washington, DC: An nounced dead.
Indian‑American medical A ʻGoFundMeʼ page
student fell to his death set up for Subramani
while jumping between by the Philade lphia
rooftops in the city of chapter of the Sigma
Philadelphia, according Beta Rho fraternity
to news reports. described him as a
The victim was identi‑ bright, young and car‑
fied as the 23‑year‑old ing man who was so
third‑year Drexel College close to achieving his
of Medicine student dreams of becoming a
Vivek Subramani, the doctor.
NRI Pulse newspaper "After speaking with
reported. Vivek Subramani was third‑year Drexel the family, they have
According to the police, College of Medicine student chosen to use this
witnesses said Subramani and two friends on money in the way Vivek would've wanted
the night of January 11 were jumping them to. They have chosen to create an annu‑
between rooftops of their apartment building al scholarship for aspiring medical students
when the accident happened. at the Drexel University College of Medicine
Police said that they had been drinking at a to help them reach their dream of becoming
fraternity event earlier in the evening. a doctor," said the organizers.
Subramani was found by his friends face Asked about the contradictory statements
down in a pool of blood and unresponsive. of university and police, Drexel spokesperson
They began to administer CPR until medics Niki Gianakaris said in an email: "T he
arrived. Philadelphia Police Department is handling
He was taken to the Thomas Jef ferson the investigation so they would be the ones
University Hospital, where he was pro‑ to confirm any details about the incident."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIASPORA January 18-24, 2020 9

Indian‑origin British MP Indian eatery provides free

in round 2 of Labor
leadership race
London: Lisa Nandy, the Indian‑
origin British MP, and four oth‑
ers have made it to the second
round of the Labor leadership
race to succeed incumbent party
chief Jeremy Corbyn.
Shadow Minister for
Sustainable Economics Clive
Lewis' decided to pull out of the
race minutes before the deadline
closed, qualify ing Nandy,
Birmingham MP Jess Phillips;
Shadow First Secretary of State
Emily T hornberry; Shadow
Secretary of State for Exiting the
European Union Keir Starmer;
and Shadow Business Secretary
MP Rebecca Long‑Bailey for the
second round, mirror.co.uk
reported.
Thornberry scraped through
with the support of 23 MPs and
MEPs, while Nandy, on 31, and
Phillips, on 23, had won enough
backing days ago. Starmer and
Long‑Bailey were deemed as the
front‑runners after garnering 89
and 33 backers, respectively.
A second round of nominations
from constituency parties and
'af filiate' groups, like unions,
Lisa Nandy will replace Jeremy
Corbyn if she wins
opened on Wednesday. To get
through to the final ballot, candi‑
dates have a month to gather the
support of either 5 percent of all
constituency parties, or three
affiliates ‑ two of which must be
unions.
The deadline to make the final
round is February 14, a week
before the members vote opens
and six weeks before the result is
announced, on April 4.
More than 500,000 people
took part in the last leadership
contest, when Corbyn was re‑
e lected in 2016, the BBC
reported.
meals to bushfires victims
Melbourne: Extending a helping
hand to the hapless victims of the
raging bushfires in Australia, an
Indian couple provided fresh meals
from their restaurant to those
affected by the disaster.
Kamaljeet Kaur and her husband
Kanwaljeet Singh prepared simple
meals of curry and rice for the vic‑
tims in their Desi Grill restaurant in
Bairnsdale in Victoria as the bush‑
fire crisis in the country worsened.
"We distribute the food at the
relief centers as well as give to
those who come to our restaurant
asking for it," said Kaur. Kamaljeet Kaur and Kanwaljeet Singh roped in family and friends
"T he situation is really bad.
after their staff too had to leave due to the disaster
Initially, there was less fire in the ing to relief camps or moving to restaurant. "Most of the staff mem‑
area but later it expanded. People Melbourne. The couple, who migrat‑ bers have left due to the disaster.
have lost their lives, houses, farms, ed to Australia over a decade ago, My family and friends are working
and animals," she said. was earlier providing raw materials in the restaurant," said Kaur, who
Victoria is one of the worst affect‑ to Sikh volunteers in the area to along with her husband started the
ed areas in the disaster. Other areas prepare food for the affected peo‑ restaurant in Bairnsdale in 2016.
are New South Wales and South ple but later started preparing it in She said that the loss in the area
Australia. their restaurant. felt like "personal as we have lived
More than 14,000 hectares have Even the shortage in staff in their here for seven years before moving
been destroyed in South Australia's restaurant has not deterred the to Melbourne."
Flinders Chase National Park, Melbourne‑based couple from help‑ "This place is like a small country‑
Kangaroo Island. ing those in need as they have side area. We know almost every‑
Expressing concern over the situ‑ roped in friends and family to pre‑ one here and are emotionally con‑
ation, Kaur said that people had left pare food for the victims as well as nected with the people. So the loss
their houses and were either shift‑ manage business hours of the is more personal," she said.

NATIONAL

California sues billionaire

Vinod Khosla for blocking
access to a public beach
San Francisco: For nearly a century, people California argues in the lawsuit that because
flocked to Martin's Beach, a picturesque stretch the public has used Martin's Beach since at
of sand just south of Half Moon Bay in the San least the early 1900s, they have the right to
Francisco Bay Area, to swim, surf and dig their access it under a doctrine called implied dedica‑
toes into the sand. tion. The lawsuit alleges that Khosla closed the
Then in 2008, Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod gate to Martin's Beach and has largely blocked
Khosla, through two limited liability companies, public access to it, arguing that unless ordered
bought two large pieces of land otherwise by a court, he will
next to the popular beach, "continue to deny, impair and
which happened to contain the obstruct the public's right to
only viable public path to the use" the beach.
shore. For more than a decade, Dori Yob Kilmer, an attorney
Khosla has fought numerous for Khosla, said in a statement
legal battles to keep the public to CNN that the property is pri‑
off the beach ‑‑ and has shown vate and the state's claims
no signs of giving in. "have been extensively litigated
Now the state of California is and repeatedly rejected by the
the latest player to take on the courts" in a previous lawsuit.
venture capitalist, in a challenge Vinod Khosla "Since the property was pur‑
that could set a precedent for chased by our client, the state,
whether the public is entitled to have access to and small activist groups, have endeavored to
the state's coastline. The California State Lands seize our client's private property without com‑
Commission and the California Coastal pensation," Kilmer wrote.
Commission announced on Jan 6th that the "While such tactics are commonplace in com‑
state has filed a lawsuit to restore full public munist systems, they have never been tolerated
access to Martin's Beach. in the American system where the US
"This case goes to the heart of California's Constitution precludes the government from
public access mandate," California Coastal simply taking private property and giving it to
Commission Chair Steve Padilla said in a state‑ the public." Khosla, who co‑founded the tech‑
ment. "We cannot allow this to be chipped nology company Sun Microsystems, bought the
away each time someone purchases beachfront property encompassing Martin's Beach from a
property ‑‑ it's a dangerous precedent for the local family who had owned it since the early
future of public access in California." 1900s. (Souce: cnn.com)
 10 January 18-24, 2020 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

3 Senators open to impeachment witnesses

Washington: In the impeach‑
ment trial of President Trump,
Demo crats need only four
Republican votes to force the
Senate to subpoena witnesses
like John R. Bolton, the former
White House national security
adviser, to testify.
Three have signaled they may
be open to doing so: Senators
Mitt Romney, Susan Collins and
Lisa Murkowski.
That leaves Democrats search‑
ing for an elusive fourth vote.
The question of whether four
Republicans will defect ̶ and if
so, who ̶ looms large in the
Capitol as the Senate received
articles of impeachment from the
House on Wednesday. If they did,
Democrats could effectively com‑
mandeer the Senate floor during
the proceeding and defy Mitch
McConnell, the Majority leader,
by moving to call witnesses.
T hat could derail Mr.
McConnellʼs hopes to secure a
quick acquittal of Mr. Trump
with little debate, drastically
altering the course of the trial ̶
and potentially, of Mr. Trumpʼs
presidency.
So far, only Mr. Romney has
said explicitly that he wants Mr.
Bolton to appear. Ms. Collins,
who is facing a tough re‑election
fig ht in Maine, and Ms.
Murkowski have been a bit cagi‑
er, saying that they want the
Senate to vote on whether to
have witnesses or documents,
but only after both sides present
their cases.
The names of other Republican
senators ̶ including Cory
Gardner, who is in a tough 2020
race in Colorado, and Lamar
Alexander of Tennessee, who is
respectful of Senate institutions
and is retiring and thus freer to
vote his conscience ̶ have also If Democrats can force testimony from John R. Bolton, the former
been raised as possibilities. Mr. White House national security adviser, or others to testify, that may
Gardner can ill af ford to break impact the course of the trial. President Trump has threatened execu‑
with Mr. Trump. tive privilege to stop Bolton from testifying.

Dem candidates take on each other but

unite against Trump during debate
By Arul Louis
New York: Twenty days be fore the
Democrats begin the process of selecting
their candidate to face Donald Trump in
the November election, six candidates
sniped each other in a national debate
while collectively taking on the President.
US involvement in wars abroad was the
main foreign policy issue to come up in
the debate held on Tuesday under the
shadow of Trump's confrontation with
Iran.
Domestic issues like health care for all,
taxing the rich, income inequality and edu‑
cation took up most of the two‑hour
debate during which the candidates in the
whittled down field of six made their cases
for competence to be president and elec‑
tability against Trump.
The debate was held in Des Moines in
Iowa state, the first stop in the selection
process for the Democratic nominee that
is set for February 3.
One of the dramatic moments came
when a report that Senator Bernie Sanders
had told fellow‑leftist candidate Elizabeth
Warren that a woman can't be elected
president was raised.
Sanders vehemently denied having said
it, while Warren was equally adamant that
he had told her so, making one of them
untruthful. Trump added to the drama
while the debate was on in Des Moines by
throwing his support behind Sanders dur‑
ing a rally in Milwaukee.
He told his supporters, "I don't believe
Bernie said that, I really don't. It's not the
kind of a thing he would say."
"A woman can win for president," he
added. Extolling the power of women can‑
didates, Warren claimed that she was the
only one on the stage to have defeated an
incumbent Republican in an election in 30
years.
Sanders cut in to say that he had defeat‑
ed a Republican incumbent in 1990,
which is just short of 30 years.
Warren and Sanders are vying for sup‑
port from the same base of left‑leaning
Can a woman become President, and Trumpʼs Iran policy came up during the
Democratic debate with just 6 candidates in Iowa.
voters. The only unifying factor for the six
rivals was their disdain for Trump, whose
every policy from Iran to healthcare they
slammed.
Former Vice President Joe Biden's vote
for the Iraq War came up and Sanders,
who had opposed it, had a dig at him say‑
ing that they had both listened to former
President George W. Bush and other lead‑
ers make the case for the Iraq invasion by
claiming there were weapons of mass
destruction there and while he thought
they were lying, Biden "saw it differently."
Biden said, "I was mistaken and I
acknowledge that." All the candidates said
that they were against going to war
abroad, although Biden was against a
quick, unilateral withdrawal from Iraq as
it would empower the Islamic State, he
said. They all blamed Trump for the Iran
crisis by his withdrawal from the interna‑
tional agreement with Teheran on con‑
taining its nuclear program and starting a
confrontation by killing Iranian Major
General Qassim Soleimani in Iraq this
month.
But they agreed that Iran should not be
allowed to develop nuclear weapons and
the best way to do this was through inter‑
national cooperation. On North Korea,
Biden and the billionaire businessman
Tom Steyer said that they would not meet
that country's leader Kim Jong Un uncon‑
ditionally as Trump has done.
While they agreed that Congressional
approval should be required for going to
war, Pete Buttigieg, the only one to have
served in the Afghan War, said that he
would put a three‑year limit on the
authorization.
On trade, the candidates said that the
new deal negotiated with Canada and
Mexico by the Trump administration was
an improvement on NAFTA signed by for‑
mer President Bill Clinton.
But Sanders said that he would still not
vote for it. They all attacked both Trump's
trade war with China and the agreement
he has made with it as not going far
enough to protect American workers and
interests.
Sanders decried the outsourcing of man‑
ufacturing and other industries to coun‑
tries that pay their workers very little and
said that he would force companies seek‑
ing government contracts to ensure work
was done in the US.
Senator Amy Klobuchar and Biden pre‑
sented themse lves as mo derates on
domestic policies like health care in con‑
trast to Sanders and Warren.
The number of serious candidates who
reach the increasingly tougher qualifying
standards for participation in the debates
has been winnowed from 20 in the first
debate in June to just six on Tuesday.
Four others, including the Hindu
American candidate Tulsi Gabbard, are
still in the race although they did not qual‑
ify for the debate.
There is yet another candidate, Michael
Bloomberg, a former mayor of New York
and a billionaire owner the news and
financial information company that bears
his name. He entered the race too late to
run in the early primaries and caucuses or
to participate in the debate. But he is run‑
ning a massive TV campaign targeting
Trump, rather than his party rivals.
Senator Corey Booker, an African
American, withdrew from the race on
Monday admitting he had no chance to
win the nomination.
Senator Kamala Harris, who is of Indian
and Jamaican‑African heritage, quit last
month.
In the US presidential election system,
registered party members in each select
nominees aligned to different candidates
who would go to the party conventions
and elect the party's candidate for the
election.
The Democratic convention is in July.
The selection processes are by either
secret ballots known as primaries fol‑
lowed in some states or caucuses where
party members express their preferences
openly at meetings.
The first one is a caucus in Iowa on
February 3, followed by a primary in New
Hampshire on February 11.
In the latest opinion poll in Iowa by
Monmouth University Polling Institute,
Biden is ahead with 24 per cent support,
followed by Sanders with 18, Buttigieg
with 17 and Warren with 15.
Nationally Biden is the front‑runner with
27.2 per cent party support, according to
RealClear Politics, the authoritative aggre‑
gator of polls. Sanders follows at 19.2 per
cent, Warren at 16.6, Buttigieg at 7.2 and
Bloomberg at 6.2.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Washington: Articles of impeach‑
ment against Donald Trump were
sent to the Republican‑majority
Senate, nearly a month after the
Democratic‑controlled House of
Representatives voted to charge
the US President with abuse of
power and obstruct ion of
Congress.
The seven "impeachment man‑
agers" ‑‑ Democrats Adam Schif f,
Jerry Nadler, Hakeem Jeffries, Zoe
Lofgren, Val Demings, Jason Crow
and Silvia Garcia ‑‑ appointed earli‑
er by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
to prosecute the case carried the
documents across the Capitol to
the Senate on Wednesday night,
reports Efe news.
T he Senate majority leader,
Kentucky Republican Mitch
McConnell, invited the managers
to return to the chamber at 12
p.m. on Thursday to read the arti‑
cles of impeachment aloud.
Following the reading of the arti‑
cles, Supreme Court Chief Justice
John Roberts will be sworn‑in as
the temporary President of the
Senate for the duration of the
impeachment pro ceedings.
Roberts will then swear‑in the 100
senators as jurors in preparation
for the trial, set to begin coming
Tuesday, when the Senate will re‑
convene after the January 20 holi‑
day honoring civil rights leader
Martin Luther King.
"This is a dif ficult time for our
Finally, House sends Trump
impeachment charges to Senate
The seven "impeachment managers" appointed by House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi to prosecute the case carried the documents across
the Capitol to the Senate on Wednesday. (Photo : NBC News)
country ‑ but this is precisely the
kind of time for which the framers
created the Senate. I'm confident
this body can rise above short‑ter‑
mism and factional fever, and
serve the long‑term best interests
of our nation," McConnell said.
"We can do this. And we must,"
he added. At a press conference,
Pelosi said that the House was act‑
ing in accord with its "constitution‑
al duty".
"Today, we will make history,
when we walk down ‑ when the
US AFFAIRS
managers walk the hall, they will
cross a threshold in history, deliv‑
ering articles of impeachment
against the president of the United
States for abuse of power and
obstruction of the House," she said.
"T his President w ill be he ld
accountable," the California
Democrat said hours after the
House voted 224‑190 vote to send
the impeachment articles to the
Senate.
"The emphasis is on litigators,"
she said, adding: "The emphasis is
January 18-24, 2020
on comfort level in the court‑
room." Republicans hold 53 seats
in the Senate, where a two‑thirds
majority would be required to con‑
vict Trump and remove him from
office.
Pelosi held back on sending the
articles to the Senate because she
wanted Republicans there to guar‑
antee that they would allow new
witnesses to be called in the trial,
including former National Security
Adviser John Bolton and Trump's
current acting chief of staff, Mick
Mulvaney.
McConnell, however, wants an
expedited process culminating in
an all but inevitable acquittal.
Trump is only the third
President in history to be
impeached after Andrew Johnson
in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998‑
99, both of whom were acquitted.
The case against Trump unfold‑
ed after a complaint by a whistle‑
blower from the intelligence com‑
munity regarding a telephone call
in July 2019 between Trump and
Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky, in which the US leader ‑
11
in exchange for releasing some
$400 million in military aid to
Ukraine and setting up a coveted
White House meeting for Zelensky
‑ pressured the Ukrainian to inves‑
t ig ate Biden for corrupt ion
although no evidence seems to
exist on that score.
Trump, however, has consistent‑
ly claimed that he did nothing
wrong and virtually all Republican
lawmakers have toed the party line
that insuf ficient evidence of
wrongdoing to justify impeach‑
ment and removal from office was
gathered by House Democrats in
their impeachment investigation.
Meanwhile, Trump prohibited
administration officials who have
inside knowledge of the activities
and motivations surrounding the
phone call with Zelensky from tes‑
tifying before the House and also
denied Democrats access to docu‑
ments that might shed light on the
matter, and this stonewalling
resulted in the passage of the
impeachment article regarding
obstruction of Congress in its over‑
sight responsibility.
 12 January 18-24, 2020 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The many facets of disgraced

J&K DSP Davinder Singh
By Zaffar Iqbal

Srinagar: Deputy Superintendent of Jammu

& Kashmir Police Davinder Singh who was
arrested while taking two top Hizbul
Mujahideen militants Naveed Babu and Asif
Ahmad and a lawyer Rafi Ahmad to Jammu
in a car in South Kashmir, had been on the
police's radar for several weeks.
According to details accessed by IANS he
had gone to Shopian to bring Naveed Babu
to Srinagar some days before and was now
helping Naveed and his accomplice to
escape to Jammu.
"The real aim was to help Naveed and
Asif move out of Kashmir and to go to
Pakistan," sources said, "Rafi had expertise
in arrang ing and ferry ing people to
Pakistan." T he police have recovered
grenades and AK 47 rifles during a search
at Singh's residence in Srinagar.
"Money must have been the only motive
for Singh to help the militants," sources
said.
T he 57‑year‑old of ficer hails from
Ovarigund Tral in south Kashmir's
Pulwama. The family owns orchards in Tral
and his parents live with his brother
Naseeb Singh in Delhi.
"Singh had received many militant threats
in the past which was the reason for him to
move to relatively safe location at Indira
Nagar in Srinagar, sources said.
After completing his graduation from
Amar Singh College in Srinagar, he joined
Deputy Superintendent of J&K Police
Davinder Singh.
police as sub inspector in 1990. His wife is
a teacher and he has three children, two
daug hters, who are doing MBBS in
Bangladesh, and a son who is in school.
During his 10‑year stint in the Special
Operations Group (SOG) in the nineties,
Singh gained prominence for taking part in
anti‑militancy operations. For his role he
was given an out‑of‑turn promotion and
made inspector in the late 90s. During an
operation he was injured in the leg in
Budgam.
Afzal Guru, who was hanged in 2013 for
his role in Parliament attack in one of his
Davinder stripped off
Sher‑e‑Kashmir medal
T
he Jammu and Kashmir govern‑
ment stripped Davinder Singh of
the Sher‑e‑Kashmir Police Medal
following his arrest. The withdrawal of
the medal was done through an order
issued today by the Home Department
signed by Shaleen Kabra, IAS, Principal
Secretary to government, Home
Department.
The order said that the J&K has
letters he wrote to his lawyer had alleged
Singh had tortured him in custody and then
tasked him to take a militant to Delhi and
arrange for his accommodation there. The
militant was one those who was killed dur‑
ing the attack on Parliament. According to
sources, Singh was never questioned after
Afzal's letter named him.
Sources say Singh's record against mili‑
tancy helped him to get away with all his
'misdeeds'. "It must have been a regular
affair for him to harbor militants," sources
said. "In the past he was subject of many
inquiries regarding extortion and corrup‑
tion but was exonerated in all the cases."
"He was never questioned, and the incen‑
tive for actively working against militancy
could have played a part in exonerating
stripped the Sher‑e‑Kashmir Police
Medal for Gallantry awarded to Dy SP
Davinder Singh consequent to his arrest
on January 11 while trying to assist ter‑
rorists to travel outside J&K and recov‑
ery of arms and ammunition "which
amounts to disloyalty and conduct that
has brought upon the force into disre‑
pute". The medal was awarded to him on
August 14, 2018.
him for all his crimes."
A decorated officer, he was also part of a
UN peacekeeping mission in 2003 for a
year. He was awarded the President's
Police Medal for Gallantry last year.
Sources said he has two properties in
Srinagar and one in Jammu.
Sources said after his arrest he stands
suspended. "He was one bad apple that has
been shunted out from the force, he will be
punished and dismissed from service,"
sources said.
According to sources, Naveed who was
arrested with Singh, was the most wanted
Hizbul Mujahideen militant in Kashmir and
was involved in the killing of non‑local
truckers and threatening fruit farmers after
the abrogation of Article 370.

War on terror isn’t ending: Iranian FM Javad Zarif

CDS General Rawat in India on 3-day visit
New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS) General Bipin Rawat has
said the war on terror is nowhere
near an end and in order to put an
end to it, the roots of terrorism
need to be understood.
Speaking at an event in Delhi,
General Bipin Rawat said, "The
war on terror is not ending, it is
something which is going to con‑
tinue, we will have to live with it,
until we understand and get to the
roots of terrorism".
General Rawat also called for
the international isolation of
Pakistan. "We have to bring an
end to terrorism and that can only
happen the way Americans start‑
ed after the 9/11 terror attack.
They said let's go on a spree on
global war on terror. To do that
you have to isolate the terrorists
and anybody who is sponsoring
terrorism has to be taken to task,"
the Chie f of De fence Staf f
observed. The CDS went on to
add, "Terrorism is here to stay so
Gen. Bipin Rawat called for the international isolation of Pakistan.
long as there are going to be
states that are going to sponsor
terrorism and they are going to
use terrorists as proxies, make
weapons available to them, make
funding for them, then we can't
control terrorism."
Gen Bipin Rawat also lauded the
ef forts of international terror
watchdog, Financial Action Task
Force (FATF), and said countries
New Delhi: Iran's Foreign
Minister Javad Zarif arrived
here amid tensions growing
between his country and the US
post the killing of Iranian gen‑
eral Qasem Soleimani and the
retaliatory Iranian missile
strikes on US bases in Iraq.
Zarif met Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and deliberated
on reg ional issues w ith his
Indian counterpart S Jaishankar
sponsoring terrorism must be
taken to task.
"Any country which is sponsor‑
ing terrorism has to be taken to
task. I feel one of the measures
adopted is of blacklist ing by
Financial Act ion Task Force
(FATF) is one goo d measure.
Diplomatic isolation, you have to
do this," Gen Rawat said.
(India Today)
over breakfast. After powerful
Iranian commander Soleimani's
killing in a US drone attack in
Baghdad on January 2, Iran on
January 8 launched a missile
attack on an air base in Iraq
housing US troops, sparking
fears of a wider conflict and
leading countries that have
good relations with Tehran and
Washington to mediate in a bid
to ease tensions.
Iran's
Foreign
Minister
Mohammad
Javad Zarif
with Indian
PM
Narendra
Modi.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA NEWS January 18-24, 2020 13

China isolated in UNSC on Kashmir Parliament's Budget session

issue as bilateralism prevailed
United Nations: When China brought
up the Kashmir issue at a consulta‑
tion of the Security Council, it was
met with a pushback led by the other
permanent members who said it was
a bilateral issue and not a matter for
them, isolating Beijing in the 15‑
member body, according to diplo‑
matic sources here.
Especially the US and France took
a strong stand and Britain, which
waffled at the last Kashmir consulta‑
tion in August 2019, joined them on
Wednesday in taking a strong posi‑
tion against Council interference.
Russia also joined the three Western
nations, a rare instance in recent
days.
China's Permanent Representative
Zhang Jun and Pakistan's Foreign
Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
later acknowledged the fact that the
Kashmir dispute was a bilateral issue
had prevailed in UNSC. Vietnam's
Permanent Representative, who is
the Council President for this month,
did not make a statement despite
China's request.
Zhang cited a letter from
Pakistan's Qureshi to the Council to
create a sense of urgency. Qureshi
alleged that India had removed parts
of the fence on LoC in five sectors
and deployed weapons.
After the claims failed to move the
Council, India's Permanent
to begin from Jan 31
China raised the India‑Pakistan issue during a
closed door session at the UNSC.
Representative Syed Akbaruddin
said: "We are happy that neither the
alarmist scenario painted by the rep‑
resentatives of Pakistan nor any of
the baseless allegations made
repeatedly by representatives of
Pakistan in UN were found to be
credible today."
The sources said that one of the
proposals China made was to recon‑
sider the mandate of the UN Military
Observers Group in India and
Pakistan (UMOGIP) to get it to take
on a more active role.
It was however, rejected out of
hand by the others.
Virtually all the 15 members of the
Council said that while there was a
need to deescalate the situation, it
had to be resolved bilaterally, the
sources said.
New Delhi: The Budget session of adjourn on February 11 to meet
Parliament, the third of seven‑ again on March 2," the commu‑
teenth Lok Sabha, w ill com‑ nication from the Lok Sabha
mence on January 31 and sub‑ Secretariat said. Senior BJP
ject to the exigencies of govern‑ leader Nirmala Sitharaman is
ment business, it is likely to con‑ expected to present her second
clude on April 3 with a 19‑day Union Budget as the Finance
recess in between, an of ficial Minister on February 1.
communique said on T he decision to hold the
Wednesday. Budget session in two phases ‑‑
President Ram Nath Kovind from January 31 to February 11
will address both Houses of and March 2 to April 3 ‑‑ was
Parliament assembled together taken following a recommenda‑
in the Central Hall, Parliament tion of the Cabinet Committee on
After the consultation ended, House at 11 a.m. on January 31. Parliamentary Af fairs, said
China's Zhang who had asked for it, "In order to enable the stand‑ sources. T he Budget session
said the meeting encouraged India ing committees to consider the could be stormy on account of
and Pakistan "to have dialogue and Demands for Grants of Ministries the current protests over the
to seek means to seek solutions or Departments and prepare Citizenship (Amendment) Act,
through dialogues". their reports, the House will and the economic slowdown.
This was a virtual acknowledge‑
ment of India's stand that disputes
between it and Pakistan are bilateral
matters under the 1972 Simla agree‑
ment and should be solved bilateral‑
ly. Qureshi spoke with consternation
about the Council members reiterat‑
ing that it was a bilateral issue. He
added that Pakistan was willing to
directly talk to India about the out‑
standing issues, but New Delhi
refused to reciprocate.
India's condition for dealing with
President Ram Nath Kovind will address both Houses of
Pakistan is that it stops cross‑border
Parliament assembled together in the Central Hall.
terrorism.

Nirbhaya case: Delhi 58% voters feel development

govt recommends key issue in Delhi election
New Delhi: Development, followed by the eco‑ of the respondents held the Delhi government

mercy plea rejection nomic situation, remain the main issues of

De lhi's voters ahead of the February 8
Assembly elections, according to the IANS‑
responsible, followed by the Central govern‑
ment selected by 11.9 per cent people. A total
of 10 per cent believed that the local legisla‑
New Delhi: The E a r l i e r, the CVoter poll survey. The survey found 58.1 per tor was responsible for the development and
Delhi government Supreme Court cent want development to remain as the most other issues in their area while 7.8 per cent
has recommended on Tuesday dis‑ important issue in the Assembly elections. people held the Chief Minister accountable
r e j ec t i o n o f t h e missed the cura‑ The report also highlighted that 28 per cent for the same. Meanwhile, only 3.9 per cent
mercy petition of tive petitions were concerned about the economic issues held the Prime Minister accountable for
o n e o f N i r bh a y a f i l ed b y t w o the country has been facing currently fol‑ development and other issues while only 0.6
case convicts in its N i r bh a y a g a n g lowed by 8.1 per cent people voting for secu‑ per cent people held the local parliamentari‑
communication rape and murder rity issues and 5.8 per cent people voting for an accountable for the same.
with the Lt. convicts ‑ Vinay other issues. To another question in the sur‑ The survey, carried across Delhi's urban,
G o v e r n o r, D e l h i Kumar and vey over whom they hold responsible for semi‑urban and rural areas, had a sample size
Deputy Chief M u k e sh ‑ w h o development and other issues, 16.1 per cent of 2,326 people.
M i n i s t e r M a n i sh q u e s t i o n ed t h e
Sisodia said on death sentence
Wednesday.
Sisodia told
handed down by
trial court and
AAP drops 15 sitting MLAs
media that a new The four convict in the u ph e l d b y t h e New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party has seats as well as Assembly Speaker Ram
mercy petition was Nirbhaya rape‑murder case. Delhi High Court announced the list of all 70 candidates Niwas Goyal (Shahdara) and Deputy
filed by a convict and the apex for the February 8 Delhi Assembly elec‑ Speaker Rakhi Birla (Mangol Puri).
in the case. "We have worked at light‑ court. On January 7, A De lhi court t ions, w ith Chie f Minister Arvind Eight women candidates have been
ning speed and have already forwarded issued death warrants against all four Kejriwal contesting again from New given the opportunity in the list released
the file to the Lt. Governor. There will convicts in the Nirbhaya rape‑murder Delhi seat and his deputy Manish Sisodia by the AAP's Political Affairs Committee.
be no delay from our side," he said. case. again in the fray from Patparganj. The BJP and Congress are yet to reveal
He clarified that the government has Issuing the death warrants, The party has dropped 15 of its sitting their cards. Several newly‑joined party
recommended rejection of the mercy Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar MLAs and added 24 new faces in total, members have also been given ticket.
plea. Arora directed that the convicts be including unsuccessful 2019 Lok Sabha T he party has dropped the sitting
The Delhi government's recommen‑ hanged on January 22 at 7 a.m. candidates Atishi, Dilip Pandey and MLAs after they were not found up to
dation comes less than 24 hours after T he 23‑year‑old woman was gan‑ Raghav Chadha. the mark, after a survey. It has also con‑
Mukesh, one of the convicts, appealed graped and tortured on December 16, All the ministers, including Sisodia, are ducted the survey of the new names,
to the President for mercy. 2012, which led to her death. also re‑contesting from their respective according to a party leader.
 14 January 18-24, 2020
India can handle this triangle of conflict
By DC Pathak
T
he e liminat ion of Gen Qasem
Suleimani heading the Al Quds Force
of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps
in an American Drone attack at Baghdad,
draws a parallel with the earlier killings of
Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi, chief of ISIS, in a raid
by US Special Forces in Syria last year and
of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a
SEALs operation at Abottabad way back in
2011. These three militant leaders, termed
by the US as 'International Terrorists', rep‑
resented Islamic radicals who had declared
the Americans as their sworn enemy and
engaged in a no holds barred 'proxy war'
against the US. ISIS attracted many combat‑
ants from the Pak‑Afghan belt of Al Qaeda
as well. Shiite Iran under Ayatollahs ‑‑
bracketed by US President George Bush
with Iraq in his 'axis of evil' statement ‑‑
was independently rising as a force against
both US and Israe l w ith the militant
Hazbollah under its patronage extending its
wings in Lebanon and Iraq.
On the other hand, a number of Muslim
and Arab countries under the umbrella of
Saudi‑chaired Organisation of Islamic
Conference (OIC) ‑‑ though running a harsh
Islamic regime ‑‑ remained on the right side
of the US. The picture in the Muslim world
thus presents a three‑way divide with radi‑
cal Shiites and Sunnis directing their guns
against US and also against each other and
a significant cluster of Muslim states politi‑
cally aligning themselves with America.
India could be a mere watcher of the
The value of Supreme Courtʼs Kashmir order
By Gautam Bhatia
T
he Supreme Court (SC) judgment on
the communications lockdown in
the Kashmir Valley, has elicited
mixed responses. It has been pointed out
that even after five long months, the court
returned no finding on the legality of the
shutdown itself, but set out some abstract
legal principles that it did not apply in the
case before it.
Thus, the whole raison dʼetre of the case
̶ the plight of Kashmiris deprived of
essential access to the Internet for many
months on end ̶ remained unaddressed,
with the court refusing to comment on it
at all, and instead leaving the matter to be
“reviewed” by a government committee
under the 2017 Telecom Suspension
Rules.
The SCʼs judgment sets out two crucial
legal principles.
First, the court notes that freedom of
speech and access to information on the
Internet on the one hand, and the freedom
of trade and commerce throug h the
Internet on the other, are both “constitu‑
tionally protected”. There has been some
debate on the fact that the SC did not
expressly hold that access to the Internet
is a fundamental right.
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
India has to watch out for the impact of a deteriorating Iran‑US relationship on the
world at large and retrieve its own economic interests in the region.
scene but for the fact that Pakistan ‑‑ a
prime mover of OIC ‑‑ has been conducting
a 'proxy war' against us using cross‑border
terrorism as its instrument and mobilizing
both radicals and other Islamic outfits
against India for that purpose.
India has stakes in the developments in
West Asia, including the Gulf, for both eco‑
nomic and security reasons. India's foreign
policy has been successful in getting US
under President Donald Trump to abandon
the artificial divide between 'good terror‑
ists' and 'bad terrorists' that Americans ear‑
lier made at the cost of Indian interests.
The challenge for India is to keep Indo‑US
friendship at a level where the American
That, however, is a distinction without a
difference. If free speech and freedom of
trade on the Internet are fundamental
rights (protected by Articles 19(1)(a) and
19(1)(g) of the Constitution), then the dep‑
rivation of these rights, by shutting down
the Internet, automatically attracts consti‑
tutional scrutiny. To all ef fects and pur‑
poses, thus, depriving a person of their
access to the Internet amounts to depriv‑
ing them of their fundamental rights.
policy does not hyphenate India with
Pakistan again and to build bilateral rela‑
tions further with countries like Saudi
Arabia, Iran and Israel independently of
one another ‑‑ and also dis‑linked from the
ascendant Indo‑US friendship. Under Prime
Minister Modi's leadership, India is follow‑
ing this policy to our advantage ‑‑ what is
helping in this is a certain confidence that
the Prime Minister brings to bear on his
projection of India as a promotor of inter‑
national peace, the voice of sanity and a
balancing power.
India has been at the receiving end of ter‑
ror attacks carried out by Pak ISI‑instigated
militant outfits like Lashkar‑e‑Toiba, Jaish‑
Secondly, the court makes clear that the
constitutional validity of an Internet shut‑
down has to be adjudicated in accordance
with the doctrine of “proportionality”. As
the name suggests, the doctrine of propor‑
tionality requires the court to ask whether
a violation of rights is “proportionate” to
the goal or the purpose that the State
wants to achieve.
The value of the SCʼs observations lies in
the fact that it sets the ground for future
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
e‑Mohammad and Al Qaeda in Indian
Subcontinent (AQIS). Indian diplomacy
should work on the democratic world to get
it to denounce the medievalism that used
religion as a tool of war and should like‑
wise, persuade OIC, chaired by Saudi
Arabia, to take a clear stand against coun‑
tries invoking Jehad for sorting out political
disputes in today's times.
India has the second largest Muslim pop‑
ulation in the world and has to work for
this outcome considering the fact that
Pakistan had become a rogue state provid‑
ing safe haven to terror outfits having link‑
ages across the Islamic spectrum. India can‑
not question the right of the US to neutral‑
ize leaders of terror outfits for America's
own security and defense but it can pro‑
mote wise counsel for peaceful resolutions
rooted in a declared rejection of terrorist
violence as an instrument of combat.
Gen Suleimani was reportedly acting like
an advisor to President Bashar al Assad ‑‑ in
parallel to Russian approach of friendship
towards Syria. Iran, however, has a civiliza‑
tional past and it should handle its ideologi‑
cal and political dif ferences with others
without getting entangled into a warfare
that invoked religion for its sustenance.
India has to watch out for the impact of a
deteriorating Iran‑US relationship on the
world at large and retrieve its own econom‑
ic interests in the region. India now has a
say on the world stage and our diplomacy
should be able to put into play India's bal‑
ancing role ‑‑ helped by its non‑aligned out‑
look.
̶ and indeed, present ̶ challenges to the
epidemic of Internet shutdowns that is
taking place all over India. In the wake of
the protests around the Cit izenship
(Amendment) Act, for example, the
Internet was shut down in New Delhi, in
Uttar Pradesh, and in Assam.
In Assam, a constitutional challenge was
filed against the shutdown, and the High
Court of Gauhati ̶ as an interim measure
̶ directed the state government to
restore the Internet until the case was
finally decided. The SCʼs judgment now
sets out the constitutional framework
within which the various high courts of
the country can now examine ̶ and bring
to heel ̶ state governmentsʼ trigger‑
happy tendency to shut down the Internet
at the drop of a hat.
What of Kashmir itself? The SC directed
the government to make public all the
orders on the bases of which the shut‑
down had been imposed, and to review
them within a week. If the government
elects to continue the shutdown, there is
little doubt that the matter will soon be
back in court. And on that occasion, the
court will, hopefully, apply the principles
that it has set out, and test the validity of
this interminable shutdown on the touch‑
stone of the Constitution.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIPLOMACY January 18-24, 2020 15

Bidding Amb. Shringla fond farewells

Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Indiaʼs Ambassador to the US, seen with Senator
Chris Van Hollen, and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, at a farewell reception at
“Embassy House” in Washington, DC. Ambassador Shringla addressing the august gathering at the reception he hosted.

Washington: Indiaʼs Ambassador to the US, Alice Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of that have the same values, same shared prin‑ January 9 on Capitol Hill.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who has left for New State for South and Central Asia, described ciples and the same way of looking at how we Wilson honored Shringla with a Special
Delhi to take on his new assignment as Shringla as the “Captain of India‑US relation‑ would like to see the rest of the world evolve,” Congressional Recognition, and said he is
Foreign Secretary, attended many receptions ship,” reported ANI. She hoped that in his new he said, adding also that “we must look for looking forward to working with him in his
including the ones organized by the US India role, he would play an important part in the ways to provide a policy framework and facil‑ new role.
Business Council, and Indian American India‑US relationship to achieve its potential. itation that could secure our relationship on The members of Congress recognized “India
International Chamber of Commerce (IAICC), The reception at his residence on Jan 10 the economic side that is sustainable in the as a great friend of the US,” and noted the
apart from himself hosting a reception at his was attended by over 300 guests including long term.” excellent progress made by Shringla in India‑
official residence in Washington DC. prominent Indian‑Americans, senior officials Congressman Joe Wilson, a member of the US relations during his tenure. They also
Shringla will succeed Vijay Keshav Gokhale from the Trump Administration, Senator India Caucus, hosted a farewell breakfast for appreciated Shringla for his pro‑active and
a day after the Foreign Secretary completes Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Ed Royce. The Shringla in association with the IAICC on consistent engagement with the US Congress.
his two‑year term on January 28. Indian Consul Generals from New York,
Shringla, who made a big impact in India‑US Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and San Francisco
ties in his one‑year stint as Indiaʼs envoy in also attended the farewell as did ambassadors
DC, was lauded by Trump Administration offi‑ from Nepal, Myanmar, Bang ladesh,
cials and lawmakers for furthering ties Afghanistan, Japan, Germany, France, Guyana,
between the two countries. Trinidad and Tobago. In his remarks,
Ambassador expressed
his appreciation for the
cooperation extended
to him in his short but
intense tenure of one
year towards strength‑
ening the India‑US
partnership. “As I leave,
I take with me the dis‑
tinct feeling that we
really have one of our
most important rela‑
tionships right here in
the US. It is a relation‑
ship that will continue
At the USIBC hosted reception, Amb. Shringla addressed the to be important for us
gathering. (Right) From left to right are: USIBC president in time to come,”
Nisha Desai Biswal; Ambassador Shringla; and Ralph Voltmer, Shringla said.
a partner at Covington and Burling, LLP. Sadhguru Jaggi
Vasudev was the star
attraction at this recep‑
tion.
Last week at the
USIBC hosted reception
for Shringla, he spoke
of the long‑term rela‑
tionship between the
two countries, reported
The American Bazaar.
“The US‑India strate‑
gic partnership that we
look to not for the next
four to five years of an
election cycle, but a
long‑term relationship
Congressman Joe Wilson, a member of the India Caucus, hosted in which we must see a
a farewell breakfast for Shringla, in association with the Indian mutuality of benefits
American International Chamber of Commerce (IAICC). between two countries
 16 January 18-24, 2020 DIPLOMACY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Ravi Batra, bringing

India and US closer
By Surekha Vijh

Washington DC: Ravi and Ranju

Batra hosted a celebratory reception
for ‑ “US Congress, Democracyʼs
Bipartisan Jewel, House Leadership,
House Foreign Affairs Committee
and India Caucus, and a Strong US ‑
India Relationship, and H.E. Harsh
Vardhan Shringla, Indiaʼs
Ambassador to US and Foreign
Secretary Designate” ‑ on Capitol Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel is
Hill in Washington DC on January 9. applauded by Ranju and Ravi Batra, Ambassador Shringla,
Ambassador Shringla, who made a Charge dʼ affaires Amit Kumar and Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty. Long time friends Eliot Engel and Ravi Batra confabulating.
big impact in India‑US ties in his
one‑year stint as Indiaʼs envoy in DC,
is slated later this month to take
charge as Indiaʼs next foreign secre‑
tary.
Ranju Batra is chair of Diwali
Foundation USA and eminent attor‑
ney Ravi Batra is Chair for National
Advisory Council on South Asian
Affairs.
The reception was held at
Rayburn House Building on Capitol
Hill, which Congressman Eliot Engel
said was a watershed. An exception
was made as never before any
receptions were held here.
Strengthening India‑US ties was
the most important strategic goals
Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
for the US, said Eliot Engel, and both
speaking at the event.
India and the US have pretty much Congressman Brad Sherman and Ravi Batra
achieved that goal. As Chairman of
the House Foreign Affairs ship, adding, “We made a lot of
Committee, he said, he will continue progress in initiatives that are
to do his best in strengthening the important to us.”
ties between India and US. The The outgoing envoy also thanked
Democrat also appreciated the the Indian diaspora for their hard
efforts by the Indian American com‑ work in bringing the two countries
munity which was not only dynamic closer.
but forceful in bringing India and US Pointing out that Jammu and
closer. Ambassador Shringla would Kashmir conditions were normal,
have another important role to play the Ambassador pointed out that
in India in bringing the two democ‑ Rayburn House venue for the recep‑
racies further closer, he added. tion was significant the hearing on
Congressman Brad Sherman con‑ Kashmir was held in the same room.
gratulated Ambassador Shringla for Shringla told the guests that he
many achievements in just one year looked forward to “seeing you in
as Indiaʼs ambassador. The ambassa‑ Delhi,” and to more laughter, added, Congressman Peter King (second from right) posing with the group.
dor proved to be result oriented, as “With all the direct
US Ambassador to India, HE flights we started, itʼs
Kenneth Juster was already visiting not too much of an
Jammu and Kashmir. effort.” Thus, he said,
Other members of Congress who “We look forward to
spoke included Raja seeing members of
Krishnamoorthi, Peter King and Jim Congress, the adminis‑
Vargas. tration, the media, busi‑
Thanking the Congressmen, nesses, those who are
Ambassador Shringla said the rela‑ from the Indian commu‑
tions between US and India have nity, and of course, all of
improved a lot and India will contin‑ our other friends who
ue to engage in strengthening bilat‑ might not belong to
eral relations as the two countries these categories, are all
gave priority to peace, unity and welcome.” Peter King
well‑being. He said he was thankful also thanked the Indian
to Congressman Engel for being so diaspora for helping in
understanding of some of the issues bringing the two
that were part of India‑US relation‑ democracies closer. What an august gathering!
 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Ravi Batra addressed
geopolitics conference in Delhi
E
minent attorney, Chair of US
National Advisory Council
on South Asian Affairs, and
now The South Asian Times Person
of the Year 2019, along with wife
Ranju Batra, was a featured speaker
at the multilateral Raisina Dialogue
conference titled 20@20 ‑ Navigat‑
ing the Alpha Century, in New Delhi
from January 14‑16, 2019. It was
organized by the Indian Ministry of
External Affairs and Observer Re‑
search Foundation. External Affairs
Minister S. Jaishankar said at the
inaugural session that the Raisina
Dialogue is about “what Indian for‑
eign policy seeks to achieve: a focus
on key challenges, a broad engage‑
ment with many parties, and man‑
aging, if not leveraging, global con‑
tradictions. Advancing our interests
in a multipolar world and contribut‑
ing to global good is what it is all Ravi Batra with Indiaʼs outgoing foreign secretary Vijay Keshav
about.”
Ravi Batra with Harsh V. Shringla,
designated Foreign Secretary, and CEO of
Observer Research Foundation Samir Saran.
Messages of Appreciation for Ranju & Ravi Batra
Amb. Syed
Akbaruddin
Permanent Representative of India
to the United Nations
Heartiest congratulations to Ravi and Ran‑
ju Batra for having been recognized by The
South Asian Times
as The South Asian
Times – Couple of
the Year 2019. In
the pursuit of their
passions, both of
them have been
contributing to a
host of issues of
global interest. May
they continue with their good work in the
years to come.
Amb. Omar Hilale
Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the UN
Gokhale at the Raisina Dialogue conference.
Ravi Batra with Mexicoʼs Amb. Federico Salas, and others
including foreign minister of Maldives, Ambassador of
South Africa to India, Sibusiso Ndebele.
Ranju and Ravi
Batra are the power
couple whose
unique dedication,
hard work and de‑
termination are ad‑
mired by everyone
in the United Na‑
tions and beyond.
I never cease to
be impressed by their energetic and com‑
passionate efforts to serve the cause of
world dialogue and peace, mostly demon‑
strated in their invaluable and countless
contributions to a number of activities in the
United Nations.
Their launch of the Diwali Foundation
USA, with its annual “Diwali‑Power of One”
awards, or what we commonly call the “Os‑
cars of Diplomacy”, is one of the many in‑
spiring examples that reflect their grand vi‑
sion to further the worthy cause of world di‑
DIPLOMACY January 18-24, 2020 17
Ravi Batra posing with South Koreaʼs former PM Seung‑soo Han.
Ravi Batra presenting a copy of The South Asian Times ‑ New
Year and Person of the Year Special issue to Hardeep Singh Puri,
former Indiaʼs ambassador to the UN and currently
a minister in the Modi government.
alogue, peace and development. The positive
impact of their efforts and sacrifice is truly
selves through hard
work and commit‑
seen and heard. ment to service.
Ravi Batra and his wife Ranjuʼs perspective In addition to tire‑
and wisdom with regards to international is‑ lessly campaigning
sues such as climate change, terrorism and for the release of
world economics, make them a committed the historic FOREV‑
and resolute couple known for connecting ER Diwali stamp by
global perspectives and building bridges. the United States
I hold the Batras in high esteem for inspir‑
Postal Service, Ran‑
ing loyalty, positive attitude and persever‑
ju Batra helped cre‑
ance. I look forward to seeing all of the great
ate the prestigious Diwali ʻPower of Oneʼ
things I know they will accomplish in the fu‑
Awards at the United Nations.
ture.
Ravi Batra has become the voice of con‑
Letitia James cerned citizens as a powerful advocate
Attorney General of New York State against global terrorism. I commend his
Attorney General of New York State courageous vision, which has impacted both
I am delighted to take this opportunity to national and international lawmakers. With‑
congratulate Ranju and Ravi Batra on being out question, the two can take great pride in
recognized as The South Asian Timesʼ Cou‑
ple of the Year 2019. Throughout their ca‑
being recognized for their tremendous ac‑
complishments.
reers, they have both distinguished them‑ Best wishes for their continued success.
 18 January 18-24, 2020
An appeal to the Authorities, CPSQ and ODL people.
By Dr. Jay Sarkar
H
istorically, a handful of
negative people in the
society are OUTLAW,
DESTRUCTIVE, LOUD PEOPLE
(“ODL People”). They violate the
laws and the rights of other
peaceful people. They threaten,
create terror and fear, and
destroy the lives and property
and usurp the property and land
of peaceful people. They are
always the loudest; they protest
violently and always tend to draw
everyoneʼs attention. Many
times, they become violent
and/or destructive in the name of
protest.
The vast majority of people in
the society are COMPLIANT,
PEACEFUL, SCARED, QUIET PEO‑
PLE (“CPSQ People”). They just
want to lead their lives with their
families in peace, trying to live a
good life. They are law abiding
and compliant with the laws and
rules of the society. They are
scared of violence and threats to
their life and property.
Whenever there is violence and
destruction, they get scared
about their wellbeing and their
families and they tend to with‑
draw.
Even though CPSQ people are
the vast majority, they usually
intellectualize and keep on dis‑
cussing and donʼt show up or act
in great unison. They follow the
laws and depend on the authori‑
ties to act and restore law and
order and peace for them. If the
authorities donʼt succeed in
restoring law and order, the ODL
people cause havoc, destroy lives
and usurp properties from the
vast majority CPSQ people and
rule over them.
Despite their numbers, CPSQ
People do not speak out when
any trouble arises. Even if they
do, they are not as loud or as
effective as the ODL People.
More likely, they eventually wait
for the authorities to take lawful
action to resolve any conflict in
the society. The ODL people are
very efficient and act swiftly and
powerfully for whatever impact
they want to create.
The larger group of CPSQ peo‑
ple need to take a stand and
reach out to the authorities at all
levels in the society and empow‑
er the authorities. They need to
let the authorities know that the
ODL people do not speak for
them or represent the vast major‑
ity of the population; CPSQ peo‑
ple never support or encourage
GIVE US PEACE
the violence and destruction
caused by the ODL people and
that needs to be stopped by the
authorities.
These handful ODL people say
they are justified, but who can
justify destroying property and
livelihood, safety and security of
innocent children and people in
the society? Scaring children and
innocent people who cower in
fear from the ODL peopleʼs crimi‑
nal, disruptive and terrifying
acts?
ODLs only create chaos and vio‑
lence to get heard and get their
demands met. They threaten
that if their demands are not met,
they will cause more devastation.
They are in complete violation of
the laws and rules of civilized
society. Their unlawful and terri‑
fying threats are shocking and
need to be curbed by the authori‑
ties immediately to restore peace
in the lives of CPSQ people in the
society.
These handful ODL people are
seen causing loud demonstra‑
tions and threatening to cause
more violence and destruction.
But what gets ignored is terrified
innocent children, men and
women, the disabled and the eld‑
erly who just want to lead their
lives in peace.
The peaceful people of the soci‑
ety deserve better than to be held
hostage in terror by the ODLs
who are demonstrating against a
law. They have no right to violate
the rights of the vast majority of
law‑abiding CPSQ people, which
the local authorities are obligated
to uphold and protect.
Any law that is created or
amended is debated, voted, and
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
passed in Parliament like any
other laws in a democracy. We
must all follow the laws as they
are written and created in
Parliament. Let the dissenters
take their arguments to their
local and regional representa‑
tives. The lawmakers can listen
to their constituents in a respect‑
ful and peaceful manner to con‑
sider discussing or amending any
law. Laws are not created in the
streets by violence, destruction
and the threatening ODL people.
These violators of law and
order on the streets must learn
that creating violence and threats
in the lives of CPSQ people, on
the streets, is not the way to cre‑
ate or amend any law.
Any discussion of parliamen‑
tary affairs on the streets with
people who do not represent any
constituency or legislature is
unlawful and unconstitutional.
These violent street discussions
are unlawful and unconstitution‑
al. The entire country would like
to see that the authorities abide
by the law as well and set an
example for the rest of the popu‑
lation. First, by stopping any dis‑
cussion about any laws on the
streets. Second, by protecting
the rights of the CPSQ people in
the society by restoring law and
order.
The CPSQ people must also
request and empower the author‑
ities to fulfill their duties and
obligations towards the law‑abid‑
ing by protecting their rights and
bringing peace in their lives and
in the society.
The authorities at all levels
must respect the rights of the
law‑abiding, vast majority of
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
CPSQ people and act immediate‑
ly. The authorities must put an
immediate halt to the ODL peo‑
pleʼs attempt to create fear, ter‑
ror and violence and change or
bring parliamentary affairs to the
street. That is not how laws are
made or amended. To protect the
rights of the CPSQ people the
authorities must bring the vio‑
lence and disruption of peaceful
lives caused by the ODL people to
an end immediately.
CPSQ people humbly request
and demand any debate on
changing laws be carried out
only in the proper forum of
Parliament and nowhere else.
Authorities at all levels, please
stop any discussion of any law
outside Parliament and act right
now to restore the rights of CPSQ
people in the society and bring
peace and law and order for all.
We donʼt need another discus‑
sion, we need to see that the law
and order is restored immediate‑
ly for those vast majority peace‑
ful CPSQ people who are patient‑
ly and with lot of hope waiting
for the authorities to act lawfully,
immediately and bring peace in
their lives.
The ODL people act with star‑
tling efficiency, we must recipro‑
cate with equal, if not greater,
efficiency in restoring the law
and order and peace. The civil
unrest, a breakdown in law and
order, the damage that has
already happened must be
addressed and restored immedi‑
ately.
All the CPSQ people must make
their thoughts, opinions and
desire for peace and law and
order be known to the authorities
immediately and empower them
to act immediately. All CPSQ peo‑
ple, please send your request to
the authorities for them to act to
protect your rights for a peaceful
life and restore law and order in
the society. Please send the mes‑
sage to authorities at all levels in
the society – “Authorities Please
Restore Peace and Law and Order
in the society” ‑ through a letter,
postcard, text, phone call, email,
social media or any other means
available. Send the authorities a
message in every language or by
thumb impression. CPSQ people
from all walks of life, please take
action to request and empower
the authorities to restore peace,
law and order in the society,
educated or uneducated, from all
age groups, from all religions
such as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh,
Christian, Jain, Boudh, Parsi, Jew
– and all other religions ‑‑ and
those CPSQ people who donʼt
believe in any religion, whether
rich or poor, students and staff of
educational institutions. and any
other CPSQ people at all levels of
society.
Let all the CPSQ people come
out of their silent observer
cocoons and let their desire for
law and order and for peaceful
living be heard by the authorities
at all levels. Let the wishes of all
the CPSQ people be known that
they need protection and respite
from these threatening and
intimidating ODL people. The
authorities at all levels must act
now so that the CPSQ people may
once again live their lives in
peace with the assurance that
their safety and security, and the
safety of the families, and of all
the citizens who absolutely
depend and rely with complete
hope on the authorities, is
restored.
Dr. Jay Sarkar (Param Anand)
giveuspeace2020@gmail.com
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
US Presidential visits & evolution of US‑India relations
By Frank F. Islam
T
his past December, the US and
India celebrated the 60th
anniversary of the first visit of
a US President to India. T hat
President was Dwight D. Eisenhower
(Ike).
Since then, five other Presidents
have come to India. Their visits had
an impact on the manner in which
US‑India relations have evolved.
In my opinion, there have been
three stages for US‑India relations to
date:
*1947‑1990: Fledgling
Relationship
*1991‑2016: Strengthening
Relationship
* 2017‑2020: Functional
Relationship
I believe the future stage‑ 2021
and 2030 ‑ will be a Strategic
Partnership and it will start some‑
time between 2021 and 2030.
The Fledgling Relationship began
with President Eisenhower's memo‑
rable and monumental visit in 1959.
Ike addressed the Indian Parliament
where his remarks were unexpected‑
ly well received and embraced. A mil‑
lion plus people came to a public
rally for him. For Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru, the US President
left India with a "piece of our heart".
Understanding the Citizenship Amendment Act
By Rajiv Sikri
A
widespread and unseemly
controversy has broken out
in India over the Citizenship
Amendment Act (CAA) passed by
Parliament last month that fast‑
tracks Indian citizenship for perse‑
cuted minorities in Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Bangladesh
belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Christian,
Buddhist, Jain and Parsi faiths. This
brings closure to a sad and messy
legacy of the Partition of India in
1947 when the new, expressly
Muslim, state of Pakistan was
carved out of India. In the bloody
migrations, however, the exchange
of populations was not comprehen‑
sive. From the Bangladesh border, a
steady inflow of Hindu refugees
continued over the last 7 decades.
Religious minorities have suf‑
fered enormously in Pakistan, and
to a lesser extent in Bangladesh (till
recently), as well as in Afghanistan.
All three countries are today offi‑
cially Islamic states where Muslims
enjoy special rights and privileges,
while minorities continue to be dis‑
criminated against, humiliated and
persecuted. Many have been
forcibly converted to Islam. Women
belonging to the minority commu‑
Pandit Nehru receiving President Eisenhower at Parliament House,
the first visit to India from a US President 60 years ago.
Eisenhower's trip kicked of f this
relationship. After it, there was
emerging cooperation in areas such
as higher education and agriculture.
But things did not progress well
politically into the 1970s even
though President Nixon visited India
in July 1969 and Jimmy Carter nine
years later. Nixon spent less than a
day in India. His trip was aimed to
try to reduce the tensions and dis‑
trust between him and Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi. It did not.
When Nixon sided with Pakistan dur‑
ing the 1971 Bangladesh War, there
was no basis for a rapprochement.
President Carter came to India for
three days when Morarji Desai was
Some opposition parties, with an eye on their weakening Muslim
vote bank, continue to mischievously and irresponsibly conflate
CAA with a proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
nities have been raped, kidnapped,
and forced into marriage with
Muslims. Hundreds of Hindu and
Sikh temples have been destroyed
or allowed to fall into ruin. As a
result, the share of minorities in
these three countries has come
down drastically. Thousands of peo‑
ple belonging to these persecuted
minorities have sought refuge in
India, and have been given, on an ad
hoc basis, Indian citizenship. The
new law merely formalizes this
process so that the refugees lan‑
guishing here can be given Indian
citizenship that would enable them
to secure admissions in educational
institutions, get jobs, buy property,
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
PM. He also addressed India's
Parliament. The "cold and blunt mes‑
sage" that he delivered on India's
detonation of nuclear bombs and a
call to sign the non‑proliferation
treaty fell on deaf ears.
India‑US relations began to thaw in
the early '90s. That was for econom‑
ic rather than political reasons.
Because of its acute financial crisis,
the Indian economy was liberalized
in 1991. American businesses start‑
ed to flock to India and to begin to
use their economic, social and politi‑
cal clout to improve U.S. India rela‑
tions, which led to the U.S. becoming
India's largest trading partner. Three
consecutive U.S. Presidents, Bill
enjoy state welfare benefits and
thereby have a more secure and
dignified life. This is also Indiaʼs
moral obligation, one that has been
publicly articulated by leaders of all
political parties over the decades,
including former Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh
refugee from Pakistan.
Why then such a brouhaha over
CAA? Many Indian opposition par‑
ties, frustrated at being out of
power, have deliberately distorted
this issue and stoked a controversy,
spreading imaginary fears among
Muslims in India that they would be
deprived of their citizenship, even
though the new law has no impact
January 18-24, 2020 19
Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack
Obama heard those messages and
traveled to India.
President Clinton made a 5‑day
visit with his daughter Chelsea in
March 2000. It resulted in removing
the post‑Pokharan US sanctions and
revived a somewhat flagging rela‑
tionship between what was referred
to as two "estranged democracies".
George W. Bush maintained the
upward trajectory of the relation‑
ship. Most notably, he visited India
for with his wife, Laura in 2006 dur‑
ing which he signed the landmark
US‑India Civil Nuclear Agreement.
President Obama made two trips
to India ‑‑ one in his first term and
one in his second ‑‑ that took US‑
India relations to the next level. In
his 2010 visit he addressed
Parliament and met with then PM
Manmohan Singh. The second visit
was in January 2015 to be the chief
guest at Republic Day celebration
with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Obama referred to India‑
US relationship as "one of the defin‑
ing partnerships of the 21st centu‑
ry".
President Donald Trump has not
visited India but has said that he
would do "some time". There were
high hopes among some that US‑
India relations would continue to
on or relevance to those who are
already Indian citizens, irrespective
of their religion. These parties, with
an eye on their traditional, but
weakening, Muslim vote bank, con‑
tinue to mischievously and irre‑
sponsibly conflate CAA with a pro‑
posed National Register of Citizens
(NRC), even though Prime Minister
Modi has emphatically declared
that NRC process will not be initiat‑
ed without widespread consulta‑
tions. Fears that India would no
longer remain a pluralistic society
are unwarranted. There is strong
and widespread public support for
an India where people belonging to
all religions and communities feel
secure and are not discriminated
against. India has special legal and
constitutional provisions to protect
all minorities including Muslims
(whose share in Indiaʼs total popula‑
tion has steadily risen). It needs to
be plainly and unequivocally stated:
Indian Muslims are an integral part
of Indiaʼs society and India is their
home. India is proud that some of
the biggest Bollywood stars and
sports icons are Muslim, as are
many successful and prosperous
business and industry leaders. We
also have proud and patriotic
Muslim soldiers and generals, wise
strengthen under his presidency. But
they have become primarily func‑
tional. That, however, is the best to
expect from this President.
Partnership, cooperation, and collab‑
oration are not words that are in his
vocabulary. Nationalism, isolation‑
ism and protectionism are.
Nonetheless, India and the US will
have a true strategic partnership in
the future. That strategic partnership
will deliver on the vision set out by
President Eisenhower. Speaking to
India's Parliament in 1959, Ike stat‑
ed that the welfare of India and the
US were linked. The potential that he
envisioned for an alliance between
India and the US is being realized.
There is still quite a way to go to
achieve it fully and there are no
guarantees because the future is
promised to no one.
Either country could lose its course
and make the partnership less feasi‑
ble if it abandons its commitment to
a unifying and uplifting democracy.
India and the US must also discover
how to work closely together in
order to earn the strategic partner‑
ship label and become "one of the
defining partnerships of the 21st
century".
Frank F. Islam is an entrepreneur,
thought and civic leader based in
Washington DC)
and fair Muslim judges, ef ficient
and committed Muslim officials and
policemen, brilliant and respected
Muslim scientists and engineers. All
sects of Islam can and do peaceably
follow their religious practices in
India. Minorities, including
Muslims, manage their own places
of worship and institutions, and can
have their own educational institu‑
tions where their children are
taught about their religions.
Whatever development work is
being done – roads, water supply,
gas connections, housing, toilets,
education, health etc. – is not target‑
ed to favour any particular commu‑
nity.
India remains a robust democra‑
cy, where the Constitution is
supreme. There is ample room for
debate and opposition, and an
established legal and judicial
process for redressal of grievances.
While peaceful protest is accept‑
able, violence is not. One hopes that
all political parties will act responsi‑
bly and channelize public opinion in
a constructive direction.
The author retired in 2006 as
Secretary in Indiaʼs Ministry of
External Affairs. He is the author of
“Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking
Indiaʼs Foreign Policy”
 20 January 18-24, 2020 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Pakistan court annuls LTTE remains in

Musharraf's death sentence
Lahore: Former Pakistan
President Pervez Musharraf
heaved a sigh of relief after the
Lahore Hig h Court (LHC)
quashed the death sentence
awarded by a special court in the
high treason case.
A three‑member bench of the
LHC, hearing a set of petitions
filed by Musharraf challenging
multiple actions against him,
including his conviction for high
treason, ruled that the treason
case against the former military
dictator was not prepared in
accordance with the law, report‑
ed Dawn.
The High Court declared the
formation of a special bench in
the case as "unconstitutional".
A special court on December
17, 2019 handed down the death
penalty to Musharraf after six
years of hearing the treason case
against him.
The case was filed by the then
Pakistan Muslim League‑Nawaz
government in 2013.
At present, the former military
chief is in Dubai in the United
Arab Emirates. He was admitted
to a hospital after his health
deteriorated last month.
EU's terror list
Colombo: Sri
Lanka's defunct
Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
has continued to
feature in the
European Union's
(EU) renewed list of
terrorist groups,
which sets out per‑
sons, groups and
entities subject to
restrictive meas‑
ures. It a statement,
the European
Council said it
Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group
At present, former President Pervez Musharraf is in Dubai. renewed the EU ter‑ LTTE was eliminated in 2009.
rorist list, which
Pak opposition rejects verdict also freezes funds and financial Efforts to revive the organization
assets of individuals, persons, had been reported in some of these
Islamabad: Pakistan opposition parties have rejected the Lahore High groups and entities subject in the countries and in Sri Lanka, it
Court's (LHC) decision to quash the death sentence awarded to former EU, reports the Daily Mirror news‑ added. The Council first set up the
President Pervez Musharraf. paper. list as implementation of UNSC
In reaction to the LHC's verdict, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) law‑ The Tamil separatist group is Resolution 1373/2001 that fol‑
maker Nafisa Shah said: "Today is an unfortunate day for the rule of among 21 terrorist groups and 15 lowed the 9/11 terror attacks in
law." Shah said that the special court had been constituted by the individuals featured on the list. the US.
Supreme Court of Pakistan and it consisted of judges from three high Although, the LTTE was eliminat‑ It reviews the list at regular
courts of the country. ed in Sri Lanka in May 2009 fol‑ intervals, and at least every six
Speaking to Dawn news, Pakistan Muslim League‑Nawaz (PML‑N) lowing a three‑decade long civil months, on the basis of a regular
Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that the list of Musharraf's "crimes" conflict, the terrorist organization exchange of information between
was very long, adding it was strange that despite all this, there were is active in European countries as member states on any new facts
people who still believed that the former President should not be con‑ well as in Malaysia and India, the and developments relating to the
victed. Colombo Gazette said in a report. listings.

Cafe photo adds to PTI's Taliban must accept

suspicion over Sharif's health ceasefire before
Islamabad: A viral photo of former ing extension to stay abroad for treat‑
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ment.
at a London restaurant with his family The PML‑N however, slammed the
members, raising suspicions within the P T I l e a d e r s f o r d o i n g p o l i t i c s o n
talks: Afghanistan
incumbent PTI government which may Sharif's health, saying the government Kabul: An Afghan government spokesman has Civilian Representative for Afghanistan
cause problems for him in securing an should come out from "Sharif phobia" said that the Taliban "must" accept a ceasefire Nicholas Kay said he felt "optimistic" and hoped
extension in his stay and concentrate on ahead of any peace talks, adding that without it, that the peace talks between the US and Taliban
abroad. addressing important there would be no negotiations. will move forward and pave the way for intra‑
F ed e r a l Science issues facing the coun‑ "Without a ceasefire, we will not reach a long‑ Afghan talks.
Minister Fawad try. lasting peace, a peace with dignity. And a reduc‑ Kay said that a "strong regional consensus
Chaudhry uploaded the "Doctors have advised tion of violence is not practical," TOLO News has been building over the last year" for sup‑
l e a k ed ph o t o o n h i s Nawaz Sharif to go out reported citing Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for port of the peace process, and that "security
Tw i t t e r a c c o u n t i n for change of environ‑ the Presidential Palace. But an informed source forces are stronger than they have been before".
w h i ch t h e P a k i s t a n ment. T hey insist that said that the Taliban have prepared a plan for A source with knowledge of the peace talks
Muslim League‑Nawaz staying indoors will not the reduction of violence were "are not ready to said that the US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad
(PML‑N) supremo, who be good for his health. announce any ceasefire before the peace talks has been in Qatar over the past week and has
was diagnosed with an T h e r e f o r e, S h a r i f h a s with the Afghan government". held an informal meeting with the Taliban
immune system disor‑ started going out. On The talks were suspended in the wake of the deputy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, reports
d e r, a p p e a r ed t o b e S u n d a y, S h a r i f a l o n g Bagram attack. Meanwhile, NATO's Senior TOLO News.
l o o k i n g q u i t e s t a b l e, with his family members
reports Dawn news. Former Pakistan Prime h a d a w a l k t o c a t ch
Afghan securitymen near the site of
Making a satirical Minister Nawaz Sharif. fresh air and had a tea in Bagram attack (file photo).
comment, the minister a restaurant," a PML‑N
said: "In London's intensive care unit, leader from London told Dawn news.
the treatment against plundering is He made it clear that it had never
underway and all patients present been a case that Sharif could not walk.
(there) are feeling better." On December 23, 2019 Sharif had
The picture was also reportedly dis‑ sought an extension in his stay abroad
cussed at a meeting chaired by Prime on the expiry of the four‑week period
Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. allowed by the court to go to London
As it went viral, the administration for medical treatment.
swung into action and sought latest With his application, Sharif attached
reports about Sharif 's health from his his medical reports. But the Punjab
personal physician Adnan Khan so that government, which could not decide on
it could decide on his application seek‑ his application, sought fresh reports.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Rouhani urges 'special court'
to probe plane crash
Tehran: Iran's President Hassan
Rouhani urged the country's judi‑
ciary to form a "special court" to
further investigate the "uninten‑
tional" January 8 downing of a
Ukrainian airliner by an Iranian
missile.
"The judiciary should establish
a special court with a senior
judge and tens of experts. This
dossier (of Ukrainian plane
crash) is not a common case. The
world is looking at us," Xinhua
news agency quoted Rouhani as
saying in a live broadcast.
Rouhani expressed his satisfac‑
tion with the "straightforward"
announcement of the armed
forces about their "mistake" over
the plane crash, saying that it
was the first step and the next
should also be taken to clarify
the dimensions of the incident.
He noted that the issue could
not be blamed on a single per‑
son's error by pushing a button
and hitting the plane.
T he Ukraine Internat ional
Airlines (UIA) flig ht PS75
crashed shortly after taking of f
from Tehran, killing all the 176
people on board.
'N‑talks only possible
when US fully accepts
N Korea's demands'
Pyongyang: A top North Korean
of ficial said that nuclear talks
with the US can resume only when
it fully accepts Pyongyang's
demands.
Kim Kye‑gwan, the Foreign
Ministry Adviser, also stressed
that the North would never
engage in a negotiation to
exchange its core nuclear facility
for partial sanctions relief as it did
in the no‑deal Hanoi summit
between US President Donald
Trump and North Korean leader
Kim Jong‑un in February 2019,
reports Yonhap News Agency.
"It can be said that the reopen‑
ing of dialogue between North
Korea and the US may be possible
only under the condition of the
latter's absolute agreement on the
INTERNATIONAL January 18-24, 2020 21
Queen agrees 'transition' to new
role for Prince Harry, Meghan
London: The Queen has agreed a
"period of transition" in which the
Duke and Duchess of Sussex will
spend time in Canada and the UK.
She said she was "entirely sup‑
portive" of their desire for a new
role but "would have preferred"
them to remain full‑time working
royals, the BBC reported.
Senior royals have been in talks
about Prince Harry and Meghan's
role after they said they wanted
to "step back".
In a statement, Queen Elizabeth
II said the talks at Sandringham,
which also involved the Prince of
Wales and the Duke of Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of
Sussex, and wife Meghan
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani. Cambridge, had been "very con‑
Markle, Duchess of Sussex,
structive".
pose with their son.
"My family and I are entirely
Iran commander 'wished he was dead' supportive of Harry and Meghan's tion in which the Sussexes will
Tehran: Accepting "full responsibility" for the crash of a Ukrainian desire to create a new life as a spend time in Canada and the UK"
plane over Iran's airspace, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the aerospace com‑ young family," she said. after Harry and Meghan "made
mander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said he "Although we would have pre‑ clear that they do not want to be
"wished he was dead" upon learning of the incident. ferred them to remain full‑time reliant on public funds in their
"I have longed to die after hearing about the plane crash. I wish I working members of the Royal new lives".
had died and not witnessed such an accident," Hajizadeh told Family, we respect and under‑ Both Prince Harry and Meghan
reporters during a press conference in Tehran. "We accept full stand their wish to live a more spoke of the difficulties of royal
responsibility for this act (shooting down the plane), and we will independent life as a family while life and media attention in recent
obey and carry out whatever decisions the authorities will make," remaining a valued part of my months, with the duke saying he
Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. family." feared his wife would fall victim
The passenger plane was mistaken for a "US cruise missile", She said it had been agreed to "the same powerful forces" that
Hajizadeh said. there would be "a period of transi‑ led to his mother's death.
Indian media outlet paid hefty sum to
Boris Johnson for 3‑hr engagement
New Delhi/London: American‑
born British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson charged hefty amounts
US from media outlets for lectures
President and writing articles when he was
Donald just a parliamentarian. The high‑
Trump est amount ever paid to him was
and
from an Indian media outlet. This
North
had raised eyebrows of govern‑
Korean
ment authorities in both the
leader
Kim countries.
Jong‑un. Just for a three‑hour engage‑
ment, when he was a parliamen‑
tarian, he received £122,899.74
(Rs 1.13 crore) for a lecture dur‑
issues raised by the former, but
ing India Today Conclave, 2019.
we know well that the US is nei‑
According to the Register of
ther ready nor able to do so," the
Members' Financial Interests of British PM Boris Johnson began his career as a journalist.
North's state‑run KCNA news
UK Parliament, Boris Johnson
quoted the Adviser as saying.
received around Rs 1.13 crore Johnson received £22,916.66 a Ltd based in London, he received
Kim Kye‑gwan added that "there
from an Indian Media House ‑‑ month for writing articles for the £2,000 for article on October 9,
will never be such negotiations as
Living Media India Limited. "On Te leg raph Media Group Ltd, 2018. He had spent two hours
that in Vietnam, in which we pro‑
March 22, 2019, received based in London. He claimed he for writing an article.
posed exchanging a core nuclear
£122,899.74 from Living Media used to spend 10 hours in a Johnson received Rs 34,500
facility of the country for the lift
India Limited, K‑9, Connaught month. He wrote from July 11, from an art icle from T he
of some UN sanctions in a bid to
Circus, New Delhi 110001, for a 2018 until July 10, 2019. Washington Post. "On 15
lessen the sufferings of the peace‑
speech to India To day on 2 From The Spectator, based in Fe bruary 2019, received
able people even a bit".
March 2019. Hours: 3 hours. London, he received £800 for an £376.05 from The Washington
The US and the North last held
Transport and accommodation article on September 28, 2018. Post, 1301 K Street NW,
their working‑level nuclear talks
also provided," Reg ister of For this article he spent two Washington, DC 20071, for an
in Sweden in October 2019,
Members' Financial Interests hours. article. Hours: 2 hrs," it stated.
reports Yonhap News Agency.
stated. Again he received £350 from T he British Prime Minister
But the negotiation ended fruit‑
The Conservative Party politi‑ The Spectator for an article on began his career as a journalist.
lessly with Pyongyang accusing
cian became the United Kingdom December 21, 2018. He spent He started as a reporter for The
Washington of having come to the
Prime Minister on July 24, 2019. two hours for writing the article. Times in 1987, but was asked to
table empty‑handed.
An ardent backer of Brexit, From Associated Newspapers leave over some alleged reports.
 22 January 18-24, 2020 BUSINESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Amazon to invest $1 billion to

digitize Indian SMBs: Bezos
New Delhi: In a major announce‑

Bezos pays homage

ment showing Amazon's support for
Indian MSMEs, CEO Jef f Bezos on
Wednesday said that the company
would invest $1 billion in digitising
small and medium businesses
(SMBs) on its platform in the coun‑
try. Speaking at the Amazon
'Smbhav' event here, he also said
that Amazon would support SMBs
to export their products. Bezos
announced that the e‑commerce
major, through its global footprint,
will help SMBs export products
worth $10 billion by 2025.
"We're committed to being a long‑
term partner of India. And actions
speak louder than words," said
Bezos.
"Over the next five years, Amazon
will invest an incremental $1 billion
to digitise micro and small busi‑
nesses in cities, towns, and villages
across India, helping them reach
more customers than ever before.
This initiative will use Amazon's
global footprint to create $10 bil‑
lion in India exports by 2025."
Under the initiative, Amazon
would establish 'Digital Haats' in
100 cities, villages, and communi‑
ties to help businesses integrate
Jeff Bezos visited India after 6 years.
into the digital economy. Digital
Haats would be in local neighbor‑
hoods and available to MSMEs irre‑
spective of their association with
Amazon, a company statement said.
"We are going to use our global
footprint to export 10 billion dol‑
lars of Make‑in‑India goods by
2025," he said. Bezos said that the
rationale behind the support is that
the business with SMBs in the coun‑
try is doing well.
"Because its working, and when
its working, you should double
down on it." On the prospects of the
Indian market and entrepreneurs,
Bezos on Wednesday said that the
21st century will be the century of
India.
"I predict that 21st century is
going to be the Indian century," he
said adding that apart from the
dynamism it has India is a democra‑
cy which is a major characteristic of
the country. He also observed that
in terms of alliances, the 21st centu‑
ry would be about bilateral rela‑
tions between the US and India.
to the Mahatma
New Delhi: E‑commerce major
Amazon's global CEO Jeff Bezos,
who is visiting India, paid hom‑
age to Father of the Nat ion
Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
Bezos, who is ranked amongst
top most g lobal billionaires,
shared a video of his visit to Raj
Ghat on Twitter.
In the video, Bezos, wearing a
traditional Indian attire of white
kurta‑pajama and orange Indian
high‑necked waistcoat, is seen
laying a wreath on the memorial
site. "Just landed in India and
spent a beautiful afternoon pay‑
T he Amazon CEO's India visit
comes at a crucial time as the
Competition Commission of India
(CCI) on Monday ordered an
enquiry into the business practices
of e‑commerce majors Amazon and
Flipkart.
Also, traders are staging protests
ing my respects to someone who
truly changed the world. "Live as
if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forev‑
er." ‑ Mahatma Gandhi," his tweet
said. Bezos was on a three‑day
India visit starting from Tuesday.
He is likely to attend an event
here organized by Amazon for
MSMEs. He was also likely to
meet Prime Minister Narendra
Modi.
In addition, he was also likely
to meet top Indian businessmen
and Bollywood celebrities in
Mumbai.
across several cities, under the
aegis of Confederation of All India
Traders (CAIT) protesting against
the visit.
CAIT has been protesting for the
past few months against what it
calls "deep" discounts of fered by
the platforms.

65‑month High: India retail US ends China's designation

inflation up to 7.35% as currency manipulator
New Delhi: A massive rise in food prices lifted
India's December retail inflation to a 65‑
month high at 7.35 per cent from 5.54 per
cent in November, of ficial data showed.
Economy watchers said the spike in
December retail inflation came on the back of
expensive food prices, as seasonal factors
made vegetables and pulses dearer.
As per the data furnished by the National
Statistical Of fice, on a year‑on‑year (YoY)
basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for
December was higher than the corresponding
period of last year when retail inflation stood
at 2.11 per cent. Similarly, the Consumer
Food Price Index (CFPI) inflated to 14.12 per
cent during the month under review from an
expansion of 10.01 per cent in November
2019 and 2.65 per cent rise reported for the
corresponding period of last year.
In addition, the data assumes significance
as the Reserve Bank of India in its last mone‑
tary policy review maintained the key lending
rates on account of rising retail inflation.
The central bank is expected to keep the
rates intact during the last monetary policy
review for 2019‑20 to be held in February.
"Going forward, the inflation outlook is like‑
ly to be influenced by several factors. First,
the upsurge in prices of vegetables is likely to
continue in the immediate months; however,
a pick‑up in arrivals from the late kharif sea‑
son along with measures taken by the govern‑
ment to augment supply through imports
The spike in retail inflation came
on the back of expensive food prices,
as seasonal factors made vegetables
and pulses dearer.
should help soften vegetables prices by early
Fe bruary 2020," the Fifth Bi‑monthly
Monetary Policy Statement, 2019‑20 said.
Nevertheless, business body, PHD Chamber
said that spike in inflation will subside soon.
"We don't expect that the rise in inflation
rate is sustainable; the average inflation
should remain at around 5.5 per cent for the
current financial year," D.K. Aggarwal,
President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and
Industry said in a statement.
Washington: The US has dropped its des‑
ignation of China as a "currency manipula‑
tor", just two days before the two coun‑
tries were scheduled to sign an agreement
at the White House to begin resolving
their trade war. "China has made enforce‑
able commitments to refrain from compet‑
itive devaluation, while promoting trans‑
parency and accountability," Efe news
quoted Treasury Secretary Steven
Mnuchin as saying in a statement.
Donald Trump announced in
The Department released a new macro‑
mid‑December that the US and
economic report in which the US removes
China had finalized the "first phase"
the Asian giant from the currency manipu‑ of a broad trade pact.
lator category. Now, China is being moved
onto a "monitoring list" where breaching of a psychological barrier for
Washington groups those trade partners it investors and something that had not
deems deserve "special attention" regard‑ occurred since 2008.
ing their monetary practices, specifically
After almost 18 months of the trade war
how they handle the value of their curren‑ and an ongoing tit‑for‑tat hiking of tariffs
cies. In addition to China, nine other by the two countries, Trump announced in
nations appear on that monitoring list: mid‑December that the US and China had
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South finalized the "first phase" of a broad trade
Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland pact. The accord includes the current US
and Vietnam. 25 per cent tarif fs on Chinese imports
The US Treasury had included China on totalling to some $250 billion along with
its currency manipulator list five months reduced tariffs of 7.5 per cent for imports
ago in what was widely perceived as an valued at approximately $120 billion.
escalation of the bilateral trade war. The US‑China negotiations have gone
T hat decision came just after the through a number of contortions includ‑
People's Bank of China allowed the yuan ing contradictory reports and veiled criti‑
to fall precipitously to less than seven cisms since the announcement of an
yuan to the dollar in what was seen as the agreement in principle last October.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SPORTS January 18-24, 2020 23

Mumbai ODI: Australia thrash India by 10 wickets

Mumbai: Australia openers David Warner
and Aaron Finch's record opening stand
flattened the Indian attack on Tuesday as
the visitors won the first ODI at the
Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai by 10 wick‑
ets. Both batsmen scored centuries as
Australia chased down a target of 256 with‑
out losing a wicket.
This is only the second time that India
have lost an ODI at home by 10 wickets
and the first instance since 2005. Warner
and Finch also bettered their own record
for the highest ever opening stand for
Australia against India. They ended up
making 258 runs which is the highest part‑
nership for any wicket in an ODI against
India. The previous record also belonged to
an Australian pair ‑‑ 242 by Steve Smith
and George Bailey in Perth in 2016.
Warner was given out for caught behind
in the sixth over when he chased a short
ball down the leg side. He reviewed after a
lengthy chat with Finch and the snicko
showed no spike as the ball passed the bat.
Australia then raced to 110/0 in 15 overs
with Warning crossing his fifty. Finch made
his half century in the 16th over as the pair
settled into the chase. They slowed the run
rate and played a large ly chance less
innings with India not helping their case
with lapses in the field.
India's next real chance came in the 29th
over when Warner was given LBW of f
Ravindra Jadeja. This time however, the 33‑
year‑old reviewed straightaway and replays
showed that the ball had taken his inside
edge before hitting the pads. Warner
scored his 18th ODI hundred two overs
later and the four that he hit to get there
also helped Australia cross the 200‑run
mark.
Australia openers David Warner and Aaron Finch made a record opening stand against India.
Finch also reached his 16th ODI century
in the 35th over with a four and in the next
over, they set the record for highest open‑
ing stand for Australia against India. The
previous record also belonged to the pair,
which they had set in Bengaluru in 2017. In
the 38th over, Warner hit Mohammed
Shami for a four past mid‑off which were
the winning runs for the visitors. Warner
ended the innings on 128 while Finch was
on 110.
Earlier, India lost their first wicket early
in Rohit Sharma, who was the first to fall to
Mitchell Starc. But then Shikhar Dhawan
and KL Rahul seemingly got India back on
track with a 121‑run partnership for the
second wicket. Rahul fell three runs short
of his half century to break the partnership
in the 28th over after which India lost cap‑
tain Virat Kohli, who came in at number
four instead of his usual three, and Shreyas
Iyer in quick succession.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja tem‑
porarily put a stop to the fall of wickets but
scorecard pressure eventually caught up
with them. They put on 49 runs for the fifth
wicket before Jadeja was caught behind off
Kane Richardson. Pant fell in the next over
to Pat Cummins after which it was all
downhill for India.
Pant got a top edge of f the short ball
bowled by Cummins which hit his helmet
before flying to point where Ashton Turner
took the catch. He ended up suf fering a
Concussed Pant
to undergo
rehabilitation
Mumbai: India's young wicket‑keeper
Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the
second ODI against Australia, scheduled
to be played on January 17 in Rajkot.
Though Pant, who got a concussion and
didn't feature in the second part of the
first ODI in Mumbai, has been discharged
from hospital after being monitored by a
specialist doctor, the left‑hander has been
ruled out of the Rajkot ODI and will
undergo concussion rehabilitation proto‑
col at the National Cricket Academy
(NCA) in Bengaluru.
"After getting hit on his helmet while
batting in the 1st ODI, Rishabh got a con‑
cussion and took no further part in the
game. He is stable and all his scan reports
are clear. He has been discharged from
the hospital and will head to NCA,
Bengaluru to undergo his rehabilitation
protocol," the BCCI said in a statement.
"He is ruled out of the 2nd ODI. His
availability for the final ODI will be based
on how he responds during the rehabili‑
tation protocol," it added.
The 22‑year‑old stumper was struck on
the helmet by a Pat Cummins bouncer in
the 44th over of India's innings in the
first ODI on Tuesday following which KL
Rahul had to do the glovework when
India came out to field.
concussion because of which Rahul kept
wickets in his place during the Australian
innings.

Kohli wins Spirit of Cricket, Sindhu sole Indian in 2nd

Rohit named ODI player
Dubai: Star Indian cricketers
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
have won big at the ICC Awards
for the year 2019, which were
announced on Wednesday.
While Kohli walked away with
the Spirit of Cricket Award, Rohit
was named ODI Player of the
Year. Kohli, who had swept the
Player of the Year, Test Player of
the Year and ODI Player of the
Year last year, won the award
for his gesture at the 2019
World Cup, when he egged the
crowd on to support Steve Smith
Virat Kohli
and Rohit
Sharma.
rather than boo him soon after
his return to international crick‑
et from a one‑year suspension
for the infamous sandpaper‑gate
controversy.
Rohit, who has been named
ODI cricketer of the year, aggre‑
gated a total of 1409 runs from
28 matches with seven hun‑
dreds. The 32‑year‑old in fact
became the first batsman to hit
five hundreds in a single edition
of the World Cup and finished
the tournament as the highest
run‑scorer.
round of Indonesia Masters
Jakarta: P.V. Sindhu was the only
Indian who managed to get
through to the second round of
the Indonesia Masters on
Wednesday in what turned out to
be a disappointing day for shut‑
tlers from the country.
W hile de fending champion
Saina Nehwal and the in‑form
men's doubles pair of
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and
Chirag Shetty were knocked out,
Sindhu came from a game down
to beat Japan's Aya Ohori.
Sind hu took control of the
match after losing the first game
14‑21, going on to win the next
two 21‑15, 21‑11. She will next
face Japan's Sayaki Takahashi,
who beat Saina 19‑21, 21‑13,
21‑5 in her first round match.
PV. Sindhu in action.
In the games that were played
after Sindhu's match, India's Chirag lost 20‑22, 15‑21 to day.
male competitors all fell to home Mohammad Afsan and Hendra Earlier, Saina won the first
opposition. Sameer Verma man‑ Setiawan. Parupalli Kashyap was game against Takahashi but was
aged to take his match against beaten 14‑21, 12‑21 by Anthony then completely outclassed in
Tommy Sugiarto into a tie‑break‑ Ginting, while H.S. Prannoy lost the second and third to the point
er but ended up losing 19‑21, 17‑21, 14‑21 to Jonathan that she only managed to take
21‑16, 13‑21. Rankireddy and Christie in the last match of the five points from the final game.
 24 January 18-24, 2020 WELLNESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Wellness trends so youʼre beautiful inside out

New Delhi: In todayʼs world, wellness has
gained tremendous currency. The origin of
“wellness” dates back to ancient times; it
became the IT word between 1970s to
1990s.
One can thank Jane Fondaʼs first ʻworkout
videoʼ in the 1980s when only a few could
make a mark in the world of fitness. The
video was credited as bestselling in the “at‑
home‑fitness” segment, bringing about a
revolution to the wellness industry. Exercise,
weight training, beauty rituals too are tril‑
lion‑dollar industry.
One chooses to compliment fitness with
ʻwellnessʼ and ʻmindfulnessʼ to deal with the
growing needs of people and the fast‑paced
lifestyle. Wellness is a phenomenon that
mainly focuses on optimizing overall physi‑
cal and mental well‑being. A myriad of holis‑
tic approaches emphasizes on “self‑care”,
“fitness apps”, “se lf‑re laxing”, “nature
retreat”, “detoxing”, “sleep trackers”, “health
kits and devices”, “spiritual healing”.
To look beautiful one has to feel beautiful
and that can only happen when you feel
positive. Follow these wellness trends by Dr.
Paras, Life‑leadership Coach and founder of
Matrrix, for a beautiful you in 2020.
DNA Testing
Genetic testing will illuminate almost
everything as it helps you with in‑depth
insights of your family and ancestral her‑
itage. Exclusive Genetic testing for health
benefits is rapidly increasing. This is a
tremendous step to put an end to procrasti‑
nation and a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
This testing begins with a screening of
mother and father in order to assess more
than 250 hereditary diseases. Trio testing,
where mother, father, and child are tested
thoroughly. It could offer even more power‑
ful information on true inheritance patterns
and disease predispositions. Furthermore,
“population‑level genomic” data may also
yield insights not only into disease, but also
into important areas including fertility,
resilience, and longevity.
Blue Mind
If youʼre seeing red, feeling angry, anxious,
and stressed; donʼt despair! Try Blue mind.
“Blue‑mind theory” a mildly meditative state
is as water‑associated peace, calm and
serenity. Water can be used during “self‑
hypnosis” and “meditation” which rewires
the brain by cultivating a feeling of calm
and enhances your ability to think clearly
and acting appropriately. Water helps your
body natural filter, it helps the liver to do its
job ef ficiently. Water helps your brain to
push out toxins and make the hormones are
stable and balanced. Also, swimming, suffer‑
ing, sailing, water spa or simply walking on
the beach are going to be lapped again by
people looking for alleviating the pain they
suffer from physical stress.
Dopamine Fasting
This “feel‑good‑escape” and “act of
balancing” method is the latest wellness
trend promising to sharpen your conscious‑
ness and ease your stress. Americans in the
Bay area are totally abstaining from the
addictive sources ̶‑tech, coffee, alcohol, sex
̶– for a week (or even for a month) to revi‑
talize their mind and recharge their body
and rejuvenate their lives. Dopamine is a
chemical in the brain, so when you feel good
about abstaining from addictive behaviors
like masturbation, shopping, alcoholism etc.
and focus on self‑enhancement, it releases a
chemical in the brain which plays a huge
role to make you feel motivated, courage,
calm and satisfying. Dopamine fasting will
recalibrate your mind and will give you a
balanced lifestyle.
Ice Bath
Ice bath is a traditional approach that is
getting a new lease in life. Ice bath immer‑
sions also known as hydrotherapy is said to
soothe your sore muscles and mind and thus
gives you an active recovery. If you are seek‑
ing to incorporate strength and flexibility in
your body then this therapy will work won‑
ders for you. It constricts blood vessels,
increases blood flow‑speed circulation,
flushes waste and reduces swelling and tis‑
sue breakdown due to injury or extreme
obesity. Along with steam and sauna, appar‑
ently many well‑known gyms and yoga cen‑
ters have placed ice‑bath as
a post‑workout therapy
for promoting immedi‑
ate muscle pain recovery.
Cannabis Tea
Perhaps not exactly the first
thing you might think of in the
morning as you cozy up
from your bed.
But most
people arenʼt aware that drinking CBD tea
first thing in the morning comes with mirac‑
ulous and incredible benefits. Cannabis tea
is a cannabis‑infused drink prepared by
steeping various parts of the cannabis plant
in hot or cold water.
Drinking CBD tea in the morning can alle‑
viate everything from morning sickness to
stress and can do wonders in terms of rehy‑
drating you after sleeping for several hours.
It reduces morning brain fog and helps to
get the brain going for a productive day.
CBD works wonders for – stress relief,
anxiety, nausea, pain, insomnia and termi‑
nates white fat in the body which is the
source of diabetes, obesity and other chron‑
ic conditions.
Naturotherapy
Living of f‑the‑grid, in harmony with
nature. Itʼs an ancient way of naturalness
and of becoming mindful like our forefa‑
thers lived. Many entrepreneurs are coaxing
this approach of living in nature with a mini‑
mum‑need‑based lifestyle. Living closer to
nature is immensely beneficial for your
health and lowers the risk of mortality‑
according to the research. With naturothera‑
py like acupuncture, acupressure, massage,
and natural herbal medicines you can also
reprogram your immune system.
Buddhist meditation
In order to achieve cleansing through spir‑
itualism, we need to strictly deviate our‑
selves from digital resources and deep dive
into Buddhist meditation. Buddhist tradi‑
tions offer a smorgasbord of different tech‑
niques of breath meditation which enhances
your bhavana (“mental development”) and
jhana/dhyana (mental training) resulting in
a calm and luminous mind. This includes dif‑
ferent kinds of meditations like – “Walking
Meditation”, “Metta Meditation”, “Sound
Meditat ion”, “Tong len Meditat ion”,
“Meditation on the Sameness of Self and
Others”.
Piece of theory,
“Time Structuring”
Looking forward to building some great
relationships and some new friends this
year? Try Eric Berne, the founder of
ʻTransactional Analysisʼ, where he suggested
that human beings need to structure time
and relationships with other people in some
way. So to avoid an inbuilt drive to create
chaos in relationships with other people due
to poor time management, we need to struc‑
ture our time with this piece of theory which
involves ‑withdrawals, certain rituals and
past time activates.
Less Spice and Plant‑
based Meat
The process healthy, natural and whole
foods is important. People are not ready to
give up on taste no matter what! So try
plant‑based meat which is less spicy and
tastier. This is also known as “Flexitarian
Diet” is a style of eating that encourages
mostly plant‑based foods while allowing
meat which is very beneficial to health.
(IANS)

Kids' diet improves after watching

cooking show on healthy food
W
hile exposure to televi‑
sion advertisements
about fast foods is often
linked to unhealthy eating habits
among children, new research has
revealed that TV programs featur‑
ing healthy foods can influence chil‑
dren to make healthier food choices
now and in adulthood.
Kids who watched a child‑oriented
cooking show featuring healthy
food were 2.7 times more likely to
make a healthy food choice than
those who watched a different
episode of the same show featuring
unhealthy food, said the study pub‑
lished in the Journal of Nutrition
Education and Behaviour.
"The findings from this study indi‑
cate cooking programs can be a
promising tool for promoting posi‑
tive changes in children's food‑relat‑
ed preferences, attitudes, and
behaviors," said lead author Frans
Folkvord of Tilburg University in
the Netherlands.
For the study, the researchers
asked 125 children between 10 to
12 years of age at five schools in
the Netherlands to watch 10 min‑
utes of a Dutch public television
cooking program designed for chil‑
dren and then offered them a snack
as a reward for participating.
Children who watched the healthy
program were far more likely to
choose one of the healthy snack
options ‑‑ an apple or a few pieces
of cucumber ‑‑ than one of the preparing the dish, but modern in school environments instead may
unhealthy options ‑‑ a handful of reliance on ready‑prepared foods have an important positive influ‑
chips or a handful of salted mini‑ and a lack of modeling by parents ence on the knowledge, attitudes,
pretzels. in preparing fresh foods have led to skills, and behaviors of children,"
This study was conducted at the a drop in cooking skills among kids. Folkvord said.
children's schools, which could rep‑ "Providing nutritional education (IANS)
resent a promis‑
ing alternative
for children
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were involved in email shomik@shomikchaudhuri.com.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD January 18-24, 2020 25

Bollywood's Rs 700 crore club: Engage in debate with

New reality or one-time strike? students: Kabir Khan
G
one are the days when Bollywood

stars rejoiced entering the Rs 500
crore‑in‑a‑year club. It is the era of
the new Rs 700 crore‑in‑a‑year club ‑‑ all
thanks to Akshay Kumar. Backed by the
success of four films ‑‑ "Kesari", "Mission
Mangal", "Housefull 4" and "Good Newwz" ‑‑
Akshay scripted a new chapter in the histo‑
ry of Indian showbiz by minting over Rs
700 crore at the box office in 2019. Now,
there's going to be ripple effect in
Bollywood showbiz with the tempering of
box office expectations in 2020, and top
stars reworking their strategy.
Trade experts credit Akshay's strategy
behind achieving this feat, and believe that
matching his hit rate can be tough but not
impossible.
"The volume of business is increasing.
Now, actors have to focus on content as
well as box office performance. The content
has to be good, because if the content is
appreciated by the audience, then box
office numbers also follow... Akshay did
four films last year, and all from different
genres and touching different topics," trade
analyst Taran Adarsh told IANS.
According to a list by Bollywood
Hungama, Akshay minted Rs 735.42 crore
last year, followed by Hrithik Roshan who
registered business of Rs 464.85 crore with
his act as math wiz Anand Kumar in "Super
30" and mega‑hit "War".
In fact, Riteish Deshmukh had 'dhamaal'
at the box office in 2019 as he is third in
the list by raking in over Rs 396 crore with
three releases ("Total Dhamaal", "Housefull
4" and "Marjaavaan"). Then there is Tiger
Shroff (Rs 387.020 crore) for "Student of
Actor Akshay Kumar.
the Year 2" and "War".
Superstar Salman Khan is fifth in the list
with total of over Rs 356 crore (for two
films ‑‑ "Bharat" and "Dabangg 3"), who is
followed by actor Ayushmann Khurrana
with business of Rs 324.520 crore ("Article
15", "Dream Girl" and "Bala").
It was in 2015 when Salman established
the "Rs 500 crore‑in‑a‑year club" with the
success of "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" and "Prem
Ratan Dhan Payo". Bollywood's eclectic
Ranveer Singh joined Salman in the club in
2018, with the help of "Padmaavat" and
"Simmba".
"The number game keeps on changing...
There will be consistency when stars give
something different," Adarsh noted.
The year 2020 will not only test the
might of stardom, but also whether the Rs
700 crore‑in‑a‑year club is here to stay or
not.
I
f the government
feels that students
are wrong, then it
can engage in a debate
with them, but it is
absolutely not right to
have them beaten up by
the police in their cam‑
pus, feels filmmaker
Kabir Khan.
Khan opened up on
the incident of police
brutality on the stu‑
dents of Delhi's Jamia
Millia Islamia University
last month. The stu‑
dents were beaten up by Filmkaker Kabir Khan.
the police while staging
a protest against the the students don't like something and
Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA. they want to talk about it, you cannot
Khan, an alumnus of Jamia, told IANS: stop them from doing so. If you think
"I feel strongly about these issues. It was, they are wrong, you can debate with
for me, a very uncomfortable visual them. But don't have the police suppress
when I watched those students of Jamia them and beat them up in their campus.
walking out with their hands in the air. I That's not the culture we want."
feel students have an absolute right to Khan also expressed shock at the
dissent, students have a right to protest. thrashing of JNU students by masked
If you stop students from protesting, outsiders in Delhi last week.
then it is the death of democracy. How The filmmaker said he feels students
can you prevent them from expressing are showing us the path to become more
dissent?" brave and courageous as a society. He
The filmmaker recently took to the expressed: "I'm so glad that students
streets of Mumbai along with several across the country are registering their
other Bollywood personalities to join the protest, making all of us braver and
common people protesting against the more courageous in being able to
CAA. express our opinion."
Talking about the incident of police Khan is readying for his upcoming fea‑
brutality on Jamia students, he added: "If ture film "'83".

'Chhapaak': Hard truth told the hard way

M
eg hna Gulzar's As the story takes of f, Malti is

Review
"Chhapaak" is a hard film
to watch. It is brutal in
impact, horrifying in its depiction
of pain and trauma, and seems a
tad too long despite a runtime of
just around two hours given the
heavy subject at hand.
At the end of it you fee l
"Chhapaak" could only have been
this way.
For all its bleak packag ing,
"Chhapaak" isn't a story of
despair. Narrating the story of
acid attack survivor Laxmi
Agarwal (rechristened here as
Malti), this can ultimately be seen
as a story of hope. The film is
about the victim's constant battle
to overcome seemingly insur‑
mountable depths of hopeless‑
ness, and it underlines the fact
that the most important thing in
life is life itself.
The story traces about 13 years
in the life of Malti, played by
Deepika Padukone, from the time
she was a class XII student when
the bestial attack happened on
her, right through the years when
she waged a legal battle for jus‑
tice.
struggling to get a job. Seven
years into her court case she still
hasn't given up hope. She is asso‑
ciated with an NGO that cam‑
paigns against acid attacks, and is
run by Amol (Vikrant Massey).
Through the ordeals of other vic‑ Deepika
tims like her, Malti finds a pur‑ Padukone in
pose in life ‑‑ she works diligently the film
at garnering support for a PIL ʻChhapaak'
advocating the ban of the open
sale of acid.
Malti's undying ef fort to rise
above the tragedy that has altered
her life seems to define the film's
title. "Chhapaak" translates to the
short, sharp noise of a liquid, in
this case acid, landing on a sur‑
face, in this case the victim's face.
Meghna Gulzar has written and
directed a film that seems wholly
tailormade for Deepika, a reason
why almost every other character,
including Vikrant Massey's Amol,
seems underdeveloped. Many of
the characters, including Malti's
father and brother, vanish mid‑
way.
The stage is left wide open for
Deepika to shine in the most
demanding role of her career yet.
 26 January 18-24, 2020
Oscars 2020: Martin Scorsese
most-nominated living director
Los Angeles: With a nod for "The
Irishman" at the Oscar nomina‑
t ions, Mart in Scorsese has
become the most‑nominated liv‑
ing director in Academy history.
The legendary filmmaker says he
is honored that all the work on
"The Irishman" has been recog‑
nized by the Academy.
This is Scorsese's ninth Oscar
nominat ion, and the number
eclipses the record of Billy Wilder,
director of such films as "The
Apartment", "Some Like It Hot"
and "Sunset Boulevard", who
passed away in 2002. Wilder
earned a total of eight Oscar nom‑
inations in his career.
Scorsese's mob epic "T he
Irishman" got 10 nods ‑‑ Best
Film, Best Director (Scorsese),
Best Supporting Actor Male (Al
Pacino and Joe Pesci), Best
Adapted Screenplay (Steven
Zaillian), Best Cinematography
(Rodrigo Prieto), Best Film Editing
( T he lma Schoonmaker), Best
Production Design (Bob Shaw and
Regina Graves), Best Costume
Design (Sandy Powe ll and
Stars, promotions & controversies
BY Vinod Mirani
F
ilm promotions are get‑
ting weirder by the day,
not to mention lacking
imagination. Stars and their PR
departments usually follow a
rout ine to promote films.
Sometimes, they also indulge in
creating controversy. But contro‑
versies, either created as a part
of film promotion or due to outer
forces, more often than not back‑
fire.
If one talks of controversy over
the title of a film, "Padmaavat"
(2018) is a fresh example where
a community objected to the
depiction of their revered queen
of Padmavati. She is an icon of
the community besides, of
course, and they had objections
over the film itself.
T here was a controversy
before the release of Amitabh
Bachchan's film "Shahenshah"
(1988), too. The Bofors guns
controversy had hit the head‑
lines and Bachchan's name was
dragged in. People were curious,
more so because the whole
nation had prayed for his recov‑
ery following the onset injury in
1981 during the shooting of
"Coolie". The same lot which put
him on high pedestal now want‑
ed to pull him down. The film's
The legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
Christopher Peterson) and Best
Visual Effects.
"I'm honored that our work on
'The Irishman' has been honored
by the Academy with these nomi‑
nations. We put all of ourselves
into this picture, a true labour of
love, and to be recognized in this
way means a great deal to all of
us," Scorcese said.
T his year, streaming g iant
Netflix picked up a leading 24
A protest underway in Patna, Bihar against the film ʻChhapaakʼ.
posters were blackened with ink.
The release of "Shahenshah"
(1988) had to be delayed. As a
trial run, a film titled "Kaun Jeeta
Kuan Haara", in which Bachchan
played a guest role, was released
a few months be fore
"Shahenshah". Tempers were
running high and, finally, the‑
aters screening "Shahenshah"
had to be given police protec‑
tion. Another film that needed
police protection at the cinema
halls was Aamir Khan's "PK". The
word spread that it demeaned
Hindu gods. As it happened even‑
tually, people were enjoying the
film and it went on to become a
BOLLYWOOD
Oscar nominations across eight
titles. Along with "The Irishman",
Noah Baumbach's "Marriage
Story" has been nominated in the
category of Best Picture. The 17
categories in which Netflix titles
have been nominated include
those for an Actor in a Leading
Role, Actress in a Leading Role,
Adapted Screenplay, Original
Screenplay, Documentary Feature
and Animated Feature. Marriage
major hit. Films court controver‑
sy mainly because of an act or
utterance by a star. Sanjay Dutt's
"Khalnayak" (1993) faced public
ire because Dutt's name figured
in the Mumbai bomb blasts case.
A song in the film, "Choli ke pich‑
he kya hai" also created some
controversy but later it also
helped the film succeed.
Shah Rukh Khan's "My Name Is
Khan" (2010) had its share of
troubles as the Shiv Sena tried to
stall the film's release. The con‑
troversy started when the Indian
Premier League (IPL) bo dy
decided not to include cricketers
from Pakistan in the League.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
'Joker' leads with 11 nominations
Los Angeles: Filmmaker
Todd Phillips' "Joker", an
origin story about super‑
hero Batman's biggest
enemy Joker, led the
Oscar nominations with
11 nods, including Best
Picture, Best Director and
Best Actor. Sam Mendes'
World War drama
"1917", Quent in
Tarantino's ode to Los
Angeles "Once Upon A
Time In Hollywood", and
Martin Scorsese's mob epic
"The Irishman" followed close
behind with 10 nods each.
Those films, along with "Ford
v Ferrari", "Jojo Rabbit", "Little
Women", "Marriage Story" and
"Parasite" will compete for Best
Picture, reports variety.com.
Female filmmakers were
Story" has six nominations and
three nods for "The Two Popes".
Actor Jonathan Pryce, who has
Khan, who owns the IPL team
Kolkata Knight Riders, advocated
the inclusion of Pakistani players
in IPL . That irked the Shiv Sena.
As a result of Sena protests,
some cinemas did cancel the
screening of the film, though at
other cinemas, the film was
released under heavy police ban‑
dobast.
There are many such contro‑
versies related to films. And,
strangely enough, they happen
just when a film is due for
release.
This brings me to the various
controversies woven around
"Chhapaak". The film is about an
acid attack survivor from Delhi,
Laxmi Agarwal.
How does one create a kind of
'havva' around such a film? Keep
it in news. Prototype promotion
routine was followed, like road
shows, appearances on popular
TV shows and interviews where
Laxmi tagged along w ith
Deepika. The impression was
that Laxmi seemed full of life and
confidence in all her public
appearance.
It all started w ith a story
writer, Rakesh Bharti, taking the
legal route to claim the film's
story was his concept. Claiming
credit for a story has happened
with umpteen number of films,
entirely shut out of the Best
Director race. Along w ith
Phillips, the nominees in the
category include Scorsese for
"T he Irishman," Mendes for
"1917", Tarantino for "Once
Upon A Time In Hollywood"
and Bong Joon Ho for
"Parasite".
been nominated in Best Actor
(Male) for "The Two Popes", got
emotional.
when somebody, out of the blue,
files such a case. Then, suddenly,
Deepika Padukone springs a sur‑
prise by dropping in at the JNU
campus, posing with protesters
involved in the violent CAB
protests with folded hands but
saying nothing, either way.
Then, the rumors were spread
that the name of the culprit who
threw acid at Laxmi had been
changed from the orig inal
Muslim to a Hindu name. Really,
cocky! No such thing.
Finally, the lawyer who fought
for Laxmi in real life decided to
sue the makers of "Chhapaak" for
not g iving enoug h credit to
Laxmi.
In the era of social media, this
act of her has been a trending
topic. Unfortunate ly, it is
Deepika and her act that is
trending, not the film that need‑
ed the publicity! Deepika's JNU
trip has been rewarded by the
governments of Madhya Pradesh
and Chhattisgaarh.
If footfalls don't happen in the
name of Deepika and the theme
she has chosen for her film, no
promotion stunt will bring in the
audience. A similar film on acid
attack titled "Acid", was released
just a week ago. It went totally
unnoticed. May be, that was the
cue to go drastic.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info IMMIGRATION January 18-24, 2020 27

Immigration Updates 2020

VISA
By Dev Banad Viswanath, Esq. date, these extra visas unused 2019 academic year and if the ues to increase, depending on
& Michael Phulwani, Esq. rarely get utilized and are ulti‑ new restrictions go into effect that which embassy an applicant must
mately lost. percentage is likely to increase. go to for their interview; there may

S TALK
ince President Trump took
office there have many
changes in the way USCIS
operates and to the practice of
immigration law as a whole. This
year brings many more changes to
immigration specifically as it
relates to employment visas, DACA
holders, and immigrants in the U.S.
under Temporary Protective Status
(TPS).
Receiving approval for an H‑1B
and L‑1 visa without getting a
Request for Evidence (RFE) has
been difficult, and it does not seem
like it will get easier any time soon.
In March, USCIS will begin an elec‑
tronic registration system for
employers who wish to obtain H‑
1B visas for their employees. This
system will require petitioning
companies to submit information
on the company and professionals
they want to apply for in the H‑1B
lottery for the following fiscal
year. There is a $10 fee for each
employer during registration.
The new electronic registration
system is expected to cause some
confusion and possibly hysteria
because this is the first year of
implementation and most, includ‑
ing some in government, donʼt
really understand the process and
how it will work in practical terms.
Congress has mandated a cap of
65,000 for the number of H‑1B
visas that may be granted every
year, but there is also an addition
to the H‑1B cap for beneficiaries
who have a U.S. masterʼs degree or
higher with 20,000 more visas
available to them. There is one
exception that applies to the
65,000 cap, 6,800 visas are set
aside from the 65,000 each fiscal
year for the H‑1B1 program for
individuals from Chile and
Singapore. Any of those visas not
used for H1B1s are added to the
H1B general cap. However, in
practice because H1B1 visas can
be used throughout the year, and
the announcement for H1Bs comes
usually within the first three
months after the April first filing
As for employment visas, USCIS
plans to announce a new rule that
defines what qualifies as a “spe‑
cialty occupation” and what
“employment” and “employer‑
employee relationship” means.
In March 2020 a proposed rule
is set to come out which will
change an existing regulation that
gives permission for many spouses
of H‑1B visa holders, who have
permanent resident applications
pending or approved but waiting
for visa numbers to become avail‑
able to have employment authori‑
zation documents and be allowed
to work.
The Trump administration is also
proposing to add more restrictions
on international students. They are
looking into revising the Optional
Practical Training (OPT) program
and instead establishing a set max‑
imum period of authorized stay for
students as opposed to the current
“duration of status.” There has
already been a 10% decrease in
the number of international stu‑
dents who enrolled into schools
here in the U.S. between the 2018‑
Applicants applying for citizen‑ be a wait of several months until
ship and other immigration bene‑ the next available interview date.
fits should be prepared for signifi‑ However, DACA applications are
cant fee increases. There has also being processed quicker and some
been a new rule and definition of applicants receive decisions within
what qualifies as “Good Moral four weeks.
Character”. Potential citizenship This year brings lots of changes
applicants should seriously consid‑ and speculation, but with the right
er consulting a qualified immigra‑ observations and some strategic
tion attorney if they have any planning, US immigration and visa
doubts on eligibility. applications are viable options for
Meanwhile, he wait time for an individuals seeking to come and
immigrant visa interview contin‑ stay.
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.

IRS sets opening date for How parents can

2020 tax filing season: Jan 27 curb teenage
drinking and driving
B
inge drinking by teenagers in
their senior year of high school
can lead to dangerous behaviors
later in life, including driving while
impaired (DWI) and riding with an
impaired driver (RWI), a new study sug‑
gests.
"There is great prevention power in
intentional parenting and a strong, reli‑
able, mutual relationship here can make
all the difference in the world, including
helping to identify the development of
youth alcohol/drug use disorder and the
need for specialized treatment services
for addiction," said study lead author
According to the study, by 12th grade,
42 per cent of young people have had
an alcoholic drink in the past month,
and 25 per cent have had at least one
binge‑drinking episode.
Generally, for women, binge drinking
involves consuming four or more alco‑
holic drinks in two hours; for men, it's
five or more drinks.
Extreme bingeing, a growing concern,
refers to drinking up to 15 or more
alcoholic drinks on a single occasion.
The researchers found that young
people who binge in 12th grade were,
two years later, six times more likely to

T
axpayers can begin filing their
2019 tax year returns later this
month. The Internal Revenue
Service has set the opening day for the
2020 filing season as Monday, Jan. 27,
2020. Thatʼs the day the tax agency will
begin accepting and processing 2019 tax
year returns.
The deadline to file 2019 tax returns
and pay any tax owed is Wednesday, April
15, 2020. The IRS said it expects more
than 150 million individual tax returns to
be filed, with the vast majority coming in
before the deadline.
Taxpayers do not have to wait until Jan.
27 to begin preparing their returns. They
just cannot be filed until that day.
People can prepare their returns
through the IRSʼ Free File program or
numerous commercial tax software com‑
panies and tax professionals.
The Free File program allows individu‑
als with incomes of $69,000 or less to
prepare and file their federal returns for
free using brand‑name software. In many
cases, they may also file their state
returns for free.
Those with incomes above $69,000
may use the Free File programʼs fillable
forms to prepare their federal returns for
free (but not their state returns).
The IRS prefers that taxpayers e‑file
their returns because it results in faster
processing and also flags common errors
and prompts taxpayers for missing infor‑
mation.
Federico Vaca from Yale University in
the US.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading
cause of death for teens and young
adults and nearly a quarter of these are
alcohol‑related crashes.
For the findings, researchers analyzed
data from the NEXT Generation Health
Study, a national longitudinal study of
high schoolers run by the US National
Institutes of Health (NIH) and others
that followed 2,785 young people over
the course of seven years.
They found that the protective effect
of parental monitoring and teen aware‑
ness of parents' attitudes about alcohol
lasted as much as four years after leav‑
ing high school.
drive while impaired than someone who
did not binge drink, and, four years
later, more than twice as likely to drive
while intoxicated.
These teens were also more likely to
ride with an impaired driver and to
experience alcohol‑related blackouts
and extreme binge drinking in subse‑
quent years.
But the study showed parents can
have a positive influence.
According to the findings, if teens in
12th grade knew that parents disap‑
proved of drinking, it decreased the
odds of their driving while impaired by
30 per cent four years later, and of rid‑
ing with an impaired driver by 20 per
cent one year later.
 28 January 18-24, 2020
Humor in Desi life: Indian-Chinese food in New Jersey
By Ambassador
Sandeep Chakravorty
I
n India, we have redefined
Chinese food with innovative
dishes such as Gobi or Chicken
Manchurian and Chili Chicken,
dishes as strange as vindaloo is to
a Chinese. Indian‑Chinese food
has been taken to a superior level
Twenty resolutions for 2020
I
don't know about you,
but Iʼm excited about the year
2020.
There is something special about
the number "2020." It's partly
because perfect vision is 20/20,
which many kids enjoy for several
years, before trading it for a cell‑
phone.
Hindsight is also 20/20, allowing
us to look back on our lives, see all
the bad choices we made, and won‑
der why we were so stupid. But
when we made those choices, we
thought we were being quite smart.
We thought, for example, that we
were smart to invest in a social
media company called Moog le
rather than buy stock in Google.
But with 20/20 vision, we realize
how stupid it was to be lieve
Moogle's vision of creating a social
media platform for cows.
The year 2020 will hopefully
allow us to have clearer vision. I'm
going to try to make some impor‑
tant decisions this year, such as
whether to have more kids. (At my
age, this would be quite a challenge,
especially since I have no experi‑
ence operat ing a goat farm.
Perhaps I should try chickens
instead.)
If you haven't yet made any reso‑
lutions for yourself in 2020, it's not
too late. I suggest that you make 20
resolutions in 20 areas of your life.
While this may put a little pressure
on you, just be glad you're not a
dog. If your resolutions fail, you
have to wait just one year to do it
again, but for a dog, that's seven
years.
The pressure to succeed is enor‑
by so many restaurants in India
such as Mainland China who dish
out standard fare that appeals to
the Indian palate while pretend‑
ing to be authentic. We pretend
as if Chili Paneer is just a twist in
a traditional tofu preparation not
realizing milk or milk products
have no place in Chinese cuisine.
In the US however, Indian‑
Chinese food has been taken to
dizzying heights.
During a recent foray to a desi
stronghold of New Jersey, my
desi mind craved for desi
Chinese. We went to a seemingly
well‑regarded popular place, in
plain view of the desi hub of
Edison. The restaurant (cannot
name it although some clues are
interspersed herein) has recently
changed its name to something
more cultural from its earlier
Melvin Durai’s Humor Column
mous, especially for high‑achieving
dogs. I know such a dog, whose 20
resolutions may inspire you to aim
higher:
1. I resolve to floss my teeth sev‑
eral times a day, whenever I get
hold of the cat's tail.
2. I resolve to take a bath every
time my owner turns on the TV
news and I hear the words, "Pamela
Anderson is getting a divorce."
3. I resolve to be pickier about
what I eat. From now on, no leather
shoes, unless the mailman's feet are
in them.
4. I resolve to go on the Atkins
Diet and stay on it unt il I'm
absolutely tired of eating meat.
5. I resolve to pay attention to
expiry dates and not eat mice and
other rodents more than a year
after they expired.
6. I resolve to be choosier about
which balls I run after. From now
on, no tennis balls or golf balls –
only meatballs.
7. I resolve to never run after
sticks, unless they happen to be
cheese sticks.
8. I resolve to leave my mark on
the world – or at least on the car‑
pet.
9. I resolve to aim high and shoot
for the top. No fire hydrant is too
tall.
10. I resolve to stop barking up
the wrong tree – and start sleeping
under it.
11. I resolve to practice more
mindfulness and meditation, espe‑
cially with my eyes closed.
12. I resolve to fetch the newspa‑
per for my owner more often, even
if the darn delivery man keeps
LIFESTYLE
geographical denomination. The
eatery has imparted an altogeth‑
er new meaning to Indian‑
Chinese food.
While in India, Chinese food
means, dishes prepared to suit
Indian palate, in this spice joint, it
means a happy blissful co‑exis‑
tence. The lunch had a buf fet
menu, w ith both Indian and
Chinese dishes being available at
the same fixed price. So I could
throwing it in the neighbor's yard.
13. I resolve to take my owner for
long walks, pulling him in many
directions, so he's exhausted and
realizes the benefit of driving me
around in his car.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
see plates of esteemed clients
populated w ith both Chili
Chicken and Dal, side by side
without any LAC (the India‑China
border) dividing them. Of course
this was anathema to the wife
and her pal, who promptly decid‑
ed, seeing the culinary harakari,
to go a la carte. So the steward
was sternly given an order of 'au‑
thentic' Chinese dishes ranging
from Chili Chicken to Fried Rice
and Hakka Noodles. The steward
dutifully noted down the order
and while summarizing had the
impudence to suggest if we
would like to have tandoori roti
and naan to go along with the
Chinese curries. The look on the
ladiesʼ faces were redder than the
Sichuan chilies of China. The men
intervened to douse the flames
and we waited impatiently for the
14. I resolve to stick my head out
of the car window, so everyone will
know who's in charge. And other
dogs walking on the road will see
me and realize how much they too
can achieve.
15. I resolve to devour at least
one book a week. And tear through
a magazine every day.
16. I resolve to absorb as much
wisdom as I can from the tall white
machine in the kitchen. It knows
the secret of getting humans to put
lots of food in it.
food. In some good time, the food
appeared, in true desi style color‑
ful and appealing. The server did
his best to lay the food on the
table. But his parting shot turned
the tables. He asked rather inno‑
cently‑ Sir would you like some
onions (pyaanz) or pickles
(achaar) with the food? It was
then the realization sunk deep,
here in deep New Jersey, Indian‑
Chinese foo d doesn't mean
Chinese food made in the Indian
way but in the true American
way, it is a melting pot, all nicely
mixed up. Hakka noodles with
paneer mattar masala is as theek
hai as is Chinese fried rice with
dal makhani in Des Pardes.
(Ambassador Sandeep
Chakravorty is the Consul
General of India in New York)
17. I resolve to figure out why,
when I'm so warm and friendly, my
owner still tolerates the cat.
18. I resolve to save myself for
that special dog and not get tempt‑
ed by my owner's leg.
19. I resolve to do unto others as
I would have them do unto me, as
long as "others" does not include
fire hydrants.
20. I resolve to sign a peace
agreement with the vacuum clean‑
er. If it doesn't roar at me, I won't
bark at it.
By Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah
is an architect by
education,
entrepreneur by
profession, artist
and humorist,
cartoonist and
writer by hobby.
He has been
recording the
plight of the
immigrant
Indians for the
past many year in
his cartoons.
Hailing from
Gujarat, he lives
in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY January 18-24, 2020 29

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

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

JANUARY 18‑24, 2020

Aries: Your performance in a creative
field will leave those who matter totally
impressed. On the academic front, you
will be able to catch up with the front runners.
Something unfolding on the social front may
make you apprehensive. There is a chance of
someone close turning against you. You will
manage to save enough for an important occa‑
sion by taking requisite austerity measures.
Just by being regular in workouts, you will be
able to enjoy total fitness.
Taurus: Painting the town red with
the one you love is on your mind, so
what are you waiting for! A rival at
work may take credit of your accomplish‑
ments in this week. Showing urgency on
the academic front will get the work com‑
pleted. Consider betting and speculation a
big no‑no, if you donʼt want to ruin yourself
financially. Curb your tendency of not eat‑
ing right to avoid ill health. Meeting people
and outings mark the week.
Gemini: You may have to do the bid‑
ding of a family elder, so do so with a
smile! Lover may seem in a thought‑
ful mood. Research thoroughly, if buying a
major household item to get the best. It will
be important to gather all the facts before
giving a decision on the professional front.
You may be called upon to handle some‑
thing urgent. Completing an assignment in
the given time is important, so donʼt take
things lightly.
Cancer: Your performance in a com‑
petition is likely to open many
doors for you. Socially, you may be
invited over by a neighbour or friend, so
expect an enjoyable time. There is much
that you will love to do for someone you
have a soft corner for.
Rekindle your love life to derive full satis‑
faction. You will not let your detractors get
their way over an issue at work by proving
them wrong.
Leo: Someone you have high regards
for may call on you and make your
week.There is no point in putting up
a proposal to higher ups on the profession‑
al front, if you yourself are not convinced of
it. It is easy to get swayed by someone, who
is bent upon colouring your mind, so make
your own judgement. Wedding bells cannot
be ruled out for those in a long‑term rela‑
tionship. A train or plane journey is on the
cards.
Virgo: Rising personal expenses need
to be reined in, before you get into a
tight situation. You may not be in the
mood for attending a social function, so
think up a plausible excuse! Give the devil
his due, as he may prove to be an asset in
the near future. Health tips may come in
handy for those wanting to come back in
shape. You may feel attracted to someone
you have met, so expect romance to blos‑
som soon!
Libra: An opportunity to showcase
your talents on the professional
front may come your way. Your
focus on health will make you feel much fit‑
ter and capable. Donʼt make too much of
something that has been done or said inad‑
vertently, it may be unintentional. Your per‑
formance on the academic will remain con‑
sistent by your ef forts. You may drive
down, just to spend time with some old
friends.
Love life is likely to give you immense
pleasure and contentment.
Scorpio: Yoga and meditation may
hold special interest for you and pro‑
vide immense benefits. You may
attend a celebrity do or a celebration and
enjoy your heart out. You will need to give
in to the demands of someone, who seems
overly persistent. You will be in the mood
to forgive minor mistakes at work. You will
be able to raise the money to buy a luxury
item.
Sagittarius: It is time you smoked
the peace pipe with someone who is
no more ag ainst you. You may
remain mentally disturbed regarding a per‑
sonal matter, but it is not as serious as you
make it out to be. Plans to throw a surprise
party to a colleague or friend may have to
be shelved for the time being, but will not
be scrapped. You may start something new
on the academic front.
Capricorn: Someone will clear the
air regarding a misunderstanding
that is af fecting your professional
life and make you heave a sigh of relief.
Play the tactical game with people who are
trying to belittle you to avoid any contro‑
versy. You are about to taste success on the
academic front. You will get the opportuni‑
ty to meet someone on the romantic front,
who had meant much to you in the years
gone by.
Aquarius: Money flows in, as a busi‑
ness venture succeeds. You will be
in top physical condition simply by
adopting yoga and aerobic exercises. You
may need to adjust to someone new at
work, so get to know him or her fast.
Something organized by you is likely to get
rave reviews.
Whatever preparations you have done for
an exam or competition will be enough to
see you through. Socially, you will need to
be a bit more active.
Pisces: You will accomplish every‑
thing that you set out for. You may
need to keep someone in goo d
humour.
Expect a helping hand on the social front,
but it will only be to a limit. Networking
and meeting the right people will help solve
current difficulties. It will be important to
repose full faith in someone regarding a
pending property matter.

January 18, 2020 get a major boost. Investment in a

Governed by number 9 and the
planet Mars. You are dignified, sen‑
sitive, courageous, confident and
diplomatic person. You are simple
and very helpful, but you need to
control your tendency to behave
impatient and short‑tempered at
times. This year you need to concen‑
trate on your efforts and rewards
will follow by themselves. Matters
related to property, partnership and
new ventures will keep you busy.
Some tension and anxiety might
arise due to sudden fall in the health
of your spouse, but nothing serious.
Renovation or construction activi‑
ties will be carried out towards the
yearend. You will gain importance
amongst your colleagues because of
your improved skills and aptitude.
Domestic front will be pleasant with
spouse and children filling your life
with love and affection. The month
of December, March and October
will be significant.
January 19, 2020
Influenced by number 1 and the
Sun. You are active, energetic,
authoritative, brilliant, systematic
and a talented person. You always
welcome new ideas and thoughts,
but you need to check your tenden‑
cy to behave spendthrift and domi‑
nating at times.
This year you can look forward to
major changes in your professional
career. A long due transfer or a pro‑
motion can be expected towards the
middle of the year. Those undertak‑
ing a foreign trip in the second half
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
of the year will have a highly pleas‑
urable and a very exciting journey.
Do not spend lavishly on luxuries.
Financial difficulties and health
problems will mar peaceful atmos‑
phere at home. Despite few initial
problems earlier in the year, your
financial position will become much
better as new moneymaking proj‑
ects will be undertaken. Spiritual
gains for some later in the year. The
months of March, August and
October will be highly significant.
January 20, 2020
Ruled by number 2 and the Moon.
You are imaginative, smart, trust‑
worthy, generous and authoritative
person. You have good command
over your work and people look up
to you for advice and support, but
you need to check your tendency to
behave selfish and moody at times.
The beginning of this year will see
you complete many of your pending
jobs in hand.Investment in a house
or land will bring you long‑term
benefits. Relation with your spouse
during this period will be cordial
and on an even footing. Children will
bring you good news and you will
be proud of their achievements.
Romantic alliances will prosper and
strengthen.New money making
opportunities will be highly promis‑
ing, but will require you to give in
your best. Speculations however will
not be beneficial, therefore strictly
not recommended. The months of
February, May and September will
be important.
January 21, 2020
Governed by number 3 and the
planet Jupiter, you are intelligent,
dignified, jovial, generous and an
optimistic person. You are good at
everything you do, which in return
brings lots of appreciation and
rewards for you. But you need to
control your tendency to behave
spendthrift, dominating and vindic‑
tive at times. The coming year will
promise many new opportunities for
growth. Your acumen in business
will really do wonders, but you need
to plan your budget well in advance
and it will be wise not to go beyond
it. Investment made in the past will
bear fruits, making your financial
position much comfortable. Some
exhilarating news from your chil‑
dren will boost up your spirits.
Travel and journey, most likely over‑
seas for some will ensure pleasure
and excitement. Property/legal dis‑
putes will settle to your satisfaction.
Health definitely needs more atten‑
tion. Meditation and Yoga should be
practiced for spiritual gains as well
as physical gains. The months of
February, June and November will
be eventful.
January 22, 2020
Influenced by number 4 and the
planet Uranus, you are energetic,
methodical, and systematic and pos‑
sess an attractive personality. You
are highly social and helpful, but
you need to check your tendency to
behave jealous, self centered and
destructive at times.
T his year you will feel more
secure with your prevailing job and
your monetary position will also
improve. . Overseas ventures will be
highly lucrative. This might not be
the perfect year for matters relating
to your heart and forming a matri‑
monial alliance. Money transaction
however should be made carefully.
Some losses due to speculation or
hasty decision during this period
cannot be ruled out. Businessmen
will sign new and important con‑
tracts. The latter half of the year will
see you undertake a pilgrimage,
which will bring you mental comfort
and peace. The months of January,
May, July and September will be
highly result oriented.
January 23, 2020
Ruled by number 5 and the planet
Mercury, you are active, practical,
sensible, systematic and highly
diplomatic person. You are a great
admirer of music and literature, but
you need to curb your tendency to
behave moody and careless at times.
The coming year promises many
new surprises and rewards for you.
Financial benefits will flow through
various sources. New sources of
income will improve your financial
position and ongoing projects will
house and selected stocks recom‑
mended. Sudden expenses due to
health problem in the family will
bother your mind. Journeys under‑
taken for work purpose will be ben‑
eficial and highly rewarding. Legal
matters will prove expensive.
Purchase of a property or a mode of
transportation will be high on your
agenda. The months of February,
April, July and December will
enhance prosperity.
January 24, 2020
Ruled by number 6 and the planet
Venus, you are generous, practical,
cooperative, accommodating and a
simple person. Your hard‑work and
sincerity are appreciated by others
but your tendency to be extravagant
and interference in the af fairs of
others attracts enormous criticism
at times. The new year promises
financial prosperity and good
health. Businessmen will expand
their business into more profitable
ventures.Promising contacts will
build through social get‑togethers
and traveling. Unexpected help from
an acquaintance would give a major
boost to your career. Your spouse
will be quite cooperative and show‑
er her full love and affection upon
you despite your erratic behavior
towards her. Those in creative pro‑
fession like artists, advertisers and
media will receive appreciation and
fame. New romance for some, so
make the best of it. The months of
March, August and September will
prove to be highly significant.
 30 January 18-24, 2020 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Empower your true self

and purpose‑ the spiritual quest‑ is
one that people pursue in different
The soul is a source of
ways. Some seek answers in scrip‑ tremendous wisdom, love,
ture while others search in places of and power, yet we remain
worship. Some go beyond their own ignorant of its treasures
religion to find answers offered in when we allow it to be
other faith. Whichever method one overpowered by the mind,
adopts, the direction one follows to the senses, and the physi‐
find answers to lifeʼs questions is cal body. When the mind
known as the spiritual path. It is the and body assert power
By Sant Rajinder Singh spiritual path that leads to the real‑
over the soul, the soul
Ji Maharaj ization of the inner self, to the soul.
forgets itself. But the
There are two ways to view our‑

M
any people live and die
without ever realizing the
full power and potential of
their soul. At some time in their life,
they may wonder about the soul,
about God, and about the purpose
of their existence. Many people pass
through life never realizing who
they are and never certain about
the purpose of their existence. In
times of trouble or in the face of
death, they may raise these ques‑
tions, but may not follow them
through to a fulfilling conclusion or
else may abandon the process when
the bad times pass. But those who
have a burning desire to find the
answers to the mysteries of life can
find them. This search for meaning
selves with regards to the soul. The
first is to view ourselves primarily
as a body and mind that “have a
soul.ʼ The second is to see ourselves
primarily as a soul who “ has or
wears a mind and body.” If we think
that we are a mind and body, then
ours is a journey to find the soul. If
we realize that we are the soul,
which has been given the mind and
body to maneuver through the
physical world, then our goal is to
further empower the soul. By
empowering the soul we recover its
natural control over the mind and
senses. The mind, the senses, the
body, and the pulls of the physical
world have placed the soul in a
state of forgetfulness from which
we must awaken. Within us are the
riches greater than any we can ever
accumulate on earth. We have
inside us a source of knowledge
from which all other knowledge
flows. A love far greater and fulfill‑
ing than any we can know in the
outer world is waiting to embrace
us with open arms within. At our
core is a strength and power that
can enable us to overcome any fear.
Underlying our separateness as
individuals is connectedness and
oneness to all life. Awaiting us
inside is bliss and joy so fulfilling
that we need no other intoxicants to
make us happy. All these gifts lie
within us in the empowered soul.
The soul is a source of tremen‑
dous wisdom, love, and power, yet
we remain ignorant of its treasures
when we allow it to be overpowered
by the mind, the senses, and the
physical body. When the mind and
body assert power over the soul, the
soul forgets itself. But the empow‑
ered soul is our true nature, and it is
time we reclaim the soul so that its
gifts can enrich our life. There are
simple techniques for accessing the
riches of our soul. We need not
search the four corners of the earth.
empowered soul is our true
nature, and it is time we
reclaim the soul so that its
gifts can enrich our life.
We need not travel into outer space.
These techniques can be practiced
in the comfort of our home.
Through meditation, a whole new
world opens for us. By learning
meditation, we can gain entry to
worlds of bliss, light, and love with‑
in. Tapping into the soul and its
powers can enrich and transform
our life.
When we empower our soul, its
wisdom, immortality, love, fearless‑
ness, connectedness, and bliss add a
new dimension to our life.

FESTIVAL Lohri, Bihu, Pongal, Uttarayan are here!

I
tʼs that time of the year again when com‑
munities in the north, south, east and west
parts of India come together to celebrate
the winter solstice in their own traditional
ways on January 14th. The celebrations have
a variety of legends associated with them and
are a time of enjoying the bounty of nature
with delicious food prepared at home and
making merriment. The community in the US
too celebrates these regional festivals with
fervor over the following weekends. After all
festivals are about preserving and promoting
our culture, bonhomie and revelries.
Lohri
before makar sankranti by making a bonfire,
making offerings from the new harvest and
dancing to traditional songs to welcome the
next season.
Traditions of Lohri: In the run up to the
bonfire, children go about collecting wood to
be burnt along with the harvest materials like
grain and jaggery that will be offered to the
fire from the people in their area. The Sindhi
community celebrates it as Lal Loi.
Traditional food of Lohri: Peanut and jag‑
gery chikki, phuliya or popcorn, til ka laddoo,
til gajak, rewri, moongfali
Bhogali Bihu
Lohri, youngsters make huts from bamboo
and thatch called Meji and Bhelaghar. A great
feast is prepared and eaten inside and then
the huts are burnt the next day. Games of pot
breaking and buffalo fighting also take place.
Traditional food of Bihu: Olive‑jaggery chut‑
ney, Pumpkin Oambhal, Assamese fish curry,
Dhekia Xak, Shungha Pitha, Til Pitha
Pongal
with girls feeding birds and decoration of
cows. Kaanum Pongal comes next and people
reunite with their relatives on this day.
Traditional food of Pongal: Ven or Khara
Pongal, Sakkarai Pongal, Murukku, Vadai,
Paal Payasam
Uttarayan

Traditions of Pongal: The southern part of

This festival marks the end of winter season
and Punjabis go all out to celebrate it a night
Also called Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, this
festival is celebrated by the people of Assam
with great fervor.
Traditions of Bihu: Just like the bonfires for
India, celebrates this festival, also called
Traditions of Uttarayan: Gujaratis celebrate
Tamizhar Thirunaal to mark the heating of
the arrival of summer season by flying kites.
earth as we move from winter to summer.
People eat new baby mangoes and sattu
Day before Pongal, called Bhogi is when the
(made from new crop of wheat).
old items are burnt in a bonfire. The Thai
Traditional food of Uttarayan: Undhiyu‑
Pongal comes next which is a celebration of
puri, Jalebi, Chikki, Bor, Lilva ni Kachori
prosperity. Maatu Pongal is celebrated next
(Source: herzindagi.com)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info January 18-24, 2020
TheSouthAsianTimes.info January 18-24, 2020

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