New Delhi/Lahore:

Indian death row pris-

oner Sarabjit Singh's

body was brought to

India after he died in a

Pakistan hospital

Thursday, succumbing

to his injuries six days

after being attacked by

his fellow inmates in a

jail and pushing the

India-Pakistan ties to a

new low.

Authorities Thursday

evening started a post-

mortem examination of

the body after it was

brought from Lahore by

a special Air India flight

to Amritsar and taken

by helicopter to his

native Bhikhiwind, 50

km away.

Lahore's Jinnah hospital had earli-

er announced that Sarabjit was dead,

bringing an end to a 23-year saga

that began on a fateful August day

in 1990 when he crossed over to

Pakistan. Following his death, the

authorities in New Delhi and Punjab

announced a number of measures,

including state-level honors at his

cremation, financial assistance to

the family.

While Pakistan declared him a ter-

rorist and convicted him for 1990

blasts in Lahore and Multan that left

14 dead, his family claimed that the

devoted brother, husband and father

from a poor rural family in Punjab

had crossed over in an inebriated

state when he was just 26.

Sarabjit will be cremated in his

New York: In the last one week, two

key Indian diplomats who joined

office attended meet and greet with

the community here. Ambassador

Asoke Kumar Mukerji, Permanent

Representative of India to United

Nations, met with mediapersons and

others at the India Mission to UN on

April 30. And Ambassador

Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Consul

General in New York, was accorded

a reception by several community

organizations and groups on April 26

at Asia Society, where a

“Memorandum of critical issues and

suggestions from the Indian

American community of the Tristate

area” was also presented to him.

After building collapse, western retailersmull role in Bangladesh India’s envoy to UN, and Consul General in New York check in

The residents of Sarabjit Singh’s native place in Punjab protest againsthis death in Pakistani custody.

Amb. Asoke Kumar Mukerjiaddressing the gathering at

India Mission.

Consul General DnyaneshwarMulay (left) at the reception

given in his honor.

The South Asian Timese x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m

Vol.6 No. 2 May 4-10, 2013 60 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Real Life 19 Lifestyle 26 Spiritual Awareness 30Women’s World 15 excellence in journalism

Continued on page 4

Indo-Pak ties hit new low asSarabjit’s body brought back

New York: Following the col-

lapse of a building with several

garment factories in Bangladesh

last week, killing over 430 peo-

ple, many Western apparel com-

panies sourcing from India’s

neighbor have scrambled to

address public concerns about

The Walt Disney Companyhas ended the production ofits branded merchandise in

Bangladesh.

Continued on page 4

Big B graces ‘Gatsby’ premiere in NYC

Obama funnier than Conan .. Page 2Boston in my backyard .. Page 19

Legendary Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan attended thepremiere Wednesday of ‘The Great Gatsby’ at Lincoln

Center in New York. He has a small but important role inBaz Luhrmann’s 3D film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and

Tobey ’Spiderman’ Maguire, based on the famous novel byF. Scott Fitzerald. Bachchan was accompanied by wife

Jaya on the red carpet. (Photo: Yagnesha Shah).

At the White HouseCorrespondents’

Dinner on April 27,President Obama

brought the housedown with his

irreverent jokes andone-liners,

photoshopped pixof himself and aspoof promo for

Spielberg's followupto ‘Lincoln’, a biopic

titled ‘Obama’, inwhich he plays

Daniel Day-Lewisplaying Obama.

2 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoHUMOR

The annual White House Correspondents Dinner is an entrenched tradition, usu-ally featuring a comedian, and attended by the President of course. But President

Obama’s proved a tough act to follow for Conan O’Brien.

Riffing on Obama’s up-and-down relationship with House SpeakerJohn A. Boehner, late night star Conan O’Brien compared the two to “a blind date between Anderson Cooper and Rachel Maddow where you know nothing

will happen (because both TV anchors are known to be gay).

A couple of months ago, the White House released a photo of thePresident shooting skeet to quiet chatter that he had exaggerated

about his firearm usage in an earlier interview. Taking off onsome Republicans alleging it was a fake, Obama said that indeedthe picture was photoshopped, but to make it a little less crazy.

“Rush Limbaugh warned you about this -- second term baby, we’re changing things around here a little bit,” Obama said. And

showed pictures of his new hairdo copying the First Lady’s.

In the spoofscreened,Obama playsDaniel Day-Lewis("Lincoln' star)enacting thetitle role inthe biopic'Obama'.

Senate Minority LeaderMitch McConnell

responded to Obamajab about being a

boring drinking buddyby releasing a Twitter

photo of himself drinking beer next to an empty chair.

A glass of red wine isordered for the ‘elitist’

guest, Obama.

Playing on the symbiotic relationship betweenHollywood and Washington, Conan O’Brien screened

pictures juxtaposing Washington heavyweights’ mugsand who would be ideal to play them in a movie.

This picture Obama showed takes off on theDemocrats forever blaming all persisting ills in

America on the George W. Bush presidency. Obamaattended the Bush library dedication a few days ago.

Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’stweet was ripped apart in the blogosphere, becausethe dinner event is a decades old tradition and is not

publicly funded.

Obama funnier than Conan O’Brien

Curated by Parveen Chopra

3May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY

Mrs. Jaya Row, one of India’s most renowned motivational speakers, gave a Vedanta based talk on Inspired Living at the Nassau County LegislativeChamber in Mineola, NY on Wednesday. Seen in the

picture from left are Kamlesh Mehta, County’sDirector of Business and Economic Development,

Varinder Bhalla, Dr. Phillip Elliot, County Dy ExecutiveJaya Row, Norma Gonsalves, Presiding Officer of the

County Legislature, and Rakesh Bhargava. Bhalla and Bhargava arranged the program.

(Photo: Parveen Chopra)

New York: As Bangladesh continues to reel

from the deadly factory collapse that killed

more than 400 workers, U.S. Rep. Grace

Meng (D-NY) today sent letters to major

American retailers demanding they do more

to improve the deplorable working and safety

conditions that exist at the facilities that pro-

duce their products.

Meng, a member of the House Foreign

Affairs Committee, sent letters to the chief

executive officers of Walmart, the Gap and

the American Apparel Footwear Association,

a major trade group, urging them to take lead-

ing roles to protect the subcontracted workers

they use in Bangladesh’s clothing factories.

“It is time for U.S. companies to finally take

responsibility for the widespread safety prob-

lems that have long plagued the factories they

use in Bangladesh,” said Meng. “For too long,

American retailers have done virtually noth-

ing about these unacceptable and outrageous

working conditions and they must be held

accountable for their reckless disregard for

adequate safeguards. It is the moral responsi-

bility of American companies that procure

goods within the country to ensure their sup-

pliers operate safe factories. American com-

panies should demand that their contracted

suppliers correct all safety violations and dis-

miss any contractor that that places people’s

lives at risk. It’s time to stop the greed.

Putting profits ahead of safety can no longer

be an option.”

The factory collapse in Bangladesh

occurred last week after cracks discovered in

the building were not fixed. The disaster came

after previous tragedies that killed workers in

collapses and fires, also due to unsafe

conditions.

Mineola, NY: Nassau

County Executive Ed

Mangano announced

Tuesday stepped up securi-

ty measures for the Long

Island Marathon in the

wake of the Boston bomb-

ings in early April for the

safety of the marathon par-

ticipants, spectators, and all

members of our

community.

Radiation detectors, extra

police and K-9s will be on

hand for the marathon,

which is set for Sunday. All

runners and volunteers

must pick up their creden-

tials ahead of time,

Mangano and County

Police Department officials

announced.

Bags and backpacks will

be prohibited near the fin-

ish line. Attendees must put

items in a clear plastic bag

provided by race organiz-

ers.

One of the biggest

changes will be that specta-

tors will not be allowed at

the starting line. Only reg-

istered participants will be

permitted into the

Marathon, Half Marathon

and 10K starting line area

on Charles Lindbergh

Blvd.

Mangano says all the

extra safety measures,

including police overtime,

could cost $250,000 or

more.

He also said, “I would

also like to remind resi-

dents of our See Something

Say Something Campaign,

if something or someone

seems out of place, please

call 911.”

Congresswoman demands US retailersbetter protect workers in Bangladesh

Mangano orders high securityfor LI marathon on May 5

Congresswoman Grace Meng

Nassau County Executive Mangano making the announcement

Several community organizations and groups alongwith GOPIO held a reception for the incoming Indian Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay on April 26 at the Asia Society in NewYork where a “Memorandum of critical issues and suggestions from the Indian American

community of the Tristate area” was also presented to him.Seen in photo: Amb Dnyaneshwar Mulay receiving citation from Dr Renuka Misra, others in

photo are (from left) Dr. Asha Samant, Jaswant Mody, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Quddus Mohammed,Dr. Thomas Abraham, Ashook Ramsaran, Amb. Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Dr. Renuka Misra,

J. Nami Kaur, Anita Bhat, Patsy Leopold, Mridul Pathak, Sangeeta Ahuja.

Community groups presentmemorandum to the new Consul General

Jaya Row gives an inspiring talk

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4 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoTURN PAGE

New Delhi: The Indian government Thursday

approved the Swedish furniture firm IKEA's

Rs.10,500 crore investment proposal in single

brand retail business.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs

chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

cleared the proposal at a meeting here.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs

today gave its approval to the proposal of M/s.

Ingka Holding B.V., Netherlands, as recommend-

ed by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board

(FIPB)," an official statement released after the

meeting said.The approval would result in FDI

inflows amounting to Rs.10,500 crore into the

country," it said.

Washington: A US panel on

state of religious freedom has

recommended the country

should continue to deny Gujarat

chief minister Narendra Modi a

US visa.

“There is significant evidence

linking him to the violence and

the terrible events that took

place in Gujarat and for this rea-

son, a visa would not be appro-

priate,” Katrina Lantos Swett,

chairwoman of the US

Commission for International

Religious Freedom (USCIRF)

said on Tuesday.

The commission wrote to the

secretary of state in 2012 reiter-

ating its recommendation. The

US continues to deny Modi a

visa, though he hasn’t asked for

one since 2005. The commission

released a report that categorizes

countries according to what the

US considers is their record on

religious freedom — India is on

its second tier list.

India okays IKEA's Rs.10,500 croreinvestment proposal

US federal panel seeks to keep Modi out

Sarabjit’s story Continued from page 1hometown in the border district of

Tarn Taran Friday, amid great anger

in the town. A number of leaders are

expected to attend the cremation.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash

Singh Badal announced three-day

mourning for Sarabjit and said that

he would be given a state-level

funeral. He announced government

jobs for Sarabjit's two daughters of

Sarabjit and financial assistance of

Rs.1 crore.

Expressing sorrow at the passing

away of Sarabjit Singh, Prime

Minister Manmohan Singh said, "It

is particularly regrettable that the

government of Pakistan did not heed

the pleas of the government of

India, Sarabjit's family and of civil

society in India and Pakistan to take

a humanitarian view of this case."

Expressing deep shock and sorrow

at the death of Sarabjit Singh, both

houses of parliament Thursday con-

demned the "inhuman treatment"

meted out to him in a Pakistani jail.

On its part, the BJP upped the ante

and demanded that diplomatic rela-

tions with Pakistan be scaled down.

"The level of diplomatic relations

should be scaled down and for the

time being Indian high commission-

er to Pakistan should be called

back," BJP president Rajnath Singh

said. The Pakistani media itself

exposed ill-treatment meted out to

Sarabjit Singh in Lahore’s Kot

Lakhpat jail and pulled jail authori-

ties for their failure to provide him

adequate security.

Bangladesh Building Collapsestory Continued from page 1working conditions there.

Following earlier factory

tragedies in Bangladesh, the Walt

Disney Company, considered the

world’s largest licenser with sales

of nearly $40 billion, in March

ordered an end to the production

of its branded merchandise over

there. A Disney official told The

New York Times that the company

had sent a letter to thousands of

licensees and vendors on March 4

banning production in countries

including Pakistan, where a fire

last September killed 262 garment

workers. Benetton repeatedly

scaled down its accounts of goods

produced at one of the factories,

while officials at Gap, the

Children’s Place and other retail-

ers have tried to figure out how to

improve conditions, and some

debated whether to remain in

Bangladesh at all.

Bangladesh has some of the

lowest wages in the world,

prompting its government to lure

Western companies and their jobs,

and many labor groups want those

big corporations to stay to

improve conditions, not cut their

losses and run. But there is peril in

operating there.

This week two dozen retailers

and apparel companies, including

Walmart, Gap, Carrefour and Li &

Fung, met near Frankfurt with rep-

resentatives from the German gov-

ernment and NGOs to try to nego-

tiate a plan to ensure safety at the

more than 4,000 garment factories

in Bangladesh.

With 3.6 million garment work-

ers and more than $18 billion in

apparel exports last year,

Bangladesh is the world’s second-

largest apparel exporter after

China. Meanwhile, Mohammed

Sohel Rana the fugitive owner of

the illegally constructed building

that collapsed, was arrested and

would face charges of negligence.

The mayor of the Dhaka suburb

where the building was located

was suspended from office.

Mohammad Refatullah is blamed

for having approved the construc-

tion of the Rana Plaza.

Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji (middle), Permanent Representative of India to UN,with guests at a reception April 30 at India Mission to UN.

Indian-American filmmakergets new Tribeca fest award

New York: Indian American film-

maker Meera Menon has been

awarded the inaugural Nora Ephron

Award at the 12th annual Tribeca

Film Festival being held here.

Menon, who was selected out of

eight contenders for her debut fea-

ture "Farah Goes Bang", was con-

ferred with the award for embodying

the spirit and vision of Nora Ephron,

the legendary American filmmaker

and writer, a festival statement said.

The award carries a cash prize of

$25,000.

Set in 2004, "Farah Goes Bang"

follows an awkward 20-something

girl as she hits the road with her

friends to stump for John Kerry in

the presidential election. At the same

time, she secretly hopes the trip will

also be her opportunity to finally

shed her long-unwanted virginity.

"We're thrilled to highlight Meera's

work with this special award. We

were impressed with her fresh, witty,

and smart take on a coming of age

story about girlfriends, passions and

politics," TFF co-founder Jane

Rosenthal said in the statement.

"Her film captures the spirit and

themes of Nora's work. I'm proud to

continue Nora's legacy through this

award and continue to encourage

women filmmakers to create the

work that inspires them," she added.

Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff

are the other co-founders of the

Tribeca Film Festival that was

founded in 2002 in the aftermath of

the 9-11 attacks.

Ayad Akhtar wins Pulitzer Prize for play ‘Disgraced’

New York: Ayad Akhtar’s “Dis-

graced,” a play about a successful

Pakistani-American lawyer whose

dinner party goes out of control, has

won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for dra-

ma, it was announced April 15

“It’s such a huge honor. I’m still in

shock, actually,” the playwright said

from London, where he’s helping

ready a new production of “Dis-

graced” at the Bush Theatre. “I feel

very fortunate and very grateful.”

"Disgraced” had its world pre-

miere at Chicago’s American Theater

Company in 2012 and then ran at

Lincoln Center Theater’s Claire Tow

Theater last autumn.

The lead character, Amir Kapoor, a

Pakistani-American corporate

lawyer in New York, lives on the Up-

per East Side in an apartment vivid-

ly described in the script as “spare

and tasteful with subtle flourishes of

the Orient.” Amir loves the Knicks

and the Magnolia Bakery and his el-

egant $600 shirts with their “ridicu-

lous thread count.”

The dinner party at the heart of the

play brings together two couples and

several religious and ethnic identi-

ties. When that chatter touches on Is-

lamic and Judaic tradition, the Quran

and the Talmud, racial profiling and

Sept. 11 and the Taliban and Mah-

moud Ahmadinejad and Benjamin

Netanyahu — along with the requi-

site alcohol intake — chaos is

achieved. The Columbia Universi-

ty’s prize board on Monday said the

42-year-old playwright’s work beat

out finalists “Rapture, Blister, Burn”

by Gina Gionfriddo and “4000

Miles” by Amy Herzog.

Akhtar, a 42-year-old New Yorker,

also wrote the novel “American

Dervish” and co-wrote and played

the lead in the film “The War With-

in.” His “Disgraced” got a celebrity

gloss when the lead character was

played by Aasif Mandvi, the very

funny Indian American correspon-

dent on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily

Show.” The drama award includes a

$10,000 prize.

Meera Menon

A still from ‘Disgraced.’ Aasif Mandvi plays the lead.

5May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY

Stanford Professor Nalini Ambady needs your help New Delhi: Nalini Am-

bady, the first Indian

American woman profes-

sor working in the psychol-

ogy department at the pres-

tigious Stanford University

in California needs help to

survive. Suffering from a

rare kind of blood cancer,

she is not looking for or-

gans but only a few cells of

the right kind. She has only

six weeks to find it.

Nalini Ambady, a mother

of two girls is undergoing

chemotherapy for now but

doctors have advised her to get a bone

marrow transplant done at the earliest.

It is easiest to find a matching donor

amongst siblings but Ms Ambady has

not found a match with them. She now

needs to find a donor from outside her

family.

Though America has a large bone

marrow bank, not many specimens are

from South Asians.

Hearing of her condition, some of Ms

Ambady's friends and social network-

ing groups have started looking for a

donor for her in India. Since Ms Am-

bady hails from Kochi

in Kerala, they are tap-

ping various Malayalee

associations. They have

decided to insert adver-

tisements and appeals in

the Kerala media seek-

ing donors to save her

life.

There is a dedicated

Facebook page to help

find the donor and even

special camps are being

held in Kerala and

Mumbai to get more

people to register as

donors. While Ms Ambady has donated

$25,000 for the effort, her family in In-

dia also donated around Rs.3.75 lakhs

in the hope of finding a right donor

match - considered a 1 in 20,000 possi-

bility by her doctors.

Besides the cost of the test, the results

take around 3 weeks to arrive before the

follow-up procedures can be taken up.

India has three bone marrow reg-

istries but only about 25,000 samples.

Experts say India needs at least

500,000 donors considering the great

genetic variation the country has.

Indian American winsWharton School award

New York: ZenKars, a venture of an Indian

American and his friend, won the 2013 Perl-

man Prize at the 2013 Wharton Business

Plan Competition.

Awarded by the Wharton School of the

University of Pennsylvania, the award also

carries a cash prize of $30,000, according to

a statement issued out of Philadelphia.

Founded by the student team of Indian

American Venkat Jonnala and Jean-Mathieu

Chabas, ZenKars is an online model con-

necting used cars from corporate directly to

consumers targeting a $600-billion market.

“Their 'peaceful buying experience' for the

buyer offers competitive prices, detailed ve-

hicle information, convenience and warran-

tees,” the statement said.

Jonnala and Chabas, both second year

MBA students, met via Facebook while

looking for roommates in Philadelphia and

soon started floating entrepreneurial ideas

and hit on ZenKars.

Their idea was accepted by DreamIt Ven-

tures, which then gave them additional seed-

funding.

ZenKars also won the Committee's

Choice Award. The Venture Finals is the fi-

nal event of the year-long Wharton Business

Plan Competition.

Nalini Ambady

An appeal from friends of Nalini Ambady

This is an appeal to help save the life of Nalini Am-

bady. She has been given a few weeks to find a

bone marrow donor and time is running out!

Nalini is originally from Ernakulum. She is a renowned

scientist whose work was featured in Malcolm Glad-

well’s best selling book Blink. She is the first Indian

woman to have been on the faculty of both Harvard and

Stanford’s psychology department. She is also the moth-

er of two young girls.

Nalini needs your help. She is suffering from leukemia

and needs a blood stem cell donor soon in order to sur-

vive. Due to certain genetic markers, her match will al-

most certainly be a fellow Keralite. Right now, there is

no match in the registry for her.

Would your organization be willing to host a bone mar-

row donor drive to register Keralites? Hosting a drive is

easy! Be the Match, the national bone marrow registry,

will help you every step of the way. Registering takes

only minutes – a simple cheek swab and a little paper-

work. Anyone between the ages of 18-44 can be a donor.

If you can’t donate, you can help us find donors.

Please call or email for more information:

NaliniNeedsYou.com: (650) 318-1297

Taylor Phillips: taylorp@stanford.edu

Sribala Subramanian: bsubra@nyc.rr.com

Keep track of the latest developments in India and the

US at nalinineedsyou.com

6 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Washington, DC: Venture capi-

talist Asha Jadeja Motwani, wife

of the late Stanford Professor

Rajeev Motwani — a noted

Indian American computer scien-

tist who mentored Google co-

founders Larry Page and Sergey

Brin and helped design algo-

rithms that currently power

Google — has launched a fellow-

ship enabling Indian entrepre-

neurs to network with entrepre-

neurs and seed investors in

Silicon Valley and other tech

hubs in the U.S.

The Rajeev Circle Fellowship

will select more than a dozen

Indian entrepreneurs annually to

visit U.S. tech centers. Asha

Motwani, who has invested in

over 75 start-ups in the U.S.,

recently began to seed fund

India-based start-ups.

The idea for the program, also

dubbed the “Startup Corridor,”

came when Motwani met “sever-

al bright young entrepreneurs in

India pursuing excellent ideas

and experiments but without the

kind of mentoring that is so com-

mon in Silicon Valley,” she told

India’s Business Standard news-

paper.

“Reading and talking about this

kind of mentoring in abstract can

take one forward only so much.

Unless the entrepreneurs under-

stand the culture, the walk, and

the talk of Silicon Valley, serious

dialogue was unlikely to

emerge.”

In the first round of the pro-

gram, several entrepreneurs from

India met with Silicon Valley

entrepreneurs including Twitter

founder Jack Dorsey and

NetScape Communications co-

founder Marc Andreessen. They

also visited the Stanford Design

School and the headquarters of

Google, Facebook and Twitter.

Prospective entrepreneurs in

the group came from the Indian

Institute of Management-

Ahmedabad, Kochi-based Startup

Village and Ahmedabad-based

National Institute of Design.

Motwani told the Business

Standard she doesn’t expect mon-

etary returns. “If the visiting fel-

lows help and encourage the

batches that will visit after them

“that’s reward enough,” she said.

“Asha wants to build and con-

tinue the fellowship program for

at least 10 entrepreneurs every

year for next few years and we

will be helping her team every

step of the way," said Sanjay

Vijayakumar, chairman of the

Startup Village Board of

Governors, and another advisor

to the program.

Asha Motwani funds India-USentrepreneurial program

Venture capitalist Asha Motwani

New Jersey: On March 28th 2013

International Jain Sangh known as IJS

celebrated 2016 Mahavir Jayanti , the

birth anniversary of 24th Trithankar

Bhagwan Mahavir with great pomp

and show in Edison hotel Raritan cen-

ter NJ. Jains from all over NJ partici-

pated in the celebration.

The program started with Poojan

where Lord Mahavir was worshiped

and prayers were bestowed upon

Bhagwan Mahvir with great devotion.

This was followed by the Jaap of

Namokar Mantra for world peace.

Namokar Mantra is the most auspi-

cious of all the mantras for Jains and

if chanted with great devotion brings

bliss and happiness and destroys all

evil. A colorful procession was taken

out, the devotees praised lord

Mahavir, singing and dancing with

the idol of Mahavir Swami that was

established and Abhishekh ceremony

was performed by all.

A beautiful cultural program was

put together and hosted by Shalini

Jain. The cultural program opened

with Shelby Jain who sang in her

beautiful voice two most auspicious

bhajans in Jainism, the Namokar

Mantra and Tumse Laagi Lagan'

devoted to Bhagwan Mahvir Swami.

Naresh Jain President of Educare

foundation gave a presentation on

Jain concepts of non violence.

Children performed dances to the

tune of bhajans. Dr. Tulsi Mahajan an

educator and peace builder presented

his views on Jainism.

An essay competition was held for

kids to speak on Jain religion topics.

Anookhi Pathshala was held were

kids asked questions based on Jain

religion kids were recognized and

presented with trophies for their per-

formance and participation.

The president of IJS Mr. Alok Jain

gave the closing speech. The program

ended on friendly, peaceful and devo-

tional note.

International Jain Sangh celebratesMahavir Jayanti in NJ

Cultural Program: Shelby Jain singing bhajan

125 attend health fair in EdisonNew Jersey: On Sunday, April

28, 2013, a health screening and

disease awareness and preven-

tion fair was organized by Indian

Health Camp of New Jersey in

collaboration with Indo-

American Council of Seniors of

Edison. Indian Health Camp of

New Jersey, a non-profit organi-

zation held this health camp for

the fifth consecutive year at their

Edison location. Approximately

125 pre-registered participants

above the age of 45 without medical

insurance attended this comprehen-

sive health screening fair.

The services provided during this

free health fair included comprehen-

sive blood test, electrocardiogram,

physical examination, cardiology

counseling, vision screening for

glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy,

cancer prevention education and

chronic diseases screening and

counseling, diabetes and stroke edu-

cation and prevention strategies.

The physicians, nurses, medical

assistants, phlebotomists, EKG

technicians, medical students and

other volunteers from various spe-

cialties of internal medicine, cardi-

ology, ophthalmology and preven-

tive medicine provided their servic-

es for more than six hours on this

day to screen and educate patients

on diabetes, hypertension, cardiac

diseases, high cholesterol, various

types of cancer and other chronic

debilitating diseases which is preva-

lent in South Asians.

Accurate Diagnostic Labs in

South Plainfield and Edison provid-

ed the courtesy of blood test service

on this day. The blood test reports

will be reviewed by the physicians

and mailed it to all participants with

a counseling note, if any abnormali-

ties are detected in the test. The

State of New Jersey, Commission

for the blind and their dedicated

team provided thorough eye screen-

ing to qualified patients on this day.

Middlesex County Public Health

Department representatives provid-

ed the information to promote and

protect public health and welfare to

include chronic disease and cancer

awareness and education. Diabetes

education and counseling was pro-

vided by the Novo Nordisk repre-

sentatives, while Stroke risk factors

and prevention strategies and coun-

seling were provided by the

American Association of Indian

Nurses representatives and SATHI

student volunteers.

The IHCNJ next health fair will beon Sunday, June 23, 2013, from 8:30a.m. to 1: 00 p.m. at ShreeVenkateswara Temple inBridgewater, New Jersey.

Next health fair is on June 23A special “Meet and Greet” event was hosted by the Embassy of India in Washington, DC in col-

laboration with The Indian Dance Educator’s Association (IDEA), on April 12. The aim of theevent was to facilitate a dialogue for the first time between the Indian dance community and

mainstream art commissioners and organizations as well as to provide an opportunity to show-case the Indian dance community and create an awareness about the different Indian Classicaland Folk styles. The event featured special performances by Astad Deboo (right), a pioneer of

modern dance in India and Praveen D. Kumar, eminent traditional Bharatnatyam dancer.

\

Do you feel strongly about something? Do you want to overcome the writer’s block?Dear Reader,

Citizen journalism is an essential compo-

nent of a healthy democracy. Here is an

opportunity to make yourself heard. The

South Asian Times (TSAT) is your voice. If

you feel strongly about something, do share

your views with us and other readers. If you

belong to a community group, association or

society, send us information about its activi-

ties. Your contributions will be published

with your name and photograph in the

online and print editions of TSAT.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on

Twitter and LinkedIn. We have surprise gifts

for readers who actively engage with TSAT

on both print and social media

channels.

Send your contributions to editor@the-

southasiantimes.info and don’t forget to say

Hi to us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

May 12 happens to be Mother's Day and

you could send us a 300-400 word article on

the amazing bond that you share with your

mother! Happy writing!

Managing Editor

The South Asian TimesThe South Asian Times

e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m

7May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY

Obama vows to stand up forSouth Asians' civil rights

Washington, DC: Noting that South Asian

Americans, particularly those who are

Muslim, Hindu, or Sikh, have too often

faced "senseless violence and suspicion",

President Barack Obama has vowed to keep

up the fight against discrimination.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

"have made our country bigger and brighter

again and again, from Native Hawaiians to

the generations of striving immigrants who

shaped our history," he said, in a Presidential

Proclamation declaring May as the Asian

American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)

Heritage Month.

"Their story is the American story," he

said, but noted, "for many in the AAPI com-

munity, that story is one also marked by last-

ing inequality and bitter wrongs."

"Immigrants seeking a better life were

often excluded, subject to quotas, or denied

citizenship because of their race," Obama

noted.

"And in the last decade, South Asian

Americans -- particularly those who are

Muslim, Hindu, or Sikh -- have too often

faced senseless violence and suspicion due

only to the color of their skin or the tenets of

their faith," he said.

Obama noted: "Asian Americans and

Pacific Islanders have prevailed over adver-

sity and risen to the top of their fields -- from

medicine to business to the bench.

"But even now, too many hardworking

AAPI families face disparities in health care,

education, and employment that keep them

from getting ahead," he said reaffirming his

administration's commitment "to addressing

those disparities."

"We are standing up for civil rights, eco-

nomic opportunity and better outcomes in

health and education," he said.

"We are fighting for commonsense immi-

gration reform so America can continue to

be a magnet for the best and brightest from

all around the world, including Asia and the

Pacific," said Obama but acknowledged

"meeting those challenges will not be easy."

"But the history of the AAPI community

shows us how with hope and resolve, we can

overcome the problems we face," he said.

Indian American is Google'shighest-paid employee

New York: Nikesh Arora, the

Senior Vice President and Chief

Business Officer of Google

emerged as the highest paid

employee of Google, with a total

compensation of $46.7 million in

the year 2012. This is more than

double the amount which he

received the year before, as report-

ed by Bloomberg.

Arora, who is with Google for

the past many years, has been suc-

cessful in building the European

operations of the company into a

significant one. He was appointed

to the post of global ad sales boss

in the year 2009.

Prior to joining Google, he was

chief marketing officer and a mem-

ber of the management board at T-

Mobile Europe. While there, he

spearheaded all product develop-

ment, terminals, brand and market-

ing activities of T-Mobile Europe.

In 1999, he started working with

Deutsche Telekom and founded T-

Motion PLC, a mobile multimedia

subsidiary of T-Mobile

International. Prior to joining

Deutsche Telekom, Arora held

management positions at Putnam

Investments and Fidelity

Investments in Boston.

Arora holds a master’s degree

from Boston College and an MBA

from Northeastern University, both

of which were awarded with dis-

tinction. He also holds the CFA

designation. In 1989, Arora gradu-

ated from the Institute of

Technology in Varanasi, India with

a bachelor’s degree in electrical

engineering.

Indian embassy issues fresh guidelines for OCI card holders

Washington, DC: The Overseas Citizens of

India card holders, while travelling to India,

must carry the OCI booklet and their passport

having 'U' visa sticker, the Indian embassy has

said.

While the OCI card provides its holder a

multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa

for visiting India, in many cases its holders

are required to apply for its re-issuance,

including re-issuance of new passport for

those below 20 and above 50.

"For an applicant who is 21 to 49 years of

age, there is no need to re-issue OCI docu-

ments each time a new passport is issued.

However, if the applicant desires, he/she can

request that the OCI documents be re-issued

so that the OCI documents reflect the correct

passport number," the Embassy said.

For an applicant who is 50 years of age or

older, OCI documents must be re-issued once

after the issuance of a new passport, the state-

ment said.

One should apply for re-issuance of OCI

card in case there is a change in personal par-

ticulars, loss or damage of passport and/or

OCI booklet, for correcting personal details

entered wrongly while submitting online

applications.

However in case of emergency, the OCI

card holder can continue to carry the old pass-

port wherein OCI 'U' visa sticker is pasted

along with the new passport and the OCI

booklet for visiting India.

"It is important for the OCI card holder to

carry the OCI booklet along with the passport

having U visa sticker. Both these documents

should always be in the possession of the OCI

card holder while travelling to India," it said.

Minor children of OCI card holders are not

eligible for OCI cards, it said adding that they

can apply for PIO (People of Indian Origin)

card. An individual who has ever been a citi-

zen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, is not eligible

for OCI card.

OCI exempts from registration with local

police authority for any length of stay in India

and is at parity with Non-resident Indians

(NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and

educational fields, except in relation to acqui-

sition of agricultural or plantation properties.

"OCI can be used as identity proof for appli-

cation of PAN Card and driving license as

well as for opening a bank account if the card

holder is residing in India," the Embassy said.

Washington, DC: Marking the com-

munity's heritage month this May,

the White House has announced to

honor 15 Asian American and Pacific

Islander (AAPI) women including

two Indian-Americans as "champions

of change" in recognition of their sig-

nificant contribution to the communi-

ty.

The two Indian-American women

to be recognized next week by the

White House are Aparna

Bhattacharyya from Atlanta and

Pramila Jayapal from Washington state.

They would be recognized along with 13 other AAPI

women at a White House event on May 6.

"These fifteen women represent the strength and

diversity of the AAPI community. These leaders — in

business, advocacy, philanthropy, sports, the arts, and

academia — are wonderful examples for young

women across the country," said Valerie Jarrett, senior

advisor to the president and chair of the White House

Council on Women and Girls.

"As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific

Islander Heritage Month this May, we pay tribute to

the many AAPI women — from Bernice Pauahi

Bishop to Congresswoman Patsy Mink to Sunita

Williams — who have shaped the story of America,"

added Tina Tchen, chief of staff to the First Lady and

executive director of the White House Council on

Women and Girls.

The Champions of Change program was created as

an opportunity for the White house to feature groups of

Americans — individuals, businesses and organiza-

tions — who are doing extraordinary things to empow-

er and inspire members of their communities.

A passionate advocate for immigrant survivors of

family and sexual violence and ensuring they have

access to safety, justice and healing, Bhattacharyya is

the Executive Director of Raksha, in Atlanta, Georgia.

She has worked to ensure that attorneys, law

enforcement, and service providers are culturally com-

petent to serve immigrant survivors. Jayapal has con-

tinued to work for advancement of immigration

reforms in the state as well as nationally, and in the

aftermath of 9/11 she founded the largest immigrant

advocacy organization in Washington State,

OneAmerica.

She is currently the Distinguished Taconic Fellow at

Center for Community Change and a Distinguished

Fellow at the University of Washington Law School.

US to honor two Indian-Americans as 'champions of change'

Nikesh Arora

Aparna Bhattacharyya and Pramila Jayapal

8 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Sikhs support bill against bullying in schoolsPetition signatures needed in California

Sacramento, CA: May 1st marked a mo-

mentous occasion wherein California

Legislature held a hearing on a legis-

lation that addressed serious issues

relating to bullying and peer abuse,

with particular focus on issues that im-

pact students in kindergarten and grades 1 to

12, their families, peers and communities.

Dr. Seema Kaur, United Sikhs National Director,

spoke in support of SB 231 at this hearing in the Cali-

fornia State Senate, alongside Ms. Lisa Ford Berry,

founder of B.R.A.V.E. (Bullies Really Are Violating

Everyone) Society and co-sponsor of this bill, aimed at

establishing the California Technical Bullying Preven-

tion Center - a hotline for California students being bul-

lied.

State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) introduced

Senate Bill (SB) 231, to address issues related to youth

bullying and peer abuse. Co-sponsors of the bill include

California Senate pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Sena-

tor Marty Block (D-San Diego), Assemblymember

Tom Ammiano (D- San Francisco), Bonnie Lowenthal

(D-Long Beach), and Philip Y. Ting (D-San Francisco).

Dr. Seema Kaur, speaking both as a community

leader and a mother of three says, “The series of events

that led to the loss of a beautiful soul - Michael Joseph

Berry - to “bullycide” is not an isolated case. Many of

our children are facing similar circumstances all over

the country. All children that are either suffering or have

been lost belong to all of us. Why should we expect a

child to offer an explanation as to who they are in order

to be accepted in their peer groups? ”

In the Sikh community, children continue to

face harassment and bullying in schools be-

cause of their Sikh identity. This

reflects a growing trend, as

demonstrated by incidents of

school bullying outlined in our 2011-

2012 Global Sikh Civil and Human

Rights Report , where one student’s hair was set on fire

and another’s was forcibly cut. Sikh boys have regular-

ly been subjected to harassment and school bullying at

the elementary school level and beyond. This hotline

will be an outlet for them and their families to know that

there is help, along with a voice that will listen and do

something about the abuse they are facing. Under SB

231, the Bullying Prevention Center will be staffed by

trained professionals who will provide assistance to stu-

dents and parents with conflict resolution, crisis inter-

vention, suicide prevention and bullying prevention re-

sources.

“The choice not to practice, or practice a particular re-

ligion is a fundamental right of every American citizen,

and nothing should get in the way of this basic right. We

all have an obligation to speak up so that our children

can walk down the hallways with the same sense of

safety as every other child. Our legislators need to take

action now to put a system in place to stop harmful as-

sumptions and judgements being made based on phys-

ical appearance, race, religion, etc. Together, lets em-

power ourselves and our children to “say something -

do something” about peer abuse.” said Dr. Sidhu.

New York: Indian American stu-

dents shone in this year's California

State Science Fair, grabbing the top

award, six first place honors and

various other awards.

Eesha Khare, a 12th grade stu-

dent of Lynbrook High School in

San Jose, California, won the top

award for 'Project of the Year' in

the senior grade at the fair held ear-

lier this year, India-West reported

Saturday.

Khare also won a $5,000 for her

project, 'Design and Synthesis of

Hydrogenated TiO2-Polyaniline

Nanorods for Flexible High-

Performance Supercapacitors'.

“My project this year created a

cost effective, environmentally

friendly and energy efficient water

purification filter, using photo-acti-

vated Nano-TiO2.”

“I developed a filter, and a proto-

type design, which can be applied

in rural and modern settings all

around the world.”

Last summer, Khare had com-

pleted an internship with Water and

Sanitation Management

Organization, which has a mandate

to provide clean drinking water to

18,000 villages in the Indian state

of Gujarat.

Stating that it was an eye-open-

ing experience for her, she said:

“After coming back to the US, I

visited the Rinconada Water

Treatment plant in Santa Clara

County, which provides 80 million

gallons of clean drinking water to

the Silicon Valley every day, where

I saw the Silicon Valley water

treatment method. It was truly fas-

cinating to see, and it allowed me

to gain insight on water purifica-

tion on a large scale.”

The five Indian American stu-

dents who won first place honors

winners in the junior category are

Mythri Ambatipudi of Stratford

Middle School, San Jose, Venkat

N. Sankar, of The Harker School,

San Jose, Ashwath M.

Radhachandran, of Thurgood

Middle School, San Diego, and

Shashank H. Dholakia and Shishir

H. Dholakia, of Marion A. Peterson

Middle School, Sunnyvale. This

year, 1,037 students from all over

California participated in the fair

that was held at the California

Science Center in Los Angeles.

Indian American students shine inCalifornia science fair

Aunique environmental pil-

grimage, 'Green Kumbh

Yatra', travelling across

various countries to promote the

importance of environment and

biodiversity conservation, was

received in Jerusalem on April 22.

The Green Kumbh Yatra is the

brainchild of Kusum Vyas,

founder of GYAN and Living

Planet Foundation of Houston,

USA. Vyas was in Jerusalem to

attend The First International

Jerusalem Symposium from April

21 to April 25. The Symposium

was timed to celebrate Earth Day,

a history making day for the

Green Kumbh Yatra. During a cer-

emony at the Old City's Jaffa Gate

with the Tower of David and the

Old City walls serving as a back-

drop, Vyas presented the Green

Kumbh to Barkat, Mayor of

Jerusalem as Deputy Mayor

Naomi Tsur looking on.

Green Kumbh Yatra reaches Jerusalem

New York: A book titled 'How 12 Immigrants Made

Billions: 12 Keys to Success' by Indian American

author and entrepreneur Dr. Harsimran Singh detailing

stories of immigrants to the US who became billion-

aires has hit the stands here.

"This book captivates the reader with stories of peo-

ple who arrived in America with nothing but the desire

to succeed and the ability to think positively," Singh

said in a statement Friday.

"All of the billionaires were hindered in some man-

ner as strangers to the United States. Some of these

individuals had hardly enough money for a cup of cof-

fee while others lacked the knowledge of English nec-

essary to communicate or get a decent-paying job," he

added. Through perseverance and other keys to success

discussed in the book, all 12 immigrants had become

billionaires, Singh said.

In the book, the author has analyzed each individual's

course of action and decisions in life to arrive at the 12

keys of success.

An author and entrepreneur, Singh migrated from

India to the US in 1973 and is now a US citizen.

Indian American's book on billionaire immigrants out

Illinois: After returning from India,

spiritual guru Sant Rajinder Singh Ji

Maharaj has resumed a schedule of

discourses and meditation programs

in the Chicagoland, IL area.

Beginning earlier this month with

programs in Lombard and

Naperville, on Sunday, April 28, he

spoke in Lisle.

Referring to the omnipresence of

God, the Creator, he said in the same

way an author knows every detail

about the characters he or she writes

about, God, too, knows every detail

of our lives and is always with us. He

spoke of the importance of connect-

ing with ourselves at the level of our

soul through the process of medita-

tion. The audience then had an

opportunity to sit in meditation

according to his instructions.

Science of Spirituality has its

national headquarters in Naperville,

IL and offers regular meditation

classes, vegetarian cooking classes,

retreats, and programs on living spir-

ituality enriched lives, free of charge

and open to all. A world-renowned

spiritual Master and head of Science

of Spirituality, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji

Maharaj has made the teachings of

Sant Mat available to everyone. He

travels continually, teaching medita-

tion and helping people meet the

challenges of the times, in both their

worldly and spiritual lives. He has

been honored by heads of state, civic

and religious leaders all over the

world for his work toward peace

through spirituality.

He will next speak at the Piper’s

Banquet Hall, 1295 Butterfield Road

in Aurora on Sunday, May 12, at 2:30

PM. For more information about

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj and

his schedule, visit www.sos.org

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji giving talkson meditation in Chicagoland area

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj and his wife Mata Rita Ji greetthe international audience gathered to hear his talk.

Author Dr.Harsimran Singh and the book (left)

Kusum Vyas presenting the Green Kumbh to Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem. Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur looks on.

9May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY

'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' will spur a dialogue: Mira Nair By Arun Kumar

Washington: Acclaimed Indian

director Mira Nair is hopeful that her

new thriller "The Reluctant

Fundamentalist" would spur a dia-

logue between two worlds depicted

in it particularly in the context of the

Boston Marathon bombings.

Based on the novel of the same

name by Pakistani writer Mohsin

Hamid, the film tells the story of two

conflicting ideologies - the "funda-

mentalism" of the capitalists and that

of the terrorists - through a young

Pakistani man chasing his American

Dream.

The film "not only gave me the

opportunity to make that modern tale

on Pakistan, but it was also in its

bones a dialogue with America,"

Nair said.

"There is so little of conversation

between this part of the world and

that part of the world and especially

post 9/11 that conversation has

become a monologue," she said.

She saw in "The Reluctant

Fundamentalist" a "chance to create

a bridge, create a dialogue."

Nair said she has tried "to make a

film that questions who is the other

or who do we make to feel like the

other and make something that's not

reductionist", where one is either a

good guy or a bad guy and things are

black or white.

In a complicated world "we are

many things. Not just one thing - not

just Indian or American or just this or

that, but we are a combination of so

many identities especially in this

globalizing world," she said.

And that's what the film tries to

approximate through the characters

of protagonist Changez Khan (Riz

Ahmed) and Bobby (Liev Schreiber),

an American journalist, whom he

tells about his experiences in the US

at a teahouse in Lahore, "and the

worlds they live in".

"I think our film is about the mutu-

al suspicions that these two worlds

have for each other," Nair said. "And

in understanding why this suspicion

exists."

"That could be illuminating in

terms of understanding how such a

shift can happen in an individual ...

to bring men to an act of terror this

way as we see in Boston," Nair said.

"I have to be optimistic," she said,

but her film was just "an early step

because we are still paying the price

of reaction, that quick reach of reac-

tions that I have seen happen in the

country post 9/11."

Delhi, which is a twin city to

Lahore, doubled for the Pakistani

city for filming the teahouse, the uni-

versity and all the interiors.

"The first bolt of inspiration" that

Nair had to make a film on Pakistan

was in 2004 when she first visited

Lahore, where her father had studied,

and was "dazzled by the kind of

largesse of warmth and spirit and

love" she received.

Reading Mohsin's "wonderful

novel" in manuscript form 18 months

later, she realized that like the writer

"I have lived half my life in New

York City and half my life in the sub-

continent and I knew both worlds

within and somewhat without."

When Nair finally set out to make

"The Reluctant Fundamentalist",

Mohsin joked if she was making

'Monsoon Terrorist' "because I love

music, I love naach, gaana,

tamasha," said the maker of films

like "Monsoon Wedding"

"Mississippi Masala" and "The

Namesake".

In fact "Music is a huge part of my

breathing universe and the modern

music in Pakistan is just unbeliev-

ably inspiring" in its rendition of old

traditional sources like the qawwali

and the ghazal, she said.

Nair has used three poems of Faiz

Ahmad Faiz "Bol, ki lab azaad hain

tere", " Mori arz suno" and "Dil

Jalane Ki Baat".

But did she ever feel that the film's

treatment was in danger of slipping

into 'lite' territory? "No, it's my way,"

said Nair. "For me music is very

much part of how we live in the sub-

continent and I wanted to integrate

that."

And "Yes, I don't want my films to

be only like heavy, sort of home

work, like a lecture," she said, "I

make films also to take you on a

journey that elevates you, that moves

you, maybe shocks you. But in

which, I hope, you can see yourself."

New York, NY: Zee TV,

which recently became the

first South Asian Channel to

launch in HD in the US and

Canada, is now providing its

viewers, a chance to record

Mother’s Day messages on

Zee Dil Se.

This year Mother’s Day is

on 12 May. Those looking

for creative ideas to make this day special

for their mothers can record their message

on Zee Dil Se. Zee TV will make this

Mother’s Day extra special by sending

Free Veria skincare products worth $50

for every message that is recorded on the

Zee Dil Se website.

Recording a message on Zee Dil

Website (www.zeedilse.com) is easy.

After signing up, choose a date on which

you want your personal video message to

be telecast on Zee TV. After this you can

record your video message for 15 seconds.

It can be done with your webcam or you

can also upload a pre-recorded video mes-

sage. Then you can review, submit and

make a payment of $99 to see your mes-

sage come to life on Zee TV.

If you ‘like’ the Zee Dil Se Facebook

page and participate in the Mother’s Day

contest, you can also record this message

free of cost, on winning the contest. Zee

Dil Se Facebook fans are participating and

winning Veria skincare

products every week!

Zee Dil Se is for viewers

in the US, who want to say

something special to their

loved ones in a special way.

On Zee Dil Se, you can

record personalized video

messages for occasions

such as birthday, new job,

anniversary, etc. Now, one can gift their

loved ones messages that will make them

smile, cry and laugh as if they were near

you.

All you need to do is to log on

www.zeedilse.com and record your mes-

sage to see it live on Zee TV with your

friends, family and loved ones!

Zee TV has become synonymous with

unparalleled quality in entertainment. An

undisputed leader, it reaches more than

167 countries and 500 million viewers

globally. More than 2 million viewers

cherish it in the USA.

As an Indian channel in the US, Zee TV

is committed to strengthening the values

and traditions that appeal to the South

Asians in the USA.

To learn more about this program,please contact: Roopsi Narula, Indo USMedia, Suite 2004, 76 N, Broadway,Hicksville, NY 11801. Roopsi@indousme-dia.com

Wish Happy Mother’s Day onZee TV with Zee Dil Se

A still from Mira Nair's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" releasedin New York and Los Angeles this Friday. Inset: Mira Nair.

INTERVIEW The film is about two conflicting ideologies - the

"fundamentalism" ofthe capitalists and

that of the terrorists.

Obama has 'the juice' forsecond term agenda

10 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoUS AFFAIRS

Washington: Echoing Mark Twain,

President Barack Obama has confi-

dently asserted that he has enough

"juice" in him to get things done in

Washington despite a divided and

politically dysfunctional amosphere.

"Golly, I think it's a little -- as

Mark Twain said, rumors of my

demise may be a little exaggerated

at this point," Obama said Tuesday

in response to a question at a White

House press conference 100 days

into his second term.

"We understand that we're a divid-

ed government right now, (and)

things are pretty dysfunctional up on

Capitol Hill," he said when asked if

he still had "the juice" to get his

agenda through Congress since law-

makers had blocked several of his

initiatives.

But he said he is still confident

that a range of priorities will get

done, like immigration reform offer-

ing a path to citizenship to an esti-

mated 11 million illegal immigrants,

including some 260,000 Indians.

"That's going to be historic

achievement," Obama said. "I've

been very complimentary of the

efforts of both Republicans and

Democrats in those efforts."

Turning to the Boston bombings,

Obama said he had asked "our entire

counterterrorism team what more

can we do" to meet the threat posed

by "self-radicalized individuals" like

the suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar

Tsarnaev.

With the core of Al Qaeda weak-

ened, he said, "one of the dangers

that we now face are self-radicalized

individuals who are already here in

the US, in some cases may not be

part of any kind of network."

Obama defended the way the FBI

handled a tip from Russian intelli-

gence about Tamerlan Tsarnaev, but

said his administration would

"review every step that was taken"

to see if more could have been done

to prevent the attack.

He said Russian officials had been

"very cooperative" since the attack

on April 15, as American investiga-

tors have travelled to Dagestan in

southern Russia to try to reconstruct

the activities of Tamerlan during a

six-month visit last year.

As for the sweeping $85 billion in

forced spending cuts that took effect

in March due to congressional inac-

tion on deficit reduction, Obama said

the austerity is "damaging our econo-

my" and "hurting our people." Lifting

them will require compromise, he

said asking both parties to "sit down"

and commit themselves to reduce

"our deficit sensibly" and ensure

investment in infrastructure, educa-

tion and basic research that will help

the economy and the country grow.

Welcome high skill workers orlose them: US think tank

Washington: Citing the significant contribu-

tions of immigrants from India, a leading US

think tank has suggested that America must

roll out the welcome mat to high skill workers

to remain competitive and innovative.

While much of the congressional immigra-

tion reform debate is focused on a 'path to citi-

zenship' for 11 million illegal immigrants,

including some 260,000 Indians, a proposal

by Senate's "Gang of Eight" focusing on

skilled workers "should attract broad support,"

it said, describing it as 'path to prosperity'.

Called the Economic Opportunity and

Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, it

proposes increasing the number of visas for

high-skilled foreign workers and granting per-

manent legal ('green card') status to more for-

eign students who earn graduate degrees from

American universities in the STEM fields

(science, technology, engineering and math).

"Current US immigration practices prevent

US companies and entrepreneurs from gaining

access to talented, high skilled employees,"

noted Karl F. Inderfurth, Wadhwani Chair in

US-India Policy Studies and Scott Miller,

Scholl Chair in International Business at the

Centre for Strategic and International Studies

(CSIS).

"A further incentive for increasing the num-

ber of high skill immigrant visas to the US is

the benefit that can come from the bilateral

economic links the immigrant community

maintains with their country of origin," they

wrote.

Indian Americans, for example, "are one of

the fastest growing minorities in the United

States, and in addition to coming here for

higher education, they increasingly have come

to start companies and invest," Inderfurth and

Miller said.

The evidence that Indian immigrants and

Indian businesses boost the US economy is

clear, they said.

"Since 2006, Indian nationals have founded

33 percent of all engineering and technology

companies founded by immigrants in the

United States, which accounts for about a

quarter of all companies launched."

"Indian companies support more than

250,000 jobs for locals in the United States. In

addition, Indian companies have invested

more than $4.9 billion and employ more than

27,000 Americans," Inderfurth and Miller

said.

Reactions to the proposal in the US and

India have been mixed, the paper noted.

The North American Association of Indian

IT Professionals (NAAIIP) is pleased with

new stipulations to increase the number of

temporary high-skill visas (H1B visas) and

provide foreign high skill workers with some

employment flexibility.

High coastal population growthposes risk of extreme weather

Washington: If current

population trends continue,

the already crowded US

coast will see population

grow from 123 million

people to nearly 134 mil-

lion by 2020, putting more

of the population at

increased risk from

extreme coastal storms like

Sandy and Isaac, which

severely damaged infra-

structure and property last

year.

The projection comes

from a new report released

from NOAA (National

Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration) with input

from the U.S. Census

Bureau.

According to the report,

which analyzed data from

the 2010 census, 39 percent

of the U.S. population is

concentrated in counties

directly on the shoreline --

less than 10 percent of the

total U.S. land area exclud-

ing Alaska, and that 52 per-

cent of the total population

lives in counties that drain

to coastal watersheds, less

than 20 percent of U.S.

land area, excluding

Alaska.

A coastal watershed is an

area in which water, sedi-

ments, and dissolved mate-

rial drain to a common

coastal outlet, like a bay or

the ocean.

“People who live near

the shore, and managers of

these coastal communities,

should be aware of how

this population growth may

affect their coastal areas

over time,” said Holly

Bamford, assistant NOAA

administrator. “As people

move to the coast, county

managers will see a dual

challenge -- protecting a

growing population from

coastal hazards, as well as

protecting coastal ecosys-

tems from a growing popu-

lation.”

3 pals of Boston bombing suspect held for cover-upWashington: Three college friends of Boston

Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev were

charged Wednesday with removing items from his

dorm room or lying about it to the feds.

Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev were

charged with conspiring to obstruct justice. Robel

Philipos was charged with making false statements,

federal authorities said.

Tazhayakov and Kadyrbayev, who are from

Kazakhstan, had been detained April 20 on immigra-

tion charges. Philipos was taken into custody later.

The men recognized Tsarnaev, 19, from video of

the bombing scene released by the FBI and

Kadyrbayev texted him about it, a criminal complaint

said.

Tsarnaev's responses included the messages "lol,"

"you better not text me" and "come to my room and

take whatever you want," the court document said.

The trio went to Tsarnaev's dorm room at the

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, where they

found he had already left and were let in by his room-

mate.

After watching a movie, they spotted a backpack

containing seven red tubes of fireworks that had been

emptied of their explosive powder and Kadyrbayev

decided to take it, according to the complaint. They

also took a laptop because they didn't want to arouse

the roommate's suspicions about the backpack, the

complaint said.

Back at his apartment, the three friends "started to

freak out" because they realized Tsarnaev was wanted

in the bombing, Philipos said, according to the feds.

They then "collectively decided to throw the back-

pack and fireworks into the trash because they did not

want Tsarnaev to get in trouble," Kadyrbaev told

agents, according to the complaint.

Kadyrbaev allegedly put the items in a large trash

bag and tossed it into a dumpster near his apartment.

There was no indication the three men had any

prior knowledge of the bombing.

"Please be advised that there is no threat to public

safety," the Boston Police Department said on its

website.

FBI agents have also questioned Tamerlan

Tsarnaev’s widow, Katherine Russell, for hours to

find out what she knows about the plot. FBI agents

also wanted to collect a DNA sample from Russell to

compare with female DNA found on a bomb frag-

ment. The female DNA also could have come from

many other sources, including a store clerk who sold

some of the raw ingredients in the bomb or a specta-

tor at the race.

The agency has also questioned Mikhail “Misha”

Allakhverdov, the mysterious Muslim friend that the

bombing suspects’ relatives blamed for helping to

radicalize Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Allakhverdov has

denied he had anything to do with the bombing and

has said he has not seen Tamerlan Tsarnaev in years.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev traveled to Russia for about six

months in 2012, raising questions whether he

received any training there on how to construct the

bombs.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, second right, and Dias Kadyrbayev (who has been arrested)

in Times Square. NBC News intentionallyblurred the faces of the other people

with Tsarnaev and Kadyrbayev.

A 2010 map of America showing high density of population in the coastal areas.

Amritsar: Sarabjit Singh - the

impoverished family man from a

Punjab village, the death row pris-

oner who languished for 23 years

in Pakistan, the man who in death

became the latest bone of con-

tention in India-Pakistan ties -

who died after being brutally

assaulted by fellow prisoners in

Pakistan, was of all these.

On April 30, 2009, Sarabjit

Singh was scheduled to face the

gallows but his hanging was post-

poned indefinitely. Four years and

two days later, he died in

Pakistan, not from the noose but

after being brutally assaulted by

fellow prisoners at the Kot

Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

The 49-year-old was declared

dead by doctors in Lahore's

Jinnah Hospital, six days after he

was attacked on April 26, marking

an end to his family's sustained

efforts to save him from gallows

and secure his freedom.

Sarabjit was all of 26 years

when he was arrested inside

Pakistan August 1990 and later

charged with being an Indian spy

who was involved in two terrorist

incidents there. He spent the next

23 years in Pakistani prisons and

was subjected to torture - the

biggest one being the proverbial

Damocles sword of death penalty

hanging over his head.

A sustained campaign by his

spirited sister Dalbir Kaur in the

last few years gave some hope

that Sarabjit would avoid the

death penalty. But that was not to

be.

His family, especially sister

Dalbir Kaur, wife Sukhpreet and

daughters Swapandeep and

Poonam, approached everyone

they could. But Sarabjit was not

lucky enough to return to Indian

soil alive.

The family met him briefly in

jail April 2008 after a gap of 18

years. He saw his grown up

daughters for the first and only

time. This week, the family met

him again - but he had slipped

into a deep coma and probably

never even knew.

There was a brief, tantalizing

moment of hope. In June last year,

reports said the Pakistan govern-

ment announced that he was being

released.

However, in a flip-flop, the

Pakistani authorities clarified that

it was not Sarabjit but another

Indian prisoner, Surjeet Singh,

being released. "We felt cheated.

Celebrations had started in our

house and elsewhere. But he was

not released," Dalbir Kaur said.

It will be the final farewell when

Sarabjit's body journeys back

home.

Sarabjit dies in Pak - but not from the noose

11May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA

It will be the final farewell when Sarabjit's body journeys back home

It's the killing of our citizen: India 'Body to be handed over to Indian mission' Sarabjit's sister calls for political unityNew Delhi: The death of Sarabjit Singh was "put simply,

the killing of our citizen while in the custody of Pakistan

jail authorities", the external affairs ministry said

Thursday.

In a statement, the ministry said India has asked Pakistan

to "release the body of Sarabjit Singh so that he can be

given a funeral in India and among his own people".

It said the "shocking attack" on Singh in Lahore's Kot

Lakhpat jail April 26 "highlights the need for concerted

action by Pakistan to safeguard Indians in Pakistani jails".

Islamabad: Pakistan will hand over the body of Sarabjit

Singh, an Indian prisoner who died Thursday in a Lahore

hospital, to the Indian High Commission at the earliest,

said the ministry of foreign affairs.

The foreign ministry said that the government of

Pakistan, "which had been providing all assistance to the

family of Sarabjit Singh as well as to the Indian authori-

ties since the occurrence of this unfortunate incident, will

continue to facilitate for the early completion of all for-

malities and hand over the mortal remains of the prisoner

to the Indian High Commission at the earliest possible".

New Delhi: Dalbir Kaur, sister of Indian death row pris-

oner Sarabjit Singh, has asked all political parties to come

together and strengthen the government's hands.

"Sarabjit gave up his life for the country. He was mar-

tyred for India. (Pakistan President Asif Ali) Zardari killed

him because of elections," Dalbir Kaur told reporters here.

She said: "The entire country should come together. I

appeal to all parties to make the hands of Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Sushilkumar

Shinde stronger."

12 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoINDIA

'We will preserve India'sperception of LAC'

New Delhi: Dismissing talk of

softness in approach in the stand-

off with China, External Affairs

Minister Salman Khurshid said

both sides have a mechanism to

amicably resolve border incidents

and the Indian government had a

"very determined view" that its

perception of the LAC is pre-

served and any violation "put

right".

In an interview to NDTV news

channel, Khurshid said India

shares a "much larger relationship

with China" and the world is look-

ing at both countries as the future

of not only Asia but of "a vibrant

more successful world of tomor-

row".

"We don't want to be dogs in the

manger because someone's jingo-

ism has to be satisfied, we don't

need certificates of patriotic zeal

from anyone," said Khurshid,

referring to criticism of what is

perceived as the government's

"soft" approach in dealing with

the border incursion by Chinese

troops in Depsang area of Ladakh.

Khurshid, who is going to

Beijing on May 9, told the chan-

nel: "Whether I am soft or harsh

or hard, the job is to talk to China

and ensure the mechanism we

have in place for years effectively

we get and are able to do what we

want to do. It is not my job to

engage with the BJP, when the job

is done effectively (I) will report

to people."

On April 15, a Chinese platoon

set up camp 19 km inside Indian

territory in Depsang Valley in

Ladakh.

Coal scam: SC raps CBI, governmentNew Delhi: UPA II battled a crisis

after the Supreme Court censured

the Manmohan Singh government

for meddling in the CBI investiga-

tion into coal block allocations, set-

ting the stage for more paralyzing

fireworks in parliament.

And on a day Additional Solicitor

General Harin Rawal resigned after

taking on Attorney General G.E.

Vahanvati, anguished Supreme

Court judges demanded that the

Central Bureau of Investigation

(CBI) be "liberated" from "extrane-

ous consideration, influences and

intrusions".

The court ruling followed CBI

director Ranjit Sinha's admission

that his agency had shared the status

report on the coal block allocations

probe with Law Minister Ashwani

Kumar and an official of the Prime

Minister's Office.

Sinha added to the mess by admit-

ting what critics and activists have

been alleging for long: that the CBI

was not an "independent organiza-

tion" and that he was "part of the

government".

With general elections due next

year amid speculation that it could

be held earlier, the Bharatiya Janata

Party (BJP) declared that it would

not attend any meeting of Lok

Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and

Parliamentary Affairs Minister

Kamal Nath.

Congress sources admitted that it

was becoming politically untenable

to defend the law minister but

underlined no action would be taken

in haste.

A Supreme Court bench headed

by Justice R.M. Lodha came out

with a trenchant criticism of the

government for interfering in the

CBI's probe into coal blocks alloca-

tions. It asked the agency to file an

affidavit stating the changes made in

the report vetted by Minister

Ashwani Kumar.

Judges Lodha, Madan Lokur and

Kurien Joseph said the affidavit to

be filed by the CBI director should

be "candid, truthful, absolutely com-

plete and founded on records".

Noting that its trust in the agency

has been breached, the judges

observed: "We believed you and

trusted you... this is how the draft

report was changed... the court was

kept in dark."

The opposition sharpened its

knives. The BJP called the UPA II

government the most corrupt since

India's Independence and said

Manmohan Singh could not escape

accountability for the overall mess.

"Each passing day reinforces that

the prime minister is not coming out

clean before the apex court... He

cannot escape accountability," said

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar

Prasad. Parliament has remained

paralyzed since April 22, when it

reconvened for the second half of

the budget session after a month-

long recess. It was again adjourned

for the day after aggressive MPs

from both sides took on one another.

Delhi riots: Sikhs protest Sajjan's acquittalNew Delhi: Scores of angry

Sikh groups, waving placards

and shouting slogans, blocked a

busy road and disrupted the

Metro service for a few hours to

express their outrage over the

acquittal of Congress leader

Sajjan Kumar in a case related to

the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

As the Sikh groups promised

more such protests, Delhi Chief

Minister Sheila Dikshit pleaded

that “the issue not be politi-

cized.”

Holding placards that read

"Give justice to '84 victims" and

"Hang the culprits who massa-

cred Sikhs", different Sikh

groups gathered outside the

Tilak Nagar police station in

west Delhi since early morning.

Most of them were from the

Tilak Vihar area, a resettlement

and rehabilitation colony that

houses the victims of 1984 anti-

Sikh riots.

The Sikh groups were angry at

the acquittal of Sajjan Kumar by

a city court in a case related to

the killing of five people in the

Delhi Cantonment area during

violence against Sikhs following

the assassination of then prime

minister Indira Gandhi Oct 31,

1984. The court convicted five

others in the same case.

Sajjan Kumar's acquittal came

almost three decades after an

estimated 3,000 Sikhs were

killed in three days of riots in

India's capital and elsewhere.

The group then barged into the

nearby Tilak Nagar Metro sta-

tion and came onto the track,

disrupting the service for a few

hours. A group of Sikhs also

entered the Subhash Nagar

Metro station a few kilometres

away. They demanded action

against Sajjan Kumar and other

accused in riot cases, including

another Congress leader Jagdish

Tytler, blamed for instigating a

mob that led to the murder of

three men in a gurdwara in north

Delhi in Nov 1, 1984. A city

court on April 10 re-opened the

case against him.

On April 15, a Chinese platoon set up camp 19 km inside Indian territory in Depsang Valley in Ladakh

Sajjan Kumar's acquittal came almost three decades after anestimated 3,000 Sikhs were killed in riots in India in 1984

BJP to hold nation-wide protests against UPA

New Delhi: After stalling parlia-

ment, the main opposition BJP

has decided to hold nationwide

protests on May 4 and 5 to

"expose" the scams of the UPA

government.

"These protests will unmask the

misuse of constitutional institu-

tions to cover up scams, corrup-

tion and sins of the Congress,"

BJP vice president Mukhtar

Abbas Naqvi told reporters here.

"BJP leaders including L.K.

Advani, party chief Rajnath

Singh, Leader of Opposition in

the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj,

her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun

Jaitley and all BJP chief ministers

will lead protests across the coun-

try," Naqvi said.

"The prime minister has

become the guardian of sins and

the Congress a caucus of corrup-

tion. Every corruption, scam and

loot of public money is being

done under the guardianship of

the prime minister by the

Congress with impunity," he said.

Sikh group offers money forSajjan's conviction

New York: A US-based Sikh

rights group has announced a mil-

lion-dollar reward for those indi-

viduals whose testimony and evi-

dence may result in the conviction

of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar.

The reward will be given to

those individuals who will come

forward with tips, evidence and

testimony leading to the reversal

of a Delhi court's judgment

acquitting Kumar in a 1984 anti-

Sikh riots case, Sikhs for Justice

(SFJ) announced.

SFJ said it would engage top

advocates to prosecute the appeal

against the acquittal of Kumar

before Delhi High Court.

Federal Law Minister Ashwani Kumar

13May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA

SP hardsells Harvard boycott to woo voteLucknow: Concerned that its

appeal among Muslim voters was

dimming, Uttar Pradesh's ruling

Samajwadi Party (SP) is on an

overdrive to hardsell its boycott of

a Harvard lecture after minister

Azam Khan was detained at

Boston airport as "standing up to

imperialist US".

Azam Khan's detention led to

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav

boycotting the lecture at the

Harvard Business School on the

successful management of the

Kumbh Mela and also a civic

reception held in his honor by the

Indian consulate. While the party

has since been attacking the US in

its bid to become a "mascot of anti-

Americanism", Azam Khan also

blamed External Affairs Minister

Salman Khurshid.

Soon after his return from the

US, Azam Khan announced that

the state was canceling all future

trips by its ministers to the US. As

if on cue, Vidhan Sabha Speaker

Mata Prasad Pandey canceled the

US leg of his Commonwealth tour

beginning May 20.

Party strategists say the attack on

Khurshid, added to the anti-US

campaign, was a "well thought

one".

As an SP functionary put it: "Our

minority vote bank had been dent-

ed owing to the killing of a Muslim

cop and the 28 plus communal

flare-ups but we hope all that

would be a thing of past."

The party is making the most of

the opportunity given to it.

Party spokesperson and Prisons

Minister Rajendra Chowdhary

hailed Akhilesh Yadav for "stand-

ing up against unjust and anti-

Muslim America", a stand he said

was in line with the SP's socialist

ethos.

Supporting the chief minister's

decision to boycott all engage-

ments in the US, Chowdhary said:

"What is wrong in it?"

His party colleague, SP national

general secretary Ram Asrey

Kushwaha added that Akhilesh

Yadav's move "would send the

right message among the

Muslims".

With general elections due next

year, party insiders admit that in

the coming days the party would

go into overdrive to tell its crucial

Muslim vote bank that the SP has

stood for them on foreign shores.

The state bureaucracy is, howev-

er, unimpressed as is the opposition

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"This is a plan hatched long back

but sadly they are now compromis-

ing on national respect for petty

political gains," said BJP

spokesperson Vijay Bahadur

Pathak. He said the SP was trying

to break the Congress hold on

fringe Muslim seats in Uttar

Pradesh by raising the anti-US

bogey. The road shows and other

engagements that were planned for

Akhilesh Yadav's July trip to US

have "for now been put on hold",

sources said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav (left) and his stateurban development minister Azam Khan in New York

Kutchi Jains connect via largest online forumNew York: The Vagad Visa Oswal

Jains, a clan of Kutchi Jains from

Gujarat, has created a national

record by making the largest online

family tree.

The network, created by

Mumbai-based Amit Chheda and

Atul Nisar, has also been recog-

nised as the largest online family

tree in the 'Limca Book of Records

2013'.

As many as 57,000 members of

the community are now connected

through the online forum 'Commu

Tree' (www.vagadvisible.com-

mutree.com), of which 45,000 are

still alive, while the rest are ances-

tors, said a press release.

"Atul wanted to connect with

community members. Social net-

working sites did not prove to be

useful and there was no other

forum, which is when we decided

to start a community network,”

said Chheda, 29, an alumnus of IIT

Bombay.

“The objective of this platform is

to create a global network for

members to connect, as well as a

matrimonial platform for finding

suitable partners from within the

community,” he added.

“This is almost like a digital cen-

sus of the community, since census

records are done only at a village-

level and not for the entire commu-

nity,” said Chheda.

"This online platform is like a

social networking site for the com-

munity, where we can instantly

connect with each other,” said

Hasmukh Shah, a 49-year-old char-

tered accountant from Mumbai.

Amit and Atul now plan to

approach the Guinness World

Records to enroll www.vagadvisi-

ble.com as the largest online com-

munity network in the world.

Kolkata: The West Bengal government announced it

would shut down 73 companies against whom the central

government has received complaints of indulging in

'Ponzi', or multi-level marketing, schemes.

Making the announcement in the state assembly, Chief

Minister Mamata Banerjee said the government was look-

ing into the list of 73 companies named by union Corporate

Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot against which the central gov-

ernment has got complaints.

She was speaking in the house after a bill seeking to

bring to justice those trying to dupe people by collecting

money from them.

"We will close the companies in the next 24 hours," she

said. Banerjee, however, refused to name the companies.

"If I say anything it will alert the companies," she later told

media persons in the assembly lobby. Pilot had named the

companies during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

Banerjee said her government would keep an eye on the

financial establishments to ensure poor investors were

returned the money.

The chief minister said her government has taken a time-

ly step to pass the bill to protect the interests of the people

and it would be an example for the rest of the nation. She

said the relevant bill would be sent to Governor M.K.

Narayanan for his signature May 5 once he returns to the

state. Speaking during discussion on the vote of thanks to

the governor for his address to the assembly, she alleged

that many files and documents of the earlier Left Front

regime were now missing, prompting a walk-out by Left

Front members.

73 'Ponzi' funds will be shut down: Bengal

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh minister

Shivpal Singh Yadav's letter to US

President Barack Obama on cabi-

net colleague Azam Khan being

detained at Boston airport has

triggered a controversy with

opposition parties and civil socie-

ty activists terming it objection-

able.

In a petition sent to Governor

B.L. Joshi, activist Urvashi

Sharma termed the letter written

by the Public Works Department

(PWD) minister as unconstitution-

al and against diplomatic norms

under which external affairs is a

central not a state subject.

"This is highly objectionable

and cannot be wished away,"

Sharma said. "No leader from any

state can directly address the head

of any other state like this."

Leaders cutting across party

lines also come down heavily on

Shivpal Yadav.

"This government and its minis-

ters are known for their illegal and

anti-constitutional acts so the let-

ter written by Shivpal Singh

Yadav comes as no surprise," said

senior Bahujan Samaj Party

(BSP) leader Naseemuddin

Siddiqui.

Congress spokesperson

Virendra Madan was equally criti-

cal and accused leaders of the

state's ruling Samajwadi Party

(SP) of "making a joke of their

US visit".

Shivpal criticized for writing to Obama

Mandya (Karnataka): Congress

vice president Rahul Gandhi

mocked the BJP's attack on the cen-

tral government over corruption,

saying that the party does not talk

about its former chief minister going

to jail for graft in Karnataka.

"They spoke in parliament about

corruption, but they will not talk

about it in Karnataka.

They will also not say that a chief

minister went to jail (over corrup-

tion charges)," Gandhi said here at a

rally held as part of the campaign

for the May 5 assembly polls in the

state.

B.S. Yeddyurappa, the BJP chief

minister, was forced to quit in July

2011 over mining bribery charges.

He floated the Karnataka Janata

Party, which is contesting the

assembly elections alone.

Mandya, about 80 km from

Bangalore, is considered the strong-

hold of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-

S). Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP

of "mortgaging" Karnataka's rich

natural resources like iron ore to the

Reddy brothers and using their

money to acquire power in the state.

Rahul mocks BJP campaignagainst corruption

Congressvice

presidentRahul

Gandhi during

a rally inKarnataka

Uttar Pradesh ministerShivpal Singh Yadav

14 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoOP-ED

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

By Amulya Ganguli

It isn't only the Congress's

myriad problems that raise

questions about the govern-

ment lasting till 2014. What is

no less worrisome for the vot-

ers is that the ruling party's

opponents are in an equally

sorry state.

What this means is that the

post-poll scenario, whether it is

later this year or early in the

next, will be marked by consid-

erable political instability. In

fact, this is the only prospect

which appears absolutely cer-

tain.

It is this belief that neither the

Congress nor the Bharatiya

Janata Party (BJP) will be able

to provide a stable government,

which has made the Uttar

Pradesh Chief Minister

Akhilesh Yadav call on his

Tamil Nadu counterpart,

Jayalalithaa, in search of form-

ing a third alternative, about

which his father, Mulayam

Singh Yadav, has talked for

quite some time.

Prakash Karat of the

Communist Party of India-

Marxist (CPI-M), too, has spo-

ken in favour of such an

arrangement. He was, of

course, the driving force

behind a similar endeavour in

2009 under the Bahujan Samaj

Party's Mayawati, which col-

lapsed in a heap when the

Congress crossed the 200-seat

mark in the 543-member Lok

Sabha.

This time, however, Karat

will be more hopeful because

there isn't the faintest chance of

the Congress approaching any

such figure. All that the

Congress will probably hope

for is to get a few seats more

than the BJP so that it will be in

a slightly advantageous posi-

tion when renegotiating its

terms with its present-day

allies in the United Progressive

Alliance (UPA).

But, even if the two main for-

mations - the UPA and the BJP-

led National Democratic

Alliance (NDA) - win, say,

300-odd seats between them,

there will still be a huge chunk

of 240 seats with the regional

parties. It is this large group

which has fueled the prime

ministerial ambitions of

Mulayam Singh Yadav and

stoked the longstanding Third

Front dreams of Karat.

The next certainty, therefore,

about the post-poll scene -

apart from the chaotic political

conditions - is the tug-of-war

between the UPA and the NDA

about their constituents. In this

respect, the former is in a

slightly better position because

it is a larger conglomerate

comprising nearly a dozen par-

ties compared to the NDA's

four.

The BJP's difficulty is that if

it bows to the Bihar chief min-

ister's dictates, it may be able

to prevent the NDA's disinte-

gration, but it will lose face.

What is more, if it is compelled

to project someone else as the

prime ministerial candidate -

whether L.K. Advani, who, as

Sushma Swaraj says, can be

the PM nominee, or Sushma

Swaraj herself - the saffron

camp's core group of support-

ers, the communal-minded

Hindus, whose virulent pres-

ence on the internet is a new

feature of Indian politics, will

be greatly disheartened.

Therefore, between a listless

NDA and a scam-tainted UPA,

whose first party, the Congress,

is hobbled by two centres of

power - Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh and party

president Sonia Gandhi - the

electorate will be hard put to

make a choice.

Nor will the options of the

voters be improved by the pres-

ence of a medley of regional

leaders whose visions are limit-

ed to their own states.

UPA better placed than NDA vis-a-vis allies

By Barkha Dutt

Iwas in the United States the

morning after the senseless

bombings at the Boston

marathon. I watched President

Obama deliver a message of suc-

cor and strength at the city’s

memorial service, pausing to per-

sonalize the tragedy of a young

eight-year-old boy and his last liv-

ing hours; offering resilience to an

emotionally ravaged people by

vowing: “You will run again.”

It may have been theatrical,

rhetorical or that day’s assignment

for a spin-doctor at the White

House. But, in that moment, it hit

the right note, and even made

someone like me — normally an

absolute admirer of our noisy, col-

orful, chaotic multi-party democ-

racy — feel regret for the absence

of a culture of communication in

my own country.

Eleven thousand miles away, my

hometown was erupting in a rage

reminiscent of the anti-rape

protests of December last year.

This time the anger spilt onto the

streets after a little girl who after

being sexually violated with bot-

tle-shards and candlesticks, was

battling for her life. It seemed like

déjà vu in Delhi.

Not just the horror of the assault

itself, but also the responses —

shutting down metro stations, cal-

lous police handling and platitudes

— are mostly anodyne political

interventions. Yet again, the prime

minister and the Congress presi-

dent chose strong words and state-

ments over conversation and an

emotionally distant formality over

a more direct look-in-the-eye com-

munication. This, though, seems to

be a departure from their first

instinct — silence.

Remember Dr Manmohan

Singh’s rehearsed, almost reluctant

address to the nation eight days

after the Delhi gang rape? And the

police’s crackdown on agitators?

Why do our politicians find it so

difficult to talk directly to people?

Either they believe that political

communication is some airy-fairy

new-age concept that is irrelevant

to elections or they are trapped in a

yesteryear style of delivering

speeches to a crowd, from the safe

distance of an elevated stage,

instead of connecting personally

with the individual. You wouldn’t

believe it, listening to some of

them drone on endlessly on prime

time TV.

The sheer noise of political con-

versation in India can mislead you

into believing that there is too

much being said, not too little. But

the structured template of gladiato-

rial television debates, where

everyone plays out an assigned

role, is no substitute for modern

leadership, which in an age of

hyper-information, can only be

rooted in emotional accessibility

and an openness of style.

Last year, as I moderated a Town

Hall conversation in Kolkata with

Hillary Clinton, I marveled at how

unfazed she was by the tough,

spontaneous questions thrown at

her by young students in the

crowd. The world’s most powerful

diplomat was willing to bend the

power equation and allow a 17-

year-old to talk to her like an

equal. That is what contemporary

politics is all about. And this is

what people expect from their

leaders, to admire them, but yet

feel comfortable with them.

Leaders in the 21st century need to

emanate both confidence and com-

passion. It’s not rocket science,

just common sense. If only our

politicians could read the writing

on the wall.

(The views expressed by theauthor are personal)

Will we run again?

Leaders in the 21st century need to emanate both confidenceand compassion. It’s not rocket science, just common sense. If

only our politicians could read the writing on the wall.

Between a listless NDA and a scam-tainted UPA, the electorate will be hard put to make a choice

By Jinal Shah

New York: ‘Failure is the stepping

stone to success,’ it may sound

clichéd but to Reshma Saujani, first

generation Indian American and

founder of ‘Girls Who Code’, suc-

cess means taking risks and pursuing

your dreams – even if it means tem-

porary failure. In fact in her new

book ‘Women Who Don’t Wait in

Line’, she explores the importance of

failure and its connection to risk, and

what it means for today’s women.

The book, one of the first from

Amazon’s new publishing venture, is

expected to release soon. “The book

is about the next generation of

female leadership. The title itself

suggests - don’t wait around for your

turn, take that risk now. Apply for the

job you don’t think you’re qualified

for. Do the thing that people tell you

not to do. Mentorship is the New

Feminism. Sponsor young women

and challenge them to ask for more,

to take their career to the next level,”

Saujani told the SA Times. She was

attending a meet and greet event

Tuesday for South Asians United for

a Better America (SAUBA), an

organization dedicated to the needs,

concerns, and interests of the South

Asian community on a local, state,

and national level.

Saujani, daughter of a political

refugee expelled from Uganda in

1972 and former deputy public advo-

cate for New York City, talked about

her unsuccessful first political foray

(she lost the Democratic primary to

Congresswoman Carolyn B.

Maloney) to a room full of South

Asians. “…It was an upstart race

against an 8 year old incumbent, an

absolutely crazy thing to do. I had

zero name recognition. But the

moment I started that race it was the

best 10 months of my life and flash

forward to my election day I lost

80/20 it was miserable. I had no con-

cession speech ready in my purse, no

backup plan. Also we live in the

society that’s very ashamed of failure

and especially the women - it feels

like we have to do the job before we

get the job.” Yet she learned a very

important lesson “It’s okay to fail.”

She carefully weaved in another

theme in the book, that of ‘sister-

hood’, something she learned during

her failed election campaign. “This

new generation is about supporting,

doing business together; a generation

that needs to accept risk and failure

and embrace it, generation that fights

for structural changes in society that

makes it possible for women to work

and have children, take parental

leave, fight for affordable day care.

Several of the chapters are about

each of these issues and interviews

with both –successful women like

Beth Comstock, chief marketing

officer of GE, and younger women

who people don’t really know yet

like Tiffany Dufu, chief leadership

officer at Levo League and past pres-

ident of The White House Project,”

added 37 year old Ivy League-edu-

cated lawyer and a former hedge

fund attorney.

Saujani’s unreleased book has

already created a buzz in the media

in time for her race for NYC’s Public

Advocate office. Saujani is running

in a five-way race, rivals include

State Senator Daniel Squadron and

Councilmember Letitia James. Yet,

she is confident as she not only has a

deep understanding of the office but

also strong support from prominent

politicos like the Clintons and also

the South Asian community. At the

event, Saujani shared her belief that

increasing South Asian representa-

tion in politics is critical to better

serving community needs. If she

becomes NYC Public Advocate, she

will be the first South Asian elected

official in New York City.

Commented Bhinish Shah,

SAUBA's co-founder, "Reshma's

fresh perspective on the role of

Public Advocate and her ideas on

promoting STEM education and cre-

ating middle class jobs is what has

attracted SAUBA's attention. We

firmly believe that promoting the

voices and issues that concern the

South Asian community through

political advocacy and candidate

support not only benefits the com-

munity but benefits our people at

large."

Founding ‘Girls Who Code’

During her tenure as deputy public

advocate in 2012 Saujani learned

that the staggering 70 percent of stu-

dents in the city’s public schools did

not have access to a computer.

Worse, though 57 percent of US col-

lege graduates are women, only 14

percent of them have computer sci-

ence or engineering degrees.

Further, as per a 2011 report by the

US Department of Commerce,

women made up half of the US

workforce, but held less than 25 per-

cent of STEM jobs. The numbers are

more depressing for immigrant

women.

To bridge the gender gap, Saujani

founded Girls Who Code (GWC) to

recruit women in tech fields.

“Astonishingly in 1970 we had more

female engineers than today,” she

said blaming it on the attitude of girls

as well as of society towards. On the

campaign trail for congressional seat

in 2010 she observed the power of

technology in communities but girls

didn’t seem to be interested. “I often

came across girls who said I don’t

think it is interesting or cool or I go

to a computer lab and the boys won’t

let me in. The idea is to make them

excited and passionate. Technology

is moving at an unprecedented rate

and we don’t want our women to be

left behind.”

GWC is an 8 week summer pro-

gram where girls aged 13-18 learn

hard coding skills like java, html,

c++ and specific projects such as

mobile app, website. “We also

expose them to female entrepreneurs

and organize field trips to companies

like Twitter and Facebook to see the

application of technology in every-

day lives. We are now going from 20

to 180 girls all from New York City

this summer empowering them with

the skills they need so that they have

the potential to be the inaugural class

at the Roosevelt Island Tech cam-

pus,” Saujani added.

Failure is the stepping stone to success: Reshma Saujani

Reshma Saujani, who is run-ning for NYC’s Public

Advocate office, gave anexclusive interview to the

South Asian Times.

WOMEN’S WORLD 15May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Bollywood divas' summer beauty routine: Simple yet effectiveBy Nivedita

Mumbai: Do you wish for a glow-

ing skin, soft shiny hair and a fit

body? Take a peek into the beauty

regimes of Bollywood divas like

Deepika Padukone and Nargis

Fakhri. These are not skin deep but

keep them healthy and beautiful.

Each one of them follows a dif-

ferent regimen, but one thing is

common in their must do list -

water intake and use of moisturizer.

Deepika Padukone: My daily

skincare regime includes moisturiz-

er with SPF (sun protection factor).

At night, I remove whatever little

makeup I wear and then apply

hydrating cream.

Also, plenty of water, balanced

meals, regular workouts and ade-

quate sleep figure on my must have

list. Since my work involves a lot

of travelling and exposure to

extreme climatic conditions, it ends

up taking a toll on my hair. I get

tender coconut hair oil massages at

least once a week to protect my

hair.

Nargis Fakhri: I need a beauty

regime that guarantees results. A

20-minute deep conditioning treat-

ment with hot coconut-based hair

oil really works for me as it locks in

the moisture and keeps my hair soft

and smooth.

I make sure that I drink two liters

of water a day to flush out toxins. I

also have coconut water daily and

make sure I eat something

every two hours. My

snacking is limited to

health foods like

walnuts, almonds

and dry fruits. At

night, I try to eat a

light meal, but

sometimes I

don't succeed. I

absolutely love

desserts and,

yes, I cheat

v e r y

often. I think the key is not to be

hard on yourself, but use modera-

tion. One should eat everything in

measured quantity. You must know

what suits your body the best.

Isha Koppikar: I am very partic-

ular about cleansing, toning and

moisturizing my skin—and mois-

turizing my body with products

containing natural

ingredients. I also

love products with

mint as they are so

cooling and

refreshing.

When your

hair is

exposed to

summer heat,

it is impera-

t i v e

to keep

your hair free

from dirt and stick-

iness.

My diet includes more liquids,

especially in summer. A lot of fruits

and vegetables are an integral part

of my diet. I cut down on non-vege-

tarian food in summer. Lemon and

mint juice refreshes and helps me

beat the summer heat. Curd and

buttermilk are my favorite, espe-

cially during summer. For break-

fast, egg whites and multigrain

toast is the best. For lunch, jawar ki

roti and sabzi and for dinner, fish

and salad are my safest bet. In

between meals, if hungry, I have

fruits or curd or buttermilk.

Evelyn Sharma: Coconut-based

moisturizers work wonders for the

skin as they lock in moisture from

escaping the skin's surface. Make

sure that your diet includes fiber as

it has necessary vitamins and min-

erals. Balance your diet with rich

portions of fruits, vegetables, nuts

and liquids. I take coconut water

through the day.

Nargis Fakhri

Deepika Padukone

Evelyn Sharma

Veteran actor Dharmendra seems to be

getting younger with age. The 77-

year-old has done a Punjabi rap for

the title track of his upcoming film

"Yamla Pagla Deewana 2". He has also

sported a rockstar-look for it. A glimpse

of this song has already been incorporat-

ed in the movie's theatrical trailer, which

was unveiled in March. Sharib Sabri,

who has composed the song with his

brother Toshi, said the song is special.

"For the first time, we will be seeing

Dharamji doing Punjabi rap on the screen.

His rapper look, with the

r i n g s

on his

fingers, is

really special

in this song,"

he said.'

16 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD

Aamir Khan, who completed 25

years in filmdom Monday, attrib-

utes this success to the mis-

takes he made over the years. One

of the most respected and versa-

tile actors of his generation, he

admits when he started, he never

thought he would come this far.

"I have had unsuccessful

films, but I learned a lot from

those films. I give my failures

as much importance as my

success," Aamir said at a press

conference to celebrate his

silver jubilee in the industry.

His debut film "Qayamat Se

Qayamat Tak" came out on

April 29 in 1988 and turned out

to be a game changer at the box

office, which was reeling under

hackneyed plots and flops.

A fresh film with fresh faces

brought

in a breath of fresh

air. If the beautifully

stitched romantic saga launched Aamir

Khan in filmdom, it also introduced

Mansoor Khan as a director and gave Juhi

Chawla her due. If the story was fresh, so

was the music of the movie that is still

remebered for lilting numbers like

"Gazab ka hai din", "Akele hain to kya

gum hai" and "Papa kehte hain", which

were picturised in a completely different

style. Year 2001 marked a turning point in

Aamir's career as he turned producer with

Oscar nominated period drama "Lagaan -

Once Upon A Time In India", and later

directed issue based film "Taare Zameen

Par". Post "Lagaan", he has been part of

some of the biggest hits of the decade like

"Dil Chahta Hai", "Rang De Basanti",

"Ghajini" and "3 Idiots".

Actress Konkana Sen Sharma

couldn't stop her tears when she

watched "Bombay Talkies",

while for Riteish Deshmukh it was a

“wonderful cinematic experience”. The

film gets the thumbs up from the film

fraternity who feel that it is a must

watch. A special project to mark 100

years of Indian cinema, the anthology

film "Bombay Talkies" brings on the

screen four different stories put together

by directors Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar,

Anurag Kashyap and Dibaker Banerjee,

respectively. There was a special

screening of the film before its com-

mercial release Friday and it seems to

have appealed to the celebrity audi-

Never thought I'd come thisfar: Aamir

Ayushmann Khurrana: Finally saw 'Bombay

Talkies'. (I) felt very big while being a very small part

of Indian cinema.

Riteish Deshmukh: 'Bombay Talkies' will shock you,

entertain you, enthrall you. Zoya, Anurag, Dibakar and

Karan - thank you for this wonderful cinematic experi-

ence.

Konkona Sen Sharma: Laughed and cried while

watching 'Bombay Talkies'. Four fine, sensitive films

and super performances.

Rahul Khanna: Just watched a screening of 'Bombay

Talkies' and it was absolutely outstanding.

Congratulations Karan, Dibaker, Zoya and Anurag.

And a big congratulations to the cast of 'Bombay

Talkies'. Such fine, fearless performances in all four

films.

QSQT should not beremade: Imran

Imran Khan, who cried after wathc-

ing the climax of his uncle Aamir

Khan's debut film "Qayamat Se

Qayamat Tak" (QSQT) at a special

screening to mark 25 years of the hit

movie, says it should not be remade.

"The film is still fresh and very enjoy-

able. To tell you the truth, I cried during

the climax of the film. Yes, I was seeing

it on the big screen for the first time and

it was a lot of fun," the 30-year-old told

reporters post screening. Imran believes

the film is too special to be remade.

"This film should not be remade. I

believe this is a very special film and in

my opinion I don't think anyone can

remake it," Imran said.

'Bombay Talkies' getsthumbs up from Bollywood

The anthology film 'Bombay Talkies' brings on the screen four different stories

The celebs took to Twitter topraise the movie. Here is what

they have to say:

'Epic' torelease inIndia beforeUS

Hollywood film

"Epic", a 3D animat-

ed adventure come-

dy, will hit Indian screens

May 17, a week before it

opens in the US.

The Fox Star Studios' fan-

tasy movie is based on

William Joyce's book "The

Leaf Men and the Brave

Good Bugs". It has

voiceovers by Colin Farrell,

Josh Hutcherson, Amanda

Seyfried, Christoph Waltz,

Aziz Ansari, Pitbull, Steven

Tyler and Beyonce Knowles.

After the success of the stu-

dio's "Rio", which was also

released a week earlier, this is

said to be the second foreign

animation film ever to release

first in India over the interna-

tional territories, said a state-

ment.

"Epic" tells the story of an

ongoing battle between the

forces of good, who keep the

natural world alive, and the

forces of evil, who wish to

destroy it.

Chris Wedge of "Ice Age"

fame has directed the film.

Aamir Khan celebrated his silver jubilee inthe industry

Dharmendra does Punjabi rap in 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2'

The poster of Hollywood filmEpic, releasing in India on

May 17A poster of 'Yamla PaglaDeewana 2

Actress Juhi Chawla, who

will be seen in a negative

role in "Gulaab Gang",

says the film "may be sort of"

inspired by Sampat Pal Devi, the

founder of Gulabi Gang in Uttar

Pradesh. "It is not someone's

story... may be sort of

inspired by Sampat Pal

Devi's story. The film is a

dramatic version of all this that is hap-

pening," Juhi said.

The Gulabi Gang was formed in 2006

by Devi, a mother of five and former

government health worker (as well as a

former child bride), as a response to wide-

spread domestic abuse and other violence

against women.

'Gulabis' or the group members as they are

called, visit abusive husbands and beat them

up with laathis (bamboo sticks) unless they

stop abusing their wives. They wear pink.

The film "Gulaab Gang", directed by

debutant Soumik Sen and produced by

Anubhav Sinha, stars Madhuri Dixit and

Juhi Chawla in key roles.

"It is about whatever has been happening on

women... those stories are taken and this movie is

made. I am in a negative character," said Chawla.

The mother of two says her current priorities

are "family, home and my work".With charac-

ters culled from Marvel Comics, we know for

sure that "Iron Man 3" would be packed with spectac-

ular action and nice razor sharp, witty lines. When, the

film begins with a voice-over which states - "A famous

man once said, we create our own demons. Never mind

who the famous man is." - we are all the more confident

about the same. The voice-over at the very onset sets the

tenor of the film. The first scene ushers in a New Year's

party in Bern, Switzerland, heralding the new millennium

where a businessman-cum-genius inventor-cum mechanic

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is partying hard. The

audience waits with baited

breath to understand how he

creates his own demons. "Iron

Man 3" is the Superhero's

journey of finding the

demons he created and

destroying them.

Flash forward to the pres-

ent day, following the

attacks on New York

where a new terrorist,

Mandarin (Ben Kingsley),

is threatening to bring

down the US government.

Tony is mentally fatigued.

He is worn out with confi-

dence and anxiety issues. This

causes a strain on his relationship

with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth

Paltrow). He is unable to sleep and so he spends all his

time developing a super cloak - The metallic shield that

can protect him. Created through advance mechanics, it

assembles itself around him and works on mental remote.

Thus making him the formidable - Iron Man. Every char-

acter in "Iron Man 3" is important and the actors deliver

credible performances. Downey uses his offbeat persona

to good effect, adding blunt honesty to Tony's character to

help make the film more approachable.

17May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Megastar Amitabh

Bachchan, who is

making his interna-

tional debut with Baz

Luhrmann's "The Great

Gatsby", feels it's "not worth"

being part of the film's poster

keeping in mind his blink-

and-miss appearance.

However, he cant's deny the

order of the director.

"The poster of 'The

Great Gatsby', something

I thought to be too pre-

sumptuous but Baz

Luhrmann insisted that it

be done so there," the

70-year-old tweeted with

a picture of himself

wearing a hat and beard

on his face.

Big B plays Meyer

Wolfsheim in the $125

million 3D project, an

adaptation of F. Scott

Fitzgerald's novel of the

same name.

"The poster of mine for 'The

Great Gatsby'... not worthy of

being there, considering my minus-

cule role, but Baz Luhrmann," he

further tweeted.

In the film, Amitabh will be

seen sharing the screen space

with Hollywood stars Tobey

Maguire and Leonardo Di Caprio.

Other cast members for the film include Joel Edgerton, Carey

Mulligan and Isla Fisher.

"The Great Gatsby" will open the 66th edition of Cannes

International Film Festival, starting May 15. and Amitabh will walk

the red carpet with the team at the gala event.

It's no coincidence that this sur-

prisingly moving film is

inspired by Frank Pierson's

1976 drama "A Star Is Born". And

I deliberately mention the funky

psychedelic 1976 version and not

the older (1954) version of the

same story.

In spirit and in the way the two

principal actors perform their parts

of two soul-mates and singers torn

asunder by their allegiance to the

same competitive spirit of show-

manship, "Aashiqui 2" is robustly

reminiscent of the Kris

Kristofferson-Barbra Streisand

film where he discovers a co-

singer who steals his heart and

also his career.

For love to live the lover must

die. It's a curious tradeoff and one

carried off in this film with an exu-

berance of emotions.

The premise for the plot pre-

sumes love to be selfless all-giving

and unconditional. Just to see

Shradha Kapoor's eyes melt in

mutating emotions of

unflinching devotion to her

alcoholic star-on-the-skids

lover is a vision that makes us

believe true love still exists.

This petite beauty with eyes that

never stay silent gives to her

part so much heart, you want to

just embrace her and protect her

from her self-destructive men-

tor-turned-tormentor.

"Aashiqui 2" is a film with

its heart in the right place.

There are many moments of

pure cliche between the lovers.

And these moments, so deeply

entrenched in the conventions of

our cinema, blossom into fresh

statements on modern love. It's a

joy to see writer Shagufta Rafiqui

and director Mohit Suri ferret out

those feel-good places in the script

where the protagonists plonk their

emotions with a confidence and

conviction that reaches out to the

audience. Watching this smoothly-

oiled drama of disintegrating love

I couldn't help remember Rahul

Roy and Anu Aggarwal's wooden

performance in "Aashiqui". Our

cinema has a come a long way, and

not always in the right direction.

"Aashiqui 2" makes us grateful for

the movement of the love story

away from the standard Romeo &

Juliet format into the dark destruc-

tive domain of "A Star Is Born".

Sometimes love is just not enough.

With char-

a c t e r s

culled from Marvel

Comics, we know for sure that

"Iron Man 3" would be packed

with spectacular action and nice

razor sharp, witty lines. When, the

film begins with a voice-over

which states - "A famous man

once said, we create our own

demons. Never mind who the

famous man is." - we are all the

more confident about the same.

The voice-over at the very onset

sets the tenor of the film.

The first scene ushers in a New

Year's party in Bern, Switzerland,

heralding the new millennium

where a businessman-cum-genius

inventor-cum mechanic Tony

Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is par-

tying hard. The audience waits

with baited breath to understand

how he creates his own demons.

"Iron Man 3" is the Superhero's

journey of finding the demons he

created and destroying them.

Flash forward

to the present day,

following the attacks on New York

where a new terrorist, Mandarin

(Ben Kingsley), is threatening to

bring down the US government.

Tony is mentally fatigued. He is

worn out with confidence and anx-

iety issues. This causes a strain on

his relationship with Pepper Potts

(Gwyneth Paltrow).

He is unable to sleep and so he

spends all his time developing a

super cloak - The metallic shield

that can protect him.

Created through advance

mechanics, it assembles itself

around him and works on mental

remote. Thus making him the for-

midable - Iron Man.

Every character in "Iron Man 3"

is important and the actors deliver

credible performances. Downey

uses his offbeat persona to good

effect, adding blunt honesty to

Tony's character to help make the

film more approachable.

'Aashiqui 2':moving versionof love

'Iron Man 3:'

slick and

enjoyable

A scene from 'Iron Man 3'Review

ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD

A scene from 'Aashiqui 2'

'Not worthy of being in 'The Great Gatsby' poster' 'Gulaab Gang'

inspired by realGulabi gang

Amitabh Bachchan in 'The Great Gatsby'

ActressJuhi

Chawla

18 May 4-10, 2013 LENS EYE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Indian cricket fans, the Swami Army, go wild as a wax figureof cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is brought to SydneyCricket Ground before being permanently housed at the

Madame Tussauds Sydney.

This summer, let yourclothes scream colorful'. DelhiDesignera KamaallDixsit and VarrunaKapur have launched'The Riot of Colors' --traditional wear in colors like magenta,red, blue and emeraldgreen.

Egypt’s TelanganaRashtriya Samiti(TRS) president KChandrashekharRao garlanding aTelangana Tallistatue inHyderabad on April27. The TRS agita-tion has picked upagain for a sepa-rate Telanganastate carved out ofAndhra Pradesh.

Virgin's passenger spaceship calledSpaceShipTwo has completed firstrocket test flight. The six-passengercraft owned by an offshoot ofVirgin Group fired its rocket enginein flight for the first time onMonday, a key step toward the startof commercial service in about ayear, Virgin owner Richard Bransonsaid.

Marion White (middle), executivedirector of the ChildAbuse PreventionProgram (CAPP),presents theChildren's Championaward to QueensBorough PresidentHelen Marshall April30 at a workshop forschool guidancecounselors. CAPP,which has reachedmore than 420,000children with the helpof puppets likeSabrina and Steven,tells children thatthey have a right tobe safe.

Bollywood actressChitrangda Singh andbadminton player JawalaGutta celebrate the soldier who respects andstands up for women asactor Sundeep Kishantakes a pledge to becomea Soldier for Women atHyderabad on April 29.

Egypt’s deposed president Hosni Mubarak sitsbehind bars inside the courtroom during his trialat Cairo’s criminal court. The court had rejectedMubarak’s second appeal for his release pendingthe investigation of illicit gaincharges and confirmed theprosecution’s request okeep him detained.

By George Abraham

The 224-member Karnataka

assembly will go to polls on

May 5. Undoubtedly, the

result will set the

tone for the 2014

general elections

and significantly

impact the politi-

cal parties as to

how they would

conduct them-

selves in the realignment process.

It is well known that Karnataka

state has been beset with corrup-

tion, nepotism, ineptitude, public

squabbling and internal rivalries

and, to simply put it, very bad gov-

ernance. The BJP regime has also

become known for its religious

intolerance of the minorities and

moral policing. In a nutshell, BJP

in its years as a ruling party saw

Karnataka take a beating in terms

of development as well as suffer a

dent in the progressive image of

such a vibrant state.

The Kannadigas deserve better

governance. It was a state that cre-

ated the Silicon Valley for India

through its dynamism and energy

under previous Congress govern-

ments. NRIs working with entre-

preneurs in India played a vital role

in transforming Karnataka, espe-

cially Bangalore into a world class

metropolis.

US President Barack Obama has

mentioned Bangalore in many of

his speeches including once when

he exhorted American students to

toil harder at school, saying their

success would determine the coun-

try's leadership in a world where

children in Bangalore and Beijing

were raring to race ahead’.

It was Congress governments

under Veerappa Moily and S.M.

Krishna who ushered Karnataka

into the modern age, recognizing

the potential of Information

Technology and Bio-medical

research and laid the foundation for

their growth. In addition, the land

reform act, major irrigation proj-

ects, establishment of several uni-

versities including the University

for Medical Studies and the presti-

gious National Law School of

India University were all part of

those notable achievements.

Moreover, four lakh houses were

constructed during the last

Congress government in the state

under Rajiv Gandhi rural housing

program. Since 1980 Karnataka

leads the nation in GDP and per

capita GDP as compared to other

states in India. It has also become

home to biotechnology, with half

of large firms in Bangalore.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi in a major

address pepping up the Congress

cadres in Karnataka said, “We all

know corruption is a disease, a

cancer. Who does it affect the

most, it is the poor. No other party

has done what UPA has done to

fight corruption. We brought RTA

(Right to Information Act) because

we genuinely want to fight corrup-

tion”. She went on to say that the

UPA government wanted to pass

the Lokpal bill but BJP has

obstructed the initiative.

There is no doubt that corruption

is endemic and it is a national

problem that transcends all bound-

aries. However, it should be clear

that UPA Government has done a

whole lot more to fight corruption

than any other party. Anyone who

is directly accused of corruption

has either resigned from the

Government, sent to jail or is under

active investigation and facing pos-

sible trial.

The RTI itself has become the

catalyst in unearthing numerous

cases of corruption and has become

an effective tool in the hands of the

civil society. In addition, the UPA

Government has introduced num-

ber of bills in Parliament to combat

corruption -- The Public

Procurement Bill, 2012,

Grievances Redresser Bill,

Foreign Bribery Bill, Judicial

Accountability Bill as well as the

Whistle Blowers Protection Bill.

What happened to Karnataka

under the stewardship of BS

Yeddyurappa is out there for the

record. He is accused of massive

corruption, with 15 cases against

him and his family members and

he was subsequently jailed, becom-

ing the first Chief Minister to be

jailed for corruption. It has been

reported in the media that “All

restraint appears to have been

thrown to the winds during the

reign of Chief Minister

Yeddyurappa when the Reddy

brothers, ministers in his BJP gov-

ernment who had allegedly

bankrolled the party's campaign,

were given free rein and illegal

mining spilled into adjoining

Andhra Pradesh.”

A former BJP leader and junior

central minister V. Dhananjaya

Kumar has even alleged that one of

the national leaders of BJP was on

the take from the Yeddyurappa

Government in this web of corrup-

tion and misguided governance.

BJP also tried to turn Karnataka

into a mini Gujarat with fanning of

the flame of communalism across

the state. There were cases of peo-

ple getting killed, worship places

of minorities attacked and their

leaders jailed for exercising their

right to religious freedom under the

Constitution. Once again the objec-

tive of the BJP Government was to

divide the people along caste and

religious lines. Sonia Gandhi while

visiting the Mangalore city said the

following, "We have to see the

forces of communalism are defeat-

ed... We must stand up and fight

these forces. We must fight com-

munalism regardless of where it

originates from.”

The UPA Government under the

capable leadership of Dr.

Manmohan Singh has shown the

way for economic growth and

prosperity for all its citizens by

leading India as an important play-

er in the global arena while keep-

ing the integrity of the nation and

providing inclusive growth oppor-

tunity to everyone. The Mahatma

Gandhi Rural Employment Act

alone has given much needed relief

for so many unskilled workers

across the country. Reforms in the

economic arena including granting

o f FDI to multinationals, which

will not only benefit the consumer

but also expected to bring technol-

ogy and jobs along with it.

Undoubtedly, the NRIs in United

States especially from the proud

state of Karnataka with a long his-

tory and tradition, would like to see

their state continue to be a beacon

of hope for freedom, liberty and

justice for all. The cosmopolitan

city of Bangalore that has become

a magnet for those with a vision,

dynamism and energy has to be

sustained and to be protected. The

NRIs indeed have a stake in the

outcome of this very important

election.

Therefore, the time is ripe for the

people of Karnataka to speak out

on Election Day with their ballots.

They can reclaim their state back

by electing clean candidates who

are committed to good governance.

Karnataka assembly poll a key test

REAL LIFE

The seat tally predicted by a CNN-IBN and The Week poll.

OP-ED 19May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The state that gaveIndia its own SiliconValley has suffered

bad governanceunder the BJP, says

the President ofINOC (I) USA.

Boston in my backyardBy Parveen Chopra

Let us call him Joe. He lived across the

road from our house in Long Island,

NY. Moving into the neighborhood

over a year ago, we initially found this tall,

sinewy Caucasian intimidating. But then

came winter and he offered to shovel snow

for us – for a price, of course -- and we

became acquaintances. Yet, all we gathered

was that he did odd jobs and lived alone.

The other day, when Joe came to run an

errand for the girl living upstairs, he must

have passed through our backyard. He must

have also happened to look into our puja

room enshrining a big picture of Shirdi Sai

Baba and smaller ones of assorted deities

with flickering around them as a kind of per-

petual aarti.

Later that evening, when I came back home

and was parking my car, he beckoned me. “I

am curious about that big picture in your

home,” Joe asked.

Taking a while to apprehend what he might

be referring to, I replied, “Oh that, that is a

picture of Sai Baba, a spiritual guru… guru,

you know… spiritual, you know.. different

from religious….”

“I know what you mean….” he said non-

chalantly.

All too aware of the recent Boston

marathon bombings, I sensed that he might

have mitaken our Sai Baba to be some kind

of Islamic preacher of hate. Flustered, I blab-

bered on, “My wife believes in this guru. He

died early last century. Nobody knew if he

was a Hindu or Muslim.” I was alluding –

trying to feel exalted--to the saint-poet Kabir

who too was followed by both Hindus and

Muslims and nobody knew what religion he

was born into either. But Joe would not get

any of that.

“But we are Hindus….” I said, believing

that that would end any suspicion Joe might

have developed towards us.

Joe kept nodding, and then, before walking

away, he said: “I hope you are not making

bombs.”

I was stunned by this stinger-in-the-tail.

It triggered a whole train of thoughts in my

head. “Oh, Sai Baba may sport a beard, and

may look like a Muslim, but I am clean-

shaven….”

“But then, what about people who do have

beards, and actually are Muslims, how much

suspicion and ill-will they must be arous-

ing?” I did not resent Joe, ascribing his

remark to his ignorance as well as the unfor-

tunate situation in America post-9/11. It has

not helped that Muslims have figured in

almost all the terror plots since. Being a jour-

nalist, I would have liked to enlighten Joe

about the mistaken backlash against the

South Asian community.

As it turned out, it was good that I did not

develop any new fear or anger towards Joe—

okay, maybe a wee bit. The next morning, he

came calling again. This time he came upon

my wife and apologized profusely for talking

about ‘bomb’ to me the previous night. My

wife invited him into the puja room, and said,

“Look for yourself what is in here.”

I admire Joe for apologizing, it was more

courageous than hinting to a neighbor that

you may be fabricating crude explosive

devices at home, in the manner of pressure

cooker bombs Tsarnaev brothers used to

deadly effect in Boston.

When I went over the episode with my

family, my son was more understanding:

“Forget it, guys, you know these

Americans… ‘If you see something, say

something’.”

A picture of Shirdi Sai Babaand flickering lights in our

puja room had our neighborask, “I hope you are not mak-ing bombs”. The anti-climax

came the next day. A first-person account.

Seven South African Indians get National Orders

20 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoDIASPORA

Indian-origin woman shortlisted for 'best job in world'London: One for the taste buds!

An Indian-origin woman in the UK

has been shortlisted out of 600,000

applicants for the post of Western

Australia taste master, described as

one of the "best jobs in the world."

Asha Patel, who grew up in

Rushey Mead, Leicester, has been

shortlisted along with 24 other peo-

ple for the job that involves "eating

your way round the state, foraging

out the finest produce and uncover-

ing the best bars and restaurants."

The Australian state's tourism

website has described it as "one of

the best jobs in the world."

Patel said, landing the job would

be "a dream come true." For a self-

confessed food addict and travel

lover, being paid to research the

finest produce and best eateries on

the other side of the world must be

the absolute dream job.

So Asha is more than a little

excited after being shortlisted for

the role.

More than 600,000 applicants

from across the world applied for

six positions and just 25 people

have now been shortlisted for each

role, the Leicester Mercury news-

paper reported.

The winners of each will spend

six months carrying out the job of

their dreams, getting paid $50,000

plus USD 50,000 living expenses,

for the pleasure.

"I'm really up for adventure and

excitement," Asha said. "It would

mean everything to me. I was

thrilled, ecstatic and a bit over-

whelmed when I found out I'd been

shortlisted. It's quite different to

anything I've ever done before,"

she said.

Asha works as a freelance writer

and photographer in London, but

says food is her true love.

While the other five positions,

lifestyle photographer, Outback

adventurer, park ranger, wildlife

caretaker and "chief funster", are

all equally amazing jobs, the 30-

year-old says she was instantly

drawn to the role of taste master.

She said she knew it was for her

as soon as she read the job descrip-

tion. "I'm really passionate about

food and have such a love for it,"

she said.

After applying, Asha was asked

to send in a video to show why she

would be perfect for the job.

An unprecedented seven

I n d i a n - o r i g i n - S o u t h

Africans have been pre-

sented with South Africa's highest

civilian awards by President Jacob

Zuma.

The seven-Indians were among

the 38 recipients of the National

Orders, the highest awards the

President can bestow on citizens

and foreign nationals.

It is presented on the Freedom

Day that is celebrated on April 27

to mark the day on which Nelson

Mandela took over as the coun-

try's first democratically-elected

President in 1994.

Among the recipients of the

order was veteran Indian diplomat

Enuga Reddy who had led the

fight against apartheid at the UN

since 1963.

The second highest award called

the Order of the Baobab was pre-

sented to Lenasia-based commu-

nity worker Suraya Khan, popu-

larly known to all as "Aunty

Bibi", while the same order in

Silver went to journalist and com-

munity activist Yusuf Abramjee

and pioneering skin cloning plas-

tic surgeon Dr Ridwan Mia.

Zarina Hutchinson collected the

Order of Luthuli in Silver award-

ed posthumously to her mother

Amina Desai who was banned for

many years in South Africa before

eventually going to Ireland.

Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim

received the Order of

Mapungubwe in Bronze for her

internationally acclaimed research

into HIV Aids.

Laila Turkmore-Reddy, daugh-

ter of veteran diplomat Enuga

Reddy, who started the fight

against apartheid led by India in

1948 at the UN and continued to

do so for many decades, received

the Companions of OR Tambo in

Silver on his behalf.

Asha Patel

Trinidad and Tobago to set upVivekananda Foundation

Port of Spain: The Caribbean

nation of Trinidad and Tobago,

where about 40 percent of its 1.3

million population is of Indian ori-

gin, will soon set up a Vivekananda

Foundation in honor of the late

Indian philosopher saint, whose

150th birth anniversary is being

observed this year.

The idea is the brainchild of

Indian High Commissioner Malay

Mishra, and it is proposed to take

shape by September.

At an international seminar "One

World: One Reality" held here,

Indrani Rampersad, a former colum-

nist of The Guardian, said Swami

Vivekananda brought "revolutionary

ideas" to the global table of religion

and spirituality when non-Christians

were seen as "pagans and barbaric."

Indian envoy Mishra said Swami

Vivekananda was a figure who gal-

vanized people of India as well as in

places as the US, Britain and Japan,

with simple but powerful words, "I

Am Divine."

Mishra called on the young people

to read Swami Vivekananda's writ-

ings as his words were "dynamic,

and full of fire and energy."

Rampersad Parasram, chairman of

the Swami Vivekaanda 150th Birth

Anniversary celebrations, said: "The

message of the inherent divinity in

all of us regardless of the discrimi-

nation of class, caste or creed makes

the case for us to embrace each

other and create a world where

despite the diversity we can break

down the walls of prejudice and

work together towards salvation

which is the ultimate goal of human

birth."

Among recipients was Enuga Reddy, former

Principal Secretary of the UN Special Committee

against Apartheid

Indian-origin cop wins racial discrimination case

in South Africa

An Indian-origin police officer in

South Africa, who was overlooked

for a promotion because of his race,

won an unfair discrimination lawsuit on

Monday and was awarded about 20 lakh

rupees as compensation.

The officer, Captain M Munsamy from

KwaZulu-Nata had applied for three superin-

tendent posts in 2000. He was recommended

for one of the posts, but was not appointed

because "Indian males were over-represented

and Africans were under-represented" at the

level of superintendent, Acting labor court

judge Benita Whitcher said in her judgment.

In respect of the other two posts, police

management said he lacked relevant experi-

ence for one, and the other required a female

to be appointed for "representativity", she

said.

He then sued the police ministry and

department for unfair discrimination, claim-

ing the difference between the salary he was

paid and the salary he would have been paid

had he been promoted 11 years earlier.

He was awarded 3,33,000 Rands in back-

pay, Murcury news reported.

Judge Whitcher has also ordered the police

to pay the costs of the lawsuit.

In his testimony before the court, Munsamy

said he should not have been overlooked

because he had more than 25 years service at

the time he applied for promotion and had

performed important functions relevant to the

post, including inspecting police stations.

Malaysian Indians come out in support of ruling coalition

Singapore: Ahead of the general elections in Malayasia, many

Malaysian Indians have come out in support of the ruling Barisan

Nasional (BN) coalition in the country.

Indian community leaders and the general public have given

credit to the Barisan Nasional for providing Malaysian Indians

with shelter, clothing and education assistance, the New Straits

Times reported Wednesday.

The Barisan Nasional is mainly a coalition of the country's three

largest race-based political parties -- the United Malays National

Organization (UMNO), the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and

the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA).

According to Perak Hindu Youth Organization adviser R.

Anbalagan, the Barisan Nasional, through its actions, has shown

that it understood the problems of the Indian community.

"Financial aid has been allocated to us under the budget as well

as through other agencies," he was quoted as saying.

"This has endeared BN to Indian voters. I can see more Indians,

including youth, giving their support to BN."

Malaysian Public Service Society chairman Andrew Raju was

quoted as saying that older Indian voters are grateful for the bene-

fits they have reaped under the BN government, "such as pension

and healthcare."

V.T. Naidu, a 62-year-old retired policeman, said it was because

of the opportunities provided by the BN government that his son

has become an engineer and his daughter also an engineer.

According to the report, the Indian community's support for the

ruling coalition has grown in the state of Selangor since the last

general elections in 2008. Ramesh Rao, president of the

Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin, said in contrast to another

party that ruled the state, the BN government "never issued notices

to stop temple bells from ringing or demolished Hindu temples."

In the state of Negri Sembilan, too, Indian support for the ruling

coalition is growing. Jeya Balan, chairman of Negri Sembilan

Hindu Sangam chairman for Taman Templer in Seremban, said

Indians saw BN's "clear direction and agenda for the community."

"The support is there. The political tsunami of 2008 has taught

us not to place our hopes on parties that do not deliver," he was

quoted as saying.

21May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info SUBCONTINENT

Islamabad: General elec-

tions will be held on May

11, said Pakistan Army

chief General Ashfaq

Parvez Kayani while asking

people not to harbour any

suspicions or misgivings

about it.

The powerful army chief

said in Rawalpindi that gen-

eral elections would be held

in the country May 11,

reported Associated Press of

Pakistan.

"We must not harbor any

suspicions or misgivings

about it," Kayani said while

addressing the ‘Yaum-e-Shuhada’ (Martyrs

Day) ceremony at GHQ.

He said the elections were a golden oppor-

tunity that could usher in an era of true dem-

ocratic values in the country.

He added that in his opinion, it is not

merely retribution, but awareness and partic-

ipation of the masses that can truly end this

game of hide and seek between democracy

and dictatorship.

“If we succeed in rising above all ethnic,

linguistic and sectarian biases to vote solely

on the basis of honesty, sincerity, merit and

competence, there would be no reason to

fear dictatorship or to grudge the inadequa-

cies of our present democratic system,” he

stressed.

He went on to say that the country's salva-

tion resides in transforming the government

into a true platform of public representation.

Pak polls on May 11, assures Gen Kayani

Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani

Islamabad: A court in

Rawalpindi ordered former

president Pervez Musharraf to

be sent to 14 days judicial

remand in the case relating to

former prime minister Benazir

Bhutto's assassination, a media

report said.

The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorist

Court (ATC) ordered Musharraf

to be sent to jail on 14 days judi-

cial remand.

However, Musharraf will be

kept at his farmhouse in Chak

Shahzad in the outskirts of

Islamabad which had earlier been

declared a sub-jail, Geo News

quoted sources as saying.

Musharraf was not produced before the

court Tuesday for security reasons.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)

lawyer Chaudhry Zulfiqar said that their

investigation from Musharraf has been

completed.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from

1999 to 2008, has been accused of failing

to provide adequate security to Bhutto

when she returned to Pakistan from exile in

2007. Bhutto, who had twice served as

prime minister, was killed in a suicide

attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in

2007, shortly after she addressed thousands

of her supporters at an election rally.

Musharraf's government had accused the

Pakistani Taliban of killing Bhutto, the

charge denied by the Taliban.

Guwahati: In the face of stiff

criticism by opposition parties

over the India-Bangladesh land-

swap deal, Assam Chief Minister

Tarun Gogoi said it will, in fact,

serve the state's interest in tack-

ling infiltration, smuggling and

promoting trade relations between

the two countries.

"I am in favor of the agreement.

Assam will not only get some

land but also be able to improve

relation with Bangladesh further.

Good relation with Bangladesh is

necessary for the interests of

Assam. Checking infiltration and

smuggling, and improving trade

relations with Bangladesh are all

in Assam's interests," said Gogoi

while addressing the media per-

sons here.

"Though the lands in adverse

possessions are in the maps of

each country, in reality, they are

not in cont

rol of either of the two coun-

tries. Only the lands in adverse

possession will be exchanged.

There is no question of state los-

ing land," Gogoi said, refuting the

opposition's claim that the state

will only lose land after the deal.

Opposition parties like the

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and

the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

have opposed the agreement, say-

ing that it will affect India's sover-

eignty.

Islamabad: Although India is "much kinder" to its

creative artists than Pakistan has ever been, Shamshad

Begum was "stepped over" for other singers in the

1960s, as her voice was considered too powerful for

the cinema in those days, a Pakistani daily said.

Lauding the voice that gave immortal songs like

"Kajra mohabbat wala", "Leke pehla pehla pyar" and

"Teri mehfil me kismat", the News International said

the singer lived a "relatively reclusive life" after retir-

ing from playback singing in 1965.

One of Bollywood's earliest singers, Shamshad

Begum died at her home in Mumbai this week. She

was 94, and is survived by a daughter.

The daily said Bollywood films are "largely defined

by the music they offer, and Shamshad Begum repre-

sented those great playback singers of yesteryears,

when lyrics were poetry and composition an art and

skill both".

"The depth and beauty of Shamshad Begum's musi-

cal talent is evident in the fact that her songs, record-

ed chiefly between 1945 and 1965, continue to be re-

recorded, remixed and featured in Bollywood movies

to this day," the daily said.

This also, "unfortunately", says much about the

quality of music being produced today, it said, adding

that people continue to prefer the "golden oldies".

Benazir killing: Musharraf in judicial custody

Delhi-Dhaka land deal to benefitAssam: Gogoi

Washington: Highlighting the attacks

on a Tamil-language newspaper in Sri

Lanka, the United States has said it

would continue to "very directly"

press its concerns for press freedom

bilaterally as also through the interna-

tional community.

Uthayan, a Tamil-language newspa-

per in Sri Lanka, "has seen its person-

nel beaten, its newspaper shipments

burned, its equipment destroyed, and

its offices set ablaze in this last month

alone," State Department spokesman

Patrick Ventrell told reporters

Tuesday.

"The assault on a free press in Sri

Lanka extends beyond Uthayan," he

said. "The BBC Tamil-language serv-

ice has had its programs about Sri

Lanka and the Human Rights Council

censored.".

"Reporters have been physically

assaulted and murdered in years past,

and a prominent political cartoonist

has been missing for three years,"

Ventrell said continuing what he called

"our Free the Press campaign."

The United States, Ventrell said

"calls on Sri Lankan authorities to

demonstrate their commitment to the

rule of law and freedom of expression

by conducting thorough investigations

into all attacks and killings of journal-

ists and bringing perpetrators to jus-

tice. Urging Sri Lankan authorities to

protect freedom of expression, he said:

"The necessity of upholding this fun-

damental right was not only a compo-

nent of the UN Human Rights Council

resolution in Geneva this March, but it

was a central recommendation of the

Sri Lankan Government's own

Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation

Commission."

New Delhi: Nepal’s former prime minister

Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who is also

the head of Unified Communist Party of Nepal

(Maoist), the country's largest party, held

“very good talks” with Indian Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh during which he empha-

sized that his party was in a “new phase politi-

cally and ideologically" and wanted good rela-

tions with India.

A day after Prachanda told an audience here

his party had agreed that “without good rela-

tions with India Nepal cannot prosper”,

Prachanda said that “We are in a new phase

politically and ideologically” in relations with

India, his comrade Krishna Bahadur Mahara

said.

He said India and Nepal should “review the

past” and take forward their relations.

He also discussed the second Constituent

Assembly elections due in Nepal in November

and sought help in the country's economic

development. Manmohan Singh said “India

stands by Nepal and we are with Nepal’s eco-

nomic development”, Mahara, who was pres-

ent at the meeting, said.

Prachanda, who was on a four-day trip of

India, visited here after four years. The last

time he came here as prime minister and also

after first visiting China. He also met India's

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid

Tuesday.

Assault on press in Sri Lanka worrisome: US Prachanda seeks good ties with India

Bollywood neglected Shamshad Begum: Pak daily

Pervez Musharraf has been accused of failingto provide adequate security to Benazir Bhutto

Nepal’s former prime minister Pushpa KamalDahal with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Shamshad Begum

22 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoINTERNATIONAL

New Italian govt confirmed by SenateRome: Italian premier Enrico Letta's cross-

party government won a final vote of confi-

dence vote in Parliament, giving life to a

grand coalition that aims to put aside decades

of animosity to return the eurozone's third-

largest economy to growth.

Letta's first order of business is a trip to

Berlin, where he is expected to press German

chancellor Angela Merkel on the necessity of

easing austerity politics that have put pres-

sure on ordinary Italians in favor of growth

policies.

Letta will take the message to Paris, where

he meets tomorrow with President Francois

Hollande, and then to Brussels. The

European tour aims also to demonstrate that

this government wants to remain at the heart

of the decision-making in Europe.

The new government was confirmed on

Tuesday by the Senate by a vote of 233 in

favor, 59 against and 18 abstentions, a day

after it easily won confirmation by the lower

house.

The government brings together in an

uneasy coalition the center-left Democratic

Party, which won the lower house in

February elections but not the Senate along

with its long-time political opponents, the

center-right under Silvio Berlusconi's People

of Freedom party.

Letta outlined to the two houses an ambi-

tious program to get young Italians into work

, reform the electoral law, reduce the cost of

maintaining Italy's political class, reform the

judicial system and make it easier for the

children of immigrants born in Italy to

become citizens. He said the government

would step down if he hasn't accomplished

his goals within 18 months.

Letta already has made one big concession

to Berlusconi's backers: a pledge to put on

hold an unpopular tax on first residences

until it can be reviewed. Berlusconi today

said he will only support the government if

the tax is repealed.

The tax on first homes, which was reintro-

duced by the technical government of Mario

Monti, generates 4 billion euros ($5.2 bil-

lion) a year, and the decision to suspend June

payments will cost the state 2 billion euros,

at a time when the government needs to

come up urgently with additional funds to

pay for a fund for workers on temporary

layoffs.

Washington: President Barack

Obama vowed to make a new push

to close the Guantanamo detention

center, where about 100 inmates are

on hunger strike, saying it was dam-

aging to US interests to keep hold-

ing prisoners there in legal limbo.

Human rights groups have long

been critical of the 12-year-old

camp for foreign terrorism suspects,

and their concern has intensified in

recent weeks. Some of those on

hunger strike are being force-fed at

the camp at the US naval base in

Cuba.

Obama, who repeatedly vowed to

close the camp, which now holds

166 detainees, when he was cam-

paigning for a first term and when

he first took office in 2009, said he

would re-engage with lawmakers to

find a way to shut the facility and

make good on an unkept promise.

However, he offered no new path

to overcoming congressional, polit-

ical and legal obstacles that blocked

his earlier efforts to close

Guantanamo, where many of the

prisoners have been held for more

than a decade without being tried or

charged.

"It's not sustainable - I mean, the

notion that we are going to continue

to keep over 100 individuals in a

no-man's land in perpetuity,"

Obama told a White House news

conference.

New Italian premier Enrico Letta

Washington: US President

Barack Obama warned

against rushing to judgment

on the use of chemical

weapons in Syria, saying he

needs "hard, effective evi-

dence" before taking further

moves.

Addressing a press confer-

ence at the White House to

mark 100 days in office in his

second term, the president

also vowed to take "a spec-

trum of options" not applied

before once he gets the facts.

"What we now have is evi-

dence that chemical weapons

have been used inside of

Syria, but we don't know how

they were used, when they

were used, who used them,"

Obama said, adding: "We

don't have a chain of custody

that establishes what exactly

happened." The White House

stated last week that "The US

intelligence community

assesses with some degree of

varying confidence that the

Syrian regime has used chem-

ical weapons on a small scale

in Syria, specifically the

chemical agent sarin", an

assertion that had been made

by Britain, France and Israel

days earlier. Obama has said

time and again that the use of

or failure to secure the chemi-

cal weapons by the Syrian

government will be a " game

changer" in his handling of

the Syrian conflict, which has

dragged on for three years

and killed more than 70,000

people.

"That is a game changer

because what that portends is

potentially even more devas-

tating attacks on civilians and

it raises the strong possibility

that those chemical weapons

can fall into the wrong hands

and get disseminated in ways

that would threaten US secu-

rity or the security of our

allies," he maintained.

More than 70,000 people have been killed in the Syrian civil war so far

Guantanamo campneeds to be closed:

Obama

Moscow: Russia and Japan

condemned North Korea

for its refusal to give up its

nuclear weapons program.

In a joint statement, the

two countries said North

Korea has stubbornly

refused to give up plans to

create nuclear weapons and

ballistic missiles "contrary

to the international com-

munity's calls".

In a declaration, adopted

following talks between

Russian President Vladimir

Putin and visiting Japanese

Prime Minister Shinzo

Abe, both leaders called

for Pyongyang's strict

adherence to the UN

Security Council

Resolution 2094 and

UNSC resolutions of the

fourth round of the six-

party talks of Sep 19, 2005.

Tensions have risen on

the Korean Peninsula since

December, when North

Korea tested a long-range

Taepodong 2 missile, and

in February carried out its

third nuclear test, follow-

ing tests in 2006 and 2009.

Russia, Japan condemn

North Korea

Need proof on Syria's use of chemicalweapons: Obama

Beirut: The leader of

Lebanon's Hezbollah mili-

tant group said that Syrian

rebels will not be able to

defeat President Bashar

Assad's regime militarily,

warning that Syria's "real

friends," including his

Iranian-backed militant

group, were ready to inter-

vene on the government's

side.

In Damascus, a powerful

bomb ripped through a

bustling commercial dis-

trict, killing at least 14 peo-

ple and bringing Syria's

civil war to the heart of the

capital for the second con-

secutive day.

Hezbollah, a powerful

Shia Muslim group, is

known to back Syrian

regime fighters in Shia vil-

lages near the Lebanon bor-

der against the mostly Sunni

rebels fighting to topple

Assad. The comments by

Sheik Hassan Nasrallah

were the strongest indica-

tion yet that his group was

ready to get far more

involved to rescue Assad's

embattled regime.

"You will not be able to

take Damascus by force and

you will not be able to top-

ple the regime militarily.

This is a long battle,"

Nasrallah said, addressing

the Syrian opposition.

"Syria has real friends in

the region and in the world

who will not allow Syria to

fall into the hands of

America or Israel."

Hezbollah and Iran are

close allies of Assad. Rebels

have accused them of send-

ing fighters to assist Syrian

troops trying to crush the 2-

year-old anti-Assad upris-

ing, which the UN says has

killed more than 70,000

people. Deeper and more

overt Hezbollah involve-

ment in the Syrian conflict

is almost certain to threaten

stability in Lebanon, which

is sharply split along sectar-

ian lines, and between sup-

porters and opponents of

Assad. It also risks drawing

in Israel and Iran into a

wider Middle East war.

An elaborate affair with full military honors will culminatewith a service at St. Paul's Cathedral in London

Hezbollah hints at possible Syria intervention

New Delhi: The World Bank has

put India’s GDP growth forecast

to 6.1% for the current fiscal

(2013-14), underlining that

growth is expected to recover

gradually.

According to the World Bank’s

latest India Development Update,

a twice-yearly report on the

Indian economy and its prospects,

economic growth is likely to

accelerate to over 6% during the

current fiscal year, up from an

estimated decade low growth of

5% in the previous fiscal year.

Growth is expected to further

increase to 6.7% in the next fiscal

year, it said.

The reduced forecast is largely

due to estimated farm sector

growth of 2% during 2013-14

against the previous estimate of

2.7%, despite normal monsoon

projections.

“Despite the current downturn,

long-term prospects remain bright

for India,” said Martin Rama,

chief economist, South Asia,

World Bank.

“India possesses the fundamen-

tals to grow at sustained high rates

over the next several decades,” he

added.

In recent months, both whole-

sale price index-based inflation

and trade deficit have declined.

Inflation fell below 6% and is

now within the Reserve Bank of

India’s (RBI’s) comfort range.

With the stabilisation of the

rupee and expectations of a good

monsoon, inflation is expected to

decline further, the update said.

The current account deficit,

which reached a record high of

6.7% during October-December

2012, is also expected to narrow

in the medium term.

New Delhi: The World Bank has

put India’s GDP growth forecast

to 6.1% for the current fiscal

(2013-14), underlining that

growth is expected to recover

gradually.

According to the World Bank’s

latest India Development Update,

a twice-yearly report on the

Indian economy and its prospects,

economic growth is likely to

accelerate to over 6% during the

current fiscal year, up from an

estimated decade low growth of

5% in the previous fiscal year.

Growth is expected to further

increase to 6.7% in the next fiscal

year, it said.

The reduced forecast is largely

due to estimated farm sector

growth of 2% during 2013-14

against the previous estimate of

2.7%, despite normal monsoon

projections.

“Despite the current downturn,

long-term prospects remain bright

for India,” said Martin Rama,

chief economist, South Asia,

World Bank.

“India possesses the fundamen-

tals to grow at sustained high

rates over the next several

decades,” he added.

In recent months, both whole-

sale price index-based inflation

and trade deficit have declined.

Inflation fell below 6% and is

now within the Reserve Bank of

India’s (RBI’s) comfort range.

With the stabilisation of the

rupee and expectations of a good

monsoon, inflation is expected to

decline further, the update said.

The current account deficit,

which reached a record high of

6.7% during October-December

2012, is also expected to narrow

in the medium term.

Economy to grow 6.1% in 2013-14: World Bank

India's monsoon likely to be normal this year

Investor sentiment towardsIndia improving: Citigroup

23May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info BUSINESS

Growth is expected to further increase to 6.7% in the next fiscal year

New Delhi: In what could be a breather for

farmers and common people, India's monsoon

is likely to be normal with 98 percent rainfall

expected, Science and Technology Minister

S. Jaipal Reddy said.

"The monsoon rainfall is related to crop

production in the country and also has signifi-

cant impact on economy. The good news for

farmers is that the southwest monsoon this

year is most likely to be normal," said Reddy.

"Quantitatively, monsoon season rainfall is

likely to be 98 percent of the long period

average (1951-2000)," he added.

According to the India Meteorological

Department (IMD), there is very low proba-

bility for the season's rainfall to be deficient,

which is below 90 percent, or excess, which is

above 110 percent.

The probability of normal rainfall is 46 percent

while there are 27 percent chances of seasonal rain-

fall to be below normal.

"All prediction models show that monsoon will be

normal. By and large, the drought-hit areas of

Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka are likely to get

normal rain," said Shailesh Nayak, secretary, min-

istry of earth sciences.

According to IMD, the factors affecting southwest

monsoon seem to be normal as of now and anything

concrete can be said only by mid-May.

Quantitatively, monsoon season rainfall is likely to be98 percent this year

New Delhi: India is among the top 10

most powerful countries in the world. In

a first-of-its-kind study of "national

power" a group of eminent strategic

experts and scholars have placed India

at the eighth position among a group of

27 most powerful countries in the

world.

The study, conducted by the New

Delhi-based Foundation for National

Security Research (FSNR), judged

"national power" by various indices,

including energy security, population,

technological capability etc. An interest-

ing index of national power was judged

by "foreign affairs capability", which

includes self-reliance in defence, mem-

bership of multilateral groupings, role in

global rule-making and soft power.

Interestingly, though China comes out

as the second most powerful nation in

the world after the US, Chinese foreign

affairs' capability is comparable to

India's, even though in terms of total

power New Delhi comes way below

Beijing. The US is by far the world's

most powerful nation, several notches

ahead of its nearest competitor, China.

The study observes, "China is still much

lower than the US in energy security,

technological capability and foreign

affairs capability. Even in economic and

military fields, the indexed value of

China's capabilities is much lower than

that of US. Therefore, any notion that

China will pose a threat to the suprema-

cy of the US in the near future has to be

tempered with caution."

Dubai: India's IT exporters have demonstrated

resilience by surviving the difficult market conditions

of recent times, a senior industry official has said.

Kamal Vachani, Hon. Regional Director of

Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion

Council (ESC) for the Middle East, said India's export

of computer software and services during 2012-13 is

estimated to have registered a growth of 10.26 per

cent over 2011-12.

"In value terms, export of computer software and

services during 2012-13 is estimated to be $75 billion,

up from $68 billion estimated in 2011-12", said

Vachani.

With an objective to give a visible momentum to

enhancing IT & ITES exports from the country, ESC

has created a unique brand for Indian software and

services companies in 2001 - INDIASOFT

International IT Exhibition & Conferences, Vachani

said in a statement.

According to him, the main focus of INDIASOFT

events has been to enhance the opportunities for

Indian software companies in emerging and estab-

lished IT markets across the world. ESC has organised

12 editions so far.

Arrival of foreign touristsrising: Chiranjeevi

India ranks 8 among 27 most powerfulnations in world

India's IT exports resilient despite difficult times

New Delhi: Arrival of foreign

tourists in India grew by 2.3 per-

cent in the first three months of

2013 despite the Delhi gang-rape

and cases of sexual assaults on

foreign tourists, the parliament

was informed.

In a written reply to a question,

Minister of State for Tourism K.

Chiranjeevi informed the Lok

Sabha that 20.27 lakh foreign

tourist arrived in India from

January to March 2013 as com-

pared to 19.81 lakh in the same

period in 2012, an increase of 2.3

percent.Speaking on the precau-

tions taken to ensure safety of

tourists, Chiranjeevi said that the

tourism ministry had written to all

the chief secretaries of state gov-

ernments and union territory

administrations to take immediate

and effective steps for ensuring

conducive and friendly environ-

ment for all tourists.

The minister was reacting to a

survey conducted by the

Associated Chambers of

Commerce and Industry of India

(Assocham) which said that there

was a decrease of 25 percent in

foreign tourist inflow and a

decrease of 35 percent in women

foreign tourist inflow in India

since December 2012 after the

brutal Delhi gang-rape.

The export of computer software and services during2012-13 is estimated to be $75 billion

24 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoSPORTS

Pune: Pune Warriors poor run the

Indian Premier League (IPL) contin-

ued as they suffered their fifth con-

secutive loss going down to two-

time champions and table toppers

Chennai Super Kings by 37-runs at

the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium.

Super Kings' sixth consecutive

win helped them consolidate their

position at the top of the table with

14 points from nine matches while

Pune Warriors are languishing at the

bottom of the table with four points

also from nine matches.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni

again led from the front with an

unbeaten 16-ball 45 and Suresh

Raina remained unbeaten on 63 as

Super Kings recovered from a slow

start to put up a competitive 164 for

three in 20 overs. Dhoni, who

smashed four fours and three sixes,

was adjudged as Man of the Match.

Chasing a target of 165, Pune

Warriors put on a dismal batting

performance with Steve Smith top

scoring with 35 and they managed

in 20 overs.

It was a brilliant spell by fast

bowler Mohit Sharma (3/20) that

put Pune Warriors right on the back-

foot early on and they failed to

recover from it.

Sharma plucked out Aaron Finch

(15), Tirumalasetti Suman and

Yuvraj Singh (5) to derail Pune's run

chase. ASharma provided Super

Kings the first breakthrough as he

got rid of Finch in the third over

with Dhoni taking an easy catch

behind the stumps. Sharma struck

again in the next ball to remove

Suman trapped lbw.

Pune kept losing wickets at regu-

lar intervals and half the side was

back in the dug-out in the eighth

over for 55 runs and by the half-way

mark they were left struggling at 68

for six.

The Chennai Super Kings players celebrate the wicket of Robin Uthappa

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts

Chennai Super Kings 10 8 2 0 0 16

Royal Challengers Bangalore 10 6 4 0 0 12

Rajasthan Royals 9 6 3 0 0 12

Mumbai Indians 10 6 4 0 0 12

Sunrisers Hyderabad 10 6 4 0 0 12

Kings XI Punjab 9 4 5 0 0 8

Kolkata Knight Riders 10 3 7 0 0 6

Delhi Daredevils 10 3 7 0 0 6

Pune Warriors 10 2 8 0 0 4

(As on May 2)

Bangalore: Batting legend Sunil

Gavaskar is BCCI's choice for the

Dhyanchand award (lifetime

achievement), while Virat Kohli is

the Board of Control for

Cricket in India's (BCCI)

choice for Arjuna award.

The middle-order bats-

man, who has gradually

evolved into a vital cog

in India's batting wheel

after the exit of the big

guns, is the only nomi-

nee from the Board in

this category.

After a brush with

the sports ministry

last year where a war

of words erupted after BCCI alleged

that it had not received the nomina-

tion forms in time, the Board was

rather prompt in despatching the

nominations to the ministry's offices

in New Delhi, sources told TOI. The

last date for receiving nominations

for the Arjuna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel

Ratna, Dronacharya and

Dhyanchand awards is Tuesday.

Kohli, who won the ICC ODI

Cricketer of the Year award last

September, is the only choice and

unsurprisingly so, having evolved

from his early days where he was

dubbed an ODI specialist. His cen-

tury against Australia in the

Adelaide Test in January last year,

the productive run against New

Zealand in the

s u b s e q u e n t

months, and his

elevation as vice-captain for the

Asia Cup have apparently con-

tributed to his nomination.

The two nominations received as

on Monday for the Khel Ratna

award were that of para athlete HN

Girisha and hockey player Sandeep

Singh. Girisha's silver medal-win-

ning effort in high jump at the

London Paralympics, which fetched

him the Padma Shri earlier this year,

is likely to lead him to the Khel

Ratna too.

With the months post Olympics

being rather dull, a majority of the

nominations received this time were

repeats from those who failed to

make any headway last year, it is

learnt.

Now, badminton world looks at Indian marketNew Delhi: After cricket, hockey

and football, the badminton world is

looking at India as a preferred hub.

The just-concluded third edition of

the India Open Super Series here

has created a market buzz for more

international events.

The Badminton World Federation

(BWF) is obviously pleased with the

way the $200,000 event was organ-

ized at the Siri Fort Sports Complex

as it did not waste time in recogniz-

ing the Indian leg on a par with

other major Super Series. The event,

originally allotted for three years in

2011, got an extension till 2017 last

year.

The immediate offshoot of the

successful conduct of the Tier-2

event at the Siri Fort world class

infrastructure is the allotment of the

prestigious Tier-1 2014 Thomas Cup

and Uber Cup finals to India. The

Thomas, Uber, and Sudirman Cups,

Olympics, and World

Championships are all Tier-1 events

while the Super Series tournaments

are in tier-2. Tier-3 tournaments are

Grands Prix and finally come the

Level-4 International Challenge

Series.

Thanks to the 2010

Commonwealth Games, badminton

got a truly high-class infrastructure,

and now the BWF sees a huge

potential for marketing the game in

India.

"The infrastructure and the stadia

are excellent and the players are

very happy with the arrangements.

We see a huge potential here and

that's why India Open was preferred

over Swiss Open which was relegat-

ed to Grand Prix Gold," BWF

deputy president Paisan

Rangsikitpho said.

"India has one of the best venues.

The Siri Fort Sports Complex can

accommodate five playing courts

while there are many more for prac-

tice and that helps in running

through the initial rounds as sched-

uled without undue delay," he

added.

What baffles the organizers is that

despite such good facilities, some of

the world's top players skip the

India Open every year. This time,

women's singles defending champi-

on and Olympic gold medallist Li

Xuerui of China gave it a miss.

"Actually, India Open gets isolat-

ed in the calendar and that does not

enthuse many players to come here.

All big tournaments are generally

lined up in a cluster and it becomes

logistically easy for players to play

back-to-back events," BWF Super

Series marketing manager Selvam

Supramaniam of Malaysia said.

How did he rate the Super Series

events? "Well every Super Series

has its own pluses and minuses. For

instance, Indonesia Open has a huge

fan following because it has a bad-

minton culture and it produced some

of the game's greats like Taufik

Hidayat.

At the All-England, the tradition

as well as the presentation is what

makes it special. In Malaysia,

crowds come in to see World No.1

Lee Chong Wei, who has a huge fol-

lowing back home.

"In India it is the media coverage

and Saina Nehwal, who bring

crowds to the stadium. In any case,

the players must have a pleasant

experience to come back to an

event," Supramaniam signed off.

The India Open Super Series in New Delhi was a hit with the Badminton World Federation (BWF)

IPL teams standings

ChampionsTrophy:

India first play S. Africa

New Delhi: India will open

their campaign in the the last

edition of the ICC Champions

Trophy with their Group B

match against South Africa at

Cardiff on June 6. The biennial

tournament is being would

wound up as the ICC is unable

to slot it in the crowded cricket

calendar.

Indian play their second

group game against the West

Indies at the Oval on June 11

before running into neighbours

Pakistan at Edgbaston on

June 15.

There are only two day-night

games and curiously, Sri

Lanka figure in both, to be

played at The Oval - against

England on June 13 and

against Australia on June 17.

The semifinals are on June

19 and 20 and the final on

Sunday, June 23.

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar

BCCI nominates Gavaskar forDhyanchand Award

IPL6: Super Kings soar higher

MEDICAL TOURISM

Sri Lanka posing a challenge to Kerala ayurveda25May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info

By M.R. Narayan Swamy

Guruvayoor (Kerala): Its decades long

ethnic conflict over, Sri Lanka is steadily

emerging as a major competitor to Kerala's

ayurvedic system of medicine, a leading

industry expert says.

But officials are quick to point out that as

long as Kerala sticks to its pristine form of

ayurveda school, no challenge from any-

where can upset what is clearly the biggest

tourist draw to the southern state.

"Sri Lanka has slowly come up as a

threat to our market," said Sanjeev Kurup

V., Secretary of the influential Kerala

Travel Mart Society who also runs the

Paithrukam Hospitality Group.

"I was in Sri Lanka only last week, and I

estimate they have taken away 30-40 per-

cent of our business," Kurup said at the

Perumbayil Ayurveda Mana, an idyllic

centre located near the famed Guruvayoor

temple.

Ayurveda plays a key role in attracting

close to one million foreign and over one

crore domestic tourists every year to

Kerala. Almost 70 percent of the foreign-

ers and 30-40 percent of Indian tourists

come to Kerala for ayurvedic treatment.

Thanks to ayurveda, the average stay of

a foreigner in Kerala is 18 days - one of

the highest in the world.

According to Kurup and others in the

industry, even earlier Sri Lanka was doing

well in the business of ayurveda. But the

long running conflict between Colombo

and the Tamil Tigers did cast a shadow

on tourism in general.

"After the war ended in 2009, ayurveda

business is picking up rapidly in Sri

Lanka," said Kurup, who saw for himself

that ayurveda clinics had sprouted along

the island nation's southwestern coast, the

tourist hub.

For one, as the Sri Lankan rupee is

weaker than its Indian counterpart,

ayurvedic treatment is cheaper there com-

pared to India.

Another reason, Kurup says, is that in Sri

Lanka many clinics allow men to provide

ayurvedic massage to women. "Well,

ladies from countries like Germany, even

if they are 45 years of age or more, are

pretty strong physically, and they some-

how don't seem happy with our women,"

he said. "But in Kerala we follow the

authentic system of ayurveda, and that

only permits same-sex treatment including

in massage."

Sri Lanka is willing to deviate - if only to

woo the Western tourist.

"We need to be aware of the emerging

trends," Kurup said. "Our costs are going

up, but we cannot and do not compromise

on quality. Sri Lanka is able to market an

entire ayurveda packet for about just 90

In comparison, some clinics in Kerala

charge up to 300-400 euros a day.

Kurup said the Kerala government as

well as the private industry were both

aware of the Sri Lanka threat.

A senior Kerala government official said

the Sri Lanka challenge was real but it

need not be overstated. "Yes, Sri Lanka is

also making a pitch for ayurveda," Suman

Billa, Secretary in Kerala Tourism, said.

"But their growth won't be at our

expense,"

he said. "Our ayurveda is so unique. And

there is enough space in ayurveda business

for more players to get in. Sri Lanka will

certainly draw tourists. As long as we stick

to our quality and play our game well, we

will not only be able to protect ourselves

but grow too. But we should not get into a

situation of price wars."

euros a day."

LIFESTYLE

Travel experience officer, hotel test sleepers... China's dream jobs

Women going under knife fortoned arms like Michelle ObamaT

he number of women get-

ting plastic surgery has

increased but it's not for a

nose job or breast implants.

Toned and tightened arms are

what more women are striving to

get on the surgery table. According

to the latest cosmetic and recon-

structive surgery statistics from the

American Society of Plastic

Surgeons, upper arm liposuction

has seen a significant increase.

Female celebrities including

Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and

Kelly Ripa are making the toned

arm look very popular. The most-

admired arms of all? Those of First

Lady Michelle Obama, US News

reports.

It is believed that having fit look-

ing arms gives women a sense of

authority and strength.

26 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Michelle Obama’s toned armshave inspired a generation

Huge diamond to be auctioned

Geneva: A pear-shaped colorless

101.73 carat diamond was presented

here in Geneva by Christie's and

expected to achieve more than $20

million at an auction May 15.

According to Jean-Marc Lunel,

senior specialist at Jewelry

Department of Christie's, this gem-

stone is not only one of the largest

pear-shaped diamond known to

date, it also combines perfect color

and best clarity.

"It is certainly an exceptional

treasure, and most probably one of

the perfect things that could be

found on earth," Lunel told Xinhua.

Now special dance, yoga apparel!New Delhi: Make your dancing

and yoga sessions fun and stylish

with a special spring-summer

apparel range from a leading fit-

ness brand.

Reebok has launched the range

as part of its commitment to

women's fitness, aiming to change

the way women perceive, define

and experience fitness.

The two categories are designed

for high energy, giving customers

an edge during their work out ses-

sions, a statement said.

The apparel is equipped with

PlayDry Technology for moisture

management, helping customers

keep moisture away from skin.

The collection has been

designed keeping in mind Latin

Dance and hence comes in bright

colors and bold detailing. With

design details including layering

options, the apparel is customiz-

able to meet each woman's indi-

vidual workout and style needs.

The yoga apparel, made in asso-

ciation with known yoga expert

Tars Stiles, is practical as well as

stylish, fun and contemporary at

the same time.

It has soft draping designs in

vibrant silhouettes and four-way

fabrics, which move with every

stretch and every pose during

yoga. There is a use of bold state-

ment graphics and contemporary

urban designs.

The apparel is available across

Reebok stores.

Going under the knife for a perfect Facebook profile picNew Delhi: College student Shayna John was

not happy with her nose. And to give it the per-

fect shape, she recently underwent nose cor-

rection surgery - all this for her profile picture

on Facebook.

Cosmetic surgeons said an increasing num-

ber of people, especially school and college

students, across India are going under the knife

to get that perfect face for their Facebook

account. The trend is growing as social media,

along with online dating, has today become the common

trend. The way one looks online is considered to be the first

impression of one's overall image and personality.

Popularly known as 'Facebook Facelifts', aesthetic plastic

surgeons said it is equally common among men.

According to Anup Dhir, chief cosmetic surgeon,

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, good looks are desired by all

humans and cosmetic surgery is an effective tool to fulfill

this desire.

"People want to look attractive on social sites. This trend

is gaining popularity. Many girls and boys are coming for-

ward for Facebook Facelift - a word coined in west - to

acquire aesthetically pleasing looks," said Dhir.

Dhir said young women mostly opt for

rhinoplasties or nose jobs, lip injections or

brow lifts, while young men prefer laser treat-

ments to remove unwanted hair and scars.

Women also go for chemical peeling, botox

and body contouring to get those attractive

looks, the doctor added.

Annie Singh, a first year Delhi University

student, said she went under the knife to get

the perfect mugshot for her profile photo.

"I hated my nose. So I decided to undergo rhinoplasty. I

also went for chemical peeling to remove pigmentation and

get a glowing spotless skin. I have got so many compli-

ments from my friends on Facebook and it feels good."

John, a final year English student, said looking good on

Facebook is the new 'in' thing. "It is not just a platform to

meet new friends or keep a tab on existing ones it but can

also be used for professional work," she said.

"Through Facebook one can get so many opportunities

like modeling, acting or even marriage proposals. So, if I

put up my best picture with a perfect face, it will do no

harm. I am very happy after getting rhinoplasty," the 23-

year-old said.

Dance and Yoga apparel fromfitness brand Reebok.

Beijing: Being paid to travel and

scooping a monthly salary of

10,000 yuan ($1,600) just for tak-

ing photos and writing blogs... this

is not a dream, but Hao Na's job.

Having traveled to more than 10

different countries throughout Asia

and Europe, 28-year-old Hao Na

has made a full-time career of her

passion since becoming a "travel

experience officer" for a tourism

website, a job which involves

sharing her travel experiences

online to lure potential clients,

reports Xinhua.

"Others save money to travel but

I travel to make money," says Hao,

who was chosen from among

50,000 applicants to be offered the

position in April.

"It's definitely my dream job,"

she adds.

Inspired by the new ways of

communication made possible by

social media platforms like Weibo,

where ordinary people can share

their experiences and points of

view, China's travel industry has

started to recruit individuals like

Hao to offer frank and honest

advice to would-be travelers. It is

proving a good promotional alter-

native to handing out glossy

brochures.

"The job has given me a sense of

responsibility when I travel. I am

expected to tell other travelers

why I love these places and how

they can find the special attrac-

tions as well as some money-sav-

ing tips," Hao says.

Gone are the days of the 1980s

when young graduates were

assigned to dull working positions

in which they had no interest. The

development of Chinese society

and technological innovation has

created a new breed of jobs that

can no longer be found under old-

fashioned classifications of

employment.

Zhang Yumo's job sounds like

the most comfortable vocation in

history. She is a "hotel test sleep-

er" for a mobile app. Her working

responsibility is to anonymously

experience hotels' service, envi-

ronment, cleanliness, value for

money and dining.

Her reviews posted on the

mobile app provide an independ-

ent third-party evaluation and help

travelers make smart hotel picks.

"When making comments on

hotels, we try our best to get rid of

subjective preference and write

objective descriptions... Using pic-

tures and videos, my report serves

as a vivid illustration for cus-

tomers," she says.

Zhang was selected for the job in

2010 from a pool of 7,000 appli-

cants thanks to her art college

degree and background of free-

lance writing. She has since been

certified by the China Hotel

Association as a "Professional

Hotel Test Sleeper" earning 10,000

yuan a month.

"These emerging jobs like travel

experience officer, modeling for

websites, hotel test sleeper, pet

photographer, reflect Chinese peo-

ple's pursuit of a high quality of

life," according to Liu Kang,

director of the China Employment

Training Technical Instruction

Center.

"These jobs cater to the rising

demand of urbanites for a sophisti-

cated lifestyle as well as offering

more opportunities for young peo-

ple to jump into a job that they are

really passionate about," he adds.

Credit education: A key ingredient for homeownershipT

here’s a good reason why

many people dream of own-

ing a home. Homeownership

offers benefits such as stable

monthly payments and the opportu-

nity to establish a sense of commu-

nity. It can also be a way to build

equity over time.

But don’t dive into the process

unprepared.

Experts say it’s crucial to become

financially literate first.

“Educated borrowers are better

prepared for successful, long-term

homeownership and overall finan-

cial stability,” says Christina Diaz-

Malone, Vice President of Housing

and Community Outreach at

Freddie Mac.

In fact, a recent study found that

financial counseling before pur-

chasing a home can reduce the like-

lihood of going into default. For

first time homebuyers, counseling

reduces the likelihood by an aver-

age of 29 percent.

Luckily, free credit education

resources and information are

becoming more widely available.

For example, Freddie Mac’s

CreditSmart program, a compre-

hensive, multilingual curriculum

used by lenders, churches, schools

and non-profit organizations, has

helped more than three million con-

sumers across the country make

more informed financial decisions.

Today it’s available in two ways.

CreditSmart’s new, self-paced

web version features 12 education

modules. You can take the free

online course at

www.FreddieMac.com/creditsmart.

Or, consider attending a class led

by a housing counselor certified by

the US Department of Housing and

Urban Development.

A credit education course can pre-

pare you for homeownership by

covering the following topics:

Budgets

A spending plan is necessary for

anyone with financial goals.

Financial education can help you

differentiate your spending needs

vs. wants, and set up a realistic

budget accordingly, as well as pro-

vide guidance for how to stick

with the plan.

Credit

Generally speaking, the better

your credit, the lower your interest

rates and fees will be when obtain-

ing a loan. If you don’t have credit

or you don’t have good credit, it’s

essential to establish good credit

before trying to get a loan.

Savings

To buy a home, you’ll need

upfront money for a down pay-

ment, which is usually between

five and 20 percent of the home

price, and money for closing costs,

moving expenses, and any imme-

diate repairs or renovation costs.

Credit education can teach you

how to save and how to invest

your money wisely.

Lingo

The real estate and mortgage

world has its own language. And if

you aren’t well-versed in it, you

can get in over your head quickly.

Study up on terms and concepts

like loan-to-value ratio and fixed-

rate mortgage so you don’t sign

anything you don’t understand!

Avoiding fraud

Unfortunately, there are

unscrupulous companies and indi-

viduals out there who may not

have your best interests in mind.

Reliable financial education can

help you recognize the warning

signs of fraud.

Familiarizing yourself with the

resources at

www.FreddieMac.com/ homeown-

ership/educational is a good start.

Ask family and friends for

names of real estate agents and

lenders with whom they've worked

or contact your financial institu-

tion or a certified housing coun-

selor for guidance.

Is homeownership right for you?

Don’t just guess. By becoming a

savvier consumer, you can make

smart financial decisions.

Web-based programs forweight-loss next new thingW

e b - b a s e d

p r o g r a m s

are the new

effective measures in

weight loss and weight

management, accord-

ing to a study.

Weight loss is a topic

of concern for nearly

36 percent of

Americans who are

considered obese.

There are many barri-

ers that can interfere

with weight loss.

For those attending

face-to-face weight

loss programs, barriers

can include travel, con-

flict with work and

home, need for child care, and

loss of anonymity.

In a study released in the new

issue of the Journal of Nutrition

Education and Behavior, investi-

gators from the University of

Kansas Medical Center continue

to explore alternative weight man-

agement delivery methods to

eliminate some of these barriers.

Debra Sullivan, lead investiga-

tor, says: "Although we found

weight loss was significantly

greater for face-to-face compared

to virtual reality, weight mainte-

nance was significantly better for

virtual reality."

The virtual reality weight main-

tenance program was conducted

using Second Life, a web-based

virtual reality environment avail-

able to the public.

Participants in Second Life cre-

ate virtual representations of

themselves, called "avatars",

which can interact with other

"avatars" and navigate through the

virtual world of Second Life.

Voice communication is accom-

plished via headset, which allows

for person-to-person and group

interaction. Education and train-

ing takes place on an "island",

which is purchased from Second

Life and provides restricted group

access to the nutrition education

and training area.

27May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info SELF-HELP

An overweight man and his avatar he created on Second Life

How to live life on your own termsI

f your daily routine has you wanting more out

of life, you’re not alone. Work, chores and other

day-to-day responsibilities may make the con-

cept of “living life on one’s own terms” sound unat-

tainable.

However, a positive attitude and some diligence

can help you attain your goals, say experts.

For example, author and artist J.W. Winslow

believes that you can find your happiness with

some hard work and positive dreams. The rewards

for doing so are immeasurable.

“Finding outlets for creative expression is crucial

to living a full, rich life. Whether you’re writing

books, music or poetry, or painting a picture, it is a

high like no other to create something beautiful,

different or unexpected. Open your mind and let the

vision come out, try something new and escape,”

says Winslow, who created the new Big Sur

Trilogy, “Mystic Adventures in Big Sur,” a collec-

tion of novels informed by her Hollywood child-

hood and life in Big Sur, California.

Winslow believes that if people did what they

loved to do from the beginning, we would thrive in

a better world with a “live and let live” attitude.

As a model of what it means to make a life out of

your hopes and dreams, she is offering some

insights to help inspire others:

• When you make bold decisions, you will attract

naysayers. Be brave and unafraid of the fallout or

the people who doubt you.

• Despite the myth that the creative life is easy

and simple, it’s not always the case. Discipline and

grit are key components, so be prepared to work

hard.

• Attaining freedom and personal power may

require you to stand up for yourself. Don’t be afraid

to have a voice and be heard!

• Live out your life where you are most inspired.

“For me, it’s Big Sur, where the wild drumbeat of

waves and wind make a cacophony of sounds.

There is a magic to this place,” says Winslow.

”Find the spot that makes you come alive!

• It is the human condition to take life for granted.

In the glare of the fast lane, don’t forget the simple

things that mean the most -- family, friends, con-

necting with nature. Be humble and compassionate.

• The only way to find out what you are missing

is to jump into the fray and see what happens.

More information about J.W. Winslow and

“Mystic Adventures in Big Sur” is available online

at www.jwwinslow.com.

Don’t let your life pass you by. Discover what it

is that will make you happy and fulfilled and take

steps to realize your dreams.

Finding outlets for creative expression is beneficial to living a full, rich life.

Extreme smelliness is the next big thing in

movies. Modules containing 1,000 smells

are being bolted to the backs of cinema

chairs. Computerized smell-releasers recreate

the aromatic pongs of whatever you see on the

screen, as tiny motors shake your chair and tiny

sprays spurt liquid in your face.

You pay extra for this.

This type of movie cinema, called 4DX, was

invented in South Korea, and is now spreading

like wildfire, I hear from reader Moon Jae-

wook. South Korean 4DX theaters have now

opened in China, Thailand and Japan, and nego-

tiations are taking place in India.

I was in a completely normal cinema last week

when I received a powerful range of odors from

small children nearby, plus some splashes of

mystery liquid. This DID NOT enhance my cin-

ema-visiting experience.

Movies I would DEFINITELY NOT like to

see in 4DX: Any Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise

and especially Bruce Willis pics. These guys

always end up as sweaty, blood-spattered mess-

es.

A movie I WOULD like to see in 4DX: The

new Hunger Gamesmovie: I bet the delectable

Jennifer Lawrence smells of peaches.

*-*

Mainland Chinese internet censorship firm

Anquan advertised last week for a Chief

Pornography Identifier with an annual package

of 200,000 renminbi (US$32,300). Do they pay

you or do you pay them?

*-*

Live hobbits have been spotted in Indonesia,

park rangers say. No, it's not actor Danny Devito

on holiday, I checked. The tiny people have been

identified as living examples of homo floresien-

sis, a primitive human dubbed "the hobbit" by

scientists.

Forest rangers say they twice saw 15 mini-

people walking through a swamp at the Kambas

National Park in Lampung in March, the Jakarta

Post reported. "The rangers monitored their

presence for around 15 minutes from a distance

of around 35 meters. When the rangers were

about to approach them, they immediately hid

behind trees and vanished. They ran very fast,"

said park spokesman Sukatmoko, who uses only

one name.

Indonesian environmentalist Mukri Friatna

told the paper that small humans were well

known in his country's forests: "In Kerinci

Seblat, they are known as the orang pendek, in

Flores as homo floresiensis, and in Bone as

members of the Oni tribe." (Orang pendak

means "little people").

Some observers described them as "pygmies",

so I phoned an expert to ask. He said pygmy was

a Western term for populations whose adult

males were 5 ft (1.55m) tall or less. "Some

anthropologists refer to people slightly over 5 ft

as 'pygmoid'," he added. This is ridiculous. That

means many Asians are pygmies or pygmoids.

In Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka,

Malaysia, Bangladesh and Vietnam, the average

man is 5 ft 2 ins to 5 ft 5 ins while the average

woman is 4 ft 10 ins to 5 ft). Mahatma Gandhi

was 5 ft 3 ins.

Surely it's equally valid to think of Asians as

being "proper" human-size while Westerners are

grotesque giants? The tallest country in the

world is Holland, where pretty much everyone is

6 ft tall, including kindergarten children. I went

to Holland once. It was like being in the Land of

Knees. You know those YouTube videos which

were squeezed into the wrong format causing

everyone to look like lampposts? In Holland,

that's real life.

*-*

Civil servants should be slapped regularly, an

Indian politician said last week. Goan Minister

Dayanand Mandrekar was defending former

tourism minister Mickky Pacheco, who was

arrested for thumping government staff.

"Sometimes officials do not do any work proper-

ly and do not listen, too," Mandrekar said,

according to the Times of India. "Then, like he

said, they should be slapped." If I was Mr

Mandrekar I would be VERY NERVOUS about

eating anything from a government canteen

from now on.

*-*

I saw a dead bird the other day. I was sorely

tempted to pick it up and place it in a crowded

place so that people would think "bird flu" and

run away screaming. The powerful desire to

cause disruption for no reason is a powerful

genetic impulse which seems to be limited large-

ly to children and "adult" males, if that's not tau-

tology. Wonder what the evolutionary purpose

is?

*-*

A tiger has turned pacifist. Provided with a

live goat for his dinner, he befriended it instead.

Tiger and goat played in the enclosure's pool

together. Zookeepers decided to starve the tiger

to give him no choice but to chow down on his

new buddy, but the new two friends chose to fast

together instead.

After two days, staff rescued the goat and pro-

vided the tiger with a portion of raw beef

instead, said the report in the Times of India.

The zookeepers at the Bor wildlife sanctuary

in Maharashtra, India, insisted they were not

being horrible, but were doing a scientific exper-

iment to see whether the tiger was ready to be

released back into the wild.

I think the goat should have been given some

sort of medal for its ordeal, spending a long time

trapped in a small space with a hungry tiger.

(This could make a good book or a film: wonder

if anyone has thought of it yet?)

It strikes me that the same "I-lived-with-a-dan-

gerous-animal" award should go to anyone who

has ever shared a home with Charlie Sheen,

Britney Spears, Ike Turner, my children, etc. The

goat's miraculous story of survival could have

made the zoo world famous. So what did the idi-

otic staff do? They threw the goat into a nearby

cage occupied by the tiger's two sisters, who

immediately ate it.

Zookeepers appeared surprised that the female

of the species was tougher and more ruthless

than the male. These monstrous people seem to

know nothing at all about basic biology. Do they

not have wives or girlfriends?

*-*

Junior despot Kim Jong Un issued his women

soldiers with sexy high-heeled platform shoes as

part of their official uniform, it was revealed last

week. They certainly look good, but I worry

about their efficacy on the battlefield. One of my

colleagues wears them and gets stuck to man-

hole covers and escalators several times a day. If

this is the cute army with which he is going to

launch world war three, I say: Bring it on.

28 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoHUMOR

Super-smelly cinema is here and I'm off Funny Bone by Nury Vittachi

by Mahendra ShahMahendra 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 forthe past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

May 4:

You are governed by the number 4 and the planet

Uranus. You are also influenced by the Moon. You

are born intelligent and with a methodical approach

to life, you are able to reach high positions in your

career. The coming year will bring you success and

prosperity in your respective fields. You will not

only attain fame and recognition, but also be able

to earn a lot of money. The year ahead, will be full

of activity and you will keep a busy schedule but

professionally and socially. In matters of love, you

will not express your feelings, till you are sure of

what response you will receive from the other end.

Sometimes you tend to get obstinate and this cre-

ates a rift between you and your loved ones. Try to

be more flexible in your approach to life. This will

do wonders for you. The months of June, October,

January and April will be result oriented.

May 5:

You re governed by the number 5 and the planet

Mercury. You are also dominated by the Moon.

You are blessed with intelligence and shrewdness.

Those of you in business, will attain success in

your new projects and plans, which you undertake,

in the year ahead of you. You will be firm in your

word and deeds. You will find the cooperation of

your colleagues and loved ones. On your part, you

will be honest and sincere to your loved ones and

will go out of your way to see that they are happy.

You will donate generously towards charity, in the

year ahead of you. This will give you a sense of sat-

isfaction. Your charming personality will draw

many friends towards you. You will be the centre

of attraction at many social gatherings. In matters

of love, you will have to be careful that you choose

the right life partner. The months of July, Septem-

ber, November and March will be highly impor-

tant.

May 6:

You are governed by the planet Venus and domi-

nated by the Moon. You are also influenced by the

number 6. You are blessed with art and music. Any-

thing, which is beautiful, is a passion for you. Your

intelligence and sharp memory will bring you suc-

cess in your professional pursuits, in the year ahead

of you. You will gain high positions and earn lots

of money too. But you sometimes, tend to become

proud and boastful. This could lead to friends,

drifting away from you. You will also have to con-

trol your urge to take hasty decisions. Your family

will be of utmost importance to you, in the coming

year. You can expect to receive love and affection

from them at all times. On your part, you will do

your best, to give them the luxuries of life. Your

communication skills will be an asset for you, in

the coming year. July, September and November

will be highly eventful.

May 7:

You are governed by the number 7 and dominated

by the planet Neptune. Moon also has an influence

on you. You are cautious and alert in taking deci-

sions. In the coming year, you will be able to take

wise decisions, both in your professional as well as

your domestic front. Your children will be a source

of joy for you. They will live up to your expecta-

tions and bring you happiness. Your good-hu-

moured nature will draw many friends towards

you, and you will have a good social life in the year

ahead of you. Your generous nature, will draw you

towards those who are needy and oppressed. You

tend to get depressed, when you get too engrossed

in one subject. So, try to keep yourself busy, with

various activities, instead of concentrating on one

subject or work. June, September, December and

March will be highly important.

May 8:

You are governed by the number 8 and by the plan-

et Saturn. You are also influenced by the Moon.

You are blessed with wisdom and intelligence.

Coupled with your organizing capacity, you will be

able to achieve success in your professional field,

in the year ahead of you. Your inborn urge for

knowledge, will allow you to go deep into the

study of different subjects. Research and studies,

will occupy a lot of your time, in the coming year.

Your personality will draw people towards you.

But, sometimes, you tend to get dominating. This

may lead to your friends drifting away from you.

You will put tremendous efforts in fulfilling what-

ever you strive to undertake, in the year ahead of

you. You will leave no stone unturned to achieve

success in whatever project you undertake. Au-

gust, December and February may prove to be

highly significant.

May 9:

You are governed by the number 9 and dominated

by the planet Mars. You are also influenced by the

Moon. You are fearless and courageous by nature.

In the coming year, you are likely to inherit prop-

erty from ancestors, especially from your father’s

side. Hard work and the ability to take right deci-

sions will bring success to you in the year ahead of

you. For those of you in business, it will be a good

year. You can expect to sign and negotiate big

deals. You like to help others and those in need,

will look to you for advice and solace. But, some-

times, you tend to get dominating. You try to im-

pose your ideas on others. You will have to learn to

control this trait in your character. October, De-

cember and February will prove to be very signifi-

cant.

May 10:

You are dominated by the number 1 and the Sun.

The planet Moon, also has a strong influence on

you. Success and prosperity will be yours, in the

year ahead of you. You will handle challenging

projects, with determination and sincerity. This will

bring you fame and recognition, in your profes-

sional front. You will be able to save money for the

future, which will give you a sense of security and

satisfaction. Religious by nature, you will not bend

down to tradition or superstitions. Anything beauti-

ful, appeals to you. You will be attracted towards art

and will purchase artifacts for your home, which

will bring beauty and a sense of well being around

you. New ideas, which you put into action, will

draw the attention of your seniors. Your work will

be appreciated by your colleagues and your loved

ones. Happiness, a great social life and pleasures of

life will be for you, in the coming year. July, Octo-

ber and January will prove to be highly eventful.

By Dr Prem Kumar SharmaChandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

Stars Foretell: May 4-10, 2013 Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

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The South Asian Times

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29

ARIES: New ventures start on a positive note.

Encourage children to engage themselves in

household activities in their spare time. Investment con-

cerning residence will be profitable. You will have to

make extra efforts to meet romantic partner during this

week. A cheerful state of mind brings mental peace. Fly

away with your dreams, new business horizons are

ready to explore. You might deal in some ancestral

property or any other parental property. Polite and nice

behavior to others would immensely benefit you.

TAURUS: Enjoy your work to keep interest

alive. Friends and family members would lend

a helping hand. Financial hassles seem to get over as

someone lends a timely helping hand. Love life brings

some memorable moments that you could cherish rest

of your life. Engaging yourself in creative work would

keep you relaxed. A fun- filled holiday at an amusement

and theme park with your family is there. Your rented

accommodation might be disputed. Close friends are

likely to get annoyed on your rash behavior

GEMINI: Journey undertaken for business

purpose might fail to bring expected results.

Arguments with children could put some mental pres-

sure. However don’t strain yourself beyond a point

because certain issues are best when left untouched.

Rise in expenses will put unnecessary burden on budg-

et. Your flashing smile would work as the best antidote

for romantic partners unhappiness. A pessimistic atti-

tude could prevent from making any progress. Time to

resolve your issues otherwise travel plans may not work

out. A deal regarding residential property can start mov-

ing on its right path. Voluntary work done in past brings

laurels in this week.

CANCER: You succeed in completing projects

efficiently provided you put in all your efforts.

An unexpected message from a distant relative brings

happy news for the entire family. Promising week to

invest surplus money in real estate. Do things that would

invest in your romantic relations. Mental pressure/stress

could weaken resistance and thinking power. Better to

avoid it to save health. An interesting cruise ship is next

place for your vacation. Before you invest in real estate,

take advice of a family member. You find yourself doing

much for others and less for yourself.

LEO: Promotion is likely to make you vulnera-

ble, as everyone is watching you closely and

failure could be embarrassing and expensive. Relatives

are likely to give some valuable advice regarding per-

sonal life. A sound financial health would enable to

invest on lucrative schemes. Instant romance could

come your way provided you care for it. Good time to

divert attention to spirituality to enhance mental tough-

ness. Breathtaking beautiful site scenes are your lover’s

desire. Discussing property matters with parents can

help for better innovations. Maintain a distance from

people trying to influence you with bad habits.

VIRGO: Hard work put-in the past will yield

handsome rewards in business. You receive

care and affection from family members. Control your

expenses and avoid being too lavish in your spending.

Cataract patients should avoid visiting a polluted envi-

ronment as smoke could cause further problems to their

eyes. Time to relax and enjoy your visit to a relative’s

place. Planning a property might explore new horizons

for you and your family. People will try to find out the

secret behind your magical charms.

LIBRA: Business partners behave supportive

on executing strategies to sort out pending

problems. Matrimonial alliance for eligible

bachelor in family brings joy to all. Your brilliant ideas

would help in bringing financial gains. Company of

love partner would inspire to take initiatives during this

week. A pleasure trip gives the much-needed tonic to

health. Journey to some famous historical place sounds

exciting to your kids. Your friends and family will be of

great support if you are trying for an office. Reputation

will suffer if you get associated with dubious

characters.

SCORPIO: You need to sharpen your leader-

ship qualities to steer the professional boat.

Unexpected gifts and presents from close relatives/fam-

ily members cannot be ruled out. Explore new invest-

ment opportunities that comes your way, commit only

after considering the viability of the projects. Harsh

words retard the smooth pace of romantic journey. High

time for you to realize your true potentials. You may

face some chaos or disruption while traveling, be pre-

pared for it. Dealings in disputed properties will ruin

your reputation. Inability to restrain from temptation

could bring humiliation.

SAGITTARIUS: Keep self-confidence high

and concentration to handle the pressure with

ease. A new outlook will be the source of laughter at

family front during this week. You need to control your

spending by purchasing only essential items. Love

works like a panacea as you find sanity. You need to

develop self-trust to encourage yourself to fight illness.

Your travel plans are smooth, but the toughest part is

that your partner doesn’t have time. It’s time to make

some property investments for your kids. The week

could bring a surprise at personal front.

CAPRICORN: Even on confronting setbacks

let these not deter you from professional path.

Enjoying a picnic with family will not only bring joy

but also help in clearing misunderstandings. If possible

take independent decisions when it comes to making

fresh investments. Love partner touches soul that would

take imagination to unlimited heights. Health would

remain fine despite a busy schedule but don’t take it for

granted. If you want to travel start planning your trip

now. Purchasing official accessories can lead to

improve growth of your office. Carefulness on your

part would foil enemies’ attempts to disrepute you.

AQUARIUS: A missed opportunity would

hard to regain especially at professional front.

An impulsive behavior brings disappointment

at family front. Better to control it to save all. A tight

financial position could lead to criticism and argu-

ments. Failure in communicating your message to

romantic partner could invite dullness. Toothache/stom-

ach upset might create some problems. Better to take

physicians advice to get immediate relief. Travel may

not be safe, reliable, inefficient and stressful. Inheriting

property from your relatives seems to be ahead. A com-

petitive nature would help in winning any contest you

participate.

PISCES: Keeping business interests supreme

in mind would enable to conquer problematic

situations.

Spend some relaxed moments with family members.

Investment should be handled with extreme care and

avoid being lured by dubious money ventures.

Someone’s timely help would enable visualizing suc-

ceeding in love. Cataract patients must avoid overex-

posure to sunlight. Romance is in full bloom, a jour-

ney full of pleasure is your crave. Your income can be

doubled by renting your house or a part of your

house. Troubles fade away as you take things in a

stride.

i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date,

Time and Place of birth is accurate.

ii) Careful: Did you check background of the

astrologer before disclosing your secrets.

iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, don’t feel

shy. It’s his business.

iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the out-

come is not as desired, never give up.

v) Consult: Take second opinion before

spending thousands on cure/remedies.

Before you consult...

May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY

The woman was filled with

joy and set out to follow his

instructions. She visited one

house after another. Yet at each

door she received the same reply.

One or more members of the fami-

ly had passed away. Each house-

hold thought she must be a fool for

thinking that any family can pass

through life escaping the loss of

one of its members.

In this way Lord Buddha taught

her that death is the one inevitable

reality of life. We as mortal human

beings are all going to die one day.

Sickness and disease are other facts

of life. We need only examine our

own existence to see how difficult

it is to go through life without any

illness, mishap, or accident.

Medical books are filled with

many diseases that can afflict

human beings.

There is no dearth of accidents

that could befall us as we move

through life's journey. We live in an

environment over which we do not

have total control.

With death, misfortune, or illness

hanging over our heads, how can

we live in perpetual, uninterrupted

peace?

Even if our physical body is fair-

ly healthy, few can lead their lives

without strife. There are many

occurrences that produce stress. If

we have a family, we know that the

illness, unhappiness or misfortune

of any member causes the others to

be distressed. Whenever any two

people live or work together, there

are bound to be tensions due to dif-

ferences of opinions or viewpoints.

When we are not at peace with

those with whom we come in con-

tact, we experience stress and

apprehension in our day-to-day

activities. And this tension prevents

us from leading a life of happiness,

joy, and bliss.

There are a host of other prob-

lems that afflict our lives. If we

search for peace in our outer life, at

best we can find transitory

moments of tranquility.

We certainly do have times in

which we enjoy the warmth of

being with our loved ones, or we

have moments of happiness from

some gain or achievement.

But these moments are fleeting.

Inevitably, life again presents us

with another set of problems.

The great mystic-poet and saint,

Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj,

expressed this beautifully in one of

his verses:

Whenever l experience anymoments of bliss,

Life comes and offers anothercup of sorrow.

It seems as if lasting peace in this

life is virtually impossible. Life

should be more than a pendulum in

which we swing back and forth

between moments of joy and

moments of sorrow.

Despite the obstacles, we can

attain true peace in this lifetime.

But to do so, we need to undergo a

shift in our way of thinking. Our

angle of vision needs to change.

We tend to look for peace in the

outer world. We hope to find it in

our possessions, positions, and

relationships. But the loss of any of

these causes us to become agitated

and distraught. Our peace of mind

is disturbed.

Everything in this world is sub-

ject to change and eventual decay.

So long as we look to the transitory

world for happiness, we will be

disappointed. We need to change

the way we look at this problem.

An anecdote from the life of the

Moghul Emperor Akbar can help

us in this regard. Akbar is consid-

ered to be one of the most enlight-

ened emperors of India. He had a

number of advisors to help run his

ministries. Among these great

minds was Birbal, the wisest of

them all. He was quite clever and

could figure out solutions to diffi-

cult problems by looking at them

from a totally different perspective.

One day Akbar wanted to test his

advisors, so he presented them with

a puzzle.

He took a stick and drew a line in

the sand. He asked the advisors to

try to shorten the line without eras-

ing any part of it. Each counselor

took a turn but all were stumped.

They could not figure out how to

make it shorter. Finally, Birbal

came forward, took the stick, and

carefully drew a line next to the

one the emperor had drawn. But

Birbal made his line longer. By

drawing the second line longer, it

made the original one look shorter.

The solution to finding peace

requires us to look at the problem

from a new perspective. We cannot

change the nature of the world or

its problems. But we can add a new

dimension to life that will give us

peace. Lasting peace can be found

within us. Enlightened luminaries

throughout history have had mysti-

cal experiences which earned for

them the existence of an inner spir-

itual reality.

Buddha found enlightenment by

inverting within himself. Christ has

said,"The Kingdom of heaven is

within you." The Muslim and the

Judeo-Christian scriptures speak of

prophets who communed with

God. Mystics from every religious

tradition have described their inner

spiritual experiences. They have

spoken of heavenly realms that co-

exist with the physical world.

These are realms of joy and love

which are within us. They are

regions of eternal peace and bliss

beyond time and space. We cannot

change the fundamental nature of

the world, but we can become

attuned to the worlds lying within

us. In order to find peace in the

world, we must first find it within

ourselves. We can do this only by

changing our perspective in life.

The way to reach the spiritual

realms is to invert through a

process known as meditation.

Through meditation, we can sepa-

rate our soul from the body to voy-

age into the regions within. We can

learn how to meditate from spiritu-

al teachers or mystics who have

mastered this science. They first

explain the theory so we can under-

stand the process. Then they give

us a practical demonstration of it at

the time of initiation.

From these teachers we learn that

in the beginning, the creative prin-

ciple of the universe, which we call

God, was all alone. It is said that

He is an ocean of all conscious-

ness, all bliss, all joy. When He

decided to become many from one,

His thought or creative vibration

resulted in two primary manifesta-

tions, Light and Sound. This cur-

rent of Light and Sound was the

cause of all creation. As it traveled

outward from God it brought forth

various regions or planes into exis-

tence.

It created a plane of pure con-

sciousness. This is a region of

Light so bright that it equals tril-

lions and trillions of outer suns. In

our scientific age, it seems hard to

believe that anything could be as

bright as trillions of suns. But even

in the physical universe scientists

have discovered quasars or quasi-

stellar material whose light is as

bright as millions of galaxies. They

are so bright that even though they

are millions of light years away,

scientists can still detect them with

modem instruments.

As the divine Light and Sound

continued moving out from its

source, another plane of existence

was created. It was called the

supracausal plane. Next, the causal

plane was created. It is the plane

from where the universal mind was

created. The next plane is the astral

plane. Finally, the physical plane

was created,

in which we reside. The physical

plane consists of our universe with

all its stars and planets, our earth,

humanity, and all other species of

life.

Besides bringing the various

planes of creation into existence,

God also sent into these worlds

conscious particles of Himself,

drops of Himself, which we call

souls. They inhabited the various

planes of creation. Soul is of the

same essence of God. It is pure

spirit and is all-consciousness, all

bliss, all joy. When it took up resi-

dence on each plane it had to

assume a covering or body corre-

sponding to the material of the

region. Thus, the soul was cloaked

in a causal, astral, and physical

body. In the causal plane we use

our causal body.

When we function in the astral

plane, we do so with our astral

body. And we have a physical body

in which to work in this physical

plane. The soul was also given the

mind through which it receives

impressions and communicates

when it inhabits the causal, astral,

or physical planes.

In the physical universe the soul

is covered with the maximum lay-

ers or coverings. The result is that

the soul forgets itself and becomes

identified with the bodies which it

inhabits. It forgets its true nature

and its residence in spiritual realms

within. This forgetfulness is the

cause of unhappiness and igno-

rance of the mysteries of life. All

knowledge of the creation, of who

we are and of God, is within our

soul. The soul is perpetually con-

scious. But the soul's coverings a

so thick that the divine Light can-

not shine through any more. In

order for the Light to again radiate,

we have to remove the various cov-

erings of the soul, one by one.

Meditation is a process by which

we can remove each veil until we

shine forth as pure soul.

The various planes of existence

do not have a physical location in

our universe.

They do not exist above or below

us, in the sense of space as we

know it. They exist within us. The

way to reach them is not by any

mode of outer travel, not by any

space ship, not even by traveling

faster than the speed of light. The

way to reach these realms is by

entering within through inversion.

This form of meditation taught

by teachers of Science of

Spirituality is a simple method to

rise above the physical body and

traverse the inner planes.

Meditation requires concentrat-

ing the attention at a special point

in the body through which we can

enter within. The outer expression

of our soul is the attention.

(To be continued...)

Lasting peace can be found within us

By Sant Rajinder SinghJi Maharaj

The way to reach the spiritual realms is to

invert through a process known as meditation.

Through meditation, we can separate our soul from

the body to voyage into the regions within. We can

learn how to meditate from spiritual teachers

or mystics who have mastered this science.

30 May 4-10, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.infoSPIRITUAL AWARENESS

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May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info

May 4-10, 2013TheSouthAsianTimes.info