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e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol.12 No. 25 October 19-25, 2019 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Turkey agreed to suspend Syria Chennai summit

offensive: Vice President Pence
Ankara: US Vice‑President Mike
Pence has announced that Turkey
has ag reed to a cease fire in
northern Syria to let Kurdish‑led
forces withdraw.
All military operations will be
paused for five days, and the US
will help facilitate an "orderly
withdrawal" of Kurdish‑led troops
from what Turkey has termed a
"safe zone" on the border, BBC
reported.
Turkey launched its assault last
week. It aimed to repel a Kurdish
militia that it views as a terrorist
g roup, and resettle Syrian
refugees in the area.
T he cross‑border of fensive
came after President Donald
Trump pulled US forces out of the
border region.
His decision prompted a raft of
criticism at home and abroad,
Vice‑President Mike Pence met
Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan in Ankara. After the
announcement, Turkey said it
is not a ceasefire but a five day
pause. (Photo courtesy AP)
with some accusing him of giving
Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan a "green light" for the
operation. Trump tweeted about
the ceasefire before Mr Pence
announced it, writing that "mil‑
lions of lives will be saved!"
to see new era
in India-China
Pence thanked Donald Trump's
"strong leadership" during the
announcement.
"He wanted a cease fire. He
wanted to stop the violence," the
vice‑president said.
Turkey's foreign minister
Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists
cooperation: Modi
the offensive would only be per‑ ‘Dragon and Elephant’ dance
manently halted when the Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) had left correct choice for bilateral ties: Xi
the border zone.
"We are suspending the opera‑
tion, not halting it," he said. "We
will halt the operation only after
(Kurdish militants) completely
withdraw from the region."
Pence said the US would lift
economic sanctions imposed on
Turkey when the military
Continued on page 4

Hindus, Muslims will
accept court verdict on
Ayodhya: Amit Shah
New Delhi: Union Home Minister
Amit Shah on Monday said that
whatever the decision comes in
the Ayodhya case, the home
ministry was ready and there
would not be any law and order
situation.
In an exclusive interview to
India Today TV, he said that he
believed in the fabric of the
country and that both Hindus
and Muslims would accept the
verdict of the Supreme Court,
adding, "Anyone can give a state‑
ment here or there, but by and
large, the people will accept
Supreme Court's verdict."
W hen asked whether the
home ministry is expecting a
violent backlash from the oppos‑
ing groups after the verdict,
The judgment on the sensitive
Ram Janmbhoomi case is
expected by November 17. Home
Minister Amit Shah has assured
that whatever the decision, the
government was ready to handle
the situation. (Photo : PTI)
Amit Shah said, "The country
does not run on suspicions."
"The solution will be peaceful,"
Continued on page 4
DETAILED STORY ON PAGE 12
Sitharaman charts
Indiaʼs rise to $5
trillion economy
Indiaʼs Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman gave a speech at
Columbia University in New York
New York: Indiaʼs Minister of
Finance and Corporate Af fairs
spoke on 'Indian Economy :
Prospects and Challenges' at
Columbia University here. She was
intro duced by Prof Arvind
Panagariya. She said in the last
Continued on page 4
FOR THE TEXT OF SITHARAMANʼS
FULL SPEECH, SEE PAGE 19.
PM Narendra Modi welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping in
Mahabalipuram, near Chennai, for an informal summit. (Photo PIB)
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
said last Saturday that while
Wuhan summit had increased the
stability in ties with China and had
given it a fresh momentum, the
'Chennai connect' forged with the
Mahabalipuram informal summit
will see the launch of a new era in
bilateral cooperation.
In his opening statement on the
second day of the informal summit
with Chinese President Xi Jinping
here, Modi said that both sides
have agreed to prudently manage
their dif ferences, and not allow
them to become disputes, remain
sensitive to each other's concerns,
and that India‑China ties will lend
stability and peace to international
ties.
Xi, in his opening remarks, said
he was "really overwhelmed" by
the hospitality at Mahabalipuram.
He said the Wuhan summit "con‑
tinues to produce visible progress"
and is an effective mechanism to
resolve bilateral issues.
After returning to Beijing,
President Xi said that Dragon and
Elephant dance was the correct
choice for China‑India ties, which
is in the fundamental interests of
both countries and their people.
A Chinese Ministry of Foreign
Continued on page 4
SEE MORE PICTURES ON PAGE 15

US AFFAIRS 10 SPORTS 24 TRAVEL 18 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30 excellence in journalism

TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Xavier Medical School raises $400K
for Xavier Foundation kick‑off
Seema and Dr JG Bhat
‑ $100,000
Aruba: At Xavier University School
of Medicineʼs 3rd Annual Global
Alumni Meet he ld in Aruba,
President Ravishankar Bhooplapur
on behalf of the Board of Trustees
announced that the Xavier
Foundation has been established.
The Xavier Foundation is a regis‑
Houston University receives
$2m commitment to support
Tamil language, culture
Houston: T he Houston Tamil
Studies Chair (HTSC) has made a
$2 million pledge to the University
of Houston to establish an endow‑
ment support ing the study of
Tamil heritage.
The HTSC is a non‑profit found‑
ed 2018 to establish the Tamil
studies chair at the Houston
University and provide a forum for
the growing population of over
250,000 Tamil‑Americans in the
United States, a release said. Its
mission is to promote the oldest
language, Tamil, which is spoken
by more than 70 million globally.
HTSC founding members
Sockalingam Sam Kannappan, Dr S
G Appan, Sockalingam Narayanan,
Perumal Annamalai,
Nagamanickam Ganesan, Tupil V
Narasiman and Dr Thiruvengadam
Arumugam have been leading
community fundraising ef forts in
the Greater Houston area, Texas
and beyond.
"As Tamil‑American families
assimilate into the fabric of the
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
Drs Sheela and PK Prahalad
$100,000
tered 501(c)(3) Public Charity in
the United States with a mission to
raise money to be used for scholar‑
ly activities, research, and establish
scholarships for deserving stu‑
dents. The Board of Trustees has
set a goal to raise 5 million dollars
during the first 5 years. During
multi‑cultural society in this great
nation, and as all our children get
educated in American Universities,
HTSC takes great pride in leading
this initiative to expand awareness
of the rich Tamil culture, language
and literature within an education‑
al setting," said Sam Kannappan
who is also the board president of
HTSC said. "Through this generous
gift, we are able to enrich our aca‑
demic programs and introduce our
students to Tamil's special and
unique culture," said Eloise Brice,
vice president for University
Advancement.
The initial $1 million pledge will
create HTSC research endowment
in the UH College of Liberal Arts
and Social Sciences.
Funds will support research pro‑
gram costs, equipment and semi‑
nars with invited scholars who are
experts on Tamil societies and the
Tamil diaspora in the US. An addi‑
tional $1 million will rename the
endowment HTSC Endowed
Professorship.
Drs Anjani and Ravindra Kota
$50,000
the kickoff event held in Aruba on
October 3‑5, $400,000 was raised.
The Xavier Foundation is thank‑
ful for the generous contributions
from the following people featured
here. Along with these generous
contributions many alumni, faculty
and staf f donated money to the
Ragini is standing for Town of
North Hempstead Council
By SATimes Team
Hicksville, NY: Indian community
leaders frequently exhort us to
engage in civic and political life.
Ragini Srivastava of Manhasset
Hills for one has come forward and
is contesting the election for Town
of North Hempstead Council from
District 2, which covers Herricks,
Manhasset Hills, Albertson, Roslyn
Heights, East Williston, etc, the area
with big Indian American presence.
Come November 5, and Ragini is
confident of getting elected because
she has the winning platform that
includes putting taxpayers first and
her penchant for solving the prob‑
lems of the residents of the area.
She has been involved in communi‑
ty work, starting with womenʼs
issues, ever since she arrived in
America some 19 years ago from
India.
Ragini is a business owner and
was appointed to the Nassau
County Comptrollerʼs Minority and
Women Owned Business Enterprise
Council, helping to ensure business
opportunities for minority and
October 19-25, 2019 3
Jaya and Ravi Bhooplapur Anita and Edwin Casey
Bhooplapur ‑ $50,000 $25,000
Xavier Foundation to bring the Karmally (class of 2012), and Dr.
total to over $400k. The Xavier Lianna Singh (class of 2009) were
Foundation will have representa‑ nominated to the board as the
tion on its Board from Alumni alumni representatives
Xavier Board of Trustees, Faculty, For more information on the
and other prominent people. At Xavier Foundation and how to
the kickoff event alumni Dr. Abdul donate please visit, www.xavier‑
Aboud (class of 2016), Dr. Rachel foundationinc.com
Ragini Srivastava (middle) is all smiles surrounded by supporters at a
lunch meeting in Hicksville Thursday.
women‑owned businesses. She said they are wholeheartedly sup‑
wants to bring these skills to the porting Raginiʼs candidacy. All
Town Council and solve problems agreed that our people have to run
of the area residents. for of fice and make our presence
At the Thursday luncheon, The felt and get what is due to the pros‑
South Asian Times spoke to her perous and industrious community.
supporters, about two score had Raginiʼs husband Ashish
showed up at a short notice. Jay Srivastava, a businessman, was
Shah, a pillar of support for the Jain excited about the debate Ragini was
center of Hicksville, said we should having the same evening in
encourage women power in our Manhasset with her main opponent,
community to come forward. Democrat Peter Zuckerman.
Haresh Shah, a businessman who Ragini and Ashish live in
lives in Albertson, and Bunty Shah Manhasset Hills with their son.
 4 October 19-25, 2019
At Cornell, Amb. Richard Verma
lauds evolution of U.S.-India ties
New York: The Cornell India Law Center
hosted Ambassador Richard Verma on
September 26 for the centerʼs inaugural
distinguished lecture. Ambassador
Verma, who previously served as the US
Ambassador to India (2015‑2017), gave
a lecture titled “India and the United
States: Overcoming the Hesitations of
History.” As reported in the Cornell
Daily Sun, the talk covered “Indiaʼs
increasing relevance in international
affairs, the evolution of U.S.‑India ties
and the importance of learning from the
history between the two nations.
According to Verma, currently vice
chairman and partner at the Asia Group,
by 2030 “India will lead the world in
almost every category.” But while
Indiaʼs strategic location and its posi‑
tion as a democracy “in a tough part of
the world” make it an important ally,
the country still faces many “risk fac‑
tors” such as significant climate risks,
governance issues across the country,
and for many of its citizens, a lack of
access to clean water and electricity.
“When you go to India, you can feel the
excitement, you can feel the energy.
People know that this is an exciting
Immigration group disappointed in Senator
Durbin’s block on skilled immigrants bill
Washington: Immigration Voice, a
national non‑profit organization with
over 130,000 members that advocates
for the alleviation of restrictions on
employment, travel, and working con‑
ditions faced by legal high‑skilled
immigrants in the United States work‑
ing as doctors, researchers, scientists,
and engineers at many of America's
Fortune 500 companies, has expressed
its profound disappointment in
Senator Dick Durbinʼs decision to block
the Fairness for High Skilled
Immigrants Act of 2019 from passage
on the floor of the Senate. On July 10,
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TURN PAGE
Ambassador Richard Verma
delivered Cornell India Law Centerʼs
inaugural distinguished lecture.
time.” Verma said. “We donʼt spend
enough time thinking about India.”
Verma also spoke on the historical con‑
nection between India and the U.S., and
the critical importance of developing
personal relationships between the
major political figures of the two coun‑
tries, which he said itʼs important to
avoid progressing into a solely transac‑
tional relationship. The Cornell India
Law Center is dedicated to promoting
the study of Indian law and policy in the
U.S. legal academy and to fostering
international collaborations among
legal scholars.
2019, the bill passed the House by a
365‑65 margin. This bill was the first
bipartisan immigration bill that passed
either the House or the Senate this
year. The Act creates a fair and equi‑
table, “first come, first serve” system
for receiving employment‑based green
cards, putting an end to the discrimi‑
natory quota system that has left over
1 million Indian high‑skilled immi‑
grants in the United States with a
decades‑long line while individuals
from other countries get preferential
treatment and face no wait time to
receive a green card.
Consultants
Shomik Chaudhuri P: 646.498.5122
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Ginsmon P. Zacharia P: 516.776.7061
ginsmon@hotmail.com
Contributing Editors:
Shaker Nelanuthala, Prof. Shivaji Sengupta,
Surekha Vijh (Washington, DC),
Suchitra Srinivas (New Jersey),
Melvin Durai, Dr Prem Kumar Sharma,
Ashok Vyas, and Dr Akshat Jain
Current Affairs Columnist
Swadesh Rana
Chennai summit to see
new era in India‑China
cooperation: Modi
Continued from page 1
Af fairs statement referred to
the Mahbalipuram informal
summit, saying, the two leaders
"exchanged views openly and
deeply on China‑India relations
and major international and
regional issues of common con‑
cern in a friendly and relaxed
atmosphere".
Xi's first suggestion was that
"we should take a correct view
of each other's development
and enhance strategic mutual
trust. No matter from any point
of view, China and India should
be good neighbors and good
partners who live in harmony
and move forward hand in
hand".
His second suggestion was,
"we should carry out strategic
communication in a timely and
e f fect ive manner, enhance
mutual understanding and
cooperation, and firmly grasp
the general direction of the
development of bilateral rela‑
tions. Focus on friendship and
cooperation, resolve suspicions
and doubts, and properly han‑
dle dif ferences and sensitive
issues.
"In accordance w ith the
agreement on political guiding
principles, we will seek a fair
and reasonable solution to the
border issue that is acceptable
to both sides. Careful handling
of issues involving each other's
core interests. We should prop‑
erly control problems that can‑
not be solved for a while."
His third suggestion was to
"improve the level of military
security exchanges and cooper‑
ation". Promote the develop‑
ment of bilateral military rela‑
tions, focus on doubt‑clearing
and friendly cooperation, carry
out professional cooperation,
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Jaipur Bureau
Prakash Bhandari
Prakash@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Art and Design: Dhiraj Kumar Showaan
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joint exercises and other activi‑ not talk to them either so I can‑
t ies, cont inuously enhance
mutual trust between the two
not say anything on the judge‑
ment."
armies, strengthen cooperation
between law enforcement and
Prohibitory orders under sec‑
tion 144 have been clamped in
security departments, and Ayo d hya as the Supreme
maintain regional security and Court's revised deadline for
stability. wrapping up the proceedings in
Fourthly, deepen pragmatic the sensitive Ram Janmbhoomi‑
cooperation and tighten inter‑ Babri Masjid land dispute case
est ties. "We should take the approaches. After 40 days of
establishment of a high‑level hearing, the Supreme Court on
economic and trade dialogue Wednesday reserved the judg‑
mechanism as an opportunity ment in the 70‑year‑old politi‑
to strengthen the strateg ic cally vexing Ayodhya title dis‑
docking of economic develop‑ pute. A five‑judge bench headed
ment between the two coun‑ by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi
tries and explore the establish‑ has said that the hearing in the
ment of a manufacturing part‑ case is over and the judgement
nership. Indian pharmaceutical is reserved. He is expected to
enterprises and information deliver the judgement before
technology enterprises are wel‑ his retirement on November
come to invest and cooperate in 17.
China." Fifth, enrich cultural
exchanges and lay a solid foun‑ Sitharaman charts
dation for friendship. Next year, Indiaʼs rise to $5 trillion
"we will celebrate the 70th economy
anniversary of the establish‑ Continued from page 1
ment of diplomatic relations five years since NDA was first
between the two countries and voted to power, India has added
ce le brate the Year of Sino‑ one trillion dollar to its econo‑
Indian Cultural Exchange". my, and added, “Our vision to
become a 5 trillion‑dollar econ‑
Turkey agreed to sus‑ omy by 2024‑25 is challenging
pend Syria offensive: but also realizable. Realization
Vice President Pence
of our goal is connected to our
Continued from page 1 single‑minded dedication to
offensive ended, and would not
impose more in the meantime.
reforms.”.
“To become a 5 trillion‑dollar
The SDF was not represented at economy, Indiaʼs GDP needs to
the talks between Washington grow faster than the average of
and Ankara, and has since 7.5 percent growth in the last
announced it will abide by the five years. Inflation needs to be
terms of the ceasefire. at 4% to ensure commensurate
increase in purchasing power.
Hindus, Muslims will Fixed investment rate needs to
accept court verdict on increase from 29 to 36% over
Ayodhya: Amit Shah next five years,” the minister
Continued from page 1 projected. Becoming a 5 tril‑
Amit Shah added. When asked lion‑dollar economy will make
whether he thought the verdict India a global economic power‑
would be in favor of the Ram house, moving from the 7th to
temple, Amit Shah said, "I can‑ the 3rd position in terms of cur‑
not talk to judges. And I should rent USD exchange rate.
News Service
IANS News Service
HT Media Ltd.
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Indian American Abhijit Banerjee, wife Esther
Duflo co‑win 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics
Boston: Fifty‑eig ht‑year old Indian
American Abhijit Banerjee is the toast of
MIT Sloan and India by becoming the
sixth Kolkatan to win a Nobel Prize.
Banerjee, his wife and one‑time Ph.D stu‑
dent Esther Duflo, and Harvard professor
Michael Kremer were awarded the 2019
Nobel Prize in Economics for their work
which has “dramatically improved our
ability to fight poverty in practice,” it was
announced on Monday.
The trio has been awarded the coveted
honor "for their experimental approach to
alleviating global poverty" with immense
works in the field in poor nations includ‑
ing India, Africa and South America.
On being feted as the sixth Kolkatan to
win the coveted prize, Banerjee, a South
Pointer from Kolkata followed by Calcutta
University, JNU and Harvard, asserted that
he assumed that the others were much
more distinguished than him.
Banerjee has bagged the prestigious
prize for his “experimental approach to
alleviating global poverty.”
Born in Mumbai to Maharashtrian moth‑
er Nirmala and father Vinayak Banerjee in
At a recent interview Abhijit Banerjee spoke
on a number of topics, an excerpt here.
On current Indian
economy
“The condition of Indian economy is on a
shaky ground. After witnessing the present
(growth) data, we just canʼt be sure about it
(revival of economy in near future).” He
added that the slowdown is acute, giving
the example of the latest metric from India
which is the average consumption in rural
and urban areas that has gone down alarm‑
ingly and is a glaring sign which cannot be
ignored by those in power. This shows that
the economy is slowing rapidly.
On being questioned on what needs to be
done to arrest this, Banerjee averred, “I
donʼt know what can be done, but monetary
policy stimulus alone wonʼt help. There is a
big fight on data integrity with the govern‑
ment pulling in one direction and data sci‑
entists pulling in another… This canʼt be
good for anybody.
“Since the government has a large deficit
and is trying to please all through stimulus
measures, moving the needle on the fisc
will not he lp at all since demand has
reduced drastically. In the last five‑six
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
The duo share the prize with Harvard
professor Michael Kremer
1961, he did his graduation (BA) from the
renowned Presidency College in Kolkata,
and went to complete his MA from the
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Then, it was to Harvard University for his
doctorate on "Essays in Information
Economics" and he is currently the Ford
Foundation International Professor of
Economics at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT).
years, at least we could witness some
growth, but now that assurance is also
gone.”
On winning Nobel Prize
It was a combination of many things and
while a lot of work has taken place in this
regard since 1990, “perhaps the best
emerged out of frustration with myself.”
On poverty alleviation
His work in poverty alleviation being
seminal, he finds many changes over the
last 20 years. According to him, “Things
have changed and governments are show‑
ing more maturity and understanding.
Esther Duflo and Banerjee also co‑found‑
ed MITʼs Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty
Action Lab (J‑PAL) in 2003, along with a
third co‑founder, Sendhil Mullainathan,
now of the University of Chicago.
J‑PAL, a global network of anti‑poverty
researchers that conducts field experi‑
ments, has now become a major center of
research, facilitating work across the
world.
Duflo‑Banerjee have published dozens of
research papers together or with other co‑
authors and also jointly penned the
upcoming "Good Economics for Hard
Times" (2019).
Latest is a book t itled "W hat the
Economy Needs Now" (2019), co‑edited
with Gita Gopinath, Raghuram Rajan, and
Mihir S. Sharma.
Additionally, Banerjee has also co‑direct‑
ed documentary films ‑ 2019 release "The
Magnificent Journey: Times and Tales of
Democracy (co‑director Ranu Ghosh), and
earlier in 2006, "T he Name Of T he
Disease" (co‑directors Arundhati Tuli‑
Banerjee, Bappa Sen, Konkona Sen‑Sharma
and Sumit Ghosh) as per his of ficial bio‑
Earlier they wouldnʼt pay so much atten‑
tion, thinking that may be I had escaped
from a mental institution, but now they lis‑
ten and are willing to use our processes.
“Trials have been taken, experiments con‑
ducted and successful plans are being
rolled out. There is never an emergency
and people tend to defer these decisions,
but I find that our interventionist methods
are beginning to take root now.”
From here where? Again a very candid
Banerjee said, “We hope that we get to do
more of the same… Excited to be in this
space, it obviously opens up many more
opportunities with greater inventiveness
and innovation, but beyond that it will be
business as usual. For instance, in Haryana,
we are working directly with government
bodies and the level of imagination from
their side is blowing us away.”
On world turning
protectionist
“These decisions are a consequence of
one not taking cognizance of the conse‑
quences of globalization seriously. The
processes required retraining, reskilling,
October 19-25, 2019 5
data. He also served on the UN Secretary‑
Generalʼs High‑level Panel of Eminent
Persons on the Post‑2015 Development
Agenda.
Banerjee is a past President of the
Bureau for the Research in the Economic
Analysis of Development, a research asso‑
ciate of the NBER and a CEPR research fel‑
low, international research fellow of the
Kiel Institute, a fellow of the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences and the
Econometric Society, and has been a
Guggenheim Fellow and an Alfred P. Sloan
Fellow and a winner of the Infosys prize.
He is the author of a large number of
articles and four books, including “Poor
Economics” which won the Goldman Sachs
Business Book of the Year award in 2011.
In 2011, Banerjee was named one of
Foreign Policy magazineʼs top 100 global
thinkers.
He is known to be extremely jovial, out‑
going person who immensely loves Indian
and Bengali cuisine. His friends and
acquaintances admire his culinary skills
and consider him a connoisseur of
Hindustani classical music.
opening borders and what have you.
Instead, now we have barriers being raised
and people becoming more insular, I would‑
nʼt go to the extent of capitalism having
failed, but yes its warts are show ing
because people didnʼt understand its conse‑
quences.”
On development
economics
Banerjee noted that experiment‑based
work in development economics was a lit‑
tle‑explored area of research 20 years ago,
but has grown significantly since then.
“The kind of work weʼve done over the
years, when we started, was marginal in
economics.” In that light, he added, the
Nobel award is “great for the development
field” within economics, reflecting the sig‑
nificance of the work done by many of his
colleagues.
In his defining book “Poor Economics”,
which won the Goldman Sachs Business
Book of the Year award in 2011, Banerjee
wrote: “Why would a man in Morocco who
doesnʼt have enough to eat buy a televi‑
sion? Why is it so hard for children in poor
areas to learn, even when they attend
school? Does having lots of children actual‑
ly make you poorer? Answering questions
like these is critical if we want to have a
chance to really make a dent against global
poverty.” (IANS)
 6 October 19-25, 2019 LOCAL GOVERNMENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

City to prepare New Attorney General James takes action to

Yorkers for tech jobs with defend state ban on large‑capacity magazines
New York: Attorney General Letitia possessed before the law went into

additional $4m investment James has joined a group of 18

New York: Mayor Bill de Blasio,
NYC Deputy Mayor J. Phillip
T hompson, New York City
Economic Deve lopment
Corporation (NYCEDC) President
and CEO James Patchett, and NYC
Department of Small Business
Services (SBS) Commissioner
Gregg Bishop announced an addi‑
tional $4 million investment in
tech and college partnerships for
its $20 million CUNY 2x Tech ini‑
tiative, which seeks to double the
number of career‑qualified tech
graduates by 2022.
"The next generation of tech
jobs is coming to New York City,
and thanks to partnerships like
the CUNY 2x Tech initiative, more
and more of them will be filled by
born‑and‑bred New Yorkers," said
Mayor Bill de Blasio. "In just two
years, more than 1,000 New York
City students have already taken
the first steps on their road to a
tech career, and by increasing our
investment in CUNY 2x Tech, hun‑
dreds more will be able to stay put
and find a fulfilling job in one of
the country's biggest tech hubs."
This investment raises the num‑
ber of participating colleges to
eight, surpassing the Cityʼs origi‑
nal goal of six. Brooklyn College,
College of Staten Island, John Jay
College of Criminal Justice,
Medgar Evers College and Queens
College will join three existing
partners to increase of ferings in
industry‑aligned instruction,
advising and internships.
Each school is expected to
receive a total investment of up to
$2 million over three years.
NYCEDC, under its Cyber NYC ini‑
tiative, will also expand the initia‑
tiveʼs Tech‑in‑Residence Corps to
include cyber security, bringing in
dozens of industry professionals
to teach as adjuncts across CUNY
campuses. Industry partners
including LinkedIn, Spotify, and
Google will provide instructors,
host interns, hire graduates and
advise the CUNY 2x Tech pro‑
gram. “CUNY 2x Tech is an ini‑
tiative to build the next genera‑
tion of world‑class industry pro‑
fessionals in todayʼs ever‑evolving
tech landscape,” said J. Phillip
T hompson, Deputy Mayor for
Strategic Policy Initiatives. “The
expansion of this program repre‑
sents the Cityʼs continued commit‑
ment to improving the employa‑
bility of our tech graduates in an
increasingly competitive market.”
“Weʼre thrilled to help deliver
additional resources to CUNY 2x
Tech and support this essential
initiative,” said NYCEDC President
and CEO James Patchett.
NYC‑based tech companies, pro‑
fessionals and academic leaders
interested in becoming involved in
this program may visit http://tech‑
talentpipeline.nyc/cuny2xtech to
learn more.
attorneys general to defend
Vermontʼs right to ban large‑capacity
magazines and protect public safety.
In an amicus brief filed in the
Vermont Supreme Court, the coali‑
tion argues that states have the right
to enact reasonable firearm restric‑
tions that reduce the number of
deaths and injuries caused by gun
violence.
“There is simply no reason for any
civilian to have access to such
extreme firepower,” said Attorney
General Letitia James. “In New York,
we restricted large‑capacity maga‑
zines because they put our commu‑
nities at great risk and we have a
responsibility and a right to protect
our residents. We will do everything
in our power to uphold these critical
and commonsense public safety
measures and prevent gun violence.”
The states filed an amicus brief in
Records: Taxpayers paid $18k for Gov. Murphy staffers’ India trip
Trenton: New Jersey taxpayers were
billed about $18,000 for govern‑
ment of ficials' recent trip to India
despite Gov. Phil Murphy's office's
earlier statements that a privately
funded group would pay for the visit,
according to records obtained
Tuesday by The Associated Press.
Payment vouchers obtained
through the state's open records law
show that taxpayers footed the bill
for four of the governor's staffers for
airfare to India and lodging as well
as the cost of immunizations. The
international airfare and lodging
AG Letitia James
(Image : cosmopolitan.com)
State of Vermont v. Max B. Misch, a
suit in which the Vermont Supreme
Court will determine whether
Vermontʼs prohibition on large‑
capacity magazines violates the
Vermont Constitutionʼs right to bear
arms. In 2018, Vermont prohibited
the manufacture, importation, pos‑
session, and sale of large‑capacity
magazines, with some exceptions,
including for magazines lawfully
came to about $12,500, with immu‑
nization costs making up most of the
rest of them. Murphy spokesman
Mahen Gunaratna said in a state‑
ment that "the vast majority of
expenses" during the six‑day trip
were covered by Choose, not taxpay‑
ers. He pointed to the governor's
announcement during the trip that
three India‑based companies would
be bringing 1,200‑plus jobs to the
state. "The Governor's mission will
ultimately pay dividends many times
over," he said in an email. Murphy, a
Democrat, and first lady Tammy
effect. The law bans magazines that
hold more than 10 rounds of ammu‑
nition for long guns and more than
15 rounds for handguns. New York,
seven other states, and the District of
Columbia have enacted similar pro‑
hibitions. The constitutionality of
those laws has been consistently
upheld by federal courts of appeals
under the Second Amendment,
which the U.S. Supreme Court has
recognized as “analogous” to
Vermontʼs right‑to‑bear‑arms provi‑
sion. Joining New York Attorney
General Letitia James and District of
Columbia Attorney General Karl
Racine in filing this brief are the
attorney generals of California,
Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii,
Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey,
New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Virginia, and
Washington.
Murphy paid their own expenses,
according to Gunaratna.
Choose New Jersey, a private‑
industry funded group, financed
other portions of September's six‑
day visit.
T he group's president, Jose
Lozano, said in a phone interview
that Choose paid for meals, travel
within India and other "incidentals."
He estimated that the group paid for
97% to 98% of the cost of the trip,
but declined to detail the price tag,
adding that costs were still coming
and being calculated.

NYC comptroller pushes 56 companies to improve diversity, adopt NFL’s ‘Rooney Rule’
New York: The man in charge of New York
Cityʼs $200 billion public pension fund
wants more than 50 companies to take a
page from the National Football League
and pledge that they will consider female
and minority candidates for their highest‑
level jobs.
Scott Stringer, the New York City comp‑
troller, on Friday is expected to announce
that he has sent a letter to 56 companies –
including AT&T, Boeing, Delta Air Lines,
Marriott, Walmart and the Walt Disney Co.
– asking them to adopt policies to consider
women and people of color for every open
board seat, as well as for CEO appoint‑
ments.
The move is in line with the “Rooney
Rule,” an NFL policy adopted in 2003 that
Scott Stringer, NYC comptroller
requires every team to interview at least
one person of color for head coaching
vacancies; it now includes other high‑rank‑
ing front‑of fice positions. T he rule is
named after Dan Rooney, the late former
Pittsburgh Steelers owner who also chaired
the leagueʼs diversity committee.
“As a pension system, we want to invest
in 21st century companies that represent
the future – not companies with manage‑
ment teams that look like theyʼre out of the
1950s,” Stringer said in a statement. “Itʼs
time for the business world to embrace
these reforms that will lead to decades of
progress.”
Stringerʼs office said the companies have
yet to adopt Rooney‑type search policies
for boards or CEO positions, based on his
review.
Other companies – such as Facebook,
Amazon and Costco Warehouse – have
adopted such policies at the board level, at
times in response to investor pressure.
Stringerʼs office said about two dozen of
the 56 companies appear to have no
minorities on their board.
The new campaign is the third phase of
an effort to improve the accountability and
diversity of corporate boards, a statement
from Stringerʼs of fice said. In 2014, his
of fice launched a campaign to g ive
investors more power to nominate direc‑
tors, a process known as “proxy access.”
More than 600 companies have since
adopted proxy access.
Stringer has also pushed to get boards to
disclose in a matrix format more details
about directorsʼ experience and demo‑
graphic background.
(Source: The Washington Post)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY October 19-25, 2019 7

Jain Society raises $3 million GOPIO honors 3 for contribution

for new temple in Maryland in health sector
Washington, DC: T he Jain Society of
Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) laid the
foundation for one of the most beautiful
temples to be built in Metropolitan
Washington, on October 6, 2019. Planned
to be built with white marble on a 5.5‑acre
land in Beltsville, Maryland, the temple
will be a place of worship for hundreds of
Jain families in the Maryland, Northern
Virginia, and Washington DC region.
JSMWʼs goal is to increase awareness of
Jain principles, inculcate Jain values in
future generations, achieve unity of all
Jains sects, and promote inter‑faith under‑
standing. The 30,000 sq. ft. Jain Center
will be a single large complex with places
of worship for multiple Jain sects, accord‑
ing to a press release.
The complex will include Shwetambar
Temple, Dig ambar Temple, Sthanak,
Upashray, an educational and social wing
that will of fer a library, Pathshala class‑
rooms (Sunday school), a community cen‑
ter, and a multi‑purpose auditorium.
The three‑day grand festival, named
Shilanyas Mahotsav, was attended by
about 1000 people and marked with reli‑
gious ceremonies, fundraising activities,
and festivities. The temple site was a beau‑
tifully decorated pavilion for various reli‑
gious ceremonies. A large 9‑foot deep
dugout was prepared around the temple
foundation adorned by flags bearing Jain
colors.
The Shilanyas Mahotsav kicked of f on
Friday, October 4th with a Raas‑Garba
musical program, where families in tradi‑
tional dresses danced to live music. The
next day on October 5th, under the guid‑
ance of skilled Vidhikar Narendrabhai
Nandu, the entire community joined hands
to perform rituals on the Shilas. The day
culminated with an entertaining cultural
program where community members from
New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Maryland,
Virginia, and Washington DC performed
religious dances, hymns, and a skit with
participants ranging from infants to octo‑
genarians.
The following day, on October 6th, the
fundraising effort received overwhelming
support from the community with several
donors coming forward to contribute
toward the project. With more than $3
million raised with the Shilanyas event, the GOPIO honored people for promoting health awareness among the diaspora
community was elated to see their dreams Washington, DC: An international body of awareness among the Indian diaspora.
becoming a reality. Followed by the people of Indian origin honored three The GOPIO also honored US‑based firm
fundraising, individuals with their hearts Indian‑Americans for their contribution to Sabinsa Corporation, founded in 1988 by
filled with joy proceeded to lay the founda‑ the health field as well as for promoting Indian‑origin Muhammed Majeed, for its
tional marble slabs, called “Shilas” in 95 health awareness among the diaspora. achievement and contributions in the
holy spots across the construction site. The Global Organisation of People of health supplements sector.
The Jain Center will be located at 4241 Indian Origin (GOPIO) presented the T he GOPIO health summit aimed at
Ammendale Road, Beltsville, Maryland and Health Council Award to the recipients improving the health of people of the
is projected to complete in about three during the Health Council Summit, organ‑ Indian diaspora across the world by rais‑
years. ized by it, on Saturday, according to a ing awareness of the current and emerg‑
T he founders of the Jain Society of press release. ing health issues af fecting them and by
Metropolitan Washington established the While Rahul Shukla, CEO of S S White promoting preventive practices and shar‑
temple in 1980 with the objective of pro‑ Technologies and Shukla Medical, received ing information to better manage chronic
moting better understanding and follow‑ the award in manufacturing of the latest diseases, the release said.
ing of Jain principles, preserving our rich medical equipment category; Hitesh Bhatt, The speakers at the summit discussed
heritage, and passing it on to future gener‑ CEO of Bhatt Foundation Inc, got the the diseases, which are prone to the Indian
ations. From the initial membership of 20 honor in the healthcare technology catego‑ diaspora, and how to treat or prevent
families in 1980, Jain Society membership ry. H R Shah, Chairman, and CEO of TV them using modern and alternative medi‑
has grown to nearly 650 families. Asia, was honored for promoting health cine, it said.

Indian‑American contestant collapses NRIs can now apply

before Miss World America final night for Aadhaar on arrival
Las Vegas: Indian American beauty Shree Saini col‑
lapsed right before Miss World America final night
of the competition. Shree will stay in a hospital for a
"cardiac arrest watch" says her mother. "Please pray
without 182‑day wait
for my daughter Shree Saini. This is Ekta Saini, New Delhi: Non‑resi‑
Shree's mom. Shree collapsed right before Miss dent Indians (NRIs)
World America final night of competition, which with valid Indian pass‑
started with evening gown," read a post shared on port can apply for
Instagram on Sunday. Sharing details of what hap‑ Aadhaar on arrival,
pened, the mother wrote: "They called me backstage without the 182‑day
after the ambulance had arrived, ready to take Shree waiting period, with
to the hospital. Shree was so happy and joyful all day the government issu‑
and did a great job yesterday at the Miss World ing a notification in
this regard. Following the notifi‑ as proof of identity, proof of
America preliminary round. I heard that Shree won 5
cation, the Unique Identification address (PoA) and date of birth
out of 6 awards during today's final night of compe‑
Authority of India (UIDAI) has document.
tition."
also come out with a circular "In case NRI's passport does
"We have been in hospital since 9 p.m. They are
stating that "NRI after his arrival not have Indian address, he shall
doing cat scan, EKG, etc. Doctors just told me that
in India, shall be entitled to be allowed to submit any of the
less than 1% people at age 12 have a Pacemaker. So
obtain Aadhaar number." other UIDAI‑approved PoA docu‑
Shree will stay in the hospital for a ''cardiac arrest
The modalities for application ments as proof of address," said
watch.'' Prayers requested."
remain more or less unchanged, the circular issued on Monday.
Shree has survived severe facial burns, constant
a UIDAI source said adding that It may be recalled that in her
bullying, and heart surgery for a pacemaker at age
NRIs with Indian passport can Budget speech on July 5, finance
12. Shree's childhood dream to serve as Miss World,
now apply for biometric ID on minister Nirmala Sitharaman had
led her to change her adversities to advocacy, have a
arrival or by scheduling a prior said, "I propose to consider issu‑
victor mindset, rather than a victim mindset, accord‑
appointment, thus doing away ing Aadhaar card for non‑resi‑
ing to the official site of Miss World America.
w ith the requirement for a dent Indians with Indian pass‑
Shree, who has studied at Yale University and
mandatory 182‑day waiting peri‑ ports after their arrival in India,"
Harvard University, has created an app on emotional
od. UIDAI circular said valid without the stipulated waiting
health at Stanford University.
Indian passport will be accepted period.
Shree Saini is in hospital for a 'cardiac arrest watch'
 8 October 19-25, 2019 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

1000 Lights for Peace concludes yearlong

Gandhijiʼs Sesquicentennial celebrations
Houston: Walk for Peace and 1000
Lights for Peace on October 6 at
the Miller Outdoor Theatre marked
the conclusion of yearlong celebra‑
t ions of Mahatma Gand hiʼs
Sesquicentennial in Houston. It all
began with the grand opening of
celebrations at Asia Society on
September 30, 2018.
The gorgeous day started with
5K Walk for Peace through beauti‑
ful Hermann Park led by Harris
County Commissioner of Precinct
1, Ro dney Ellis, as the Grand
Marshal. The walk began from the
Miller Outdoor T heatre with a
thunderous send‑off by the talent‑
ed Katy Stockdick Junior High
School band directed by George
Liverman and Dholi Chidanand
Singh.
Krishna Vavilala and Ram
Ramanathan dressed as Mahatma
Gandhi lifted the spirits of the
walkers. They paid their respects
to Mahatma Gandhi with garland‑
ing his statue in the Hermann Park.
The 1000 lights for Peace pro‑
g ram started at 6 pm w ith a
moment of silence in honor of fall‑
en Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal.
Connie Elliott of Contemporary
Handweavers of Houston then gave
Connie Elliott of Contemporary Handweavers of Houston demon‑
strates Charkha to make yarn to the children at 1000 Lights for Peace
a live, on‑stage demonstration of
the Charkha, a symbol of self‑
reliance, perseverance, and deter‑
mination as a fitting tribute to
Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th
birthday. As the Charkha demon‑
stration was going on a multi‑faith
invocation took place that was
coordinated by Rev Gregory Han
and carried out by Dr. Sushma
Mahajan, Dr, Alejandro Chaoul, Dr.
Melanie Mouzoon, and Dr. Kashan
Ishaq. Dr. Manish Wani, the lively
emcee, kept the evening flowing
with historical perspectives on not
only Mahatma Gandhi, but also
social reformers including Cesar
Chavez, Ne lson Mande la, Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr and His
Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Gandhi Darshan Exhibit por‑
traying the chronologic lifetime of
Gandhiji with actual photographs
from that era was also on display
as were booths for arts and crafts
and henna painting, which the chil‑
dren line up for. T he Veg an
So ciety for Peace and Unity
Houston also had tables with infor‑
mat ion about their respected
organization. The invocation was
followed by a calm, mind‑soothing
meditation from GROW Unity by
Myst ic Taout T hanet. Swar
Sangam, led by the talented Smriti
Srivastava, sang a medley of two
songs, Maithreem Bhajata (Sanskrit
for cultivating friendship and
humility, which conquers the heart
of everyone) and Vande Matram.
Ayushi Kawedia and Nathan
Ndisang, winners of the age 10 and
under g roup speech contest,
inspired the crowd by reciting their
winning speech “My Dream of
World Peace.” Next was a colorful
performance by Ambassadors
International Ballet Folklorico
t itled La Iguana and Salida
Veracruz, dances from Mexico.
Anusha Sathya, a senior from
Seven Lakes High School KISD
treated the crowd to her brilliant
winning speech in the 11 and over
age group describing “Eternal
Gandhi Museum: what Iʼd like to
see.”
T he D.A.V. Montessori and
D.A.V.Elementary students from
Arya Samaj of Greater Houston
presented a spectacular dance:
Peace and Harmony. Mayor
Sylvester Turner, who visited the
Eternal Gandhi Museum in Delhi
last November, addressed the audi‑
ence regarding the relevance of
Mahatma Gandhi and the upcom‑
ing projects in the city of Houston,
including the excitement for the
Eternal Gandhi Museum.
Mayor Turner then presented
awards to more than 30 student
winners of the city‑wide contests
held by Mahatma Gandhi Library.
Consul General of India, Dr.
Anupam Ray, addressed the audi‑
ence with a humble request to keep
the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi
alive and gave his hearty congratu‑
lations for all the relevant activities
of the Indo‑American diaspora in
Houston.
T he Keynote Speaker for the
evening Dr. Stephen Klineberg,
Professor Emeritus of Sociology at
Rice University, gave an informa‑
tive message about the diversity of
Houston and ongoing trends in the
Houston metropolitan area.
The spectacular evening conclud‑
ed with the lighting of a candle by
all as a symbolic pledge to observe
peace in their own lives. The crowd
re flected on how to emulate
Mahatma Gandhiʼs life listening to
the soothing song “Imagine” by
John Lennon and the soundtrack of
“Jyot se Jyot.”

Team Rebellion wins CricMax Freedom Cup Margaret Abraham installed as

The 2nd edition of the CricMax Freedom Cup tournament was held on Sept 27th,
28th, and 29th. This year too total of 8 teams participated in the tournament and it
was a well‑attended event by friends and family. Over 400 people gathered to wit‑
ness the finals on Sept 29th at Laurel Hills county park cricket ground. The venue
with proper cricket ground with floodlights was the center of attraction for all the
players and surrounding lakes and exotic food that was served on all days from
morning till 10 pm was added attraction for all visitors.
Ambassador Harsh V Shringla
visited the Sikh Association of
Baltimore Gurdwara on October
13, 2019, and took part in Sikh
Ardas (prayers). Addressing the
gathering, Ambassador spoke
about the significant steps taken
by the Government of India to
address the longstanding
concerns and grievances of the
Sikh community. He also
highlighted the programs being
organized by the Embassy and
various Consulates in the USA to
commemorate the 550th Birth
Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Wachtel professor at Hofstra
New York: In recognition of a career dedicated movements to cyberspace and is described by
to promoting research and social justice, Mary Romero, ASA President and Professor of
Margaret Abraham, Ph.D., professor of sociolo‑ Justice Studies and Social Inquiry, Arizona
gy and senior vice provost for academic State University, as “a must‑read for anyone
affairs, was installed as Hofstra Universityʼs interested in using their teaching, research and
Harry H. Wachtel Distinguished Teaching action to build a more just society.”
Professor for the Study of Nonviolent Social T he Harry H. Wachtel Distinguished
Change. Dr. Abraham has served Teaching Professor for the Study
the University in varied capaci‑ of Nonviolent Social Change,
ties, including special advisor to established at Hofstra in the late
the provost for diversity initia‑ 1990s, is named for the Long
tives, chair of the Department of Island corporate lawyer who for
Sociology and Anthropology, many years acted as a confidant
and director of the Womenʼs and legal counsel to Dr. Martin
Studies Program. She teaches Luther King Jr. According to his
courses and senior seminars obituary in The New York Times,
such as Violence Against Mr. Wachtel often met with Dr.
Women; Domestic Violence; King, traveled with him and
Margaret Abraham
Globalization, Work and helped arrange meetings for him
Citizenship; Women, Gender, and with American leaders and officials, including
Development; and Public Sociology. In 2014 President Lyndon B. Johnson.
she was elected president of the International “Maggie Abraham has devoted her profes‑
Sociological Association (ISA) for a four‑year sional life to promoting positive social change
term. She is also co‑Director, Hofstra in India and to ending violence,” said Professor and
Program, Hofstra University. She has a Ph.D. Chair of Hofstraʼs Sociology Department
in Sociology from Syracuse University. William Mangino earlier this year. “She is the
Dr. Abraham has been involved in research consummate academic who bridges scholar‑
and activism in the fields of domestic violence ship, teaching, and the public good. No one is
and social justice for more than 25 years. Her more deserving of the Wachtel Professorship
acclaimed work as both speaker and author for the Study of Nonviolent Social Change.”
has been profiled and quoted in numerous Dr. Abraham said, “I feel it is an immense
domestic and international publications. honor, but also a sense of responsibility to
Sociology and Social Justice (SAGE 2019), carry forward the intent and legacy of the
Dr. Abrahamʼs newest edited book, offers soci‑ Harry H. Wachtel Distinguished
ological insights on topics ranging from social Professorship.”
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY October 19-25, 2019 9

Two Indian‑origin persons in Trump administration

Fortune's most influential
'Under 40' list
New York: Two Indian‑origin persons have
been named by American mag azine
Fortune in its annual list of 40 most influ‑
ential and inspiring young people in busi‑
ness under the age of 40. Intel's Vice
President of artificial intelligence software
and the AI lab Arjun Bansal and fashion
platform Zilingo CEO and co‑founder
Ankiti Bose make it to Fortune's 2019 ''40
Under 40'' list, the annual selection of the
most influential young people in the busi‑
ness.
Bansal, 35, as vice president of artificial
intelligence software and research at semi‑
conductor giant Intel, has a lot on his
plate, the magazine said.
Bansal's team of nearly 100 workers,
scattered throughout the US, Israel, and
Poland work on AI technologies like rein‑
forcement learning and natural‑language
processing, all intended to help keep
Intel's silicon chips working seamlessly
with the latest AI software, it said.
One of Intel's key AI projects involve
specialized computer chips developed by
Nervana, the startup co‑founded by Bansal
and acquired by the chip giant in 2016 in
a deal reportedly worth over $350 million,
the report said.
Bose, 27, launched the four‑year‑old
Singapore‑based startup after visiting
Bangkok's Chatuchak market and realizing
its merchants had no easy way to sell their
goods online, Fortune said.
"What started as an aggregator of small
fashion retailers has since expanded into
business‑to‑business of ferings, such as
supply‑chain tools, and has tapped into
Southeast Asia's booming Internet connec‑
tivity and smartphone adoption," it said.
The company's latest round of funding in
February ‑ led by Sequoia Capital and
Temasek Holdings and raising $226 mil‑
lion ‑ valued the firm with 600 employees
across eight countries at $970 million,
putting it within a rounding error of uni‑
cornship.
"Just 10 percent of the world's venture
capital‑backed startups worth $1 billion
had a female founder as of last year.
Bose...is set to join that too‑exclusive club,"
the publication said.
appoints Dr. Sampat Shivangi
to key US health panel
Washington, DC: Sampat the nation with my best of abili‑
Shivangi, an influential Indian‑ ties," Shivangi said.
American community leader, Shivangi thanked President
has been invited to serve on the Trump and Alex Azar for their
national advisory committee of consideration and the opportuni‑
a key health body in the US, ty to serve.
which deals with mental health. Advisor to the US department
Shivangi, a physician, has of Health & Human Services from
been invited by the US Health 2005‑2008 during the Bush
and Human Services Secretary Dr. Sampat Shivangi Administration, Shivangi is a
Alex M Azar to serve on the will serve on national recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya
Substance Abuse and Mental mental health adviso‑ Samman Award, 2017 for his con‑
Health Services Administration's ry committee of tributions to India‑US relation‑
(SAMHSA) Center for Mental Substance Abuse and ship. Sampat Shivangi has been a
Health Services National Mental Health Services conservative life long member of
Advisory Council. Administration's the Republican party, hailing from
The appointment is for the
(SAMHSA) Center a strong republican state of
term beginning immediately Mississippi. He has been involved
and ending on July 30, 2023. many philanthropic activities serving with
In a statement, Shivangi said that he is Blind foundation of MS, Diabetic, Cancer and
"honored" to be invited to the national advi‑ Heart Associations of America, according to
sory body on mental health. his website.
"Having served on the Mississippi State He is the founding president of the
Board of Mental Health for more than a American Association of Physicians of
decade as Vice Chair and Chair, this is unique Indian‑origin in Mississippi and is the past
honor for me to serve on the National president and chair of the India Association
Advisory Council and I look forward to serve of Mississippi. (PTI)

Dubai malls
launch Diwali
''shop and win
gold'' campaign
Dubai: The Dubai Shopping Malls
Group (DSMG) has announced its
Diwali "shop and win gold" cam‑
paign, offering shoppers a
chance to enter the draw and win
upon spending 200 dirhams at
any of the 10 participating malls
from October 18 until November
2.
The raffle coupon can be
availed from the participating
mall's customer service desk and
the winners' names will be drawn
during the draw that will be held
on November 2, the Khaleej
Times reported on Monday.
DIASPORA
GOPIO BIENNIAL CONVENTION
IN BERLIN‑PARIS IN NOV 2019
F
or the first time since GOPIO India and about 30 million diaspora
International was founded in Indians spread across more than
1989 with the diplomatic 100 countries. The forthcoming
endorsement of the Indian govern‑ conference is headlined as the
ment in New Delhi that a world "Indiaspora Meeting in Europe"
gathering of the most influential under the banner theme,
Indians w ill be hosted in two Strengthening Global Connections.
famous landmark cities ‑ Berlin and The 30th year biennial conven‑
Paris ‑ from Novermber 8‑12. tion takes place in the German city
Particularly significant within the of Berlin from 8 to 10 November,
double‑header program is the cele‑ and the entourage travels to France
bration of Diwali, the worldwide for the second leg of the extraordi‑
celebration of the festival of lights nary meeting on 11‑12 November
by millions of Indians in mainland in Paris, according to Mehen
Poinoosawmy, chairman of the con‑
vention to be held in both host
cities.
GOPIO International has dis‑
patched a call for speakers, pan‑
elists and thought leaders to con‑
tribute to the dual gatherings.
Some of the highlights include
visits to the sights and sound of
Berlin ‑ among the famous sites is
the Berlin Wall that separated com‑
munist East Germany from demo‑
cratic West Germany and was torn
down during the detente of the
1980s following the unification of
Germany. Delegates will travel
together to the French capital.
In Paris, tours have been
arranged to the Versailles Palace,
Mont Saint Michel and the Eif fel
Tower as well. A GOPIO meeting is
on the schedule at the French
Parliament.
Within the build‑up to the Diwali
celebration, visits to other tourist
attractions are being planned in the
"City of Love" with Espace Reuilly
as the central location.

Indian nurses in UAE may lose jobs

Around 28 lucky shoppers will
take home a total of half a kilo of
gold bars as prizes during the
two weeks of the Diwali cam‑
paign. The winners can win vary‑
ing denominations of gold such
as 10 gms, 20 gms, 50 gms and
100 gms. Majid Saif Al Ghurair,
DSMG Chairman, said: "Dubai has
definitely made Diwali a part of
its cultural celebrations. It is a
very special and extremely sig‑
nificant festival in the Indian cal‑
endar and we are looking for‑
ward to making it a time to
remember not only for the Indian
community members but also for
tourists and other nationals as
well."
This year, Diwali falls on
October 27.
over new requirement: Report
Dubai: Hundreds of Indian nurses
holding diploma certificates in the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) are at
risk of losing their jobs due to a
new educational requirement, a
media report has said.
More than 200 nurses have
already lost their jobs, while sever‑
al others have been demoted after
the UAE made a bachelor's degree
in nursing as the minimum educa‑
tional qualification for registered
nurses, the Gulf News said in a
report on Monday. According to
those af fected by the new norm,
nurses with diploma certificates,
who continue to be retained, are
required to do a Post Basic B.Sc
Nursing Program from universi‑
ties in the United Arab Emirates
accredited by the Ministry of
Education (MoE) by 2020.
However, several nurses, who
have enrolled for the programs in
dif ferent universities, were now
facing another crisis ‑‑ their
requests for equivalency certifi‑
cate for their diploma certificates
were getting rejected.
The MoE is issuing an equivalen‑
cy certificate for diploma certifi‑
cates obtained from the state of
Kerala, the nursing council of
which is the only Indian nursing
body recognized by the ministry,
the affected nurses said.
Kerala sends the highest number
of nurses to the country. "A major‑
ity of us are hailing from Kerala
itse lf. But we studied outside
Kerala for our nursing diploma
courses. A few nurses from other
Indian states are also facing the
same issue," said one of the affect‑
ed nurses. "Many of us have
already lost our jobs and now we
are unable to continue our studies
and apply for another job, leaving
us in a 'do or die' situation," said
another. T he nurses said they
would approach India's Minister of
State for External Af fairs V
Muraleedharan, who is scheduled
to visit the UAE this week, seeking
his urgent intervention to solve
the issue.
 10 October 19-25, 2019
Elizabeth Warren emerges as
Boston: Just be fore the
front runner to take on Trump
Democratic Presidential candi‑
dature debate in Ohio Tuesday
nig ht, the polls showed
Elizabeth Warren at the top of
the pyramid with 30 percent
while former veep Joe Biden is
a close number 2 with 27 per‑
cent, Bernie Sanders having
fallen off the grid.
Former chief strategist for
Barack Obama and regular TV
pundit, David Axelrod, said on
CNN Monday nig ht that
Warren is a front‑runner, if
not the front‑runner, and is
striving to cement that posi‑
tion. Warren has been trying
Ex‑Trump adviser testified that Bolton
called Giuliani a ʻhand grenadeʼ
Washington: The former US
national security adviser, John
Bolton, was reportedly so
alarmed at a back‑channel effort
to pressure Ukraine to investi‑
gate Donald Trumpʼs political
rivals that he told a senior aide
to report it to White House
lawyers.
T he revelation of Boltonʼs
involvement in the ef fort to
block a shadow foreign policy
aimed at Trumpʼs political bene‑
fit emerged from congressional
testimony given by his former
aide, Fiona Hill, the former top
Russia expert in the White
House.
Hill, the British‑born former
senior director for Europe and
Russia on the National Security
Council, spoke to three House
committees for 10 hours.
According to the New York
Times and the Wall Street
Journal, Hill described a sharp
exchange on 10 July between
Bolton and the US ambassador to
the European Union, Gordon
Sondland, about the role played
by Trumpʼs lawyer, Rudy
Giuliani, to persuade the
Ukrainian government to open
investigations into Democrats,
including former vice president
Joe Biden.
Hill said Bolton instructed her
to tell the National Security
Councilʼs attorney that Giuliani
was acting in concert with White
House chief of staf f, Mick
Mulvaney, in a rogue operation
to distinguish herself from
other candidates as in this
tweet: "My campaign doesn't
take money from federal lob‑
byists or PACs, and I don't
take contributions over $200
from fossil fuel or big pharma
executives. No call time with
rich donors or giving them
special access. And when I'm
the Democratic nominee, that
won't change."
Playing point guard on the
anti‑corruption plank, she
added: "I'll start by ending the
corrupt system of money for
influence. We must pass a con‑
st itut ional amendment to
Rudy Giuliani, former NSA
John Bolton, and ex‑US envoy
to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch.
with legal implications.
“I am not part of whatever
drug deal Rudy and Mulvaney
are cooking up,” Bolton instruct‑
ed Hill to tell the NSC lawyer,
according to her testimony.
She said that Bolton had told
her on an earlier occasion:
“Giulianiʼs a hand grenade whoʼs
going to blow everybody up.”
Hill also testified on Monday
about Trumpʼs decision, taken
despite strenuous objections
from aides including herself, to
recall the US ambassador to
Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch.
The Washington Post reported
that she had confronted
Sondland over the Giulianiʼs
activities, which were not coordi‑
nated with officials charged with
carrying out US foreign policy.
Sondland was due to give his ver‑
sion of events on Thursday.
Hillʼs testimony could signifi‑
cantly add to allegations of
wrongdoing by Trump and Rudy
Giuliani, who headed up the
presidentʼs personal agenda in
Ukraine while working on behalf
of local clients of his own. Trump
US AFFAIRS
overturn the Supreme Court's
disastrous decisions in
Citizens United and Buckley v.
Valeo. But we can and must
also pass new campaign
finance laws to shut down cor‑
ruption."
Registered Republicans IANS
spoke to say that the boss
man (Trump) will pull through
such is his magnetism with
working‑class WASP
Americans. Things are moving
w ith g reat alacrity in the
Washington swamp w ith
Congress returning from a
two‑wee k recess and
Democrats are set to acceler‑
and Giuliani have denied wrong‑
doing. A good deal of Hillʼs testi‑
mony focused on Yovanovitch, a
widely respected diplomat who
worked under six presidents and
who defied the state department
gag order to testify herself last
Friday.
Yovanovitch said she had been
the target of a smear campaign
inside the administration fueled
by Giuliani.
“I do not know Mr Giulianiʼs
motives for attacking me,”
Yovanovitch said in an opening
statement released to the press.
“But individuals who have been
named in the press as contacts of
Mr Giuliani may well have
believed that their personal
financial ambitions were stymied
by our anti‑corruption policy in
Ukraine.”
Two Giuliani business associ‑
ates from the former Soviet
Union, Lev Parnas and Igor
Fruman, were arrested at a
Washington DC‑area airport last
week on suspected campaign
finance violations regarding a
large check they wrote to a polit‑
ical committee supporting
Trump and donations to at least
one Republican congressman,
Pete Sessions of Texas.
On Monday, Giuliani told
Reuters he was paid $500,000
for work he did for a company
co‑founded by Parnas. Giuliani
said he was hired to consult and
provide legal advice to company
Fraud Guaranteeʼs technologies.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ate their impeachment
inquiry. Defense Secretary
Mark Esper, acting director of
Of fice of Management and
Budget Russ Vought and Vice
President Mike Pence face
deadlines on subpoenas
requesting documents.
Trump may be missing a
trick as the pace at which
things are unravelling and
while publicly he retains his
composure, phantoms may be
playing pranks inside the cor‑
ridors of his mind. So he did
what comes naturally to him,
in his ground of tactical war‑
fare, the twitter guerrilla hit
Hunter Biden defends
foreign ventures, admits
ʻmistakeʼ politically
President Trump has raked up Hunter Bidenʼs foreign
deals to weaken Joe Bidenʼs candidacy,
who he viewed as his opponent in 2020.
Washington: As President
Donald Trump continues to
fill his Twitter feed and cam‑
paign speeches with attacks
on Hunter Biden over his for‑
eign business deals, the for‑
mer vice presidentʼs son
defended the ethical implica‑
tions of his private ventures
in an interview with ABC
News, but conceded taking a
misstep in failing to foresee
the political implications on
his fatherʼs career.
“In retrospect, was it poor
judgment to be in the middle
of something that is...a
swamp in̶in̶in many
ways? Yeah.”
"I gave a hook to some very
unethical people to act in ille‑
gal ways to try to do some
harm to my father. That's
where I made the mistake,"
back throug h a series of
tweets.
"Hunter Biden was really
bad on @GMA. Now Sleepy Joe
has real problems! Reminds
me of Crooked Hillary and her
33,000 deleted Emails, not
recoverable! ... Democrats are
allowing no transparency at
the Witch Hunt hearings. If
Republicans ever did this they
would be excoriated by the
Fake News. Let the facts come
out from the charade of peo‑
ple, most of whom I do not
know, they are interviewing
for 9 hours each, not selective
leaks."
he said. "So I take full respon‑
sibility for that. Did I do any‑
thing improper? No, not in
any way."
Itʼs his first broadcast inter‑
view since attracting the
attent ion of Trump, who
posed this question to his 66
million Twitter followers last
week: "WHEREʼS HUNTER?"
"I'm here. I'm here and I'm
working and I'm living my
life," Hunter Biden retorted
from his Los Angeles home.
"Hiding in plain sig ht, I
guess."
"Did I make a mistake?
Well, maybe in the grand
scheme of things, yeah," he
said, again referring to fall‑
out from his overseas busi‑
ness. "But did I make a mis‑
take based upon some ethical
lapse? Absolutely not."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Going by final Democratic debate, House votes 354-60 to condemn
Trump will be difficult to defeat Trump’s Syria mis-step
Washington: Maybe after
Tuesday nightʼs debate in Ohio
it will have finally sunk in that
Democrats are going to have a
very, very, very hard time win‑
ning the presidency next year,
comments an opinion writer in
Washington Examiner.
W e w a t ch ed S e n . K a m a l a
Harris drone on about how the
president of the United States
should be “taken down” from
Twitter while she tried to score
a point with Sen. Elizabeth
Warren. Warren, the frontrun‑
ner, wouldnʼt admit that her
ʻ m ed i c a r e f o r a l l ʼ p r o p o s a l
would absolutely require a tax
increase on middle‑income
households.
South Bend, Indiana Mayor
Pete Buttigieg dismissed every
single Democrat proposal on
gun control, but then he of fered
his own unique one: “We have to
just get something done.”
Joe Biden pretended his son
Hunterʼs business dealings in
Ukraine, which just happened to
coincide with his own political
engagement there, is nothing,
even though Hunter had said
The top three Democratic candidates
on the Ohio debate stage.
the same day that it was done
with “poor judgement.”
Continues the opinion writer,
“If I were head of the DNC I
would be absolutely soiling my
pants. The party is rudderless,
and the first contest of the pri‑
mary is just four months away.
Demo crats are no better of f
to day than they were in the
2016 election, but they might
take some comfort in knowing
that the shoe was once on the
other foot.
“This same show played out in
US AFFAIRS October 19-25, 2019
Washington: The House on
Wednesday voted overwhelming‑
ly to condemn President Donald
Trump's withdrawal of American
forces from northern Syria.
Despite stark divisions over
Democrats' Trump impeachment
inquiry, Democrats and
Republicans banded together and
approved a nonbinding resolution
by 354‑60 vote.
The resolution states Congress'
opposition to the troop pullback
and says Turkey should cease its
military action in Syria. And the
measure says the White House
should present a plan for an
"enduring defeat" of the Islamic
2012, when Republicans were
State group. Republicans called
certain that beating President
the troop withdrawal "disastrous"
Obama would be a breeze. That
and a "catastrophe.
was delusional thinking then
Among senators, Lindsey
and itʼs delusional to think it
Graham, one of Trump's closest
about President Trump now.
allies, said Trump's decision will
“Trump may have shaken the
allow IS to reemerge and added
conventional wisdom on poli‑
that the president will "be held
tics, but some things really will
accountable."
never change.
Graham said Trump's decision
Incumbency counts for a lot.
"is against all sound military
That's bad news for Democrats,
advice" and that he hopes Trump
but hopefully theyʼre seeing
"will reconsider, stop the blood‑
things a little more clearly after
shed and reset the table before it's
last night.”
11
too late."
GOP Leader Mitch McConnell
called the U.S.‑Kurd partnership "a
terrific alliance" that set the
Islamic State group back and said
he is "sorry we are where we are."
For his part, Trump said U.S.
troops are "largely out" of a
region of Syria where Turkish
forces are attacking Kurdish fight‑
ers.
As he met with the Italian presi‑
dent yesterday, Trump claimed
the Kurds were “not angels”.
“If Turkey goes into Syria, it is
between Turkey and Syria. Itʼs not
our problem,” he said.
“The Kurds are much safer
right now, but the Kurds know
how to fight, and as I said . . . We
paid a lot of money for them to
fight with us, and thatʼs okay,” he
said.
He also denied that his decision
had paved the way for the Turkish
invasion that has displaced hun‑
dreds of thousands of people,
killed soldiers and civilians, and
prompted fears of a resurgent
Islamic State, also known as Isis.
“He was never given a green
light,” he said of Mr Erdogan.
 12 October 19-25, 2019
SC reserves verdict in
Ayodhya title dispute
New Delhi: After 40 days of hear‑
ing, the Supreme Court on
Wednesday reserved the judgment
in the 70‑year‑old politically vex‑
ing Ayodhya title dispute.
A five‑judge bench headed by
Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi began
the daily hearing into the matter
on August 6 after the court‑
appointed mediation panel, headed
by a former apex court judge,
failed to amicably resolve the mat‑
ter.
"Hearing is over, and the judge‑
ment is reserved," said Chie f
Justice Gogoi, who is expected to
deliver the judgement before his
retirement on November 17.
The bench also comprises Justice
S.A. Bobde, Justice Ashok Bhushan,
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, and
Justice S.A. Nazeer.
The last day of hearing, where
every of the courtroom was
packed, saw extremely heated
exchanges between the Hindu and
Muslim side. Dhavan, in fact,
shocked the court by tearing a pic‑
torial map identifying the birth‑
place of Lord Ram submitted by a
senior counsel representing the All
India Hindu Mahasabha. This act
did not go down well with the
bench, and the Chie f Just ice
expressed his anguish.
In the first half of the day, Hindu
parties argued and urged the court
to correct the historical wrong
where a mosque has been built on
a site considered holy by Hindus.
In turn, Dhavan said that the
Muslim parties seek restoration of
Babri Masjid as it stoo d on
Kartarpur Corridor to be ready by October 31
Dera Baba Nanak (Punjab): The
work on the much‑anticipated
Kartarpur Corridor for Indian pil‑
grims to visit the revered Sikh
shrine across the border in
Pakistan is expected to be complet‑
ed by the end of this month and
online registration for the pilgrim‑
age will begin from Sunday.
Land Ports Authority of India
(LPAI) Chairman Govind Mohan
confirmed the completion of work
to IANS from ground zero of the
construction site at Dera Baba
Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur dis‑
trict. Construction of the 4.2 km‑
long corridor will be completed by
October 31, a week before the cel‑
ebrations to mark the 550th birth
anniversary of Sikhism founder
Guru Nanak Dev, he said.
The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in
Narowal district of Pakistan's
Punjab province, located 4.5 km
from the border near Dera Baba
Nanak, is highly revered among
Mahant Ram Das of Nirmohi Akhara with Muslim litigants in the
Ram Janmabhoomi‑Babri Masjid dispute, outside Supreme Court
in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
December 5, 1992. "The demol‑
ished building belonged to us. The
right to reconstruct it also belongs
to us. Nobody else has the right,"
he submitted.
He even used unfavorable lan‑
guage against a lawyer for the
Hindu side, who had argued on the
Islamic law, and referred that the
Babri Masjid was not an Islamic
structure.
"The Sultanate began only in
1206. Islam is an extremely attrac‑
tive faith for people living in a
caste‑ridden society," Dhavan sub‑
mitted before the bench.
The court now has asked counsel
from both sides to submit their
written submissions on the mould‑
ing of relief in the matter.
According to sources, the judges
are likely to discuss the report sub‑
mitted by the court‑appointed
The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan's
Punjab province is located 4.5 km from the border
near Dera Baba Nanak.
Sikhs as it was the place where
Guru Nanak spent 18 years of his
life and is his final resting place.
Mohan said that pilgrims can
apply online from October 20 for
visiting the historic gurdwara
INDIA NEWS
mediation panel headed by former
apex court judge, F.M.I. Kalifullah
and comprising ace mediator
Sriram Panchu and spiritual leader
Sri Sri Ravishankar.
Sources said that it is apparent
that the panel has reached some
kind of settlement among Hindu
and Muslim parties in litigation on
the Ayodhya land dispute.
Counse l for the Ram Lalla
Virajman had, however, submitted
in the apex court that they have
pulled out of mediat ion, and
instead seek a judgment on the
matter.
The court had initiated daily
hearing in the matter on August 6,
after the mediation to amicably
resolve the issue failed. T he
Supreme Court has ordered to
maintain confidentiality in the con‑
tents of the mediation report.
throug h a we bsite that was
launched recently.
"We are expected to sign a
Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between India and Pakistan
before October 20. From October
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
1,169 candidates in fray
for 90 seats in Haryana
New Delhi: Some 1,169 candidates
are in the fray for the 90 seats in
the Haryana Assembly elections
scheduled for October 21.
The main contest is between the
Congress and the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP), which has set a target
of winning 75 seats for itself rid‑
ing on the hype of the abrogation
of Article 370 and the National
Citizens Register (NRC).
The Congress is focusing on
issues like the economic slow‑
down, rising unemployment and
farmers distress in its campaign.
While Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi has so far addressed a
rally in Nuh. Another one is sched‑
uled to be addressed by the party's
interim chief Sonia Gandhi on
Friday. The Chautala clan‑led
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) as
well as its offshoot Dushyant
Chautala's Jannayak Janta Party
(JJP) are also trying to make a
dent in the votes of the two par‑
ties. Some seats are likely to have
a triangular contest.
Gold medallist and candidate Babita Phogat during an election
speech in Haryana. (Photo: IANS)
20, pilgrims can register at online
portal," said Mohan, who is also an
Additional Secretary in Ministry of
Home Affairs.
A passport is a must for devotees
from India visiting Kartarpur Sahib
Gurdwara to pay obeisance, he
added.
To a query, the officer clarified
that visa will not be required but
the visitors need to get themselves
registered online at least a month
ahead of their visit.
The corridor is expected to be
inaugurated on November 8 and
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder
Singh is to lead an all‑party delega‑
tion across the border to Kartarpur
Sahib on the opening day of the
Kartarpur Corridor on November
9. The delegation that will accom‑
pany the Chief Minister to the his‑
toric gurdwara would comprise all
the 117 state legislators, Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from
Punjab, Shiromani Gurudwara
While the BJP and the Congress
are contesting on all 90 seats, the
BSP is in fray on 87 seats, and the
INLD is contesting on 81 seats.
There are some 375 candidates
contesting as Independents.
According to the Election
Commission (EC) data, of the total
1,169 candidates in the fray,
1,064 are men and 104 are
women. One candidate is a
Transgender. Hansi has a maxi‑
mum of 25 candidates in the run‑
ning, while Ambala Cantt and
Shahbad have just six.
Narnaul is the smallest con‑
stituency in terms of voters, with
just 1,44,066 electorate, while
Badshahpur is the largest, with
3,96,281 voters.
While one constituency has less
then 1.5 lakh voters, some 47 con‑
stituencies have between 1.5 lakh
to 2 lakh voters and 42 con‑
stituencies have more than 2 lakh
votes. The state has 19,578
polling stations, which will use
27,611 VVPATs.
Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)
members, as well as members of
the Sant Samaj and representatives
of each recognised political party
in the state.
Thereafter, the LPAI chief said,
5,000 pilgrims will be able to visit
the gurdwara every day and their
visit would be completed in same
day.
Over Pakistan seeking $20 serv‑
ice charge from each visitor using
the Kartarpur Corridor, Mohan
said a Joint Secretary level officer
from the Ministry of Home Affairs
are in the talks with Pakistani
counterparts to resolve the issue.
Both India and Pakistan have
already agreed on visa‑free travel
for 5,000 Indian pilgrims daily
throug hout the year, w ithout
restrictions, based on their faith.
Persons of Indian origin holding
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
cards too can visit Gurdwara
Kartarpur Sahib using the corridor.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA NEWS October 19-25, 2019 13

ED arrests Chidambaram Have no links with any

in INX media case
New Delhi: T he Enforcement
Directorate (ED) on Wednesday
arrested former Finance minister P.
Chidambaram after questioning him
for two hours in Tihar jail.
Chidambaram has been in judicial
custody since August 21 for his
alleged involvement in irregularities
in granting of Foreign Investment
Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to
INX Media during his term as
Finance minister.
According to the ED officials, he
has been arrested under sections of
the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act (PMLA) and will be
produced before the court later in
the day.
Of ficials said that the ED will
demand Congress leader's custodial
interrogation to confront him with
the evidences gathered in the case
so far.
They said he will be asked ques‑
tions related to kickbacks received
by shell companies allegedly floated
by his son Karti Chidambaram.
The ED has earlier informed the
P. Chidambaram at Rouse Avenue court
complex in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
court that it had identified about
two dozen foreign bank accounts,
which were used to park kickbacks
received from illegal favors granted
by the former minister.
The of ficials said the financial
probe agency was in possession of
several email exchanges indicating
communication between front com‑
panies where both senior and junior
mafia, says Praful Patel
Mumbai: Senior NCP leader and moning Patel on October 18 to
former Union Minister Praful probe a possible money‑launder‑
Patel has dismissed charges of ing angle to the deal.
alleged links with However, Pate l
the mafia as "mere denied that he had
speculation" by sec‑ received any com‑
tions of the media. municat ion from
He said that docu‑ the ED so far.
ments claiming the Mirchi was a
purported scam close associate of
may have been the absconding
"leaked" to media. mafia don Dawood
"It's obvious you Ibrahim Kaskar,
are in possession of currently holed up
some papers, which in Pakistan, accord‑
have never been ing to his brother's
Senior NCP leader
brought to my atten‑ Praful Patel. statement to Thane
t ion," Pate l told police last year.
media persons at packed briefing ED of ficials have contended
here. that Patel's company Millennium
Chidambaram were the beneficiary
As per some reports, Hajera Developers Pvt Ltd constructed a
owners. They also said the Congress
Memon ‑ the w idow of drug building called Ceejay House in
leader will be confronted with the
mafioso Iqbal Mirchi, who died in 2006‑07.
statements given by at least 13 wit‑
2013 ‑ had allegedly entered into Patel emphatically said that his
nesses, including his private secre‑
a property transaction with the family firm owns the building
tary, in the case.
Patel family. and there are no other partners
Chidambaram was arrested by the
After the alleged scam broke and the property was bought
Central Bureau of Investigation
out, the Enforcement Directorate from a royal family around 55
(CBI) in INX media case on August
(ED) entered the picture by sum‑ years ago.
21 after 24‑hour long drama.

India's overall growth Royalty, stars, dynasts,

'very strong': IMF
United Nations: Although India's
economic growth rate has been
cut to 6.1 per cent for the cur‑
rent fiscal year, it still remains
"very strong" by global stan‑
dards, International Monetary
Fund's (IMF) Deputy Research
Director Gian Maria Milesi‑
Ferreti said on Tuesday.
He and IMF Chief Economist
Gita Gopinath made optimistic
projections for India's economy
to pick up next year while
addressing a news conference
for the re lease of the IMF's
World Economic Outlook (WEO)
report in Washington.
According to the report, India
and China with their projected
growth rate of 6.1 percent for
the current year share the top
rank among major economies.
India's "overall growth remains
very strong by the standards of
the world economy even though
it is lower than the very high
standards to which we were
accustomed to in looking at
India," Milesi‑Ferreti said, adding
that that a "growth rate above
six per cent is still notable and
extremely important in a coun‑
try that has such a large popula‑
tion".
This growth rate is in contrast
to the global economy which,
Gopinath said, is "in a synchro‑
nized slowdown, with growth for
Gita Gopinath, International
Monetary Fund (IMF)
chief economist.
(File photo: Xinhua/IANS)
2019 downgraded again ‑ to 3
percent ‑ its slowest pace since
the global financial crisis".
The IMF has forecast "a fur‑
ther pick up next year" for
India's economy helped by tax
cuts on the corporate sector, he
said.
"In our projections, we have
that India would recover to
seven per cent growth in 2020,"
Gopinath said.
T he WEO has cut India's
growth rate by 0.9 per cent to
6.1 percent from the 7 per cent
made in July and by 1.2 percent
from the 7.3 per cent in April.
IMF's projected growth rate of
6.1 per cent for 2019‑20 is con‑
sistent with the Indian Monetary
Policy Committee's forecast.
scribe enliven Maha election
Mumbai: Besides the ordinary
street‑smart professional politi‑
cians, there are several others who
have taken the political plunge for
the October 21 Maharashtra
Assembly elections.
T hey include royalty, like
descendents of Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj, a descendent of
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a
mafia don's daughter, some film
stars ‑‑ and even a scribe desirous
of creating headlines.
*Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, a
descendent of the Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj clan, who recently
quit the Nationalist Congress Party
to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata
Party, has been nominated from
the prestigious Satara constituen‑
cy. A three‑time MLA, Bhosale's
father Abhaysinhraje Bhosale had
also represented the seat once on a
Janata Party ticket, four times as a
Congress candidate and once as a
NCP nominee.
*The BJP has nominated its high‑
profile Pune Mayor Mukta Tilak ‑‑
the wife of Shailesh Tilak ‑‑ who is
the great‑grandson of the freedom
fighter, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar
Tilak.
She is locking horns with the
Congress' Arvind Shinde for the
Kasbapeth seat in the city, which is
referred to as the state's cultural,
academic and IT capital.
*Well‑known Marathi actress
Deepali Jehang ir Sayyad and
Campaign materials being sold
at a shop ahead of
Maharashtra Assembly elec‑
tions in Mumbai. (Photo: IANS)
Kurla‑born ʻMumbai‑chi Mulgi' has
been given a Shiv Sena ticket to
challenge NCP's former minister
and Nat ional Spokesperson
Jitendra Awhad from the Mumbra‑
Kalwa seat.
Sayyad had earlier contested the
2014 Lok Sabha elections unsuc‑
cessfully from Ahmednagar as an
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominee
and has now walked over to the
Sena.
*Another controversial actor
Ajaz Khan of Bigg Boss fame is
contesting the Byculla seat as an
independent, challeng ing two
mega‑rivals ‑ All India Majlis‑e‑
Ittehadul Muslimeen's sitting MLA
Waris Pathan and also Akhil
Bharatiya Sena's Geeta Gawli.
Incidentally, a BMC corporator,
Geeta Gawli is the eldest daughter
of the once‑dreaded mafia don
Arun G. Gawli, a former MLA who
is now incarcerated for life in
Nagpur Central Jail.
*Abhijee Bichukale, the Marathi
Bigg Boss contestant, who shot to
headlines when the Satara Police
stormed into the house set and
dragged him away kicking and
screaming, for a check‑bouncing
case in which he was absconding.
Hoping to cash in on his glamour
persona, Bichukale is an independ‑
ent challenging the might of none
other than Shiv Sena scion Aditya
Thackeray in Worli seat in what
appears to be a contest heavily tilt‑
ed in favor of the latter.
*Another important contest is
taking place in Goregaon (Mumbai
Suburban District) between BJP
Minister Vidya Thakur and jour‑
nalist‑turned‑politician Yuvraj
Mohite, nominated by the
Congress.
It was way back in 1993 when ‑
as a rookie reporter ‑ he had
reportedly overheard the late Shiv
Sena patriarch allegedly ordering
his supporters to attack minorities
in the aftermath of the demolition
of the Babri Mosque on December
6, 1992.
A total of 3,239 candidates are in
the ring for the 288 assembly
seats with a multitude of parties in
the fray, though the main contests
shall be between the ruling BJP‑
Sena and Opposition Congress‑
NCP combines.
 14 October 19-25, 2019
By Saeed Naqvi
When Dore Gold, one of the most
powerful voices in Israel's strategic
community, raises his hands, sky‑
wards, and exclaims, "Today I feel
as vulnerable as the Kurds", who
have been abandoned by Donald
Trump, one fact can be cast in
stone: West Asia has changed.
A panic war cannot be ruled out.
But war with whom? Situated in a
comparable circumstance, Saudi
Crown Prince, Mohammad bin
Salman, on his knees in Yemen and
the Aramco compound, is flourish‑
ing the flag of peace at Tehran. But
then who hit the Iranian tanker
outside Jeddah? These regional
conflicts will not tamely wind
down; they will zig‑zag their way
out. It must be clear as daylight to
New Delhi that Trump's withdraw‑
al from West Asia is synchronizing
with his "pivot to Asia", which
means expanded conflict with
China. Western media's dedicated
coverage of the disturbances in
Hong Kong, human rig hts in
Xinxiang, all signal a long‑term
Sino‑US standoff.
Since the days of Manmohan
Singh as Prime Minister, India has
been active in the "Quard" with
Japan, Australia and the US.
Ambiguities in the international
system made it possible to play
both the options ‑ quard and bilat‑
India-China equation after Mamallapuram bonhomie
By DC Pathak
T
he most important take‑
away from the informal
summit between Prime
Minister Modi and President Xi
Jinping at Mamallapuram, former‑
ly Mahabalipuram ‑‑ the second
since Wuhan that happened in
April 2018 ‑‑ is that the two
biggest nations with a deep civi‑
lizational legacy could successfully
explore the areas of detente and
cooperation independently of the
third party influences.
The scale of welcome accorded
to the Chinese President reflected
the cultural content of Indian hos‑
pitality that would not go unno‑
ticed in terms of the message of
willingness to work for mutually
beneficial relationship that it put
out for the visiting dignitary.
What Wuhan had registered was
an explicit sharing of this thought
in spite of the Doklam episode and
at the end of a year since, the
notable outcome for India‑China
relations is that, notwithstanding
the adverse impact of Sino‑Pak
alliance on them, the two coun‑
tries can retrieve the positives that
were still out there.
In a nutshell, the two summits
acknowledge that India and China
were not 'adversaries' but two
large economic powers open to a
Syria withdrawal: Trump sets
cats among flocks of pigeons
It must be clear as daylight to New Delhi that Trump's withdrawal from
West Asia is synchronizing with his "pivot to Asia".
eral relations with Beijing. But
Trump is likely to be more jealous
as US‑China tensions rise? New
Delhi will have to toss up a coin
with the same image on both sides.
China has taken cognizance of the fact that in the Narendra Modi
regime, India is now a major voice in the world community.
healthy competition in a multi‑
polar world.
The big picture is that China
could no more afford to take India
for granted, that international
relations today primarily weighed
in for peace and development and
that 'checks and balances' were
now recognized as a legitimate
instrument for preventing 'mili‑
tary' conflicts in the post‑ Cold
War era.
The demeanor of President Xi at
the cultural reception organized
for him suggested that he was pre‑
occupied with the thought of deal‑
ing with what was substantive in
India‑China relationship for him,
at a time when his country had
challenges on multiple fronts.
China needs time to build itself as
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
Trump has been characteristical‑
ly blunt. "The United States has
spent $8 trillion fighting in and
policing the Middle East (West
Asia). Thousands of our great sol‑
the second super power through
the economic route ‑ even as it
continues to simultaneously con‑
solidate its military power to reach
parity with the US in that sphere.
Speed breakers that the Trump
Presidency has created for the
unfettered advantage accruing to
China in its trade with US in the
past would lead President Xi
Jinping to an ef fort to retrieve
whatever trade benefit it could
continue getting from the Indian
market. A trade deficit of over $52
billion confronting India in rela‑
tion to China should get Xi to real‑
ize that things would not be the
same again and that a pragmatic
approach to India‑China trade
relations alone could serve the
interests of the two countries.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
diers have died or been badly
wounded. Millions of people have
died on the other side."
"Going into the Middle East is the
worst decision ever made in the
Prime Minister Modi is adept at
showing the pathway to shared
progress to President Jinping in
this area ‑‑ he now knows Xi per‑
sonally enoug h to make this
process smooth. The outcome of
the summit would be keenly await‑
ed.
As far as the perennial issues
around the LAC are concerned,
Doklam tested India's political will
not to tolerate any border
encroachment or alteration of the
exist ing dividers. China has
brought in PLA to directly oversee
the LAC and India has responded
by pushing the army closer to the
borders with China but both sides
seemed to be in favour of main‑
taining peace and promoting con‑
fidence building measures there.
Sino‑Pak military alliance is a
regional leverage that China no
doubt thinks it can invoke against
India but it is apparently more
about the CPEC opening up new
ways for China's economic expan‑
sion‑ including an outlet into the
Arabian Sea.
On the issue of terrorism China
knows it cannot uphold Pakistan
beyond a point ‑‑ its response on
Kashmir after the abrogation by
India of Articles 370 and 35A has
essentially been to advocate bilat‑
eral talks on the issue between
India and Pakistan ‑‑ this is a low
history of our country. We went to
war under a false and now dis‑
proven premise: weapons of mass
destruction. There were none."
This is Trump's rationale for "slow‑
ly and carefully bringing our great
soldiers and military home". He
says his focus is on the Big Picture.
"USA is now greater than ever
before." That is his line for the
2020 elections.
Pundits like New York Times,
Thomas Friedman, see West Asia
exposed to a different kind of dan‑
ger as a result of US withdrawal.
Ever since the Iraq‑Syria border
was opened, the Iranians have an
easy land bridge from Tehran, Iraq,
Syria to Lebanon. Friedman's anxi‑
ety is that this "tightening of the
noose around Israel" will now go
unchecked because that was one of
the roles the US played in the
region. "This brings the Iran‑Israel
shadow war into the open."
By the act of pulling out, Trump
has set several cats among several
flocks of pigeons all over the place.
cost instrument for China to keep
Pakistan humored. China would
have sensed that conversion of
Ladakh into a Union Territory
gave the Centre here a more direct
control on this sensitive territory
on the Chinese border.
Moreover, the fear of radicaliza‑
tion of its Muslim minority has
come alive for the Chinese leader‑
ship ‑ its historical memory of how
in the Cold War era Pakistan
helped the US‑led West to encour‑
age Islamic militancy in Xinjiang
and Uzbe kistan bordering
Afghanistan would not have been
completely erased.
China has taken cognizance of
the fact that in the Modi regime
India is now a major voice in the
world community on matters of
global security and economic rela‑
tions and that Prime Minister
Modi would not be found wanting
in responding to any positive over‑
tures from Xi Jinping.
It is clear that Xi Jinping did not
get involved with Kashmir ‑ one
would like to believe that the
Indian delegation, while broaching
the subject of terrorism, succeed‑
ed in waking up the Chinese to the
reality that this new faith‑based
g lobal terror invoking Jehad,
which was emanat ing from
Pakistan, was dangerous for both
India and China in the long run.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIPLOMACY October 19-25, 2019 15

PM Modi turns tourist

guide, takes President Xi
around Mahabalipuram
N
ot many heads of state are fortunate enough to have another
countryʼs prime minister as their tourist guide! But Chinese
President Xi Jinping was last Friday. As guide, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi explained to him the architecture and significance of the
three important rock‑cut monuments in the famed sculpture town of
Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 60 km from Chennai.
For the tour, Modi sported the traditional Tamil attire of 'veshti' (white
dhoti), half‑sleeve shirt and angavastram over his shoulder.

PM Modi and President Xi

at the Pancha Rathas complex
in Mamallapuram,
Tamil Nadu.

PM Modi gifted a large silk scarf

embossed with President Xi's
image to him on the second day
of the two day informal summit.
Modi took Xi inside the rock‑cut Arjuna's Penance temple and then
the two leaders posed for pictures outside Arjuna's Penance
sculpture, which has various images carved on the huge rock. Photos: PIB
 16 October 19-25, 2019
'The Sky Is Pink': Development Hell: The
Sensitive but soppy buzzkill of the movies
By Vinayak Chakravorty
W
ithin the gamut of Bollywood main‑
stream, "The Sky Is Pink" registers
itself as one of the more sensitive
attempts released this year. Much of that quali‑
ty owes itself to an overwhelming true story
on which the screenplay is based.
The story is narrated through the voice of
Aisha Chaudhary (Zaira Wasim) who, we
understand right at the start, is dead. Aisha's
narrative introduces us to her mother Aditi
(Priyanka), who the girl lovingly calls Moose,
and her father Niren (Farhan Akhtar), who is
Panda to her. Aisha has an older brother
Ishaan (Rohit Saraf), dubbed Giraffe for his
lanky frame. We also learn Aditi and Niren had
another daughter before Aisha, who passed
away as a newborn.
"The Sky Is Pink" tries to capture the agony
of a couple coping with the grave, incurable
malady their daughter is afflicted with, which
will draw her to inevitable doom.
There is a sense of inevitability about the
story, given its theme. And if this is overall a
tale of despair, director Shonali
Bose struggles to find ways to
alter that mood as the narrative
REVIEW
flows. Most of the film, however, uses the
largely flashback‑driven storyline to generate
schmaltz. Too much of overdone melodrama
plays out over a runtime that seems too long at
nearly two and half hours.
The film scores on two counts, primarily.
Despite being a maudlin shot at storytelling, it
is never loses focus from what it intends to do
to its target audience. "The Sky Is Pink" is cred‑
'Joker' opens well in India,
earns 29cr in opening weekend
J
oaquin Phoenix has impressed fans in
India with his starring role as "Joker".
The film has opened well in this market,
collecting Rs 29 crore (gross) over its opening
weekend despite releasing on October 2 along‑
side Bollywood biggie "War".
"Joker" tells the story of the popular DC
supervillain of the same name. The film traces
the protagonist's early life as Arthur Fleck
(essayed by Phoenix), who is an aspiring stand‑
up comedian struggling to make ends meet
and constantly derided by society. The film,
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
Actors Farhan Akhtar and
Priyanka Chopra in a still from the film.
ibly written and executed to that effect.
The second aspect is the cast. The acting is
overall impressive. Priyanka Chopra's alpha
mom act is far from perfect but, oscillating
between vulnerable and resilient,
she is effective in the way she
plays Aditi. Strangely, for a story
that allots big space to their romance,
Aditi's chemistry with Niren isn't as engaging
as you would expect it to be. Also, in a story
that unfolds through well over two decades,
neither Aditi nor Niren seem to age convinc‑
ingly. While on Farhan, he essays yet another
trademark, understated performance. He
seems more at home than Priyanka in imbib‑
ing the various phases of his protagonist's
character.
released in India by Warner Bros. Pictures,
narrates how circumstances push Fleck into
the path of crime after he fails to find his way
in Gotham's fractured society.
Directed by Todd Phillips, "Joker" has
become the second biggest opening weekend
of all time for an IMAX release after "Avengers:
Endgame". It is also the biggest opening week‑
end of 2019 for a Warner Bros. film, beating
"Annabelle Comes Home", which released in
India in June and made around Rs 16.82 crore
in its opening weekend.
ʻJokerʼ tells
the story of
popular DC
supervillain
of the same
name.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Sugandha Rawal
M
ost people who have seen Will
Smith's new sci‑fi action thriller,
"Gemini Man", have pointed out
how dated the film seems, in content and
form. The fact may not be a coincidence.
"Gemini Man" is actually a dated film ‑ at
least the film's concept is. It has taken 22
years for the script to be realized and
released as a feature film, since the project Filmmaker Ang Lee (L) directing actor
Will Smith in ʻGemini Manʼ.
was first mooted in 1997.
Hollywood has a fancy term for such that were not released with intended cast
occupational hazard. They call it or crew. K. Asif's "Mughal‑e‑Azam" was
Development Hell. Put simply, it refers to originally planned with Nargis and Sapru
some sort of production limbo that a when the film was launched in the late
movie gets stuck in, often resulting the 1940s. The historical epic finally released
project being transferred from one set of in 1960 with Dilip Kumar, Madhubala and
cast and crew to another. Projects in Prithviraj Kapoor as its lead cast.
development hell are never officially Kamal Amrohi's "Pakeezah", the Raaj
shelved. It's just that the production stops, Kumar‑starrer "Ulfat", Shoojit Sircar's
at times for years. "Shoebite" starring Amitabh Bachchan,
"Gemini Man" does not stand alone in Mukul S. Anand's Dus starring Salman
development hell, there are numerous Khan and Sanjay Dutt, and the Karan
other instances. Ezra Miller's much‑hyped Johar‑produced "Shuddhi" have been
standalone "The Flash" movie or Taika Bollywood projects that have fallen in
Waititi's live‑action "Akira" are random development hell over the ages.
recalls.
Jog back your memory in time, and you
"Every film has its own story and its own
history. We cannot generalize the rea‑
can think of "Gremlins 3", Keanu Reeves sons," trade analyst Amod Mehra told
and Alex Winter's "Bill and Ted 3", IANS.
Channing Tatum's "Gambit” as examples of In Bollywood, stars dropping out, direc‑
projects that got caught in the hollow spi‑ tors having creative differences with pro‑
ral of development hell. ducers, financial issues or trouble in final‑
There are examples in Bollywood, too. izing scripts are among the reasons that
Remember the sequel of Salman Khan's hit lead to films getting stuck. While
"No Entry", which we have been hearing Hollywood, which is known for its more
about for years now? Or, Akshay Kumar's professional and organized approach, is
comic caper "Hera Pheri 3", or the third still trying to find a way out development
installment of Sanjay Dutt's "Munna Bhai" hell, things are slightly better in
series? There are many films in Bollywood Bollywood right now.
Why Nawazuddin said
yes to 'Motichoor
Chaknachoor'
A
ctor
Nawazuddin
Siddiqui said
yes to "Motichoor
Chaknachoor" because
he was attracted to his
character in the film,
the "oddly straight and
unintentionally funny"
Pushpinder.
"Motichoor
Chaknachoor" is about
a young NRI husband‑
obsessed bride and a
Featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Athiya Shetty,
desperate groom.
the film is a small‑town romcom.
"When I read this
the first time and working with Athiya
script, the oddly, straight laced and
unintentionally funny Pushpinder (my Shetty, who essays the role of NRI hus‑
character), really stood out," band seeking Annie so beautifully," he
Nawazuddin said. added. Athiya will be seen essaying role
"His desperation to get married drives of Anita, an educated girl who is look‑
him a little crazy forcing him down ing for a green card holder groom.
some insane alleys of life. I had a great The film will release on November
time playing a character like him for 15.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD October 19-25, 2019 17

Stardom: The North‑ Want India to fit more in our strategy:

South Barrier Pixar president Jim Morris
P
By Vinod Mirani ixar Animation Studios
president Jim Morris

T
he Indian film industry may be the
biggest in the world and the South
film industry, combined in itself, out‑
numbers the Hindi films produced. The
South has four main languages in which the
films are made: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam
and Kannada. While, all South actors are
content ruling the roost locally, crossing
the regional language barriers only on rare
occasions, they have aspirations and ambi‑
tions to make it to Hindi films. That would
mean universal acceptance which the Hindi
film medium offers.
Similar is the case when it comes to
female artistes. While in most cases, it was
the Hindi film producer who sought out a
South Indian female star, in the case of
male actors, their Hindi foray came through
some or the other South Indian filmmaker
making a Hindi film.
Take the example of Kamal Haasan. He
was brought to Hindi films by the legendary
filmmaker, LV Prasad with "Ek Duuje Ke
Liye". Similarly, Rajinikant made his Hindi
debut with another South producer, A.
Poornachndra Rao with "Andha Kanoon"
along with Amitabh Bachchan. The idea was
to cast best of both the worlds, North and
South. Dr D. Rama Naidu, a prolific filmmak‑
er from Telugu Industry, started off his
Hindi filmmaking in a joint venture with
South banner Vijaya Productions with
"Prem Nagar", starring superstar Rajesh
Khanna with Hema Malini.
Naiduʼs son Venkatesh was launched
opposite Karisma Kapoor in "Anari", which
was a hit. Next, Dr Naidu wanted to launch
his grandson, Rana Daggubati. Rana's debut
came with "Dum Maaro Dum" in 2011,
where he did not lead the cast and the film
went generally unnoticed. However, he
played an important though a negative role
South superstars Rajinikanth and Sridevi
in a still from ʻChaalbaazʼ.
in "Baahubali" which has brought him back
in the limelight.
Another South actor ready to be launched
was Nagarjuna, also from a renowned South
film family of A Nageshwar Rao. Ram Gopal
Varma launched him in Hindi with "Shiva".
But he could not go far in the Hindi cinema.
The one‑film wonder with the South stars
continues as we have seen actors like
Kamal Haasan, Rajnikant, Chiranjeevi, to
the present day aspirants like Siddharth,
Dhanush, Suriya and others. They come and
go. Madhvan is the only South star who
continues to get assignments though not as
a solo hero. While the other South heroes
could not make a mark on the Hindi
screens, the one who survived for the
longest time was Rajanikant. This is
because Rajanikant did most of his films
with established Hindi film heroes.
But when it comes to heroines, the South
films sourced many. The female artistes
who made it big in the Hindi film industry
include Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayantimala,
Padmini, Kalpana, Hema Malini, Rekha,
Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Meenakshi Seshadri,
B
among others.
has grown up watching
Indian iconic filmmaker
Satyajit Ray's cinema, is famil‑
iar with the thriving movie‑lov‑
ing culture of the country, and
believes there is more scope for
growth for the global anima‑
tion studio in India.
When it comes to animation
and using technology to tell
stories, Pixar has been at the
forefront. The studio came out
with the world's first computer‑
generated (CG) feature film
"Toy Story" in 1995, and has
attained the position of the
Pixar Animation Studios president
most celebrated animation Jim Morris (Photo: RTE).
house in the world.
Apart from the "Toy Story" franchise, huge number of them, I mean, there's a
films such as "A Bug's Life", "Monsters, lot of volume of them." Looking back,
Inc.", "Finding Nemo", "The Incredibles", Morris continued: "I grew up watching
"WALL'E", "Ratatouille", "Cars", "Up", Ray's films and some of the other classic
"Inside Out", "Brave", "Finding Dory" and Indian filmmakers, which aren't necessar‑
"Coco" add to its legacy. The films have ily the popular filmmakers there. But I
travelled well in India as well. would love any suggestions about how
How does the Indian market fit in the we might penetrate that market more
Pixar strategy? fully, because that is a huge a market we
"I'd like it to fit more in the Pixar strate‑ could grow in."
gy," Morris told IANS, adding: "I think our Morris began working at Pixar in 2005,
films have not traditionally landed with a and supervised projects like "Ratatouille",
broad audience in India. And I probably "Up", "Toy Story 3", "Cars 2", "Brave",
don't know all the reasons for that. I "Monsters University", "Inside Out", "The
know about the tradition of the popular Good Dinosaur", "Finding Dory", "Cars 3",
films in Indian cinema. Plus, there's a "Coco" and "Incredibles 2"
When Rajkummar sold a
pen to Leonardo DiCaprio
ollywood actor Rajkummar Rao, movie where the "Titanic" star asks a per‑
who plays a Gujarati entrepreneur son to sell him a pen. Adding a twist in the

Meghna Gulzar: We Raghu Mehta in his forthcoming

film "Made In China", has shared a funny
Instagram video of himself selling a pen
scene, Rajkummar enters with the clip.
"Leo Bhai kem chho! Arre Leo Bhai this
pen is your story but the refill is the hero.

tend to use the word to Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.

In the video captioned "When Raghu
So sell the hero," he says in Hindi.
The one‑minute clip ends with DiCaprio

'biopic' very loosely

Bhai met Leo Bhai. #MadeInChina" that applauding the skills of the businessman.
Rajkummar shared recently, he gives a Rajkummar's video currently has
hilarious spin to Dicaprio's final scene 1,49,406 views. "Made In China" narrates

W
from the movie "The Wolf of Wall Street". the business journey of 'jugaadu' entre‑
riter‑director Meghna Gulzar,
The video begins with the clip of the preneur.
who is busy wrapping up her
next release "Chhapaak", says
that making a film on a real‑life subject
that is well known is always tough.
Meghna, whose upcoming film is based
on the true account of the acid‑attack
survivor Laxmi Aggarwal, also said that
we tend to use the word ʻbiopic' rather
loosely.
"I would like to bring it to notice that
Writer‑director Meghna Gulzarʼs
we tend to use the word 'biopic' very
ʻChhapaakʼ is set for a 2020 release.
loosely. Sometimes there is a story that
you want to tell and that story can be "I also disagree with the fact when peo‑
told through a main character, with the ple say that making a biopic is the easiest
story of his/her life around it. You may or way to tell a story. Sometimes, telling a
may not follow the journey of that char‑ story that is already known is perhaps
acter chronologically from birth to death, more difficult than telling an unknown
If you do so, that is technically a biopic," story," added the filmmaker who has
said Meghna, who was present at the made films such as "Raazi" and "Talwar",
21st Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. based on real‑life incidents. Fans have lauded actor Rajkummar Raoʼs (center) marketing skills.
 18 October 19-25, 2019 TRAVEL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Off the beaten track

Northeast India
T
he little explored, northeastern states of
India are not just known for their pris‑
tine beauty, but are also sought‑after for
all kinds of travel. Travel Tours, the leisure
travel brand of FCM Travel Solutions, hand‑
picks some offbeat destinations in the seven
sister states.

1. Krem Puri Caves,

Meghalaya

trekking and enjoying nature at its finest. The Walong War

Memorial and the natural hot water spring add to the
already exciting trip to this unique destination. Rhododendrons. Trekkers are greeted with an incredible
array of indigenous flora and fauna. Bird watching and
4. Jatinga, overnight camping are additional attractions on this trip.

Assam 6. Subansiri river,

Arunachal Pradesh

Discovered in 2016, this is one of the deepest sandstone

cave systems in the world. Within the caves, are 60‑70 mil‑
lion year old fossils of giant reptiles and dinosaurs. The cave
is located in Mawsynram, which holds the record for being
one of the rainiest places on Earth, so the journey to the
caves is an adventurous one.

2. Thalon Caves,
Manipur
A sleepy town famed for the bizarre phenomenon of ʻbird One of the best spots for white water rafting, Subansiri
suicidesʼ can make for quite a unique destination on oneʼs river can be accessed via trekking expeditions from
bucketlist. The town is perfect for bird watching with a Daporijo, which is connected with major cities in Arunachal
tower dedicated for the purpose. Travellers can trek atop Pradesh by road. The river is one of the largest tributaries of
the Hempeupet Peak, the second highest in the region, to the Brahmaputra and is dotted with forests making it an
witness sunrise. Also must enjoy are the local delicacies and incredible rafting experience.
dances of the local tribes.
7. Dawki river, Meghalaya
5. Varsey Trek,
Sikkim

Caving at the Thalon caves in Manipur is an experience no

adventure or culture enthusiast should pass on. The caves
bear evidence of the Hoabinhian culture, traces of which are
found across South Asia. A map etched on the walls of the
caves lead the travellers around its many twists and turns.
Guides are also available to make your journey less stressful.
Thalon Caves may be accessed via an hour‑long trek from
Thalon village to add to the adventure.

3. Kibithu, The main attraction in the quaint town of Dawki is river

Arunachal Pradesh
Kibithu is the easternmost point of India and shares the
border with Tibet. A picturesque little town with hills and
rivers is an adventurerʼs haven. This is a great spot for
A moderately difficult trek that allows people to experi‑
ence adventure while soaking in the vast expanse of nature
around them. This Himalayan trek follows a path covered in
Umngot. A river so clean that boating here is akin to floating
on air. This is a perfect location for families to spend quality
time together while exploring the town and for adventure
seekers to engage in activities like rappelling. Travelers can
also relish the local Khasi cuisine.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Here is how India gets to be
a 5 trillion dollar economy
By Nirmala Sitharaman
I
n 2014, when NDA was voted to
power, India was a 1.7 trillion dol‑
lar economy. In 2019, India has
become a 2.7 trillion‑dollar economy.
Our vision to become a 5 trillion‑dol‑
lar economy by 2024‑25 is challeng‑
ing but also realizable. Realization of
our goal is connected to our single‑
minded dedication to reforms, evi‑
dence of which is there for the world
to see. To become a 5 trillion‑dollar
economy, Indiaʼs GDP needs to grow
faster than the average of 7.5 per‑
cent growth in the last five years.
Inflation needs to be at 4% to
ensure commensurate increase in
purchasing power. Our inflation in
the last five years was 4.5% and has
been on a declining path to reach 3.4
percent in 2018‑19.
Fixed investment rate needs to
increase from 29 to 36 % in the
course of next five years.
With some depreciation of the
rupee, we are on our way to becom‑
ing a 5 trillion‑dollar economy by
2024‑25. This will make India a
global economic power‑house, mov‑
ing us from the 7th to the 3rd posi‑
tion in terms of current USD
exchange rate. However, our ambi‑
tion to become economically strong
has been driven more by our desire
to become a less‑poor nation. The
poverty head count ratio declines
with higher growth – in 2011 it was
21.2% of Indiaʼs population, earning
less than $1.90 per day. World Bank
has estimated the level in FY 2019‑
20 at 7% and will further decline to
4.6% of the population in FY2022.
Thus, in a decade, we have lifted 168
million people out of poverty.
In an emerging economy poised
for higher growth, some increase in
income‑inequality is inevitable. In
July 2019 I presented my first budg‑
et when Indiaʼs GDP had decelerated
in 4 consecutive quarters. Yet we
projected the GDP to grow at 7% in
2019‑20. Even when our GDP decel‑
erated in the fifth successive quarter,
we did not revise downwards our
projections. I want to take this
opportunity to set the governmentʼs
record straight on the growth math.
We have already implemented a
series of reforms with more on the
anvil before close of year. T he
reforms were and will be guided by
close scrutiny of growth evidence in
the economy. The IMF has projected
a growth at 6.1% for the year 2019‑
20 for India with the world Growth
revised at 3.2%. We continue to
remain one of the fastest growing
economies in the world. Friends, our
growth story is not a hostage to per‑
formance in some quarters. As a
member of G‑20 group of countries,
From a speech delivered by India’s Minister of
Finance and Corporate Affairs at Columbia University
on 'Indian Economy : Prospects and Challenges'.
She was introduced by Prof Arvind Panagariya.
we have already entered the big
league, on the strength of our eco‑
nomic performance and vibrant
democracy.
A strong growth story can only be
sustained on foundations of a strong
macro‑economic stability. Therefore,
despite all odds, we have continued
our journey of sticking to a glide
path for fiscal deficit enumerated in
my Budget speech. The year would
end with Central Govt. debt at 48%
of GDP, down 2 percentage from the
level of 2013‑14. This is evident in
low yields in the bond market and
would leave enough space for pri‑
vate investment.
Gross FDI flows into the country
during April‑July was 27.3 Billion
USD, up from 21.1 Billion USD dur‑
ing corresponding period last year.
Total FDI of 284 Billion USD bears
witness to the confidence of the
world to strong macro‑ economic
fundamentals of our economy.
T he growth impulses in the
Economy have been buffeted by the
winds of trade wars, protectionism
and volatility in Crude Prices as well
as in Crude Supplies. However, that
hasnʼt deterred us from continuing
the path of structural reforms in the
economy.
The banking system saw an irra‑
tional exuberance of credit expan‑
sion during 2004 – 2009. This led to
huge distortions on the banking sys‑
tem. On coming to power, we started
repairing the financial system of the
country. Insolvency and Bankruptcy
ECONOMY
Code (IBC) was introduced to quickly
resolve the stressed assets of the
banks. Between December 2016 and
June 2019, 2162 corporate insol‑
vency resolution processes have
been admitted and are at various
stages of resolution. NPAs in the
bank were recognized, provisioning
made and full program of re‑capital‑
ization was carried out. This year, a
part of the budget was committed to
the recapitalization of the public sec‑
tor banks, which has recently been
subjected to mergers and reforms in
senior appointments for improving
governance. In July 2019 govern‑
ment decided to infuse about USD 10
billion into public sector banks to
enable release of about USD 75 bil‑
lion liquidity in the market.
Additional liquidity support to
NBFCs to the tune of USD 3 billion
has also been planned. Investment
by foreign portfolio investors has
been encouraged through the
required changes in the tax regime.
We have also started the process
of reducing the cost of capital for
increasing the investment rate of the
private sector. RBI has cut the policy
rate by 135 basis points since
February 2019 and further guided
the banks to link their lending rates
to external benchmarks, including
the policy rate, to improve transmis‑
sion. We have recently cut our basic
corporate tax rate from 30 to 22%
and further to 15 percent for compa‑
nies incorporated after 1st October,
2019. This is intended to improve
October 19-25, 2019
profitability of companies, inducing
them to increase their investment.
We are expecting that improved
compliance, in the form of compa‑
nies choosing to give up on tax
exemptions, will neutralize some rev‑
enue loss while the rest of the short‑
fall will be met by disinvestment pro‑
ceeds.
We have liberalized the FDI regula‑
tions to enable greater participation
of foreign investors in the coal mar‑
ket, allowing contract manufacturing
to reflect as self‑manufacturing
activity by foreign investor in the
country, and increasing ease of doing
business for foreign retailers.
India has a population of over 1.3
billion that lends a huge expanse to
the coverage of beneficiaries under
various development programs of
the government. The sheer scale of
the programs is unparalleled in the
world making such interventions a
gigantic challenge for the govern‑
ment. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
underpin our flagship programs.
This has brought transparency,
improved outcomes and contained
diversion of funds. Use of Aadhar has
helped use of technology in DBT.
Rural Infrastructure
The government has achieved
100% electrification of all villages in
the country; and construction of
rural roads has been tripled. More
than 143,000 habitations out of a
total of 158,000 sanctioned habita‑
tions have already been connected
19
with pucca roads.
In 2014, around 100 million rural
and about 10 million urban house‑
holds in India were without a sani‑
tary toilet. Since October 2014, over
100 million toilets have been built all
over the country and 599,963 vil‑
lages have been declared Open
Defecation Free (ODF).
Housing for All
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana, the Government aims to pro‑
vide affordable housing to the poor
with a target of building 20 million
affordable houses by 2022. During
the period 2014‑18, 15.3 million
houses have been built. Under PMAY‑
Urban, the cumulative number of
houses sanctioned is 8.5 million.
Financial Inclusion
The government has launched
many flagship schemes to promote
financial inclusion and provide finan‑
cial security to empower the poor
and unbanked in the country. As on
2nd October, 2019, there are 371.9
million active accounts in public and
private sector banks combined. Of
this, more than 53 per cent accounts
are being held by the women benefi‑
ciaries. Their accounts hold USD 10
Billion today.
Doubling Farmersʼ
Income
PM‑KISAN is a Central Sector
scheme under which direct income
support will be provided to all farm‑
ers (irrespective of the size of land
holdings) at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per
year. This scheme will extend cover‑
age to 145 million beneficiaries. As
on 13.10.2019, a total of 74.5 mil‑
lion small and marginal farmers have
benefitted from this scheme.
Divestment
The Government has been follow‑
ing an active policy on investment /
disinvestment in CPSEs through vari‑
ous modes and has made provisions
to enable the CPSEs to improve their
balance sheet / reduce their debts
and to meet part of their CAPEX
requirements. A sum of Rs 850 bil‑
lion was raised through CPSE disin‑
vestment in 2018‑19; a target of Rs.
1050 billion has been set for the
2019‑20. Disinvestment in 25 PSEs
is underway to facilitate creation of
fiscal space and improve the ef fi‑
cient allocation of public resources.
Employment and
Labor Reforms
In order to remove the complexity
intrinsic in many labor laws at the
central and state levels, a new labor
legislation has recently been passed
by the Parliament.
 20 October 19-25, 2019
Comment by
Shubha Singh
B
angladesh Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina returned to
Dhaka from a successful four‑
day visit to India last week having
concluded seven agreements. But the
agreements have caused unease
among many in Bangladesh. Critics
have panned the agreements as
mainly advantageous to India and of
little benefit to Bangladesh. Other
commentators have called on the
government to publish full details of
the agreements.
India and Bangladesh signed seven
agreements and MOUs on October 5,
2019 and a Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) agreement for
transportation of goods. The agree‑
ments include a pact for supply of
LNG as well as water from Feni River
to India, and for transportation of
Indian goods through Chittagong
and Mongla ports in Bangladesh to
Tripura.
A Bangaldeshi media report
claimed that there was little informa‑
tion available in the public domain
about the agreements while details
of the lavish meals prepared for the
Bangladeshi leader were enthusiasti‑
cally reported.
The agreements to provide con‑
nectivity were described as regional
connectivity, but one critic termed
them bilateral connectivity as they
served Indian interests and had scant
benefit for Bangladesh. "India cer‑
tainly stands to benefit, but
Bangladesh is yet to make a tangible
assessment of its gains," it said.
India's smaller South Asian neigh‑
bors have often perceived New Delhi
as exploitative for using its clout to
''BJP will get its first CM in Jammu & Kashmir very soon''
By Anand Singh
Jammu: The BJP is hopeful of get‑
ting its "first Chief Minister" in
Jammu and Kashmir following the
abrogation of Article 370 from
the state two months ago, and the
planned de limitat ion of the
Assembly constituencies.
In an interview to IANS, Jammu
and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder
Raina said, "Jammu and Kashmir
is a unit. And as President of BJP
here, I am confident that we will
have a BJP Chie f Minister in
Jammu and Kashmir very soon."
Jammu and Kashmir has seen
Chief Ministers from Congress,
Nat ional Conference and the
People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, the BJP which
shared power in the state with the
PDP for three years from 2015 to
2018, did not get the top post and
had to accept the post of Deputy
Chief Minister.
When asked about the planned
delimitation of constituencies in
Jammu and Kashmir, Raina said,
New Delhi and Dhaka
are building bridges
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with her Indian counterpart,
Narendra Modi during her visit to New Delhi earlier this month.
negotiate one‑sided agreements
advantageous to India while ignoring
their interests.
Sheikh Hasina defended her gov‑
ernment's decision to supply 1.82
cusecs of water from the Feni river
to India as a very small amount. "If
someone asks for drinking water,
how can we deny it?" she said.
Regarding the agreement to sup‑
ply of LPG, she added that it was not
CNG that Bangladesh would be sell‑
ing to India, but LPG, which was a
byproduct in the refining of oil. In
2001, the possibility of selling natu‑
ral gas to India had become a major
controversy in Bangladesh with
Ravinder Raina with BJP chief and Home Minister Amit Shah
"The Election Commission will
take a final call on the delimita‑
tion of the Assembly constituen‑
cies here."
Raina said the poll panel will
constitute a commission, which
will be headed by either a retired
Supreme Court or High Court
judge. The BJP leader pointed out
that the commission which will be
constituted for the delimitation
process will follow all the stan‑
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
INDIA FEATURES
Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party
objecting to the sale of a scarce
resource.
The agreement to supply Feni river
water has rankled as there has been
no movement on finding a resolution
on the sharing of Teesta River
waters. The criticism acquired a seri‑
ous turn with the murder of a second
year student of the Bangladesh
University of Engineering and
Technology by fellow students for
criticizing Sheikh Hasina and the
agreements in a Facebook post. The
students were allegedly members of
the Chhatra League, the youth wing
of the ruling Awami League.
dard procedures.
T he government abrog ated
Article 370 of the Constitution
from Jammu and Kashmir on
August 5 and also bifurcated the
state into two union territories.
Following the revocation of
Article 370, the government has
enforced a massive clampdown on
communication and internet serv‑
ices in the state and deployed
heavy security presence.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
India's ties with Bangladesh are at
their peak, among the best of India's
relations with its South Asian neigh‑
bors. But the criticism of the agree‑
ments with India is evoking memo‑
ries of old irritations and suspicions.
There are several pending issues
between India and Bangladesh such
as the huge trade deficit and sharing
of Teesta river waters. Dhaka has
been remarkably patient over New
Delhi's problems in agreeing to a res‑
olution on sharing of the river
waters. Sheikh Hasina's government
has accepted PM Modi's assurance
that he would work towards a satis‑
factory resolution to the ticklish
issue. The main impediment on the
Teesta issue is the stance of the
Mamata Banerjee‑led West Bengal
government.
The National Register of Citizens
exercise in Assam with identification
of illegal migrants has raised grave
concern in Bangladesh. Sheikh
Hasina has accepted for now the
Indian stance that it is an internal
matter of India. But comments by
Indian leaders about pushing out the
foreigners have their ripples in
Bangladesh, which facile assurances
do not alleviate. Building trust
between the two neighbors has been
a slow and steady process that
Interview with Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina
To a question over the clamp‑
down for 60 days in the state, the
state BJP chief said,
"Now you are witnessing that
the mobile connectivity and Wi‑fi
services are given a free hand and
people are using those facilities
here," Raina said pointing towards
the Wi‑fi hotspots and connec‑
tions provided to the citizens in
Jammu. In the Kashmir valley too,
mobile phones are working by
now. "But there are still apprehen‑
sions that Pakistani agents may
use the internet facilit ies to
defame and to create a mess and
try to instigate the youth of the
country," he said on the internet
suspension in Srinagar and other
districts in the Kashmir valley.
Raina further said that Pakistani
elements can instigate the youth
and spread venom in the society
and that is why preventive meas‑
ures have been taken. "But soon
you shall find all internet facilities
will be opened and will be given
involved wiping away the mistrust
and suspicion that that had plagued
relations for long. The resolution of
the sharing of the Ganga waters
removed a major irritant in the ties.
Sometime later, Sheikh Hasina's
assurance that Bangladesh territory
would not be used for anti‑India
activities and its effective implemen‑
tation became the first major step in
building the trust. The resolution of
the Land Boundary Agreement for
demarcating the border was the sec‑
ond positive factor in generating
trust and confidence. It created the
environment for closer cooperation
between the two countries. Both
Dhaka and New Delhi have used the
friendly environment to construct a
cooperative relationship.
New Delhi can easily lose that
goodwill if the sentiment that India is
uncaring and lackadaisical about
issues of interest to Bangladesh
begins to gain ground in Dhaka. New
Delhi needs to be more sensitive to
Dhaka's concerns. It should speed up
tackling the long pending issues
before they build up into a major
grievance in Bangladesh, which
could make it difficult to implement
already concluded agreements.
Shubha Singh is a foreign policy
and strategic affairs commentator.
free access," he said.
India has on several occasions
accused Pakistan of sponsoring
terror and allowing its land to be
used for terror activities. In recent
days, the Indian Army and securi‑
ty forces have foiled terrorists''
attempts to enter Indian territory
from the Pakistan side. On India's
semi‑high speed and feature‑rich
Vande Bharat Express arriving in
Jammu from Delhi, he said, "We
are thankful to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, Home Minister
Amit Shah and Railway Minister
Piyush Goyal for providing the
best train that is Vande Bharat
Express to Jammu and Kashmir
after the revocation of Article
370.”
He added, "Vande Bharat
Express will provide all sorts of
relief to passengers that we have
seen at the overcrowded railway
stations of Jammu Tawi, Katra
and Udhampur. It is a big gift for
the people of Kashmir."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SUBCONTINENT October 19-25, 2019 21

Pakistan to remain in FATF's Afghanistan shuts down

'Grey List' till February 2020 Consulate in Peshawar
Islamabad: The Financial Action
Task Force (FATF) has decided, in
principle, to keep Pakistan in its
Grey List till February 2020, direct‑
ing Islamabad to take extra meas‑
ures for complete elimination of ter‑
ror financing and money launder‑
ing, according to media reports on
Wednesday.
In a meeting in Paris on Tuesday,
the FATF reviewed the measures
that Pakistan has already taken to
control money laundering and ter‑
ror financing, reported Dawn News.
It has urged Pakistan to take extra
measures for complete elimination
of terror financing, quoted Aaj TV of
Pakistan. The FATF will take a final
decision on Pakistan's position in
February 2020. A formal announce‑
ment about the interim develop‑
ments will be made on Friday.
However, Pakistan's finance min‑
Back channel exercise for Modi-
Pakistan is facing a serious
economic set back at the moment.
istry spokesperson Omar Hameed
Khan rejected the reports of the
country remaining in the Grey List,
saying "it is not true and nothing
before October 18 (can be con‑
firmed)".
Earlier at the FATF meeting in
Paris, Pakistan's minister for eco‑
nomic af fairs Hammad Azhar had
explained his country's positive per‑
formance in 20 of the 27 parame‑
ters to check terror financing.
China, Turkey and Malaysia "appre‑
ciated" the steps taken by Pakistan,
Dawn News reported. The support
of at least three countries is
required not to blacklist any coun‑
try. At the Tuesday meeting, India
recommended the blacklisting of
Pakistan citing Islamabad permit‑
ting Hafiz Saeed to withdraw funds
from his frozen accounts, the report
said. Concerns were also raised on
the tax amnesty scheme offered in
Pakistan.
The meeting is being attended by
representatives from 205 countries,
the IMF, the UN, the World Bank
and other organisations.
Pakistan was placed on the Grey
List by FATF in June last year and
was given a plan of action to com‑
plete it by October 2019, or face
the risk of being placed on the black
list with Iran and North Korea.
A Pakistani soldier on guard in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar.
Peshawar/Kabul: The Afghan
Consulate in Peshawar has been
shut down after repeated
attacks on a market in the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital
city and also taking down of the
Afghan national flag, it was
reported. The development
comes after the Afghan
Ambassador to Pakistan,
Shukrullah Atif Mashal, had
accused Pakistani police of
attacking the market, which
Afghanistan claims it, reports
TOLO News.
ing like terrorists. This is not
acceptable. This is not good for
improving relations between the
two countries," said Mashal.
Afghanistan's Foreign Affairs
Ministry in a statement said:
"The government of Afghanistan
reiterates that the Afghan legal
evidence has not been
addressed in the context of the
Afghan market due to political
motives of the Pakistani court.
Therefore, the Pakistani court's
decision does not convince
Afghan judicial institutions.

Imran meet in Saudi Arabia? According to reports, the own‑

Islamabad: Intense back channel
exercise by Indian side is under‑
way to arrange a meeting of
Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi with his Pakistani cooun‑
terpart Imran Khan, a Pakistan
media report claimed.
The report said that both Modi
and Imran Khan will take part in
International Conference on
Economics and Business
Research to be held in Saudi
Arabia's capital Riyad h on
October 29, and ef forts are
allegedly being made by India to
get the two South Asian leaders
to meet on the sidelines of this
Conference. The Pakistani media
report claimed that India is mak‑
ing all efforts to fix the meeting
of the two Prime Ministers. If
not Riyadh, then it could be the
occasion of the inauguration of
Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in
November.
According to the report, some
'other' heads of states also want
to see Modi and Imran Khan to
meet, but Pakistan has some
'reservations' to the proposed
meet. The report claims that
India has offered some 'conces‑
sions' to Pakistan for the meet‑
ing to happen but so far
Pakistan has shown little inter‑
est in them.
ership of the property is disput‑
ed, but the Afghan Embassy in
Islamabad maintains that the
market property belongs to the
Afghan government.
The Afghan government stat‑
ed that such actions were "irre‑
sponsible and insulting". Over
the past few days, Afghan gov‑
ernment officials have claimed
Pakistani police have repeatedly
entered the market and
removed the Afghan flag.
"Many soldiers came here, act‑
A number of civil society
activists gathered in front of the
Pakistani Embassy in Kabul and
shouted slogans against
Pakistan. "Our flag is our nation‑
al identity, no one can disre‑
spect our identity," said a civil
society activist.
"An attack on the Afghan mar‑
ket is an attack on friendship
between two nations, and an
attack on good neighborly rela‑
tions," another activist added.
The Pakistani government has
not responded so far.

How Sambhal's Shanno became

Al‑Qaeda's Maulana Asim Umar
Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh): He left home in
1998 after his father refused to give him
money to go to Saudi Arabia.
Almost 20 years later, local intelligence
of ficials informed Asim Umar's family of
his death in an US‑Afghan joint operation
in southern Afghanistan recently.
Umar, head of Al‑Qaeda in Indian
Subcontinent (AQIS), was born Sana‑ul‑
Haq in Deep Sarai locality of Sambhal dis‑
trict in the mid‑seventies. The family is not
sure of his exact date of birth.
According to family sources, who do not
wish to be named, Sana‑ul‑Haq, known as
Shanno in the family, did his graduation
from the renowned Islamic seminary
Darul‑Uloom Deoband, but the seminary
categorically denies having any student by
that name.
"We have thoroug hly checked our
records and did not find any alumnus by
the name of Sana‑ul‑Haq," said Ashraf
Usmani, spokesperson, Darul Uloom.
Asim Umar was the head of Al‑Qaeda
in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
Apparently, the seminary does not wish
to have any connection with a terrorist.
Sana‑ul‑Haq, incidentally, has an impres‑
sive family background. His grandfather
was a village pradhan and his grand uncle
was a freedom fighter. His great grandfa‑
ther was a district magistrate under the
British rule.
Brother Rizwan told local reporters that
Sana‑ul‑Haq left for his studies in Deoband
in 1993 and kept visiting them for the
next five years thereafter.
"We lost all contact with him after 1998.
In 2009, intelligence officials came to our
house and informed us that Shanno was
working for Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan
and Al‑Qaeda," he said.
The family does not know how he came
into contact with terror outfits. "We knew
all his friends and many of them are still in
touch with us," said a family friend.
Following this, Sana‑ul‑Haq's father
promptly published advertisements in
newspapers, disowning him. Sana‑ul‑Haq
by then, had taken on a new identity and a
new name, Maulana Asim Umar.
According to inte lligence of ficials,
Shanno a.k.a. Asim Umar is said to have
travelled to Afghanistan, where he met Al‑
Qaeda chief Osama‑bin‑Laden and later
joined Harkat‑ul‑Jihad‑al‑Islami (HuJi), a
Pakistan based militant organisation
which has branches in the Indian sub‑con‑
tinent.
For a short period before this, he is
believed to have taught at a madarsa in
Karachi, where he translated Jihadi litera‑
ture from Pashto into Urdu.
In July 2018, United States designated
Asim Umar as a global terrorist.
According to reports, on 23 September,
Afghan of ficials claimed that Asim Umar
was killed in a joint US‑Afghan military
raid in Helmand province of Afghanistan.
However, the United States and Al‑Qaeda
have not confirmed his death.
"For us, he died the day we were told
that he has turned a militant. The family
has suffered enough because of him. Our
father died a sad man in 2017. Our broth‑
ers have been picked up innumerable
times for questioning and we feel we are
under surveillance all the time," said
another family member, who requested
anonymity.
 22 October 19-25, 2019
130,000 displaced as Turkey ramps up Syria offensive
Damascus/Ankara: At least
130,000 people have been dis‑
placed as Turkey has intensified
its of fensive against the Kurdish
militias in northern Syria, the UN
said in a statement.
T he UN Of fice for the
Coordination of Humanitarian
Af fairs (UNOCHA) said some of
the internally displaced had found
shelter with relatives in other
locations but that others had trav‑
elled to collective shelters in cities
further south like Tal Amr,
Hasakah and Raqqa, once the de‑
facto capital of the Islamic State
(IS) terror organization's territory,
reports Efe news.
It added that as many as
400,000 people could require
humanitarian assistance and pro‑
tection in the coming days and
warned that hospitals in Ras al‑
Ayn and Tal Abyad had been
closed. In addition, a water short‑
Ethiopian PM Abiy
Ahmed wins
Nobel Peace Prize
Abiy Ahmed became the Prime Minister of Ethiopia in April 2018.
Oslo: Ethiopian Prime Minister
Abiy Ahmed has been awarded
the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for
his efforts to "achieve peace and
international cooperation" in the
African nation, especially his
"decisive initiative" to resolve the
two‑decade border conflict with
Eritrea, it was announced recent‑
ly. He was named as the winner
of the 100th Nobel Peace Prize in
Oslo.
"His reforms give many citizens
hope for a better life and a
brighter future," Efe news quoted
the Nobel committee as saying in
a statement.
His efforts deserve recognition
and need encouragement, it
added.
"The Nobel Committee hopes
Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Ras al‑Ain
after an attack by Turkey.
age has af fected roughly 82,000
residents of two refugee camps in
the region, including al‑Hol, which
houses many former IS fighters
and their families.
the prize will strengthen Prime
Minister Abiy Ahmed in his
important work for peace and
reconciliation".
After Ahmed became the Prime
Minister in April 2018, Ethiopia
reached a peace deal with Eritrea,
ending a 20‑year military stale‑
mate following their 1998‑2000
border war.
Ahmed also introduced massive
liberalizing reforms to Ethiopia,
shaking up what was an extreme‑
ly tightly controlled nation.
He freed thousands of opposi‑
t ion act ivists from jail and
allowed exiled dissidents to
return home.
T he prize, worth 9 million
Swedish crowns ($900,000), will
be awarded in Oslo in December.
INTERNATIONAL
The Turkish Army, meanwhile,
boosted its operation against the
People's Protection Units (YPG), a
Kurdish militia that led the ground
of fensive against the IS with the
Hong Kong protests: Xi Jinping
warns of 'crushed bodies'
Beijing: Chinese President Xi
Jinping has issued a stern warn‑
ing against dissent as protests
continue in Hong Kong, saying
any attempt to divide China will
end in "crushed bodies and shat‑
tered bones".
His comments came during a
state visit to Nepal, the BBC
reported citing China's state
broadcaster CCTV.
Several peaceful Hong Kong
rallies descended into clashes
between riot police and protest‑
ers on recently. Public transport
stations and shops deemed to be
pro‑Beijing were damaged.
Several neighborhoods saw ral‑
lies, and at least 27 stations on
Let's finish this off: Johnson's
last‑ditch plea to EU
London: UK Prime Minister Boris
Johnson will of fer a last ditch
plea to the European Union (EU)
To help him "finish off " Brexit as
a backlash from Conservative
party hardliners and the
Northern Ireland's Democratic
Unionist Party (DUP) have
threatened to derail his proposed
deal. Both sides are now in inten‑
sive negotiations on a new "best
of both worlds" blueprint
thought to involve Northern
Ireland technically staying in the
UK's customs union ‑ but Britain
collecting tarif fs on the EU's
behalf.
It should become clear soon
whether an agreement was pos‑
sible and it would be finalized at
a crucial summit in Brussels on
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
backing of the US.
Turkish media reported that
'Operation Peace Spring', as it has
been dubbed by Ankara, intensi‑
fied particularly around the strate‑
gic border city of Ras al‑Ayn.
The number of casualities within
the YPG and the Syrian National
Army (formerly the Free Syrian
Army), the new name under which
Syrian militias allied with Ankara
are fighting, is less clear.
Turkey claims it has neutralized
‑ killed, imprisoned or injured ‑
480 YPG fighters.
Their have been several civilian
deaths on both sides of the border.
A number of Turkey's NATO
allies have criticized the operation,
as have members of the Arab
League, which has described it as
an "invasion" of a sovereign Arab
nat ion. France and Germany
announced that they would sus‑
pend arms sales to Turkey.
the MTR ‑ Hong Kong's metro ‑
were closed.
Police said they had used "min‑
imum force" to disperse protest‑
ers, but te levision footage
showed wee kend shoppers
caught in the chaos.
Hong Kong's protests started
in June against proposals to
allow extradition to mainland
China, a move many feared
would undermine the city's judi‑
cial independence and endanger
dissidents.
The bill has long been with‑
drawn, but protests have
widened to include demands for
full democracy and an inquiry
into claims of police brutality.
October 17 and 18.
Writ ing in T he Sunday
Te legraph, Commons Leader
Jacob Rees‑Mogg said: "In the
final stages of the Brexit negotia‑
tion, compromise will inevitably
be needed, something even the
staunchest Leavers recognise
albeit unw illing ly ‑ but as a
Leaver Boris can be trusted.
"He wants to take back control
and has dedicated his political
career to this noble cause..."
British government of ficials
have so far remained tight‑lipped
over the nature of the new Brexit
proposal, The Daily Mail said.
According to speculations, it
would create a customs border
in the Irish Sea with goods trav‑
elling from the rest of the UK to
Turkey aims to carve out a so‑
called "safe zone" that will extend
about 32 km into northern Syria,
stretching from the Euphrates
River to the Iraqi border.
That zone is intended for the
resettlement of some two million
Syrian refugees who took refuge
in Turkey from their nation's
eight‑year civil war.
It will also serve as a buf fer
between the YPG militias in Syria
and members of the Kurdistan
Workers' Party (PKK), which has
mounted a smoldering insurrec‑
tion against the state in mainly
Kurdish southeastern Turkey for
more than 30 years. The YPG is
the largest Kurdish militia in the
region and was Washington's key
ally in the fight against the IS.
But Ankara considers YPG a ter‑
rorist organization indistinguish‑
able from the Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK).
Chinese President Xi Jinpingʼs
comments came during
his visit to Nepal.
Northern Ireland being subject
to tarif fs which Britain would
collect on behalf of the EU.
However it would mean that
Northern Ireland would be able
to benefit from any post‑Brexit
trade deals the UK struck with
other countries around the
world.
Tusk said that he received
"promising signals" from Irish
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar
that a Brexit deal was still possi‑
ble.
The UK is due to leave the EU
at 11 pm (local time) on October
31. With three weeks to go until
the Brexit deadline, Johnson con‑
tinues to insist the UK will leave
the EU with or without a deal at
the end of the month.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info BUSINESS October 19-25, 2019 23

All key reforms happened in last 5 years: Finance Minister

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman said that all
the key reforms such as Goods and
Services Tax (GST), Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Co de (IBC) and
Aadhaar have taken place in the
last five years. Sitharaman's com‑
ment came in response to the criti‑
cal observation of the economy
made by none other than her hus‑
band and economist Parakala
Prabhakar, who said the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) should embrace
the P.V. Narasimha Rao‑Manmohan
Singh economic model to boost the
flagging economy.
Both the former Congress Prime
Ministers are regarded as pillars of
economic reforms in the modern
Indian economy.
In an article in a news daily,
Prabhakar has suggested that the
BJP has not been able to propose
any economic framework of its
own.
In a no‑holds‑barred attack on
the Modi government, Prabhakar
alleged: "In economic policy, the
party mainly adopted "Neti Neti
(Not this, Not this), without articu‑
lating what was its own Niti (poli‑
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
cy)'." Post a bankers' meet on cred‑
it of ftake and NBFCs, Sitharaman
was asked to comment on her hus‑
band's take on the economy. "All
the re forms have taken place
between 2014 and 2019 (during
the NDA rule) and the deep
reforms like the GST were not
introduced by the Congress. IBC
and Aadhaar were introduced and
amendments were carried out. The
Ujjawala scheme benefitted 8 lakh
women. Many changes were made
to tax structure. After October 1,
startups will now have to pay the
lowest tax in India. All these
should have also been praised,"
Sitharaman said.
The spouse of the sitting Finance
Minister advised the Narendra
Modi government to "embrace" his
predecessors ‑‑ former Prime
Ministers Manmohan Singh and
P.V. Narasimha Rao's economic
model.
Prabhakar is himself an econo‑
mist. He comes from a political
family himself and both his par‑
ents were legislators in the Andhra
Pradesh Assembly.
We could raise deposit
guarantee limit from
Rs 1 lakh: FM
New Delhi: Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday
said that she is closely monitoring
the developments at Punjab and
Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC)
Bank and the government could
consider raising deposit guarantee
limit from existing Rs 1 lakh.
The Deposit Insurance & Credit
Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)
insures each depositor in a bank
up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh for
both principal and interest as on
the date of liquidation/cancella‑
tion of the affected bank's licence
or from the date of amalgama‑
tion/merger.
In this context post the PMC
Bank scam which has left deposi‑
tors worried, the minister said she
had discussion with RBI Governor
Shaktikanta Das that if deposit
guarantee of Rs 1 lakh can be
released instantaneously. But he
informed that the deposit guaran‑
tee is released after the bank is
closed and can not be released if
the bank is a going concern, she
added. Sitharaman also said if the
deposit guarantee limit from exist‑
ing Rs 1 lakh is raised, it will be
through Parliament.
She said that the RBI Governor
has assured that customers' inter‑
ests will be protected.
The PMC Bank customers can
now withdraw up to Rs 40,000 as
the RBI enhanced limit late on
Monday. The PMC Bank went bust
allegedly after its exposure to
near‑bankrupt realty player HDIL,
to which it has loaned over 70 per
cent of its Rs 9,000 crore in
advances. But it was not made
public in the audit or was provided
for or was classified as an NPA.

Factory output at 81‑month World trade is likely to slow

low, manufacturing shrinks down further in 2019: RBI
The growth has hit the lowest level in the last 81 months.
New Delhi: Contraction in manufacturing
activity decelerated India's factory output
growth to (‑)1.1 per cent in August 2019
from a rise of 4.6 per cent reported in July,
of ficial data showed here. The growth has
hit the lowest level in the last 81 months.
The growth rate of August factory output
was lower than the 4.8 per cent achieved
during the corresponding month of the pre‑
vious fiscal.
"The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial
Production (IIP) with base 2011‑12 for the
month of August 2019 stands at 126.6,
which is 1.1 per cent lower as compared to
the level in the month of August 2018," the
Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation said.
"The cumulative growth for the April‑
August period over the corresponding peri‑
New Delhi: T he Indian economy,
which is already witnessing a slow‑
down, may be hit further with the
world trade expected to drop further,
according to the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI).
The apex bank, in its monetary pol‑
icy report, said the forward looking
indicators suggest that world trade is
likely to slow down further this year.
"The slowdown in global trade,
which began in the later half of 2018,
has continued in 2019, with contribution grew at a slower pace in Q2 than in the
from EMEs slipping into contraction in preceding quarter as escalating US‑China
2019. Forward looking indicators suggest trade tensions and slackening global
that world trade is likely to slow down fur‑ demand prompted a sharp downward revi‑
ther in 2019," the Reserve Bank of India sion in business spending.
said. In the US, real GDP growth (q‑o‑q, Real GDP in the UK contracted in Q2 on
annualized) decelerated in Q2, 2019 to 2 the back of declining manufacturing activi‑
per cent, after rebounding in Q1, on ty due to planned early shutdowns of car
slumping exports and weak business fixed plants in April following Brexit uncertain‑
od of the previous year stands at 2.4 per
investment. ty. Risks from a potential hard Brexit deal
cent," it added. As per the data, the output
The RBI further said the Euro area GDP and evolving global trading conditions
rate of the manufacturing sector fell (‑)1.2
growth slowed down in Q2:2019 as its cloud the near‑term outlook.
per cent in August from a year‑on‑year
major constituent economies lost steam The Chinese economy decelerated in Q2
(YoY) rise of 5.2 per cent.
amidst lingering uncertainties around (y‑o‑y) to its weakest pace in nearly 27
On a YoY basis, mining production inched
Brexit and trade tensions. years, weighed down by the adverse
up by just 0.1 per cent from a negative
The German economy contracted in Q2 impact of the prolonged and unresolved
growth of (‑)0.6 per cent and the sub‑index
with a struggling auto industry amidst trade dispute with the US, and subdued
of electricity generation was lower by (‑)0.9
falling exports; it entered Q3 on a weak global demand.
per cent from 7.6 per cent.
note as the manufacturing PMI in Among other BRICS economies, the
Among the six use‑based classification
September remained in contraction zone, Russian economy is struggling to regain
groups, the output of primary goods, which
marking the ninth consecutive month of momentum after undergoing a sharp
has the highest weightage of 34.04, grew by
decline in factory activity. deceleration in Q1.
1.1 per cent. The output of intermediate
GDP growth in Italy stagnated in Q2 as The economies of Brazil and South Africa
goods, which has the second highest weigh‑
contraction in industry and agriculture rebounded in Q2, after witnessing a slug‑
tage, increased by 7 per cent.
activities was of fset by an uptick in the gish start to the year. Economic recovery
The output of consumer non‑durables was
services sector, though its high level of in Brazil was largely supported by strong
up by 4.1 per cent, whereas that of con‑
debt and ongoing political uncertainty are fixed investment and construction activity
sumer durables fell by (‑)9.1 per cent.
downside risks. The Japanese economy in Q2.
 24 October 19-25, 2019
Happy to get an opportunity in a tough situation: Ganguly
Kolkata: Former India skipper
Sourav Ganguly is all set to become
the President of the Board of
Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
after the af filiated units of the
cricket board unanimously selected
him for the top job in Mumbai on
Monday. Back in the City of Joy on
Tuesday, Ganguly said his top most
priority will be to change the life of
the first‑class cricketers as they
deserve attention.
Speaking to the media at the
Kolkata airport, Ganguly not only
thanked the people for their sup‑
port, but also promised that he will
leave no stones unturned for the
betterment of the Indian cricket.
"It is a great responsibility and
hopefully I can do a good job. Its a
two different lives ‑‑ one is cricketer
and the second one of an adminis‑
trator. Firstly, I think what makes
me more happy is that I got an
opportunity in a tough situation
and it gives me tremendous confi‑
dence and makes me feel that they
have confidence in my ability. I have
a young team and it will be new for
all of them, but all of us will work to
the best of our abilities and we
won't lack anywhere," he expressed.
Speaking on his priorities after
taking over, Ganguly said: "First‑
Awaiting decision
on Davis Cup venue
against Pak: Bhupathi
Tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi.
Kolkata: Non‑playing captain
Mahesh Bhupathi has revealed that
India will wait till November 4 for
the International Tennis Federation
(ITF) to possibly change the venue
of their Davis Cup tie against
Pakistan after expressing reluc‑
tance to travel to the neighboring
country.
According to well‑placed sources,
the deteriorating relationship
between the two countries is their
main concern and the Indian play‑
ers have written to the AITA
requesting them to change the
venue. The AITA will now write to
the ITF asking them to change the
venue. "We are waiting for ITF deci‑
sion on venue by November 4,"
Bhupathi told IANS on Tuesday.
In September, ITF had said that
Sourav Ganguly is all set to become the President of the
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
class cricketers will be my priority
and we will change their life. You
only look at the top but we will also
look at the bottom as many gems of
Indian cricket lie there and we will
change their life."
The T20I World Cup is slated for
the next year and commenting on
India's expectation at the showpiece
event, he said: "India is a good team
and they are playing well. Yes, I
know they haven't won a big tour‑
nament, but I know they will turn
things around. (Virat) Kohli is a
the tie will take place either on
November 29‑30 or November 30‑
December 1 in Islamabad.
However, there will be a review
of the security situation on
November 4 to decide if the
Asia/Oceania Group I tie will take
place in Islamabad or it can be
shifted to a neutral venue.
The tie was originally scheduled
for September 14‑15 in Islamabad.
But due to security reasons, the
Davis Cup committee had to post‑
pone it to November.
India were all set to go to
Pakistan before relations between
the two countries deteriorated in
the aftermath of the abrogation of
Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir
which granted the state special
status.
SPORTS
champion player and he will turn it
around." The Cricket Association of
Bengal, meanwhile, rolled out the
red carpet for their favorite son.
Ganguly said he would like to see
the Indian team management focus
on winning more ICC tournaments
and that is an area he would like
skipper Virat Kohli to address.
"My only thing is that they need
to win big tournaments. They are
not going to win every time but
they have gone through seven tour‑
naments without winning one,"
India confirm record 11th
straight series win at home
Pune: India beat South Africa by
an innings and 137 runs in the
second Test here to take an unas‑
sailable 2‑0 lead in the three‑
match series. They had won the
first Test in Visakhapatnam by
203 runs.
In the process, India scripted
their 11th straight series victory
at home, the most by any team in
the history of Test cricket.
India were tied at 10 for the
most number of consecutive
series wins at home along with
Australia, who achieved the feat
twice. Led by Mark Taylor and
Steve Waugh, the Aussies had
won 10 series at home between
November 1994 and November
2000, while the Ricky Ponting
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Indian cricket will continue to
prosper under Dada: Laxman
New Delhi: VVS Laxman has con‑
gratulated Sourav Ganguly, who
is set to be appointed as the BCCI
chief and stated that he has no
doubt that Indian cricket will
continue to prosper under the
former skipper.
"Congrats Sourav Ganguly on
becoming the President of BCCI. I
have got no doubt that under
your leadership Indian Cricket
will continue to prosper. Wishing
you lots of success in your new
role Dada," Laxman tweeted.
Ganguly also responded to
Ganguly told reporters.
India last won an ICC tournament
in 2013 when the M.S. Dhoni led
side beat England in the final of the
50‑over Champions Trophy.
Asked about the 50‑over
Champions Trophy being replaced
by back‑to‑back World T20s in
2020 and 2021, Ganguly said:
"Times have changed. We will have
to respect that. When Champions
Trophy came in, I was captain that
time and it was a huge tournament.
India beat South Africa by an innings and 137 runs.
led Australian side repeated the
feat between July 2004 and
November 2008.
The last time India lost a Test
series at home was against
England in the 2012‑13 season.
Their winning streak started
Laxman saying: "Thank you
VVS...Your contributions will be
very important."
Pakistan fast bowling legend
Shoaib Akhtar also applauded the
decision.
"One person that transformed
Indian cricket was Sourav
Ganguly, never felt before 1997‑
98 that India could beat
Pakistan. Ganguly changed the
mentality of Indian cricket. He
had an eye to pick a talent to
play for India," Akhtar said in a
video on his YouTube channel.
With the advent of T20, people
come in more for T20 games and
the ICC is going by that."
Ganguly also rated his Test debut
in 1996 as a bigger moment in his
life than becoming the BCCI
President. "1996 will always be the
biggest day of my life. I played a
first test match for India nothing
can beat that," he added.
Ganguly scored a hundred on
debut against England at Lord's in
June, 1996.
with the subsequent rubber
against the West Indies, which
was also Sachin Tendulkar's last
series.
The Virat Kohli‑led side are the
top‑ranked Test team at the
moment.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info HEALTH October 19-25, 2019 25

Groundwater in US brimming with

antibiotic‑resistant genes
New York: In an alarming find, a
team of US researchers has discov‑
ered that antibiotic‑resistant genes
(ARGs) were prevalent in ground‑
water, posing a potential hazard to
public safety and water security.
The big concern is the spread of
new and emerging contaminants
like ARGs through the water sys‑
tem and an increase in develop‑
ment of antibiotic‑resistant super
bugs, the researchers warned.
"ARGs are not regulated in any
way and are a challenging emerg‑
ing contaminant of concern due to
our reliance on biological treat‑
ment in the engineered water
cycle," said Adam Smith, Assistant
Professor at the University of
Southern California (USC).
"Because they are biological con‑
taminants ‑‑ small fragments of
Zarei‑Baygi from the USC's Viterbi
School of Engineering, studied and
compared samples from an
advanced groundwater treatment
facility in southern California and
groundwater aquifers to detect dif‑
ferences in ARG concentrations.
W hile they found that the
advanced groundwater treatment
facility reduced nearly all targeted
ARGs to below detection limits,
groundwater samples had a ubiq‑
uitous presence of ARGs in both
control locations and locations
recharged with water from the
The samples were taken from an advanced groundwater advanced water treatment facility.
treatment facility in southern California. While some ARGs are naturally
DNA that are released to the envi‑ the spread of resistance." occurring in microbial communi‑
ronment ‑‑ bacteria present in Smith and a team of researchers ties, antibiotics, ARGs and antibiot‑
receiving environments can uptake including Moustapha Harb from ic resistant pathogens are on the
them, becoming resistant them‑ Lebanese American University and rise in water sources as a result of
selves, and further perpetuating PhD students Phillip Wang and Ali the overuse of antibiotics in gener‑
al.
"Looking at the dif ferences in
ARGs between various water
sources is incredibly important in
considering future health hazards,
like development of super bugs,"
Smith said in a paper published in
the journal Environmental Science
& Technology Letters.
Since wastewater treatment
plants are not generally designed
for removal of micro‑pollutants
like antibiotics, they tend to persist
in treatment systems, leading to
high densities of ARG resistant
bacteria at dif ferent stages of
treatment.
"We must act fast before we
enter a so called 'post‑antibiotic
world' where bacterial infections
become impossible to treat," Smith
warned.

3 new dengue cases Exposure to air pollution can

make you more aggressive
confirmed in Florida New York: Researchers have
found that breathing polluted air
does not only make you sick, but
cross‑analysed three highly
detailed datasets: daily criminal
activity; daily county‑level air pol‑
iami” Health authorities it could also make you more lution from 2006‑2013 and daily

M in the US state of Florida

said that three new cases
of locally transmitted dengue had
been confirmed in the Miami‑
Dade County, taking the total
number to eight this year.
In a statement on Friday,
Florida's Health Department said
of the three cases, two "appear to
be related", reports Efe news.
The authorities had confirmed
five such cases last month which
led to the Department to alert
people on taking measures to pro‑
tect themselves from the mosqui‑
toes that transmit dengue.
Apart from Miami‑Dade, the
highly populated southern
Florida, another locally transmit‑
ted case was found in the neigh‑
bouring Broward County.
However, the status of those
affected was not yet known.
The disease, according to the
A sanitary technician holds a sample of larvae of the Aedes aegypti
mosquito, that transmit the Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya virus.
World Health Organization,
affects 390 million people world‑
wide. The common symptoms of
dengue are fever, rashes, muscu‑
lar and joint pains.
Haemorrhagic dengue is the
most severe and can be fatal.
According to the Florida Health
Department, the dengue virus was
eradicated in the US decades ago
and the only cases to be recorded
until 2009 were of the people
who contracted the disease in
countries where it was present.
aggressive.
The research team from the
Colorado State University found
that strong links between short‑
term exposure to air pollution and
aggressive behavior, in the form
of aggravated assaults and other
violent crimes across the conti‑
nental US.
The results were derived from
daily Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) crime statistics
and an eight‑year detailed map of
daily US air pollution.
"We're talking about crimes that
might not even be physical, you
can assault someone verbally,
when you're exposed to more pol‑
lution, you become marginally
more aggressive, so those alterca‑
tions, some things that may not
have escalated, do escalate," said
the study's researcher Ander
Wilson. For the study, researchers
data on wildfire smoke plumes
from satellite imagery.
Air pollution scientists typically
measure rates of pollution
through concentrations of ozone
or breathable particulate matter
(PM) 2.5 microns in diameter or
smaller, which has documented
associations with health effects.
According to the researchers, 83
per cent of crimes considered
"violent" by the FBI were cate‑
gorised as assaults in crime data‑
bases. In the study, they observed
whether crimes occurred inside or
outside the home.
They found that 56 per cent of
violent crimes and 60 per cent of
assaults occurred within the
home.
The study is set to be published
in a forthcoming edition of the
Journal of Environmental
Economics and Management.

Less than 6 hours of sleep could be deadly for some

New York: Those with high blood pressure,
Type‑2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke could
be at high risk of cancer and early death
when sleeping less than six hours a day, says
a study.
"Our study suggests that achieving normal
sleep may be protective for some people with
these health conditions and risks," said lead
study author Julio Fernandez‑Mendoza from
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical
Center in Hershey in Pennsylvania, US.
"However, further research is needed to
examine whether improving and increasing
sleep through medical or behavioral thera‑
pies can reduce risk of early death,"
Fernandez‑Mendoza said.
For the study, the researchers analysed the
data of more than 1,600 adults who were cat‑
egorized into two groups as having stage 2
high blood pressure or Type‑2 diabetes and
having heart disease or stroke. Participants
were studied in the sleep laboratory for one
night and then researchers tracked their
cause of death up to the end of 2016.
The researchers found that of the 512 peo‑
ple who passed away, one‑third died of heart
disease or stroke and one‑fourth died due to
cancer. People who had high blood pressure
or diabetes and slept less than six hours had
twice the increased risk of dying from heart
disease or stroke, showed the findings pub‑
lished in the Journal of the American Heart
Association.
"Short sleep duration should be included as
a useful risk factor to predict the long‑term
outcomes of people with these health condi‑
tions and as a target of primary and special‑
ized clinical practices," Fernandez‑Mendoza
said.
 26 October 19-25, 2019
We witness casual sexism
everyday, says Bani J
M
TV Roadies and
Bigg Boss runner‑
up Gurbani Judge,
popularly known as Bani J,
feels that casual sexism is
something the world wit‑
nesses everyday, and it
should be called out openly.
Part of Reebok's "It's Not A
Man's World" campaign that
focuses on women breaking
standards and making their
mark in male‑dominated
industries, Bani said that sex‑
ism still exists in Indian soci‑
ety as also the rest of the
world.
"I think casual sexism is
something that we witness, if
not face, everyday and the
biggest issue is that our reac‑
tions to it are either extreme
or absolutely complacent. I
feel it should be called out
openly rather than brushing
it under the carpet ‑‑ we need
to talk about it in a construc‑
tive manner and put into
Bullying by siblings may double
odds of developing suicidal
intentions: Study
D heirloom jewellery
epression, suicidal
thoughts, and self harm
are more common in
young adults who were bullied
as children by family and
friends, according to a study.
The findings of the research,
published in the journal
Frontiers in Psychiatry, revealed
that sibling bullying is linked to
self‑harm, suicide attempts, and
depression at 24 years of age.
While earlier research had
identified that sibling bullying
affected mental health in adoles‑
cence, the scientists part of the
Frontiers study found that chil‑
dren who experienced sibling
and peer bullying had double
the odds of developing clinical
depression and considered sui‑
cide.
The researchers, including
those from the University of
Warwick in the UK, found that
the risk of developing mental ill‑
nesses increased further if the
same children were also bullied
by their peers at school.
As part of the study, the
researchers asked participants
to self‑report bullying when they
were 12 years old, and noted
their experiences with depres‑
sion, anxiety, suicidal ideation
and self‑harm at 24 years old.
work behaviors and practical
approaches to reestablish
equilibrium," says Bani. The
VJ‑actor also says that
female friendships are
extremely important. "I don't
know whether it is just spe‑
cific to Indian culture, but we
have been brought up to see
each other as threats and to
notice each other in a way
that's not very nice or nur‑
turing.
"I have noticed that over
time, as women get older
They found that about 31 per
cent of the 3,881 youths part of
the study experienced bullying
by a sibling.
According to the researchers,
about 15 per cent of those who
were both became victims, and
also bullied siblings, were diag‑
nosed with clinical depression,
nearly 36 per cent experienced
suicidal thoughts, and 16 per
cent of them self‑harmed.
"This is the first study to show
that being bullied by siblings has
adverse effects on mental health
into adulthood, when the sib‑
lings are not living together any‑
more," said Slava Dantchev, co‑
LIFESTYLE
they realize how petty these
comparisons are, and they
allow themselves to reach
out to other women and
bond with them over real
things that hold actual
value," she said. Bani is part
of Reebok's India campaign,
while the brand has launched
it internationally with five
powerful women ‑‑ Jazerai
Allen‑Lord, Ebony Naomi
Oshunrinde, Anhia Zaira
Santana, Kimberly Drew, and
Sanne Poeze.
author of the study from the
University of Warwick.
Dantchev added that those
bullied at home were also more
likely to be bullied by peers and
had no safe space at school or at
home.
"This further increased their
torment and affected their men‑
tal health," she said.
The researchers said that sib‑
ling bullying often started when
children are young, and that it is
important to educate and help
parents to intervene and reduce
bullying between siblings in
early childhood.
Inside the millennial
kitchen
G
uess which is the most important
room in the house for the millen‑
nials? Surveys say it's the
kitchen, which has transformed from
being a purely functional zone into a
space of personal expression, a space to
relax and unwind now that millenials are
staying home to eat much more than their
parents did, either cooking their own
food, or ordering in.
Here are the top five things the millen‑
nials look for in a kitchen:
Eco‑friendly
Millennials are environmentally con‑
scious hence their kitchens are increas‑
ingly eco‑friendly. They are getting rid of
plastics, and are moving towards airtight
glass containers for food storage, and
glass or copper for water storage.
Simplicity and ease of use
With work, exercise, active social lives
(online and offline), millenials are busy.
No wonder they place high importance on
convenience. They are choosing borosili‑
cate glass containers and storage jars that
are stackable, freezer and microwave safe,
and can be used to heat, serve and store.
The traditional mixer grinder has given
way to sleeker appliances like the
Nutrifresh blender, which are compact
and easy to use.
Preoccupation with wellness
Don't let prioritization of convenience
fool you. Eating healthy is top priority for
the millennials. And with the increasing
awareness about the dangers of plastic,
How to care for
I
f your ances‑
tors left you
some heirloom
jewellery, youʼve
struck gold ‑‑ quite
literally! Heirloom
objects can evoke
nostalgia and a
sense of familial
pride, but it is also
important to care for them. And jew‑
ellery passed down from generations,
can be harder to maintain. Agra‑based
Kohinoor Jewelers creative director and
partner Milind Mathur suggests ways in
which heirloom jewellery can be kept
sparkling and intact.
Clean it well
Jewellery endures the most when
cleaned frequently. It prevents buildup
of possibly harmful chemicals and keeps
the stones clear of components that will
scratch or cloud them. But remember,
being gentle with jewellery is the key.
Polish it regularly
What's jewellery without sparkle?
Cleaning delicate pieces with lint‑free
cloth and polishing them regularly can
not only maintain their gloss, but also
preserve them better.
Handle with care
While putting on rings and other jew‑
ellery with semi‑precious stones, never
put the weight specifically on the stones.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
they are opting for glass and stainless
steel utensils, not allowing plastic to come
in contact with their food. There is also a
great attention to detail when choosing
cooking utensils ‑ with millennials ditch‑
ing their non‑stick pans for stainless steel
or traditional cast iron cookware.
Aesthetics
In the age of Instagram, how can aes‑
thetics not be important? Millennials pre‑
fer modular kitchens that are full of light
and air. With crockery, they are moving
away from traditional materials such as
steel to more attractive options such as
opal glass, which is light, strong, scratch
and stain proof and stackable ensuring no
trade off between aesthetics and conven‑
ience.
The art of food
Food habits and choices are constantly
evolving with exposure and travel.
Millennials are including a lot more inter‑
national cuisine in their daily eating and
their fridges are stocked with a mix of
ingredients. How the ingredients are
stored is extremely important to ensure
they don't lose their aroma and flavor. So
airtight containers are more preferred.
Pushing rings on
or pulling
bracelets by their
stones can
release the fas‑
tenings leading to
the stones getting mis‑
placed.
Store safely
Indeed your oft‑worn pieces
ought to be put away securely, when not
embellishing your hand, neck, or wrist.
The worst thing you can do for your
semi‑precious stones is to hurl them into
a drawer or into a dish on your dresser.
To guarantee your adornments remains
scratch free, put them away as meticu‑
lously as you bought it. Keep earrings in
separate sachets to prevent them from
rubbing against each other.
Consistent checkups
Just as your car needs customary
maintenance to keep it running well so
does your jewellery. Get your ornaments
checked by a licensed jeweler every
three to six months to assess for break‑
age and get them fixed.
Don''t wear broken jewellery
Stop wearing a piece the moment you
spot any damage to it. Simply take it to
your nearby jeweler or cutter and get it
surveyed. Letting a professional address
the issue early can help with the options
available to rectify the issue.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info COLUMNS October 19-25, 2019 27

Clothes maketh the man? Not here in the US

By Suchitra Srinivas ent lives. History finds a way to repeat itself.
It was rupees then, it is dollars now here.

W
alking down the streets in India,
one can make a good guess on peo‑
pleʼs education, profession, place of
stay, standard of living and much more sim‑
ply by observing their dressing style. But if
you try the same on somebody living in the
US, you could end up embarrassing yourself.
Self‑grooming and personal presentation
are never connected to oneʼs profession.
Nobody can judge you by the way you dress
here.
Luxury cars and branded shirts, coats, blaz‑
ers, tie and expensive shoes are just the way
anyone starts out. One could still choose to go
subtle in dressing even when holding well‑
paying posts. But the dictum of professional
attire does not leave too many options for
men and women.
In a world driven by credit doctrines, where
saving is not the first priority on receiving
your pay check, spending extra money to look
perfect is a must no matter which profession
youʼre in. This is in sharp contrast to the com‑
mon Indian way of life where ʻdress and drive
what your pay can affordʼ is the norm. How
do immigrants reconcile to the new world so
that they can blend in with the crowd in a for‑
eign land?
Well, for women, first comes the removal of
the ʻbindiʼ from their forehead and clipping
their hair into styles that can be left loose
easily or tied up. With a pair of high‑heeled
footwear/long boots and a western outfit, the
transformation to blend with the outside
world is completed.
For men, trousers and shirts are the norm,
whether you are in India or America. But,
they too have their share of “fitting in” to take
care of.
Initially, they may find it weird wearing a
suit to work in New York and may just settle
for wearing a formal shirt and creased
trousers. But, when they step into the train,
theyʼll find a number of people, both men and
women, wearing pantsuits to work. So impec‑
cable is their style of dressing, that it is easy
to assume that you have mistakenly entered a
first‑class coach meant for CEOs.
It is essential for any immigrant to dress up
to blend with the American world. This is
fully justified particularly in areas where the
Indian diaspora is not dense. There are possi‑
ble uncomfortable exchanges that many fear
at least in the initial days of their immigration
into the foreign land. So, traditional Indian
attires like sarees, salwars or dhoti̶that usu‑
ally helps the desi way of making an impres‑
sion about a person̶will be a big no‑no in
public places.
“During my initial days in the US, I needed a
plumber urgently for my bathroom. When he
arrived all dressed up and in an expensive
truck, I immediately went to my room to
change just to usher him in,” recalls an immi‑
grant.
While fully agreeing to blend in through the
way we dress, most immigrants still shy away
from opting for better brand choices. The
common shopping mood is to go for the best
available discounts and deals. Kohlʼs yes, even
Macyʼs. But Brooks Brothers?
The most irreconcilable shock, however,
comes when the second generation takes the
lead. Having grown up in the system, expen‑
sive branded lifestyle and fancier cars are
their straight choice on joining the first job
they nail. Waiting for Black Friday sale and
discount offers is not an exciting option for
the younger lot. Most immigrants begin to get
high blood pressure (figuratively speaking)
when their children start living on their own.
In their estimate, their childrenʼs expense lay‑
out on shoes, suits and (ladies) handbags
seems extravagant. Maybe this is similar to
what our fathers had to go through years ago
when they saw us settling into our independ‑
Well, in both the cases, the question is not of
affordability, but of priority.
However luxurious a formal attire may
sound, nothing can take away the richness of
design, variety, and patterns of the Indian
way of dressing that breaks the monotony
and adds spice and more importantly, let out
enough information to allow others to gauge
the personʼs background or financial status. It
can be difficult to strike a conversation with a
stranger if one cannot guess his or her back‑
ground.
The person sitting next to you could be a
CEO or just an unemployed individual sipping
a Starbucks coffee. Both could be dressed in a
similar fashion, carrying a smartphone, a lap‑
top and the remote‑key of a car. You certain‑
ly cannot guess by his or her dress as to what
he could be doing for a living. Of course, your
freedom ends where anotherʼs nose begins, so
in the US, dress sense can never reveal the
identity of a personʼs profession. This is the
land of opportunity for your talents and not
your attire.
Suchitra Srinivas
is a
journalist based
at New Jersey.
She can be
contacted at
suchitrasrinivas
@hotmail .com
Column first
published in DTNext
newspaper. Reproduction by
special arrangement

Immigration
By Michael Phulwani,
Esq. and Dev B.
Viswanath, Esq. Alien Smuggling Under INA
T Section 212(a)(6)(e)
he Immigration &
Nationality Act (INA)
defines an alien smuggler

as “any person who knowingly has
encouraged, induced, assisted,
abetted, or aided” any other per‑
son to enter or try to enter the
United States unlawfully. It does
not matter if the individual enter‑
ing the U.S. unlawfully is a family
member of the alien smuggler or if
it was done for monetary gain.
Alien smuggling can result in a
ground of inadmissibility, a ground
of deportability, a bar to good
moral character, and if convicted
of alien smuggling it would count
as an aggravated felony.
Alien smuggling entails affirma‑
tive and knowing conduct. It has
been found by courts that an indi‑
vidual must have made 1) an affir‑
mative and 2) knowing act in
order to be found to have commit‑
ted alien smuggling. An individual
who was involved in alien smug‑
gling may be eligible for a waiver
of inadmissibility in order to avoid
removal or allow the individual to
VISA
TALK
continue with their application for
an immigration benefit such as a
family based visa. To qualify for a
waiver of inadmissibility an indi‑
vidual must be a lawful permanent
resident or must be applying for a
family‑based immigrant visa or
fiancé visa. A waiver of inadmissi‑
bility would not apply for any
other type of petition. Next, an
individual can apply for a waiver if
the person they were trying to
bring to the U.S. was their spouse,
parent, son, or daughter at the
time of entry. For a married indi‑
vidual, they may apply for a waiver
even if they are no longer married
after the smuggling occurred.
In order to request a waiver, an
individual must have a qualifying
relative which is clearly defined
under the statute and regulations.
In the application, an individual
will be required to show U.S.
Immigration and Citizenship
Services (USCIS) that they deserve
a waiver for humanitarian purpos‑
es, to keep family unity, or because
it is in the public interest. For
humanitarian purposes, USCIS will
grant a waiver if an individual
shows they will suffer serious
hardship if the application is
denied. For family unity, USCIS will
grant a waiver if an individual
shows they have a spouse and/or
children in the U.S., they are
responsible for caring for their
family, or if most of their family is
in the U.S. For public interest,
USCIS will grant a waiver if an
individual shows they benefit their
community in some way such as
volunteer work or owning a busi‑
ness that provides jobs to others. a waiver it is best for them to hire
Every waiver petition must an attorney.
include supporting documents. Every waiver for alien smuggling
USCIS and immigration judges is only one of a kind so an attorney
would like to see proof to support
what the individual tells them in
their application. If an individual
was found to have committed alien
would be able to help an individual
gather the right documents, pre‑
pare for an interview if needed,
and guide them through the whole
smuggling and are qualified to file process.
Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal
Attorney of The Banad Law Offices PC
in the United States,
and Banad Immigration in India for which
Attorney Michael Phulwani is also affiliated
as Of Counsel. With Offices in Manhattan,
Queens, Bangalore, and Mumbai, the firm is
able to assist clients with all facets of the
immigration process, including
Employment Visas, Consular Visa Assistance,
Student Visas, Removal & Deportation, US
Citizenship and Green Card Applications
based on Family or Employment. Dev B.
Viswanath can be reached at
Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.
 28 October 19-25, 2019 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Humor with Melvin Durai

The other side of glamorous careers

I
f there's one question adults love to ask
children, it's this: What do you want to
be when you grow up? I asked my
three‑year‑old daughter, Lekha, and she
said, "A musician." She fell silent for a
moment, as though she was contemplating
which instrument to play. And then she
asked, "Daddy, what do YOU want to be
when you grow up?"
My parents asked me this question when
I was a child and I never thought I'd hear it
again from my daughter. Back then, I want‑
ed to be a pilot or a police officer. I wanted
to wear a uniform, cruise around at great
speeds, and carry people to captivating
destinations, such as the British Virgin
Islands or San Quentin State Prison.
My parents had other ideas, of course.
They fancied a career in medicine for me
and called me "Dr. Tembo." Tembo is a
common name in Zambia, where I grew up,
sort of like Jones in England, Kim in Korea,
and Bubba in Texas.
Coming from a poor country, my parents
knew the importance of health. That's why
they wanted me to be a doctor ‑‑ so I could
have a healthy bank account.
Parents tend to be practical, though like
my mom, they do try to take their chil‑
dren's interests and talents into account.
Me: "Mom, I really enjoy writing."
Mom: "That's good, son. As a doctor, you
can write lots of prescriptions."
Me: "But Mom, I'm also into humor."
Mom: "That's good, son. You can lift your
patients' spirits by telling jokes."
Me: "But Mom, I'd also like to perform,
perhaps in a theater."
Mom: "That's good, son. You can perform
surgery in an operating theater."
Children are often drawn to the glamor
or excitement of certain professions, not
realizing that there's another side to them.
I'll try to explain this to Lekha someday.
Lekha: "Dad, I want to be a model. I can
wear nice clothes, tons of make‑up, and
appear on the cover of every magazine
except 'Playgirl.' Then I can get a cooking
show on the Food Network and marry a
famous author like Salman Rushdie."
Me: "You want to be a model? Okay, but
you're really going to miss some things
that your friends do, such as eating. And
you may have to undergo plastic surgery to
have your hips and thighs removed. You
may also need breast implants. And you'll
have to exercise three times a day, partly to
lose every ounce of fat and partly to
strengthen your back so you don't tip
over."
Lekha: "Oh, I didn't think about all that.
Maybe I'll be an actress instead. I can star
in blockbuster movies, earn millions of dol‑
lars and make Oprah go gah‑gah over me."
Me: "An actress? Okay, but you'd better
say goodbye to your privacy. The media
will hound you, wanting to know every
detail of your life: what food you eat, what
books you read, what toilet paper you use.
Your fans won't leave you alone either.
They'll trouble you for autographs every‑
where you go, even in the ladies room."
Lekha: "That sounds great, Dad! Thanks
for convincing me. Acting school, here I
come!"
Whatever my daughter chooses to do, I'll
try to encourage her, as long as she has tal‑
ent and is willing to work hard. And as long
as she promises to help ME find a good
career.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

BEST
RATE
FOR
INDIA
AND
PAKISTAN
New York Head Quarter
422‑S Broadway
HICKSVILLE
NY 11801
By Mahendra Shah
516‑827‑1010
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession,
artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording
the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his
cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY October 19-25, 2019 29

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

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

OCTOBER 19‑25, 2019

Aries: The week seems immensely
fulfilling on the professional front, as
new deals are negotiated and signed.
You will have a leg up on rivals on the aca‑
demic front, as compet it ion hots up.
Socially, you can expect a hectic time in the
company of friends and relatives. Good
judgement will be your strength in playing
the stocks this week . Passions rage on the
romantic front, so rejoice!
Taurus: Extra energ y may be
required to handle a complex situa‑
tion. The ambition you harbour will
only get realised through good networking.
Donʼt expect anyone to spoon feed you on
the academic front. For homemakers, daily
dull and drab routine may seem like a
heavy burden. It is time to take a much‑
deserved break. Your fund situation may
become worrisome. Good news about a sick
family member will let you heave a big sigh
of relief.
Gemini: Your calculated moves will
keep your nose above the water in
both personal and professional situa‑
tions. A letter of appreciation for a job well
done will give due recognition to your
ef forts. Your longing for lover this week
will be fully rewarded with a surprise. A
wise investment done previously promises
rich returns. A religious ceremony connect‑
ed with wedding or otherwise may be con‑
ducted.
Cancer: Your attempts to impress
lover will succeed and may result in
a wave of excitement sweeping the
romantic front! Changes on the work front
may commence and may make you appre‑
hensive. After you have convinced yourself,
it is best not to delay signing a financial
document. Marketing and business devel‑
opment personne l w ill find the wee k
favourable. Those working hard to get back
in shape may have to work still harder.
Leo: A misunderstanding in money
matters can create a rift, so be trans‑
parent in all your dealings. You may
need to keep your distance from someone
who is not too happy w ith your
habits.Mental tensions may give you a
sleepless night. Someone requires a helping
hand on the domestic front.
Someoneʼs attitude may puzzle you and
even seem selfish, but this is not the case,
so donʼt overreact.
Virgo: This week, you are blessed
with the Midas touch and turn every‑
thing you touch to gold! Jewellers or
those dealing in gold and precious stones
are likely to hit it big. If you keep up the
ef forts, it will not be too difficult to per‑
suade someone to join you. Follow the
advice of someone clued up financially to
remain on the safe wicket. Lover is likely to
stick to his or her word and make you
happy.
Libra: On the romant ic front,
instant gratification is what you
seek and what you get, so have an
enjoyable outing with partner! An oversight
in money matters is indicated, so remain
alert. Getting praised at workplace may
come as a solid morale booster and moti‑
vate you to give your best. Stay clear of
office politics. You will need to put extra
hours on the academic front to catch up
with others.
Scorpio: You will need a push to get
going in a professional venture and
that push w ill be forthcoming.
Problem solving with the help of knowl‑
edgeable people assumes importance on
the academic front at this juncture. A new
relationship is on the cards for those seek‑
ing love. Financial support is likely for
those pursuing higher studies. You feel on
top of the world this week and are likely to
accomplish much.
Sagittarius: You may not be in com‑
plete picture, so donʼt base your
judgement on limited information
and make decisions. If you find things not
moving according to plans, donʼt turn a
blind eye. Playing the blame game will be
detrimental to your love life. You may fail to
get your true value for money in an item
purchased. Academically, you are likely to
shine. Donʼt let anyone dampen your spirits
for taking up a challenge.
Capricorn: You may need to rework
your personal equation with those who
have come to loathe you. Irregular tim‑
ings and junk food may play havoc with your
daily routine and threaten health.Much
depends on you for making things easy or diffi‑
cult for yourself on the academic front. Donʼt
be arrogant in matters of love, as you may fall
from your high horse. Conserving money by
safe investments is important, so donʼt attempt
any risky financial venture.
Aquarius: Old grudges and negative
thoughts may disturb your mind.
Meditation and matters spiritual
will prove uplifting and help in getting de‑
stressed. Your timing in getting something
completed on the home front will prove
right. Carelessness in health may cost you
dear. Planning an out of town journey is on
the cards. Donʼt become overconfident on
the academic front, as there are many a slip
between the cup and the lip!
Pisces: Domestic front will be most
peaceful and family most accommo‑
dating.You will manage to overcome
fatigue by adopting fitness techniques and
taking herbal alternatives. Donʼt let anyone
dictate to you at work or you may become a
victim of those pulling the strings at work.
A good grip of the situation will make you
an automatic leader at work.If you are get‑
ting the right break on the career front, you
must give it a serious thought.

October 19, 2019 expand their ventures into new

Ruled by number one and the
Sun. You are active, confident,
intelligent, original and helpful
person. You possess a strong
willpower and you always strive
to stay ahead of others, but you
need to control your tendencies
towards behaving introvert, fick‑
le‑minded and careless at times.
The coming year would bring
you financial gains and happi‑
ness. You shall leave no stone
unturned to achieve your goals.
Businessmen will venture into
new and more profitable avenues.
Investment in stocks and real
estate would be highly beneficial.
Property disputes if any would
get settled to your satisfaction.
Health of your spouse would be a
matter of concern. Increase in
your medical expenses seems
likely. Time spent with friends
would be worthwhile, as they
would be supportive to your con‑
cerns. Meditation and Yoga will
prove to highly rewarding espe‑
cially for spiritual as well as
physical gains. Renovation or
new construction towards the
yearend. Expecting mothers need
to take care of their health.
August, November, March and
April will be eventful.
October 20, 2019
Influenced by number 2 and
the Moon. You are confident,
emotional, imaginative, simple
and warm hearted. You enjoy
enormous respect amongst your
friends, but you need to check
your tendency to behave stub‑
born, vindictive and lazy at times.
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
Althoug h there would be
improvement in your financial
position, saving would not be as
expected. Sudden unforeseen
expenses would always keep you
in a financial crunch. Increase in
responsibility or a change in job
for some. New foreign contact or
a financial transaction will bring
handsome results. A sudden influ‑
ence of a spiritual person will
have a deep impact on your per‑
sonality. Spouse will be under‑
standing and provide you with
love and af fection. Ancestral
gains for some. Watch out from
acquaintances who behave extra
friendly. Friends will be support‑
ive and helpful. New romance for
those unattached adds a zing to
their dull life. T he months of
October, February and June will
prove to be significant.
October 21, 2019
Ruled by number 3 and the
planet Jupiter. You are energetic,
ambitious, dignified, and kind‑
hearted person. You are a good
listener and an able administra‑
tor and you have an ability to
handle things perfectly even
under pressure, but you need to
control your tendency to domi‑
nate and behave stubborn at
times.
This year your employer would
appreciate your confidence and
enthusiasm. You would be able to
accomplish many tasks that you
earlier thought as impossible.
Monetary benefits would accrue
from new contacts. Pleasure trips
or friendly get‑togethers will be
exciting and intellectually stimu‑
lating. Family members will be
supportive and friends will be
helpful. Minor domestic tensions
and stress will bother you. Health
needs extra care therefore be
careful of what you consume. The
months of October, January and
April will bring desired results.
October 22, 2019
Influenced by number 4 and
the planet Uranus. You are active,
practical, enthusiastic, coura‑
geous and highly philosophical
person. You are very proud of
your traditions, culture and ritu‑
als. You are highly religious and
possess a very sharp mind, but
you need to check your tendency
to behave impatient and stub‑
born at times.
Your communication skills and
charms would impress those
around you. Your income would
improve, but your expenses
would be erratic which would
make it extremely difficult for
you to save. New romance for
those unattached, but your work
is likely to suffer if you keep fan‑
tasizing about this special person.
You should not let anything inter‑
fere with your career objectives if
you desire to achieve your goals.
Elders and children in the family
will demand lot of your attention.
Doctors and lawyers can look for‑
ward to a remarkable year. The
months of September, December,
February and June will be signifi‑
cant.
October 23, 2019
Governed by number 5 and the
planet Mercury. You are intelli‑
gent, sharp, sensible, business
oriented, dignified, original and
dashing person. People perceive
you as a very warm and friendly
person, but you need to check
your tendency to behave restless
and impatient at times.
Financially a very favorable
period starts this year, but you
should avoid getting involved in
conflict with loved ones. You
would make financial g ains
through sale of property, accrual
of rent, dividends or interests.
This is also a good time to invest
in long‑term investments and
speculations. Children would be a
source of immense happiness
and win laurels in their fields.
Pilgrimage or a distant journey
will be high on your cards. The
months of November, March and
July will be highly significant.
October 24, 2019
Ruled by number 6 and the
planet Venus. You have a pleas‑
ant personality, sharp memory
and you are very fond of worldly
pleasures. You are very methodi‑
cal, emotional and helpful per‑
son. You make your plans and
stick to it, but you need to control
your tendency to behave moody,
timid and spendthrift at times.
This year businessmen would
and more profitable avenues. You
would do extremely well if you
deal in real estate, but expect
some opposition to arise from
partners. New romance for some,
so make the best of it. Meditation
and Yoga should be practiced for
spiritual as well as physical gains.
Some exhilarating news from
your children will bring happi‑
ness later in the year. T he
months of August, January and
May will be highly eventful.
October 25, 2019
Dominated by number 7 and
the planet Neptune, you are high‑
ly creative, affectionate, trustwor‑
thy, original, energetic and emo‑
tional person. You never run
away from difficult task. What
might appear impossible to oth‑
ers would look like a challenge to
you. You have great talents, but
you need to control your tenden‑
cy to behave arrogant and domi‑
nating at times.
This coming period is good for
starting new ventures. Projects
that have been slow till now
would gain momentum. Disputes
if any would get sorted out and
bring a sense of relief to your
mind. Romantic encounters with
colleagues might develop, though
it would be very short lived. Your
competitive nature would make
you stay ahead of others and also
make you popular amongst your
peers.
Friends w ill be he lpful but
demanding. T he months of
September, December, March and
July will prove to be significant.
 30 October 19-25, 2019
By Sant Rajinder Singh
Ji Maharaj
W
e have witnessed more
scientific and techno‑
logical advances in the
past four decades than in all pre‑
vious recorded history. Scientists
have uncovered many of the laws
which govern nature itself. The
more they learn about the mys‑
teries of nature, the more they
marvel at the perfection of the
universe.
Many now proclaim that the
universe cannot be haphazard,
but must be the design of some
higher power.
There is a perfect balance in
nature. Our world, our environ‑
ment, and nature itself form a liv‑
ing, interdependent system. The
perfect balance of nature which
has maintained life on our planet
for millions of years is being
threatened by the very technolo‑
gy that has transformed the mod‑
ern world.
Every day the media report new
threats to the environment. The
air we breathe, the water we
drink, and the land from which
we derive our food are all pro‑
gressive ly polluted. T he very
atmosphere protecting the earth
is endangered. The concern for
the ecology of our planet is not
limited to any one country or part
of the world. We face a global
problem.
Concern for the ecology has
become one of the main preoccu‑
pations of the world. If we look
into the etymology of the word
"ecology" we find that it comes
from the Greek language. The
Greek word oikos means "house"
or "dwelling place." The element
"logy" means "the study of”.
There is another way of under‑
standing the word ecology. Saints
and mystics refer to our home or
dwelling place as the physical
bo dy which Go d Himse lf has
made. The indweller of this house
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Like all other natural cycles,
there is a cycle of soul
is the soul. The scriptures tell us
that we have a responsibility to
maintain and preserve the purity
and beauty of the soul and its
dwelling place. Unfortunately, we
have largely ignored our spiritual
side and have sacrificed its purity
for the sake of the transitory
world. We can learn how to
restore nature and our own self
to their original beauty. And we
can put into practice methods to
preserve our spiritual purity.
All life forms one perfect tapes‑
try. Fundamental laws and cycles
underlie existence. The life cycle
in nature is an example of perfect
interconnectedness. Water from
the seas evaporates and turns
into water vapor. In this process,
impurities and minerals are left
behind. T he vapor forms into
clouds, which are blown across
the land. As the clouds meet cool
air, the water condenses into
water droplets, and these pour
down as rain or snow which nour‑
ishes life. For countless ages this
cycle has brought water from the
abundant oceans to the land so
that animals and people can have
fresh water to drink and green
plants can flourish.
With all our advances, we have
not devised a technology that can
duplicate the method by which
green plants convert sunlight,
carbon dioxide, and water into
food and oxygen. Through this
simple process the earth receives
a fresh supply of oxygen, neces‑
sary for all life, and an inex‑
haustible store of food is avail‑
able.
T here is a perfect design in
nature. Even death helps to bring
forth life. When plants and ani‑
mals die, their decomposed bod‑
ies provide essential minerals for
crops. After millions of years the
decomposed material forms into
energy‑producing fossil fuels. The
ecological system which God cre‑
ated on our earth is so unique
that ours is the only habitable
planet in our solar system.
Like other natural cycles ‑ such
as the water cycle, the plant cycle,
and the fossil‑fuel cycle ‑ there is
also a cycle of the soul. The soul's
journey began with the creation
Let us devote our time to the
spiritual practices so we can
recover our innate God‑given
beauty. Once we develop it, we
will reflect that radiance to all
those with whom we come in
contact. We will, in fact, shower
that love on all living things and
on our planet earth.
of the universes, and it has been
in motion ever since.
The scriptures tell us that in the
beginning, God was all alone. He
was an ocean of all blissful con‑
sciousness. Then He decided to
become many from One. T his
thought set in motion a vibration,
which resulted in two primal
manifestations: Light and Sound.
All scriptures speak of this Light
and Sound by various names. This
Word or Naam was the God‑into‑
expression power. It created vari‑
ous planes of existence: the pure‑
ly spiritual plane of Sach Khand,
the supracausal plane, the causal
plane, the astral plane, and the
material realms of this physical
plane. It created human beings
and all other species of life. It is
this creative power which keeps
the universe running in perfect
symmetry and harmony, holding
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
planets in their orbit and the stars
in the heavens.
The soul is a spark of that cre‑
ative principle. It is the enlivening
force within us. As long as the
soul inhabits the body, the body is
alive. At the time of physical
death, the soul departs that body
for good.
When God created the univers‑
es, He separated souls from
Himself to inhabit the worlds.
Thus began the cycle of the soul.
For eons it has been inhabiting
the various planes of creation,
taking up residence in one life
form or another. When life in one
body or life form ends, the soul
returns to inhabit another. As a
plant dies in the winter to regen‑
erate in the spring, so does the
soul transmigrate. When one life
is over, it begins another, in a new
form. Nothing is lost in nature.
The soul, being a spark of the
immortal God, never dies. It sim‑
ply moves from one life to anoth‑
er.
God, while separating souls
from Himself, has also provided a
way for souls to return to Him.
This way back to Him is through
the current of Naam or Word. But,
in the scheme of creation, it has
been so ordained that the soul
does not remember its past exis‑
tence until it has achieved spiritu‑
al evolution. If we were to recall
each previous birth, our present
life would be so complicated with
memories of former ties, it would
be difficult to function within our
existing relationships. We would
be see king out our parents,
spouses, and children from previ‑
ous births. Thus, a cloud of for‑
getfulness covers each soul when
it enters a new birth. It has also
forgotten its true nature as soul, a
drop of God. In its successive
births, the soul, in its state of
ignorance, identifies with the
mind and body. Instead of seeking
the way back to its Source, it is
attracted to the temptations of
the world.
The knowledge of our true self
lies buried in the deepest recesses
of our innermost soul. Like a dia‑
mond buried deep within the
earth, or the layers of rich oil
lying far below the earth's sur‑
face, our most precious treasure,
the soul, lies buried beneath lay‑
ers of mind, matter, and illusion.
We need to tap into it during our
present life span to uncover our
greatest resource.
Let us devote our time to the
spiritual practices so we can
recover our innate God‑given
beauty. Once we develop it, we
will reflect that radiance to all
those with whom we come in con‑
tact. We will, in fact, shower that
love on all living things and on
our planet earth. By restoring the
ecological health of our soul, we
will be purifying and uplifting all
creation.
Then, this world will return to
the divine stage of godly bliss and
ecstasy for which we were
created.
(For more visit www.sos.org)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info October 19-25, 2019
TheSouthAsianTimes.info October 19-25, 2019