US Affairs 10

Subcontinent 19

Astrology 29

Spiritual Awareness 30

NEW YORK EDITION

Vol.4 No.9 June 18-24, 2011 60 Cents
Eboo Patel: Youth focus to raise religious tolerance Tristate Community, Page 5 Indian American to lead MIT's largest academic deptt National Community, Page 7 India invites partnership with diaspora for progress PBD Toronto, Page 9

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Meghnad Desai in race for House of Lords Speaker Diaspora, Page 14

Lokpal talks collapse amid acrimony, Hazare to fast again

New Delhi: The two-month dialogue between the government and the civil society for an effective Lokpal bill collapsed Thursday amid acrimony, with Gandhian Anna Hazare announcing another fast here from Aug 16 and cabinet ministers saying the government cannot be threatened. With each side sticking to its stand on contentious issues, Hazare, 74, said he would resume at Jantar Mantar a hunger strike that he had called off after five days in April when the government agreed to set up a 10-member panel to frame a Lokpal bill to fight corruption. After six rounds of talks (the civil society boycotted the June 6 meeting), Hazare accused the government of cheating the civil society that has campaigned for a strong Lokpal, or Ombudsman, while ministers accused the anti-corruption crusader of trying to set up a parallel government. You cannot create a parallel government Continued on page 4...

Ranju Batra sworn in as AIA-NY President

Whos Who of community wishes her well at Indian Consulate

Batra taking oath as President of Association of Indians in America-NY chapter (L to R): Amb. Hardeep Puri, Lakshmi Puri, Chandini Dayal, Ranju Batra, Ravi Batra, Neal Batra, Amb. Prabhu Dayal, Shashi Chugh, Tarun Munjal, and Angela Batra-Munjal. New York: Ranju Batra was sworn in as President of the Association of Indians in America (New York Chapter) on June 13, by Amb. Prabhu Dayal, Indias Consul General, in a ballroom overflowing with dignitaries and well wishers at the Indian Consulate here. The celebratory program started with the Indian and American national anthems, Continued on page 15...

Gandhian Anna Hazare (top) and HRD minister Kapil Sibal are blaming each other for the stalemate.

Galaxy of Bollystars coming to Toronto IIFA

Toronto: With more than half a million people of Indian origin in its population, Canada's largest city will see the biggest gathering of Bollywood stars on North American soil to honor its best films and stars for the 12th Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards to be held from June 23-25. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, the Deol clan of Dharmendra, Sunny, Bobby, Esha and Hema Malini, Preity Zinta, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Mallika Sherawat, Dia Mirza, Anil Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Neetu and Rishi Kapoor, Arbaaz and Malaika Arora Khan and many more stars are descending here for a grand showcasing of the world's largest film industry. But the Bachchans - superstar Amitabh or any of his family members Abhishek, Aishwarya and Jaya - are not coming to the party. Shah Rukh Khan has been nominated for his lead role in My Name is Khan. The three-day show, which opens with Salman Khan's debut production Chillar Party, a light-hearted comedy about the lives of seven children hailing from different sections of society, will culminate in the "Bollywood Oscars" night of the IIFA Awards on June 25. There is so much rush to see Bollywood stars that the tickets for the awards night were sold out in minutes. Shiamak Davar, Continued on page 4.....

IALI honored 5 at annual gala Sunday at Long Island Marriott. (Bottom row) Haridas Kotahwala, Kanak Golia, Dr. Vinod Jayam, Dr. Kishore Kuncham and Shudh Parkash Singh were also given citations by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. (Top row) MC Renee Lobo, Ed Mangano, IALI President GobindMunjal, NY State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and Kamlesh Mehta, Deputy Director,Nassau County Office of Economic Development. (Photo by Michael Tamborrino) More photos and report on pages 16-18.

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Indian Idol to serenade JAINA meet in Houston

Houston: The JAINA Convention theme of Live and Help Live emphasizes the idea to live a life of worthiness by serving others. Jain way of life is based on three core principles (Jain AAAs) of Ahimsa (compassionate living), Aparigraha (responsible living), and Anekantvad (social living). It also underlines the ancient Jain maxim Parasparopagraho jivanam - all life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence. Houston is getting ready for the 16th Biennial JAINA 2011 Convention held over the Independence Day holidays from July 1- 4. Volunteers have put in immense efforts to create a wholesome 4day program which features six concurrent tracks. Over 35 dignitaries/scholars and saints, will be featured in the daytime programs which will include multiple religious/non-religious & interfaith sessions. Evenings will feature entertainment including a play performance entitled Gandhi before Gandhi, Rass-Garba dance celebration; and a first for JAINA - A Jains Got Talent competition that will feature individual & group

Ackerman writes to Hillary, backing Batra in Krittika case

New York: Congressman Gary L. Ackerman has issued a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in support of Ravi Batra's Letter of June 1, 2011, and states "I cannot but help but agree with [Batra's] interpretation of the Vienna Convention." Ackerman also urged Clinton to seek a legal review of the State Departments interpretation of the relevant articles of the Vienna Convention with regard to the wrongful arrest of Krittika Biswas, daughter of an Indian diplomat. Batra replied to Congressman Ackerman, and said, "...by issuing your Letter you have acted to restore to every human being on earth of a signatory nation their International Miranda Rights, as well as the privileges and immunities guaranteed to family members of consular post members serving on foreign soil, including American family members of American consuls worldwide. You have also re-exhibited the genius of our founding fathers who bequeath to us all the separation of powers regime as you check and balance Amerido good by her is to do good for all of humanity from all signatory nations. Your distinguished service in the House since 1983 is recognized the world over, for you have caused greater peace and security in the Middle East, including, Israel, and South Asia. Now, you do so for the world. On behalf of my client, Krittika Biswas, and our fellow citizens of the world, you personify American greatness and leadership!" Meanwhile even as India reportedly lodged a "strong protest" with Washington over Krittikas arrest in New York, the US stuck to its position that family members of consular officials do not enjoy diplomatic immunity. "We were aware of her status," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters Tuesday, but "As I've said before, as a family member of a consular officer at the Indian consulate in New York, she did not enjoy immunity from arrest from criminal or civil jurisdiction under international law."

Congressman Gary L. Ackerman

Convention highlights include Jains Got Talent competition and show by Indian Idol 5 Sriram. talent from across the country. A grand performance by three winners of Indian Idol 2010 will be the highlight of the final days program. A parallel youth Jain Networking Forum (JNF) will include youth oriented activities and programs including networking opportunities and entrepreneurship forums. JAINA is an umbrella organization of Jain organizations in the US & Canada.

can policy and recalibrate same to be true to America's core founding ideal: equal protection of law. This honors the sacrifices of so many to keep freedom alive, for the core covenant of law is freedom from misdeeds, be they whimsical or tyrannical. Batra continued, "Ordinarily, it is the job of government to do good for the many, at the cost of the few, while the noble judiciary toil to fashion merit-based justice for the one. Krittika Biswas case, however, is unique, for to

Raj & Rajeshwari charity to host fundraiser

Woodbury, NY: The Raj & Rajeshwari Foundation (RRF) will host its annual fundraiser on June 23 at the Woodlands in Woodbury to continue its mission to provide healthcare to the most needy in India. Guest Speakers include Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto. RRF is a medical humanitarian organization that delivers aid to people affected by exclusion from health care by reason of poverty and lack of infrastructure in an around District Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 2000 by an eminent retired Thoracic & Cardio Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Rajesh K. Singh, and his wife Rajeshwari Devi Singh, RRF is ably supported by their sons - Harendra Singh and Dr. Jitendra Singh, and son in law Dr. J.P. Singh. Being honored at this year s event are Michael J. Sposato, Sheriff of the Nassau County bilitation and runs a 16 bed hospital, performs surgery, carries out vaccination campaigns, operates feeding centers for malnourished people and offers mental health care. It is a mammoth task and no single organization or individual can tackle these problems in rural and poverty stricken areas in the world, said Dr. Rajesh Singh. However, RRF has made humble beginnings and they hope that others will follow. On a daily basis they treat patients for pathologies that are no longer treated in the Western Hemisphere on a normal basis. Such patients suffer from Typhoid, Malaria, and Leprosy and other such diseases. People interested in supporting RRF or attending the Fundraiser can call (516) 470-1824. More information can also be obtained through their website - www.rajrajfoundation.org.

Osama's comrade Zawahiri is the new al Qaeda chief

Dubai: Osama bin Laden's long-time lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahri, is now the leader of al-Qaeda, Al Arabiya television reported on Thursday. The Egyptian-born Zawahiri vowed earlier this month to press ahead with al-Qaeda's campaign against the United Ayman al-Zawahri States and its allies, in what appeared to be his first public response to bin Laden's death in a US commando raid in Pakistan in May. Zawahri, whose whereabouts are unknown, had been seen as bin Laden's most likely successor.

Dr Rajesh Singh (left) with a boy whose hands were bunt shut, but who can fully use his hands following corrective sugery. Correctional Center & the Civil Enforcement Division; John R. Durso, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 338, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, Board of Trustee at Nassau Community College; and Steven E. Skrynecki, Chief of Department for the Nassau County Police Department. RRF provides health care, reha-

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June 18-24, 2011

IIFA story Continued from page 1 who is also a Canadian citizen and runs a dance school here, will be the official choreographer of the IIFA Awards. According to organizers, more than 22,000 people are expected to attend the IIFA Awards which will be beamed internationally to over 700 million people. Twenty Bollywood films are being screened in Toronto and its sister cities of Brampton, Mississauga and Markham as part of the IIFA Awards. These include Chak De India, Hera Pheri, Dabangg and Dil To Pagal Hai. Interestingly, the Indian-dominated city of Brampton on the outskirts of Toronto will name a street Raj Kapoor Crescent after the legendary Raj Kapoor during the IIFA Awards. By special arrangement with organizers, The South Asian Times team will be attending the IIFA Awards in Toronto to bring exclusive coverage for its readers in America.

Salman Khans Chillar Party will open IIFA 11.

Gurmeet Sodhi invited to White House reception

New York: Gurmeet K. Sodhi has been invited by the President Barack Obama and First Lady to attend the Asian American Pacific Islanders Commission reception at the White House on June 22a first for an Indian Talk Show Host. With almost a decade of experience as a talk show host, Gurmeet Sodhi is known as one of the most influential women in the South Asian media community. Her talk show GS with GS (Gup Shup with Gurmeet Sodhi) on Jus Punjabi has kicked-off its third successful season on April 1st, 2011. Her invitation to the White House was initiated by Mr. Amardeep Singh who serves as a Commissioner on the White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, appointed by President Obama. Mr. Singh is the first Sikh ever to serve on this commission.

Asamai Hindu Temple in Hicksville, NY, honored Rajan Zed for his leadership role in Hinduism and promotion of interfaith dialogue on June 12. Temple priest Madan Kumar Jha presented Zed, who is President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, with a religious scarf on June 12 even as temple leaders Radhu Bathija and Gobind Bathija looked on. The same day he was honored by the Hicksville gurdwara with a siropa. Based in Reno, Nevada, Zed was visiting the Tristate area to participate in the "Religious Leadership in an Interfaith World" seminar of prestigious Hartford Seminary (Connecticut) from June 6 to 10.
Lok pal story Continued from page 1 which controls every activity relating to the government, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, one of the five ministers in the Lokpal panel, told a news conference. You cannot threaten a negotiation process, he said, with cabinet colleagues P. Chidambaram and Salman Khursheed flanking him. You cannot threaten us and then negotiate with us. This is not the way forward. Sibal also underlined that Hazare and his representatives did not represent the 1.2 billion people of India. Home Minister Chidambaram said the government was determined to draft a strong and sound Lokpal bill before the mutually agreed deadline of June 30 and present it to parliament. Meeting journalists a little while earlier, Hazare and his confidant Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at the government. Now that the government is turning its back on its promise, I will fast again from Aug 16, Hazare said. Kejriwal said the government was neither serious about the Lokpal bill nor about fighting corruption. The government has frittered away a huge opportunity to provide a good legislation to the country The governments Lokpal bill is a jokepal bill. The government does not agree with the civil societys demands that the prime minister and the higher judiciary should be brought within the ambit of the Lokpal. There are also fundamental differences about the structure of the Lokpal institution and how it should function.

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Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Eboo Patel: Youth focus for religious tolerance

Chicago: President Obama sent a letter last month to 2,000 university presidents inviting them to sign up their campuses for the Interfaith and Community Service Challenge in the coming school year. So far, some 400 have signed on. According to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Eboo Patel, who served on the presidents religion advisory council and his Interfaith Youth Core were critical early partners in developing the new initiative Eboo Patel is an American Muslim of Gujarati Indian heritage who started the Interfaith Youth Core in 2002 with a $35,000 grant from the Ford Foundation. The Chicago-based nonprofit that aims to promote interfaith cooperation has today 31 employees and a budget of $4 million. Patel is a doctorate in sociology of religion from Oxford University. His autobiography Acts of Faith is required freshman reading on 11 college campuses. Patel, whose parents belong to the Ismaili Shiite sect (led by the Imam Aga Khan IV) which is known for its philanthropic work, got where he has by identifying a problem in American civic life and proposing a solution. He interfaith group is a breath of fresh air. It has managed to channel youthful idealism and spiritual searching have been channeled by pro bono consultants from McKinsey & Company into strategic plans, templates and spreadsheets. By the end of the school year in June 2010, the Youth Core had trained 18 interfaith fellows who each recruited about 40 students on their campuses. By this June, the Youth Core had trained leaders on 97 campuses, who engaged an average of 100 students, for a total of 10,000 participants more than 10 times over the previous year. The leaders are undergraduates, religious and nonreligious, who attended summer training sessions led by Youth Core staff members and then returned to their campuses to organize interfaith events and community service projects using the upbeat slogan, Better Together. Now, during the work day, Mr. Patel flies from speaking engagements to White House meetings to college campuses. Six university presidents have signed paying contracts to have the Youth Core assess the state of inter-religious relations and awareness on campus and devise proposals on how to improve them.

Rakhi Mehra is 2011 Harvard Social Entrepreneurship fellow

Boston, Mass: The Harvard Business School has awarded the 2011 Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship to Rakhi Mehra, who was selected for her work in cofounding micro Home Solutions, a social initiative for developing sustainable housing solutions for the urban poor. Her achievement was recognized at this year's HBS Business Plan Contest, where teams of student entrepreneurs compete to win cash and in-kind services. The HBS Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship program supports recent HBS graduates who are launching social ventures nonprofit, forprofit, or hybrid organizations with a central focus on creating social value. Through a competitive selection process, the program provides a recipient with $25,000 in funding to support the venture. "Harvard Business School has a tremendous commitment to social enterprise, which is exemplified through the work of Rakhi Mehra and other MBA students and alumni striving to drive social change," Laura Moon, director of the School's Social Enterprise

Eboo Patel serves at White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships figured that if Muslim radicals and extremists of other religions were recruiting young people then those who believe in religious tolerance should also enlist the youth. Interfaith activism could be a cause on college campuses, he argued, as much a norm as the environmental or womens rights movements, as ambitious as Teach for America. The crucial ingredient was to gather students of different religions together not just to talk, he said, but to work together to feed the hungry, tutor children or build housing. Until Mr. Patel came along, the interfaith movement in the US was largely the province of elders and clergy members hosting dialogues and book clubs and drafting documents that had little impact at the grass roots, wrote the New York Times. Patels

Mehra cofounded micro Home Solutions, an initiative to develop low cost homes for urban poor Initiative, stated in a press release. Prior to receiving her MBA from Harvard Business School in 2009, she studied economics at St. Stephens College, Delhi, and received a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University, where she studied politics, philosophy, and economics. She was also a competitive swimmer for India and swam on the winning English Channel relay team for Oxford University. With many years of international development experience, Mehra has worked with CARE, social entrepreneur group Ashoka Fellows, Grameen Bank, and RABO Bank, a global bank focused on agribusiness.

NIAASC annual meet focuses on housing for seniors

New York: The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) held its twenty first conference on seniors on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Indian American Kerala Center in Elmont, New York. The conference was conducted in collaboration with the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) and the Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center (Kerala Center). The conference was sponsored by New York Psychiatry and Cognitive Care, five nonprofit organizations and twenty individuals. The conference subject was Housing Choices for Seniors and the keynote speaker was Leslie Joy Larson who is affiliated with new York Life and member of National Aging in Place Council and Senior Umbrella Network. She provided a broad picture of various components of senior housing from Independent Living to Nursing Homes. Her presentation was followed by a panel presentation moderated by P. Ramaswamy Mohan, NIAASC Secretary, on three components of senior housing: Living in a Retirement Housing led by Dr. Samir K. Dutta, former Vice President of NIAASC and former President of Association of Indians in America (AIA); Assisted Living led by Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Vice President of NIAASC and Founder President of India Home Inc.; and Home Share by Mr. Rajeshwar Prasad. Almost 50 participants joined in a long interactive discussion on different components of the presentations. Dr. Dutta elaborated how NIAASC efforts resulted in the first Retirement housing complex (Shanti Niketan) in Tavares, Florida with the leadership of Iggy Ignatius, Founder

NIAASC members with participants at the conference of Bharat Vilas, a nonprofit organization. He further stated that despite the dismal real estate market all the 54 condos were sold because of the services the project provides or intends to provide such as Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, meditation and yoga, Indian movies, community club, Internet support. Dr. Kalasapudi elaborated on Assisted Living and chalked out plan as to how India Home is planning to provide such services to Indian Americans in collaboration with current facilities in New York area. Mr. Prasad elaborated the relatively new concept of Home Share where a senior home owner can spare a bedroom to a home seeker (tenant) at a reduced rent coupled with help in house chores such as shoveling snow, grocery shopping and taking senior to doctors appointment. He further elaborated on benefits and downsides of this arrangement. The program, Prasad indicated, is run nationwide under various entities through Home Share coordinators governed by the Fair Housing Laws.

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Indian-American hedge fund manager had at least 8 tipsters

New York: At least eight people provided Samir Barai, Indian American owner of Barai Capital Management, with non-public information about technology companies, a former company analyst has testified. Former analyst Jason Pflaum also testified Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan that he destroyed data his firm received from so- called expert networkers after Galleon Group hedge fund co-founder Raj Rajaratnam was arrested on insider trading charges. He was testifying at the trial of Winifred Jiau, 43, the former Primary Global Research LLC consultant who is charged with illegally passing tips about Nvidia Corp. and Marvell Technology Group Ltd. to hedge fund managers, including Pflaum's former boss, Barai. Asked by Jiau's lawyer, Joanna Hendon, what caused him to delete the files, Pflaum said: "The context was the Galleon case." "There was some discussion internally post-Galleon. There was more sensitivity to over-the-line business. More of a concern internally of who we could be talking to that was over the line." Asked if Barai was concerned that the US was investigating his firm, Pflaum said his boss wasn't worried after Rajaratnam and five others were arrested in October 2009. "The gist of the conversation was 'let's clean up some of our contacts that are questionable,'" Pflaum said. "I don't think there was any major concern. They just wanted to make sure I got rid of them." Barai pleaded guilty on May 28 to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, as well as to charges of wire fraud and obstruction. Pflaum testified he decided to secretly cooperate with the U.S. after Federal Bureau of Investigation agents approached him in October 2010. He continued to work for Barai until he pleaded guilty in January and testified he wore a wire during this period. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Leibowitz asked Pflaum to rank for the jury the level of providers of inside information, including Jiau, who gave data about companies to Barai Capital. "On a relative basis, Winnie was at the top," Pflaum said. The other eight people he mentioned ranked below her in accuracy and detail.

Female attorney charged with prostitution

Washington, DC: An attractive Indian origin attorney in the US, Reema Bajaj, has been charged with prostitution for allegedly 'offering to perform a sex act on man for 50 dollars.' The law expert is said to have met with a sex customer within 1,000 feet of a school during August 2010. Bajaj has been charged with two misdemeanors and one felony count, the Daily Mail quoted officials, as saying. DeKalb County Assistant State's Attorney Julie Trevarthen said that a felony charge has been imposed because one of the offences is alleged to have taken place near the school, while another offence involves 'charging a man 50 dollars to perform a sex act on him.' Police linked Bajaj to prostitution after discovering emails between her and a man while carrying out a separate child pornography probe. Reema had recently posted a statement on her website before it was taken down. "I am probably one of the few attorneys who knows what it feels like to be accused and in need of help. This action will only make me stronger and better able to understand what my clients are going through," she wrote. Bajaj had graduated last year and was admitted to the bar in November. She was charged on May 31 and is currently out on bail after submitting a 500 dollars cash bond.

Helena Kaushik Foundation organizes a concert at NY Consulate

New York: An instrumental concert was held at the Consulate General of India in New York on Friday, June 3, 2011 in association with the Helena Kaushik Education Foundation, a not-forprofit organization that promotes education, culture, music, IndoAmerican relations and Partha Bose (sitar), Subrata Manna (tabla) community service. It was the second in the and Michael Braudy (violin) in performance in the Jewels of India series concerts at the Jewels of India Series Consul General of India in New York. concerts which presents the best of Indian Bora Asha Kore, Phule Phule musicians at the Consulate. Pratap Dhole Dhole and Purano Sei Diner K. Mohanty, Consul for Education, Katha to the delight of the full Passport and Visa welcomed the house audience of more than 150 guests and Professor Surendra K. people. Kaushik introduced foundations Michael Braudy's last number in educational and cultural programs the evening was a duet of Raga including a short video presenta- Kirwani with virtuoso sitar maestro tion of Mrs. Helena Kaushik Partha Bose from Kolkata. Partha Womens College in Malsisar, Bose had led India's delegation of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan which he musicians to Africa during the 60th founded and which has completed Year of India's Independence and twelve years with more than 900 has performed in all major concerts graduates. in India and in many countries A renowned violinist Mr. including Canada, Germany, Michael Braudy of Brooklyn, New United Kingdom, and the United York opened the concert. He start- States. ed his performance with Bach's Partha Bose mesmerized the Aliened from Partita in D minor audience with ragas following the accompanied by Subrata Manna presentation by Mr. Braudy, from Kolkata on tabla. He fol- sitarist, Partha Bose played a few lowed it with another solo Bach striking ragas, one on the arrival of movement from Partita in B minor. spring another on the late evening The virtuoso violinist plays raga followed by Gandhijis Celtic music and Indian music as favorite Bhajan, Vaishnav Jan well. He is particularly fond of To. Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Rabindranath Tagore's music so he the Consul General of India in New presented three Tagore songs in York expressed his appreciation of honor of the great poet's 150th the artists and encouraged the audibirthday in 2011. Mr. Braudy per- ence to give back to India in social formed three of Tagore's songs: investment in womens colleges.

Sikhs donate materials to Queens libraries on Sikhism

New York: On May 20, local Sikh leaders donated books, DVDs and pamphlets to Queens libraries in an ongoing campaign to increase awareness of Sikh culture, history and religion. Community activist and the leader of the Sikh awareness project, Jagir Singh Bains explains that the awareness campaign was launched by the Sikhs because of the confusion and mistaken identity about them after 9/11. The Sikh community suffered a wave of hate crimes by assailants who mistakenly associated Sikh men with members of al Qaeda. Im not advertising my religion, I am trying to explain my religion. Sikhs believe God is one, he is the creator and lives within his creation. Sikhs believe in equality, compassion, tolerance, human rights and universal love. Sikhs are peace loving and law abiding people, Bains said. Bains currently is a member of his local community board and he hopes to acquaint New Yorkers as to the Sikh ethic of hard work, lawfulness and community service. Of 62 community libraries in Queens,

(L to R) Marc Haken, Library Manager Francesca Bishop, Jasbir Kaur, Dhan Singh, Dr. Saroop Singh Alag, Sikh Leader of Queens Jagir Singh Bains, Lambar Singh, Julia Saferio and Satwinder Singh Sandhar 56 now have the books on Sikhism.

Comcast expands South Asian networks into NJ and Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA: Comcast has announced the launch of five additional South Asian networks in parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The new networks include STAR India PLUS, STAR India NEWS, STAR India GOLD, STAR ONE, SET (Sony Entertainment Television), which are now available in addition to TV Asia, Zee TV and Neo Cricket. These channels add to the regions current lineup of international programming to include more news, dramas, music, movies, lifestyle, family and popular entertainment shows. These channels deliver a wide offering of South Asian entertainment programming including programs like Boogie Woogie, Indian Idol and Lift Kara De on SET Asia; Tere Liye, Chhote Ustad and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hain on STAR India PLUS and Aaj Ki Baat on STAR India NEWS. Comcast is dedicated to providing our customers with the information and entertainment

choices that reflect the diverse interests and connects them with whats important in their lives, said Eric Schaefer, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Comcasts Freedom Region. NEO Cricket can be found on channel 689, STAR India NEWS on channel 690, Zee TV on channel 691, STAR ONE on channel 692, STAR India PLUS on channel 693, SET Asia on channel 694, TV Asia on channel 695, and STAR India GOLD on channel 696

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Indian American to lead MIT's largest academic department

Washington, DC: Indian American Anantha P. Chandrakasan has been named the new leader of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) largest academic department Chandrakasan, the Joseph F. and Nancy P. Keithley Professor of Electrical Engineering, has been named the next head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Cambridge, Massachusetts-based MIT announced Monday. He will assume the new role beginning July 1. Chandrakasan will take over the role previously held by Eric Grimson, who was named MIT's chancellor in February. EECS is the largest academic department at MIT; nearly 30 percent of undergraduates major in the department's programs. 'As the largest academic department in the School of Engineering, and at MIT, EECS and its faculty are involved in an exceptional range of intellectual, educational, and research activities,' School of Engineering Dean Ian Waitz said in an email to the EECS community. 'I welcome the new ideas that Anantha will bring to leading EECS and his dedication as he assumes this role.' Chandrakasan earned his BS (1989), MS (1990) and PhD (1994) in electrical engineering and computer sciences from the University of California at Berkeley; he joined the MIT faculty in 1994. His research interests include micro-power digital and mixedsignal integrated circuit design, wireless microsensor system design, portable multimedia devices and energy efficient radios. As director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL), Chandrakasan and his colleagues have conducted microsystems research in circuits and systems, microelectromechanical systems, electronic and photonic devices, and molecular and nanotechnology. Chandrakasan will step down as MTL's director, a position he has held since 2006. Chandrakasan and his students have won a range prizes and awards, and he has been honored with the Semiconductor Industry Association University Researcher Award (2009), and election as a Fellow of the IEEE.He serves as the Conference

Anantha P Chandrakasan will be next head of EECS dept. Chair of the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, a position he has held since 2010.

California to let Sikh prisoners keep beards

Washington, DC: California has agreed to allow prisoners in the state to keep unshorn beards in accordance with their faith, according to the Sikh Coalition, a community advocacy group. The change follows settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Sikh Coalition against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) on behalf of Sukhjinder Singh Basra, a Sikh inmate. Under the settlement Basra's disciplinary record for refusing to cut his beard will be expunged. An otherwise model inmate, Basra suffered repeated disciplinary sanctions for keeping his religiously-mandated beard uncut, the group said. The settlement protects not just Sikhs but inmates of all faiths who maintain religiously-mandated beards. Under its terms, CDCR will repeal a rule prohibiting inmates from growing facial hair more than a half inch in length. 'Basra was peaceably observing his faith while posing absolutely no threat to the health and safety of the prison population,' said Daniel Mach, director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. 'We are glad that the CDCR has recognized the fundamental importance of basic religious exercise even within the prison walls.' 'This victory underscores the bedrock principle of religious freedom upon which this country was founded,' said Harsimran Kaur, Legal Director of the Sikh Coalition. 'The right to practice one's faith free from government interference applies to everyone, including religious minorities like Sikhs.'

Pilot, Congress, BJP spokespersons at Yale leadership program

Washington, DC: Indias Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot and spokespersons of the Congress and the BJP are among 13 MPs from seven parties attending a nine-day leadership program at Yale University this week. Global political-economic affairs and the challenges of leadership are the focus of the fifth India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program June 16-25 at the Ivy League university's New Haven, Connecticut, campus. It will be complemented by a three-day program of meetings, discussions and interactions in New York City, the university announced. Besides Pilot, who represents Ajmer in the Lok Sabha and Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari (Ludhiana), the other Congress participants are Bhakta Charan Das (Kalahandi) and Ashok Tanwar (Sirsa). From the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), besides spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy (Rajya Sabha, Bihar), the other participants are Sanjay Jaiswal (Paschim Champaran) and Piyush Goyal (Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra). The Nationalist Congress Party is represented by Supriya Sule (Baramati) and Ranjitsinh Vijaysingh Mohite Patil (Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra). The Other participants are: Jose K. Mani (Kerala Congress (M), Kottayam), Baijayant Panda (Biju Janata Dal, Kendrapara), Anand Prakash Paranjpe (Shiv Sena, Kalyan) and Prem Das Rai (Sikkim Democratic Front, Sikkim). The parliamentarians will be accompanied by Ramesh Chandran, executive director, India-US Forum of Parliamentarians and advisor, FICCI. More than 60 members of India's parliament will have participated since Yale started the program in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the India-US Forum of Parliamentarians in 2007. The program underscores 'Yale's longstanding commitment to educating our students for service and leadership. We have now gone a step further to include emerging and mid-career leaders,' Yale president Richard C. Levin stated. 'The program will provide the parliamentarians with opportunities to critically think about the challenges of leadership and to explore freely, away from the legislative arena, the issues facing India,' he said. The program 'has been widely appreciated by those of us serving in politics. The presentations and discussions cover a range of topics and ideas, by and with some of the top academics in the world, and the setting is excellent for vigorous but non-partisan exchanges of views,' said parliamentary forum chairman Panda. 'Yale University will help the parliamentarians in achieving a greater and more informed engagement in public policy discussions,' said FICCI secretary general Rajiv Kumar. 'With some of the world renowned experts of Yale, the parliamentarians get an opportunity to interact with them on a wide spectrum of global issues as well as on issues relating to leadership and management,' said FICCI President Harsh Mariwala.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

HAF report focuses on plight of Hindus worldwide

Washington, DC: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi had just finished addressing an audience of activists, community leaders, and scholars at the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis on May 23. As his talk, which extolled what he called religious harmony and co-existence in his country, wrapped up, Prime Minister Badawi was met by Suhag Shukla, Esq., Managing Director and Legal Counsel of the Hindu American Foundation. "Your description of your country as a pluralistic Islamic democracy is very different than what we are hearing from Hindus living in Malaysia, Shukla stated. When he solicited examples, Shukla listed cases of Hindu parents losing parental rights when a spouse converts to Islam and native born Hindus and Christians being denied access to jobs and education unless they are Muslim ethnic Malays. We have been reporting these incidences annually in our Foundations human rights report, she told Mr. Badawi. According to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)s seventh annual human rights report, Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora: A Survey of Human Rights 2010, the tragic stories of Malaysian Hindus, gang rapes of Hindu girls in Bangladesh, and destroyed Hindu temples in Pakistan comprise a grim reality for many Hindus across the world, including within the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. As in years past, the Foundations 2010 report censures eight countries for what it considers rampant human rights violations and discriminatory laws that designate minorities as second class citizens. It expresses continued concern about two other countries where improvement is considered highly unlikely in the near term--Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia--and a third instance of Australia, where acts of omission and commission have made life difficult for Indians and Hindus. Advanced copies of the 2010 report were released to the U.S. State Department and several members of the U.S. Congress late last week. In Pakistan, the report detailed an alarming trend of kidnappings, forced conversions of young girls, and deadly attacks on non-Muslims amidst an atmosphere of escalating violence and intolerance. Similarly, despite a slight decrease in the number of attacks in Bangladesh and the governments expansion of the national Human Rights Commission, Hindus continued to be victims of ethnic cleansing waged by Islamic fundamentalists. Hindus in Bangladesh are subjected to daily acts of murder, rape, kidnapping, temple destruction, and physical intimidation. The report further noted a lack of significant progress in resolving the plight of Hindu refugees from the Kashmir Valley in India, as Kashmiri Pandits continued to live in abject conditions in refugee camps in the cities of Jammu and New Delhi. Bhutan, Fiji, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago are among the other countries covered in the report, along with the Hot Spots of Afghanistan, Australia and Saudi Arabia. The annual report will be the basis of discussions with congressional leaders during HAFs annual visit to Capitol Hill later this fall. The report has been cited as a resource by several U.S. government agencies and added to the library collections on major university campuses.

Roop Mahajan named Lewis Hester Chair in Engineering

Washington, DC: Indian American Roop Mahajan, an internationally known researcher with expertise ranging from nanotechnology to biomicro-electro-mechanical systems, has been named the Lewis Hester Chair in Engineering by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. With Master's degrees from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, and PhD from Cornell University, Mahajan is professor of mechanical engineering and engineering science and mechanics in the College of Engineering and director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech. The Lewis Hester Chair in Engineering was established in 1989 to recognize excellence in the field of engineering. The professorship is for a five-year period. Mahajan research interests include biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, humanistic engineering, thermal sciences, artificial neural networks, and robust sustainability. As the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science's first permanent director, Mahajan led an initiative to position Virginia Tech

Roop Mahajan, director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech. among the leaders in cutting edge interdisciplinary and trans disciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, physical, life and social sciences. Its core areas of research -nanoscale science and engineering, nano-bio interface, cognition and communication, and sustainability -are geared to generate technologies and solutions for sustainable energy, sustainable water, renewable materials, and national security.

Accused in Sikh cabbie beating sentenced

Woodland, CA: Pedro Ramirez, the accused in hate crime targeting a Sikh cabbie Harbhajan Singh was sentenced to 13 years in state prison and ordered to pay more thatn $66,000 in restitution to Harbhajan Singh. Singh and his family say the attack was a hate crime according to media reports. Even though Ramirez accepted a plea deal, he and his family continue to say their was no racial or religious basis for the attack. Ramirez' wife, Laura Sanchez says Ramirez' old attorney, Pat McCarthy did him no favors by telling him to enter a plea deal to the attempted murder charge with a hate crime enhancement. "It's unfair," she says. She also says that she and her husband know he should be punished for being drunk and beating Singh but that 13 years is too much. Ramirez will likely serve about 10 years of his sentence. He was facing life for the attempted murder charge.

Clinical trial director seeks to improve research timeline

throughout the nation. Washington, DC: Dr. Vicky Some countries like Brazil, Parikh, executive director for Mid-Atlantic Medical Research Russia, and India fulfill enrollment goals in a shorter time frame. The Center was drawn to Washington U.S. is slower than other countries D.C. to continue his education in in terms of subject enrollment in the public health arena because of many different therapeutic areas, its geographical location and close proximity to federal agenhe said. Dr. Parikhs creation and maintecies like FDA and NIH. He still nance of the Mid-Atlantic Medical resides in Maryland to pursue his goal of creating a more competi- Dr. Vicky Parikh Research Center s Standard tive American market for clinical drug trials. Operating Procedures and Standard Working His efforts and abilities are focused towards Practices Research are geared toward prothe efficient and effective treatment of vari- ducing more efficient and time-conscious ous illnesses through clinical drug trials. One clinical trials. These standards conform to the of his goals is to safely and efficiently regulations from the FDA, COMAR, and decrease the lengthy time frame for drug HIPPA to name a few. He is an editorial board member of clinical trials. Clinical drug trials are scientific and medical research studies designed to Londons Royal Society of Public Health and find better ways to treat or prevent diseases. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, an Approximately 70-80 percent of clinical expert reviewer for both the Association of trials are delayed in the U.S and worldwide; Clinical Research Professionals and the and while a number of factors contribute to Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and the delays, Dr. Parikh is committed to com- Investigators, and a member of the Medical bating these issues both at his workplace and Council of India.

PBD Toronto TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

India gives 3-P mantra to diaspora on economic engagement

Invites their partnership in progress at Toronto PBD
Toronto: Calling the Indian diaspora its bridge of friendship to the world, India Thursday invited the million-strong Indo-Canadian community to become a part of its success story. Speaking at the opening of the fifth regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at a gala dinner here, Preneet Kaur, India's minister of state for external affairs, said the Indian diaspora has become "an important partner for India's prosperity'' by sending remittances back home, making investments, transferring technical knowhow and projecting India's soft power by popularizing its culture, films and dance. And India is thankful for their services and the creation of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Indian Community Welfare Fund as well as the introduction of the PIO/OCI cards were an acknowledgement of their contribution, she said. Referring to the fast growing India-Canada ties, she said the two prime ministers have nurtured the relationship a new level. "We have already signed the historic civil nuclear agreement. In the near future, India and Canada will sign the social security agreement, conclude a bilateral investment protection agreement and complete an ambitious comprehensive economic partnership agreement.'' Seeking Canadian partnership in India's development, she said, "India-Canada ties are developing ment will take action on its recommendations. "The message from the PBD is clear the diaspora has an important role in India's engagement with other countries. Two days have generated many new ideas for India," he said. Both Preneet Kaur and Didar Singh assured the diaspora that the Indian government will address their concerns, including those related property and investment and fraud marriages. Singh said though the diaspora now realizes the potential economic benefits from engagement with rising economies like India and China, they will have to show patience. "These (India and China) difficult markets to enter. You need 3Ps - purpose, perseverance and patience - to enter them," he said. He invited the NRI community in North America to join the next PBD in Jaipur from Jan 7-9. Many expert sessions were held to highlight opportunities India offered to its diaspora. Bollywood singer Shivani Kashyap regaled the audience with her hit songs on the inaugural day. Valayar Ravi, minister of overseas Indian affairs, and three other ministers couldn't come for the meet attended by about 500 delegates from Canada, the US and the Caribbean. 'Building Bridges: Positioning Strategies for the Indian Diaspora' was the theme of the event.

Preneet Kaur, minister of state for external affairs, speaking at the PBD. at a time of enormous opportunities in india. We need $1 trillion in the infrastructure sector over the next decade and foreign investment (and trade) will continue to be an integral part of our growth.'' She said India offered huge opportunities for infrastructure, defence and various other fields and the diaspora could promote two-way investments between India and their adopted lands. Greeting the gathering with 'Namaste,' Canadian governor general David Johnston lauded the role of the community in nation building and promoting ties with India. Concluding his speech with "dhanyabad", the governor general said that by 2017 - when Canada

Preneet Kaur (middle), minister of state for external affairs, with Canadian governor general David Johnston (to her right), Indian high commissioner S.M. Gavai (extreme left) and Indian consul general Preeti Saran, at the opening of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Toronto June 9. celebrates its 150th anniversary - pora with their parent country. the Indian diaspora will become But it also recommended three Ps one of the strongest groups in - purpose, perseverance and Canada, and "their contribution patience - on the part of the diaspowill be so important in our suc- ra to deepen their engagement with cess.'' their ancestral land. Ontario Premier Dalton Didar Singh, secretary in the McGuinty lauded the diaspora suc- Ministry of Overseas Indian cess by quoting prime minister Affairs, said he was impressed by Manmohan Singh who once said the views expressed at the two-day that 'the sun never sets on the gathering. These will be incorpoIndian diaspora.' rated in policies concerning NRIs, Indian High Commissioner S.M. he said."It's the best PBD we ever Gavai said India was showing its had. These have been two days of appreciation of the Indo-Canadian exceptional talks, and there have diaspora by holding the PBD in been exceptional contributions Toronto. (from delegates and speakers)." India Friday promised to remove Singh said there will be a formal irritants hindering the engagement report on the Toronto Pravasi of its 27 million-strong global dias- Bharatiya Divas and the govern-

India to set up five PIO universities for its diaspora

Toronto: The Indian government will set up five PIO universities in the country to cater to the diaspora students of Indian origin. Announcing this at the just concluded mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Didar Singh, secretary in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, said," The Indian government proposes to set up five PIO universities in different cities to deepen its connectivity with the diaspora. Bangalore is one of them. '' He said, "The idea was proposed two years ago. These universities will be set up under the Innovation Universities Bill which has been introduced in the Indian parliament. This is an interesting concept as the focus of these universities will be only on innovation. Students won't be bothered about passing exams or marks.'' Didar Singh said, "They will be full-fledged universities built in public-private partnership and fifty percent seats in these institutions will be set aside for students from the Indian diaspora.'' According to him, PIO universities were in addition to many other steps India has undertaken to connect its diaspora with their ancestral land. "We are already running some programs - like Know India Program and Study India Program for the diaspora youth to know India. PIO universities are part of our on-going commitment to the diaspora.'' The Indian official said PIO universities will serve as a platform for the diaspora youth not only to reconnect with their roots but also acquire excellent education and professional skills. "We have also noted that reverse migration (to India) is a reality and we have to take note of that. We are pleased that the second and third generation (of the diaspora) are looking at India,'' he said.

North America's first Indian culture center in Toronto

Toronto: Canada will soon have its version of the Nehru Center in London as India opens a cultural center here next year. Sangeeta Bahadur, deputy director at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), who was here for the just concluded Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, said, 'We are planning an Indian cultural center in Toronto. It will rival, if not outshine, the Nehru Center in London.'' She said it will be the first such cultural center in North America. Bahadur said, 'The new cultural center will be ready by next year to cater to the North America Indian diaspora, just like the Nehru Center in London.'' The Indian government is looking for a site in Toronto for the proposed center, she said. 'I will see during my trip if we can find some suitable place.'' The ICCR official said, 'The idea behind the cultural center is to showcase our rich heritage to the Indian diaspora and Canadians. It will serve as a place for regular performances of Indian dance and music and other art forms.'' She said culture is now an important tool of India's foreign policy. 'We are using our cultural heritage to build bridges with the diaspora which is our biggest asset and our biggest outreach to the world and we want to use it to project India. It will focus on second and third generation Indo-Canadians eager to reconnect with India.'' As Canada-India relations take off after a slew of agreements signed during the past year, the ICCR official said cultural diplomacy will provide only muchneeded fillip to the bilateral ties. According to her, 'Culture is India's greatest 'soft' power and it has created a huge influence here and elsewhere.''Bahadur said though the Indian government also considered Washington for setting up the cultural center, Toronto was preferred for reasons of land availability and the huge Indian population here. The Indian government will seek views of the local Indian diaspora on the proposed Toronto cultural center, she said.

Canada announces 10-year multiple entry visa for Indians

n a significant gesture, Canada Thursday announced a 10-year multiple entry visa for Indians. Making this announcement at a preliminary session of the fifth PBD, Canadian International Trade Minister and Asia-Pacific Gateway Minister Edward Fast said the new visa regime will boost trade ties between the two countries seeking to triple their trade to $15 billion by 2015.

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US Affairs TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

GOP contenders spare Romney, pile on Obama

Manchester, NH: Six Republican contenders chasing Mitt Romney spared the nominal early frontrunner during the first significant debate of the 2012 presidential race. During Mondays debate in New Hampshirewhere the nations first primary will be held early next yearthey all tore into President Obamas policies. Amid the largely genial discussion, Rep. Michele Bachmann made news by unexpectedly declaring on live television that she was an official candidate for president. Bachmann, a "tea party" favorite from Minnesota, said she had filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission earlier in the day. Bachmann, 55, had been expected to announce later this month in Iowa, a state where she is hoping emphasized the beliefs they held in common: cutting taxes as a means to stimulate economic growth, the need to shrink the size of the federal government, concerns regarding Americas involvement in Libyas internal conflict. Weve got to have a totally new strategy for the region, said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The debate provided Gingrich with a platform on which to try to revive his flagging campaign, reeling after the departure last week of top aides. Gingrich again attempted to explain his critique of Rep.Paul D. Ryans plan to reshape Medicare, one that earned him the enmity of some fellow Republicans. The evening afforded some lesser-known candidates a chance to introduce themselves to the viewing public, including Bachmann, Santorum, Rep. Ron Paul, the libertarian from Texas, and Herman Cain, the former CEO of a pizza chain who has drawn some unexpected support in conservative circles. Still, the debate was likely to do little to quell incessant talk that another candidate, be it Texas Gov. Rick Perry or the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, may soon enter the race. Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor and ex-U.S. ambassador to China in Obama administration, did not participate in the debate, but announced later for president. He is a moderate compared to other GOP contenders and has already been endorsed by former Secretary of State (in Nixons administration) Henry Kissinger.

Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty and Herman Cain at the debate her appeal to religious conservatives can propel her forward. The focus of the evening was on Romneyand whether any of the candidates standing next to him on a stage in a college hockey arena in Manchester, would make a concerted effort to slow his momentum. None did. The debate was moderated by CNNs John King. Instead of criticizing each other, the candidates

Washington: "Today only 14 percent of all undergraduate students enrol in what we call the STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering, and math," Obama said Monday at a Durham, NC company that uses LED technology to produce fuel-efficient lighting. "So these are the jobs of the future. These are the jobs that China and India are cranking out," he said continuing a year-long push to present his vision for the economy as US unemployment remains above nine percent. "Those students are hungry because they understand if they get those skills they can find a good job, they can create companies, they can create businesses, create wealth. And we're falling behind in the very fields we know are going to be our future," Obama lamented. "We can do better than that. We must do better than that. If we're going to make sure the good jobs of tomorrow stay in America, stay here in North Carolina, we need to make sure all our companies have a

Study science, maths to US diver launches underwater search for Osama's body keep 'hungry' Indian, Moscow: Eccentric California salbody was buried at sea. The White vage diver and entrepreneur Bill House said it would not release Chinese at bay: Obama Warren, 59, has announced that he graphic images of Osama's corpse,
wants to find Osama Bin Laden's body as proof the Al Qaeda leader is really dead. "I'm doing it because I am a patriotic American who wants to know the truth. I do it for the world," Warren told the New York Post. The nearly decade-long hunt for the elusive Al Qaeda leader, believed to be the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, ended on May 2 after US Navy Seals gunned him down in the Pakistani garrison but the CIA did later show the photographs to select US lawmakers. "I have a Russian girlfriend, and she tells me that over there, in intelligence circles, they don't believe bin Laden's really dead," Warren said. "I do not trust my government or (President) Obama." Warren expects the search will cost about $400,000 and will rely on several boats and high-end technology. If Warren finds the body, he will hold a DNA test at the ship.

Some people doubt Osama was really obliterated town of Abbottabad. The terrorist's

President Obama is lately rattled by rising unemployment figures. steady stream of skilled workers to draw from," he said. Obama also urged US companies to invest in making their buildings more energy efficient, which he said would save them money that they could then use to hire workers. The president acknowledged Americans' worry that the economy is not recovering quickly enough. "The single most serious economic problem we face is getting people back to work," he said, but, "we're going to get there." He said he was optimistic about the future.

Rep. Giffords discharged from Houston hospital

Houston: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords from Arizona was released Wednesday from the Houston hospital where she had undergone rehabilitation since being shot in the head five months ago. She will soon start daily outpatient rehabilitation at the same hospital while living in the home of her husband, shuttle astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, in League City, Texas. A 24-hour home health provider will help Giffords.

Gabrielle Giffords before she was shot in the head; and one of her recently released photographs.

Wildfire largest in Arizonas history

Phoenix, AZ: The massive Wallow Fire that has raged through eastern Arizona and crossed over into neighboring New Mexico burned up so much additional acreage that it has become the largest fire in Arizonas history, officials said Tuesday. As of Tuesday morning, the fire had burned more than 469,000 acres, surpassing the 468,000 acres torched in the 2002 Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which affected an area not far away in Arizonas White Mountains. The big difference between the two megafires, though, has been the damage. The Wallow Fire has been far less destructive than its predecessor, destroying only 31 homes compared with 465 lost a decade ago. The Wallow Fire is named after the Bear Wallow Wilderness in the Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests, where the fire is believed to have started after a campfire blew out of control on May 29. The fire was 18 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, which firefighters said represented major progress, even though containing the fire could still remain weeks away. The fire continued eating up forest as winds pushed it toward the northeast. Firefighters were furiously burning backfires in an attempt to contain the blaze, which had extended into New Mexico and threatened the small town of Luna. The fire has sent plumes of smoke over a vast area and tied up traffic as many highways have been closed. Dry weather and fierce winds have caused the fire to spread quickly, frustrating the more than 4,000 firefighters assigned to the blaze.

India Newswire TheSouthAsianTimes.info

11

June 18-24, 2011

Hazare to fast again from Aug 16

New Delhi: Gandhian activist Anna Hazare said he will fast again from August 16 because the government had failed to keep its word on drafting a strong Lokpal bill to fight corruption. "I stopped my fast at Jantar Mantar (here) because the government assured that our demands will be met. Now that the government is turning its back on the promise, I will fast again from August 16," Hazare told reporters. After Hazare's April 5-9 hunger strike, the government set up a 10-member panel to draft an effective Lokpal bill to curb corruption in high places. Meanwhile, a 34-year-old ascetic, Swami Nigamananda, died in Dehradun after fasting for two and a half months to save the river Ganga from pollution, yoga guru Baba Ramdev said. Nigamananda died at the same hospital where Ramdev was being treated until his discharge. "The saint was fasting for the Ganga since the last many days. He laid down his life for the Ganga. I pay my tribute to Swami Nigamananda," Ramdev told

Ex-Chief Justice exits from Sai Trust

Puttaparthi: Former CJI justice PN Bhagawati has made a sensational disclosure, saying that he was not a member of the all-powerful Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which manages the Prasanthi Nilayam and runs all the welfare programs for thousands of devotees, who throng the small town of Puttaparthi in Anantapur district. In another important development, rumors were rife that the Trust secretary and former IAS officer K Chakravathi would resign from his post soon. Bhagawati said that he exited from the Trust, after he was made the vice-chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai University. "I am here with the blessings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and I would continue to serve in whatever position I am in," he said, after the Trust met at Santhi Bhavan guest house in the afternoon. Bhagawati said Baba's abode Yajur Mandir is likely to be opened in a day or two for the devotees. "It would be opened under the helm of senior Trust member S V Giri in two days," he said. He said no effort was made by the Trust to downsize the role of Baba's caregiver, Satyajit. Sources said, heated arguments took place among the members, on the role of Satyajit and taking him into the Trust. While a majority of

DIED FOR RIVER GANGES: The body of social activist Swami Nigamananda lays at an ashram in Dehradun on June 15. reporters. Ramdev was admitted to the hospital June 10, the seventh day of his nine-day long fast, after his health deteriorated.

Merger not on agenda now: CPM

Kochi: CPM politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai ruled out merger between his party and CPI in the near future. "Merger with CPI is not on the agenda of our party now. Our party's focus is now on strengthening the united work being undertaken by the various Left parties in the country," Pillai told TOI here. He said the media had twisted party politburo member Sitaram Yechury's recent statement on the merger of CPM and CPI. " Yechury hadn't said CPM and CPI have been working towards merger of the two parties. All that he had said both the parties are now working unitedly on many issues," Pillai said. When asked to comment on CPI's call for merger, Pillai said, "We have been repeating our explanation why there cannot be merger between the two parties. Let us work together and leave what will come out of it to the future." "There were political, ideological and organizational issues which had led to the split. Talks on unity will naturally lead to discussions on those issues which may widen the divide between the two parties. Now there is greater unity of views and approaches on several national and international issues between CPI and CPM. Now we want to strengthen the unity rather than the merger talk. We can't achieve merger without taking up the debate on why we split in the first place," he argued.

Former Chief Justice of India justice PN Bhagawati. the Trust members okayed his entry into the Trust, Baba's nephew and Trust member R J Rathnakar opposed the proposal. Sources said, Rathnakar did not want an `outsider' to control the financial matters of the Trust and hence, was opposing Satyajit's entry strongly. It is learned that the Trust discussed Baba's maha samadhi issue and zeroed in on two models made by international experts. The samadhi would be thrown open to devotees on July 10. The meeting also discussed issues concerning the super speciality hospital and educational institutions run by the Trust.

Pak wants Kashmir to be core issue

Nightlong chase for century's darkest eclipse

New Delhi: They watched in astonishment as the night sky gobbled up the moon for about an hour. Telescopes trained, munching on snacks, a clutch of Indians, including many kids, witnessed the darkest lunar eclipse of a century that ended in the wee hours of June 16 and left them with memories of a lifetime. The moon gazing was a feast in more ways than one - there was a plate full of food to break a myth that causes many Indians to avoid eating during an eclipse. A clutch of around 35 people were at the terrace of NGO SPACE Foundation's office in west Delhi's Janakpuri for the celestial spectacle. "This is the first time I have come to watch an eclipse. I never thought it would turn out to be this exciting and so amazing thing to explore," Kashish Chawla, a first year college student, said. "I am planning to go to villages over the weekends and educate people about astronomy and myths associated with lunar eclipse," he added. The total eclipse though was from 12.55 a.m. to 2.30 a.m. As Bollywood songs praising the

Pak Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir with his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao. Islamabad: Kashmir should be the core issue of secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani Foreign Office has said. Though no dates have been finalized yet, a source told Dawn News that Islamabad proposed June 2425 for the talks. India is yet to respond to the proposal, the source said. "Jammu and Kashmir is the core issue and it was imperative to address this issue effectively and in a purposeful manner in the forthcoming dialogue with India," the Foreign Office statement said Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao "are to discuss" Jammu and Kashmir, peace and security and friendly exchanges between the two countries at the meeting, the sources said.

The world witnessed the darkest lunar eclipse of this century with an expected duration of 100 minutes, considered by astronomy institutions to be one of the longest. beauty of the moon played in the background, watching in awe were many school and college students. Before the sky captured all the attention, a satirical 'play' on breaking myths during an eclipse was screened by the organizers, the Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE). "I had always heard that pregnant women should never watch the eclipse. The play helped break that belief - to some extent," said Satviki Dua, 26, a married woman. As the sky wore an orange tint, and the moon looked lost in a cloud cover, the telescopes began zooming in to get a closer look of the late night wonder.

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India Newswire TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Indian anti-graft bill in logjam

New Delhi: Government and civil society members have hit a logjam with each side digging in its heels and expressing strong "fundamental differences" on the structure and scope of the Lokpal bill. After a 21/2 hour meeting in North Block intended to draft the bill, the two sides left glum-faced but agreed to meet again on June 20 and 21. "If no consensus is arrived then we will forward a draft bill with both versions so that the Cabinet can take a view," said Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal, a clear indication that the chasm was now unlikely to be bridged. Coming out of the meeting, which, sources said was fairly acrimonious, Sibal said the drafting process would be completed by June 30. The contentious issue of bringing which we think there is divergence and we will try and arrive at a consensus," Sibal said. Supreme Court lawyer Prasant Bhushan, who is part of the fivemember Anna Hazare team, said there were too many fundamental differences. "It is now for the Cabinet to decide," he said. The two immediate points of difference that rose in the meeting were related to the scope of powers of the Lokpal. While the government said that the Lokpal can only advise on the dismissal of government officials, team Hazare held the anti-corruption body should have powers to investigate and launch prosecution against allegations of corruption in courts. The government would also like the 11-member panel to only look into cases of high-level corruption and address all cases while Team Anna has proposed setting up of a holistic structure where junior officials will also be empowered to deal with certain cases. Lokpal drafting committee member Arvind Kejriwal said, "If the 11-member panel is expected to take all decisions, we think that is a sure shot way of killing the Lokpal even before it has started by the sheer volume of complaints." Meanwhile, Congress-ruled states have toed the party line with nearly all of them saying that they agreed with the Centre's formulation of the Lokpal. Opposition states like Bihar, Gujarat and Orissa refused to give their views, saying they would only comment on the final draft. UP CM Mayawati said that differences between the Centre and states is only a "drama and activists should go to the people if they wanted their bill to be approved".

The two immediate points of difference that rose in the meeting were related to the scope of powers of the Lokpal. the Prime Minister and the higher judiciary under the Lokpal's purview was not discussed in the meeting. "It is clear there are areas where there are strong divergence of opinion...Hopefully the civil society members will give us a draft on issues of divergence. We ourselves will prepare a draft on the issues on

Decision on Telangana in a week: Pranab

New Delhi/Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has assured Congress leaders from Telangana that the party would take a decision on the statehood issue within a week. The Congress leaders hoped the party would take a positive decision on their demand for separate Telangana state but warned the leadership that if it failed to do so they would be forced to chalk out their own action plan. More than 50 leaders including MPs, state ministers and legislators met Pranab and Ahmed Patel, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's political adviser, in the national capital. The meeting lasted for 75 minutes as the two senior leaders gave a patient hearing to the delegation. Satisfied with the talks, some state ministers and MPs told reporters that Mukherjee assured them that he would apprise

Probe on in Mid Day scribes killing

Mumbai: The M u m b a i police suspect that Mid Day s c r i b e Jyotirmoy Dey may have been killed at the instance of a south Mumbai businessman who is into smuggling of red Mid Day scribe Jyotirmoy Dey was working on a story sandalwood. that could have exposed a south Mumbai businessman "Dey was who is into red sandalwood smuggling. working on a story that could have exposed him. "The shooters by mistake killed The businessman, through his one of Bobby's friends then," said a underworld contacts, executed the source. "Bobby had informed Dey that a murder. This is one of the key motives that has emerged from our consignment would be sent abroad interrogation," a police officer said. as fruits from Nhava Sheva port. The businessman offered Rs 10 But it contained red sandalwood." lakh to get the story suppressed It is also alleged that Bobby met through Bobby, but Dey refused to Dey on June 10, a day before he was shot, to identify their target. accept it, the officer said. Police are also probing whether "There was some conversation Dey was killed because of the sto- between the shooters and Dey ries that he planned to write on a before they opened fire on June 11. senior cop's alleged links with fugi- However, they were most probably just threatening him," said the tive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Police said they suspect Bobby source. Police said they are gathering acted as a middleman between Dey and the businessman. "Bobby pro- details of Mateen and Anwar. vided information on the business- Anwar's brother, Arif Kalia, a key man to Dey. He then approached member of the Chhota Shakeel the businessman and tipped him off gang, was shot dead in 1998 in a about Dey's plans to write a story police encounter, sources said. The police are also trying to trace on him. The businessman told Bobby that he was willing to pay Gujarat-born suspect Haji, Rs 10 lakh to Dey if he dropped the involved in at least three murder and attempt to murder cases. "He story," said police sources. Bobby, who dropped out after was seen in Mumbai a day before VIIth standard at Habib High Dey's killling. After Dey was shot School in Dongri, had reportedly dead, Haji is learnt to have headed been working for the Chhota Rajan towards Pune. There is no informagang in late '90s when he narrowly tion about his whereabouts," said a escaped an attempt on his life. source.

Telangana leaders have set June 30 as the deadline for the UPA leadership to take a decision. Gandhi of their sentiments once she returns to Delhi. After a 'disappointing' meeting with union Home Minister P. Chidambaram earlier in the day, the talks with Mukherjee and Patel provided some relief to the Telangana leaders. They claimed the senior leaders agreed with them that a decision on the issue can't be delayed any further. Telangana leaders, who have set June 30 as the deadline for the leadership to take a decision, warned that if it failed to take a positive decision soon the party would be wiped out in the region. Earlier, Chidambaram failed to give any assurance to the Telangana leaders, who were also unhappy over the hasty manner in which home minister left for another meeting. The home minister told the delegation that the government can take a decision only after a decision by the party. Telangana leaders demanded the government abide by its Dec 9, 2009 statement on the issue and table a bill in the ensuing parliament session to carve out a separate state. The MPs had last week called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who assured to discuss the issue with the party leadership.

India Newswire TheSouthAsianTimes.info

13

June18-24, 2011

China yet to come clean on Brahmaputra

Jaya fires salvo at Chidambaram, Maran

New Delhi: Indicating she was in no hurry to embrace the Congress, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa sprang a surprise in the capital here by demanding Home Minister P. Chidambaram's resignation for "fraudulently" getting elected to the Lok Sabha two years ago. A poised AIADMK chief, who led her party to a thumping electoral win only a month ago, also asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to sack Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran on corruption charges. Addressing the media after calling on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Jayalalithaa turned her guns on Chidambaram, saying sternly: "He has played a fraud on the nation." "He has not won the election. In fact he lost the election," she said. Chidambaram had narrowly defeated the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga constituency in 2009. She said the data entry operator in the Sivaganga constituency transferred votes secured by AIADMK's Raja Kannappan to Chidambaram's credit. Insisting his position in the cabinet was "untenable", she added: "He should resign." According to official data, Chidambaram won by a narrow Jayalalithaa said any question of the support she had offered to the Congress before the Tamil Nadu election "simply does not arise" today. In comments that will not please the Congress, which has taken an increasingly belligerent stand vis-avis civil society activists Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev, she said "any Indian citizen has the democratic right to protest against corruption". Speaking about her defeated archrival DMK with contempt, she said many more from the party were destined to go to jail for corruption. "The DMK is facing the heat today, the DMK supremo's family is facing the heat today. Many of the DMK leaders and leading lights of the party are facing a slew of corruption cases. Some are in jail, many more are likely to go to jail." Jayalalithaa was equally harsh on Maran, who has been accused in connection with the allocation of second generation spectrum when he was the telecommunication minister in 2004-07. His successor, A. Raja, is in prison, also over corruption charges. "Maran should step down from his post. If he fails to do so, the PM should drop him."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. margin of 3,354 votes. The result was declared after a lot of confusion and protests. A peeved Chidambaram hit back, saying Jayalalithaa had shown contempt of court. But Jayalalithaa, 63, appeared supremely confident. Clad in a magenta sari, diamond earrings in place, she was addressing her first press conference here in years. Her blazing two-day trip to Delhi was watched keenly to see if the politician, strengthened by her landslide victory in Tamil Nadu last month, would show any preference for the Congress in the coalition era. She did not. Instead, she made it clear that since the Congress and DMK were allies in the central government, "it would not be appropriate to meet (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi".

China said that it will take into "full consideration'' the interest of lower riparian countries (including India) while implementing any project to divert the flow of Brahmaputra. New Delhi: China's reaction to the alarm in India over diversion of Brahmaputra waters has failed to convince Indian experts even as the government tries hard to downplay the threat. China said that it will take into "full consideration'' the interest of lower riparian countries while implementing any project but once again refrained from denying directly that it was planning to divert the flow of Brahmaputra. "The Chinese foreign ministry's statement (that China's policy is to 'take full consideration of the interests of the downstream states') is what Beijing has repeated ad nauseam while quietly building more dams to siphon off the waters of the Mekong, Irtysh and Illy rivers,'' strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney said, adding that China had again not denied diverting Brahmaputra through mega dams. What is making matters worse for India is that China rejects the very notion of any water-sharing arrangement or treaty, like Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, with any riparian neighbour. "The terms -- water sharing, shared water resources, treaty and common norms and rules -- are anathema to it. China is one of the only three countries that voted against the 1997 United Nations Convention on the NonNavigational Uses of International Watercourses. This international convention lays down norms and rules which China rejects,'' Chellaney said.

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Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Australian website doesn't show Kashmir, Arunachal as part of India

Sydney: An Australian government website has wrongly portrayed the map of India - omitting the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh - leading to the 'strong displeasure' of the migrant Indian community. The wrong map was put out on the website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in its country profiles section. The Council of Indian Australians Inc (CIA), the body representing the Indian-Australian community in New South Wales, said in a statement that it has 'expressed its strongest displeasure at the incorrect map of India in the DIAC's website, which excludes Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as parts of India'. The Council, based in North Ryde, near Sydney, has asked the DIAC to 'rectify the incorrect Indian map' on its website. 'The CIA Inc wishes to bring this to the attention of the government of Australia and urges the DIAC to rectify this incorrect map and display the revised map showing correct boundaries,' the statement said. 'Jammu and Kashmir is an integral, inseparable and inalienable part of India and will always remain so. A brief review of the history shows J&K became an inalienable part of India on 25th October, 1947 when the King of J&K Maharaja Hari Singh signed the 'Instrument of accession' with India.' 'This Instrument was executed between India's then Governor General Lord Louis Mountbatten and Maharaja Hari Singh on 27th October, 1947. All rulers of States and Kingdoms in India were entitled to choose one of three options - join India, join Pakistan or remain independent - at the time of Indian independence in 1947.' 'J&K joined India in 1947,' the statement said, underlining the sentence.

Meghnad Desai in race for House of Lords Speaker

London: If celebrated NRI post, which has a five-year economist Meghnad Desai term, was established in has his way it may not be 2006 and is currently held long before the House of by Labor s Baroness Lords may well have a Helene Valerie Hayman Speaker of Indian origin for who has decided not to the first time. Dr. Desai, seek re-election. more known as Lord Desai Lord Desai is a candidate is the race for the top job for radical reforms of the the polling for which is on Lords and favors a fullyJuly 13. elected House with memHe is already up against bers being directly elected three rivals and more might for a fixed term. The erstjoin the fray by the time while Labor Government nominations close on June attempted to modernize the 23. Lords by reducing the Another Labour peer of number of hereditary peers Indian origin, Lord Swraj and putting forward proPaul, is already one of the If elected, Lord Meghnad Desai posals to introduce an elecdeputy Speakers and Lord will be the first Indian origin tive element to its composiSpeaker Desais election will add sigtion. A debate is still going nificantly to an "Indian" presence at the top of on with opinion across the political spectrum the Lords. sharply divided on the shape of the proposed The new Lord Speaker will be only the sec- reforms. The new Lord Speaker will take up ond in the House of Lords long history. The post on September 1.

Hindu trader shot dead in Pakistan

Islamabad: A Hindu trader was shot dead when he resisted a kidnap bid in Pakistan's Quetta city, police said. Ramesh Kumar was gunned down when he was going to his general store in Kandahari Bazaar Sunday. Armed men in a car intercepted him and attempted to abduct him at gunpoint. When he resisted, the kidnappers shot him dead, Daily Times reported. The assailants then fled. 'The victim received two bullets in his head which caused his death,' hospital sources were quoted as saying. A senior police officer said it could be a kidnapping case. As many as three Hindu traders have been killed so far during attempted kidnappings in and around Quetta during the past three years. Incidents of kidnapping for ransom of Hindus in Pakistan have seen an alarming rise during the last few months, forcing many families to abandon their homes and shift to India or other countries. Ram Singh Sodho, who was elected to the Sindh assembly in 2008 on a Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PMLF) reserved seat for minorities, fled to India and sent in his resignation to the assembly speaker, Nisar Ahmad Khoro. Lakki Chand Garji, 82, who is the 'maharaja' of the Kali Mata Mandir in Kalat town in Balochistan province and considered to be one of Pakistan's most revered Hindu spiritual leaders, was kidnapped by a gang of armed men Dec 21 last year. He is yet to be rescued.

At 100, Sikh marathoner lives to see his biography

Chandigarh: He is perhaps the oldest man to have lived to see his biography published. Hundredplus Sikh marathoner Fauja Singh's biography 'Turbaned Tornado' is slated for London release next month. Fauja, who lives in Ilford, London, and has participated in several international marathon runs, will be 100 years and three months old when the book is formally released at the Atlee Room of the House of Lords in London at a function by Britain-based AngloSikh Heritage Trail (ASHT). The biography has been penned by Chandigarh-based author Khushwant Singh and published by Rupa. 'He is a unique man. He started running at an age when people actually hang up their boots in life. This man is so full of life and energy even at this ripe age,' Khushwant, who has earlier written 'Sikhs Unlimited' and 'Mending Souls said. 'It is unique that he could be the only man who is alive at 100 years to see his biography being published,' Khushwant added. Fauja has rubbed shoulders with the likes of football star David seemingly impossible on earth, surprised all of us with his quiet simplicity, purposefulness and single-minded commitment to his sport and way of life,' Amarinder wrote. Even at this ripe age, Fauja, who got a congratulatory telegram from Queen Elizabeth when he turned 100 in April, does not want to give up his latest love - running. Born April 1, 1911, at Beas Pind in Punjab's Jalandhar district, age has not been a barrier for him. Having become the world's oldest half marathon runner at 99 years of age in May last year when he ran the Inter-Faith Marathon in Luxembourg, Fauja, whose name means a soldier, is a one-man army who wants to keep running till he drops. I want to be remembered as the person who ran till the end,' Fauja, who has been living in London for the last nearly 16 years, said. The death of his son Kuldip and earlier of his wife forced Fauja to search for a worthwhile alternative in life. At 89 years, he took seriously to running and ended up in international marathon events like the London, Glasgow, Toronto ones.

The oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh Beckham and other sporting celebrities as brand ambassador and poster-boy of leading footwear company Adidas for their international campaign. Billboards featuring him once used to be prominently displayed on busy London streets. The foreword for the 'Turbaned Tornado' has been written by former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh. 'This legend of a man, who has only recently celebrated an entire century of the

Community Leader TheSouthAsianTimes.info

15

June 18-24, 2011

Ranju Batra takes over as AIA-NY President

Continued from page 1. which took on added significance. The Indian anthem was led by Krittika Biswas with Amb. Prabhu Dayal, Chandini Dayal, Indias Ambassador to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri, Assistant Secretary General Lakshmi Puri, and Ranju Batra. The American pledge and anthem was led by senior US Federal District Judge Harold Baer, who was backed up by NY State Supreme Court Justices Deborah Dowling, Larry Knipel, Barry Salman, Martin Schneier, Elaine Slobod, Bruce Tolbert and Ronald Zweibel, Commissioner Alan Croce. This was followed by remarks by Amb. Dayal, Lakshmi Puri, Chairman Ken Jenkins, Amb. Hardeep Puri, Chairman Jennings, and then the Oath was administered by Amb. Dayal. Ranju Batra followed with her inaugural remarks. The AIA welcome was given by Divya Shah and the thanks by vice president Sunil Modi. A delightful Ghazal concert by Jasvinder "Bunty" Singh rounded off the evening. Dignitaries present to celebrate and congratulate Ranju included, New York Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, New York City Comptroller John Liu, Indias Deputy PR Manjeev Puri, Chairman of Westchester Board of Legislators Ken Jenkins, Chairman Wayne Jennings from New Hampshire, NYS District Leaders Decosta Headley, Lori Knipel, Trudy Mason and Uma Sengupta. Also present were AIANational President Animesh Goenka, immediate past president of AIA-NY Sushma Kotahwala, several past presidents including Urmilesh Arya, Rajendra Bansal, Smiti Khanna, Arish Sahani, Dr. Shashi Shah, and community leaders including Lal Motwani and Mangal Gupta. CEOs of all three top Indian banks were present: Narendra Prasad (Bank of India), Shankaran Chandramouli (State Bank of India) and Dhimant Trivedi (Bank

Ranju Batra making her inaugural remarks.

Indian diplomats and community leaders, American judges and lawmakers attend her inauguration at India Consulate on June 13.
of Baroda). Air India was represented by Amit Ray. Congratulatory messages came from former Governor David Paterson, state Senate Leader John L. Sampson, Congress members Gary L. Ackerman, Yvette Clark, Eliot Engel, Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler and Ed Towns, and NY State Assemblymen Nick Perry, Jonathan Bing, Charles Lavine, Alec Brook Krasny and Karim Camera. Amb. Prabhu Dayal said, "I am delighted to felicitate Ranju Batra as president of AIA-NY. Ranju has rendered great service to the Indian-American community and India by building a great bridge of friendship between the US and India. By having her in charge, AIA is going into high gear. Behind every successful woman is a man... Ravi Batra has earned the status of a national hero in India because of the role he played in rescuing Krittika Biswas. I warmly congratulate Ranju and Ravi." Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary General at UN Women, said, "Ranju is a dear friend. A very capable woman has been elected to this prestigious post and she is going to bring great creativity, energy and commitment, and all the bright ideas she has for the betterment of the community. She has always been a great bridge between US and India since she came here at the age of 19. A proud moment for women." Amb. Hardeep Singh Puri, who repeatedly brought the house down with flashes of good natured humor, said, "Ravi is a great guy. Actually, his greatness is due to Ranju. Between the two of them... its like a flash of lightning-creative energy. A man of great heart, generous to a fault, but most of all an affectionate Indian. But, wait a minute; he is actually an American and that stands out the most. When he talks about democratic values, I think he is the best example of what the Indo-American community is here. Continued on page no 21...

(From left) Amb. Hardeep Singh Puri, Ranju Batra, Chandini Dayal, Consul General Amb. Prabhu Dayal, Assistant Secretary General to the UN Lakshmi Puri, Ravi Batra, and Krittika Biswas who led the Indian national anthem.

American National Anthem by Supreme Court Justices (Left to Right) Hon. Bruce Tolbert, Amb. Hardeep Puri, Hon. Elaine Slobod, Hon. Larry Knipel, Hon. Deborah Dowling, Hon. Martin Schneier, Hon. Ronald Zwibel, Hon. Barry Salman, Ravi Batra, and Hon. Harold Baer.

NYC Comptroller John C. Liu with Ranju and Ravi Batra

(L to R) Nimmi Mehta, Kamlesh Mehta, Ranju Batra, Pam Kwatra, Shobha Mandhyan, NYC Public Advocate Bill De Blasio, Ravi Batra and Kishore Mandhyan.

(L to R) AIA-NY newly elected committee and Past Presidents: Neena Sahani, Divya Shah, Bhagwati, Mistri, Usha Kapoor, Parveen Afridi, Beena Sabharwal, Harish Thakkar, Sunil Mehra, Sunil Modi, Bal K. Gilja, Gitanjali Anand, Animesh Goenka, Urmilesh Arya, Smiti Khanna, Ranju Batra, Arish Sahani, Sushma Kotahwala, Amb. Prabhu Dayal, Dr Shashi Shah, Chandini Dayal, Ravi Batra.

Consul General Prabhu Dayal speaking at the event.

Amb. Hardeep Singh Puri addressing the audience.

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IALI Fundraiser TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

IALI honors five at gala graced

Uniondale, NY: The 32nd Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner of India Association of Long Island (IALI) was held at the Long Island Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Uniondale on June 12 with great pomp and show and was attended by an overwhelming crowd of over 325 People. Five distinguished Indian Americans were recognized for their accomplishments in various fields of endeavor as well as their service to the community. The chief guest was Indias Consul General in New York, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal. Two Guests of Honor were New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano. The all addressed the audience as did IALI President Gobind Munjal. Also in attendance were Mayor Harry Anand of Laurel Hollow, and Kamlesh Mehta, Deputy Director, Nassau County Office of Economic Development. A number of IALI past presidents also graced the occasion. The five honorees were: Haridas Kotahwala, President of Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) and Chairman of Navika Capital Group Ltd, besides being a leading jeweler; Kanak Golia,

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano addressing the over 300-strong audience comprising prominent Indian Americans, mainly from Long Island.

The Chief Guest of the evening was Indias Consul General in New York, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, who conferred some of the awards. President and CEO of Perfume Center of America; Dr. Vinod Jayam, Leading Cardiac Electro physiologist from St. Francis Hospital, Long Island; Mr. Shudh Parkash Singh, CEO of Jasuja Group of Companies and Vice President of Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC), USA; and Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of Freeport Public Schools. On the occasion IALI also presented a well laid out Souvenir highlighting its accomplishments during the year, a historical perspective of IALI, and best wishes to all honorees from their personal, community and professional friends. Another highlight of the event was Live Concert by Gita Setia of ITV Fame. The music kept the audience involved in floor dancing, folk songs and instrumental music. In his welcome address, Gobind Munjal underscored the cooperation and dedication of members of IALI executive council to make the event a huge success. He recognized each of the executive council members, IALI past presidents, and leaders from various other

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli addressing the audience after honoring Shudh Parkash Singh (in the background).

IALI President Gobind Munjal making his welcome remarks.

Hon. Ed Mangano and his wife Linda Mangano intently absorbing the evening's proceedings.

Honoree Shudh Parkash Singh in his acceptance speech praised the dedication of Dr. Rajesh K. Singh (middle), founder of Raj & Rajeshwari Foundation treating poor patients in India. Kamlesh Mehta, Dr Rajesh Singhs hotelier son, Harendra Singh, Mangano and Gobind Munjanl are also in the picture.

IALI Fundraiser TheSouthAsinTimes.info

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June 18-24, 2011

by CG, DiNapoli, Mangano

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano gave a citation to IALI President Gobind Munjal on the occasion while praising the contributions of Indian Americans in Long Island. organizations. He extended his congratulations to all honorees and thanked them for their support and being role models for our next generation. Honorees were happy to be there and expressed gratitude to IALI and its President, Gobind Munjal for honoring them and making their evening so special at an event very well organized and executed. Finally, Munjal was happy to state that IALI was successful in raising funds to the extent of about $60,000 in gross collections and about $32,000 in net surplus. The delicious dinner spread was catered by Copper Wok under the proprietorship of Ashok Kumar. Gobind Munjal acknowledged that Copper Wok had offered the entire evenings food as their contribution to IALI. IALI in turn gave $2,000 donation to Rotary Club Hicksville South for their humanitarian projects like heart surgeries.

RANA President Haridas Kotahwala, accompanied by his wife, Sharda Kotahwala, received the award from Indian Consul General, Amb. Prabhu Dayal, who was accompanied by his wife Chandini Dayal.

Dr Vinod Jayam, leading Cardiac Electro physiologist from St. Francis Hospital, receiving the award from Consul General Prabhu Dayal.

Prabhu Dayal, Kamlesh Mehta, Tom DiNapoli posing for a picture together.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano giving IALI award to Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of Freeport Public Schools.

Kanak Golia, President and CEO of Perfume Center of America, with his wife and business partner Prabha Golia, receiving the award from Consul General Prabhu Dayal.

Gracious ladies at the glorious event: Mrs. Sukhmani Shudh Jasuja, Mrs. Ruby Harendra Singh, Mrs. Nimmi Kamlesh Mehta, Mrs. Linda Ed Mangano and Mrs. Bina Subhash Sabhapathy.

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IALI Fundraiser TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

IALI honors five at fundraiser

Gita Setia of ITV Fame singer serenaded the audience after the awards ceremony

IALI President Gobidn Munjal with his wife Suman Munjal at IALIs main annual event.

Copper Wok of Hicksville catered and sponsored the extensive delicacies at IALI event fit for a royal dinner. IALI President Gobind Munjal, to reciprocate and on suggestion of Ashok Kumar of Copper Wok, presented a check of $2000 to Kamlesh Mehta, Charter President of Rotary Club Hicksville South, for Rotary humanitarian projects. Copper Wok is the leading Indian Fusion restaurant with nice ambiance in Hicksville, Long Island, and the venue of Rotary Club Hicksville South meetings every other Thursday since the club started in 2009. Copper Wok has lately emerged as a leading caterer at gala weddings and community events in all major hotels and party venues of Long Island. Seen in the photo Ashok Kumar, CEO & President of Copper Wok Restaurant & Cateres, with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and his wife Linda Mangano, and Kamlesh Mehta and his wife Nimmi Mehta. Mangano gave a citation to honoree Kanak Golia, President and CEO of Perfume Center of America.

Honoree Haridas Kotahwala with his sister-in-law Sushama Kotahwala, immediate past president of Association of Indians in America (AIA-NY), at the event.

Honoree Shudh Parkash Singh and his family posing for a picture with the Manganos.

Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info

19

June 18-24, 2011

Pak helps Indian sailors gain freedom

Islamabad/New Delhi: Six Indian sailors held captive by Somali pirates for 10 long months are finally free, thanks to a respected Pakistani rights activist, officials said. The families of the Indians offered their heartfelt thanks to the Pakistanis while denouncing Indian politicians for their alleged indifference. The six Indians, part of a 22-member crew of Egyptian merchant vessel MV Suez, were released after ransom was paid for their freedom by the shipowners, the family members of the sailors said. MV Suez was hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden Aug 2, 2010. Pakistani activist Ansar Burney, who negotiated with the pirates and raised ransom money through donations, announced in Karachi that all the men had been freed. He said from Haryana and one each from Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Mumbai. Families of the Indian sailors thanked Burney -- and the Pakistani authorities. "We are very thankful to Burney and Pakistan government for their help. They paid a ransom of $2.1 million to make this release possible. Burney was negotiating with the pirates for the last few months," Sampa Arya, wife of one of the Indian hostages, said.. Burney, a former Pakistani federal minister for human rights, heads the Ansar Burney Trust. "Pakistani organizations worked tirelessly to secure the release of the captive Indians as well, proving that Pakistan does not favor hostility but humanity," Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said. "India must recognize this spirit and reciprocate with amity, not enmity," Urdu daily Jang Tuesday quoted him as saying. Hussain said his comments were addressed to the entire Indian leadership including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. The mistrust between India and Pakistan must be overcome for a new relationship of friendship, he said. The comments of the MQM chief, who lives in self-exile in London, came while he spoke on the phone to Sind Governor Ishratul Ibad and Burney in Karachi Monday. The families of the four Pakistani sailors -- Syed Wasi Hasan, Muzzamil, Mohammed Alam and Ali Rehman -- were overjoyed.

The six Indians, part of a 22-member crew of Egyptian merchant vessel MV Suez, were released after ransom was paid for their freedom by the shipowners. they would reach their homes in a $2.1 million. Apart from the 11 few days. Egyptians, four Pakistanis and one The ransom reportedly totaled Sri Lankan, the Indians include two

US welcome Af-Pak transit trade pact ISI arrested CIA informants

Washington: The United States welcomed the announcement of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement saying it will help improve regional stability. "The United States welcomes the announcements by Presidents (Hamid) Karzai and (Asif Ali) Zardari of the full implementation on June 12th of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement", said State Department spokesperson Mark Toner in a press briefing. "This step is a concrete demonstration of the common shared vision of the development, prosperity and peace the two Presidents share and it will make a significant contribution to regional stability", he added. The US-sponsored trade agreement replaced the 1965 transit trade agreement between the two countries, allowing landlocked Afghanistan to transport goods through Pakistani ports. Toner noted that the full implementation of the treaty will provide "an economic boost for both coun-

in Osama raid: NYT

The US-sponsored trade agreement replaced the 1965 transit trade agreement between the two countries. tries by reducing the costs and delays involved in transport from Afghanistan to world markets and across Afghanistan to markets in Central Asia and beyond". "The United States remains committed to assisting Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as their neighbors in expanding regional trade ties", he concluded.

Lankan Tamils must live dignified lives: Jaya

New Delhi: Tamils in Sri Lanka should be allowed to lead dignified lives and enjoy the same status as the majority Sinhalese community, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said. The AIADMK leader also told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that she was opposed to the Indian government's 1974 decision to cede to Sri Lanka the Katchatheevu island, located in the sea dividing the two countries. In her first visit to the capital after the AIADMK stormed to power last month, she said she discussed at length the situation in Sri Lanka with Manmohan Singh and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon. "I have stressed that what the Sri Lankan Tamils want and what we

Headley may testify against 26/11 masterminds

Washington: Justifying the plea deal with confessed Pakistani American terrorist David Coleman Headley, the chief prosecutor in the just-ended Mumbai terrorism trial has said he would be a key witness in any future trials. Headley will testify in any future prosecutions of fugitive masterminds such as Al Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri and Lashkar-eTaiba's Sajid Mir, who is charged with a lead role in the Mumbai plot, US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the investigative ProPublica news group. (There are, however, reports that Kashmiri was killed in a US drone strike earlier this month.) The information that Headley provided about the inner workings of terrorist groups and the Pakistani spy agency InterServices intelligence (ISI) was unprecedented in its scope and detail, Fitzgerald was quoted as saying.

Five CIA informants detained include a Pakistani army major who copied the license plates of cars visiting Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad. Washington: Pakistan's spy agency has arrested some Pakistani informants who fed information to the US Central Intelligence Agency before the raid on Osama bin Laden's hideout deep inside Pakistan, according to the New York Times. Five CIA informants detained by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) include a Pakistani army major, who the influential US daily citing American officials said copied the license plates of cars visiting bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, near Islamabad, in the weeks before the US raid, The fate of the CIA informants arrested is unclear, but American officials cited by the Times said that the CIA director, Leon E. Panetta, raised the issue when he travelled to Islamabad last week to meet with Pakistani military and intelligence officers. When he visited Pakistan, Panetta offered evidence of collusion between Pakistani security officials and the militants staging attacks in Afghanistan, the Times said. American officials cited by the daily said Panetta presented satellite photographs of two bomb-making factories that American spies several weeks ago had asked the ISI to raid. When Pakistani troops showed up days later, the militants were gone, causing American officials to question whether the militants had been warned by someone on the Pakistani side. Meanwhile, in a sign of the growing anger on Capitol Hill, Republican representative Mike Rogers, who leads the House Intelligence Committee, said Tuesday that he believed elements of the ISI and the military had helped protect bin Laden, the Times said. Rogers, who met with senior security officials in Pakistan last week, as cited by the Times said he had no evidence that senior Pakistani military or civilian leaders were complicit in sheltering bin Laden. He did not offer any proof to support his assertion, saying only his accusation was based on "information that I've seen," it said.a

Sri Lankan Tamils. Tamilians want is to see that the Sri Lankan Tamils who are still in camps are allowed to return where they lived earlier. "And they are allowed to lead lives of dignity with equal rights on par with the Sinhalese." Jayalalithaa said she had gone to the Supreme Court challenging the Indian decision to cede Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka without the concurrence of the Indian parliament.

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International TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Obama calls for ceasefire in Sudan

Washington: President Barack Obama is calling on Sudan's warring factions to end the bloody violence threatening a peace agreement as the south gears up for independence due in three weeks. "There is no military solution," Obama said in an audio message for the publiclyfunded VOA broadcasting network. "The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan must live up to their responsibilities. The government of Sudan must prevent a further escalation of this crisis by ceasing its military actions immediately, including aerial bombardments, forced displacements and campaigns of intimidation." His appeal for a ceasefire, taped after returning to the US mainland from a visit to Puerto Rico, came amid a surge of violence independence referendum in January, according to UN and official figures. Heavy fighting has swept across South Kordofan state on the south Sudan border since June 5 pitting the northern Sudanese Armed Forces and allied militiamen against fighters aligned with southern former rebel group the Sudan People's Liberation Army. Other clashes in south Sudan have killed almost 100 people in separate cattle raids and rebel attacks in the past week, officials said Wednesday. Obama called on both sides to agree to end violence, allow aid workers and relief supplies to move freely, fulfill their commitments under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended a 21-year civil war and "resolve their differences peacefully." "Today, I want to speak directly to Sudanese leaders: you must know that if you fulfill your obligations and choose peace, the United States will take the steps we have pledged toward normal relations," he continued. "However, those who flout their international obligations will face more pressure and isolation, and they will be held accountable for their actions." The Khartoum government in the north is keen to score normalization, including being removed from a US list of state sponsors of terror. "The Sudanese people have come too far, and sacrificed too much, to see their dreams of a better future slip from their grasp," Obama said.

"The Sudanese people have come too far, and sacrificed too much, to see their dreams of a better future slip from their grasp," US President Barack Obama said. that has seen more than 1,500 people killed in south Sudan since a largely peaceful

UK to hugely cut student visas

London: Almost a quarter of a million fewer overseas student visas are expected to be issued over the next five years as immigration curbs take effect, according to a government estimate published. The home office assessment published on Monday suggests that the curb on overseas student numbers from outside the European Union will reduce total net migration to Britain by 230,000 between now and 2015 and make a significant contribution to the government's goal of reducing net migration to 'tens of thousands' each year. But the annual reduction, averaging 46,000 a year, is only around half the figure quoted by the home secretary, Theresa May, when she gave details of the visa changes in March, when implying the changes would cut net migration by 400,000 in total by 2015. A more detailed impact assessment of the student visa changes is due to be presented to parliament later, when the government is expected to come under further criticism about what many see as a 'false economy.' The government's move to cut the annual flow of 300,000 students into Britain stems from its pledge to reduce net annual migration from outside Europe to below 100,000 from the 2009 level of 184,000. But the impact will come from non-EU students, who account for some 139,000, but which, according to the Home Affairs Committee, could 'cripple' the country's thriving education ued at up to 40bn a year.

China's N-plants pass safety inspections

Beijing: China has moved a step closer towards resuming its ambitious nuclear power plans after it was revealed that safety inspectors have given the country's 13 reactors the all-clear. The clean bill of health makes it more likely that Beijing will not follow the example of other countries most recently German, Italy and Japan who have promised to scale back or abandon nuclear power in the wake of the meltdown at the China has the world's biggest nuclear Fukushima Dai-ichi plant in March. expansion plans with a goal of more China has the world's biggest than 100 reactors by 2020. nuclear expansion plans with a goal of more than 100 reactors by 2020, but it astrous as the Great Leap Forward. Writing in the Science Times, he critisuspended permits for new plants after the cized government advisers for failing to tsunami disaster in Japan. The government said it would not be disclose the earthquake risks posed to resumed until existing plants were checked, nuclear power plants and said they had construction plans reviewed and a new overestimated the availability of uranium in the country and the maturity of fission technational safety framework put in place. That process is now well under way, nology. "Are we really ready for this kind of according to a statement by the deputy environment minister, Li Ganjie, posted on giddy speed [of nuclear power developa government website. As well as the com- ment]? I think not we're seriously underpleted checks for plants in operation, prepared, especially on the safety front," reviews of facilities under construction wrote the fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. would be finished by October, he said. Nuclear power executives are counting on Few analysts expect China to trim or delay targets that were included in the latest China to make up for demand that is being five-year economic plan to meet the power lost elsewhere amid the radiation fears demands of a growing economy, while prompted by Fukushima. Japan, Germany and Switzerland have all reducing the country's reliance on greenmove to scale back nuclear power as a house gas-emitting fuel sources. But critical voices have grown louder. result of that disaster. China merely put its Professor He Zuoxiu, who helped to devel- program on hold to assess safety concerns. In the latest setback for the industry, the op China's first atomic bomb, caused a storm last month when he claimed that Italian electorate voted overwhelmingly plans to ramp up production of nuclear against proposals to revive the country's energy twentyfold by 2030 could be as dis- nuclear energy program.

Merkel raps India, China on migrants

Geneva: India and China, experiencing huge migration of laborers from rural to urban areas, must provide proper social protection and "equitable" and "fair" standards to them, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said. "India and China are witnessing migration of laborers from rural to urban areas and they must have social protection, fair and equitable standards," she said while addressing the 100th International Labour Congress in Geneva. Making a strong case for controversial "social standards" and "labor standards," she said countries must adopt a new treaty that offers prodards are put down that makes it possible to actually respect human dignity and decent labour standards in this area," she said. "I wish you every success as an organization for the ratification of this instrument because this may indeed be a milestone for fair and equitable labor conditions," added Merkel. India, she said, "doesn't blindly follow the economic model of developed countries," arguing that it had adopted a series of schemes including the national rural employment guarantee scheme as well as affordable health insurance for workers both in the formal and informal sectors.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel tection to domestic workers. She said "social partnership" between German employers and employees enabled the country to overcome the grave economic crisis in 2009. "This is an area that has been very much in the shadow of official employment. It's so important that stan-

Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info

21

June 18-24, 2011

West Bengal passes historic Singur bill

Kolkata: Amidst walkout by the opposition Left Front lawmakers, the West Bengal assembly passed a bill to return a portion of the land acquired by the previous government from "unwilling owners" for setting up the now abandoned Tata Motors small car factory in Singur. The Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Bill, 2011, was passed by voice vote alongside some amendments brought by the government amidst thumping of desks by jubilant treasury benches members after a two-hour debate. The bill, tabled by Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee, seeks to scrap the 997.17-acre land lease with Tata Motors, enabling the government to take back the land to fulfill the misled the house, flouted constitutional norms and that there were several legal loopholes in the bill, the Left Front members staged a walk-out when the legislation was put to vote by Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay. Describing the bill as historic, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her speech in the house said the legislation seeks to redress the injustice done to the farmers whose land was acquired against their will in 2006 for setting up Tata Motor's Nano small car plant. Asserting that the land taken could be returned if there was will, she said her government has no intention of causing a divide between "unwilling and willing" farmers. But circumstances had to her and her endeavors." Penny K Sandhu said, "On behalf of JUS Broadcasting Corp I am delighted that Ranju Batra will be leading the AIA. She is a dynamic individual committed to serving the community and Im sure she will leave her unique imprints on the organization. Good Luck!" Dr. Sudhir Parikh, publisher of News India Times and Desi Talk, said, "Congratulations and good luck to Ranju Batra. I am sure she will take AIA-NY to the next level. You can count on me and Parikh Worldwide Media Group." Rajeev Bhambri , COO of Rediff.coms India Abroad, said, "Ranju Batras strong community roots, her unflinching passion for service and longstanding foundation in social and charitable causes will bring new zeal to the AIA, helping it to make a bigger difference in the US with contributions in the civic, cultural and political spheres..." Suneel Hali, The Indian Express North American Edition, PTC Punjabi TV US & Canada, and CrossingsTV Network, said, "We look forward to Ranju Batra's leadership to take AIA to the next level in next two years. This is timely and will be of great help in Panoramic Indo-American relationship. Ranju is a lady of exceptional abilities who offers unique combination of intellect, deep underforced her government to do so, the chief minister said, adding there was no record of willing famers. Attacking the erstwhile Left Front government, she said if only it had the political will, it also could have taken the same path to return the land to the unwilling peasants. Tata Motors, on the other hand, rebutted the state government's reference in the Singur Bill to the company's "non-commissioning and abandoning" of the small car project as a reason for taking back the land. The automobile major clarified that it had to "reluctantly close operation due to lack of congenial environment". The company said it would take appropriate steps after studying the bill. standing of Indian community and class. I wish her and her team the best and assure of full support from all media platforms our company offers." Kamlesh Mehta, publisher of The South Asian Times, said, "After witnessing the installation of the new president of AIA-NY, everyone in the Consulate ballroom was sure that with her tremendous personal resources and leadership, Ranju Batra will convert the platform of AIA into a golden bridge between Indians in America and main stream Americans." Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, publisher of The Indian Panorama, said, "Of all AIA chapters, it is the New York chapter which has always led AIA from the front. The annual Deepavali mela organized in New York is a jewel in AIAs crown. The event this year promises to be more colorful and impressive with Ranju Batra as president. Ranju has had a long association with AIA and has been AIAs strong arm for organizing cultural events. She has distinguished herself as a consummate organizer who has eye for the minutest detail." Rahul Walia, CEO of Touchdown Media & founder of South Asian Spelling Bee, said, "We are excited on her appointment which is sure to give AIA a strong, dynamic and driven leader that will elevate the organization to new heights."

The abandoned Tata motors plant in Singur village in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress's poll promise to return 400 acres to the farmers NYC Comptroller John Liu said, "We are here at India House...with so many community leaders...to watch the inauguration of an incredible leader, Ranju Batra, who has helped the community in so many different ways. I consider her my partner from my days at the New York City Council and now as Comptroller in organizing events and important legislation that affects the IndianAmerican community." DeputyPermanent Representative Manjeev Puri said, "Ranju, this is a wonderful recognition of your achievements. You and Ravi are sterling members of the community. You make us very proud." Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins said, "I congratulate Ranju and all the officers. On behalf of 950,000 residents of Westchester, the home to the Batras, I know personally the achievements the IndianAmerican community have made...and our communities are greatly enhanced by their contributions." Ranju Batra thanked the speakers individually and their societal contributions, and said, "Now, let me share a few thoughts about the direction I will take. A group is only as strong as the people that it is composed of, and looking around this room, I am confident of the progress that we will achieve. The common goal of promoting who were unwilling to sell it. Alleging that the government had our culture, family values and honor is a major part of why we are all here together. I want to open AIA to young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow, but who will remember our core tradition of responsibility to family and society." She continued, "I am proud of Smiti Khanna for starting AIAs flagship program of Diwali at the South Street Seaport. This year, it is on October 2, which happens to be Mahatma Gandhis birthday. I hope to see you all there. Many thanks to all of our sponsors, members of the media, and our friends who are here. Your continued support is vital as we move to new heights." Ravi Batra said, "She is very independent, very, very hardworking; sometimes over my objection. I know she has put her heart and soul into AIA and she will do a great job." AIA executive committee member Divya Shah said, "My warm welcome to all of you on behalf of AIA, which was established 44 years ago. Ranju has been actively involved in AIA and held many important positions, including the very demanding one, Cultural Chair." Sudhir Vaishnav, CEO of Globsat Entertainment, said, "We are proud to support Ranju Batra, the incoming president. We have been supporting AIA for past 6 years, and personally I have been involved with it since 1976. We pledge our full support

Ranju Batra takes over as AIA-NY President

Continued from page 15 Then, when I got to know him well, its not him, but Ranju! ... Its a packed house due to Ranju and Ravi... You long ceased being ambassadors. Thats a job for Prabhu and me, and we are almost ready to retire. Both India and United States are two very important countries on the global stage. I think what we need to do is that the US and India to move to a higher plane of cooperation and be able to work out the public good and the world order." Public Advocate Bill de Blasio said, "Ranju Batra is a great friend and real leader who, through her hard work and achievements, has helped the Indian-American community earn a high level of respect. Her husband Ravi is also a dear friend who truly understands politics and New York. I congratulate you in having elected Ranju as president, and I look forward to working with you to help make our city even better."

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Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

India win ODI series against West Indies

t. John's (Antigua): Anthony Martin and Andre Russell bowled inspiring spells to hand India a crushing 103-run defeat against West Indies in the fourth ODI here. India, after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, had rested some of their key players for the match. Leg-spinner Martin took a career-best 4/35 and fast bowler Andre Russell 3/16 as India, chasing a 250-run target, slumped from 110/4 to 146 all out in just 39 overs. Rohit Sharma was the only Indian batsman to pose some resistance with a breezy 39 from 47 balls. Earlier, Keiron Pollard (70 not out) and Lendl Simmons (67) struck crucial half-centuries to take the West Indies to a com-

Andre Russel's positive approach and clean hitting helped West Indies put up a comfortable score in the third ODI against India. petitive 249 for eight in 50 overs. The visitors, chasing their highest total of the series, got off to a bright start but lost wickets at regular intervals to allow West Indies to take the charge. India were reduced to 41/2

after Manoj Tiwary (2) was caught in the second over off the West Indies skipper Darren Sammy, who then took a superb return catch in the 10th over to dismiss Parthiv Patel for 26. The World Champions, however, were progressing untroubled, but Subramanian Badrinath was caught behind for 12 in the 17th over to trigger a collapse. India lost four wickets for 62 between the 21st and the 31st over, including that of Rohit, who was caught at deep midwicket off Martin. For West Indies, it was Pollard and Simmons who pulled them out from another middle-order collapse at the Vivian Richards Stadium. Put in, West Indies were teetering at 89 for four, but Simmons and Pollard played intelligently and a late charge by

wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh (39) and Russell (25) gave the hosts their best total of the season. The West Indies batsmen were made to work hard by medium pacer Praveen Kumar (3/37) and leg-spinner Amit Mishra (2/56), who between them bowled six maidens. Comeback man Ishant Sharma started impressively by dismissing Danza Hyatt (1) in the second over but went on to concede 60 runs from his 10 overs. Hyatt's wicket triggered a collapse and West Indies were 103 for five in the 27th over. Pollard and Baugh then did the repair work with their 96-run stand for the sixth wicket. Pollard was impressive with his shot selection and all his big hits were down the ground.

Force India fail in Canadian Grand Prix

Afridi to get NOC to play for Hampshire

Karachi: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi was all set to receive a No Objection Certificate from the country's cricket board to play in an ongoing English Twenty20 event after the allrounder withdrew his petition against the board from the Sindh High Court (SHC). The development took place within less than 24 hours of Afridi and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt meeting in Islamabad Tuesday under the gaze of senior government officials. Sources told IANS that during the meeting Butt agreed to reissue an NOC to Afridi to play professional cricket abroad provided the all-rounder withdrew his court case against the Board. Both parties agreed on a compromise after which Afridi withdrew his petition Wednesday. Sources said the player will now appear before a PCB disciplinary committee. "The committee will recommend that the Board should reissue Afridi an NOC to play in England. It might also penalize the former captain but the punishment won't be strict as was expected before the Afridi-Butt meeting," said the source. Sources close to Afridi said the star cricketer will leave for London later this week to represent Hampshire in the English Twenty20 event - Friends Pro-t20. The Afridi-PCB tussle has been branded as one of the biggest disputes between a player and the board in Pakistan's cricket history. The board had suspended Afridi's central contract besides revoking all the No Objection Certificates granted to him. It was Afridi's decision to talk about a rift in the team management last month that earned him the board's wrath. Reacting to his comments, the

Paul Di Resta of Force India.

Montreal: Force India failed to earn points from the rain-hit Canadian Grand Prix as Paul Di Resta finished 18th while Adrian Sutil failed to complete the race. Starting from the 11th position on the grid, Di Resta finished a disappointing 18th. The start of the race was delayed by two hours due to torrential rain. When the race resumed, Paul and Adrian raced hard but were unable to convert their strong strategies into points finishes. Di Resta blamed the bad weather for a poor race. "The weather conditions were very bad today and given the intensity of the rain it was absolutely the right decision to stop the race. There were a lot of rivers running across the

track and they were catching people out, even under safety car conditions," said Di Resta. The driver said that after the restart things were going well until he lost his front wing against Nick Heidfeld at the chicane when he cut across Di Resta. Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal, said the circumstances didn't go his team's way. "Both drivers picked up damage to their front wings, without which I am confident we could have come away with a double-points finish because the strategic calls from the pit wall were very good today. We will now go away and analyse our approach to the race so that we can come back stronger in Valencia," he said.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi. board stripped him of captaincy for last month's twomatch One-day International series against Ireland. Ten days later, Afridi took a swipe at the Board accusing it of ill-treatment and announced that he is retiring from international cricket. It's not clear whether Afridi will make himself available for national duty but it does seem certain that he will be featuring in the remaining Friends Pro-t20 matches for Hampshire.

Oz reinstate tri-series with India, Sri Lanka

Melbourbe: After a four-year hiatus, Cricket Australia (CA) have reinstated the ODI tri-series with India and Sri Lanka in February in their summer schedule for the 2011-12 season. The tri-series was dumped earlier due to lack of interest in matches not featuring the host team. Now made part of the international schedule for the first time in four years, it will start Feb 5 with Brisbane and Adelaide hosting the finals, according to the schedule. The schedule also has six Tests against New Zealand and India, two Twenty20 internationals and at least 14 one-day matches in a triangular format. Australia will play two Test matches against New Zealand in Brisbane and Hobart and will take on India to kick-start the summer. India also return to Australia since their controversial series in 2007-08. India will play four Tests, including the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year's Test at the SCG. The final Test will be in Adelaide. Sydney's Olympic Park and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host two Twenty20 matches against India.

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Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Anna-Ramdev: Kalyugs warriors

By Sagarika Ghose

he UPA has dispatched Ramdev to his ashram. The police action at the Ramlila Maidan was insupportable and the BJP has now gained a cause celebre. The RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have fully supported Ramdev from the start. On Twitter, anyone critical of Ramdev is being dubbed a Congress agent by Sangh parivar activists. The Ramdev phenomenon and, to some extent, the Anna Hazare campaign are part of Indias right-wing nationalist revolution. It is right-wing because it is based on national pride and individual entitlement. It is a movement of the middle and lower middle class buoyed up by 9% growth that now seeks a responsive, overtly honest government and a hard State. This revolution is closely linked to a Hindu consolidation spreading through society. Perhaps as a backlash to globalization, urban religiosity and Bharatiya sanskriti have become fashionable; faith in gurus is growing and it cuts across classes. Ramdev jumps from colas to homosexuality to black money in his choice of enemies, yet his devo-

Today, its Ramdev and Anna. Tomorrow, a new peoples messiah might emerge from the wings.

tees faith remains constant. Notwithstanding the BJPs crushing electoral defeats, the Hindu nationalist consolidation is gathering tremendous cultural momentum, much of which feeds into the anti-corruption campaigns. The Ram janmabhoomi movement is back, in a new sophisticated avatar. The revolution has its virtues and dangers. Its virtues are, rst, that it is based on an engaged sense of desi cultural pride. Second, it is forcing a debate where none existed on issues like corruption and black money. But the danger of the Hindu revolution is that it may over-

throw liberal constitutional values and revive street justice, of which Ramdevs prescription of death penalty for economic offences is one example and shoe throwing is another. It is also a revolution that is being played outside formal politics, at least for now. Govindacharya, one of the organizers of Ramdevs movement, has been openly critical of the BJP leadership. Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are ghting a battle in Parliament, not at the Ramlila Maidan. But just as the Ram mandir agitation was begun by the VHP and later used by the BJP to come to power, there are those within the

Sangh who are eyeing a similar opportunity to piggyback on an anti-corruption movement being built at the grassroots by Hindu outts. Next years elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand will be a test of whether the BJP can convert Hindu consolidation into electoral victory. War against corruption is led by people of many hues, but it is also the Hindu revolutions catchall device to rally new support to the cause. Many protests are contained within the umbrella: protest against an overly westernized elite class, protest against antinational intellectuals embodied in the persona of Binayak Sen and protest, at its very root, against rule by the foreign-born Sonia Gandhi. No surprise therefore that Ramdev brought up Gandhis foreign-ness again. Hatred of Sonia Gandhi and the Congress dynasty is the leitmotif and spur of the Hindu revolution, the reason why large numbers of middle class folk are lining up behind the Hindu revolution. Analysts have pointed to right-wing consolidation in the lower judiciary, gauged from the judgments on the Babri masjid title suit as well as from judgments on Bi-

nayak Sen, both criticized by the apex court. The saffron think tank Vivekananda Foundation consists of many public gures. Already, the BJP is asking why Syed Ali Shah Geelanis seminar did not get the same treatment as Ramdevs protest. A court in Muzaffarpur has registered a case of sedition against Digvijaya Singh for his views on the yoga guru. The rst Hindu revolution begun in the 1980s by the VHP, based on a desire to restore Hindu pride by building a Ram mandir in Ayodhya. Hindu rage at the Rajiv Gandhi governments minority appeasement in the Shah Bano case added to the momentum. The movement acquired a mass character through LK Advanis rath yatras. UPA 2 needs to recognize the society it is confronting, start delivering on its anti-corruption campaign promises and look and act like a 24 x 7 government. Else, bit by bit its, authority will be chipped away. Today, its Ramdev and Anna. Tomorrow, a new peoples messiah might emerge from the wings. (Sagarika Ghose is deputy editor, CNN-IBN. The views expressed by the author are personal)

UPA II: The circus must end

By Barkha Dutt

shoe-thrower; a swami who wants to raise a private army; a national debate over whether dancing is decorous and a government that went from supplication to abrupt skepticism all in the span of a week. It would actually have been rip-roaringly funny, were it not all woefully true. But sadly, this is the new India Story, one that has swiftly replaced self-condence with self-loathing. Oh yes, the circus has come to town. It has plenty of clowns, acrobatics, tight-rope walking, the juggling of balls, re-eaters and indeed a few lions too. But what it's sorely missing is a Ring Master. India's democracy has never been in such serious danger of being undermined and trivialized. But an inadequate, inconsistent response from the UPA one that has swerved from silence to surrender and from paralysis to panic has created the distinct impression of no one being in charge. It's stuff made for satire. Remember Alice's conversation with the Cheshire Cat? Lewis Caroll wrote in 19th century England, but in the Blunder-land that is today's India, his words would be just as apt. "What sort of people live about here?" Alice had asked the Cat. "In that direction," the Cat said, waving its right paw round, "lives a Hatter: and in that

As we slip-slide into a self-created chaos, Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi must break down the walls of silence around them and talk to the people who elected them. direction," waving the other paw, "lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they're both mad." "But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad." As a strange kind of madness takes control of the political discourse, the eventual responsibility for this turmoil must lie squarely at the UPA's doorstep. Nature, as they say, abhors a vacuum. And as the government steadily abdicated its own authority, the space for alternative non-political voices rapidly ex-

panded. The silence at the very top in an age of hyper-communication has only compounded the crisis. People expect signs of visible leadership from those who govern them. Even the Victorians restricted the proverbial wisdom of only being seen and not heard to children. In these globalized, inter-connected times when the White House in on Twitter and it is not uncommon for world leaders to talk directly to their constituents online, the opaqueness that surrounds our netas is anachronistic and exasperating. As we slip-slide into a self-created chaos, Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi must break down the walls of silence around them and talk to the people who elected them. Political leadership demands a certain amount of emotional intimacy along with assertiveness. Thus far, we are missing signs of both. For how long will the party and the government regard themselves as separate entities? In the minds of the people, that is a technical difference, the re-iteration of which only adds to a perception of drift. India needs its sense of self back. Else, we can get ready for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. And it doesn't promise to be fun. (Barkha Dutt is Group Editor, English News, NDTV. The views expressed by the author are personal.)

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

Energy Sources TheSouthAsianTimes.info

25

June 18-24, 2011

Vedanta Resources is buying Cairn India, which is producing oil in Rajasthan. An Indian government panel has recommended conditional approval for the $6.9 billion deal, saying the two must agree to treating royalty on mainstay Rajasthan block as cost recoverable, and agree to paying cess.

Oil flow starts filling Rajasthan coffers

By Prakash Bhandari/SATimes Jaipur: Rajasthan's dream of getting an oil refinery may take some more time but 'black gold' retrieved from the Thar desert has already become a big revenue earner for the state. According to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, currently Mangala Oil Field is producing 1.25 lakh barrels of crude oil a day, earning the state government a royalty of Rs 25 million per month and Rs 4 million as sales tax. There is more in the pipeline. Saraswati, the first oil field discovered in Rajasthan, began production recently. "The quality of crude oil is also better than Mangala as assessed by the American Petroleum Institute. In fact, the quality of Mangala oil would also improve after mixing it with crude oil from Saraswati," Gehlot said. Saraswati field has estimated reserves of 36.8 million barrels but expected to go up. Meanwhile, Cairn India has confirmed Mangalas output figure given by Gehlot, adding that it has potential to go up to 150,000 barrels per day without any new investment. Gehlot met Indias finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi to demand that the oil refinery be set up at Barmer in Rajasthan. Ironically, all the refineries in the country were set up in non-oil producing states, while Rajasthan with immense deposits of oil, gas and hydrocarbons has no refinery. An expert committee headed by the former petroleum secretary SC Tripathi had recommended setting up of a refinery in Rajasthan with a capacity of 4.5 million to 6 million tonnes a year. Gehlot has demanded 50 per cent reduction on excise duty if the refinery were set up in Barmer. The state government has offered a huge package of incentives to the joint venture companies Cairn India and nationally owned ONGC. The state government has proposed a 26 percent equity on setting up the refinery. Cairn India Ltd (CIL) reported a 10-fold jump in its quarterly net profit on back of higher crude oil price and consistent performance at the India's biggest onshore oilfield in Thar desert. Consolidated net profit in the fourth quarter through March rose to Rs 24.6 million from Rs 24.5 million a year earlier. Cairn India is the Indian unit of Edinburghbased Cairn Energy Plc. While 2010-11 was the first full year of safe and consistent operations at Rajasthan oil fields, Cairn realised $94.2 per barrel for oil produced in January-March quarter as opposed to $71 per barrel the previous year. Cairn Energy plc (the firms ultimate holding company) has agreed to sell a substantial part of its shareholding in the company to Vedanta Resources plc and Twin Star Holdings Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc). This transaction has been approved by the shareholders of Cairn Energy and Vedanta Resources. Sesa Goa Limited (a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources) has completed the Open Offer for Cairn India shares on 30 April 2011. A total of some 155 million Cairn India shares, representing 8.1 percent of the shareholding, have been tendered. Following the acquisition of both the 10.4 percent stake from PETRONAS International Corporation Limited announced on 19 April 2011 and the Open Offer shares, Sesa Goa Limited holds 18.5 percent of the shareholding of Cairn India. Accordingly, on completion of the transaction, Cairn Energy will sell 40 percent stake in Cairn India to Vedanta Resources, following which Cairn Energy will hold a residual interest of 21.7 percent of the shareholding. Recommending conditional approval for the Cairn-Vedanta deal, a Group of Ministers (GOM) said the two companies must agree to treating royalty on mainstay Rajasthan block as cost recoverable, and agree to paying cess. GoM felt that as a pre-condition for the nod, Cairn or its successor should consent to paying cess on the all important Rajasthan block as well as agree to cost-recovery of Rs 18,000 crore in royalty that ONGC pays on the fields. Cairn should also withdraw arbitration proceeding it has initiated, disputing its liability to pay Rs 2,500 per ton cess on its 70% share in the Rajasthan block. The recommendation of the GoM headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will go to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). "It (GoM) has looked at various aspects of the ($ 9.6 billion) deal. It has taken a view on the matter. This view will be presented to the CCEA. GoM is not going to meet again," the finance minister told reporters. Cairn will also have to seek consent of ONGC, which holds stake in 8 out of the 10 properties held by Cairn India in the country. Also, Vedanta will need a security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Cairn holds 70% interest in the Rajasthan block but does not pay any royalty. It is opposed to cost recovery of royalty payments that ONGC makes on its behalf. Meanwhile, ahead of the GoM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dedicating the Mangala Oil Field to the nation at Barmer, Rajasthan, in 2009, in the presence of (from right) Chairman, Cairn India, Sir Bill Gammell; Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. meet, London-listed mining group Vedanta Resources said it has raised $ 1.65 billion (Rs 7,425 crore) through private placement of bonds to part-finance its $9.4 billion acquisition of Cairn India. Rajasthan crude is now transported to a number of refineries in India by the worlds longest continuously heated and insulated pipeline. This infrastructure is strategically important as all the remaining fields and discoveries can be quickly connected to the market. The first phase of the Rajasthan development including three processing trains, multiple well pads and the pipeline infrastructure is complete. The operations have achieved high global standards of efficiency with more than 98% uptime. Bhagyam field, the second largest find in Rajasthan, is likely to start production in October and will reach plateau production of 40,000 barrels per day by the calendar year-end. Further, Aishwariya field will produce 10,000 barrels per day sometime in second half of 2012 calendar year and together with Mangala output and and 40,000 barrels per day of Bhagyan, total output from Rajasthan would be 200,000 barrels per day (10 million tonnes a year), said Rahul Dhir, MD and CEO of Cairn India.

Rajasthan girls storm male bastion of oil sector

he Desert of Thar infamous for female infanticide and feticide is witnessing a revolutionary change in terms of girls participation in the male dominated fields. Oil fields technical jobs are considered as sole domain of male candidates. But anybody can felt the good number of women working at the Mangala oil field in this region. Braving the temperature variation of sub zero during winters and 50 degree during peak summer, the Desert of Thar is s natural playground for these Rajasthani girls. Cairn India discovered this field in 2004 and since the discovery, women employees were there at field working as support staff, but now their entry as Petroleum Engineer have been considered as a milestone. Divyakshi Jain a girl from Jaipur completed her engineering study from Bikaner. She is a part of Cairns field engineers team maintain the production of crude via worlds longest heated crude

A woman engineer at Cairn work site, and (right) Parul Singh pipeline between Barmer and Salaya (Gujarat). My profile seemed to be very challenging initially, but gradually with time and my seniors support, I learnt my work and took advantage of working in male dominant Oil and Gas sector, making myself stronger and adaptable to any surrounding, said Divyakshi. Parul Singh, another member of the team says, Every day passing by my determination to continue in this male dominating field grew stronger & stronger. Now with very ease not only I am able to perform my job efficiently but also with confidence. Swati Mahawar, a Chemical Engineer from NIT, Jaipur is working at Cairn India as a Production Engineer. With cooperation and progressive nature of people here around I find it very easy to work here as compared to other male dominated field. This type of environment also inspires women to enter into other male dominated field which is a very big milestone in making women independent and to lead a happy and respectable life, she said.

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Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Darbar apologizes over Oscar comment

fter rumors about the Academy planning to sue him for $50,000 million, Ismail Darbar, who had accused AR Rahman of having bought the Oscar awards, says he is ready to apologise. The musician had indicted Rahman, who received two Oscars in 2008 Best Original Score and Best Original Song for his music in Slumdog Millionaire, of having paid for them. Following this, there was scuttlebutt that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might sue him for insinuating that the awards can be bought.

Darbar now says he has nothing ments, I apologize to them." Darbar says he is not saying against the Oscars and that he just wanted to warn his 'friend' this out of fear of anyone, but Rahman for churning out inferior God. "I am not scared. The truth quality music since last one year. is, I realize that those people who Darbar says, "I am grateful that respected me for my work, might I have been respected in the misunderstand me and think I am industry for my work. I did say baddimaag (arrogant person). some things about Rahman, Also, the fact is, I can have nothbecause as a friend I want to jolt ing against the Oscar panel or him out of his reverie and start those behind the awards. My giving good music. I chose a pub- issue was with Rahman and I lic platform to do it, because he guess he's got the message by wouldn't listen to me otherwise. I now," he said. have nothing against the Oscars. It is the most respected award, Music director Ismail Darbar had the whole world acknowledges it, indicted AR Rahman of having and I do, too. If any of them paid for Oscars. (Academy) are hurt by my com-

Now, a film on Sanjay Gandhi's life

hirty-one years after his death, Indira Gandhi's younger son Sanjay Gandhi is all set to get a silver screen tribute by Lahore director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan. The director admits he always wanted to portray his life on celluloid, reports Mumbai Mirror. But the director wants to avoid showing the controversies surrounding his death on screen. He tells the tabloid, "Sanjay Gandhi was a very controversial figure. I always wanted to Late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's younger son Sanjay Gandhi. portray his life on the big screen, but I am going to show about our country. It is just now the kind of person he was rather that I have started working on the than venturing into the controver- film, as my science fiction film is ready to go on the floors," says sies surrounding his death. "I have always been impressed Chauhan. The casting of the film by his ideologies and his vision remains to be decided.

Simi Garewal feels 23!

he may be well over 60, but feels as young as 23! Veteran actress Simi Garewal is ready to quiz young and single celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor and Siddharth Mallya on her new show "India's Most Desirable" and says she is far from experiencing a generation gap. "Genuinely, I feel I'm 23. What can I do about it? That's how I feel! I have never felt younger or older with anybody," Simi said. The actress has interviewed actors like Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and liquor-baron Vijay Mallya on her earlier talk show "Rendezvous With Simi Garewal". But for her latest chat show, which goes on air starting Sunday, she has their children as her guests. But Simi isn't fretting! "I have got very young people on my show earlier as well! On 'Rendezvous...', I had the new stars who were in the limelight... Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan and everyone. So I

TV host Simi Garewal. never felt there was an age or generational factor and I don't think my guests feel that either," said the confident lady whose charisma can still make many new actresses look pale. "It's very important for a host of a show to be experienced. It is only with experience that you can deal with all age groups. If I was 17, I don't think I would have been able to deal with all these celebrities, handle them and bring out the best in them. It is only with experience and maturity that you can do that," she said.

Vinay misses Shorey in 'Bheja Fry 2'

he chemistry between Vinay Menon sharing screen space with Vinay. Pathak and Ranvir Shorey Vinay is known for his perfect in the 2007 film "Bheja Fry" is remembered by everyone and comic timing, but it seems the Vinay admits he is missing his actor doesn't like being branded a close friend in the sequel "Bheja comedian. "First of all, I am not a comediFry 2". an. I consider myself an actor. A "I definitely miss Ranvir Shorey. But he was not required in the majority of films that I have done are not comic roles. Its just 'Bheja story. However, I am told that there will be another story where they Fry' and 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' where I played comic roles that I will incorporate him," Vinay told was branded as a comedian," he reporters here. said. Vinay has been good friends with "Because 'Bheja Fry' in 2007 was Ranvir ever since they anchored the Channel V show "OYE" in the such a huge hit, people don't talk 1990s. Both of them were seen about 'Johnny Gaddar', 'Khoya together in films like Khoya Chand', or 'Manorama Six Feet Under'. I am actor and what"Dasvidaniya", and "Khosla Ka ever story attracts me and appeals Ghosla" among others. While to me, I take that up and try to do "Bheja Fry" had Rajat Kapoor, A poster of Bheja Fry 2'. justice to it to the best of my abiliMilind Soman and Ranvir, the sequel will see Minissha, Kay Kay Menon and Suresh ty and talent," he added.

Rajni keen to perform stunts

ontrary to reports that Superstar Rajinikanth's much awaited Rana has been shelved due to his ill health, director K.S. Ravikumar has now confirmed that the project is very much on. The director also confirmed that the film's shooting has been postponed tentatively due to Rajni's health issues. Rajni sir is keen to perform all the stunts himself. As far as I know, he doesnt like the idea of using a body double to do his action sequences. You know, he is keeping a close eye on Ranas development, K.S. Ravikumar was quoted as saying. We were planning to resume towards the end of June, but weve

Rajnikanth. pushed it back by a few months. Rajni sir is fine, but his health is of paramount importance, he added.

Ultimate Bollywood Thesouthasiantimes.info

27

June 18-24, 2011

'Shaitan,' a new kind of cinematic voice

f there were any doubts about 2011 being the year of reckoning for Indian cinema, "Shaitan" with its mounting mood of ricocheting restlessness puts all doubts to rest. The skillful interweaving of strong storytelling and powerful performances is underpinned by a wild sense of humor that shows up at the oddest of places to remind us that cinema is not about following all the punctuation rules of storytelling. It's about knowing when and where to rev up the drama to just that right pitch to carry us into a tripped-out world of hedonism and redemption. This stunning tale of five misguided youngsters (no relation to Anurag Kashyap's "Paanch" as

Actor Kalki in a scene from Shaitan. reported) from the uppercrust dis- plays a flair for unleashing an

energy that leaves us breathless with anticipation. It's tough to keep up with the film's unbridled zest for momentum. From the opening montage showing poignant scenes from Kalki's childhood with her troubled mother to the dying moments when the five protagonists are rendered either dead or damned or both, this work of pop-art just sweeps you into its furious folds of angst and anxiety. Nambiar gets terrific support from his cinematographer (R. Madhi) and editor (Sreekar Prasad) in creating a world that is cinematic and dramatic and yet real enough. Comparing Nambiar's style of storytelling to Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie or Nambiar's mentor Mani

Ratnam or Anurag Kashyap would be as self-defeating as comparing "Shaitan" to the other recent films on the young and the doomed. Nambiar creates his own world where the quirky and collapsible are constantly jostling for attention. The narrative is looselimbed, yet never flabby or selfindulgent. The film exudes the unbridled energy of a rock song but doesn't forget to include a melodic underbelly in its compositional range. The madly idealistic cop's (Rajeev Khandelwal) disintegrating marriage to a woman (Sheetal Menon) who just won't talk remarkably creates a space for itself in the stifling bustle of this film's main action.

Karisma to make comeback in Bhatt's next

ilmmaker Vikram Bhatt has apparently convinced actress Karisma Kapoor to make a comeback with his slick 3D thriller Dangerous Ishq. "Vikram has met Karisma several times. She loves the script of Dangerous Ishq. It has an authorbacked role for her with many shades. Just the kind of character she has been looking for. She has made up her mind to do the film," a source was quoted as saying. Bhatt was determined to get Karisma at any price. He could afford it after Haunted, which has become the highest-grossing horror film in India of all times. Bhatt said: "Yes, Haunted had made a huge profit. And yes I can afford to pay my stars well. It's a powerful role for a 30-plus actress

Virat Kohli, Sarah Jane break up?

ollywood-cricket liaison makes great love stories but mostly don't have fairytale ending. The latest to join the league is cricketer Virat Kohli and ex-Miss India Sarah Jane Dias who have reportedly parted ways after dating for a couple of months. Virat and Sara connected instantly the first time they met and the dashing cricketer had even invited Sarah for the World Cup final. Although she couldn't come to cheer the batsman as she was busy with her debut film Game's promotions but she made it a point to celebrate with the cricketer later. The short affair came to an end before Virat went for India-West Indies ongoing tour as the duo weren't serious about their relationship. "Well, you can say that it sort of fizzled out. They tried to cement their relationship, but in their heart

Actor Karisma Kapoor. who is stunning and talented." Karisma, whose last screen appearance was in Suneel Darshan's Mere Jeevan Saathi in 2002, has been in search of the right role to return to cinema with.

Sarah Jane and cricketer Virat Kohli. of hearts, they weren't serious about that it wouldn't last," a source close it. So people close to them knew to the stars told Mumbai Mirror.

West Is West' not better than 'East...'

n 1999, a film set 28 years back in Britain, "East is East", stole the hearts of everyone globally who watched it -- what with its inherent family struggle and a patriarch trying to imbibe in his children the values he grew up with and the kids exerting the values of the country they were growing up in. The film is back, set a few years later, and though the laughs and wit are in place, it is still a lesser work compared to the original. Set few years after the first film, Khan (Om Puri) is still the same autocratic, though a little sobered down, head of the family. His youngest son Sajid, going

Actor Om Puri in a scene from West is West.

through his own teenage crisis with bullies in school, rebels against his father who decides to 'sort him out'. To do that, he takes him to live with his first family in Pakistan which he has abandoned for 35 years now. Things get tangled up with his first wife, and when Khan does not return after his stipulated month, his British wife lands up, leading to a clash of civilizations and temperaments. Khan's character is an epitome of the problems displaced people face. His is a character you will find in every town and city of the world. He refuses to believe that his roots have been severed from his beloved Pakistan, and not

only tries to cling to it, but also tries to force it upon his kids. The result is a clash of ideologies and through it cultures and civilizations. There are perhaps no two places poles apart than Britain and a village in Pakistan. And it is this space, that "West is West" navigates well. The casting is flawless. Om Puri reprises his role as a devout Muslim patriarch, though he is sobered down in this version. Aqib Khan as Sajid, Ila Arun and Linda Bassett are good too. Shot in Britain and a village near Chandigarh, the film, despite its flaws, is still a much better fare than most Hollywood releases in India, making it a must watch.

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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Humor with Melvin Durai

Don't bug me to go camping

t may surprise you to hear this, but Ive never gone camping, never felt the urge to leave the comforts of my home to spend a few days in a tent somewhere. Dont get me wrong: I like being close to nature. I just dont like nature getting too close to me. You never know what you might encounter in nature: mosquitoes, bees, wasps, Al Gore. Actually, Id be quite pleased to run into the former vice-president in the woods, especially since the mosquitoes would have another place to land. Mosquitoes can be a pain in the neck, not to mention the arms, legs and other body parts. Bees, wasps, flies and ants can also be annoying. I dont need insects to bug me. I have three children. And if theres anything worse than dealing with insects, its dealing with children dealing with insects. My daughter Divya is the worst. She has singlehandedly destroyed any progress made over the last century in human-insect relations. A single fly can produce a highpitched scream from her, almost as if someone changed the channel in the middle of Dora.

My wife, Malathi, doesnt like flies either. Then again, she has never been too fond of uninvited guests who head straight for her food. Especially when they dont have the decency to wash up. If I were a hardcore camper, I wouldnt complain about the insects. Id just catch them and have them for dinner. You cant be picky about what you eat when youre a real camper. Real campers realize that its better to eat an insect than have an insect eat you. Not that I know anything about eating insects. Ive just read the

book Camping for Idiots, which includes this important tip: In order to get your recommended daily allowance of protein while camping, you must get used to the idea of sleeping with your mouth open. The closest Ive come to camping was staying in a cabin near a Minnesota lake. I spent a few days there with my wife and kids and a dozen flies. We just opened the door and they flew right in, as though they had rented the place themselves and were waiting outside for someone to let them in. Fly: Its about time they opened the door! We spent half our lives waiting. Second fly: Im hungry! Does anyone know where they keep the trash can? We were staying in a cabin, but in some ways, we were really roughing it. We had to endure some extreme conditions. For example, our cable had only 40 channels. And we didnt have a DVD player. Talk about a primitive existence! The cabin did have an oven and microwave, but to get the camping experience, we didnt do all our cooking there. Malathi started a fire outside, and I wore a loincloth and headed to the woods to hunt for

boar. Actually, we picked up some meat and veggies at a nearby grocery store. Malathi cut them in pieces, put them on skewers, and

roasted them in the fire. For at least an hour, we felt like real campers. Then we went inside and ordered pizza.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Tech Life

Excessive texting can be harmful: Study

INDORE: Sending or receiving an SMS is generally considered a harmless activity. However, according to a recently carriedout study, the seemingly innocuous SMSes could bring some disorders like uneasiness, anger or even sleeplessness! The survey was conducted by Indore-based Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College ( MGMMC ) on 150 youths aged between 18 and 25 years. The study concluded that those, who loved using Short Message Service (SMS) frequently, developed uneasiness, anger and sleeplessness. "The youths in the habit of texting SMS, were falling prey to depression and fear," Dr Sanjay cent males admitted that they did not enjoy sound sleep. "If there is no reply to the SMS, 55 per cent youths get upset, while 32 per cent feel dejected, presuming that no one wanted to be in their contact. Around 93 per cent turn anxious after they don't get a reply to their SMS for a long time," the study says. It further notes that nearly 41 per cent keep checking their mobile phone hand sets for reply after texting their SMS and this anxiousness is called 'Textaphrenia'. The survey noted that out of the 150 surveyed youths, 129 had bought different plans to lower the tariff charges of text messaging.

Facebook losing US, Canada users: Report

WASHINGTON: Facebook is approaching 700 million members but its growth is slowing and it lost users in the United States and Canada last month, the Inside Facebook website said. Facebook had 687 million members at the start of June, said Inside Facebook, which closely tracks developments and trends at the Palo Alto, California-based social network. Facebook itself does not regularly release membership figures except to announce milestones such as when it crossed 500 million users in July of last year. nside Facebook said overall growth at the social networking giant "has been lower than normal for the second month straight, which is unusual." Facebook gained 11.8 million members in May and 13.9 million in April -- down from the usual 20 million new users a month seen in previous months, it said. "While there have been a few months that have registered lower growth numbers, they have not been back to back," it said. The United States lost nearly six million users in May, Inside Facebook said, falling from 155.2 million at the start of May to 149.4 million at the end of it. Canadian users fell 1.52 million to 16.6 million during the month and Britain, Norway and Russia all posted losses of more than 100,000, Inside Facebook said.

Dixit, Head of the Department at the MGMMG Community Medicine, said. "Nearly 47 per cent females and 39 per cent males accepted that their text messaging habit hit their daily routine in some way. Around 60 per cent youths feel that the habit was even affecting their studies," he said adding that 40 per cent females and 45 per

Astrology
TheSouthAsianTimes.info

29

June 18-24, 2011

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

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: June 18-24, 2011

Aries: This week share important information with others to win their confidence. You realize that working, as a team will ensure gains. But some people think differently, do not let ignorance of people bother your mind. Home front will be peaceful and pleasant, and family members extend their full support. Go out and socialize and do not be afraid to express your true feeling if you happen to meet someone who appeals to you. Money gains are certain but do not indulge in speculation and gambling. Taurus:Dont bother to hide things from your mate. Concealment of facts will only complicate matters for you and you will find it hard to explain things at a later stage. Selective speculation in real estate and stocks will be highly rewarding. Good week for students and professionals as they witness steady progress in their respective fields. Auspicious events and marriage proposals for some. Gemini: Control your temper when dealing with your beloved or business partner. Although your financial position will improve in the next few days, the outflow of money will still create hindrance in executing your new plans and projects. Taking opinion from people who have experience and knowledge will be important. Health will be normal despite a busy and hectic week. This is a wonderful week to attend seminars and exhibition that interests you. Cancer: This week pleasure trip will not only be exciting and educating but it will bring you a good chance to meet someone who will inspire you into new business. A wonderful idea if given prompt response will yield immediate gains. Budding romance for those unattached will bring new excitement and cheerfulness in life. Health will be perfect, but you certainly need to take precautions in the changing weather. Leo: This week your influence will be strong, and you will be able to do things your way. Opportunities that present themselves to you would lead to good things later on. However you need to focus and concentrate on one thing at a time, putting your hands in many jobs will get you no where. Expensive household purchases are likely to be made towards the end of the week. Sudden romantic developments with a stranger will brighten up your days ahead. Virgo: This week you would be pleased with yourself as you are in a much better, comfortable and secure position than ever before. You've done a lot of work to get to the position where you are today and it will be highly appreciated by others. Some people will look up to you for advice and you will not disappoint them, rather you will go out of your way to help them, both financially and morally. The end of the week sees you over occupied with social gathering and family functions. Libra: This is a perfect week to work on new projects. Your creativity and your ability to communicate effectively will bring you immense gains. You will make important changes at home, which will make it a better and comfortable place to live. You will find members of the opposite sex most appealing. Try not to hurt those who love and care about you. Middle of the week will be highly exciting for those unemployed, as they could receive a good offer or a brilliant opportunity. Scorpio: You will have a tendency to think that nobody except you can do your work properly, but if you want the job done on schedule then it will be important for you to seek outside support. Dont threaten people with ultimatum if you want their help. Your creative and intelligent mind will act like a magnet, and people will be drawn towards you. Finances improve later in the week as you benefit from past investments. Sagittarius: This week there will be no substitute to hard work. People will be supportive but you will have to make all the major decisions yourself. There will be moments of excitement and tension where your patience will be put to test. Avoid arguments and confrontation to take control of the situation and to prevent it from getting bad to worse. Later in the week you can look for some outdoor games, which will keep you relaxed and in an energetic mood. Drive carefully during the evenings. Capricorn: This week you would be eager to talk about your plans with others. Your ideas would appeal to majority of people and you should take advantage of this and utilize it to your benefit. People will treat you with respect and admiration, and some of them will want you to lead them. You would achieve a lot if you behave flexible and compromise on certain issues. Do not disappoint people with your stubbornness. Your health will suffer if you dont take care of yourself. Aquarius: This week you will be working on projects, which are most promising. Your mind will be hungry for more knowledge. Be highly secretive about your personal plans, as you will be misled by a friend or a colleague. Take care of important tasks and correspondence that have piled up on your desk. This is also an excellent time for professional advancements, bonus, promotions and recognition. A short pleasure jaunt towards the weekend cannot be ruled out. Pisces: This week some people do not agree with your plans. Open communication will lead to better understanding and appreciation of your thoughts. You should remember that working together is an excellent way to accomplish common goals and benefits. Your concentration will be good and others will give you the respect you deserve. Income is likely to improve, but there will be a rise in expenses as well. Property matters will take final shape.

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

June 18: Governed by number 9 and the planet Mars. You are dignified, sensitive, courageous, confident and diplomatic person. You are simple and very helpful, but you need to control your tendency to behave impatient and short-tempered at times. This year you will complete many of your pending jobs in hand. New money making opportunities will be highly promising, but will require you to give in your best. Speculations however will not be beneficial, therefore strictly not recommended. Investment in a house or land will bring you long term benefits. Relation with your spouse during this period will be cordial and on an even footing. Children will bring you good news and you will be proud of their achievements. Romantic alliances will prosper and strengthen. The months of July, November, February and May will be important. June 19: Influenced by number 1 and the Sun. You are active, energetic, authoritative, brilliant, systematic and a talented person. You always welcome new ideas and thoughts, but you need to check your tendency to behave spendthrift and dominating at times. This year you will feel more secure with your prevailing job and your monetary position will also improve. Money transaction however should be made carefully. Some losses due to speculation or hasty decision during this period cannot be ruled out. Businessmen will sign new and important contracts. Overseas ventures will be highly lucrative. This might not be the perfect year for matters relating to your heart and forming a matrimonial alliance. The latter half of the year will see you undertake a pilgrimage, which will bring you mental comfort and peace. The months of October, December, February and April will be highly result oriented. June 20: Ruled by number 2 and the Moon. You are imaginative, smart, trustworthy, generous and authoritative. You have good command over your work and people look up to you for advice and support, but you need to check your tendency to behave selfish and moody at times. The coming year will promise many new opportunities for growth. Your acumen in business will really do wonders, but you need to plan your budget well in advance and it will be wise not to go beyond it. Investment made in the past will bear fruits, making your financial position much comfortable. Property/legal disputes will settle to your satisfaction. Health definitely needs more attention. Meditation and Yoga should be practiced for spiritual gains as well as physical gains. Some exhilarating news from your children will boost up your spirits. Travel and journey, most likely overseas for some will ensure pleasure and excitement. The months of July, October, January and March will be eventful. June 21: Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you are intelligent, dignified, jovial, generous and an optimistic person. You are good at everything you do, which in return brings lots of appreciation and rewards for you. But you need to control over your tendency to behave spendthrift, dominating and vindictive at times. The coming year promises many new surprises and rewards for you. Financial benefits will flow through various sources. New sources of income will improve your financial position and ongoing projects will get a major boost. Journeys undertaken for work purpose will be beneficial and highly rewarding. Investment in a house and selected stocks recommended. Sudden expenses due to health problem in the family will bother your mind. Legal matters will prove expensive. Purchase of a property or a mode of transportation will be high on your agenda. The months of September, December, February and June will enhance prosperity. June 22: Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus, you are energetic, methodical, systematic and possess an attractive personality. You are highly social and helpful, but you need to check your tendency to behave jealous, self centered and destructive at times. A year of gifts and rewards. New proposals and assignments will boost your morale and confidence. Property transaction will bring you good returns and will also help raise money. Travel will be undertaken for building important relationships and monetary gains. Overseas journey or business transaction for some. Wedding bells will ring for some later in the year, and others will find romance to keep them going. Chronic patients need to take extra care for their health. Avoid lending and borrowing money. The months of September, November, March and June will be highly eventful. June 23: Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury, you are active, intelligent, sensible, systematic and highly courageous. You are a great admirer of music and literature, but you need to curb your tendency to behave moody, spendthrift and careless at times. This year success in whatever you do will keep you happy. Past investments will fetch you handsome returns and long pending judicial disputes will settle in your favour. The latter half of the year will see you getting closer to a spiritual person who will make a remarkable difference on your thinking and personality. Unexpected gains in cash and kind from near ones and friends through out the year. Stress and tension might lead to some minor health problems. The months of August, November, March and June will prove to be significant. June 24: Ruled by number 6 and the planet Venus, you are generous, practical, energetic, original and a simple person. Your hard-work and sincerity are appreciated by others but your tendency to behave extravagant and to interfere in the affairs of others attracts enormous criticism at times. This year rewards and appreciation for scientist, lawyers, writers, and women professionals associated with advertising and marketing seems certain. A better understanding with your family members will ensure happiness, peace and prosperity at home. Financial gains will increase as the year progresses making you spend more on luxuries and other comforts. Heath matters will cause concern, therefore do not ignore medical advice whenever necessary. The months of July, December, January and May will prove to be highly beneficial.

Before you consult...

i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, Time and Place of birth is accurate. ii) Careful: Did you check background of the astrologer before disclosing your secrets. iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, dont feel shy. Its his business. iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the outcome is not as desired, never give up. v) Consult: Take second opinion before spending thousands on cure/remedies.

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Spiritual Awareness TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 18-24, 2011

Achieve the state of true joy

him to take down some notes he wished to dictate. St. Francis told him that he wanted to dictate the story of true joy. This is what St. Francis related: One day, a man brings a message to our church saying that all the professors of the University of Paris want to enter our order. Now, add that this would not be true joy. Next, all the archbishops and bishops from all the other churches come and want to become members of our church. Write down that this, too, would not be true joy. After this, the King of France and the King of England come to join our church. Now, add that this would not be true joy either. Finally, write down that all the members of the church go out amongst the nonbelievers and convert them to our faith, and that I have received so much grace from God that I can perform miracles and heal the sick. This, too, would not be true joy. Finally, Brother Leo dropped his pen and looked up. Amazed, he said to St. Francis, If all this is not true joy then what is? St. Francis said, Write this down, now. Suppose one night I return from a long journey and I arrive at the friars residence late at night. It is winter and I am shivering from the cold. Icicles have even formed on my coat and are cutting into my legs. I am cold, bleeding, and covered with dirt. I make my way to the door of the residence where the brothers live and knock. After knocking for a while, a brother calls out, Who are you? I reply, I am Brother Francis. The friar yells out, Go away. This is too late an hour to be wandering about and knocking at the door. When I entreat him to let me in, he shouts even louder, telling me, Get out of here, you fool. You are an idiot. We have enough brothers staying here. We do not need any more, especially one as idiotic as you. Then, I again beg him to let me in, in the Name of God. The brother slams the door on me, shouting, Absolutely not! Go stay at a hotel somewhere else. Brother Leo, note this down: If I keep my patience through this ordeal and mistreatment, and do not get upset, then that is true joy, and I have gained true virtue and the salvation of my soul. Look at the high angle of vision through which a saint sees the world. For St. Francis, true joy means having love and patience in ones heart for those who mistreat and abuse us. What a lofty perspective this is! Let us see why this is a state of true joy. Think of how many times someone treats us in a similar manner as the friar in the residence did to St. Francis. How many times do people refuse us a simple request? How many times are we abused and insulted by others? Does it happen in our offices, in our homes, and even in our places of worship? What do we normally do? We generally respond with anger. We get agitated, annoyed, and may even retaliate with more abuses and insults. Sometimes we even get into arguments and fights with others over their insensitivity and callousness. The result is that our mind is agitated and restless. We cannot eat, we cannot rest, and we surely have trouble meditating. We are far from peace and tranquility. Just imagine if we could pass through these slings and arrows of life untainted and unharmed. Suppose someone abused us and we could patiently bear it, without losing our equanimity, wish them well, and move on our merry way, retaining our peace and calm. Wouldnt that be true joy? This high state comes when the soul has gained control of our mind and senses. The mind is the one that is agitated. When it is abused and criticized, the ego is hurt. It then seeks revenge and retaliation. But the soul cannot be harmed by anyone or anything. The soul is perfect. The soul is one with God, and as such is immortal and fearless.

Suppose someone abused us and we could patiently bear it, without losing our equanimity, wish them well, and move on our merry way, retaining our peace and calm. Wouldnt that be true joy?
When we identify and respond from the level of the soul, we are safe and protected. No words or abuse from anyone can harm the soul. When we take refuge in the soul, we can remain unaffected by the moods and idiosyncrasies of others. We can maintain our center of peace and tranquility. Then, no matter what others do or say to us, we can maintain our state of calm and happiness. This is true joy. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, an international spiritual leader and Master of meditation, affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions, emphasizing prayer and meditation as building blocks for achieving peace.www.jyotimeditation.org

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

Have you ever thought about what would be true joy? Many of us would think that true joy would be having tons of money and not having to work anymore. Some of us think true joy would be having a huge house and many possessions. Still others think about true joy as having a family with a wonderful spouse and sweet children. Maybe some think true joy is being successful in ones career. Let us take a look at what true joy meant for one of the greatest saints of the Christian tradition, St. Francis of Assisi. One day, St. Francis called upon a fellow brother, named Brother Leo and asked

Facing the challenges of life

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj here is a story of a young man who went to college. Hewas different from the other college students in one respect. The boy had to get around college in a wheelchair. Despite his handicap he was well liked. He was a friendly person with an optimistic attitude.The boy worked hard and won many academic honors. His classmates had great respect for him. One day a schoolmate asked him, What has caused your physical handicap? The college student said, I developed cerebral palsy as a baby. The friend asked him, What is your secret? How can you live with such great misfortune yet still face the world with a smile and confidence? The college student replied with a smile, You see, the disease never touched my heart and soul. How many times do we find ourselves or our family members complaining about minor discomforts? Throughout life we face some physical challenges. As children we can have childhood diseases. Throughout the year, we can have many ailments. When we overeat we may get a stomachache. Many of us complain and whine over all these. Yet if we look around us we find many people with severe handicaps. We find people who have lost a limb, or

Jessica Long, a 16 year old swimmer with 15 world records, 3 Paralympic gold medals and 9 World Championship gold medals. Her legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. who have a terminal illness. Among these our soul from the body so we can discover we find people who learn to live life to its who we really are. fullest even with these challenges. Like the Many of us own cars. At times the car college student in the story, they do not let breaks down and goes into an auto repair the problems of their physical body affect shop. While we may be inconvenienced for their heart or their soul. a while by having to rent a car or by needWe are soul. Our true self is spirit. ing a family member or friend to drive us The body is but a covering over the soul. around, we do not feel as though our life is Spirituality is a process of discovering our over. We realize the car is but a vehicle by true self within. which our physical body can get around. Meditation and prayer help us to separate Similarly, the body is but a vehicle for our

soul. At times it may break down. But it does not need to affect our soul. We can learn to keep our spirits high. We can make the best of life, whether we have a broken vehicle or not. At some point in our lives, our body will show signs of aging. Although the Genome Project is trying to uncover the gene responsible for aging, and a day may come when more people live well beyond a hundred years, there will come a time when our body does not function as well as it did when we were younger. But we should not let that deter us. There are many people who suffer ill health in their aging years, but do not let that stop them from finding peace in their soul. Similarly, we can make the best use of our life no matter what our physical challenges. By spending time in communion with God and drinking of Gods love, we can spread love to all we meet. We can do that no matter what our physical circumstance. If we are at home due to a sickness, we can still bring love into the lives of the family members who are caring for us. After all, it is but our physical vesture that is ill; our soul is always in the best of health. If we live like the college student in the story, we will not let our physical challenges affect our heart and soul. An optimistic, positive attitude will help us overcome the challenges and we can bring joy into our life and the lives of others. For more visit www.sos.org.