Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Diaspora 20
Features 25
Spiritual Awareness 30
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Mangano promises to return Nassau to greatness Nassau County, Page 23
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with Chinas President, Mr Hu Jintao, on the sidelines of BRICS Summit at Sanya, Hainan, China on April 14. Chinas support will ensure a permanent seat for India on the Security Council. members for a period of two years after their election in January. They are seeking more permanent representation in view of their growing global influence. The BRICS countries together represent Continued on page 4.....
Dr Samin Sharma, eminent cardiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in NY, will receive the medal May 7. Read his detailed profile on page 15. Sinai Hospital, has made it to the list. He is from Jaipur, where he is building a 200bed heart hospital. Dr Nitin Doshi is another honoree. He and Dr Leena Doshi are behind Doshi Diagnostic Imaging
Manu Vora , another honoree, is chief of Business Excellence, Inc., a quality management consulting firm in Illinois. Services, the 3rd largest such chain in the country. The Doshi Family Foundation has partnered with Pratham, American India Foundation, Share and Care and Veerayatan. Continued on page 19.....
Chicago based Mac Duggal designed Miss Colorado Blair Griffiths custom gown for the Miss USA pageant in June at no cost.
Award winning T Mobile Wireless dealers & Exclusive T-Mobile Limited Outlets owned and operated by AW Mobile of Hicksville, NY opened their22nd store at 120 Street & Atlantic Ave. in Richmond Hills, Queens. Seen in the photo is a drum player at the inauguration of the new store on the auspiciousoccasion of Baisakhi, April 14, byJerry Kohli (inset), President & CEO and his team.
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he Day! March 30th, 2011! Rajasthan Divas! A day never happened before! Thirteen musical geniuses including Jagjit Singh, Ustad Sultan Khan, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ustad Ahmed Hussain and Mohd. Hussain and many more legends and sons of the soil came together for a noble cause and to perform live on one platform at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur. The event was the release of the brand new Times Music album Padaro Mhare Dess by honble Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot as part of Rajasthan Day celebrations. In spite of the Indo-Pak World Cup semi-final, people of Rajasthan turned out in huge numbers to witness story of success of one of their own. The artistes have dedicated the title track Padaro Mhare Dess to Rajasthan, and
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the release of the album with Manesha Agarwal and other artistes. Manesha A Agarwal, the visionary and lead singer of this album, has embarked on a journey to restore the glory of Rajasthani folk music and its folk musicians. It's her mission to bring them back to the world they truly belong to the world of music. Joining her on this extraordinary journey are music maestros like Jagjit Singh, Ustad Sultan Khan, Pt. Bhatt, Roop Kumar Rathod, Ahmed Hussain, Mohammed Hussain, Ravi Pawar, Salil Bhatt, Mohd. Vakil, Gulabo, Anwar Khan and Gazi Khan, all whose native origin is Rajasthan. All these legends of Indian music have come together on one platform to support the cause of folk musicians welfare. The album is aptly titled Padaro Mhare Dess (which in Rajathani means Come to my land), which is also the theme of Rajasthan and features as the title track. The songs in this album composed by Ravi Pawar are inspired from the simple yet mesmerizing folk music of Rajasthan. The music video currently on air features all the artistes together in the beautiful locales of Rajasthan. The proceeds from the sale and concerts of this album will be used for the welfare of folk musicians of Rajasthan through Arpan Foundation. Padaro Mhare Dess, an honest attempt from Manesha Agarwal, is certainly much more than just as an invitation for everyone to visit Rajasthan.
Manesha A Agarwal, the lead singer who envisioned the album. have offered it to the state government to use it as an anthem as the Song of Rajasthan.
Music maestros like Jagjit Singh and Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhat, who feature in the album, also performed live on one platform at the release of the album in Jaipur. They have dedicated the title track Padaro Mhare Dess to Rajasthan, and offered it as the state's anthem.
Krishna Pokhrel named Rookie and TAS new agent of the year
New York: Krishna Pokhrel was honored with The Rookie Agent of the year and TAS New Agent of the year Awards for the Queens G.O. of New York Life at the recently concluded Kick-off meeting as informed by Managing Partner Larry Gordon. Pokhrel has also achieved the 2010 Presidents Council of New York Life Insurance Company. Members of the Presidents Council are prestigious leading performers of New York Lifes elite sales force of more than 11,000 licensed agents. He has been a New York Life agent since February 2010, and is associated with the companys Queens General Office in Lake Success, NY. Yet, Krishna has already earned the distinction of setting a new General Office record of being the best producer so far in his first contract year. Krishna Pokhrel has also qualified for MDRT, the most prestigious productionbased national and international organization in the insurance industry. Qualifying to become a member requires achievement, ability, and excellent service. Krishnas consistent hard work and dedication has resulted in many families attaining financial security. Pokhrel is a member of National Associa-
Jasbir Chopra growing needs of consumers Community Bank), where and businesses in the ex- he formulated the strategic panding South Asian com- direction, organizational munity, said Chopra. structure and business plans There is a tremendous op- for launching new initiaportunity for all stake hold- tives. Previously he was ers: our shareholders, our EVP at Citibank (formerly employees, our customers EAB) for small and middle and the communities we market businesses. Indus American Bank, the serve. Jasbir Chopra was most leading bank for the South recently Market President Asian community, is headfor NY/NJ Business Bank- quartered in Iselin, NJ. It has ing at Sovereign Bank (and branches in New Jersey and formerly Independence New York.
Krishna Pokhrel tion of Insurance and Financial Advisors and is active in various US-Nepalese community organizations. He received a Masters degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. He lives in Ridgewood, NY with his wife Rachana and daughter Kriti. New York Life, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest mutual life insurance company in the US and one of the largest life insurers in the world.
Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) and Tina and Zinda Singh honored the team of five distinguished students from Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology, New Delhi. They represented India at the invitation of NASA and won award for Best Performance by an International Team in the Great Moonbuggy Race earlyier in Alabama. Students are asked to design a vehicle that addresses engineering problems akin to those by the original Moonbuggy team. At the gathering in Long Island, $2500 was gifted to the team.
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issue was not on the agenda of the summit. Sources said that it took India, Brazil and South Africa some diplomatic efforts to convince the other two members to discuss the issue, particularly the UNSC expansion. Indian designers story from page 1 Yet, Blair kept her sights on her dream to be Miss USA and a legend in the design world of pageant and prom wear was opening his heart. With his countless years in the pageant business, Mac Duggal is versed in the inner workings of pageant competitions and how young women put in years of hard work and wait for years for the chance to compete at the elite level of Miss USA. Mac knew he had to help. He reached out to the beauty queen with an offer. He invited Blair and her mother to his Chicago land design room for a once in a lifetime opportunity. The offer? To design Blairs custom gown for the Miss USA pageant... at no cost. Blair spent the day at Macs studio looking at beautifully adorned pageant gowns while trying to narrow her choices down. The excitement and appreciation in the eyes of both Blair and her mother Bonita left Mac and his staff proud. Macs generosity ran so deep that it sparked the interest of the local news media who also wanted to capture the story. The story previewed on several Chicago news stations and outlets.
The I Meditate NY Launch event at Lincoln Center in Manhattan with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living, had over 2700 participants on April 10. A day before that Sri Sri had a meditation event in Secaucus, NJ. (Photo: Gunjesh Desai/masalajunction.com.)
Some of the nominees Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni New York, NY: A Times Group service, Remit2India, ranked the worlds #1 online money transfer portal for non-resident Indians (NRIs) by AC Nielsen, celebrates half a million satisfied customers and ten years in the business in 2011. To mark this milestone, The Times Group is organizing the first-ever The Light of India Awards ceremony at New York Citys iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel on April 22, 2011 to recognize exemplary achievement by the non-resident Indians in the fields of business leadership, corporate leadership, political leadership, science and technology, journalism
Russell Peters and literature, and arts and entertainment. NRIs have always been one of the reasons for which India has been shining, says Avijit Nanda, President of TimesofMoney. Having catered to this community with our Remit2India service, it is only logical for us to create a platform to recognize these shining lights. What is even more unique is that for the first time this community is being recognized by a combination of a distinguished Jury and, most importantly, by the very members of this community the NRIs. We are extremely delighted to
Swati Dandekar be a part of this commendable endeavour says Anil Kumar Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director Amrapali Group. Its great to see Indians succeeding across the globe and getting recognized through this initiative. It also fits in perfectly with our philosophy of Developing India, as NRIs are key contributors to our nations success & development. Based on a unique rating system, an esteemed panel of jury members will select one nominee who becomes the proud recipient of Jury Award. ALL the nominees below will be listed on the events web site (www.lightofindi-
Naveen Jain aawards.com), where Indians from all over the world will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite nominee in each category. The nominee with the highest number of votes will be the recipient of The Peoples Choice Award (technically, there could be two different people awarded in each category, given this system). Some of the nominees are: Recognition in Corporate Leadership: Ajay Banga, Arun Sarin, Dinesh Keskar, Francisco D'Souza and Vikram Pandit. Recognition in Business Leadership: Vinod Khosla, Naveen Jain, Mukesh Majmudar and
Ajay Banga Promod Sharma Recognition in Political Leadership: Bobby Jindal, Swati Dandekar, Dr. Ruby Dhalla and Ameya Pawar. Recognition in Science & Technology: Vivek Kundra, Vinod Dham, Narasimha Chari and Shiladitya Sengupta. Recognition in Journalism & Literature: Jhumpa Lahiri, Vikram Seth, Salman Rushdie, M G Vassanji and Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni Recognition in Arts & Entertainment: Sunil Nayar, Mira Nair, Russell Peters, Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar.
An estimated 800 people attended the first Varli Food Festival, an Indian Culinary & Chef Showcase in New York City on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the prestigious Altman Building in the heart of Chelsea in Manhattan. World renowned celebrity chefs that participated are Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Vikas Khanna, Jehangir Mehta (former, runner up on the Next Iron Chef) Hemant Mathur, Floyd Cardoz , Suvir Saran, Prasad Chirnomula, Hari Nayak, Maneet Chauhan (former, contestant on The Next Iron Chef), Walter DRozario, Mel Oza, and Peter Beck. Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, winner of Master Chef India and Radhicka Agarwaal, runner up of Master Chef India both flew in from India to be a part of the event.
MassMutual Scholars Program enters 3rd year of helping multicultural college students reach education goals
Company opens scholarship to all majors
Springfield, Mass.: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) will offer $5,000 college scholarships to high-achieving students for its third straight year. The companys annual MassMutual Scholars Program offers a total of $135,000 to college students of AfricanAmerican/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic descent residing or going to school in nine metropolitan areas across the country. The MassMutual Scholars program provides financial support and guidance to deserving students striving to obtain a college degree, said Nick Fyntrilakis, Assistant Vice President, of Community Responsibility at MassMutual. We are very proud that in these tough economic times we are able to help students from diverse backgrounds achieve their dreams. This year, MassMutual will open the scholarship program to students of all majors, increasing access to the scholarship opportunity. Applicants must reside or attend college in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, Central New Jersey, Chicago, and Miami, meet certain academic criteria, such as having a 3.0 or better GPA, express an interest in careers in the insurance and financial services industry, and demonstrate financial need. The program also has internship opportunities, which will expose select recipients to careers in financial services, while helping to strengthen the companys emphasis on serving diverse communities. The application deadline is May 2, and winners will be notified in late summer. For more information on how to apply or to obtain an application, visit www.hsf.net/massmutual.aspx.
Rajat Gupta founder Rajaratnam about Berkshire Hathaway Inc's $5 billion investment in Goldman Sachs. On March 18, Gupta sued the SEC in federal court in Manhattan, denying the SEC's allegations and seeking a jury trial. Gupta also asked to block the agency from pursuing its administrative claims and said the SEC's allegations occurred at least 1 1/2 years before regulators were allowed to bring such an action under the Dodd-Frank Act. Meanwhile, Rakoff himself is reported to have expressed concern about new powers vested in the SEC under financial legislation passed in July last year. "One concern I have about Dodd-Frank is that it puts more adjudication into the hands of the SEC and its administrative judges," Rakoff said in response to a question after a lecture at the Fordham University School of Law Monday night.
Creatures of Culture Series kicks off with a taste of the Asian culture Saturday and Sunday. Presented on Impala Plaza performances include Japanese Taiko drummers, traditional Korean dancers and authentic Indian dancers. Stations situated throughout the Plaza include activities that educate children on how they can help animals here and around the globe. At the Creatures of Culture Series, guests will experience all that the Asian culture has to offer, while viewing majestic animals. The Creatures of Culture Series connects visitors to conservation issues and shares how we can make a difference here and around the world, says Vikram H. Dewan, President and CEO. It is an important series that we are thrilled to host.
Hundreds of Indians and Indian exapts gathered Saturday at the iconic Times Square in New York to show silent solidarity with Indian social activist Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption in India. About 150 Indians gathered in Los Angeles and another 150 people gathered in Seattle, Washington. es in future. About 150 Indians gathered in Los Angeles and another 150 people gathered in Seattle, Washington to celebrate the movement with candlelight vigils and discuss about the next steps in the fight for a corruption-free India. "The success of Anna Hazare's fast is a victory for all Indians. This is the second time all Indians celebrated within a week, the first being the cricket World Cup championship," Sasidhar Kalagara, one of the organizers said. In Cerritos Regional Park in Los Angeles, California, a few people ended their one-day fast with lemon water and 'jalebis' and held a candlelight vigil, followed by a discussion about Anna Hazare's fast and the current state of corruption in India. In Seattle, Washington, Indians celebrated the victory of the civil society and efforts of Anna Hazare by singing songs with Indian TV actress Prabha Sinha leading the gathering to sing Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn "Raghupati Raghav Rajaram". After lighting candles in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue at Bellevue Regional Library, everyone sang the Indian national anthem and registered to volunteer for similar causes in the near future. The Los Angeles and Seattle events were put together by many associations such as Dandi March 2 team, Federation of Indian American Associations (FIAWA), Association for India's Development (AID) and Washington Telugu Samithi (WATS).
Lady Gaga comes up with Bollywood remix of hit single Born This Way
New York: On April 11, Lady Gaga released a Bollywoodinspired remix of her hit single Born This Way, produced by top Bollywood producers Salim and Sulaiman, in conjunction with fusion media company Desi Hits. This release marks the beginning of Gagas strategic foray into the Indian market. The remix, which authentically captures the signature Bollywood sound, delivers an energetic contemporary track featuring a sitar intro, dhol beats and Gagas vocals. We collaborated with Indian music producers from across the globe to show our respect and appreciation for our Desi fans and music community. We're looking forward to more Desi collaborations in the near future," said Troy Carter, CEO-Atom Factory, Lady Gagas management company. Salim and Sulaiman, are best known for incorporating western, folk, Hindustani and Sufi influences into their music. The brother duo has won more than 10 industry awards, including an Emmy, and has been sought after by some of the worlds top talent. As per Sulaiman, "When we started working on "Born This Way"
The album cover and (right) Salim-Sulaiman there was a feeling of excitement and a bit of nervousness. This was the no. 1 track in 23 countries and to remix it and give it an Indian touch to it was something that we were very conscious about. The sitar was the instrument of choice for us when it came to creating a melodic riff. Ofcourse there was the dholak and the dhol that always creates the party atmosphere and euphoria but what really rocked it all was Salim's voice to add that Indian flavor." Leaving No Desi behind, Lady Gaga will also release an urbanDesi version of the #1 selling track, targeting the UK South Asian (Desi) market. Created and produced by Culture Shock, this version of Born This Way fuses Bhangra with elements of Dubstep and features both Lomaticc and Sunny Browns vocals. Last year Culture Shock produced urban-Desi remixes for Rihanna, Sean Paul, Jay Sean and Alesha Dixon. The debut of these remixed tracks is step one, says Anjula Acharia-Bath CEO of Desi Hits, who is working closely with Gagas camp on a strategy for the South Asian market. Gaga has truly fallen in love with India, so were helping her pursue this audience to authentically connect with both the huge Diaspora and South Asia itself.
He holds an AB in Mathematics from Harvard University, where he was awarded a Henry Russell Shaw Fellowship, an MA in International Affairs from Columbia University, and a JD from the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the California Law Review.
Telugu Association of Southern California (TASC) kicked off its 40th year festivities in grand style with Ugadi celebrations on April 9,2011 at Excelsior Auditorium in Norwalk,California. It was a packed house with more than 800 people attending the Srikhara nama Ugadi celebrations.
Online dating scamster gets 42 months' jail Clinton wishes 'Shubho Nobo
Washington, DC: An Indian accused of meeting women on dating websites, pretending to be a high-powered financier and then seducing them, has been sentenced to a maximum of 42 months in federal prison by a US court. Once he gained their trust, Jaitass Dhanoa, 23, also known as Jay D. Singh would steal their credit cards and their identities, prosecutors told a Philadelphia judge who sentenced him Thursday. Dhanoa has admitted he trolled internet dating sites looking for victims, especially women of Indian descent. US authorities say they know of four local victims, although there's evidence he was dating upwards of 11 American women at the same time. Dhanoa has never apologized directly to his victims. Back in January, he pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated identity theft, three counts of unauthorized use of an access device, eight counts of bank fraud, and one count of false representation of US citizenship. On Thursday he told the judge he was sorry and has gotten religion since he was caught a year ago. But the judge gave him the maximum, three and a half years. In addition to the prison term, Dhanoa was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a $1,500 special assessment. A victim, as cited by ABC news told the judge: "Everything came crashing down," "It was just.... Everything that I saw that I thought was real, that I understood, was fake. And everything I saw in my future was shattered. And it really hurt me," she said.
Borsho' to Bengalis
Hillary Clinton Washington, DC: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wished Bengalis across the globe a 'Happy New Year' with the traditional Bengali greeting "Shubho Nobo Borsho!" In a message to the Bengali community on the occasion of "Poila Boishakh", the Bengali New Year, Clinton said: "Shubho Nobo Borsho! As you celebrate this special day, know that the United States stands with all Bengalis everywhere as we work for a more peaceful and prosperous future." "On behalf of President (Barack) Obama and the people of the United States, I send my best wishes to all Bengali-speaking people around the world as you celebrate Poila Boishakh in the coming days. I wish all Bengalis prosperity and happiness in this New Year of promise and possibility," Clinton said. Clinton said it is an opportunity to honor the rich history of Bengali culture with music, drama and traditional foods. She believed Bengali artists, scientists, politicians and entrepreneurs have positively influenced American culture. "Bengali-Americans will join their fellow Bengali family and friends to celebrate the many accomplishments of the Bengali people," she added.
The book Great Soul by Pulitzer Prize winning author Lelyveld has been banned in Gujarat Americans of Lexington, which was co-sponsoring a planned April 29 visit by
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Obama moots tax hikes and spending cuts to slash budget deficit
Washington: After largely staying on the sidelines during the fight over the deficit, President Obama Wednesday jumped headfirst into the fray, laying out a broad framework to reduce the federal budget gap by $4 trillion over the next 12 years. In a speech at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., he proposed what he called a "balanced approach," a mix of spending cuts and tax increases "that puts every kind of spending on the table, but [...] protects the middle class, our promise to seniors, and our investments in the future." he said. The plan contrasts with one released last week by Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Republican point man on budget issues. Obama derided Ryan's approach as "less about reducing the deficit than it is about changing the basic social compact in America." Here's what Obama called for in his "Framework for Shared Prosperity and Shared Fiscal Responsibility": One quarter of the deficit reduction to be achieved through tax increases, with the rest to come mostly from spending cuts--a split that the president's liberal base may see as still too heavily tilted toward spending cuts * An end to the Bush tax cuts for the 2 percent of Americans making $250,000 or more Tax reform aimed at closing loopholes that favor the rich, allowing for a lowering of overall rates, as recommended by the BowlesSimpson deficit reduction commission Cuts of $770 billion by 2023 to non-security discretionary spending, another BowlesSimpson recommendation Cuts of $400 billion to "security spending"-that is, defense--by 2023 * A rejection of the Ryan budget's approach to Medicare and Medicaid, which the White House believes would unfairly shift costs to seniors and the vulnerable while undermining both programs in the long term. Instead, Obama proposed reforms to reduce the growth of health care spending (beyond those in the overhaul last year) that would save $480 billion by 2023, and at least an additional trillion in the decade following Cuts to other mandatory programs--the White House listed agricultural subsidies, the federal pension insurance system, and antifraud measures--worth $360 billion by 2023 A general effort to "strengthen Social Security for the long haul," without slashing benefits for future generations A "debt failsafe," to kick in by 2014. If longterm deficit projections aren't looking better by that time, the failsafe would trigger an acrossthe-board spending reduction (with exceptions for Social Security, low-income programs, and Medicare benefits) The creation of a committee chaired by Vice President Joe Biden and including members of both parties and houses of Congress, to begin meeting next month in order to "agree on a legislative framework for comprehensive deficit reduction"
Boys pose in front of the Yale Womens Center holding sign proclaiming We love Yale sluts. The complaint also cites Yales failure to appropriately address several instances of private sexual harassment and assault, the release said. A 2010 graduate who signed the complaint Presca Ahn, a Fulbright scholar in London said in a phone interview that one of those cases involved an undergraduate who had been sexually assaulted. Ms. Ahn said that in the complaint, the student describes reporting her case to the universitys Sexual Harassment Grievance Board, which, according to Yale, offers a range of formal and informal resolution procedures; the student writes that the board discouraged her from going to the police or to Yales more punitive disciplinary board, the Executive Committee.
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The March issue of Congress Sandesh describes Bhagat Singh as a freedom fighter "born in a Jat Sikh family" and Rajuguru as one "who belonged to the Deshastha Brahmin community". sary, we give information to Congress workers. There is nothing wrong in giving information about martyrs. The Congress holds Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in the highest esteem," he said. Shastri said there are references even in school books about Mahatma Gandhi having been born in a Baniya family. "The BJP has no right to talk about freedom fighters. None of the BJP leaders is associated with the freedom movement," he said. Shastri accused the Sangh Parivar organizations of pursuing an agenda of divisiveness. "What happened in Gujarat in 2002. It was a matter of shame that the chief
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. text she quoted the name of Pawar. Radia, however, said she had no documentary proof or any other evidence to back her statement. Pawar said he has good family relations with the Goenka family. "I have good family relations with his father and that is why I know the second generation also very well and they are doing good service for my farmers," he said.
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Actor Rajnikanth is surrounded by mediapersons as he enters a polling booth in Chennai on April 13. Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, the Congress is confident its United Democratic Front (UDF) will oust the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The high turnout in Kerala boosted the morale of the LDF as well as the UDF competing in a state that has never returned a government to power. There were 971 candidates, including 78 women, in the fray. An upbeat Ramesh Chennithala of the Congress-led UDF said they would win 100 of the 140 seats. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, 87, was equally confident that the Left would get a renewed mandate. Rhetoric reigned in Tamil Nadu too, where Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's DMK faced a resurgent AIADMK of J. Jayalalithaa. In the complex political land-
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. "The Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M) has lodged a complaint alleging that Mukherjee held a meeting with party activists at the Beherampore circuit house in Murshidabad during his stay there Monday night," Murshidabad district election officer (district magistrate) Parwez Ahmed Siddiqui said.
Op-Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Actors Dia Mirza, Urmila Matondkar and Shabana Azmi support Anna Hazare Movement at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. institutions like Parliament and seemed to place its hopes on a dictatorial super hero like the Lok Pal with absolute powers. When powers of judge, jury and executioner are all vested in a single entity, its possible that entity could become an instrument of evil. All these reservations must be taken on board by the committee which will draft the Jan Lok Pal Bill. Our elected representatives are the heartbeat of our republic and if we place them in jeopardy, we will become yet another high-growth authoritarian country like our neighbors in south east Asia. The 'sab neta chor hai' mentality is dangerous. A country that hates its elected politicians soon begins to hate democracy itself. But those who criticize the Anna Hazare movement as being anti-politician and thus anti- democratic must also answer the question: is Indian democratic politics still democratic? Or is democratic politics now a gigantic multi-crore syndicate in which hereditary
bosses control paid vote-banks to repeatedly return to power? According to a study, the total amount spent in 2009 elections was R10,000 crore. The Hazare movement did not became a wildfire phenomenon because of the media. It became a phenomenon precisely because of the helplessness that people feel about politics becoming impervious to public concerns. The Hazare movement is a wake-up call for Indian politicians. Yes, there is a citizenry out there that feels helpless and anguished that big money and big power are charting the nation's destiny according to their needs. Yes, there is a citizenry out there that feels betrayed that politicians are handing
over their legacies not to the country but to their sons and daughters. Yes, there is a citizenry out there that feels agitated when an aloof and elitist government does not talk to them as equal stakeholders. Hazare's movement must not be seen as just a movement against corruption; its also a movement against the kind of 'democracy' we are becoming. A fast unto death has gatecrashed the political cocktail party. In a patchy subliminal way, the word 'public' has been reinserted into the Republic. (Sagarika Ghose is deputy editor, CNNIBN. The views expressed by the author are personal)
Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi last week. defuse the emerging people's movement for curbing corruption," Hazare was quoted as saying. On criticism for reported remarks against
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Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info
est Bengal is a Work in Progress. Or that's what it appears like from the unnished yovers, the roads proposed to be widened, the airports waiting to be built and the new schools, colleges, universities and hospitals for which foundation stones were being laid till the moment the Election Commiss ion banned the distribution of such promissory tablets. Indira Gandhi had 'gifted' Calcutta (not yet renamed Kolkata then) the Metro Rail in the early 70s. While the work crawled on, she lost power and grabbed it back and got killed, and the CPI(M) overran Writers' Buildings for eternity, as it were. Kolkata Metro at last became functional in 1984. But, since then, it covers only 25 km against Delhi's 200 km - and that too in one direction, from north to south. Tardiness is Bengal's hallmark.
The election manifesto of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress has promised the moon, all in either the first 200 or 1,000 days.
In Delhi, for every cup of coffee drunk at the caf of the India International Centre (IIC), there are a dozen bitchy remarks passed on who made the millions, and how, by looting the treasury in the name of the Commonwealth Games. But nobody notices that the city is wearing a new look in just about a year. It's so unlike Bengal, which has less corruption than Delhi, maybe, but absolutely no progress.
What is it that jams the brake so painfully on every project in Bengal? Is it because the state is too full of leftists? That's doubtful. IIC itself has perhaps more leftists per square meter than today's College Street Coffee House, if leftism in a general sense means the caption you wear on your T-shirt - from saving the Narmada to condemning the allied forces for bombing Libya. In Delhi, Mumbai or Ben-
galuru, to be a leftist is an identity issue - like being male or vegetarian. In Bengal, it's a licence. It's a proclamation of one's right to get paid without work, and to collectively defy the law, if it dares stand in the way of the beautiful community free lunch. Being a leftist in Kolkata is one's meal ticket. Left ideology still has many takers in all geographies, as it pampers the rebellious spirit, which is inherent in most individuals. However, when leftists come to power, they cease to be romantics. On the contrary, they run the state like a dictator. The election manifesto of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, for which the deck appears to be stacked, has promised the moon, all in either the rst 200 or 1,000 days. It is written like an IPO road-show literature, with its supposed author being a chamber-of-commerce executive. It does not talk at all about what it will do with the heavy carcass of 'leftism', which sym-
bolizes nothing but a profound disregard of authority. Mamata has given the rst sign that Bengal might exorcise leftism at last by saying that she is thinking of introducing a legislative council, 42 years after its abolition in the state. A bicameral legislature, bi-partisanism in all affairs of the state, all-parties consultation on major policy issues, the government treating the leader of the opposition as an esteemed colleague - these are marks of a democracy coming of age by accepting consensus, and not numbers, as its guiding principle. Lenin called his faction Bolshevik as it managed to get majority in the Russian Social Democratic Party in 1903, the word being derived from the Russian word bolshinstvo, meaning majority. It is a mistake from the past that cries for correction. (Sumit Mitra is a Kolkatabased writer. The views expressed by the author are personal.)
A mass movement
By Sitaram Yechury
he census operations in India, probably the largest such exercise anywhere in the world, have an immense importance in our history as well as in our contemporary lives. Census data has been central in formulating population policy. Consequently, to ensure the southern states that were more efcient in implementing the population policy do not lose out as against those states that weren't as efcient in terms of their representation in Parliament, the Constitution had to be amended to freeze the number of seats in the Lok Sabha till 2026. Census data, however, also had the potential to be used to strengthen the process of political unication of modern India or to feed the disruptive tendencies that British colonialism so perfectly used for their divide-and-rule policies. During the transition towards inde-
In order to win the battle of realizing this modern idea of India, we need to immediately set right the policies that perpetuate the creation of two Indias - the privileged and the dispossessed in India. pendence, the census operations, pregnant with the possibility of Partition, assumed passionate expressions of strife. Given such potential for conict, the issue of caste-enumeration in the census had become a contentious issue in last year's parliamentary proceedings. Having amended the Constitution to grant reservation and other benets to the other backward classes (OBCs), it had become important to quantify the numbers that are entitled to such benets. While the Mandal Commission did so many years ago, the current status is very opaque. It would be, therefore,
necessary to arrive at some scientic assessment on this score. The census enumeration however, is based on voluntary disclosure of information. It thus lacks a scientic methodology to authenticate an individual's claim. So the Left has suggested that the estimations of the OBCs must be based on a scientic evaluation and not on voluntary disclosures. This could have been done through surveys conducted by constitutional entities than through voluntary census enumeration. But the UPA 2 government, under the by-now familiar 'coalition compulsions', decided to conduct a caste enumeration as a part of the Census 2011 operations conducted between June and September 2011. While one can't have an ostrich mentality and ignore the powerful caste reality and consequent social oppression, such an enumeration should not be allowed to become yet another cause of tension. In this
context, quite apart from the existing reality of anachronistic khap panchayats, the census data revealed the most disturbing reality of continuing gender discrimination. The child-sex ratio fell to the lowest level since independence: 914 females to 1,000 males. This atrocious, bordering on criminal, antipathy to the girl-child reects the age-old hierarchical attitudes. What is worse is that the data shows that this phenomenon is most acutely manifested in what are considered as the most economically developed parts of the country. In order to win this battle of realizing this modern idea of India, we need to immediately set right the policies that perpetuate the creation of two Indias - the privileged and the dispossessed in India. (Sitaram Yechury is CPI(M) Politburo member and Rajya Sabha MP. The views expressed by the author are personal.)
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
Profile TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Samin K. Sharma, MD, is a leading cardiologist holding the American record for the highest number of complex coronary interventions performed annually, along with the highest angioplasty success rate in New York State. He has also had the honor of performing angiography on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a former New York Governor, and angioplasty on Pakistan President Asif Zardari. Dr Sharma will be bestowed the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2011 on May 7.
for teaching and Fellows enjoy learning from his expertise, so much so he was awarded the Simon Dack best teacher in cardiology division in 2000. Dr. Sharma travels to India 4-6 times a year to teach the art of angioplasty to cardiologists there. He is the vice-president of the Rajasthan Development Foundation and has been donating medical equipment worth Rs 1 lakh every month for the last five years to the Chief Minister relief fund to help Rajasthans people in need. Dr Sharma has been the recipient of numerous community awards such as the Rajasthan Gaurav from Sanskriti, a body in Rajasthan, and the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Award. Dr. Sharma is widely published on technical topics relating to his speciality. He is finding ways to reduce complications of coronary intervention by the use of betablockers, etc. A regular fixture on international, national, local TV stations, newspapers and magazines, Dr. Sharma has been the focus of news stories for outlets like The Today Show, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, India Abroad and India Today. He has received Best Doctors status by US News and World Report Dr. Sharma, a gold medalist from SMS Medical College, Jaipur, came to the US in 1983. He did his residency in Internal Medicine at the NY InfirmaryBeekman Downtown Hospital, fellowship in Cardiology at Elmhurst Hospital and interventional training at Mount Sinai Hospital (1988-1990).
Dr Samin Sharma with his wife Manju Sharma, daughter Ritu, and son Raman.
Dr Samin Sharma received the Governors Award of Excellence in 2006 from Gov Pataki for his contributions to medicine
Dr Sharma has been adjudged Best Angioplasty Doctor by the New York Department of Health 13 times in the last 15 years.
Dr Sharma was given the Sushruta and Charaka Award by the Association of Indians in America last year.
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Shahid Kapoor. ing in the fact that I would want not to kill animals for my taste buds, that is the day everything changed for me," he added.
Abhishek Bachchan has taken the 'Get Idea' campaign to an all new level. uess which Bollywood cent share of ad volume, out of actor is the most visible the 41.5 percent film actors face in the advertising hogged on the endorsement cirspace? No 'idea'? Well, it's cuit today. "Abhishek Bachchan has taken Abhishek Bachchan, who hogs the limelight among his film the 'Get Idea' campaign to an all world peers, according to a study. new level. He makes you really sit AdEx India, a division of TAM up and take notice - the intelligent Media Research, recently con- ad needed an intelligent face and ducted a study on celebrity brand that's exactly what he brings to endorsements for the period of the table," a statement said, quotJanuary-December 2010 and ing a marketing expert. Idea Cellular grabbed the top found that Abhishek topped the list in the male star category. spot recently in the Mint Synovate The list was compiled by taking TVAdIndx survey. The ads featurinto account figures based on ad ing Abhishek dominated TV volumes (seconds), and advertis- advertising in January, shrugging ing featuring celebrities from off competition from food and Hindi films and TV industry, as beverage companies and a mobile well as sports personalities. handset maker to lead the ad reach The report concludes that index, a measure of awareness Abhishek alone covered 4.7 per- and brand recall.
ctress Priyanka Chopra has shot down reports that she will be starring in the sequel to 2008 hit "Dostana". "I was never doing dostana two..hello..reason bein my love story ends in the first film..so where is the question. this was cleared some 2 years ago," Priyanka wrote on microblogging site Twitter. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Karan Johar, the 2008 film starred Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Bobby Deol. There were also reports that Priyanka was likely to do a comeo appearance in the film and Katrina Kaif might play the lead. "And whn it comes to a special appearance or something thats a much later call. once and for all (sic)," she added.
A still from 'Thank You'. writer Anees Bazmi the theme of infidelity in "Thank You" is familiar territory. In the past he has done jokey takes on men who can't keep their libido down with varying degrees of humor. A certain higher level of intelligence is perceptible in the way the characters are put out for scrutiny in the light of their unfaithful characters. Irrfan Khan as the sarcastic bully of a husband scores the highest marks in the acting department. His wry
caustic responses to semi-petrified wife Rimi Sen make a mocking mark mainly for the way the lines are written and delivered. Irrfan is priceless in projecting parody. Rimi Sen, an underrated actress, provides Irrfan valuable support. Akshay Kumar plays the pied piper of the libido. He tries to teach the three womanizers how to check their carnal instincts. While his comic timing remains sharp and spot-on it is the way he tries to create an aura of suspense about his character's motives as a man on a mission, that provides a cutting edge to the tale of three skirt-chasers. Remarkably the dialogues remain free of innuendos. Surprising, considering how lurid films about infidelity have gotten in the past. The proceedings adhere to a sense of fun without getting cheesy. Suneil Shetty's body language and comic timing in some sequences show his coming of age as an actor of mirthful value. As far as masala comedies go, "Thank You" gets by on the strength of some smart writing, sassy dialogues and of course a handful of performers who try to balance out the lackluster performances of other actors who, lethally for a comedy, just don't get it.
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anbir Kapoor looks all set to revive his prestigious family banner RK Films. The production house set up by Ranbir's legendary actor-filmmaker grandfather Raj Kapoor in 1948 has been out of action for 12 years now and latest reports suggest the Gen-Now superstar is planning to launch a new film under the banner. According to sources, Ranbir's dad, Rishi Kapoor, and uncles, Randhir and Rajiv Kapoor, want to let Ranbir take the decisions on reviving the banner. "The brothers want to pass on the RK legacy to Ranbir and let him chalk out plans to kickstart a new home production. Ranbir is a mature guy who has revealed a flair for choosing the right scripts and projects so far and they have the confidence that he can take the right decisions to revamp the banner. A proper announcement
Raj Kapoors sons Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv Kapoor want to let Ranbir take the decisions on reviving the RK Films banner. will probably be made in the second half of the year," said a close source. "After Aa Ab Laut Chalen in 1999, Raj ji's sonsRandhir, Rishi and Rajiv-had mulled over the idea of produc-
ing a new film under the banner several times but nothing came out of it. The production house has remained all but shut for over a decade now, but things could change with Ranbir revealing genuine interest in reviving it," said a source. A few years ago, reports were rife that RK Films would be relaunched with a film starring Kareena Kapoor in a central role but the project had to be shelved owing to the actress's packed date diary. "Kareena has been bagging one big project after the other over the past few years. Relaunch of the RK banner would need a special script and lots of preparation. So, the film kept getting postponed," said the source. Raj Kapoor's last film as a director-producer was the blockbuster Ram Teri Ganga Maili in 1985. He passed away three years later.
Mumbais Ankita Joshi painted Salman Khan as Dabanggs Chulbul Pandey. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara versus Lords Of Dogtown. thrilling new sport that eventually turns them into American legends. Zoyas film, we are told, is about friends --- Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar who go on a road trip through Spain. Lets hope the coincidences between the two films end here.
Hrithik Roshan fan wanted to prove his love for his idol by making something permanent -- so he flew into Mumbai from Delhi just to have the actor's face tattooed on his back. This impromptu trip by Sachin Bhatnagar, who works in a private firm, was a complete surprise to his unsuspecting wife Rekha. Bhatnagar got the tattoo done in the afternoon and then flew back to Delhi the same night. "Initially, he wasn't taking off his shirt in front of his wife for a few days," a source revealed. "But how long could he hide it? When she finally saw the tattoo, his back was swollen and red. Hrithik's picture staring in front of her eyes added to her shock. Now she is okay," the source added. Bhatnagar said: "Yes, Rekha is okay now. In fact, she even applies the cream, which I need to put on the tattoo." When asked if Rekha shares the same passion for Hrithik, he said: "Yes. She likes him because I like
Hrithik Roshan's face tattooed on the back of Sachin Bhatnagar. him. I have seen all his films several times." "I wanted to be a part of the dance show Hrithik is judging (Just Dance). I went to Mumbai for that too, but nothing happened. Frankly, I was expelled in the preliminary audition stage itself," he added.
27-year-old girl from Mumbai, Ankita Joshi, has painted `Dabangg' actor Salman Khan in a zero gravity flight. Ankita is the first woman in the world to paint under zero gravity conditions, and being a big fan of the actor's, she chose Salman, to start with. "I am a huge fan of Salman Khan...he is my favorite and I loved his film Dabangg. He has a great personality. I wanted to start with him," she said. She painted Salman -- as Chulbul Pandey -- within two eight-second trajectories above Florida, USA, on March 27. Ankita plans to gift the painting to the actor. She flew in a Rockwell Commander aircraft along with a doctor, under the supervision of
space agency NASA. The aircraft nosedived to create zero-gravity conditions for about four minutes, when she painted. "I was able to experience the void of gravity, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. I painted series of canvases," she said. Prior to the flight, she underwent training with an ex-NASA astronaut, Greg Claxton. Painting in the space was not easy as everything from the canvas to the crayon was floating. "We tried to fix the canvas with rods but it did not help. I was constantly banging my head on the ceiling...I remained dizzy and sick," she said. Ankita will display her zero-G paintings at the Jehangir Art Gallery here from April 21 to 27.
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Cinema TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Rahul Rai and Stefanie Estes in a publicity still from When Harry Tries to Marry.
A poster of the independent feature film. New York: When Harry Tries to Marry, a new romantic comedy co-written and directed by Nayan Padrai, is opening at AMC Empire 25 and other select movie theaters in New York on April 22 and will expand to Los Angeles and other cities on May 6. The film was shot on location in lower Manhattan and Pace University in New York City and in India; it stars Rahul Rai in his film denut, Freishia Bomanbehram and Stefanie Estes. It is being distributed domestically by 108 Pics. A festival favorite, When Harry Tries to Marry marks Nayan Padrais directorial debut. It screened to audience acclaim at both the Mumbai & Austin Film Festivals in late 2010, and won Best Film (Audience Award), Best Crossover Film, and Best New Talent (Rahul Rai) at the London Asian Film Festival in March 2011. The London Asian Film Festival was founded in 1999 and is dedicated to expressing the drive and spirit of Asian independent media and cinema cultures of South Asia. The majority of the films shown are independent or arthouse cinema, as opposed to Bollywood. The original script by Ralph Stein and Nayan Padrai was a featured project at the Sundance Institute Independent Producers Conference; a top-ten finalist of the Creative Screenwriting contest, a member of the Winners Circle at the Texas Film Institute Screenplay Contest. It was also included in the High-Value category in the Empire Screenplay Contest. Both writers are alumni
When Harry Tries to Marry, an indie film that opens in theatres next week, marks the directorial debut of Nayan Padrai, a New Yorker.
of the Gotham Writers Workshop. When Harry Tries to Marry is a cross-cultural romantic comedy about a young Indian-born bachelor who lives in New York City. Harry is handsome and charming, but hes cynical about love. He's never really gotten over his parents' divorce -- they were a modern Indian couple who married for love and it didn't last. So to improve his odds of living happily ever after, Harry decides to have an arranged marriage, and asks his uncle back home in India to assist him in arranging the introduction to an appropriate Indian woman. To the dismay of his parents and friends, Harry finds the perfect girl and embarks on a long-distance courtship. But unexpectedly, Harry's friendship with Theresa, a fun and sexy American student, becomes confusing, appealing -- and maybe a little bit romantic. Once Harry, his friends and the entire wedding party converge in India, Harry's plan to avoid romantic risk becomes a recipe for chaos. Can anyone protect themselves from a broken heart by leaving the passion out of marriage? And, when all is said and done, does Harry really want to? Continued on page 19...
Stefanie Estes and Mumbai actress Freishia Bomanbehram in a scene from the film.
Rahul Rai as Harry in the Park. He won the New Talent award at the London Asian Film Festival last month.
Majella Griffin of Filmbank Distributors presents award to director Nayan Padrai, co-producer Sheetal Vyas and lead actor Rahul Rai of the festival favorite film, When Harry Tries to Marry.
Cinema TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Romantic comedy with fresh talent Continued from page 18 The soundtrack of mainly original, new music from the US, UK, and India includes tracks from The June Junes, Sarah Sharp, Small*Star, Andrea Perry, Craig Marshall, Ter ell Shahid, Rachel Loy, and from Indias superstar singers Shreya Goshal, Udit Narayan and Madhushree who are joined by Rishkesh Kamerkar. Integral to the making of the movie, the soundtrack matches the films distinctly indie American vibe and its intricate, vibrant Indian scenes. It features some of Austins boldest, most soulful sounds and some of the subcontinents best playback (cinema) singers and composers. The tracks share a catchy intensity perfectly tuned to the film. Music and movies go hand in hand when you come from a culture like ours, notes India-born, US-raised director Nayan Padrai. A soundtrack is about telling a story, rather than simply licensing some tracks. The soundtrack is available on www.iTunes.com/whenharrytriestomarry Soundtrack music videos can be seen and downloaded from h t t p : / / w w w. w h e n h a r r y triestomarry.com. 108 Pics is a new distribution entity and a sister company to 108 Production, which is based in US and India. The film was produced by 108 Production, which develops original content across film and television, and produces advertising spots for brands and agencies.
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Nayan Padrai on the sets of When Harry Tries to Marry, which he directed be released in India later this year. Parts of the film were shot in Kutch, near Mandvi, the area he comes from in Gujarat. But no, the story of When Harry is not his own. He is not married. When Harry also marks the film debut for Rahul Rai, the lead actor. Rahul is from Westbury, Long Island, and Freishia Bomanbehram is a Bombay actress, says Padrai, who is now going over some scripts to decide on his next project.
Ellis Island medal Story Continued from page 1 Two other Indian Americans to receive the honor are: Manu K. Vora and Babu Rao Mandava. Three honorees this year are natives of PakistanFahim Rahim and Naeem Rahim, both doctors, and Dr. Munr Kazmir. Dr. Manu Vora, PhD, of Naperville, Illinois is Chairman and President of Business Excellence, Inc., a global quality management consulting firm. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Northern Illinois Universitys College of Business and has delivered over 250 presentations on business excellence and quality management around the world. He has also served on the board of the American Society for Quality. He holds B.S. in chemical engineering from Banaras Hindu University, India, M.S. and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago. Vora is the founding director and president of the Blind Foundation for India, which has since 1989 raised over $3.5 mil-
lion to serve over 15 million blind people in India. Babu Rao Mandava is a native of Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. He is President and CEO of Indotronix International Corporation (IIC) Poughkeepsie, NY since 1987. He is responsible for creating and executing strategies and plans to develop, organize and grow IIC into global computer software business. The company employs 500 people and generates $35 million in annual revenue. He holds a BE degree from Mysore University and ME from University of Vermont. Earlier in his career he worked for IBM Corporation and Tata Steel. Fahim Rahim, MD and Naeem Rahim, MD, are honored for their contribution in providing care for patients suffering from kidney disease, those needing dialysis, and also those who have received kidney transplants. Born in Peshawar, they moved to America to pursue an education and career in kidney care and settled in Idaho to found the Idaho Kidney Institute, today the largest such provider in Southeast Idaho. Later they opened Liberty Dialysis center in Idaho Falls to
serve rural communities. Businessman, physician, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Munr Kazmir had his medical education from Lahore and Rawalpindi before moving to the US. Among his various projects: in 1998 he founded Direct Meds, Inc., licensed to provide prescription medicines throughout the US. Last year he was selected as Vice-Chairman of the New Jersey Lottery Commission, where he previously served 9 years as commissioner. These South Asian Americans will join legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis and FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano at the awards ceremony. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals , and each year the recipients are listed in the Congressional Record. To date, more than 1,600 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor. They include Generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, Sen. John McCain, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Lee Iacocca, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, and Walter Cronkite.
Nothwithstanding his trouble with Indian customs for carrying undisclosed foreign exchange couple of months ago, popular Paksitani Sufi singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan managed to pack the 2750-seat hall at New Jersey Performing Art Center on April 9. Photo: masalajunction.com.
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Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info
British Bhangra Artist Indy Sagu celebrates Vaisakhi with David Cameron
Artist Indy Sagu London: Indy Sagu, popular British Bhangra artist met PM David Cameron at his private residence Downing Street Number 10. He was among a select number of exclusive guests who gathered for a day of meet and great and Vaisakhi celebrations. Indy Sagu states, It is a great honor and pleasure for me to have this extraordinary opportunity to personally meet with David Cameron and to celebrate Vaisakhi at his home.
The anthology comprises poetry, short stories, essays, paintings, letters and the famous play "Post Office" idealist, Tagore is a permanent idealist in world literature," said J.J. Singh, president of the IndoPolish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI). The anthology was financed by the Chamber. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has written a special introduction for the anthology. The teaching of Bengali language and literature started at Warsaw University in the 1950s when Hiramon Ghoshal came to Poland, and bears credit for nurturing a number of eminent scholars like Walter, Barbara Grabowska, Bozena Sliwczynska, Weronika Rokicka and many others in the last six decades.
Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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David Headley is likely to admit ISI's role in the Mumbai terror attacks during his trial in the US next month. Rana, 49, who runs immigration service in Chicago with offices New York and Toronto,
Pak gives C.I.A. Use UN report for justice the Cold Shoulder in Sri Lanka
New York: The report by a panel of experts to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about laws-of-war violations in Sri Lanka should be used to pave the way for justice, Human Rights Watch has said. Ban commissioned the report in May 2010 after Colombo failed to investigate violations committed in the final months of its decades-long conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Ban's office said he will make the report public after he shares it with the Sri Lankan government. "Ban's creation of a panel of experts and his decision to make the report public show the UN has not forgotten Sri Lanka's war victims," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "In the face of two years of
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. stonewalling by the government, the public release of this report will help move justice forward in Sri Lanka."
CIA contractor Raymond Davis, center, in Lahore in January. His killing of two Pakistanis angered many people in that country. Islamabad: Pakistan has privately demanded the Central Intelligence Agency suspend drone strikes against militants on its territory, one of the U.S.'s most effective weapons against al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, officials said. Pakistan has also asked the U.S. to reduce the number of U.S. intelligence and Special Operations personnel in the country, according to U.S. and Pakistani officials. The U.S. strategy in the war in Afghanistan hinges on going after militants taking refuge in Pakistan. The breakdown in intelligence cooperation has cast a pall over U.S.-Pakistani relations, with some officials in both countries saying intelligence ties are at their lowest point since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks spurred the alliance. Beyond the Afghan battlefield, officials believe that without a robust counter-terrorism relationship with Pakistan, al Qaeda and other groups can operate with far greater impunity when planning attacks on the U.S. and Europe. The vast majority of attacks against the West in the last decade originated in Pakistan. Relations have been under heightened strain since Pakistan's arrest in January of CIA contractor Raymond Davis, who was jailed after killing two armed Pakistani men in Lahore on Jan. 27. Mr. Davis was released last month, but the case fueled Pakistani resentment over the presence of U.S. operatives in their country. U.S. officials have publicly sought to play down the tensions. CIA Director Leon Panetta met with the head of Pakistan's InterServices Intelligence agency, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha at CIA headquarters. After the meeting, CIA spokesman George Little said the intelligence relationship "remains on solid footing."
Nepal's Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal. Ministers are Radha Gyawali, Shatrughan Mahato, Ramji Sharma, Dal Bahadur Sunwar, Dambar Sambahamphe, Bhagwati Chaudhary and Le harkyal Lama.
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International TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with other leaders during the BRICS summit in Sanya on April 14. Security Council resolution establishing a no-fly zone over Libya, leading to NATO air strikes in the North African country. But South African President Jacob Zuma called for a halt to the NATO campaign when he toured Tripoli. "We are deeply concerned with the turbulence ... and sincerely wish the countries affected achieve peace, stability, prosperity and progress and enjoy their due standing and dignity in the world, according to the legitimate aspirations of their peoples," the joint statement said. But the five countries didn't specifically call for an end to
Egyptians in Cairo's Tahrir Square cheer the news of Mubarak's detention on April 13. Cairo: Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons Alaa and Gamal have been sent to a 15-day detention on charges of use of violence against protesters, power abuse and embezzlement of public funds, state media reported. Mubarak suffered a second heart attack after detention, a media report said. Egypt's Prosecutor General Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud on April 13 ordered a detention for the former president, the official MENA news agency said. Mubarak's sons arrived at the Tora prison in southern Cairo Wednesday morning, according to Xinhua. All three face charges of use of violence against protesters, power abuse and embezzlement of public funds, MENA said. Mubarak, 82, was hospitalized on April 12 in Sharm el-Sheikh tourist resort
Hosni Mubarak. after suffering a heart attack during questioning by prosecutors. He had refused to eat or drink after learning that he was to be questioned by the investigators, sources said. He will be moved to a military hospital in Cairo, where he will undergo further investigation, the state-run al-Ahram newspaper reported.
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Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Paul Vathaty celebrates his breathtaking century against Chennai Super Kings in Mohali on April 13. 2002, had played just one List A game and 13 Twenty20 matches. He has been languishing on the sidelines of the Mumbai team in the domestic circuit. But Wednesday night, Vathaty gave his cricketing career a fresh lease of life. His century was the first this season and 13th overall in IPL.
Mohnish Mishra hammered the Kochi Tuskers' bowlers to bring up victory with four wickets to spare. Tuskers, who looked like pulling off their maiden win in the IPL after Brad Hodge had Pune Warriors' skipper Yuvraj Singh (8) caught behind.But from then on, both Mishra and Uthappa played some big shots to steal the match away from the Tuskers.
Shane Warne and Shaun Tait dismantled the Delhi top order, leaving them 36 for 4. 44) were the chief contributors and helped Delhi achieve a competitive score after a poor start.
Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina hold their trophies after winning the doubles championship at the WTA Family Circle Cup tournament in Charleston. "It helps as we get along so well," Sania said. "If either one of us isn't playing well, you don't get angry at your friends. We've known each other for really long. We're playing better every day and understanding each other's games better. When the other one isn't playing as well, the other picks it up."
Vijay Mallya with Nico Hulkenberg, Test & Reserve Driver, Force India Formula One Team, at the launch of the academy.
Features TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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host of Hollywood stars come on a cinematic passage to India. And Rajasthan is definitely the most popular destination for Hollywood films. The desert state also happens to be one of Asia's most popular tourist spots. The most recent film to be shot in the state has been The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The film stars Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame. Some of its scenes were shot in Jaipur, Udaipur and surrounding areas over two months. The film is directed by John Madden and cofinanced by Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi, with Searchlight Pictures holding the worldwide rights. It is about outsourcing seniors care by transporting them to India. After Octopussy, a James Bond thriller that was shot in Udaipur 25 years ago, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel had the longest shooting spell in India. Other famous films shot in Rajasthan include ShakespeareWallah, at City Palace, Alwar; The Jungle Book, at Mehrangarh Fort; The Jewel in the Crown, at Udaipur; Heat and Dust, The Far Pavilions, both at Jaipur; Siddhartha at Deeg; Autobiography of a Princess at
Dev Patel pushes Maggie Smith in a wheelchair as they film scenes for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel recently in Jaipur. Jodhpur; Meera Nairs Kama Sutra at Jaipur and at Pushkar; and Darjeeling Limited at Jodhpur. Rajasthan lies in the lap of the vast Thar Desert and boasts rich history, culture and tradition. With picturesque surroundings and dotted by heritage sites, Rajasthan has some amazing venues to offer filmmakers. The lakes in Udaipur, the palaces in Jaipur, Jodhpur, the desert areas of Jaisalmer and, of course, the famous Palace on Wheels luxury train are just some of the lures that Hollywood cannot resist. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotels director John Madden said, "This is a gorgeous script witty, moving and hilarious with a wonderful feel for its subject India. It's rare to find one that traverses comedy, romance, and melancholy with such a lightness of touch and it's proved
Kate Winslet of Titanic fame with the late Yoga Mother. to be a magnet for the cast of your dreams: actors I know and would want to work with in every film Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson; and actors I'd feel lucky to be in the room with Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, and an amazing ensemble. It's a great project about a world that defies all categorization. No one could come to India and that too Rajasthan and not be changed by it." The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a movie about a group of British senior citizens who travel to India to live out their dotage an outsourcing, after a fashion and find a new lease on life. Author Deborah Moggach describes it as a "comedy of manners between east and west" that evolved out of the question "how about... outsourcing the elderly? How about setting up retirement homes in developing
countries where its sunny and labor is cheap?" When Ravi Kapoor, an overworked London doctor, is driven beyond endurance by his disgusting and difficult father-in-law, he asks his wife: Cant we just send him away somewhere? Somewhere far, far away. His prayer gets answered when his entrepreneurial cousin, Sonny, sets up the retirement home, recreating a lost corner of England in a converted guesthouse in Jaipur. Travel and set-up are inexpensive, staff willing and plentiful and the British pensioners can enjoy the hot weather and take mango juice with their gin. Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman visited Udaipur last year to shoot for an ad film directed by Shekhar Kapur. Julia Roberts stayed in Jaipur during a family holiday with her husband and children last year. Udaipur has played host to Alist celebs such as Madonna, her exhusband Guy Ritchie, and Richard Gere. Brangelina power couple had taken time out of their shooting schedule for "A Mighty Heart" in Mumbai to visit the desert state in 2008. Rajasthan is also a favorite of Mick Jagger, who last visited the state in 2008 with daughter Jade. British comedian Russell Brand married US pop star Katy Perry at Ranthambhore in November last year. Similarly, actress Elizabeth Hurley chose Jodhpur as the setting for her lavish wedding with NRI
tycoon Arun Nayar. The two are no longer a couple. Oscar award winner Jane Campions second home is Jaipur and she was a great devotee of the yoga mother late Daya Vyas. She still comes here and stays with Daya Vyass son Atul and learns yoga from him. Jane shot Holy Smoke at Pushkar and brought Kate Winslet of Titanic fame to Rajasthan. Kate too is close to the the Vyas family. Jane even gave credit for the music score of the movie to Shiva Vyas, daughter of the yoga mother. Singularity is an upcoming Hollywood movie with Bollywood stars, which is being shot currently at Orchha near Gwalior. The unit would also come to Jaipur for shoots. Starring Bipasha Basu and Abhay Deol, the film is directed by Roland Joffe. Singularity, from Limelight International Media, is about a tough marine archeologist Jay Fennel, who after an accident goes into coma. Fennels dream like coma takes us back to 1778 Poona in India where East India Company is conquering India and a young Captain James Stewart, who has remarkable resemblance with Fennel, is about to set for a dangerous mission. During his mission he falls in love with Indian warrior Bipasha Basu. A blend of action, adventure, romance and science fiction, this multimillion dollar movie will be released later this there.
his guy is perhaps the most consistent supporter of Indian Team - visible to all who watch Indian Cricket on TV. Sachin Tendulkar walked out of the changing room and gestured to Sudhir Gautam to come up. Sudhir is the thin, pale man with a shaven head and body covered in the Indian tri-colour. He is the man you would have seen recently with a miniature replica of the World Cup hanging atop his head. For at least half a decade now, Sudhir has been Tendulkar's biggest fan, waving the Indian flag and blowing his conch shell at every venue Tendulkar plays. Today, Tendulkar decided to repay Sudhir for his devotion. No sooner had he realized that Tendulkar was calling, than Sudhir jumped the electronic advertising hoard-
Sachin Tendulkar gave an opportunity to Sudhir Gautam to hold the World Cup India won. ing and then skipped up the 30-odd stairs on to the corridor of the Indian changing room. All through his short journey he screamed in delight. Tendulkar shook hands with him, then embraced him and finally asked one of his team-mates to get the World Cup trophy. Zaheer Khan brought the cup outside with utmost care and held it tight. Sudhir virtually snatched it out of the hands of the tournament's joint-highest wicket-taker. But Zaheer held on to the crown still. Eventually Sudhir lifted the Cup with both hands as Zaheer let go. As soon as Sudhir lifted the Cup and screamed "Indiaa", Tendulkar could not help but smile. He even clapped and was joined in appreciation by a few of his team-mates.
aryana has both good news and bad as far as the state's skewed sex ratio is concerned. First, the good news. As per the data by Census 2011, the state has reported a rise in the sex ratio - 877 females per 1,000 males, the best figures in the last 110 years. The last census in 2001 showed the sex ratio to be 861. Within a decade, the sex ratio has increased by 16 points. Since the first census in the country in 1901, the latest provisional figures have shown a marked improvement in the state's sex ratio. But now, the bad news. Haryana ranks lowest among all 28 states on the sex ratio front. Against Kerala's high of 1,084 females per 1,000 males, Haryana reports a sorry number of just 877. "In Haryana, the sex ratio of 877 in Census 2011 is the highest since 1901. Among the neighboring states, sex ratio of Punjab is 893 and of Himachal Pradesh 974," Haryana's Director of Census Operations Neerja Shekhar said. Officials in the state are still seeing a silver lining. "Haryana is one of the nine states in the country in which the child sex ratio (0-6
years) has also shown an increasing trend. In all remaining states, the child sex ratio has shown a decline over that in Census 2001," an official said. State Chief Secretary Urvashi Gulati agreed that a lot remains to be done. With a ban on sex determination tests, health officials in Haryana had conducted over 11,600 searches in private clinics and health centers to see if there was any violation of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act. Among Haryana's 21 districts, the best sex ratio has been achieved in the backward districts of Mewat (906) and Fatehabad (903), while the industrialized districts of Sonipat (853) and Gurgaon (861) figure at the bottom. The Haryana government is attributing the increase in sex ratio to strict implementation of the PNDT Act. Health officials have been conducting raids at private health centers and clinics across the state to curb sex determination tests. The state government has also floated several schemes for the girl child, including the Ladli Scheme, which provides for financial incentives to poor parents who have a girl child.
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Religion
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
WHO IS A GURU?
the incandescent light of the supreme consciousness that eradicates the darkness of ignorance. Just as all darkness gets dispelled immediately in the presence of light; likewise, with the rising of the guru in the form of knowledge right within your own inner being, all the ignorance that was present in the mind since time immemorial, all that gets eradicated instantaneously. So, the guru is the one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. And if you say I have been listening to discourses yet my ignorance hasnt been destroyed; then this does not mean there is any shortcoming in the guru. After all, if you were to blindfold yourself; even with the rising of the sun, you will still be in darkness will you blame the sun for the darkness? The sun quietly spreads its sunshine the world over. It doesnt proclaim Get up people for I have arrived! And if you keep on sleeping, the sun is not bothered by that, how does it matter to the sun? The guru has experienced the supreme truth, supreme consciousness and has been liberated of all ignorance. The guru has known the light of truth within, the epitome of bliss withini.e. the guru has known Shiva. Shiva means Brahman, Shiva means the supreme consciousness and guru and Shiva are one and the same because the one who has known Shiva cannot be separate, cannot be apart from Shiva. Who is Shiva? Shiva is God. Who is God? God is Shiva. They are one and the same; the all pervasive, eternal, bliss, truth, supreme consciousness. And the one who has experienced, who has known, who has attained the light of this supreme consciousness within, who has known the truthhe is the guru. This guru form of Shiva awakens the supreme knowledge within the disciple and prepares the disciple to experience the ultimate truth, to get enlightened. A guru is the one who is the epitome of purity, the embodiment of compassion forever showering his compassion and grace on one and all. So much so that even on meeting the most vile and nefarious individual, the guru doesnt get disgusted or revolted; he does not discriminate, and treats everyone with the same eye of compassion and benediction. The scriptures describe the key attributes of a guru tranquil, pious, polite, virtuous and free from anger, lust; one who has conquered the need for sensory gratification, who is no longer a slave of the sense organs. A guru doesnt want anything from the disciple; a guru is self assured, completely autonomous. A guru is the one who adeptly eradicates all possible doubts from their very roots, the one who completely destroys all fear of life and death, the one who gets the disciple acquainted with the God residing within - he is the guru. He has no attachments, is always tranquil, always contented and completely self reliant, ever free. One doesnt meet an accomplished, enlightened guru until and unless the previous accumulated virtues dont awaken. And when one meets such a master, one receives supreme knowledge that frees one, liberates one from all worldly bondage forever. But it is important to bear in mind that although it is true that a guru liberates you; who can liberate the one who is not sincere, who doesnt contemplate, who is impure, vile, who has no forgiveness, no empathy, no dispassionwho can liberate such a person? Hence, just as it is crucial that the guru be a true guru in every sense of the word; it is equally important
By Anandmurti Gurumaa
n India, the term guru is so very commonly used in daily parlance by people from all walks of life. But it has now arrived at the global scene as well after all, what with the recent news of Hollywoods Brangelina having an Indian guru! The irony nevertheless is that the understanding of the true meaning of the word guru is as rare as the usage of this word is common. So, what does the word guru entail? Who is a guru? To understand this, first take in the literal meaning of the Sanskrit word guru: gu means darkness and ru means light. Guru is, unarguably,
The scriptures describe the key attributes of a guru tranquil, pious, polite, virtuous and free from anger, lust; one who has conquered the need for sensory gratification. A guru doesnt want anything from the disciple, he is self-assured, c o m p l e t e l y autonomous.
for the disciple to be a true seeker, to have a purified mind and surrender himself to the guru unconditionally. Only then can the shroud of ignorance be removed leading to perennial freedom from all bondage. Anandmurti Gurumaa is a contemporary master who is guiding millions around the world towards their spiritual growth. Her ashram is in Sonepat, Haryana, and she is also accessible through the website www.gurumaa.com
lthough many are aware of the Buddha or the deities of Hinduism, few of us know anything about Mahavir (599-527 BC), whose birth the Jain community around the world will celebrate on April 16. This celebration is known as Mahavir Jayanti.Jainism, along with Hinduism and Buddhism, are the three primary spiritual traditions of India, and archeological evidence indicates that although Mahavir was a contemporary of the Buddha, Jainism predated Mahavir by hundreds of years and, therefore, is the oldest religion in India. Mahavir is considered to be the last in a line of what the Jains call Tirthankaras, which literally means maker of a ford and refers to a human being who achieves omniscience and then teaches the path to liberation to others, thereby establishing a ford across the river of rebirth. A Tirthankara is also referred to as a Jina, which means spiritual victor, or as an Arihant, which means destroyer of enemies. A Jina or Arihant is a victor or destroyer in that he or she has conquered inner emotions and passions, and has complete equanimity that is characterized by an absence of attachment and aversion. Mahavir was a social revolutionary. He
rejected the caste system and the sexism that pervaded the society of his time (and that unfortunately persists), and promoted a radical social justice movement based on complete equality and equal inherent value. He did not limit this revolution to humans and was the first historical figure to regard all nonhuman animals as full members of the moral community. He was also the first historical figure to articulate the view that
the planet itself, including air, water, and earth, consists of living systems. Mahavir was, indeed, the first ecologist. The notion of revolution is often connected with violence, particularly in modern times. The central feature of Mahavirs revolution, however, was Ahimsa, or nonviolence. Mahavir provided the most expansive concept of Ahimsa that the world has ever known not only by extending this
Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with wife Gursharan Kaur at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, China, on April 12. such as Brazilian aircraft and Indian pharmaceuticals. South Africa wants more iron ore and other raw materials processed domestically before exporting them to China. Brazil and India have also complained that Chinas yuan is undervalued, undermining their exports. The countries dont have the same interests, Jim ONeill, chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management International, who coined the term BRIC in 2001, said. The wealth per head is very different, the politics is very different, and the philosophy and their natural economic edge is different. South Africa was invited to join the BRIC this year, giving the
Infrastructure will remain a key contributor to growth in India, and corporate investment is expected to accelerate. Washington: Growth in India is of developing Asia, inflation is expected to be moderate but lower but is on the rise. remain above trend, with GDP The WEO said even though growth projected at 8.25 percent in growth has moderated from cycli2011 and 7.75 percent in 2012, the cal highs to more sustainable rates, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Asia continues to outpace other said. Infrastructure will remain a regions. key contributor to growth in India, But signs of overheating are and corporate investment is expect- starting to materialize in a number ed to accelerate as capacity con- of economies, including India, it straints start to bind and funding said while noting that continued conditions remain supportive, it high growth has meant that some said in its April 2011 World economies in the region are now Economic Outlook (WEO). operating at or above potential. However, with continued rapid Credit growth is accelerating in growth, inflation is expected to some economies like Hong Kong, continue increasing this year across India, and Indonesia, while it much of developing Asia, it said remains high in China. noting inflation pressure is most Most of the increase in headline evident in India. inflation in recent months in Asia Despite some moderation, infla- has been due to a spike in food tion has become more generalized prices, but core inflation has also in India and is projected to remain been increasing in a number of high - averaging 7.50 percent this economies, most notably India, the year, the WEO said. In other parts WEO said.
India is one of the fastest growing BPO markets in Asia-Pacific region. largest BPO country market is Australia, which is more than three times larger than India, the secondlargest consumer of BPO services. Banking and financial services, communications, government (both local and federal), technology and travel and transportation have been largest consumers of BPO services in the region. Over the past three years, many established India-based BPO service providers and US and Europe-based multinational BPO service providers have started focusing on the Indian domestic market.
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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info
y wife, Malathi, and I recently celebrated our 10th anniversary. Yes, its been a whole decade since we got married, a whole decade since we stood in front of family and friends, looked into each others eyes and thought, Who is this person? We hardly knew each other back then, having met through a matrimonial ad on the internet. But after spending 10 years together and producing three children, one thing is clear: we still dont know each other. If we knew each other, she wouldnt get annoyed whenever she finds me on the couch on a Sunday afternoon, as though I have any control whatsoever over the schedule of the National Football League. If we knew each other, I wouldnt have waited patiently for her outside the clothing store in the mall -- I would have rented a tow truck with a hook and chain to pull her out. Despite not knowing each other, weve somehow managed to stay married for 10 years. That may not seem like a long time to some of our friends -- a few have been married 25 years or more -- but for Malathi and I, its amazing that were still together and even more amazing that we still occasionally talk to each other. In fact, youll be glad to know that we spoke to each other just last month. I said, Our anniversary is coming up. How do you want to celebrate it? And she said, Id like to try the new Japanese restaurant in town. Do you want me to bring something home for you? (Thats what I love about her -- shes so
thoughtful.) Actually, Malathi and I talk to each other quite a lot -- whenever the kids let us. The kids are 4, 6 and 8, and at any given time one of them is speaking, one of them is singing and one of them is screaming. Its hard to have a conversation when theyre around, especially since they dont like to see Mommy and Daddy getting too affectionate. We usually have to speak in code -- a special code that develops naturally during a marriage. Whenever Malathi wants to say I love you, she says, Are you watching that stupid football game again? And whenever I want to say I love you, I say, How many pairs of shoes do you need anyway? The kids dont realize it, but were a very romantic couple. Our relationship has evolved and matured over the years. Were even able to communicate without saying a word to each other. For example, if Im on the couch watching a football game and a pumpkin lands on my head, I know that Malathi needs help in the kitchen. All relationships change over time, and its important to adapt to the changes. Just look at
what Ive adapted to from then to now. Then: Leaves romantic I need you like I need food and water note on the dining table. Now: Leaves frantic I need you to buy some food and water note on the dining table. Then: Offers to make tea in the evening. Now: Shouts Wheres my tea? while checking Facebook. Then: Gives compliments such as Youre so sweet! Take a bow. Now: Gives advice such as Youre so
sweaty! Take a bath. Then: Finishes my sentences without thinking. Now: Finishes my sandwiches without thinking. Actually, the last one isnt completely true. She still occasionally finishes my sentences. Just the other day, I said, How many pairs of shoes ... and she said, would my husband like to dodge on a Sunday afternoon? Thats a special code, of course. She means the world to me, too.
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
Smartphones can be dangerous for your kid
LONDON: A new study has suggested that although parents want their children to have a mobile phone for safety and social reasons, they now realise it leaves them powerless to stop access to inappropriate Internet sites, including pornography. Parents are also worried that internet-ready mobile phones leave their offspring open to direct and inappropriate advertising. The fears were revealed by the new review currently being carried out by the charity Mothers' Union for the children's minister Sarah Teather, reports the Telegraph. The study found that nine out of 10 parents now think that their children are growing up too quickly because of increasing sexualisation and commercial pressures, mainly from the Internet and television. It has discovered that direct advertising through mobile phones was the marketing tool that most angered parents - with more 35 percent believing it was totally wrong. This was followed by products-linked to social networking websites, which invite the children to click to "like". The review, conducted by Reg Bailey, chief executive of the Christian charity, has also uncovered growing concerns about the exposure of children to sex on television. In a poll of 1,000 parents conducted for the review, 41 per cent of parents said that in the previous three months they had seen television programmes or advertisements before the 9pm watershed that they considered wrong for their children to view because of their sexual content. In addition, 40 per cent said they had seen window displays or advertising hoardings that children should not be exposed to.
Astrology
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Astrology
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No end to desires
This article has been selected and reprinted from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharajs book, Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened Living (Radiance Publishers), an inspirational collection of stories from the worlds great wisdom traditions.
in the carpenters workshop. The neighbor thought that if he gave the carpenter money he would not have to work and he would stop his incessant hammering. The carpenter entered his workshop and found the envelope lying there. Instead of using it to take a vacation or a break, the carpenter thought, Someone left me several hundred dollars. What good fortune! I will take some of the money and invest in new tools so I can build bigger and better furniture and make more money. Thus, the money flamed the carpenter s desire to earn more money. He began working even harder, hoping to increase the newly found hundreds into thousands. As he began to make more money, he was still not content. He decided he wanted to turn the thousands into tens of thousands and thus he worked still harder. The rich neighbor was annoyed that his plan had failed and instead of silencing the carpenter, it merely increased the noise because now the man worked longer hours. When the carpenter had earned tens of thousands he wanted to make a hundred thousand. He put pressure upon himself to work day and night and even on weekends. Soon, he stopped his humming and singing. He no longer took joy in his work but felt strangled by the pressure he had put upon himself. On many nights, he was so stressed out he could not even sleep. The inner contentment and peace he had when he was just a poor carpenter were gone in the pursuit of trying to make more and more money. Consider our own lives. Do we find ourselves spending all of our time working to make money so we can retire? Do we work overtime to make more money? Do we work all weekend long to increase our profits? Do we find that we cannot even take a day or even several hours off work without thinking about work? If this is what is happening to us are we becoming like the carpenter? If we make all the money in the world but cannot enjoy personal peace and joy in our work, is it worth it? If we find that we are devoting too much of our time to making money and not enough to our family, our hobbies, our spiritual pursuits and those things we love then we need to analyze whether we are making the right choices. It is good to save for the future, but is it worth using up our entire life in trying to have more than what we need? Who knows what the future will bring? When we become old, will we have the health to do what we waited our whole life to do? If we leave our spiritual pursuits until we have reached our senior years, who knows how much time we will have left or whether we will be able to devote time to spirituality at that stage. If we ignore our family until they are already grown and have children of their own, we miss an important part of their lives that can never be recovered. Let us consider how we spend our time. If we have decided that certain goals are important then we should try to find time for them throughout our life and not put them all on the back burner in the pursuit of amassing more money than we need. We should weigh our time and make sure that we do not lose our peace and contentment over the stress of being engaged in a mad pursuit for money and possessions. Being conscious of how we spend our time and our life is important. If we listen to our soul, we will find that inner peace and contentment are more valuable than all the riches in the world. If
we find that we are devoting too much of our time to making money and not enough to our family, our hobbies, our spiritual pursuits and those things we love then we need to analyze whether we are making the right choices. It is good to save for the future, but is it worth using up our entire life in trying to have more than what we need?
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
God then we can accept the good and the tribulations equally under Gods will. In this respect, there is a story about King Mahmud of Ghazni. One day, while he was sitting with his most devoted servant, Ayaz, he shared half of his cucumber with him. When he had finished, the king then took a bite of his own half. Yuk! he cried, as he made a disgusted face and spit out the cucumber. This is so bitter! How could you have eaten your piece if it tasted like bitter poison? Ayaz replied, My dear king, I have enjoyed so many favors and blessings from you all these years. Whatever you give me tastes sweet! Ayazs attitude demonstrates the frame of
Life is precious. Do we want to live our lives to their fullest? The pain and disappointments will not go away by complaining about them. We must pass through those times. Let us try to do so in a state of calm acceptance and conserve the energy that we normally use for complaining. Instead we can think of God in love and gratitude. We will find that we pass through the times of tribulations more easily.
mind of a true lover of God. Such a lover is so much enamored of God and so grateful to God, that he or she takes everything, good or bitter, as a gift of the Beloved. Ayaz had received so many blessings from the king that he felt it was not his place to complain if one of these gifts were bitter. After all, if the king gave him so much good, he must love him. If therefore, once in a blue moon, he had handed him something bit-
ter, Ayaz knew he had no evil intention. He accepted all the king gave him with love and gratitude. If we could accept the rainy days with the same gratitude as we do the sunny days, we would find our lives would be more full of love, peace, and happiness. If we could appreciate the weeds as well as the roses, we would enrich our daily lives. If we could appreciate our enemies as well as our friends, we would not have to waste precious breaths in complaints and bitterness. If we could accept days when we are ill and under the weather as well as those in which we are well and healthy, we would reduce our stress and worry and maybe even heal faster. Life is precious. Do we want to live our lives to their fullest? The pain and disappointments will not go away by complaining about them. We must pass through those times. Let us try to do so in a state of calm acceptance and conserve the energy that we normally use for complaining. Instead we can think of God in love and gratitude. We will find that we pass through the times of tribulations more easily. Like Ayaz, let us take everything coming from God as tasting sweet. Then, we will sweeten our whole lives and the lives of those around us. For more visit www.sos.org