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Is India growth story over?

New Delhi: India's economic growth slumped to 5.3 percent in the January-March quarter, the slowest in nine years, dragged by contraction in the manufacturing sector due to high cost of borrowings, official data showed. For the whole of 2011-12 financial year, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth slumped to 6.5 percent. This is the slowest pace of expansion in the country's economy since 2002-03, when it had registered a growth of just 4 percent. "This is the lowest in the contemporary period. It has been substantially down because of the very poor performance of manufacturing sector," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters while reacting on the data. During January-March 2012 quarter, manufacturing sector contracted by 0.3 percent as against a growth of 7.3 percent registered

Anna-PM spat: CVC asks CBI to look into coalgate

New Delhi: The Central Vigilance Commission has asked the CBI to examine a complaint about alleged losses suffered by the public exchequer in the allocation of coal blocks between 2006 and 2009, in what can potentially be fodder for civil society as well as the opposition seeking to attack the government over Coalgate. Although the complaint of BJP MPs Prakash Javadekar and Hansraj Ahir was forwarded by the CVC to the CBI a month ago, the agency's response will coincide with the widening confrontation over the alleged failure to auction coal blocks. Sources said the CBI was expected to take a decision next week after the return of its director A P Singh from Bhutan. "If we find prima facie wrongdoing in the allocation, a preliminary inquiry will be registered and a formal investigation will begin. At present, it

The Indian economy is in the throes of a serious slowdown, say experts. during the corresponding period of previous year. The GDP growth data is down from the government's estimate of 6.9 percent announced earlier this year, and sharply down from the previous year's growth of 8.4 percent. In the budget for 2011-12, the government had set a target of around 9 percent growth. Continued on page 4

The opposition has attacked the government over Coalgate since a CAG report estimated that its decision not to auction coal blocks fetched private companies Rs 1.8 lakh crore in "undue gains.". is just a reference and we are analyzing it," a senior CBI officer said. In their complaint to the CVC about four months ago, the two BJP MPs drew the Continued on page 4

1st Bharat Gaurav Lifetime Achievement Awards in US on June 9

New York: The first Bharat Gaurav Lifetime Achievement Award will be held at Hilton Hotel, New Jersey, on June 9. The awards will be given to those who have given a notable contribution in their respective fields. The award will be presented to 35 well-known personalities from different walks of life from all over the world. Some noted awardees are: Bollywood star Manoj Kumar, ghazal singer late Jagjit Singh, Zee TV founder Subhash Chandra, cardiologist Samin Sharma, educationist Narpat Bhandari, SATimes Chairman Kamlesh Mehta, and entrepreneur Naveen Shah. Mamta Sharma, chairperson, National Commission for Women, from India, will be the chief guest while Dinesh Trivedi, former railway minister of India, will be special guest. Also gracing the occasion will be senior Congress leader Lokendra Singh Kalwi, a press release said. Suresh Mishra, organizer and President of Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha, said that "Its a great moment for us to

Pak land routes row: US sees hope

Washington: The United States continues to work with Islamabad towards restoration of Pakistani routes for Nato supplies into Afghanistan and hopes to resolve the issue soon, a State Department spokesman has said. We do remain engaged with Pakistan on reopening these ground lines of communication. We want to and think that opening them would obviously be an important demonstration of Pakistans commitment to the international effort to ensure a prosperous, peaceful Afghanistan. So we are working diligently trying to make progress, Deputy Spokesman at the State Department Mark Toner said. He spoke amid media reports that a senior US official may next week join the American team in Islamabad that is negotiating a resolution to the six-month old issue with their Pakistani counterparts. Pakistan shut down the key supply routes in November 2011, after 24 of its soldiers deployed on two posts along the Afghan border, were killed in Nato cross-border warplane strikes. Questioned if there is a timeline on these negotiations for reopening the overland routes into landlocked Afghanistan, or the talks can go on indefinitely, the spokesman responded: I mean, we certainly hope to reach a resolution very soon. Continued on page 4

Bollywood star Manoj Kumar and Zee TV head Subhash Chandra among 35 awardees. announce this award. This program will help us connect to the vast Indian diaspora." Apart from their motherland, Indians from various parts of the world are expected to to join the felicitation ceremony.

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

MTA to allow Sikh and Muslim workers to wear headgear

New York: Muslim and Sikh transit workers will be allowed to wear religious head coverings while on the job under a settlement with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Wednesday. The agreement ended a winding legal case propelled by the Sept. 11 attacks. The authority had faced a series of lawsuits, including one from the United States Justice Department, in the years that followed the 9/11 attack; the suits claimed that the authority was selectively enforcing policies on head coverings worn by Muslim and Sikh employees and that it had transferred workers to nonpublic positions if they refused to remove the coverings or In a statement, the Justice Department said the authority would pay a total of $184,500 to eight current or former employees who had been "denied religious accommodations" under the old policy. Amardeep Singh, the programs director of the Sikh Coalition, which filed two of the lawsuits in conjunction with the Center for Constitutional Rights, said the resolution closed a "disturbing chapter" in the Sikh communitys history in the city. "There was a feeling in the community that Sikhs and Muslims have been collectively punished in some way for the events of 9/11," Mr. Singh said. For Kevin Harrington, a Sikh employee of the authority, the settlement was little solace. In 2004, he recalled, his superiors said that riders might not recognize him, in his turban, as an authority employee in the event of an emergency. Mr. Harrington, now 61, was told he would be moved to a job in a storage yard if he refused to take off his turban or, later, if he refused to affix an authority logo to it. On a fateful Tuesday less than three years before that, Mr. Harrington drove his train backward to keep passengers away from ground zero, an act that earned him an award from the authority. "Nobody saw anything," he said, "other than that I was a train operator."

A group of Sikhs at City Hall steps protesting MTA policy on turbans. attach the authoritys logos to them. Under the new policy, any religious headgear will be permitted as long as it is blue, the color of the authoritys logo, said Adam Lisberg, the authoritys chief spokesman.

Industrialist Swati Piramal elected as Harvard Overseer

Association committee this year. "It is a great honour to be elected as an Overseer to one of the most historic and prestigious boards in the world. The Overseer Board brings together a diverse set of people who are all aligned to take Harvard to greater heights of excellence," Piramal said. Piramal was among the handful of Mumbai industrialists who had met US President Barack Obama during his trip to India in November 2010. Before that, Piramal also met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "I believe that my international perspective and deep experience in creating effective change in large institutions will help Harvard graduates recognise their potential as destined leaders who will make a positive difference to their community and their world," she added. Piramal has a medical degree from the University of Mumbai, a diploma in Industrial Medicine and a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University, US. She currently serves on the Dean's Advisory Board of both the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Business School. She also serves on the boards of Indian and international academic institutions such as IIT-Bombay and Harvard University. She was the Commencement Speaker at the Harvard School of Public Health in 1992.

Judge defends sentence imposed on Dharun Ravi

New Brunswick, NJ: A judge on Wednesday offered a spirited defense of the sentence he imposed on Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers University student convicted of using a webcam to spy on his roommate having sex with another man. Ravi was sentenced last week to 30 days in jail, 300 hours of community service, three years probation and $10,000 to be paid to a fund that helps Dharun Ravi victims of bias crimes. His roommate, Tyler Clementi, jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in September 2010, a few days after discovering Ravis Twitter messages announcing that he had seen his roommate "making out with a dude" and encouraging others to watch. No matter how "unconscionable" Ravis conduct, Judge Glenn Berman said in a court hearing Wednesday, "I cant find it in me to remand him to state prison that houses people convicted of offenses such as murder, armed robbery and rape. I dont believe that that fits this case. I believe that he has to be punished, and he will be." Ravis sentencing, like the crime itself, had prompted national attention, and divided many gay rights advocates, with some arguing that 30 days was little more than a slap on the wrist, and others arguing that his conduct, while despicable, did not merit the same punishment as the kind of violent or threatening behavior typically associated with bias crimes. Prosecutors had been visibly angry when Judge Berman declared the sentence last week, and almost immediately appealed it, arguing that the convictions demanded more time behind bars. On Wednesday, the lead prosecutor told Judge Berman that she thought a five-year sentence would have been appropriate.

City plans to ban large sodas

The sale of any bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces - about the size of a medium coffee, and smaller than a common soda bottle - would be prohibited.

Swati Piramal Mumbai: Top-notch Mumbai industrialist and director of Piramal Healthcare Ltd., Swati Piramal has been elected member of the Harvard Board of Overseers, a company statement said Wednesday. The Harvard Board of Overseers is more than 350 years old and was created in the 17th century. It oversees all the Schools of Harvard, including health, business, design, arts and sciences, and has had an illustrious past. The 30-member Board of Overseers is all directly elected by alumni. President John F. Kennedy served on the board in 1957. Piramal is now one of the five new Overseers elected to the board for a six-year term. She was the only international and Indian candidate nominated for contesting elections by the Harvard Alumni

New York: New York City plans to enact a far-reaching ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters and street carts, in the most ambitious effort yet by the Bloomberg administration to combat rising obesity. The proposed ban would affect virtually the entire menu of popular sugary drinks found in delis, fast-food franchises and even sports arenas, from energy drinks to pre-sweetened iced teas. The sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces about the size of a medium coffee, and smaller than a common soda bottle would be prohibited under the first-in-the-nation plan, which could take effect as soon as next March. The measure would not apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based drinks like milkshakes, or alcoholic beverages; it would not extend to beverages sold in grocery or convenience stores. "Obesity is a nationwide problem, and all over the United States, public health officials are wringing their hands saying, Oh, this is terrible, " Mayor Bloomberg said Wednesday from City Hall. "New York City is not about wringing your hands; its about doing something," he said. "I think thats what the public wants the mayor to do." A spokesman for the New York City Beverage Association, an arm of the soda industrys national trade group, criticized the citys proposal on Wednesday. The industry has clashed repeatedly with the citys health department, saying it has unfairly singled out soda; industry groups have bought subway advertisements promoting their cause.

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June 2-8, 2012

Finally, Advani-Gadkari feud out in the open

New Delhi: The simmering ruption, the party's handling of feud in the BJP between Nitin Jharkhand and Karnataka - all Gadkari and L.K. Advani these have undermined the erupted in the open when party's campaign against corAdvani launched an implicit ruption." attack on the party president, Reiterating that the BJP saying "the mood within the needs to introspect, Advani party is not upbeat". said journalists voiced "public In remarks that stunned opinion correctly" when they party leaders, Advani said on The BJP has refuted speculation said the BJP-led alliance was his blog that while people were that LK Advani was unhappy not rising to the national situaangry with the Congress-led that Nitin Gadkari had got tion. "I, as a former pressman, government, they were upset another term as party president... feel they are reflecting public with the Bharatiya Janata Party opinion correctly." too. The biting comment came just days after "I had said at the core group meeting that if the BJP's national executive met in Mumbai, people are today angry with the UPA governwhere Advani conspicuously stayed away from ment, they are also disappointed with us," a post-meeting rally after Gadkari was given an Advani said. "The situation, I said, calls for extension as president. introspection." The comments come soon after BJP spokesman Pakash Javadkar declined to he kept away from a public rally after the BJP take questions on Advani's blog post. Other national executive meet in Mumbai. According party colleagues either refused to comment or to party sources, Advani is upset that Gadkari claimed they were unaware of Advani's com- takes decisions unilaterally. ments. Advani, in his blog post, said: "The The BJP had then refuted speculation that mood within the party these days is not upbeat. Advani was unhappy that Gadkari had got The results in Uttar Pradesh, the manner in another term as president and that he had not which the party welcomed BSP ministers who been portrayed as the prime ministerial were removed by Mayawati on charges of cor- candidate.

Snigdha wins 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Washington: Snigdha Nandipati, a 14year-old Indian American girl, correctly spelled "guetapens", French for ambush, to win the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee crown and retain the coveted honor for the community for the fifth year in a row. "It's a miracle," said Nandipati from San Diego, California, as she pipped fellow Indian American Stuti Mishra, 14, of West Melbourne, Florida who stumbled over "schwarmerei", German for extravagant enthusiasm, in the last round of the final at a convention centre outside Washington. Nandipati, an avid reader and coin collector who aspires to become a psychiatrist or neurosurgeon, gets $30,000 in cash, a trophy, a $2,500 savings bond, a $5,000 scholarship, $2,600 in reference works from the Encyclopedia Britannica and an online language course. Nandipati plays violin and is fluent in Telugu. She is the fifth consecutive IndianAmerican winner and 10th in the last 14 years. The Indian-American community's victocrore in "undue gains". The issue acquired a new dimension last week when Team Anna, breaking away from its policy not to attack the PM for corruption under the UPA, held Manmohan Singh responsible for the scam. The PM's resultant threat to quit public life if charges were proven and the refusal of civil society to back off from its serious charge appears to have opened another front for a besieged government. Civil society was already girding up, dismissing the CVC's move for a CBI probe as a "sham" and repeating its demand for an independent probe by a panel of six retired judges. "These investigations are meant to give PM a clean chit. Why is the PM scared of investigation?'' Arvind Kejriwal said. Importantly, coal minister Sriparaksh Jaiswal had only on Wednesday dismissed the demand for any probe into the allocation of coal blocks. Ahir said in 2004-05, while it was time to Consultant - Media Alliances Bhrigu Pankaj Prashar C: 516.303.4002 Bhrigu@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Snigdha Nandipati retained the coveted honor for the community for the fifth year in a row. ry run began in 1999 when Nupur Lala captured the crown and was later featured in the documentary "Spellbound". Anamika Veeramani scored a hat-trick for IndianAmericans by taking the crown in 2010. With Arvind Mahankali, 12, of Bayside Hills, New York, a finalist for the last two years, the three Indian American kids were the top spellers left in the last round from among the nine who made the finals. cancel the blocks allocated earlier because the companies could not stick to the production timeline, and if necessary to revoke their bank guarantees, "the government actually went ahead and allotted more blocks". The opposition leaders have drawn the attention of the investigators to the fact that the PM was in charge of the coal ministry during a significant part of the allocations. They have also given details of some companies that had been trying to sell coal blocks illegally in the market. Pak land route row story Continued from page 1 Toner said that Washington is discussing a broad range of issues with Islamabad. We are continuing to meet in Islamabad to talk over these issues as we are discussing a broad range of issues with Pakistan. But you are right. Its slow going, but we are making progress, he remarked. Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/ masalajunction.com. Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com Photo Journalist: Parveen/Bhanu Seth Chief Cartoonist: Mahendra P. Shah Art and Design: Vladimir Tomovski Bhagwati Multimedia, Rahul Sahota Web Editor: B.B.Chopra News Service: HT Media Ltd. IANS Newswire Services Printing: Five Star Printing, NY Richner Publications Contacts Editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Subscribe@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Advertisements Advertise@TheSouthAsianTimes.info P : 516.390.7847 F : 516.465.1343

India growth story Continued from page 1 Economic policy makers as well as industry bodies have termed the data disappointing and shocking. "This is obviously disappointing. Decline in industrial production has not been offset by growth in agricultural production," said C. Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council. "Basically the slowdown is there, we will have to do something about it," said Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission. "The economy is in the throes of a serious slowdown," said Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry called for immediate and bold actions from the government and the RBI in a coordinated manner, saying the economy is in the throes of a serious slowdown.

Anna PM spat story Continued from page 1 investigation agencies' attention to the way the government had gone about allocating coal blocks to private players, especially after an in-principle decision was taken in 2006 to allocate these through auction. "Instead of resorting to auction or waiting for the new policy to be adopted, the government speeded up the allocations through the old policy," Ahir said. "We have demanded a detailed investigation into the way coal blocks were allocated starting 2006," the Lok Sabha MP who is also a member of the parliamentary committee on coal and steel said. Both Ahir and Javadekar welcomed the CVC's move, saying there was an "urgent" need to get to the bottom of the entire issue. The opposition has attacked the government over Coalgate since a draft CAG report estimated that its decision not to auction coal blocks fetched private companies Rs 1.8 lakh

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June 2-8, 2012

Bank of India Chief upbeat about growth

Ashok Ojha/SATimes New York, NY: Aiming to benefit by growing trade in new markets Bank of India, Indias leading commercial bank, recently extended its operation in Botswana where diamond trade is likely to increase business transaction in coming days. An announcement of this effect was made by Alok Mishra, Chairman and Managing Director of the bank at a meeting in New York City. Mishra along with executives of Bank of Indias branches in 13 countries attended the annual conference of the banks executives in the city. Some of banks executives who attended the conference represented its offices in Tanzania, Hongkong, Singapore, New Zealand, Uganda, Japan and Kenya. Mishra made his remarks at a reception held at the ConsulGeneral of Indias office in New York City. He said that his bank was managing operations to the tune of $150 billion with the help of 42, 000 employees. Recalling his banks international operations dating back to 1946 Mishra said that Bank of India opened its offices in San Francisco in 1977. Since then we have strengthened our operations in USA with an added office in New York City. Mishra pointed out that his bank was a major player in Indias rural sector. We operate four thousand Bank branches in India, half of which are in rural areas, he said. We have played our part in nation building by investing in self development schemes for women and helping farmers in rural India, he explained. Recently Bank of India opened its branch in Botswana to cash in growing diamond industry in the region. The Bank ranks among top 5 commercial banks in the country. Keeping pace with financial sector reforms in India, the bank has ventured into Merchant Banking, Mutual Funds, Housing Finance, Custodial & Depository through its subsidiaries. Today the Bank has over 29 branches/representative offices/subsidiaries/joint ventures etc. spread in 13 countries, spanning all time zones. Welcoming Bank of Indias executives in New York, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Consul-General of India praised the role of banks in Indias economic growth. Narendra Prasad, Chief Executives of banks US operation, introduced Mishra and the Executive Director of the bank, N. Seshadri. He commented that Bank of India was poised to become a market leader and innovator in financial services.

On the occasion of global conference of Bank of India's chief executives of global operations, Consul General Prabhu Dayal hosted a reception in the honor of bank's chairman Alok Mishra and other senior executives who came from all parts of the world including London, Kenya, NewZealand, Tanzania, Uganda, Canada, South Africa and Brazil. Narendra Prasad, Chief executive of Bank of India's US operation introduced Mishra on the occasion. (Photo: Ashok Ojha)

Share and Care Foundation kicks-off Local lad makes community proud 30th anniversary celebration
strate the true spirit and success of our work said Jayant Shroff, President and Trustee. During this kick-off event, Share and Care also recounted their remarkable accomplishments of over 30 years, grants of over $63 million in cash and kind, education and economic independence of 5 million school children, rehabilitating 500,000 households after disasters, empowering over 500,000 women via skills building, education and microloan programs and serving more than 3.5 million patients in rural hospitals through provision of various equipment and supplies. This milestone is an opportune time to take a look at the past to review our performance, refine our approaches and set future goals. Needless to say that it makes us all very humble to note what we have accomplished as a small group and how much support we got! A brief 3 minute presentation by Share and Care team included details about current programs and future plans: SCFs signature program Educate to Graduate continues to expand with a goal to reach more than 1000 students for loan scholarships to university by 2013. We are also initiating a 2nd signature program for 1000 high school students in remote northeastern part of India and a 3rd one adopt a village in Kerala, Rajasthan focusing on Healthcare for women and children.

Aneesh Shah: 3rd place in Intel science fair

New York: Aneesh Shah has had a phenomenal senior year at Half Hollow Hills High School East. He has been able to compete in many international competitions and has fared well in them. His most recent accolade has been at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) where he won the third place in the category Chemistry and second place in the Air Force Special Award. He was invited to ISEF by winning at the New York Science and Engineering Fair. He also competed in the Long Island Science Congress and Long Island Science and Engineering Fair and won second place in his category. His research was about utilizing the principles of photosynthesis in plants and applying them to a new generation of solar energy devices. He also won the title of Regional Finalist in the Siemens Competition in Technology, Science, and Math last November. In the past few months, Aneesh has won first place in the DECA Regional Fair and fifth place at the New York DECA State Competition where he competed in the category Marketing Management. His efforts in Science Olympiad have been unmatched as he is the captain of the Science Olympiad Team at Half Hollow Hills High School East. He has won 4 medals in the regional competition of Suffolk County and two medals in the State competition. Aneesh built many vehicles for the team including a vehicle that had to roll down a ramp and stop at a certain point and a robot that could place items such as pencils and nails in a milk carton. Aneesh is now headed to the University of Virginia and has been honored as an Echols Scholar.

16 street children from Share and Cares Indian NGO partner Manav Sadhna, Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad entertained the audience with a spellbound, mesmerizing dance ballet Ekatva or Oneness Paramus, NJ: More than 500 sup- izing dance ballet EKATVA or porters, ages 3 to 80 years, Indians Oneness amongst all diversity bridgand Americans attended Share and ing the gap between future generaCare 30th anniversary kick-off cele- tions across the globe. Many in the bration, at Memorial Auditorium, audience were deeply moved and Montclair State University, NJ. Share inspired to visit India and volunteer. What could be more fitting to celeand Care Foundation (SCF), a New Jersey based, not for profit brate our 30 year journey than to have Foundation was established in 1982 these children among us. SCF has by a small group of professionals to been rehabilitating thousands of chilempower women and children in rural dren like these by getting them out of India to live independently by fund- child labor and integrating them into ing programs in education, vocational main stream education system of training, skills building and basic India. Two of the boys homes were recently demolished without warning healthcare. The 16 street children (ages 10-15) and yet here they were dancing, sharfrom Share and Cares Indian NGO ing, caring and raising funds for their partner Manav Sadhna, Gandhi colleagues in India! In a way, these Ashram, Ahmedabad entertained the children and their perseverance in the audience with a spellbound, mesmer- face of so many challenges, demon-

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

IN BRIEF

Crowds throng Oak Tree Shopping fest

he first-of-its kind annual Oak Tree Shopping Festival that took place over the Memorial Day weekend (May 26 & May 27) in the heart of the original Little India in Iselin NJ, was a huge success with throngs of shoppers coming in from all over the Eastern Seaboard and beyond to avail all the special discounts and hobnob with their favorite TV celebrities. We always work with downtown businesses to help them succeed. We congratulate Star Plus, Verizon, Touchdown Media and the merchants participating in the Oak Tree Shopping Festival, he said. Developed by Touchdown Media Inc. in conjunction with Star India Plus and Life OK, the event was organized to boost local business and bring all that Oak Tree has to offer to the forefront and once again establish it as the premier South Asian shopping destination. Verizon FiOS was the Associate Sponsor for the event.

Srinivasa Kalyanam conducted at Sri Guruvaayoorappan Temple, Morganville, NJ

ri Srinivasa Kalyanam was conducted under the aegis of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in the presence of thousands of devotees with 'Srinivasa Govinda' and 'Sri Venkatesa Govinda' chants reverberating all over on Saturday, May 5 in Morganville, NJ. The Utsava Murthis brought from Tirupati when the Kalyanam was conducted in 2010 and residing in Guruvaayaoorappan temple was used to perform the celestial wedding of Lord Sri Venkateswara in a grand way. All the Sevas normally conducted at Tirumala for Srivaru were performed starting at 6.00am with Suprabhatam, followed by Tomala Seva, Archana and Kalyanam. A great procession took place after the Tomala Seva when the Lord with his consorts was taken in a Palanquin carried by a group of Relgious volunteers in the traditional

Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac along with Jigar (Vishal Singh) of Saath Nibhaana Saathiya and Pratigya (Pooja Gor) of Mann Ki Awaaz-Pratigya officially opened the festival to the public by coming out for a ribbon cutting ceremony. We are proud to be a part of the launch of what we expect will become an annual event. This event reiterates Star Network's commitment to the local community, i.e our viewers, said Rajan Singh, Executive Vice President International Business.

dress around the Kalayna Mandapan. The path was laid out on red carpet with the sounds of live Nadaswaram. Thousands of devotees followed in the procession. It was a very joyful event watched live around the world. The TTD Chairman with a senior board member of TTD attended the Kalyanotsavam. The Srinivasa Kalyanam was the prequel to the grand opening and Maha Kumbhabhishekam of the Sri Guruvaayoorappan temple planned to be conducted on July 1st 2012.

Indian American entrepreneurs endorse Chivukula for Congress

By Ashok Ojha/SATimes

Gattu, Dekh Indian Circus & Shala bag most Jury awards at NYIFF

group of business owners and professionals belonging to Indian American community in New Jersey endorsed the candidature of Upendra Chivukula who is contesting for the United States Congress from the seventh district comprising of Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, Essex and Morris counties. The endorsement came at a networking event organized by Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce, a representative body of New Jersey based professionals, bankers and independent business owners.

Leading entrepreneur and Banker Anil Bansal introduced Chivukula as a popular community leader who deserve support from all sections of the community. He urged his friends and fellow businesspersons to mobilize support to elect Chivukula for Congress. In recent days Chivukulas campaign has expanded to reach to a wider cross section of voters in the state. As a result Indian-American community leaders pledged to support the Upendra Chivukula for Congress campaign at the Royal Albert Palace in Fords on Sunday, May 20th. A second major event is planned for June 3rd at the same location.

fter five days of red carpet screenings, industry panels, and networking parties, the 12th annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) ended on a high note on May 27th with the US premiere of Anurag Kashyaps Gangs of Wasseypur, which received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, followed by an awards ceremony and closing night reception, sponsored by Wells Fargo. The winners of the NYIFF 2012 Jury Awards are: One-minute Cell Phone Film Award Love Lost by Caroline Cantone, NYU student; Audience Choice Award, presented by Melas Pooja Kohli Lets be out, the sun is shining by Bornilla Chatterjee; Best Short Film Award, presented by director Bedabrata Pain Bombay Snow by Chinmay Dalvi; Best Documentary, presented by UB Group Brand Ambassador and former Miss In-

dia Pooja Batra Saving Face by Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (also won the Oscar for Best Doc); Best Screenplay, presented by author Suketu Mehta Avinash Deshpande for Shala; Best Young Actor Award, presented by director Prashant Nair Mohammad Samad for Gattu; Best Actress, presented by director Dev Benegal Tannishtha Chatterjee for Dekh Indian Circus; Best Actor, presented by director Aishwarya.R.Dhanush Nawazuddin Siddiqui for Dekh Indian Circus; Best Director, presented by director Anurag Kashyap Sujay Dahake for Shala; Best Film, presented by Rahul Baig of Wells Fargo Gattu by Rajan Khosa; Special Contribution to Indian Cinema Award presented to actor/director Rituparno Ghosh; and Lifetime Achievement Award presented to director Shyam Benegal.

Bharat Sevashram Sangha temple inaugurated in New Jersey

Ashok Ojha/SATimes Edison, NJ: Amidst chanting of Vedic mantras priests consecrated Hindu deities in a newly built temple in South Brunswick in the presence of visiting monks from India. The two floored temple building is constructed in a two and half acres campus of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a Hindu monastic and philanthropic organization that manages a number of educational institutions in India and around the world. Our dream is realized with consecration of this temple, said Swami Amarnathananda ji Maharaj, head of New Jersey center of Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Thirteen years ago we established our ashram in South Brunswick, New Jersey. Since then we had been nourishing our dream to build a temple which has been made possible by generous donations from our devotees, he said. The temple building is equipped with facilities for conducting language and culture classes for youngsters and devotees. The ashram fulfills the religious, spiritual and educational needs of the local communities with regularly holding spiritual discourses on Gita and celebrations. Bharat Sevashram Sangha is involved in providing education to thousands of young people in the state of West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The Sangha has also established associate religious and cultural centers in Trinidad, Guyana, Fiji, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, West Indies, South America and Nepal. It has four ashrams in USA and a number of them are located in Guyana, Suriname, The Netherlands and the Caribbean nations.

A number of monks came from India to participate in the prana pratishtha of a newly built Hindu temple in the premises of Bharat Sevashram Sangha in South Brunswick, NJ. Seen in this picture is Swami Amarnathanand Maharaj, head of the Ashram, who oversaw the temple construction. (Photo: Ashok Ojha)

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Indian American franchisee Before going to jail, Dharun Ravi apologises sues Dunkin' Donuts over
New Brunswick, NJ: Before turning himself in Thursday to begin serving a 30day jail term for spying on his gay roommate with a webcam, Indian-American student Dharun Ravi has apologized for the first time. In a statement Tuesday, Ravi, former student at Rutgers New Jersey state university, said he decided to 'accept and hopefully complete the sentence as soon as possible. It's the only way I can go on with my life.' Ravi also offered a clear apology. 'I accept responsibility for and regret my thoughtless, insensitive, immature, stupid and childish choices that I made on September 19, 2010 and September 21, 2010,' he said referring to the spying incident. 'My behavior and actions, which at no time were motivated by hate, bigotry, prejudice or desire to hurt, humiliate or embarrass anyone, were nonetheless the wrong choices and decisions. I apologize to everyone affected by those choices.' Since the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is appealing the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman, Ravi did not have to begin serving the term yet, but his lawyer said Ravi wanted to go through with it sooner rather than later. 'It's his decision,' said lawyer Steven Altman. 'He wanted to get it over with.'

discrimination

Pak 'Terrorism Accountability' Bill introduced

Washington, DC: A farreaching legislation has been introduced in Congress that would deduct $50 million from the aid to Islamabad for every American killed by terrorists operating from safe havens in Pakistan with the "support" of ISI. "Pakistan has for decades leveraged radical terrorist groups to carry out attacks in India and Afghanistan," Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said in introducing the Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act of 2012. The legislation would require the Department of Defense to list all Americans killed by terrorist groups operating with impunity inside Pakistan and Afghanistan and supported by elements of the Pakistani government. For each person killed, $50 million would be subtracted from U.S. foreign assistance to Pakistan and given to the victim's family.

New Jersey: A Dunkin' Donuts franchisee has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the chain, alleging that parent company Dunkin' Brands is biased against "Asian-Indian American women of color," the New York Post reports. Indian American Priti Shetty who operated two Dunkin' stores in New Jersey, claims a Dunkin' Brands representative, Wayne Miller, told her she wasn't "servile enough" as an Indian woman. He also forced her to keep her stores open 24 hours, despite her concerns about crime and the store's inability to generate adequate revenue during off-hours, according to her lawsuit, filed in a New Jersey state court last week. According to the Post, Shetty claims that while many women of Indian descent work at Dunkin', none manage multiple stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Shetty's lawyer, Jerry Marks of Marks & Klein LLP, told the newspaper that Dunkin' denied Shetty's attempts to open a third store, saying the location wasn't suitably situated for a drive-thru. Nonetheless, the suit claims, a male franchisee was later able to open a store at the same spot without a drivethru window. The Post reports that a Dunkin'

spokeswoman said the company wasn't aware of the suit and declined comment. Shetty isn't the first Dunkin' franchisee to allege that the Canton, Mass.-based company discriminates against franchisees of Indian descent. In 2007, Mahendra and Nita Patel, husband-and-wife operators of four Orange County, N.Y., Dunkin' outlets, counter-sued the chain after the company alleged that the couple violated franchise agreements, and labor and tax laws. The Patels, first-generation Americans of Indian descent, alleged in their suit that the company unfairly terminates minority franchisees or forces them to sell their stores at less than fair market value to white, multiunit operators, according to QSRMagazine.com.

US judge to rule on evidence about Reliance at Gupta trial

New York: A US judge trying Rajat Gupta, former Indian-American chief executive of McKinsey & Co, is yet to decide whether an e-mail relating to Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani should be allowed in evidence. Prosecutors at Gupta's trial in Manhattan federal court here on insider trading charges have said they want to offer into evidence an April 3, 2008, e-mail from former McKinsey executive Anil Kumar to Gupta. According to prosecution, convicted hedge fund billionaire Raj Rajaratnam wanted Gupta to ask Ambani whether his company "would be getting into the solar business aggressively," Kumar allegedly told Gupta in an email, prosecutors said. "If so, there would be implications for supplier companies," they said. US District Judge Jed Rakoff hasn't decided whether the message will be allowed into evidence. Ambani isn't accused of wrongdoing. The prosecution and defence are also sparring over

Mukesh Ambani (left) with Rajat Gupta (center) at an event in NYC before Guptas involvement in insider trading case came to fore. whether Kumar, who has pleaded guilty to insider trading and is cooperating with prosecutors, may testify about illegal payments made to him by Rajaratnam. Prosecutors said Gupta was aware of these payments, which they said would show he knew of the insider-trading scheme. Meanwhile, defence lawyers suggested that a number of people other than Gupta could have leaked confidential information about Procter & Gamble's sale of its Folgers coffee unit in 2008 to Smucker's. Cross-examined by defence attorney Gary Naftalis, P&G's finance chief Jon Moeller said employees in a half-dozen departments at both companies, as well as bankers and lawyers, knew of the deal in the weeks before it was announced. "And all these people were working on the transaction, in addition to the Smucker people?" Naftalis asked Moeller in Manhattan federal court. "Yes, that's true," Moeller said.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

India highlights 'human Americans flocking to dimension' of adopted woman India for stem cell therapy Washington, DC: A growfacing deportation
Washington, DC: Highlighting the "human dimension" of an adopted Indian American woman who faces deportation 30 years after she came here, India has asked the US to ensure her case is treated with the utmost sensitivity and compassion. According to media reports, Kairi Abha Shepherd was adopted in 1982 by a Utah woman as a three-month-old child. But when she was 8, her adoptive mother died of cancer. When she was 17, she was arrested and convicted of felony check forgery to fuel a drug habit. As her adoptive mother did not complete the formalities for her citizenship, she is facing likely deportation after a court earlier this month upheld the US government's right to remove her from the country. "The Embassy has seen reports concerning Kairi Shepherd and has requested the US authorities for facts on this matter," Indian Embassy spokesman Virander Paul said in a statement Friday. "All the information available to us on this case indicates that it has a clearly humanitarian dimension that cannot be ignored," he said. "As reports indicate, Kairi Shepherd was brought to the United States after adoption, as a baby and has known no other home. "Her case deserves to be treated with the utmost sensitivity and compassion, keeping in mind the humanitarian dimension and tenets of universally accepted human rights," the Indian Embassy said. Meanwhile, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed ing number of Americans are traveling to India to seek treatment for rare diseases through India's experimental embryonic stem cell therapy, according to an investigative report. Among them Cash Burnaman, a 6-year-old South Carolina boy, who traveled with his parents to India seeking treatment for a rare genetic condition that has left him developmentally disabled, CNN reported. "Cash is mute. He walks with the aid of braces. To battle his incurable condition, which is so rare it doesn't have a name, Cash has had to take an artificial growth hormone for most of his life," it said. His divorced parents, Josh Burnaman and Stephanie Krolick, have paid tens of thousands of dollars to have Cash undergo experimental injections of human embryonic stem cells at New Delhi's NuTech Mediworld run by Dr. Geeta Shroff, a retired obstetrician and self-taught embryonic stem cell practitioner. Shroff first treated Cash -who presents symptoms similar to Down Syndrome -- in

Kairi Abha Shepherd faces deportation "Shepherd has a final order of removal" though she was "not in ICE custody at this time." Outlining the deportation procedure, ICE said: "Before carrying out a deportation, ICE must first obtain a travel document to ensure the receiving country will admit the alien who is being returned." "Once ICE obtains a travel document, the agency then proceeds to make transportation arrangements. Completing the removal process can take varying amounts of time, depending on the country involved and the circumstances of the case." "Shepherd's criminal history includes two prior convictions in Utah in 2004 for attempted forgery and forgery, the latter of which constitutes an aggravated felony," ICE noted. "ICE has reviewed Ms. Shepherd's case at length and believes seeking her removal is consistent with the agency's immigration enforcement priorities, which include focusing on the identification and deportation of aliens with felony criminal convictions," it said.

Cash Burnaman is seeking treatment in India for rare genetic condition 2010. "I am helping improve "It's concerning no matter their quality of life," she told how you look at it," said CNN. After five weeks of CNN chief medical corretreatment, Cash and his par- spondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. ents returned home to the "Frankly it's the complete US. That's when Cash began wrong way of going about walking with the aid of this sort of science." braces for the first time. A leading Indian neurosurFor four or five weeks of geon, Dr. P.N. Tandon, cited treatment, Shroff says she by CNN agreed there was has charged her 87 American zero medical evidence of the patients an average of effectiveness of embryonic $25,000. stem cell therapy like that But doctors cited by CNN provided at NuTech Medisaid all that work and hope world and money Cash's supporters But inside her clinic, surhave funneled into his exper- rounded by patients, Shroff imental therapy likely will disagreed. "Success," she have no medical benefits. told CNN, "is defined differ"There is zero evidence for ently by various groups of what she (Shroff ) is doing people within that therapy being effective," Rutgers mode. So as of right now, alUniversity's Dr. Wise Young, most everyone -- greater than a leading US neuroscientist, 90 percent -- have had was quoted as saying. success."

India's Ashis Roy, 80, runs half marathon in US

WNS Global Services opens new facility in South Carolina

Washington, DC: An Indian BPO company announced to invest $ 4.25 million in South Carolina for setting up its first facility in the US, promising to create 750 jobs in the state governed by Indian-American Nikki Haley. Haley termed the announcement by Mumbai-headquartered WNS Global Services of opening its new delivery center located in Columbia, South Carolina, as a "big win" for her state. "WNS's decision to launch its first US delivery center in our state signifies a big win for the State of South Carolina," she said. The center, with a capacity of 300 seats, is expected to serve the company's US-based clients. "We are thrilled that WNS has selected our state for their first US-based delivery facility, and celebrate the investments and the new jobs WNS will create through this center," Haley said. "By providing a business-friendly environment and keeping the costs of doing business low, our state has great opportunities to attract major job-creating investments like this one," she said. Keshav Murugesh, group CEO of WNS, said this new center will enable them to partner more closely with US-based clients and offer services that are strategic and higher-end in nature. WNS has more than 23,000 employees at 25 centers worldwide. It has more than 200 global clients. "The plan over time is to bring up to 750 people. It could be doing health care, finance and accounting, call center for travel and leisure. We've had interest

Octogenarian Ashis Roy Washington, DC: India's grand old marathon man Ashis Roy, who turns 80 June 1, is running again after a gap of over six months, this time by participating in a half marathon in Alexandria. Roy, who has run a record 113 marathons, completed the half marathon in Alexandria, a Washington suburb in neighboring Virginia, Sunday with a timing of 3 hours, 10 minutes and 40 seconds. He was awarded a finisher's medal and an age group winner medal. Roy, who was bedridden for over three months after a major backbone surgery in Delhi last November, had run his last full marathon in the US in August last year. His 113 marathon tally includes 44 in the US, 12 in Canada, 38 in India and 19 in other countries. Known as the "Marathon Man of India", Roy is only Indian to find mention in "The Messengers", a book by Malcolm Andersen of Kingston University in Canada, about people who have completed more than 100 marathons. Roy started running marathons at the age of 52 after retiring as a cardiologist from the Indian Air Force. Starting with his first run in Rath marathon in November 1985 he went on to complete his 100th marathon in January 2010.

The BPO company will create 750 jobs from all of those perspectives," Ron Strout, head of the Americas for the company, was quoted as saying by the local Post and Courier daily in Columbia. The Columbia Center is expected to be fully operational in two years' time. Sending US jobs overseas to other countries, a common practice over the past decade is becoming more expensive as salaries rise in other countries, including India, Jon Hurley, a WNS senior vice president, said. As a result, WNS, which has a growing US customer base, thinks it can do business more efficiently in the US, said. "The balance (of outsourcing) is frankly shifting" back to the US, Hurley said.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

India born, LA-based filmmakers short film screened in Cannes

New York: As the Indian media raised a toast to Gangs of Wasseypur, Miss Lovely and Peddlers which made it to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year, an Indian documentary highlighting the situation of one of the marginalized sections of the society - the deaf - caught the eye of the festival selection committee for being featured in the short-film corner. Made by India born, Los Angeles based Vidyut Latay, the documentary was screened on May 25th, also its world premiere. Currently working as the executive director of Filmmakers Alliance - a community of film artists dedicated to the advancement of true independent films through community action Latay did her Masters in Communication Studies from University of Pune and then worked under various production houses in Mumbai before moving to the US. She studied radio and television with an emphasis on documentary production from Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts department in San Francisco State University and says that the idea of making a documentary on deaf people struck her when she saw an interpreter using sign language to interpret an address by the president of the university. In all my years of living in India I had never ever witnessed any scene like that! This experience was truly new and intriguing for me. I was a bit disturbed and very inquisitive at the same time to know more about why India had no acknowledgement of this language and the community called DEAF. That was one of the trigger points to take up this topic, she says. The documentary is made with the intention of understanding the perspective of the deaf in a country where there is still no infrastructure nor social awareness to accommodate their voices. India has arguably the largest deaf population in the world, around five to eight million, and during the shooting of the documentary in 2008, the number of practicing interpreters could be counted on finger tips! Even today there has been no substantial change in the number of interpreters available to Deaf on a regular basis. Sign language is not a recognized language in Indian society. The country has no captions on television, no instructions at public places, no TTY; the medium of instruction in deaf schools is primarily oral

Beyond Silence is made with intention to understand perspective of deaf in India communication and no separate college or a university for deaf people, she says. The documentary was shot on the premises of Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai and at the Ishara Foundation in Thane and at almost all well-known locations in Mumbai.

United Nation: Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar of the erstwhile royal family of Udaipur has become the second Indian to be named for the eighth Women Together Award for "Contribution to Universal Culture of the United Nations", an official spokesperson said here Wednesday. The award, a recognition for his work through the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur, would be conferred on Singh June 5 at the UN General Assembly in New York. The MMCF, founded by Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar, was unanimously selected for the award by the Women Together (WT) in association with the UN. The WT, a non-government organisation, is part of the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSOC), enjoying a consultative status. "It is a unique case study of governance at the highest level that mankind can aspire to, both in personal and business environment, mainly those constituting a relevant contribution to universal culture and help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals to help make the world a better place," the official said. Some of the past awardees include Ela Bhatt (the first Indian), Queen Rania of Jordan, Wangari Maathai, Isabel Yanguas, Shirin Ebadi, Barbara Probst Solomon, Louise Bourgeois, Violy McCauslant, Mario Testio, Silvia Earle, Shakira, Antonio Banderas, Katie

Udaipur royal scion bags Natl Academy of Sciences elects prestigious UN award 3 Indian American members
Washington, DC: The National Academy of Sciences has elected three Indian American academics among its 84 new members and 21 foreign associates from 15 countries who were recognized for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership in the academy is one of the highest honors given to a scientist in the United States. Among its most renowned members have been Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, Thomas Edison, Orville Wright and Alexander Graham Bell. The newly-elected Indian American members and their affiliations are Jagdish N. Bhagwati, Arthur Lehman Professor of Economics and professor of political science, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, New York City; Sabeeha Merchant, professor, department of chemistry and biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles; and Subra Suresh, MIT Vannevar Bush Professor of Engineering and director of the National Science Foundation, Arlington, Va. The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by a congressional act of incorporation signed by Abraham Lincoln that calls on the academy to act as an official adviser to the federal government, upon request, in any matter of science or technology. The academy is a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to the furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare.

Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar Ford, Agatha Ruiz de la Parada, and Gaetana Enders (Mary Robinson). Besides, companies and institutions like Grameen Bank, La Caixa Foundation, Aveda, Banco Santander, Toyota, Mango and Mario Santo Domingo Foundation have also bagged the award in the past. The MMCF, of which Maharana Singh is the chairman and managing director, is the largest of nine public charitable institutions set up in 1969 to sustain the responsibility of the House of Mewar towards humanity after the amalgamation of the state of Udaipur into the Republic of India in 1947. It has a dedicated 260-member team which has so far invested nearly $2 million into 32 projects in sectors like academics, environment, philanthropy and heritage conservation.

Scholarship Program for Indian diaspora children

New Delhi: The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has announced the Scheme of "Scholarship Program for Diaspora Children (SPDC) for 2012-13. Following are the highlights of the scheme: 100 scholarships for undergraduate courses in several disciplines; Engineering and Te c h n o l o g y / A r c h i t e c t u r e , Humanities/Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management including Hotel Management, Journalism, Agriculture/ Animal Husbandry, Science, Law etc; Program is open to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)/Non Resident Indians (NRIs). Those already studying in India on a self financing basis or under any other arrangement, are not eligible for this scholarship scheme.; Admissible amount of scholarship would be 75% of the Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) which includes Tuition and Hostel fees and other institutional charges or up to US $ 4,000 (US dollars Four thousand) per annum, whichever is less.; Details including terms and conditions of the scheme along with application format is available at www.edcilindia.co.in. The last date for applying is June 10, 2012.

Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and addressing the guests at a reception hosted for members of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace, at the Embassy residence in Washington, DC on May 21, 2012.

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US Affairs TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

John Edwards jury delayed by mystery note

Lawmakers, Activists Target 'Gendercide' Sex Selection

TX : In the style of activist-filmmaker James O'Keefe, an anti-abortion group has released an undercover video purportedly showing a Planned Parenthood counselor in Texas assisting a woman who says she's seeking a sex-selection abortion. "I see that you're saying that you want to terminate if it's a girl, so are you just wanting to continue the pregnancy in the meantime?" the Planned Parenthood counselor asks on the tape. "The abortion covers you up to 23 weeks and usually at five months is usually when they detect, you know, whether it's a boy or a girl." At the close of the conversation, when the woman who says she's pregnant thanks the Planned Parenthood counselor for not "placing judgment" on her choice, the counselor replies cheerily, "Good luck, and I hope that you do get your boy." Released Tuesday, the video was made by Live Action, a group headed by Lila Rose, the 23-yearold media darling of the anti-abortion movement. The video is labeled "Part 1? on the group's website, suggesting there might be more tapes coming, in the style of conservatives O'Keefe and the late publisher-commentator Andrew Breitbart. Planned Parenthood has denounced the video as an effort to "promote false claims about our organization and patient services. In highly unusual and scripted scenarios, hoax patients sought services related to sex selection." The group said in a statement that it fired the staff member depicted in the April 11 video and that "all staff members at this affiliate were immediately scheduled for retraining in managing unusual patient encounters." "Gendercide" - the practice of killing baby girls or terminating pregnancies solely because the fetus is female - is estimated to have produced a "gender imbalance" of more than 100 million girls around the world. The practice is widespread in some Asian countries but not limited to them. Many nations with pro-abortion-rights laws and

John Edwards

Greensboro, NC : A note from a juror again briefly stalled deliberations in the John Edwards campaign-finance trial today, causing Judge Catherine Eagles to hold a closed-door session to deal with a jury matter, the third such delay in as many days. It is unknown what information was contained in the note. Deliberations dragged into their eighth day today adding to the anticipation of waiting for a verdict. The judge signaled Tuesday that potential scheduling conflicts could cause further delays. Some jurors have requested time off for personal matters, like attending a child's high school graduation. The judge said she will soon have a meeting in her chambers to address those conflicts. The panel of eight men and four women today spent the morning deliberating before breaking for lunch. They have logged more than

forty hours of deliberations since lawyers ended their arguments on May 18. Edwards and his legal team had, until today, waited out every day of deliberations from a second-floor room inside the courthouse. Early on, Edwards could sometimes be seen pacing the room and looking out the window at journalists assembled outside. Edwards was not at the courthouse this morning, but came back following a lunch break. Edwards, a two-time presidential candidate and former senator, is accused of using nearly $1 million in donations from wealthy political backers to hide his mistress and love child during his 2008 campaign. If convicted Edwards faces up to 30 years in prison and be fined as much as $1.5 million, although it is unlikely he would face the severest penalties.

Lila Rose, leader of Live Action

protections, nevertheless, ban sex-selection abortions. Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Netherlands have laws banning sex-selection abortions. The United States does not. This is the next front in the abortion debate for many anti-abortion activists. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives, however, will vote on legislation this week that would ban sexselective abortions in the United States The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012, sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., is scheduled to come to the House floor as soon as today under suspension of the rules. A suspension vote requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The measure is expected to be approved in the House, although it's unclear whether the Democratically controlled Senate would follow suit.

Romney creates history in clinching Republican nomination

Washington : Mitt Romney created history as he finally clinched the Republican nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in the November presidential, becoming the first Mormon nominee from a major political party. Romney's historic feat came nearly 200 years after the founding of Mormonism by Joseph Smith, who himself ran for president to call attention to his flock's persecution. The Mormon Church has six million members in the United States. Mormons self-identify as Christian as a religious and cultural group though they have stricter social and lifestyle codes, including eschewing alcohol and other beverages, and some of their beliefs differ from mainstream Christianity. Former Massachusetts governor Romney succeeded where his father, George, and others, including Senators Orrin Hatch and Mo Udall, did not. Mitt Romney who lost the Republican nomination to John McCain in 2008 is also the third presidential nominee from Massachusetts in the last quarter century, joining with just 78 delegates away from the magic number. "Our party has come together with the goal of putting the failures of the last three and a half years behind us," Romney said in a statement after the win. "I have no illusions about the difficulties of the task before us. But whatever challenges lie ahead, we will settle for nothing less than getting America back on the path to full employment and prosperity." Romney has been the presumptive nominee since his top rival, former senator Rick Santorum, dropped out in April. Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, quit the race earlier this month and Representative Ron Paul has said he would no longer actively campaign, even in his home state of Texas. Romney won't become the official nominee until the end of August, when Republicans hold their convention in Tampa, Florida. President Barack Obama faced no national competition for the Democratic presidential nomination, and CNN projected he accumulated the 2,778 necessary delegates on April 3.

Putin, Obama to meet at G20 summit in June

Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama will continue efforts to improve bilateral ties and sign an agreement on future cooperation at the G20 summit in Mexico in June, a Russian official said. "A meeting is planned for the presidents of Russia and the US at the Los Cabos G20 summit. This will be a full-scale meeting, in the course of which important agreements will be made, in particular a presidential joint declaration on further cooperation. This has been agreed," said Putin's foreign policy advisor Yury Ushakov. Putin and Obama exchanged messages earlier this month, in which the two leaders reiterated "a mutual desire to expand and deepen bilateral relations and upgrading them to a qualitatively new level", he said. Putin's message, in response to Obama's letter of May 2, was delivered to the US by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who stood in for Putin at a summit of G8 leaders May 18-19, Ushakov said. Moscow would like to continue along the lines of Medvedev's much-publicized "reset" policy with the US, which saw both sides sign a landmark nuclear arms control treaty in 2010, he said. Russia will pursue "kind, promising ties" with Washington if both sides maintain a policy of "equality and non-involvement" in the other's affairs, he added. Both Putin and Obama enjoyed their last meeting in summer 2009, Ushakov said. "They talked about a lot of different things for over two hours and both enjoyed it. So now I'm sure they will find a common language," he said.

Mitt Romney

Democrats Michael Dukakis in 1988 and John Kerry in 2004. The last Republican nominee from Massachusetts was Calvin Coolidge, in 1924.Romney, who led the pack when he announced his second run for the White House last June, got the required 1,144 delegates for the Republican nomination with a win Tuesday in Texas, the lone state to vote this week. Romney entered the presidential primary in Texas, where 152 of the state's 155 delegates were at stake,

India TheSouthAsianTimes.info

11

June 2-8, 2012

Is India growth story over?

India is desperate for investment in mining, roads, ports, urban housing and other areas, but Indian businesses and foreign investors are starting to shy away.

While short-term growth has slowed but not ground to a halt, Indias problems have dampened hopes that it, along with China and other non-Western economies, might help revive the global economy, as happened after the 2008 financial crisis.
New Delhi: Indias coalition government just celebrated the third anniversary of its tenure with a self-congratulatory banquet that could not have been more poorly timed: Indias currency, the rupee, is falling; investment is down; inflation is rising; and deficits are eating away at government coffers. While short-term growth has slowed but not ground to a halt, Indias problems have dampened hopes that it, along with China and other non-Western economies, might help revive the global economy, as happened after the 2008 financial crisis. Instead, India is now facing a political reckoning, as the countrys elected leaders must address difficult, politically unpopular decisions or risk even deeper problems. When India was being run comparatively well in 2008, they seemed to cope with these external shocks, at least from a financial perspective, said Glenn Levine, a senior economist at Moodys Analytics in Sydney, Australia. I think people are starting to question the long-term Indian story. That is the difference now. Indias difficulties come as the global economy is wobbling once again. Europe is grappling with a sovereign debt crisis that could shatter the continents economic and political union. The United States is still not producing enough new jobs. Chinas growth has weakened, with a real estate downturn and stalling exports, while important emerging economies like Brazil are slowing down, adding to pessimism about the world economy at a critical time. India is often viewed as a rising global powerhouse and, not too long ago, Indian officials were predicting growth rates of 9 percent or higher. The Obama administration, eager to tap into such a booming market and envisioning India as a regional counterweight to China, trumpeted the United States-India partnership. Some analysts even saw the global downturn as an opportunity for India, making it more attractive for foreign investors wary of putting money into declining advanced industrial countries. Today, Indias economy is still expanding, with growth projected between 6 percent and 7 percent this year. And analysts say Indias long-term strengths remain significant. It has one of the worlds youngest populations, and polls consistently show they are overwhelmingly optimistic about their future. Meanwhile, Indias businesses are competing more aggressively on the global stage. But the slowdown has punctured the once bubbly mood in the business and political classes and brought sharp criticism of the government. Indian business leaders, foreign investors and analysts say Indias strengths are being undermined by growing political dysfunction: the populist tendencies of Indian politicians, a lack of action by top leaders and allegations of corruption that have undermined the authority of policy makers. India is desperate for investment in mining, roads, ports, urban housing and other areas, but Indian businesses and foreign investors are starting to shy away. Indian corporations, unable to obtain governmental licenses or permissions for projects, are investing overseas instead. Foreigners are also pulling back; their investment in Indian stocks and bonds totaled only $16 billion in the last fiscal year, compared with $30 billion the year before. The trend accelerated in recent months after the Finance Ministry, trying to stem a rising budget deficit, proposed a raft of new taxes on foreign institutions doing business in India. A quiet crisis of confidence is building up, said Pratap Bhanu Mehta, president of the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi. There is no certainty over the regulatory regime. There is no certainty over the tax regime. Indians have long thrived amid adversity, often by creatively at times, illegally subverting onerous regulations with a workaround ethos that has spurred economic activity. Even today, industries like pharmaceuticals, information technology and consumer goods, which do not need many licenses and official approvals, are prospering. But those sectors tied to the government, including mining, construction and manufacturing, are struggling. We have consciously kept away from businesses where we would have needed lots of permissions, said Ajay Piramal, who heads a Mumbai-based conglomerate focused on pharmaceuticals. At the core of the political uncertainties is the weakened status of the Indian National Congress Party, which leads the coalition government, known as the United Progressive Alliance. Since 2004, the government has operated under an unorthodox partnership between Sonia Gandhi, president of the Congress Party and the governing coalition, and Manmohan Singh, her handpicked prime minister. The division of duties worked during the governments first term. Mrs. Gandhi managed the coalition partners, rode herd on the Congress Party, championed safety net programs for the poor and oversaw election strategy; Mr. Singh, a quiet economist considered a father of Indias reform era, moved India closer to the United States and oversaw a booming economy where growth topped 9 percent. In 2009, voters returned the U.P.A. to power amid expectations that India, having shrugged off the 2008 global recession, was on an inevitably upward growth track. But analysts say the contradictions in the Singh-Gandhi partnership have since been exposed. Mr. Singh holds the most politically powerful job in the country, yet is seemingly reluctant to wield power and often must seek approval on policy questions from Mrs. Gandhi. She oversees an advisory panel largely consisting of social activists that her critics regard as a shadow government. The result has been a lack of a clear political agenda emanating from the top, analysts and business leaders say, allowing the bureaucracy to fall back into its traditional resistance to making decisions. When officials do act, they often change course after encountering political opposition. The last year was wasted, said Sanjaya Baru, a former spokesman for the prime minister who is now at a research institute. Weve had a crisis of leadership on the economic side. Moreover, the government has been on the defensive since a series of corruption scandals, dormant for several years, exploded into public view. Attempts by technocrats to push through a so-called second generation of deeper economic changes were undermined by the inability of the Congress Party to corral its coalition partners. In December, Mr. Singhs cabinet announced that foreign retailers like Walmart would be allowed for the first time to open stores in the country with local partners. But Mr. Singh was forced to reverse course after an ally, Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of the state of West Bengal, balked and threatened to bring down the government. Then in March, facing pressures to raise revenues and stem the rising fiscal deficit, Pranab Mukherjee, the finance minister, released a budget that proposed new taxes on foreign entities in India, including levies on past deals that the Indian Supreme Court had ruled were not taxable in the country. Foreign investors were stunned, and analysts say the outflow of capital is one reason the rupee has tumbled 13 percent since the end of February. Kaushik Basu, the governments chief economic adviser, acknowledged that the government had made mistakes and had missed opportunities to better position India as the global economic landscape shifts. Yet he said that the rising pessimism was unwarranted and that India was still growing, still had high investment and savings rates, and should take advantage of the depreciation of the rupee to push exports. He said Indias problems were no worse than those in other emerging economies. In the meantime, the immediate challenges are piling up. This month, in a move to raise revenues, the government raised gasoline prices, drawing public fury. Now the question, analysts say, is whether the administration can muster the political courage to trim the bigger subsidies affecting diesel fuel and cooking gas. Mr. Singh warned last week that the government would have to make some unpopular decisions. Many experts, however, say they expect more stalemate. (Courtesy: Jim Yardley and Vikas Bajaj, The New York Times)

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India TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

India, Myanmar on new journey of cooperation: PM

Nay Pyi Taw: India and Myanmar have "embarked on a new journey of bilateral cooperation", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said during his talks with President Thein Sein. Manmohan Singh told Thein Sein at the 100-room presidential palace here that India was committed to strengthening its "economic and development partnership with Myanmar". According to spokesperson of the external affairs ministry Syed Akbaruddin, the prime minister also said: "We wish you all success in your nation building efforts and changes you are bringing about." In a series of messages put out on the microblogging site Twitter, the prime minister was quoted as saying that "capacity building" was a "major priority" of the development assistance program. tal, is the first Indian prime minister to visit the resource-rich country in 25 years. Manmohan Singh's is a signal to India Inc to do business with and in Myanmar, a country rich in natural resources and home to54 million people. India-Myanmar trade is currently pegged at just $1.2 billion. New Delhi is looking at doubling it by 2015. The late Rajiv Gandhi was the last Indian prime minister to visit Myanmar in 1987.

India, Myanmar ink a dozen agreements

ndia and Myanmar Monday signed 12 agreements, including on a $500 million credit line, border area development and air services. The agreements were signed after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held wide-ranging talks with President Thein Sein at Myanmar's new capital. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on a $500 million credit line between

Manmohan Singh is the first Indian prime minister to visit the resource-rich Myanmar in 25 years. Manmohan Singh told Thein Sein, who is powering dramatic reforms in the country, that India intended to double training slots for Myanmar. Manmohan Singh, who was accorded an impressive guard of honor in this new Myanmar capi-

Export-Import Bank of India and the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank. Both countries also signed pacts on India-Myanmar border area development and an air services agreement. There were MoUs for setting up the Myanmar Institute of Information Technology and the Advance Centre for Agriculture Research and Education, Yezin Agriculture University.

Driving down to Myanmar just got easier

Yangon: Indians may soon be able drive down to Myanmar and do business with a country that is perfectly situated to play the role of an economic bridge between India and China and between South and South-East Asia. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went on a threeday official visit to resource-rich Myanmar - a prime ministerial trip from India to the hitherto isolated nation after 25 years - a trip that saw the inking of a dozen agreements that would improve connectivity, expand trade and forge intellectual links through their think-tanks. Connectivity between the neighbors - who share over a 1600 km land border - was topmost on the agenda and the two countries decided to cooperate in a number of road building projects and the prime minister hoped in Yangon that "the very symbolic Trilateral Highway that will connect India, Myanmar and Thailand can be fully built by 2016". Once the highway is complete, it would be possible to drive down from India via Myanmar to Thailand and beyond. The two countries also agreed to launch a bus service from Imphal, the Manipur capital, to Myanmar's commercial hub of Mandalay. Not just overland, the visit saw improvement in air travel too. The new air service agreement would enhance direct air connectivity and the two countries would also explore rail and shipping links. India is also implementing the Kaladan multi-modal transport project that involves upgrading the Sittwe port in Myanmar and for trade, investment and communication in the region and the trip would help Indian businesses find a market in a country with a population of over 54 million. The two countries also agreed on fighting terrorism and insurgent activity, a reference to the festering issue of Indian rebels from the northeast operating from inside Myanmar's border jungles. Thein Sein declared that his country will not allow its soil to be used for anti-India activities. India announced it would undertake the task of repair/upgradation of 71 bridges on the TamuKalewa friendship Road. Investments by Indian companies in areas like ports, highways, oil and gas, plantation, manufacturing, hospitality and ICT would be encouraged following the visit. Also, the Reserve Bank of India would sign an MoU with the Central Bank of Myanmar on currency arrangements. India-Myanmar trade is currently pegged at $1.2 billion. New Delhi is looking at doubling it by 2015.

People disappointed with BJP: Advani

Former BJP president L.K. Advani

India-Myanmar trade is currently pegged at $1.2 billion. New Delhi is looking at doubling it by 2015. constructing a highway to connect the town of Paletwa in Chin state to the Indian border in Mizoram state. This project will help revitalize the local economies of these backward areas and link them with important commercial and shipping arteries. India hopes to complete it by 2015. The need for building academic linkages was underscored in two pacts signed after wide-ranging talks Monday between Myanmar President Thein Sein and Manmohan Singh in Myanmar's new capital Nay Pyi Taw. A memorandum of understanding on cooperation has been inked between the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and another MoU to establish linkages between the MISIS and the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses was signed. India is keen to create a regional economy that can become a hub

New Delhi: Former BJP president L.K. Advani said while people were angry with the UPA government, they were upset with the Bharatiya Janata Party too. Asking the BJP to introspect, Advani posted on his blog: "I had said at the Core Group meeting that if people are today angry with the UPA government, they are also disappointed with us. The situation, I said, calls for introspection." Advani noted that the mood within the party these days was not upbeat. He said the fact that BJP governed many states and the "excellent" leadership provided in parliament by Susham Swaraj and Arun Jaitley

"is no compensation for the lapses committed". Advani said that when journalists attack the UPA for a string of scams, they also regret that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is not rising to the occasion. "I, as a former pressman, feel they are reflecting public opinion correctly," he said. "The results in Uttar Pradesh, the manner in which the party welcomed BSP ministers who were removed by Mayawatiji on charges of corruption, the party's handling of Jharkhand and Karnataka - all these events have undermined the party's campaign against corruption," he added.

India seeks more talks with US on Afghan withdrawal

Washington: Voicing New Delhi's concern that extremist elements would gain ground once Western forces pull out of Afghanistan, Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao has called for greater coordination with the United States. "Both our countries understand the imperative of ensuring success in Afghanistan, and defeating the evil designs of forces of instability," Rao said at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank. In the last year, the two nations have had close consultations on building "a stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan," Rao said. "These consultations must be strengthened." Speaking ahead of India-US strategic dialogue here on June 13, she said: "We understand that after 10 long years of war there is a manifest and genuine desire to seek an end to conflict. "But equally, we must ensure that the enormous sacrifices and efforts of the past decade have not been in vain," Rao said.

India TheSouthAsianTimes.info

13

June 2-8, 2012

Will quit if Team Anna allegations proved: Manmohan

New Delhi/Yangon: A combative Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has threatened to "give up" his public career if there was any truth in the allegations hurled against him by Team Anna. "I will give up my public career" if there is any truth in the allegations, Manmohan Singh said while speaking to reporters on board Air India One on his return home from a threeday visit to Myanmar. Team Anna had charged the prime minister and 14 cabinet ministers of "massive" corruption and sought an independent probe into the charges. Team Anna questioned the role of Manmohan Singh in the coal scam which recently came to light. The prime minister was in charge of the coal portfolio from November 2006 to May 2009. Manmohan Singh said that the allegations should be verified. "Aur agar usmen jara bhi sach nikalta hai to

Another shock, growth slumps to 6.5 pc in 2011-12

New Delhi: India's economic growth slumped to three-year low of 6.5 percent in 2011-12, as compared to 8.4 percent in the previous year, due to poor performance of the manufacturing and farm sectors, official data showed. In the fourth quarter of the financial year ended March 31, 2012, the growth in gross domestic product (GDP) slumped to 5.3 percent as compared to 7.8 percent growth registered during corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. The GDP at factor cost at constant (200405) prices in the year 2011-12 is now estimated at Rs.52,02,514 crore as against Rs.52,22,027 crore estimated earlier on February 7, 2012, showing a growth rate of 6.5 per cent, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said. In the quick estimate of GDP released in February, the CSO had projected 6.9 percent growth for 2011-12. "The downward revision in the GDP growth rate is mainly on account of lower performance in 'manufacturing' and 'trade, hotels, transport and communication' than anticipated," the CSO said.

Team Anna had charged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 14 cabinet ministers of "massive" corruption and sought an independent probe into the charges. main - I will give up my harsh words)". public career and country A visibly anguished prime can give me any punish- minister lamented about ment," he asserted. "words which are being used Speaking alternately in without reason or rhyme", English and Hindi, adding: "I think the public in Manmohan said: "Bharat ki India should make up its janta is baat ka faisla kare ki mind whether this sort of kya kasoor kiya hai pradhan politics should rule the roost mantri ne jo ki itne kathin in the country." aur kathor shabd unke liye Manmohan Singh also istemal kiye ja rahe hain said that there have been (The people of India must reports based on leaked pordecide whether the prime tions of a draft CAG documinister has committed any ment about the allocation of crime deserving such coal blocks.

Prabha Khaitan Foundation official presented 'Prabha Khaitan Puraskar 2012' to actor Vidya Balan in Kolkata on May 29. The award was given in recognition of her contribution to both commercial as well as parallel cinema, especially for her endorsement to films that seeks to explore her role in traditional Indian society. Gracing the occasion, Governor M.K. Narayanan said Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, the organizer of the award ceremony along with Calcutta Chamber of Commerce Foundation, could not have made a better choice than to bestow the award on Vidya Balan. "It's really exciting that women are making slow but steady advancement in different fields of life and we get to feature," Balan said.

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14

India TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Assets case: ex-Andhra Gen Bikram Singh is Indian Army chief Bikram CM's son sent to jail New Delhi: Gen has takenSingh, an infantry officer, over as
Hyderabad: Member of Parliament Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy landed in Chanchalguda Central Jail after a special court remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days for illegally amassing assets, dealing a big blow to YSR Congress Party ahead of next month's by-elections. Amid unprecedented security, police brought Jagan, as he is popularly known, from Nampally Court Complex to the jail located in the old city of Hyderabad. The CBI court sent the YSR Congress Party leader to judicial custody till June 11 while dismissing his bail petition. The court also dismissed CBI's petition seeking 14-day judicial custody of the accused. It granted special category status to Jagan, one of the richest MPs in the country with declared assets of Rs.356 crore last year. The son of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is accused of corruption, cheating, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts. The CBI charges Jagan with the 27th Indian Army chief from Gen V.K. Singh, who retired from service after a controversial 26 month tenure. Bikram Singh, only the second Sikh to be elevated to the coveted top job, had to surmount many a hurdle, including a legal battle to deny him the opportunity to helm the world's second largest army. He was till now the Kolkata-based Eastern Army Commander and will serve a 27 month tenure as army chief. Commissioned in 1972 in the Sikh Light Infantry, Bikram Singh, 59, marks a generation shift in the army, being the first chief who has not seen action in a conventional war. The last conventional war India fought was in 1971 against Pakistan to liberate Bangladesh. Earlier, perhaps the most controversial tenure of any Indian Army chief ended when Gen V.K. Singh hung up his boots after over 41 years of service. Much of his 26 months at the helm of a 1.13 million strong army were spent in publicly battling the civilian establishment and his own military rivals. But the end of his term marks the beginning of a long path towards

The son of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is accused of several charges. having amassed huge wealth after his father became chief minister in 2004. YSR, as he was popularly known, died in a helicopter crash in 2009. Jagan's mother Vijayamma, who sat on indefinite fast in the morning at their residence to protest the arrest, broke down after hearing news of being sent to jail. She called off her fast and announced that she would campaign for the party in June 12 by-elections to one Lok Sabha and 18 assembly seats.

Gen Bikram Singh takes over as the 27th Indian Army chief from Gen V.K. Singh,

recovery from the mess that the institution called the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense (Army) finds itself in. What began as a promising tenure on April Fools' Day in 2010 with V.K. Singh making the right noises about "improving the internal health" of the army has now turned into unpleasant chapter that may be difficult to forget given the nature of the controversies -- from a seemingly innocuous age row to the critical issue of defense preparedness. "Let him retire peacefully," is what Defence Minister A.K. Antony is believed to have told some

defense ministry officials, upset over the latest controversy following V.K. Singh's television interviews on his last weekend in office. V.K. Singh, otherwise a very popular man in the forces who commend him for his uprightness, had blamed some sections of the defense ministry for planting stories in the media to fix him. The wait for his retirement is expected to be over on May 31 forenoon, when V.K. Singh hands over the reins of the world's second largest standing army after China to Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh, named successor in March this year.

IPL5: India Celebrates Thesouthasiantimes.info

15 June 2-8, 2012

IPL-5: Frenzied Kolkata fans fete KKR, SRK

Kolkata: An estimated 150,000 fans lustily cheered on the roads and at the historic Eden Gardens as the city virtually came to a standstill to watch Indian Premier League Champions Kolkata Knight Riders' victory parade culminating in a gala felicitation. While Knight Riders' skipper Gautam Gambhir and his boys received much adulation from the fans who lined the streets of south and central Kolkata during the six-km roadshow spanning over an hour, team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stole the show at the jampacked Eden Gardens where the team was accorded a civic reception by the state government and the local municipal corporation. Around 70,000 gathered at the stadium while 20,000-30,000 stood outside for a glimpse of Shah Rukh and the players, braving the scorching sun and the energy-sapping humidity. At least 50,000 watched the roadshow that began at 11 a.m. from the Hazra crossing. Though disappointed at the absence of the Bollywood Badshah in the victory parade, there was nevertheless no dearth of passion and enthusiasm. People perched themselves on walls and atop Metro stations, climbed of roofs of houses and positioned themselves on boulevards for a glimpse of the players, who were on a flowerbedecked open-top trailer on which was written in blue and white - "Korechi, Lorechi, Jitechi Re" (We have done it, we have fought it, we have won it)". The crowd, comprising largely young boys and girls and a sprinkling of old men and women, frantically clicked photos on mobiles, hurled bouquets and tried to touch the players, throwing the large posse of security personnel into a tizzy. Such was the frenzy that the police forced cancellation of a planned felicitation at Jodu Babu's Bazar in South Kolkata's Bhowanipore. Clearly enjoying every moment, the likes of Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary, Manvinder Bisla and Bangladesh's Shakib al Hassan - the only foreigner, as the others from abroad have already returned home - blew kisses and waved at the people, who roared "KKR", "KKR". Once the parade ended, the team reached the state's seat of power Writers' Buildings, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - donning a cotton sari with purple border, which gelled with the Knight Riders' jersey colours came out to welcome the players with scarves and bouquets. Gambhir handed over the IPL trophy to the chief minister. It was then that Shah Rukh appeared, hugging Banerjee and announcing: "We have been waiting for this day so long. Thank you Didi. Thank You Kolkata. Thank you West Bengal on behalf of every member of the team. Only Kolkata will rule." Banerjee, on her part, said: "Bengal is proud. The victory of the Knight Riders is like a victory of the world," as a banner close by read 'Knights Become Kings, Bengal Celebrates'. Banerjee then boarded the team bus and travelled with the players, Shah Rukh and co-owner Juhi Chawla to the stadium. At the Eden, the city seemed to have bonded with Shah Rukh as the crowd shouted: "Khan Dada we love you." Solo singers and musical bands - Dohar, Chandrabindu and Bhoomi - performed, but the crowd went into frenzy the moment Shah Rukh - a seasoned showman - broke into an impromptu jig. He danced in Bengali traditional style, then broke into bhangra and finally did some Goanese dance steps alongside renowned Bengali film stars such as Jeet, Dev and Soham. He also pulled in Chawla and both gyrated to the tunes of the bands as the chock-a-block stadium roared in appreciation. The celebrations began with the national anthem, after which state governor M.K. Narayanan presented the players, the support staff and the owners with scarves while Banerjee handed them a gold chain each. Cricket Association of Bengal president Jagmohan Dalmiya also gave a godl chain and a locket to each member of the team. A large size sandesh cake which had 'Korechi, Lorechi and Jitechi Re encrypted on it was cut by Shah Rukh and Gambhir and presented to the team. The cricket crazy fans shouted 'Khan Dada' as Shah Rukh along with his team took a victory lap around the park. The Bollywood heartthrob threw flying kisses towards the stands and even climbed a makeshift scoreboard structure and waved to the crowd. The newly found 'Dada' of Bengal bonded well with Banerjee -commonly known as Didi - as he embraced Banerjee and kissed on her forehead. Shah Rukh even asked Banerjee to shake a leg with him, which she politely refused but promised to sing for him and his team next time. "Thank you Kolkata for the love and support we have received from all of you in last four seasons. We all love you," he said.

From left, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, actor-KKR coowners Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla with the trophy

SRK celebrating after his team KKR won the IPL5

KKR team with the trophy

Fans compete to get a glimpse of IPL5 winning KKR team in Kolkata

16

Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Ultimate Bollywood

17

June 2-8, 2012

June 2-8, 2012

'Wasseypur' premiere gets full house at Cannes

he world premiere of Anurag Kashyap's "Gangs Of Wasseypur" saw a packed audience at the 65th Cannes International Film Festival held recently. Eager crowds lined the streets outside the JW Marriot hotel here for the show, while Bollywood celebrities Kalki Koechlin, Huma Quereshi, Richa Chadda and Reema Sen walked across the red carpet. Also attended by Kashyap, male actors Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and female music director Sneha Khanwalkar, the premiere saw a full house in an 800-seating-capacity hall.Both parts of "Gangs Of Wasseypur", a gritty take on the coal mafia, were screened at the festival's Directors' Fortnight, a non-competitive section, Tuesday. The film, to hit screens on June 22, is presented by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and produced by Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt Ltd.

Deepika dons racy swimsuit for Vogue cover

Akshay gets rowdy with 'Rowdy Rathore'

Review
fter tickling audiences' funny bones for almost seven years, Bollywood's original Khiladi Akshay Kumar returns to what he is best at - action. He will be seen packing some hardcore kicks and punches in Prabhu Deva directed "Rowdy Rathore" when it releases on June 1. Made with a budget of approximately Rs.40 crore, the film is a remake of Telugu film "Vikramarkudu". It is co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ronnie Screwvala. The film will be released in 2,300 screens in India and around 400 screens overseas. The film revolves around Shiva (Akshay), who is a small-time conman. He is head-over-heels in love with Priya (Sonakshi Sinha), a pretty girl whom he met at a wedding he wasn't invited to. The picture perfect world of Shiva turns upside down with the entry of six-year-old girl Neha, who believes he is her father. Shiva also becomes the victim of a series of life threatening attacks by a gang of deadly criminals, who seem to know something he doesn't. In the quest to save his life and love, Shiva stumbles upon a deadly secret, some-

Actors Huma Qureshi, Reema Sen and Richa Chadda at the screening of 'Gangs of Wasseypur' in Cannes.

er red bikini act in the promo of "Cocktail" is already the talk of B-town. And now actress Deepika Padukone has flaunted her washboard abs and perfect figure in a chic swimsuit for the cover of fashion magazine 'Vogue'. She raises the heat with the black, orange and pink swimsuit which gives a sneak peek of her fit frame through skinrevealing, geometric cuts. In the June issue of the magazine, the 26-year-old has shared her secrets on how to get Bollywood's best body. For the spicy cover, she has donned minimal makeActor Deepika Padukone on the up and accessories, and cover of Vogue makes a strong statement of being at comfort with her body, through her pose. Deepika, last seen in "Desi Boyz", will next be seen in "Cocktail" with her "Love Aaj Kal" costar Saif Ali Khan.

For raw action, watch 'Rowdy Rathore: Akshay

A
Akshay Kumar with Sonakshi Sinha in 'Rowdy Rathore' thing which takes him to a small town in Bihar. That town is ruled by a ruthless MLA and the mafia he controls. The inhabitants of the small town find a savior in Shiva. Akshay is said to have learned combat karate for his role in the film. He is seen sporting a rugged look in the film. The movie bosses had launched an online hunt for Akshay's look for "Rowdy Rathore". The cast and crew of the film had a tough time shooting in Karnataka's temple town of Hampi. The shoot was disrupted after activists alleged that the makers didn't use the minimum number of local dancers that they had promised. Sonakshi's red sari act in the song "Chhammak challo chail chabeeli" has compelled people to draw comparisons with Kareena Kapoor's "Chhammak chhallo" in "RA.One". However, the actress brushes it off as mere co-incidence and insists the two songs should not be compared. Filmmakers have been coming up with innovative ways of promoting a film or launching the music and

ctor Akshay Kumar is gearing up for the release of his new film "Rowdy Rathore" and says that the action sequences are very raw, something which he hasn't done for a long time. "(Director) Prabhu Deva has his own way of choreographing action sequences. His action sequences have a rhythm. It is a very raw kind of action, which I haven't done since ages," Akshay told reporters. The promos show Akshay sporting a rugged look. His wardrobe is also colorful and bright - he is seen in check shirts worn over t-shirt. For the rowdy look, he even wears

a moustache. Asked about the inspiration behind the look, he said: "There is no inspiration as such, there is a rowdiness in everyone. I have just been what I am in real life." Of late filmmakers have been working on sequels, some plan it even before the release of the original without waiting for its fate at the box office. So, when asked Akshay if a sequel of "Rowdy Rathore" is on cards, he said: "I am not the producer of the film but if the producer plans to make it and we get the right script, we would love to make it." Two of the film's songs have a slew of Southern and Hindi film actors making a special appearance. While "Chinta ta chita" has Tamil star Vijay, Kareena Kapoor, Rajesh Hamal and Prabhu Deva himself, "Aa re pritam pyaare" has Maryam Zakaria, Shakti Mohan, Mumaith Khan and Amit Kumar.

'Awaara' added to Time's 100 greatest films

Arjun meets Pattinson, Stewart in Cannes

ollywood's 'RA.One' Arjun Rampal and his wife Mehr, who are here to walk the 65th Cannes International Film Festival red carpet, caught up with Hollywood lovebirds Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. "In beautiful Cannes, met Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Mehr bullied me into getting their autographs for my daughters. Lol," tweeted Arjun. The supermodel-turned-actor is here for his maiden appearance at the prestigious fest as the brand ambassador for Chivas, official partner of the event. His special outfit for his red carpet walk is designed by his good friend, well-known designer Rohit Bal. Bal

"Rowdy Rathore" too tried a new trick. The film's music was launched in a chawl in Mumbai. This will be Sonakshi's second release after blockbuster "Dabangg". After this, Akshay and Sonakshi will appear together in "Joker" and strike a hattrick with "Once Upon A Time Again".

I loved suit Gangwani made for me: Jay Leno

A.K. Hangal back in action at 97!

nce an actor always an actor. Quite true for 97year-old A.K. Hangal, who wears grease paint despite the ripe age in a role in the television show "Madhubala". He is excited and says work knows no age limit. "I believe there is no age limit to work. But these days I'm not keeping well," Hangal said. Talking about the show, he said: "I am feeling great about it. For past few years I have not worked, but I have done a small role in the serial." He has been active in filmdom since 1967 and played on-screen father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle to many top notch Bollywood actors, but two years ago Hangal - the famous 'Rahim Chacha' of 'Sholay' - was struggling for his life as his source of income had dried up and there was hardly any money for food or medicine.

I don't compare myself with Freida: Tena Desae

Actos Arjun Rampal with wife Mehr at Cannes said he has given Arjun an Indian, predominantly princely look.

Raj Kapoor in a scene from 'Awaara'

ime magazine has included Raj Kapoor's 1951classic "Awaara" among 20 new entries added to its All-Time 100 list of the greatest films made since 1923, the beginning of the prestigious US periodical. Rethinking the movie masterpieces, Time critic Richard Corliss describes Raj Kapoor as "the great star-auteur of India's post-colonial golden age of movies - Cary Grant and Cecil B. DeMille in one handsome package." "The '50s films he headlined and directed became huge hits not just in his newly freed homeland but also across the Arab crescent from Indonesia to North Africa," Time noted. Kapoor, who modeled his screen persona on Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp, was 26 when he filmed "Awaara" (The Tramp). Time calls "Awaara" as "a glisten-

ing showcase for Kapoor and the great India siren Nargis (his lover onscreen and off)." "And of course it's a musical, whose main song, 'Awaara Hoon,' by the famed Shanker-Jaikishan duo, soared to the top of the pop charts in India, the USSR and China." The original All-Time 100 list published in 2005 included Satyajit Ray's "The Apu Trilogy", Mani Ratnam's "Nayakan" and Guru Dutt's "Pyaasa". Bollywood composer A.R. Rahman's score for Mani Ratnam's "Roja" (The Rose), the tale of a woman whose lover is kidnapped by terrorists, was also among 10 Best Soundtracks. Last week, Time magazine ranked Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2002 film "Devdas" eighth among the ten greatest movies of the millennium (thus far).

American Comedian Jay Leno in a suit designed by Manav Gangwani anav Gangwani is the latest Indian designer to add an international celebrity in his client list - he has designed an outfit for American comedian and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno who is all praise for the Indian wardrobe. "I love the suit and so does my wife. I am grateful to Manav Gangwani for making me the outfit," said Leno. Leno wore a classic ivory sherwani in a film, which he has made to show his love for India. In the movie, he talks about his love for Indian culture and tradition - from food, music, Bollywood to cars especially Tata Nano. He even had a troupe of dancers dressed in Indian attire dancing to a Bollywood num-

BOLLYWOOD AT CANNES: Actors Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor walk the red carpet at the 65th Cannes International Film Festival.

ber in it. "It's an absolute pleasure to be dressing Jay Leno for his India special episode! He has the most remarkable personality and I have particularly chosen outfits and colours that I think will compliment him," Gangwani said in a statement. It took Gangwani and his team 24 hours to make the outfits at his Delhi boutique. The sherwani was selected from a number of designs submitted to Leno. "Each of the garments are a true reflection of the Indian aesthetic and yet suited to modern day fashion. A perfect fusion of the East and West! It's a wonderful opportunity and I am truly delighted," said Gangwani. The film can be seen on www.JayLenosGarage.com.

Tena Desae and Freida Pinto

The famous 'Rahim Chacha' of legendary film 'Sholay' will act in a TV show Madhubala

odel-turned-actress Tena Desae, who featured in British comedy-drama "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", shared screen space with Dev Patel in the film but says it is not justified to compare her to Freida Pinto as their working styles are different. "I don't compare myself with Freida Pinto. She has come a long way. She does only films in the West. I am open to do both - Indian films and films from the West," Tena said. The common link between Tena and Freida is that the latter also made her international debut with British movie "Slumdog Millioniare" and her co-star was Dev Patel. Directed by John Madden, known for directing Oscar winning movie

"Shakespeare In Love", "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" also starred Judi Dench and Bill Nighy. It released her May 13 and earned rave reviews. "After doing this film, I have realized that there is no language for cinema. Don't be surprised if you all see me in different kinds of cinema," said Tena. However, getting the film was not a cake walk for the Bangalore girl. "Before I got the role, I had to give three long auditions. First, in front of the casting director, then with John Madden and then with the film's producer and Madden again. But, it went off smoothly. John's a great guy," she said. Tena debuted in Hindi films with "Yeh Faasle", which also starred Anupam Kher, in 2011.

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Travel TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Kashmir tourism never had it this big

By Sheikh Qayoom t's another summer of peace for Jammu and Kashmir and tourists are flocking like never before to this picturesque land of meadows, streams and hills that was deserted just two years ago as tension reigned and bullets flew. Seeking to escape the searing heat of the plains for the serenity of the famed Kashmir valley, visitors in their thousands are pouring in each day - galvanizing the tourism industry and bringing smiles to the faces of thousands of craftspersons, hotel owners, restaurateurs, shikara 'wallahs' and the like. In this summer capital, there are simply no rooms to be had. All houseboats on the Dal and Nigeen lakes, hotels and guesthouses are booked to capacity. "There is simply no place anywhere in the Boulevard Road area, which is the famous haunt of the tourists coming to Kashmir each year. Many locals are now converting their residential homes into paying guest facilities," said Gowhar Maqbool, a hotel owner. Long queues of tourists are seen outside Srinagar's many Mughal

gardens with people waiting for entry tickets to enter the Nishat, Shalimar and Chashma Shahi gardens. Shikarawallahs, who are so much part of the Srinagar charm with their wooden boats, on the Dal and Nigeen lakes are doing roaring business. "I have never been this busy all my life. Perhaps God finally decided to be kind to our families," said Abdul Salam, 54, a Shikarawallah in Nigeen Lake. All taxi stands in Srinagar city are deserted during the day as almost every available vehicle is ferrying tourists to Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam and other tourist resorts. No wonder that Gulmarg, also a key skiing destination in the winters and renowned for its rolling lush green meadows, has played host to more than 500,000 tourists this year. The numbers will go up in the coming months, said officials. "Between Jan 1 and May 27 this year, 500,000 tourists have visited Gulmarg. This is an all-time record. Less than half this number had visited Gulmarg during this period last year," Mehmood Ahmad Shah,

chief executive officer (CEO) of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), said. To cope with the unprecedented tourist arrivals -- about 8,000 a day -- authorities have even opened about 60 km from Srinagar an alternative to the town. "We opened up the Batapathri area, 10 km ahead of Gulmarg, for tourists," a pleased Shah added. "Although there are no rooms available for tourists in Batapathri, it is a great camping site," he said, adding that all rooms have been sold out till the end of June. Ironically, authorities in the state, which had for years been cut off because of militancy and violence, are already looking at a tomorrow where tourists would have to be restricted. "I am afraid during the coming years we would have to regulate tourist flow into Gulmarg as the delicate ecology of the meadow cannot take such huge tourist inflow," Shah said. Sonamarg is also enjoying the tourist bounty. Mir Afag Ahmad, a police officer, said: "Many tourists coming to Sonamarg these days spend nights

Tourists crowd around the banks of Srinagar's Dal Lake. inside their vehicles. There is no hotel accommodation here these days." It's a far cry from the earlier summers of unrest. Last year was the first summer of peace in years for Jammu and Kashmir. But the three seasons before that saw bloodshed and violent street protests -- in 2008 because of the Amarnath Shrine land row agitation; in 2009 following the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian; in 2010, 210 youths were killed in clashes with security forces following the death of a schoolboy in old Srinagar. With the guns having been silenced, the number of tourists is also going up -- from 446,000 in 2008 to one million in 2011. The figures do not include pilgrims to the Amarnath shrine. The numbers this year could be even more. "Wonder what kept us away from such a dream destination so far," said Anil Kumar, 34, from Delhi who is staying in a houseboat here.

Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's expansive, surreal capital

green ones are for the agriculture and irrigation ministry officials and blue buildings are for those working in the health ministry. The roads are wide and traffic is sparse - something that motorists from Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore can only dream of. Imagine zipping down the road without getting caught in nightmarish traffic snarls: it may The parliament building at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar By Rahul Dass onstructed less than seven years ago in literally the middle of nowhere, Myanmar's new capital -where Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived Sunday on a threeday visit - boasts of extra-wide roads for the sparse traffic, a scattering of shiny new government buildings and round-the-clock electricity in a country that is powerstarved. The literal translation of Nay Pyi Taw is "abode of the kings", a city certainly fit for the powerful military rulers who have ruled the Southeast Asian country for over 50 years of its 64 years as an independent nation. Myanmar became independent from British rule in 1948. The construction work on the new city, in Mandalay province, began in 2002 and the marching orders came to the civil servants in November 2005 to leave Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and move to the city that was located over 300 km away. According to one account, the capital covers a sprawling 4,800 sq km and it is spread out, making walking about a problem due to the distances involved. Another account says the capital is spread over 7,054 square km and has a population of 925,000. At the heart of this gigantic city lies the massive government complex that houses the legislature and the 100-room presidential palace where Thein Sein, a former general who leads a reform-oriented regime, now lives. The city's planners believed in keeping things simple - so you have colour-coded apartment blocks that are based on residents' occupation: not be possible in India but is possible in the Myanmarese capital where one expressway is a staggering 20-lanes wide. The new capital came up in a sparsely populated area near a place said to be of historic significance as hundreds of years ago it was the capital of the then ruling dynasty. Located nearly in the centre of the country, it is close to the Bago Yoma mountain range and to the Shan state plateau in the east. The new, immaculately planned city was carved out from the scrubland and is still taking shape. Manmohan Singh's visit to its eastern neighbor, with which it shares an over 1,600 km border, comes 25 years after the last Indian prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, came here in 1987.

Yangon's gilded pride - the bejewelled Shwedagon Pagoda

another 13,153 gold bars in he gold-plated Shwedagon Pagoda, the upper part. Besides, there are 2,317 which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited rubies, sapphires and other gems and 1,065 gold bells, Tuesday, is a sight to behold the website said. as over 4,500 diamonds dazzle in the sun. And at its According to another account, the pagoda is gilded very tip is a massive 72 carat diamond. using some 28,000 packets of gold leaf - the upper section The pagoda, which has is sheathed by 13,153 pure Buddha's relics, towers at over 100 metres, dominatgold plates. Legend has it that the ing the city skyline. The majestic structure is Shwedagon Pagoda is 2,500 years old. covered with hundreds of The 321.5 feet Shwedagon gold plates. The top of the The Shwedagon Pagoda pagoda shelters Buddha's stupa is encrusted with 4,531 diamonds, the largest of which is a 72 carat dia- hair, given by Buddha himself to two merchant mond, said shwedagonpagoda.com brothers from Asitanjana, as Myanmar was called The secret of the pagoda's golden glow are in the ancient period, in return for honey cake 8,688 gold bars in the lower part of the stupa and they offered him.

Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info

19 June 2-8, 2012

By Aamir Khan

Public healthcare: a worthy dream

am a bit of a dreamer. And thats one of the reasons I am able to do this show. I dream that one day we will be living in a country where things will be different. I dream that one day, in our country, the rich and the poor will both get the same good quality health care. To many it may seem like a totally impractical, and an unachievable dream but its a dream worth dreaming and one that has every reason to come true. Irrespective of whether you are rich or poor, when you lose a loved one, the pain is the same. To watch my child suffer and die while I am unable to do anything because of an incurable disease is truly sad. But, if there is treatment available which can save my child, but I am unable to save my child because I cant afford it, and can only helplessly sit by and watch my child die that is unimaginably tragic. What is stopping us from having a great public health care system? A number of us pay our taxes. Some of us dont. And most of us dont earn enough to be required to pay direct taxes. Then, there are indirect taxes. A host of indirect taxes are also collected by the State. Each time we buy something salt, sugar, tea, anything we pay some tax or the other. So, it turns out, that the poor are after all paying for public healthcare too. Only they dont get proper healthcare services in return. Less than 2% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 1.4% to be precise is allotted to public healthcare. Why?

How can our poor, or for that matter even our middle class, afford medication? Generic medicines is the answer. What is the point of having a great GDP if as a society we are not healthy? Economic strength will come only if we are healthy, and it will be of some use only if we are healthy enough to enjoy it. With a vibrant young population, more public medical colleges is the need of the hour. But it seems the government at the Center, and all the state governments, are concentrating less on opening government medical colleges. Therefore, the great need of young students wanting to become doctors is getting filled by you guessed right private medical colleges, many of who I am told charge Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 lakh as unofficial donation. In most cases, private medical colleges are springing up as businesses. Many of them dont even have proper running hospitals attached to them, which is mandatory. I sometimes wonder about the competence of the doctors coming out of many of these private medical colleges. We need to insist to our state governments, and the central government, that we want more public hospitals with attached public medical colleges. Private hospitals are most welcome, but lets concentrate on our public healthcare system and make it so strong that private hospitals have to work

harder to compete, and, therefore, we as a society get better healthcare services. When a student sits for his/her MBBS exams and is asked to name the drug that is to be prescribed for a patient suffering from diabetes, he might write glimeperide. This is the salt commonly used to treat diabetes. When that same student becomes a doctor and a patient suffering from diabetes comes to him for treatment, he might prescribe the medicine Amaryl. So is that young doctor giving the wrong medication? No. Amaryl happens to be one of the brand names by which the salt glimeperide is sold. So what is the difference between the two, apart from the names? Well, a strip of 10 tablets of Amaryl costs around Rs. 125, and a strip of 10 tablets of the salt glimeperide costs Rs. 2. Both are essentially the same thing. We pay approximately Rs. 123 more for the brand name. How can our poor, or for that matter even our middle class, afford medication? Generic medicines is the answer. One interesting piece of information: the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers offers Rs. 50,000 to anyone wanting to open a shop selling generic medicines, and at their discretion they also sometimes offer space to open such a shop. Looks like my dream of good quality public healthcare being available to rich and poor alike may be possible after all. PS: Can our doctors please write out the generic name of the medication when they write out our prescription, and allow us to choose the brand... or not. (The views expressed by the author are personal)

UPA-II turns 3: reforms or populism?

By Amulya Ganguli onsidering that the Manmohan Singh government's chief economic adviser Kaushik Basu had ruled out the possibility of major reforms before the next general election, the hike in petrol prices predictably pleased and angered the supporters and opponents of reforms. Was there a hint of the step in the prime minister's speech on the occasion of the ruling coalition's third anniversary when he said that "difficult decisions have to be taken" and that both the centre and the states have to be "fiscally responsible"? In view of the government's penchant for rolling back bold decisions, usually under pres-

The Congress-led government's fourth year is of crucial importance because the governance and ethical deficits have eroded the coalition's support base. sure from the Congress' own leftoriented ranks rather than from the grumpy allies and perpetually obstructive opposition, nothing

definite can be said at the moment. But two points can be made. One is that the present moment is the last occasion when the government can break out of its widely perceived "policy paralysis" and move ahead on the reforms front. The present moment is opportune because the next round of state assembly elections is still several months away. So, if a "shock" is to be administered to the votaries of endless subsidies, this is the best time. The other is that if the government loses its nerve - again - then it can say farewell to the possibility of success in 2014 and prepare to sit in the opposition, as Law Minister Salman Khurshid has hinted. From this standpoint, the

UPA's third anniversary can be regarded as some kind of a watershed when the alliance will have to choose between taking the road to success or to failure. The UPA's fourth year, therefore, is of crucial importance because while the activists have scattered, the electoral defeats have shown that the governance and ethical deficits have eroded the coalition's support base. Far from expanding, as between 2004 and 2009, it is now shrinking. While the supporters of reforms believe that market-driven policies will bring prosperity, the other group thinks that the state's paternalism through doles and subsidies will ensure an inclusive development.

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

20

Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Indian kills wife in Italy for being 'westernized'

Rome: A 37-year-old Indian migrant in Italy killed his pregnant wife because she loved wearing western clothes and he wanted to punish her for going against Indian traditions. The Indian -- whose name was given as Kulbir Singh -- told police in Piacenza city in northern Italy that he strangled to death his 27-year-old wife -- named as Kaur Balwinde -- before throwing her corpse in the Po river, the AKI news agency reported. Investigators said Kulbir, who worked for an agricultural company, killed his wife to punish her for dressing like a Westerner against Indian traditions. Balwinde's body was found floating Sunday in the Po river near Piacenza, a total of 153 days after she went missing. disappearance May 1. Her husband told the military police that he was sure she had left home because she wanted to leave him. Kulbir, however, has no criminal record. The AGI report said Balwinde lived for about 10 years with her husband in Baselico Duce village, on a farm where the man looked after the cattle. She was a housewife and occasionally did domestic jobs and was known and liked by other mothers with children attending the local kindergarten. The other women had organized a search party when she disappeared. Her husband too led a normal, quiet life and was seen taking their little boy to school. The woman's family has lived in Tuscany for around 20 years.

Kerala readies for next round of migration study

Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre for Development Studies here has started the ground work for the seventh round of the comprehensive study on international and internal emigration from the state, says the study head. S. Irudayarajan, chief of the migration unit of the autonomous research institute, said that the next round of the study would be based on the 2011 Census. "Our previous studies were based on the 2001 Census. This time we will collect new samples from 15,000 households based on the 2011 Census. The preliminary work has started and the migration survey will begin early next year. The results will be announced by September next year," Irudayarajan said. Kerala is the only state in the country which has conducted as many as seven rounds of migration studies. States like Goa, Gujarat and Punjab have so far managed to do just one round of such studies. The 2011 migration study of Kerala had estimated that around 2.28 million emigrants from the state were living abroad, up from 2.19 million in 2008, 1.84 million in 2003 and 1.36 million in 1998. The survey estimated the total remittances received by the state from its diaspora in 2011 to the tune of Rs.49,695 crore, compared to Rs.43,288 crore in 2008. According to the researcher, the new study will also analyze microlevel aspects such as the education profile of emigrants, student migration and gender-based migration, among others. "These three key indicators are indicative of emerging trends, as over the years the number of people emigrating from the state has been decreasing. With population growth also slowing down, in the coming years lesser number of people are likely to migrate for jobs abroad," Irudayarajan said. The researcher, who has assisted other states too in conducting such studies, stressed on the urgency to improve the quality of education of the emigrants, especially in the skilled category, to ensure sustained growth in remittances. "There is likely to be an increase in student emigration from Kerala. Thus, the study will come out with details of the exact cost of education in various countries," added Irudayarajan. The 2011 study had pointed out that the principal destination countries for Kerala emigrants have remained more or less unchanged over the last few years, with 90 percent preferring to emigrate to the Gulf countries. The new study is expected to cost Rs.5 million with the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department expected to chip in to fund the study.

Kulbir with wife Balwinde Kaur in happier times The mother of a five-year-old boy, Balwinde was three months pregnant, according to the PiacenzaSera news website. Another Italian news agency AGI said the accused killed his "excessively westernized" young Indian wife because he feared he would lose her. The woman's father reported her

Missing engineer's parents to stage hunger strike

Patna: The parents of an engineer who has gone missing after being allegedly arrested in Saudi Arabia and deported to India have decided to stage a hunger strike to know his whereabouts. The father of 35-year-old Fasih Mehmood and his wife plan to stage the protest in front of the Saudi Arabian embassy in New Delhi. The engineer, who hails from a village in Bihar's Darbhanga district, was reportedly arrested in Saudi Arabia May 14 for alleged terror links in India. The arrest followed a request from Indian authorities, according to published reports. His family, particularly his parents and young wife, are desperately in search of information to know what happened to Mehmood. His father, Firoz Ahmad, is in charge of the Benipatti primary health centre in Madhubani district. Ahmad said neither Saudi authorities nor the Indian government had told them about Fasih's arrest. Fasih's wife Nikhat Parween said she had approached the external affairs and home ministries but in vain. Mehmood, a resident of Badhsamela village in Darbhanga, about 200 km from here, worked with a company in Saudi Arabia. He is a product of an engineering college from Karnataka.

Indian-origin student cracks 350 years' old math puzzles

London: A 16-year-old Indian-origin 'genius' from Germany has managed to crack puzzles that had baffled the world of maths for more than 350 years. Shouryya Ray, from Dresden, has solved two fundamental particle dynamics theories which physicists have previously been able to calculate only by using powerful computers. Shouryya has been hailed a genius after working out the problems set by Sir Isaac Newton. His solutions mean that scientists can now calculate the flight path of a thrown ball and then predict how it will hit and bounce off a wall, the Daily Mail reported. Shouryya only came across the problems during a school trip to Dresden University where professors claimed they were uncrackable. "I just asked myself, 'Why not?'," explained Shouryya. "I think it was just schoolboy naivety. I didn't believe there couldn't be a solution," he added. Modest Shouryya began solving complicated equations as a

Shouryya Ray is hailed as genius after working out problems sets by Sir Isaac Newton six year old but says he's no genius. "There are other things at school I wish I was better at --football for one," he said. For years Shouryya has enjoyed what he calls 'intrinsic beauty' of maths. When he was young, his father, an engineer, began testing his brain by setting him arithmetic problems. After arriving from Calcutta four years ago without knowing any German, Shouryya is now fluent in the language. His intelligence was quickly noted in class and he was pushed up two years in school, he is currently sitting his exams early.

Late Sukhwinder Singh wins UK police bravery award

London: Sukhwinder Singh, a London-based NRI builder who was stabbed to death while he was confronting two muggers who had snatched a womans bag in London in 2010, has been given a police public bravery award posthumously. The ACPO Police Public Bravery Awards that were presented in Manchester to recognize outstanding acts of courage. The awardees are nominated by the Metropolitan Police Service. Singh, 31, chased the muggers after witnessing the attack on a 28year-old woman in Barking, East London. When he caught up with proud that he has been nominated for this award and of his courageous actions in helping a vulnerable victim of street robbery. He added: This award is richly deserved. Sukhwinder displayed the highest values of public spirit and courage by tackling the two suspects who had robbed a woman of her handbag and phone. Tragically he paid the ultimate price for his selfless actions. Singh was reportedly saving money and planning to return to India to be meet his family for the first time in 10 years when he was stabbed to death.

Sukhwinder Singh was stabbed to death by muggers them he was fatally injured by a single stab wound. Acting Detective Chief Inspector, Andrew Kelly, who is leading the investigation, said: Sukhwinders family remain devastated by his loss but are very

Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info

21

June 2-8, 2012

Suu Kyi lauds India ties after meeting Manmohan

Yangon: Myanmar's iconic leader Aung San Suu Kyi said after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that she was "very happy at the prospect of closer ties with India". She also promised to deliver a lecture in India after an invite from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. "India and Burma have been particularly close over the years not just because of our geographical positions but because we have shared deep ties of friendship for many, many long years," the Nobel Laureate told the media after their over 45-minute meeting. "The struggle for India's independence took place at the same time as the struggle for Burma's independence. My parents were great admirers of (India's first prime minister) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and other Indian leaders, but we were particularly close to Panditji as I was taught to call him this region, because our goals, our democratic goals, work on the basis of peace and stability, and these are what we shall aim towards." Responding to a request from Manmohan Singh to visit India, Suu Kyi said: "I am very gratified by the invitation to deliver the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture, and I hope I will take up this invitation before too long." She hoped for greater exchanges "between our two peoples". "As I said to the prime minister, true friendship between the countries can be based only on friendship between our peoples, and this is what I hope we will be able to achieve," she added. Manmohan Singh, who spoke first after their meeting, said: "We in India are very proud of our longstanding association with her and members of her family including her parents. "I sincerely hope that she will find it possible to visit India soon," he said. Manmohan Singh said it had been a privilege to have met Suu Kyi, a democracy crusader who studied in New Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College before pursuing higher studies in Oxford. In a break from her previous meetings, Suu Kyi came to the Sedona Hotel to meet the prime minister. Other world leaders including Hillary Clinton have called on her at her lakeside villa where she spent long years under house arrest. Manmohan Singh said he had handed over an invitation letter from Sonia Gandhi to deliver the annual Jawaharlal Nehru memorial lecture. He lauded Suu Kyi and said her life was one of "struggle and determination (which) has inspired millions of people all over the world".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon. from a very young age," said a smiling Suu Kyi, who left for Thailand on her first overseas trip in nearly 25 years. Wearing a purple dress embellished with flowers, the National League for Democracy leader said: "I am very happy at the prospect of closer ties with India because I think we have much to learn from one another and we have much to contribute to peace and stability in

Nepal deadlock: India hopes for consensus

Yangon: With the Nepal deadlock over a new constitution persisting, India hoped that the political parties of the Himalayan republic would continue to be guided by the spirit of consensus and peaceful dialogue to transform the country into a democratic nation. "We are closely monitoring developments in Nepal. We note the new constitution could not be promulgated within the extended term of the Constituent Assembly," Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of India's external affairs ministry, said in response to a question on the developments in Nepal. "We have confidence in the democratic commitment and wisdom of the people of Nepal, which has led to considerable progress of

India, Pakistan defer signing of visa pact

New Delhi/Islamabad: India and Pakistan agreed to step up cooperation between their investigative agencies on 26/11 and terror-related issues, but failed to sign the much-awaited pact on liberalizing visa regime as Islamabad said it needed time for internal approvals.In an important step to advance 26/11 justice, during the two-day talks between home secretaries of Pakistan and India, Islamabad agreed in principle to receive an Indian judicial commission for probe into the Mumbai terror attacks. Pushing strongly for 26/11 justice, India also shared additional evidence against Hafiz Saeed, the suspected mastermind of the Mumbai carnage. During the talks, India conveyed to Pakistan about Islamabad's continued support to militancy against India and cited the activities of the Khalistan Zindabad Force in this context. India's Home Secretary R.K. Singh held two-day talks with his Pakistani counterpart K.M. Siddique Akbar in Islamabad, but a pact for relaxing the visa regime could not be signed. "Both sides welcomed the finalisation of the visa

The crisis in Nepal has deepened with three parties quitting Nepal's Maoist-led government. the constitution-making process," he said. The crisis in Nepal has deepened with three parties quitting Nepal's Maoist-led government as Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai called for elections Nov 22 following the parties' failure to agree on a new constitution which was aimed at ending years of instability.

India aired its disappointment over the postponement of signing of the visa pact. agreement and agreed to sign it at an early date," said a joint statement issued after the talks. "The Pakistan side informed that some internal approvals were under process and the agreement will be signed once they are in place," said the statement. India aired its disappointment over the postponement of signing of the visa pact as Islamabad said the pact should be finalized at the political level.

Aung San Suu Kyi - also a style icon

Yangon: At 66, Aun San Suu Kyi is not just an enduring inspiration for millions in Myanmar but also a style icon with her elegance and sheer simplicity. The pro-democracy leader has been the picture of grace through her years of house arrest and personal tragedy - losing her husband to cancer and being unable to visit him while he was ailing. A gentle smile, flowers tucked in her hair tied in a bun and dressed in the traditional blouse (anyi) and sarong (longyi) with just the slightest hint of makeup, the willowy Suu Kyi has aged little over the years. The Irrawaddy magazine's website recalled how the Suu Kyi fever first took root in the 1990s with Myanmarese women showing support to their icon by ordering their Suu Kyi, who spent 15 out of 21 years under house arrest, reportedly received many gifts of clothes but mostly ordered fabrics from Yangon's Scott Market, and designed the patterns herself. On the day she was set free from house arrest in November 2010, she wore a light plum-colored outfit. The pink-purple combination soon caught on. Always in the public eye, the Nobel laureate who won the April 1 by-election campaign that her party swept, has been meeting a galaxy of world leaders who have been frequenting the country. She has shown her openness for a rich variety of colors, and Myanmar's many women have been quick to take tips from her impeccable style statement.

Indian firm to construct Sri Lanka's tallest building

Colombo: An Indian company will construct a 68-storey residential tower in Colombo that is set to become the country's tallest building. The 400-apartment condominium, to be built at a cost of $250 million and catering to expatriates and foreigners, is a venture of South City Projects (Kolkata) Ltd. The land, which is currently under the defence and urban development ministries, will be given to the company on an extended lease, Xinhua reported.

She has shown her openness for a rich variety of colors. tailors to copy her clothes. An "Aung San Suu Kyi-style front-fastening tunic" and a "Daw Suu-inspired neckline" were requests that were heard. According to an estimate, just over half of Myanmar's population of over 54 million are women.

22

International TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Assange can be extradited to Sweden: UK court

London: Britain's Supreme Court ruled that WikiLeaks founder JulianAssange can be extradited to Sweden over alleged sex crimes, but gave him two weeks to seek to reopen the case. Judges at Britain's highest court rejected by a majority of 5-2 Assange's argument that a European arrest warrant for his extradition was invalid. Two lower courts have already ruled in favor of the extradition of Assange, a self-styled anti-secrecy campaigner and bane of Washington. Swedish prosecutors want to question Assange over allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two female former WikiLeaks volunteers, and he has been fighting a lengthy legal battle against extradition since his arrest in Britain in Dec. 2010. The former computer hacker gained international prominence in 2010 when WikiLeaks began releasing secret video footage and donations to the site almost impossible. Assange's personal standing has been damaged by the Swedish sex case and he has lost support from most of his celebrity backers. Since his detention, he has mostly been living under strict bail conditions at the country mansion of a wealthy supporter in eastern England. His associates say that amounts to 540 days under house arrest without charge. Assange's appeal hinges on a legal technicality rather than the substance of the allegations of sexual misconduct or his claims that the United States has been putting pressure on Britain and Sweden to take action against him. His lawyers argued the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) was invalid because it was issued by a prosecutor and not a judge or a court as required in Britain. Prosecutors acting for Sweden say different countries have different legal procedures which are allowable under the agreed EAW format.

India, Japan seal social security pact

Tokyo: India and Japan have sealed a social security pact that will ease the economic burden on their nationals working in each other's country.Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the pact has been concluded during the fourth round of negotiations between the two sides in Tokyo. The pact will exempt employees sent from Japan to India and those from India to Japan from making any social security contribution in the country of employment, provided they continue to make these payments in the country of their origin.The conclusion of the agreement is expected to reduce the burden imposed on the employees and corporations, and promote human and economic exchanges.Both sides will continue necessary work for an early signature of the agreement, the ministry said. When Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba visited India April-end, the two sides had decided to accelerate the conclusion of this crucial pact.

The former computer hacker gained international prominence in 2010 when WikiLeaks began releasing secret video footage. thousands of U.S. diplomatic spread criticism that he had put cables about Iraq and Afghanistan, lives at risk by blowing the cover in the largest leak of classified doc- of sources who spoke to diplomats and intelligence agents in countries uments in US history. That made him a hero to anti- where it was dangerous to do so. Since then, WikiLeaks has faded censorship campaigners but he was regarded as a menace by from the headlines due to a dearth Washington and other govern- of scoops and a blockade by credit ments. Assange also faced wide- card companies that has made

US, UK, others expel Syrian envoys

Paris: Governments around the world expelled Syrian ambassadors and diplomats, an unusual, coordinated blow to Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime following a gruesome massacre that the UN said involved closerange shootings of scores of children and parents in their homes. The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands took action Tuesday against Syrian diplomats. Britain's foreign secretary said the countries involved in Tuesday's expulsions would also push for tougher sanctions against Syria. The move came after the killings Friday in Houla, a collection of farming villages in Syria's Homs province - one of the deadliest single events in a 15-month-

War crimes: ex-Liberian leader gets 50 years in jail

The Hague: Former Liberian president Charles Taylor was jailed for 50 years for helping Sierra Leonean rebels wage a savage war, receiving a precedent-setting sentence from a special war crimes court. Taylor, the first head of state convicted by an international court since World War II, had been found guilty of backing rebels who murdered, raped and mutilated tens of thousands of people in an 11-yearwar that ended in 2002. Presiding judge Richard Lussick said there was no legal precedent by which to determine a sentence, but the term was intended to reflect Taylor's position of authority. Prosecutors had demanded 80 years. "He was found responsible for aiding and abetting some of the most heinous and brutal crimes in recorded history," he said, reading out the sentencing. "Leadership must be carried out by example by the prosecution of crimes not the commission of crimes." The sentence is intended to "underscore the gravity it attached to the betrayal of public trust." Dressed in a blue suit and yellow tie, Taylor sat

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor impassively through the roughly 45-minute reading at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Hands clasped in front of his mouth and his brow furrowed, Taylor shifted uneasily when the camera broadcasting proceedings settled on him. Both sides are expected to appeal. Reacting from Sierra Leone, deputy minister of information Sheka Tarawalie said: "Today the people of Sierra Leone, the victims, and ordinary observers inside and outside the country would believe that some kind of justice has been done."

Syrian President Bashar Assad old uprising against Assad that has killed thousands. A UN report on Tuesday said 49 children and 34 women were among the 108 people who died. "This is the most effective way we've got of sending a message of revulsion of what has happened in Syria," Australian foreign minister Bob Carr said in Canberra.

Blair admits being too close to Murdoch

London: Former British prime minister Tony Blair told a press ethics inquiry that he got too close to Rupert Murdoch's media empire, in evidence disrupted by a protester calling him a "war criminal". A middle-aged man burst into the courtroom where the Leveson Inquiry is held and shouted "this man should be arrested for war crimes" while Blair was speaking, before being hustled out. The reference was to Blair's decision to take Britain to war in Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in office from 1997 until 2007. Judge Brian Leveson, who is heading the inquiry, apologised to Blair and immediately ordered an investigation into how the man had gained access to a "secure corridor" into the courtroom. In his evidence, Blair, who is godfather to one of Rupert Murdoch's children, was asked about his close relationship with the media baron whose tabloid The Sun -- Britain's top-selling newspaper -- gave Blair its backing. Blair said he had made a strategic decision not to take on the power of the press during his time in office, despite calls for tougher media regulation following the death of Diana, princess of Wales in 1997. He said he had taken care to court the press because if media groups had turned against him, it would have been a "huge and sustained attack". Asked whether he had got too close to Murdoch's News International, he replied: "Yes." But he added, "I don't know a policy that we changed as a result of Rupert Murdoch. Part of my job was to manage this situation so that we didn't get into a position where we were changing policy."

Former British prime minister Tony Blair

Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info

23

June 2-8, 2012

India tries to woo foreign retail investors

New Delhi: The government has eased norms for foreign retail investors to buy directly into Indian shares and bonds, including opening a separate $1 billion window for corporate debt, to boost inflows at a time when the rupee is testing fresh lows almost on a daily basis. Apart from the $20 billion investment window for foreign institutional investors, qualified foreign investors (QFIs), which were permitted to invest directly in equities earlier this year, will now be able to buy up to $1 billion (around Rs 5,500 crore) in corporate bonds in what the government termed as "testing waters". On an overall basis, so far in 2012, net investment by FIIs is nearing the $12 billion mark compared to around $8 billion in 2011. But, they have withdrawn funds from India since the Budget, reflecting the "safe mode" directly. Earlier, the QFI route was only open to investors from the 34 members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global anti-money laundering club. The change has been necessitated by the response from investors in the Gulf, said Thomas Mathew, joint secretary in the finance ministry. "The changes are aimed at making the QFI scheme more attractive to potential investors and enhance flow of foreign capital into India," the finance ministry said. The government will also clear apprehensions over taxation policies. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) will shortly issue clarifications on issues concerning taxation on QFI investments. Although the finance ministry has put on hold General AntiAvoidance Rules (GAAR), there has been apprehensions among the global investors over tax policies, especially after the Budget. The finance ministry also decided to do away with the restriction on number of days a QFIs can keep fund in their bank accounts in India, a move to ease norms for such investments. Earlier, if the funds were not invested in five days, they had to be remitted to the overseas account of the foreign investor. Given that this was proving to be a dampener for genuine investors, and raising transaction costs, the cap has been dispensed with. QFI have also been permitted to open separate bank accounts instead of the earlier practice of investing through a common pooled bank account of depository participants. "We are looking at 6-18 months to see the optimisation of QFI inflows," Mathew said. The government has also lined up roadshows in five Gulf countries, including Kuwait and the UAE, too woo foreign retail investors.

India has allowed foreign retail investors to buy up to $1 billion in local corporate bonds. in which FIIs are operating, given the weak global economic environment and the poor sentiment on India. So far in May, they have been net sellers of the $1.7 billion. Although the QFI route was a New Year gift from the finance ministry, there hasn't been any queue outside the window prompting the government review the guidelines. To begin with, retail investors from the 27 countries that make the European Union and the six that are part of the Gulf Coordination Council, will now be eligible to invest

Reebok India fraud with Serious Fraud Investigation Office

US sees biggest law firm collapse

New York: Dewey & LeBoeuf, the law firm crippled by financial miscues and partner defections, filed for bankruptcy, punctuating the largest law firm collapse in US history. The filing, made in federal bankruptcy court in Manhattan, is the final chapter in a turbulent period for Dewey, which came apart after disappointing profits and prodigious debt forced it to slash partners' salaries. The partners, already owed millions from previous years, grew concerned over the firm's finances and their ability to get paid. A partner exodus destroyed the firm. Dewey announced Monday that the firm planned to liquidate . It said it would ask about 90 employees to remain on staff to assist in the wind-down of its business. The firm has $315 million in liabilities, of which

$225 million is owed to its banks, according to the court filings. "This is a very sad day for the legal profession," said Richard J. Holwell, a former federal judge in Manhattan now in private practice.

Rupee falls past 56 vs US dollar; near record low

The company has accused two of its former top executives for a Rs 8700-crore fraud. New Delhi: The government has referred the fraud at Reebok India to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) after finding anomalies in the company's books. Corporate affairs minister Veerappa Moily said "something wrong" had been found in books of Reebok India, which has accused two of its former top executives for a Rs 8700-crore fraud. He said the step was taken after a non-invasive scrutiny of the books of accounts of the sportswear maker. The report of the non-invasive scrutiny, carried out by the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Delhi, was submitted to the ministry. The corporate affairs ministry had last week ordered an enquiry into the books of accounts of Reebok India on the basis of a complaint from an investor. Reebok India had on May 22 lodged a first information report (FIR) with the Gurgaon Police, alleging that its former MD Subhinder Singh Prem and exCOO Vishnu Bhagat had "stolen" products by setting up "secret warehouses" , fudged accounts and indulged in fictitious sales to cause a Rs 870 crore dent to the company. Prem and Bhagat denied allegations and filed for anticipatory bail, which was rejected. Mumbai: The rupee approached its record low against the dollar on Wednesday as oil importers ramped up demand for the greenback ahead of the end of the month, while global risk assets were hit by rising worries about Spain. Though global cues are providing a trigger, traders said the rupee was also being weighed down by deep concerns about India's fiscal and economic challenges, and doubts about slowing policy reforms. Traders were on alert about central bank intervention should the rupee test its record low of 56.40 to the dollar hit. That fall was the culmination of seven consecutive daily alltime lows against the dollar, though the local currency had recovered since then to as high as 55.01 on Monday. "USD/INR made a definite moveup once the last technical retracement level of 56.05 was breached. However, today's upmove is in line

with the euro's fall and I don't expect the RBI to come in at these levels," said a senior trader with a private bank. Traders cited strong dollar demand from oil importers looking to meet their commitments at the end of the month. Global risk aversion also weighed as the euro hit a two-year low on Wednesday, hurt by

worries about Spain's soaring borrowing costs and expectations that more spending may be needed to support its ailing banks. The RBI had been intervening frequently this month, in both forwards and spot markets, and adopted measures such as forcing exporters to convert half of their foreign currency holdings into rupees.

24

Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Anand crowned World Chess Champion for fifth time

Moscow: Defending champion Vishwanathan Anand of India clinched the World Chess Championship title for the fifth time, defeating Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand in a rapid-chess tie-breaker. Anand sealed his fourth-consecutive world title beating Gelfand 2.5-1.5 in the four-match tie breaker at Moscow's State Tretyakov Gallery. The tournament went into the tie-breakers after Anand and Gelfand drew the 12th game. They were tied 6-6 after the final round. In the tie-breaker, Anand went ahead after winning the second game in 77 moves following a draw in the first in 33 moves. The remaining two games also ended in a draw for a result of 2.5-1.5 as Anand defended his world championship title for the third time in a row. Anand will receive $1.5 million, while challenger Gelfand bags $1 million. Anand said he was too tense to be happy. "Game one was a tense start. It was a long and tough match. The match was very intense, I am relieved. I was better for most part in the second game. It was a back and forth game," Anand told reporters at the renowned State Tretyakov well, the match was very even," he said. The 42-year-old Indian said losing the seventh game had put him on the backfoot and he felt fortunate to defend the crown. "It was a huge blow for me to lose the seventh game. It was very critical moment for me. I was extremely fortunate that I was able to come back the next day. Given that we drew our first 12 games, deciding the match by tie-break is quite a reasonable situation," he said. The 42-year-old became the first Asian to win the FIDE world chess championship after defeating Latvian Alexei Shirov in Tehran in 2000. Anand's triumph was his fourth consecutive -- he also won in 2007, 2008 and 2010. Gelfand, 43, gained the right to be contender for the world title after a win last May against Russia's Alexander Grischuk at a contenders' tournament in Kazan, Russia. Russian billionaire and Gelfand's school friend Andrey Filatov paid $7 million from his own pocket to hold the event in one of the halls of the renowned State Tretyakov Gallery.

Vishwanathan Anand defeated Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand in a rapid-chess tie-breaker. Gallery. A humble Anand admitted that "I am too tense to be happy, right now Gelfand was a tough competitor. now I am relieved. Gelfand was playing

Azlan Shah Cup: Argentina end India's title hopes

Ipoh (Malaysia): Five-time champions India's title hopes crashed as they went down 2-3 to Argentina in a crucial encounter of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament. India paid heavily for the failure of their strikers to convert the chances that came their way. After a goalless first half, the Indian defense was caught napping as Matias Paredes (37th minute) and Santiago Montelli (38th) gave Argentina a 2-0 lead. Gonzalo Peillat (58th) converted a penalty corner to ensure a win for the Pan American champions. Indians fought hard to draw parity at 2-2 with goals from Sardar Singh (48th minute) and V.R. Raghunath (61st). But the equalizer remained elusive despite a flurry of attacks in the last few minutes. India have just six points having lost three of their five matches and will play for pride when they face Pakistan in their last league match.Against Argentina, India were in a must win situation. They came close twice to score but failed to capitalise on the opportunities.Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh squandered India's first penalty corner, which was deflected out by a defender. In the attempt, Sandeep suffered a minor ankle sprain and was rested for a long period. But he will play against Pakistan.

Anand bids to be an all-time great

New Delhi: India's chess legend Viswanathan Anand can lay claim to be one of the all-time greats in the sport after he won his fifth World Championship title. Anand first won the World Chess Championship title in 2000 beating Latvian Alexei Shirov in Tehran in 2000. He then followed it up with wins in 2007 (Mexico), Bonn (2008), Sofia (2010) and now Moscow (2012). The win adds luster to his six chess Oscars. Anand has won the Chess Oscar "an award given by polling votes from the global chess fraternity, including players and best writers across the world", a record five times with the wins coming in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008. Anand, who learnt the game from his mother, Susila Viswanathan, at a tender age, learnt the nuances while following the game on chess in Manila, Philippines, where his father, R. Viswanathan, a senior railway officer, was posted for some years in the early 1980s. Anand's early success in the sport came in 1983, when at the age of 14, he stunned the field with a nine out of nine perfect score while winning the National Sub-Junior Chess Championship. A year later he became the youngest Indian to win the International Master's Title at the age of fifteen in 1984. By 16, he was the National Champion and he won it twice more and then concentrated on becoming a champion at higher international levels. Playing his moves at great speed, he earned the nickname of 'Lightning Kid' and also 'Tiger from Madras' and in 1987, he returned to Manila, to win and become the first Indian to win the World Junior Chess Championship. In 1988, at 18, he earned three Grandmaster n o r m s Anand also played in the Kasparov-promoted Professional Chess Association and reached the final, where he lost to Kasparov in New York City's World Trade Center. After eight draws, which was a record for the opening of a world championship match, Anand broke through with a win in the ninth game. But then the more experienced Kasparov hit back and won four of the next five game and went on to win the match 10.5-7.5. In 2000, with Kasparov and Kramnik staying away, Anand's win at the FIDE World Championships in New Delhi and Tehran did not impress the chess fraternity, which still considered the classical Match-play as the real world title. But on the tournament circuit, Anand continued his domination in various forms, winning Advanced Chess tournaments in Leon, Spain, the Chess Classic of Mainz, where he won the title 11 times. On the tournament circuit, Anand has continued his domination in various forms of game. within a span of less than 12 months and in December, he became India's first Grandmaster. Then followed Anand's spectacular rise in world chess. His first big moment came at the Reggio Emilia tournament in 1991 where he finished ahead of Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov and signalled his arrival on the world stage. In 1991, Anand lost in a tiebreaker to Anatoly Karpov in the quarter finals of the FIDE Knockout World Chess Championship. As the world of chess split,

PM congratulates Anand
New Delhi: Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Congress President Sonia Gandhi congratulated Viswanathan Anand for winning his fifth World Chess title. Hamid Ansari said the victory would serve as an inspiration to the country's youth. "You are a great inspiration to the youth of our country, particularly the sports enthusiasts," the prime minister said. "You have made the nation proud of you with this monumental achievement. I wish you many more successes in the future," he said.Anand, the defending champion, clinched the championship title for the fifth time defeating Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand in a rapidchess tie-breaker in Moscow.Sonia Gandhi said Anand's feat was "indeed stupendous". Meira Kumar also hoped that the success would inspire the youth to excel in sports.BJP president Nitin Gadkari also congratulated the chessmaster.

Lifestyle TheSouthAsianTimes.info

25

June 2-8, 2012

Indian designs, Bollywood dominate RFW opening day

Jaipur : Culture, crafts and Bollywood dominated the opening day of Rajasthan Fashion Week (RFW) here, with upcoming designers showcasing their work and actors Vivek Oberoi, Kainaz Motiwala and Zayed Khan adding the glamour quotient. The three-day fashion fiesta started Thursday. It was inaugurated by Vivek, who looked dapper in an outfit designed by Rohit Kamra. Later, he even walked as the showstopper for designer Kirti Rathore, who gave him a peach blazer and jodhpurs to flaunt. Rathore's collection was a mix of earthy and neon shades on jodhpurs and drape kurtas. Through this collection, Rathore supported an NGO, RAYS - Aasha Ki Ek Kiran, for the welfare of HIV-afflicted children. Some kids from the organization also walked along with Vivek and the designer. "It's been nice to walk for a cause. This gives me relief. But yes, I also loved what Kirti has designed for me. I personally like well-fitted classic suits or a jodhpuri pant," Vivek said. The day began with fashion designer Kanwaljeet Singh's collection, which highlighted the classic retro trend of 1980s. He paid a tribute to colors and culture of India through flowing drapes. Colorful headgears in red, black, neons and paprika made his collection come alive. Daniel Syiem, another emerging designer, showcased a collection that was minimalistic, yet elegant. From dresses to long flowy gowns in bright and earthy tones, the designer grabbed eyeballs for his creativity and design aesthetics. He had a showstopper in Kainaz, last seen "Ragini MMS". She loved what the designer gave her to wear. Mumbai-based designer Lina Tipnis used lots of drapes and motifs to make her collection look sensuous and glamorous. While designer Shaahid Amir showcased a melange of menswear and womenswear garments with Zayed walking as the showstopper. Designer Rohit Verma, who was seen as a participant in reality show "Bigg Boss 3", showcased a collection replete with applique work on saris, suits and jodhpurs. More than just the collection, he grabbed attention because of his unique presentation. The show saw choreographer Sandip Soparrkar and wife Jesse Randhawa take to the ramp as showstoppers. But their appearance was unique. It started with Soparrkar's dance performance, and he was later joined by Randhawa on the ramp. After presenting more than 30 outfits, the show ended on a high note when Verma himself came dancing and posed for shutterbugs. All in all, the first day of RFW

Designer Rohit Kamra, whose outfits were put on full display by prominent actors during Rajasthan Fashion Week was full of glamour and fashion, but sans a fashionable crowd.

'More Indian teens using networking sites to communicate'

Mumbai : An increasing number of teenagers in India are using social networking sites to remain in touch with each other with mobiles as their favorite gadget, a study said Wednesday. The GenY Survey 2011-12 by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) covered 12,000 high school students aged between 12-18 in 12 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Pune and Lucknow between July and December 2011. "While 84 percent of the respondents had internet access at home, 85 percent used social networking site such as Facebook and 79 percent owned a mobile phone. Preferring entertainment on metros," it said. It said 40 percent of the teenagers in metros said they had internet access on their mobile phones and television emerged as the least favorite gadget with less than one percent voting for it. Further, text and chat are emerging as preferred alternatives to voice calls with 50 percent of those surveyed in metros said they used SMS the most to communicate while 45 percent used instant messaging and 38 percent used Facebook or Twitter. Majority of youngsters preferred information technology as a career option followed by engineering and medicine, said the survey.

One in four Indians 'suffering': Gallup poll

Washington : South Asians rated their lives worse in 2011 than most residents in other parts of Asia with nearly one in four Indians "suffering", third highest after Nepal and Afghanistan, according to a new poll. Including India (24 percent), at least one in five residents in Nepal (31 percent), Afghanistan (30 percent), Sri Lanka (22 percent), and Pakistan (21 percent) rated their lives poorly enough to be considered "suffering", according to a Gallup poll released Monday. Bangladesh is the only South Asian country where suffering is significantly lower than its regional neighbors, at 10 percent, the leading US opinion pollster said. Gallup classifies respondents as "thriving", "struggling", or "suffering" according to how they rate their current and future lives on a scale of 0 to 10. Those who rate their present life a 7 or higher and their life in five years an 8 or higher are classified as thriving, while those who rate both dimensions a 4 or lower are considered suffering. Respondents whose ratings fall in between are considered struggling. The relatively high levels of suffering in South Asia likely reflect the economic turmoil, war, conflict, domestic terrorism, or separatist movements that have afflicted many of these countries in the past decade, Gallup said. Additionally, most South Asian countries currently have higher levels of unemployment and corruption and lower levels of college education than the rest of Asia. Relatively low levels of suffering in Bangladesh may be related to their educational attainment, Gallup said noting it was the highest in South Asia -- 50 percent of the adult population has at least secondary or higher education.

the move, 28 percent of the respondents said mobile phone was their favorite gadget," said the survey. "A total of 88 percent respondents from metropolitan cities had a Facebook account while other platforms such as Orkut and India-based Apna Circle, Ibibo and Hi5 were more popular in small

Jaipur : Designer Rohit Verma, who was known for his loud-mouth antics in the third edition of "Big Boss", says the controversial reality show not only changed him personally, it also helped him gain recognition as a designer. "'Bigg Boss' completely changed my life. When I entered the house, I was behaving like a six-year-old kid, but when I came out, I was a mature person. The show not only taught me about emotions, but also helped me in learning the importance of family," Verma said. The cross-dresser says people's attitude towards him changed as well.

Designer Rohit Verma

"The approach of people towards me has also changed. After the show, they started looking at me differently as it makes a normal person, an overnight celebrity. Before 'Bigg Boss', I was doing lot of shows but no one was aware of it. But post 'Bigg Boss', people have recognized me as a designer," he added. Other contestants on the show were Vindu Dara Singh, Poonam Dhillon, Ismail Darbar, Sherlyn Chopra, Kamal Rashid Khan, Bhakhtiyaar Irani, Tanaaz Irani, Aditi Govitrikar, Jaya Sawant, Shamita Shetty, Claudia Ciesla, Raju Srivastav, Vinod Kambli and

Pravesh Rana. It was won by Vindu. Verma said he would love to go back to the "Bigg Boss" house once again. "I will definitely go back to 'Bigg Boss' house if given a chance and this time it will be much better and rocking," he added. From showcasing his collections across the globe to walking the ramp as a showstopper, Verma has definitely gained popularity on the fashion circuit. Being a designer, it is a given, he says. "I believe that a designer is one of the most multi-talented human beings in this world. Designers can

be a showstopper, a good merchandiser," said Verma, who is currently participating in Rajasthan Fashion Week (RJW). He showcased a collection of saris, suits and jodhpurs with applique work. Choreographer Sandip Soparrkar and wife Jesse Randhawa opened the show with a graceful dance performance. After RJW, he is set to hit international shores. "I am doing the Dubai fashion fiesta and a show in Atlanta very soon. I am also doing five movies as a designer but won't be able to reveal much about the project," he said.

26

Books TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Book Excerpt

Finding love - and meaning of life

failure in life, Harnam Sethi pursues success in order to find happiness. While he does achieve a semblance of success, happiness eludes him. Tired of success, he is struck by the angst of existence and pointlessness of life. He pursues spirituality in order to find the meaning of life. While he learns a whole lot of preconceived notions about the truth, the truth eludes him. Tired of spirituality, he gets back

A mans search for happiness and the meaning of life culminates in the most tender love story ever told! Excerpt from PS Wasus book The Strange Case of Harnam Sethi.
to experiencing life as it is. At this point, he falls in love and enters an unbelievable wonderland in time and space. As he moves from the world of ideas to the world of feelings, he finds both happiness and the meaning of life. His angst is fixed, his fragmented life is put together and his spontaneous, joyous, playful, childlike nature is re-awakened. Love does to him what success and spirituality could not do. An excerpt from The Strange Case of Harnam Sethi, a soul-stirring, heart warming, modern-day fairy tale (for grown-ups).

THE STRANGE CASE OF HARNAM SETHI

By PS Wasu hen Harnam entered the hotel, he saw Celina waiting for him in the lobby. This was their first meeting after clearly expressing their love for each other. There was joy written all over their faces. They said Hi as their eyes met. For a while, they kept looking into each others eyes. Then, hugging lightly, they held each others hands and moved to the room. As soon as they were in the room, they instinctively fell into each others arms with their lips locked. The hug lasted and lasted. In that moment, his mind flashed back like a lightning bolt to the time when he was two, perched on the shoulders of his father and looking around with a sense of wonder and pride. It seemed that it took him his entire lifetime to be in this moment with Celina. It was as if his whole life had been a preparation for him to be in her arms at this moment. They found themselves thrusting their bodies into each others as if they wanted to disappear into each other. When one of them tried to relax the hug, the other one tightened it. Finally, when they separated to take a breath, they held hands and sat on the bed. Celina said, Now go and wash, Harnamu. I am hungry and I want to order dinner. Harnam had an invigorating hot water shower. When he came back and saw Celina sitting there, dreamy-eyed, the thought occurred to him how lucky he was! The thought of being together for a week was intoxicating. These seven days seemed to be an unbelievable wonderland in time and space. It was like a dream come true. They ordered dinner in the room. After dinner they were

again in each others arms. Yes, Harnam was very lucky. After struggling for years in the world of ideas, he had now moved into the soothing world of feelings. He just realized that his quest for the meaning of life was totally meaningless. What was of paramount importance was how he felt. Harnam was overflowing with love for Celina. His heart was filled with warmth as sweet passions simmered. He had never been happier in life. He had never known anyone so loving, so generous, so trusting, so giving as Celina. To his every gesture of love, she responded most tenderly. To her every gesture of love, he responded most tenderly. It was the closest he had ever been to anyone in his whole life. For the first time Harnam experienced real intimacy. Such was the magic of being close to each other that he felt love as a physical sensation. He felt happiness as a physical sensation. His whole body tingled. His every nerve and every cell was extraordinarily sensitized. And, for the first time too, he was so vulnerable, so fully seen. He surrendered himself completely to the moment and found himself in the magical realm where giving and receiving became one. Harnam was not there as Harnam. He was there as pure love. Celina was not there as Celina. She was there as pure love. Their movements got mysteriously synchronized. They felt their bodies, minds and spirits merging with each others. They entered a timeless void and became one with the universe. It felt like one continuous blissful moment. Harnam felt complete. Celina felt complete. He felt waves of ecstasy pulsing through him and sweeping him off until the whole of his being turned vaporous. He experienced himself as transparent, luminous energy

The meaning of life is not something to be worked out mentally but something to be felt in the heart.
that burst in one grand explosion. And the universe came to a standstill. Their room overlooked the main city square. The Christmas lights filtered in from the windows of their room and danced on the walls, the furniture and the bed. It seemed that the entire city of Shillong was celebrating their togetherness. It was an ecstatic night punctuated with love, love and more love. It was only in the morning that they fell asleep - in each others arms, utterly peaceful. Harnam woke up around noon and saw that Celina had a radiant, out-of-this-world smile as she slept next to him. Harnam put his lips on hers lovingly and she woke up. Her radiant smile turned even more radiant. After bath and lunch, they set out for sightseeing in a cab. Celina was his guide. Harnam liked Shillong very much. It was very different from the north Indian hill stations that he was familiar with. What struck him about the town was its trendy young population and the air of celebration that was unique to Shillong. It was a pleasant drive overlooking streams and brooks in the midst of rustling pines and firs. Natural scent of the pines wafted in the air, creating a feeling of freshness. Wherever they went they found clouds. They drove through them. They walked through them. It was like being on the proverbial cloud nine, quite literally. They saw roaring water falls leaping into deep gorges set in the dells of fern-covered rocks. They went to the majestic Shillong peak from where they had a panoramic view of the city and the countryside. As they travelled and looked at the sights they held each others hands all the time. There was a comic sweetness about their relationship. They smiled every time their eyes met which was almost all the time. Celinas ability to give and receive love was instinctive. It was part of her being. Her every gesture, every spoken word, every facial expression seemed like a precious gift to Harnam. Every moment of togetherness deepened the ties between them and renewed the core of their own being in a unique way. Every moment unfolded new levels of intimate communion. Every moment, it seemed that he met Celina for the first time. Harnnam noticed every move of hers - how her expressions changed, how her eyes dilated and how her face glowed when she caught his loving glance. He was a student and his subject was Celina.

Immersed in the exquisite feeling of being loved, they looked at each other so tenderly that it was like making love. In fact, every gesture, every action of theirs done to each other was like making love. How they moved, how they walked, how they looked at each other, everything they did was like making love. There was no beginning and no end to this lovemaking. It was one ongoing process. Come to think of it, it was only now at the age of 44 that he was able to truly recognize the smoldering sexuality of a young girl. When he was young, he failed to appreciate the sexuality of a young girl. He lacked the perspective and sensitivity to do so. At that time he found young girls callow and fantasized about bigger women who came across as more cuddly and sweet. At that time, he could not perhaps give Celina the kind of love that he could now. He had a feeling that Celina too perhaps knew it in the deeper recesses of her mind. Celina had known some boys but she felt no one adored her like Harnam did and no ones love had the depth that Harnams love had. The reason she loved him so much was perhaps that he loved her so much. And the reason Harnam loved her so much was perhaps that she loved him so much. He felt lucky that he was born a man and met Celina precisely at the time he did. Celina felt lucky that she was born a woman and met Harnam precisely at the time she did. Their outing was over around six. They had local food for dinner in a restaurant and then headed for the hotel in sweet anticipation of togetherness. They were both itching for a cuddle. As soon as they reached their room in the hotel, they were in a tight embrace. After they washed and changed, Continued on page 27

Books TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Continued from page 26 Celina asked Harnam if he would like to listen to a local song. Harnam said, Yes. Celina sang for him. She had a nice sweet voice, which was quite a revelation to Harnam and he said so. She sang more songs, putting Harnam in a kind of trance. His eyes were half closed as he lay on his back. Celina sat beside him. She placed her right hand on his heart. He placed his right hand on her right hand. She placed her left hand on his right hand. Then he placed his left hand on her left hand. They stayed like that for a longish time while Celina continued to sing. Every now and then, he pressed her hands affectionately with his hands and she reciprocated. They ended the game with a long lingering hug. The hug was deeply healing. It restored their love of life and enhanced their love for each other. The second night again, they hardly slept. When they did, it was almost morning and they finally woke up at noon. Again they were out sightseeing in the afternoon. Days passed like that. In the afternoon and evening, they generally roamed around the town and then returned to the hotel. The week was a ceaseless flow of joy and ecstasy, an unbelievable wonderland in time and space, as Harnam had anticipated. Sometimes they talked. Sometimes, they were silent, just cuddling. Harnam had learnt just about everything about Celinas life and Celina had learnt just about everything about Harnams life. They broke all their boundaries, exposed themselves fully to each other and became vulnerable. But then that was what love was about. In Harnams earlier friendships, such as they were, the boundaries were broken but not to this extent. And on all those earlier occasions, the boundaries were re-erected. Empathy so far was a mere concept for Harnam. Now he learnt what it really meant. Now he could see the world from Celinas perspective and she could see it from his perspective. Harnam did penetrate deep into the realm of Celinas being. But then, getting deeper into her feelings, her thoughts, he came to know his own deeper stirrings too. They became mirrors to each other, and then love became meditation. And, paradoxically, the more they knew each other, the more mysterious the other became. It seemed to Harnam that he had been in love with Celina for ages. They had known each other for hundreds of years. And yet he was still a stranger groping for the doorway that opened onto her. He knew her and he did not know her. Celina was a mystery. Their love was a mystery. The more he realized this, the more he loved her. Now, Harnam had grown up in an environment in which there was no display of affection and emotions were considered sissy. No wonder he had developed some sort of touch phobia in life. Any touchy-feely gesture was a complete no for him. And here he was in the midst of the richest of sensory experiences! It was a whole new relationship with life and he felt good. It seemed like lifes very own reward system to make up for his lifelong distress at touch deprivation. He learnt to communicate with Celina in the language of the senses. Sometimes, they spoke nothing. Just a glance, a gesture, a touch was enough. Being together was a celebration. They were fully transparent and fully available to each other, nothing held back. It was an empowering, healthy and blissful coming home. This kind of bliss was unknown to both of them. They lived in the moment and did what they felt like doing, meandering fluidly wherever the moment took them. Gradually Harnam and Celina developed some kind of a sixth sense and were able to intuit each others thoughts. They understood each other s needs and were always eager to please each other. If they felt like staying in the hotel, they stayed in the hotel. If they felt like going out, they went out. Nothing was scripted. Every

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June 2-8, 2012

day was an unknown territory full of possibilities. They were so much in love with life that wherever they went, they found themselves smiling at strangers. The whole world appeared so beautiful. It seemed that Harnam had engaged with life in this way for the first time. And yet they both had a feeling that there was more to their love than what they had experienced. They believed they had yet to scale the highest peak of love. What they had experienced was only a beginning. They wanted to reach some place from where there was no beyond. The idea of two persons disappearing and fusing into one had a seductive charm for them. The Strange Case of Harnam Sethi is a novel by PS Wasu (an ebook) available at Kindle Store at: http://tinyurl.com/6owqavh. Mumbai based PS Wasu conducts self-development workshops in English and Hindi titled The Fine Print of Life.

Guru Dutt biography becomes innovative book drama

Guru Dutt and his close friend Abrar Alvi partnered to make several Bollywood classics like "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam", "Kaagaz Ke Phool" and "Pyaasa" starring Dutt in stellar roles. Dutts biography by Alvi is titled "10 Years With Guru Dutt.

ook readings could soon become passe if author Sathya Saran has her way. Hoping to make an instant connect with audiences, the veteran journalist is taking her biography of Bollywood legend Guru Dutt to the masses by enacting the book with a cast of six characters across India. The biography, "10 Years With Guru Dutt: Abrar Alvi's Journey", is a first person narrative of screen writer, filmmaker and actor Abrar Alvi, who recounted his association with Guru Dutt to Saran in the book. Guru Dutt and his close friend Alvi partnered to make several Bollywood classics like "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam", "Kaagaz Ke Phool" and "Pyaasa" starring Dutt in stellar roles. Alvi passed away in 2009. Saran, the former editor of Femina magazine and a columnist, calls her one-and-a-halfhour Guru Dutt book drama an interactive promotion, which is a "360 degrees rendition of the book". "We don't read the book any more. We narrate the story on stage. I sit on one side of the stage and an actor plays Abrar Alvi. He narrates his years with

Guru Dutt with Waheeda Rahman in Pyaasa Guru Dutt just as Abrar told me in my book. The spotlights are on both of us," Saran told IANS in an interview. Explaining the complex stage mechanism of her "drama", Saran says the "action swings from stage to a screen mounted in the background where scenes from the movies which Abrar Alvi talks about in the book are projected". "The action begins on the stage where actors play Guru Dutt and his leading ladies Waheeda Rahman and Meena Kumari. They lip sync the opening dialogues and then the action merges

with the movie on the screen. It then moves back again to the narrators seated on either end of the stage as the narrative progresses," Saran said. Production company Just Imagine helped her stage her book play. For example, when Abrar recalls the making of the classic, "Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam", the stage opens with Meena Kumari as the sad 'chhoti bahu' (the young wife of a rich Bengali landlord) sprawled in a drunken haze on the stage and Bhoothnath, the domestic help from the village crouching at her feet. "Bhootnath introduces himself to 'chhoti bahu' and the scene moves back to the screen. We use a bench for a bed on the stage. I use experimental props and innovative stage decor. I improvise as well. When I take the production to Kolkata, I will introduce Johnny Walker on stage picturizing the famous 'tel malish' song sequence from the movie 'Mr & Mrs 55'," Saran said. "It is like the book talking to the audience from the stage and screen," she said.

Satya Saran has staged seven shows of her "Guru Dutt book drama" in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur and Ludhiana. She has been invited to perform her play in Dubai and Kolkata. "This particular book lends itself well to the genre. The younger generation does not know Guru Dutt. A play is the easiest way to get them to appreciate the book. While the younger generation comes to know the legendary actor, the older generation becomes nostalgic during the shows and are often moved to tears," Saran said about the reaction of the audience. The play has a glamour aspect to it. "Sabyasachi has designed the 'saris' for the Chaudhavin ka Chand sequence and an 'anarkali (Mughal-style dress)' while designer duo Shantanu & Nikhil have designed the men's clothes. I roped in leading jewellers like Gunjan to sponsor the exquisite traditional jewelry," the writer said. Saran is now working on a book about music legend S.D. Burman. "I will think of something different to promote S.D. Burman," she said.

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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Humor with Melvin Durai

eve all made typos those pesky errors that sneak into our writing when we hit the wrong key or suffer a momentary lapse in concentration. Thats why we have smart programs such as spellchecker and autocorrect, which were created to make our jobs easier. When autocorrect, for example, comes across a sentence like The Sixth Cense is my favorite movie by M. Night Shyamalan, it automatically corrects it to The Sixth Sense is my favorite movie by M. Night Shy Melon. As you can see, proofreading is very important, otherwise your writing might be full of very embracing errors. You might even have to apologize publicly for a typo, as many individuals and organizations have been forced to do throughout history. Indeed, when Moses first brought the Ten Commandments down from the mountain, they seemed to contain a decree against skin lightening creams: Thou shalt not bear false whiteness. A more recent example comes from the University of Texas at Austin, where the 2012 commencement program distributed to students stated that they were graduating from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Pubic Affairs. The university apparently learned about the mistake when a student asked if the graduation ceremony was open to the general pubic. The university should take a lesson from other educators, such as the teachers union in

Watch out for typos - They can make you look stoopid
Twin Rivers Unified School District in California which recently sent out a flyer with this important message: Twin Rivers teachers are strong supporters of Parent-Teacher partnerships to assure that parents and teachers work together to educaate our children. The correct word, as even George W. Bush will tell you, is educumate. Some years ago, The Torrance Press, a weekly newspaper in California, accepted an ad from Sealy mattress company carrying the slogan: Sleeping on a Sealy is like sleeping on a cloud. But when the ad appeared in the paper, it read: Sleeping on a Sealy is like slipping on a cloud. The newspaper apologized and agreed to print the ad again at no charge. It re-appeared the following week: Sleeping on a Sealy is like sleeping on a clod. Theres an important lesson here: To embarrass an entire organization, all it takes is one clod. At least those errors werent particularly offensive. Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa got into trouble in 2008 for a calendar entry in its school handbook. The entry for Feb. 16, 2009 (during Black History Month) was supposed to say Black History Lunch and Learn, but instead appeared as Black History Linch and Learn. It was a little too close to the word lynch for anyones comfort. But all it took was a slip of the finger for that typo to occur. Much harder to explain is the error that caused Penguin Books Australia to destroy 7,000 copies of its cookbook The Pasta Bible in 2010. The publisher had to apologize after a recipe for tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto listed among its ingredients salt and freshly ground black people. The publisher apparently learned of the mistake when a diligent reader sent an email to the author: Regarding your recipe for tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto, would it be okay to substitute a white person? Back in 2007, CNN had to apologize for a graphic it used during a piece about the hunt for

Osama bin Laden. The graphic asked the question: Wheres Obama? Producers at the network realized their mistake when they received hundreds of calls from astute viewers informing them on the whereabouts of Obama. I just spotted him in Chicago, one man said. Dont worry, he wasnt looking at any tall buildings. Four years later, when bin Laden was killed, a Fox News affiliate in Sacramento ran a Breaking News graphic that said: Reports: Obama bin Laden Killed. The stations producers realized their mistake when an alert viewer called them. He isnt dead! the woman said. I just saw him on the news, taking credit for killing some guy named Osama. As you can see, typos can be both offensive and embarrassing. Thats why, even in the age of Twitter, its important to carefully proofread what we write. Otherwise, like the University of Texas at Austin, well get what we deserve: a lot of pubic ridicule.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

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

Washington, DC: Search giant Google has issued a warning to its millions of users that they could lose the ability to connect to the internet in July due to a computer virus. The problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users but that system will be shut down on July 9, killing connections for those people. The FBI has run a campaign for months, encouraging people to visit a website that will inform them whether they are infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the internet. According to Fox News, Google has now planned to throw its weight into the awareness

Google warns users of internet shutdown on July 9

Tech Life

campaign. The site will be rolling out alerts to users via a special message that will appear at the top of the Google search results page for users with affected computers, CNET reported. "We believe directly messaging affected users on a trusted site and in their preferred language will produce the best possible results," wrote Google security engineer Damian Menscher in a post on the firm's blog "If more devices are cleaned and steps are taken to better secure the machines against further abuse, the notification effort will be well worth it," he addedAccording to the report, the challenge, and the reason for the awareness campaigns is the fact that most victims don't even know their computers have been infected, although the malicious software probably has slowed their web surfing and disabled their antivirus software, making their machines more vulnerable to other problems.

Astrology
TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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June 2-8, 2012

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

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: June 2-8, 2012
Aries: Be careful not to get roped into dubious financial deals. Family members would be upset with you because of your spendthrift behaviour. Time spent with friends would be highly entertaining and filled with pleasure, dont reveal information that is personal and confidential. Travelling would be good for building new contacts and alliances. A friend might seek some financial help. New growth plans will take concrete shape. Keep exercising to stay physically fit. Taurus: This week there would be an important development on your personal front, which will bring jubilation for you and your entire family. You will be highly impressive and your confidence will be at its peak. Spend some quality time with children and family members. Health related problems might cause some discomfort. Partnership opportunities look good, but put everything in black and white before you lay your money on the table. Gemini: Your creativity will amaze people around you and win you immense appreciation. A week full of happiness when spouse or partner will make sincere efforts to bring you joy. Money gains are certain, but dont enter any agreement/contract in haste. Romance is in the air, just waiting to become a physical reality! So prepare yourself for some exciting moments. Sheer pleasure and enjoyment for you, as you set about to enjoy life to the fullest. Cancer: Your high energy should be put to productive use, or frustrations would occur. Speculation will generate good profits, but you should be extra careful while carrying cash. Those traveling outstation need to be careful about their luggage and important documents. Not a very favourable week for making important decisions. Attend business-related seminars to collect the latest market information. Spiritual gains are certain for some. Leo: This week your strong determination and willpower will impress seniors. Financial support will be extended towards your ongoing projects from banks and other institutions. Not a good period for investments, especially speculation. An unexpected message from a distant relative brings excitement for the complete family. Children need to concentrate more on studies and plan for the future. It will be beneficial but tiring week, so dont exhaust yourself beyond a point or minor health problems will set in. Virgo: When it comes to doing important work, expenses would not bother you. Of course, the less you spend to achieve your results, the happier you would be. You should work on projects, which have long-term benefits. Your energy level and confidence would be high. You would generate new business opportunities, through old contacts. Romance is in the air, however be careful not to let this affect your work. Avoid discussing confidential matters with colleagues who could deceive at the last minute. Libra: Its another high-energy week for lucky Libra! Unexpected gains are foreseen. An important message would bring in happiness for the entire family. Pleasure trips and social gettogethers would add to your joy. If you have been considering a job overseas, then this seems to be a favorable period to send your resumes and appear for interviews. New business opportunities for some, but dont make any thoughtless or rash statements that could effect your relationship with others. A pleasure jaunt or outing with friends will do good to you. Scorpio: Sudden problem on the work front may arise upsetting your entire week. Although financial gains through speculation and investment cannot be ruled out, but you need to curb your expenses. It would be a busy week, lots of social functions and events to attend to, but dont forget responsibilities towards family members. New ventures will be alluring, but invest after consulting experts. Auspicious week for housewarming or starting a new construction. Sagittarius: This seems to be very active and highly social week for the dashing Sagittarius. People would look up to you for your advice and would simply agree with anything that comes out of your mouth. Your determination would set an example for others to follow. Good week for some serious planning and starting new ventures. Searching for the best real estate deal in the market would be worthwhile. Dont forget family obligations. Capricorn: Your charms and generosity would bring new friends and romantic opportunities. However, your domestic life would suffer if you spend extra time at office. Investment in real estate and selective stocks would be beneficial. Travelling during this period would be fun and entertaining. A spiritual person showers blessings and brings peace of mind. Minor changes around the house would be undertaken to improve the look of it. Aquarius: Dont evade important issues. You would be full of good ideas and your work would impress others. Relationship with your beloved would also improve. Stick to your goals for long term benefits. Renew old contacts and seek advice from friends if necessary. Dont sign up for too many activities or youll have trouble fulfilling your obligation. Meeting with a very influential person would bring desired results. Pisces: Your competitive nature would help you stay ahead of others. Social activities would be highly encouraging. Transfer and promotion for some employees cannot be ruled out. Business transactions need to be tackled very carefully. Stick to your budget to avoid financial constraints. The need is to be vigilant as someone at office might try to harm your interest or reputation. Call friends you havent seen for a long time. Drive carefully, especially two wheelers.

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

June 02: Governed by number 2 and the Moon, you are energetic, dignified, ambitious, and an intelligent person. You are a person who enjoys a small but trustworthy group of friends. You are not secretive about anything and you like to share with others, but your need to check your tendency to behave hypocrite, over ambitious and dictatorial at times. This year you would be the leader in your group and satisfactorily complete new and challenging projects. You are setting into a remarkable period, which would bring excellent results to you career. You would spend more on comforts and luxuries, but be very confused regarding investments. You would be in the limelight at social gathering. You would make new friends and important contacts. Health seems fine but even then, it is recommended that you take preventive medication. The months of September, December and May will prove to be highly important. June 03: Ruled by number 3 and the planet Jupiter. You are bold, energetic, ambitious, dignified, and systematic person. You are always attracted to good music and nature and you also like to enjoy your privacy and independence. People admire you because of your commitment towards your work, but you need to control your tendency to behave reckless and stubborn at times. A period of immense gains and rewards. Your personality and confidence will improve and it will bring major gains in your profession as well. Your employer will appreciate your knowledge and your skills. You will also make additional financial gains through sale of property, accrual of rent, dividends or interests. This is also a good period to invest in expensive art and ornaments. Good news from distant relatives can be expected later in the year. Pilgrimage or a long journey will be high on your cards. The months of June, September, November and April will prove important. June 04: Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are smart, active, practical, enthusiastic, courageous and highly religious person. You take a very realistic view of things in your daily life and tackle them with immense responsibility, but you need to check your tendency to behave restless, vindictive and spendthrift at times. This year you will make major gains at work. You will establish better rapport with colleagues and clients but your seniors will be difficult to handle. Property related matter, which has been disturbing your mind would settle to your satisfaction. Your love life will strengthen as your mate shows more confidence in you than ever before. You will receive gifts and presents and romance will flourish, but some people will be jealous around you. Elders and children in the family will demand lot of your attention. The months of June, August and December will be significant. June 05: Governed by number 5 and the planet Mercury. You are intelligent, emotional, sharp, sensible, dignified, original and dashing person. You have magnetic personality, which attracts many people towards you. You are warm and friendly person, but you need to check your tendency to behave restless, impatient and possessive at times. This year you will travel more frequently for business and this could put some pressure on your personal life. Projects that have been slow till now will gain momentum. Romance will flourish, but do not push your mate for some changes in his/her behaviour or be prepared for arguments and confrontations. Although your competitive nature will keep you ahead of others, but financial gains in the first half of the year will be much less than your expectation. Health needs more care. The months of August, November, December and January will prove to be important. June 06: Ruled by number 6 and the planet Venus. You are active, imaginative, honest, charming, energetic, and very fond of worldly pleasures. You have an in-build talent to heal people who are depressed and feeling emotionally down, but you need to control your tendency to behave moody, timid and spendthrift at times. Your stars promise you fame and good fortune. You shall gather knowledge, information and make new long lasting contacts during this period. Your efficiency will increase and you will manage your money much better, bringing you more gains. Chances of businessmen entering service industry or anything related with computers will be strong and beneficial. Meditation and Yoga should be practiced for spiritual as well as physical gains. Some exhilarating news from your children will bring happiness later in the year. The months of November, January and February will be highly eventful. June 07: Dominated by number 7 and the planet Neptune, you are practical, trustworthy, imaginative, sensitive and a simple person. You dont believe in love at first sight and you take your time in developing trust but once you like somebody it lasts forever. You are highly systematic and methodical person, but you need to control your tendency to behave arrogant and dominating at times. This year you will be extremely receptive to new and progressive methods at work. Financial gains are certain and you will spend more on things to improve your style and living comforts. Businessmen will establish important contacts. You will benefit if you travel and get involved in clubs and other social events. Spouse and children will be supportive but behave demanding at times. Expecting mothers need to take special care of their health. The month of June, October and January will bring in desired result. June 08: Influenced by number 8 and the planet Saturn. You are ambitious, authoritative, systematic, sober and practical person. You possess a charisma and personality that makes you a star at social functions, but you need to control your tendency to behave erratic, stubborn and vindictive at times. This year you will establish new contacts and sign new partnerships that will go a long way in your career. Everything you do you will do well. Social functions and events will be plenty but do not interfere in the affairs of others. Family members will be supportive and friends will be helpful. Minor tensions and stress will bother you especially concerning the health of your parents and increase in household expenses. The months of July, September, December and February seem to be highly productive.

Before you consult...

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

Free Consultation
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Spiritual Awareness TheSouthAsianTimes.info

June 2-8, 2012

Yodeling for God

divine Sound is the current of the Light and Sound of God reverberating through all creation. The Sound emanates from God. We can hear that Sound within when we sit in meditation. When we are absorbed in that divine Music, our soul transcends physical body-consciousness and returns to God. Then, we are safe and secure in Gods loving embrace. Unfortunately, many people do not yodel to God. Instead they only want to hear their own voice. They yodel to themselves. Thus, the sound that bounces back to them is their own voice. This describes what we do when we do not turn to God. Instead, we are focused on our own selves, our body, our mind and The soul has great trials and tribulations in its quest for freedom. The pulls of this physical world try to keep the soul tied to its physical body. Any attempt to escape this bondage is met with pressure from others to stay trapped with them. The one who has captured us all here, the Universal Mind, does not want anyone to escape the physical realm. Thus, pressure is applied to keep souls bound. Included in this pressure is peer pressure which tells the soul, who wants to be freed from this world, that it is not normal to want to escape. They tell the soul that it is crazy and mad. The Mind wants to use any means possible to distract the soul from finding liberation from its clutches. It When we go back to the source from where each religion began, we find a teacher, mystic, or saint who was teaching the very basics of the inner side of religionsit in stillness and silence and find God within. Masters and saints come in every age to awaken us to the true purpose for which religions came into beingto sit in stillness and find our soul and God within. They teach the practice of meditation by which we can shift our attention from the outer physical world and become conscious of the spiritual realms within. This consciousness ultimately leads to rising above physical body-consciousness and soaring through spiritual realms beyond until reuniting our soul time goes on, though, the disciple finds life to be extremely challenging. The disciple is now living in two different worlds. The yodels of the Master, and the beauteous inner Lights, vistas, and Music into which one becomes absorbed in meditation, call to the soul. But the soul is in a dilemma. It wants to meditate all the time. It wants to be in the presence of the Master all the time because it is so enchanting, but it is bound by its duty in the world. The soul is still tied to the physical body which has its responsibilities and roles to play in the physical world. The difficulty the soul has is that it has internally cut its interest and connections to the world. It has tasted its true nature in the

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

witzerland is known all over the world for the beautiful Alps.The picturesque mountains are world famous with their majesty, their snow-capped peaks, and their lovely valleys. When people around the world think of the Swiss Alps a special music known as yodeling comes to mind. The yodel is considered a form of communication to others when we are lost in the mountains. The sound bounces off the face of the mountain so that there is an echo. Even if our voice is soft, the echo makes the sound louder so that others far away can hear us. The yodel can be used in two ways. The first use of yodeling is when we think we are alone. We yodel and our own voice echoes back to us. For those who love to hear their own voice, this method lets us listen to the sound of our voice echoing back to us. The second use of yodeling is for communication between two people. We want to let someone else know where we are. Then, they respond to us with a yodel and we know we are not alone. We can then dialogue with the other person through our yodels. The act of yodeling serves as a good example of our communication with God. We are lost in this world. When we are lost, we want help. What do we do? We call out for help. Most call out to God when we need help. The cry that comes from our heart when we realize we are lost can be heard by God. It is like the yodel of distress we send out when we are lost on a mountaintop. The lost yodeler is hoping to hear a response that does not sound like his or her own voice bouncing back. The lost person feels relieved when the yodel comes back from a second party. Similarly, when we truly cry out for God, God responds. We yodel for help, and God sends a Sound back to us to help us out of despair. When we are lost and cry out to God, God puts us in touch with the divine Sound that can carry us back to safety.That

God is calling to us at every moment. We are deaf because we are busy listening to our own yodels in meditation. When we spend meditation time thinking about our problems, other people, the past and the future, we are listening to our own yodeling. How can we hear God if we are busy listening to our own mind? We need to quiet our mind so we can hear the beautiful sound of God calling to us.
the world around us. We are more attuned to our own mind and ego. Thus, instead of hearing Gods divine yodel, we only hear the sounds of our own voice, which are the thoughts of our mind. This also describes what we do in meditation. To find God, we need to be open to hear God yodeling to us. God is calling to us at every moment. We are deaf because we are busy listening to our own yodels in meditation. When we spend meditation time thinking about our problems, other people, the past, and the future, we are listening to our own yodeling. How can we hear God if we are busy listening to our own mind? We need to quiet our mind so we can hear the beautiful sound of God calling to us. The mystic path is one that leads to the bliss of union of the soul with its Beloved, God. It is a journey in which the soul is extricated from its entrapment in the physical realm, with a physical body and physical mind. It is not easy to escape their clutches. Freedom from enslavement in the physical realm rests on identifying with our spiritual nature as soul. uses other people to convince the soul that there is something wrong with the spiritual path and something wrong with them for wanting to find God. While all religions speak of God, pray to God, and have rites and rituals to worship God, few actually give their congregations a way to find God. Rather than promote the esoteric side of religion which contains the instructions to identify with the soul and gain union with God, religions promote the outer or exoteric side of religion. This involves functionalities that include the physical body. Going on pilgrimages involves walking. Lighting candles involves moving the hands. Singing or playing instruments involves our vocal chords and bodies. Saying prayers involves moving our lips and tongue. In this way, the Universal Mind uses religion to keep us engaged in the outer world by use of our physical faculties. For the soul to be freed, the mind and body need to be stilled. Thus, the side of religion that involves stillness is suppressed. To find the mystical side of religion, we need to dig deep and go back to the actual teachings of the saints and founders. with God. Then, we can hear the divine Music of God instead of the yodeling of this world. As this spiritual consciousness awakens, the soul is drawn more and more within. It is no longer satisfied with the enjoyments and pleasures of the outer world. The soul finds happiness only in communion with the spirit. There are only a few aspects of life that contain spirit and thus provide enjoyment for the soul. The soul finds its happiness in the company of a saint or Master who is radiating the love of God. It also finds joy in contacting the inner Light and Sound within through meditation because they are two primal manifestations of God into expression. The soul also experiences a thrill when it transcends physical body-consciousness to soar into spiritual realms within. When the soul attains the ultimate consummation of reuniting with God it attains eternal bliss. When people first come on a spiritual path they are excited and joyous to connect with the spirit through the Master and the meditation on the Light and Sound. They find more and more enjoyment in the company of the Master and in meditation. As ethereal realms of God. It has tasted of an ecstasy inconceivable in this world. When it is in contact with the spiritual Master who is the embodiment of the divine and loving power of God, either within or without, it is at home in bliss. It is fulfilled and satisfied. It wants to be in that state all the time. But it is still bound to the body, and that body has a role to play in this world. If we are in the body of a child, we are bound to do what our parents and teachers want. We have to get up, go to school, and study. At home we have to eat our broccoli and other vegetables and do our chores and our homework. If we are a spiritual child who came in touch with God and our soul, this world seems heavy and cumbersome. (To be continued...) Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an internationally recognized spiritual leader and Master of Jyoti Meditation who affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions and mystic traditions, emphasizing ethical living and meditation as building blocks for achieving inner and outer peace. www.sos.org.