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Immigration reform bill sails through Senate

14 Republicans voted for it, but the House controlled by their party may not be that kind.
Washington, DC: Already hailed as historic, the US Senate voted 68 to 32 Thursday to pass the Border Security, E c o n o m i c , Opportunity, and I m m i g r a t i o n Modernization Act, one of the most dramatic immigration overhauls to pass the Senate in decades. The legislation will Members of the bipartisan Gang of Eight put 11 million immithat authored the immigration reform bill grants who entered the and piloted it successfully in the Senate. country illegally on a path to citizenship, boost border security and owners from hiring illegal immigrants. As Continued on page 4 set up a system to keep American business senators filed into
New Delhi/Dehradun: Persistent efforts over the past more than 10 days have succeeded in the evacuation of more than 100,000 people, including locals, from the rain and flood-hit areas of Uttarakhand as authorities cremated many bodies in Kedarnath Thursday. Around 1,800 people are still stranded in the state. With 12 days elapsing since the flood-rain tragedy hit the state, a clearer picture of the massive losses has began to emerge. Over
1,500 roads have been swept away, while around 2,000 houses and 154 bridges have been damaged. The bodies of 18 security personnel ITBP, IAF and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - who were among the 20 killed in Tuesday's chopper crash, were also recovered. NDMA vice chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy said : "Approximately 1,829 people are still stranded all Continued on page 4
Bouquets and brickbats for Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage and on voting rights
Washington DC: In a momentous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key elements of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on Wednesday and, by refraining to uphold a ban in California (Proposition 8), allowed for a resumption of same-sex marriages in that state. While that 5-4 verdict respects and takes a cue from the shift in public opinion and has been hailed widely, the apex courts decision killing federal oversight provision in the Voting Rights Act has mainly attracted brickbats from the liberals and the minorities. The DOMA ruling means samesex couples lawfully married in the District of Columbia and the 12
Shudh Jasuja: New INOC (I) President

5 Supreme Court justices struck down Defense of Marriage Act, while 4 including Chief Justice John Roberts were the minority vote.
states including New York that have sanctioned same-sex marriage cannot be denied federal benefits
such as health care, custody, pensions and survivor benefits that are routine for Continued on page 4
Shudh Prakash Jasuja (shown with white scarf), the most well known face of Indian National Overseas Congress (I) in United States, has been appointed its President by Dr Karan Singh, Chairman of the NRI Cell, Congress (I) of India. Jasuja has served as Vice President of INOC(I) for over a decade and considered as most prominent leader of INOC(I).
First Person 14
Travel 16
Bollywood 18
Spiritual Awareness 30
excellence in journalism
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June 29- July 5, 2013
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
June 29-July 5, 2013
Practicing the great Indian export @ Times Square

By Jinal Shah/ SATimes trucks blared by with their sirens loud. Yet, the yogis and yoginis were unfazed as they posed on their mats. New York: Flashing lights, More people walked in all blaring horns and inner day long, some for free peace? If there were ever a yoga mats, some for fun place to test your yogic and photos. It was quite a focus, it's Times Square in sight to see yogis practicManhattan. On June 21, I ing on sheets of cardboard. too decided to test my yogic As for us, we were at the focus at the NYC Summer other side of the fence for Solstice Yoga so I put on my most part of the day, taking yoga pants, grabbed a mat pictures just like any curiand landed at the unusual ous foreign tourist milling venue - you got to admit, practicing yoga at Times You may ask, isnt yoga for around to see thousands of Square is the ultimate con- inner peace and works best Americans stretch to tradiction considering yoga when you are all by yourself? instructions. We missed the (Photo: Jinal Shah) afternoon Bikram Yoga is supposed to be for inner peace and works best when you are all by session and waited for the next one Rodney yourself. Anyway, I was late in registering my Yee who NYTimes christened as The First name so I decided to try my luck with spot Lady of Yoga. First we were asked to relax. registration along with my mother, also a yoga We settled down next to a veteran yogi, took enthusiast (who had come all the way from our shoes off and made ourselves comfortable India) and sister. There were some 16,000 sitting in the middle of Broadway. In fact I felt enthusiasts just like me trying to find tranquil- as if I was in a simulated ride, everything ity at what is arguably the worlds glitziest around me moved at an unprecedented pace and busiest street. The event fittingly named even the cycle rickshaw! Soon the hum of Om (with an accent!) rose Mind over Madness included five classes taught over the course of the day. The routine above the everyday wailing of police sirens hustle and bustle did indeed swirl around the and honking of rude taxis. Half way through yoga practitioners, who performed their Surya as I gazed up at the sky up past the looming namaskars and Shavasanas on small pedestri- skyscrapers, the instructor said breath it all an islands on Broadway between 48th and in, it is all a part of you." One deep breath in, in the middle of all the commotion, suddenly 43rd. Metal fence guarded groups of practitioners made me realize that all the high-rises, the as they listened to leading yoga instructors flashlights, the noise, the smell and the people belting out directions. Taxis honked and fire - are part of me, my existence.
Ami Bera and Raj Shah jointly are India Abroad Person of the Year
USAID Administrator Raj Shah and Congressman Ami Bera. (Photo: Paresh Gandhi/Rediff.com)
Also honored was Amrit Singh, human rights activist known for her ground breaking work, and daughter of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
New York: In a year of countless accomplishments, India Abroad for the first time chose two IndianAmerican icons jointly as its Person of the Year 2012. US Congressman Dr Amerish Ami Bera, only the third Indian American to be elected to the Congress, was honored as Person of the Year for Political Achievement. USAID Administrator Dr Rajiv Raj Shah was declared Person of the Year for Public Service. The awards were presented by Preet Bharara, US
Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The 10th annual India Abroad Person of the Year Awards gala was held at The Pierre in Manhattan last weekend. Dr Romesh Wadhwani, the self-made billionaire founder of the Symphony Technology Group who is donating 80 percent of his wealth to charitable causes, and Dr Natwar Gandhi, who brought the District of Columbia back from the brink of financial ruin as its CFO, were awarded the
India Abroad Lifetime Achievement Award 2012. India Abroad Publishers Special Award for Excellence went to Amrit Singh, the senior legal officer for National Security and Counterterrorism, Open Society Justice Initiative. Accomplished daughter of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, her report, Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Torture and Extraordinary Rendition, received widespread attention in the international media.
US to suspend Bangladesh trade privileges White House holds first-ever briefing on Sikh civil rights issues
Washington: The United States will suspend trade privileges for Bangladesh because of concerns over labor rights and worker safety that intensified after hundreds died there in the global garment industry's worst accident. Obama administration made its announcement Thursday, the culmination of a years long review of labor conditions in the impoverished South Asian nation. Democratic lawmakers have been pushing for the step. Under the Generalized System of Preferences, Bangladesh can export nearly 5,000 products duty-free to the U.S., its leading market. While the GSP covers less than 1 percent of Bangladesh's nearly $5 billion in exports to the U.S. and doesn't include the lucrative garment sector, it could deter American companies from investing in Bangladesh. Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, is anxious to keep the trade benefit. While the immediate economic costs may not be significant, it carries reputational costs and may sway a decision by the European Union, which also is considering withdrawing GSP privileges. EU action could have a much bigger economic impact, as its duty-free privileges cover garments. Bangladesh's government says it is taking steps to improve worker safety after the April 24 collapse of Rana Plaza in Dhaka that killed 1,129 people, and to amend the nation's labor law. Washington, DC: It was a historic first as the White House held in Mid-June a briefing on Sikh civil rights issues. The briefing was organized in collaboration with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the White House Office of Public Engagement at the request of the Sikh Coalition. Approximately 50 activists from around the country attended the briefing. The assembled group included graduates from the 2011 and 2012 classes of the Sikh Coalition's Sikh Advocate Academy. The leaders and activists were given a briefing in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Commissioner Chai Feldblum of
Sikh community leaders and activists posing in front of the White House.
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Kimberly Walton, Assistant Administrator of TSA and John DiPaulo of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Education talked about the federal government's efforts to combat employment discrimination, airport
profiling, and school bullying respectively. In addition, Karen Chaves, Policy Advisor to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, spoke about the work of the Initiative to address Sikh and broader Asian American and Pacific Islander concerns.
TURN PAGE
Immigration reform bill sails... Continued from page 1 their seats, not only the magnitude of immigration reform, but the spirit of bipartisanship hung over the chamber as the original architects of the bill, the "gang of eight" reflected on the legislative battles that lie behind them. The bill attracted 14 Republican yays, a key step to boosting the bill's momentum before it goes to the GOP-controlled House where the odds for bipartisan immigration reform remain slim. House Speaker John Boehner doubled down Thursday on his promise that he will not bring any legislation to the floor that cannot garner a majority of the Republican caucus, even a compromised agreement that may be forged between the House and the Senate in conference committee. "For any legislation, including the conference report, to pass the House it's going to have to be a bill that has the support of the majority of our members," Boehner said. One of the reasons the legislation was able to garner so much Republican backing Thursday was that from the beginning, the gang of eight brought together some of Washington's oddest policy bedfellows. The Chamber of Commerce and unions like the AFL-CIO came together to negotiate the future flow of lowskilled workers, the American Farm Bureau and the American Farm Workers Union agreed on a program to reform the number of farm workers brought to the country and the Catholic church and evangelicals came together to prod the process along. Over 100,000 rescued, 1,800 still ... Continued from page 1 over Uttarakhand and we are hopeful that the rescue operation would be over by Friday." The National Disaster Management Authority, an autonomous body to coordinate disaster preparedness, said 104,095 people had been evacuated from the state till Thursday. Reddy said 560 people have died, 463
have been injured and 344 missing in the floods. "Around 2,000 houses were damaged as well as 154 bridges," he told reporters. Reddy also said that several roads, which had been closed due to the rescue operations, have now been opened. The roads from Uttarkashi to Gangotrri, Joshimath to Badrinath and a few roads going towards Rudryaprayag are still closed due to damage in landslides and repair work was on. Bouquets and brickbats for Supreme ... Continued from page 1 both members of conventional marriages. The ruling did not address whether gays have a constitutional right to marry and thus will have no impact on the more than 30 states that do not allow same-sex marriages or recognize the legality of those who move from states where they are legal. As a result, supporters and opponents of gay marriage were bracing for battles ahead on the issue. On striking down key parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the court freed the Southern states from federal oversight of their election laws and setting off a fierce reaction from civil rights advocates and Democratic leaders. The court's conservative majority moved Tuesday to rein in a law that is credited with transforming the South by ensuring blacks could register and vote. The court left open the possibility that Congress could fix the law, but the partisan gridlock that has dominated the legislative branch in recent years appears to make that unlikely. In a third major decision pending before it, the court on Monday hedged its bets, allowing affirmative action to survive in college admissions but imposed a tough legal standard, ruling that schools must prove there are no workable race-neutral alternatives to achieve diversity on campus. In a way, the decision amounts to a warning to colleges nationwide that the courts will treat race-conscious admissions policies with a high degree of skepticism.
Our next issue, dated July 6-12, 2013, celebrates Americas Independence Day (July 4). You are invited to share your views on what makes America special, and/or your experiences of living and working in this country. Please email the article in about 300-500 words by July 2 to editor@thesouthasiantimes.info
Acclaimed Bollywood actress Vidya Balan will be the Grand Marshal at India Day Parade organized by FIA in New York on August 18, 2013.
Three honored by INOC (I)

New York: At a reception INOC(I) hosted for Dr Karan Singh, chair, Foreign Affairs Cell of Congress (I) party on June 20th at World Fair Marina in Queens, three prominent Indian Americans were honored. Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori is Professor and Executive Vice Chairman of the Radiation Oncology Department at The New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. He is also Chairman of Radiation Oncology at The New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens. Dr. Nori has treated Indias ruling UPA chairperson, Mrs.Sonia Gandhi at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Hospital in NY. Peter Bheddah is a businessman and philanthropist. In 1972, he founded IDC Marketing
Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori
Peter Bheddah
Gobind Munjal
Corp., one of the first Indian American-owned firms in the wholesale electronics sector. In 1994, he began assisting the less fortunate through the IALI and the Interfaith Nutrition Network. He is past president and a director of the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation, which has provided over $5 million of cancer detection equipment to Indian hospitals.
Gobind Munjal, a CPA by profession, has worked as a Senior Vice President of Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions and served on the Board of Directors of the International Division of Tata Group of Hotels in the USA. In 2006 he started his own advisory and consultancy services. He served as President of India Association of Long Island (IALI) in 2011.
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TRISTATE COMMUNITY
India ready to discuss patent policies Le Corbusier exhibition opens at Museum of Modern Art with US lawmakers: Nirupama Rao He was architect of Indias first planned city Chandigarh
Washington, DC: Asserting that the Indian Patents Act related to pharmaceutical products is not discriminatory against foreign companies, the Indian ambassador to the United States, Nirupama Rao, offered concerned lawmakers to discuss the issue for the sake of long-term bilateral and strategic partnership between the two countries. "My senior colleagues at the embassy stand prepared to come and meet with your key officials or your constituents to engage in a friendly and substantive exchange of views so as to promote deeper understanding, and to seek mutually satisfactory solutions, in a spirit of friendship," Rao said in a letter to the US lawmakers. Explaining the existing Indian laws and policies to protect intellectual property, Rao wrote the letter to members of the Senate India Caucus and the House of Representative Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans. The letter dated June 20, comes in response to the series of letters from more than 250 US lawmakers in recent days - from both the members of Senate and the House of Representatives - addressing either the Secretary of State or US President alleging the trade policies to be discriminatory. "As a member of the Senate India Caucus you have always been a staunch advocate of strong India-US relations and our strategic partnership. We are deeply appreciative of your commitment to further the cause of friendship between our countries," Rao said. "India has a well-settled, stable and robust intellectual property regime. The three main pillars of this regime are comprehensive laws, detailed rules to back them up, and strong enforcement mechanisms, including for dispute resolution. In India, the IP framework is rooted in law," she said. Rao said that that the highest share (20-30 per cent) of all patents granted in India has gone to US nationals and corporations. Of all the patents granted for pharmaceutical inventions between 2005 and 2011, more than 85 per cent were owned by foreign companies in India, she added.
Chandigarh hosts the largest of Le Corbusier's many Open Hand sculptures, standing 26 metres high. Seen here the Legislative Assembly designed by him.
New York: Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes, newly installed at the Museum of Modern Art is a sprawling introduction to the life and work of this Swiss-born giant. The exhibition continues through September 23. The shows curators, Jean-Louis Cohen and Barry Bergdoll, have marshaled hundreds of drawings, watercolors, paintings, models and
films, a cornucopia gleaned to a large extent from the Fondation Le Corbusier. Theyve commissioned largescale photographs by Richard Pare and fabricated full-size reproductions of furnished rooms. Theres nearly everything that could practically be exhibited here, including the proverbial sink, albeit not a kitchen sink but one from the architects teeny seaside cabin, abreast the gulf of
Monte Carlo, where, in late summer, 1965, when he was 77, after a swim against doctors orders, his dead body washed onto the beach. Born Charles-douard Jeanneret in a provincial Alpine village in 1887, Le Corbusier became a maker of pure, Cubist form, having evolved his voice from the whitewashed walls and Pentelic marble that he had admired.
Letter to the Editor
Columbus: Kerry & Khurshid, Obama & Singh

he lengthy Op-Ed in The New York Times is welcome, given the author's intimate love of words, vision and appreciating the effects of time and travel upon people, religions, nations and history. I read beyond the necessary management of bilateral
Experience India Unlimited this Diwali

By Jinal Shah/SATimes New York: If there was any doubt that Diwali had become a well-entrenched event on New York Citys multicultural calendar, wait until this Diwali. Thanks to a new initiative by Evolve group, New Yorkers will experience more than just fireworks this season. India Unlimited a new enterprise- promises to showcase India on a bigger and a bolder platform. India Unlimited, a 10 day festival starting from October 24 will showcase Indian achievements, festivals, culture, royal traditions, and luxury travel through special events and projects at various locations all over Manhattan. In our current global atmosphere, we are witnessing a unique social phenomenon where relations have extended across cultures and people want to know more about each others values and traditions, said Sapnna Vats, co-founder of Evolve. It is with this philosophy in mind that we have created India Unlimited, an opportunity to bring India closer to the world and share the
expectations, on a host of issues and perceptions, a desire for a new tryst with destiny between the country Columbus set out to find and the country Columbus ended up causing birth of. The pre-election India and the post-election United States is a self-
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan regales New Yorkers with his popular songs
Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performed at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY, June 15 in a concert presented by ARIZ Inc as a grand finale to his US tour. The King of Qawali and Sufi music sang his hit songs such as Afreen Afreen and Sajda. He sang his most popular song Tere Mast Mast Do Nain on stage alongside his son, Shaadman.
contained "check and balance" of democracy. Yet, within arms reach of our Secretary of State John Kerry, a warrior, politician and statesman, and India's Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid, an author, politician and philosopher-statesman, is a new tryst with destiny that seeks to make history more honest and a future more perfect. United States has done much, from helping India's freedom in 1947 to hoping to see a "special relationship" partner like Great Britain. The natural love affair between the oldest and largest democracies is rooted in history and citizenship even more than governmental. It is the will of natural law, above the rule of law, that India and United States find their "sweet spot" of trust and reliance no matter the issues or perceptions. Our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution ought not be forgotten, as the relationship between us and India is rooted in same beyond the Boston Tea Party. Ravi Batra Eminent Attorney, New York
A 10-day fest will see special events at various locations all over Manhattan
magnitude of our countrys achievements with mainstream America. The events will include an awards ceremony, Broadway musical showcasing the legend of Rama (Hindu God), specially-curated tasting menus at fine dining Indian restaurants, art contests, and fashion and comedy shows. Events include: Global Indian Leadership Awards 2013 Laughter Rockets Comedy Show with headliner Papa CJ Ramayana, the Broadway Musical Festive Feast with Vikas Khanna of Master Chef India The Splendid Indian Closet Fashion Show
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
IN BRIEF
Gayatri Pariwar appeals to help Uttarakhand flood victims

ayatri Pariwar (www.awgp.org) has made an appeal to join the flood relief work in Uttarakhand. Shantikunj ( Haridwar, Headquarter of Gayatri Pariwar) has taken up the task of providing the relief and rehabilitation work on a war footing. The government of India has provided the disaster management team of Shantikunj with helicopter services to distribute food and life saving needs of stranded persons. Its volunteers are helping army and paramilitary persons on 24/7 basis. The Shantkunj Ashram is prepared to provide accommodation and medical facilities for thousands of returning pilgrims. Free staying arrangements has been made in Shantikunj for victims as well as their relatives for over 3000 people. Three state governments ( Gujarat, MP and Rajasthan ) have set up their control and command headquarters in Shantikunj for the relief operations. Narenda Modiji ( CM Gujarat) and Shivrajsingh Chauhan (CM, MAdhya Pradesh) visited Shantikunj to oversee the relief operations. Ministers and administrative staff over seeing relief operation from many states of India are working hand in hand with volunteers from Gayatri Pariwar. Over 50000 meals and many other items
Sree Sreenivasan named Metropolitan Museums first Chief Digital Officer
T
Volunteers preparing the food packets
have been shipped to the affected areas in collaboration with military and government agencies. Dr Pranav Pandya ( Head, Gayatri Pariwar) has taken a sankap to revive the Himalayan region of Uttrakhand over next three years and Shantikunj will support reconstruction of over 50 villages. One can make tax deductible donation in USA at the following center of Gayatri Pariwar. Gayatri Chetna Center ( In Memo: please write- for Uttrakhand Flood Relief), 240, Centennial Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone:732-357-8200 One can also make online donation at http://www.gayatricenter.org/donations.php
Indian Consulate organizes photo exhibition on Sikh art and heritage
he Consulate General of India, New York organized week long exhibition of photos of Sikh Art and Heritage The Sikhs: A Heritage of Valor and Devotion at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York from June 19 till June 23, 2013. The exhibition was organized in association with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. Consul General Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay inaugurated the exhibition on June 19, 2013. During his address he mentioned that the Sikh tradition in India has contributed immensely to the Indian philosophy and to the Indian way of living making rich contribution to Indias unity in diversity. He also emphasized the fact that the Sikh religion and culture has created strong foot prints not only in India but now Sikh commuintys contribution has been recognized all over the world and particularly in the United states. He said the viewers of the exhibition would appreciate the rich Indian heritage of which the great Sikh heritage is the part. The photo exhibition is by Sondeep Shankar, an eminent photographer from India, and provides a glimpse of rich Sikh heritage and tradi-
homas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, has announced the appointment of Sree Sreenivasan as the Museums first Chief Digital Officer. He is currently Chief Digital Officer at Columbia University and a member of the faculty of Columbia Journalism School, where he teaches social and digital media. At the Metropolitan Museum, he will explore new digital opportunities for the Museum and lead its Digital Media Department, which is responsible for managing and producing digital contentespecially documentation and interpretive materials on the Museums collectionand for delivering it to a variety of audiences, both online and in the galleries. He will join the Museum on August 12. Mr. Campbell stated, in making the announcement: Sree comes to the Met with a strong background in the communication of ideas. His work in traditional journalism, his role as a commentator on technology and media issues, and his expertise in websites and social media will all be key to the Museums work in the digital space. His academic background will also position
him well within our community of scholars, and we look forward to working with him as we leverage mobile, ingallery, and online platforms for the Mets collections. Until now, Ive had a one-way, three-decade-long love affair with the Met, said Sree Sreenivasan, so I am absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to contribute as part of the staff and as the leader of the digital media team there. Much of my work in recent years has been about connecting the physical and the digital, the in-person and the online experience. Now I look forward to forging new connections between the superb, expansive collections of the Metwhich are a true representation of our shared global historyand the two billion people who use the web. Sreenivasan has been named one of Poynters 35 most influential people in social media; one of AdAges 25 media people to follow on Twitter; one of SPJs top 20 journalists to follow on Twitter; one of OnlineColleges.nets 50 most social media savvy professors in America; one of GQ Indias 30 digital Indians; and one of the Huffington Posts 50 media people to follow on Facebook.
Indian American convicted for murder

The exhibition was visited by many community members tions. For more than two decades, Mr. Shankar has roamed the length and breadth of India in an effort to photographically document the heritage of Sikhism, a religion whose teachings are founded in the philosophy of humanism, pluralism and universal brotherhood. It was deeply influenced by the devotional movement and synthesized liberal traditions of all religions prevalent in India at that time. The exhibition was visited by large number of members of the Indian community particularly the Sikh community and also from various cultural organizations.
n Indian American man has been convicted of murder of another Indian American man outside a Sikh temple in the US state of California in 2008. A jury in Sacramento convicted Gurpreet Singh Gosal, 28, for the second degree murder of Parmjit Pamma Singh outside the Bradshaw gurdwara in Sacramento, California, during a Sikh sports festival Aug 31, 2008. According to the jurors, Gosal fired a weapon but did not hit anyone. However, it was his friend, Amandeep Singh Dhami, who shot and killed Singh
over a long-running dispute between the two, the Sacramento Bee reported Saturday. Dhami has reportedly fled to India after the incident with help from friends. "I think the jury did a good job, deputy district attorney Anthony Ortiz, who had asked the panel for a first-degree conviction on Gosal under an aiding and abetting theory, was quoted as saying. "The case had some major issues and they worked through them, and I think they came to a just verdict. --Compiled by Hiral Dholakia-Dave
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New York seniors celebrated Father's Day on June 17 at a temple in Glean Oaks, NY. The speakers, Jasubhai Bandhanikar, Mrs Gopi Udeshi, Kantibhai Patel, and Labhubhai Upadhyaya, talked about the history of Fathers day and the effects on culture in India and USA.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Appeals Court upholds Rajaratnams conviction

New York: A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of Raj Rajaratnam, the former hedge fund manager who was charged with orchestrating a vast insider trading conspiracy. Rajaratnams arguments are not persuasive, said the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Manhattan in a decision published on Monday. The ruling validates the aggressive tactics deployed by federal prosecutors in the governments sweeping investigation into insider trading on Wall Street, which has resulted in more than 70 convictions or guilty pleas since 2009. For the first time in an insider trading inquiry, and most prominently in the Rajaratnam case, the authorities used wiretaps a method typically reserved for drug trafficking and organized crime cases to record the telephone conversations of traders. Mr. Rajaratnams lawyers argued that federal prosecutors had used deceptive methods to obtain permission from a judge to wiretap his cellphone. They accused the government of leaving out crucial information from its wiretap application, including that the Securities and Exchange Commission was already conducting its own investigation. The contents of those wiretapped conversations, during which Mr. Rajaratnam and his accomplices swapped confidential
Hagel apologizes to Indian American professor for Taliban joke

Washington, DC: The US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has apologized to an Indian American professor for jokingly asking him if he was a member of the Taliban during a university event in Nebraska early this week. Hagel had jokingly asked Robert A Gandhi, the IndianAmerican Professor "you are not a member of the Taliban, are you?", before he rose to ask a question to the Defence Secretary at the event. "He (Hagel) expressed regret for any trouble this caused the professor," the Pentagon Press Secretary, George Little, said, adding that such a remark by the Defence Secretary "was a comment directed at no one in particular," and a lame attempt at humor. Hagel personally called Gandhi, who is an Assistant Professor of Information Assurance, at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.
Raj Rajaratnam
information about publicly traded companies, led a jury to find Mr. Rajaratnam guilty after a two-month trial in 2011. He is serving an 11-year sentence at a federal prison in Ayer, Mass. Judge Jose A. Cabranes, writing for a unanimous three-judge panel, said that the trial court judge, Richard J. Holwell, had properly analyzed the ostensible mistakes in the governments application to wiretap Mr. Rajaratnams phone. Mr. Rajaratnam's trial highlighted an array of witnesses used by the Justice Dept. We cannot conclude that the government omitted certain information about the S.E.C. investigation with reckless disregard for the truth, wrote Judge Cabranes, who also rejected an argument by Mr. Rajaratnams lawyers that Judge Holwell had given the jury erroneous instructions.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel
"They had a very good discussion and (Hagel) wanted to leave no impression that this joke was directed at anyone in particular, including the professor," Little said. In a statement released by the University, Gandhi said he was honored to hear the speech of the Defence Secretary and get response from him on his question of cyber weapons. "I was honored to attend Secretary of Defence Hagel's speech on Wednesday. I was able to ask a question, and I
thoroughly enjoyed hearing his answer. Before I rose to ask a question, there was apparently some confusion that did not involve me," Gandhi said. Gandhi's research interests include information assurance, regulatory requirements modeling and analysis, software engineering, knowledge-intensive software systems, software assurance, certification and accreditation, software metrics and measures, and risk assessment.
New Delhi: The US Immigration Bill (as it currently stands) can impact India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), says a report by JP Morgan. According to JP Morgan, the outplacement clause (by impacting the IT sector growth and the subsequent multiplier consequences) could take away as much as 0.3-0.4% of India's FY15 GDP. The outplacement clause would restrict the placement of H1-B workers at client sites. The outplacement clause imposes significant higher filing fees on H1-B dependent employers based on the percentage of nonimmigrants employed in the company. These companies currently pay $2,500 for H1-B visa processing and an additional $1,225 for premium processing. There is a significant multiplier impact this sector exerts on the Indian economy via consumption and growth of ancillary
Indian Americans among business Immigration bill can hurt India's GDP: JP Morgan leaders Obama meets on immigration
industries (e.g. real estate, travel/transportation, hospitability); hence, this direct 'gap' or 'loss' to India's GDP together should be taken with its multiplier downstream impact of 2x, the report says. JP Morgan feels that its estimated adverse impact on India's FY15 GDP (including the downstream multiplier impact) due to the outplacement clause in the immigration bill at 0.3-0.4% is large enough for the Government of India to get worried about the immigration bill (as it currently stands). "Even more worrying, perhaps, is the adverse implications this finding has on downstream lower-level employment this sector generates," it opines. "India's IT exports include three sub-segments - IT services, BPO and R&D. The entire IT exports sector at $87 billion (Nasscom's FY14 estimate at the upper-end) is about 4%+ of India's GDP," says the report. "On an incremental basis, it is about 7-8% of India's GDP (the sector is growing well above India's GDP; so on an incremental basis its share is higher). The pure IT services segment is the most impacted sector among the three sub-segment accounts (less so BPO and R&D; impact of the bill on the BPO industry is the least)," it adds. The bill will force Indian IT companies to reduce their dependency on H1-B workers, given that it may require them to fork out higher visa fee and salaries to H-1B visa holders over their American peers with similar experience. JP Morgan believes that the impact of outplacement can be offset by factors such as local hiring, increasing the offshore content of work and/or greater automation. Washington: President Barack Obama met a group of top business executives, including two IndianAmericans, to discuss with them the comprehensive immigration reform. Addressing this small group of nine top American CEOs in the Roosevelt room of the White House on Monday, Obama said that immigration reform would be a boost to the American economic recovery. The two Indian-American CEOs were Farooq Kathwari, chairman, president and CEO of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc and Sunil Puri, founder, First Rockford Group. Welcoming these "extraordinary business leaders" Obama said, all of these business leaders recognize the degree to which immigration is a contributor to growth, a contributor to expansion, a creator of jobs but they also recognize that the immigration system that we currently have is broken. "We have a system in which we bring outstanding young people from all across the world to educate them here, and unfortunately, too often, we send them right back so that they can start companies or help to grow companies somewhere else instead of here," Obama said. "We have a situation in which millions of individuals are in the shadow economy, oftentimes exploited at lower wages, and that hurts those companies that are following the rules, because they end up being at a disadvantage to some of these less scrupulous companies," he added. He also noted that some of the business owners at the table were immigrants, and like the generations of immigrants that came before them, these business leaders came to this country to build a better life and are now helping build a stronger economy by creating American jobs.
US AFFAIRS
Supreme Court rules on major issues

DOMA dead, court grants equal Court kills Voting Rights Act federal oversight provision status to same-sex couples
Washington: A sharply divided Supreme Court has struck down a key part of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, freeing the Southern states from federal oversight of their election laws and setting off a fierce reaction from civil rights advocates and Democratic leaders. The court's conservative majority moved boldly Tuesday to rein in a law revered by civil rights groups that is credited with transforming the South by ensuring blacks could register and vote. In doing so, the court eliminated a tool that the Justice Department used hundreds of times to prevent cities, counties and states from adopting allegedly discriminatory voting rules. The court left open the possibility that Congress could fix the law, but the partisan gridlock that has dominated the legislative branch in recent years appears to make that unlikely. Under the provision that the court struck down, nine states and the city councils and local governments within them were required to obtain advance approval from Washington before changing their rules on voting and elections, a process known as "pre-clearance." The goal was to end the discriminatory schemes that for a century after the Civil War had prevented blacks from registering and voting. More recently, the law has been used to ensure that black and Latino votes translate into electoral power. Since it was first adopted in 1965, the law has been repeatedly extended by Congress, most recently by a nearly unanimous vote in a Republican-controlled House and Senate in 2006. Speaking for a 5-4 majority, Chief Justice John G.
Civil rights advocates gather outside the Supreme Court in support of the Voting Rights Act
5 apex court justices struck down Defense of marriage Act, while four including Chief Justice John Roberts were the minority vote
Washington: In two rulings that further enshrine gay rights, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key elements of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on Wednesday and, by refraining to uphold a ban, allowed for a resumption of same-sex marriages in California. In practical terms, the DOMA ruling means same-sex couples lawfully married in the District of Columbia and the 12 states that have sanctioned same-sex marriage cannot be denied federal benefits such as health care, custody, pensions and survivor benefits that are routine for both members of conventional marriages. Across the United States, gays celebrated the latest victory in a campaign for equal rights that while far from over has swept away centuries of secrecy and decades of treatment as second-class citizens. A half-century after landmark civil-rights decisions ended discrimination against African Americans, Wednesdays Supreme Court rulings did much the same for same-sex couples.
Lawmakers and courts have lagged behind momentous shifts in public attitudes. President Barack Obama hailed the courts rulings and condemned the contentious DOMA that is still vigorously defended by many conservatives and some on the Christian right. The 1996 law restricted marriage to being between a man and a woman. The ruling means stronger families and communities across our nation: Millions of same-sex married couples will gain access to all of the rights and responsibilities associated with marriage, said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The rulings did not address whether gays have a constitutional right to marry and thus will have no impact on the more than 30 states that do not allow same-sex marriages or recognize the legality of those who move from states where they are legal. Once same-sex marriages resume in California, more than a third of Americans will reside in states where it is legal.
Roberts Jr. pronounced the pre-clearance process a "resounding success" and then declared it unconstitutional. The problem, Roberts said, is the formula that Congress wrote for deciding which jurisdictions must seek pre-clearance. That formula has not been updated since the 1970s, and that, he said, is unacceptable. "African American turnout has come to exceed white voter turn out in five of the six states originally covered" by the 1965 law, and it is nearly equal in the remaining original states, he said. The Constitution rests on the "fundamental principle of equal sovereignty among the states," Roberts said, and if Congress is to single out some of them for special oversight, it must do so "in light of current conditions. It cannot rely simply on the past."
Mum on affirmative action

Washington: The Supreme Court on Monday allowed affirmative action to survive in college admissions but imposed a tough legal standard, ruling that schools must prove there are no workable race-neutral alternatives to achieve diversity on campus. While the ruling was not a sweeping pronouncement on the future of affirmative action, it amounts to a warning to colleges nationwide that the courts will treat race-conscious admissions policies with a high degree of skepticism. By a 7-1 vote, with one justice recusing herself, the court sent a case about the University of Texas admissions policy back to a federal appeals court for review, and directed the appeals court to apply an exacting legal standard known as strict scrutiny. The case was brought by Abigail Fisher, a white woman who applied to the university in 2008 and was denied, and claimed that her constitutional rights and federal civil rights laws were violated. The University of Texas admits about three-quarters of its students by guaranteeing a spot to anyone who finishes near the top of his or her high school class. When Fisher applied, the standard was the top 10 percent of the class. For the remainder of undergraduate admissions, race is considered as one of many factors.
US House rejects $500 billion farm bill

Washington: The U.S. House failed to pass a sweeping five-year farm bill with sharp cuts to food stamps, a surprising development that sets the stage for an uphill fight in Congress to craft a new law. The Republican-led House soundly rejected a $500 billion measure by a vote of 195-234, failing to muster enough support from conservative Republicans concerned about costs and Democrats concerned about deep cuts to the country's popular food stamp program. Top leaders on both sides of the aisle quickly fell to finger-pointing: Republicans claimed House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi failed to deliver the Democratic votes she promised, while Democrats pinned the blame on the GOP for its inability to bring enough support from the more than 60 members within their own party who opposed the bill. "We clearly have a profound disagreement. Don't blame Democrats for the loss today," said House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland. "The reason the bill lost today is because 62 of your members rejected" a call to support the legislation. Congress failed to pass a bill last year after GOP leaders in the House were reluctant to call for a vote because they did not think they had the 218 votes necessary to pass it. Lawmakers were forced to extend the old farm law through Sept. 30. Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., told reporters House GOP leaders were weighing their options this time around, which could include voting on the farm bill passed by the Senate last week or moving forward on another extension. House Republicans had expressed confidence in recent days that they had enough votes to pass the bill, but some of the blame Thursday was directed toward a pair of amendments including one that would have required food stamp recipients to either work or look for work for leading some Democrats to withdraw their support. Still, farm bill supporters were confident they could muster 40-60 Democrats to vote in favor of the bill. Instead, they garnered only 24.
Ohio air show crash leaves wing walker, pilot dead
A plane carrying a wing walker named Jane Wicker crashed at the Vectren Air Show near Dayton, Ohio, and exploded into flames Saturday in front of thousands of horrified spectators. The stunt walker and pilot were killed instantly. The plane, which was used for training pilots during World War II, was registered to Wicker.
US AFFAIRS
Democrats retain MA Senate seat Kerry vacated

Markeys election does not change the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats have 54 votes and Republicans have 46. But Democratic control had already slipped by one earlier this month after Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey died and was replaced by an interim Republican. Mr. Markeys win came as a surprise to no one. The state has three times as many Democrats as Republicans, but most voters are independents. Yet, he ran a cautious campaign that relied heavily on big Democratic stars, including President Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Long-term Representative Edward J. Markey is promoted to the Senate.
Boston: Representative Edward J. Markey, a Democrat who has served in the House for 40 years, won a promotion to the Senate on Tuesday as he handily defeated Republican Gabriel Gomez. Markey, 66,
replaces John Kerry, who stepped down earlier this year to become secretary of state. With almost all precincts reporting, Markey was leading Gomez by about 10 percentage points.
Nik Wallenda, a seventh-generation high-wire artist, has successfully completed a tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon without a safety harness. The Florida daredevil performed the quarter-mile crossing on a two-inch thick steel cable, 1,500ft above the Little Colorado River Gorge in Arizona. Last year he had traversed the Niagara Falls. Next, hed like to attempt to walk a tightrope between the Chrysler and Empire State buildings in New York City.
Marathon filibuster, protests block anti-abortion bill in Texas
State Senator Wendy Davis filibuster stretched to half a day
Austin, TX: It started with one woman and ended with the blockage of a bill that would tighten abortion restrictions in one of the most conservative states in the country. Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) announced early Wednesday morning that time had run out on the measure amid an hours-long opposition campaign from state Sen. Wendy Davis (D) and a flood of protesters who entered the state Capitol in solidarity with her. While the setback for the bill may only be temporary, it was hailed by abortion rights advocates as a major victory. At issue was a Republican-backed bill to place stricter regulations on abortion in the state. The bill, known as SB 5, would ban abortions after 20 weeks and mandate that doctors have hospital admitting privileges, among other things. Republicans were hoping to pass the bill on the last day of the special legislative session. But Davis, 50, launched a filibuster that would stretch for nearly half the day, attract attention from across the country and spur like-minded activists to join her fight in person. Partisanship and ambition are not unusual in a state capitol, but here, in Texas, right now, it has risen to a level of profound irresponsibility and the raw abuse of power, Davis said in a statement before launching her effort. After speaking for hours, Republicans derailed Daviss filibuster. She had run afoul of the rules, they noted. And so the race was on to try to pass the measure at quite literally, the eleventh hour. What came next was a period of confusion, followed by an announcement from Dewhurst that lawmakers had not passed the bill before time had expired on the session. Hundreds of protesters had poured into the Capitol. Dewhurst blamed them for disrupting the proceedings.
10
INDIA
India mourns 'Himalayan tsunami'

From one tragedy to another: over 1,000 dead, 7,500 still stranded in the devastated Uttarakhand as death toll likely to go up as many bodies, buried under debris, are yet to be found; 20 people killed as IAF Mi-17 crashes while returning from a rescue mission
Dehradun: Heavy rains hit operations to evacuate thousands of people still stranded in the hills of Uttarakhand as most helicopters could not operate, while 20 people were killed as an IAF Mi-17 crashed while returning from a rescue mission, officials said. The state government has put the death toll in the flood disaster at over 1,000 and said it could climb further. With more rain and rising fog across the valley and the hills, operations slowed down, leaving more than 7,500 people still stranded on the Badrinath route. Returning from a rescue mission from Guptkashi and Kedarnath, a newly-acquired IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed north of Gaurikund. While National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) vice chief M. Shashidhar Reddy put the toll at 20, the IAF said that eight people, including five crew members, were killed. Eleven bodies have been recovered, an IAF source said. The search for survivors had to be called off after it grew dark. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed shock over the accident while commending the armed forces for their "selfless work" in saving lives. While Indian Air Force (IAF) and army officials maintained that the rescue operations would continue, they admitted that the operaand Gauchar. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said that while weather had hit the rescue operations, he requested people not to lose hope. "We will reach every person who is stranded, it is just that weather is hampering the rescue efforts," he added, contending that the number of people to be rescued was well under 5,000. Officials also added that the mass funeral proposed for the people who died in Kedarnath premises and whose bodies are decomposing there would happen in a day or two.Personnel of the Armed Forces Medical Services are working in the state with 29 teams deployed
tions "had taken a brief hit" and added that they were now being "extra cautious and not over zealous". "All efforts are being done to pull out the trapped people but we will now take weather conditions and warnings more seriously," an army officer said. The NDMA declared Uttarakhand devastation a "severe natural disaster" and requested leaders not to politicise the issue. It also said it would send a team to locate bodies under the debris. Due to severe rains in Dehradun, many helicopters like the Mi-17 with higher passenger capacity were mostly grounded at the Jolly Grant airport while smaller choppers which tried to fly had to return to their bases at Joshimath and Harshil. Fog prevented rescue sorties around Devprayag, where a cloudburst in Dubh Mamora village left two people dead and three missing and washed away several houses, while bad weather hit chopper missions at Jangalchatti, Guptkashi,
around Kedarnath while an emergency centre has been set up at Joshimath, an official release said. Meanwhile, financial aid is pouring in from across the spectrum. In New Delhi, the NDMA vice chair-
man said MPs from all states could each contribute Rs.50 lakh from their funds for the relief work. Public sector power companies will donate Rs.25 crore towards rebuilding flood-hit Uttarakhand.
Despite crash, IAF continues rescue ops

Gauchar: Despite Tuesday's tragic chopper crash, the Indian Air Force (IAF), defense and paramilitary personnel involved in the relief and rescue operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand resumed their mission to save those who are still stranded across the hill state. According to reports, the Met department predicted torrential rains, which could trigger fresh landslides. Bad weather is also likely to obstruct the rescue operations in the upper regions of Uttarakhand. The Air Force last night said that its officers will continue the rescue operation despite an IAF helicopter crash near Gaurikund that killed at least 20 people. IAF chief NAK Browne also reached the spot to take stock of the situation and review the rescue work.
INDIA
11
Modi meets BJP leaders; Gadkari absent Hemkund Sahib shrine shut in Uttarakhand
Mumbai: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi met the top brass of Maharashtra BJP to discuss strategy for next Lok Sabha elections but former party president Nitin Gadkari was conspicuous by his absence. This is Modi's first visit to the state after being appointment as BJP's poll campaign committee chief. BJP general secretary incharge of Maharashtra Rajiv Pratap Rudy, party's national spokesman Prakash Javadekar, BJP deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde, state unit president Devendra Phadanvis, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Eknath Khadse and in the council Vinod Tawde were prominent among those present during the closed door meeting. Former party president Nitin Gadkari was, however, conspicuous by his absence. Modi discussed the prevailing political situation in the state and the party's organisational matters and alliance with Shiv Sena. Before the meeting, Javadekar told reporters that Modi is reviewing the party's poll preparedness in all the states. He will discuss about Lok Sabha polls and formulating alliances. Rishikesh/Lucknow: The Sikh holy shrine at Hemkund Sahib, located 15,200 feet above sea level in Uttarakhad, has been shut for now due to heavy rains, an official said. "The road from Tayya bridge leading to Hemkund Sahib is broken at many places. So we decided to shut the shrine for some time," an Uttarakhand official said. He added that the gurdwara employees have come down to Joshimath, about 35 km away, and would wait for "things to brighten up". The doors of the shrine were shut after offering of prayers. Hemkund Sahib is a major attraction for Sikh pilgrims in Uttarakhand, a state dotted with revered Hindu shrines. Meanwhile, rains halted early Thursday and the evacuation of people and pilgrims stranded in the hills resumed in the Badrinath area. But Chamoli region is experiencing heavy rains
The Sikh holy shrine at Hemkund Sahib
This is Narendra Modi's first visit to the state after being appointed as BJP's poll campaign committee chief
"The Sena-BJP alliance has always been strong in Maharashtra. Efforts will be to win the seats in Mumbai, Pune and Marathwada which the party lost in 2009," he said. The core committee of the state BJP which met Modi comprises state president, vice presidents, general secretaries, treasurer, organisation secretaries, and all the Maharashtra unit leaders, including Munde and Gadkari, as invitees. The other invitees in the core group include national treasurer and Rajya Sabha
MP Piyush Goel, former MP Kirit Somaiya and former state president Sudhir Mungantiwar. Meanwhile, Javadekar alleged that the trucks, flagged off by the AICC from Delhi on June 24 with much fanfare for Uttarakhand relief, have been stranded at Rishikesh because the drivers have not been provided with money for purchasing petrol. "This shows the Congress' true intention," he said. Javadekar also assured that they will not politicise the Uttarakhand tragedy since the rescue operations are on.
since Wednesday evening. Authorities have closed the Chamoli-Joshimath highway owing to landslides. Officials said that they were forced to halt evacuation in the Patalganga and Pagalnala areas due to heavy rains. "As of now, there is no way people can come to Joshimath," one official said. More than 4,000 people are still stranded in the Badrinath area as torrential rains have crippled the res-
cue and evacuation operations in the past two days. While thousands were airlifted on clear days, the inclement weather and Tuesday's chopper crash which killed 20 people have slowed down the rescue operations through the air route. The met department has forecast more rains in the hill state in the next two days. Besides rains, heavy fog in some places is also slowing down the rescue efforts.
Rahul era begins in Congress

New Delhi: The era of Rahul Gandhi, 43, has begun in the 127-year-old Congress with his stamp clear on the recent party reshuffle that saw the induction of 30 younger leaders as All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretaries who are set to play a more active role in the organisation, party sources said. "Rahul Gandhi's era has begun in the Congress. His impact is clearly visible in the recent AICC reshuffle," said a senior Congress leader who did not wish to be named.. An indication of this, he said, is the fact that around 30 out of the 44 AICC secretaries are new faces, are relatively younger and have been Youth Congress leaders. In Gandhi's scheme of things, the secretaries are set to play a more active role on the ground under the watchful guidance of the respective general secretaries who have been given charge of various states, said party sources.
Rahul Gandhi
"The secretaries will play a more active role on the ground. They will be on the move, interact with state leaders down to the block level and bring crucial feedback to the central leadership. The general secretaries will guide them," said one general secretary, who too did not wish to be identified. "The secretaries would educate the local leaders about the party's programs and policies being implemented by the central government," he added. The party reconstituted the all-powerful Congress
Working Committee and reshuffled the AICC last Sunday, a day before eight senior leaders were inducted into the Manmohan Singh cabinet with an eye on putting together a team ahead of the assembly polls in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram due by the year-end and the 2014 general elections. Congress insiders said Rahul Gandhi was careful that states were allocated to general secretaries and secretaries based on geographical neighbourhood to facilitate their tours.
12
INDIA
Manmohan, Sonia hail Kashmiriyat

Banihal (Jammu and Kashmir): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opened India's longest rail tunnel in Kashmir to provide a key link between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region, even as UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that Kashmiris were fed up with violence. Hours before ending a two-day visit to the troubled state, Manmohan Singh rode with school children on the inaugural run of the train through the 10.96km-long tunnel to link Qazigund town in the valley with Banihal in Jammu region. The prime minister warmly shook hands with the overjoyed children and sat with them as the diesel train made its way from Banihal through the winding tunnel, an engineering marvel that took seven years to come up in a mountainous region. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and central Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former chief minister, were with the prime minister in the train. After reaching Qazigund, Manmohan Singh went back on the same train to Banihal where he told a meeting attended by hundreds of people that the new train link will boost Jammu and Kashmir's economic development. Today, we are dedicating a marvelous and wonderful feat of engineering crafted across the Himalayas," he said. "This is not just an engineering marvel, but an all weather link between the valley and the rest of Jammu and
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurating the newly constructed railway line in Jammu and Kashmir.
Eight soldiers killed in Srinagar

Srinagar: Eight soldiers were killed and 13 others injured when two separatist guerrillas attacked an army convoy here with automatic weapons and grenades, police said. The attackers later engaged in a gunfight with security forces, leaving a CRPF officer and a policeman injured, before fleeing the area. Coming a day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi arrive on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the attack occurred as the army convoy passed through the Hyderpora area on the SrinagarMuzaffarabad highway, a senior police officer said. "Militants opened indiscriminate firing from automatic weapons at the army convoy passing through Hyderpora area on the bye-pass," the police officer said.
Kashmir. "This will usher in a new era in the development of the state, providing welfare and employment to the people here." The rail bridge between Udhampur and Banihal -- the train runs through the Pir Panjal mountain range -- is the highest in the world. The tunnel was built at a cost of Rs.1,300 crores. An eight-coach train will operate on the route
from June 27. The link cuts the distance between Qazigund and Banihal towns by 18 km. Congress president Sonia Gandhi told the rally that the people of Jammu and Kashmir "are fed up with violence. They want peace and development... I know very well that painful incidents happen here occasionally but our democracy has enough scope to sort out issues through dialogue and negotiations."
Kashmir rail tunnel: A human endeavor, engineering marvel
After hitting out at Modi, Thackeray backtracks

Mumbai: Hours after criticizing Narendra Modi for his claims about Uttarakhand rescue operations, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray backtracked, clarifying that he had not attacked the Gujarat chief minister in his editorial in party mouthpiece "Saamana". "I have not attacked Narendra Modi. But, now he has been given a new role on the national stage. We have some expectations from him," Thackeray told media persons at a media briefing here. He added that the observations were directed more at Modi's propaganda team and "nothing political should be read into this". Thackeray reiterated that Modi is a national leader and they have nothing against him. "He is not our enemy." This is the second consecutive day that Shiv Sena has irked its ally, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through its scathing Saamana editorials. Thackeray had Monday expressed "concerns" over the depleting strength of the National Democratic Alliance, which is now left with only three major constituents the BJP, the Sena
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray
Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, J&K Governor N.N. Vohra and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on-board the train
Banihal: A 11-km railway tunnel across the Pir Panjal mountain range, inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is not only the longest such in India but an engineering marvel and a "dream come true" for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It took seven years for thousands of men, most of them highly-trained and skilled in tunnel building, who braved geographical constraints and inclement weather to build the all-weather tunnel. Some of the tunnel boring machinery - an improved Austrian version has been used for the first time on such a large scale in the country during the laying of the tunnel. A three-metre-wide road has also been provided inside the tunnel for maintenance and relief and rescue operations in the event of any eventuality.
"The tunnel has been made water-proof by providing a continuous PVC membrane between the primary and secondary lining. It is equipped with state-of-the-art air quality monitoring, communications, fire-fighting and emergency rescue systems," an engineer at the site said, not wishing to be identified. Built at a cost of Rs.1,300 crores ($213 million), the tunnel has reduced the surface distance between the Qazigund town in the Valley and Banihal town in the Jammu region by 18 km, besides providing an all-weather surface link between the two regions. The over 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu highway, till today the only surface link between the landlocked Valley and the rest of the country, would often remain closed for days without end in the winter months due to heavy snowfall on the Banihal sector of the highway.
and Akali Dal. In the backdrop of the recent political upheavals within the BJP, he had also raised questions whether the party was equipped to bag power on its own strength. More embarrassing for the BJP was Thackeray's lavish praises for Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan while Modi was given a strong tongue-lashing for his claims in the ongoing rescue efforts for Uttarakhand deluge victims. Thackeray had lauded Chavan for adopting a broad-minded approach and ridiculed Modi for his parochial attitude while tackling the disaster fallout. Targetting the chief min-
ister, the Shiv Sena president said that now Modi has been given a national role to play by the BJP and he should not speak in narrow terms for only Gujaratis. "Most of the rescue works are being carried out by the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. They don't discriminate on the basis of the victims' state of origin or religion, but rescue them as human beings," he asserted. Thackeray hit out at Modi's propaganda machinery for claiming that 15,000 people from Gujarat were rescued in a day. "It would be better if Modi's propagandists exercise restrain in the future," Thackeray concluded.
OP-ED
13
Uttarakhand: Falling short of disaster management standards

By Monish Gulati
he jury is still out on how the blame is to be apportioned between human actions and nature's fury for the Uttarakhand disaster. However, from the disaster management perspective the catastrophe has exhibited characteristics of a complex event due the combination of hazards - flash floods and landslides - and the inclement weather which precluded access by air to the region in the initial stages. The resultant destruction of ground transportation infrastructure also impacted the time taken to respond. Lastly being a hilly area the disaster zone has got divided into isolated pockets of devastation which has hampered relief work. While a complete analysis of the disaster will be possible when more details are available at this stage it is only possible to make an initial assessment of the response to the disaster. The representatives of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) were found doggedly responded to the media on the government's response to the disaster; indicating a lack of institutional protocols and public awareness of these. The NDMA is responsible for formulating guidelines on responding to various dis-
We do not have to wait another disaster to learn our next lesson and bring a quantum improvement in how we, as a nation, deal effectively with natural and man-made disasters.
asters but has no powers or the infrastucture to enforce them, evaluate their implementation or conduct relief operations, as disaster management is a state subject. The Uttarakhand government has admitted that, as pointed out by CAG, it has fallen short of the disaster preparedness standards laid down by the NDMA.
The national executive committee (NEC), which is chaired by the home secretary is the implementation agency for the NDMA's disaster management guidelines. Articulating the national policy on disaster management in national and international forums is the responsibility of the disaster management division of the home min-
istry which functions under the Secretary (Border Management) and should have been disseminating information on how the disaster was being responded to. An issue directly influencing the impact of a disaster, particularly for the ordinary citizen, is that of providing early warning. In India's disaster management framework, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is the nodal agency for gathering information from the concerned agencies and issuing disaster-related early warnings. In this case, the IMD warned the Uttarakhand government of the likely heavy rainfall in the region 48 hours in advance. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has told the media that his government received IMD's warning on rainfall but there was no indication of cloud bursts, flash flooding and landslides. The interpretation of the early warning in terms of its implications with respect to the prevailing local conditions of soil, river flow, among others, is the responsibility of the local disaster management officials. Citizens at both the landslide hit areas and downstream complained of lack of any early warning. An appropriate warning would have left citizens better prepared and
saved lives. Another critical area is that of communication - both between government agencies and between citizens themselves. It was heartening to see that mobile communication towers at Kedarnath survived the devastation wreaked by the flash floods. These, however, went out of the grid when the power supply was cut off and generation sets ran out of fuel, putting the area out of communication. Availability of cellular communication would have aided in need assessment, relief and rescue and coordination of the air effort and provided much needed psychological boost to the survivors. This is another grey area in the disaster management framework as there are no guidelines issued by the Department of Communications for telecom companies for disaster-proofing their infrastructure and taking measures for early restoration of the communications network. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami resulted in the enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the creation of the NDMA. We do not have to wait another disaster to learn our next lesson and bring a quantum improvement in how we, as a nation, deal effectively with natural and man-made disasters.
14
FIRST PERSON
From devotion to destruction

The tragic flooding of Mother Ganga in the sacred pilgrimage areas of Uttarakhand, and the lessons thereof.
By Sadhvi Saraswati Bhagawati he rains began as we sang the Hanuman Chalisa. Typically if its raining prior to the aarti, we set up under the overhead awning. However, on 16th June, the skies were clear in the afternoon after morning showers, and the rain resumed only once we had all gathered on Gangas banks to sing Her glories and meditate next to Her waters. Jai Jai Jai Hanuman gosaain kripa karaho gurudev ki nyaainThe rain came down in sheets as we clapped and sang euphorically. Pujya Swamijis (Swami Chidanand Saraswati) eyes were closed and He led the chanting in ecstasy. It was as though we were being bathed from all sides by Mother Ganga. She flowed below us and next to us, in Her riverbed, and rained upon us as Akaash Ganga from Heaven. Gange Ma, Gange Ma, Gange ma, we clapped and sang, moving in and out of a rapturous trance. Post-aarti we returned to the ashram, soaked from the inside out with gratitude, love and devotion. The monsoons had started, slightly early even, bringing the nectar of rain to parched soil, parched mouths and parched spirits. All evening the water rose and rose, and Akaash Ganga bestowed her copious blessings upon us. The next morning, we awoke to the unique and precious smell of Indian soil saturated by rain. I remember from my first days in India, noticing that the rain smelled here. There is an intoxicating fragrance of cool Himalayan showers upon hot Himalayan earth, that is so rich it inevitably pulls me out of my chair or off the floor to the nearest doorway where I can inhale its scent. I have found myself, year after year, fixed in doorways, half in and half out of the rain, filling my airways with this ambrosial nectar. On the morning of 17th June, the delicious fragrance filled the ashram; yet upon catching a glimpse of Mother Ganga I realized this was not just any rain storm. Within 24 hours the water level had risen more than 15 feet and showed no signs of receding. Excitement, exuberance and awe filled my heart as I went out to offer my morning prayers to Ganga. Kneeling on wet marble as the rain bathed me from above, I lay my forehead upon the ghat and offered my usual prayer: Oh Ma Ganga, wash through me, flow through me, cleanse me of any-
Led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh and Ganga Action Parivar set up two relief camps and their buses went up into the affected areas of Uttarakhand to carry supplies and bring survivors to safety. In the picture are seen Swami Chidanand, Sadhvi Bhagawati and others unloading supplies from a truck for distribution.
Mother Ganga is the giver of life, the giver of liberation. How could She wreak such devastation in Uttarakhand? The answer is that maybe it is a direct result of the way we have abused, used, disregarded, neglected and turned Ganga into a commodity in the name of progress and development. Now is may be our last chance to correct our course as we plan for the reconstruction, restoration and rehabilitation of the affected areas.
ways, Ganga had tried to warn us first Uttarkashi, then Rudra Prayag-- year after year breaking bridges, overflowing banks, demolishing buildings, roads and lives. Voiceless, She had used every means in Her hands to warn us, to make us understand. Yet, blinded by our own agenda, foolish in our wisdom-less knowledge, reckless and deluded, we ignored Her message. We have deforested Her hillsides, blasted Her fragile, young, soft mountains with dynamite, encroached further and further upon Her banks, dammed and diverted Her flow, dragged Her helpless tributaries out of their natural beds into steel tunnels, built non-porous structures in the riverbed, impeding the natural flow of water, polluted the air, causing excess heat and carbon dioxide to melt Her glaciers. We have pushed Her, pulled her, taunted Her and tried to tame Her. We have used her, abused Her and then, as though redemption were so simple, taken our token dips in Her water during auspicious positions of the planets and moon. Jai Gange we chant as we bob in and out of Her waters, feeling redeemed of our sins against She to whom we turn for liberation, redemption, and purity. Unfortunately the laws of Shristi (creation) are not so simple. Yes, Ganga is a Goddess. Yes, Ganga is the Mother. But the divine Creator has laid down laws of nature for the Creation divine, mortal, tangible, intangible, organic and inorganic to follow. One may chant He Bhagwan or Jai Hanuman as one jumps off the top of a tall building, but ones body will still plummet to the ground, for the law of gravity is non-negotiable. Whatever name we use for the Divine, He/She is, of course,
thing and everything that is impure, that is not conducive to a life lived on Your banks, in Your seva. Hold me in your waters forever. Raising my head from the wet marble, I turned and walked up the (Parmarth Niketan) ashram steps and into my office, as Ive done every morning for nearly two decades. Ganga is rising, Ganga is rising was the ubiquitous chant all day in the ashram, but it was still filled with joy, reverence and awe. Mother Ganga is filling and filling. Our hearts pounded with excitement and devotion. Her glories, Her grandeur, Her divinity were filling more and more of the river bed, and more and more of our hearts, our minds and our beings. Evening aarti had to take place, for the first time ever, in the street next to the ghat. Gangas waters had risen up onto the top of the ghat, and wed locked the gates to ensure no one wandered dangerously close. Hands folded in prayer, we performed aarti to Her now raging glory as She paid no heed to anything that thwarted Her flow -- trees, cars, buildings the animate, the inanimate, the large, the small. She carried it all in Her waters, seizing the continuous flow environmentalists had been demanding. No conference, no meeting, no agreement, no protest, contract or commission could now deprive Her of Her right to flow, and overflow, through Her natural river bed, tearing by the root and the foundation anything that stood in Her way. All the signs and symbols of our progress, of mans triumph over nature the highways, the cars, the trucks, the buildings precariously defiant on
mountain top ledges with one wave of Her hand, the illusion was shattered, and the Truth of Natures power was laid bare, undeniable, non-negotiable, for all to behold and mourn. As the sun set beyond Mother Gangas turbulent waters, Her waves crashing now like a storm at sea, a moment arose in which the surge of bhaav (devotion) -- rising, rising, rising, bhaav -- reached its peak and was transformed, almost imperceptibly, into a swell of bhaya (fear). Oh Ma Ganga, hearts now beating rapidly in apprehension rather than awe, voices trembling with more fear than faith, we prayed: Please calm Your tumultuous flow. Please return to your normal level and normal path. Please allow us to hold on, for a brief time more, to our illusion of living in control of nature. Permit us please, oh Mother Ganga, to hold onto our delusion of invincibility, our megalomania, our blind race for development. Please Mother Ganga, allow the curtain of illusion to once again drop over our eyes so that we may not be forced to see, to realize and recognize Your True nature as a river with rights, as a Goddess who will -- as a last resort -- wrest those rights from the hands of Her captors. Mother Ganga, the giver of life, the giver of liberation, whom we have abused, used, disregarded, neglected and turned into a commodity in the name of progress and development, please have mercy upon us, your children who have promised time and again to protect you and preserve you, and yet who time and again have neglected to do so. But, our chances had been used up. Year after year in different
omnipotent and infinite. Yet, God has created laws of nature which do not bend. These laws were not meant to punish us. Rather, in His infinite compassion and love, God created these laws to nurture and nourish us. The falling leaves of autumn, packed under the snow of winter create the fertile soil for springs blossoms. Each aspect of nature has its purpose, its life-giving properties. There is a reason we say Mother Nature. Nature provides for us, creates us and sustains us as a divine mother. but in accordance with her own laws. If we, defiantly and with blatant disregard, disobey these laws, we will reap the consequences. A good man, a well-intentioned man, a pious man, will plummet to earth as fast as a villain if they jump together off the Empire State building. The laws of nature apply equally to all the pious and the profane. Singing Gangas glories or taking dips in Her waters on auspicious occasions does not render us immune to the laws of Mother Nature. If we sow unchecked and illegal construction, vision-less development, deceptive politics and pockets lined with commissions. if we sow consumerism as the highest good, we shall reap the fruits of destruction and devastation. Fortunately, Mother Ganga and Mother Nature are forgiving. Eventually, over the next few months, the rains will dissipate, the flood waters will recede, the final rites will be performed for those who have perished, the soaked soil which has rushed hundreds or thousands of meters downstream will dry and some semblance of normalcy will return to the Char Dham valleys. That is our chance. Perhaps our last chance. When we make plans for the reconstruction, restoration and rehabilitation of the Uttarakhand mountain villages, what vision of development will we use? What natural laws will we obey? Which will we defy? What seeds for the future will we sow? Today we are eating the very bitter fruit of the seeds weve planted for the last few decades. What seeds will we plant today for the fruit of tomorrow? America born Sadhvi Bhagawati has a PhD in Psychology from Stanford University. She serves at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, and is the author of By God's Grace: The Life And Teachings of Pujya Swami C h i d a n a n d Saraswati.
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
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Amma Sri Karunamayi, a living embodiment of divine love and compassion, is coming to New York July 5-7 to offer peace, prosperity and healing through individual blessings, a one day retreat, and a homa ceremony.
ri Karunamayi is revered in India as an embodiment of divine motherly love due to the love and affection she showers liberally on people, animals, and even plants, the spiritual knowledge and guidance that she gives freely to all of humanity, and the humanitarian works that she has undertaken. "Amma, as she is affectionately called by her devotees, is simply the Telugu word for "mother", Telugu being Amma's native language. Although it is not possible to convey the experience of being in Amma's vibrant presence through words or pictures, the website www.karunamayi.org attempts to provide a brief glimpse into her nature, through a biographical sketch, a description of Amma's mission, and an account of a devotee's first experience of Amma. Amma has dedicated her life to spreading such universal values as peace, unity, compassion, respect for all life forms, and family harmony. Traveling tirelessly for months at a time, year after year, Amma has spoken with thousands, inspiring countless individuals around the world to live according to the highest humanitarian values. Through her words, her actions, and her entire life, Amma demonstrates these universal humanitarian values in practical ways that inspire the heart and liberate the spirit. In 1995, Amma was invited to come to America to give public programs, and since then she has returned to the US every year to give teachings and blessings, hold meditation retreats, and perform sacred fire ceremonies for the benefit of the world. During her visits to each city, people come by the hundreds to express their worries and problems and to request blessings or guidance. Amma's feeling,
as she comforts each person like a mother, is that even her sari has become sacred because she has used it to wipe away the tears from her children's eyes. Amma often likes to say that her only work in this world is to remove the suffering from the hearts of her children. This she does through her kind, loving words of spiritual guidance and encouragement, her healing touch, and her divine knowledge and insight. Amma Sri Karunamayi will be in New York from July 5-7. She offers individual blessings to all and Sri Saraswati diksha or initiation for students between the ages of 4 and 24 on July 5 in midtown Manhattan at the New York New Church. On July 6 she will conduct a Meditation Retreat at All Souls Church. On July 7, at Ananda Ashram (Monroe, NY) she will offer a grand Homa, a sacred fire ceremony for universal peace, prosperity and healing. People of all faiths, origins and backgrounds are welcomed to Ammas programs, which are part of her 19th World Tour. All programs are free except retreats. A donation that is used to fund free education for tribal children is requested for Sri Saraswati diksha initiation. Amma will give a spiritual discourse followed by a small puja to the Sri Chakra. She then receives each person individually and blesses them. Sri Saraswati diksha for students helps them to increase their memory and intellectual power as well as to learn discernment, all attributes bestowed by Sri Saraswati Devi. The Meditation Retreat is very intimate and profound beneficial to new meditators and longtime practitioners alike. Since Amma travels the world tirelessly and listens to thousands of people every year, she knows what is needed to promote good health and well-being and
Amma blessing a devotee

addresses this in the retreat. Half day sessions are also available. The Homa Sacred Fire Ceremony will be conducted outdoors under a large, open tent, beginning at 9am. Ananda Ashram is a little over one hour away from the city, easily accessible by road as well as bus from Port Authority. A special charter bus from mid-town Manhattan has also been arranged. Sign-ups can be done online or in person at Ammas New York programs. Everyone is welcome to the Homa at no charge to receive its powerful blessings. There will also be opportunities to sponsor the ceremony through various levels of donation that help support Ammas charitable projects, including her free hospital, medical camps and mobile medical units, water purification programs, free housing projects, tribal schools, food and clothing distributions and old age homes. Guests attending the Homa will have a unique opportunity to experience the presence of a spiritual master who represents the ancient teachings and traditions of India, which are available to everyone in our global family.
Amma Sri Karunamayi

You yourself are Immortality, Truth, Oneness, Amma softly tells the crowds of rapt listeners who fill her programs. I am not your teacher. Amma is your mother. I want to be your near and dear mother always. If you never allow me to come see you, I will still love you. From every corner of the world, I send my love to you. Thats a mothers job. I love that job. Amma travels the world to extend her love and compassion to soothe peoples suffering, loneliness and pain, to remove confusion and elevate us physically, mentally and spiritually. She guides and supports us to help awaken the inner peace, wisdom and freedom that she affirms absolutely is our true nature and birthright. As your mother, I expect you to attain that highest level of consciousness, she says, setting the intention for us all. For information on Ammas programs, please visit www.karunamayi.org. Or call 212-7696979.
ASI to help in restoring temple

he Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand, scene of terrible devastation caused by heavy rains and floods, is one of the most revered shrines in the country, visited annually by millions. The temple is one of the four sacred sites on the Char Dham pilgrimage and is said to have been revived over 1,200 years ago by Adi Shankara who is believed to have attained mahasamadhi at Kedaranath. Believed to be a seat of Lord Shiva, it is located on the bank of Mandakini river at an altitude of 3,581 meters in the Himalayas, about 225 km north of Rishikesh. The Char Dham pilgrimage takes place every year between May and October. The other three dham (shrines) being Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath, all in Uttarakhand
Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand as we know it; (right) still standing after flash floods. state. Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch said Monday that the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) will help in the restoration of the Kedarnath temple and other ancient monuments in Uttarakhand. She said ASI had the expertise and experience of such restoration work in India and outside the country. Katoch said once the rescue and relief work gets over, her ministry will send a team of ASI experts to Uttarakhand to assess the damage to ancient temples and monuments so that a blueprint is prepared for restoration work with help of state government. Aerial photos showed that the temple itself was still standing. However a portion of the temple complex was washed away, and the Kedarnath mandir town was nearly destroyed in the deluge. The Kedarnath yatra may not resume for two years at least.
16
June 29- July 5, 2013
TRAVEL
its own myriad local, cultural and traditional colours. Even as the craze of western clothing picks up at its own dawdling pace, it is a treat to watch the majority men and women in traditional Bhutanese attire. The youth comes across as cultural and simple, yet modern in their outlook. I ask 17-year-old Tashi what she wants to do in life, expecting the usual mundane answers engineering, medicine, accountancybut she knocks me off by answering that she wants to be a good human being. So then, it is not
TRAVEL
hard to comprehend why the last Shangri-La on earth stays happy and contented. Day kicks off early in Bhutan and through my gilded hotel window; I see the sun coming out of its slumber from the chasm between two hills. A school boy ashes a smile as he bids his mother good bye; the naughty wind rufes the neatly combed hair of a young girl in bright green ankle-length Kera; a man, in the dusk of his life, struggles to open an umbrella; the lone dog on the street barks, and a young couple passes by with their new born safely ensconced in the fathers arms... The
June 29- July 5, 2013
17
Let's take you to Bhutan, a mystic land where spirituality blends with modernization in a tranquil way, not disturbing the thin fabric of the society that leads by Buddhist principles and remains the happiest group of people in the lap of Mother Nature.
By Meenakshi Iyer Paro/Thimphu: Not scared of ying, not even scared of heights, yet I prayed hard while the Drukair airbus was about to land in this tricky, tiny airport nestled amid the steep mountains of the eastern Himalayas. As I sat soaked in the serenading view of the lush green Paro valley, sporadically blotched with patches of clouds, a fellow traveler blurted: Madam, only eight pilots around the world are qualied to y into Paro. And, I believed him when the plane swerved through the sharp 18,000 feet tall peaks and inched closer to what looked like a truncated runwayjust about 6,500 feet long. Yet, with my unsettling nerves, I could not miss the sight of the uncluttered expanse, lush green mountain foliage and uniformly scattered tin thatched houses.... To experience good things in life, one needs to take risks and I understood that after a safe landing at Paro, amid claps and cheers of fellow passengers. The doors of the KB205 ight were thrown open to the winds and I took a Punakha Dzong (fortress) at the confluence of two rivers Pho Chu lungful of it the fresh air that
and Mo Chu, known as Puna Tsang chu River, in Punakha Valley
has, as of now, become an expensive commodity. A giant-sized colored billboard of the fth King and queen of Bhutan HRH Jigme Khesar (pronounced Gesar) Namgyel Wangchuck and Gyaltusuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk, caught the tourists fancy and most of them lined up for a quick photograph and thereafter, sounds of the cameras click click click, resonated in the calm. Far beyond the picturesque Paro Airport the gateway to Bhutan I witnessed dun-colored elds leading to
Earth measures its development through the unique concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than the universal metric of GNP. As the overcast sky thundered, I moved out of the tarmac
A bird's eye view of the Thimphu valley
everyday glimpses in the dragon land are hard to be missed and to be cherished forever. A saunter through the serpentine roads leading to the tranquil hillocks; crossing a wooden cantilever bridge covered with multi-colored
The giant Buddha statue in Thimphu The 108 chortens, built by Queen Mother to honor the Bhutanese soldiers, at Dochula Pass
ags, a glance at the serene chortens (stupas), a stopover by the Po Chhu river and spinning the prayer wheels is a meditation, a prayer in itself, for which no quiet corner, or no instructor is needed.
where my affable local guide, Dhanapati, waited for me with a can of apple juice a n d
opened to the susurrating steel grey waters of the Chhu river, owing through the Paro valley, and its occasional splashes against the well-rounded rocks enthralled me throughout the hourlong
Where happiness is way of life

Thimphu: "We are the most happiest people on earth," says our guide Dhanapati, with sparkle in his eyes. Welcome to the country often described as "the last Shangri La on earth", that Lonely Planet calls one of the world's most enigmatic and intriguing nations, as one set foot in a land whose benevolent rulers have chosen to measure their people's well-being through the unique concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than the universal metric of Gross National Product (GNP). Bhutan measures prosperity by gauging its citizens' happiness levels, not the GDP. The term Gross National Happiness was coined in 1972 by Bhutan's fourth Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who has opened Bhutan to modernization soon after the demise of his father, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. He used this phrase to signal his commitment to building an economy that would serve Bhutan's unique culture based on Buddhist spiritual values. At first offered as a casual, offhand remark, the concept was taken seriously, as the Centre for Bhutan Studies, under the leadership of Karma Ura, developed a sophisticated survey instrument to measure the population's general level of well-being. The Bhutanese grounding in Buddhist ideals suggests that beneficial development of human society takes place when material and spiritual development occur side by side to complement and reinforce each other. The four pillars of GNH are the promotion of sustainable development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment, and establishment of good governance. At this level of generality, the concept of GNH is transculturala nation need not be Buddhist to value sustainable development, cultural integrity, ecosystem conservation, and good governance. Through collaboration with an international group of scholars and empirical researchers, the Centre for Bhutan Studies further defined these four pillars with greater specificity into eight general contributors to happinessphysical, mental and spiritual health; time-balance; social and community vitality; cultural vitality; education; living standards; good governance; and ecological vitality. Although the GNH framework reflects its Buddhist origins, it is solidly based upon the empirical research literature of happiness, positive psychology and well-being. Immigration is a breeze (Indians require no visa but on the whole tourism has to be of high-value other foreigners have to pay $200 each and travel in groups - ecologically friendly and cultural acceptable) and soon one is settled on the road to Thimphu in one of the Maruti Suzukis or Hyundai Santros that seem to predominate the 66,000 odd private vehicle population of the country. Although the snaking road to Thimphu is full of hairpin bends, no one honks because, as our driver put it sagely, the mountain gods "would feel disturbed". Thimphu has changed. The city which resembles an Indian hill town - of about 50,000 people is much more crowded, has many more markets, hotels and restaurants, and there is new construction everywhere, although everyone has to adhere to traditional Bhutanese architectural norms - white-washed rectangular buildings with sloping, crested roofs and gilded windows and all carrying the local icons of dragon and lotus. There is also the ubiquitous phallic symbol dangling from the eaves of Bhutanese homes to ward off malevolent spirits. In the words of a Bhutanese writer, "phallic rituals appear everywhere in our daily lives, marking events that range from the mundane to the momentous. "The birth of a calf, for instance, the purchase of a new truck, or the augury of a brand new home all merit a nod to the preeminent phallus." Bhutan is a deeply spiritual nation of nearly 700,000 people whose history stretches back to the origins of Buddhism and who have developed a unique identity, derived largely from a religious and cultural heritage, designed for a harmonious evolution of man with nature. Such is the Bhutanese obsession with retaining their pristine lifestyle that the biggest media debate a few months ago was about the installation of the first traffic light at the busiest downtown crossing. Ultimately, the traditionalists, backed by the king, prevailed and the lights were dismantled. Today, a policeman directs traffic under a crafted canopy, traffic is orderly and non-cacophonous and Bhutan, the land of the thunder dragon, continues with its delicate balance between tradition and modernity. -Meenakshi Iyer
Last Shangri-La
Bhutan is the first country in the world with specific constitutional obligations on its people to protect the environment. Among its requirements: at least 60 percent of the nation must remain under forest cover at all times. One-third of Bhutans population is under the age of 14; its median age is 23.4 years. Thimpu is one of just two capital cities in Asia that does not have a single traffic light. The other is Pyongyang, North Korea. Bhutan is the only nation in the world where the sale of tobacco is banned. At 24,840 feet, Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point in Bhutan and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Anyone found guilty of killing a highly endangered and culturally sacred blacknecked crane could be sentenced to life in prison. Bhutan is one of the last countries in the world to introduce television to its people. The government lifted a ban on TV and on the Internet only in 1999. A Bhutanese is not allowed to wear pants while visiting government offices, and during official and religious functions.
thriving slopes of cypress, pine and oak with clusters of uttering white prayer ags vertical strips of cloth raised on towering poles. This is what I ew into, leaving behind the competitive, progressive, yet despondent hubbub that bore me and put a forced smile on my face. The land of gross national happiness changed all that and much more. The mystic land of Bhutan that translates to Edge of the
mineral water. Dressed drive in traditional f r o m Bhutanese Gho, a Paro to capWhen in Bhutan, don't miss knee-length robe tied at ital Thimphu. on buying masks! the waist by a cloth belt With a lakh plus known as the kera, his coy smile and population (104,214 in 2010), moony eyes were worth a capture. Thimphu is the largest city in Bhutan with He spoke English with a smattering of Hindi buzzing markets, sprawling hotels and restauthat he picked up by watching Bollywood rants. With fresh construction taking place at lms. Ranbir Kapoor achcha lagti, he told every nook and corner of the city, it seems me about his favorite actor. Our Tata Hiace Bhutan is all set to ercely promote itself as veered on the mountainous hairpin bends and an upcoming tourist destination. Dhanapati adjusted the volume of a song that But as of now, it was a sheer relief to not to right now has become an anthem in India spot a McDonalds, Subway or any other Budtameez dil... MNC food outlets offering junk And that played on in a loop until I and I hope Bhutan stays requested him to shut it off and that way plumed in my ears
Drukair, Bhutan's national airlines, lands at picturesque Paro airport
National Memorial Choeten in Thimphu
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ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
ilmmaker Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra, geared up for the release of "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", based on Milkha Singh, confesses that the search for an actor to play the former athlete gave him sleepless nights. He finally zeroed in for Farhan Akhtar to play the part in the movie, penned by the National award-winning Prasoon Joshi. "It took us two and a half years to write the script of 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'. Prasoon Joshi has written the screenplay. But once the script was ready, the biggest question was who will play M i l k h a Singh? It gave me a lot of sleepless nights,"
Who to play Milkha, gave Rakeysh sleepless nights F
Mehra said here Tuesday. "I could not sleep at nights due to the tension that who will play this role," he recounted on the set of singing reality show "Indian Idol Junior", where he was present with Farhan to promote the movie. "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" talks about Milkha's struggle, his perseverance as an athlete and also his courageous human spirit. Mehra said he wanted such an actor for the role, who has his own interpretation for the character. "I would not say this role is difficult but with the kind of films that are made in our cinema, it's a very different role. It requires more of the interpretation of an actor," Mehra, known for films like "Aks", "Rang De Basanti" and "Delhi 6", said. Farhan Akhtar with Sonam Kapoor in 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'
A scene from 2001 super hit 'Monsoon Wedding' year-old said. The award-winning director started her career with documentaries and ventured into feature films with 1988 movie "Salaam Bombay!", which won several awards and even got an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. She is known for making films like "Mississippi Masala", "Vanity Fair", "Amelia" and "The Namesake". Her most recent offering was "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", which had a mix cast that included Britain-based Pakistani origin actor Riz Ahmed in the lead along with Hollywood actors Kate Hudson and Liev Schreiber and Bollywood veterans Om Puri and Shabana Azmi. Based on Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid's novel of the same name, "The Reluctant..." is about a young man chasing corporate success on Wall Street and struggling between his American dream, a hostage crisis and the enduring call of his family's homeland. Nair has also directed a segment in the upcoming film "Words With Gods". Her segment is called "God Room" featuring Bollywood actors Tanuja, Ram Kapoor, Richa Chadda, Raj Kumar Yadav and Vinay Pathak.
'Monsoon Wedding' musical, to enter rehearsals soon
'Krrish -3' to be released on a Monday

f the trend catches on, movie buffs might not have to wait till Friday to catch the latest release at the theaters. It started with the Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer that released on Wednesday (August 15, 2012). It was followed with the SRK-Katrina Kaif starrerwhich hit the theaters on a T u e s d a y (November 13, 2012). And now the Roshans are all set to follow in with the third instalment of the superhero franchise. 'Krrish 3' is scheduled to hit the theatre across the globe on November 4, 2013 a Monday. Producer-director of the film, Rakesh Roshan took the decision on Tuesday. Earlier, the mega-venture sci-fi flick was planned for a Sunday release (November 3, 2013). Explaining the decision to postpone the release by a day, a source close to the film said, "Sunday, November 3 is Laxmi puja. There are chances that people would prefer
to stay indoors. Monday, which happens to be the Hindu New Year, is a holiday." Trade analysts have welcomed the decision. While Amod Mehra appreciated the step, Taran Adarsh
S-based Indian filmmaker Mira Nair's musical adaptation of her 2001 super hit "Monsoon Wedding" will begin rehearsals in September, while she plans to shoot her next film in Uganda in 2014. Set in the national capital, "Monsoon Wedding", produced under the banner of Mirabai Films, revolved around a typical Punjabi wedding laced with a hefty dose of emotion and drama. "I am doing 'Monsoon Wedding' on Broadway. That's what I am doing now. We have about seven or eight songs done out of the 11. We also have the book written and we will enter rehearsals in September in New York," the 55-
A scene from 'Krrish -3'
'ABCD 2' to be shot in US

A scene from ABCD 2 horeographer-director Remo D'Souza will closely work with the Disney team to make "ABCD 2", the sequel to his directorial project "ABCD: AnyBody Can Dance", a truly global franchise. A major chunk of the film will be shot in the US starting early next year. "I always wanted to make a splash with 'AnyBody Can Dance', and I'm happy to say we managed to do that. With the sequel, I would like to make a bigger wave and I'm heading to Disney Studios in Los Angeles to start the groundwork for it," said Remo D'Souza.
said, "It does not matter which day the film hits the theatres. Krrish is a big brand. The Rakesh-Hrithik combination has never failed ( Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish). Some distributors have seen the rough cut of the promos and they are impressed."
"ABCD: AnyBody Can Dance", India's first 3D dance film, features choreographers like Prabhudheva, Ganesh Acharya and Salman Yusuff Khan. The sequel will be bigger, says Rucha Pathak, senior creative director, Studios, Disney-UTV. "We're looking forward to making a bigger dance film with the 'ABCD' sequel and it's natural that we take the story to the next level on international shores. Remo has a fabulous idea and we're looking forward to making a technically bigger film that will have a beautiful story at its core that Remo is already started working on," said Pathak.
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
June 29- July 5, 2013
19
Hit-and-run case:
Salman's plea dismissed I

mraan Hashmi, who has had a slew of hits lately, believes his latest "Ghanchakkar" will be his biggest hit ever. "There has been a huge change for me in the last 3-4 years with films like 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai' and 'The Dirty Picture' and, Inshallah, I feel the way 'Ghanchakkar' has been made and the feedback we have been getting from those who have seen the edit, I am very sure that this will be my biggest success," he said. Emraan, 34, has had a string of successes like "The Dirty Picture", "Jannat 2", "Raaz 3D" and "Ek Thi Daayan". "Ghanchakkar" is a comic thriller and tells the story of a Maharashtrian man who claims to have forgotten about the money he had hidden somewhere. Talking about the film, Emraan said the film carries such suspense that no one will be able to guess who actually has the money. "The film's theme is comic but there is a suspense angle to it. I assure you, when you will see the film, you will not be able to guess who actually has the money," Emraan said. He credits the writers - Raj Kumar Gupta and Parvez Sheikh - for creating fine suspense in the film. Directed by Gupta, "Ghanchakkar" stars Vidya Balan opposite Emraan as his loud Punjabi wife and hits theatres June 28.
n a major setback to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, a Mumbai court rejected his review plea challenging a magistrate's order for a re-trial in the 2002 hit-and-run case on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Salman has been given one month's time to appear before the sessions court and face trial in the case, Sessions Judge U.B. Hejib said in his ruling delivered in an open court Monday afternoon. The date for starting the re-trial has been fixed for July 19. If convicted, the 47-year-old actor could face a 10-year jail sentence as stipulated under Section 304 (II) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case relates to the time the actor's SUV ran over pavement dwellers in suburban Bandra in the early hours of September 28, 2002, killing one and injuring four others. In his verdict, Judge
Hejib said that the offence of "culpable homicide not amounting to murder" had been made out against the actor in the accident case. Earlier, Salman Khan had been tried by a Bandra metropolitan magistrate under the less serious charge under Section 304(A) (causing death by negligence) of IPC, which carries a twoyear jail sentence. The magistrate later invoked Section 304 (II) The case relates to the time the of IPC after examining 17 actor's SUV ran over pavement witnesses and transferred the dwellers in Bandra in Mumbai, case for re-trial by the seskilling one sion court. Strongly opposing it, Salman order was "erroneous, bad in law Khan's lawyer Ashok Mundargi and contrary to evidence on had argued that the magistrate's record". Richa Chadda to Pankaj Tripathi, shines meteorically in his or her allotted corner and yet manages to merge with writer-director Lamba's larger scheme of things. It's a familiar world recreated with warmth and humour. Delhi, as shot by cinematographer K. U. Mohanan, never seemed more designed to demonise young dreams, not even in Shoojit Sircar's "Vicky Donor". Sperms maybe bankable. Youthful dreams are the real financial challenge. It's not just the unobtrusive ingenuity of the technicians that gives "Fukrey" its flamboyant funny and fresh flavour. "Fukrey" gets its palpable energy from its characters who, put simply, exude character. These are youngsters whom we know, and probably don't want to know.
Reviews
'Raanjhanaa' celebrates pain of heartbreak

his enormously-enriching film about the pain of love has four heroes: Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor, A.R. Rahman's music and the city of Varanasi. Not necessarily in that order.
But then 'orderly con duct' is hardly a given in a film about raging unrequited love. "Raanjhanaa" tells us it's not so cool to fall in love. Unless you're ready to slither on the ground for love, if the need arises. Angry, aggressive, passionate, temperamental, moody and quite simply majestic, "Raanjhanaa" is an opulent, epic, seductive, raging and rippling ode to love. The script, by Himanshu Sharma, journeys from the loverboy Kundan's childhood when he first sees his object of adoration doing her namaaz, and follows him to adulthood, much in the same way as he follows Zoya around. The film celebrates the pain of heartbrokenness. She slaps him? That's fine. He loves her all the more for it. She turns his proposal down? That's okay. He'll do it again...and ... again. It's the protagonist's single-mindedness that navigates this enchanting love story through a series of circumstances
that make Kundan look as brazen as they make destiny look cruel. Dhanush, as the worshipping loverboy, lets his face become the map of his heart. So transparent are his feelings for the girl that every kind word or gesture from her brings a response of teary gratitude in his eyes. As for Sonam Kapoor, she is a complete revelation! In a bornagain performance she sparkles and shines creating a kind of sunshine-girl who is so taken up with herself that she doesn't get the chance to see what affect she has on the other until it's too late.
'Fukrey' intelligently funny!

here is something about the theater of the absurd that brings on a volley of unwarranted nonsense in the filmmakers of this country. Not this time. "Fukrey", about an eclectic bunch of no-good students poised between a rapidly-receding adolescence and a reluctant manhood is far funnier, more intelligent sharply-enacted and deftly executed than the recent, much-lauded "Kai Po Che". And yes, though the boys think and talk a lot about sex, there is a refreshing absence of doublemeanings in the dialogues. In hindsight, both the screenplay and performances in "Kai Po Che" seem somewhat overrated. And I plead guilty to that crime of overestimation. "Fukrey", with its inventive plot and wickedly deadon characterisations is the kind of rare and precious comedy where the actors seem to have adopted their roles without considering their own ambitions as an actor. Each actor - from Pulkit Samrat to
Dhanush's Bollywood debut reaps gold

amil actor Dhanush's Bollywood debut "Raanjhanaa", which also features Sonam Kapoor, has minted Rs.20.08 crore on its opening weekend in the country. "The total weekend collection of 'Raanjhanaa' in India is Rs.20.08 crore," said a statement from Eros International, the producers of the film. The love story of a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl, "Raanjhanaa" also features Swara Bhaskar, Abhay Deol and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub in important role.
A poster of 'Fukrey'
Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor in 'Raanjhanaa'
20
DIASPORA
NRI lawyer wins Iran bank case in British Supreme Court

London/Mumbai: Mumbai-born Parsi lawyer Sarosh Zaiwala Wednesday notched a remarkable success in a bank case in the British Supreme Court, with major ramifications on the international banking system, an official said. By the court verdict, the British government's sanctions on Iran's largest private bank, Bank Mellat, were lifted after the its security service's "Secret Court" failed to produce significant evidence in the matter - which has been widely followed in the international banking circles. Bank Mellat has succeeded in getting the British sanctions held against it as unlawful after the Supreme Court dismissed claims that its banking services facilitated Iran's nuclear program. "The verdict by a 9-judge bench has shown to the international community that in the UK and Europe, international sanctions are judicially reviewable and that sanctions should be substantiated by evidence," said Zaiwalla from London. The Bank Mellat, slapped with a listing under the Iran nuclear sanctions list, was represented by Indian legal eagle Zaiwalla, Senior Partner, Zaiwalla & Co., Solicitors, in Britain. Owing to the importance of the case, Bank Mellat's appeal was heard by a nine-judge bench. The court has 12 judges.
Man in Canada found guilty of drug trafficking

Toronto: An Indian-origin man in Canada has been found guilty of importing cocaine. The Supreme Court of the Canadian province of British Columbia has ruled Navdeep Singh Dhillon guilty of importing 30 kg of cocaine into Canada in his tractortrailer while returning from a trip to California in the US in 2009, local media reported. Dhillon was stopped at a primary inspection booth on the Pacific Highway April 17, 2009, and questioned about the goods he was carrying in his tractor-trailer. A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer referred Dhillon for a secondary inspection. Two officers aided by a detector dog then checked the tractor-trailer again and found 30 brick-like packages behind two access panels in the trailer's refrigeration compartment. The packages each weighed about one kg and contained cocaine and the total value of the drugs was approximately $1.5 million. The defence lawyers argued that Dhillon was used as a "blind courier" but judge Murray Blok refused to buy it. "I conclude that the use of a blind courier in this case would have been very unlikely given the high value of the drugs in question, the risks associated with using a blind courier and the considerable problems the traffickers would face in both secreting and retrieving the drugs, given Mr. Dhillon's virtually continuous association with his truck and trailer," The Vancouver Province quoted Blok as writing in his decision.
Kerala to help returning migrants from Saudi, Kuwait get work

Sarosh Zaiwala
The landmark ruling follows Bank Mellat's victory in the European Court in January, where no evidence was found connecting the bank to its government's nuclear program. In Oct. 2009, Her Majesty's Treasury (HMT) had invoked the Section 7 of the Counter Terrorism Act, 2008, restraining the financial sector from any dealings with Bank Mellat. This was challenged at several levels by the bank. The ruling comes at a significant time as Iran has a newlyelected president, who commentators hope will aim to progress towards a mutually acceptable resolution of Iran's nuclear activity, according to international observers.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government Thursday decided to help migrants returning from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, following the tightening of labor laws there, by arranging alternate jobs or self-employment schemes for them, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. "We had a detailed presentation by the Non-Resident Keralite Affairs (Norka) department on the various self-employment projects that these returning migrants can take up," said Chandy told media persons here after a special cabinet meeting. "Norka will next week give the complete details of the self employment schemes that these re-
turn migrants can take up. I will also meet up with the commercial banks representatives to see what sort of assistance they can provide for these projects," he added. He also said that he is going to call a meeting of the rich and influential businessmen who hail from Kerala but doing business in Middle East to see if they can provide employment to those people who return from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Chandy noted that there was speculation that a huge number of people would return from Saudi Arabia, "but now that appears not to be true because not many Keralites have registered with Indian Embassy
there". He thanked the Saudi authorities for "kindly agreeing to India's requests. "They have agreed that they will have no objection if those who are asked to leave return with proper documents and they (the migrants) are free to seek employment in other Middle East countries," added Chandy. He said the situation in Kuwait is such that even those with valid documents are sent back. "We will again ask the Indian government to make a similar effort - as they did in Saudi Arabia - with authorities in Kuwait, so that they take a lenient step," said Chandy.
Family of Indian wins civil suit against govt in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: In a landmark ruling, a Malaysian court on Wednesday found the police and government liable for the death of a young ethnic Indian in custody in 2009 and awarded USD 267,500 in damages to the victim's family. N Indra, mother of suspected car thief A Kugan who died in police custody, cried on hearing the verdict. High court judge VT Singham found the police and government liable for 22-year-old Kugan's death while being detained at the USJ Taipan police station on January 20, 2009. Justice Singham awarded damages for loss of support, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, assault and battery, false imprisonment, misfeasance of public office and exemplary damages. He said there was sufficient evidence to establish Indra's claim against the defendants, saying that custodial death was a serious crime. "As soon as the crime is reported or comes to public knowledge, the highest authority of police must act promptly and ensure the investigation is conducted promptly by an independent investigation agency, or at least an inquest is held or recommended," he said. Indra, 46, had named then Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar, who is now inspector-general of police, former constable V Navindran, former assistant commissioner Zainal Rashid Abu Bakar (deceased), the inspector-general of police and the government as defendants. Justice Singham ruled that the defendants cannot plead ignorance or lack of knowledge as to what happened to Kugan during his seven-day detention period. He said the court was unable to accept that the grievous injuries found on Kugan was solely based on an assault incident by Navindran on January 16.
World Malayalee meet in Kerala in August

Thiruvananthapuram: The annual gathering of Keralite diaspora is set to be held at Kovalam in Kerala in August. Set up in 1995 in New Jersey, the World Malayalee Council (WMC) seeks to provide global connectivity and foster fellowship among Malayalees. The NRK Sangamam is an annual initiative of WMC Kerala to bring members from all over the world under one roof to share their experiences. "The two-day event (Aug 910) will see the participation of people from all walks of life. There's nothing like getting back to their homeland," said a key organizer, Mohan Edakkad. The organizing committee expects 150-200 families from around the world to attend. "Topics such as investment, real estate and rehabilitation opportunities will be discussed. There will be a special session for women," said Edakkad.
SUBCONTINENT
21
Musharraf charged in Bhutto killing case

Islamabad: Compounding his legal woes, Pakistani investigators today included ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the list of main accused who conspired to assassinate former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007. The Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) submitted a chargesheet against 69-year-old Musharraf including him in the list of main accused in the case in the AntiTerrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi. The FIA presented a four-point chargesheet against Musharraf in the ATC, accusing him of hatching a conspiracy to assassinate Bhutto. 54-year-old Bhutto was assassinated in a suicide attack outside Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007, after she addressed an election campaign rally. The chargesheet submitted contained the statements of four witnesses, including an American jour-
Kerry makes pitch for enhanced India-Pak ties

New Delhi: Making a forceful pitch for India and Pakistan to boost economic ties, visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry said here that it could be the harbinger of a "new era of ties" between the neighbours and help "bring in a level of trust". Giving a talk on US-India Strategic Partnership at the India Habitat Centre, Kerry said in today's age of enhanced connectivity there could be a "beginning of new era of new India-Pakistan relations that could be based on mutually beneficial trade, and hopefully bring a level of trust". Kerry said he welcomed an increase of "21 percent" in IndiaPakistan trade. He said he welcomes the normalization of trade ties between India and Pakistan as well as the "ongoing discussion on energy, trade, air travel between New Delhi and Islamabad and the prospect of more commerce passing through Wagah. All these steps point to the right direction". He said if India and Pakistan
Ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf
nalist Marc Siegel, as well as Bhutto's own statement. FIA officials said that the chargesheet has been prepared on the basis of Marc Siegel's statement, who had claimed that Musharraf called and threatened her when he was sitting with Benazir Bhutto. Siegel, who served as lobbyist for Bhutto in the US, had also stated that she had told him that Musharraf would be responsible for any harm to her.
US Secretary of State John Kerry at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi
can "confidently invest in each other, then the rest of the world will more confidently invest in you". Acknowledging the tensions between the two countries, Kerry said he realised "there is a lot of history and I am not nave about some of the difficulties, but after talking to the leaders I feel a new dynamics is beginning to
emerge". He said new Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that his countrys chief goal is economic revival and that is a goal that India and the US share. In the age of globalisation and expanded connectivity... India and Pakistan can gain substantially from breaking down old barriers and changing history.
Nawaz Sharif orders arrest of tourists' killers Bhutans road to democracy

Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered arrest of those involved in the killings of 11 people in Gilgit-Baltistan's Nanga Parbat area, while observing that the attack posed worst threat to national security. Sharif issued the order while presiding over a cabinet meeting here, during which the national security was discussed with a special reference to the killings of nine foreign tourists and two Pakistanis besides other terror attacks, Geo News reported. Apprising the cabinet about the Saturday night killings of nine tourists, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the terrorists had conducted reconnaissance of the area and taken help of the guides to reach the tourist base camp.
leads to China?
New Delhi: There's a new anxiety in the top echelons of New Delhi about what's arguably India's only friendly neighbour, Bhutan. As the hill kingdom takes another baby step in its transition from monarchy to democracy with its second parliamentary election on July 13, there's realization here that complacence has possibly allowed some disturbing developments there to go unnoticed. Friendship with Bhutan is often taken for granted by our foreign policy mandarins. So, it was a rude shock when they learned last year from a Chinese press release that the new Bhutan PM, JigmeThinley, has had a meeting with the then Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and the two countries were set to establish diplomatic ties. Given that Bhutan's foreign policy is conducted by and large in close consultation with New Delhi, such an important step without its knowledge created disquiet. Although the PM's office in Thimpu sought to play it down, senior officers recalled that Thinley had said months after taking over as PM that he only saw growing opportunities in China and no threat. As part of Bhutan's outreach to China was the decision last year to procure 20 Chinese buses, typically the kind of purchase that would normally be booked with, say, Tata Motors. It raised eyebrows. It did not help that the person who got the contract for supplying the buses was reported to be a relative of Thinley. What's ironic is that in his poll campaign, Thinley is said to be impressing upon the electorate that he was the best upholder of Bhutan's ties with India, whereas he has possibly complicated them. Thinley's Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party is again the main contender for power in this tiny, landlocked nation of 700,000 which saw transition to democracy from an over 100year-old hereditary monarchy in 2008. Democracy in Bhutan was ushered in by Bhutan's benevolent fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The last month saw the Bhutanese repose faith in the system with 55% of 380,000strong electorate braving thunderstorms and landslides to exercise their franchise. As the world's largest democracy, India welcomed Bhutan's transition in 2008, but not everyone in South Block realized that the proposed model wasn't like India's Westminister model of parliamentary democracy.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
Chief of India's Assam Rifles Lt General Ranbir Singh met Nepal army chief General Gaurav Shumsher Rana in Kathmandu. During his stay in Nepal, Singh will take stock of various facilities given to the retired Indian soldiers in Nepal.
Taliban attack presidential palace in Afghanistan

Kabul: An early morning insurgent attack on Afghanistan's presidential palace has been put down with all the assailants killed, Kabul's police chief said. General Ayoub Salangi said the gunfight ended after about 90 minutes with all the attackers killed. Taliban gunmen attacked Afghanistan's presidential palace and surrounding buildings, including the CIA's Afghan headquarters, with explosions and gunfire shaking the city centre. Karzai's whereabouts were not immediately known, though he was due to attend a press event at the palace after 9am (0430 GMT). Reporters had been gathering at the palace when the attack began and dived for cover as government forces returned fire. Heavy explosions resounded and the gunfire intensified. Schoolchildren walking to classes nearby were also caught in the exchanges. The Taliban claimed responsibility the attack in a text message to Kabul reporters from spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
22
INTERNATIONAL
Nelson Mandela on life Rudd beats PM Gillard in leadership vote support system
Sydney: Kevin Rudd ousted Prime Minister Julia Gillard as head of Australia's Labor Party in a leadership ballot, with the country's first female leader to quit politics after national elections due in September. The embattled Gillard called the vote after a day of intense party-room moves to depose her in favour of her arch-rival and predecessor, who she ruthlessly deposed in 2010. Rudd won the vote of the Labor caucus 57 to 45, the official returning officer announced, amid mounting unease in the party over an expected rout by the Tony Abbott-led conservative opposition at national elections scheduled for September 14. Gillard must now advise governor-general Quentin Bryce that she is resigning as prime minister, which is expected to happen on Thursday, before Rudd can be sworn into office. Reports said Treasurer Wayne Swan, a key Gillard supporter and her deputy, had also resigned, along with a number of other frontbenchers including trade minister Craig Emerson. "The mood was quite sombre," said returning officer Chris Hayes. It was the third time since the 2010 election that Gillard's hold on power was tested. Rudd himself launched an unsuccessful challenge in early 2012, but was routed 71 votes to 31. Tripartite meeting on Syria ends without concrete outcome Geneva: A meeting of officials of the UN, Russia and the US on preparation work for the Geneva Conference on Syria has concluded without producing any concrete results. UN-Arab League Joint Special Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, Russian Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov and Gennady
Kevin Rudd
The iconic leader's health has deteriorated to the point where he is breathing with the assistance of a life support ventilator.
Johannesburg: Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has been kept on a life-support system following deterioration of his health condition at a South African hospital where the 94-year-old leader was admitted three weeks ago with a recurring lung infection. "Ailing former President Nelson Mandela is on life support in the Pretoria Heart Clinic where he has been fighting a recurrent lung infection since June 8," The Citizen' newspaper reported. According to the paper, five highly-placed sources close to the family, including two who had recently visited him in hospital, said that the iconic leader's health has deteriorated to the point where he is breathing with the assistance of a life support ventilator. The revelation came as a group of elders of the AbaThembu clan, to which critically ill Mandela belongs, will assess his condition during a visit to his hospital today to decide on a course of action, according to the daily The Times here. Another source told the daily that Mandela is suffering from kidney
failure and is undergoing renal dialysis for three hours every second day. "He is critical, but has an entire team of doctors, from a cardiac specialist, pulmonary specialist, kidney specialist and a main consultant looking after him," the source said, adding that the doctors have given the family the option to switch off the life support machines. A meeting was called by Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe at his ancestral home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape province during which it was decided that that the elders and Mandela's confidantes would visit Mandela at the hospital. The Afrikaans daily Beeld reported that two hours after the Mandela family meeting, a grave-digging machine was parked near the proposed graveyard where Mandela is likely to be buried. However, reports from the Presidency only confirmed that Mandela remains in a critical conditions. As South Africans steeled themselves for the worst, the family turned to prayer.
Gatilov, and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman attended the meeting. "The discussions were constructive, and focused on ways to ensure that the Geneva Conference on Syria can take place with the best chances of success," Xinhua quoted a statement issued by the UN as saying. It said the closed-door meeting has been informed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry would be meeting next week. Further consultations among the UN, Russia and the US would take place thereafter on the date of the conference, the statement said. Brahimi said before the meeting Tuesday that the conference on finding a political solution to the more than two-year long Syrian crisis was unlikely to take place in July. "Frankly now I doubt whether the conference will take place in July. The opposition, I think their next meeting is on July 4 and 5, so I don't think they will be ready," Brahimi said.
Kazakhstan may host next round of Iran n-talks

Almaty: The next round of talks between Tehran and five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, namely the P5+1 group, on Iran's nuclear program may be held in Kazakhstan, the Iranian envoy to Kazakhstan said. "We consider that there is no need for all important international actions to take place in European countries, such as Geneva, Vienna, Paris when countries in the region, including Kazakhstan, have all the potential for holding similar actions," Xinhua quoted Iranian Ambassador Gorban Seyfi as saying. He said the two previous rounds of talks had been successfully held in Almaty. "At the end of the second round, Mr. Saeed Jalili, chairman of the national council of safety and Iran's chief negotiator, declared that Iran is not against holding the third round of talks in Kazakhstan. We will wait for the decision of the main negotiators of P5+1 group," Seyfi said. On April 6, Iran and the P5+1 group held talks in Almaty, which achieved no practical results.
Snowden in transit area at Moscow airport: Putin
Mandela's condition not to effect Obama's visit: Zuma

Johannesburg: South African President Jacob Zuma said that the condition of ailing Nelson Mandela will not have any influence on the visiting US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit this week, Xinhua reported. The 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader is spending his 17th day in a Pretoria hospital due to a recurring lung infection and hopes of a recovery are ebbing. Zuma, who visited Mandela Sunday night, said the former South African president remained in critical condition and doctors were doing everything to ensure he was comfortable. Obama is scheduled to undertake a state visit to South Africa Friday as part of his first major African three-nation trip. It will be the first time for Obama to visit the country since assuming the office of US president in January 2009. On Friday, the deputy US national security advisor Ben Rhodes said Obama's visit to the island would be an important and powerful symbol of the president' s respect for Mandela. During his stay in South Africa, Obama will visit Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden
Helsinki: Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a visit to Finland, said that US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden was still in the transit area at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. Saying that Snowden's arrival was completely unexpected, Putin voiced hope that the case would not impair relations with the US, Xinhua reported. Putin said he would not turn
over Snowden to US authorities because Russia did not have an extradition treaty with the country. Snowden arrived at Moscow as a "transit passenger" and was free to go anywhere he choses, Putin said following a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto. However, the Russian president expressed hope that Snowden would soon find a destination to leave for.
BUSINESS
23
Gold drops to near 3-year low India, US to remove hurdles

Singapore: Gold fell to its lowest in nearly three years, pressured by strong US economic data that boosted stock markets and supported the US Federal Reserve's plan to scale back monetary easing in the next few months. Bullion, now down for a seventh session out of eight, has been sliding since Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke laid out a strategy to wind down the bank's $85 billion in monthly bond purchases on the back of a recovering economy. Prices of gold, typically seen as hedge against inflation, have been supported in recent years by central bank steps to support their economies. Spot gold had fallen 2 percent to $1,250.36
in business
an ounce by 0653 GMT. Gold for immediate delivery dropped to $1,243.94 earlier - its lowest since September 2010. The metal has now lost 10 percent, or about $140 an ounce, since the beginning of last week. "We've pushed past the $1,270 level seen last week. That's a key technical level so we are going through a whole bunch of stop losses," said Victor Thianpiriya, commodities analyst at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. Comex gold and spot silver both fell to their lowest since August 2010. New Delhi: US Secretary of State John Kerry has called for removing "impediments" to doing business with India and noted that India-US economic cooperation had grown five-fold in the past five years to surpass $100 billion. Addressing a joint media interaction with his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid at the Hyderabad House, Kerry said both sides in their talks had discussed "impediments" to foreign investment and they were assured "that India is taking important steps" to address their concerns, and the US too was doing likewise to address India's concerns. "Trade between India and US has grown fivefold just in the years of the Obama administration. Investments between our countries have grown by 10 percent. ..Both can do even more, we can break down trade and invest-
US Secretary of State John Kerry with India's External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid
India to lift FDI cap in some sectors: Chidambaram

New Delhi: India could lift foreign direct investment caps for various sector by the third week of July, finance minister P Chidambaram has said, marking a big reform in making the country more attractive to investors. Chidambaram also said there is no room for pessimism on rupee and foreign capital will flow back into the country. "Mayaram panel has already submitted a report on revising FDI caps in different sectors to the department of industrial policy and promotion...The DIPP will now hold consultations with stakeholders including all ministries before bringing a note to the cabinet," he told reporters on the sidelines of a conference. The Mayaram panel has recommended raising FDI caps in a number of sectors including multi-brand retail to upto 74%, defence production to up to 49% and telecom to up to 100%. It has also suggested that a number of sectors be put on automatic route. He termed the sudden outflow of $ 5 billion as "unfortunate" and said there should be no room for pessimism as fundamentals of the economy were intact and the government is committed to moving ahead on the reforms path.
ment barriers," Kerry said. Kerry also said that the US and India were committed to "fully implement" the IndiaUS civil nuclear deal and that US' Westinghouse Electric and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) were to arrive at a common agreement "by September this year" for the first US reactor in India. He said both sides would have a joint CEOs forum in
Washington on July 12 which Commerce Minister Anand Sharma would attend. Kerry, who is visiting India for the first time after taking over in February, is in India with a high-powered ministerial delegation including US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. Both sides also discussed the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (BIPA).
Rupee hits new Sebi eases FII norms to boost investment closing low against dollar
Mumbai: The Indian rupee hit a new record closing low of 59.68 against a dollar as foreign investors pulled money from debt as well as equities markets. The partially convertible rupee remained weak throughout the day and closed at 59.68 against a dollar, surpassing the previous record closing low of 59.57 hit June 20. The rupee slumped to a low of 59.82 intra-day, nearing the record low of 59.98 touched last week. Continued sell off by foreign institutional investors in equities as well as debt markets have increased pressure on the Indian currency.
Mumbai: At a time when foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have taken out over $6.2 billion from the country in less than a month, market regulator Sebi has changed some of the rules governing these entities that are expected to ease their operations in India. The Sebi board approved the rules which were based on recommendations of a committee that was chaired by K M Chandrasekhar, former cabinet secretary to the government. Although the regulator eased the rules to attract FIIs, market players feel these rules, coming at a time of volatile global markets and withdrawal of funds from emerging markets, are unlikely to bring FIIs back in a hurry. Sebi also approved a change in rules for buyback which will now require companies to complete the process within six months of its launch and not one year which is the case now.
24
SPORTS
Dhoni finally got the players he always wanted

New Delhi: By snatching the Champions Trophy from the lap of the England team and forcing Captain Alistair Cook to tear his victory speech, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's fearless gladiators have shown that a match is not lost till it is actually lost. For once, it would not be a clich to say that it was a total team effort, though they had not changed the playing eleven at all. Otherwise, how would they have won match after match so convincingly and claim the trophy without losing a game? During the entire tournament, India never got into a do-or-die situation. Even in the rain-hit truncated final, where they were at a disadvantage after losing the toss, Dhoni, like Viswanathan Anand, maneuvered his pieces to get into a winning position with his brilliant endgame strategy. Dhoni's crafty planning and intuThe weather was ideal for the Englishmen to revel, the only tide in India's favor came when Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin extracted some unbelievable turn to leave the batsmen guessing on a pitch freshened up after a shower. Only the present India team on current form would have seen a window of opportunity after setting a modest 130-run target, thanks to Player of the Final Jadeja's flourish with the bat. The team refused to give in even when the match seemed to have slipped from their grasp. They then had a glimmer of hope when Ishant Sharma removed the bulldozing Ravi Bopara and Eoin Morgan off successive balls. They jumped into the situation like true champions to pull it off, leaving England to rue over the ifs and buts of a match in which both teams had their moments of ecstasy as well as agony, rain halts making the wait excruciatingly painful. Dhoni, who after winning the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup had said he would like to have players who were willing to stand in front of a moving truck for him. He thinks he now has such daredevils under his charge. Dhoni's mantra for his team mates is simple: "We are the No.1 team and we should play like a No.1 side," though many Englishmen rightly believe that their team lost the match more than India winning. There is little doubt that the best team won even if England deserved to win. After seeing this Indian team playing, Einstein would have added the word cricketers to his quotable quote to read: "If you want your children to be intelligent 'cricketers', read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."The stuff these cricketers produced in the Champions Trophy is fabulous, indeed!
Men in Blue with the Champions Trophy
itive bowling changes emboldened his starry-eyed teammates to give the championship match a fairy tale finish. The victory is all the more sweet as it has come in cold blustery English conditions of June.
Seldom have the Indians done well in the first part of the English summer. Come to think of it, soon after winning the 2011 World Cup, two years ago, Dhoni's side shivered to capitulate.
India win Champions Trophy Indians advance to Wimbledon second round in Twenty20 style
London: It was a superb start for Indian tennis players as Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza notched up first round victories in their respective categories at Wimbledon here Wednesday. In the womens doubles, Indo-American sixth seeds Sania and Liezel Huber beat Czech pair Renata Voracova and Klara Zakopalova 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to advance to the second round. Having shared the first two sets, Sania and Liezel went on to dominate the third and final set, racing away to 5-0 lead in no time. Renata and Klara managed to win a game before losing the match in one hour and 27 minutes. In the mens doubles, 14th seeded Indo-French pair Rohan Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin beat experienced Finnish-Russian duo Jarkko Nieminen and Dmitry Tursunov 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(6) in two hours and seven minutes to proceed to the second round, where they will face German-Czech pairing Daniel Brands and
Mahesh Bhupathi in action
Indian team members celebrate after defeating England in the final Birmingham: India beat England by five runs in a thrilling but rain marred final that was reduced to a 20-overaffair to win the Champions Trophy outrightly at Edgbaston here. Chasing a modest total of 129, India held their nerve as England lost four wickets and managed 124 for eight in 20 overs. It was pacer Ishant Sharma (2/36), who turned the match on its head, by getting rid of Eoin Morgan (33) and Ravi Bopara (30) in consecutive deliveries after the duo threatened to take away the match from India with their crucial 64-run stand. The double strikes from Ishant in the 18th over, left England at 110 for six. The hosts needed another 20 runs to win from 14 balls. It proved too much for England, who lost their nerve and again lost a chance to lift a major 50over title. India, who shared the title in 2002 with Sri Lanka, finally bagged Champions Trophy title in their third final appearance. The win was also a perfect way to commemorate India's 30 years of 1983 World Cup winning triumph (June 25). The agonising six hours of wait for the start of the match was worth it as India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who also led the team to triumph on 2007 World Twenty20 and the 2011 World Cup win, lifted the last edition of the Champions Trophy. On a day when rain played havoc, the Indian batting was tested for the first time in the tournament but in the end the bowlers did their bit.
Lukas Rosol. Meanwhile, the eighth seeded Indo-Austrian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Julian Knowle advanced to the second round beating unseeded Argentine-Spanish duo Leonardo Mayer and Albert Ramos. Bhupathi-Knowle won 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 37 minutes.
Saina drops to World No.4

New Delhi: India's ace shuttler Saina Nehwal dropped two places to No.4 in the latest release of the Badminton World Federation rankings. The Hyderabadi, who lost Friday in the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open Super Series, has been going through a relatively rough patch this season. Without a single title in 2013, the 23-year-old dropped to No.4 in the women's singles rankings. City-mate P.V. Sindhu, who pulled out of the ongoing Singapore Open due to an injury, also dropped a place to 12th. Though only two Indians feature in the women's singles top-50 rankings, the men's singles shuttlers are doing much better with as many as seven of them in the top 50. Parupalli Kashyap fell a place to 11th while R.M.V. Gurusaidutt and Ajay Jayaram retained 23rd and 25th in the men's singles. Sourabh Verma, who hails from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, leapt five places to 37 while Mumbai boy Anand Pawar retained 38th.
BCCI awards Rs.1 crore to each member

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that each member of the Indian team will be awarded a cash prize of Rs.1 crore for winning the Champions Trophy. Led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India beat England by five runs in a thrilling final at Edgbaston, Birmingham to be crowned Champions Trophy winners for the second time. India had shared the title with Sri Lanka in 2002. BCCI also announced in a statement that Rs.30 lakh will be given to every member of the support staff.
Saina Nehwal
LIFESTYLE
25
60 million women in India use Internet to manage everyday life: Survey

New Delhi: Out of the total 150 million Internet users in the country, around 60 million women in India are now online and use the online medium to manage their day-to-day life, according to a survey conducted by Google India. The web search engine released a report titled Women & Web study Thursday to understand the Internet usage pattern and its influence on purchase decisions of women using the online medium in India. It reveals that around 60 million women use the Internet to manage their day to day life, said a statement. In terms of top searched categories by women on Google in India, apparels and accessories were on top followed by food and drink; baby care; hair care; and skin care. The study also revealed that skin care, hair care, food and drink were the fastest growing search categories, with queries coming from mobile phones growing rapidly and accounting for almost 25 percent of total query volumes in these categories. With the report it is clear that the Internet is empowering Indian women with easy access to information and helping them to make more informed decisions in their day-to-day life, said Rajan Anandan, vice president and managing director, Google India. With an easy access to the Internet at homes, cyber cafes, offices and growing adoption of smart phones, the medium is becoming favorite to choose the right product. The study revealed, that women who are online, are relatively more affluent and younger. The Study was compiled by Google India, by combining Google search query data in India for Apparel and accessories, food and drinks, baby care, hair care and skin care product categories along with TNS Australia research conducted online over 1,000 women in the age group of 18 to 65 and industry reports.
100 bikers take on the mighty
Himalayas
New Delhi: They say faith has the power to move mountains but a group of 100 bikers - which includes a woman - is so moved by the mighty Himalayas that it has taken off on a 2,700 km "Mother of all Rides" that will also see it negotiating Khardungla in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, at 18,365 feet the world's highest motorable pass. The Himalayan Odyssey is in its 10th edition and has grown from 40 riders on 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles to the present 100 - from across India - who were flagged off from here Saturday on the 17-day saga that will take the participants through Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. From the mighty peaks, down to teasing mountain curves and water crossings, the riders will come face to face with some of the most challenging terrain in the world to emerge victorious for the sheer love of motorcycling. Among the enthusiasts is software engineer Sadesh, 31, who underwent rigorous physical training for six months to prepare for the event.
"It's a dream come true for me. I heard about this Odyssey in 2011 and ever since I wanted to go to Khardung La. It's a revered destination for any crazy biker like me," Sadesh, who came to Delhi from Bangalore to participate in one of the country's most coveted, albeit now-competitive, bike rides. "I had to be physically fit for the journey. It is a very challenging journey. Rough terrain, winding roads and harsh weather will accompany us. I used to do push-ups and regular exercises to be fit for the journey," said Sadesh. Among the adventurous bikers is a lone woman - Snigdha Chavan - also from Bangalore. Septuagenarian Harsimran Kohli, a diehard Royal Enfield fan who flagged off the Odyssey, was a tad envious of the riders. "I want to go there again. I was 50 when I rode up to Khardung La. I still ride an Enfield which is now 33 years old. My first bike-ride was the spirit behind this journey," said Kohli, who was in the pilot batch of the Odyessy in 1997.
Book cafe culture takes root in India

New Delhi: If a lot can happen over a cup of coffee, a lot more can happen now with the book cafe culture gaining popularity across the country. The concept of sipping a hot cup of coffee and reading your favorite author couldn't have got any better. Time was when serious book readers scoffed at the idea of mixing one pleasure with the other. So, when Full Circle book store and Cafe Turtle began operations in 1999 in the national capital, people were welcoming but skeptical. No one thought a cafe with a book shop will last very long - but it prospered. Then, Cha Bar, Oxford Bookstore's first book cafe, opened in Kolkata in 2000. The concept soon became a rage across the country. Today, Cha Bar has 30 outlets in major cities and towns in India. As the name Cha Bar suggests, it offers an exotic range of teas in addition to coffees and snacks. "People wanted to have a comfortable, friendly space for chit-chatting, relaxing and reading," said Priyanka Malhotra, chief executive officer of Cafe Turtle that is located in the capital's tony Khan Market. "Many were looking for a space to write or read. We filled that gap," Malhotra added. A Cha Bar official said the concept was expanded pan India as they realized customers loved the experience of being able to browse at leisure, leafing through books of their choice or simply unwinding with friends sipping rejuvenating beverages, iced or piping hot. Now, many cafe owners are incorporating a book section or library into their outlets to reap benefits. In a well-planned strategy, the owners of Back...To The Desi Cafe in Kolkata's Salt Lake clubbed books, coffee and snacks for the corporate lot. It has created a buzz, especially with the corporate honchos whose offices are housed in the area. The strategy was planned by Under One Roof Hotel Consultants, a Delhi-based company that gives clients suggestions from designing to selection of books. "When we did our research we realized a lot of people step out of their office for a cup of coffee. There are many who want to have a quite time, away from office tension," said Sonia Mohindra, director of Under One Roof Hotel Consultants. "The idea is to provide them a place where they can have solitude. They can browse through a few magazines and then get back to work," she added. As the books and magazines are not for sale, the cafe has introduced the concept of "take a book, leave a book" where one can give away the book one has read and doesn't want to keep and can take a book that has been left by someone else. The idea is working for the cafe. In all this, can Mumbai be far off? Taking a leaf out of Japan's popular comic culture, Vidisha Vasu opened The Leaping Windows Comic Library and Cafe this month. "It was after the Comic Con festival that we realized this space is underrepresented. There are many
such comic cafes in Japan and we have followed that concept," said Vasu, one of the founders of the cafe. "This is not a book shop. This is a library where you can become an annual member, or else you can come and read. Comics are extremely expensive; so we cater to a niche audience. But we are offering something that is unique," said Vasu. One can become a member by paying Rs. 4,500 per year and one has to shell out Rs. 30 per hour to spend an hour in the library. While all these places have innovative ideas like book reading sessions, book launches, art events and
weekend workshops to expand, this growing culture has its detractors. "Today it seems to be the in thing to be spotted at a book cafe. There is a trend of pseudo intellectuals brewing up who enter these spaces for gossips and chats," said Nandini Gupta, 23, a literature student. "One can only go to such places either early in the morning or in the afternoon. Go there in the evening and you will see too many people. Who will read in such an atmosphere? Perhaps a library is the best place to read quietly. These are just fads that will pass gradually," she added.
26
HEALTH
More men becoming ADHD diagnosis less likely for minority kids caregivers, studies show M
early twice as many men are assuming caregiver roles in their households looking after a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia compared to just 15 years ago, USA Today reported. Men now make up 40 percent of caregivers in the US, contrasting the 19 percent reported 15 years ago, according to data from studies by the Alzheimers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving. Researchers noted that this increase is likely due to the fact that diseases such as Alzheimers and dementia are much more common in women over the age of 65 than in men of the same age. More than 3.8 million women have been diagnosed with these diseases compared to only 1.8 million men. The increase of males in caregiver roles can also be attributed to other factors, including changes in the economy, layoffs and early retirements as well as long life expectancies and changing gender roles.
Men deal with being caregivers differently than women do, according to Jan Dougherty, director of family and community services at Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix. She noted that women tend to deal with illnesses emotionally, whereas men tend to be more stoic. Groups like Men Who Care, a support group founded two years ago at the Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix, have emerged to help men cope with their new roles and share advice.
inority children are less likely than white children to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study in Pediatrics magazine revealed. The study, which was published online on June 24, also showed that medication use to treat the neurobehavioral disorder was also lower for all minority kids. "What that suggests in our study is that there are children who are likely deserving of a diagnosis, but who aren't receiving a diagnosis, which raises the question of a lack of treatment," study author Paul Morgan, director of the educational risk initiative at Pennsylvania State University, Pa., said. Children with ADHD typically have problems focusing, controlling their behavior, being overactive or a combination of those symptoms. It typically is diagnosed in childhood, but can persist through adulthood. A May report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that about 7 percent of U.S. children between the ages of 3 and 17 have ADHD, making it the most prevalent mental health disorder among children. Symptoms include having a hard time paying attention, daydreaming
a lot, not listening, being easily distracted, forgetting things, an inability to sit still, talking too much, not being able to stay quiet at appropriate times, impulsively acting out or interrupting others. For the study, the researchers looked at 17,100 children who were enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998 to 1999. The diagnosis rate differences among races begin in kindergarten and continued through eighth grade at least. In addition to finding out that minorities were less likely to get an ADHD diagnosis, the rates were 50 and 69 percent lower for Hispanic and black children respectively than white children. The diagnosis rate was also 46 percent lower for children of all other minority
ethnicities besides Hispanic and black when compared to white children. "The idea that ethnic majority parents seek biopsychosocial services more frequently than ethnic minority parents is consistent with findings from prior studies," John Carlson, professor of school psychology at Michigan State University, said. Medication use was 47 percent lower for Hispanic kids than white children. It was also 65 percent lower for black kids and 51 percent lower for other ethnicities compared to white kids. Boys were twice as likely to be diagnosed than girls regardless of ethnicity. Being involved in fighting, bullying and other similar behavioral problems increased the odds of a diagnosis.
Now, a chip that detects disease in blood drop
cientists have engineered a cuttingedge sensor chip that can detect diseases from a drop of blood, says a new
study. A new study describes how Reginald Farrow and Alokik Kanwal, researchers at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and their team have created a carbon nanotube-based device to noninvasively and quickly detect mobile single cells with the potential to maintain a high degree of spatial resolution, reports Science Daily.
"Using sensors, we created a device that will allow medical personnel to put a tiny drop of liquid on the active area of the device and measure the cells' electrical properties," said Farrow, the recipient of NJIT's highest research honour, the NJIT Board of Overseers Excellence in Research Prize and Medal. "Although we are not the only people by any means doing this kind of work, what we think is unique is how we measure the electrical properties or patterns of cells and how those properties differ between cell types."
E-cigarette study hints at quit-aid potential

n a trial of e-cigarettes among Italian smokers with no desire to quit using tobacco at the outset, up to 13 percent of participants were not smoking regular cigarettes at all a year later. Though the study was not billed as a smoking-cessation test, more than half of participants cut down on tobacco soon after they started using the e-cigarettes. And the percentage who quit smoking entirely by the end rivals results achieved with medications, the authors note in the journal PLOS ONE. "I think the main message of the study is that we can use these products as an extraordinary tobacco control tool," Dr. Riccardo
Polosa, the new study's senior author from the University of Catania, told Reuters Health. "This really is the first clinical trial that's ever been reported on electronic cigarettes, said Dr. Michael Siegel, who studies e-cigarettes but wasn't involved in the new research. E-cigarettes were first introduced in China in 2004. The battery-powered devices
let users inhale nicotineinfused vapors, which don't contain the harmful tar and carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke. While past studies have looked at the use of e-cigarettes, the new study is the first to follow hundreds of smokers for an entire year. It did not, however, compare the devices to traditional nicotine replacement therapies, such as gum or patches.
SELF HELP
27
Do you have what it takes to Are women better leaders than men? W start your own business?
ired of taking orders? Have a great business idea? Now is a good as time as any to think about starting your own endeavor, say experts. But do you have what it takes to do it all yourself? A new survey of business owners, conducted by Deluxe, a provider of marketing services and products to small businesses, concludes that small business owners share many of the same tendencies and even similar personal histories -- a sort of unique DNA that allows them to thrive. For example, when it comes to heredity and actual DNA, 76 percent of small business owners have relatives who owned businesses. And 86 percent are ultra-confident, believing they can do anything they really set their mind to. Most interestingly, the research found a tendency to try and fail, then succeed. Seventyseven percent of small business owners surveyed said they would rather learn from failure than never try at all. With confidence, drive, tenacity and talent, small business owners will improve their chances at being sustainable and profitable, says Tim Carroll, vice president of small business engagement at Deluxe. With that in mind, here are some tips for those looking to launch businesses: Do your research: While starting a business involves risk, you can mitigate some uncertainty with proper research. In fact, seventy-nine percent of small business owners research products before purchasing, according to the survey -- a tendency that far exceeds that of the general population. Have a clear understanding of your market, competitors, expected startup costs, overhead and return on investment. Know who your customer base will be and learn about them.
In a new survey of small business owners, 77% said they would rather learn from failure than never try at all.
Build a brand: Powerful branding differentiates a company from its competitors, making it easier for customers to choose that company for business relationships, and allows a company to get referral business. However, dont wing it yourself on your home computer. A professional design team can help you stand out for the right reasons. Communicate: Whether youre providing legal services or youre a roofing contractor, technology has made it easier for business owners to establish themselves as experts by sharing their knowledge with current and potential customers. Use social media tools to deliver news, offer information and provide deals and promotions. Optimize: If you build a website will they come? Not necessarily. Text-based content is how Google determines what a site is about. Be sure to add keywords to your title page, page description, meta tags and headlines. Using a professional SEO service, such as OrangeSoda, can make a big difference when it comes to traffic volume to your site. These days, you neednt be a Gates or a Trump to be successful. The right tools and attitude can make all the difference.
ith more women rising to top positions in business and government, the topic of women and their capacity for leadership has been all the buzz in the media lately. From Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandbergs message to women to lean in, to Yahoos new CEO, Marissa Mayers seemingly family-unfriendly human resources policies, societal expectations of women in power are shifting. In fact, some of todays top female business and political leaders have found success in shedding the nice factor from their work persona. I dont subscribe to the notion that women manage or should manage in a gentler, more nurturing fashion than men, says Gianna Angelopoulos, Greeces Ambassador at Large, who recently authored a political memoir, My Greek Drama: Life, Love, and One Womans Olympic Effort to Bring Glory to Her Country. Angelopoulos, who is well known for winning the bid for the 2004 Summer Olympics for Athens, Greece and has been named one of the 50 most powerful women by Forbes magazine, is a contemporary example of a woman breaking the mold, as certain aspects of her leadership style may raise eyebrows where gender politics are concerned. For example, with the 2004 Olympics less than a year away, as President of the Organizing Committee for the Athens Games she publicly made the decision to devote less time to her three children and more to her job. And she ruffled feathers when she banned miniskirts in the workplace and openly admitted she could be strong and businesslike, yet shrewd enough to flatter powerful men to get what she wanted. The debate about whether women or men make better leaders has raged for years. Back in the early-to-mid 2000s, several studies and polls concluded men held the upper hand. Today, attitudes have shifted and newer studies have declared women the victors. According to a 2013 survey of more than
"Women are as talented as men and, quite often, stronger," says Greek author and politician, Gianna Angelopoulos.
600 board directors, published in the International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, women are better at decision-making, translating into better performance for their companies. Despite a clear shift in the way women conduct business, they still face uphill battles in corporate America. Women are paid 23 percent less than men on average, according to the American Association of University Women, and in 2012, women only held 14.3 percent of the Fortune 500 Executive Officer positions, according to the Catalyst Census. While the jury is still out on why imbalances of power remain, decades after the womens liberation movement, some are firm when they say it has nothing to do with fundamental differences between genders. Women are as talented as men and, quite often, stronger, contends Angelopoulos. I believe women can be most effective by using all their gifts: strength, intelligence, beauty, charm and female intuition. From Margaret Thatcher to Hilary Clinton, some of the most successful modern female leaders have defied gender role expectations. And todays ambitious women continue to take cues from those who paved the way.
Three ways to give back to your community
hese days, many of us lead busy lives that are short on two things: time and money. And while this may pose a challenge when it comes to supporting local nonprofit organizations, there are ways you can give back to the community, no matter what your schedule or financial situation looks like. Here are three simple ideas for making a positive contribution, whether youre strapped for time, resources or both: Use Your Work Day: Youre probably pretty busy juggling family and work obligations. Chances are you really want to volunteer in your community but may not always have the time to do as much as youd like. This doesnt mean that lending a helping hand is out of reach for you. Consider starting a Volunteer Day initiative at your workplace, where the whole team offers their time to local nonprofit communi-
ty service projects one afternoon every few months. Your boss may love the idea if you remind him or her that such an effort will be great for team building. Or check with your HR department about the possibility of paid time off to volunteer in the community. There may be opportunities at your company of which you are not aware. Nominate a Nonprofit: You dont need to be a big donor to help secure substantial support for organizations doing great work. For example, a program called 50 States for Good enables people to nominate their favorite community organizations to help gain funding for grassroots community programming. It is designed to make it easier for regular folks to give back, and is funded by Toms of Maine, a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal
care. Anyone who is heartened by the work of local nonprofits can nominate their favorite for a chance to share in $150,000 in funding. A panel of independent judges then determines 51 finalists, one from each state and the District of Columbia. Fifteen organizations will be awarded $10,000 each, as determined by a public vote in September. In past years, Toms of Maine has funded projects that have built community playgrounds, maintained sustainable nature trails, provided shelter and food for the homeless and cared for animals, among many other initiatives. Now in its fifth year, 50 States for Good celebrates and rewards nonprofit organizations committed to meaningful change and work that addresses local needs. To nominate an organization
Consider starting a Volunteer Day initiative at your workplace, where the whole team offers their time to local community service projects one afternoon periodically.
via a short essay, visit w w w. 5 0 s t a t e s f o r g o o d . c o m through July 8, 2013. Multitask: Walking the dog? Taking the kids to the park? Consider combining your stroll with a mini cleanup. Bring a plastic bag, wear gloves and pick up litter as you go. Not only will you be beautifying the neighborhood, youll be helping to prevent
harmful garbage from entering local waterways. Get the kids involved to teach them an important lesson about how their behaviors can make a larger impact. You dont need to be Bill and Melinda Gates to make a meaningful impact. There are creative ways that make it possible for anyone to give back to their community.
28
HUMOR
Humor with Melvin Durai
Slithery immigrants pose serious threat to America

was watching a documentary on PBS the other day and came to the realization that America is not doing enough to control the population of a certain group that keeps sneaking into the country and causing trouble. This is a growing problem in Florida and could become a major problem in the rest of the country, unless immigration laws are tightened to keep these slithery individuals from entering the country. I am speaking, of course, about Burmese pythons. According to the documentary Invasion of the Giant Pythons, thousands of these pythons are brought into the country annually to sell to snake enthusiasts. A snake enthusiast is a person who enjoys keeping snakes as pets and is not required by law to take any medication for this condition. America has tens of thousands of snake enthusiasts and if you dont believe me, just go to any hospital emergency room. You are likely to find a snake enthusiast there, saying to the doctor, He seemed so friendly. I dont know what got into him. As the documentary indicates, many snake enthusiasts in Florida have adopted
Burmese pythons. Heres what typically happens: A woman spots a baby python in a pet store and says, Awwww he looks so cute. Can we get him? Well call him Myron. And her husband says, Sure, why not? What could go wrong? About a year later, the woman is surprised to find that her cute little python
now weighs 300 pounds and her husband has gone missing. She puts Missing posters all over the neighborhood. I miss my husband, she tells her friends. But at least I have Myron to curl up in bed with and he doesnt snore. When Myron grows to be over 25 feet long, the woman decides to let him go. Hes a little too long for me, she tells her friends. Ill be curled up in bed with part of him and the other part of him will be in the living room, watching Invasion of the Great Pythons. She takes him to the wetlands of Florida and releases him into the wild. There he runs into his long-lost uncles, aunts, nephews and cousins, several of them living in a discarded oil drum imprinted with the letters BP, which he knows stands for Burmese Pythons. Some of these
pythons, like him, were released by pet owners, but most are escapees from animal warehouses damaged by hurricanes and the sets of bad Hollywood movies. I know what youre thinking: Whats the harm in a bunch of pythons slithering around parts of Florida? After all, Florida is full of slithering creatures, not all of whom have dated Taylor Swift. Well, Shawn Heflick, a herpetologist featured in the documentary, would agree with you, at least partly. Burmese pythons are not prone to attack humans unless molested or grabbed, he says. That might put my mind at ease, but the documentary also showed a python swallowing an alligator whole. I dont know about you, but any creature that can swallow an alligator whole scares the living (bleep) out of me. Given a choice between holding a Burmese python or spending a day with one of the Kardashians, Id have a real dilemma on my hands. The documentary showed in stark detail the variety of items on a Burmese pythons menu. A scientist cut open a python captured in Florida and found the remains of an alligator, two exotic birds, an adult deer and 438 missing votes from the 2000 presidential election. Thankfully, Florida officials arent ignoring the problem. Theyre giving permits to volunteers to hunt the pythons. Theyre also organizing Pet Amnesty Days, allowing people to turn in pets they dont want anymore, so other people can adopt them. Anyone want to adopt a 25-foot Burmese python? Its friendly, doesnt snore and can swallow other creatures you dont like: rats, alligators, raccoons perhaps even a Kardashian or two.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
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.
by Mahendra Shah
ASTROLOGY
29
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: June 29-July 5, 2013
ARIES: Business partners behave supportive on executing strategies to sort out pending problems. An important development at personal front brings jubilation for entire family. A promising week to earn profits in real estate and financial transactions. Your wit & charm would help in catching the attention of opposite sex. Your enormous confidence would help in enjoying a healthy life. Romantic destinations seems appealing to you. It always is exciting to begin looking at homes for sale in your area. Perfect planning would enable to get rhythm back. TAURUS: Innovative ideas & technical expertise would enable to win the confidence of seniors at professional front. A happy time in the company of friends and relatives as they do many favours to you. An improvement in monetary position makes it convenient to purchase essential items. Love partner would be extremely supportive and in a loving mood. A very healthy week filled with happiness & vitality. Travel for fun and pleasure is what you demand. Buying cheap property in the right location can provide you triple gain annually. You strive to make accolades a regular feature of life. GEMINI: Service people, artists and those in creative field will get several new opportunities. Enjoying the company of close relatives will brighten your evening. Long-term investment would enable to make substantial gains. A romantic week as you receive all praises from partner. Pleasure trip would help in maintaining sound health. Small journey with your office colleagues will be interesting. Investing in property business sounds very appealing. Devoting quality time to correct behavioural flaws would benefit. CANCER: Your greatest gains will come through your creative ideas at professional front. Shopping with family members will be highly pleasurable and exciting. Financial hassles will be eased out with the help of your friends. You find pleasure and enjoy ecstasies of love in the arms of partner. Yoga and meditation would help in keeping in shape and mentally agile. Your boss may ask you for your company to a friends party. Banks love to finance those, who invest in properties which are under development. Success in creating well-defined and mature set of values. LEO: Success is certain provided you work as a team. You will be at the limelight in a social gathering provided you attend. Certain important plans will be executed, bringing fresh financial gains. You enjoy a lovely time as Cupid is on your side in this week. Blessings of a saintly person give peace of mind. Travel plan with a colleague might lead to a new relationship. A good deal on commercial property might occur. Developing new contacts with influential persons would help in the long run. VIRGO: You will be on the seventh heaven when you receive recognition for your achievements at work. You will be the star of attraction of familys get-togethe. Speculations are likely to bring monetary profits. A special message from beloved/lover lifts spirits. Chances of recovering from physical ailment are high. An ideal vacation can claim your basic living expenses. There might be a chance of acquiring a plot from your closed relative. You are likely to help someone in distress. LIBRA: Your creativity will amaze people around you besides enhancing career prospects. Dont forget to spend some pleasant time with your children. Monetary position is likely to improve later in the week. Love companion will be eager to meet you in this week. Inexhaustible energy enables to participate in outdoor activities. Your whole family needs a holiday, look further and take a break. You might deal in some ancestral property or any other parental property. Shifting focus from personal to social life would immensely benefit. SCORPIO: New job opportunities for some will be better than expected. Help from family members would take care of your needs. Hard work of previous days brings good fortune enabling to fulfill monetary promises. Proposing might benefit, as chances of succeeding in love are high. You attain a bloom in health on sharing happiness with others. Small picnic organized by your company is good to change your mood. A deal regarding residential property can start moving on its right path. You try to motivate others for charitable work. SAGITTARIUS: At work you are likely to win appreciation and awards for past efforts. You will enjoy the time spent with family members and friends. You succeed in making some extra cash on playing your cards well. Search for a true romantic friend might end in this week. A cheerful state of mind would allow enjoying the perfect health. Official journeys prove to be more fruitful for you. Discussing property matters with parents can help for better innovations. You impress others by your knowledge. CAPRICORN: This week much of professional success depends on senior colleagues cooperation. Your generous behaviour would enable to enjoy some lovely moments with family. Avoid overspending in order to impress others. Blossoming love life brings happiness. Divine knowledge from a saintly person provides solace & comfort. Fly away with your dreams, new business horizons are ready to explore. Planning a property might explore new horizons for you and your family. Testing times would enable to harness hidden powers to your benefit. AQUARIUS: Timely and swift action would give an edge over others at professional front. Friends and family members would lend a helping hand. Be sure where you put hardearned money because only wise investments will fetch returns. Romance is likely to intensify through recreational activities & entertainment. Meditation and yoga prove beneficial for spiritual as well as physical gains. A fun- filled holiday at an amusement and theme park with your family is there. Your friends and family will be of great support if you are trying for an office. You succeed in maintaining a distance from gossips and rumours. PISCES: Colleagues and subordinates will lend a helping hand enabling to complete the work on time. An unexpected message from a distant relative brings happy news for the entire family. An auspicious week to invest money on items that would grow in value. Romantic opportunity comes your way as your sparkling sunshine smile injures a lively & tender heart. A very healthy week when your cheerfulness gives the desired tonic and confidence. An interesting cruise ship is next place for your vacation. Its time to make some property investments for your kids. Teaming-up with a set of ambitious people would augur well for future.
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874 Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899 psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

Date: 29 June, 2013, Ruled planet: 2 Ruled by no: Moon Traits in you: As you are influenced by the Moon, you are confident, emotional, imaginative, simple, creative, courteous, and warm hearted. You can easily make friends because of your nature so you enjoy enormous respect amongst your friends. You should control your mood swings and you should not be lazy. Health this year: You may enjoy a great health this year. However, that does not mean you will start neglecting your health. You need to take care of your diet and nutrition to maintain a good health. You may practice some exercises to remain fit. Finance this year: You may go through sudden gains and losses this year. However, you will be capable enough to find out the source to earn ample amount of money. Your financial condition will be improved for a long term. If you are into business, you may enhance your business to gain better profits. You should invest in real estate this year as the chances of return are high. Career this year: Being an efficient professional, you are highly respected in your professional circuit. Your ordinates and seniors may take advice from you. You may get your long expected promotion this year. Salary hike is also likely to happen. Romance this year: You will share a good relationship with your spouse. You may decide to turn your relationship into marriage if you are not married yet. However, you need to understand your beloved and provide the required emotional support for the betterment of your relationship. Lucky month: November, January and May Date: 30 June, 2013, Ruled planet: Jupiter Ruled by no: 3 Traits in you: Being ruled by Jupiter, you are courteous, courageous, decisive, ambitious, disciplined, and realistic. You are gifted with high imagination power, optimism, and enthusiasm. However, behaving restless and dominating may hamper your characteristics at times. You need to work on your personality to make yourself better as an individual. Health this year: You need to stop your bad habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol to remain healthy. You should take expert advice from a doctor to avoid health related issues. You should take your medicines at time to avoid further complicacy in your health. Take care of the health of your spouse and parents as well. Finance this year: You will be in ample financial gains this year. Your new business ventures will be successful this year. You should go for new partnerships and businesses as your star favors your luck this year. You may go for investments in any sector. Do not spend unnecessarily in luxury and comfort. Career this year: You will get enough opportunities in your professional life to prove yourself. You will create a better impression on your seniors or higher management, which may result in promotion. You should work efficiently to maintain your respect at your workspace. Romance this year: Your romantic life will become stagnant this year as you may not give enough time to your beloved. If you are unmarried and planning to marry this year, it may not happen because of the negative movements of your stars and planets. Lucky month: August, November and March Date: 1 July, 2013, Ruled planet: Sun Ruled by no: 1 Traits in you: Your ruling planet, the Sun blesses you with a unique character. You are pretty confident, creative, intellectual, optimistic, and enthusiastic. You are gifted with an artistic perception. You are very much social and like to make new contacts wherever you go. However, you need to control your mood swings and selfishness. Health this year: You may go through a very bad patch as far as your health is concerned this year. You may fall sick frequently with minor diseases like fever, cough, cold, body pain, and so on. You should take care of your health by taking proper medication. Finance this year: If you are well educated and employed, you may find yourself in huge monetary benefits this year. You might get favors from government officials to get your work done, which will earn you a lot of money. You may go for investments in various sectors as it may prove to be profitable for you. Career this year: You are quite capable of taking wise decisions. So your colleagues may seek you help in taking critical decisions. You will excel as an efficient employee and this might bring you a promotion or salary hike. Your confidence, hard work, and dedication will help you obtain success in every project assigned to you. Romance this year: You may go for a romantic relationship this year if you are yet to be in one. If you are married, you will enjoy a good time with your spouse. You may plan for marriage if you are still unmarried. You should plan for a long holiday with your partner to give time to each other. Lucky month: July, September, January and March Date: 2 July, 2013, Ruled planet: Moon Ruled by no: 2 Traits in you: Being influenced by the Moon, you are creative, simple, reliable, intelligent, hardworking, and very social. You are a very efficient in your work. However, you need to control your attitude of being rude and pessimistic. Health this year: Your health will remain fine. However, you may suffer from various minor diseases say cough, cold, body pain, loss of sleep and so on. To enjoy a very healthy life, you need to get a good control on your diet. You have to stay away from alcohol and cigarettes to avoid any organ dysfunction. Finance this year: You may go through a moderate financial condition this year. You past investments may not bring you expected results. You may get minimal return from your fixed savings and that would not make you secure financially. You should not lend money to anyone during this year as you may feel the requirement of money at any point of time. Career this year: Being a hardworking professional, you are well capable of performing the best. However, you need to be very selective and cautious if you plan to make a move for your career. You may go for a new job opportunity. You may see many ups and downs in your career as you may struggle to get things right for yourself. Romance this year: Your marital life will go on smoothly with the gradually growing understanding between you and your spouse. You will get enough support from your partner whenever you are in a problem. If you are yet to marry, you may need to wait for another year. Lucky month: July, October, January and February Date: 3 July, 2013, Ruled planet: Jupitar Ruled by no: 3 Traits in you: As your governing planet is Jupiter, you are intelligent, dignified, dynamic, simple, ambitious, and optimistic. You are very whimsical towards your work. However, you need to eradicate few negative characteristics such as jealousy, rude, irresponsibility. Health this year: You will be going through a not so very good health this year around. You might need to take proper care of your health by frequently visiting your doctor for medical checkups. You need to adhere to the medications prescribed by the doctors for your betterment. Finance this year: You may be in a very good financial groove this year as you will find profit everywhere you go for investment. You may start few new ventures if you are into hardcore business. You might have to take few important decisions to go for the opportunities provided. You may invest on real estate and stocks this year. Career this year: If you are a very keen learner, then you may get the chance to prove yourself at a higher level. You will enhance your skills and impress your employer to get better professional benefits. You may get a good performance appraisal or a promotion, which will encourage you to work even hard. Romance this year: If you are yet to be in a marital relationship, there is a healthy chance for you to get into one. Your romantic life may take a leap this year if you are married. You should not get involved in any kind of confrontation or argument with your beloved as it may weaken your relationship. Lucky month: August, November, January and May Date: 4 July, 2013, Ruled planet: Uranus Ruled by no: 4 Traits in you: With the influence of Uranus, you are born active and lucky. By nature you are dynamic, reliable, honorable, dignified, enthusiastic, decisive, and very cooperative. However, you need to work on your stubbornness and frequent mood swings. Health this year: You would not remain satisfied as far your health is concerned as minor illness may disturb you throughout this year. To avoid these health issues, you need to take care of your health by taking healthy food and medicines at time. You may go for yoga and meditation. Finance this year: You will be among ample financial benefits throughout this year. You will find new source of income and it will bring you lot of money and scope to expand your business. You may try your hands in various investment plans as you may get enough returns due to your favoring star movement. Career this year: You are destined to get plenty of good fortune and fame. Your dedication towards your work and efficiency may bring you exceptional success. You may get promoted to a managerial position and that will of course result in a handsome hike in your salary. Romance this year: You may get into matrimonial alliance towards the last few months of the year. If you are married, you will enjoy a blissful romantic relationship with your partner. You should plan for surprise outings to make your relationship grow stronger. Lucky month: October, December and February Date: 5 July, 2013, Ruled planet: Mercury Ruled by no: 5 Traits in you: As your ruling planet is the Mercury, you are born realistic, intelligent, simple, focused, caring, determined, and courageous. As you are very helpful, people trust you very soon and you enjoy a good impression in your friends circle. However, you need to work on your stubbornness and jealousy to become a better individual. Health this year: Your health may remain the same as it was during the last year. You may improve a bit with medication and diet control. You may practice meditation and yoga for better results. Do not neglect the health of your family members as well as they may fall ill frequently this year and you may remain bothered for the same. Finance this year: You may find yourself in financial benefits. However, you need to take enough toil to make this happen. You may go for various new proposals and assignments, which would improve your income and prosperity. There may be a huge rise in expenses, but you will be able to meet those with your increased earnings. Career this year: You will be successful in every project you take up this year. You may be adjudged the best employee by your higher management because of your efficiency, hard work, and timely delivery. You may need to negotiate with different types of customer and learn a lot about handling a project independently. Romance this year: Your marital relationship will move on smoothly. If you are yet to marry, you may fall into a romantic relationship this year. You may get into a marital alliance if you are already into a relationship. You will be leading a blissful romantic life with your spouse or partner with lots of love, care, and concern. Lucky month: October, February and June
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.
30
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Concluding part of the discourse 'Sharing the divine honey'
Ethical life is a stepping stone to achieving God's love

Look how kind they are, even when people are unkind to them. When they see that we act with love and kindness to all people, others take notice of that. They see there is something special in the way we are behaving. When most people succumb to their baser nature and want to retaliate, violence becomes the norm. But when someone is responding nonviolently, it is so unusual that others notice it. They see that we remain calm, cool, and collected in the face of the day-to-day quarrels in which people are engaged and realize we have some special quality. This often leads them to ask us how we can be so calm in the face of other peoples violence. We can then take the opportunity to tell them that we are leading a life of meditation and ethical at that person who admitted to making a mistake, or who returned money they found that was not rightfully theirs. That person has guts! That person has strong morals and convictions! The result is that others respect the honest person and say, I wish I could have such bravery to own up to my mistakes. This alone may make others ask us how we have such moral fortitude. At that point we can explain what is giving us the strength to be honest. We can explain how we meditate and see the Light of God within. We can explain how we realize that God within knows whatever we do. If God sees everything, there is nowhere we can hide from God. Thus, how can we fear the judgment of other people, when God, the Source of all, knows what we have done and has forgiven us and world where there is so much bigotry and prejudice, it is refreshing to find someone who loves all people as equals. When we see someone who gets along with many people, we, in turn, have great regard for such a person, and we want to find out his or her secret. We ask how is it that that person is accepted by people of all nationalities, religions, countries, or walks of life in such a positive way. When that person explains that through meditation he or she sees the Light of God shining in all people and sees all as one family of God, others are impressed. Others see that we have a life with less turmoil and more friends. They see that we are evenkeeled and calm wherever we go and are not afraid to be with people who are different from us. They, too, want to lead a life with a wider us calmer and more balanced. When they see the benefits we experience, they too may be inspired to adopt such a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Some people drink alcohol and take drugs. In many places of work, Friday is a time in which people meet for Happy Hour. There, they engage in drinking to feel good. There are numerous television commercials for beer and wine, depicting the happiness people experience by drinking. In private circles, people speak of how good they feel when they get high on drugs. There is a tremendous drug culture in modern societies. People seem to feel they cannot be happy without alcohol or drugs. When people see that we are happy and blissful without drugs and alcohol, they ask us how we can feel so good. We can then explain that meditation gives us a natural state of intoxication. We can explain how the sweet nectar of the divine Wine within provides more intoxication than any intoxication which outer drugs and alcohol can give us. We can talk about how we get this divine bliss within that lasts twenty-four hours. There is no hang-over. There are no side effects. We do not pass out or get sick. We do not have to steal from anyone to get this bliss. We do not have to cause car accidents or commit crimes. Rather than lowering our consciousness through drugs and alcohol, we are raising our consciousness to spiritual heights and even attaining God-consciousness. The joy people see we have in our lives will inspire them to also want to partake of that sweet honey within. When people who see us meditating notice a change in us, they are also inspired to experience the same change. They see that we are able to deal with the challenges of life in a much more even manner. They see that even though everyone goes through the challenges of financial problems, health problems, relationship difficulties, and other challenges, we sail through them much more easily than most people. This makes people wonder what secret we hold that helps us face lifes struggles with more fortitude. Finally, when they see how blissful and intoxicated we are without the use of unnatural means such as drugs and alcohol, they too want such happiness. Just like the princess who saw the joy that people had when they tasted the sweetness of honey and how they wanted to share that delicious taste with others, people will see the joy we experience from meditation and they will want to enjoy that as well.
By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
hat is the value of an ethical life? Although ethical life alone does not lead to drinking the divine Nectar of God, it is a stepping-stone. Ethical life includes nonviolence, truthfulness, chastity, humility, and selfless service. It means living on a vegetarian diet in which we do not eat fish, fowl, meat, or eggs. It means raising our consciousness and not lowering our consciousness by using hallucinogenic or intoxicating drugs or alcohol. In each religion, the saints, Masters, prophets, and enlightened beings who have found God laid out the prerequisites for entry into Gods kingdom. Not one of them said we can find God by being violent. Not one of them said we could find God by being thieves, liars, and hypocrites. Not one of them said we could find God by being egotistic. Not one of them said we could find God by being selfish. It is true that saints came for the sinners and said that everyone has an equal opportunity to find God, but they would need to change their lives and develop ethical virtues. Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj has said, Every saint has a past and every sinner a future. He explained that the kingdom of God is open to saints and sinners alike. Whatever we did in the past, we still have a chance to alter our ways by developing ethical virtues so we can enter the kingdom of God. The saints shared their spiritual wealth no matter what someones past was, but then they expected them to develop the ethical virtues if they truly wanted admittance to the home of the Lord. When people see we are nonviolent, they are inspired to also develop that virtue. For example, if in the workplace a co-worker calls us insulting names or even hits us, but instead of retaliating with violence we show them compassion and understanding, our action makes a statement to others. People will say,
living which is resulting in inner spiritual experiences. We are able to explain to them the benefits of a nonviolent way of life in keeping our mind and emotions calm and explain how it has a beneficial effect on our health. We can talk about how we experience less tension resulting in less stress-related ailments. We can talk about how such a way of life helps us get along better with people in our family, in our neighborhood, and at our jobs. Similarly, we can be a model of truthfulness. It has become all too common for people to be dishonest. Dishonesty takes many forms. Some people think their dishonesty is harmless, such as stealing from their boss or company at work, borrowing money from their friends or family on the pretense of paying it back but never paying it back, telling a small lie, or being deceitful. It is rare in this day and age to find someone who is truthful and honest. When people see someone being honest, it is so rare that others take notice of it. They say, Wow, look
requested us to do no more? Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj used to tell people that they are forgiven if they do no more. We are all human. We are bound to make mistakes. The key is that having made a mistake and acknowledging it, we make amends so that we do not repeat that mistake. If we are honest, we will earn the respect of others. Then, when we talk about the value of a spiritual life, others will see that we are leading such a life and they will be more inclined to want to do the same. Many are egotistical. They think too much of themselves. They boost themselves up at the expense of others. They brag about how great they are. They present themselves as being better than others. It is noticeable when someone is humble. When we see others who are realistic about themselves, accepting their talents as well as their faults in an honest way, it is noticeable. When we find that someone treats others with equality and respect, it is noticeable. In a
range of tolerance and friendship, and they are inspired to be like us. We find many are selfish. Selfishness is rampant in all spheres of life. Why is it sensational when it is reported in the news that someone did something giving and selfless? It is such a rare quality that it often makes front page news. We hear of people who do not have a lot of money but give generously to others. We find people donating their time to help others. We read of people who donate a kidney to save someone elses life. Some people help the poor, the needy, and the downtrodden. These selfless acts have an effect because most people tend to think first of themselves. If people see we are giving and caring, they admire us. They see that we have a big heart. They see the joy we get from giving. People see that by leading a vegetarian lifestyle we enjoy better health. They find that we have more energy and more stamina. They see that we are less afflicted with the diseases caused by eating meat. They see the vegetarian diet makes
June 29- July 5, 2013

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The South Asian Times

Immigration reform bill sails through Senate

Shudh Jasuja: New INOC (I) President

June 29- July 5, 2013

June 29-July 5, 2013

Practicing the great Indian export @ Times Square

June 29-July 5, 2013

Three honored by INOC (I)

Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori

June 29-July 5, 2013

Letter to the Editor

Columbus: Kerry & Khurshid, Obama & Singh

Experience India Unlimited this Diwali

June 29-July 5, 2013

Gayatri Pariwar appeals to help Uttarakhand flood victims

Sree Sreenivasan named Metropolitan Museums first Chief Digital Officer

Indian Consulate organizes photo exhibition on Sikh art and heritage

Indian American convicted for murder

Managing Editor The South Asian Times

June 29-July 5, 2013

Appeals Court upholds Rajaratnams conviction

Hagel apologizes to Indian American professor for Taliban joke

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel

June 29-July 5, 2013

Supreme Court rules on major issues

Mum on affirmative action

US House rejects $500 billion farm bill

Ohio air show crash leaves wing walker, pilot dead

June 29-July 5, 2013

Democrats retain MA Senate seat Kerry vacated

Long-term Representative Edward J. Markey is promoted to the Senate.

Marathon filibuster, protests block anti-abortion bill in Texas

State Senator Wendy Davis filibuster stretched to half a day

June 29-July 5, 2013

India mourns 'Himalayan tsunami'

Despite crash, IAF continues rescue ops

June 29-July 5, 2013

The Sikh holy shrine at Hemkund Sahib

Rahul era begins in Congress

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Manmohan, Sonia hail Kashmiriyat

Eight soldiers killed in Srinagar

Kashmir rail tunnel: A human endeavor, engineering marvel

After hitting out at Modi, Thackeray backtracks

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray

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Uttarakhand: Falling short of disaster management standards

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From devotion to destruction

RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

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Amma blessing a devotee

Amma Sri Karunamayi

ASI to help in restoring temple

June 29- July 5, 2013

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A bird's eye view of the Thimphu valley

Where happiness is way of life

National Memorial Choeten in Thimphu

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Who to play Milkha, gave Rakeysh sleepless nights F

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A scene from 'Krrish -3'