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e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol.11 No. 7 June 16-22, 2018 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump, Kim agree on denuclearization

US to end ‘war games’ in South Republicans cautiously optimistic, India hopes implementation of outcomes
8 8 8
Korea, but sanctions to stay for now Dems slam Trump concessions would pave way for lasting peace

In the pact they signed, President Trump promised security guarantees

to North Korea and Chairman Kim committed to complete The historic Singapore summit held a promise of peace after 70 years of confrontation and 25 years of failed
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. (Photo courtesy AP) negotiations and tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear program. (Photo IANS)

Singapore: President Donald
Trump and North Korean leader
Kim Jong‑un pledged to complete‑
ly denuclearize the Korean
Peninsula in exchange for security
guarantees for Pyongyang during
their landmark summit here on
Tuesday, ushering in the start of a
new era that could break a cycle of
nuclear brinkmanship and stave
off a military confrontation.
"Chairman Kim has before him
an opportunity like no other to be
remembered as the leader who
ushered in a glorious new era of
prosperity for his people," Trump
said at a news conference here
after over four hours of talks with
Kim.
"He reaffirmed his unwavering
commitment to the complete
denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula," the Trump said, adding
that Kim also agreed to destroy a
missile site in North Korea. "We're
ready to write a new chapter
between our nations."
After their meeting at
Singapore's resort island of
Sentosa the two leaders signed a
pact committing to work towards
the development of fresh relations
and promote "peace, prosperity
and security" in the region.
"President Trump committed to
provide security guarantees to
North Korea and Chairman Kim
reaffirmed his firm and unwaver‑
ing commitment to complete denu‑
Continued on page 4

Modi, Xi signal positive

momentum in bilateral ties
Beijing: China on Monday present‑
ed an upbeat picture of the talks
between Prime Minister Narendra Prime
Minister
Modi and President Xi Jinping at
Narendra
the SCO summit, saying they
Modi met
agreed to "cherish" the "positive
Chinese
momentum" generated by their President
Wuhan meeting and implement Xi Jinping
the "important consensus" reached on the
at the summit. sidelines
Modi and Xi held talks on June 9 of the SCO
on the sidelines of the Shanghai Summit in
Cooperation Organization (SCO) Qingdao,
summit in the port city of Qingdao. China.
(Photo: Indian Super Comedian Raju Srivastav with his family in
The meeting covered key aspects
IANS) Hicksville, seen with Mukesh Modi and Sarvinder Singh. Srivastav
of the bilateral engagement,
performed at Navika Groupʼs annual meeting on Sunday.
Continued on page 4

YOGA 15 FOOD 18 VEDIC MATH 26 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30 excellence in journalism

TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 16-22, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY June 16-22, 2018 3

ʻSpeak truth, raise voice against bigotry, hatredʼ

California Senator Kamala Harris recalled her Indian heritage while
addressing the event organized by the Indian American Impact Project.
Washington: First Indian‑origin US Senator
Kamala Harris has urged Indian‑American
politicians to speak the truth and join the
“collective fight” against bigotry, hatred
and the growing anti‑immigrant sentiment
in America.
Addressing a unique gathering of over
200 Indian‑American candidates, elected
officials, philanthropists, community lead‑
ers, she urged fellow Indian‑Americans to
seek inspiration from their country of ori‑
gin.
“Letʼs speak truth. This country was
founded by immigrants. Unless youʼre
native American or your ancestors were
kidnapped and brought over on a slave
ship, you people are immigrants,” Harris
said in an inspiring speech at the event
organized by the Indian American Impact
Project last week. “When an administra‑
tion rescinded DACA and Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) systematically
attempting to purge our nation of immi‑
grants, that should disturb anybody who is
an immigrant or not, who comes from a
family of immigrants or not, whether
descendants of those who came from
Ireland or India. Itʼs a collective fight,” she
said.
Harris said her mother was born in India
and maternal grandfather was one of the
freedom fighters in India. Drawing a paral‑
lel between that era and today, she pointed
to Indiaʼs national motto: Truth alone tri‑
umphs (Satyamev Jayate).
“I believe we are a great country that
was founded on certain ideas, ideals that
were present when we wrote the
Constitution of the US: which is that we are
all equals and should be treated that way.
This is a moment in time that is requiring
us to fight for those ideals,” she said.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker said
while the Indian American community had
been leading in the areas of culture, busi‑
ness and academia, the same kind of
dynamism, imagination expertise is miss‑
ing in the political sphere. In every area
they have been punching above their
weight except in politics. “And itʼs time
that Indian‑Americans came forward and
provide the leadership”, Booker said.
The half day event was addressed by the
4 Indian American Congressmen – Ami
Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and
Pramila Jayapal.
Gautam Raghavan, who leads the recent‑
ly‑formed Impact Project, which is keeping
a track of some 80 Indian Americans run‑
ning nationwide this election season, said
the Indian‑American community was at a
“tipping point” with over 90 new candi‑
dates on the ballot this year. ‑PTI

Reps Ami Bera, Ro Khanna AIA raises funds for Project

win primaries in California India with engaging play
By SATimes Team

New York: T he Association of

Incumbents Ami Bera and Ro Khanna
Washington: Indian‑American
Congressmen Ami Bera and Ro
Khanna won their respective pri‑
maries in California last
Wednesday and will run for the
elections on November 6.
However, the three other
Indian‑Americans ‑‑ Hirsh Singh,
Goutam Jois and Peter Jacob ‑‑
running for Congress in New
Jersey lost their bid at the pri‑
mary level. New Jersey has a
sizeable Indian American popula‑
tion.
Three‑time Congressman from
Seventh Congressional District of
California, Bera bagged more
than 51 per cent of the votes in
the open primary. His nearest
rival Andrew Grant from the
Republican party received 32.9
per cent of the votes.
In California, the top two candi‑
dates, irrespective of their party
affiliation in the open primary
head for the general elections for
the House of Representatives.
Khanna, who entered the
House of Representatives for the
first time in 2017, received an
overwhelming 58.9 per cent of
the votes in the open primary for
the 17th Congressional District
of California. His nearest rival
Ron Cohen from the Republican
Party received nearly 25 per cent
of the votes. Coming from a
strong Democratic bastion, both
Bera and Khanna are expected to
retain their seats in November.
Indians in America (AIA), NY chapter
hosted its gala event featuring an
engaging play to raise funds for
Project India, its own philanthropic
arm serving the needs of the under‑
served in India.
At the event titled, “Spread Hope”
at the Marymount Manhattan
College in Upper Manhattan, Project
India team shared their journey,
which had a humble beginning in
response to the rampant spread of
HIV/AIDS in India. In the past
decade, AIAʼs partnerships with the
Ahmedabad based NGO, Gujarat
AIDS Awareness and Prevention
(GAP), and supported by a group of
physicians of the Brooklyn Hospital,
has taken long strides in making a
measurable difference in the lives of
thousands in rural and tribal vil‑
lages, along the Gujarat‑Rajasthan
border, which have minimal access
to medical care. Programs have
evolved and the attention today is
on Comprehensive Healthcare of
Women and Children. Emphasizing
that the results are encouraging,
AIA‑NY President Gobind Munjal (second from right), Consul General
Sandeep Chakravorty and others at the event.
Project Indiaʼs Asmita Bhatia pointed and Zayn Marie Khan. Aided by nar‑
out that much work is still needed rator Samrat Chakrabarti and
and that every dollar raised goes Isheetaʼs melodious singing, the play
directly to the help of the needy. garnered a standing ovation.
The audience looked forward to The Artists traveled from India,
the North American Premiere of sponsored by Cheapoair and Turkish
ʻThree Womenʼ, written and directed Airways. AIA‑NY President Gobind
by Isheeta Ganguly. T he play is Munjal announced that their 31st
based on two heroines of Deepavali Festival will be held at
Rabindranath Tagoreʼs novels, and South Street Seaport on October 7.
his own liaison with his sister‑in‑law AIAʼs motto is: Indian heritage and
named Kadambari Devi. It show‑ American commitment. Its aims and
cased the predicament of women in activities were lauded by Consul
the past and present who are seek‑ General Sandeep Chakravorty.
ing their identity. The three women Website: www.projectindiaaia.org
were played with aplomb by See 'Three Women' play's actors
Avantika Akerkar, Mahima Saigal picture on page 4.
 4 June 16-22, 2018 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Shehbaz seeks India-Pak AT&T-Time Warner

talks after Singapore summit
Islamabad: PML‑N President
Shehbaz Sharif has called for
resumption of comprehen‑
sive talks between Pakistan
and India to resolve the long‑
festering Kashmir dispute.
His statement came in the
backdrop of a historic
Sing apore summit he ld
between US President Trump
and North Korea leader Kim
on Tuesday, Pakistani media
reported.
In a series of tweets, for‑
mer Punjab chief minister
said that the Singapore sum‑
mit should set a good prece‑
dent for South Asian neigh‑
bors to follow.
“Ever since the start of
Korean War, the two nations
have been at odds with one
another; both threatening to
use military force with their
nuclear arsenals facing each
other. If the United States
and North Korea can return
from the brink of a nuclear
flashpoint, there was no rea‑
son why Pakistan and India
cannot do the same, begin‑
ning w ith a dialogue on
Kashmir whose heroic peo‑
ple have resisted and reject‑
ed Indian occupation,” he
opined.
merger approved
Washington: A federal judge gave the go‑ahead
Tuesday for AT&T to buy Time Warner for $85
billion, ruling against the Justice Departmentʼs
lawsuit to block the deal in November. The deci‑
sion will make AT&T into a media juggernaut.
The company will own not only its telecom busi‑
ness and DirecTV but also Time Warnerʼs mas‑
sive te levision assets, including Turner
Broadcasting and HBO. It could lead to more
mergers and acquisitions between major compa‑
nies, including proposed deals from both CVS‑
Aetna and Sprint and T‑Mobile. And it ends a
bizarre political storyline that included President
Donald Trumpʼs ongoing battle with CNN and
hundreds of thousands of dollars paid by AT&T
to Trumpʼs personal lawyer Michael Cohen. The
decision from Judge Richard Leon, a George W.
The cast of the play ʻThree Womenʼ, based on
Bush appointee, comes after a six‑week trial in
Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagoreʼs work.
US District Court in Washington, DC.

Trump, Kim agree on
denuclearization
Continued from page 1
clearization of the Korean Peninsula," the
agreement said.
Trump said he would push for North
Korea to denuclearize as "fast as it can
mechanically" but added it could take a long
time. He said that sanctions on North Korea
would be removed "when we are sure the
nukes are no longer a factor".
Trump and Kim agreed to have follow‑on
negotiations led by US Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo and a senior North Korean
official.
Trump also said joint military exercises
with South Korea would be halted, which he
described as "too expensive". He said he had
agreed to stop the "war games" because he
considers them "very provocative" and said
it would save the US "a tremendous amount
of money".
Trump also said he hopes to eventually
withdraw US forces from South Korea, but
said "that's not part of the equation right
now".
He said he had invited Kim to visit the
White House and that the North Korean
leader had accepted his invitation.
One major issue that appeared to remain
unresolved following the summit was North
Korea's brutal human rights record, which
Trump had slammed last year.
India welcomed the Singapore meeting
and described it as a "positive development".
"We hope that the outcomes of the US‑
DPRK Summit will be implemented, thus
paving the way for lasting peace and stabili‑
ty in the Korean Peninsula," said the
External Affairs Ministry.
China said that sanctions against
Pyongyang could be eased if it complies
with the UN resolution.
Back home, Republicans were cautiously
optimistic on the potential deal with North
Korea. But Democrats say the president has
given legitimacy to a hostile regime in a
meeting that mostly amounted to nothing
but significant concessions to North Korea
without any meaningful commitments in
return. The two senators who perhaps
understand what is at stake the most:
Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee and
Democrat Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the
chair and ranking member of the powerful
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Corker called the Singapore agreement
nothing more than a “few sentences on a
sheet of paper” that were very aspirational.
“I donʼt think we know enough to challenge
or celebrate,” he added.
Menendez was a bit more blunt: “This is
the weakest statement that I have ever seen
come out of any engagement with North
Korea.”
The summit in Singapore was the first
between the leaders of North Korea and the
US after nearly 70 years of confrontation
and 25 years of failed negotiations and ten‑
sions over Pyongyang's nuclear program.
Modi, Xi signal positive
momentum in bilateral ties
Continued from page 1
reflecting the resolve by the two countries
to reset relations and bring back trust in
their ties, hit by the Doklam standoff and
several other thorny issues.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng
Shuang during a media briefing in Beijing
on Monday said, "The two leaders
exchanged views on bilateral relations and
issues of mutual interests. They also
reached important consensus."
"Both leaders believe that their informal
summit in Wuhan played a positive role in
moving forward the bilateral cooperation,"
he said. "They agreed that that the positive
momentum should be cherished and they
should implement the consensus reached in
Wuhan," Geng said. Modi had tweeted after
the meeting with Xi: “Our talks will add fur‑
ther vigor to the India‑China friendship.”
Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale
said one of the important outcomes of the
meeting was that the Chinese side accepted
Prime Ministerʼs invitation to President Xi
to come to India for an informal summit
next year, similar to the one held by the two
leaders in Wuhan on April 27‑28.
Xi conveyed to the Indian side that Chinaʼs
defense minister and minister of public
security, who is equivalent to Indiaʼs home
minister, will visit New Delhi this year.
Sharing some aspects of the nearly 50‑
minute meeting, the foreign secretary said
Xi described the Wuhan summit as a “new
starting point” in bilateral relations between
the two countries while Prime Minister
called it as a “milestone” in ties which will
help in developing mutual understanding
and trust.
Gokhale said the meeting had a “very posi‑
tive forward‑looking momentum” which was
underpinned by spirit of the Wuhan summit.
“It was a very substantive meeting. And
both leaders made very positive assessment
of the Wuhan summit,” he said, adding both
the leaders agreed to keep open the strate‑
gic communication.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY June 16-22, 2018 5

'Keep AAPI thriving with

balance, unity and pride'
By SATimes

New York: Itʼs been a

gradual journey for Dr.
Naresh Parikh,
President‑Elect of
American Association
of Physicians of Indian
Orig in (AAP I) from
being an ordinary
member of AAPI to a
regional leader, elected
to be an executive com‑
mittee member of the
national AAPI, and now
looking forward to lead
the organization that
he has come to adore.
“I had started work‑
ing as an ordinary Dr Naresh Parikh, AAPI president‑elect with family
member in 1986 and
today, I am honored and humbled by AAPI from dozen lo cat ions. A pract icing
members, entrusting the largest ethnic Cardiologist in Atlanta, Georgia for 30
medical organization, representing the years, Dr. Parikh was instrumental in start‑
over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin, ing IPA in 2016 with 53 participating
with the responsibility of leading it to providers and has been active in DRS ACO.
newer heights.” Not satisfied with growing professionally
As the President of AAPI, “I will dedicate and contributing and leading AAPI, Dr.
my time, energy and skills to maintain the Parikh has been generous with his time, tal‑
integrity of AAPI and promote membership ents and resources towards charitable
database and scrub data. We will work causes for long.
together encouraging and motivating more Dr. Parikh has been devoting time energy
and more Physicians and Dentists to join towards several noble causes across the US
AAPI and work towards increase in AAPI and in India. Dr. Parikh says, “Itʼs been an
membership representing all sections, honor and privilege for me to be associated
including, women, young and old, while with AAPI because I recognize the tremen‑
providing enhanced membership benefits dous potential and the lead role that is
including liability insurance carrier, billing, being played by AAPI in promoting friend‑
collection company, cardiac remote moni‑ ship between India and the United States.
toring, and credit card transact ions Dr. Parikh wants to address three key pri‑
through reputed banking services. Our orities for the year July 2018 to June
Mission and Motto for the upcoming year 2019: Opioid epidemic and awareness, to
is “Keep AAPI Thriving with Balance, Unity be coordinated by Dr. Kavita Gupta and Dr.
and Pride” Sanjay Gupta; Lymphoma and Leukemia
Graduated from Nagpur Medical College Research, under the leadership of Dr. Vinod
in 1972 and a cardiologist by profession, Shah; and, the Silent Epidemic, TB in India,
Dr. Naresh Parikh is serving as the CEO of with a major focus at The Global Health
Georgia Clinic, a multi‑specialty organiza‑ Summit to be held from Dec 28th to 30th
tion, founded in 1998, serving patients in Mumbai.

New York launches suicide

prevention program
New York: New York Governor Andrew M.
Cuomo has launched a suicide prevention
program in the wake of two high‑profile
suicides of ce le brity che f Anthony
Bourdain and fashion designer Kate
Spade.
"Two high‑profile suicides this week put
mental illness front and center, but while
those names were the ones in the press,
every day there are thousands of New
Yorkers who strugg le w ith suicidal
thoughts, and we must do everything we
can to support them," Cuomo said in a
statement on Friday.
"This innovative pilot program tailors
treatments to the specific needs of indi‑
viduals and helps bolster our ef forts to
get people the support they need and
keep New Yorkers safe," he said.
Funded through the $3.5 million federal
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administrat ion g rant, the
Attempted Suicide Short Intervention
Program reframes how suicide attempts
are examined in order to develop individ‑
ualized prevention strategies, reports
Xinhua news agency.
Developed in Switzerland, the program
is based on the belief that it is more help‑
ful to view suicide as an action taken in
order to reach a goal, rather than simply a
symptom of mental illness.
Only by understanding the very individ‑
ualized path to a suicide attempt can one
develop effective prevention strategies.
(IANS)
 6 June 16-22, 2018 TRISTATE COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

2018 USA Cricket Combines Edison Mayor graces

Tamil school annual day
NY finds new talents Edison, NJ: The Eighth Annual Day
event of Thiruvalluvar Tamil School was
Bronx, NY: 2018 USA Cricket celebrated with vigor and color on May
Combines which took place in Van 12 at Edison High School Auditorium.
Courtland Park Bronx NY from The school operating in Edison current‑
June 1‑3 was organized by USA ly has 570 students and 75 volunteers
cricket (ICC) in conjunction with that teach Tamil language and culture
Commonwealth Cricket League. It to the next generation 3‑15 year old
is a national selection event to kids. Mayor Thomas Lankey from
find talented players from all over Edison Township presided the program
the country to play for national Mayor Thomas Lankey (right)
praising the students and volunteers of
presided over the program
cricket team. Ajith Bhaskar, the the Tamil school for their hard work in
lead organizer along with Leslie taking the language and culture to the and danced for the songs of famous
Lowe, President, CCL worked hard children. Volunteers for Tamil language poets Bharathiyar and Bharathidasan
to make this event successful. also attended the celebrations. They emphasizing richness of culture and tra‑
Lot of young talented cricketers included Dr Arul Veerappan (former ditions followed in villages. Higher
showed up from Boston, President, NY Tamil Sangam), Dr. grade students performed dramas and
Connect icut, New Jersey, Sundaram Palanisamy (Founder, NJ small skits ‑ on various poems from
Pennsylvania and New York mak‑ Tamil Sangam), Kalyan Muthusamy Sangam literature. After the artistic per‑
The selected players will eventually
ing it tough for the selectors. The (President, NJ Tamil Sangam), formances, Principal Shanthi Thangaraj,
join national cricket team
event started with a T20 and Sasikumar from Vallalar Tamil School, Vice Principal Lakshmi Sundarrajan and
ended with 50 overs game. Selection was for Cricket in USA is now getting a lot of atten‑ NJ, Manikandan & Rajasekar from Treasurer Senthilnathan Muthusamy
womenʼs, menʼs & youth teams. The youngest tion and people like Ajith Bhaskar are working Tamil Jersey School, NJ, Mohandas introduced all the volunteers and the
was 11‑year‑old Atoshi Banerjee who showed hard to take the cricket to next level in New Sankaran from Marlboro Tamil School, teachers to the audience and greeted
a lot of passion and commitment. York. NJ. Tiny tots from kindergarten sang them on the stage.

Indian community feted at Indian American Night

East Meadow, NY: Indian Ameri‑
can Night was organized by the
Indian American Forum (IAF) on
June 3 at Harry Chapin Lakeside
Theatre in Eisenhower Park here.
This program is part of 2018
summer concert series sponsored
by Nassau County Department of
Parks, Recreation and Museums.
Indian American Night is a show‑
case of classical Indian music and
folk dances from all regions of In‑
dia. Nassau County Parks Com‑ (L to R): MC Inesha Joneja, IAF Chair Indu Jaiswal, Commissioner
Eileen, honorees Sunny Thakkar, Rachna Sabharwal, Ranju Narang, Techno Queens from Jericho Elementary School, and
missioner Eileen Krieb, Deputy
Gobind Munjal and Dr Anuj Goenka along with Animesh Goenka RoboFalcons boys team from Jericho Middle School
Commissioner Shawn McBride
and Mohinder Singh Taneja were also recognized for their achievements
and several elected officials and
community leaders were present. flecting dances from different ments. These community mem‑ Sunny Thakkar, Radiation Thera‑ ident AIA‑New York.
To observe the International parts of India. On behalf of Nas‑ bers were honored with Nassau pist and cultural promoter; Dr Also to be recognized at the
Yoga Day (June 21) yoga and sau County Executive Laura Cur‑ County Awards: Harry Aurora, Purna Prasad, CTO at Northwell event for their achievements
mantra chanting was taught by ran, Commissioner Eileen wel‑ President‑CEO, ITutor; Dr Anu Health; Mrs. Rachna Sabharwal, were girls team Techno Queens
Ranju Narang. Jaya Bahadkar comed everyone and commended Goenka, Director of Brain Tumor President Rotary Club of Jericho from Jericho Elementary School,
Cultural chairperson, presented the Indian American community Programing of the Dept of Radia‑ Sunrise; Ranju Narang, Yoga in‑ and RoboFalcons boys team from
beautiful cultural program re‑ for their outstanding achieve‑ tion Medicine, Northwell Health; structor and Gobind Munjal, Pres‑ Jericho Middle School.

Letter to the Editor

GOPIOʼs Central Jersey chapter
Lost & found story on LIRR
celebrates 10th anniversary with gala
J
une 6th. It was a beautiful Wednesday afternoon and I was on my way

G
back from Penn Station on the 2:52 LIRR train bound for Huntington. At OPIO Central Jersey hosted Hemant Marathe. Shree H R Shah, chairman and ceo,
around 3:40 I reached my destination, Hicksville. As I exited the station I
its 10th Anniversary Gala Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. TV Asia.Both individuals received an
realized I had left my bag on the train and rushed back, but it was too late. I
Community Recognition & was inducted as Friend of India. He award from GOPIO Central Jersey as
went to the ticket counter but unfortunately the person there was not very help‑
ful. I requested a call to Huntington Station asking if someone there could hold Awards Banquet on June 3 at Ember has served Co‑Chair of Indian well as citation from New Jersey
my bag for me, but to no avail. Left with no choice, I had to drive all the way to Restaurant in South Brunswick, NJ Caucus in US Congress, and repre‑ State Senate. The other awardees
Huntington Station. By the time I reached Huntington, the train had already left which was attended by more than sents New Jersey's Sixth from various fields of personal or
for Jamaica. However, the transport manager there, named Roxanne, was very 350 invited guests, public officials, Congressional District that covers group achievements included the
helpful. She called the manager at Jamaica and asked him to hold the bag and community leaders, GOPIO mem‑ Middlesex County, Bayshore and following individuals: Shri Krishna
after about 45 minutes she told me that my bag was retrieved at Jamaica sta‑ bers and awardees from various Oceanfront areas of Monmouth Nidhi (SKN) Foundation; Ashok
tion. She also put me in the next train to Jamaica and asked the conductor, fields. County. Two South Asian media Luhadia, founder of US Pharma
Lorrain, to help. Lorrain did guide me to the office at Jamaica station, where I
Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, giants were recognized and received Labs; Amit Jani, the President and
was able to collect my bag.
the Consul General of India in New the awards for their significant con‑ Co‑Founder, NJ Leadership Program;
However, if the official at Hicksville station were willing to cooperate a bit
more, I wouldnʼt have to go all over Long Island to retrieve my bag. Just imagine York was the Chief Guest. Other dig‑ tribution and community service in Pinakin Pathak, a successful entre‑
how many passengers lose their belongings on a train and how much stress nitaries included New Jersey media which included Padma Shree preneur and community activist, a
they have to endure to make sure get back their stuff. Fortunately, this stress Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a philanthropist member of the Hindu‑Jewish coali‑
can be curtailed if there are more officials like Roxanne and Lorrain willing to Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, and chairman and publisher of tion, BAPS, and March of Dimes;
help. Hats off to these two women. South Brunswick Mayor Charlie Parikh Worldwide Media Inc., and Rina Shah, the director and founder
-Mukesh Modi (mukesh.modi@aol.com) Carley, and West Windsor Mayor new owner of ITV Gold and Padma of AUM Dance Creations.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY June 16-22, 2018 7

Apple acquires rights to develop Wait for US Green Card

novel 'Shantaram' drama series
San Francisco: Apple has acquired the
rights to develop Australian author
Gregory David Robert's famous novel
"Shantaram" as a drama series, the media
reported.
"The 2003 novel tells the story of Lin ‑‑
a man on the run from an Australian
prison looking to get lost in the teeming
city of Bombay (now Mumbai). Cut of f
from family and friends by distance and
fate, he finds a new life in the slums, bars
and underworld of India," the Variety
reported.
In January, it was announced that
Anonymous Content and Paramount
Television had won the rights to the book
after a bidding war along with the rights
to the seque l nove l "T he Mountain
Shadow."
"Shantaram" has been published in 39
languages in 42 territories worldwide
and sold six million copies.
"For the upcoming series, Eric Warren
Singer will reportedly serve as the writer
Author Gregory David Robert. ʻShantaramʼ has been published in 39 languages
in 42 territories worldwide and sold six million copies. (Image : scroll.in)
and executive producer along with David
Manson and Andrea Barron as executive
producers with Steve Golin and Nicole
Clemens for Anonymous Content," the
report added.
This comes just a day after the iPhone
maker announced a series order for a
half‑hour series titled "Little Voices."
Previously, "Pirates of the Caribbean"
actor Johnny Depp had gained rights to
the book with Warner Bros. to develop it
into a movie with Indian actors such as
Konkana Sen Sharma and Amitabh
Bachchan. (IANS)
could stretch up to 92 years
New Delhi: Indians account for more than three‑
fourths or 75 per cent of those highly‑skilled pro‑
fessionals waiting in queue to obtain legal perma‑
nent residence status in the US, popularly known as
Green Card, the latest figures released by US
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) show.
Along with China, India is one of the two coun‑
tries with over 10,000 applicants.
As of May 2018, there were 3,95,025 foreign
nationals waiting for Green Card under the employ‑
ment‑based preference category. Of these 3,06,601
were Indians, the USCIS data shows.
This does not include counts of dependent benefi‑
ciaries associated with the approved immigrant
petitions, it said.
Under the existing law in the US, applicants from
any one country cannot be granted more than
seven per cent of the Green Cards‑ which makes the
wait for Indians the longest.
How long? Well, the number is mind‑boggling.
Given the per country limits, an Indian skilled
worker may have to wait anywhere between 25‑92
years to get a Green Card. This effectively means
that a 22‑year old IIT graduate with a Silicon Valley
dream may have to wait till he turns 114 to get his
Green Card. (Source: The Times of India)

USCIS received 5,000 fraud alerts India‑UN Development Fund hailed

on dedicated H-1B abuse helpline
Washington, DC: U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services has
received over 5,000 e‑mails report‑
ing alleged H‑1B fraud, on a dedi‑
cated helpline it launched last year.
“As of May 21, 2018, the USCIS
has received over 5,000 tips to the
dedicated H‑1B email address,”
USCIS spokesman Philip Smith told
PTI. After President Donald Trump
signed the “Buy American, Hire
American” executive order last
year, in April 2017, USCISʼ Fraud
Detection and National Security
Directorate created and imple‑
mented the Targeted Site Visit and
Verification Program, using email
addresses dedicated to receiving
information about suspected H‑1B
and H‑2B fraud or abuse. FDNS
leads USCISʼs ef forts to combat
immigration benefit fraud.
Anyone (including both
American workers and workers
who suspect they or others may be
the victim of H‑1B or H‑2B fraud
or abuse) can email
ReportH1BAbuse@ uscis.dhs.gov
or ReportH2BAbuse@
uscis.dhs.gov to submit tips,
alleged violations, and other rele‑
vant information about potential
fraud or abuse, Smith said.
It was unclear how many tips
have been investigated by USCIS,
and also unclear how many actual
instances of fraud the helplines
uncovered. USCIS did not provide
any details with regard to the
nature of complaints, the compa‑
nies involved nor which countryʼs
high‑tech professionals were the
victims of H‑1B visa fraud and
abuse, reported PTI
Smith said the program focuses
on H‑1B dependent employers ̶
those who have a high ratio of H‑
1B workers as compared to U.S.
workers. The agency investigates
cases in which the employerʼs
basic business information cannot
be verified through commercially
available data. It also investigates
employers petitioning for H‑1B
workers who work of f‑site at
another company or organizationʼs
location.
FDNS of ficers also perform
checks of USCIS databases and
public information, as well as
other administrative inquiries, to
verify information provided on,
and in support of, applications and
petitions.
as model South‑South cooperation
United Nations: UN Secretary‑General
Antonio Guterres has held up the
India‑United Nations Development
Partnership Fund as a model of deep‑
ening South‑South cooperation that
helps the poorest countries by work‑
ing with them on their priorities.
Delivering the keynote address on
Friday at the Fund's first anniversary
celebrations, he said its "focus on
supporting people in least developed
countries, small island developing
states and landlocked developing
states reflects our ambition to reach
those that are left furthest behind
and to reach them first."
Guterres and other leaders of UN
organizations as well representatives
of the fund's beneficiaries praised
India for leading the way in South‑
South cooperation.
The celebrations heard testimonies
from of ficials, diplomats and UN
Development Program representa‑
tives from the field, who connected
via video links, to the uniqueness of
the Fund's responsiveness and its
effectiveness by not earmarking the
contributions and letting the recipi‑
ents decide what their most pressing
needs are. India has committed $100
Secretary‑General António Guterres (centre) participates
in the commemoration of the first Anniversary of the
India‑United Nations Development Partnership Fund.
million over the next decade for the ects will be completed in two years
Fund and an additional $50 million and none should go beyond three
during the next five years for years, he said.
Commonwealth countries under a Akbaruddin said the Fund was in
separate window under the fund, addition to the various other aid pro‑
India's Permanent Representative grams that India has bilaterally with
Syed Akbaruddin said. countries and multilaterally with
The Fund has more than 20 proj‑ organizations.
ects underway across the world in 25 India's leadership in technology
countries, ranging from hurricane could be harnessed to help the coun‑
rehabilitation and climate early tries deal with their problems, many
warning system to government speakers said.
accountability and agriculture. Grete Faremo, the Executive
Akbaruddin called for speeding up Director of the UN office of Project
the implementation of the projects Services, which has partnered with
done through the UN agencies under India on Fund projects, said that
what he called a "1‑2‑3 process." India lives up to the values of its
India has cut down the time it takes ancient saying, "Vasudhaiva kutum‑
to assess and accept a project in bakam" ‑ World is one family ‑
under one month and hopes the proj‑ through the Fund.
8 June 16-22, 2018
Free trip to India for youth
T
he Government of India will
launch Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz
(Know India Quiz) from July 19‑
21, 2018 to generate interest among
youth, both Non‑
Resident Indians (NRI)
as well as Persons of
Indian Origin (PIO), to
know and understand
India. Registration on
the portal
https://www.bharatko‑
janiye.in/ is mandatory
for the eligible contest‑
ant to participate in the Quiz.
This Quiz will be held online for the
two distinct categories of PIO & NRI aged
15 to 35 years and will be conducted in
04 rounds. In the first round, there will
be 30 questions to be selected randomly
by the computer to be answered in 25
minutes. There is no negative marking.
The first round of the quiz will be con‑
ducted online by the Consulate. The sec‑
Multi‑disciplinary Indian arts
non‑profit launched in Dallas
T
he founder of the DFW South
Asian Film Festival (SAFF), Jitin
Hingorani, in partnership with
the founder of One Society by Shastra,
Anu Agarwal, launches a multi‑discipli‑
nary, Indian arts non‑profit in North
Texas called DIAC, the Dallas Indian Arts
Collective. The organization's mission is
to educate, entertain and enrich the
lives of North Texans by creating a
cross‑cultural platform to promote
understanding and appreciation of
Indian arts, whether performing, visual
or literary. "Arts creates (ex)change,"
said Hingorani, "and through the suc‑
cess of SAFF, we have noticed that
Dallasites are hungry for quality South
Asian programming in our art‑friendly
city. Much like the independent films we
bring to North Texas every year, we now
hope to bring independent artists ‑‑
dancers, singers, playwrights, authors,
painters, sculptors ‑‑ to add to the
vibrancy of our cultural landscape."
"Art invokes the human spirit, while
Gujarat man killed near gas
station in Atlanta
A
man from Vadodara settled in
the United States was shot dead
allegedly by an African‑
American man near his gas station‑cum‑
store in Atlanta in the state of Georgia.
Harikrishna alias Harish Mistry (51),
the owner of a gas station‑cum‑store,
was shot at three times on Saturday last.
"Harish uncle was leaving his store
when the attack took place. He was shot
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
IN BRIEF
ond round of the quiz will be conducted
online by Ministry of External Affairs.
The third and fourth rounds (semi final &
final round) will be
conducted in New
Delhi.
Three finalists
from each of the
NRI and PIO/OCI
category in the
first round con‑
ducted will move
to the subsequent
rounds.
All participants who make it to the
third and fourth round will be invited to
India. Besides the Quiz, they will partici‑
pate in 15‑day tour of India. Top three
winners of the fourth (final) round of BKJ
Quiz 2019 from each category of NRI &
PIO will receive gold, silver and bronze
medals and a Certificate at the Pravasi
Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention,
2019.
pushing our boundaries to think, act
and feel unorthodoxly" said DIAC co‑
founder Agarwal. "We aim to provide a
much‑needed platform for these artists,
so that they can share their unique and
relevant stories with the community‑at‑
large."
DIAC's launch production is
writer/director Isheeta Ganguly's musi‑
cal play ʻThree Womenʼ, a saucy, sensu‑
al satirical spin on the lives of Bengali
author Rabindranath Tagore's three
female characters, then and now.
Isheeta Ganguly will travel from India
with actors Avantika Akerkar, Mahnaz
Damania and Chrisann Pereira, and
actor Samrat Chakrabarti (special guest
narrator) will be traveling from New
York City. The play will be shown for
one night only at the Marshall Family
Performing Arts Center at GreenHill
School (4141 Spring Valley Road in
Addison) on Thursday, June 14th from
7 to 9 p.m.
For more visit www.diactexas.org.
at three times by an African‑American
man near his store on Saturday evening.
Our relatives have said the man who
shot our uncle used to work at his
store," claimed Summed Mistry, the
deceased's nephew.
Harish is survived by wife Sheetal and
children Nancy (19) and Nayan (4). His
two sisters are also settled in the US.
BAPS Charities holds Walk Green
2018 in Melville, New York
Leading town and county officials took part in the event
C
ommunity members of all ages
came out with their families to
support the annual BAPS Charities
Walk Green 2018 in Melville, New York on
June 3. 2018 marks the third year that
the annual BAPS Charities walkathon will
benefit The Nature Conservancy and their
effort to conserve the lands and waters on
earth to sustain life for upcoming genera‑
tions. BAPS Charities will contribute
$165,000, an equivalent of planting
130,000 trees, to The Nature Conservancy
to support their initiative to plant a billion
trees globally by 2025. In addition to sup‑
porting this global effort, this yearʼs BAPS
Charities walkathon also supported News‑
day Charities, which helps local Long Is‑
landers who are in need of food, shelter,
and other assistance.
Altogether, over 700 participants attend‑
ed the walk. Special guests that attended
IAC raises funds to provide 1 million
meals for North Texas Food Bank
W
ith a rally cry of ʻhunger mitaoʼ
and an ambitious campaign
titled “Million Meal March” the
Indian American Council (IAC) for North
Texas Food Bank launched on September
29, 2017. In just seven short months, the
IAC surpassed its first‑year goal of funding
one million meals for the hungry neighbors
across North Texas.
The success of the IAC reflects the giving
spirit of local sponsors, businesses, and
individuals from the Indian American com‑
munity who call North Texas their home.
The leadership of the council, largely made
up of immigrant members, pledges to con‑
tinue the fight against hunger and plans to
measure and celebrate successes in million
meal increments. “We have ambitious goals
for the Indian American Council, and with
the first million‑meal milestone behind us,
we know there is much more to be done to
feed hungry children, seniors, and families
in North Texas.” said Raj Asava co‑founder
of the Indian American Council. “Our
Million Meal March doesnʼt end here; this is
just the beginning of many million meals
that will be enabled by the Indian American
community.”
The IAC was formed to raise awareness,
improve engagement, as well as channel
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
the Walk Green 2018 walkathon were US
Congressmen Tom Suozzi, Huntington
Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, NY State
Assemblyman Andrew Raia, NY State As‑
semblyman Steve Stern, Carol DeCarmine‑
Nucci representing NY State Senator John
Flanagan, Mr. Paul Fleishman, VP of Public
Affairs for Newsday, Anne Salmon from
the Nature Conservancy, and Jason Bern‑
feld of the Melville Fire Department and
NYPD.
BAPS Charities uses these opportunities
to instill a spirit of service and commit‑
ment to preservation and environmental
responsibility in community members.
Through participation in events and
fundraising activities like the walkathon,
participants are actively engaged in con‑
versations and actions around sustainabili‑
ty and conservation, becoming owners
rather than bystanders.
resources and contributions of the Indian
American community towards NTFBʼs mis‑
sion. The committed and diverse steering
committee is the driving force behind the
council. By providing access to one million
nutritious meals, the IAC is directly con‑
tributing to the Food Bankʼs vision of a
hunger‑free, healthy North Texas.
“To build on this momentum, we are
launching a ʻHunger Mitao Weekʼ (August
11‑19), the week of Indiaʼs Independence
Day,” said Anna Asava, co‑founder of IAC.
“Leading up to this week we will raise
awareness, food and funds, while encourag‑
ing hands‑on volunteering. Going forward,
it is our vision that Indiaʼs Independence
Day, August 15, is also celebrated as
ʻIndependence from Hunger Day!ʼ”
"North Texas Food Bank is appreciative of
the Indian American Councilʼs commitment
to fighting hunger and supporting families
in need in our community,” said Trisha
Cunningham, President and CEO of the
North Texas Food Bank. "Together, we are
one step closer to reaching our goal of pro‑
viding 92 million meals by 2025.”
For more information about the North
Texas Food Bankʼs Indian American
Council, visit: ntfb.org/IAC
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIASPORA June 16-22, 2018 9

Indian‑origin lawyer to be Indian expat sets record for

Malaysiaʼs new attorney general largest sapling distribution
Kuala Lumpur: Tommy Thomas, a Sharjah: A UAE‑based Indian
top ethnic Indian lawyer has been expat set a Guinness World
appointed Malaysia's new Attorney Record for the largest distribu‑
General by the king, who appealed tion of curry tree saplings, a
to Malaysians to not "create reli‑ media report said.
gious or racial conflict" over the Sudheesh Guruvayoor, origi‑
decision, amid protests from nally from Kerala, distributed
Islamic groups against his nomina‑ 4,914 saplings to the students
tion. of two campuses of Sharjah
A palace statement said Sultan Indian High School, Gulf News
Muhammad V has approved termi‑ reported.
Sudheesh Guruvayoor
nat ing the current Attorney He broke the existing record
(Image : gulfnews.com)
General Mohamad Apandi Ali and set by the Guru Nanak Darbar
replacing him with Mr. Thomas, Gurudwara in Dubai which had Speaking to Gulf News,
who is the first person from the distributed 2,083 saplings of Guruvayoor said the initiative
minority community to hold the three varieties of trees to stu‑ was his attempt to support the
post in 55 years in the Muslim‑ dents of Delhi Private School in United Arab Emirates' g reen
majority nation. March. Guruvayoor, who had hit vision.
Prime Minister Mahathir Tommy Thomasʼs nomination created a stir with proponents headlines with his enthusiasm With five Limca Book of
Mohamad had proposed to nomi‑ and opponents filing petitions (Image courtesy: malaymail.com) and accomplishments in farming Records and other awards in his
nate Thomas, 66, as the Attorney‑ in the UAE, achieved the new feat kitty, he said he had been grow‑
ing, finance, corporate and com‑ mation chief on Saturday also
General, the official Bernama news as part of the World Environment ing curry tree saplings at his farm
mercial law. protested against the government's
agency reported. Day celebrations in the country. for almost three months for this
He has been a lawyer in Malaysia pick, saying that the candidate
The appointment of Thomas as The saplings were from his own dream project. He chose to grow
for 42 years, having been called to should be an individual "who can
the top legal of ficer would not farm in Sharjah. the curry tree as the leaves are an
the Bar in the United Kingdom in protect Islam as the of ficial reli‑
affect the special rights and privi‑ The adjudicator for Guinness essential ingredient in South
1975 and called to the Malaysian gion of the country".
leges of the Malays and World Records Hoda Khachab Indian cuisine.
Bar in 1976, Malaymail.com The Malaysian government had
Bumiputeras, as well as the status presented the cert ificate to Curry leaves from India were
reported. de fended its nominat ion of
of Islam as the federal religion, the Guruvayoor in the presence of his earlier banned in the UAE due to
T he appointment of Tommy Thomas, saying that it would be
agency said. family and senior members of the high levels of pesticides.
Thomas has caused division among the rig ht signal to send to
Thomas is best known as a con‑ Indian community in Sharjah. T hroug h this init iat ive,
the Malaysian public as petitions ‑ Malaysians and the rest of the
stitutional law expert and a civil lit‑ Principals, teachers, and parents Guruvayoor said, families of these
both objecting and supporting his world that the new administration
igator in court cases in matters as of Sharjah Indian School were students can grow pesticide‑free
nomination ‑ have cropped up. was serious about reforming the
varied as administrative law, bank‑ also present. curry leaves at home. (IANS)
Parti Islam Se‑Malaysia's infor‑ country's institutions. (PTI)

More than 3000 people attended

the Indian Food Fest
(Image : Embassy of India,
Berlin food fest: A piquant
Berlin Facebook Page)
expression of Indian culture
Berlin: The second Indian Food
Festival organized in Berlin was
appreciated by more than 3,000
people at the Indian Embassy in
the German capital, an official said
on Monday. The colorful Indian
dishes were tastefully displayed at
the fest at different food stalls rep‑
resenting various regional foods
from all parts of India.
Minister Personnel of the Indian
Embassy T.V. Ravichandran, whose
vision made the food fest a great
success for the second successive
year, joined hands with 12 Indian
Berlin‑based associations including
Beng ali, Gujarat i, Kannada,
Malayali, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil and
Telugu, in a collaborative venture
to showcase the authentic cuisines
of their particular regions.
The aroma, taste and the culi‑
nary forms of various dishes which
these communities presented at
dif ferent stalls allured and
enchanted the German families
who rushed to the red sandstone
embassy complex situated right
opposite the Tiergarten Park in the
heart of Berlin. (IANS)

Fiji Indians: For whom Bollywood acts as cultural bridge

By Radhika Bhirani
Savusavu (Fiji): "Laakhon hain
yahan dilwale..."that evergreen
Mahendra Kapoor number from
the 1960s played on at a bou‑
tique island resort here ‑‑ bring‑
ing smiles to a group of Indian
tourists.
But more than that, it testified
to how Bollywood connects the
over 40 per cent Indians in this
archipelago state to their roots,
underlining their lives in what is
deemed to be one of the world's
happiest nations.
Rajnesh Prasad, 40, is clueless
about which part of India his
family came from. He hasn't visit‑
ed his ancestral country yet, but
knows in his heart that he will,
one day. A driver, he speaks
Hindi, is a fan of megastar
Amitabh Bachchan, and loves
watching Bollywood superstar
Salman Khan's movies.
"It is very expensive to travel to
India, but films are like a bridge...
They reduce the gap for us. I saw
'Tiger Zinda Hai'. Mast thhi (It
was fun). Salman is a good actor,"
Prasad, preferring to be called
"Raj" a la Shah Rukh Khan's char‑
acter in "Dilwale Dulhania Le
Jayenge", told IANS here.
"I have also seen 'Raid'," he
added as he wished upon getting
himself photographed with the
film's lead actress Ileana D'Cruz,
who was here to shoot a cam‑
paign as ambassador of Tourism
Fiji last week.
For Ileana, who has visited the
Pacific nation earlier too, it was
heartening to come face‑to‑face
with the fandom for Bollywood.
"It's fascinating. The first time I
came here, it was a very private
visit and each evening, I would be
surprised when during a 'kahwa'
ceremony, everyone would get
together and sing songs. One day
people started singing a
Bollywood number, one of Rishi
Kapoor's old songs, and I found it
unbelievable... They were singing
Bollywood songs, and bonding
over 'Sholay'," she told IANS.
Kamal Dev, 56, lives here with
his wife and three children. He is
a huge fan of Mithun
Chakraborty and Amitabh
Bachchan. There's also 22‑year‑
old Krishna Prasad, who says
South Indian films are a binding
factor in his house. He loved the
"Baahubali" franchise.
In all, there are 10 theatres
across Fiji, including those in the
capital city Suva and the coun‑
try's transportation hub, Nadi. All
the theatres play the latest
Bollywood movies.
Anasyu Chand, Assistant Head
Teacher at Rampur Primary
School, Navua District here, says
Indians here are hooked to Hindi
television shows as well.
"'Kumkum Bhagya', 'Mere Sai',
'Vighnaharta Ganesha', 'Kundali
Bhagya'...we watch it all," said
Chand, who said teaching spoken
Hindi to all students ‑‑ Indian‑ori‑
gin or Fijian ‑‑ was compulsory at
their school till fourth grade."
She said Ramayan was recited
at the school every Tuesday. "We
celebrate all festivals ‑‑ whether
Eid, Easter, Diwali, Ram Navmi or
Janmashtami in a big way like
they do in films. It is very impor‑
tant for us that our new genera‑
tion knows about India and all
things Indian," said Chand, who
draped a sari especially to meet
Ileana, adding: "I feel the emo‑
tional touch... Jab hamaare desh
ka koi aata hai (when someone
from our homeland comes)."
(IANS)
 10 June 16-22, 2018 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Comment by

More power to women

Shivaji Sengupta

W
hen Mrs. Indira Gandhi
in 1971 attacked East
Pakistan to drive the
West Pakistanis out, General
Yahya Khan, then Pakistanʼs pres‑
ident, is said to have quipped with
dry humor, “You see, men have
been used to being in positions of
power and can even cut your
throat with a smile. But when a
woman comes into power, she
loses all her sense of humor
which she has less than a man
anyway!”
I was a young doctoral student
then and deplored the sexist
remark. (As it happened, it was
Mrs. Gandhi who had the last
laugh – Yahya Khan lost his job).
Almost 50 years later, I open The
South Asian Times and read that
the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike
Pompeo and the Secretary of
Defense, Jim Mattis, are planning
to meet with Indiaʼs Minister of
External Af fairs, Mrs. Sushma
Swaraj, and Defense Minister,
Mrs. Nirmala Sitaraman: two
American men meeting with two
Indian women to discuss mutual
cooperation for security in the
Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.
To an untutored American this
might come as a surprise: India
has two women in such positions
of power? In the United States,
just about 20% of all elected offi‑
cials in Congress are women.
A record number of women are running for office at
national and state level in this year’s midterm elections
tion laws, especially concerning
Dreamers, i.e., youngsters in the
U.S. born of undocumented par‑
ents.
The forthcoming midterm elec‑
tions promise much toward this
goal. According to Refinery29, a
political database organization,
almost 300 women are contest‑
ing the slightly above 500 seats
up for grabs in the states. In other
words, 60%. According to Emilyʼs
List, as many as 431 women are
vying for Congressional midterm
elections. Complementing this
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met her US counterpart unusually large number of
James Mattis in New Delhi last year. In India, currently the foreign women interested in e lected
minister is also a woman – Sushma Swaraj. This may surprise office is the huge upsurge in the
untutored Americans. In the US, just about 20% of all elected number of women interested in
officials in Congress are women. Republican women
women winning the midterms. In
amount to hardly 5%. (Photo: HT)
2016, for example, 694 women
Republican women amount to nessed, ever since Trumpʼs elec‑ inquired about women running
hardly 5%. This, in a country, tion, an outpour of women accus‑ for office. This year that number
where women outnumber men. ing men of sexual harassment. is over 30,000. What made for
In 2016, we narrowly missed Finally, there is firm belief in this this astounding difference?
inaugurating the first woman country – and I am among them – We already mentioned Trump,
president. Not coincidentally, we that if women were to capture the provocateur extraordinaire.
also elected a man who has one of even another 10% more seats in There is no doubt in my mind
the worst records when it comes Congress, much stif fer gun con‑ that women who voted for Hillary
to respecting women. Not coinci‑ trol laws could go into effect; as Clinton were bitterly disappoint‑
dentally either, we have w it‑ well as more humane immigra‑ ed at her defeat and many of
them are fighting back with new
resolve. So, Mrs. Clinton is a very
big reason why women are
threatening to take charge. The
massive womenʼs march the day
after Trumpʼs inauguration in
January 2016 has apparently
turned many heads toward
women. According to Emilyʼs List
over a thousand women called in
to inquire about running for
of fice. Last, but not least, the
thousands of murders with guns
that have taken place, and the
young women who have come out
for gun control have also influ‑
enced women to oppose men.
So here we are! Sitting and wait‑
ing for the bell to ring; for the
women to come out and fight the
elections. They – we – have had
enough of men.
As the Chorus in the ancient
Gree k Comedy, Lysistrata,
warned the men who were bent
on fighting wars and groping
women with never a care for their
wives: You should never have laid
rash hands on us… beware the
wasps, if you go stirring up the
wasps' nest!

Trump hosts first Iftar dinner
Washington: President Donald Trump host‑
ed his first Iftar dinner to celebrate the holy
month of Ramadan, calling Islam "one of the
worldʼs great religions".
During the dinner last Wednesday, Trump
extolled the virtues of Ramadan and called
for cooperation in the Middle East, reports
The Hill magazine.
"Tonight as we enjoy a magnificent dinner
at the White House, let us strive to embody
the grace and goodwill that mark the
Ramadan season," Trump told attendees.
"Let us pray for peace and justice and let
us resolve that these values will guide us as
we work together to build a bright and pros‑
perous future that does honor and glory to
God." Attendees included Vice President
Mike Pence and a few other Cabinet mem‑
bers as well as ambassadors from Muslim‑
Invitees were mainly diplomats from Muslim majority countries.
majority countries including Saudi Arabia,
the UAE, Tunisia, Kuwait, Indonesia and
Jordan.
However, both the Islamic Society of North
America (ISNA) and the Council on
American‑Islamic Relations say they were
not invited.
Trump broke nearly two decades of presi‑
dential tradition last year when he did not
host an Iftar dinner.
Facebook to train
1 mn entrepreneurs
in digital skills
San Francisco: Aiming to give individuals
and companies the tools they need to flour‑
ish in an increasingly digital economy,
Facebook has vowed to train one million
people and small business owners across the
US by 2020.
"Our plan is to work side by side with com‑
munities to provide more free in‑person
training, mentorship and online courses,"
Amy Brooks, Facebook's Business Education
Director, said in a statement last Friday.
"We're developing local partnerships across
the US so we can create free training for
skills like coding, digital marketing, and
more," Brooks added.
"By the end of the year we plan to establish
new local partnerships which include team‑
ing up with 20 community colleges to offer
digital marketing training," said Brooks.

KG kids learn 'Lockdown' rhyme
New York: The mother of a five‑year‑old
girl in the US shared a picture of a rhyme
that teaches toddlers how to prepare for a
mass shooting, that has gone viral with
people expressing outrage, media report‑
ed. Georgy Cohen shared the picture of the
rhyme on Twitter. Within 24 hours there
were over 18,000 retweets.
The "Lockdown" poem is intended to be
sung to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little
Star" but there's nothing cute or innocent
about it, the Boston Globe reported.
The limericks say: "Lockdown,
Lockdown, Lock the Door./ Shut the lights
off say no more./ Go behind the desk and
hide./ Wait until it's safe inside./
Lockdown, lockdown itʼs all done./ Now itʼs
time to have some fun", teaching children
how to prepare for a mass shooting
Cohen, whose daughter might attend the
school, said: "This should not be hanging
in my soon‑to‑be kindergartner's class‑
room." "It's jarring," Cohen, a
Massachusetts resident, said, while argu‑
ing she was not "angry" at the school. Yet,
it was hard for her to imagine children
singing it in such a playful way.
Not everyone, however, agrees, and her
post is sparking heated conversations
online about the appropriate way to pre‑
pare young children for the worst.
Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and
Superintendent Mary Skipper released a
joint statement to the Globe and said: "This
is, unfortunately, the world we live in
today.
Facebook said it also plans to train more US
businesses on how to use Facebook and
Instagram to build and grow their business‑
es using "Blueprint", which includes a free e‑
learning program available in 14 different
languages. Facebook launched Blueprint in
March 2015. "So far, more than 160,000 US
small businesses have been trained using
Blueprint, and by 2020 we plan to train an
additional 250,000," Brooks said. Facebook
also announced it will launch in autumn of
this year "Learn with Facebook", a free
online training resource to equip people
with the skills they need to grow and
become drivers of their local economies.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info US AFFAIRS June 16-22, 2018 11

McCain to allies: Net neutrality ends in

Americans stand with you a win for Ajit Pai
even if Trump doesnʼt Washington: The Federal
Communications Commissionʼs
Washington: Sen. John at the meet ing that
repeal of net neutrality rules, which
McCain (R‑Ariz.) used a Canadians “w ill not be
had required internet service
Tw itter post to reassure pushed around” in a trade
providers to offer equal access to
other members of the Group face‑of f with the United
all web content, took effect on
of Seven that U.S. citizens States. He said that Canada
Monday.
are still their allies even if is “absolute ly” ready to
The rules, enacted by the Obama
President Donald Trump no impose retaliatory tarif fs
administration in 2015 prohibited
longer appears to be. after Trump last week initi‑
internet providers from charging
McCain sent his message ated a 10 percent aluminum
more for certain content or from
after a tense summit of and 25 percent steel tarif f
giving preferential treatment to
major industrial nations in on imports from Mexico,
certain websites.
Que bec le ft Trump and Canada and the European
After the commission voted to
Canadian Prime Minister The ailing Arizona Senator, Union.
repeal the rules in December, it
Justin Trudeau sniping at John McCain tweeted after Trump fired back that he FCC chairman Ajit Pai. (Photo IANS)
Trump and Canadian Prime was surprised by the prime faced a public outcry, legal chal‑
one another. Trump ended
Minister Justin Trudeau lenges from state attorneys general reported. He once said they were based
up declining to endorse a ministerʼs comments
slammed each other and public interest groups, and a push by on “hypothetical harms and hysterical
joint G‑7 statement on the because he seemed so
following a tense Democratic lawmakers to overturn the prophecies of doom.”
meeting. G7 summit. (Photo IANS) “meek and mild” at the sum‑ decision. The opponents argued that the In an op‑ed column published on CNET
To our allies: bipartisan mit. He also called him “very
repeal would open the door for service Monday, Pai argued that the repeal was
majorities of Americans remain pro‑free dishonest,” but failed to explain what he
providers to censor content online or good for consumers because it restored
trade, pro‑globalization & supportive of meant. At the summit, Trump complained
charge additional fees for better service the Federal Trade Commissionʼs authority
alliances based on 70 years of shared val‑ that allies were treating America “like a
̶ something that could hurt small com‑ over internet service providers.
ues. Americans stand with you, even if our piggy bank” and he vowed to stick by his
panies ̶ and several states have taken “In 2015, the F.C.C. stripped the F.T.C. ̶
president doesnʼt. tarif fs. But he then suddenly suggested
steps to impose the rules on a local level. the nationʼs premier consumer protection
̶ John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June instead that the countries consider drop‑
Still, the repeal was a big win for Ajit agency ̶ of its authority over internet
10, 2018 ping all tariffs.
Pai, the FCCʼs chairman, who has long service providers. This was a loss for con‑
While Trump initially tweeted about the McCain is battling brain cancer and has
opposed the regulations, saying they sumers and a mistake we have reversed,”
“great meetings and relationships” after he been staying at his Arizona home for the
impeded innovation, The New York Times Pai wrote.
left the summit early, Trudeau later vowed last several months.

Obama had secret chats

with 2020 hopefuls
Washington: Former President
Barack Obama has held private
meetings with at least nine
Democratic contenders for the
2020 presidential nomination,
Politico's Edward‑Isaac Dovere
reports, citing sources familiar
with the conversations.
about the future of the party
and their different roles in it.
Joe Biden is waiting until after
the midterms to make a decision
on 2020, though many people
see him as leaning toward it.
Obama also spoke to Elizabeth
Former President Warren and Deval Patrick. But

71
It matters because a meeting Barack Obama Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris
with Obama is an easy way for (Photo : and Cory Booker havn't been to
2020 contenders to gain legiti‑ iriejamradio.com) Obama's office since last year.
macy and presidential wisdom. Obama Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck
tends to give advice, guidance, talk about Schumer has urged Obama over the phone
the future of the party, and everyoneʼs to see massive fundraising as the best way
places in it. Heʼll give his thoughts on cam‑ he can help Senate Democrats in 2018.

%
paigns. Heʼll offer to help make sure House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has
donors and party bigwigs are returning also been on the phone with Obama, urging
calls." With Bernie Sanders, they talked him toward fundraising.

Supreme Court allows states to remove OF SOUTH ASIAN NEW YORKERS

voters who skip elections, ignore warnings
Washington: Failing to vote can lead to get‑
ting knocked of f voter registration rolls, a
deeply divided Supreme Court ruled Monday
in a decision that likely will help Republicans
and hurt Democrats.
The court's conservative majority ruled 5‑4
that Ohio did not violate federal laws by
purging voters who failed to vote for six
years and did not confirm their residency ‑‑
considered the strictest such law in the
Civil rights groups had challenged Ohio's
procedure for cleaning up voter registration
rolls because it disproportionately af fects
minorities, the poor and people with disabili‑
ties. The Trump administration reversed the
position taken by its predecessor and sided
with Ohio.
Justice Samuel Alito noted in his majority
opinion that an estimated one in eight voter
registrations in the United States are invalid
DON’T REPORT DISCRIMINATION
WHEN IT HAPPENS.*
WE CAN HELP.
If you experience discrimination or harassment,
report it to the NYC Commission on Human Rights at
718-722-3131 or NYC.gov/HumanRights
*Based on an NYC Commission on Human
TM

nation. The ruling protects similar laws in six or inaccurate. He said failing to vote cannot Rights survey report from June 2018 Commission on
states, including several electing governors be the sole reason for purging voters but Human Rights
or U.S. senators this fall. T hey are that Ohio "removes registrants only if they Carmelyn P. Malalis,
Pennsylvania, Georgia, Oregon, Oklahoma, have failed to vote and have failed to @NYCCHR NYC.gov/HumanRights Commissioner/Chair
West Virginia and Montana. respond to a notice."
 12 June 16-22, 2018 INDIA NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Vajpayee responding to treatment at AIIMS

New Delhi: Former Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
undergoing treatment for uri‑
nary tract infection at the AIIMS
here, is responding well and his
vital parameters are stable,
hospital of ficials said on
Tuesday.
Vajpayee was admitted to the
All India Institute of Medical
Sciences on Monday.
"His condition is stable. He is
responding to treatment
and is on injectable
antibiotics. All vital
parameters are sta‑
ble. He will continue
to be in hospital till
the infect ion is
controlled,"
AIIMS media and
protocol division
Former Prime
Minister Atal
Bihari
Vajpayee.
Vajpayee fans in UP pray for his recovery
Lucknow: With former Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
admitted to the AIIMS in Delhi,
his admirers and BJP activists on
Tuesday held prayers at different
places in Uttar Pradesh.
While a special 'havan' was
conducted in Kanpur by party
workers for his speedy recovery,
chairperson Aarti Vij said.
Vajpayee's hospitalisation trig‑
gered VIP visits including that of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
President Amit Shah and
Congress President Rahul Gandhi
on Monday, followed by Vice
President M. Venkaiah Naidu and
MDMK leader Vaiko on Tuesday.
A team of senior doctors under
the supervision of Randeep
Guleria, Director, AIIMS, is con‑
BJP and Vishwa Hindu
Mahasangh members took part
in a 'Deerghayu Yagya' at Gonda.
Special pujas were organized at
Balrampur, from where he start‑
ed his political career, said a
well‑wisher.
Vajpayee, 93, who was Prime
Minister briefly in 1996 and
ducting the tests on Vajpayee,
who is bed‑ridden for many
years. Guleria, a pulmonologist,
has been a personal physician to
Vajpayee for long.
T he BJP on Monday said
Vajpayee was admitted on the
advice of doctors for routine
check‑ups and investigations.
Modi called on Vajpayee on
Monday evening and interacted
with his family. He spoke to doc‑
tors and enquired about the for‑
then from 1998 to 2004, is bat‑
tling a urinary tract infection and
respiratory disorders for which
he is admitted at the All India
Institute of Medical Sciences. His
condition is said to be stable.
Vajpayee was elected to the
Lok Sabha from Lucknow five
times.
mer Prime Minister's health.
Modi was at AIIMS for about 50
minutes.
Rahul Gandhi was the first to
visit the hospital to check on
Vajpayee's health. Health
Minister J.P. Nadda also visited,
followed by Amit Shah and Modi.
Vajpayee, 93, who was Prime
Minister briefly in 1996 and
then from 1998 to 2004, retreat‑
ed from active politics over the
last decade due to failing health.

Kejriwal protests at LG's Rahul targets Modi

office for second day
Delhi Chief Minister and his core team spending the night at LG's office in New Delhi.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal and three cabinet
ministers spent the night on couch‑
es at Lt. Governor Anil Baijal's
office and continued their protest
for a second day on Tuesday, with
Minister Satyender Jain launching
an indefinite fast.
Kejriwal, a diabetic, Deputy Chief
Minister Manish Sisodia and cabi‑
net ministers Jain and Gopal Rai
were supplied food from outside
after they spent the night at Raj
Niwas. This was before Jain decid‑
ed to go on hunger strike.
The four went to the LG's office
on Monday to press their three
demands, including a direction to
IAS of ficers to end their "strike"
and to take action against officers
who have struck work for "four
months".
The Chief Minister also demand‑
ed approval to his government's
proposal to deliver ration to the
poor at their houses.
They decided to stay in Baijal's
of fice until their demands were
accepted. The Raj Niwas called it a
"protest without reason".
The Chief Minister on Tuesday
morning tweeted that his "strug‑
gle" was on. "My dear Delhites,
Good Morning. The struggle is on."
In another tweet, he accused the
Lt Governor of defending the "IAS
strike" by saying that the officers
were working and were not on
strike.
Ke jriwal re leased a video in
which he is heard telling the peo‑
ple in Delhi that the protest was
"for you all, for the people of Delhi
so that you can get roads, schools,
hospitals, Mohalla Clinics, water
and electricity".
In the video, he said IAS officers
were "only working on important
files" and were "not responding to
minister's calls and messages, not
attending our meetings.
"People of Delhi are suf fering,
the work planned for Delhi by the
government is suffering."
In the video, Kejriwal also said
Baijal had refused to approve the
doorstep delivery of rations for
Delhi residents.
Raj Niwas in a statement said
Kejriwal was informed that the file
on doorstep delivery of ration was
lying with the Minister for Civil
Supplies for nearly three months.
in Maharashtra
Thane (Maharashtra):
Congress President Rahul
Gandhi targeted Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
here on Tuesday, accus‑
ing him of "keeping
silent" on crucial issues
confronting the country.
"Modiji is mum on
major problems like
unemployment and farm‑
ers. He does not reply to
my questions on petrol
price hike, inflation and
joblessness. A handful of
15 industrialists are run‑
ning the country," Gandhi
told the media after a
hearing in the Bhiwandi
Court here.
On the court case, filed
Congress President Rahul Gandhi,
by a RSS supporter
against Gandhi, the Congress the Mumbai Airport to Thane as
leader said: "Ours is a fight of he was accorded a warm wel‑
ideology and system. Let them come by Congress leaders
file any number of court cases including state President Ashok
against me, I shall fight them, I Chavan and Mumbai city chief
am not bothered." Sanjay Nirupam.
Earlier, Bhiwandi Court Judge Thereafter, Gandhi proceeded
A.I. Shaikh summoned Gandhi to to the Bhiwandi Court in adjoin‑
the witness box and read out the ing Thane district which was vir‑
charges against him, to which the tually converted into fortress for
Congress President pleaded not the framing of charges in a
guilty. The next date of hearing defamation case against him
was fixed for August 10. filed by a Rashtriya
This is Gandhi's first visit to Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) work‑
Maharashtra after taking over as er who objected to Gandhi's
Congress President. utterances at an election rally in
Hoardings proclaiming Gandhi March 2014 wherein he blamed
as the ʻFuture Prime Minister' the RSS for the killing Mahatma
greeted him on the roads outside Gandhi.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Bhaiyyuji Maharaj shoots himself dead
Indore: Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, a Madhya Pradesh‑based
spiritual guru who had prominent followers from dif‑
ferent political parties, committed suicide on Tuesday
by shooting himself at his residence.
The 50‑year‑old guru, who was recently given the
status of a Minister of State by the government in a
controversial decision which he had declined, died
after he was admitted to a hospital in a critical condi‑
tion.
"Bhaiyyuji Maharaj has shot himself at his residence
at Khandwa Road here," said Indore's Deputy
Inspector General Harinarayanachari Mishra, who
had earlier termed the guru's condition as critical and
that doctors are monitoring the situation.
The reason behind the attempted suicide was not
known, he had said.
Reports said that Maharaj shot himself in the head
and was immediately rushed to the hospital but
efforts to save his life failed.
The reports also said he had left a suicide note say‑
ing he was depressed. "Somebody should be there to
handle duties of family. I am leaving too much
stressed out, fed up," the note reportedly said. Police
said it was probing whether it was left by him.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union
Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed grief over the death
and offered their condolences.
Chouhan said in a message that the country has lost
a personality that is a confluence of culture, knowl‑
edge and service. "Your thoughts will motivate the
society to walk on the path of serving humanity till
eternity," he said in a tweet.
"Got to know about the sad demise of religious guru
Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. I was having personal relations
with him. I am saddened by his sudden demise. My
INDIA June 16-22, 2018 13
Chidambaram appears before
ED in Aircel‑Maxis case
New Delhi: The Enforcement
Directorate (ED) on Tuesday ques‑
tioned former Finance Minister
and Congress leader P.
Chidambaram for a second time
here in the Rs 3,500 crore Aircel‑
Maxis deal case, officials said.
An ED official said
Chidambaram appeared for ques‑
tioning at the ED's office around
11 a.m. He was summoned to
appear on June 6, a day after the
agency questioned him for over
five hours.
Earlier, a Delhi court had extend‑
ed the interim protection to him
Congress leader
from arrest till July 10 in connec‑
P. Chidambaram. (File Photo: IANS)
tion with the case, after directing
Spiritual guru‑turned‑politician Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. case. The Central Bureau of
him to join the probe whenever
required. It was the second time Investigation (CBI) and ED are
tributes," Gadkari tweeted.
when the Congress leader joined investigating how Karti
Born Uday Singh Deshmukh, Maharaj had even done
the probe. Chidambaram allegedly managed
modeling for a well‑known brand of clothes before
The ED had issued a fresh sum‑ to get a clearance from the
turning spiritual. He was seen as a glamorous person‑
mons to him on June 5 to appear Foreign Investment Promotion
ality in the spiritual field.
before the investigating officer of Board (FIPB) in the Aircel‑Maxis
He had good ties with political personalities from
the case. The agency recorded his deal when his father was the
various parties and the RSS. He mediated when Anna
statement under the Prevention of Union Finance Minister in 2006.
Hazare was on fast in the national capital five years
Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED, in September 2017, had
ago and persuaded him to end the protest. Prime
The questioning is part of ED's attached Rs 1.16 crore worth of
Minister Narendra Modi, former President Pratibha
investigation in a money launder‑ assets of Karti Chidambaram, who
Patil, late Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao
ing case registered in 2017 is being probed for allegedly
Deshmukh, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar and singer Lata
against Chidambaram's son Karti receiving kickbacks in lieu of the
Mangeshkar were among the prominent personalities
Chidambaram in the Aircel‑Maxis FIPB clearance.
who had visited his ashram here.
 14 June 16-22, 2018
Pranab's message to RSS: Will the hotheads listen?
By Amulya Ganguli
I
t was an evening of pious homi‑
lies at the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sang h (RSS)
headquarters in Nagpur where
former President and now citizen
Pranab Mukherjee was the guest
of honour at a valedictory func‑
tion.
While he dwelt on how plural‑
ism and tolerance constituted the
"soul" of India, the RSS
sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat,
expounded on the organization's
vision which extended we ll
beyond the Hindu samaj (society)
with which it is usually associated
to encompass all the children of
Bharat Mata (Mother India).
There was no 'paraya' (outsider)
in his view, nor any 'dushman'
(enemy). Observers noted that
there was no mention of a Hindu
'rashtra' (nation), the leitmotif of
the RSS, in Bhagwat's speech.
Was this a concession to a
diehard former Cong ressman
Mukherjee's secular sensitivities
or has there been a change of
heart on the part of the RSS ? If
By Frank Islam
I
ndia is blessed to be the third‑
largest start‑up economy in
the world. Unfortunately,
there is a curse that comes with
that blessing. That is, as indicat‑
ed in a 2016 report issued by the
IBM Institute for Business Value
and Oxford Economics, 90 per
cent of Indian start‑ups fail with‑
in five years.
The question is what can be
done to reduce the number
of failures? What are the
secrets to success for
India's budding entre‑
preneurs and its busi‑
ness start‑ups? There are
many. But, based upon
research findings and my
own experience as an entre‑
preneur, I would like to high‑
light a critical few.
The IBM/Oxford report cited
the lack of innovation as the pri‑
mary reason for failing start‑ups.
A 2017 report by KMPG India
and the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) cited innovation,
along with scalability and digiti‑
sation, as one of the three pillars
for building a sustainable busi‑
ness. So, what does an entrepre‑
neur do to innovate? Here is the
surprising answer that Vivek
Wadhwa, a noted American IT
researcher, academic, writer and
entrepreneur, gave in an article
in the Washington Post on April
30: "In a video‑conference host‑
ed by Indian start‑up website
Former President Pranab Mukherjee addressing at the
concluding function of RSS‑organised “Tritiya Varsh Varg”
in Nagpur. (Photo: IANS)
the latter, it will mark a seminal
change in the outlook of the 93‑
year‑old organization and carries
the potential of a political and
social upheaval.
Arguably, Bhagwat's claim about
Mother India's parentage of all
Indians, irrespective of caste or
creed, is on a par with Narendra
Modi's "sabka saath, sabka vikas"
(For all, deve lopment for all)
Inc42, I gave Indian entrepre‑
neurs some advice that startled
them. I said that instead of trying
new things, they should copy
and steal all the ideas they can
from China, Silicon Valley and
the rest of the world."
Wadhwa goes on to explain
that the reason that Silicon
Valley is
to
r et s
Sec for
e ss
succ
ing
u d d
d ia 'sb r,
In u
pr e n e
e n tr e
t‑ up s
star
the
international leader and hotbed
for information technology is
that there is considerable
"knowledge sharing" as engi‑
neers move from company to
company. He observes that tech
giants such as Facebook and
Apple borrow and build on the
ideas of others.
The KPMG/CII report makes a
similar point on innovation, stat‑
ing: "Not all innovation is radical
or breakthrough. Innovation can
also be incremental, yet small
materially significant changes to
the current operating model or
products or services."
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
mantra. It is also the essence of
the multicultural, multireligious
secular concept, which is routinely
derided as "sickular" by the saf‑
fron trolls.
However, just as the agenda of
development for all hasn't led to
any marked diminution in the
"darkness, fear and mistrust", as
Mukherjee said, in the minds of
the minorities, as testified by,
The focus for entrepreneurial innovation should be
encompassing ‑‑ considering potential improvements
in the areas known as the 7 P's of services marketing.
I would extend that
even further to recom‑
mend that the focus for
entrepreneurial innova‑
tion should be encompass‑
ing ‑‑ considering potential
improvements in the areas
known as the 7 P's of services
marketing: Product, Pricing,
Place, Promotion, People,
Process and Physical Evidence.
In addition, based upon my
experience as an entrepreneur
who took an information tech‑
nology firm, the QSS Group, that
I purchased in 1994 for $45,000
and one employee ‑‑ me ‑‑ to
sales of over $300 million and
3,000 employees when I sold it
to Perot Systems in 2007, I
would offer the following advice
that I gave in the keynote
address to the participants at US‑
India Start‑Up Forum sponsored
by American Bazaar in Mumbai,
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
among others, former vice‑presi‑
dent Hamid Ansari and the arch‑
bishop of Delhi, Anil Couto, it
remains to be seen whether
Bhagwat's outreach to everyone
leads to Muslims not being called
"Babur ki aulad" (children of the
Mug hal emperor, Babur) by
Hindutva activists or to Christian
missionaries not being accused of
a relentless engagement with con‑
versions.
How dif ficult a transformation
in the attitudes of the average RSS
supporter would be mig ht be
gauged from the way a saf fron
commentator on television latched
on to Mukherjee's reference to
Muslim "invaders" and British
colonisers to note how the former
President's views dif fered from
the benignity of the secularists in
associating Muslims with biryani
and the British with cakes.
Notwithstanding the time it
might take for the Hindu Right
and the secular camp to evolve
some kind of a commonality, it
goes without saying that the initia‑
tive taken by the RSS to invite a
person from the opposing camp,
in February 2017:
4Believe in yourself and your
business. Pursue your end goal
with drive, determination and a
passion to succeed.
4 Find and focus on your
niche market. Figure out early on
who will be your target customer
segments and key customers
within those segments and build
your business model around
them.
4 Deliver quality products and
services that exceed customer
expectations. Merely satisfying
your customer is not good
enough. They need to receive the
unanticipated in order to become
loyal. This is as true for the
neighborhood kirana stores as
for Apple and Google.
4 Surround yourself with tal‑
ented people. Pay them well.
Listen to them. Learn from them.
And work closely with them.
so to say, and also by the latter's
acceptance of the invitation bode
well for the country.
It will be a matter of great relief
all around if last Thursday's inter‑
action in Nagpur leads to a reduc‑
tion in the present atmosphere of
bitter polarization. The process
might be a long‑drawn one consid‑
ering how for decades the two
lines of thought of a composite
culture (of Hindus, Muslims and
others) on one hand and of cultur‑
al nationalism (one people, one
nation, one culture) on the other
have battled one another.
But the endeavour towards a
consensus will be worthwhile if
only it dissuades an M.P. like
Vinay Katiyar of the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) from saying
that Muslims have no right to live
in India or for an arrested suspect
to justify the journalist Gauri
Lankesh's murder on the grounds
that she was anti‑Hindu.
T he test of the Nagpur bon‑
homie, therefore, will be to see
whether there has been a mollify‑
ing impact on the Hindutva hot‑
heads.
Remember, business is a team
sport and not an individual one.
4 Have no fear of failure. India
is a market where investors have
little tolerance for failure. But
fear can be crippling. Put your
faith in your plan and yourself
and carry on.
While the strategies and tactics
will differ given the nature of the
business, I believe that address‑
ing those five factors, along with
the need for ongoing innovation,
are cross‑cutting and can be
used by an entrepreneur to pro‑
vide the framework for becom‑
ing successful in any start‑up
line of business.
In a commencement address at
Stanford University, Steven Jobs
advised the graduates: "Your
time is limited; so don't waste it
living someone else's life."
For budding entrepreneurs and
owners of start‑ups, I would
modify Jobs' advice and say:
"Your time is limited; so don't
waste it trying to emulate some‑
one else's business. Don't be a
mere 'me too' business. Don't be
a clone. Find your inner entre‑
preneur.
Chart your own path. Create a
mission, vision and set of values
that are unique to your enter‑
prise. In other words, make it
your journey.
By doing so, you will define
those secrets to success that will
enable you to grow your small
business of today into the big
business of tomorrow."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info 4TH INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA June 16-22, 2018 15

Yoga at the UN Yoga events you could attend

Washington DC
June 16: IDY Yoga event organized by
Permanent Mission of India to the UN in association with United Embassy of India in partnership with Friends
of Yoga at the US Capitol, West Lawn,
Nations Department of Public Information is organizing the following Washington DC.
two events to mark the 4th International Day of Yoga.
New York City
June 16: The Consulate General of India, NY
Session with Yoga Masters Conversation with
hosts IDY event on Governorʼs Island (Picnic
June 20, 5:30 p.m. at the United Nations Yoga Masters
Point) in New York, 11 am‑1 pm.
North Lawn. Visitors Entrance, 46th Yoga for Peace: June 21, 3:00 p.m., June 21: Organized by Yoga Alliance, thou‑
Street, 1st Avenue. Need to register. Conference Room 3, United Nations.
sands will practice yoga at Times Square all
day. To register for free: bit.ly/2GCJOC.
June 24: Surya Namaskar, Yoga, health talks
at Richard Presser Park (Webb Park), 218 N
Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY 10530; 5.30 pm.
Free Yoga mats for first 100 participants.
Hicksville, NY
June 23: Learn yoga and meditation from
Shri Sanjay Attada (disciple of Swamy Bua),
at Asa Mai Hindu Temple, organized by
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Asa Mai
temple and Indian Consulate; 10.00 am.
Hartford, CT
June 24: Yoga and meditation practice and
introduction to ayurveda, homeopathy and

Yoga in America and presentations on Ayurveda, acupuncture.
Ganesh Temple Kalayana Mantapam, 9 am.
numbers: Millions Hartsdale, NY
June 23: Outdoor Yoga Class organized by
and billions the Indian Cultural Association of North
America with Greenburgh Parks &
naturopathy, organized by the Indian
Consulate and Milan CT at Capitol Building,
Capitol Avenue; 10 am.
Boston
June 22‑24: 3rd International Conference on
Integrative Medicine: Role of Yoga and

A
definitive Yoga in America study was Recreation & Indian Consulate – New York, Ayurveda, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
published by Yoga
Journal and Yoga
Alliance in 2016.
According to it, there are
36.7 million yoga practi‑ Indian
tioners in the country, up Peacekeepers
in Lebanon
from 20.4 million in 2012.
practicing
Yoga students spend $16
Yoga on
billion a year on classes,
June 7.
gear, and equipment, up
from $10 billion in 2012. Here is a summary
of the study in one infographic.

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 16 June 16-22, 2018
ABC Studios apologizes for Victoria Beckham
'Quantico' controversial plot dismisses divorce rumors
A F
BC Studios,
the executive
producers of
Priyanka Chopraʼs
show "Quantico", has
extended an apology
to fans who were
offended by an
episode of the show
which portrayed
Indian nationalists as
terrorists who were
trying to frame
Pakistan in a terror
plot.
They said that they
Activists stage demonstration against actress
Priyanka Chopra in New Delhi.
regret stepping into
"a complex political issue", and they didn't
intend to offend anyone.
The episode, entitled The Blood of Romeo,
aired on June 1. In it, Priyanka's character,
FBI agent Alex Parrish, thwarts a terror plot
just days before a summit between India
and Pakistan is to be held, reports
Hollywoodreporter.com.
During her investigations, Parrish finds a
religious Hindu symbol ‑ a Rudraksh chain ‑
on the neck of one of the suspects leading
her to conclude that the plot was devised by
Indian nationalists to frame Pakistan in a
nuclear terror attack.
Some fans of the show were upset with
the portrayal of Indians in the plot and took
to Twitter to express their views. In fact,
many fans slammed Priyanka for the track.
ABC Studios clarified that Priyanka had no It was certainly not our intention to offend
role in writing or directing the show:
'Toilet Hero' gets over Rs 15
crore opening in China
B
ollywood star Akshay
Kumar is overwhelmed
with the love the audi‑
ence in China has given to his
film "Toilet Hero" ‑‑ originally
titled "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" ‑‑
which has made over Rs 15
crore at the Chinese box office
on its opening day.
"Thank you audiences in
China for your appreciation for
'Toilet Hero'. Delighted to
receive so much love," Akshay
tweeted.
The movie, which deals with
the subject of sanitation and the
need for toilets, opened in China
‑‑ an emerging market for
Bollywood films.
It hit 4,300 screens in China,
according to Reliance
Entertainment, which released
the movie in the country.
"'Toilet Hero' makes a whop‑
ping 15 million Yuan equivalent
to Rs 15.8 crore on Day 1 at the
Chinese box office! This is the
third biggest opening of Indian
films in China," read a post from
the official Reliance
Entertainment Twitter handle. Actor Akshay Kumar thanked his Chinese audience.
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
The statement read: "ABC Studios and the
executive producers of 'Quantico' would like
to extend an apology to our audience who
were offended by the most recent episode,
'The Blood of Romeo'. The episode has
stirred a lot of emotion, much of which is
unfairly aimed at Priyanka Chopra, who did‑
n't create the show, nor does she write or
direct it.
"She has no involvement in the casting of
the show or the storylines depicted in the
series."
They also stressed that "Quantico" is a
work of fiction.
"The show has featured antagonists of
many different ethnicities and backgrounds,
but in this case we inadvertently and regret‑
tably stepped into a complex political issue.
anyone," the statement read further.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ormer Spice Girl
Victoria
Beckham shared
a sweet family photo‑
graph to dismiss
"laughable" divorce
rumors with David
Beckham.
Victoria has put the
speculation firmly
behind her as she post‑
ed a cosy image with
her family on
Instagram, reports dai‑
lymail.co.uk.
The former Spice
Girl, 44, appeared in
high spirits as she
posed for the image
with sons Romeo, 15 and Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.
Cruz, 13, as well as
daughter Harper, six, and her parents Jackie Victoria beamed with delight as she
and Tony Adams. The doting mother of four, embraced her youngest child Harper, who
who is also famed for her eponymous fashion flashed a wide grin for the adorable image.
line, put on a typically chic display as she was Second son Romeo bore a resemblance to
clad in a pair of patent trousers and a white Cruz, as the brothers both sported white T‑
tee, tied in with pointed red stilettos. shirts and dark‑wash bottoms.
'Kaala': Realistic guide to dirty
side of slum redevelopment
R
anjith's "Kaala", showcased in
Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, is a cap‑
tivating socio‑drama. It is a fami‑
ly‑friendly tale with all the trappings of a
South Indian fare. It is a superhero film of
a different variety.
The film begins on a weak, unimpressive
note that represents comic book graphics,
but soon, it builds the momentum that is
expected of a Rajinikanth film.
A fiction, set in Dharavi ‑‑ Asia's largest
slum in Mumbai ‑‑ the film cheerfully
exposes the anguish of the "urban‑poor"
migrants living in the slums of the city.
Haridada (Nana Patekar), a goon who has
been elevated to the post of a Union
Minister, along with his cronies is hell‑bent
on usurping Dharavi. With the help of his
supporter Vishubhai (Sampath Raj) he tries
to evacuate the people from there. How,
Karikaalan (Rajinikanth) aka Kaala, a
migrant from Tirunelveli, becomes a spike
in Haridada's plans, forms the crux of the
tale.
The narrative keeps you hooked ‑ won‑
dering how far Kaala will go or how he will
get out of his troubles.
The plot has its graph chalked to perfec‑
tion, despite major edit jump‑cuts. There is
his age
never a moment that drags. The dialogues Superstar Rajinikanth plays
in the film.
are peppy with the right amount of
humour, emotions and melodrama.
With age, Rajinikanth has mellowed, he Nana Patekar as the uncompromising and
plays his age and perfectly portrays the ambitious Haridada stands tall as he match‑
comical aspects of a petty gangster with all es Rajinikanth in stature and demeanor. But
pride but no substance. then, this is not his story about his bumpy
His action scenes definitely seem labored. quest for more power and money.
But fortunately for him since the director Overall, the film with the title which is
focused his energies on the tale and not on used as a double entendre, is entertaining
him, he was spared the embarrassment of as a realistic guide to the dirty side of slum
performance. redevelopment.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
I never feared taking
risks: Swara Bhaskar
F
rom playing the heroine's best
friend in "Tanu Weds Manu" to a
middle‑aged mother of a 15‑year‑
old in "Nil Battey Sannata", a prostitute in
"Anaarkali of Aarah" to one of the leading
ladies in a multi‑starrer all‑women buddy
film "Veere Di Wedding" ‑‑ actress Swara
Bhaskar has explored characters that an
image‑conscious budding actress would
fear to do.
She says breaking stereotypes is the best
way to set her own rules for her acting
career.
"I never feared to take a risk. When I
came to the film industry, since I had no
idea of how to go about it, people gave me a
lot of advice on what not to do... I was told
not to play any character of a sister or best
friend of the protagonist as then people
would only offer me second lead.
"I was told not to play vamp and mother at
Actress Swara Bhaskar is riding high
a young age... Now you know what are the
characters I have played in films. I thought if
those are the rules to get the lead role, why
not break them? Why not get rid of stereo‑
types to set my own rules?" Swara said.
"I think the best way to deal with stereo‑
types is by taking a risk, by trying new things
without fearing the failure," added the 30‑
year‑old actress.
What is her way to identify the potential of
a script? Swara credits her collaborators.
Ed Sheeran's former label
service hunting for Indian talent
D
itto Music, a
global music
distribution
and record label serv‑
ices company that
Grammy
Award‑
winning
worked with Grammy
singer Ed
Award‑winning Sheeran.
singers Ed Sheeran
and Sam Smith in the
early stages of their
careers, is now look‑
ing forward to pro‑
mote Indian independ‑
ent artistes.
The company, start‑
ed by Lee Parsons and
his brother Matt over
a decade ago, distrib‑
utes, promotes and
supports over
150,000 independent artistes. It has offices
across Europe, Australia, Asia, North and
Latin America.
One of the reasons why they wanted so
many offices was because they wanted to
promote their artistes, who were popular in
England, outside the UK as well.
"We had an artiste called Dave who was
nominated for a Brit award. Having global
offices meant that we could push him in the
US or Brazil and open up new
territories...and being in India, is so impor‑
tant.
"Apart from Bollywood, there is so much
in India. You got rock music, hip‑hop and
more," Lee Parsons, founder and Global
CEO, Ditto Music, said over the phone dur‑
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
on the
success of ʻVee re Di Wedding ʼ.
"I think I am lucky that I worked with some of
the great filmmakers. When it comes to
“Tanu Weds Manu” or “Raanjhanaa” and I
would like to give the credit to Himanshu
Sharma who wrote the script of the film. He is
such a brilliant writer that any competent
actor can just perform following the script
and they will still look as brilliant as it was.
ing his visit to Mumbai.
On how Ditto Music will change the music
scene in India, Lee said: "Back in 2007, peo‑
ple were selling CDs and pirating music. In
2009 in England, Spotify (a digital music
service) was launched. It took a few years
for people to understand its value. And right
now, every band in the US or UK wants to
be on Spotify. That has become more
important than the radio for artistes."
"In India, only three per cent of revenue is
from streaming. In America, it is nearly 50
per cent. It's changing though. I can see that
Saavn (online music service) has 20 million
subscribers here now. People are going to
get used to more streaming and eventually
pay for it," he added.
June 16-22, 2018 17
Brooke Shields was constantly
branded 'fat' by mother
A
ctress Brooke Shields,
who is known for her
beauty and a career
that has spanned decades
after she shot to fame as a
child model when she was 12,
says she was constantly
called fat by her mother and
that lowered her confidence.
Shields, 53, told digital
magazine, PorterEdit: "My
mother would get drunk and
say, 'Why don't you move
your fat a**?' So, I've always
believed I had a fat a**."
"I modelled swimwear
when I was 15, and even
then, I didn't think I had a
swimsuit body," she added,
reports dailymail.co.uk.
"I was a cover girl, not a
supermodel. I was neck‑up ‑
the face, the eyebrows ‑ and I
was always described as ath‑
letic, not rail‑thin, not a run‑
way model... Those messages,
they seep into your con‑
sciousness."
Subsequently, Shields
Actress Brooke Shields shot to fame as a child model.
embarked on an ill‑fated mar‑
riage to tennis ace Andre Agassi, whom she better about herself after embarking on a
divorced in 1999. She soon started to feel romance with screenwriter Chris Henchy.
ʻEntertainment is
a brutal businessʼ
ollywood's Sri Lankan star Jacqueline
B Fernandez says entertainment is a
brutal and unpredictable business
where things change every Friday.
Jacqueline, who made her Bollywood
debut in 2009 with "Aladin", is
now a mainstream commercial
actress, thanks to her successful
films like "Kick" and "Judwaa 2",
and hit franchises like "Houseful"
and "Race".
But she says there is "no fool‑
proof formula of success or fail‑
ure".
"We are living in a cut‑throat
world and entertainment is a
very brutal business where every
Friday things change. There is no
foolproof formula of success or
failure here, but the result gives
you the reality check every
week," Jacqueline said. "At times
we get demotivated at so many
different levels because every‑
thing changes on Friday ‑‑ fans,
idea and loyalty. When things go
right consistently, we tend to for‑
get that it is a very fickle world
where we are just a moment
away from the opposite side of
success," she added.
Jacqueline is playing the char‑
acter of Jessica and sharing
screen space with Salman
Khan, Bobby Deol and Anil Sri Lankan star Jacqueline Fernandez
Kapoor in "Race 3". made her Bollywood debut in 2009.
 18 June 16-22, 2018 FOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info

HYDERABAD FEASTS
By Mohammed Shafeeq

T
he Muslim holy month of
Ramadan is incomplete in
Hyderabad without the lip‑
smacking haleem dish.
Haleem, a stew of meat, lentils
and wheat mixed with spices, is
preferred for breaking the fast
due to its energizing nature, high
nutritional value and sooth‑
ing porridge‑like texture.
The wide range of haleem
available during the season
is just amazing. With a price
range of Rs 30 to Rs 160 per
plate, the season's flavor is
there for every pocket.
Going around this city, a
fine blend of tradition and
modernity, one comes across
"bhattis" or brick‑and‑mud
ovens in front of almost every
hotel and roadside eatery.
Every Ramadan, the city is
flooded with several varieties of
dates and fruits. Kebabs sell like
hot cakes as does dahi bade, but
none comes close to haleem in
popularity. It is such a craze dur‑
ing the fasting month that it
birya
trumps even biryani, the signature
dish of Hyderabad.
It's not just the Muslims who rel‑
ish haleem during the month. A
large number of customers at pop‑ Chowki, popular for several food
ular eateries like Pista House,
Shah Ghouse and Sarvi are non‑
on haleem in Ramadan
is mo
that Haleem arminar is famous for?
What is in it
the city of C h
ni, the d ish
‑c oo
lentils slow
barley and
Muslims. As swanky cars slow
down at Yousuf Tekri in Toli
outlets, dozens of young caterers
scramble to get closer to the
haleem is said to have come here
during the Mughal period via Iran
and Afghanistan.
The syrupy dish was Indianised
with the addition of Indian
spices, dry fruits, ghee and a
unique style of cooking. The
entire cooking process span‑
ning about 10 hours is done on
firewood.
sell a plate (250‑300 grams) of
At every eatery, one can spot haleem (beef or chicken) for as
two or more men mixing the
low as Rs 30 while a plate of mut‑
ingredients and pounding the ton haleem at popular food joint
meat in the vessels with large
Pista House costs Rs 160.
wooden poles. The pounding The dish gained huge popularity
ensures that the mixture
over the last two decades thanks
turns into fine paste. It is to Pista House, the brand which
served after being garnished has gone global and claims to be
than even
an d in th e holy month with special spicy shorba
of wheat, (meat broth), carmelized the largest haleem maker in the
re in d em it is m ade
Well,
ikepedia)
world.
ince d m ea t. (Photo W onions, coriander and slices "When we started in 1998, we
ked w ith m
of lemon. Haleem comes in all
sold haleem for Rs 18 per plate,"
vehicles to take orders. Sitting variants. Mutton, beef, chicken,
Managing Director of Pista House
in their cars, young techies, busi‑ fish, vegetarian, you name it. M.A. Majeed told IANS. Since then
nessmen, families and even Every hotel claims to have its own
its popularity has grown by leaps
tourists can be seen relishing the unique taste. and bounds and this year even
piping hot haleem. The price range suits every
before the start of Ramadan, it
Originally an Arabic dish, pocket. Small road‑side eateries received about 60,000 inquiries.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
At SCO summit, India again says 'no' to Belt and Road
Beijing: India again said "no" to
China's Belt and Road project,
while Prime Minister Narendra
Mo di and Pakistan President
Mamnoon Hussain merely shook
hands on the final day of the
Shang hai Cooperat ion
Organisation (SCO) Summit in
Qingdao city.
India, which participated at the
Chinese‑led security bloc for the
first time after being inducted into
the grouping last year, did not fig‑
ure in the list of rest of the mem‑
ber states endorsing Beijing's Belt
and Road initiative in the joint dec‑
laration.
Earlier in the day, Modi made it
clear that New Delhi was all for
connectivity projects but could not
compromise its sovereignty and
territorial integrity.
India strongly opposes Beijing's
multi‑billion dollar project, which
aims to connect Asia with Europe
through a network of roads, ports
and sea lanes.
New Delhi's objection is to the
key artery of the project ‑ the
China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), which goes through the
Kashmir held by Pakistan and
claimed by India.
Taliban announces Eid
ceasefire in Afghanistan
Kabul: The Taliban
announced a cease‑
fire in Afghanistan
during the three
days of Eid‑ul‑Fitr
when no attack will
be carried out on
Afghan forces.
"All mujahidin are
instructed to stop
all their offensive
operations against
the domestic oppo‑
sition forces
throughout the
country during the
first, second and
third days of the
Eid," Efe news quot‑
ed a Taliban state‑
ment as saying.
The announce‑
ment comes after
President Ashraf
Ghani announced a
ceasefire with the
Taliban and said no
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.
operations will be
carried out against the fighters
of the group starting from the
27th day of Ramadan (June 13)
till the fifth day of Eid‑ul‑Fitr,
Khaama Press reported.
However, the Taliban said it
will respond to any aggression
during the period of the cease‑
fire.
It also said the foreign forces
SUBCONTINENT
Chinese President Xi Jinping with Indian PM Narendra Modi.
"We have again reached a stage
where physical and digital connec‑
tivity is changing the definition of
geography. Therefore, connectivity
with our neighbourhood and in the
SCO region is our priority," Modi
said.
"We welcome any new connec‑
tivity project, which is inclusive,
are exempted from the cease‑
fire, emphasising that the group
will maintain attacks on foreign
troops across the country.
The group may also consider
the release of the prisoners of
war, provided that they will not
return to the battlefield.
Eid al‑fitr will begin on June
14.
sustainable and transparent, and
respects a country's sovereignty
and regional integrity," he said at
one of the sessions at the Summit.
This is one of the contentious
issues between India and China
but both seem to have decided not
to let it af fect other aspects of
bilateral ties.
Sharif questions SC
directive on Musharraf
Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Islamabad: Ousted Pakistan Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif questioned a
Supreme Court direct ive that
allows former President Pervez
Musharraf to file his nomination
papers to contest the July 25 gen‑
eral elections.
Speaking to the media here,
Sharif said it was beyond compre‑
hension that Musharraf had been
permitted to contest the elections,
reports Dawn news.
"How could the Chief Justice
extend such an of fer to someone
accused of high treason?" Sharif
June 16-22, 2018
Xi to visit India in 2019
Qingdao: India and China made
some fairly big announcements,
including Chinese President Xi
Jinping's visit to India, as he
and Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi met on the
sidelines of Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation
(SCO) Summit.
The two leaders, who met a
second time in just over a
month after their informal sum‑
mit in Wuhan, had a "substan‑
tive" meeting in which they
took stock of the developments
in the Sino‑Indian ties after
Like India, Pakistan also became
a member of the SCO in 2017 and
attended the event for the first
time.
"It was noted that the SCO had
asserted itself as a unique, influen‑
tial and authoritative regional
organization whose potential had
grown remarkably following the
accession of India and Pakistan,"
the 17‑page Qingdao declaration
said.
asked.
"T his is something which is
beyond my understanding..."
"W hile Musharraf has been
offered such a relaxation, my plea
for just three days exemption from
appearing in court was turned
down," the ousted premier said,
adding that he had wished to visit
his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz,
who is currently undergoing treat‑
ment for cancer in London.
The directive allows Musharraf
to file his nomination papers on
the condition that he would appear
19
their ice‑breaking meeting in
late April.
Both countries decided to set
a trade target of $100 billion
and Beijing showed its readi‑
ness to open its market to
Indian pharmaceutical as well
as agriculture products.
"One of the outcomes of the
meeting is that the Chinese side
conveyed they have accepted
the Prime Minister's invitation
to Xi Jinping to have a Wuhan‑
like informal summit in India in
2019," India's Foreign
Secretary Vijay Gokhale said.
With the inclusion of India and
Pakistan, the g rouping has
expanded into an 8‑member bloc.
China, Russia, Kyrgyz Republic,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan are SCO's other mem‑
bers.
Modi, who had bilaterals with
Chinese President Xi Jinping and
other leaders, just had a hand‑
shake with the Pakistan head of
state.
Nomination papers
obtained for
Musharraf
Islamabad: Former Pakistan
President Pervez Musharraf is
said to have obtained the nomi‑
nation papers to contest in the
July 25 general elections
through his representatives
from Karachis South district, a
media report said.
Musharraf, who is facing a
high treason case, has been
allowed by the Supreme Court
to file nomination papers on
the condition that he would
personally appear before the
court in Lahore on June 13, the
Dawn news report said.
He has not set any date for
his return, but an All Pakistan
Muslim League leader
announced earlier this week
that he would return after Eid.
in person before the Supreme
Court on June 13 in Lahore to
attend a hearing.
A three‑judge bench headed by
Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib
Nisar took up Musharraf 's plea
against his 2013 disqualification
for life by the Peshawar Hig h
Court, reports Dawn news
 20 June 16-22, 2018 INTERNATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump slams Trudeau, says

US won't endorse G7 pact
Quebec (Canada): US President
Donald Trump has accused
Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau of making "false state‑
ments" and said that Washington
will not endorse a G7 communique,
the media reported.
"Based on Justin's false state‑
ments at his news conference, and
the fact that Canada is charging
massive Tariffs to our US farmers,
workers and companies, I have
instructed our US Reps not to
endorse the Communique as we
look at tariffs on automobiles flood‑
ing the US Market!," the President
tweeted on Saturday.
In a second tweet, Trump said:
"PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted
so meek and mild during our G7
meetings only to give a news con‑
ference after I left saying that, 'US
Tariffs were kind of insulting' and
he 'will not be pushed around'. Very
dishonest and weak. Our tariffs are
in response to his of 270 per cent
on dairy!"
On June 1, the US imposed a 25
per cent tariff for steel and 10 per
cent for aluminium on imports from
the European Union (EU), Canada,
and Mexico. Trump said the move
would protect domestic producers
that were vital to US security.
The EU then announced tariffs on
US goods ranging from Harley‑
Davidson motorcycles to bourbon.
Canada and Mexico are also taking
action in retaliation.
Shortly after Trudeau said that he
was "happy to announce that we
have released a joint communique
by all seven countries" indicating
that the US was also included,
Trump announced that Washington
A handout photograph from the German government shows leaders
at the G7 Summit, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and
US President Donald Trump, in Canada.
would reverse its decision and not
sign the statement.
The group of seven nations that
make up the G7 are Canada, France,
the US, the UK, Germany, Japan and
Italy. The G7 communique refer‑
ences a number of shared priorities,
including on trade, economic
growth, national security and sus‑
tainability.
It also covered other issues
including relations with Russia.
Trump's tweets taking aim at the
leader of a country that has long
been a US ally came after the
President left the G7 summit in
Canada to travel to Singapore ahead
of a planned diplomatic meeting
with North Korean Leader Kim
Jong‑un, CNN reported.
Trudeau said on Saturday during
a news conference that Canada will
"move forward with retaliatory
measures" on July 1 in response to
the Trump administration's decision
to impose tariffs on steel and alu‑
minium imports from Canada, the
White House blasts Trudeau
over G7 statements
Washington: Two senior White
Canadian
House officials on Sunday blasted Prime
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Minister
Trudeau over his earlier state‑ Justin
ments during the just concluded Trudeau.
Group of Seven (G7) summit.
Trudeau announced that all G7
members had endorsed the joint
communique; however, he noted
that the US tariffs are "insulting"
and Canada "will not be pushed
around". the joint communique.
The remarks have enraged US Trump's trade adviser Peter
European Union and Mexico.
President Donald Trump. Navarro also lashed out at
"I have made it very clear to the
Also in response, Larry Kudlow, Trudeau's statements, saying
President that it is not something
Director of the White House's they represent "bad faith."
we relish doing, but it something
National Economic Council, said "There is a special place in hell
that we absolutely will do," Trudeau
in an interview with CNN that for any for leader that engages in
said. "Canadians, we're polite, we're
Trudeau betrayed Trump with bad faith diplomacy with
reasonable, but we also will not be
"polarizing" statements on US President Donald Trump and
pushed around."
trade policy. He added that then tries to stab him in the back
Trump addressed the subject of
Trudeau's statement risked mak‑ on the way out the door and
international trade during an
ing Trump look weak before his that's what bad‑faith Justin
impromptu news conference at the
meeting with North Korea's top Trudeau did with that stunt press
summit on Saturday, saying that he
leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore. conference, that's what weak, dis‑
does not want to see other coun‑
"He really kind of stabbed us in honest Justin Trudeau did,"
tries take advantage of the US over
the back," he said, adding Trump Navarro told "Fox News Sunday".
trade. Trudeau's office responded to
"is not going to let a Canadian Trump "did the courtesy to
Trump's tweets accusing Trudeau of
prime minister push him around Justin Trudeau to travel up to
"false statements" on Saturday, say‑
on the eve of this... He is not Quebec for that summit. He had
ing that the Prime Minister said
going to permit any show of other things, bigger things, on his
nothing during the G7 summit that
weakness on the trip to negotiate plate in Singapore. ... He did him
he had not said previously.
with North Korea." a favour and he was even willing
"We are focused on everything we
Saying Trudeau's statements to sign that socialist commu‑
accomplished here at the #G7 sum‑
are "amateurish" and "sopho‑ nique. And what did Trudeau do
mit. The Prime Minister said noth‑
moric" only "for domestic con‑ as soon as the plane took off
ing he hasn't said before ‑ both in
sumption," Kudlow said it was from Canadian airspace? Trudeau
public, and in private conversations
Trudeau's remarks that had stuck our president in the back.
with the President," the office
prompted Trump to pull out of That will not stand," he noted.
added.

Iran rules out talks All N. Korean nukes must go

unless US ends threats before sanctions end: Pompeo
Tehran: Iran has ruled
out the possibility of re‑
negotiating with the US
on the 2015 nuclear
deal unless Washington
ends threats to the
Islamic republic.
"There is no prospect
for dialogue between Iran and the United
States in any area before Washington uses
the language of dignity," Xinhua quoted
Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram
Qasemi as saying.
His remarks came in response to the lat‑
est threats by US President Donald Trump
to impose the most severe sanctions
against Iran. Trump had better stop his
threats, sanctions, pres‑
sures and unilateral
approaches to other
countries and nations,
the Iranian spokesman
warned.
At a joint press con‑
ference with Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White
House on Thursday, Trump said
Washington is "putting sanctions on Iran,
the likes of which nobody has ever seen
before".
Trump also expressed the hope that "at
some point" Iran would sit down with the
US to make a deal "that's good for them,
and good for us, and good for everybody".
Washington: US Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo reiterated calls for North Korea to
completely rid itself of all remnants of its
nuclear weapons programme before inter‑
national sanctions are lifted.
Speaking in a series of interviews, Pompeo
said that would include any possible clan‑
destine sites unknown to those outside
North Korea, reports CNN.
"I don't want to get too far into the details,
but when you think about complete denu‑
clearization, it would certainly be all of their
sites, not just those that have been
declared," Pompeo said.
"So we've got to make sure that it's com‑
plete," he added.
The denuclearization is a "great big com‑
mitment on the part of North Korea as well,
and there'll be a parallel set of security
assurances that are also big and bold and
different", Pompeo said.
He suggested the administration would
link those security assurances to the eco‑
nomic benefits that could stem from a deal.
The top US diplomat also held out a possi‑
bility that some sort of written statement or
communique that lays out tangible achieve‑
ments from the June 12 meeting between
North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un and
American President Donald Trump could
emerge.
"In the event that we are successful, as we
are hopeful that we will be, yes, I would
hope that there would be a statement that
they would put out that each could agree
to... But we'll have to see."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info BUSINESS June 16-22, 2018 21

Britain to help India in India to set up

extraditing Nirav, Mallya
New Delhi: Britain has
assured India to fully coop‑
erate in the extradit ion
process of fugitive diaman‑
taire Nirav Modi and liquor
barron Vijay Mallya who are
accused in separate multi‑
crore bank loan defraud
cases, Minister of State for
Home Kiren Rijiju said.
Meanwhile, government
sources said that British
Minister for Counter
Terrorism Baroness
Williams also confirmed to
Indian authorit ies that
Nirav Modi, the billionaire jeweller at
the heart of a more than Rs 13,500
crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud
case, is reportedly residing in her coun‑
try ‑ an admission coming in the wake
of reports about him seeking political
asylum there.
At a counter terrorism dialogue held
here, Williams guaranteed Rijiju of
Britain's support in the process to extra‑
dite Nirav Modi and Mallya to India.
"I had a very useful meeting with UK
Fugitive Nirav Modi & Vijay Mallya.
Minister, Baroness Williams. We dis‑
cussed about India‑UK joint ef forts to
deal with terrorism and extremism. We
also agreed to cooperate in the matters
of extradition and sharing of informa‑
tion," Rijiju said after the meeting.
"We have put across the government
of India's demands that anybody who is
wanted by Indian agencies or an Indian
court, we seek the cooperation from the
UK authorities (on extradition).
"The (UK) minister has assured to give
full cooperation whether it is
Vijay Mallya case or Nirav
Modi or anybody," he said.
Nirav Modi left India with
his family a month before the
Central Bureau of
Investigation filed a criminal
case against him on January
31 after PNB, India's second‑
largest, state‑run bank, lodged
a case alleging him and his
uncle Mehul Choksi to
defraud it by raising credit
from overseas branches of
other banks using illeg al
guarantees issued by rogue
PNB staff at a Mumbai branch over sev‑
eral years.
India is already seeking the extradi‑
tion of Mallya, a liquor and aviation
tycoon, over unpaid loans to his defunct
Kingfisher Airlines after the business‑
man and co‑owner of the Formula One
Force India team moved to Britain in
March last year. Mallya, who has been
staying there for over a year now, has
been accused of defaulting on loans
worth thousands of crores.
Rs 500 crore credit
enhancement infra fund
Mumbai: The government is likely to launch a Rs 500‑
crore credit enhancement fund next month to facilitate
infrastructure investments by insurance and pension
funds, a senior finance ministry official said. The fund
was first announced in the financial budget for fiscal
year 2016‑17. "India is launching a dedicated fund may
be next month to provide credit enhancement for infra‑
structure projects which will help in upgrading credit
ratings of bonds issued by infrastructure companies
and facilitate investment from investors like pension
and insurance funds," said Kumar Vinay Pratap, joint
secretary (infrastructure, policy and finance), ministry
of finance (MoF).
He was speaking at an event here on private sector
participation in resource mobilisation organised by the
MoF. The initial corpus of the fund, to be sponsored by
IIFCL (India Infrastructure Finance Company), will be
Rs 500 crore, and it will operate as a non‑banking
finance company, he said.
Pratap said there is a "mismatch" at present, where
bonds floated by infrastructure finance firms are typi‑
cally rated BBB, whereas regulatory agencies mandate
a rating of at least 'AA' for investments by the long‑
term pension and insurance funds. He attributed the
delay in fructification of the budget announcement to
the time taken in amending the NBFC‑CE (credit
enhancement) notification by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) and also getting all stakeholders together.

RBI turns net seller of Mukesh Ambani keeps salary

US dollar in April unchanged at Rs 15 crore
Mumbai: After remaining net
buyer of the US dollars for past
many months, the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI)
became net seller in
April, after it sold
$2.483 billion of
the US currency
in the spot mar‑
ket, according to
its data.
During the
reporting month,
the apex bank bought
$5.536 billion of dollars from
the spot market, while it sold
$8.019 billion.
In April 2017, RBI was net
buyer of the US currency as it
had bought $1.751 billion and
sold $1.185 billion in the spot
market.
In March this year, it was net
seller as it had purchased
$3.328 billion, and sold $2.332
billion. RBI has always said that
New Delhi: Reliance Industries
its intervention in the foreign
Chairman Mukesh D. Ambani,
exchange market to curb
who keeps his standing as the
volatility in the rupee and
richest Indian, has kept his annu‑
not to target a level of
al compensation unchanged at
the domestic cur‑
Rs 15 crore for the 10th consec‑
rency.
utive year.
In FY18, the
According to the company's
apex had net pur‑
annual report, Ambani's decision
chased $33.689
reflects "his desire to continue to
billion from the
set a personal example for mod‑
spot market. It had
eration in managerial compensa‑
bought $52.068 bil‑
tion levels".
lion from the spot mar‑
"Compensation of Shri Mukesh
ket, while selling $18,379 bil‑
D. Ambani, Chairman and
lion. In FY17, RBI had bought
Managing Director, has been set
$12.351 billion of dollars on a This is the 10th consecutive year since Mukesh Ambani's
at Rs 15 crore, reflecting his
net basis. compensation package has been set at Rs 15 crore.
desire to continue to set a per‑
In the forward dollar market,
sonal example for moderation in Ambani's compensat ion richest Indian, became richer by
the outstanding net forward
managerial compensation levels," includes salary and allowances, $16.9 billion in 2018 with assets
purchase at the end of April
the report said. perquisites, retiral benefits, and of $40.1 billion.
was $17.393 billion.
This is the tenth consecutive commission payable. He moved up to the 19th glob‑
The net forward purchase at
year since Ambani's compensa‑ As per Forbes annual list al rank on the list of 2,208 bil‑
the end of March was $20.853
tion package has been set at Rs released in March 2018, Ambani, lionaires worldwide. In 2017, he
billion, RBI said.
15 crore. who keeps his standing as the ranked 33rd with $23.2 billion.
 22 June 16-22, 2018 SPORTS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Brazilian legend Brazil arrive Pele may not attend

Ronaldo to feature in for 2018 FIFA opening ceremony
World Cup
opening ceremony Sochi: The Brazilian football
Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian soccer icon
Pele's presence at the inaugural
team, which is the most suc‑ World Cup match on June 14
Moscow: Brazilian football great to be in attendance while mil‑
cessful FIFA World Cup com‑ remains a suspense as his sched‑
Ronaldo and Brit ish pop star lions more will watch the live
petitor with five titles, arrived uled trip to Russia has been can‑
Robbie Williams will participate in broadcast around the world
in Russias Black Sea resort city celed due to ill health.
Thursday's World Cup opening "No one knows what will
of Sochi. "He is feeling ill. He has problems
ceremony before the first match happen in the four weeks of
The five‑time world champi‑ in his legs," his spokesperson told
between hosts Russia and Saudi the tournament, but everyone
ons w ill stay at the reporters, adding the situation
Arabia, FIFA announced. is sure that it will be mem‑
Sw issote l Resort would only be clearer by Tuesday,
Russian soprano Aida orable," Ronaldo said.
Sochi Kamelia and Efe news reported. Edson Arantes
Garifullina will Legendary Brazilian soccer
train at the the Yug‑ do Nascimento, the soccer legend ‑‑
also take part in "Of course it player Pele.
Sport stadium. The Brazilian who won the Jules Rimet Cup, used
a revamped ver‑ is also an emo‑
squad will hold a public train‑ as the World Cup trophy from Pele, 77, has undergone several
sion of the tradi‑ tional one for
ing on June 12, reports Tass 1930‑1970, three times ‑‑ is one of spinal, femur and cartilage opera‑
tional pre‑tour‑ the hosts. After
news agency. the main invited guests at the open‑ tions of late, which have forced him
nament extrava‑ so much hard
Before departing to Russia, ing ceremony in Moscow's national to curtail his public appearances.
g anza at work, suddenly
Brazil defeated Austria 3‑0 in a Luzhniki Stadium, where the home He has expressed concern about
M o s c o w ' s the whole
friendly match. team will go up against the Saudi the Brazilian team saying the squad
L u z h n i k i world is gath‑
During the tournament's Arabians. The Brazilian star first has not come together yet as a unit.
Stadium, foot‑ ered in your
group stage, Brazil will play in took part in a World Cup match in He said it was the teams that won
ball's governing backyard to
Group E against Switzerland 1958, going up against the Russian the past World Cups, not
body said in a celebrate their
(June 17, Rostov‑on‑Don), Costa squad in 1958 in Sweden. individuals.
statement, love for foot‑
Rica (June 22, St. Petersburg)
reports Xinhua ball. I felt that
news agency. in Brazil four
and Serbia (June 27, Moscow,
Spartak Stadium).
Russia's weaknesses on
"The opening years ago and I
match is always Brazilian legend Ronaldo am now happy
Apart from holding five cham‑
pionship titles, Brazil is also the
display in draw with Turkey
a very symbolic to share this Moscow: Russia was held 1‑1 by In a dull first half, Russia's only
world's only national squad to
one ‑ it is that instant when you excitement with the Russians as Turkey in the hosts' final friendly moment of quality came in the
qualify for every FIFA World
realize that the big moment you, well." before their June 14 FIFA World 32nd minute, when Alan Dzagoev
Cup. It also holds the record of
as a player or fan, have been wait‑ No details were given about the Cup opener here against Saudi exploited a Turkish giveaway to set
the best overall performance in
ing for four years has finally role Ronaldo will play in the cere‑ Arabia. Against a Turkish side that up a goal by Aleksandr Samedov.
World Cup, with a record of 70
arrived," said Ronaldo, a World mony, whose creative director is failed to qualify for the quadrenni‑ Turkey were not much better,
victories in 104 matches
Cup winner in 1994 and 2002. local producer Felix Mikhailov. al tournament, the Russians deliv‑ mustering only two shots on goal
played. Teams from Iran,
Unlike previous editions, this "We'd like to invite football and ered a performance unlikely to for the entire match, but one of
Panama, Spain, Saudi Arabia,
year's opening ceremony will take music fans to party with us in reassure coach Stanislav them, a strike from 25 yards by
Tunisia, Portug al, Ice land,
place just half hour before the Russia, in the stadium, or to tune Cherchesov or their supporters, Yunus Malli in the 59th minute,
Argentina, Morocco, Australia,
curtain‑raiser match, w ith a in their TVs a little earlier for an reports Efe. The World Cup host was enough to level the contest at
Egypt, Peru and France have
stronger focus on musical acts. unforgettable show," Williams nation heads into the competition 1‑1. Drawn in Group A w ith
already arrived in Russia.
Some 80,000 fans are expected said. winless in their last seven matches. Uruguay, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia,

Tennis

Nadal clinches 11th French Open title

Paris: Rafael Nadal of Spain pow‑
ered past Austrian Dominic Thiem
in straig ht sets to clinch his
record‑extending 11th men's sin‑
gles title at the French Open ten‑
nis championships here.
Following his 6‑4, 6‑3, 6‑2 victo‑
ry, Nadal became the second play‑
er in history to have won 11 sin‑
gles titles at any Grand Slam event
after Margaret Court, who won 11
Australian Open titles, reported
Xinhua news agency.
He also became the first player
in the Open Era to have won 11
titles at three different Tour‑level
events, as he had done at ATP
Monte‑Carlo Masters and
Barcelona Open.
Nadal, who led 6‑3 in previous
head‑to‑heads, broke T hiem's
service in the second game, before
the Austrian had his own
response to tie at 2‑all through a
break. Thiem was the only player
to have defeated Nadal on clay
prior to Roland Garros for the sec‑
Rafael Nadal of Spain.
ond straight year, and his quarter‑
final victory over Nadal at the
Madrid Masters snapped the
Spaniard's 50‑set winning streak
on clay.
He displayed his lethal weapon
of single‑handed backhand, while
being troubled by unfavorable
Halep stays on top of WTA rankings
Madrid: Romania's Simona
Halep stayed atop the Women's
Tennis Association (WTA) rank‑
ings with 7,970 points, after
she claimed her first Grand
Slam title at the French Open.
On Sunday, Halep won the
French Open final 3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑1
over US' Sloane Stephens, who
jumped six spots to the fourth
with 5,463 points, reports Efe.
Denmark's Caroline
Wozniacki and Garbiñe
Muguruza of Spain came sec‑
performance on his first serves,
conceding the first set 6‑4.
Thiem already suf fered four
double faults despite four aces at
the start of the second set, while
Nadal maintained all of his serves
in the second set to move a step
further at 6‑3. Thiem save three
break points to hold his service
ond and third respectively.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina fell to
the fifth position, ahead of
France's Caroline Garcia, who
had been eliminated by 11th‑
placed Angelique Kerber from
Ronald Garros' last‑16.
Despite her loss at the French
Open semifinals, American
Madison Keys climbed three
places to the 10th, behind her
compatriot Venus Williams and
the Czech Republic's Petra
Kvitova.
into the third set, but the "King of
Clay" responded by fully exhibit‑
ing his powerful forehand for
astute winners.
After claiming his 17th career
Grand Slam title, Nadal is set to
retain his top position at the latest
ATP rankings ahead of arch rival
Roger Federer.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Could Devraha Baba have
lived for over 250 years?
By SATimes Team
I
n the pantheon of saints and
yogis in modern India, one name
stands out: Devraha Baba, who is
believed to have lived up to the age
of an amazing 250 years. Yes, there
is proof that he was indeed over 250
when he gave up his body in 1990.
But it not important how long he
lived, it is important what level of
spirituality he achieved and what he
contributed to the society.
Yes, there is said to be proof the
widely revered Devraha Baba
indeed lived for over 250 years
when he gave up his body in 1990.
For somebody like me of the post‑
Independence generation, we grew
up reading about the living legend
named Devraha Baba. There used to
be his black and white or sepia pho‑
tographs ‑‑ matted locks and all ‑ in
newspapers and magazines, aloft a
ʻmachanʼ (wooden platform), bless‑
ing people, from pauper to the
prince, by putting his foot on their
heads. Eminent people who sought
him out repeatedly included Indiaʼs
first president Dr. Rajendra Prasad
and Mrs Indira Gandhi. He also
ʻtouchedʼ the lives of visiting digni‑
taries from abroad.
There are various claims of Babaʼs
longevity, starting from 150 years
and above. T he most credible
account comes from somebody with
an impeccable reputation – none
other than Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the
first President of Independent India.
Dr Prasad wrote in his autobiogra‑
phy that he could personally estab‑
lish that Devraha Baba was at least
150 years old. At the age of 73, more
than fifty years ago, Dr Prasad wrote
that his father had sat at the feet of
Devraha Baba as a child ‑ that is, in
the middle of the nineteenth century
‑ and Devraha Baba was already eld‑
erly at that time.
The appearance of Devraha Baba
at the largest human congregation in
the word – the Kumbh Mela which
takes place every 12 years ‑ was
recorded 12 times. The last time he
was at the Allahabad Kumbh Mela in
1989. Famous BBC correspondent
Mark Tully has recorded his observa‑
RELIGION June 16-22, 2018 23
tions of the Baba from that Kumbh
Mela, which formed a chapter in Like Devraha Baba, his NJ‑NY events
ʻPenguin Book of Indian Journeysʼ. disciple, Sri Guruvanand with Gurudev
Tully was told that the reasons for Swami, addressed affec-
Babaʼs amazing longevity could The New Jersey event
tionately as Gurudev by his will be held at Hindu
include the fact that he was forever
in Uddiyana Bandha (literally, lakhs of devotees, has Community Center in
ʻupward energy lockʼ, it moves the invoked all Chakras of his Kearny on June 30 and
the New York event
energy upward from the earth, water Kundalini and achieved
and fire centers into the heart or air will be held at the
the pinnacle of spirituality.
chakra) in which the stomach touch‑ Hindu Temple
es the ribcage. When Tully asked, Community Center in
“What does the Baba eat?” his inter‑ Flushing on July 1.
locutor replied: “Air. He does not Prasad (dinner) will be
even eat fruit.” So, a fairly scientific served at both events.
hypothesis of how Baba dramatically There is no charge for
prolonged his lifespan is that he any of the events.
drew his required energy from cos‑ To learn more and
mic sources, thus eliminating the register for these
toxic fallout (free radicals, etc) that events, please visit
occurs from eating food. Secondly, GurujiUSAvisit.com, or
meditation and a hermit lifestyle call (917) 981‑0967 in
lowered his metabolism, minimizing New Jersey or (516)
wear and tear in the body. Thirdly, 625‑0512 in New York.
yoga postures and mudras stimulat‑
ed his endocrine system.
We may never fathom the higher
levels of spirituality he achieved, but
we can salute what he contributed to
the society. His very existence
inspired people to believe in and
take to the yogic path. All‑loving and
prescient, he guided people who
sought him out on the right course
to take in life. Apocryphal anecdotes
have him warning famous personali‑
ties against impending danger.
One life Yogiraj Devraha Baba
transformed is that of Sri Brahmrishi
Gurudev Tirupati (aka Sri Gurvanand
Swami), who in turn is changing the
lives of millions in present times.
Devraha Baba brought Guruji to his
ashram to save his life from a termi‑
nal illness. He predicted that
Gurudev would achieve the pinnacle
of spirituality and he will use that
divine energy to serve humanity.
Yogirajʼs predictions have come true.
Gurudev has invoked all Chakras of
his Kundalini and with 45 years of
rigorous Sadhana Gurudev has
acquired divine energy that unleash‑
es our own internal energy to lead a
joyful and peaceful life.
Gurudev has uplifted the lives of
hundreds of thousands of people
around the globe. He has traveled to
all over the world teach people the
art of living a moral, spiritual life.
Gurudev has made it very easy for us
to understand the true meaning of
religion so we can overcome our
Karmic debts while we fulfill our
worldly duties. Gurudevʼs followers
claim that Gurudevʼs blessings have
guided them in their life‑journey in
unexpected and unexplained ways.
Gurudev will have two events in
New York and New Jersey in which
he will give personal blessings to
everyone present.
 24 June 16-22, 2018 BOOKS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Future of books brighter in India

than elsewhere: David Davidar
By Saket Suman little value", he noted. there are new generations hungry
"There will, therefore, always be for quality information and enter‑

A
fter an unprecedented
boom in India's publishing
industry during the past
two decades, many insiders are
fearful that it has now reached its
saturation point. But the boom is
not over, according to David
Davidar, who maintains that India
is "one of the most exciting book
markets in the world" and its
future is one of hopes.
Davidar, who was hired by the
legendary Peter Mayer as one of
the founder members of Penguin
India way back in 1985 and ven‑
tured out to lay the foundations of
Aleph Book Company some seven
years ago, asserted that "there is
no place to go but up" for India's
books market. Why?
"Because there is quite a lot of
rubbish that is published, and as
many subject areas remain unex‑
plored, there is plenty of room for
good, relevant books," Davidar
told IANS in an interview.
The acclaimed publisher
room for thoughtful, stylish, inno‑
vative, insightful books (in what‑
ever format you choose to read or
access them ‑ I am platform
agnostic) for those who want to
go beyond the commonplace,
banal and mediocre," he pointed
out.
But the Indian book market, like
anywhere else in the world, has its
own hurdles and Davidar identi‑
fied a small readership base, not
enough retail outlets, not enough
marketing avenues, low prices,
high discounts, high material
A bookshop in Amritsar and (inset) Publisher David costs, high returns, customers
Davidar, credited with making Penguin India a
who do not pay on time, cus‑
success early in his life.
tomers who default on payments
explained that although India central place" in the lives of the and so on and so forth as the
publishes nearly 20,000 new thinking and aware individuals. major challenges faced by pub‑
books in the English language And even as the consumer now lishers in contemporary scenario.
every year, many of these books has access to "more published But there is hope as this market is
are lacking in merit poor or just information and entertainment always expanding.
downright bad. than at any time in human histo‑ "In India, because the bar has
Davidar contrasts this unfortu‑ ry", much of it (especially that been so low for so long (all of us
nate state of affairs to the fact found in digital form on the in the business have to accept
that books will always have "a Internet and social media) is "of some of the blame for that), and
tainment, the future is brighter
than in most parts of the world,
where reading habits and publish‑
ing revenues are declining. There
is no place to go but up. Great
books will not die, but will contin‑
ue to thrive," he said.
Davidar has been a publisher for
over a quarter century and has
published several of the country's
finest writers, including Shashi
Tharoor, Vikram Seth, Arundhati
Roy, Kiran Desai, Khushwant
Singh, Ruskin Bond, R.K. Narayan,
Amitav Ghosh and Jeet Thayil. He
is currently the MD and Publisher
of Aleph Book Company, a literary
publishing firm he co‑founded in
2011. He has also authored three
novels "The House of Blue
Mangoes" (2002), which was pub‑
lished in 16 countries, and
became a bestseller in six of them;
"The Solitude of Emperors"
(2007), which was shortlisted for
the Commonwealth Writers' Prize;
and "Ithaca" (2011).

We have lost our sensuality due to aggressive lives, says 'Kama' author
By Kishori Sud absence of sex education, a major contrast is. They don't know the concept of plea‑
to the fact that "Kama Sutra" hails from suring a woman. Which is why I feel the

V
atsyayana is known for the widely
popular texts of Kamasutra but,
very little is known about the
author himself. Jaya Misra, who has
penned a fictional take on what factors
and phase of life might have led the
ancient Indian philosopher to write the
shastra, says today individuals have lost
or forgotten their sense of sensuality amid
the aggressive lives being led.
Misra's KAMA: The story of the Kama
Sutra, an Om Books publication, talks
about the importance of pleasure and
desire, which was largely appreciated only
in prostitution houses but later extensive‑
ly studied by Vatsyayana.
"We are not sensual creatures any more
because of the kind of aggressive lives we
all are leading. The struggles of our lives,
earning more money... people are off the
sense of sensuality today," Misra told IANS
in an interview.
Jaya Misra is a writer, creative director
and producer in television and films. She
has also nurtured projects on sports, fash‑
ion and fiction. Deeply influenced by the
works of Anais Nin, Erica Jong, and
Virginia Woolf, Jaya takes a keen interest
in issues pertaining to womenʼs rights.
The smooth, addictive and interesting
read of KAMA: The story of the Kama
Sutra, should not be taken as a pure book
of facts as most of it is Misra's imagina‑
tion. Some of the facts infused in the read
that many might be surprised to know is
that courtesans of Patliputra paid more
taxes than the entire city paid collectively.
The 335‑page book also shows how self‑
India, what is her take on this hypocrisy? society has regressed a lot," Misra added.
"We Indians have regressed a lot," said "Kama" has a lot of lessons for an indi‑
Misra. "Post‑Veda, when Vatsyayana wrote vidual who has forgotten how to love her‑
the Kama Sutra, there is a portion where self or himself. The descriptions of beauty
he writes how to woo other men's wives. by Misra's Vatsyayana can make you feel
Forgetting about pleasuring and wooing more confident and is worth it if you read
just women. There is a particular fact, that it with an open mind.
a married woman those days... the society The lovemaking scenes in the beginning
was so leaning towards women that they might give you the impression that it's like
Jaya Misra and the title of her book, ʻKAMA: had very clearly mentioned that if a mar‑ the good old "Mills and Boon" stuff with
The story of the Kama Sutraʼ
ried woman is unhappy with her husband, mushy episodes, but as you delve deeper
pleasure or masturbation was crucial for then she could take up to four lovers. If into the incidents woven around
women at the time, which on the contrary she takes a fifth lover then she is deemed Vatsyayana, you realize that there is more
today, Misra points out, is a lesser known a whore," Misra said. to it than sensuality.
or understood reality. "So, at the time society may not have You can also be the Ratnavati whom he
"Statistically if you see, a lot of women been promiscuous... the reason why loved or the powerful Nayantara whose
don't reach orgasm. A lot of women don't Vatsyayana wants to promote Kama shas‑ confidence could break the fiercest of peo‑
masturbate. They feel it is wrong to mas‑ tra is so that there is balance in society. ple or Ramanna, a eunuch but the most
turbate and some... who have been mar‑ Today, I hear a lot of women talking... a lot loving and selfless mother any individual
ried for so many years, don't know what is of men don't even know where the clitoris could have.
an orgasm in the first
place," she said.
"Sex is such a taboo
topic that women are
not ready to admit to
themselves that they
have sensuality in them.
It is buried inside. There
is so much of frustration
among people and I just
feel that if we were a lit‑
tle bit more open about
desires... things would
be different in the sad
scenario today," she
added.
In addition to the topic
of sex being taboo, the
TheSouthAsianTimes.info LIFESTYLE June 16-22, 2018 25

Miss America to end competition's ZEE JLF concludes at

swimsuit segment
New York: In a bid to end sexism,
the Miss America beauty
pageant's organizers announced
they will scrap the bikini segment
from this year's edition, a media
report said.
"We are not going to judge you
on your outward appearance,"
Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox
News anchor who is now the orga‑
nization's chairwoman, said on
ABC's "Good Morning America",
reported the New York Times.
"We want more women to know
that they are welcome in this
organization."
While the Miss America
Organization had long defended
the segment where women posed
in skimpy swimsuits as a measure
of the women's physical fitness, it
The competition would focus more on the contestants' talents,
intelligence and ideas. (Image courtesy: wtaq.com)
has now decided to remove it in
wake of a harassment scandal it
faces and in view of the #MeToo
movement.
Carlson said the competition
would focus more on the contest‑
ants' talents, intelligence and
ideas.
London's The British Library
London: The London edi‑
tion of Indiaʼs popular
Jaipur Literature Festival
"ZEE JLF at The British
Library" took place June
8‑10, filling the historic
spaces of Londonʼs iconic
literary venue and wel‑
coming over 100 eminent
authors and thinkers from
across the globe.
The festival aimed to
showcase South Asia's lit‑
erary heritage, multilin‑ This year marked the fifth anniversary
of the Festival's presence in London.
gualism, oral traditions,
(Image : ZEE JLF Facebook page)
performing arts, books
and ideas. At the inaugural annual literary event in Jaipur
address "Imagining Our is the largest literature festival
Worlds" festival producer in the world, with over half a
Sanjoy K. Roy, welcomed a million footfalls recorded this
packed house of attendees. year.
"London is the capital of the The first session "India Sutra:

Indian Railwaysʼ mail/express trains to
get saloons for exclusive journey
New Delhi: Aiming to increase earn‑
ings, Indian Railways will add a
saloon to mail/express trains, if
booked by passengers for exclusive
travel for reaching destination in
comfort by paying a little more.
Known as an Inspection Car, a
saloon is a specially designed rail
coach with two bedrooms, a draw‑
ing/dining room, two bathrooms, an
attendant's room and a kitchen.
Facing stiff competition from low
cost carriers the national transporter
is in the process of coming out with
many innovative approaches to perk
up revenue. Saloons are used by sen‑
ior railway officials on their inspec‑
tion duty. Ministers are also entitled
to use the saloon during their rail
journey. Though the saloon can com‑
fortably accommodate six passen‑
gers, one has to pay the equivalent of
18 first class fares for the same des‑
tination in the scheduled train.
"We have allowed saloon to be
booked by any passenger. It would
be added as an additional coach to
the existing mail/express train on
demand after paying the prescribed
rate," a senior Railway Ministry offi‑
cial said. One can book the saloon
through IRCTC, the railways' tourism
and catering wing. Railways has
given written instruction to all zonal
railways to allow saloons to be
attached to all scheduled
mail/express trains across the coun‑
try. The Rajdhani, Duronto, Shatabdi
and Gatimaan expresses have been
exempted from this. Currently, a
Mail/Express train have between 18
to 24 coaches.
arts world and it was important Why I Am A Hindu" featured
for us to set up a platform here
to bring together authors to
debate and discuss, and most
importantly to dissent. It is
through dissent that we create
some kind of dialogue and have Hinduism and its social prac‑
a sense of everybody's point of
view being expressed," he said.
Festival Co‑Director Namita
Gokhale said it was an "emo‑
tional moment" to see the
opening of the festival at the
British Library after all the
hard work of the year.
William Dalrymple, who is
curating the festival along with
Gokhale, observed that the
writer‑politician Shashi
Tharoor in conversation with
Gokhale.
Tharoor discussed the differ‑
ence between the "vision" of
tices, which he claimed is often
"distorted" for political means.
He maintained that it is
"wrong" to use Hinduism politi‑
cally, and "there is the need to
reclaim Hinduism" for its vision
as a faith, "with ideas of life and
purpose of this planet." This
year marks the fifth anniver‑
sary of the Festival's presence
in London.

Anthony Bourdain, Spade suicides highlight need for new depression drugs
Chicago: The suicides of Anthony Bourdain
and Kate Spade have cast fresh light on the
need for more effective treatments for
major depression, an area that has been
largely abandoned by big pharmaceutical
companies.
The news shocked fans and came as U.S.
health authorities reported a sharp spike in
suicide rates across the country since the
beginning of the century. They called for a
comprehensive approach to addressing
depression and other contributing factors.
With the availability of numerous cheap
generic antidepressants, many of which
offer only marginal benefit, developing
medicines for depression is a tough sell.
Drugmakers have 140 therapies in devel‑
opment targeting mental health issues,
including 39 aimed at depression, according
to the Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America trade group. That
compares with the industryʼs work on some
1,100 experimental cancer drugs, which can
command some of the highest prices.
“Psychiatry has become a disfavored area
for investment,” said Harry Tracy, whose
newsletter NeuroPerspective tracks develop‑
ments in drug treatments for psychiatric
problems. “Insurers say ʻwhy should we pay
more for a new treatment?ʼ”
Developing antidepressants is risky.
Celebrity chef and host Anthony
Bourdain, designer Kate Spade
(Image : luxelookbook.me)
Patients in clinical trials often show a big
placebo response, masking the efficacy of
the drug being tested. In addition, once
approved, antidepressants require a large
sales force to reach psychiatrists as well as
primary care providers.
Another impediment is the difficulty of
conducting early depression research on
animals that could form a basis for trials in
people.
This has been a big challenge to translate
over to human clinical trials,” said Caroline
Ko, project leader of NewCures, a newly
formed program at Northwestern University
aimed at reducing the risk of investment in
treatments for depression, pain, Parkinsonʼs
The news shocked
fans and came as US
health authorities
reported a sharp
spike in suicide rates
across the country
since the beginning
of the century
and other diseases. Johnson & Johnson is
the only large pharmaceutical company
making a major investment in a new antide‑
pressant, Tracy said. Smaller players include
Sage Therapeutics, which expects a decision
from U.S. regulators on a treatment for post‑
partum depression by the end of the year.
J&Jʼs esketamine targets treatment‑resist‑
ant depression. It is similar to ketamine,
which is used as an anesthetic and to relieve
pain, and often abused as a recreational
party drug with the street nickname Special
K. The company expects to file for U.S. Food
and Drug Administration approval of esketa‑
mine this year.
Dr. Husseini Manji, global head of neuro‑
science at J&Jʼs Janssen unit, said there is
great need for new treatments as about half
of people with depression fail to respond to
current therapies.
He believes esketamine, a rapid‑acting
nasal spray, will narrow the time it takes for
patients to see a benefit.
“Standard antidepressants can take weeks
to work. They really are not useful in a crisis
situation,” said Carla Canuso, who is leading
J&Jʼs effort testing the drug in people
deemed at imminent risk for suicide, which
is most commonly associated with depres‑
sion. Allergan Plc is developing rapastinel, a
fast‑acting intravenous antidepressant the
company purchased in 2015.
The drug has breakthrough therapy desig‑
nation from the FDA, with clinical trial
results expected in early 2019. Last month,
the company acquired another depression
drug from its collaborator Aptinyx. Dr. Julie
Goldstein Grumet, a behavioral health expert
from the Suicide Prevention Resource
Center, said besides Bourdain and Spade,
122 people in the United States took their
lives by suicide each day last week. Many
were never even diagnosed with a mental ill‑
ness.
“Weʼre missing opportunities to screen
people for the risk of suicide,” she said.
(Reuters)
26 June 16-22, 2018 HERITAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The Magic of Vedic Mathematics Part 18

Rediscovered half a century ago by the Puri Shankaracharya Bharati Krishna Tirtha, Vedic Mathematics is a lightning fast mental math
system. We continue to serialize from ‘The Curious Hats of Magical Maths’ book that makes learning the system easy.

Continued on page 27
TheSouthAsianTimes.info IMMIGRATION June 16-22, 2018 27

Please DONʼT make me leave!

By Michael Phulwani, Esq.
& Dev B. Viswanath, Esq. Cancellation of removal for non-lawful Permanent Residents

A TALK
non‑lawful permanent res‑
ident (someone without a
green card) who is in
removal proceedings may be eli‑
gible for cancellation of removal.
If a non‑LPR is not scheduled to
have a hearing in Immigration
Court or they already appeared in
Immigration Court and their case
is closed, they will not be able to
apply for cancellation of removal.
To apply for cancellation of
removal the non‑LPR must submit
Form EOIR‑42B with supporting
documents showing that they
meet all of the eligibility require‑
ments to the Immigration Judge
and the determination to grant
this relief is discretionary.
Am I eligible for cancelation of
removal? In order to be eligible
for cancellation of removal the
non‑LPR must have been continu‑
ously physically present in the
United States for at least ten
years. The ten‑year physical pres‑
ence period starts at the date of
entry and stops either when a
Notice to Appear in immigration
court by the Department of
Homeland Security is issued, or if
certain criminal offenses are
committed, or if they have a sin‑
gle absence from the United
States of 90 days or multiple
absences from the United States
adding up to 180 days or more. A
Notice to Appear is a document
given to a non‑LPR to put them
on notice of deportation or
removal proceedings.
The non‑LPR must also have
been a person of good moral
character during the ten‑year
period of presence. The non‑LPR
must also not have any criminal
convictions which would render
them ineligible for Cancellation.
The non‑LPR would need to show
that possible deportation would
cause “exceptional and extremely
unusual hardship” to their LPR or
U.S. citizen qualifying relative. A
qualifying relative is a spouse,
child, or parent.
To meet the standard of excep‑
tional and extremely unusual
hardship the non‑LPR must show
that their deportation would
cause the qualifying relative to
suffer hardship which would be
substantially worse that the hard‑
ship normally expected from
deportation or separation.
Cancellation of removal can be
granted only by an Immigration
Judge and the non‑LPR needs to
present a convincing case in
order to avoid an Order of
Removal. Factors to be considered
are whether there are many fami‑
ly members here; whether there
are US born children who will
have difficulty relocating, medical
problems, financial considera‑ that are allowed per year, and
tions and other equities which currently there is a backlog,
may get weighed by the Judge. which means that even if one
Witnesses, medical professionals, were to be granted by the court, it
and other experts may often be may not happen immediately.
used. However, if granted, the However, this relief is sometimes
person will not only be prevented the only chance that an individual
from being deported, but will also may have to remain in the US if in
be granted a green card. There proceedings and is a very valu‑
are a limited number of able and useful form of relief to
Cancellation of Removal grants the right individual.
Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal
Attorney of The Banad Law Offices PC in the
United States, and Banad Immigration in
India for which Attorney Michael Phulwani is
also affiliated as Of Counsel. With Offices in
Manhattan, Queens, Bangalore, and Mumbai,
the firm is able to assist clients with all facets
of the immigration process, including
Employment Visas, Consular Visa Assistance,
Student Visas, Removal & Deportation, US
Citizenship and Green Card Applications
based on Family or Employment. Dev B.
Viswanath can be reached at
Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.

Continued from page 26

Answers

Extracted from ʻThe Curious Hats of Magical Maths ‑ Vedic Mathematics for Schools Book 1ʼ by
James Glover, with permission from Motilal Banarsidass (MLBD). Founded in 1903, they
specialize in Indology books. For more information, Mr R.P. Jain, email: mlbd@mlbd.
com. US distributor: southasiabooks@gmail.com

To be continued in the following issues of The South Asian Times.

28 June 16-22, 2018 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi

Creation according to Satan

Exclusive: What of the ground, each
the devil was doing a gushing fountain
in those first seven of pure, fresh
days water. And God saw
RECENTLY, some‑ that the water was
one asked me if peo‑ good.
ple in Asia were less 5. And Satan
decisive than people invented fizzy
in the West. drinks. And he saw
"I think I'm deci‑ that the fizzy drinks
sive," I replied. "But were bad.
I'm not really sure." 6. And God said,
The reason he Let the earth bring
asked was that he'd noticed Western ways of forth vegetables, and the herb of the field,

BEST thinking clearly separated opposing forces

such as good and evil, while Eastern ways of
that the children may grow up healthy. And
it was so.

RATE thinking tried to balance them in a yin and

yang fashion.
7. And Satan said, Let there be deep‑fried
potatoes.

FOR The comment intrigued me. That very

morning I'd given a talk at a school and
8. And God said, Let the waters bring forth
ten thousand varieties of fish, that they may

INDIA asked the children to make up a creation

story. The youngsters carefully balanced the
provide sustenance for the children.
9. And Satan arranged that the fish should

AND roles of God and Satan, giving them equal

time.
be smothered in batter, deep‑fried, and
served with deep‑fried potatoes.

PAKISTAN We ended up solving a lot of mysteries.

Now most people know the tale of what
the Almighty did in his first seven days, but
after talking to young people in Asia, I can
New York Head Quarter now exclusively reveal what Satan was up to
that first week.
422‑S Broadway
1. In the beginning God created the heav‑
HICKSVILLE en and the earth. And the earth was without
NY 11801 form and void.
2. And God made a circular light in the
516‑827‑1010 heavens, and he called it the Sun. And God
saw that the light was good.
3. And Satan made a smaller light, rectan‑
gular in shape, and he called it TV. And
Satan saw that the light was bad.
4. And God made springs which came out
10. And God created the cattle of the field,
and said, Behold, I have given you every liv‑
ing creature that moveth; to you it shall be
for meat.
11. And Satan showed how it could be
minced and turned into burgers, and sug‑
gesteth that it be always served with, yes,
deep‑fried potatoes.
12. And on the seventh day, God rested
and asked that his children rest too, and use
the day to contemplate the wonders of cre‑
ation.
13. And Satan created the all‑day‑brunch,
cartoon television channels, and Sunday
newspapers filled with articles about
celebrities, that the minds of the children be
filled with rubbish and their bodies filled
with yet more deep‑fried potatoes.

Laughter is the Best Medicine 14. And God said to the boy, Take the girl
and go forth and multiply. And of your seed
I shall make a great nation, as numberless as
the stars of the heavens.
15. And Satan invented the computer and
recruited ten thousand demons to fill it with
By Mahendra online battles.
Shah 16. And the boy did part with the girl and
did instead cleave to the computer.
17. And God pointed out to the girl that He
Mahendra Shah is
had made her with many attractive bland‑
an architect by
ishments which she could use whenever the
education, entre-
boy was away from the computer.
preneur by
18. And Satan invented the Nintendo DS
profession, artist
Lite that the boy may be able to take com‑
and humorist, puter games with him wherever he goeth.
cartoonist and 19. Now the serpent was more subtle than
writer by hobby. any of the animals which God had created.
He has been And Satan did enter into the serpent and
recording the caused him to say to the girl and the boy,
plight of the immi- The tree in the middle of the garden the
grant Indians for LORD hath told you not to touch. But I say
the past many year unto you, if you eat of the fruit of the tree of
in his cartoons. the knowledge of good and evil, your eyes
Hailing from will be opened and you shall be as gods.
Gujarat, 20. And the boy and the girl looked at the
he lives in serpent and said unto him: No thanks. We
Pittsburgh, liketh not fruit.
Pennsylvania. 21. But hast thou any deep fried potatoes?
And here endeth todayʼs scripture reading.
Amen.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY June 16-22, 2018 29

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

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

JUNE 16‑22, 2018

ARIES: Your buddies will support you only
to a limit, so donʼt burden them unneces‑
sarily. Donʼt get involved in anything that
you may regret later. An extended vacation may
start appearing a trifle boring. Distractions can
make you lose focus on the academic front. A
workplace senior expects more from you, so
deliver. There are chances of getting disheart‑
ened on the love front. Bad health is to be
guarded against. Someone may seem rather too
inquisitive in your personal affairs.
TAURUS: You may need to make up
your mind on something and then pro‑
ceed, rather than blundering ahead. A
nice vacation can find you in a highly excited
state. Your work profile is likely to get you
bracketed amongst top achievers.
Unconditional love can be showered upon your
by family. Romance for some may just be a
phone call away! Good monetary situation will
help you buy what you had always desired.
GEMINI: An opportunity awaits some
on the academic front. You only need to
wait and your chance of achieving
something big will come. Understand the mon‑
etary terms and conditions before signing an
agreement. Paperwork can bog some down at
work. A changed programme can prevent you
from meeting lover. Domestic work is likely to
be shared by the family members. You manage
to remain in shape by eating wisely. Nostalgic
memories of years gone by will keep some
pleasantly engaged.
CANCER: You may find love where
you least expect it, so rejoice! A good
time faces you at work, as work pro‑
gresses smoothly. The glow in your heart of
doing a good deed for someone will remain for
long. You can get serious about a proposal on
the marital front. Those who have gone over‑
board in splurging will find this little indul‑
gence worth it. An investment opportunity is
best seized, as it appears to be good.
LEO: Someone at work may keep a
close tab on your official expenses. You
can get hurt by someone not under‑
standing your point of view. Poor performance
in academics will compel some to tighten their
belts. Unprofessional handling of an issue at
work can get you in all sorts of trouble.
Homemakers may find the daily grind boring
and may long for change. Romance may not be
on loverʼs mind at this juncture. You gel well
with a new acquaintance.
VIRGO: Achieving something that you
considered impossible will help restore
your self‑esteem. You will prove your
mettle on the professional front. Tackling a
complex problem at work will be like cake‑
walk. Freelancers are likely to find a well‑pay‑
ing assignment soon.
A gift is likely to be received from a secret
admirer. Family get‑together will give you a
chance to mingle with cousins and other rela‑
tives. An old ailment may cause problems, if
you are not careful.
LIBRA: The more hours you put in, the
more will you be able to get out of it
and this will be reflected in your ster‑
ling performance at work. Whatever you
desire on the romantic front is likely to get ful‑
filled. Parents will be most supportive and will
go out of their way to fulfill your desire. Some
of you are on the verge of becoming financial‑
ly independent. You enjoy the best of health.
Love life is likely to brighten.
SCORPIO: The week may prove chal‑
lenging, as you may be forced into
untested waters. You are likely to get
fed up of a current assignment and may even
be tempted to leave it half‑way. Saving money
can be on the top of your list at present.
Expected arrears are likely to take their own
sweet time to materialise. Arranging the house
for a party may keep some happily engaged.
Some good news can be expected on the prop‑
erty front.
SAGITTARIUS: You are likely to remain
in a highly excited state, as things move
favourably this week. This is the time
to consolidate your position on the profession‑
al front. Your generosity towards someone will
be fully reciprocated. An enjoyable time is
foreseen in the company of your near and
dear ones.
Those wanting to see new places are likely to
welcome a break. Bedroom eyes of partner
will be cue enough to take your romance to
the next level!
CAPRICORN: You are likely to excel in
your current endeavours. A task given
on the professional is likely to prove a
cake walk and will provide you an opportunity
to give your best. Plans for overseas travel
may be in their final stages, so pack your bags
and fly off!
Those working on a commission basis may
find the week most profitable. There is much
that you want to tell lover, so find the right
opportunity. Health remains excellent.
AQUARIUS: You will need to take the
initiative at your end, if you want to
get things moving. Neglect can cause
you to become unwell. Colleagues at work
may approach you to resolve their profession‑
al problems. Family is likely to go out of its
way to ensure your comfort. Your independent
ways can put a strain on romantic relation‑
ship. You are likely to share some extra bur‑
den in an outing with friends. Start saving for
renovating an old house.
PISCES: You may have to give someone
his or her due, even if you are not feel‑
ing up to it. Overstaying your welcome
at someoneʼs place is best avoided. There is
much happening on the professional front, but
you are likely to miss out on them due to
unconnected trivial pursuits. You can be
hauled up for spending beyond your means.
Those separated may yearn to join the family.
Timely advice of an elder is likely to save your
relationship.

16th June, 2018
Traits in you: As you are governed
by planet Neptune, you are blessed
with various positive characters. You
are confident, decisive, generous,
humorous, honest, modest and opti‑
mistic. You are not an admirer of
arguments or silly fights. You should
work on your nature of being selfish,
pessimistic, and arrogant.
Health this year: Your overall health
would remain fine this year. Some of
the aged members in your family may
fall sick frequently to add your woes.
You need to take care of your family
members by providing them better
medical attention.
Finance this year: This year may
bring you huge financial benefits. You
will enjoy the returns of your invest‑
ments. If you want to gain financial
profits, you have to work hard. You
may invest in various profitable busi‑
nesses. However, you should not start
new partnerships or trust new
friends.
Career this year: Professionally you
will enjoy a smooth life. You may get
recognition in your professional cir‑
cuit as a result of your hard work and
dedication. Your promotion is on
cards. You should take help of your
seniors to learn quickly and perform
exceptionally well as it would help
you grow professionally.
Romance this year: For your marital
relationship, this year will be pretty
fruitful for you. If you are still single,
you may get into a romantic alliance
towards the end of the year. If you are
already in a relationship, you may
plan to convert your relationship into
marriage.
17th June, 2018
Traits in you: Your ruling planet the
Saturn makes you highly dynamic,
hardworking, courageous, trustwor‑
thy, reliable, courteous and friendly.
You are very much inclined to music
and literature. You should work on
your impatience. You need to enhance
your constructive ideas as well.
Health this year: Though you would
not face any major health related
issues, you should take extra care of
your health. Do not take unwanted
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
risk of putting your health in stake.
Go for regular medical checkups.
Finance this year: You w ill be
among major financial gains this year.
You may go for a real estate transac‑
tion later this year and this will bring
you a lot of money to cherish. You
may start up a new business. If you
are already into business, you may
plan for expanding its territory this
year.
Career this year: Your confidence
will convert you into a winner. You
will be capable enough to overcome
any challenge you need to face. The
chances of your promotion and trans‑
fer are high due to the organizational
change.
Romance this year: You may try and
convert your long time romantic rela‑
tionship to a married one. You will be
enjoying a great life with your spouse
with lots of understanding, love, and
care. You need not get into any kind
of argument with your beloved this
year.
18th June, 2018
Traits in you: Being governed by the
planet Mars, you are adventurous,
sensitive, courageous, emotional, hard
working, charismatic and punctual.
You are full of enthusiasm and ambi‑
tions. You should try and avoid your
shyness and stubbornness.
Health this year: Though you would
not face any major health related
issues, you should take extra care of
your health. Do not take unwanted
risk of putting your health in stake.
Go for regular medical checkups.
Finance this year: You may get your
pending works done, which will yield
enough financial benefits for you. You
should invest in share market or real
estate to get better benefits. You need
not borrow or lend money as it may
create disturbances in your personal
life.
Career this year: Being an efficient
professional, you are highly respected
in your professional circuit. Your ordi‑
nates 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 find
your partner to be a huge emotional
support for you during the tough
t imes of your life. You may get
involved in a matrimonial alliance.
19th June, 2018
Traits in you: Your ruling planet the
Sun blesses you with a unique charac‑
ter. You are pretty confident, creative,
intellectual, optimistic, and enthusias‑
tic. You are gifted with an artistic per‑
ception. 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: As far as your
health is concerned this year, you
may frequently fall sick. You need to
undergo regular medical checkups
and take your prescribed medicines
on time. Join a gym and try practicing
meditation to retain your fitness.
Finance this year: You will be able
to earn more money. However, you
may end up spending a lot of money
on luxury and comfort. You may go
for new business or investments this
year as the movement of planets
ensures you good monetary benefits.
Career this year: You are quite capa‑
ble of handling critical issues in your
professional life. You will succeed in
your attempts of performing well in
your work. You will get appreciations
from your peers, seniors, and the
higher management. You should help
others to make your presence felt.
Romance this year: You may try and
convert your long time romantic rela‑
tionship to a married one. You will be
enjoying a great life with your spouse
with lots of understanding, love, and
care. You need not get into any kind of
argument with your beloved this year.
20th June, 2018
Traits in you: As you are influenced
by the Moon, you are confident, emo‑
tional, 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: Your health would
remain very good this year. However,
you need to go for regular yoga exer‑
cises. You should not ignore your
healthy diet plan to remain in shape.
Go for regular medical checkups to
avoid any hiccups further.
Finance this year: You will be in
ample financial gains this year. Your
new business ventures will be suc‑
cessful 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: Being a hardwork‑
ing professional, you may create won‑
ders for your organization. You need
to learn more and look for better
options. You may not get your expect‑
ed promotion or salary hike in spite of
your hard work and efficiency.
Romance this year: You will be
enjoying a better relationship with
your partner or beloved. You will get
the required emotional support from
your partner whenever you seek.
21st June, 2018
Traits in you: Being ruled by
Jupiter, you are courteous, coura‑
geous, decisive, ambitious, disciplined,
and realistic. You are gifted with high
imagination power, optimism, and
enthusiasm. However, behaving rest‑
less 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 take
an appropriate care of your health.
You may fall sick in the middle
months of the year though those will
not be serious. If you are a sportsper‑
son, you need to be very careful for
your diet and nutrition to perform
better in your sporting events.
Finance this year: You should invest
in real estate to get better benefits.
Your legal matters will settle down
and provide you with the flow of the
blocked money. You need to decisive
enough before investing on some‑
thing else but real estate as there are
chances of loss.
Career this year: Your communica‑
tions skills will be proved instrumen‑
tal in the overall improvement of your
professional career. You will be able
to make enough contacts and you will
get regular projects and assignments.
You may get promotions and salary
hike towards the end of the year.
Romance this year: You will find
your partner to be a huge emotional
support for you during the tough
t imes of your life. You may get
involved in a matrimonial alliance.
22nd June, 2018
Traits in you: Uranus, being your
dominating planet helps you become
dynamic and creative. You are posi‑
tive, realistic, responsive, and sincere.
You need to work and overcome the
weaknesses in your personality to
attract more people towards you.
Health this year: Your health will
remain good throughout the year. You
need to take utmost care of your
health to maintain it and remain fit.
The health of your family members
might be a concern for you this year.
Try and avoid your bad habits and
start practicing yoga for the better‑
ment of your health.
Finance this year: Your innovative
ideas to earn money may not meet
your expectations. However, you need
to keep trying until you succeed. You
will find it tough to make money this
year. You may go for investments in
various sectors like shares, gold, land
and so on.
Career this year: With an enhanced
confidence and brushed up skills, you
will become very successful profes‑
sionally. You will do justice to the role
assigned to you. You may get promo‑
tion or a hike in your current salary. If
you are in creativity field, this year
will bring you much more success and
recognition.
Romance this year: This is a quite
good year for women when romance
is concerned. You will enjoy a very
strong relationship with your spouse.
You may decide to get married
towards the end of the year.
30 June 16-22, 2018 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The baskets of prayers

ry, expensive clothing, and for
their children new toys. Some peo‑
ple prayed to God for a husband
or wife, for children or better rela‑
tionships. There were so many
prayers asking for things that the
angel had to obtain a van while on
earth to carry them all around!
In the meantime the other angel
traveled far and wide looking to
fill the basket with prayers of
By Sant Rajinder Singh thankfulness. One day passed, two
Ji Maharaj days passed, three days passed,
take an equal amount of time to
We can thank God by leading ethical thank them. Similarly, we pray to
God for so many things that we
lives of nonviolence, truthfulness, purity, want, but how many take the time
to thank God?
humility and selfless service. The post office receives many
letters from children addressed to
Santa Claus before Christmas. Yet,
after Christmas, children do not
typically send a letter to Santa
thanking him for what they
received.
The next time the two angels

T
here is a story about how
Go d sent two ange ls to
earth to listen to the
prayers of humanity. One angel
was asked to collect all the
prayers in which people asked
God for something. T he other
angel was asked to collect all the
prayers of thanksgiving.
The two angels descended to
earth and began their task. They
agreed to meet back in a month
with their results. The angel col‑
lecting prayers asking God for
something, soon became extreme‑
ly busy. There were prayers that
people had to help them earn
more money, or get a windfall, or
win a lottery. There were prayers
for God to cure people of illnesses.
T here were many prayers for
improved health of oneʼs children,
spouse, parents, siblings, relatives,
and friends.
The angel filled the basket with
prayers that people had for world‑
ly objects such as a bigger house,
newer car, latest computer , jewel‑
but no prayers of gratitude were
heard, the angel visited young
people and elderly people, men
and women, people of all coun‑
tries, all religions and all econom‑
ic levels. Still not a prayer of
thankfulness was heard. All that
this angel heard were the prayers
asking for things. Wondering
whether it was missing some‑
thing, the angel got on the angel
hot‑line to contact the other angel
and asked whether its basket of
prayers was being filled.
“Oh, Yes, I have not only filled
one basket, but have filled many
more,” said the angel. “But in all
my collecting, I have not heard
any prayers of thankfulness
either.”
For the rest of the month, the
two angels fulfilled their mission,
and were ready to return to God.
The angel collecting prayers of
requests was laden with many
baskets. T he ange l collecting
prayers of thankfulness had hard‑
ly any in the basket.
There were a few prayers of
thankfulness, but a tiny amount
compared to the prayers of
requests.
When God was presented with
their findings, God sighed. “This is
nothing new,” said God. “You now
have a taste of what it is like
being God. People are always
praying for something from Me,
which is all right because at least
they are thinking of Me. But few
ever thank Me.”
This story illustrates our human
condition. In life, many people
request others to do something
for them, but how many people
are sent by God to come to earth
to collect the prayers of human
beings, let us not disappoint the
one collecting prayers of thanks‑
giving. Let us be among those
who thank God for the gifts we
have received. Letʼs celebrate
Thanksgiving in the right spirit of
the festival. Let us be among
those who can thank God for the
many gifts we have received‑for
our human birth, for our health,
for our food, clothing and shelter,
and for our families. Let us also
thank God for our education and
for our jobs. However, let us not
thank God merely with words but
with our deeds. We can thank God
by leading ethical lives of nonvio‑
lence, truthfulness, purity, humili‑
ty and selfless service. The deed
most appreciated by God is medi‑
tating daily so that we can con‑
nect with the inner Light and
Sound which is the means by
which we can return to our True
Home in the shortest possible
time.
(For more visit www.sos.org)

great writer Mark Twain was hav‑ learn a method of meditation and

Making our choice now

By Sant Rajinder Singh But by then his whole life had
passed and there was no time left.
Ji Maharaj
Let us not be like that man. Let us
often are fired up with intensity
to find the right spiritual Master,
or the spiritual teaching that can
ing a discussion with a business‑
man who was known for being
aggressive and ruthless in his
dealings with others. The busi‑
nessman said to the writer,
"Before I die I would like to make
a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and
instructions for progress, that is
not enough; the true heart of the
spiritual teachings is in the prac‑
tice. It is not enough to know
what others have said about it. It
is essential that we have our own
firsthand experience of spirituali‑

A
man was once asked by a
saint if he would like to
find God. First the man
said that he wanted to wait until
he got married and settled down.
The saint returned after the man
married and settled down, and
again asked if he wanted to find
God. The man said, "When I am
rich and successful at my job I
will look for God." T he saint
returned when the man had made
a lot of money and was successful
at his career. He again asked the
man if he wanted to find God yet.
Now the man wanted to wait to
find God until after he had mar‑
ried off his children.
When the children were settled,
the saint returned. Then the man
wanted to wait to find God until
after he had grand¬children.
Finally, on his deathbed he told
the saint he was ready to find
God.
make a choice while still young
and vital and in our full senses.
Let us not wait until it is too late.
We have been allotted a number
of breaths in this lifetime. We can
either waste them away or make
full use of them to complete our
course in spirituality. That is why
the Masters exhort us to make the
best use of this current lifetime.
A spiritual Master undertakes
the responsibility of making sure
our soul will be reunited with the
Divine. This responsibility is as
that of a teacher making sure the
student is ready for the highest
degree for graduation. It is his job
to make sure we are prepared and
developed spiritually. If we are
not ready, he still has to guide us
until we are ready. Thus, even
while under the care of a Master,
he has to make sure we complete
our course in spirituality.
When someone is seeking, they
help solve the mystery of life and
death. Yet, after someone finds
and joins a spiritual path, some
become complacent. They may
feel that their quest has ended,
but, in reality, their work has just
begun.It is like applying for a
school, college, or university. We
intensely fill out applications and
submit admission papers, and are
thrilled when
we receive our acceptance let‑
ter. Yet, their work is not ended̶
it has just begun. They must work
hard to complete their degree
program to graduate. It is the
same on a spiritual path. Just
finding the right Master who can
teach us a meditation practice
that provides proven results is the
beginning; we have to then start
putting in the effort and commit‑
ment to master the meditation
techniques to reach the goal of
realization of the Divine. Once the
climb to the top of Mount Sinai to
read the Ten Commandments
aloud at the top."
Mark Twain quickly replied, "I
have a better idea. Rather than go
to Mount Sinai where Moses was
given the Ten Commandments,
why donʼt you just stay home
here in Boston and practice the
Ten Commandments in your life!"
This humorous comment car‑
ries a significant meaning. Many
of us read the Commandments or
advice given by the great saints in
the scriptures. Many of us are
happy even to preach what our
holy books say. But how many of
us live up to the teachings we fol‑
low?
T here is a big dif ference
between knowing the theory and
practicing it. It is not enough to
read the books or scriptures and
know the theory. We need to live
up to them in our own lives. If we
ty.T hat can be accomplished
when we sit in meditation.
Progress is a matter of accura‑
cy. We can become accurate only
by practice. Practice makes per‑
fect. If we expect to sit in medita‑
tion once or twice in our life and
accomplish spiritual progress, we
are being unrealistic. We need to
practice daily.
It is said that if we take one step
toward God, God will take a hun‑
dred steps toward us. The time we
spend in meditation will be richly
rewarded.
Instead of merely reading the
Ten Commandments, live them. If
we do our meditations and lead
ethical lives, observing the virtues
of nonviolence, truthfulness, puri‑
ty, humility, selfless service, and
love for all, we will be blessed
with inner vision. We will have
the proof for ourselves of the
existence of our soul and God.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 16-22, 2018

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