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Vol.4 No.41 February 4-10, 2012 60 Cents
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Surprising Kabul, US to end Afghan combat operations in 2013

Washington: The US took Kabul by surprise by laying out plans to end its Afghan combat role earlier than expected, just after the leak of a secret report that the Taliban is confident of regaining control of the country. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Wednesday the United States would stop taking the lead role in combat operations before the end of 2013 and step into a supporting role as it winds down its longest war. He was speaking to reporters Wednesday en route to a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, said Washington Post. "Our goal is to complete all of that transition in 2013 and then hopefully by mid- to

Blow to Manmohan govt as court quashes 122 phone licenses issued by Raja
New Delhi: In a blow to the government, the Supreme Court of India Thursday quashed all 122 licenses for mobile phone services issued in 2008 and left it to a trial court to decide on a possible probe into the role of Home Minister P. Chidambaram, then finance minister. In a respite to some 45 million phone subscribers covered by the 122 licenses, Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly ordered that the services will carry on for four months, by which time the telecom watchdog will decide the future action plan. The licenses were issued to companies, which now operate under the brand names Uninor, Loop, Etisalat, Videocon, STel, Tata Tele, Idea and MTS. But not all the licenses that are currently with them pertain to the

Vice President Joe Biden awarding a Bronze Medal last year to an American soldier serving in Afghanistan. the later part of 2013 we'll be able to make Continued on page 4

P. Chidambaram, then finance minister, now faces heat; petitioner Subramanian Swamy was thanked by the judges. tainted ones awarded in 2008. The judges virtually thanked the petitioners -- Janata Party president Subramanian Continued on page 4

ISRO to release Antrix deal reports that prompted action against Madhavan
Chennai: Indian space agency chief K. Radhakrishnan Tuesday indicated he will soon release reports of two committees on the controversial Antrix-Devas deal, which led to the government blacklisting his predecessor G. Madhavan Nair. In his statement, Radhakrishnan, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who is also the secretary, Department of Space, said: "The Department is in the process of getting necessary clearances for releasing the Reports of the two Committees. On the basis of the two reports the government Jan 13 banned ISRO's immediate past chairman G. Madhavan Nair, A. Bhaskarnarayana, former scientific secretary in ISRO, K.N. Shankara, former director, ISRO Satellite Centre and K.R. Sridharamurthi, former executive director of Antrix from holding any government jobs or any membership in a government committee. The ban order infuriated Nair, who had been awarded Padma Bhushan in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2009. He charged that Radhakrishnan was behind the government's move to ban him and three others from future government jobs. As per the deal, ISRO's commercial arm Antrix was to provide 70 MHz S-Band spectrum to Devas Continued on page 4

Rizwan Qureshi, Senior Executive Vice President of Habib American Bank, (middle) was honored Jan 31 at the India Republic Day celebration of Town of Hempstead, NY, by Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino. The event was put together by Indu Jaiswal.

G. Madhavan Nair, former ISRO head

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February 4-10, 2012

NJ offers incentives to businesses to add jobs

By Ashok Ojha/SATimes Edison, NJ: Armed with a variety of attractive incentives, New Jersey Labor Department officials have ventured out to partner with local businesses to boost employment. It is a win-win situation for the businesses with expertise in training and recruitment. They can help reduce the number of unemployed population in the state, said Nina Rios-Rivera, Business Development Manager in the Department of Workforce Development at a meeting organized by Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce in North Brunswick, NJ. The meeting was attended by small business owners, majority of whom were Indian American. Under the program any business willing to provide skill development or training in new technology for an unemployed worker is entitled for wages reimbursement, tax credits and other benefits. Urging the businesses to take advantage of these benefits offered by the Labor De-

NICE buses plying on Nassau County roads

Mineola, NY: There are brand new, colorful buses seen plying on Nassau County roads now. The orange, blue and white fleet of buses has replaced the MTA run buses. As per the announcement of County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Veolia Transportation, based in Illinois, has been contracted to manage and operate Long Island Bus under a new name Nassau InterCounty Express (NICE) starting January 1, 2012. The contract maintains current fares, routes and the AbleRide service area and is aimed to save taxpayers over $32 million annually. The changeover resulted from a dispute between the county and MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) which last spring threatened to eliminate more than half of the Long Island Bus routes, lay off hundreds of employees and asked the county an additional $26 million in subsidy payments. Says County Executive Mangano about Nassaus public-private partnership with Veolia which symbolizes a new, smarter and more efficient way of providing services in Nassau County. No longer will the choices be limited to demanding more subsidies from taxpayers or slashing service. All across this nation, taxpayers are demanding that governments spend less. Nassau County is doing just that. This public sector service will now have a private sector operator to provide a cost effective service. Manganos statement continues: We selected Veolia because of its proven success with dozens of other transit systems across the U.S. and its experience in successfully partnering with other municipalities and transit agencies. Veolia manages about 150 transit opera-

Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) is a public-private partnership etween the county and Veolia Transportation. tions in North America, including Boston, New Orleans, Denver, San Diego, Baltimore, Phoenix, and the suburbs of Atlanta, Washington, DC and Toronto. Said Mike Setzer, Veolias CEO for NICE, The countys bus system is a vital transportation link for thousands of riders who use it to commute to work, get to school, visit the doctor, shop or take other important daily trips. The mandate for our partnership with Nassau County is to meet the needs and the expectations of the riding public -- both current customers and future new customers by maintaining an affordable, reliable, high-quality bus system. Members of Transport Workers Union Local 252 in Nassau County overwhelmingly ratified on January 9 a five-year contract with Veolia Transportation for the nation's largest contracted transit system.

Nina Rios-Rivera, Manager, Workforce Development of NJ Labor Department. partment, Ms. Rios-Rivera informed that a special cell was operating under the department to coordinate the efforts. One such location was functioning under the OneStop Career Center in Middlesex Countys Unemployment office in New Brunswick, where small and mid-size businesses are provided with a variety of assistance in workforce development and related laws, she said. Continued on page 4

A delectable Imran Khan delights NYC fans

By Smita Bhooplapur/ SATimes New York: It was 6.30 p.m. Sunday, January 29, 2012 and New York Citys Pranna Lounge was packed with some 250 fans--predominantly youngof Bollywood star Imran Khan, who happens to be a US citizen born in Madison, Wisconsin. The muscular, popular, spectacular, but not-a-bachelor Imran Khan was to appear anytime soon for a meet-and-greet session to promote his upcoming film, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. As Indian DJs Karma and Karan played foot-tapping Bollywood numbers, including Imran Khan hits, fans swayed to the music. Anticipation turned to impatience, however, as there was no sight fans with charm as he made his way to the podium. Hello New York, said Khan and the crowd roared in a return greeting. Have you been waiting long? The yess this time was even louder. In Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, a romantic comedy produced by Karan Johar, Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor get married unconsciously over a night in Las Vegas. The story moves forward as the flustered couple try to get their marriage annulled. The film will hit the theatres on February 10. Whereas in the film Khans character is clean-shaven and slick looking, he looked different in real life clad in jeans, grey sweater and brown overcoat, sporting a full-grown beard and his wavy brown hair brushed back. Nevertheless, you could see a resemblance between him and uncle Aamir as his grey-brown eyes twinkled in delight as he interacted with his fans. A rapid QA session began. Those present were asked difficult questions such as his characters name in the new movie [Rahul Kapoor], the upcoming directors past working experience with Khan [Shakun Batra had acted in Khans debut Jaane Tu], movies in which Khan acted as a child artiste [Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Qayamat se Qayamat Tak] and so on. Those who correctly answered them won movie tickets to Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and CDs of its music album.
Continued on page 4

The poster of the new film starring Imran Khan.

of him for two hours. The mediapersons were getting especially restless. The light-eyed, 29-year-old actor finally made his entry to a screaming crowd charged up even more by the wait. Khan, nephew of superstar Aamir Khan and director Mansoor Khan, greeted his

Imran Khan mobbed by fans (Photo: Smita Bhooplapur)

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"He (Raja) virtually gifted away the important national asset at throw away prices." The verdict pushed Communications Minister Kapil Sibal into an overdrive. He met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee before giving a press conference in which he defended the government, saying implementation of policy alone was wrong. "The court has indicted the 'first come first serve' policy. This was the policy of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government," he said. Blaming Raja, he added: "The order says the advice of finance ministry and Prime Minister's Office wasn't followed by then minister." Sibals own ministry was then overseen by Raja, an undertrial who began his second year in jail Thursday. India's telecom network has grown into the second largest in the world after China, with over 926 million subscribers, serviced by 15 operators, including two state-run companies, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam and Bharat Sanchar Nigam. With elections underway in five states, the opposition seized the opportunity to renew its demand for the ouster of the home minister, and said the UPA government under Manmohan Singh had no moral right to continue. "The BJP would like to ask Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: Would you take some action against Chidambaram or will you continue to express your confidence in him despite so much evidence?" wondered spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad. The main petitioner was clearly elated. "The court has said the government must now get market value of these licenses," Swamy told reporters here. "As far as Chidambaram is concerned, the court said the trial court can decide." Justices Singhvi and Ganguly also said the Special Trial Court of the CBI -- that is hearing the 2G spectrum allocation case in which Raja is prime accused -- will decide on Chidambaram within two weeks. The trial court, presided over by Judge O.P. Saini, has heard a separate petition of Swamy to prosecute Chidambaram and reserved its order on that matter for Feb 4. The stocks of the companies which hold the tainted licenses fell sharply, even as that of older telecom firms gained in anticipation of subscribers shifting to them. number of jobs created. For example, companies can be reimbursed up to 80 percent of gross withholding tax paid by the new employees for up to 10 years to a maximum of $50,000 per employee by adding at least 25 qualified jobs within two years. Companies may benefit from up to $2,250 per year for six years per job retained under another scheme called Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant. We are keen to help both employees and employers by assisting them with training and guidance and providing referrals for support services, said Rios-Rivera. The department regularly offers classes in networking, interviewing and resume improvement for job seekers. The department provides detailed information one can visit www.psgnb.org.

February 4-10, 2012

Surprising Kabul Story Continued from page 1 a transition from a combat role," he said. Panetta's remarks reflected a growing sentiment within the Obama administration that its approach to Iraq, where the official end of US combat operations came 16 months before the final troop withdrawal in December, may provide a useful model for winding down operations in Afghanistan, the Post reported. According to the NATO strategy reached at a summit in Lisbon in November 2010, the coalition forces will gradually shift to a training, advisory and assistance role with the Afghan military on the way to withdrawing all combat troops by the end of 2014. A spokesman for Panetta traveling with the defense chief issued a statement later Wednesday, saying the US troops could still be involved in at least some combat operations in partnership with Afghan forces in 2014. In Brussels, NATO defense ministers discussed Thursday the US plans to end combat operations in Afghanistan in 2013 and a shift in the role of its troops there. The meeting was held after French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced last Friday that France would speed up its combat drawdown in Afghanistan this year . Blow to Manmohan Govt. Story Continued from page 1 Swamy and lawyer Prashant Bhushan -and said the "misuse and arbitrary use of powers" may not have come to light but for some enlightened citizens seeking good governance. The court also slapped a fine of Rs. 5 crore each on Unitech, Tata Teleservices and Swan Telecom and ordered half of that to go towards the court's legal aid services and the remaining to defense services. It also imposed varying costs on other companies. "The exercise by the officers between September 2007 and March 2008 under the leadership of then telecom minister A. Raja was wholly arbitrary, capricious and contrary to public interest apart from being violative of the doctrine of equality," the verdict said.

ISRO Story Continued from page 1 which is into multimedia services. Antrix would provide the spectrum by leasing out transponders of two satellites to be built mainly for Devas. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) estimated the loss to the exchequer to the tune of Rs.2 lakh crore because of the deal. The centre later scrapped the controversial deal and the matter has gone for arbitration.

NJ offers Incentives Story Continued from page 3 Underscoring the Labor Departments plan to partner with local businesses, the official said that employers were offered tax credit for helping job seekers who are in urgent need of employment. The next time you fill a job, you may be able to reduce your federal income tax burden by hiring a qualified employee from seven targeted categories ranging from workers with disabilities to veterans to certain youth for summer jobs. These categories are identified by the Work Opportunities Tax Credit Program. In order to reduce the burden of unemployment population in the state, the government is anxious to upgrade the skills of workers who lack technical skills. It is felt that the job market will continue to be tight for such workers for a long time as the line of job seekers was growing longer. In addition to technical training, the employers could also avail the opportunities for improving workers literacy and language skills and apprenticeship program offered by the department. The businesses could avail an incentive for reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the salary of workers for six month. Companies seeking to relocate or expand in New Jersey may be eligible for grants under Business Employment Incentive Program. The amounts of grant will be based on the

Imran Khan Story Continued from page 3 Of his hectic 12-15 hours a day shooting schedules in Las Vegas, Imran Khan said he got only one shot at the slot machines and won $200. He added that it had been his dream to work with Kareena ever since he joined the film industry. A highlight of the evening was a starryeyed girl who wangled her way to join him on the podium for a photograph. On the down side, Pappu did not show any of his suave moves or hum any popular numbers from his films. He did sign autographs and entertained questions. Which movie of last year he wished he was in? His response gave a glimpse of his humility. I think it is very arrogant to look at someone elses work and say, you know, I could have done that, he said matter-of-factly. Khan, who has worked with Karan Johar for the second time after I Hate Luv Storys, started his acting career in 2008 with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na for which he won a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Since then, he has acted in 7 more movies: Kidnap (2008), Luck (2009), I Hate Luv Storys (2010), Break ke Baad (2010), Delhi Belly (2011), Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011),and Ek Main. Khan tied the knot with Avantika Malik a year agoand broke many hearts. Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/ masalajunction.com. Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com Photo Journalist: Parveen/Bhanu Seth Chief Cartoonist: Mahendra P. Shah Art and Design: Vladimir Tomovski Bhagwati Multimedia, Rahul Sahota Web Editor: B.B.Chopra News Service: HT Media Ltd. IANS Newswire Services Printing: Five Star Printing, NY Richner Publications Contacts Editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Subscribe@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Advertisements Advertise@TheSouthAsianTimes.info P : 516.390.7847 F : 516.465.1343

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February 4-10, 2012

Berkeshires Ajit Jain potential witness in Rajat Gupta trial

insider trading scam, is expected to be filed by January 31, according to US prosecutors, who said his "close friend" and top Berkshire Hathaway executive Ajit Jain could be a potential witness in the trial slated for April. At a hearing held in a Manhattan court, Assistant US Attorney Reed Brodsky said the deadline for the government to file the superseding indictment, which may contain expanded charges, is January 31. US Judge Jed Rakoff said an arraignment, if the superseding indictment is filed, may take place on February 6 or 7. The government had earlier this month said "more likely than not there will be a superseding indictment." Gupta, 63, who has pleaded not guilty to the insider trading charges filed against him last October, was not present for the hearing which lasted nearly two hours. Prosecutors claim Gupta passed on insider information to Sri Lankan hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam about a USD five billion investment proposed by Berkshire in Goldman Sachs. Brodsky told judge Rakoff that Jain could be called in as a potential witness for Gupta during the trial, slated to begin April 9. Jain is head of Berkshire Hathaway's reinsurance business and has been touted as a possible successor to company CEO Warren Buffet. Jain had been interviewed by Gupta's defence team before he met the prosecutors. "Ajit Jain, a close friend of Gupta's, spoke to us after he spoke to the defence. My understanding is that he spoke to the defence again after he spoke to us," Brodsky said. Goldman Sachs Director Claes Dahlback could also be a potential defence witness, Brodsky said.

Ajit Jain New York: A superseding indictment against ex-Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, an accused in

Sikh group hires lobbyist to educate US media

Washington, DC: A US Sikh community group has hired a lobbying firm to educate the American media about the true identity, image and message of Sikhism in the wake of TV show host Jay Leno's controversial comments about the Golden Temple. New York based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) said the move was in response to the global Sikh community's concern over the Leno show where he passed off a visual of the Sikh's holiest shrine as the vacation home of Republican frontrunner presidential candidate Mitt Romney and an ongoing spree of hate crimes against Sikhs in the US. The lobbyists will approach NBC, which broadcast the Leno show, to provide a forum to a panel of Sikh scholars and notables to educate media and American public about the sanctity and sensitivity of the temple, it said. NBC will also be asked to run a documentary on Sikhism during prime time to help spreading the true identity, image and message of Sikh religion. Also since Sikhs have been victims of hate crime after 9/11 due to misinformation about Sikh religion and identity, lobbyists will approach the US media to run segments showing authentic message of Sikhism. Educating the international media about true information regarding Sikhs is much needed to spread the true message of Sikhism and to put an end to the decade long spree of violent "hate crimes" against Sikhs, SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant S. Pannun said.

Star TV US hosts a glittering night of entertainment

New York : Star TV US held a vibrant and entertaining event on Wednesday January 18, where they announced the winners from the Western Union Main Bhi Star Contest at the Russian Tea Room in New York City. The event was attended by clients, members of the press, affiliate partners and media professionals. Winners were selected from auditions held this past October at the AIA Deepavali Festival at the South Street Seaport in New York City. Through an online voting system on the Star website, Maya Desai and Saurabh Arora were chosen as the winners of the contest. Both winners will be flown to India to appear on Sasural Genda Phool, a popular Star India Plus show. Also in attendance at the event were two U.S. contestants from the last season of Just Dance: Anjuli Bhattacharyya and Kruti Shah.

Western Union Main Bhi Star contest winners were also announced at the event Rajan Singh, Executive Vice President of Star TV International Business, spoke about Star TVs vision in the U.S., including all of the upcoming highlights of 2012, while Monica Sadhu, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Star TV, spoke about the important milestones of 2011. Adding to the ambiance of the event, guests enjoyed aromatic food, star-shaped desserts, pan stations, massage therapists, a tarot card reader, and an astrologer.

Hyderabadi Cultural Association of Greater New York launched

New York: On January 28, 2012 the Hyderabadi community of New York celebrated the official opening of its long awaited Hyderabadi Cultural Association of Greater New York. Over fifty members became charter members on this fun-filled evening of mushaira, ghazal and Hyderabadi food. Quddus Mohammed, an investment professional and the charter secretary of the Rotary Hicksville chapter, was unanimously elected as the first President. Mr.Quddus congratulated the Hyderabadi community and said, "The objective of the association is to encourage and foster the ideals of the community and service above one self. In particular, to encourage the development of acquaintance as an opportunity to build goodwill and better friendships." The Hyderabadi Cultural Association is a non-religious and secular community of Hyderabadi's living in New York, New Jersey, Pennslyvania and Connecticut. Centered in Long Island, NY the Association's vision for the future is to preserve and promote the culture and heritage of Hyderabad. Hussain Baqueri, a pilot and owner of Sir Speedy Plainview was nominated as the Executive Vice President. Mr.Hussain is among the founders of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South and was recently recognized by County Executive Ed Mangano. Mrs.Sabina Ali, manager of Astoria Bank of Hicksville is the VP for Media and Public relations, Nayeem Siddique is the VP for Membership Development, Mohammed Adil Aziz is the VP event planning, Mrs. Athia Syed is the Treasurer and Mr.Naimathullah, an energy engineer, became the charter Secretary. Among the prominent charter members of the Hyderabadi association include Habib Ahmed, Commissioner of Human Rights Commission for Nassau County, Dr.Najma Sultana, Executive board member of Indian National Overseas Congress, Dr Raza Mir, Professor at Jefferson University, Mohammed Ghouri, Principal IVY Investment Management LLC and Arshad Maajid, a litigation lawyer based in Suffolk County. "The Association will build alliances with organizations whose aims do not conflict with the basic aims of the Association," said Mrs Sabina Ali, who is responsible for promoting the Association. "We have already initiated contact with TLCA, Hyderabadi Association of Dallas and will work with New Jersey based associations promoting Urdu poetry and literature." As part of its community service, on February 18, 2012 HCA will join Gurmeet Sodhi, a TV host, to serve breakfast and help children of the Helping Hand Rescue Mission of Huntington.

Tristate Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Chicago Art Institute to receive $500,000 for exchange program with India
Indias MoF announces Vivekananda Memorial Program for Museum Excellence
Chicago: Indian government is pledging $500,000, plus more in travel expenses, to the Art Institute of Chicago as part of a new professional exchange program between India and the museum reports Chicago Tribune. India's Ministry of Finance announced Thursday the establishment of the Vivekananda Memorial Program for Museum Excellence, which honors Swami Vivekananda, who gave a landmark speech about religious freedom at the first World's Parliament on Religion, held Sept. 11, 1893, in the building that became the Art institute. "It's a big commitment, and we're very pleased and proud to be the first American museum to receive a grant from the government of Art Institute spokeswoman Erin Hogan said in addition to $500,000 in grant money, the Indian government will cover significant travel and lodging expenses over four years as Art Institute staffers present lectures, workshops and seminars in India, and Indian fellows visit the Art Institute. "The program involves teams of people traveling repeatedly to India and the United States," said Hogan, noting that the museum will create four to six fellowships each year for Indian museum leaders and will serve as a resource center on best international practices in such areas as conservation; collection storage, display and expansion; visitor facilities and services; and multimedia content production and staff training. The Art Institute will host Indian cultural and political leaders, including Minister of Culture Shri Pranab Mukherjee, at a ceremony Saturday evening in which the new program will be announced, the site of the Swami's speech will be rededicated with a prominent plaque and a new exhibition on loan from the Indian government, "The Last Harvest: The Paintings of Rabindranath Tagore," will be celebrated. The Indian government also announced a $1.5 million endowment at the University of Chicago to create the Indian Ministry of Culture Vivekananda Chair to promote "fields of study most relevant to (the Swami's) teachings."

The Art Institute of Chicago India," Art Institute Director exciting, and it opens new possibilDouglas Druick was quoted saying ities for our engagement with India by Chicago Tribune. "It's very and Indian culture."

Indian American researchers make new discoveries on malaria parasite

New York: A team led by two Indian American researchers of the University of Notre Dame has made fundamental discovery in understanding how malaria parasites cause deadly disease. Kasturi Haldar and Souvik Bhattacharjee of the Universitys Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, show how parasites target proteins to the surface of the red blood cell that enables sticking to and blocking blood vessels, the Notre Dame News reports. The research findings appear in the Jan 20 edition of the journal Cell, the leading journal in the life sciences. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health. Malaria is a blood disease that kills nearly 1 million people each year. It is caused by a parasite that infects red cells in the blood. Once inside the cell, the parasite exports proteins beyond its own plasma membrane border into the blood cell. These proteins function as adhesins that help the infected red blood cells stick to the walls of blood vessels in the brain and cause cerebral malaria, a deadly form of the disease that kills over half a million children each year. In all cells, proteins are made in a specialized cell compartment called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) from where they are delivered to other parts of the cell. According to the campus publication, Haldar and Bhattacharjee and collaborators Robert Stahelin at the Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend (who also is an adjunct faculty member in Notre Dames Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry), and David and Kaye Speicher at the University of Pennsylvanias

Mathai to visit US next week: N-deal, Iran on agenda

New Delhi: Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai goes on a three-day visit to Washington next week to hold talks with senior US officials to explore ways to fasttrack the nuclear deal and to discuss a cluster of regional issues, including Iran and the Afghan reconciliation process. Mathai will hold wide-ranging talks during his visit Feb 6-8 with US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, Syed Akbaruddin, the external affairs ministry spokesperson, told reporters here. The entire gamut of the India-US relationship will be discussed, said the spokesperson. The talks will set the stage for the visit of External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to Washington, likely July, for the third India-US strategic dialogue. The implementation of the nuclear deal, which India and the US sealed in 2008, is expected to figure prominently in the discussions, said government sources. Even three years after signing the landmark agreement, some legal issues remain on the way, specially relating to India's liability regime which US nuclear companies find a hurdle in the way of doing atomic business with India.

Kasturi Haldar and Souvik Bhattacharjee

Wistar Institute discovered that for host-targeted malaria proteins the very first step is binding to the lipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate, PIP, in the ER. Previous studies suggested an enzyme called Plasmepsin V that released the proteins into the ER was also the export mechanism. However, Haldar, Bhattacharjee and colleagues discovered that binding to PIP lipid which occurs first is the gate keeper to control export and that export can occur without Plasmepsin V action. Haldar and Bhattacharjee are experts in malaria parasite biology and pathogenesis. Stahelin is an expert in PIP lipid biology, and David and Kaye Speicher are experts in proteomics and a method called mass spectrometry. Their interdisciplinary collaboration reveals a fundamental, novel cellular function, whose disruption can provide new therapies that are urgently needed for malaria.

Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai Another issue that is expected to figure in talks will be fresh sanctions imposed by the US and the EU on Iranian oil trade. Last month, Mathai had said India will not seek a waiver from the US sanctions and will find ways to buy Iranian oil without attracting the sanctions. Mathai has also made it clear that India will follow the UN sanctions, but is not bound by unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries. India has also stressed that it will continue to buy Iranian oil as it contributes around 12 per cent of its oil imports and is critical to its energy security. The situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, an issue of common concern, will be discussed, said the sources. US's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman visited India recently and lauded New Delhi's role in the reconstruction of the violence-torn country.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Aneesh Chopra, Obama's Indian American IT head, quits

will benefit Americans for years to come, and I thank him for his outstanding service." While the official announcement gave no reason for Chopra's resignation from White House, the Washington Post citing unnamed Democrats said he is widely expected to announce that he will run for lieutenant governor in Virginia. Chopra has flirted with running for statewide office in Virginia for years, building up support among Democratic activists and serving on Obama's transition team in 2008, it said. The timing of his resignation allows Chopra to campaign this year for his two former bosses: former governor Tim Kaine, who is running to replace retiring Senator James Webb this year; and Obama, who will face a tough fight in the swing state of Virginia. He is expected to attend Virginia Democrats' biggest fundraiser of the year, the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, Feb 11 in Richmond, where those who are looking to run statewide host parties and mingle with more than 1,500 activists, the Post said. The eldest son of Indian immigrants, Chopra, 40, was sworn in into his White House job on May 22, 2009 after serving as Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia from January 2006 to April 2009. He previously served as Managing Director with the Advisory Board Company, a publicly-traded healthcare think tank. Chopra was named to Government Technology magazine's Top 25 in their Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers issue in 2008. Aneesh Chopra received his BA from The Johns Hopkins University and his MPP from Harvard's Kennedy School.

Indian woman fasts to death in Chicago jail

Washington, DC: An Indian woman who had been wrongly summoned for jury duty and was then arrested for not complying is reported to have starved herself to death in a Chicago prison. Lyvita Gomes, 52, was from Mumbai and authorities said she had been diagnosed with mental illness at the time of her imprisonment, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. Gomes was a flight attendant who moved to the US in 2004 to work with Delta Airlines, which had taken over her then employer Pan Am. She worked at the company head-office in Atlanta. After being laid off five years ago, Gomes moved to Illinois and used her visa, which was still valid, to acquire a driving licence, which wrongly put her in the Lake county pool for jury duty. Non-US citizens cannot serve on jury. But she got a notice of jury duty in July last year. Gomes didnt respond. A court ordered her presence after she ignored all subsequent summons. A police officer from the local sheriffs office showed up at Vernon Hills hotel, where Gomes lived, to arrest her. She resisted and was slapped with misdemeanor of resisting arrest. At the county jail, authorities figured Gomess visa had expired. She was let off after two days as US immigration initiated deportation proceedings against her. The jury duty charge was dropped but the one for resisting arrest remained. On a judges orders, Vernon Hills police arrested Gomes once again and brought her to the county jail on December 14. Gomes soon went on a hunger strike. Questions have been raised why the medical staff, which knew of her mental condition, did not forcefeed her. How in the US do we allow somebody to die from lack of food? Madhvi Bahuguna, a friend and former co-worker of Gomes, said to the Chicago Tribune. The medical services at the county jail were provided by a private company for a $2-million annual contract.

Aneesh Chopra is expected to announce his candidacy for lieutenant governor in Virginia Washington, DC: Aneesh Chopra, President Barack Obama's information technology honcho, who was the highest ranking Indian American in the Obama administration, is leaving the White House, apparently to try his hand at politics. Announcing the departure of Chopra, Assistant to the President and the federal government's first Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Obama said, "Chopra did groundbreaking work to bring our government into the 21st century. "Aneesh found countless ways to engage the American people using technology, from electronic health records for veterans, to expanding access to broadband for rural communities, to modernizing government records." "His legacy of leadership and innovation

Father-son duo quits Obama Administration

Washington, DC: An Indian-American father-son duo, possibly the only one serving in senior positions in the Obama Administration, is leaving their positions for private sector jobs. Popularly known as Obama's Export Czar, the father, Suresh Kumar, as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade and Promotion, played a key role in achieving President Barack Obama's ambitious goal of doubling exports in five years. He also played a key role in improving India-US commercial relationship. Kumar stewarded the Administration's export push through a period of extraordinary results: exports moved up from 11 percent of GDP to 14 percent on his watch and the country is on track to deliver Obama's goal of doubling exports by 2014. His son Aditya Kumar, who serves as the Deputy Assistant to Vice-President Joe Biden and Senior Advisor to his Chief of Staff, also left Monday for the private sector. "It is a coincidence," Suresh Kumar, who is Director General of the US & Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS), said announcing his decision to leave the Obama Administration after successfully implementing the presidential mandate. "After two extraordinary years of leading the USFCS and achieving most of what I set

Suresh Kumar, popularly known as Obamas Export Czar out to do, I have informed the White House and the Department of my desire to return to the private sector. At their request, I will continue to serve until March 2, to facilitate a smooth transition," he said in his 'dear colleague' letter to his team. "Your hard work has contributed to 16 percent compounded annual growth in US exports since the launch of the National Export Initiative (NEI), and we are on track to deliver the President's goal of doubling exports between 2009 and 2014," Kumar wrote.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Afghan family member to appeal honor killing verdict

Toronto: At least one of the three members of an Afghan family found guilty of killing three teenage sisters and another woman intends to appeal the conviction, the man's lawyer said on Monday. Prosecutors said the defendants killed the four women because they dishonored the family by defying its strict rules on dress, dating, socializing and using the Internet. The killings horrified Canadians and were condemned by Canadian Muslim groups, which called for an end to honor killings. A jury on Sunday found Mohammad Shafia, 58; his wife Tooba Yahya, 42; and their son Hamed, 21, each guilty of four counts of first-degree murder in what the judge said resulted from a "twisted concept of honor." Hamed Shafia's lawyer, Patrick respond to messages seeking comment. The three are facing life in prison because first-degree murder in Canada carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. After the verdict was read, the three again declared their innocence in the killings of sisters Zainab, 19, Sahar 17, and Geeti, 13, as well as Rona Amir Mohammad, 52, Shafia's childless first wife in a polygamous marriage. The bodies of the women were found June 30, 2009, in a car submerged in a canal in Kingston, Ontario, where the family had stopped for the night on their way home to Montreal from Niagara Falls, Ontario. The prosecution said it was a case of premeditated murder, staged to look like an accident. Prosecutors said the defendants drowned their victims, then placed their bodies in the car and pushed it into the canal. The jury heard testimony that Zainab's sisters, Sahar and Geeti, were hounded and trailed by their brothers because the parents suspected them of dating boys; that Sahar repeatedly said her father would kill her if he found out she had a boyfriend; that she had bruises on her arms; that Mohammad, the first wife who was helping to raise the children, also was brutally treated. The family had left Afghanistan in 1992 and lived in Pakistan, Australia and Dubai before settling in Canada in 2007. Shafia, a wealthy businessman, married Yahya because his first wife could not have children.

Hamed Shafia (first from left), his mother Tooba Yahya and Mohammad Shafia were convicted of killing three teenage sisters and another woman McCann, said his client will appeal "He's determined to press on and and he believes the other two will continue the fight," McCann said. as well. Lawyers for the parents did not

Mallikarjun Kharge felicitated with 'Pride of India' award

Sikhs urged to celebrate March 14 as Environment Day

Washington, DC: Washingtonbased Sikh organization EcoSikh is appealing to Sikhs around the world to celebrate Mar 14 as a Sikh Environment Day for the second year. Guru Har Rai, a nature and animal lover, became the seventh Sikh Guru on this day in 1644. EcoSikh has set the goal of enrolling more than 700 Sikh institutions and Gurdwaras all over the world to celebrate the day this year, up from 450 who celebrated last year. It is urging them to start the signing up on Jan 31, the birth date of Guru Har Rai. This year it also plans to approach Sikh-owned businesses to join in this endeavor. According to Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of EcoSikh: "This will be perhaps the largest direct action event by the Sikhs worldwide to help preserve the natural environment of Mother Earth." EcoSikh has already received confirmation of participation from many Sikh institutions, gurdwaras and Sikh-run schools and colleges in India and abroad. EcoSikh has a website for gurdwaras and Sikh institutions to register their participation internationally. Bandana Kaur, New York based Program Director of EcoSikh in North America, said: This is a positive way to connect Sikhs in the diaspora to be aware of environmental issues facing in their own localities but also be conscious of challenging state of ecology in their own spiritual homeland."

Mallikarjun Kharge Washington, DC: Visiting union minister for labor and employment Mallikarjun Kharge has been presented with "Pride of India" award by the Indian-American community in Washington for his over four decades of public service. The award was presented jointly by the Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) and India Association of North Texas (IANT) at a reception hosted in honour of the visiting union minister in Dallas over the weekend. Addressing the gathering, Kharge provided an update on various bilateral memoranda on items of mutual interest, such as mining safety, employment, social security and said that India's GDP is poised to grow at a faster pace than most of the nations. Kharge reiterated his commitment to improve child education especially to strengthen the rural communities."History has shown that great nations have influenced the world with their economic, diplomatic and cultural strength. I say with utmost pride that India and United States of America are examples of such great nations," said Sridhar Reddy Korsapati, president of IANT. "Kharge is considered a competent leader with a clean public image and well versed in the dynamics of politics, legislation and administration," said Prasad Thotakura of IAFC.

Indians visiting US to triple by 2020

Washington, DC: As economic ties between India and US strengthen, the number of Indians visiting the US could triple by 2020. This increase can be gauged by a steady rise in number of visa applications to the US embassy. Consular affairs of the US expects visa applications from India to rise by 14% every year till 2020. Tourist and business visas that do not have any upper limit on the number of visas issued would be doled out in maximum numbers. We expect visa applications by Indians to touch around 2.1 million by 2020, said James W Herman, minister-counselor for consular affairs at the US Embassy in India. He said, at present, close to 0.7 million visas are processed every year. This compares to a 4% annual growth in visa applications between 2001 and 2008. There was a slight dip for two years between 2009 and 2010. Herman added that the cap on H1B visas remains at 65,000 with no plans to reduce H1B visas issued. He said there is no cap on L1 visas or other types of business and tourist visas. In compliance with President Obamas orders we will continue to innovate and find creative solutions so that visa-waiting time is reduced considerably. We want to make it easier for travelers to apply for a visa to visit the United States, Herman explained.

US seeks injunction on Ranbaxy

Washington, DC: US officials sought a "groundbreaking" injunction against Indian drug giant Ranbaxy, saying the maker of the first generic version of cholesterol-lowering Lipitor has failed to meet US safety guidelines. The filing, which would require Ranbaxy to stop selling drugs made at four of its manufacturing plants until it remedies deviations from current good manufacturing practices, could trigger multi-million-dollar repercussions as Ranbaxy's drug had been one of the most hotly anticipated rollouts of a generic when it hit the US market late last year. The Justice Department, citing manufacturing and data integrity shortcomings, on Wednesday said that US food safety authorities want to block the company from doing business here because its actions made "many of Ranbaxy's drugs adulterated, potentially unsafe and illegal to sell in the United States." Ranbaxy, which is majority owned by Japan's Daiichi, had faced delays in gaining FDA approval due to problems with quality control at some of its Indian and US factories. Those problems came into sharp focus Wednesday with the department's filing, made at the request of the FDA, against India's Ranbaxy Laboratories -- and its US subsidiary Ranbaxy Inc -- in US District Court outside the capital Washington. The Justice Department listed several problems, including "inadequate testing of drugs to ensure that they kept their strength and effectiveness until their expiration date." In addition, "Ranbaxy submitted false data in drug applications to the FDA, including the backdating of tests and the submitting of test data for which no test samples existed," it added.According to the consent decree, Ranbaxy must hire a third party expert to conduct an internal review at the facilities; implement procedures and controls to ensure data integrity; and withdraw any applications found to contain untrue statements or data irregularities that could affect application approval. Ranbaxy said it had signed the consent decree in December ahead of the filing, and that the company was committed to strengthening procedures and policies. "Separately, Ranbaxy also announced that it intends to make a provision of $500 million in connection with the investigation by the US Department of Justice, which the company believes will be sufficient to resolve all potential civil and criminal liability," it said.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

More Indians opting for public varsities in US

New Delhi: With the rupee depreciating against the dollar and the economy taking a downward swing, more Indians are choosing to study at public universities in the US visa-vis private ones that are expensive, reveals a survey. Around 100,000 Indian students enroll in US varsities every year. But a report compiled by a career counseling website said that a higher percentage of these students are preferring universities with lower fees. The report by www.YourNextLeap.com based on a random survey of over 1,000 students shows that public universities with lesser fees attract more students than the ones with higher fee. The survey also says that 43 percent applicants preferred public universities in 201112, while for the coming academic session the figure has increased to 62 percent. "Students seem to have applied most to universities like San Jose State University and University of Florida while the popularity of private universities like North Eastern University saw a decline in applications," said Mohit Gundecha, CEO and co-founder of the website. Out of the 1,000-plus respondents, a majority of 40 percent students applied for universities with fee between $15,000 and $20,000. While 27 percent said they had opted for universities with a fee above $25,000, some 16 percent said they have applied for universities with a fee between $20,000 and $25,000. Another 17 percent chose universities with a fee below $15,000. "Indian students are stuck in the dilemma between affordability and preference to top universities," Gundecha said. "With the rupee falling and touching more than Rs.50 to a dollar, the incidental increase in tuition fees to study abroad has become a concern for aspiring students," he adds. Indian students make the second largest group of foreign students in the US after the Chinese and constitute almost 14 percent of foreign students, according to the Open Doors Report published annually by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Sikh man in 70s fights off armed robber

Sacramento, CA: A Sikh man in his 70s fought off a masked gunman attempting to rob a Sacramento convenience store, Better Trade Market on 12th Avenue, Saturday night, officers said. Police dubbed the man chased off by Baldev Singh Dhillon as the "Evil Clown Robber" because of the mask he was wearing. Police said the man is wanted for the attempted robbery Saturday night, as well as two other robberies Thursday. Dhillon's son owns Better Trade Market and Baldev Singh, a retired police officer from India is here visiting his son for a couple months. "When someone shows you a gun, what else can you do?" asked Bikram Singh Dhillon, interpreting for his father, who does not speak English. "You have to do something to protect yourself and the whole family." Surveillance video captured Baldev Dhillon as he quickly stopped organizing chips, turned and slapped away a gun the robber was pointing right at him. Baldev Dhillon then chased the man out the door, ripping off his mask. Once the would-be robber got outside, Bikram Dhillon said he saw the man run down the street and hop into a light blue sedan with an accomplice waiting in the driver's seat. Baldev and Bikram Dhillon said they were both glad the man didn't fire any shots in their store because Bikram Dhillon's wife and children were standing just feet away, near the register. Police said a man matching the would-be robber's description was caught on camera coming into the first two stores that were burglarized just before the crimes without his mask on.

Indian teacher chosen for US space program

Vandana Suryawanshi with students of Vidya Valley School Washington, DC: A teacher from India's Maharashtra state has become the first foreigner to be chosen for the US Space Foundation's elite 2012 Flight of Teacher Liaisons program in its 10year history. Vandana Suryawanshi of Vidya Valley School in Maharashtra is a middle school educator who has been teaching biology, earth science and general science for 20 years. She joins 19 other outstanding educators selected for their active promotion of space and science education. The new flight of Teacher Liaisons will serve as advocates for space-themed education across the curriculum and will use Space Foundation-provided training and resources to further integrate space principles into the classroom, the Colorado Springs based non-profit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs announced. The highly regarded Space Foundation Teacher Liaison program has more than 270 active participants. The teachers are selected by a panel comprising experienced Teacher Liaisons and representatives from the space industry and the military. The 2012 Teacher Liaisons will be publicly recognized at the Space Foundation's 28th National Space Symposium, which is being held April 16-19 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to the recognition activities, the 2012 Teacher Liaisons will participate in workshops and education programs at the 28th National Space Symposium. Following the symposium, Teacher Liaisons can take advantage of specialized training and instruction at Space Foundation and NASA workshops with optional graduate-level credit; exclusive science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professional development experiences with optional continuing education credit; and special space-oriented student programs created just for Teacher Liaisons.

USIBC launches Life Sciences Executive Mission to India

Washington, DC: The U.S.India Business Council (USIBC) launched a week long Life Sciences Executive Mission to India to coincide with Bangalore INDIA BIO on February 6-8. USIBC President Ron Somers is leading the mission, which will explore ways for U.S. and Indian companies to enhance collaboration in innovation and biotech research and development. The high-level delegation will be comprised of USIBC member companies including Abbott Healthcare, Agilent Technology, Baxter Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Merck, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck, Covidien, Biogen, Riddhi IP, and Cannon Design, among others. The USIBC Life Sciences Executive Mission to India will convene select meetings with key government officials in New Delhi and Bangalore. The mission will participate in tours of medical, biotech, and pharmaceutical facilities in India, and take part in roundtable discussions on key policy issues with Indian stakeholders, including FICCI and CII. In Bangalore, the delegation will visit with the Chief Minister of Karnataka and with other senior Government of Karnataka officials. Bangalore INDIA BIO, featuring Biocon's Kiran MazumdarShaw, will deliberate on issues related to the latest innovations in biotechnology, focusing on business opportunities that exist for companies in biopharmaceuticals, bio-industrial, bio-services, bioinformatics and agri-biotechnology. The international summit will also address issues pertaining to the regulatory business environment, policies needed to spur innovation and R&D, as well as focus on and identify solutions that will encourage investment in the biotechnology field. USIBC President Ron Somers will deliver keynote remarks at the INDIA BIO conclave, which is expected to draw 1,000 delegates from 350 of the top global biotech companies. According to Somers, "India is rich with bright minds and unparalleled talent in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech sectors. USIBC companies are eager to invest in India's economy, bringing with them technical expertise, investment tools, and research and development capabilities that will enable India to be the innovation nation of the 21st century."

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US Affairs TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Mitt Romney to get Secret Service protection

Tampa, FL: Triumphant in Florida, Mitt Romney was set to begin receiving U.S. Secret Service protection from this week, according to his campaign and law enforcement officials. The protection is not a reaction to any specific threats, one official said, but because of the growing crowds Romney is drawing on the campaign trail. With a thumping win in the Republican primary in Florida, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has cemented his frontrunning status for the right to challenge President Barack Obama in November. He secured 46 percent votes to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's 32 percent. The victory came after a campaign of vicious personal attacks between Romney and his closest competitor, Gingrich, who had posted a stunning double-digit victory over Romney and the rest of the Janet Napolitano and congressional leaders have approved Romneys request, the law enforcement official said. Romney is the second Republican presidential candidate to receive Secret Service protection this cycle. Businessman Herman Cain began receiving protection last fall until he dropped out of the race in December. In anticipation of another busy campaign cycle, the Secret Service has requested $113.4 million to protect the eventual 2012 Republican nominee a $4 million increase from the 2008 campaign and about two-thirds more than was spent for security during the 2004 election. Security for President Obama and Vice President Biden will be paid for out of a separate account. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan told House lawmakers in September that 2012 will be a very demanding and challenging year for his agency. In addition to protection for Obama, Biden and their families, the agency must provide protection for four former presidents and for visiting foreign dignitaries, and will serve as the lead law enforcement agency at a host of major events, including the Democratic and Republican presidential conventions. On the campaign trail, Romney's convincing win in Florida, coupled with an unfriendly calendar for Gingrich in February with friendlier Super Tuesday states more than a month away, could put Gingrich in a bind. But even after Florida's 50 convention delegates are claimed in the winner-take-all primary, neither candidate will have more than 10 percent of the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination at the August convention.

Mitt Romney after the Florida victory field in the South Carolina primary. Meanwhile, the Romney campaign had requested the protection from the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, the law enforcement official said. Federal law permits major-party presidential candidates that meet certain fundraising and polling thresholds to make a request for Secret Service protection. The request is then considered by the secretary of homeland security in consultation with congressional leaders. Homeland Security Secretary

Alabama immigration crackdown costs state up to $11 bn: study

Birmingham, Alabama: Alabama's crackdown on illegal immigrants, widely seen as the toughest in the United States, has cost the state's economy up to $10.8 billion, according to a new study. The Alabama law, passed in June, requires police to detain people they suspect of being in the U.S. illegally if they cannot produce proper documentation when stopped for any reason, among other measures. The cost-benefit analysis by University of Alabama economist Samuel Addy estimated up to 80,000 jobs were vacated by illegal immigrants fleeing the crackdown, costing Alabama's economy up to $10.8 billion. The lost jobs also cost Alabama up to $264.5 million in lost state sales and income taxes, and as much as $93.1 million in lost city and county sales taxes, it found. A U.S. appeals court has blocked Alabama from enforcing parts of the law, including a provision that permits Alabama to require public schools to determine the legal residency of children upon enrollment. But the court left most of the law untouched. State Republicans who support the law say it will help create jobs for legal residents by driving out undocumented workers and their families, and save up to $280 million they said is spent by the state each year on health and education services for the undocumented. The findings of the new University of Alabama study served up ammunition to critics of the law in the state, which is trying to trim spending to balance its budget.

Obamas mortgage relief plan aims at refinancing

Washington: President Obama, in announcing new mortgage relief on Wednesday, acknowledged that previous efforts to help homeowners had fallen short of expectations. And he tried to explain how his new effort, much of which would require Congressional approval, would fare significantly better. In making his case, Mr. Obama framed the changes as a round of improvements that would build on previous efforts to make it easier to refinance mortgages. I am sending Congress a plan that will give every responsible homeowner in America a chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage by refinancing at historically low rates, he told an audience in Falls Church, Va. No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. In recent months, his administration has scrambled to make a breakthrough on the mortgage front, given limited cooperation from Congress and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, reported New York Times. The presidents latest proposal was aimed at two groups of eligible homeowners: about 11 million whose loans are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and about 3.5 million whose loans are privately held. Those estimates include only homeowners who are current on their loan payments, have a credit score above 580 and are paying interest rates high enough to make refinancing attractive.

Pfizer recalls birth control pills after mixup

Indianapolis: Pfizer is recalling 1 million packets of birth control because some might not contain a high-enough dose of hormonebased drugs to prevent pregnancy. In a statement Wednesday night, the drugmaker said the recall affects 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. Essentially, some of the packets contain too few pills with the active ingredient needed to prevent pregnancy, and some packets contain too many. Oral contraceptive packets typically contain both active and inactive pills in order to regulate the menstrual cycle: Normal pill packages should have 21 "active" pills and 7 sugar pills with no active ingredients. If the count is off, those taking the pills as a form of birth control may no longer be protected against pregnancy. The pill packets in question were distributed to warehouses, clinics and retail pharmacies across the country, and have expiration dates between July 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014. Recalled packets should be returned to a pharmacy, and users should notify their doctors.

Iran willing to attack on American soil: U.S. intel

Washington: An assessment by U.S. spy agencies concludes that Iran is prepared to launch terrorist attacks inside the United States, highlighting new risks as the Obama administration escalates pressure on Tehran to halt its alleged pursuit of an atomic bomb. In congressional testimony Tuesday, U.S. intelligence officials indicated that Iran has crossed a threshold in its adversarial relationship with the United States. While Iran has long been linked to attacks on American targets overseas, U.S. officials said they see troubling significance in Tehrans alleged role in a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington last year. U.S. officials said they have seen no intelligence to indicate that Iran is actively plotting attacks on U.S. soil. But Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. said the thwarted plot shows that some Iranian officials probably including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have changed their calculus part of the intelligence communitys annual assessment of the nations most serious security threats. On other fronts, U.S. intelligence officials said that al-Qaeda has been badly degraded, but they expressed rising concern over alleged cyber-espionage by China, the leadership transition in nuclear-armed North Korea and the uncertain prospects for Afghanistan after U.S. forces eventually depart. Still, Clapper, CIA Director David H. Petraeus and other top U.S. intelligence officials spent much of Tuesdays hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee fielding questions about Iran. Washington is eyeing the countrys nuclear ambitions, long a source of simmering concern, with new urgency. Reports suggest that Iran is closing in on the ability to develop a bomb, and a series of explosions, assassinations and computer attacks targeting the countrys nuclear program have led many outside analysts to conclude that a covert conflict is already underway. Iran says its nuclear efforts are for peaceful, energy-producing purposes and has blamed the United States and Israel for mysterious developments including the apparently targeted killing of yet another Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran on Jan. 11, as well as an earlier cyberattack on the countrys largest uranium-enrichment facility. In his State of the Union address last week, President Obama raised the threat of military intervention to halt Irans alleged pursuit of an atomic bomb, saying he would take no options off the table to achieve that goal. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta added new rhetorical heat during an interview with CBSs 60 Minutes program that aired Sunday, saying that Iran was probably one year away from being able to build a bomb. He added that it could take a year or two beyond that to develop the ability to deliver a warhead by missile.

(From left) Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. and are now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States in response to real or perceived U.S. actions that threaten the regime. The warning about Irans more aggressive stance was included in written testimony that Clapper submitted to Congress on Tuesday as

Perspective TheSouthAsianTimes.info

11

February 4-10, 2012

Facebook IPO: Not for small investors

By Arjit Mehta

ocial network giant, Facebook, has filed its paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO). Reportedly, they are planning to raise $5 billion from the sale, at a company valuation between $75 and $100 billion. For those who are unaware, Facebook is currently a private company. By filing for an IPO, they are filing paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to be listed on an exchange so that their equity can be traded publicly. The success story of Facebook is one that everyone has heard by now. Started in his Harvard dorm room by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has grown from a small Harvard-only network to a global behemoth that has over 800 million users, with expectations of hitting the 1 billion mark by 2013. All this, while not operating in China. In effect, 1 in 6 people in the world (excluding the Chinese) has a profile on Facebook in which they openly share their personal interests, likes, dislikes, and commentary. How does Facebook make money? By advertising, of course. Based on the individual keywords on a persons profile, their internal algorithm displays ads that are suited to their lifestyle. For example, if any member changes their marital status to

Expected to have one billion users by year 2013, Facebook is trying to raise $10 billion from the initial public offering, which will value the company between $75 and $100 billion.
engaged, ads for wedding services and formalwear will predominantly populate their screen. Getting back to the IPO, several investors will be wondering whether or not this is a good investment opportunity for them. While that depends on their own analysis of the merits and future growth potential for Facebook, there are some other things any potential investor should consider. Primarily, by several metrics used on Wall Street to analyze equity prices, it is overvalued. On a price/sales basis, Facebook would be trading at 19.7x. For comparison, Apple and Google currently trade at 3.3x and 5x price/sales, respectively. Furthermore, with anticipated earnings of just over $1 billion, the P/E ratio is closer to 100. Apple, on the other hand, is trading at a P/E of 13. However, as any avid investor knows, the equities market trades on perception and emotion rather than pure fundamentals. There is no denying that every retail investor in the country will try to get their hands on some shares under the impression that they could be getting into the next Google at the ground level. This will be great for the hedge funds, asset managers, and high net worth clients who are given an initial allocation of the IPO before trading begins, as they will most certainly see spikes in the values of their shares once the bell rings. The problem with this is that mom-andpop investors will not get a shot to buy shares until well after trading has begun. By this point, the IPO will likely be at the top of its pricing range with nowhere to go but down. As seen with LinkedIn, Pandora, and Groupon in 2011, early IPO spikes are often reverted back to significant losses. Facebook has been a pioneer in the social networking age and has churned out massive growth despite questionable tweaks to their product. There is no question that the consumer data at their disposal is highly lucrative and valuable, and they have done a fantastic job of monetizing it. Whether or not they can keep up their growth, has yet to be seen. Disclaimer: Author has worked in investment banking industry. This is only an opinion, not an investment recommendation of any kind. Author can be contacted at amehta87@gmail.com.

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India-State Elections TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Rahul keeps up attack on Mayawati, Mulayam

Battle of titans in UP: Maya, Sonia cross swords

Lucknow/New Delhi: A week before polling begins in Uttar Pradesh, the battle reached a feverish pitch as Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BSP leader Mayawati crossed swords, calling themselves the savior of India's most populous state. Addressing major public rallies in UP where balloting will be staggered Feb 8 to March 3, Mayawati accused the central government of starving the state of development funds. Gandhi asserted that Rs.100,000 crore given to the state did not reach the poor and linked Mayawati to corruption. In Sitapur, a Dalit citadel, an upbeat Mayawati pointed to the large crowds that had gathered to listen to her as a sign of her invincibility. She claimed that her government had done more work in the past five years than any other government since India's independence. Asked if she was confident of winning, Mayawati said: "You can judge seeing the crowds." Pitching for an inclusive growth in the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha, Mayawati, the first Dalit chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, said: "There is need to ensure progress of all communities. Only the BSP can ensure that. "The

The seven-phased elections in Uttar Pradesh begin from Feb 8 and end on March 3. Counting of votes will take place on March 6. centre did not cooperate with us fully," she charged. Holding her first rally in UP, Gandhi slammed the Mayawati government for "inefficient implementation of centrally funded program" and questioned the Dalit leader's motives behind dismissing 21 of her ministers on the eve of elections. Speaking in Gonda town, Gandhi said though the UPA government provided Rs.100,000 crore in developmental funds to Uttar Pradesh in recent years, it had not reached the poor because of an "inept" state administration. Asking people to vote for the Congress, Gandhi said: ""Then, we will have a government of the common people and the poor. "The present chief minister dismissed 21 of her ministers on election eve. She was not able to see their corruption in the past five years. I want to ask whether taking resignations has made her government clean? Is this not (a case of) cheating the people?" Gandhi charged non-Congress governments of ruining the state since the Congress has been out of power in 1989. "These parties have done nothing for the state. They have filled their own pockets," she said. The Congress has shown signs of revival in the state. The Congress won only 22 seats in the 403-member state assembly in 2007. But it swept 22 of the Lok Sabha 80 seats in 2009, finishing second among four major parties and stunning foes and friends alike.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi continued to target Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, as he went on a fullthroated campaign in several constituencies which will go to polls Feb 8 in the first phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Sitapur, adjoining Lucknow, was on his itinerary as well as Barabanki district. Addressing four rallies at Reosa, Sitapur, Daryabad and Mehndipur, Gandhi attracted large crowds. Barring minor variations, the content of his speeches were more or less similar, also enabling him to dispense from his usual practice of reading out from a written text. He sought to highlight how he had taken pains to reach out to the poorest of poor and the most underprivileged in the state's remotest areas, where the two main rivals, Mayawati or Mulayam Singh, had never cared to come. "Have Mayawati or Mulayam ever visited the house of a poor Dalit or even held his hand? Have they ever shared a meal with a poor downtrodden? Have they ever had water drawn from the village well," Gandhi asked. "And since they haven't done so, how can they understand the sufferings of the poor, their needs or their aspirations?"

Heavy voting in Punjab: Who will pay the price?

By Jaideep Sarin Chandigarh: Having set a new record with 76.63 percent voting in Punjab's election to 117 assembly seats, voters have left the main parties and leaders in a state of anxiety till the results finally come out March 6. Each of the three main players in Punjab's political spectrum this time, the ruling Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine, the Congress and the newly floated People's Party of Punjab (PPP), are claiming that heavy voting will go in its favor. But the ground reality for all of them and their leaders is that the high voter turnout has increased the uncertainty. The 76.63 percent voting this time by the state's 17,683,559 voters, 8,361,014 of whom were women, was higher than the previous voting record set in the state in the 2007 assembly polls. At that time, 75.47 percent of the electorate had cast their vote and the Akali Dal-BJP had come into power with 68 seats. While the Akali Dal-BJP is now claiming that the high turnout was due to the "proincumbency" factor, the opposition Congress is sure that the high percentage would vote out the present government led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Even the betting syndicate is putting its money on the Congress to come to power this time. Counting of votes takes place March 6. But the ruling Akali Dal-BJP alliance too is showing no signs of giving up the fight. "People have turned out in huge numbers to vote so that the development initiated by us continues. We will win at least 80 seats this time," said a confident Akali Dal president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, who took charge of the Akali campaign this time.

The 76.63 percent voting this time by the state's 17,683,559 voters, 8,361,014 of whom were women, was higher than the previous voting record set in the state in 2007.

Congress promises jobs, free electricity in UP

Lucknow: Massive employment opportunities for the youth, quotas for minorities and free electricity connections to the poor were among the promises the Congress made Tuesday in its election manifesto for Uttar Pradesh released in Lucknow and nine other centres. One lakh vacant government posts would be filled immediately and 20 lakh youth would be provided skill development if the Congress comes to power, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said while releasing the manifesto. He was flanked by state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Law Minister Salman Khurshid and the Prime Minister's Advisor on Innovations Sam Pitroda. Socially and educationally backward sections of Muslims and other minority communities would be given a sub-quota in government jobs proportionate to their population, the Congress leader said. He said the issue of division of Uttar Pradesh would be studied by the states reorganisation commission. The Congress, he said, would aim at "a clean Uttar Pradesh, an Uttar Pradesh clean not only in environment but clean in administration and public life would be the aim of the Congress".

70 per cent polling in Uttarakhand

Dehradun: Polling in 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand ended on a peaceful note with more than 70 per cent of voting recorded in the state, a jump of around 6 per cent since the 2007 Assembly polls when the polling percentage was recorded at 63.77. Amid bright sunshine the voters began to queue outside the polling booths since morning but the electoral office said the polling picked up in the afternoon and evening sessions in the state. We are happy with the turnout of voters, though we will be able to get the exact number only tomorrow, there has been a jump of around 6 per cent since the last election, mainly due to bright weather and enthusiasm shown by the voters. Be it the smallest polling booth at Purola that was affected by snowfall to the polling booth with highest voters in Haridwar, the voters have shown a great deal of excitement, said Radha Rautri, Chief Electoral officer.The Election Commission had made elaborate arrangements at all the polling booths. A total of 9789 polling stations were set up all across the state. Out of these 1794 were designated as sensitive and 1252 as hyper sensitive.

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February 4-10, 2012

SC cancels all 2G licenses during Raja tenure

New Delhi: The Supreme Court cancelled all 122 licenses granted to telecom firms during the tenure of former communications minister A. Raja and left it to the trial court to judge if Home Minister P. Chidambaram needed to be tried. The apex court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice A.K. Ganguly said but for the initiative of enlightened citizens looking for clean governance, unsuspecting citizens would not have known the misuse and arbitrary manner in which second-generation (2G) telecom licenses were granted. The court said the companies whose licenses stand to be cancelled will continue to offer their services for four months during which time the telecom regulator will look into the matter and make recommendations for the fresh auction. The court, taking note of the arbitrary manner in which licenses were granted, slapped a cost of Rs.5 crore each on Unitech, Swan Telecom and Tata Teleservices and said half of that will go to the court's legal aid services and the remaining to defense services. Varying costs have been imposed on other companies also. The verdict came on a plea by Janta Party president Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking an investigation into the alleged role of Chidambaram, who was finance minister when these 122 licenses were issued to these companies. Lawyer Prashant Bhushan had also filed a petition seeking cancellation of licenses. The twomember bench said the trial court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can determine if Chidambaram needed to be investigated, but declined another plea to form a special investigative team for that.

The verdict came on a plea by Janta Party president Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking an investigation into the alleged role of P. Chidambaram.

Nothing wrong with my medicines: Hazare

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare denied reported claims by his associates that his health had deteriorated due to the side effects of antibiotics given by his doctor in Pune. "There have been reports that the medicines given to me were more than what I required or not needed at all. I don't think the medicines were given to me with a malicious intent," Hazare said in a statement here. "Maybe my body couldn't bear them," he added. The 74-year-old activist was admitted to a hospital in Pune in December-end after breaking his fast in Mumbai as he suffered from chest infection. According to his than 40 years," said Hazare. An aide of Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, too came out in support of Sancheti and rubbished media reports that he had doubted the doctor's motives. "I have never raised questions over his capabilities," said Kejriwal in a statement. "It was on my request that Sancheti brought Anna to Pune from Ralegan Siddhi for treatment. He (Hazare) is all right now and will be back among the people soon," he added.Hazare reached the national capital Jan 29 for a medical check-up at the Medanta hospital after he complained of swelling and chest pain.

Chidambaram, quit now: BJP

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded the immediate resignation of Home Minister P. Chidambaram after the Supreme Court left the decision of a probe into his role in the 2G spectrum scam to the trial court. Top BJP leaders spoke out in chorus against Chidambaram, who was finance minister when the 2G licenses were allotted, and sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention. "The finance minister is the custodian of the public exchequer. It is the prime responsibility of finance minister to ensure that there is no loot of public money," Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley told reporters in Lucknow. "It was not a person's decision, it was the government's decision. Telecom minister and finance minister had special role," he said. BJP general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad added: "He has no moral right to continue... we have demanded his resignation earlier as well."

The 74-year-old activist was admitted to a hospital in Pune in December-end after breaking his fast in Mumbai. aides, the antibiotics had shown side effects. The activist said his doctor in Pune - Kanti Lal Sancheti - was a friend of 25 years and it was wrong to he was got a Padma Vibhushan because he treated Hazare. "He is being awarded for serving society for more

Submit 2G probe reports to CVC: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would submit status reports on its probe into the 2G spectrum scam to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The CVC, after examining the report, would give its report to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover, the apex court said on a plea to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for day-to-day monitoring of the CBI probe into the scam. The Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) had filed the plea seeking the setting up of an expert committee comprising retired judges and investigators.

India wants equitable response at climate talks: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over the lack of collective global will to seriously address climate change and said India would play a constructive role in climate talks as long as it was based on an equitable response. Speaking at the 12th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) here, Manmohan Singh said in the ensuing negotiations, one needed to focus on the substantive nature of arrangements, based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, more than their legal shape. "As a developing country in the frontlines of climate vulnerability, India has a vital stake in the evolution of a successful, rule-based, equitable and multilateral response to issues relating to climate change. The principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change provide the basis for creating a workable framework along "The agreement at Durban on the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is a significant achievement because there were doubts at one time about whether any agreement could be reached. I am glad that an agreement was reached. We cannot make progress in this difficult area if we allow the commitments of the past to be unraveled." He said there is also a growing realization that sustainable development is not something that can be achieved by countries acting individually. "The threat of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions has brought the world to a critical point where the actions of each and every country affect the planet as a whole. Sustainable development in this environment therefore calls for cooperation of all countries, both industrialised and developing. That cooperation must be based on the foundation of the right to development and the need for an equitable distribution of burden," he said. "The need for equity is starkly reflected in the fact that the emissions per capita in industrialised countries are 10 to 12 times those of developing countries. We know that total emissions in the world must decline, but what does this imply for emissions in individual countries? We must find a way of solving this problem in a way that does not deprive developing countries of their right to develop," he said. The prime minister said "as we go forward, we will need to make progress" on all the four pillars of cooperative action that were agreed upon at Bali. "The Durban Platform must build on the Bali Action Plan. I can assure you that India will play a constructive role in the ongoing negotiations and we will certainly live up to whatever obligations fall upon us as part of a fair and equitable agreement," he said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

these lines," he said. "In this context, it is necessary to recognize that currently there appears to be a lack of collective global will to address this problem with the seriousness it deserves. We need to give renewed momentum therefore to the global negotiations for cooperative collective action for management of climate change," he said. Commending the progress made at the 17th Conference of Parties at Durban, the prime minister said:

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India TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Modi doesnt need to depose before riot panel

Ahmedabad/New Delhi: Giving a reprieve to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the state high court has rejected a petition seeking his deposition before the Nanavati-Mehta commission probing the 2002 communal riots in the state. Reacting to the development, the Congress said the Modi government will be judged by its inaction and culpability in the 2002 riots while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that all efforts to "sully Modi's political image were coming to naught". A division bench of the high court rejected the application of NGO Jan Sangharsh Manch seeking directions to the Nanavati commission to summon Modi in connection with the riots. It observed that the commission had discretionary powers to call witnesses. "The court has dismissed the he added. The Jan Sangharsh Manch, representing some riot victims, had filed the petition after the commission rejected its application seeking Modi's deposition. The NGO said it will now move the Supreme Court. "We will move the apex court on this issue. The state government had itself asked the commission to inquire into Modi's role in the riots. It is only proper that Modi should have deposed before the commission," said lawyer and activist, Mukul Sinha, who filed the petition. Saying that the state government had given the probe panel liberty to examine the conduct of chief minister, Sinha said that cross-examination will enable the truth to come out. In New Delhi, the BJP said that efforts to take away attention from Modi's good governance were proving futile. "Efforts to sully Mr Modi's political image and take away attention from his good governance were coming to naught," party leader Balbir Punj said. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said people will judge Modi government by "its culpability" in the 2002 riots. "Despite the hype about the vibrant Gujarat, the Modi government will be judged by its inaction and culpabality," he said. Asked about Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's praise of Modi for his development work, Tewari said "it (her remarks) was a slip of tongue". Over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in violent clashes after the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express carrying kar sevaks returning to Gujarat from Ayodhya was torched at Godhra railway station on Feb 27, 2002.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that all efforts to "sully Modi's political image were coming to naught". appeal filed by NGO Jan Sangharsh Manch challenging the order of the commission on the ground that the commission has rightly exercised its discretion," Gujarat government counsel Devang Nanavati said. "The commission's order giving reasons for the discretion has been upheld and vindicated by the Gujarat High Court. So certainly, Modi's stand has been vindicated,"

Emaar case: CBI chargesheets two IAS officers

Hyderabad: Two top bureaucrats of Andhra Pradesh and executives of Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC and its Indian associates are among 12 accused against whom the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a charge sheet in the Emaar-APIIC township scam. Home Secretary B.P. Acharya, the number one accused who was arrested Monday, and L.V. Subrahmanyam are the two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officials who figured in the charge sheet. Both the officers had served as vice chairman and managing director of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) between 2002 and 2009. Subrahmanyam, who is currently CEO of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), told reporters in the temple town of Tirupati that he was shocked over the CBI calling him in the case as a witness but making him an accused. Reacting to the naming of Emaar Properties and its associate companies, Emaar said it would review the contents of the charge sheet before making any comment. The charge sheet also includes former IAS officer Visheswara Rao who served as secretary in the industries department. The investigating agency has also included Emaar Properties PJSC, Emaar Hills Township Private Limited (EHTPL), Emaar MGF, Stylish Homes, Boulder Hills and their executives in 157page charge sheet filed along with 1,834 supporting documents, run-

Supreme Court fast-tracks prosecuting corrupt officials

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has set the government a threemonth deadline for sanctioning public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The apex court said this while allowing a petition by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy saying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was sitting on his application seeking sanction to prosecute former telecom minister A. Raja for his alleged involvement in the 2G scam. An apex court bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly said the time period would be extended by another month if the government wanted to take the opinion of the attorney general. Justice Singhvi said the government was bound by the apex court verdict in the Vineet Narain case holding that any application seeking sanction should be decided within three months. In a separate observation, Justice Ganguly said if the government fails to decide on such an application, then it would be deemed as a sanction. He also asked parliament to consider amending Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act to provide for a timeframe for deciding applications seeking sanction for prosecution. He said the right to go to court is a constitutional right. The court had reserved its order on Swamy's application on Nov 24, 2010.

Leaked Tata-Radia tapes doctored

ning into thousands of pages, in the special court dealing with CBI cases at Nampally Criminal Court complex. In a statement, the CBI said it has filed the charge sheet against seven accused people and five private companies in the alleged irregularities in the sale of villas, plots, and flats in the integrated project at Manikonda in Hyderabad. The CBI said the accused hatched the conspiracy during 2002 and 2010 to defraud APIIC and thereby the state government,. The APIIC in 2002 had allotted 535 acres of prime land at Manikonda near IT hub in Hyderabad for the joint venture with Emaar. However, Emaar and its Indian associates, allegedly in collusion with some public servants, diluted the corporation's equity in 2007 and roped in MGF as partners in the project. New Delhi: If somebody discusses bribing a public servant - is that a private conversation, the Supreme Court asked industrialist Ratan Tata while the government said that the versions published in the media of the controversial conversations of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia did not match the original tapes. The court was informed by the government in a report given in a sealed cover in the course of the hearing of a petition by industrialist Ratan Tata. The Tata group chairman contended that though his phone was Radia were recorded. He sought a probe into the leak of Radia's tapped conversations. The report was submitted by the home ministry on a notice by the apex court on Tata's plea. Radia's telephones were put under surveillance after the ministry received a letter saying that in a short period of few years the corporate lobbyist amassed huge wealth and allegedly had foreign connections. The government has identified one service provider who was providing services in each of the case where tapes were leaked.

Corporate lobbyist Niira Radia. not tapped his privacy was violated because his conversations with

Features TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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February 4-10, 2012

India losing music genres due to Bollywood: Shubha Mudgal

music being played in every household, mostly because they hubha Mudgal has nothing are easily accessible. I have nothagainst Bollywood, but the ing against Bollywood music as I veteran singer with deep really enjoy it. But in the process roots in Hindustani classical says we are losing out on the other genif everyone keeps running after res. It would be very tragic if we creating masala songs for the lost them, as a lot of it will never industry, it may prove to be a come back," Mudgal said. threat to other genres of music The 53-year-old is trying to do specific to Indian culture. her bit in popularizing and pre"Today we see Bollywood serving the wide variety of musical styles and genres through her festival "Baajaa Gaajaa" for the past three years. She is now gearing up for the fourth edition, to be held in Pune Feb 10-12. The festival will see as many as 100 artists from all genres of music like rock, blues, jazz, Hindustani vocal and instrumental music, Carnatic vocal and instrumental music, as well as folk music from different parts of the country, performing on stage. "There's a huge variety in Indian Some of the Indian genres in danmusic, whether old or adapted ger of oblivion are khayal and ones that highlight the diversity. thumri, whose proponents have We see a majority of Bollywood included Girija Devi. By Priyanka Sharma

music played, but that doesn't represent the entire Indian music. There is so much to be shared. The whole idea behind the festival is to promote and propagate Indian music," she said. The magical voice behind chartbusters like "Ali mora angana", "Ab ke saawan" and "Mann ke manjeere" is Mudgal's. But her presence in Bollywood has remained limited so far because she doesn't consider herself competent enough to keep up with contemporary songs. "I've sung for Bollywood occasionally. But whatever I sing, it has to be something that I do justice to. I don't see myself singing the kind of songs that are being composed nowadays," she said. "If I try something like this, I would fall flat on my face. I don't fit into the current crop," she said. Mudgal has done playback in films like "Laaga Chunari Mein Daag", "Lajja" and "1920". A lover of music genres such as khayal, thumri and dadra, Mudgal explored Indian pop music in the

To popularize and preserve the wide variety of musical styles and genres, Shubha Mudgal has been organizing a music festival "Baajaa Gaajaa" for the past three years. The fourth edition will be held in Pune Feb 10-12. 1990s. Her albums "Ali More coming up with albums with their Angana", "Ab ke Sawan", "Pyaar original songs and compositions," Ke Geet" and "Mann Ki she added. Honored in 2000 with the Manjeere" went on to become hugely popular. While pop albums Padma Shri, one of India's highest have seen a downfall in the Indian civilian honors, the singer says the music industry lately, Mudgal music industry is poised for said: "I don't agree that pop growth thanks to technology. albums have lost their charm. Just "Technology has powered the like we have parallel cinema along way artists distribute online. with commercial cinema, there is Although technology has provided alternative music industry that is a larger distribution channel, the producing, executing material of independent avenues of publishall kinds and has a vibrant collec- ing and distributing the product have marginalized and become tion of music. "There are many people who are more expensive," she added.

Goa was birthplace of Indo-Western garments: Rodricks

By Madhusree Chatterjee

eteran designer Wendell Rodricks has carried the sartorial legacy of Goa to a new level by documenting it in "Moda Goa" - a first-of-its kind pictorial and illustrative fashion chronicle of the state. He says Goa was the cradle of IndoWestern couture. "Goa was the birthplace of Indo-Western garments," Rodricks said. The book, "Moda Goa" (HarperCollins-India), which he describes as his tribute to his state, takes a look at the factors that shaped Goa's distinct garment style. "The Portuguese, who were the first colonizers in 1510, brought with them Western clothes. We took some 80 garments traditional to the Portuguese Malacca Strait - where the Portuguese had married the Chinese," he said. "The Mughals came after the Portuguese... The Tughlaq and the Khilji rulers visited Goa." Besides the Portuguese and the Mughal clothes, Goan fashion was influenced by Persian embroidery and Buddhist drapes, Rodricks said. "They all came together to create the traditional garments of Goa at different points of time. However, many of these garments were found too revealing at the time of the Goa

Wendell Rodricks and his Moda Goa, pictorial and illustrative fashion chronicle of the state. Inquisition when almost all Goans were forced to become Catholics," Rodricks said, narrating the history of Goan fashion. History says the Goa Inquisition set up in 1560 by the Portuguese brought to trial more than 16,000 new Christians mostly Hindu and Islamic converts - roughly over a 300-year period. It also punished those who violated the ban on Hindu and Islamic religious rites or resisted attempts at conversion to Catholicism. "They (Portuguese) began to impose a more modest way of dressing...the first major change was that they did not allow any Indian dress. People who wore loincloth and 'dhoti' were forced to wear suits and shoes," Rodricks said. Some of the older residents of Goa whom the designer-writer interviewed said "native visitors on their way to Panjim in their traditional carriages would stop by a small bridge - which was patrolled by Portuguese guards and would change their clothes outside before they went to the capital city", Rodricks said. "Once they left the city for their villages, they would

change back to their native clothes outside Panjim," Rodricks said. The crackdown on indigenous Goan dress went on till 1806 when the Inquisition was lifted, the designer said. "However, it (the unofficial ban) continued well into the early part of the 20th century between 1850 to 1970. When we joined India in 1961, we had been a hybrid race for a good number of years...my mother still says it felt different after 450 years of Portuguese rule," Rodricks said. "I love my sherwanis...and all my Indian clothes," the designer added with a touch of pride. In the book, he starts off with the early Buddhist drapes that set the cut for later Hindu costumes and moves through opulent brocade coats of the Muslim Tughlaq rulers and Portuguese invaders, who had to improvise on their heavy Renaissance attires to suit the hot Konkan climate. He documents the Westernstyle dresses of the newly converted Goan Catholics through illustrations by European travellers, photographs by lensman Mark Sequeira and leading fashion photographers. "When I started my research 11 years ago, there was nothing on the history of clothes in Goa except some clothes in the

Portuguese museum. Of the nine years I spent researching the book, I spent three years at the National Costume Museum at Lisbon in Portugal and at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York," Rodricks said. The years that Rodricks spent abroad strengthen his view that he was "on the right track and doing something for the state," Rodricks said. Rodricks said "putting together all that had been soul-searching to a point. I wanted to share all that I had learnt about clothes". "I had begun to collect garments and very old jewelry. I went to Lisbon and New York to learn how to store and display old garments. My collection covered many periods...," Rodricks said. "Fashion is the mirror of history," the designer said. Rodricks, who trained in New York and Paris, set up his label in 1990. In 1993, he moved to his ancestral village Colvale in Goa, creating collections inspired by Tibetan monasteries, tribal symbols of Shiva and Vishnu, a harem in Istanbul, tattoos of the Lambada tribe and the history of Goa. His retail space, Wendell Rodricks Design Space in Panjim, is a niche fashion stop on the Goan map. "Moda Goa" is priced Rs. 3,999.

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Republic Day Celebration In USA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Indian Congress Party Celebrates Republic Day in NJ

The Indian Congress Party USA President Atma Singh addressing the crowd

NY Consul General Prabhu Dayal addressing the crowd

The celebrations continue

ICPUSA office bearers and Consul General Dayal unfurling the Tricolor

ICPUSA members on the stage

Ambassador Prabhu Dayal with the children

Cultural programs as a part of the event

Photos Gunjesh Desai/ masalajunction.com

Republic Day Celebration In USA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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February 4-10, 2012

Hempstead town holds 9th R-Day celebration

By Vikas Girdhar/SATimes Hempstead, NY: On January 31, the Town of Hempstead, New York, held its ninth annual India Republic Day celebration at the Town Hall with distinguished South Asians and lawmakers in attendance. Dr Kishore Kuncham and Rizwan Qureshi were honored on the occasion and the Keynote speaker was Tejinder Singh Bindra. In the absence of Supervisor Kate Murray, a familiar presence at the towns R-Day celebrations, the event was helmed by Town of Hempstead Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino and made possible by the efforts of the Chairperson of the India Republic Day Committee, Indu Jaiswal. Councilman Santino praised Indian culture, art, cuisine and intellect for reflecting the values shared also by the democracy that is Americas foundation. He expressed gratitude to the Indian community for being so willing to share the richness of its cultural virtues. Hempstead is the only municipality of its kind to hold the celebration for Indias Republic Day for nine consecutive years, said Santino. Teji Bindra gave an insightful speech on the history of Indias independence and its formation as a republic 62 years ago. Bindra, the head of Jeetish Group of Companies, founder of Sikh Art & Film Foundation, whose family has established a chair of Sikh Studies at Hofstra University, said that more than being strategic, the close ties between India and the US are of the

(from left) Rizwan Qureshi and Dr Kishore Kuncham, the two honorees, and Indu Jaiswal, who helped organize the program, during lighting the lamp ceremony. heart. A distinguished, surprise guest was Capt. Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, perhaps the first turbaned Sikh serving in the U.S. Army. Dr. Kalsi, who recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan, said that it was his dream to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who had served their country, in Indias armed forces. Special guests and speakers included Dr. Parveen Chopra, Jaya Bahadkar, Anu Gulati and Urmilesh Arya and, who were among those invited on stage to help light the traditional lamp. The night was capped by the presentation of plaques to two honorees. One was Dr.

Teji Bindra giving his keynote address. Kishore Kuncham, superintendent of the Freeport Public Schools and the first Indian American Superintendent of Schools. He said the education system in New York state was going through changes and exhorted the attendees to get active in schools management. The second honoree, Rizwan Qureshi, is the Senior Executive Vice President of Habib American Bank. He worked at Chase Manhattan Bank from 1980-1986 and served as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University during 1990 and 1991. He is also a member of the American Bankers Association and Independent Bankers Association and a charter member of Long Island Import Export Association. He has an MBA in Banking and Finance from Adelphi University.

Senior Councilman Anthony Santino helmed the function in the absence of Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray Said Mr. Qureshi in his acceptance speech. To be honored in front of all these talented community members is truly remarkable for me and on behalf of Habib American Bankwe do appreciate that. The community has supported us for the past 28 years. We were the first bank in the US with a South Asian focus. We will continue to support our community and do whatever we can to stay competitive with other banks to retain the members of our community. The program included the singing of national anthems of India and Indian patriotic song, prayers and dances. Dinner was served and provided by Akbar restaurant.

Virginia celebrates its 5th Indian American Day on Jan 26

Lt. Gov Bolling addresses those present at the event

Left to right: UoNA CFO, Jack DeBruin; Jill Martin; UoNA CEO, Marty Martin; Lt Governor Bill Bolling; Mrs. Jean Ann Bolling; UoNA Chancellor Benjamin Davis; Left to right: Lavika Bhagat Singh, Virginia Treasurer Manju Ganeriwala, Jill Martin Lavika Bhagat Singh ultiple rounds of Americans have made a tremen- legislation to the effect that it will Delegates Dave Albo and Tim Coordinator, USA who is a promiapplause resounded as dous contribution to our state. celebrate January 26 as Indian- Hugo, of Fairfax County, to draft nent Indian American. Bolling appreciated Lavika for Lt Governor Bill Bolling They are leaders in science, tech- American Day in recognition of and pass the legislation. addressed Indian Americans on nology and medicine. They are the community's contribution to In 2007 there were about 50,000 her initiative and persistence in Indian Americans in Virginia. planning, organizing and executJanuary 26, 2012, on the historical successful entrepreneurs of busi- the State. "Over the past year, I have come Today the number has more than ing the events and promised all his occasion of Republic Day and nesses large and small. They are support to her and her supporters Virginias fifth Indian American leaders of numerous civic and to realize how much the Indian- doubled. Lavika Bhagat Singh is the and the community. Day. charitable organizations. Indian American community contributes The Coordinator of the Evening Bill Bolling in his address to Americans are an important part to the Commonwealth. In appreci- Washington Area Chapter Indian Americans elaborated on of the fabric of our state, and they ation of their efforts and all they President of the Indian National was Vikas Kapila, President of and commended the significant make us better, more diverse and have done for the Commonwealth Overseas Congress, USA and was Indian Association of Virginia. Prominent members of the role Indian Americans have played stronger. I appreciate everything and its people, it is my pleasure to appointed as General Secretary of in Virginia in all sectors of public the Indian American community announce the creation of Indian- the newly formed Punjab Election Indian American community and private life. He stated that he does to make Virginia a better American Day in Virginia," Campaign Committee for USA included Virginia's Treasurer was pleased to participate in the place to live, work, learn and raise Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling under the NRI cell of Punjab Manju Ganeriwala, Restaurateur celebration of Indian American a family. said at the time. Pradesh Congress Committee, by Ashok Arora, and Community Day again this year. Indian In March 2007, Virginia passed Bolling had worked closely with Shudh Parkash Singh, the Chief Leader Chetan Jack Mehta.

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Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

SRK slaps Shirish at Sanjay Dutt's bash

ctor Sanjay Dutts bash to celebrate his recently released film Agneepaths success at the box-office apparently turned out to be a battleground of sorts. The bash thrown at a popular suburban night club was well attended, including the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn. But the celebratory mood soon turned ugly following an apparent altercation between SRK and filmmaker Shirish Kunder, say onlookers. Khan was later also joined by Dutt. A source present at the venue says, Shah Rukh walked in late at the party. Shirish, who was standing near the bar, saw SRK and started making nasty comments. He also followed the star wherever he went, including the washroom. And this is when SRK got irritated and pinned him on a sofa, first try-

SRK, Shirish call truce

Filmmaker Shirish Kunder with his wife and director Farah Khan. ing to talk to him. But when Shirish continued to retort back, SRK slapped him. Later, Sanjay Dutt arrived on the scene and separated the warring duo, said a source. Ever since Shirishs wife Farah broke off ties with Shah Rukh, who earlier produced her films, Shirish has never let an opportunity for snide comments on the actor pass, including hisRa.One, say insiders.

ll's well that ends well. Shah Rukh Khan and Shirish Kunder called truce, a day after they were embroiled in a scuffle at a party. Shirish said their friendship has become stronger than ever now. "Sajid Nadiadwala and Sajid Khan were the mediators and had arranged a meeting. Whatever issues we had, we kept before each other and the misunderstanding has been solved. Things are sorted out now and our friendship is renewed," Shirish said after the patch-up. Shirish along with his wife

Farah Khan, brother-in-law Sajid Khan, producer Sajid Nadiadwala and Shah Rukh's wife Gauri Khan had arranged the meeting at Shah Rukh's house Mannat. "It was a mutual thing and was not about saying sorry to each other. Since I am younger I can't expect Shah Rukh to say sorry. We kept our egos aside and were gracious enough about it. Being the younger, I should have not reacted like this. Our relationship has become stronger like never before. Everything that was said has been cleared face to face now," he added.

Vidya, Ranbir shine Poonam to Lopez unsure about a fourth marriage at Filmfare awards get dirtier
than Vidya!
ultry siren Poonam Pandey seems hell bent on making it big in BTown. The Internet sensation, who recently revealed that she would soon be seen in a Bollywood film confessed that its only A-listers that she would ever like to work with, in the industry. When reporters quizzed the girl about her choice of co-star, Poonam said, I will love to do a film with `Rockstar` Ranbir Kapoor. The girl is known for her cheeky statements and this time too she chose to be her real self. She said, I promise to get dirtier than Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture," she laughs.

Bollywoods most prestigious Filmfare Awards celebrated their 57 years of acknowledging excellence recently. he Akhtar siblings Farhan and Zoya stole the show at the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Zoya's second outing as director, won seven awards including Best Film (Popular and Critics' Choice), Best Director, Best Dialogue, Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actor (Farhan) and Best Choreography. Imtiaz Ali's musical drama Rockstar won leading man Ranbir Kapoor two trophies (Popular and Critics' Choice), while AR Rahman's score for the film won him his 20th trophy. It was befitting then that Filmfare chose to give the Oscar winner the historic 2,500th statuette encrusted with a diamond. Clutching two ladies dressed in black - one being wife Saira and the other being the coveted 'Black Lady' Filmfare trophy the maestro beamed and said, "I'm thrilled!" Playback singer Mohit Chauhan, nominated for Sadda Haq and Jo

Bhi Main from Rockstar, picked up the trophy for the latter. Lyricist Irshad Kamil too had two songs up for nomination - Sadda Haq and Nadaan Parindey - with Sadda Haq getting left out again in the Best Lyrics category. Vidya Balan picked up the Best Actress trophy for her perfect impersonation of Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture. The film also picked up an award for Best Costume. However, the Critics' Award for Best Actress went to Priyanka Chopra for her act as a serial killer in 7 Khoon Maaf. Child actor Partho Gupte, who played an endearing Stanley in father Amole Gupte's Stanley Ka Dabba, also picked up a Special Jury Certificate for Outstanding Talent. But the night really belonged to the Akhtar siblings, who went home with two trophies each, leaving parents Javed and Honey Irani teary-eyed.

ennifer Lopez doesn't know whether she could ever get married again. The 42-year-old singer-andactress - who has wed on three occasions and split from estranged husband Marc Anthony last year is unsure whether she will ever tie the knot with new boyfriend Casper Smart, 24, in the future but she is not considering it at the moment. When asked on the 'Today' show if another marriage is a possibility, Jennifer - who has come under fire for dating a man 18 years her junior - replied: "I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. We'll see. I mean, I don't know. It's not time to think about that yet. It's still fresh." Despite splitting with Marc -

At present the 42-year-old singer-and-actress is dating Casper Smart. who she has three-year-old twins Max and Emme with - the 'On The Floor' hitmaker revealed there is "real love" when they are working together on TV show 'iQ'Viva! The Chosen', and she knows he will "always" be a part of her life.

Manisha Koirala clicked in drunken stupor

he once charming Bollywood actress was recently caught at a restaurant opening party in a completely drunken avatar. The once ruling Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala seems to have messed up life in multiple ways. While she has lost touch with the films, she also seems to be quite lost in personal life. Recently the actress was seen in a sloshed state in a Mumbai party. She was caught completely drunk by the paparazzi at a restaurant opening party where apparently she was invited by her ex-boyfriend and the restaurant owner Prashant Chaudhari. Dressed in a grey outfit, Manisha Koirala was far from her charming onscreen avatar and looked absolutely dreary and lost. This comes soon after her deci-

The girl is known for her cheeky statements and this time too she chose to be her real self.

This comes soon after her decision to divorce her businessman husband Samrat Dahal whom she married in 2010. sion to divorce her businessman husband Samrat Dahal whom she married in 2010. However, we wish the actress gets a grip on her life and doesn't lose out to alcohol.

Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info

19

February 4-10, 2011

'Agneepath' is brilliant in its brutality

ong before the damsel in the den Katrina Kaif signs her writhe petition 'junta ke naam', the film's imposing villain and by extension the film, have written their destiny. In bold bloodied letters. E-mail didn't exist in the 1990s. Sanjay Dutt as Kancha lording over a no-man's-land called Mandwa where the only law that exists is lawlessness is so formidable in his vile antics, you fear for the hero, a decent bloke with eyes that tell a million untold stories. Hrithik Roshan opts for a perfectly-tuned low-pitched performance to offset Sanjay Dutt's larger-thanlife diabolism. The combination of the flamboyant and the understated works. Debutant writer-director Karan Malhotra has chosen to restructure one of the most complex but unsuccessful Amitabh Bachchan starrer. The plot leaps at you through its sanguinary design, building brick by brick an edifice of low-life and high-drama. This new-rage "Agneepath" retains the core of Mukul Anand's failed drama. And yes, it retains Harivnansh Rai's "Agneepath"

Film Review
character where he could've easily been larger-than-life. He lets Sanjay Dutt take charge of the blizzard of the bravura. But the finest performance comes from Rishi Kapoor. Playing a loathsome flesh trader and drug dealer who takes Vijay under his wings, he delivers a bludgeoning homage to skin-crawling villainy. A glorious departure from his lover-boy image.Barring Priyanka Chopra who seems strangely cosmetic in a land of looming credibility, every character shines through the crimedrama maze. This is not a film for the fainthearted. Its basic structure and the leitmotif of the 'tree of death' (where Vijay Chauhan's father was hanged and where his wrongdoer will finally meet his nemesis) draw audiences into a vortex of viciousness and sadism. Karan Malhotra revels in the language of commercial Hindi cinema. The characters in Vijay's chawl are all good-hearted. Every character in Kancha's kingdom is a creep or a coward. The battle lines are tightly drawn. The pace is breakneck.

Hrithik Roshan opts for a perfectly-tuned low-pitched performance to offset Sanjay Dutt's larger-than-life diabolism. poem, though, alas, we don't get to hear Amitabh Bachchan recite the lines. Karan Malhotra's script alters many of the original's dramatic moments, adds new characters (most notable among them, Rishi Kapoor's Rauf Lala), and finally fine-tunes and assimilates the plot's subliminal statement on crime and retribution to a pitch where we often hear the screaming protests of social inequality through the protagonist's pain-lashed expressions of angst, disgust and rebellion rather than his words. Hrithik Roshan opts for a subdued interpretation of his vengeful

Bollywood galore at Riteish-Genelia sangeet

Our kids not allowed to Google us: Pitt

ctor Brad Pitt says that he and his partner Angelina Jolie have banned their children from Googling them. Jolie and Pitt are biological parents to Shiloh, 5, and three-yearold twins Knox and Vivienne. They have also adopted children Maddox, 10, Pax, 8, and Zahara, 6. "On all the kids' computers we had our names blocked. They can't Google their mom and dad. I don't want to make myself dependent on what other people think. We don't even notice all the noise," showbizspy.com quoted the 48-year-old as saying.

Jolie and Pitt are biological parents to Shiloh and three-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

Katrina, Ranbir are back together

The lovebirds are all set to tie the knot on February 3. rom Sanjay Dutt, Gauri Khan to Karan Johar and Abhishek Bachchan -- the whos who of Bollywood gathered for the sangeet ceremony of Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai. Genelia looked gorgeous in white lehenga with peach embellishments, while detailed stone work on her lehenga and chunni added elegance to her attire. Her beau Riteish looked striking in a royal blue Sherwani.Before going for the ceremon, Riteish told

reporters that his "brother and his family members will perform," adding that "I would love to dance with Genelia if she says yes." The couples are all set to tie the knot Feb 3. The guest list included Bobby Deol, Karan Johar, Abhishek Bachchan, Soha Ali Khan, Suniel Shetty, Asin Thottumkal, Sonali Bendre, Rishi Kapoor, Nitu Singh, Arbaaz Khan, Malaika Arora Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Shreyas Talpade, Priyadarshan, Milan Luthria, Aftab Shivdasani and Shweta Pandit.

t's a love story that was bound to be rekindled. Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are back together, as clearly there's unfinished business between them. They split up because Kat was not ready to look the other way while he played the field with Nargis Fakhri and Anushka Sharma, or accept his "I love you, but give me some time" stance. She made it clear that if he wanted to be in a relationship with her, it had to be exclusive. Walking away was the hardest thing she ever did, but Kat knew they had something special and when Ranbir realized that someday, they'd get back together. They began anew last month, and this time, are more serious than ever. The last time they were together, it was under a cloud of broken relationships with Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan. Earlier this month, they were seen bonding in Macau while there for an awards show.

They were seen bonding in Macau last month.

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Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Republican blunder: Blaming unemployment on the unemployed

Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has described the unemployed as people who are paid to do nothing for 99 weeks. Offering a remedy to this alleged indolence, he has proposed mandatory job training for every one of the 14 million Americans receiving an unemployment check.
By Robert Golomb or more than 30 years my old friend Joseph was a hardworking guy. But now he is no longer hardworking because he is out of work. He has been out of work for more than a year and a half now, every day of which he has devoted to finding employment. Soon his unemployment benefits will run out, leaving this fifty something divorced father of two teenage daughters without an income. Joseph, of course, is not alone. There are 14 million unemployed Americans today, 9% of the American work force. Each one of these has his or her own story to tell. But, just like Joseph, the vast majority of these people are desperately seeking employment. And just like Joseph they face the harsh reality of a dismal economy in which their odds of finding work are running 4 to 1 against them a calculation derived from a recent Labor Statistics authorized Job Openings and Labor Turnover Study (JOLTS) that reported that these 14 million unemployed Americans are competing for a scant 3.2 million available jobs. These are the same American citizens who former speaker of the House of Representatives and current candidate for the Republican nomination for president Newt Gingrich has described as people who are paid to do nothing for 99 weeks. Offering a remedy to this alleged indolence, Gingrich has proposed mandatory job training for every one of the 14 million Americans receiving an unemployment check. Before proposing sending these supposed loafers off to the countless thousands of new trade schools that his plan would require the federal government build, fund and staff, Gingrich might have first studied the aforementioned JOLTS study, which found that the vast disparity between job seekers and actual available job exists in almost every major industry in America - a reflection on the overall state of the American economy, rather than on the failure of the unemployed to acquire new transferable job skills, as Gingrich contends. Gingrichs rhetoric sounds mild and his reasoning seems sound in comparison to that of the ubiquitous iconic conservative author and radio and television commentator Glen Beck. After labeling the 99ers[people residing in particularly economically hard hit states receiving unemployment payments for 99 weeks] to a 2010 television audience as the democratic socialists of America Beck questioned their work ethic - Two years is plenty of time to have lived off your neighbors wallet, and even questioned their worthiness as citizens - Id bet youd be ashamed to call them Americans. Thoughtful people might wonder if it ever occurred to Beck, who, to his credit, has been a forceful advocate, major fundraiser and a quietly generous benefactor to the men and women of our armed services, that included in those living off their neighbors wallets are an estimated one million unemployed military veterans. While not matching the hyperbolic rhetoric of Gingrich or Beck, these views are either fully shared or tacitly accepted by every Republican presidential candidate; these views are also espoused by the majority of Republican members in both Houses of Congress - from where they wage a war against the unemployed. Calling for the overhaul of the unemployment system, House and Senate Republicans have proposed delegating to the states the power to initiate across the board reductions of unemployment insurance benefits and chop off up to 22 weeks of benefits from the long term jobless. Adding humiliation to financial hardship, Republican lawmakers have proposed granting to the states the power to administer drug tests to the unemployed - a power that is rarely authorized to social workers monitoring welfare recipients or even to parole officers supervising paroles. If only Republicans carefully studied modern American economic, political and presidential history! Thirty two years ago, the Republican candidate for president - confronted with a jobless crisis of a similar magnitude - did not blame the high unemployment rate on the then almost 10 million unemployed, who he correctly viewed as the victims of failed economic policies. Ronald Reagan rather placed the blame on the president responsible for those misguided policies - Jimmy Carter. As he campaigned throughout the 50 states of our nation, Reagan voiced the same refrain, A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose your job. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his job. Reagan spelled out his plan for that recovery. Contrasting his policies with those of Carters, Reagan contended that sustained across the income spectrum tax reductions, rationale cost to benefit based regulatory reform, strong monetary policy and uncompromising fiscal integrity would lead to the powerful economic recovery required to put Americans back to work and restore the nation back on the path to growth and prosperity.

The results of that Novembers election proved that that message had been accepted by the overwhelming majority of Americans, who voted to elect Reagan in a landslide victory in which he carried 44 states, garnered 489 electoral votes to Carters 44 and won the popular vote over Carter by a margin of 50.7 to 41% (the remaining vote was won by Representative John Anderson who ran as an independent). Closely sticking to Reagans positive message and running under his massive coattails, Republicans scored tremendous gains both in the House where they picked up 53 seats and in the Senate where 12 seats changed from Democrat to Republican hands. As candidate Reagans campaign promises became President Reagans governing policies, the economy slowly began to recover, resulting in Reagans landslide re-election victory over Jimmy Carters former vice president Walter Mondale in 1984 and culminating in 1988, as Reagans second term came to an end - with 20 million jobs added to the work force and double the tax revenue added to the federal treasury. The problems faced by Americans today closely resemble those we faced as a nation in 1980, just as the policy proposals advanced by todays Republicans to solve those problems closely resemble the proposals presented by Reagan and virtually every Republican Congressional candidate back then. But unlike the Republicans of 1980, the Republicans of 2012, who, while blaming the Obama Administration for all of Americas economic ills, still, incomprehensively, fault the unemployed for being unable to find jobs that do not exist. That message is being heard loudly and clearly by todays 14 million jobless men and women and heard also by their family members and friends, who number and vote in the millions. Many of these people had once viewed Republicans as their natural allies whose policies would finally put them back to work. If the Republicans lose their votes in overwhelming numbers this coming fall, it could easily cost them the presidency and control of both houses of Congress. And for that, they will only have themselves to blame. Robert Golomb is a nationally published columnist. He writes on a range of educational, cultural, political and international topics. MrBob347@aol.com

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

Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info

21

February 4-10, 2012

By Rajdeep Sardesai

Rushdie row: we're past the past

s 2011-12, 1988-89 all over again? The near farce over Salman Rushdie's non-appearance in Jaipur, whether in person or even in a videolink, would suggest so. Rewind to the late 1980s. A beleaguered Rajiv Gandhi government, its image dented by the Bofors kickback accusations, chooses to ban Rushdie's 'The Satanic Verses.' India, in fact, had the 'distinction' of becoming the first country in the world to ban the book, perhaps before anyone in the country had even read it. Worse, on February 24, 1989, barely 10 days after the infamous fatwa delivered against Rushdie by Ayatollah Khomeini, 12 people were killed in police firing in Bombay. The police claimed it was forced to open fire when a crowd of around 10,000 Muslims protesting outside the British Consulate began to turn violent. It was also the year of the horrific Bhagalpur riots when more than 1,000 people were killed. The riots were part of a decade of violence with strong communal and sectarian overtones culminating in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. It was also a period when the Congress government at the Centre pussyfooted on a variety of sensitive inter-community issues, from the Shah Bano case to opening the locks of the disputed shrine in Ayodhya. The year 1989 was general election year, a year which marked the ascent of the BJP as a force to reckon with in national politics, as the secular versus pseudo-secular debate began to gather momentum. Riding the twin planks of anti-corruption and a defender of minoritybackward caste interests, VP Singh was catapulted into prime ministership. Rajiv Gandhi's mighty majority of 1984 had vanished barely five years later. Now switch back to the present. If then it was Bofors that hobbled the Rajiv regime, 2G has clearly had a similar impact on UPA 2. If Bofors scarred Rajiv's 'Mr Clean' image, the 2G scam has chipped

Bizarre case of India versus the Internet

By Prasanto K. Roy t isn't just one angry Indian against Google and Facebook. Internet freedom is on trial in India! The ham-handed, statebacked censorship of Salman Rushdie at the Jaipur Literary Festival earlier this month grabbed headlines -- "The Republic bows before the Mob". Yet, a far more serious freespeech drama was quietly playing out. It started with Vinay Rai, editor of a little-known Delhi-based Urdu daily called Akbari, filing a criminal complaint in a district court in New Delhi. Rai had been busy scouting the Internet for dirt. Surprise -- he found it! On Google, Facebook, YouTube, Orkut, BlogSpot and on smaller services and blogs: Broadreader, Mylot, Zomie Time, Shyni Blog, Exbii.com, and IMC India. And so he filed a criminal complaint against -- hold your breath -Steve Ballmer of Microsoft, Larry Page of Google, Donald Edward Graham, chairman of Facebook and the Washington Post, Yahoo chairman Roy J Bostock, the Indian country heads of those organizations, and other named and unnamed persons. He did so "in public interest and as an affected person who believes in a secular India." (Oddly, he missed out Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.)

The Salman Rushdie episode is a grim reminder that we still haven't fully succeeded in fashioning a liberal, multi-faith republic. away at Manmohan Singh's aura of personal integrity. A scam-tainted government has been desperately looking for a survival ticket. Like 1989, this too is a big election year: Uttar Pradesh is the biggest prize of them all. For more than two decades, the Congress has been steadily wiped off the map of India's most populous state. Now, with Rahul Gandhi at the helm, and with Digvijaya Singh as his Sancho Panza, the party has been hoping to effect a spectacular comeback. The only problem is that making big gains in a highly fragmented state and taking on battle-hardened prize fighters like Mayawati and Mulayam Singh is easier said than done. A similar cynical statecraft has been on exhibition right through the Rushdie drama in the last fortnight in Jaipur. Like the Centre, the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan has also been lurching from one crisis to another. One of its senior ministers is in jail, accused of conspiring to murder a Dalit nurse in a case that offers a deadly combination of sex, sleaze and power. Gehlot himself has been accused by his rivals of nepotism and corruption. In September last year, Gehlot faced even more criticism when a land-related dispute turned into communal clashes in Bharatpur's Gopalgarh village leaving 10 people dead - all Muslims. A minorities commission report blamed the police for firing on the crowd, including firing on a local masjid. Gehlot, too, has been looking for redemption. Rushdie's planned arrival in Jaipur and a mysterious fatwa issued by the Deoband seminary provided just the opening his government needed. Instead of welcoming the acclaimed author to the Pink City, Gehlot pulled out the red flag. Every possible excuse was conjured up: from the threat of the Mumbai underworld (when in doubt, revive the D Company!) to the fear of mobs entering the venue. So, are we really back to the dangerous politics of the late 80s? Well, not quite. The fact is that while our politics still drives wedges in civil society, this is also an aspirational India, which has either tasted, or seen, the benefits of 8% economic growth. The largest pool of Indians Hindus and Muslims don't want law and order disruptions to interfere in their drive for upward mobility. Yes, there will be mischief-mongers in both communities who will look to fish in troubled waters, but it is extremely unlikely that we will see the kind of large scale violence that afflicted the 1980s. At the same time, in an atmosphere of rising intolerance and weak governments, the Rushdie episode is a grim reminder that we still haven't fully succeeded in fashioning a liberal, multi-faith republic.

Why? "These accused persons knowingly well these facts that these contents and materials are most dangerous for the community and peace of the harmony," says Rai's criminal complaint (language unedited), "but with common and malafide intention and hands under glove with each other failed to remove the same for the wrongful gain." In my first and only meeting with Rai on a recent prime-time show, Rai sounded placative. He wasn't trying to get anything "banned". He merely wanted removed from the internet all content that offended him. So would he be the sole arbiter of offensive content? How would India's jurisdiction cover all these sites in the US and Europe? Questions like these got his goat, and at one point he snapped out to a fellow panelist that he was trying to instigate riots. The show host asked him about his remarkable coincidence of timing, language and intent with those of the government, and minister Kapil Sibal: Was he their agent? No, he said. I am an agent of the People. Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal may have rejoiced the order of Delhi High Court Justice Suresh Kait Jan 12, who cleared the decks for the prosecution of Facebook, Google, et al. He said those who do not remove offensive content "like China, we could block all such websites".

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

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Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Govt introducing various schemes for overseas Indians: Pranab

Chicago: Praising overseas Indians for their hard work, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Jan 30 said the community members through their soft power have increased the stature of India at international arena. Mukherjee, who met with the community members here at a breakfast meeting at Hotel Peninsula said, The respect that India has been able to command at the international arena has come in no small measure by this soft power of the overseas Indian, who the world over are known for their values of hard work, of excellence and enterprise and respect for their communities and adopted countries. He said the government is introducing various schemes for the benefit of its citizens abroad. As an important step is the government notification for registration of overseas Indians under the Representation of People Act 1950. A bill intended to merge and be used by workers, offices of the protector of emigrants, recruitment agencies, immigration officials, employers and the Indian missions abroad. India is also in the process of negotiating Social Security agreements with the major countries where Indian workers are headed with a view to securing their rights and benefits while they live in the country of their choice and also retain benefits due to them when they return, he added. He said the countrys impressive economic growth has not been fully reflected in social indicator and highlighted the need of engaging social enterprises in a proactive manner. Indias economic achievements over the last decade has been impressive and encouraging. But on our social indicators much remains to be done. In that respect there is an urgent need to engage in social enterprises in a proactive manner, he said.

Norway case: Kids to be handed to Anurups brother

New Delhi: Three-year-old Abhigyan and one-year-old Aishwarya, children of Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya, an NRI couple living in Stavanger, Norway, will be handed over to the Anurups brother, following finalization of an agreement between India and Norway. The lawyer of the couple told the Indian Embassy in Oslo that Arunabhash Bhattacharya will take custody of the children.Arunabhash will travel to Norway when the custody case comes up in the court. The agreement between Indian government through its mission in Norway, Municipality of Norway, Norwegian Childcare Services, the parents and their lawyer named Anurups brother as the primary caretaker of the two children, official sources said here. The agreement said the uncle, Arunabhash, has agreed to the parents wish and is aware of the responsibility and he will be the childrens primary caretaker, the sources said. They said Barnevarne (Norwegian Child Welfare Services) has approved and agreed to give children to the uncle. However, under the agreement, the parents still have parental and visitation rights, they added. The sources said the family has to provide information in response to any inquiry by the family and child welfare ministry.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee streamline the People of Indian Origin and Overseas Citizen of India schemes by amending the Citizenship Act has been introduced in the last session of our Parliament, the minister added. For potential emigrants, the government has put in place an end-to-end computerized solution for all processes in the emigration system. It will link key stakeholders on a common platform and will

Sebastian Edathy to head Indian eatery owner German parliamentary buys jet to deliver food committee Rob Abdul
Underground (NSU), could operate undetected from its base in the eastern German state of Thuringia. It will also try to unravel the structure of the neo-Nazi cell and to establish whether it received any support from members of the intelligence services. The committee will do everything to restore public confidence in the constitutional state, which has been shaken by the revelations that the neo-Nazi cell unleashed its terror without being detected for such a long period, Edathy told the Bundestag during a debate before the vote. Its main goal is to make sure that such crimes will not happen again, he said. Unlike in former parliamentary inquiries, there will be no conflict among the political parties this time because they are united in their fight against right wing extremism, he said. At stake is jointly defending the constitutional states ability to function, he said in a TV interview. Edathy, 43, will formally take over as chairman of the inquiry committee at its opening session. It will be the highest assignment in the political career of Edathy, who became a Social Democratic Party (SPD) member of the Bundestag in 1998.

Sikhs get official gurdwara in UAE

Dubai: The Sikh community has got their first official gurdwara in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a media report said Saturday. The gurdwara opened Friday in Jebel Ali, around 35 km from Dubai, the Gulf News daily reported. Spread over 25,000 square feet near the Jebel Ali Hospital, the gurdwara has a dedicated floor for community feasts and a huge hall for devotional songs. The Sikh community in Dubai till now offered prayers in a gurdwara in the temple complex in Bur Dubai. There are an estimated 50,000 Sikhs in the UAE, hailing from India and Pakistan.

Indian-origin MP Sebastian Edathy Berlin: Indian-origin MP Sebastian Edathy will head a parliamentary inquiry committee, which has been set up here to probe a string of racist motivated murders carried out across the country by a neoNazi cell evading detection for more than a decade. In a rare show of unity, all parties represented in the Bundestag, the lower house of Parliament, voted unanimously for the setting up of the elevenmember committee on Thursday, which will probe why the intelligence agencies and security authorities failed to prevent the murder of nine Turkish and Greek entrepreneurs and a woman police officer between 2000 and 2007. The committee is expected to reveal how the right extremist group National Socialist

London: The owner of an Indian restaurant in Britain has bought a fighter jet to deliver his food to celebrity clients across the world. Rob Abdul, 40, who runs the Cafe Taj restaurant in Gravesend, Kent, bought the now abandoned Iraqi warplane with a pilot friend, and has spent 35,000 pounds ($55,000)

restoring it. "One thing you cannot do as a businessman is disappoint your customers. I regularly get requests from around the world," Abdul was quoted as saying by the Daily Express. Abdul has previously sent food from his restaurant to the England cricket team on tour to Australia.

Lithuanian charged for Kolar couples murder commits suicide

London: A Lithuanian charged with the murders of an Indian-origin man and his British wife at their home in Birmingham has committed suicide in police custody, a media report said. Avtar Kolar, 62, and Carole Kolar, 58, were beaten to death with a hammer in Handsworth Wood area of Birmingham in the earlier part of January, Sky News reported. Rimvydas Liorancas, 37, who was arrested Jan 16, was found hanging in his cell at Woodhill prison in tation but he was later pronounced dead. One of the Kolars' sons is a serving police officer but officials said their deaths were not related to his job or investigations into gangs. The bodies of the couple, married for 40 years, were found at their property by their son. Postmortem examinations revealed that both died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, each sustaining a number of blows, the Guardian said.

Rimvydas Liorancas allegedly hammered the Kolars to death Milton Keynes Saturday, officials said.Prison staff attempted resusci-

Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info

23

February 4-10, 2012

Pak considers India an existential threat: US

Washington: The United States wants its relations with Pakistan to remain positive, but their interests sometimes differed as Pakistan considered India as an existential threat, according to Washington's intelligence chief. Testifying before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said the US relationship with Pakistan was a "challenging relationship but an important one," as the interests of the two countries are "not always congruent." Noting that Afghanistan remains a hot spot, Clapper said: "During the past year, the Taliban lost some ground, but ...Taliban's senior leaders continued to enjoy safe haven in Pakistan." To be successful, Afghanistan must have support from coalition forces and its neighbors-particularly Pakistan, he said. Asked by panel vice-chairman Saxby Chambliss about what was being done about safe havens of terrorists in Pakistan, Clapper said that they were talking to Pakistan about it."Al Qaeda will increasingly rely on ideological and operational alliances with Pakistani militant factions to accomplish its goals with Pakistan and to conduct transnational attacks," he said. "Pakistan military leaders have had limited success against Al Qaeda operatives, other foreign fighters and Pakistani militants who pose a threat to Islamabad," Clapper said. "We judge Al Qaeda operatives are balancing support for attacks in Pakistan with guidance to refocus the global jihad externally against US targets," he said. Clapper said India had significantly increased its engagement with Afghanistan in 2011, but New Delhi in the near term is unlikely to send troops or heavy equipment to Kabul because it does not want to provoke Pakistan. India's increased engagement is aimed at helping the Afghan Government sustain its sovereignty and independence during and after International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces draw down, he said.

James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence in US.

India to seek extradition of 26/11 accused from Pak

New Delhi: Three years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, India is likely to seek extradition from the US and Pakistan of nine accused, including David Headley, who has entered into a plea bargain with America under which he cannot be deported to any country. Despite the plea bargain, India will send a request to the US for the extradition of Pakistani-American Headley and his accomplice Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana, government sources said. The two are accused of having plotted the 2008 Mumbai attack for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), whose chief Hafiz Saeed is also among the accused. The sources said that a request will also be sent to Pakistan for the extradition of seven accused, including two men believed to be working for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). These include Saeed, Zaki-urRehman Lakhvi and Al Qaeda operative Illyas Kashmiri who India says are involved in the Mumbai attack and other terror strikes in India. The move comes after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last month filed charges against the nine accused for their role in the carnage. Former Pakistan Army officer Rehman Hashmi, Major Iqbal and Major Samir -believed to be working for Pakistan's spy agency ISI -- were also named in the NIA charge sheet. They have been charged with waging war against India.

NATO attack on check-posts not deliberate: US envoy

Islamabad: The NATO air strike on two Pakistan Army checkposts that killed 24 soldiers was not deliberate and it will be ensured that such incidents do not recur, US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said. Munter said the attack was an "accident" and the US "regrets" it, Geo News reported. The NATO attack in Mohmand Agency in November sparked outrage in the country. Islamabad cut off NATO supplies to Afghanistan via Pakistani territory and told the US to vacate the Shamsi air base in Balochistan. Pakistan also boycotted a conference in Bonn in December that focused on the security of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter.

Terror in Pak province: 1,400 dead in 2011

Islamabad: A total of 1,430 people, including 256 policemen and 227 soldiers, were killed in terrorist attacks last year in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a government report said. Over 900 people were also injured in the 2011 attacks, Xinhua quoted provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar as saying. Police arrested a total of 6,236 terrorists and 24,122 proclaimed offenders in 2011. Two jails in the province were handed over to the Pakistan Army to convert them into detention centres for under-trial terrorists. As many as 34 bomb blasts took place in the province in 2011. Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Kohat remained the most volatile areas.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its neighboring Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the border with Afghanistan have suffered the highest number of casualties since the US-led war on terror was launched in 2001.

Nepal minister sounds warning to Maoist govt

New Delhi: A senior minister from Nepal's Terai plains has threatened to look for an alternative to the Maoist-led government if the country's three major political parties fail to "take positive steps" within a month to complete the peace process and draft a new constitution. "In a month's time, if the peace and constitutional processes do not take positive steps ahead we will begin searching for an alternative to the present government," said Nepal's Health and Population Minister Rajendra Mahato, who heads the Sadbhavana Party. Mahato, here on a private visit, was talking to a select group of Indian journalists. His Sadbhavana Party is a member of the five-party United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) which lends crucial support to the Baburam Bhattarai-led government in Nepal. Nepal's 601-member Constituent Assembly, whose term has been extended four times, is tasked with completing the peace process - the assimilation of surrendered Maoist guerrillas into security forces - and framing of a new constitution for the former Hindu kingdom.

India should help Sri Lanka: Kalam

Chennai: India should assist Sri Lanka in building a vibrant democratic set up and a constitution like itself rather than wasting time by talking about the past and kindling enmity between people, former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said. In a statement issued here after his Jan 20-24 Sri Lankan tour, Kalam said: "Instead of wasting days by just talking, Tamil people across the world should ask one question of themselves, that is, what can I do for the Sri Lankan Tamils in a constructive manner." "Looking forward and acting accordingly are the actions of a knowledge-based society while it is true that what should not have happened in Sri Lanka (civil war) has happened," Kalam said. Kalam said he met around 80,000 students at Colombo and

Troopers who thrashed Bangladeshi will be punished

New Delhi: Home Minister P. Chidambaram described as "unfortunate, condemnable and rare" the incident involving some Border Security Force (BSF) personnel beating up a Bangladesh national, adding that the guilty will be punished. Talking to mediapersons here, Chidambaram said the BSF personnel found to be prima facie involved in the incident have been suspended. "Anyone found guilty will be severely punished," he said. A video had surfaced earlier in January showing a man being kicked and beaten by men donning BSF-style dark green fatigues in West Bengal's Murshidabad district along the India-Bangladesh border. The BSF had suspended eight personnel after they were prima facie found involved in the incident.

Former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. participated in seven events. "Democracy should flourish in Sri Lanka and peace should return there. The people there should live as equals and peacefully. The youth should gain confidence in their lives and progress in growth path. These were the aims of my trip to Sri Lanka," Kalam said.

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International TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

'Taliban poised to retake Afghanistan'

Kabul: The U.S. military said in a secret report that the Taliban, backed by Pakistan, are set to retake control of Afghanistan after NATO-led forces withdraw, raising the prospect of a major failure of Western policy after a costly war. Lieutenant Colonel Jimmie Cummings, a spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, confirmed the existence of the document, reported by Britain's Times newspaper and the BBC. But he said it was not a strategic study. "The classified document in question is a compilation of Taliban detainee opinions," he said. "It's not an analysis, nor is it meant to be considered an analysis." Nevertheless, it could be interpreted as a damning assessment of the war, dragging into its 11th year and aimed at blocking a Taliban return to power. It could also be seen as an admission of defeat and could reinforce the view of Taliban hardliners that they should not negotiate with the United States and President Hamid Karzai's unpopular government while in a position of strength. The U.S. military report could boost the Taliban's confidence and make its leaders less willing to make concessions on demands for a ceasefire, and for the insurgency to renounce violence and break ties to al Qaeda. But Britain's Kabul Ambassador William Patey wrote on his Twitter feed that "if elements of the Taliban think that in 2015 they can take control of Afghanistan they will be in for a shock." He did not say if he was referring to the document. Hours after the Times report, the Afghan Taliban said that no peace negotiation process had been agreed with the international community, "particularly the Americans.

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has won a new mandate to head his right-wing Likud party, defeating an ultranationalist challenger opposed to any land-for-peace deal with Palestinians. Initial results published after voting held a day earlier showed Netanyahu captured a resounding majority of party ballots in a poll that some political commentators said could be a harbinger to an early general election ahead of a US presidential vote this year. Israel's next national vote is due in late 2013. With opinion polls showing Likud on course for victory, holding the ballot earlier could put

Israel's Netanyahu wins new party mandate

Europe freeze kills 89, fears rise over Russian gas

Kiev/Belgrade: Record-low temperatures in parts of Eastern Europe pushed the death toll from Arctic conditions to at least 89 people, and have forced Russian gas provider Gazprom to warn over supplies to Europe. Europe had enjoyed a relatively mild winter up until last weekend, but a Siberian system swinging in from the east brought that to an abrupt halt. A source at Russian gas export monopoly, which supplies a quarter of Europe's gas imports, said it was getting more requests from export markets than it could physically accommodate as demand from Russia spikes. The company however sought to reassure clients. "Despite increasing gas consumption in Russia due to heavy frosts, Gazprom continues implementing its contractual obligations to European clients," it said in e-mailed comments. In Ukraine, 43 people have died in the past five days, its emergency ministry said, as the former Soviet republic shivered through its coldest winter in six years. Overnight temperatures sank as low as minus 33 degrees Celsius (minus 27 Fahrenheit) and hundreds of heated tents have been put up to shelter the homeless. European weather alert network Meteoalarm (www.meteoalarm.eu) warned of "extremely dangerous" conditions in several parts of east-

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu in a better position to deal with what many Israelis believe will be pressure from Barack

Obama for peace concessions should the Democrat win a second term in November. "I thank you all for the confidence and renewed support you have given me," Netanyahu said in a victory speech in Tel Aviv, as initial results showed him way ahead of his sole rival, far-right settler, Moshe Feiglin. The Likud poll will be followed by a Kadima primary election on March 27. Both Kadima and the left-of-centre Labour party have been actively recruiting popular figures, and some influential wild cards, such as former journalist Yair Lapid, have thrown their hats into the electoral ring as well.

Gun fight erupts in Libya capital

Tripoli: Rival Libyan militia groups have fought a gun battle in the capital, Tripoli, officials say. Exchanges of fire were heard and plumes of smoke seen coming from a district known as Tariq Al Shat in central Tripoli, eyewitnesses said. An interior ministry official said the fighting was between militiamen from the city of Misrata, and a group from Zintan. The two militia groups fought together to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi last year. Several militias from outside the capital have set up bases in Tripoli and regularly clash as they fight for control of parts of the city. The country's interim National Transitional Council (NTC) is struggling to reassert its authority. The latest clashes took place near the coast, close to the Corinthia Bab al-Africa and Marriott hotels. "Misrata controls a police academy building up the

The fighting was between militiamen from the city of Misrata, and a group from Zintan. (File photo). road and they are fighting with Zintan. We do not know why they are fighting," interior ministry Naji Awad said.

A Siberian system swinging in from the east has brought the relatively mild winter up to an abrupt halt. ern Europe, including Serbia, where a fourth person was found dead overnight in the southwestern Suvobor mountains. Meteoalarm said severe cold was likely to persist in many parts of continental Europe including Germany and especially in southeastern Europe. In Moscow, where daytime temperatures fell as low as minus 22C (minus 8F) Celsius, opponents of Vladimir Putin worried that the cold could reduce attendance at a rally against the prime minister, one month before he stands in presidential elections. Poland said five more people died overnight, two of them from carbon monoxide poisoning as people turned to risky heating to battle temperatures likely to remain as low at minus 26C (minus 15F) for several more days. The country's gas monopoly PGNiG said it was restricted industrial deliveries to meet increased heating demand.

Four men admit London bomb plot

our British men allegedly inspired by the words of a US-born Muslim religious leader have pleaded guilty to involvement in a plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange at Christmas time in 2010. The men were among nine defendants facing trial in London over an alleged al-Qaeda-inspired plot to attack several prominent targets. All had initially pleaded not guilty to all the charges. But four of them pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to involvement in the stockexchange attack plan, and the five others to lesser charges. Mohammed Chowdhury, Shah

Rahman, Gurukanth Desai and Abdul Miah, all aged between 21 and 30, admitted to preparing for acts of terrorism by planning to plant an improvised explosive device in the toilets of the London Stock Exchange. Andrew Edis, the prosecution lawyer, accepted that the men had not planned to kill anyone. Chowdhury, from London, was described by prosecutors as the "lynchpin" of the plot. His lawyer, Christopher Blaxland, said Chowdhury admitted planning to plant the bomb, "with the obvious attendant risk but without any intention to cause death or even injury but with the

intention to terrorize, damage property and to cause economic damage". The other five defendants admitted attending planning meetings, fundraising for the attack or possessing copies of the al-Qaeda magazine, Inspire. They said the men were not members of al-Qaeda but had been inspired by the network and the sermons of its Yemen-based American-born Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed last year in a US drone attack. The suspects were arrested in London, Cardiff and Stoke-onTrent in central England, in what police called the biggest anti-ter-

London has been targeted several times by plotters affiliated with or inspired by Al-Qaeda. ror raid in two years. July 2005, four suicide bombers London has been targeted sev- killed 52 commuters on three eral times by plotters affiliated London underground trains and a with or inspired by al-Qaeda. In bus.

Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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February 4-10, 2012

France wins India's $10.4bn warplane deal

New Delhi: In a defense deal that is India's -- and amongst the world's -- largest, France's Dassault has won a $10.4 billion (Rs.52,000 crore) order for 126 fighter jets after over four years of a fiercely-fought bidding process. Finally, it was a direct financial duel between Dassault and European consortium EADS Cassidian Eurofighter, with Rafale pipping Typhoon with the lowest bid to emerge the winner in the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) deal. "Dassault has been informed that it has emerged L1 (Lowest one) in the bid for 126 multi-role fighter aircraft tender," a defense ministry official said, referring to the lowest price quoted for the Rafale. "But the contract will be signed only in the next financial year." transfers of technology to India and committed that his government would back Dassault in final talks on the details of the agreement. "The negotiation of the contract will begin very soon with the full support of French authorities. It will include major transfers of technology guaranteed by the French state," Sarkozy said in an official statement. The offset clause in the tender, included under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) of 2006, requires the winner of the tender to reinvest 50 percent of the deal amount in the Indian defence industry in an effort to energize it. Under the terms of purchase, the first 18 aircraft will come in a flyaway condition, with the remaining 108 to be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under a transfer of technology agreement. The first 18 jets will have to be supplied within 36 months. The size of the contract could eventually go up to 200 aircraft as there is a provision for increasing the order by 50 percent without any price hike. The Rafale is a twin-engined, delta-wing jet. It was first introduced in 2000 and since then is produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations with the French Navy. The procurement of the advanced fighters forms a key part of India's military modernisation programme that is aimed at securing eastern and western borders with eyes on China and Pakistan.

The deal for Rafale fighter jets is among the worlds largest deals. Dassault in an emailed statement pride in contributing to India's from Paris said the firm was com- defense for over half a century". mitted "to meet the operational French President Nicolas requirements of the Indian Air Sarkozy in his reaction said the Force (IAF) and underline their deal would include significant

India revises 2010-11 GDP growth to 8.4 %

New Delhi: The Indian economy grew 8.4% in 2010-11, marginally lower than the previous estimate of 8.5%, on the back of strong farm sector and services sector growth, data showed. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released the quick estimates of national income, which showed that the farm sector grew 7% in 2010-11, while the services sector, which accounts for more than 52% of the economy, rose 9.3%. "The 8.4% expansion in the gross domestic product (GDP) during 2010-11 has been achieved due to high growth in transport, storage and communication (14.7%), financing, insurance, real estate and business services (10.4%), trade, hotels and restaurants (9%) and construction (8%)," the CSO statement said. "At constant prices, the primary sector, ie agriculture, forestry and fishing, has shown a high growth of 7% during 2010-11 as against 1% during the year 2009-10. The growth rate of secondary sector is 7.2% and that of the service sector is 9.3% during 2010-11," the statement added.

India won't cut Iranian oil imports: Pranab

India's per capita income rises to Rs.53,000

New Delhi: India's per capita income grew by 15.6 percent to Rs.53,331 in 2010-11 as compared to Rs.46,117 in the previous year on the back of 8.4 percent economic growth and partly also because of high inflation, official data showed. The country's per capita income has crossed Rs.50,000mark for the first time. "The per capita income at current prices is estimated at Rs.53,331 in 2010-11 as against Rs.46,117 for the previous year depicting a growth of 15.6 percent," according to provisional data released by the ministry of statistics and program implementation here. However, in real terms based on 2004-05 prices, the per capita income grew by a slower 6.4 percent to Rs.35,993 in 2010-11 as compared to Rs.33,843 in the previous year. The growth in per capita income is led by 8.4 percent expansion in the economy. The domestic saving had

The country's per capita income has crossed Rs.50,000-mark for the first time. increased by 33.8 percent in 2009-10. The gross domestic capital formation, an indicator of increase in physical assets, rose to Rs.26,92,031 crore in 2010-11 at current prices as compared to Rs.23,63,670 crore in the previous year. At constant 2004-05 prices, the gross domestic capital formation increased to Rs.19,74,172 crore in 2010-11 as compared to Rs.18,38,870 crore in the previous year. The rate of gross capital formation at constant (2004-05) prices was 37.7 percent in 201011 as against 38.5 percent in 2009-10.

India, which imports 12 percent of its oil from the Islamic Republic, cannot do without Iranian oil, Pranab Mukherjee said. Chicago: India, the world's fourth- ment. largest oil consumer, will not take New US sanctions, authorized on steps to cut petroleum imports December 31 and which penalize from Iran despite US and any financial institutions dealing European sanctions against Tehran, with Iran's central bank, could finance minister Pranab Mukherjee make it more difficult for India to said during a visit to Chicago. pay Iran for oil imports. The United States wants buyers The European Union banned oil in Asia, Iran's biggest oil market, imports from Iran earlier this to cut imports to put further pres- month. sure on Tehran to rein in its nuclear Mukherjee said he projects India ambitions. Washington suspects to return to its path of high ecoIran of trying to make nuclear nomic growth, despite an expected weapons, but Tehran says its slowdown to a 7 percent pace this nuclear program is for peaceful year from 8.5 percent last year. means. The Indian fiscal year ends in India, which imports 12 percent March. of its oil from the Islamic Inflation, as measured by wholeRepublic, cannot do without sale prices, rose 7.47 percent in Iranian oil, Mukherjee said. December, its slowest pace in two "It is not possible for India to years, and Mukherjee said he take any decision to reduce the expected further declines. imports from Iran drastically, "If this trend continues, I am because among the countries optimistic (India will see inflation which can provide the requirement of) 6.5 percent to 7 percent by end of the emerging economies, Iran is of the year," he said. an important country amongst But a possible move by the US them," Mukherjee told reporters in Federal Reserve to ease monetary Chicago at the end of a two-day policy further could reverse that visit aimed at wooing US invest- outlook, he said.

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Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

India's losing streak in Australia continues

Sydney: India's disastrous run in Australia continued as they lost the first Twenty20 international by 31 runs at the ANZ Stadium. India managed 140 for six in 20 overs in reply to Australia's 171 for four. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck 48 off 43 balls but his efforts came a little too late as the visitors made a poor start losing four wickets for 53 runs in 7.1 overs. Spinner Brad Hogg (1/21), making a national comeback at 40, and part-timer David Hussey (2/4) troubled the Indian batsmen on a wicket that offered sharp turn and bounce. India lost Virender Sehwag on the third ball as the opener was squared up by Brett Lee (1/36) and Mike Hussey at first slip. Gautam Gambhir (20) and Virat Kohli (22) added 41 runs for the second wicket to bring some stability but their quick dismissals and Rohit Sharma's first ball duck

Dhoni ready to give up Test captaincy

Sydney: India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is ready to give up Test captaincy if there is a "better man" to replace him. Calls for his removal as leader in the longest format have grown following India's pathetic show in Tests in England and Australia, where he captained seven of the team's eight consecutive defeats. Dhoni said captaincy is a position that doesn't belong to anyone and should be assigned to someone who is most suited to lead the team at that time. "It is an added role and responsibility for me. It is not a position that belongs to anyone. The responsibility was given to me three-and-a-half years back. I have been trying to do well, get along with the team, perform well wherever we play," Dhoni told reporters at the ANZ Stadium.

India's disastrous run in Australia continued as they lost the first Twenty20 international by 31 runs. put India in a tight spot. Suresh Raina (14) also failed to get going and a late charge by Dhoni was not enough to take India home safely. Dhoni hit three sixes and a four during his quickfire knock. Earlier, sizzling knocks from wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade (72) and a handy 42 from David Hussey gave Australia a good total to defend. Opening batsman David Warner hit a 14ball 25.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni added: "It is just a position I hold. It is something I will always look to do well till I am in the job. It is not something I want to stick on to. If there is a better replacement, he can come in. It is a very open thing. At the end of the day, you want India to perform. If there is someone who can do a better job, then it is a place that should be given to him. It is not something you have to cling on to."

Force India driver gets 18month suspended sentence

Sania reaches career best 7th spot

New Delhi: Sania Mirza's semifinal finish in the women's doubles event at the recentlyconcluded Australian Open has catapulted her to a career best ranking of seventh position in the latest WTA Team Rankings. Sania jumped from 11th spot to be inside the top-10 in doubles rankings and if she manages to stay in the top 10 till June 21, 2012, she will get a direct entry into the London Olympics. The Hyderabadi girl though slipped in the singles rankings to be placed at 111th spot from 106th position. The top-64 players will get a direct entry into the singles draw of the Olympics and if Sania fails to get into that bracket, AITA will ask the organizing committee for a wildcard entry. Meanwhile Leander Paes, who won the Australian Open men's doubles with Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic and finished runners-up in mixed doubles event with Elena Vesnina, has retained his seventh spot in the ATP doubles rankings. Rohan Bopanna also managed to retain his 11th position in the doubles' list but his new doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi lost eight positions to slip to 16th.

Adrian Sutil has been found guilty of grievous bodily harm by the court after he allegedly hurt Renault official Eric Lux. London: A Munich court has handed a 18-month suspended sentence and a euro 200,000 fine to former Force India driver Adrian Sutil for injuring the chief executive of the then Renault Formula One team at a night club in China last year. Sutil has been found guilty of grievous bodily harm by the court after he allegedly hurt Renault official Eric Lux at a Shanghai nightclub during the Chinese Grand Prix last April. Lux needed several stitches for a neck wound after Sutil hit him with a champagne glass, Guardian reported Tuesday. Sutil is yet to find a race seat for 2012 after being overlooked by Force India, which has picked Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg for the upcoming season. Renault is now renamed team Lotus. Sutil had told the court on the first day of proceedings Monday that he apologised to Lux and it was not his intention to hurt him and rather wanted to throw a drink on his face, the paper added. The prosecution had earlier asked for a 21-month sentence and a euro 300,000 fine against Sutil. "Pushing someone away with a glass is adventurous and not in line with our experience of life. Professional athletes play a role model function in public life and such incidents should not occur," prosecutor Nicole Selzam told the court. Sutil's fine will be used for charity. The court had also wanted to hear from McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who was in the night club at the time of the incident, but he was unavailable due to team commitments.

Sania jumped from 11th spot to be inside the top-10 in doubles rankings.

Jeev, Chowrasia set for Qatar Masters

Doha: After a creditable show at last week's Abu Dhabi Championships, Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh will aim to better the performance when he tees off at the Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club. Jeev had rounds of 67 and 71 on the weekend as he finished tied 24th at the Abu Dhabi Championships. Other Indians in the fray will be SSP Chowrasia, whose last round 68 was by far one of his better rounds in the last six months on European Tour, and Shiv Kapur -- via a sponsor's spot. Kapur played the European Challenge Tour last week finishing in top-10 at the Kensville Challenge in Ahmedabad. Jeev is paired with David Howell and Oscar Floren and Chowrasia will play with David Lynn and Rafael Cabrero-Bello and Kapur will play the first two days with Tano Goya and Alejandro Canizares. Thomas Bjorn of Denmark will be back in Doha this week trying to find the same form that took him to victory in the Qatar Masters a year ago. That set him up for his most successful season to date on The European Tour in terms of wins. The 40-year-old Dane recovered from an opening 74 at Doha Golf Club last year to storm home with subsequent rounds of 65-66-69 for a total of 14under 274 and a four shot winning margin over Spain's Alvaro Quiros. Bjorn later claimed the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and the Omega European Masters in consecutive weeks to help him finish ninth in The Race to Dubai, his best finish since he ended 2003 in eighth position on the rankings.

Lifestyle TheSouthAsianTimes.info

27

February 4-10, 2012

New Delhi: The mellow fragrance of lavender comes wafting, men in traditional clothes beat drums, curious customers scrutinize little transparent bottles -- it's a scene out of the Itar and Sugandhi Festival here. The four-day festival (Jan 26-29) at Dilli Haat, Pitampura was organized by Delhi Tourism in collaboration with the Fragrance and Flavor Development Centre, Kannauj under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. To treat the olfactory senses of visitors, products ranging from itar, exotic agarbattis, dhoop, scented candles, essential oils, perfumes and room fresheners from Punjab, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra were presented at the event. "Synthetic perfumes which contain alcohol are very popular with people. But they are not aware about the various natural alcohol-free aromas which the domestic industry has to offer," Fragrance and Flavor Development Centre deputy director Shakti Vinay Shukla said. "We want to promote this small industry as well as make the common man aware of itar and sugandhi which they often confuse as one and the same thing," said Shukla. He said the essential difference between the two is that while itar is used for external use, sugandhi is used as a flavor in food items. The organizers set up a hydro-distillation apparatus used to manufacture 'itar' at the festival. They also asked aggarbatti and kuppi (containers for essential oils and scents) manufacturers to demonstrate the

Itar festival -- a sensory treat! Shantanu-Nikhil to open WIFW 2012

New Delhi: Designer duo Shantanu-Nikhil will Feb 15 open the autumn-winter edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week( WIFW) 2012 at the Pragati Maidan here. WIFW organiser Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) Tuesday announced the names of the designers who will feature at the 19th edition of the event. "FDCI is thrilled to have ace designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil to open WIFW 2012, that so befits the glitz and glamour that they are known for and hence the apt choice to unveil the biggest fashion event of the year," FDCI President Sunil Sethi said in a statement. The designer duo, known for their luxurious and elegant collection, will showcase their S&N Drape bridge line, and said they were "extremely excited to open the show". During the five-day gala, 138 designers will showcase their col-

Itar, exotic agarbattis, dhoop, scented candles, essential oils, perfumes and room fresheners were sold at the four day fest making process. Mohammad Mustaqeen, a manufacturer, zealously explained how they make the leather kuppis. "People from all the states who deal in itars get kuppis from me. Ours is a traditional art. Nobody pursues it except my family," he said. Brijesh from Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh too had an excited audience around him. He demonstrated how agarbattis are made with powder of charcoal, jigat (maida lakdi) and bark of babool tree. "We want people to understand the vital role itar and sugandhi play in our lives. Flavors for edible products, fragrance for external use... all come from this industry," said Shukla.

Designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil lections on the ramp and on the racks. Abraham and Thakore, Anand Kabra, Anju Modi, Gaurav Gupta, Meera and Muzaffar Ali, Manish Malhotra, Rahul Mishra, Rocky S, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Abdul Halder, Charu Parashar, Wendell Rodricks, James Ferreira and Gauri and Nainika are some of the well known names that will take part in the event.

Money can buy happiness if you know how to spend

London: People spending money to enjoy different experiences in everyday life, such as on days out or concert tickets, are happier than those who spend on buying possessions, says a study. This was the finding of a study of 9,600 people who were questioned about their shopping habits, as well as to ascertain personality traits, values and life satisfaction, the Daily Mail reported. Extroverts and people who are open to new experiences tend to spend more of their disposable income on treats, such as on a weekend away or concert tickets instead of visiting the mall for material items. According to the study led by San Francisco State University Assistant Professor of Psychology Ryan Howell, these habitual

Spacious workplaces boost employees' creativity

London: Companies expecting "out of the box ideas" from employees should first pay attention to the kind of workplace they are providing them, as a study has found that cramped or claustrophobic working environments stifle employees' creativity. Scientists say cramped, claustrophobic working environments stifle employees' creativity and result in fewer 'lightbulb' moments of inspiration, the Daily Mail reported. Working in an airier, less constricted workplace was, however, found to stimulate their brains more and boost their ability to think 'outside the box'. This was found during a research by Chinese and US scientists, which saw volunteers seated inside or outside a cardboard box measuring five by five feet. The team ensured that, cardboard aside, each environment was identical and that participants did not feel claustrophobic inside the box. Having set the volunteers a test, findings showed that people outside the box were consistently more creative in their thinking. It was also discovered that walking freely helped people generate more ideas than when they were made to walk in a straight line.

"experiential shoppers" reaped long-term benefits from their spending since they reported greater life satisfaction. For his latest study, Howell and colleagues surveyed nearly 10,000 participants, who completed online questionnaires about their shopping habits, personality traits, values and life satisfaction.

High heels could be bad for your health

London: While many women may view high heels as a style statement or find them as an essential in their wardrobes, it could actually be proving bad for their health, a study has suggested. A first of its kind scientific study has found that lovers of heels walk markedly different from those with flat shoes and put greater strain on their calf muscles. Researchers noticed that stiletto wearers move with shorter, more forceful strides than women who wear flats. For the study, Scientists asked a group of young women, who regularly wear heels and others who do not, to walk barefoot. Those who wore heels for more than 40 hours a week had feet that were constantly in a flexed, toes-pointed position even after they had kicked off their expensive fashion accessories. They take shorter, more aggressive steps and the fibres in their calf muscles shorten, placing a huge strain on their bodies. Women who shun heels walk in a far healthier and efficient way. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, shows that after only two years of wearing heels, women are more likely to suffer muscle fatigue and strain injuries or topple over and injure themselves. The researchers advise women to wear heels "once or twice a week" and remove them whenever they can.

Now a safe and gentle cleanse to wipe out cast itch and odor
Skaneateles, New York: A new hygiene product provides a simple solution to an all-too-common problem. Sani-Cast is an innovative health tool designed to help sanitize and deodorize the skin wrapped in an orthopedic cast. Last year more than seven million bones were cast in the United States alone, proof that the challenge of cast hygiene is one that affects a large portion of the population at any given time. As anyone of those millions can attest, not long after a cast is set, the inevitable problem of itching and odor appear, making the healing process even more difficult for the patient. The Sani-Cast kit includes a reusable medicalgrade 21 inch easy-reach applicator and 36 permoistened disposable cleansing pads. Patients simply attach one of the cleansing pads to the end of the applicator and then slowly and cautiously work the pad up and down the skin underneath the cast, providing sanitizing and deodorizing in even the hardest to reach places. The patent-pending Sani-Cast makes wearing

a cast more bearable and removes some of the health hazards involved. Sani-Cast is a gentle cleansing alternative to powder sprays and perfumes which only mask odor and promote poor cast hygiene. All too often a patient will insert an unsanitary household object under their cast to deal with the itching caused by bacteria. Objects such as coat hangers, rulers and pencils, break the skin causing a series of health complications. Over the last decade, our team of orthopedics, engineers and chemists have developed a safe and gentle cleanse that virtually wipes out cast itch and odor, says Sani-Cast Vice President, Michael Hogan. The Sani-Cast Kit is available at several pharmacies nationwide.

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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Humor with Melvin Durai

ndia is on the verge of war with the United States after the State Department refused to take action against Tonight Show host Jay Leno for a joke about the Golden Temple. Leno showed a picture of the Golden Temple and joked that it was the summer home of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Following online protests from Sikhs in America, Indias Overseas Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi called for the US government to look into the issue, saying, The Golden Temple is the Sikh community's most sacred place. If Jay Leno wanted to joke about it, he should have first cleared it with our Prime Minister, who is himself a Sikh. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that President Barack Obama is not considering taking action against Leno, noting that his comments are constitutionally protected in the United States under free speech. But she quickly added that Obama did not find the joke funny at all and generally preferred Letterman to Leno. But the U.S. response did not satisfy the Indian government. Sources say that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has met with Defense Minister A.K. Antony to discuss the logistics of going to war against the United States. Its a very serious issue, an informed source said. Obama should have condemned Leno and instructed NBC to cancel his show.

India on brink of war with United States

did?" McDouglas asked. He sat through an entire Bollywood movie! Anything to prevent a war against India. Mitt Romney, meanwhile, told a group of reporters in Florida that he has several summer

homes, but the Golden Temple isnt one of them. Nice place, he said. I love the architecture and the color scheme. Ive already told my real estate broker, If it ever goes on sale, snap it up.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

But perhaps the president is being very strategic. He knows that Americans always re-elect a president during a time of war. While some military analysts question whether India can wage a war against the United States, others point out that the U.S. has already spent billions of dollars fighting in Iraq and would be reluctant to commit to another costly war. I think theyre going to have to appease India in some way, said David McDouglas, a writer for MilitaryNews.com. Im not sure what that will involve. Perhaps Obama will have to make a pilgrimage to the Golden Temple. He noted that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper had to do something similar last year, after comedian Russell Peters said that Bollywood movies are all garbage and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is the biggest example of bad acting. To appease India, do you know what Harper

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

Tech Life

Smartphones exposing kids to porn: Study

London: They may have become a necessity in today's world, but a new study has found that mobile phones are exposing children as young as eight years to smut. The study, conducted by YouGov, has revealed that around 1.2 million children in the UK have looked at violent or pornographic websites on their smartphones, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported. The study, based on a poll of over 1,000 children aged eight to 15, found that nearly half owned a smartphone such as the iPhone, with most saying their parents had bought them the devices. A fifth said they had viewed violent or pornographic content on a telephone. This suggests that 1.2 million out of a total of six million in the eight-to-15 age group have used a smartphone to access illicit material. Nearly nine out of 10 children questioned had no security settings on their telephones, and 46 per cent of parents were unaware that they're even necessary, according to the survey for Carphone Warehouse. A further 18 per cent of 15 year-olds also reported being bullied or bullying others using a smartphone, with 27 per cent receiving unwanted calls or messages. Prof Tanya Byron, a leading child psychologist who has been advising the government on child internet safety since 2007, said the findings were "no surprise" in an age of developing internet technology. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre advised parents to wake up to the risks mobile telephones pose as online technology develops. A spokesman said, "If your child has a mobile phone that can access the internet you need to think about what they may be able to access through it, such as porn sites and other inappropriate content."

Angry Birds coming to Facebook!

New York: It may be time for some of the Facebook's most popular games, CityVille, FarmVille, Gardens of Time, The Sims Social and others to move on. For come February 14, and Angry Birds will make its entry on Facebook. According to an official statement by Angy Birds maker Rovio, the avian game will arrive on world's No.1 social networking site Facebook on the Valentine's day. The official launch will take place in Indonesia's capital city Jakarta. Indonesia is the second biggest Facebook market outside US. Rovio posted on its official page, "Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" like competitive pig-popping among friends!" "Join in on the fun -- mark this date on your calendar, and let's make this the biggest Facebook event ever!" Rovio CEO Mikael Hed reportedly told Mashable that the game will have completely new aspects and a more collaborative feel. The Angry Birds maker has also released a small trailer of the game that offers a sneak peek into

the game's Facebook version. The widely popular game, where birds destroy the pigs who stole their eggs with the help of a slingshot, has been a blockbuster since it first launched on iOS devices in 2009. The game is today available on Apple, Symbian, Windows and Android-based devices, and recently arrived on BlackBerry PlayBook. Angry Birds and Facebook were the most downloaded iPhone apps of 2011, according to Apple.

Astrology
TheSouthAsianTimes.info

29

February 4-10, 2012

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

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: February 4-10, 2012
Aries: Added responsibilities at home will be a burden. You will be unable to handle unexpected rise in expenses that catch you by surprise. This disappointment will make you irritated and short-tempered. You need to fix your eye on your goals, but take necessary precautions. You should take advantage of any moneymaking opportunity that comes your way. Support from friends will be immense. Social events will be exciting. Taurus: The benefits that you accrue this week will double if you play your cards well. You will be in a commanding position to reap incredible financial benefits from work that depend on your good reputation. Expect social activities to be lively and exciting. Your personality will have a magnetic appeal that will attract the right conditions and people. Physical exercise will be important for those who have the tendency to put extra weight. Gemini: Opportunities to express your creative thoughts will bring you popularity. You seem to possess some new ideas and plans, which might not get implemented due to increase in your responsibilities and other pressures. Female members of the family will be extra helpful in completing pending jobs. Spend enjoyable time with youngsters and friends. Attend seminars and exhibitions that will bring you in touch with the right kind of people. Cancer:Cash and expensive items need careful handling. If you are planning to venture into a new business, seek assistance from individuals who are established and experienced, as they will give you some serious insight into future trends. Romantic alliances will suffer, as emotional moments will arise, causing problems in your love relationship. Social activities will provide you with knowledge and amusement. Meditation and yoga will prove to be highly beneficial during this phase. Leo: You will possess a remarkable ability to put together projects that will be extremely dynamic and profitable. You need to focus on small yet important tasks, to reap longterm gains. Your mate will enjoy helping you out in completing outdoor jobs. Your participation in family functions and social activities will bring you pleasure and respect. Funds for businessmen will generate through loans or property transaction. Foreign transactions need careful handling. Virgo: Invitation and offers from friends and acquaintances will be plenty this week. You will easily reap favours from influential people if you share your ideas with them. Your ability to act as a leader will put you into strong position. New romance for some will be exciting, but you will take some more time to build complete trust in each other. Look into unusual project that will help you earn some extra money. Visit to a hill station or some recreation with your family would bring moments of happiness and better understanding. Libra: You should sign up for short courses that will help you with personality and skill development. Be especially careful while handling finances, because you are likely to suffer losses due to your overconfidence. Close friends and relatives will try to keep you happy but tend to promise more than what they can deliver. Social events will help you take your mind off tensions and worries. New alliances and contacts will develop through social activities. Scorpio: Your optimism and positive outlook will push your career to new heights. But you need to be cautious of hindrances that will come in your path preventing you from getting what you rightfully deserve. You and a partner will need to discuss practical issues to avoid later misunderstandings. Romance with an acquaintance will be highly exciting, but will bring you criticism from those who are close to you. A spiritual leader or elder provides guidance. Sagittarius: Uncertainties at home may cause confrontations. Investment will bring gains, and you will have a chance to earn additional money through the strength of your personality. Accept any new offer that comes your way. You will feel that changing position of planets tend to bring favorable results in your life, as your creative ability will get heightened and earn you popularity and gains. Pilgrimage or distant journeys for some. Capricorn: Be ready for some last-minute changes in your investment plans. You will find it extremely difficult to keep to your commitments. Try not to show resentment during this period or you will unintentionally annoy others. Seeking help from close associated will be essential to ease work pressure that grips your mind. Any contribution that you make towards social cause will enhance your reputation and bring you mental peace. Your beloved or spouse will extend his full affection and support. Aquarius: Some innovative projects will demand that you express your skills in a different way. Your confidence and morale will be high, as your brilliant ideas impress influential people. Take care of your dealing with govt. agencies. Social activities will bring about a new romantic relationship. You and your new beloved will want to keep this intimacy a secret as of now. Travel will be favorable but expensive. All legal matters require immense attention. Wise investments would fetch returns. Pisces: You will exhibit a special charm and sweetness that will warm even the coldest of hearts. Your improved financial condition will be a result of your own initiative. You should not invest in ventures and schemes that only appear to be lucrative. Look from each and every angle before you put your hard-earned money on the table. Housewives will get a new proposal to start a small part-time business on the side. Do not be lavish in your spending. Health and family might require attention.

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

February: 4 Your Ruling Influences : No. 4 and the planet Uranus. You are also dominated by the planet Mercury Your Traits : You are courageous by nature and can face any eventuality, which may come your way. The ability to handle any difficult situation, with ease, comes naturally to you You Should Guard Against : Your obstinate and impetuous nature. At times you tend to get too obstinate and impetuous Profession and Finances : The coming year, will be financially a good one, for most of you. Your sharp memory and a practical approach, will make those of you in business achieve success, in the year ahead of you. You will reach newer heights of excellence. Advance planning, coupled with enthusiasm and dynamism, will bring success to you from all corners.. . Travel : Business and pleasure trips to distant places are foreseen Significant months :January, May, August, November February: 5 Your Ruling Influences : No. 5 and the planet Mercury Your Traits : You are shrewd in your day to day dealing in life. Your sharp mind and shrewd attitude will bring success to you in your business field, in the year ahead of you. You Should Guard Against : Being unduly outspoken. . Sometimes you are in a hurry to share your ideas and thoughts, and this could lead to your opponents taking away your new ideas. Profession and Finances : You will be able to impress your clients with your impressing personality and conversations skills. Coupled with your intelligent views and ideas, you can expect to reach newer heights of excellence, in whatever new venture you undertake in the coming year Domestic Front : Social life will be full of fun and happiness, in the coming year. You can expect to have many friends around you. Philosophy and religion will interest you Significant months: February, May, June, and September February: 6 Your Ruling Influences : No. 6 and the planet Venus. The planet Mercury also dominates you Your Traits : Art and beauty are a part of your life. Any expression of art fascinates you. You take it to an extent of making it your business as well Music, art, love and fun all these will surround you in the year ahead of you. Your personality will draw friends towards you. Your confidence and communication skills will lead you to the pivotal of success in your professional front. Your positive outlook to life will not only bring happiness to you and your family, but it will also make your friends around you, happy in your company. You are a faithful friend, and those in need of help, look to you for advice and solace Profession and Finances : The coming year, will be a good one financially. You will earn a lot of money, and will be able to afford to buy the luxuries of life Significant months : April, June, October, and December February: 7 Your Ruling Influences : No. 7 and the planet Neptune and governed by the planet Mercury. You are also dominated by the number 7 Your Traits : High ideals and lofty ambitions are traits of your character. You will not follow customs and traditions, in the coming year. You like to fly free, and that is just what you are going to do be free of customs and orthodox views. Your high ideals and enthusiasm will be an inspiration for your friends and relatives, around you. You are reserved by nature and like to spend time alone. You would rather read books, alone at home, than socialize with friends. You Should Guard Against : Your skeptical and suspicious nature Profession and Finances : Your in-depth study of subjects and your vast knowledge, will bring success to you in your professional field, in the year ahead of you. Your shrewd nature will allow you to success in business Significant months : January, May, September, and November February: 8 Your Ruling Influences : No. 8 and the planet Saturn. You are also dominated by the planet Mercury Your Traits : You are ambitious by nature, and will go to any length to achieve what you desire. You will be full of energy and new ideas, to successfully implant new projects and plans, in the year ahead of you. You Should Guard Against: The domineering trait in your character as this could result in people misjudging you on many issues Profession and Finances : Your methodical approach to your work, coupled with your sense of duty, will take you to newer heights of excellence, in the year ahead of you. The ability to study and judge, both sides of an issue, will be an added asset to you at work. You will not tolerate those who are not regular or punctual in their approach to work. Significant months : February, September and November February: 9 Your Ruling Influences : No. 9 and the planet Mars. You are also influenced by the planet Mercury Your Traits : You are courageous, dashing and a born warrior. You will not let any obstacle come your way. In the coming year, you can expect to reach your ambitious goals, because of your perseverance and determination. Your conversational abilities will make you a centre of attraction, at social gatherings. Your inborn ability to tackle subjects like science and mathematics will draw a lot of attention and praise from those around you s The tendency to take hasty decisions and to have a inflated self-belief about your ability to single-handedly take Profession and Finances : You will be able to study any subject in great details and this will bring success to you in your individual projects Significant months : January, May and October February: 10 Your Ruling Influences : No. 1 and the Sun. You are also dominated by the planet Mercury Your Traits : You are a faithful friend and can be trusted to keep secrets of those who confide in you. Systematic and sincerity, will lead you to newer heights of success, in your professional front, in the year ahead of you. You Should Guard Against : Hasty decisions or taking the law into your hands Profession and Finances : Your ability to be good at anything that you undertake is likely to catch the attention of your seniors, and you will be rewarded for your efforts. The year ahead of you, will be financial profitable. Those of you in business are likely to undertake important projects, and achieve success in the same Domestic Front : Some of you are likely to get attracted to the opposite sex, and probably make a special friend, in the year ahead of you Significant months : January, July and November

Before you consult...

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

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Spiritual Awareness TheSouthAsianTimes.info

February 4-10, 2012

Non-violence through meditation

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj gave this keynote address at the 26th International Human Unity Conference held in Mexico City, Mexico, in November 2008. Concluding part of the discourse Olympics of meditation
with violence, challenges, and dangers. From the moment we are born until our ultimate end, we face illness, accidents, mishaps, losses, and disasters both man-made and natural. The news contains one event after another filled with violence that can bring fear and panic into our lives. People worry about crime, illness, financial loss and disasters such as floods, volcanoes, earthquakes, and other threats to our lives. Is there anyway to lead our lives so that we are not engulfed by fear or violence? Can we navigate through the roadblocks on our way to happiness so that we can lead a life of calm, peace, and joy? Although people have prayed for an era of nonviolence for centuries, history shows there has not yet been a single period without war. Is there any way then to end violence and have a period of nonviolence on this planet? People engage in violence because they do not think about town and hoped that when he returned the goats would get along. As soon as the farmer left, the goats began to fight again. They rammed each other hard with their horns, and ended up breaking off their horns. By the time the farmer returned from the trip, both goats had broken horns. He called them together and said, "I have asked you to get along with each other. Instead, I return and you have been fighting and now you both have injured yourselves. I request you both to stop fighting. I am going on another trip. Please be peaceful. When I return I want you to have worked things out so that you both get along well." As soon as the farmer went away, the goats began fighting again. They were knocking each other over by pushing each other hard with their strong bodies and biting. Soon, their bodies were bruised beyond repair. When the farmer returned he said, "You are both hurting yourselves in the The other animals on the farm explained that the two goats had fought each other to death. They took the farmer to the place where only the bones remained. The farmer said to the other animals, "As you can see, each of the goats was so intent on destroying the other goat that they ended up destroying themselves. This is the fruit of violence. Each goat thought it would hurt the other goat, but both of them were destroyed in the end. Violence hurts ourselves more than the other person." This lesson is a powerful one that we can take to heart. Whenever we set out to hurt someone, we think we are hurting another person. But there are ramifications that extend far beyond our own violence. It spoils the atmosphere for everyone else, and it ends up coming back to hurt us. We cannot avoid the reactions of our actions. There is a law in the universe If we want to hurt someone, then we have to think if we want to be hurt in the same way that we have hurt someone else. If we do not want to receive back the pain we give to those whom we do not like, then we should not proceed with our harmful words or deeds. If we are not prepared to suffer the effect that we dish out to others then we should think twice before dishing it out to them. We should also consider that even if we do not like someone, if we hurt them, it will only hurt us. It will come back in the same measure that we give out. We will be hurt in the same measure as we hurt them. We should instead be calm and cool. We can iron out our differences in a peaceful and loving way. We can try to settle any disputes. We can do so lovingly and peacefully. We should not fall into the trap into which the two goats fell. We should not be so intent on destroying our enemies or those whom we do not like, for in the process we will only destroy ourselves. Let us not be like the two goats. Let us remember their plight of how they each tried to destroy the other and they themselves were destroyed in the process. If we can remember their example, we would think twice before hurting anyone else because when we are violent to others we only hurt ourselves. Let us learn how to be peaceful. There will always be people who differ from us. There may be reasons that certain people just do not like someone else. We may feel someone did something to us and then instead of finding out the real reason or the true story, we jump to conclusions and want to hurt them back. For whatever reason there are people we do not see eye to eye with; we should at least recognize our differences in a peaceful way. We should be resolved not to hurt them or be violent to them. We should be loving, cordial, and respectful in our interactions with them. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an internationally recognized spiritual leader and Master of Jyoti Meditation who affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions and mystic traditions, emphasizing ethical living and meditation as building blocks for achieving inner and outer peace. www.sos.org.

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

t is a pleasure to be here with you in Mexico City, Mexico, to inaugurate the 26th International Human Unity Conference. I find that the people here are loving, warm, and caring and are deeply spiritual. I always feel welcomed here because of the love and kindness of the people of Mexico.

People from all over the world have gathered here in your beautiful country to find ways to bring about human unity. One of the biggest blocks to human unity is violence. The people of Mexico are undergoing many of the same difficulties that other countries around the world face. Every day there are threats and challenges to our peace. We have come together at this conference to find ways to bring nonviolence into our own lives in the midst of a world filled with conflict and suffering. The purpose of my visit to this beautiful country of Mexico is to give people techniques to achieve nonviolence, peace, and joy through meditation. Most people want to go through the day in peace without getting injured in any way. We want our children to be safe. We want our parents to be safe. We want our brothers and sisters to be safe. We want our friends to be safe. We want ourselves to be safe. Unfortunately, life offers many challenges. We worry about our family getting hurt. We worry about violence to our families, friends, and community. We hear about violence when countries go to war. We pray for an era of nonviolence when people everywhere, including our own families and selves, are free of violence. This physical world is filled

There is a law in the universe that tells us that whatever we think, say, or do will come back to us. This is known in the East as the law of karma.
the effects it brings. In this connection, there is a story about a farmer who kept many animals. Most of the animals got along peacefully, except for two goats that were always fighting. It disturbed the peace of the whole farm. The other animals complained to the farmer about the two fighting goats and asked him to resolve their problems. The farmer called together the two goats and told them that they were disturbing everyone else on the farm. The farmer said to the goats, "You have to stop fighting. People do not want to come to the farm for goods because of the disturbance. The sale of farm products has dropped because of your fighting. I am going on a trip and want you to resolve your problems, so that when I return, you are peaceful." The farmer then went out of attempt to hurt each other. Please stop this." The farmer had another trip, and begged them to resolve their problems and be peaceful since they were now both hurt badly by their fighting. When the farmer left, they fought so hard that they hurt each others legs and both of them could not use their legs anymore. When the farmer returned he saw them lying on the ground still looking angrily at each other. The farmer said, "You have now destroyed almost everything about each other except for your tails. I suggest you resolve your problem or there will be nothing left of either of you." When the farmer left, they fought so hard that they finally destroyed each other. There was nothing left of the two goats except their bones. When the farmer returned he did not see the goats, so he asked the other animals where they were. that tells us that whatever we think, say, or do will come back to us. This is known in the East as the law of karma. This law of karma states that whatever we think, say, and do comes back to us. If we are violent to someone in action it will come back to hurt us. Either the other person will respond to hurt us, or the law of karma will have some repercussion that will come back to us. Thus, in our attempts to hurt someone else with words or deeds, or even the power of our thoughts, we can expect that they will boomerang back to us. So, it causes us to think twice and thrice before we utter any harsh words to anyone. That is why the Golden Rule is so powerful. It says, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." It means that whatever we do to others will come back to us.