November 2008 NRI PULSE 1 The Southeast’s P r e m ier South Asian Newspaper November 2008 414 Druid Oaks Dr. Atlanta, GA 30329 Tel: 404-235-4998 Free Copy Resolution 1248 On Indo-Georgia Friendship What Obama A Dream Comes True Presidency BY MAHADEV DESAI and other services but also promoting “cultural, Means For India commercial, educational, and scientific links Atlanta: Diwali on October 28, 2008 lit up and between Georgia and India. Our relationship is New Delhi: (IANS) With Democrat Barack further sweetened the growing close relationship burgeoning. We are just starting to realize the Obama winning the White House, India is hopeful between the State of Georgia and the Republic of potential. Everything points to a very robust that its multi-faceted ties with the US, India as Ambassador Ronen Sen accepted the relationship. Atlanta was chosen for a consulate revolutionized by a landmark nuclear deal during Resolution 1248 on Indo-Georgia friendship amidst in part because of its strong Indian-American the Bush tenure, will acquire new force. thunderous ovation in community and its “The real strategic partnership between India and the historic Senate strategic location in the the US will begin with Chamber of Georgia. U.S. It’s a hub, a a new government in Resolution 1248 which transportation hub,” Sen Washington and New was moved by said. He added, “Delta Delhi next year,” Lalit Senators Judson Hill Air Line’s new direct Mansingh, former of the 32nd district and flight between Atlanta ambassador of India to Chip Pearson of the and Mumbai was also a the US, told IANS 51st and adopted on favorable factor.” soon after it became March 28, 2008, Sen reiterated the clear that Obama had essentially underscores depth of the bond rewritten American the endeavors for between India and USA, history by becoming cultural, economic and as evidenced by the the first African educational cooperation Gov. Sonny Perdue, Ambassador Ronen recent Indo-US nuclear American to win the and further cementing of deal and the growing White House. the bond of friendship Sen with community members at the State trade and commerce Trade and between Georgia and Capitol. between the two investment, defence and agriculture - all those areas India. countries. Ambassador which were sidetracked by nuclear deal would now The efforts of the Asian American Chamber appreciated the efforts by Senator Judson Hill, come to the fore, said Mansingh. of Commerce of Georgia and the Gandhi Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the “Indians should celebrate change in the political Foundation of USA paid dividends when their Gandhi Foundation of USA in passing of the structure of the US. Obama’s presidency begins a new respective petitions transformed their dreams into Resolution #1248 which is bound to open up chapter in America’s political history, a new chapter in realities. The architect for the draft of the new vistas for bi-lateral trade, cultural America’s engagement with the world and a great Resolution 1248, Subash Razdan, President of opportunities, and educational exchanges between opportunity for India to combat terrorism in its region,” the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and India said Chintamani Mahapatra, professor of American Georgia said, “It was a befitting and logical “Indo-Georgian cooperation has been studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. conclusion for the efforts underway over the past gradually evolving with frequent exchange visits “I visualise a very bright future for India-US three years when two petitions were formally by dignitaries from Georgia and India. Indian relations. He would be the first Democratic presented to the Indian Minister of Non Resident Embassy has been working very closely with their president in the White House after Bill Clinton India affairs, Hon.Vylar Ravi at a luncheon American counterparts to broaden the scope of who began the path-breaking turnaround in India- organized by the Gandhi Foundation of USA at mutual interaction of multi-nationals such as The US ties during his visit to India in 2000. He will the Haveli Restaurant in Atlanta. One petition Coca Cola Co, Delta, et al. Today, India and the build upon that legacy,” Mahapatra told IANS. sought for a direct flight from Atlanta to India Peach State share a robust economic and Less than a fortnight ago, the 47-year-old and the second petition sought for an India educational relationship, a fact made clear during Obama had promised in an exclusive interview to Consulate in Atlanta. Fortunately for the Indian the recent passage of this resolution. Additionally, IANS to make strong strategic partnership with community in Georgia, we had a devoted friend recently there was a proposal to inter-twine India a “top priority” of his presidency and in Ambassador Ronen Sen, who also saw merit to Atlanta and Ahmedabad as Sister Cities,” described New Delhi as “a natural strategic these petitions and worked relentlessly to make remarked Razdan, who also serves as the partner” for Washington in the 21st century. this dream a reality.” Chairman of the Gandhi Foundation of USA. Obama, who liked to keep Mahatma Gandhi’s India’s U.S.Ambassador, Ronen Sen, Antony Thaliath, Executive Director of portrait in his Senate office, is also known among who was appreciated in the Resolution 1248 for GFUSA said, “This is an appropriate resolution Indian Americans for his fondness for Indian dal. his efforts to promote peace and growth of between two entities that have two of the greatest “Bush was more muscular in his approach to cultural, academic, economic, and educational ties apostles of peace, Gandhiji and M.L. King Jr. what he called the Global War on Terror. Obama is between India and the USA, told the gathering whose legacies are cherished by the majestic life likely to broaden the alliance against terror and use a celebrating Indo-Georgia friendship in the Senate size Gandhi Statue and the King Center.” combination of diplomacy and force that may be better Chambers, that the Indian Consulate in Atlanta suited for India’s interests in the region,” said Mahapatra. will be a full consulate, not only handling visas Continued on Pg20..... Full report on Pg10..... November 2008 2 NRI PULSE October 2008 November 2008 ........City News ........ NRI PULSE 3 Jewelry Business Lacks Convenience 414 Druid Oaks Dr NE Store Clerk Atlanta GA 30329 Luster This Festive Season Tel: 404-235-4998 Email: [email protected] Sag In Economy; Hike In Duty Affect Sales Shot To Death www.NRIPulse.com BY MUBASHRA SIDDIQUI deterred customers from buying gold. With gas prices BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE having hit highs of $4 per gallon, the average customer Atlanta: An Indian convenience store clerk, Babu Publisher Atlanta: Despite the major festivals of the is hesitant to uptake the cost of travel to spend about Augustine, was shot to death at the Matt’s Food Mart NRIPulse Media Inc. Indian-subcontinent being celebrated so close the same amount on gold itself, Bhura said. together, gold sales across the city remained slow. where he worked, located on 400 block of North Broad Editor Traditionally, Indian women often flock to buy at Street in Monroe, a little after quarter past twelve on Veena Rao least a modest piece of jewelry during Eid, Diwali and Thursday, October 23, The Atlanta Indian Jewelers Association plans [email protected] the upcoming Christmas. This year, however, jewelers 2008. He was 56 and hailed saw a substantial reduction in their customer base, which to lobby against the 5.5 per cent import duty and from Adoor city in Kerala. Correspondents many say was almost halved. With Eid and the major to make India a part of the Generalized System As per Walton Mubashra Siddiqui occasion of Diwali already having passed by, they don’t of Preferences (GSP) again... Tribune, the police have \ Jyothsna Hegde have much hope for December sales either. arrested and charged Maithili Bhat Nicholas Laron Crawford According to Sikander Chandrani, owner of Shameem K., a potential gold customer in Alabama, 22, of 1120 Fairview Drive, Columnists Meena Jewelers based in Decatur, there are two main agreed with Bhura’s assessment saying that the gas prices Monroe for the murder. Kavita Chhibber reasons for this downward slump that has left major did make her rethink her decision to invest in gold, “I had Crawford remains in Dr. Mala Chakravorty retailers like him worried: the current sag in the set aside a budget for some gold purchase for the festive Walton County Jail and has been charged with felony murder, Ravi R. Ponangi economy and the recent imposition of a 5.5 per cent season but decided it would not be worth the hassle to armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted Mahadev Desai duty on almost all gold pieces imported from India. travel all the way especially with how the gas prices have felon. Additional charges are pending. Narender Reddy been.” According to sources, an African American male Chandler Sharma Additionally, say the jewelers, dressed in black allegedly entered the store with a Dr. Narsi Narasimhan since the gold market is so volatile at pistol in his hand while Babu Augustine was re- Maya Nair the moment, many customers are stocking. Babu turned around when he heard a noise P.S. Lakshmi Rao rethinking their decision to buy gold to find a gun pointed at him. It is said that the two got until prices fall or somewhat Art Director into a verbal altercation and Babu was shot one time, stabilize. Indeed, many are adopting Sonu Patel Crawford then went to the cash counter and on his a ‘wait-and-watch’ attitude.